There are several interesting places opening up in the new Festival Walk complex in Kowloon Tong.
The Rainforest Cafe, a 360-seat 'theme restaurant', opened on Monday. It features saltwater aquariums, a starscape on the ceiling, animated birds, reptiles and other animals and a simulated rainstorm that thunders through the restaurant every 20 minutes. Tracy the Talking Tree tries to educate diners with environmental messages. The menu includes burgers, pizzas, pastas, Asian dishes and 'comfort food'. Call 2777-3222.
W's Alsace, a new French brasserie by Wilson Kwok (of W's Entrecote and W's Paris 13th), opens tomorrow, with a limited menu of roasts and choucroute (sauerkraut with meats). Mr Kwok says that after completing government licensing and inspections, the brasserie will have a micro-brewery and serve an expanded menu of Alsatian specialties and beers and wines from France and Germany. Call 2265-7228.
Watson's Wine Cellar will open their new branch - a 1,200-square-foot store - on December 14.
Macau's first Wine Festival takes place from December 11 to 20. The event will feature Portuguese wines and foods, and is open to the public. Throughout the festival entry to the Macau Wine Museum is free. Don't forget to take out life insurance! For information call 2549-8884.
Annabel Jackson, author of Hong Kong On A Plate, Macau On A Plate and, her latest, Vietnam On A Plate, is guest speaker at the Women in Publishing Society (WIPS) meeting on December 2. She will be talking about food and beverage writing. It's $60 for WIPS members and $80 for non-members. Call 2858-1231.
There is a fresh and natural twist to several products being launched in the Hong Kong market.