(tel: 2537 7787) in Central's On Hing Terrace has been open for a few weeks and the dark, cosy space becomes packed (and loud) quickly with a young, hip crowd. However, we're not sure what the draw of this place is, as the food and drinks are mediocre at best.
The cocktails either use sake, shochu or whisky, and the ones we tried didn't taste particularly alcoholic. The Buru Chizu were supposed to feature blue cheese, but we could hardly taste any of that either.
The food was mostly bland or the flavours didn't work. The "famous fried chicken" wasn't crisp as promised, while the cream cheese and foie gras tempura tasted more of the former than the latter. The kibu fish and uni tempura lacked almost any sea urchin punch.
The Amazake sliders (above) were fun - meaty patties topped with a fried quail egg. But don't bother with the deep-fried mochi with green tea.
The owners of Common Ground have opened (tel: 2549 9787) in Sai Ying Pun. It's all about pancakes, but not just with maple syrup - toppings include scallops, pulled pork and ricotta cheese.
For French pastries and to-die-for hot chocolate, head to (tel: 3188 0842) - a branch of the famed Parisian tearoom - which has opened in Lane Crawford in IFC.