The drinks are flowing again as Lan Kwai Fong mainstay reopens

Many were sad to see the demolition last year of California Tower and California Entertainment Building - mainstays of Lan Kwai Fong for nearly three decades and immortalised in the classic Wong Kar-wai film Chunking Express.

The new California Tower won't open until next year, but one feature of it is back. Lux Bistro & Bar reopened officially on Wednesday night at a new spot in Lan Kwai Fong, and the management claimed it was more prominent than before.

At the opening cocktail party, managers of the stylish two-storey lounge - sporting a burgundy theme with a large, red chandelier-like acrylic centrepiece - unveiled their new menu, prepared by executive chef Alex Liu, and cocktail list. This includes the LuxBerry, featuring rum, lime cordial, strawberry liquor and puree, and the Boston Lobster cocktail. Liu, who has more than 10 years of experience in the restaurant trade, said he was aiming for 'a purity of flavours' with his menu. 'I wanted to create European cuisine with a modern twist,' he said.

Kavin Chan, managing director of Lan Kwai Fong Entertainments, which operates Lux, said many old customers had returned. 'Lux is such an established part of the Lan Kwai Fong scene,' he said. 'It has been a smooth comeback.'