Hong Kong's first Belgian beer hall, Frites (right), has opened in Central. The 4,000 sq ft space has banquet tables and bench seating for 85 and is open for breakfast from 8am until the bar closes at 3am. The drinks list is impressive, with five Belgian beers on draught and 25 bottled selections, including abbey and Trappist beers and Hoegaarden.

The menu continues the Belgian theme with several choices of mussels (including Hoegaarden, mariniere and the house variety, far right; HK$135 for a 500-gram bucket, HK$245 for 1kg), served with fries and homemade mayonnaise. Also available are steak tartare (bottom right, HK$85 for a starter, HK$160 for a main course), carbonnade a la flamande (Flemish beef stew, HK$170), 750-gram roasted pork knuckle with roasted vegetables (HK$155), half a roast duck with red cabbage and potato dumplings (HK$155), chocolate mousse (HK$60) and waffles with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (HK$55).

The restaurant offers an express lunch (HK$98; three courses with soft drink, coffee or tea), available from noon to 2pm, and an express dinner (HK$118; one course from selected dishes plus beer, wine or soft drink) from 5pm to 7pm.