Favourite Hong Kong restaurants of Gil Lempert-Schwarz, wine and whisky auctioneer

I first arrived in Hong Kong from Denmark in 1989. I was in the wine business, importing California wine and American products. Now I live between Las Vegas and here. I am very adventurous with food although I don’t eat pork because I’m Jewish.

Otherwise, I have been fortunate to have travelled the world and eaten at all the great restaurants. I’m lucky to have become friends with some great chefs too. It was cool to catch up with Jean-Georges Vongerichten at the pre-opening of Mercato (8/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, tel: 3706 8567). The food there is outstanding. It’s Italian but different.

I love Gia Trattoria Italiana (1/F Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King Street, Wan Chai, tel: 2511 8081). It’s top notch, with great pizza. But my canteen is Gaia Ristorante (Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, tel: 2167 8200). The director, Pino Piano, is one of my oldest friends in the business. It’s al fresco dining at its best in Hong Kong. They have the best rotisserie chicken. I love simple things like that.

I also like On Dining (29/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, tel: 2174 8100). A friend of mine co-opened it and I think it is true to the idea of fresh modern French dining with exceptional dishes.

Consistency counts a lot to me. If I want a good top-class Cantonese meal I go to One Harbour Road (7-8/F Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2584 7722). I have worked with chef Tim professionally and what they do is classic. I don’t know why it is not more highly regarded.

I like Sevva (25/F Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, tel: 2537 1388). Bonnae Gokson wanted a world cuisine menu. Today, they have it, with one of the best dosas you can get.