A HONG KONG KIND OF DECEMBER
Where to eat, drink and be merry during the festive season
IT’S ALWAYS THE season to eat, drink and be merry in Hong Kong – but this Christmas period brings new places to satisfy your festive side.
EAT
December is the month of indulgence – and Hong Kong is a city that knows how to eat. Head to Tai Kwun in Central for modern British dining in colonial-style surroundings at newly minted Statement (with a stop at The Dispensary for a cocktail) or pop next door to The Chinese Library for inventive regional Chinese dishes. In Tsim Sha Tsui, Gordon Ramsay’s new Maze Grill (1) in Ocean Terminal serves hunks of grilled meat with harbourside views. Also new to Ocean Terminal: seasonal truffles at the aptly named Parisian import Artisan de la Truffe (2).
DRINK
Pinot Palooza, the world’s largest (and possibly only) touring pinot noir festival, makes its Hong Kong debut on 1 December at Central Harbourfront. Sample more than 100 variants as well as live music and good eats. For a more exclusive tasting, book a table at two-Michelin starred Pierre (3) at the Mandarin Oriental for the limited RSRV champagne range from Maison Mumm; the Lalou and Blanc de Blancs will be available by the glass until January. Or head down a few floors and up a few price notches to the
Krug Room for chef Robin Zavou’s champagne pairings. Elsewhere in Central, drink in skyline views – complete with Yayoi Kusama spotted pumpkin – at rooftop bar
Piqniq, perched atop H Queens; while Fang Fang’s new cocktail menu plays on the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac (4).
BE MERRY
Start with The Nutcracker (5) (4-26 December) at the Cultural Centre, or sing along to carols with the HK Phil’s
A Harry Little Christmas (23 December). Stick around in Tsim Sha Tsui for a festive afternoon tea and carols in the lobby of the InterContinental. Merrymaking spills over into the streets of Wan Chai during
Biteunite’s all- day Christmas street party (8 December). And you’ll want to ring in the new year at one of the many
NYE parties around town – capped off with a midnight
fireworks show above Victoria Harbour (6).