Best Hong Kong restaurants of ex-TVB and CCTV presenter James Chau, from Casa Lisboa to the Ladies Recreation Club

Now a United Nations goodwill ambassador and host of The China Current, James Chau loves the piri piri quail at Casa Lisboa and chicken tikka at The Chinnery

For special celebrations he recommends three restaurants run by Alan Lo and Yenn Wong: Estro, Ando and Duddell’s

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Former TVB and CCTV broadcaster James Chau returned to Hong Kong in 2018 after almost 15 years as a news anchor in Beijing, China. Photo: Courtesy of James Chau

Published: 5:15pm, 6 Jul 2022

Former TVB and CCTV broadcaster James Chau is now a United Nations goodwill ambassador for the World Health Organization. He also hosts The China Current, an online show exploring human stories on issues such as poverty, climate change and public health. He spoke to Andrew Sun.

My father was an engineer who designed aviation and maritime navigational instruments, and my mother was a social worker who founded the first Mandarin-language school in the UK. Growing up in London, they rarely asked me and my brother what we wanted to eat, yet instilled in us a joy and gratitude for food.

I like Casa Lisboa (2/F, Parekh House, 63 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2905 1168), which is the first restaurant my wonderful sister-in-law invited me to. She runs a food and beverage public relations group, so if I’m short on ideas she always knows where the best place is. The piri piri quail laced in tomato and olive oil is great, as are the codfish cakes and especially the suckling pig.

For drinks, The Chinnery (1/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central. Tel: 2825 4009) is comfortable and chic. I like their chicken tikka, unless I’m just stopping by for a gin and tonic.

Octopus rice with spring onion, green asparagus and octopus tempura at Casa Lisboa.

I also like Ramato (208 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2549 0208), my new neighbourhood hang-out. Hands down, I ask for the baked sea bass every time.

I like inviting guests to the Ladies Recreation Club (19 Old Peak Road, Mid-Levels. Tel: 3199 3500. Members only), founded by a group of pioneering women almost 140 years ago. It’s actually a very forward-thinking community and its collection of restaurants represent a global culinary journey. A couple of times every year, they offer menus specific to a country or culture. Food has a unique way of opening up the human mind to new experiences.