Hong Kong

This month we are shining a spotlight on the gastronomic delights of Hong Kong, which has in recent years provided a number of top 100 Restaurants, and is so very close to having its first entry onto the World’s 50 Best restaurants ranking. This Spotlight features those top 100 restaurants, as well as a listing of all restaurants voted for in Hong Kong in 2010 by the Academy.

A Word from our Regional Chairman

Grant Thatcher

For a city with a purported 10,000 restaurants, you’d be hard pushed to starve in Hong Kong – from the very simplest, spit and sawdust dai pai dong to triple Michelin-starred opulence, there’s a price point and provenance for every purse and palette. Having lived in Asia for 15 years, 13 in Hong Kong, it’s been fascinating and heartening to watch the emergence of the dining scene from a handful of credible outlets into a thriving, if not burgeoning, world class arena encapsulating everything from Slow Food Cantonese to molecular bistronomy, complete with a feisty and fiercely opinionated following of passionate bloggers, Twitterers and secret kitchen officianados. For too long the world’s eyes have been turned toward Europe and the US for the top culinary accolades, but unquestionably we are now seeing a shift to more exotic cusines the world over for inspiration, talent and sourcing, and it’s not a moment too soon. The World’s 50 Best list is, I believe, instrumental in inspiring and spotlighting emerging trends and talents the world over. With each passing year, an increasing number of Asian restaurants have begun to appear in the top 100 list – this year no less than five from Hong Kong alone – and when you consider the astounding competition worldwide, it makes me very proud and delighted to be helping to champion the delights of the Orient. Remember, Food + East = feast! So, don’t take a slow boat, take a fast plane…

Academy Chairman’s Recommended New Hot Spots

Liberty Private Works – Exceptional French/Japanese private kitchen

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana – Uber Italian for the banker brigade

Alfie’s by Kee – Great comfort Brit gentlemen’s clubster

The Chairman – Seasonal, sustainable, locally sourced “slow” Cantonese

Grant Thatcher is the founder and publishing editor of LUXE City Guides.

Gastronomic Events

The next few months are a food traveller’s paradise in Hong Kong. Coming up is the annual Wine & Dine Festival from 28th -31st October, and that is followed by a whole Wine and Dine month in November.

Festive Hong Kong 2010 – A World of Celebrations

Discover Hong Kong’s unique world of dazzling celebrations during Festive Hong Kong Year. Experience an enchanting mix of Chinese and Western festivities in a mesmerising year-round whirl of festivals, music, sports, arts and cultural events. November is Wine and Dine Month in Hong Kong where visitors will have an incredible opportunity to taste exquisite award-wining dishes and sample wines from around the world at the West Kowloon Promenade.

Hong Kong is the culinary capital of Asia and a paradise for food lovers, proud of its living fusion of East and West; it’s not surprising fusion food figures highly, with stunning combinations of ingredients and tastes producing unforgettable dining memories. There are over 11,000 restaurants and although it is the world capital for Cantonese cuisine, you can also try everything from Italian to Thai, Indian to Japanese.

Visit the dedicated microsite to find out more about the Wine & Dine Festival and Month: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/festivehk2010/eng/wine_dine/index.jsp

Discover Hong Kong

Here are some tips on the newest foodie hang-outs from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Top 100 Restaurants

Chairman’s Recommendations

Academy Recommended

Interview

Restaurant Locations

Video