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In preparation for the 32nd annual edition of Hong Kong Tatler Best Restaurants, we’re asking our readers to help us crown the recipient of the Best New Restaurant award
Chef Hideaki Sato of Ta Vie
It has been a pretty exciting year so far for restaurant openings in Hong Kong and Macau – but then again, we never seem to be short of brilliant new venues to try, making our job a little more difficult when it comes to deciding upon the shortlist for Best New Restaurant. Yes, our Readers’ Choice award is back, and the results will be released in the 32nd edition of our annual dining guide on November 19 at an exclusive awards ceremony.
Below, we profile the six restaurants selected from Hong Kong and Macau that have made it in this year’s shortlist and invite you to vote for your favourite. Anyone who votes will have the chance to receive a copy of the 2016 Hong Kong Tatler Best Restaurants guide – we’ll be looking at the 20 best answers for why that particular restaurant won your vote. Act quick – voting will close at 23:59 HKT on October 21, 2015.
Arcane
After leaving (the now closed) St Betty restaurant in IFC, Aussie chef Shane Osborn opened his own intimate restaurant in Central’s On Lan Street, serving his unique brand of contemporary European cooking that is unlike anything else we’ve had in the city. The restaurant’s verdant outdoot terrace is also where Osborn grows a selection of herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Signature dish: Sautéed potato gnocchi, mushroom ragout and roast leek
Arcane, 3/F 18 On Lan Street, Central; +852 2728-0178
Mr & Mrs Fox
Swire’s latest restaurant has quite a tale to tell, and we’re engrossed. Mr & Mrs Fox takes over three levels in a handsome space in Taikoo East, with three distinct areas that can cater to any mood. Fancy craft cocktails and beers with some globetrotting snacks? The ground floor bar. Or, a hearty meal in a setting that resembles an English gentleman’s study? The first-floor restaurant. The final level is for private dining, and the method of accessing it is quite charming: a secret combination of musical notes plucked on a piano.
Signature dish: Rangers Valley Black Market Angus beef
Mr & Mrs Fox, 23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay; +852 2697-8500
Ta Vie
Chef Hideaki Sato was previously at Tenku Ryugin in ICC, where he impressed us with his elegant interpretations of the seasons with a menu of kaiseki-inspired cuisine. He has now moved to The Pottinger hotel, with a restaurant that shows off his affinity for fusing Japanese and French ingredients with extreme flair and creativity. Ta Vie only serves a tasting menu, which rotates often, though some of the chef’s favoured products include local Lung Guang chicken, oysters, and wagyu.
Signature dish: Fresh uni and risoni alla carbonara with cauliflower
Ta Vie, 2/F, The Pottinger, 74 Queen’s Road, Central; +852 2668-6488
Tri
This is the closest you can get to Bali in Hong Kong. Le Comptoir wowed us earlier this year with their Indonesian restaurant situated in Repulse Bay, which is designed by Elora Hardy of Bali-based firm Ibuku. Executive chef Conor Beach and Balinese chef de cuisine I Wayan Mustika have collaborated to create an incredibly modern menu of Balinese dishes that take their cues from traditional flavour profiles.
Signature dish: Grilled pork belly
Tri, Shop 302, 3/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay; +852 2515-0577
Otto e Mezzo Macau
Galaxy Macau unveiled their newest phase in May this year, and with it also came the second branch of acclaimed Italian chef Umberto Bombana’s signature restaurant. Helmed by chef Antimo Maria Merone (previously of L’Altro in Central), the restaurant is a strong contender with its refined menu of Italian creations. Chef Merone has brought his own personality to the table, building upon what Bombana has set already.
Signature dish: Napolitan ragu pappardelle
Otto e Mezzo, 1031, 1/F, Galaxy Macau ,Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperença, Cotai; +853 8886-2169
Shinji by Kanesaka
Chef Shinji Kanesaka opened his first restaurant in the region earlier this year, offering an extraordinary dining experience that brings us back to the finest sushi-ya in Tokyo (where chef Kanesaka’s original restaurant is located). The tranquil environment is a veritable temple to Edo-style sushi, and the chefs’ pursuit of perfection is apparent in every detail.
Signature: Omakase menu
Shinji by Kanesaka, Level 1, Crown Towers, City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai; +853 8868 7300
Ready? Vote for your favourite right here and see which restaurant won last year's Best New Restaurant (Readers' Choice)
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Charmaine Mok was formerly the Content Director of Dining for Tatler Hong Kong, overseeing Tatler Dining, the Off Menu festivals and the annual Tatler Dining Guide and Awards. As well as penning the latest stories about the city's newest restaurant openings, dining trends and food culture, she's constantly searching for leads on new flavours, food personalities, and thrilling new culinary destinations. Follow her on Instagram @supercharz
