A triple serving of cake in Vienna and croissants in Kazan, Russia – the best she ever had: sweet-toothed Connie Lau’s favourite places to eat

That Vienna is a place for cake is hardly a secret, but for Connie Lau, Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation CEO, the three-cake set at Cafe Museum is next-level
As for croissants, those at Hotel Luciano in Kazan, Russia, are unbeatable. Nearer home, she tips Morton’s for steak and The Verandah at The Peninsula

Hong Kong dining & recommendations

Andrew Sun

Published: 3:15pm, 23 Sep 2020

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Formerly Hong Kong Ombudsman and head of the city’s Consumer Council, Connie Lau is CEO of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation

I am a food lover. I enjoy eating all that is good, delicious, beautiful and inspiring. You know, when I was at the Consumer Council, we always advise balance in eating, but I like food so it’s like – do as I say, not as I do.

But I most appreciate that food brings people together, even at meetings with some egg tarts. It also enhances the understanding of cultures.

One brand I always like is The Peninsula hotel. If a city [I visit] has one of its hotels, I usually would book there. Of their restaurants [in Hong Kong], the one I like most is The Verandah (1/F, The Peninsula, 22 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2696 6766).

The interior of Yat Tung Heen. Photo: Lit Ma

Eight treasures duck at Celestial Court.

It is currently a buffet restaurant but I just enjoy that space. The food is good, too. I’ve been going there for 30 years, since I got married. We like it for birthdays and anniversaries. The ambience is nice and the service impeccable.

I also enjoy Cantonese and seafood. I like Yat Tung Heen (Level B2, Eaton Hong Kong, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, tel: 2710 1093) and Celestial Court (2/F, Sheraton Hong Kong, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2369 1111). Both are very good.

The Verandah’s seafood mixed grill at The Peninsula in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Peninsula Hong Kong

Lau admits to having a very sweet tooth and knows where to find the best croissant going.

I am also very much a steak lover. I actually enjoy all forms of beef, even tartare. The steakhouse I like is Morton’s The Steakhouse (4/F, Sheraton Hong Kong, tel: 2732 2343). I like the way they grill the steak, and I have it with wine although I am a moderate drinker.

I also have a sweet tooth. My friends say Connie’s meal is not complete without desserts. One of the [cities] I like most for sweets is Vienna, where I used to go for international meetings.

Cafe Museum (Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria, tel: +43 1 24 100 620) has nice meal sets too, but I really like the desserts. There is a dish with three cakes in one set. One of my favourites is the cheese tart accompanied with a cappuccino.

Connie Lau recommends the set of three cakes at Cafe Museum in Vienna.

Breakfast at the Hotel Luciano Kazan in Tatarstan, Russia, included the best croissants Connie Lau has ever tasted.

Another special experience was in Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan, in Russia. I would say at the Hotel Luciano Kazan (Ostrovskogo Street 26, Kazan, tel: +7 843 200 09 57) I found the best croissant I ever tasted, in its cafe. It’s light and crunchy, you get a taste of the butter but it is not greasy. I could eat it every day.

Currently, our foundation is busy with our annual fundraising event. Due to social distancing, instead of the Pink Walk, which we’ve held for 15 years, we have a virtual event called Pink Together, that can take place the whole month of October and early November.

People can walk not just to The Peak but anywhere. Or they can swim, cycle, do any sport, anywhere, any time. After my walk, I plan to go to The Peninsula’s Lobby for their irresistible almond roll with cream.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Food lover finds balanced diet easier said than done

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