Love at first bite! The signature Sift chocolate cake.

Sift, my favorite dessert bar in Hong Kong, just opened a new branch in Wanchai. Located on Queens Road East between Pacific Place Three and the Hopewell Centre, the new location focuses on take-away treats, offering a wide variety of delicacies.

Stepping into the shop and gazing at the scrumptious selections, the display was almost too much to handle! Though not hungry, I definitely wasn’t leaving empty handed! (more…)

The end of a traditional birthday celebration isn’t complete without a basket of birthday buns! Pronounced ‘sau bao‘ in Cantonese, (sounds the same as Sao in Sao Paulo,) the dessert is a colorful treat that never ceases to impress. (more…)

The gang behind upscale restaurant and top club, Dragon-i has opened a Japanese restaurant in Quarry Bay. The focus of the restaurant is on ramen and bento. The fact that Miso Cool is a restaurant and not a trendy lounge didn’t stop the cool crowd from showing up en masse for the opening. The sunglass-wearing mix of celebrities, socialites and party people was slightly disoriented, some seeing each other for the first time in daylight! (more…)

Disclaimer: Don’t read this when you’re hungry!

There are countless choices for dessert in Hong Kong, but for this post I’m going to focus on several major chains that you’re likely to stumble upon in popular neighborhoods. Perhaps you’ve seen them before but have no idea what they sell. Think of this as the key to unlocking their pleasures! (more…)

In the space of two years, Hong Kong has transformed from being a burger wasteland to a burger garden of Eden! Suddenly there are over 13 places that cater primarily to burger fans. Now the question is which place to choose?

Burgers, like pizzas, come in all different shapes and sizes. And like pizza, the taste of a
true great one can be ascertained by sampling something basic, like a regular cheeseburger.

When I get hungry for pizza, I’m craving mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, I don’t want Peking Duck, so I don’t care about things like Peking Duck pizza. Similarly, when I’m hungry for a burger, I don’t seek out a foie gras burger.

Here’s my rundown of some of the prominent burger joints in town, with an emphasis on the new spots. Let the burger battles begin! (more…)

Strolling through Sheung Wan the other day I happened upon a curious sight. On a block known for its crumbling old buildings, a brand new store has arrived. The tasteful look of the shop (a wooden facade with several stories of flags flapping in the wind,) was unmistakably French, as was the name, Monsieur Chatté. What are they selling? (more…)

There are several reasons why I normally don’t do restaurant reviews. Stated simply, personal tastes differ; standards differ; individual dining experiences may be different; and restaurants can be inconsistent. I don’t want the reputation of Hong Kong Hustle in doubt because the chef was out sick the night that you decided to visit, or you ordered an obscure dish that the restaurant doesn’t specialize in. But I’m willing to break my rule on the rare occasion that I discover someplace truly special. The newly relaunched Chez Moi restaurant on 10 Arbuthnot Road in Central is one of those cases. (more…)

Last night on a whim I headed over to the Java Road Cooked Food Centre for the first time in a few years. Located in North Point, it’s similar to the Wong Nai Chung Cooked Food Centre in Happy Valley. Situated above a live market, it feels as though you’re dining seaside at an outdoor restaurant. To summarize briefly, good food, reasonable prices and unique market ambiance make the place a Hong Kong classic. (more…)

Longing for that feeling of eating seafood sitting at an outdoor restaurant? How about in the middle of winter… in the center of Happy Valley? For those who miss summer trips out to Sai Kung or one of Hong Kong’s islands, but can’t take the cold or the time to leave town, the Wong Nai Chung Cooked Food Centre aka the Happy Valley market offers nearly the same experience. (more…)

Where to find that spicy deli mustard perfect for your Summer bbq? Or that real Vermont maple syrup that elevates pancakes to the next plateau? Hong Kong’s reputation as a shopping bonanza isn’t just limited to clothing and electronics. It’s time for a trip to Hong Kong’s upscale supermarkets! (more…)