Celebrity Life

As Hong Kong’s Art Month ensues, we're seeing all sorts of creativity spilling out across the city and onto our plates. With art-inspired menus, dishes and cocktails on offer, there's something for everyone to celebrate the arty season. So if gallery hopping isn't for you, here’s a list of 9 other cool art-related things to eat or drink this month. 

Ozone, The Ritz-Carlton

From now until 31 March

If drinkable art is your thing, you can head on up to The Ritz-Carlton’s Ozone, the world’s highest bar, to sample cocktails and tapas inspired by the Bauhaus movement, which combined construction and fine arts in the early 20th century. Created by culinary and bar manager Oscar Mena, bar-goers can sip on artsy cocktails that have been inspired by Bauhaus maestros László Moholy-Nagy, Josef Albers, and Paul Klee. What’s more, artisan mixologist and Asia’s Monkey 47 brand ambassador Zachary Connor de Git will be guest bartending for one night only (Friday, 29 March) with some of his own signature creations.

Ozone, Level 118, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Rd West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2263 2270

CÉ LA VI

From now until 31 March

Art lovers rejoice! You can now eat, drink and simultaneously experience art at CÉ LA VI. A tasting menu featuring six colourful dishes will set the tone with dishes such as oyster & botan ebi to start, and a vibrant beet & raspberry mousse to finish. Wash it down with their exclusive art cocktail, Panthère Cobblers, inspired by French ‘Born Wild’ pop-artist Richard Orlinksi, all the while enjoying the collection of sculptures, courtesy of Opera Gallery, displayed across The Lounge, Sky Deck and restaurant. To end the month on an artistic high, CÉ LA VI will also be hosting a closing party featuring a live performance by dance alchemy production group I AM.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3700 2300

Felix, The Peninsula

From now until 30 May

Get in the mood for artistry at The Peninsula’s 28th floor restaurant, Felix, and enjoy the Five Senses Art Experience menu by Chef de Cuisine Juan Gomez. Created to please all your senses, dishes like crispy king crab pillows will indulge hearing, whilst chargrilled Iberian pork pluma will excite your sense of smell and pan-fried foie gras with glazed plums will tickle your taste buds. But if that’s not enough art for you, The Peninsula -- being the official hotel partner of Art Basel Hong Kong — will also launch ‘Art in Resonance’, a multi-year art program that starts 26 March, in which the hotel will play host to newly commissioned, immersive installations by contemporary artists across the globe.

Felix, 28/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2696 6778

Whisk, The Mira 

From 28 March to 22 April

Back by popular demand (for the fifth consecutive year now), is Chef Oliver Li’s ingredient-driven, street art-inspired menu. Reflecting upon UK-born, HK-bred visual artist Szabotage’s pop-up exhibition “Reflections”, the six-course menu incorporates urban and pop culture in its dishes -- including the signature graffiti-style Koi patterns. Along with the meal comes four pop-artsy tipples that also pay tribute to the street art influence.

Whisk, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2315 5999

Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour

From now until 31 March 

The artisanal gin bar tucked in the basement of The Landmark is a favourite most days, but during Art Month, the place is especially popular with bartender Gerry Olino’s art-inspired cocktails. The first of his creations is Flowers in the Snow -- a concoction of infused gin, honey, cream, egg white, soda and local jasmine tea -- instilled by artist Robert Tracy’s mysterious flower painting. The second drink is a must-order simply for its gorgeous presentation; The Blossom is derived from a simple seed, given the love and water needed to transform into beautiful and colourful life, and is made from Whitley Neill Quince Gin, London Orange & Elderflower and edible flowers.

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour, Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2111 9449

Mandarin Bar & Grill, Mandarin Oriental

From now until 31 March

Michelin-starred chef Robin Zavou celebrates Art Month this year with his Palatable Art menu. This time, he’s paired up with artist Konstantin Bessmertny and Benjamin Sigg of Art Advisory to put forth a four-course dinner menu. Each dish is a true work of art as it mirrors, complements, or exudes the feelings and ideas intended by the artist, and now, the chef as well. Special mentions include the caviar, leek and cauliflower starter inspired by Ancient Régime, and the Wagyu beef served with bark and smoked at the table to bring out the five elements, reflective of the piece with the same title by Chinese artist Ji Dachun.

Mandarin Bar & Grill, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2825 4004

Mumm Harbourfront Party 

27 March

Back for the fourth year now, Mumm Champagne returns to co-host one of Art Month’s biggest celebrations right at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space with Art Central. This VIP party is also the debut of Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar – the first Champagne bottle designed specifically for space travel. Although you may not have any plans to venture past our planet anytime soon, you are however guaranteed an evening that is out of this world, with free-flow drinks and international DJ performances.

Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar Lounge, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2151 2699

The Lounge, Four Seasons 

From now until 31 March

Sunday afternoons just got better with Four Season’s new Art Frenzy Afternoon Tea set offering. Led by Executive Pastry Chef, Ringo Chan, the interactive tea buffet is an expression of the chef’s creativity in the form of sweet delights. Expect artistic creations in his interpretation of urban Hong Kong, bird cages found in the old parts of Kowloon, and paint tubes inspired by the city’s modern street art. The tea set is available from 2pm to 4pm, or 4:15pm to 6pm.

The Lounge, Four Seasons, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3196 8820

Pirata Group

From 27 to 31 March, during dinner until end of service.

Walking through all the galleries and exhibitions at Art Basel Hong Kong can be thirsty work. Luckily, restaurant group Pirata has us covered with a list of venues across Hong Kong offering complimentary drinks (from glasses of Prosecco to cocktails and bottles of wine) to all Art Basel VIP ticket-holders this month. Visit Chaiwala, Madame Ching, TokyoLima, Meats, Pirata or The Optimist and recharge with a much-needed tipple to keep you going through art month.

Chaiwala, Basement 43, 55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2362 8988
Madame Ching, 5 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2577 7227
TokyoLima,  G/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central; +852 2811 1152
Meats, G/F, 28 - 30, Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2711 1812
Pirata, 30/F, 235-239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2887 0270
The Optimist, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2433 3324

The post Where to Try Art-Inspired Menus this Month appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

I have mixed drinks about feelings.

As the number of bars in Hong Kong continue to soar, so do the choice of libations; making the process of picking one’s poison somewhat arduous. Well, fret not and read on for the liquid solutions to your cocktail conundrum.

A Moveable Feast #1964 at The Old Man

The Ernest Hemmingway-inspired speakeasy (ranked number 5 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018) recently unveiled new cocktails created by top mixologist Agung Prabowo, and we already have our pre-dinner favourite. If you appreciate Bloody Marys, you’ll likely enjoy A Moveable Feast #1964 – a savoury cocktail resplendent with flavours of the sea. A rotary evaporator extracts the essence from clams, seaweed, salts and seawater, which is re-distilled with vodka to provide the base. The clear consommé-esque cocktail is then infused for 24 hours with spiced cherry tomatoes, coconut, basil-tomato seeds and oyster leaf.

The Old Man, Lower G/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2703 1899

Above the Clouds at Popinjays

Perched on top of The Murray, Popinjays offers a vantage point not usually seen this side of the island, lending itself to rather impressive sundowner sessions. The rooftop venue is named after the resident cockatoos that frequent the neighbouring gardens and the avian theme runs throughout. We order Above the Clouds from The Aviary Collection, which blends Zacapa 23-years-old rum with grapefruit and cassia infused angostura bitters. Brought to the table with smoky theatrics, it adds a smouldering smoothness to the cocktail, but ends brightly with lingering notes of rich spices and fruit.

Popinjays, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3141 8888

Blind Tiger Gin & Tonic at Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour 

This gin gold mine, hidden in The Landmark basement, boasts Hong Kong’s largest collection of gin and continues to expand its menu still. Earlier this month, six new signature gin and tonic prescriptions were revealed and we felt compelled to go visit the doctor. Our chosen elixir: Blind Tiger Gin – a favourite of  Dr. Fern's Head Bartender Paul Chan – is handcrafted gin made in a secretive distillery in western Belgium, supplying a healthy dose of mystery to the liquor. Peppered with hints of spiciness, the cocktail is soothed by the sparkles of Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic and finished with orange peel, cinnamon and rosemary.

Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2111 9449

Argila at Uma Nota

The Negroni is an inescapable item on Hong Kong bar menus and adoration for the timeless drink has created a multitude of variations. Keeping us under its intoxicating spell is the Argila (meaning clay in Portuguese) – a negroni with a Brazilian backbone that can be found at Uma Nota. The lively Brazilian Japanese restaurant adds a São Paulo style twist to the classic which also seems to give us the courage for a samba showdown. This deep, earthy-hued cocktail is full of verve and made up of Capucana, a citrusy style cachaça (sugar cane spirit), Mancino Rosso Amaranto Vermouth, Cynar and orange bitters aged in a clay pot.

Uma Nota, 38 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2889 7576

Fluffy Pineapple Martini at Room 309

Disguised as a hotel room that requires a keycard to enter, Room 309 is an invitation-only bar on the third floor of The Pottinger. Antonio Lai - award-winning mixologist of Quinary and The Envoy, among others - has concocted eight transparent cocktails for The Invisible Menu in which we have selected the Fluffy Pineapple Martini. The cocktail permeates a vibrant tang of the tropics. Thankfully, it steers clear of sticky sweetness and instead, makes use of science with re-distilled pineapple vodka, centrifuged pineapple juice and clarified lemon juice to create a translucent and refreshing cocktail – adorned with a pineapple crisp and salted egg yolk crumble.

Room 309, 3/F The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

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