Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [133]
Tsim Sha Tsui East is livening up with the extension of KCR East Rail line, which is connected with the MTR and has an exit right outside Kowloon Shangri-La.
FOOK LAM MOON
Map Cantonese, Dim Sum $$$$
2366 0286; www.fooklammoon-grp.com; Shop 8, 1st fl, 53-59 Kimberley Rd; 11.30am-3pm Mon-Sat, 11am-3pm Sun, 6-11pm Mon-Sun; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui (exit B1)
One of the top Cantonese restaurants in town, FLM is dubbed ‘celeb canteen’ by the local tabloids. But even if you’re not a tycoon, FLM takes care of you from the minute you walk out of the lifts, with cheongsam-clad hostesses waiting to escort you to your table. The huge menu contains expensive items such as shark’s fin and abalone, which would shoot your bill up to at least $1000 per head. Dim sum (from $50) is available till 3pm. The branch in Wan Chai ( Map; 2866 0663; Shop 3, Newman House, 35-45 Johnston Rd; 11.30am-3pm, 6-10.30pm; MTR Wan Chai, exit B2) has a one-star Michelin rating.
TIN HEUNG LAU
Map Hangzhou, Shanghainese $$$$
2366 2414; 18C Austin Ave; per person from $500; noon-2pm, 6-10pm; MTR Jordan (exit D)
Filmmaker Stephen Chow and former chief executive Tung Chee Hwa are regulars at this tired-looking establishment considered by some to be the best Hangzhou restaurant in China. It’s famous for its crab dishes during hairy crab season (October to February), and the fragrance of its smoked yellow croaker (over $700) is the stuff of urban legend.
STEAK HOUSE
Map Steakhouse, International $$$
2313 2323; http://hongkong-ic.dining.intercontinental.com; InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Rd; steaks from $548; 6-11pm Mon-Sat, noon-2.30pm Sun
At this first-rate steakhouse, the imported beef exhilarates even without the trimmings (exotic salts and mustard blends, gourmet steak knives), and the salad bar ($300 per person) is a garden of delight. Harbourside ( 2313 2495; 6am-midnight) in the same hotel has great pizzas, Western and Asian dishes, and a Sunday champagne brunch (noon to 2.30pm) that’s a favourite of the buffet brigade.
SABATINI ITALIAN Map Italian $$$
2733 2000; www.rghk.com.hk; 3rd fl, Royal Garden Hotel, 69 Mody Rd; set lunch from $198; noon-2.30pm, 6-11pm; MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui (exit P2)
It’s easy to overindulge at this warm, rustic restaurant – the hearty Roman fare is exceptional and the antipasto spread ($258) is a feast on its own.
CHANG WON KOREAN RESTAURANT Map Korean $$
2368 4606; 1G, Kimberly St; lunch from $60, dinner from $100; noon-4am; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui (exit B1)
One of the most authentic Korean restaurants in town, Chang Won makes delect-able beef ribs, seafood pancakes and cold noodles, and the staff are generous with side dishes. But the toilet is not for the faint-hearted. Chang Won has a branch in Causeway Bay ( Map; 2836 3877; 1-2/F, 500 Jaffe Rd; MTR Causeway Bay, exit C).
SWISS CHALET Map Swiss, European $$
2191 9197; 12-14 Hart Ave; noon-midnight Mon-Sat, 6pm-midnight Sun; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui (exit N1)
Once inside this cosy restaurant with fake Swiss windows, you’ll see half the customers happily swirling and dunking into pots of fondue. The speciality comes in 13 varieties ($188 to $280), including chocolate. There’s also a range of great meat dishes, including deer carpaccio ($135).
HOKAHOKA Map Japanese $$
2366 1784; 51-52 Houston Centre, 63 Mody Rd; set lunch from $58; noon-2.30pm, 6pm-midnight; MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui (exit P2)
At this authentic Japanese izakaya with tatami seating, do as the Japanese do: order the succulent grilled beef and wash it down with a pint or three of chilled Asahi ($38).
LEI GARDEN Map Cantonese, Dim Sum $$
2722 1636; B2F, Houston Centre, 63 Mody Rd; dinner from $250; 11.30am-2.45pm Mon-Sat, 11am-2.45pm Sun, 6-10pm Mon-Sun; MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui (exit P2)
Military-like quality control (which obviously doesn’t extend to the decor) has earned two of nine Lei Garden branches, including this one, a Michelin star. Don’t miss its award-winning creation: sweet sago soup with mango and pomelo ($25 a bowl). There are branches in Central ( Map; 2295 0238;