Cover Krug Room
Tatler’s man about town shares the places he relies on when he's feeling a little less showy, or want guaranteed discretion for himself and his closest friends

Island Shangri-La

For some reason, most people do not know about the waterside terrace next to the pool at the Island Shangri-La, an absolutely serene place to be quiet and alone. I go there if I am nursing a hangover as they serve amazing Thai food and have a canopy that shields against the elements. The only person I ever run into there is Gilbert Yeung when he does his laps in the pool. He knows I am there to nurse a hangover, which he understands very well.

Jimmy's Kitchen

Although it is now closed, I miss Jimmy’s Kitchen for its low lighting, discreet atmosphere and great food. The not-too-friendly service just got on with it, allowing guests to talk business. I took many interviews and confidential meetings there; even if you ran into someone, the atmosphere was kind of hush-hush. We ate, we discussed what we needed to, we left.

Dynasty Club

Some clubs are notorious for overzealous members who invite themselves to sit at your table and join you for lunch (you know which ones I am talking about). If I want a simple, quick and easy meal by myself, I go to the Dynasty Club in Wan Chai. I love the attentive staff who also keep their distance from members and leave them to dine in peace. In the café, I can eat in silence and be in and out within an hour.

Krug Room

Tatler Asia

Sometimes I want to splurge on fine gastronomy with friends but don’t want us to be seen. A special place for an incredible private dining experience is the Krug Room at the Mandarin Oriental. At my last dinner there in 2018, I tasked executive chef Robin Zavou with creating an amazing menu inspired by my Hong Kong favourites. He totally delivered with his take on the classic Hong Kong fishball and “no shark’s fin shark’s fin soup”.

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