Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Awards celebrates a night of diversity

Leading non-profit organisation Community Business hosted the Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Awards’ third gala dinner last week at the luxurious Hotel ICON in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Founded in 2015, the Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index arranges a gala night each year and the Inclusion Index Awards every two to act as a key influencer to encourage businesses to lead the way towards creating corporate policies and practices that encompass an inclusive workplace for their LGBT+ employees.

Over 60 organisations participated in the index this year, representing some 110,000 employees across Hong Kong. A diverse group of industries were in attendance including representatives from the financial services, hospitality, technology, legal, media, and properties and construction.

Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Awards — *Su Ling Voon, Sudesh Thevasenabaty and Fern Ngai*

Expensive Expresso: San Francisco Cafe sells out of the world’s most expensive cup of coffee

If you thought Hong Kong was home to the most luxurious mug of java in the world, it’s our duty to inform you that you are mistaken. In fact, Klastch Coffee based in San Francisco and Southern California is now responsible for serving up the world’s most expensive cup of coffee — at US$75 a cupful.

The exclusive brew on offer is the Elida Natural Geisha 803, which is said to be US$803 per pound. What makes the beans so special is their victory as last year’s winner of Best of Panama coffee competition, also known as ‘the coffee world’s Oscars’, and have been limited to only 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of beans.

As the only chain in North America to secure some of the award-winning and indeed very rare beans, Klatch is wise to serve up their cups at such a hefty price, seeing as the other buyers are located mostly in Asia. While it may be true that coffee lovers have a bit of a reputation for going to extremes, we’re not so sure they’d be willing to hop a plane to Japan, China or Taiwan to find the other purchasers.

As for the taste, the coffee has been described as being a rare mix of Arabica from Panama including hints of jasmine and berries similar to tea.

Limited to only 80 cups, this is a cup of coffee you surely won’t be able to forget.

From bachelor parties to wedding venues, our top picks for a memorable Big Day

As couples who are looking to tie the knot would know, the wedding venue is the most crucial part of the nuptials. But worry not, we have shortlisted for you a few glamorous venues for almost every occasion, from proposal destinations to decadent bachelorette parties, so that you can have a wedding that’s picture perfect every step of the way.

If you are looking to ‘pop’ the question in true style, head to The Sheraton Grand Danang Resort, a stylish luxury beachside resort on the stunning white sands of Non Nuoc beach, which even has its own ‘proposal planner’ to help you woo your beloved in five-star style. From romantic moonlight strolls to an intimate private dinner at a poolside cabana or on the beach, the resort offers a range of customised proposal plans all designed to draw out an enthusiastic “yes”!

For a truly indulgent bachelor or bachelorette party, head to the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort in Vietnam which has unveiled four new villas overlooking the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the resort’s lotus lagoon, giving guests both privacy and luxury. Located in a private area of the resort with direct access to the Club InterContinental Lounge, the three-bedroom and four-bedroom villas are perfect for hosting a large group of friends.

For a big, fat destination wedding, though, look no further than Anantara Chiang Mai in northern Thailand that is offering couples and their guests a gorgeous destination with lovely gardens, family-friendly environs and outstanding service. From ready-made décor, blooming flowers, green foliage and a riverfront location, this is a wedding venue custom-made by nature, just for you.

Couples looking to celebrate their Big Day closer to home should check out the Hong Kong Parkview, surrounded by the lush Tai Tam Country Park. With a large outdoor waterfall pool, a beautifully decorated garden terrace and the ornate Éclat Ballroom, it’s a venue that’ll ‘wow’ your guests and give you that perfect wedding photo.

The Flying Elk: Uncompromising Nordic fare sets out to woo the cuisine-curious

Apparently the kind of stealth cuisine that has long ducked the fine-dining radar of even the Fragrant Harbour’s boldest big eaters, it seems that Nordic fare might have, at last, come in from the cold. Until recently solely synonymous with the make-do meatballs of Swedish self-assembly sofa retailers, sumptuous Scandinavian-style suppers are finally on offer at a high-end Hong Kong dinery. And it doesn’t seem a moment too soon.

Given Hong Kong’s renowned appetite for menus of a more maverick nature, it’s no surprise that The Flying Elk – an unashamed Nordic noshery – has found a ready welcome amid the hotpot houses and bijou bistros of downtown Central. An admittedly novel notion, it arrives on the city’s nightlife (and lunch life) scene courtesy of Maximal Concepts – the SAR-based hospitality group behind Mott 32 and Brickhouse, to name but two – and Björn Frantzén, the redoubtable three Michelin-starred Stockholm-born superchef.

Cards on the table, this isn’t actually the first time Frantzén has tempted hungry Hongkongers with his own brand of Stockholm home-cooking. Indeed, it was just over two years ago that Sheung Wan-set Frantzén’s Kitchen opened its doors, a dining spot rightly famed for its Nordic-Asian fusion fare. The key difference with his latest venture, though, is that it makes no concession for local tastes, defiantly serving solely Scandinavian dishes in an ambiguously authentic Nordic style.

Even the name of his new establishment hints at his unwillingness to compromise – a native of the forests of Sweden, the mythical flying elk could neither be captured nor tamed. Indeed, a similarly Nordic defiance permeates the restaurant that bears the beast’s name, with even its log cabin stylings more than hinting that this is not just another fad-focussed downtown dinery.

Charged with maintaining that authenticity while Frantzén is away tending his global interests is his protégé and long-term collaborator, Chef Jim Löfdahl. As bullish as his boss when it comes to his commitment to delivering top-class cuisine time after time, he says: “Fine dining is really cooking taken to the next level. To be able to perform in that kind of environment, you need to be able to push yourself every day and to always be on top of your game.”

Keen to determine whether there’s more to their menu than just Swedish sweet talk, we opted to commence our contemplation of the comestibles on offer with the Roasted Scallops, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. A compelling combination of scrambled egg, truffles, crispy potatoes and scallops, all atop a warm layer of beurre noisette, as a statement of intent, it’s hard to fault.

Next up was the Roasted Beetroots – presented astride a spinach-and-watercress bed – a dash of almond and truffle vinaigrette provided a suitably piquant counterpoint. The standout here, though, was the cream of Jerusalem artichoke, which underpinned the whole of this vegetarian delight.

With the appetisers more than passing muster, it was then on to the Poached Cod. This proved a dish so impressively prepared and so delightfully delivered that it left us yearning for just one more dollop of its subtly lemon-flavoured onion cream glaze.

While not wanting to belittle any of the taste bud titillations that preceded it, just about everything paled in comparison to the Venison victorious, the main course nonpareil. Perhaps as a sign of just how rare it is to find such exquisitely-served game in Hong Kong, we fell upon it with relish, devouring it in record time. Overall, the pairing of berries with the fulsomely fatty meat proved an effective – yet suitably subtle – touch, with any gaminess dialed down just enough to make it genuinely delicious.

Then, making us oddly nostalgic for the Nordic nights we had – admittedly – never known, it was on to the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Doused in a generous ginger butterscotch sauce, this is just a must for anyone who feels as though Christmas cuisine can never truly outstay its welcome.

So, can Nordic comfort food woo the wavering diners of Hong Kong away from such safe harbour staples as French, Italian, Korean and Japanese cuisine? The answer would have to be very much in the affirmative. After all, it may just be that the famously long Scandinavian nights are really just a pretext for famously long Scandinavian suppers. Only by checking out The Flying Elk will you know for sure.

The Flying Elk. 2F Wyndam Mansion, 32 Wyndham Street, Central. (852) 2898 3788.

Brit-born actress Olivia Colman is suddenly Hollywood’s hottest property

Envisage the archetypal Hollywood leading lady. What springs to mind? Young? Beautiful? Willowy? The kind of sex appeal that would arouse an addled octogenarian from miles away? Yes. All of the above. What probably doesn’t spring to mind, however, is Olivia Colman.

Yet, this 45-year-old Brit actress is the toast of Tinseltown as the winner of this year’s Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Anne, the 18th century British monarch in The Favourite. For many, this was Hollywood belatedly recognising that, almost imperceptibly, the last 20 years had seen 45-year-old Colman emerge as one of the acting profession’s all-time greats.

Her relatively low profile can, in part at least, be attributed to the fact that she refined her skills not in US films but, rather, in the more rarified surroundings of UK TV. She first came to the attention of the British public playing Sophie, a neurotic ex-girlfriend-to-be in Peep Show, a cult comedy that eventually ran for nine series. Then, she conquered a series of major roles – a small-town policewoman in the smash-hit crime series Broadchurch, the evil godmother in the cult comedy Fleabag and an alien-possessed parent in Doctor Who, to name but three.

From 2010 onwards, however, her career went through something of a sea change. Out were the goofy comedy roles and in came the meaty dramatic parts – an abused wife in 2011’s harrowing Tyrannosaur (2011) and Margaret Thatcher’s daughter Carol in The Iron Lady (2012), with Meryl Streep playing the title role. It was, however, just two years ago that Colman truly joined the big league and become internationally unmissable. That was the year she signed up for the role of the older Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s internationally-adored real-life royal soap The Crown.

Reflecting on her feelings when she knew she would be replacing Claire Foy, the 34-year-old English actress who had played the young Elizabeth to huge acclaim, Olivia Colman said: “I was such an enormous, binge-watching fan of The Crown. So, when the call came to join the cast, I was very uncool – ‘Yes, please, straight away, immediately’ – and didn’t really consider the inevitable pressure I was letting myself in for by signing up for something that was already so successful.”

Part of that pressure proved to be playing a woman famed for her absolute composure and reluctance to show emotions – traits that Colman sees as almost the complete opposite to her own character. Speaking after filming got underway, she said: “I emote. The Queen is not meant to. She’s got to be a rock for everyone and has been trained not to show her feelings. For me, though, when in character, if I received some bad news, I wanted to cry. In the end, I had to wear an earpiece and try and screen out my natural emotional response by listening to the Shipping Forecast whenever things got too intense.”

While playing the current Queen of England obliged her to remain uncharacteristically buttoned up, playing Queen Anne – her two-and-half-centuries-previous predecessor – in the film that took her to Academy Award glory, allowed her to give far freer rein to her emotions. In her bid to bring to life an eccentric, half-forgotten, grief-prone 18th-century monarch – one who sacrifices her regal role to win the love of certain of her most favoured subjects – Olivia Colman was obliged to shed any inhibitions and any notions of matriarchal insouciance. This freed her to deliver a true tour de force performance, one that is unlikely to be forgotten any time soon – not least because, as well as the Oscar, it also won Colman Best Actress at both the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes.

Unlike the majority of her fans – many of whom have long been convinced of her uninimitable greatness – Colman, herself, seemed somewhat taken aback by the very sweep of her success. Indeed, her Academy Awards acceptance speech was pretty much a masterclass in taking onboard unexpected adoration: “It’s genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar…”

Her stock-in-trade self-deprecating humour aside, Olivia Colman still found space in her acceptance speech to try and inspire any watching actresses-in-waiting, saying: “Thank you. And to any little girl who’s practicing her own future acceptance speech back home, well you never know.”

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Images: AFP

April Events: A round-up of the can’t-miss happenings in HK this month

In a month full of public holidays, many in Hong Kong will be understandably tempted to leave its shores and venture farther afield to take full advantage of the surplus of free time. However, to assume that this means a dearth of exciting SAR-based events this month would be grossly mistaken. Below is a round-up of the hottest April events happening right here in Hong Kong.

Beauty and Sadness: 5-12 Apr

Much to the apparent delight of theatregoers everywhere, Nobel Prize-winning Japanese novelist Yasunari Kawabata’s novel Utsukushisa To Kanashimi To (Beauty and Sadness) has been reinvented as a chamber opera. Famously, the piece traces the relationship of an accomplished classical painter and her student, an abstract artist with a passion for adventure. An engrossing reflection on desire, infatuation, jealousy and revenge, audiences are said to be provoked into reassessing the very meaning of love.
Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. HK$380–880.

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens: 5-7 Apr

Arguably Hong Kong’s grandest – or, at the very least, most anticipated – sporting event of the year, the HK Rugby Sevens returns this month, much to the delight of the city’s fancy dress outfitters, no doubt. Truly far more than just a rugby tournament, the Sevens is undoubtedly one of the most jubilant events on city’s annual calendar and gives sports fans the opportunity to dress up and cheer for their favourite teams. Liquor is also, occasionally, taken too.
Hong Kong Stadium, 55 Eastern Hospital Rd, Causeway Bay. $HK425 onwards.

Van Gogh Alive: The Experience: 6-7 Apr

Art lovers may want to stock up on the absinthe if they want to fully immerse themselves in the imminently-arriving Van Gogh Alive Experience. A genuinely multisensory exhibition, it is said to give visitors a unique insight into the world of the 19th-century Dutch Post-Modernist grand master. Tag along with the tortured visionary as he tours Arles, Saint Rémy, Auvers-sur-Oise and the other sites that inspired his many timeless masterpieces.
1/F, FTLife Tower, 18 Sheung Yuet Rd, Kowloon Bay. HK$230.

John Mayer Asia Tour 2019: 8 Apr

If your crush on Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter John Mayer was more than just a passing teenage fad, you’ll be delighted to hear that he is making his Hong Kong debut this month. A true musical playboy and best-known for such smashes as Daughters, Gravity and Your Body Is A Wonderland, the night promises to be a revelatory romp through his well-loved back catalogue, which is no bad thing given that many of his more recent releases have – shall we charitably say – left the upper reaches of the charts largely untroubled.
Hall 5 BC, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. HK$698–1,198.

World MuayThai Grand Extreme: 9 Apr

If you thought taking time out for a trip to Thailand was the only way to experience Muay Thai, you’ll be delighted to know you can save on the airfare and instead secure a ringside seat for Grand Extreme, a showcase of some of the world’s finest exponents of this particular martial art, which is drop-kicking its way into Hong Kong later this month. Featuring high-level bouts between fighters from four continents, the competition is sure to be fierce, but – given its Thai antecedents – also a little on the polite side.
Star Hall, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay. HK$250–1,000.

Sónar Hong Kong 2019: 13-14 Apr

Returning for its third eclectic, electric extravaganza, the big beats of the Sónar Music Festival – the “best electronic music festival in the world” according to its unbiased promo material – will see ravers and the more rhythmically-inclined dancing the night away in the somewhat incongruous surroundings of the Hong Kong Science Park. This year, the line-up is particularly impressive, with such legendary toe-tappers as Danish electropop star MØ and American DJ Thundercat taking to the stage. Sure to be the most memorable of musical experiences, Sónar is also hosting a wide array of pop-up bars and world food emporiums.
Hong Kong Science Park, 2 Science Park West Ave, Pak Shek Kok. HK$580–780.

Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour: 17-18 Apr

After breaking hearts by cancelling his Hong Kong concert back in 2017 following his highly-publicised biking accident, Ed Sheeran, the much-beloved British singer-songwriter, is finally making good on his promise to return to the city. With the ginger gazzillionaire’s curiously titled ÷ Tour tour already ensconced in the history books as the fourth-highest-grossing concert series ever, fans can expect to hear such croon-along faves as Shape of You, Thinking Out Loud and The A Team. Thankfully, rumours that he intends to cycle to the venue have been proven to be Fake News.
Fantasy Road Outdoor Venue, Hong Kong Disneyland, Sunny Bay. HK$888–1,288.

Pinkfong Baby Shark Live Musical: 20-21 Apr

The protagonist of the long-treasured toddlers’ YouTube song / video Baby Shark is set to escape from the screens of countless digital devices and materialise on-stage in Hong Kong for the first time ever as the undoubted star of the Pinkfong Baby Shark Musical. With the plot – such as it is – extrapolated from the children’s karaoke fave, the musical tells the tale of the lost baby shark’s bid to be reunited with his family back in the far, faraway Ocean Land. Said to be fun for the whole family – yeah, right – it’s probably best to assign this one to the nanny, though you may have to slip her a few extra dollars as compensation.
Star Hall, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay. HK$280–580.

Tin Hau Festival: 27 Apr

Celebrating the birthday of Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, is the Tin Hau Festival in multiple locations. Locals are expected to flock to 70-plus temples to pray to the goddess for good weather and harvests, while other attendees across the city can expect a grand three-hour long parade featuring floral wreath groups, lion dancers, Cantonese opera and marching bands, depending where you choose to take part. Indeed, truly one of Hong Kong’s most delightful days of celebration, Tin Hau Festival is a traditional day you won’t want to miss.
Tin Hau temples across multiple locations.

Bo La Powered: Nhậu brings contemporary Vietnamese cuisine to HK and not a minute too soon

It isn’t difficult to find Vietnamese food in Hong Kong, something Chef Que Vinh Dang is abundantly aware of. In his opinion, however, it is nearly impossible to find a Vietnamese establishment that hasn’t reduced its menu down to the two most iconic dishes of Pho and Banh Mi. Indeed, Que been something of an establishment in his own right in New York and Hong Kong, with over two decades of the restaurant industry under his belt. After a near three-year hiatus from the kitchen, he’s back with a contemporary Vietnamese concept – Nhậu.

Admittedly, we took a wrong turn down Hollywood Road before ending up at his near-hidden eatery that is just a stone’s throw away from Man Mo Temple. Nhậu is certainly a hidden gem upon first glance. From the off, the ambiance is relaxed but still maintains a certain elegance. The walls display homey Vietnamese dǒulìs while the bamboo styled chairs pay tribute to the French colonial era of the nation’s past. Indeed, Chef Que is committed to delivering a relaxed space with top-notch food without all the gimmicks that seem part and parcel of modern day dining.

Eager to delve into his contemporary interpretations of classic Vietnamese favourites, we began with the Banh Mi Rice Tacos. The iconic sandwich bread has been swapped out for three soft rice “tortillas”, and the healthy portion of Impossible meat and home-made pickles proved to be delicious.

In the interest of healthy eating, up next was the vegetarian version of the Roasted Cauliflower with Caramelised Pork Koh Quet. Instead of the usual pork version, the kitchen prepared an Impossible Foods (plant-based substitutes for meat or dairy products) version that saw to it that we learned to love our veggies.

Finally ready to embrace our inner carnivore, next to be rolled out was the Bo La Lot Tartare with Crispy Beef Tendon. Unlike its classic interpretation, the betel leaves are mixed with Australian wagyu beef and a dash of curry mayo. The creative touch of this dish allows the crispy beef tendon crackers to be used to scoop up the delicious mixture.

The fourth plate to arrive was to be our favourite of the bunch – the Hamachi Bowl – Rice Noodle Salad, 40n Fish Sauce & Crispy Turmeric Batter. The hamachi was luscious and buttery in texture, and paired wonderfully with the pickled cucumbers and noodles. Of everything served, this was by far the hardest to share as it required serious self-restraint to resist gobbling up the entire bowl.

Just when we thought our feast was over, a generously-sized bowl of Pandan Ice-cream with Sticky Honeycomb Cake and Puffed Rice arrived. The pandan proved to be a sweet affair, especially with the touch of crunchy honeycomb.

In all, Nhậu is home to a unique and delicious array of Vietnamese sharing plates, and a true treat for those who expect only the best from Chef Que. There is nothing but sincerity in his voice as he tells us, “I’ve done a lot of growing over my career, this restaurant is really me coming full circle.”

Text: Bailey Atkinson

Nhậu, 12 Circular Pathway, Central
+852 3612 4568, info@nhau.hk

New luxury hotels set to open their doors in Hong Kong

Some of the biggest names in luxury hotel business are set to open doors in Hong Kong in a not-so-distant future. This not only spells good news for tourists and business travellers to the city, but also for those loyal believers of staycations who now have more options to spoil themselves silly in the lap of luxury while forsaking the hassle of long-distance travel. So let’s check out just which new luxury hotels are coming to Hong Kong this summer.

St. Regis, Hong Kong

After much delay and repeated postponement of its opening, St. Regis Hong Kong is finally scheduled to open next month in the busy Wan Chai district, a stone’s throw away from Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Designed by celebrated interior designer André Fu, the hotel’s signature style is all about architectural creativity, cultural diversity and timeless elegance. Housing two restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs, L’Envol, a French fine-dining restaurant and Rùn, a Chinese fine-dining cuisinary, St. Regis looks to attract the city’s foodies as well.

Rosewood Hong Kong

With Rosewood Hong Kong opening its doors in Hong Kong yesterday, the powerhouse hotel chain just unveiled its the 26th international property in what was surely a defining milestone for the group. Located in Kowloon, the towering 65-storey building adds an distinguished feature to Hong Kong’s already impressive skyline, and also provides sweeping views of the harbour from a majority of its suites. The uber-luxurious hotel also offers a plethora of dining options for gourmands, from contemporary Canto cuisine at Holt’s Café to European small-plates at The Butterfly Room.

House 1881

House 1881, which was formerly known as Hullett House, is situated within the old Marine Police Headquarters premises in TST, and retains all the old-world colonial charm that comes with it. A historic landmark with lush gardens, Victorian architecture and an elegant setting, stepping into House 1881 is like turning back time by at least a century. But all the old-worldliness doesn’t mean that one has to forgo the comforts of modern times. With plush suites and rooms, and five different F&B offerings, House 1881 brings the best of both worlds to the jaded traveller.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Fortune Villa: Canto cuisine in colonial setting with contemporary flair

It’s one of the paradoxes of Hong Kong that in the midst of all its towering skyscrapers, old-school British colonial buildings still manage to retain their unique charm and legacy. It is one such heritage site, the Old Marine Police Headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui, that has been the latest to undergo a facelift, re-positioning itself from the former Hullett House to a brand-new hotel, House 1881. Housed within the posh interiors of this hotel is a new Cantonese restaurant, Fortune Villa, that has just opened its doors earlier this year.

Curious to find out just what sets this restaurant apart in a city that’s chock-a-block with Chinese cuisine, we headed off to House 1881 on a particularly rainy afternoon. While locating the restaurant turned out to be a bit off a hunt – what with the hotel’s service staff not being able to help us and a rather nondescript door opening into the restaurant – the interiors proved to be pleasant in a minimalistic way from the moment we stepped in. Replete with Chinese motifs in black lacquer against a stark white backdrop, Fortune Villa’s decor is traditional with just a hit of modernity, and what it lacks in terms of size, it makes up for it in style and simple elegance. What remained to be seen is if this approach translated to the menu as well.

The first dish we tried, the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling, was succulent and aromatic, but for a city that loves its dim sums, it may take a bit more to convert Hongkongers into a fan of this particular rendition of a very popular dish. The next item on the menu, the Baked Abalone Puff with Diced Chicken, turned out be quite a revelation. Although similar to a chicken pie in flavour and texture, the addition of the savoury abalone added a buttery goodness to the dish. The Drunken Foie Gras in Chinese Hua Diao Rice Wine proved to be another pleasant surprise, with the softness of the foie gras complementing the crunchiness of the toast in each bite. In contrast, the BB Pigeon in Rice Wine Sauce turned out to be a difficult dish to consume, with the bony bits of the pigeon somewhat distracting the diner from the juicy meat.

In fact, meat lovers can forgo the pigeon completely and opt for the Barbecued Iberico Pork Fillets with Honey Sauce instead. Essentially an interpretation of the popular Cantonese dish char siu pork, here the meat was tender, aromatic and served in convenient bite-sized portions. But while it was flavourful in its own right, it does need a bit more finesse before it can compete with some of the better renditions of this much-sought-after dish at other Chinese restaurants.

Moving on to desserts, then, the Yin-yang Sesame Rolls were as pleasing to look at as they were to consume. Made with both black and the somewhat rarer white sesame seeds, Fortune Villa’s version of this popular dessert is both finely layered and mildly sweet and works just fine even for those without a sweet tooth.

With so many Cantonese restaurants vying for attention, it’s no doubt difficult for yet another Chinese restaurant to make its mark in an already saturated market. It’s only fair to say that, being the newest kid on the block, Fortune Villa is still trying to find its niche. And once it does, it’ll be a restaurant to watch out for.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

March Events in Hong Kong: A round-up of this month’s must-see events

With Chinese New Year come and gone, the city has swung right back into entertainment mode. From Hamlet and the Hong Kong Contemporary Arts Show to the mouth-watering Taste of Hong Kong and the 2019 Hong Kong E-prix, here’s our round-up of the top March Events in Hong Kong.

Jabbawockeez – True to Yourself

2–31 Mar

Arriving in Macau for the first time, iconic dance crew the Jabbawockeez will host their debut Macau residency show. Taking place for nearly the entire month of March, dance-lovers and those with eyes for entertainment can enjoy the energetic showmanship of state-of-the-art audio, visual and lighting technology that compliments the already stunning moves of the Jabbawockeez.

MGM Theater at MGM COTAI. HK$388–988. mgm.mo/en/cotai/entertainment/jabbawockeez

Maroon 5 – Red Pill Blues Tour

3 Mar

Fans of LA-based pop-rock band Maroon 5 are in for something of a treat when the Grammy-winning group make their Macao debut at The Venetian Macau this month, ready to rock concert-goers with a set bristling with old favourites such as This Love and Moves Like Jagger, as well as all the very best from Red Pill Blues, their current album and sixth chart-topper. An early treat in a year that looks set to see the city host the best acts from both Asia and the West, it’s probably best to check if your dancing trousers still fit.

The Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macau. HK$688–2,116. cotaiticketing.com

Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair

3 Mar

For the 15th consecutive year, the Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair returns to Hong Kong with its joyous celebration of Hung Shing, the God of the Sea. With all the action taking place just a few minutes from Mong Kok, attendees can expect to spend the day wholly immersed in traditional Chinese arts and culture. The day begins, of course, with a grand parade, complete with sparkly costumes, acrobatic mayhem and a display of percussion perfection. In the evening, the organisers promise 18 dancing lions and at least one 500-foot-long dragon winding its way through the streets. This, it’s fair to say, is no ordinary itinerary.

45, Fuk Tsun St, Tai Kok Tsui. tkttemplefair.org.hk

Hamlet

7–9 Mar

Bardolatrians can rejoice as one of Shakespeare’s most admired works makes its long overdue return to Hong Kong. Hamlet, a play cherished as much for its vivid lyricism as for its universal motifs, is undoubtedly the world’s best-loved tragedy, making this latest interpretation – a contemporary Chinese translation, complete with a star-studded cast at the ever-glorious Grand Theatre – all but unmissable. With renowned director Li Liuyi – fresh from the smash hit success of his singular take on King Lear that was the talk of Beijing last year – at the helm, this promises to be the definitive Hamlet of our times. Performed in Putonghua with Chinese and English surtitles, no one need miss out.

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui. HK$200–600. hk.artsfestival.org

Animals Asia’s Women’s Day Lunch

8 Mar

Continuing admirable advocacy of all things furry and four-legged, Animals Asia will be hosting a fourcourse vegan (of course) Women’s Day Lunch, with a limited number of tickets said to still be available. The big draw at the event is Jill Robinson, the founder and CEO of the charity, who will be outlining the organisation’s biggest successes to date, while also demonstrating the scale of the challenges that remain. It’s a mustattend meal for anyone serious about championing animal rights causes throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Doggy bags all but guaranteed.

Maison ES, 1A Star Street, Admiralty. HK$860. animalsasia.org

2019 Hong Kong E-Prix

10 Mar

Once again, the Hong Kong E-Prix is on track to supply the need-for-speed crowd with an air-punching display of Gen2 racecars, with a number of on- and off-road surprises also promised for all keen automobile aficionados. With 22 drivers and 11 teams, this is by far the biggest race to date, and, as if that weren’t enough, this year also marks the debut of Attack Mode, a facility that allows drivers to reach a top speed of 225kmph – 25kmph faster than any past E-Prix has been able to deliver. Thankfully, not one to overlook the environment, this year’s event is skewed towards all-electric vehicles and will provide a gripping update on all the latest developments in this dynamic field.

Central Harbourfront. HK$50–3,180. ticketflap.com/hkformulae

Disney Springtime Carnival

15 Mar–30 Jun

If you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids, while not having too shabby a time yourself, pencilling in a trip to Disneyland’s Springtime Carnival may well be in order. Yes, one of Hong Kong’s “most magical places” – at least according to the House of Mouse PR machine – is set to have Mickey and Co celebrate the season with a characterful egg-hunt, a fantasy parade, and, of course, an enchanting Easter carnival. Fortuitously opening just in time for the festivities is the brand new projection show We Love Mickey!, which apparently has cutting-edge visual effects by the bucketload. Hah, take that, Ocean Park!

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island. HK$400–534. hongkongdisneyland.com

Taste of Hong Kong

21–24 Mar

Get your palate prepped as the fourday Taste of Hong Kong food festival is under starter’s orders and taking orders for starters. With 60 delicious dishes on offer and 12 of the city’s leading eateries participating, opting for the best course may not be as simple as it sounds. This year, the event is welcoming a number of first-timers – including The Flying Elk and Old Bailey – as well as seeing the return of several old favourites, most notably Chôm Chôm and Zuma. Veteran or virgin, however, the central appeal remains the same – the chance to see world-class chefs in action during a series of live demonstrations.

Central Harbourfront. HK$150–678. hongkong.tastefestivals.com

Art Basel Hong Kong

29–31 Mar

Asia’s premier art fair returns with works from all the very finest artists of five different continents, while retaining a particular emphasis on Asia and Asia-Pacific creatives, with their works accounting for some 50 percent of the total on display. As well as having a chance to mull over the epoch-defining artistic masterpieces on show, attendees will also have the chance to mingle with the artists, attend seminars dedicated to individual works and, should they be fortunate enough, be treated to a glimpse of a few of the submissions that are not on show to the general public. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition

Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. artbasel.com

Asia Contemporary Art Show

29 Mar–1 Apr

In keeping with its long-established status as Asia’s premium modern art hub, Hong Kong will be hosting the 14th Asia Contemporary Art Show at the end of this month, giving admirers of the abstract a welcome opportunity to renew their acquaintance with the works of many of the world’s contemporary artists. In total, more than 2,500 fine examples of the most notable contemporary art being produced across the world – including emerging talents and past masters – across a range of fields will be fleetingly assembled for your dissection and delectation. Best mark your calendars, but in a knowing, post-modern, fourthwall breaking sort of a way…

Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway. asiacontemporaryart.com