Drinks and noodles in a bar for the young and old

NEVER HAVE I felt both so young and so old as when I visited Lan Kwai Speakeasy & Hong Kong Cuisine. Parents, you have to make a decision whether to beat them or join them at a new bar in Katipunan that offers great meal offerings as well as great drinks.

Lit up with red lights showing Chinese characters and a neon sign saying “Wish You Were Here” and painted with murals depicting kitschy Hong Kong scenes, one might try to imagine that one is on the set of In The Mood for Love, if not for the tinny pop music emanating from the speakers. While kids populated the bar on the night of BusinessWorld’s visit, a certified tita (aunty) with a handbag and glasses hung on a beaded cord waited patiently along with them, waiting for an order of noodles.

We couldn’t blame her: BusinessWorld ordered the pork asado noodles, swimming in a comforting broth with hints of star anise, while the generous pork chunks were sweetish and tender. We couldn’t be stopped, and we ordered a bowl of duck rice — crescents of tender duck laid on a bed of fluffy white rice, glazed with a made-fromscratch char siu sauce (according to co-owner Carlos Munarriz).