In firing range
Sherman Tang's new Lan Kwai Fong restaurant, Dillinger's, is polishing its big guns for a grand March opening, although it will begin serving before Lunar New Year. The two-storey steak house will serve six or seven cuts of meat, with a smaller range of seafood and poultry. Named after John Dillinger, the outlaw who once terrorised the American West, it updates classic saloon decor with timber floors, wood panelling and wainscoting. Tang's next new venture is the Clockwork Orange-inspired The Milk Bar on the third floor of the old Graffiti's site. The trendy bar, which will serve cafe-style food in the $60 to $80 range, opens after Lunar New Year.
Footie fever Football fever reaches a pitch tomorrow morning, with the kick-off at 7am. The Omni Hong Kong Hotel has joined Dan Ryan's - and probably every other restaurant with a live link to sports channel ESPN - in offering a Super Bowl party from 6.30am. The hotel's $240 per person breakfast includes bacon, sausages, hash browns, pancakes, burgers and hot dogs. Call 2736-0088 ext 3673 for reservations.
Island hideout Coloane seems a long way to go for chicken parts. But the drool-worthy giblets that Balichao dishes up makes it worth the trek to the farthest Macau island. The generous portion of giblets or pipis ($25) is served in a thick, spicy gravy which invites dipping with chunks of warm bread. There's an added bonus - the restaurant is in Coloane Park, far from any building site. Tel: (853) 870-098.
Burgundy buffs Happy Valley is where would-be Burgundy buffs need to be on Friday and Saturday. Wine shop La Cave d'Alfred is holding 90-minute 'tutored tastings', covering eight wines from the Burgundy region. The session costs $250 per person. Call 2575-1590 for reservations.
Sweet nothings The Just Tasting Cheesecake Index reveals a difference of almost 300 per cent in the price of quality cakes available at five top bakeries. The most expensive are from the Continental in Quarry Bay, which also sells the most creative range. Its cappuccino cheesecake and the chocolate marble cheesecake both cost $440; the baked lemon cheesecake is marginally less at $400. The Mandarin Cake Shop's offerings are cheap in comparison, at $140 for the 500g cake and $280 for the 1kg type. Italian cake shop Cova, in Swire House, also sells cheesecakes in small ($150) and large ($300) sizes. The American Pie takes mid-position at $225, while the Furama Cake Shop is the least expensive at $160.
Time Up For Now Time seems to have run out for The Time Is Always Now on Wyndham Street. The restaurant shut suddenly some weeks ago and talk is that the biggest chairs in town were too large to make the space pay. But the pen and paper taped to the door are still used for messages.
