Born in Taipei, raised in Hong Kong and educated in Sydney, Emma Maclean is the creative director and founder of interior design studio EM Bespoke. She speaks to Andrew Sun. I have quite the sweet tooth, as my team would tell you, but I’m working hard on my culinary skills as I like to explore new neighbourhood places and revisit favourites. I have several go-to restaurants including Man Mo Dim Sum (G/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan). I consider it contemporary dim sum – think tom yum xiao long bao , truffle Brie dumplings. The interior is caped in vibrant forest green, dark rich timbers, and with indoor and outdoor seating that allows it to be a hybrid restaurant by day and relaxed wine bar by night. A very cool spot. We just completed the soft refurbishment of Veda (2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, tel: 3755 3067), which has an array of vegetarian options and prides itself on its sustainable efforts. We gave the interior a fresh, bright yet cosy ambience. My favourite items there are from the lunch menu, including the samosa chaat and dosa. Messina (37-43 Pottinger Street, Central) is the best gelato in town. It makes everything from scratch . There are some rotating flavours every week, plus Hong Kong-only flavours such as egg tart, Hong Kong milk tea and tofu fa [pudding]. My all-time favourite is pistachio and plain chocolate together. I visited the original gelato Messina in 2002 as a student in Sydney, Australia, so it’s also sentimental for me. I like La Vache! (48 Peel Street, SoHo, tel: 2880 0248) for its simplicity and excellent service, and that dessert cart! The interior was designed by a dear friend. Its playful, punchy, burgundy and mirror walls are accompanied with large illustrations depicting scenes in the French city of Paris. It might be a cliché but I would take visitors to Maxim’s Palace City Hall (2/F, 5-7 Edinburgh Place, Central, tel: 2521 1303) just for the old-school dim sum trolleys, atmosphere and decor. It takes me back to childhood weekends with my family. 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Shop 202, Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Road, Central, tel: 2537 8859) is a great splurge. There is something so comforting about its classic Italian dishes plus the excellent service. Don’t miss the signature famous truffle pasta. The Amber (7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, tel: 2132 0066) experience is second to none . The newly overhauled restaurant is highly architectural with luxurious hints of reflective gold elements. I adore the recent renovation by [architect] Adam D. Tihany. The newly overhauled restaurant is highly architectural, brightly lit, with organic lines and luxurious hints of reflective gold elements. Twelve years ago, I lived in Rome for over six months and loved every moment. I would want to visit it again especially for Trattoria da Danilo (Via Petrarca 13, Rome, tel: +39 06 7720 0111), a local traditional favourite. The restaurant is a family affair. Danilo runs the front of house, his mother is in charge of the kitchen. They do simple things well, like the cacio e pepe and spaghetti alla carbonara. I also miss the night markets across Southeast Asia. There is no better way to experience the local culture. A special mention to Provence Restaurant (999, 2/F, Gaysorn Plaza, Plooenchit Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, tel: +66 2 656 1050) in Bangkok, Thailand, for its boat noodles. There are more economical, hole-in-the-wall options, but the broth is unbeatable.