5/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2523 0238
The vibe: The Fifties has relocated from Lan Kwai Fong to 8 Lyndhurst Terrace. The decor is supposed to evoke the 1950s, but fails to correctly nail it: a Beatles record (the band formed in 1960), a teddy bear, paintings of iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe, and a lava lamp (an item that wasn't invented until the 60s). The five-piece live band The Magic Touch plays loungey tunes that are not solely from the 50s. We ordered a plate of nachos (HK$72), which consisted of slightly stale tortilla chips and very little cheese. There is an automatic charge for 'nuts' (HK$35), which came in the form of a bowl of chips we didn't request and barely touched. The servers are attentive, friendly and efficient, but if you are asked if you want water, saying yes means you'll be charged for the bottle that is sitting on the table (HK$90).
The drinks: the drinks were excellent. Three of the signature cocktails contain fresh fruit. The fresh fruit daiquiri or martini is available in lychee, strawberry and green apple (happy hour HK$75, regular HK$100) and tastes as fresh as if the ingredients just came from the market. The Scarlet Geisha is a delectable mixture of berries, vodka, melon liqueur and cranberry juice (happy hour HK$75, regular HK$100). There's a sizeable wine list with champagne (HK$150 glass, starts at HK$800 a bottle), red and white wine (both start at HK$55 a glass, HK$360 a bottle).
The verdict: if you insist on visiting this establishment, stick to the drinks.
