Yun Yan, Grand Century Place’s Food Opera and Namo

Formerly known as Yunyan Sichuan Restaurant and located in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Mira Mall, the new Yun Yan (Shop 1001B, 10/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson St., Causeway Bay, 2375-0800) by the Mira Group is a trendy-looking affair on the upper levels of Times Square. You’re still getting the dishes drenched in chili oil and mouth-numbing peppercorns, but now they look more like pretty Japanese arrangements than a greasy hot mess. Examples of dishes on offer: sautéed mud crab with pickled pepper; mala chicken; smoked cherry duckling; tofu crème brûlée—essentially, the classics, plus some innovative concepts with a western twist.

The latest jazzed-up food court to hit the scene is Grand Century Place’s Food Opera (Atrium, Shops 346, 347-356, 3/F, Grand Century Place, 193 Prince Edward Rd. West, Mong Kok), a spin-off of the Singaporean Food Republic brand. Choose from Osakan ramen (Menza), Korean barbecue (BBQ Kim’s Gourmet), local greasy spoon fare (Hong Kong Cuisine) and Hainan chicken rice (Sergeant Chicken Rice), among others.

Namo (Shop G18, Empire Centre, 68 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2739-1133) is Chiram Group’s modern Thai resto, helmed by Spanish chef Alejandro Sanchez (the same guy behind Numero 15 and Mesa 15) as well as Thai chef Khun Wijannarongk Kunchit. (I googled him and got a googlewhack. Kind of cool, but I hope his street cred is stronger than his SEO.) Instead of your usual pad Thai and tom yum goong, we’re talking fish mousse cake with salmon caviar, or slow-cooked tuna cheek seasoned with lemongrass and garlic. Funky cocktails to be had as well.