Panino Giusto, The Pasta Place and Seventh Son open, Vegfest and the Chi Fan for Charity gala
Watch Out For…
Milanese sandwich joint Panino Giusto (Shop 3077, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2564-7000) has opened a branch in IFC, serving paninis stacked with Parma ham, Alba truffles, Parmesan, olive oil, balsamic and any other quintessentially Italian ingredient you can think of. Bite Limited group, which also owns Triple O, Yo Mama and The Frank, is the brains behind the venture.
The Pasta Place (G/F, 8 Hillier St., Sheung Wan, 2774-6692) marks the further gentrification of Hillier Street, with a cozy little setup decked out in retro wallpaper and white wooden panels. Pastas in tomato- and cream-based sauces are offered, alongside soup, salads and homemade panna cotta. Bar-style seats are available for those who want to dilly-dally, but you can also get takeout if you’re in a hurry. Bonus: they also serve mac ‘n’ cheese, in a skillet and all!
Seventh Son (5-6/F, Kwan Chart Tower, 6 Tonnochy Rd., Wan Chai, 2892-2888) is the latest offshoot of the Fook Lam Moon empire—although you better not make that association, since the man who owns it, Chui Wai-kwan, apparently did it to get away from older brother Chui Pui-kun, who runs the main chain. No brotherly love at this three-story tycoon’s hangout, but you can get roast suckling pig.
Talk of the Town
Stay clean this Chung Yeung Festival and check out Vegfest (Oct 14, 10:30am-4pm, Hong Kong Adventist College, 1111 Clear Water Bay Rd., Clearwater Bay, vegfest.hk), a day-long tribute to healthy eating. More than 50 exhibitors will be setting up booths and showing off their green food products, handcrafted soaps, nutritional supplements and organically grown produce. Admission is free.
Rack up some culinary karma by buying a ticket for Chi Fan for Charity, a one-night-only charity gala held at various establishments across the city. Founded in Beijing four years ago by Michael Crain, former chief-of-staff to the US ambassador in China, the event debuts in Hong Kong this year. “Chi Fan” means “eating” in Putonghua, and that’s exactly what you’ll be doing all night. This is how it works: on November 16, dozens of restaurants across the city will donate a table for 10 to the cause. Tickets cost from $750-1,188 per head, depending on the resto; you can book a spot on your own or go with a small group. After dinner, all guests assemble at Kee Club for the after-party. All of the proceeds from the dinner will go to Child Welfare Scheme, a charity that helps Nepalese moms and kids by providing them with vocational training and shelter.
Kee Club, Duddell’s, Pak Loh Chiu Chow and Stone Nullah Tavern are some of the venues that will be participating. There’s a different host per table—for instance, Michael and his wife will be welcoming diners at Common Room. Check out chifanforcharity.org/hongkong for more details.
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