Sometimes good things come to those who wait. There’s the odd restaurant opening now and then that qualifies as truly big news – and then there are occasions when 11 open like dominoes in the same location. I’m talking about the revitalized Peak Tower friends, and we got a sneak preview last week. First, you have got to check out the absolutely killer view on the new viewing terrace, then make your call on casual to fine dining. Here we go: the O Bar is a water bar, Gino’s Gelato is pretty self-explanatory, Jungle Juice does health drinks, Eating Plus is Asian-Western, and of course Burger King caused a stir though it’s hard to find because it’s on the second floor and there’s no sign, so just follow your nose. Caffeine junkies can get their fix at Pacific Coffee or Suzuki Café Company. Now the biggies: From the shores of Australia comes Pearl on the Peak from m.a.x. concepts (opening Oct 5), Tien Yi Chinese Restaurant designed by famed architect Branko Pahor (who also did Japanese joint Kyo Hachi) and of course the curious Bubba Gump - yes, just like in Forrest Gump. Hmm, think it’s going to serve shrimp. My only regret is that The Peak Tram doesn’t do airmiles; I’m pretty sure I’ll be burning up the tracks over the next couple of weeks just to keep up. Oh, and I forgot Zen Thai Café and L16 across the street.
We just had one of the best Italian meals we’ve ever had in Hong Kong at the newly opened Il Meglio – Ristorante di Venezia at 8 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2316-2223. Even though it just opened, the place was packed and there were a number of reasons why: the food rocked, the manager is hilarious, the staff are trained like a group of food commandos and the chef, though just 32, has years of training under his belt from the same master chef who taught the Va Bene group.
If you can possibly stand the inconvenience of an hour on a ferry, get over to Macau for the just-opened giant new Wynn Macau – there are six gourmet restaurants with Chinese, Japanese and Italian heading the menu and by the time you read this it will be fully rocking and rolling.
Who gives a hoot about shark’s fin? Not famed chef Joel Robuchon, when told of the controversy after unveiling a menu featuring "l’Aileron de Requin" recently in Macau at what most consider the best French restaurant in Asia. “In order to eat, you have to kill a life anyway,” he was quoted as saying through an interpreter. I wonder if that little item will be on the menu at his 10th restaurant opening right here in Hong Kong in October (which he is doing in partnership with Alan Ho, nephew of casino godfather Stanley Ho, at the Landmark building). It’s rumored to be another version of his L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, the hugely scaled-down version of his haute cuisine restaurant with counter-service only and no reservations.
“Let’s go to Discovery Bay for dinner” is not oft-heard, but that’s set to change this Oct-Nov if my spies are right: Wildfire, Phuket’s, Cru, Caramba, Hemmingway’s and more set to open. Apparently, and to no surprise, it’s not easy getting clearance for liquor licenses. Loosen up Disco, a new dance is in town.
Speaking of licenses, I found out something unusual about the chef at the new Zest restaurant on Wyndham Street: British-born Jason Black is a licensed pilot and flies one of those trick planes that does loops and all that cool stuff. Don’t know if that will help his duck liver parfait, but I recommend the dish anyway. At 57 Wyndham St., Central, 2526-7993.