I was recently at Hong Kong to celebrate the Lunar New Year and take a break from work. Staying at the Marco Polo Gateway Hotel, I know that Harbour City, Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall, was literally on my hotel room’s doorstep tempting me with its over over fifty dining establishments. Clearly one is spoiled for options to dine and here are some interesting places for those who would rater eat than shop just like me.
Star hunting
Harbour City may have all the luxury brands one may ever want, but for the discerning diners, Hong Kong’s largest mall also hosts restaurants mentioned on The Michelin Guide for Hong Kong and Macau for 2017 that are sure to tickle every foodie’s palette and first off is China Tang, a fine dining Chinese restaurant that has become the place for celebrities, socialites, executives and gourmets who expect quality dishes and service in Hong Kong.
The restaurant is helmed by the three Michelin-starred Group Executive Chef Albert Au Kwok Keung, also the world’s youngest three Michelin starred Chinese chef, China Tang Harbour City offers the finest cuisines from Canton, Jiangsu and Beijing. The must-have items to sample on the menu include the tempting array of Dim Sum, and barbecued dishes, such as BBQ Pork, and the very traditional Honey Glazed Chicken Liver Skewer with Pork Belly.
Another restaurant on the list is ÉPURE. A contemporary French restaurant, ÉPURE offers refined yet approachable French cuisine that honors the best culinary traditions of France. The restaurant’s wine program reflects the underlying culinary philosophy of the restaurant, showcasing an impressive wine list that embraces the contemporary French haute influences with wines from the best wine producing regions.
Japanese food fans, especially the ones who love sushi, also have their say at Sushi Tokami. Originally established in Ginza Tokyo in 2013, Sushi Tokami immediately earned its Michelin star status in 2014. And in 2015, it continued to be recommended by the Michelin Guide as one of the best sushi restaurants. Staying true to its roots, Sushi Tokami at Harbour City offers Omakase where the chef will prepare the menu of the day based on the available seasonal ingredients and preferences of customers. Customers can just sit back, relax and enjoy the meal without the need to order.
Affordable local comfort
There is nothing is more Hong Kong than having a piping hot bowl of Wonton Noodles especially during a cold winter’s day. A favourite dive of Hong Kongers looking for comfort food, Mak’s Noodle is named after Mak Woon-chi, Guangzhou’s King of Wonton Noodles in the 1920s. His culinary mastery was passed onto his son Mak King-hung who successfully reserved the rich taste of Xiguan wonton at Mak’s Noodle.
My first taste of Mak’s Wonton Noodles reveals a clear and clean broth that is both flavourful and fresh. The freshly cooked egg noodles are firm and tender to the bite, while the shrimp-filled wontons are sweet and briny.
Aside from noodles and wanton, Mak’s also serves various vegetables, as well as beautiful flavourful congee. Everything tastes light and fresh and best of all, Mak’s is friendly to the traveller’s pocket, making it the perfect way to appreciate traditional Guangdong culinary art in different senses without breaking the bank or digging into your shopping budget.
Sweet decadence
Those with a sweet tooth might want to drop by iCremeria. Inspired by Vintage Italian espresso bars, iCremeria features a carefully curated menu of Japanese desserts with an Italian flair fusing Italian soft serve affogato with Japanese flavours such as matcha and melon.
On the top of the list of must tries is their Japanese Melon Deluxe Parfait which features half a Japanese premium melon and ultra creamy soft serve ice cream. The serving is huge so I would suggest sharing an order. For those who love to shock and awe on their Instagram feeds, there is iCremeria’s Gold Leaf waffle cone which features creamy soft serve ice cream topped by 24K food grade gold leaf.
Everything you desire
With so many choices to choose from at the Harbour City Mall, Three On Canton a sure choice where everyone will be happy and well-fed. Located at the third level of the Marco Polo Gateway Hotel and accessed directly from the Harbour City Mall, Three On Canton is the ultimate gourmet buffet destination where dining is a lifestyle. Three On Canton features tempting selections of the world’s most popular cuisines, from fresh seafood, hearty steaks, delicious entrees, and fabulous desserts (including all the Mövenpick ice cream you can eat).
Families are very much welcome at Three On Canton as it gives discounts for kids ages 9 to 11, while kids from 3 to 8 eat for free. Oenophiles who cannot do without wine while eating will also love Three On Canton wine bar which offers affordable bottles of wine for buffet diners.
Truly, there is more to than just shopping at the Harbour City and I can’t wait to go back to eat some more.
