Nuts for Knutsford
KNUTSFORD TERRACE IN Tsim Sha Tsui has long attracted tourists and Hong Kong residents who head to the short pedestrian strip for its international restaurants and bars. With the opening last year of Knutsford Steps, the area has become even more of a gourmet hot spot.
It isn't hard to get to the Knutsford Terrace/Knutsford Steps area: take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui and get out at exit B1. Walk two blocks along Nathan Road and turn right on Kimberley Road. At the bottom of Knutsford Steps - at the junction of Kimberley and Carnarvon roads - is da dolce, which has Italian ice cream, cakes and desserts. The little take-away has two terrace seating areas and cooling off with an ice-cream cone ($28-$33) in exotic flavours such as blood orange, tiramisu or chestnut is a great idea in summer.
Opposite the gelato shop is Azabu Sabo, a Japanese restaurant serving dishes such as ramen with miso, minced pork and cabbage in spicy soup ($45.80), deep-fried homemade shrimp dumpling ($29.80) and sabo-style fried pork kebab ($32.80).
Walk up the stairs into the airy, quiet Knutsford Steps building on the left. On the ground floor is a cigar shop, La Tradicion Cubana, and Starbucks.
Pass the coffee shop and walk up the stairs, where Skewer Skewer - a comfortable eatery with cafe-style seating - is perfect for a relaxing dinner. The menu mixes Asian and western traditions into dishes such as soft shell crab skewers rolled with roti paratha ($48), honey roasted chicken wings ($16) and roasted eel with honey sauce ($36). Next door is Samba, serving Brazilian dishes such as pan-fried goose liver with pineapple salsa ($49).
Then comes the nouvelle-Thai, Mai (tom yum kung shrimp soup, $60; spiced crab with bell pepper, $148; grilled chicken, $65). At the end of the alley is Friar Tuck, a new bar and restaurant serving Continental cuisine (baked escargot on mushroom with butter, $38; parma ham with melon, $68; lamb chop with chips and seasonal vegetables, $85).
Turn around and walk past wine shop Merit Wine Boutique. Turn right and you'll see traditional Japanese restaurant Ippei-an-higomonzu (stewed pork ramen, $65; seafood tempura, $38; fresh salmon with salmon roe, $68).
If none of these tempt you, check out Restaurant Le Flamboyant, a French Vietnamese cuisine and wine bar. Try the braised duck with Grand Marnier sauce ($72), baked silver cod with Burgundy white wine sauce ($118).
Leave the building and continue up the steps to Knutsford Terrace and the first restaurant is the Japanese Gatorfan (prawn tempura, $80; chicken wing with kimchi, $40; Matsuzaka sliced beef, $300).
Further along Knutsford Terrace is Papa Razzi Terrazza Italiana, which has a great lunch deal: $68-$98 for four courses. Walk past Chasers, which serves burgers and fish and chips, to Big Tree Pub, which offers snacks and Thai food (fried beef fillet with black pepper, $40; duck breast, $43; Japanese style squid, $46). Its neighbour is Bahama Mama's Caribbean Bar (Mexican beef tortilla salad roll, $48; Canadian smoked salmon salad, $48; pizza Romano, $78).
Then comes the modern Chinese, Heaven on Earth (stir-fried prawns with crab roe and asparagus, $98; marinated sweet and sour spare ribs, $60). Next door is Tutto Bene Ristorante Italiano (tiger prawns with mushrooms, $148; boned chops with tarragon pesto, $158).
Above the Whale Pub is Apgujeong Tent Bar - Korean Bar & Restaurant (beef tartare with sweet pear, $128; steamed pork belly with kimchee and vegetables, $108).
The building at 10 Knutsford Terrace is home to a number of restaurants. On the ground floor is Island Seafood & Oyster Bar, famous for its jet-fresh oysters ($22-$45 per piece) from all over the world. On the first floor is A Touch of Spice (Vietnamese barbecue eel with lemongrass, $82; baked curry chicken in fresh bread, $125; charcoal broiled tender pork, $58). Level two is Balalaika Russian Restaurant (duck liver pate with smoked duck breast on crisp bread, $75; piroshki, $15 each; Russian blini, $25 each). Club Havana is on the third floor providing a Cuban buffet from 6pm-9pm (Sunday-Thursday $108; Friday and Saturday $138).
Next to 10 Knutsford Terrace is Merhaba Turkish Restaurant & Bar (grills such as lamb, ox-tongue, eel or chicken wings, $45-$60 for two pieces).
Then the French BB's Bistro offers salad Nicoise ($58), duck breast with figs and honey sauce ($118), rabbit breast with mushrooms and fettuccini ($118) and French onion soup ($42).
Its neighbour is El Cid Spanish Restaurant (pan-fried goose liver with apple, $115; grilled swordfish wrapped with bacon served with crispy garlic, $170; angel hair with garlic and crispy ham in almond pesto, $100).
Opposite the Spanish eatery is the small Kimberley Plaza which houses three restaurants. Take the entrance from Knutsford Terrace and arrive at Hibiki Japanese Cuisine and Sake Bar. The extensive menu includes soy-grilled live golden eel with special sauce ($108), and chilled inaniwa udon or soba with traditional dipping sauce ($68).
One floor up is the cosy Knutsford Steak Chop & Oyster Bar (pan-seared goose liver, $108; baked oysters rockefeller, $138; angus rib-eye beef steak, $188).
To taste Southeast Asian cuisine, visit La Cuisine de Mekong on level three, which specialises in dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
