Favourite Hong Kong restaurants of Nathalie Melville, bespoke jewellery designer
Melville is a huge fan of vegetarian restaurant Grassroots Pantry and, as a Kennedy Town resident, makes the most of the area’s restaurants. She tells us, too, where she indulges in decadent cocktails and dessert
However, the signature mushroom linguine is still a hearty go-to if you are hungry, as is the very generous ethnic plate – ideal to share or for indecisive diners, as it has so much variety.
Being a Kennedy Towner, we are surrounded by chain restaurants that, although great, lack the charm of independent eateries. Catch (95 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, tel: 2855 1289) is a neighbourhood favourite with K-Town residents keen to support locally owned businesses.
The food is simple, reliable and always excellent – there is a reason weekend brunch queues go out the door. Smashed avocado and feta with poached egg is a must, as is the pint of prawns, softshell crab burger and my husband’s favourite, the dirty eggs with chorizo.
The Cofftea Shop (Yue On Building, 78-86 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, tel: 9104 2404) is another independent establishment with a loyal local following. A hole-in-the-wall that does the best coffee in the neighbourhood, there is a reason it has a queue every morning. From commuters to dog walkers to mums with strollers, Cofftea negates the need to arrange meet-ups with friends, as you’re likely to bump into them most mornings waiting for your white Americano.
Near our studio is Honeymoon Dessert (Shop 4-8, Western Market, 323 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, tel: 2851 2606) Everything is good, but I could – and would if I didn’t mind ending up the size of a house – live on the hot almond soup with lotus seeds. Heaven in a bowl.