Where a Filipino in Hong Kong eats Michelin-star Thai and Cantonese food
- Mirabel Rosar and her husband enjoy exploring Hong Kong’s many Michelin-star restaurants
- She’s a big fan of the Thai dishes at Aaharn, the high-class Cantonese cooking at Tin Lung Heen, and the pigeon at Caprice
Manila native Mirabel Rosar is the founder of Arao Fine Jewellery, an everyday luxury brand showcasing South Sea pearls. Before getting into luxury, she worked in the food industry in Australia and the Philippines for 18 years. She talks to Andrew Sun.
I eat all types of food but my favourites would be Japanese, Thai and seafood. When my husband and I moved to Hong Kong in 2018, we were excited to live in the seventh most Michelin-starred city in the world. We haven’t managed to visit all, but we’ve had our share. Suffice to say, there are many options, maybe too much.
We discovered chef David Thompson’s Nahm in Bangkok in 2012. We were so impressed by the exquisite and modern interpretation of Thai cuisine. When they opened Aaharn (Armoury Building 02, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2703 9111), we couldn’t wait to try it. He delivers a full spectrum of Thai flavours, from spicy, bitter, sweet, sour to salty. Our taste buds were so entertained. Definitely worth the one Michelin star.
During my first year here, my husband surprised me on my birthday at Tin Lung Heen (102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2263 2270). We had never been to a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant so we were very excited. It was already an experience going up the lift to the 102nd floor. It was indeed a sky-high dining experience.
Then I surprised my husband for his birthday at three-Michelin-star Caprice (Podium 6, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, tel: 3196 8860). We started with cocktails at the diminutive bar. The menu was inventive. I ordered their signature dish, Racan pigeon, and I was pleasantly surprised.