The British are coming

Lovers of Indian food are lamenting the closure of Veda, the upmarket restaurant on Arbuthnot Road that opened about five years ago and impressed food critics with its delicious, refined cuisine.

Owner Sarika Jhunjhnuwala says she plans to concentrate on a take-away line that will be sold in stores such as Great, in Pacific Place, Admiralty, and for which she's opening a production facility on Bonham Road. She also wants to focus on organic food and the expansion of Cafe O, of which there are three branches. Jhunjhnuwala hopes to reopen Veda in about a year.

Taking its place is modern British restaurant SoHo SoHo, which was originally on Old Bailey Street, moved to Lyndhurst Terrace, closed after two years due to a major rent increase then reopened as a stopgap measure at the Fringe Club while looking for more long-term premises. Owner Simon Miller-Jones (above) says the restaurant will start serving a la carte dishes early next year. Until December 23, the venue is catering only to holiday parties for up to 100 guests; a four-course dinner menu is available for HK$320 per person.

Start the meal with appetisers such as roast pumpkin soup; chestnut, leek and mushroom tart; or a seafood medley with lime and dill mayonnaise. Main-course options include traditional roast turkey with classic English trimmings and grilled fillet of snapper with winter vegetables and tomato saffron sauce. Desserts include homemade sherry trifle and Christmas pudding with brandy custard. A similar holiday lunch menu is available for HK$230.

SoHo SoHo is at 1/F, 8 Arbuthnot Road, Central, tel: 2147 2618.