I was many years younger the first time I visited Hong Kong. The view is absolutely stunning when you gaze at the island from the mainland, but it’s not the same when you do vice versa.
Three decades on, I still think the same things about Hong Kong, a place with a vibrant social life. And, in actuality, the passing years have only added a few buildings to the silhouette of the city. The last time I was here, I stayed at a hotel on the mainland, enjoying a room with a view of the island. With a desire to experience something different, I stayed in Hong Kong proper this time.
LUNG KING HEEN
On our first night on the island, we dined at Lung King Heen – a restaurant with three Michelin stars. The restaurant was a beautiful, à la carte Chinese restaurant with a small testing menu. The wine menu was also wide, but it wasn’t so expensive. The food and service were extraordinary.
TANG COURT
I can easily say that Hong Kong is a place where you can find every wine imaginable – and at very reasonable prices. Almost all restaurants sell wines of high quality at a relatively low price thanks to tax breaks and high demand. So look no further than the island for a chance to sample the very best of French or American wine. The specifically Chinese restaurant we went to the next day, Tang Court, was located in the Langham Hotel. Though a restaurant with two Michelin stars, Tang Court has absolutely no windows and, thus, no view. Nevertheless, Tang Court was a pretty good choice for dinner thanks to its fair prices and Michelin standards. And one top tip: the Tang Court’s Peking duck is fantastic.
OZONE BAR
The Ozone Bar is located on the 118th floor of the tallest hotel in the world, the 490-meter Ritz Carlton. Unsurprisingly, the Ozone Bar has a fairly breathtaking view of the island. There are no fancy Michelin stars here, but the place is famous for its kitchen, view, and fine drinks. Four or five years have passed since the opening of the bar, but it’s stealing customers from the two-Michelin-star restaurant located in the Ritz Carlton. If you prefer a night view, then reserve your place for dinner, but if you’re more of a morning-view person, hit the place for lunch. If you like fusion cuisine, then Hong Kong’s Zuma or Roca are the places to dine. The service at both is excellent. Zuma, which is in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, has an astonishing city view, and it’s a good alternative for lovers of fusion Japanese Peruvian cuisine.