Hong Kong Citi Presents LUXE City Guides the Cult Pocket City Guides and Mobile Apps for the Busy, Sophisticated Traveler
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Prestige hong kong Citi presents LUXE City Guides The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler www.luxecityguides.com The colorful, cacophonous hub of the Orient, Hong Kong is a delightfully frenetic collision of old and new, east and west, and arguably Asia’s premier shopping, dining and style destination. While Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and kowloon across the harbor have their attractions, hong kong Island is the place to be, with up-and-coming Wan Chai and happening Causeway Bay to the east, and vibrant Sheung Wan to the west of the city’s Central district. With her bright lights, weird and wonderful smells, excellent dining high-end to low, lush green national parklands, and round-the-clock buzzing energy, this is one China doll that certainly packs a punch. 1 LUXE HONG KONG Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries Prestige blah blah nov-Mar is blissfully spring- Taxis are cheap (if not always over-attentive ‘velcro’ shop like, it’s wretchedly humid at all cheerful) and plentiful, simply assistants are a way of life in this other times including typhoon round up fares and give city of retail worship season Jul-oct. drivers small notes Smoking is banned indoors The Airport Express train is Full-on traditional Cantonese in restaurants and bars fast, efficient, AnD you can food can be an acquired taste; check-in your luggage in town you may wish to avoid the (except US flights) pork intestine casserole. And be warned, some lower-end The country code for hong kong restaurants here will deep- is +852, local calls and faxes are fry your handbag as soon FREE (about the only thing in hk as look at you Events… Chinese new Year: Jan/ that is). Call 999 for emergencies Feb, big fireworks and closed and 1081 for directory restaurants; Rugby Sevens: Mar, intoxicated expats; ART hk: May, the world’s finest galleries Most high-end restaurants offer under one big roof; Dragon Boat terrific value lunch sets Festival: Sep, vile mooncakes and pretty lanterns; Macau grand Prix: nov, fast and furious Pegged exchange rate: hk$7.80 ~ US$1.00 Limited English is spoken in taxis, small shops and venues; have your concierges number Banks open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm, on speed dial Sat 9am-12.30pm Shops generally open daily 10am-7pm 2 LUXE HONG KONG Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries Prestige lUXE insidEr CLAIRE hSU Claire hsu is co-founder and Executive Director of Asia Art Archive (AAA), an independent, non-profit documentation, research, and ideas platform for contemporary art founded in 2000. Based in hong kong, with research posts throughout the region, AAA houses one of the most valuable collections of material on contemporary Asian art in the world and is accessible to the public free of charge. www.aaa.org.hk/home.aspx 3 LUXE HONG KONG Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries Prestige lUXE insidEr CLAIRE hSU 1) What neighborhood or gallery must an art-lover go to in your city? over the last couple of years a number of neighborhoods are attracting artists and galleries. But if I had to choose one, it would have to be Sheung Wan, a vertical and horizontal layering of traditional Chinese shops, art galleries, antique shops, quirky design stores, coffin shops and temples dotted around its meandering streets. Stop by asia art archive to not only read up on the latest contemporary art developments, but also view the district from its 11th floor premise. www.aaa.org.hk 2) What’s the best day trip to take from your city, and why? In addition to the main Island and kowloon peninsula, hong kong comprises 263 islands, some inhabited, others uninhabitable. While hong kong’s harbor may no longer be described as fragrant (hong kong literally translates as Fragrant harbor), escape the hustle and bustle of the city by renting a boat, head to Tai Long Wan, and enjoy the white sand between your toes. Yes, you really are in hong kong. 3) Who are your favorite local designers in your city? What do you love about them? niin makes well-crafted, eco-conscious and extremely desirable costume jewelry and clutches from recycled natural material. Another favorite is hong kong based jewelry designer Youmna whose exquisite pieces draw on art, architecture and fashion for inspiration. www.niinstyle.com/shop • www.youmnafinejewelry.com 4) What’s the best local delicacy in your city, and why and where is it worth trying? There’s nothing like a bowl of soup noodles, and while the choices are endless in the city I often go to Mak’s noodles at 77 Wellington Street in Central, because it’s close to where I work, quick, consistent and doesn’t leave me with an MSg hangover. 5) What’s the one thing every visitor to your city must do and why? go back in time and experience hong kong horizontally from a tram, marvel at hong kong’s skyline from the star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui or scale hong kong vertically with the Peak Tram. The thrill of the city lies not in its museums or institutions but on the street, in between the buildings and in what its natural environment has to offer you, despite being one of the most densely populated cities in the world. www.starferry.com.hk • www.thepeak.com.hk/en 4 LUXE HONG KONG Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries Prestige lUXE lovEs Hotel THe UPPer HoUse This elegant and serene Andrew Fu- designed haven of blonde wood and tranquil hues exudes quiet sophistication. The spacious, wired-up rooms, with wow bathrooms and tubs have fantastic cosmopolitan views, while the happening bar and dapper Café gray Deluxe restaurant attracts a fittingly beautiful crowd. Pacific Place / 88 Queensway / Admiralty / +852 2918 1838 www.upperhouse.com Dining CiTy HaLL MaxiM’s PaLaCe This ever-popular hong kong institution doesn’t take bookings, so you’d do well to arrive early (before 10.30am) on its busiest day, Sunday. Take a number and wait in line, but be rewarded with a real dim sum experience – old-fashioned trolleys, enormous chandeliered dining room and feeding-time frenzy included. 2/F / Low Block / City Hall / Central / +852 2521 1303 / opens 11am daily and 9am Sun www.maxims.com.hk/tc/index.asp 5 LUXE HONG KONG Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries Prestige lUXE lovEs Dining Dining 8½ oTTo e Mezzo BoMBana yardBird The town’s top Italian table, and now Redefining hong kong’s independent proud recipient of a third Michelin restaurant scene with its buzzing star, Umberto’s sublime and perfectly atmosphere, chicken-focused menu, executed menu features specialties slick shop-house interior, gorgeous like homemade tagliatelle and Wagyu staff, and above all else, excellent beef tenderloin. Try your luck securing service. This modern izakaya works a coveted booking, but if all else fails a on every level, and has already lucky few can be accommodated at the garnered a large and discerning no-reservation bar, so arrive early for a following to prove it. cocktail and cross your fingers. 33-35 Bridges St / Sheung Wan / 2/F / Alexandra House / 18 Chater Road / +852 2547 9273 Central / +852 2537 8859 yardbirdrestaurant.com ottoemezzobombana.com Dining Bar THe CHairMan CHiCHa Tired of over-processed, mass- Securing a booking is the hard part at produced, clichéd Chinese fare? So this new Peruvian hotspot, but from are we, and so were they, which is there it’s as easy on the eye as it is on why all Chairman ingredients are the palate, with zesty red walls, palm locally sourced, ultra-fresh and trees, and pale wood décor, a delicious seasonal. The intimate pristine white menu featuring ceviches, causas, and chandeliered surrounds are the grilled meats, tacos, and share plates, backdrop to the tastiest steamed crab plus an extensive Pisco-based cocktail and slow-cooked spare ribs you’re list. Caliente! likely to find anywhere. 18 Kau U Fong / Central / +852 2555 2202 26 Peel St / Central / +852 2561 3336 thechairmangroup.com www.conceptcreations.hk 6 LUXE HONG KONG Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries Prestige lUXE lovEs Bar Shopping BUTLer sin sin hong kong’s fledgling cocktail culture Both the brand and the woman is slowly but surely gaining ground on behind it are earthy and unique, not its international counterparts. Butler to mention versatile. The doyenne is without question leading the charge, of hong kong design, Sin Sin’s with its artisanal spirits precision wares now span jewelry, fashion, blended to perfection by white dinner accessories, fabrics and fine art jacket-clad Japanese mixology mediums, all located in two shop- masters. It’s seriously meticulous, houses opposite each other in seriously hip, and well worth crossing happening urban enclave the harbor for. Sheung Wan. 5/F / Mody House / 30 Mody Road / 52 Sai Street / Sheung Wan / TST / +852 2724 3828 +852 2521 0308 www.sinsin.com.hk Shopping Art THe arMoUry osage Renowned for their excellent quality Seeking cutting-edge contemporary and artisanal craftsmanship, this East and Southeast Asian visual arts? multicultural team is truly passionate Look no further than osage’s huge about its work, and it shows in the exhibition space in kwun Tong, or their elegant finished product. With bespoke smaller outlet in Soho for the pick of jackets, suits, shoes, ties, socks, braces, the local bunch, including represented and even umbrellas – plus ready-to- artists Adrian Wong, Donna ong, Lee wear pieces available off the rack – it’s kit, and Wilson Shieh.