Rayne

43-55 Wyndham Street, Central.
Tel: 2840 1955

The vibe: there's something seductive about sitting on the roadside and watching the world go by, cold beer or cocktail in hand. The people behind Rayne - the name is derived from the Scandinavian word for 'strong' - have tapped in to this mood on Wyndham Street. Scattered tables and stools create plenty of space - remarkable considering the packs who converge nightly on the district referred to by some as 'Cougar Alley'. You can settle in for a chat if you're early enough and watch the passing parade. Later on, the lounge or house music amps up and this part of town becomes a place to see and be seen.

The drinks: wine and cocktails are the house specialties - New Zealand's Mud House Pinot Noir (2008), for example, costs HK$350 per bottle or HK$80 per glass. The staff also recommend the establishment's signature mixes, the 'Chocolate Rayne' (HK$85), in particular, which blends home-made chocolate sauce with vodka and whiskey and then tops the whole sensation off with frangelico and chocolate liqueur. Updates on traditions are offered, too, such as the Cloudy Apple Martini (HK$85), with muddled red apples, vodka and cloudy apple juice, which is a really smooth surprise.

The verdict: with a menu that's strong on organic produce and an atmosphere that is pure organic in its nature, Rayne makes a warm and welcome addition to the Wyndham Street buzz.