Where to eat & drink in March 2024

Black Sheep to unveil Prince and the Peacock 

Black Sheep is preparing to usher in Phase Two of its revival of Tai Kwun’s Central Magistracy with the unveiling of Prince and the Peacock, a 60-seat Indian restaurant and private dining space designed by Joyce Wang. 

With a firm hold on the city’s best Indian food, Black Sheep is responsible for the world’s first and only Punjabi restaurant with a MICHELIN star, New Punjab Club and popular Rajasthan Rifles at The Peak. 

Chef Palash Mitra will lead the Kitchen. He is also responsible for the New Punjab Club and spent time early in his career working in royal Indian palaces, which long ago planted the seed for this vision. Stay tuned for further details on the opening.

Introducing the French-Italian all-day dining concept, Bambino

This French-Italian-inspired restaurant opened in December, but we’ve just now gotten around to checking it out and we can’t recommend it highly enough! 

Founded by Frenchman Matthieu Maury, also responsible for the much-loved French bakery and coffee shop FRENCHES, Bambino brings a fresh perspective to Soho’s dining scene with a dynamic all-day concept, a fantastic cocktail and food menu and eclectic music. 

At the helm of Bambino’s culinary voyage is visionary Chef Andy Mast, who hails from the vibrant streets of Dongguan and Shenzhen and, more recently, bustling kitchens of prestigious local establishments like Shady Acres and Honky Tonks. Must-try dishes include the crispy Spinach Fritters & Ricotta Fritters ($110) and the succulent Angus Meat & Potatoes ($250) an Italian-style Pesto Gnocchi ($160) and Ménage À Trois ($90) for dessert, a decadent chocolate cookie crowned with velvety vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with crushed pistachios, and drizzled with salted caramel.

There’s also a captivating classic cocktail menu with an unbeatable Negroni and a selection of 40 exclusive bottles of French and Italian wines, chosen to complement the diverse flavours of the menu. 

Bambino, 45 Peel Street, Soho, Central

Flat Iron Burger opens in Soho

After a seven-year hiatus, the dynamic duo, Chef Aarik Persaud and Johnny Glover, the original masterminds behind the beloved Michelin-recommended The Butchers Club and The Butchers Club Burger, have reunited to introduce Flat Iron Burger, the latest burger joint to land on the bustling streets of Soho. 

Guests sitting at the counter can be part of the action, as the entire open kitchen provides uninterrupted views of Chef Aarik and his team expertly crafting each burger.

Flat Iron Burger’s signature burgers comprise award-winning Queensland prime Black Angus or Wagyu beef, including rump, brisket, and chuck. Highlights include the Flatiron Deluxe with house pickles, onions, Old Bay mayo, and American cheese and The Pigalle N Cheese, an Aussie Black Angus patty, house-made bacon, truffle jam, crispy fried onions, and raclette cheese. For something a little different, Boston fries with butter-poached slipper lobster and caviar mayo are great for sharing, there are also frozen custards and concrete shakes made from homemade ice cream, which they churn in-house twice daily. 

The price point is value-driven; a lunch set, priced at only $148, includes a 6oz burger, a side of fries, and a Frozen Custard; meanwhile, frozen custards are just $38 for two scoops, and an extensive selection of craft beers and wines by the glass starts at $55. 

In April, Flat Iron Burger will pop up at the award-winning Apron Restaurant at The Galaxy Macau. Indulge in gourmet burgers, fries, and concretes amidst the luxurious ambiance of this esteemed steakhouse.

Flat Iron Burger, G/F, 27 & 29 Elgin Street, Central

Ming Pavilion soft opens at Island Shangri-La

Just last month, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong revealed its much-awaited new restaurant Ming Pavilion. 

With a menu that celebrates the rich heritage of Hokkien cuisine of China and interiors by  internationally recognised interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, Ming Pavilion offers the authentic essence of Hokkien culinary traditions. Head Chef Jack Lam Yeung’s Hokkien culinary creations include Deep-fried Five-spice Pork Roll, Xiamen-style “Popiah” and Steamed Mud Crab with Glutinous Rice. Complementing the dishes, Tea Master Tiffany Chan will serve a tea program featuring a selection of 18 Chinese teas, including 14 varieties from Fujian including Shifeng Longjing and Fuding Silver Needle. 

Ming Pavilion is currently in its soft open phase. Bookings can be made by calling 2820 8580 or via the website. 

Ming Pavilion at Island Shangri-La, Level 8, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Admiralty

Chef Ricardo Chaneton launches new menu at Salisterra

The Upper House’s panoramic restaurant Salisterra debuts a refreshed menu by newly appointed culinary advisor chef Ricardo Chaneton of Michelin-starred restaurant MONO. 

Chef Chaneton draws inspiration from his Italian heritage with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. New dishes include green asparagus soup with a herbaceous hint of lemon, thyme, and caraway seed poured over a ricotta dumpling. Mains are sized for sharing and include Spanish bomba rice cooked in a fragrant Spanish sofrito, topped with roasted baby artichokes and sautéed morel mushrooms. For dessert, Pastafrola Pie with seasonal fruits and a dollop of Madagascan vanilla Chantilly cream is served tableside. View the full menu here. 

Salisterra, Level 49, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway

MasterChef Australia heads to Hong Kong

Keep an eye out for the new series of MasterChef Australia, which features three episodes filmed in Hong Kong. MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli recently spent time in Hong Kong filming the series in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific. 

Series 16 of MasterChef Australia is the first series to highlight Hong Kong’s dynamic culinary offering since the show’s launch in 2009. 

The latest series will soon be available to watch on 10 And 10 Play and will showcase Hong Kong’s dynamic fusion of East-meets-West culture, highlighting street markets and some of Hong Kong’s favourite Michelin-starred chefs.

LEELA celebrates Holi with special menu

Chef Manav Tuli’s contemporary Indian restaurant LEELA will serve a one-night-only exclusive dinner menu on March 25 to celebrate the vibrant Indian festival of Holi. Known as the Festival of Colours, Holi marks the arrival of spring and celebrates the victory of good over evil. LEELA’s Holi menu will include a refreshing Thandai welcome drink, edamame karanji with cumin, roasted garlic and tomato chutney, and the flavourful sabudana pachile wada, a fusion of sago fritters, peanuts and local mussels, beef fry with parotta, chaat served from the cart to table, tuna belly sarson tikka infused with kasundi mustard and LEELA’s homemade garam masala, chettinadu chicken idiyappam biryani and blood orange narangi tart paired with coconut and pistachio sorbet. The menu costs $1,188 per person and can be booked here. 

LEELA, Shop 301-310, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay

Bayside Beats at Spices

Spices at The Repulse Bay has launched live music sessions every Wednesday to Friday from 6.30-9.30pm. Each night showcases a different style of music, from live jazz saxophone to DJ grooves. On Wednesday evenings, Oliver, one of Hong Kong’s most sought-after jazz saxophonists and a fixture at The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Felix lounge, will perform on both alto and soprano saxophones. Thursdays sees DJ Matthew Osborne, who has residencies at Hong Kong hotspots including Sevva, perform sophisticated party classics and on Fridays, Spice Trio will perform pop, soul and R&B. 

Set amidst the cosy, lush surrounds of its outdoor seaview terrace, this is a great setting to enjoy an evening drink and small bites or dinner on the terrace. You could even head here early and enjoy Golden House by the Bay, which includes free-flow drinks between 4-6pm from just $168 for two hours. 

Spices Restaurant, The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay

Susan Jung and Executive Chef Theign Phan collaborate for Tasting Mastery Series

LANDMARK’s Tasting Mastery Series, which combines the creative talents of food personalities and acclaimed chefs is preparing to host its first 2024 culinary adventure. 

From February 28 until March 31, LANDMARK will bring together celebrated food critic Susan Jung and Executive Chef Theign Phan of Grand Majestic Sichuan. The duo will serve a set menu priced at $988 per person (or optional a la carte menu). 

Diners can enjoy dishes such as Sichuan Zha Ji, Chef Theign Phan’s interpretation of a recipe from Kung Pao and Beyond by Susan Jung. The dish combines locally sourced three yellow chicken with a specially crafted Sichuan spice mix that incorporates spicy, salt, sweet and numbing flavours. 

The LANDMARK Tasting Mastery: Susan Jung x GRAND MAJESTIC SICHUAN will run from February 28 until March 31. Bookings can be made here. 

GRAND MAJESTIC SICHUAN LANDMARK, Alexandra House, Shop 301, 3rd Floor, 18 Chater Road, Central

Zoku at The Hari launches “Champagne Vs Sake” Weekend Brunch

On the second floor of The Hari Hong Kong, Japanese restaurant Zoku has launched a new free-flow weekend brunch. 

From 12-3pm, The “Champagne Vs Sake” Free-Flow Brunch guests can pair premium sakes and champagne with sushi, sashimi and hearty mains. Brunch begins with a selection of light and refreshing seafood including Fresh Seasonal Oysters, this is followed by Otsumami snacks like Wagyu Gyoza with Foie Gras and sushi such as Makimono (Wagyu roll, Hamachi roll, Kagoshima roll). Mains include A5 Miyazaki Wagyu and dessert is served family-style with options such as salted caramel sando and Hojicha crème brulée. The champagne selection includes Perrier-Jouet Blason Rosé, Perrier-Jouet Blanc de Blanc, and there is a choice of three different grades of Sake. 

Zoku’s Weekend Brunch is priced from $568 per person for four courses plus an additional $368 for two hours of free-flow champagnes, sake, cocktails and wines. 

Zoku at The Hari, 2/F, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai