Expat Living (Hong Kong)

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- BY BARBARA RAIMONDO

An essential guide

If you’re interested in exploring authentic Cantonese cuisine but aren’t sure where to go, I recommend taking the plunge at Greater China Club. I did, and it was lovely!

The entrance to the restaurant is through two striking red doors with traditiona­l Chinese design. They provide quite the welcome, and, once you’re settled, the dining room offers a relaxed atmosphere.

Our Cantonese experience began with a selection of Chinese teas to set the scene. If you’re new to Chinese tea, don’t worry: the staff are helpful and generous with their knowledge. They kindly guided us in choosing a tea that we enjoyed.

The first dish was quite a scene stealer! Chilled abalone came served with pomelo on scenic cold clouds of dry ice. Wow. The abalone’s natural flavour shone through, while the citrusy bite of the pomelo deliciousl­y elevated the overall taste.

Another highlight was the barbecued prime Iberico pork. This was cooked to perfection and, though glazed with honey, wasn’t as sweet as I expected.

The assorted dried seafood soup with saffron, together with the hot and sour (and spicy!) soup with shrimp and scallop, delivered a pleasant pause between the appetisers and mains.

Then came the restaurant’s popular Flaming Fortune Chicken. This dish reflects its Chinese name: rich and lucky. Wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in mud, the chestnuts, Chinese mushrooms, ginkgo nuts and tender chicken come together to give an incredibly rich and aromatic flavour. It’s a charming dish that’s perfect for sharing.

Next was refreshing sautéed Scotland razor clams with French pied bleu mushrooms, crunchy red pepper and spring onions. This comes with deep-fried eggplant coated with crabmeat, dried scallop and egg white to give a soft texture.

A simple dish is always a test, but the Greater China Club chef knows how to master his fried rice! This version, with scallop, avocado and egg white, was simple and superb. The avocado and pine nut topping give the dish an unexpected, almost exotic taste.

A dessert of sweetened black sesame rolls topped with delicate gold leaf and steamed egg custard buns concluded our Cantonese cuisine journey.

We dive into the more traditiona­l side of Hong Kong dining.

Why you’ll love it:

polite and helpful.

The food is great, and the service is attentive,

This restaurant is perfect for:

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been missing our regular Hong Kong lives. And what is more iconic in Hong Kong than brunching with friends? Only rooftop sundowners overlookin­g our concrete jungle can match that!

If you’ve been missing either of these, you need to get your crew together and book a table at ALTO. This Causeway Bay favourite offers all the ingredient­s for an iconic Hong Kong brunch. Stellar view: check. Multiple menu options: check. Free-flow drinks package: check. And, then, the pièce de résistance: a rooftop to experience the sun setting over this great city with friends.

We’ve always loved ALTO but we’re very glad to hear the brunch menu has been given a revamp. This means we have an excuse to go back (again!). The new menu offers a buffet of salads, seafood and desserts, along with a choice of main course for $328. A two-hour free-flow package starts at $188 for house wines, cocktails, juices and soft drinks, or it’s $388 if you want to upgrade to Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne. This makes it an affordable brunch, even with a French champagne option.

Flexitaria­ns and vegetarian­s take note: our favourite part of the new menu is how veg-friendly it is. Almost half of the new items are vegetarian options. These options keep the menu light and summer-friendly, with plenty of veggies and popping colours. For mains, highlights include the ever-popular Impossible Burger, citrus waffles, delicious pepper caponata baked eggs and the classic poached eggs on crushed avocado.

Get ready for a summer of brunch at one of the city’s popular dining spots.

The new brunch menu has something for everyone – from eggs to burgers and even seafood. It’s a reasonably-priced option in an impressive location.

What you’ll love:

Gathering friends and getting back into the swing of Hong Kong life. ALTO is all about an iconic free-flow brunch and a stellar rooftop!

Perfect for:

31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay 2603 7181 | reservatio­ns@alto.com.hk facebook.com/ALTObarand­grill

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