A slow food fan’s favourite Hong Kong restaurants for all occasions – from modern Chinese and dim sum to French and Italian
Wealth manager Terrence Annamunthodo likes simple food, from casual Shoreditch and hip Tokyolima to fine Italian fare at Angelini, plus Shanghainese, Cantonese and dim sum
I tend to favour simple, flavourful food. Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (various locations including Shop E01-E06, 1/F Lab Concept, Queensway Plaza, 93 Queensway, Admiralty, tel: 2529 9908) is a family favourite. All their dishes have that little extra flavour and the prices are fair.
Everything is good but the dishes we really like include the fried rice, the xiao long bao, the crispy eel and the meatballs and vegetables.
For casual get-togethers, Shoreditch (18 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, tel: 2242 3777) is reliable and 22 Ships (22 Ship Street, Wan Chai, tel: 2555 0722) has great small dishes, with the marrow being particularly good. It does get crowded, however.
Tokyolima (18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, tel: 2811 1152) is fun. It has a hip atmosphere, good food and great drinks. Try the kim-o-chi fried chicken and the spicy hamachi and accompany them with the many varieties of sake.
I like to have dim sum with out of town guests at Luk Yu Tea House (24-26 Stanley Street, Central, tel: 2523 5464) which provides a nice step back in time. For a weekday group lunch, Lippo Chiuchow Restaurant (Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, tel: 2526 1168) is enjoyable.
For a fine modern Chinese meal, Cuisine Cuisine (two locations including Shop 3101, 3/F, IFC, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, tel: 2393 3933) hits the spot. Notable are their roasted baby pigeon and the fried rice with conpoy and vegetables, but the menu is extensive.
For more excellent Cantonese, I also like Ming Court (Level 6, Cordis Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, tel: 3552 3028) and Golden Leaf (Lower Lobby, Conrad Hotel, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, tel: 2521 3838 ext. 8280).
Other favourites are Angelini(M/F, Kowloon Shangri-La hotel, 64 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2733 8750), which has some very fine Italian food, and, for a virtual escape to the streets of Italy, Mangiare (44-55 Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town, tel: 2336 3375). The food is served without fanfare but it is full of flavour and atmosphere. The menu changes regularly but the Italian sausage is a worthwhile perennial. It is BYOB and worth a good bottle of Italian.
