I know a place: Charlotte Chen, Spottly travel app
Little Bao may be new to the dining scene, but it's definitely a game changer. They make good, hip, unpretentious food and the place has an awesome vibe. Casual food doesn't mean not thoughtful.
(66 Staunton Street, Central, tel: 2194 0202) may be new to the dining scene, but it's definitely a game changer. They make good, hip, unpretentious food and the place has an awesome vibe. Casual food doesn't mean not thoughtful.
This Asian-American diner's favourite, pork belly bao, is a melt-in-your-mouth treat smothered in hoisin ketchup, sesame dressing and leek salad. Calorific but a must. Save space for their dessert, a deep-fried salted caramel bao.
A foodie's heart would skip a beat for (Tower 1, The Zenith, 3 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, tel: 5465 2000). This minimalist spot is a breath of fresh air in the Wan Chai wet market. Their quasi d'agneau, milk-fed Lozere lamb rump from French butcher Hugo Desnoyer served with Greek yogurt and shaved cauliflower, is divine.
Tucked away in Chinese curio heaven in Sheung Wan, 's (40 Upper Lascar Row, tel: 2644 5644) hutong-style eatery takes dim sum staples and sprinkles them with French magic. Try their hamburger sweet bun with a squeezy bottle for sauce, the scallop xiao long bao, and the deep fried sesame balls filled with Nutella.
For visitors, I would suggest (Basement, Standard Chartered Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road, Central, tel: 2885 8688). The dim sum never fails, and what better place to take a first-timer than this immaculately renovated, massive 8,000 sq ft restaurant. It's luxury evening dim sum in an industrial space. Book the Chinese paintbrush-themed private room and order the quail egg siu mai and Iberico pork char siu, which are to die for.
(1 Duddell Street, Central, tel: 2525 9191), with its art focus and Cantonese food, has a lovely outdoor terrace that is perfect for a quiet drink while peering at the art-covered walls. Try the Sun Yat Sen, a cocktail served in a Chinese teapot with a spray of baijiu.