Far from being a slow month in hospitality, January is shaping up to be full of pop-ups, guest chef stints and new openings
We closed out 2019 with a run-down of dining events to mark your calendars with, and little time has passed before even more activity started dropping onto our radars. In January alone, there are plenty of new restaurants, bars and cafés to check out, as well as new ideas to fill up your eating itinerary this month.
New Openings In Hong Kong
Amelia
What: Paulo Airaudo’s first opening in Hong Kong takes a prime waterside location at Harbour City and is run by executive chef Son Pham. Dishes are presented in sharing portions, ranging from charcoal-grilled meat and seafood to more delicate small plates (razor clams in chorizo vinaigrette, fresh oysters from The Netherlands with Iberico ham, tomato and yuzu). Read more
Where: Shop OTG63, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; facebook.com/ameliahongkong
Dang Wen Li
What: Award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel officially opened his first Hong Kong patisserie on January 7, with a capsule collection of locally-inspired sweet treats, which are rendered in his classic tongue-in-cheek style where nothing is as it seems. Queues are to be expected, and on the first day of opening most of the pastries were sold out by early evening. Read more
Where: Shop OT G63A, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; dangwenli.com
The Diplomat
What: The first speakeasy in H Code by award-winning mixologist John Nugent (formerly of Lily & Bloom) is inspired by state leaders, historical figures and others of influence. Expect cocktails such as Pearl, a classic concoction including black coffee amaro, Campari, green chartreuse, pineapple, ginger and almonds. Read more
Where: LG/F, High Block, H Coe, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3619 0302; facebook.com/thediplomathk
FAM
What: Taking over 6,000 sq ft of harbour-side space at West Kowloon Cultural District’s art park, FAM is a new contemporary Chinese restaurant that places equal emphasis on music and art as well as gastronomy. The menu has a sizeable dim sum selection as well as the full gamut of Cantonese staples.
Where: Unit G/F 01-03, 22 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2866 3667; fampark.com
The Pizza Project
What: Opening this month will be Pirata Group’s pizzeria concept in Soho, which will follow pasta specialist Pici’s straightforward, simple approach to a single food item. The venue will launch with a street party on January 14, where everyone is invited to join the Pirata team for pizza, prosecco, Aperol Spritz and wines between 7 and 9pm. Read more
Where: G/F, 26 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong; facebook.com/thepizzaproject.hk