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).