Favourite Hong Kong restaurants of Frenchwoman and art curator Lalie Choffel

My latest love is Bayta (252 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, tel: 5597 9939), a new Mediterranean restaurant. The executive chef, Pauline Steiner, comes from La Cabane, another place further down on Hollywood Road where I love to go when I miss my classical French meals. Her creative dishes bring us surprises and unusual combinations.

I spent seven years in Tokyo and became a connoisseur of Japanese cooking. The thing is, when you are used to the high quality of the food served in Tokyo, it becomes really difficult to be happy in a Japanese restaurant elsewhere in the world unless for the top end and very expensive ones. Sushi Masa (142 Aberdeen Main Road, Aberdeen, tel: 2501 0618) combines really good quality and affordable prices. I go there several times a month.

I love going to Shek O: its special atmosphere reminds me a lot a wonderful area of my home town in Marseilles (in the South of France) called Les Goudes. Black Sheep (330 Shek O Village, Shek O, tel: 2809 2021) is a delicious French restaurant in the heart of the village. It has a terrace and I always book a table in front of the little temple.

For special occasions, Ta Vie (2/F The Pottinger, 74 Queen’s Road Central, tel: 2668 6488) is the best restaurant in town. I’m mad about the work of Japanese chef Sato-san. He’s an artist and each meal is a symphony of flavours and texture. You don’t have to choose, as there is one menu; you just warn the chef when you book if you have any allergies. I ate the best squid in my life there. Adding to the pleasure, each meal is presented on extraordinary tableware, plates and raku ceramic pieces. The whole thing is an art experience.

For healthy lunches I head to Sensory Zero (One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Aberdeen, tel: 2511 6011). It’s close to my art space in Wong Chuk Hang. They cook very delicious and healthy dishes, serve the best coffee in town carefully made by their award-winning barista, and the most delicious lemon tart. The staff are friendly and the decor beautiful.

I love the Back Beach Bar in Shek O (273 Shek O Village, tel: 2809 2268). It’s just off the village in front of the back beach. The relaxed atmosphere, the usual customers chatting with the boss, the dogs strolling freely, the peace, the view. Having a beer or a glass of wine there is so cool.