This month, foodies can look forward to trying out some new culinary hotspots including Basin, Sukiyaki Isekuma, and The Magistracy. From Japanese hotpot to contemporary Chinese cuisine, there’s something for everyone to savor in this month’s dining news.
JAJA
Located at the lively Hong Kong Arts Centre at Wan Chai, contemporary vegetarian eatery JAJA proudly presents its latest summer sensation, “Tropical Paradise”. This enticing collection of dishes and beverages captures the vivid essence of tropical flavors and colors, offering diners an extraordinary culinary escapade. Available from June 20th to August 31st, JAJA’s Tropical Paradise à la carte menu and Tropical Symphony afternoon tea set are designed to whisk diners away to a lively and exotic oasis. The à la carte menu offers an array of delectable dishes such as Japanese Egg Tofu Spring Roll, Tropical Fruit Cold Noodles, Baked French Toast with Pineapple, and Mango Sticky Rice Balls. The afternoon tea set features a delightful assortment of sweet and savory treats, including Pumpkin and Avocado Cups, Truffle Hummus with Italian Bread, Strawberry Yuzu Cream Mille-feuille, and Passion Fruit Meringue Tart. To complete the experience, don’t miss the expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails — Boozy Violet, Tropical Breeze, and Passion Fizz —which are not only delicious but also visually striking and Instagram-worthy.
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
Sweltering summertime calls for appetizing, flavourful and spicy delicacies. The Lounge at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong presents an authentic Malaysian and Singaporean lunch and dinner buffet this July and August, transporting your taste buds to Southeast Asia. The diversified cuisine of the two destinations takes influence from a myriad of cultures, including Chinese, Indian, Nyonya and even Portuguese culinary heritage. Savour a symphony of flavours in the Malaysian and Singaporean food staples while soaking up the bustling city views through the floor-to-ceiling windows at The Lounge this summer.
The Hari
Chic, charming and effortlessly convivial, Lucciola Restaurant & Bar is a contemporary ode to authentic Italian flavours. A leading lunch destination in Wan Chai, the restaurant changes its Set Lunch every two weeks, highlighting seasonality and using only the finest produce from Italy. Helmed by The Hari’s Food & Beverage Director, Francesco Gava, Lucciola Restaurant & Bar opened in late 2020 as an authentic Italian restaurant focused on providing a refined yet comfortable dining experience in a stylish setting.
Club Rangoon
Another busy year on Aberdeen Street, Burmese restaurant Club Rangoon celebrates their third anniversary with a week-long offer of special set menus to commemorate the occasion from 3 to 9 July. In line with their new seven-days-a-week opening hours starting from 1 July, the birthday celebrations will present an opportunity for both Burmese food aficionados and new patrons of the cuisine to indulge in an exclusive anniversary meal starting from HK$488 per person for dinner, and from HK$178 per person for lunch. The regular a la carte menu will not be available throughout this period. The anniversary week offerings will showcase an array of never-seen-before dishes, as well as welcoming the awaited return of some of Club Rangoon’s well-loved favorites that the restaurant’s regulars will surely recognize with delight. For an addition of HK$278 per person, a cocktail pairing with the restaurant’s signature Burmese cocktails is also available across both lunch and dinner, inclusive of a glass of bubbly to enjoy upon arrival.
Cucina
Cucina is delighted to unveil its much-anticipated Australian Winter Black Truffle promotion, which showcases truffles exclusively sourced from Western Australia. This luxurious promotion is available during lunch and dinner periods at Cucina from now until 29 August 2023. The Western Australian Black Truffle is a highly sought-after delicacy renowned for its intense aroma and earthy flavour profile. With the perfect climate, air and soil, the pristine environment of Western Australia produces some of the best black truffles in the world. Its rarity and high demand
make it an exclusive ingredient in fine-dining circles.
DarkSide
From 9 pm until midnight on 16 and 17 July prior to Asia’s 50 Best Bars award presentation in Hong Kong, DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong (#13 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022) is set to host an exclusive pop-up by Paradiso, a speakeasy cocktail bar from Barcelona ranked number 1 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Renowned for its avant-garde cocktails that blend creativity, an ethos of sustainability, and a touch of playful whimsy, Paradiso offers a uniquely personal take on the modern speakeasy experience. Tuscany-born Giacomo Giannotti, owner and head bartender of Paradiso, will be joined by Rosewood Hong Kong’s Director of Bars Simone Rossi, Bar Manager KT Lam and the DarkSide team behind the bar to re-create their world-class signature mixes for two nights only. “With a shared passion for innovation, creativity and sustainability, it is a true pleasure and privilege to collaborate with Paradiso, the number 1 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, encouraging the exchange of ideas among industry leaders in cocktail-making while Rosewood Hong Kong is hosting this year’s edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. This is the first time the ceremony will be held in Hong Kong, and we are very excited to welcome our community back to Hong Kong,” said Simone Rossi, Director of Bars of Rosewood Hong Kong.
Posso
Experience the joy of shared meals at Posso, Sheung Wan’s newest modern cicchetti haunt. Nestled in a lively space along Kau U Fong, Posso invites diners on an intimate culinary journey, where the art of communal dining takes centre stage. Inspired by Venetian sharing plates, “cicchetti”, Posso’s menu fosters a sense of connection and camaraderie through the exploration of vibrant Italian-influenced flavours. Posso, meaning “Can I?” or “I can” in English, encapsulates the spirit of this remarkable restaurant’s journey. Posso began as an online shop, selling fresh, handmade pastas, ready-made sauces, and meal kits. During the pandemic, Posso played a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s culinary landscape, stocking various restaurants across the city with its products, thereby establishing its reputation and earning the loyalty of a growing clientele. Recognising the opportunity to bring his passion for Italian cuisine to a wider audience, Chef Max took the opportunity and transformed Posso into a physical restaurant.
Basin
Basin, the beloved Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located in the heart of Hong Kong, is delighted to announce the launch of its new seasonal specialties menu, celebrating the region’s natural beauty with a journey to the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Helmed by restaurateur Erik Kirakozov and Spanish-born chef Antoni Bernabeu, Basin’s newly launched Spring Summer A La Carte menu features tantalising dishes that showcase the rich culinary traditions and warm hospitality of France, Spain, and Italy. Indulge in the creamy and refreshing Stracciatella Salad (HK$160), with its creamy burrata cheese, fresh raspberries, and crunchy pine nuts, all drizzled with a fragrant basil oil and extra virgin olive oil. The Cured Tuna Lomo ($250) is another standout, with delicate slices of tuna perfectly complemented by egg yolk, zesty lime juice, and soy sauce. For main courses, try the Secreto Iberico (HK$ 360) grilled to perfection in the Josper charcoal oven with rosemary, thyme, and olive oil, or the Grilled Octopus (HK$ 280) served with chimichurri sauce, black olives, velvety sweet potato, and preserved lemon for a tangy flavour. For the ultimate indulgence, savour the Lobster Arroz Meloso (HK$680), a luxurious dish of bomba rice, squid, and cuttlefish cooked to creamy perfection in a rich and flavorful broth.
Sukiyaki Isekuma
Sukiyaki Isekuma, the cosy, contemporary and eclectic sukiyaki specialist in Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, has built on the excitement of its opening last month by introducing a sparkling weekend brunch with free-flow wine option in perfect time to raise family spirits on Father’s Day. Weekday lunches will also be enriched by the chef’s daily surprise ‘guest’ cuts of beef beginning in late June 2023. Chef Koichi Kuga, a native of Itoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture, elevates the family-favourite culinary tradition of sukiyaki into a more contemporary artistic statement at Sukiyaki Isekuma, while maintaining its inviting wholesome vibe. Less than 5 minutes away from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station yet tucked away off the beaten track, its location provides both convenience and a comforting escape from the crowds. “To me, sukiyaki is an art and a lived experience that creates joy, warmth and pleasure for all five senses,” says Chef Koichi Kuga. “Our authentic hot pots bubbling with premium wagyu and seasonal Japanese vegetables are the consummate luxury to savour over a leisurely brunch, and we are delighted to introduce new beef cuts for further excitement at weekday lunch gatherings.”
The Magistracy
One of only one hundred declared monuments in Hong Kong, The Magistracy has been given a new life by Black Sheep after 40 years of dormancy since its opening back in September 2022. Steeped with history and once an annex to Hong Kong’s Supreme Court, the Magistracy Dining Room and Botanical Garden pay homage to a piece of the city’s history, connecting Hong Kong’s present and future to its past through thoughtful hospitality stories. Magistracy Dining Room, inspired by timeless London restaurants that brings all the charm and quintessential savoir-faire of these iconic institutions to the heart of Hong Kong, is now open for lunch from Thursday through Sunday, along with dinner service daily. The Botanical Garden, a lush space outside the main dining room that is reminiscent of British heritage gardens, is also open from 12-230pm, follow by 530pm onwards on Thursday – Friday (open throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday), where guests will find respite in the form of the city’s finest gin and tonics, along with quintessential British specialties and small plates such as Welsh Rarebit with Lincolnshire Poacher cheddar and house-made sourdough bread, the new Beefeater Sandwich, a hearty sandwich with sliced prime rib, caramelised onions and Gruyère on French bread, served with horseradish cream, a jus for dipping and salt & vinegar crisps, a variety of British cheeses and more served during dinner periods.
Casa Cucina
Casa Cucina, enhanced by pretty-in-pastel tones and an eclectic collection of artworks, brings a taste of authentic, ingredient-driven Italian cooking nestled in the neighbourhood of Sai Ying Pun. Opened in 2021 by Hong Kong-native and Executive Chef Anthony Cheung, Casa Cucina lends itself as an accessible gathering place for celebrations, intimate dinners, and casual get-togethers. The name of the concept itself translates directly to “home kitchen”, encompassing a selection of perfected recipes with a unique Hong Kong flair, fusing Chef Anthony’s vibrant cultural background with authentic Italian flavours.
