An underwater restaurant in the Maldives, fine dining in Japan, Beijing-style hotpot in Hong Kong: an architect’s all-time favourite places to eat
- Hong Kong-based architect and art centre director Tim Li Man-wai says Japan is his favourite dining destination
- The first place in Hong Kong he will go to when dining out in groups is allowed again is Tai Fung Lau Peking Restaurant for its hotpot
Tim Li Man-wai has a doctorate in fine arts and is a practising architect with the Hong Kong Housing Department. He has exhibited design works at international art shows and is ex-chairman of Para Site, an art space in Quarry Bay on Hong Kong Island. Recently, he released a book, Echoes In The Wind, which muses about art, design, travel and Hong Kong society.
During a normal year, I travel quite a bit for work and leisure, including to art events like the Venice Biennale, Art021 and the Taipei art fair, as well as for trekking. In general, I prefer more nature- and resort-type trips.
I would love to revisit the Maldives Islands Resorts for the beaches and diving – and the underwater Sea Restaurant (Kihavah Huravalhi Island, 20215, Maldives, tel: +960 660 1020).
As an architect, I appreciate the design of the octagonal-shaped restaurant which optimises the underwater views for diners. We were amazed by the fish, such as striped lion fish, moray eel, clownfish, neon fusiliers, parrotfish and surgeonfish, that we saw. It was a mesmerising picture.
Japan is my favourite dining destination. There, I would say Hoshinoya Tokyo (1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, tel: +81 50 3786 1144) has the best fine-dining experience.