Category: Lifestyle

Spirited Away: The Woods’ Annex bucks the trend and takes you on a journey

In a city already saturated to the brim with alcoholic watering holes, The Woods’ Annex is taking things in a completely new direction.

KWOON by The Woods’ unassuming storefront on Staunton Street hides a vast spirits library and a single wooden table in the back. This cosy space, dubbed The Woods’ Annex, is where the charismatic and eminently knowledgeable Victoria Chow, founder and managing director of The Woods, holds educational spirits tastings.

Although her more conventional cocktail bar on Hollywood Road and KWOON store do feature artisanal spirits, Chow’s vision for The Woods’ Annex goes one step further. By putting the spotlight solely on spirits, she wants to foster an educational space that, in her own words, “[is] somewhere we can essentially get people to open their minds about different spirits and understand them a little better.”

Don’t come here expecting your run-of-the-mill Bombay Sapphires, Absoluts or Johnny Walkers. No. This is a space dedicated to exploring artisanal spirits with unexpected tastes and unique terroirs.

Each carefully curated bottle has its own place in the shelves, paired fittingly with a ‘library card’ recording the bottle’s previous imbibers.

It may sound a tad pretentious but the actual experience is anything but. The reality is a captivating and surprisingly educational guided journey that builds upon and also breaks down your preconceived perceptions of alcoholic spirits.

So ditch your gin tonics and vodka sodas for an evening and try a tasting at The Woods’ Annex instead. It will be time well spent.

Tastings are by-appointment only, and for groups of nine or less. Each session lasts 90 minutes with minimum spend at HK$300 per head.

The Woods’ Annex. 64 Staunton Street, Central. 2522 0281. http://www.thewoods.hk/annex

Text by: Tenzing Thondup

Fish and Hysteria: This fresh seafood restro-bar is all business on top, party at the bottom

Now that we’re on our fifth and final instalment of the Wan Chai Date Night Series (see our last one on Sichuan bistro Deng G here), we’re almost sad to say goodbye to this bustling neighbourhood. But before the last adieu, we make one more stop at Fishsteria, a seafood place that opened on Queen’s Road East a couple of years back.

Downstairs, Fishsteria holds Mermaid’s Night one Thursday a month with ladies’ specials and live music

Best for lunch / brunch dates: Fishsteria

A majority of the restaurants we tried for this series (3 of 5!) have had two floors: one for casual drinks and bites downstairs, and another for sit-down dining upstairs. But Fishsteria’s lower floor concept sets itself apart from the others with its unique seafood propositions. Take the Oyster & Caviar O’clock, for example – the downstairs bar has HK$10 oyster ‘happy hours’ from 5 to 7pm everyday!

That day however, we made a beeline for the upper floor to see what fresh catch we could munch on. We were surprised at how spacious and elegant the first floor was compared to the small looking ground floor lobby belying Fishsteria’s true size. The place was packed with lunch hour executives enjoying Chef and Owner Gianni’s sustainable ocean fare.

Set lunch is a three-course affair of HK$238. Selections are varied and hefty, ranging from appetizers Bouillabaisse and Burrata Crab Meat Salad to mains Seafood Paella and Angus Ribeye Steak. If you’re in a hurry, they have lunch downstairs as well for HK$88-128 (Mixed Seafood Linguini!). On weekends, Fishsteria hosts the Crudo Seafood Brunch offering five types of unlimited raw seafood, freshly shucked oysters and dessert for just HK$378. See why we awarded the place best for lunch / brunch dates?

We started with the Whole Sea bass Carpaccio (HK$358), a light paper-thin appetizer drizzled with citrus and topped with olives and capers. Five stars. Next we had a deliciously cooked Dover Sole (HK$368) with fresh leaves and dashes of Mediterranean dip. This was more than enough for us, but if you’re hungry, we’d recommend the larger and richer Pan-Fried Royal Seabream (HK$398), served over chorizo with lobster and foie gras sauce.

By the end of the meal we thought we had no room left for dessert, but the Pistachio and Raspberry Semifreddo (HK$138) changed our minds. It was impressively good – no holds were barred in the making of this serving made for sharing. Pistachio ice cream, crispy flakes, tangy raspberry, gooey chocolate sauce and crunchy peanuts – who knew those ingredients were a match made in heaven? Every single sweet tooth we had was pleased.

Would we come back to Fishsteria? That would be a resounding yes after discovering that the place has more to it than meets the eye.

Fishteria. G/F & 1/F 111 Queen’s Road East Wan Chai Hong Kong. (852) 2343 8111. www.fishsteria.hk

Fishsteria is part of The Caprioli Management group. You can check out their other restaurants in Wan Chai, too:

Giando Shop 1, G/F, Tower 1, Starcrest, 9 Star Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong. (852) 2511 8912, (852) 9683 4900. www.giandorestaurant.com

Giá Trattoria Italiana 1/F, Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King Street, Wan Chai. (852) 2511 8081, (852) 9683 4900. www.giatrattoriaitaliana.com

Mercato by Giando G/F Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, Wan Chai. (852) 2511 1252. www.mercatobygiando.com

Text by: Julienne C. Raboca

Going for Gold: Godiva’s latest collection gets creative

Godiva hosted a star-studded launch party to celebrate its new Gold Discovery Collection at the IFC Mall atrium. Guests were treated to an exhibition on the origin of chocolate, as well as live tastings of the latest flavours.

Gafencu sat with Belgium-based Godiva Master Chef Chocolatier Jean Apostolou and Shanghai-based Chef Chocolatier Philippe Daue to find out more about this latest collection.

What is the inspiration for this new collection?

Chef Jean: The collection is a revamp, a reinterpretation of classic Godiva flavours with a contemporary twist. The point of this collection is not to shock people, but to reintroduce them to the 2.0 version of old favourites while also introducing some new ingredients and textures.

What new flavours can we expect?

Chef Jean: The collection has 16 different flavours. We’ve included a greater variety of fruits and nuts and introduced caramels to the mix. We’ve also boosted the texture of each bite by experimenting with mousse fillings and ganaches for example. It’s a surprising collection because each piece is drastically different from the next.

Did you take inspiration from regional ingredients?

Chef Philippe: As an international brand, we are constantly exchanging ideas with our chefs across the world to stay on the cutting edge of flavour development.

For this collection there are some very Asian flavours such as lychee and passion fruit. Nuts are also an Asian favourite, so that’s something we’ve built upon. Pistachio, macadamia, pecan, etc. have been used as a response to current global tastes.

Why did you focus on Asian tastes?

Chef Philippe: Firstly, Asia is home to an immense variety of ingredients that are not traditionally found or paired with chocolate. As a chef, it’s very exciting and refreshing to experiment with these flavours and create something new.

Also, Asia is one of our largest growing markets. Asians are becoming more educated in chocolate culture now, and we want to capture that interest by including some familiar tastes.

Which is your favourite from the collection, and why?

Chef Jean: My favourite is the almond one. The sweetness of the chocolate with that hint of salt rounded off by the crunch of a whole almond is just fantastic.

Chef Philippe: I love the pistachio one. It’s a hard nut to work with and to balance out. Jean has found the perfect combination, and the result is delicious!

Thank you.

The new Gold Discovery Collection is now available in Hong Kong.
Godiva Gold Discovery Chocolate Gift Box 6pcs: HK$180
Godiva Gold Discovery Chocolate Gift Box 9pcs: HK$260
Godiva Gold Discovery Chocolate Gift Box15pcs: HK$415
Godiva Gold Discovery Chocolate Gift Box 20pcs: HK$525

Interview: Tenzing Thondup

Essential Elegance

From Waterford’s beautifully-cut crystal decanters to Michael Kors’ elegant range of handbags and Estaraza’s stylish crocodile-skin collection, the Gafencu E-Shop offers the ultimate selection of online luxury.

Personally selected by many of the most discerning buyers in the world of high-end retailing, the Gafencu portfolio brings together a unique variety of sought-after items from the world’s leading high street outlets and digital platforms. Pre-endorsed by an international clientele of iconic trendsetters, every item will enhance the lifestyle and residential ambience of even the most aspirational and affluent of households.

Ordering couldn’t be easier. Just click on your selection and provide your payment details. Your chosen items will then be directly delivered to your chosen destination.

The Gafencu portfolio will be regularly reviewed, with exclusive limited editions, pre-orders of stylish new lines and seasonal previews all being rolled out in the coming months.

Flapper Pad: A ‘20s-inspired penthouse for the modern-day Gatsby

For a home that derives its design inspiration from the roaring ’20s and ‘30s, this Shenzhen penthouse looks remarkably modern.

Shanghai-based interior design firm Dariel Studio took vintage French features and turned them on their head to create a home that feels at once funky and classic. Helmed by award-winning, Parisian-born designer Thomas Dariel, the firm has worked with major luxury brands including Hermès, Starwood and Golden Tulip.

Since its founding in 2006, the studio has developed an impressive portfolio of over 60 projects throughout China, with properties in Shanghai, Sheshan, Zhouzhuang and Beijing.

The Shenzhen penthouse, located on the top floor of the Yinhu Lanshan residential compound, is one of Dariel’s more recent projects. The building itself is reminiscent of Chicago-style architecture, while the interior design pays homage to the Art Deco movement of 1920s-era France. Completed last year, the penthouse covers a comfortable 860sq.m of space.

Fan-shaped details, linear patterns and gold accents are the most obvious manifestations of Art Deco design, but these classic references have been updated for the 21st century.

Modern touches are evident in Dariel’s choice of geometric patterns, accent colours and contemporary furniture. Surrealist and avant-garde influences are also added to the mix, courtesy of perspective-shifting artworks by notable names such as Kay Sage, Francis Picabia and Ettore Sottsass.

Minimalist yet stylish lighting fixtures take a variety of forms. Bell-shaped lamps suspended from the ceiling lend a soft hue to the surrounding space, while brighter, globular bulbs illuminate dark corners throughout the penthouse. The dining room features a constellation-like “chandelier” which would not seem out of place in a trendy warehouse-turned-art-gallery.

Staying true to Dariel’s modern Art Deco vision, the dining area’s design does not deviate from the rest of the space. Neutral colours, clean lines and a sense of calmness flow through the open area. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer diners a stellar view, making it the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two or a casual party with close friends.

The entire penthouse is awash in neutral and earthy tones, marking a departure from the flashy styles and vibrant colours that characterise other projects undertaken by Dariel. However, the home’s seamless fusion of disparate design elements is a bold statement in its own right.

The interior is complemented by an equally beautiful exterior, with surroundings so serene that an air of tranquillity instantly envelops the space. Located on the highest floor of a residential tower, the penthouse is far removed from mundane nuisances like noise pollution, which Shenzhen is no stranger to.

Dariel was intent on ensuring that his creative brainchild would reflect peace and quiet. This is expressed through spaces that flow into each other; the repetition and symmetry of graphic lines; and the green and blue shades that match the world beyond the windows, creating a sense of atmospheric calmness.

Serenity isn’t the only element that makes this lustrous place a small paradise to live in. Other special touches – including high-end technology, sophisticated lighting and furniture from leading European designers – make this penthouse a total package and give credence to Dariel’s influence in the interior design world.

For this reason, Dariel Studio has amassed a number of high-end clients including entrepreneurs, luxury brands and international corporations. The studio places an emphasis on original and creative designs – no doubt a challenging feat in an era when legions of interior designers are producing top-notch work. The competition doesn’t faze Dariel, though.

“I think my European background is a good thing, but my experience in China is much more important,” he says. “Honestly, I don’t feel afraid of or mad at my competitors, because they’re kind of an engine for me to push myself to constantly get better and better.”

“The biggest challenge for me and my team is to stay innovative and creative all the time,” he adds.

With this creative energy infusing the Shenzhen penthouse, it’s safe to assume its homeowners are equally inspired.

Text: Sadia Lima
Photos: Derryck Menere

Taylor-made bathtub brims with bling

Vengeance is the order of the day in the music video for Look What You Made Me Do, the latest single from reigning pop monarch Taylor Swift.

Directed by longtime collaborator Joseph Kahn, the video opens with a zombified Swift literally digging her own grave, replete with a headstone that solemnly proclaims “Here Lies Taylor Swift’s Reputation”. The American pop star’s excoriating flair is dialled up to 11 as the video then cuts to her partially submerged in a bathtub full of diamonds.

To achieve the music video’s over-the-top visuals, Kahn and Swift enlisted the help of celebrity jeweller Neil Lane, who gave the duo “unprecedented access” to his private collection. Swift’s designer reportedly “cleaned out” one of Lane’s stores, forcing the jeweller to fetch more items from a vault.

Pop culture commentators have interpreted the scene as a mocking allusion to the robbery of Kim Kardashian West. In 2016, the American TV celebrity was restrained in a bathtub at gunpoint while thieves stole an estimated HK$78.2 million worth of jewellery. In an entirely unsurprising twist, it is reported that the diamonds used in Swift’s controversial new music video are worth the aforementioned amount.

Mad for Motoring: The M Racing Team celebrates its first anniversary in style

Aberdeen Marina Club hosted the first anniversary of the M Racing Team over a dinner of modern European cuisine, complete with the announcement of a new partnership between honorary M-Racing member Edwin Chuang and Italian yacht builder Versilcraft. 

Raise your game at Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy

Spread on expansive grounds in Sai Kung, Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy is the first holistic sports academy in Hong Kong. Targeted towards golf and tennis enthusiasts, it brings together under one roof two illustrious sports centres – the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf and Barcelona’s Bruguera Tennis Academy.

For the uninitiated, Jack Nicklaus is considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all times, winning a record number of 18 major championships. The Hong Kong chapter of his academy offers bespoke golf courses to children and adults on six-hole short courses with 75 hitting stations — including an auto-feed golf ball system that’s quite unique in Hong Kong.

The Bruguera Tennis Academy is as impressive. Named after Lluis Bruguera, world-famous coach and father of Sergi Bruguera, two-time French Open champion, the academy is based in Barcelona and has set up its first international branch here in Hong Kong. With seven outdoor courts, one indoor court, two mini tennis courts for children and even a padel tennis course (the only one in Hong Kong), the academy approaches tennis courses in a holistic way.

But that’s not all! HKGTA also has a dedicated wellness centre, Fivelements, which houses yoga and meditation studios, wellness suites, wellness lounge, Watsu pool and dining rooms and so on for athletes to detox and relax after a hard day outdoors.

It may seem as if HKGTA is a ‘privileged members only’ club, but that’s not the case. Any true sports lover is welcome to join HKGTA, which positions itself very clearly as an academy as opposed to a club. A patron wishing to join the academy is invited to inspect the facilities themselves and can choose from an array of courses, spanning from two to ten years.

HKGTA provides a perfect forum for parents to bond with their children through shared golf and tennis lessons and makes an honest attempt to provide a healthy alternative to long hours of video games. In a world where the virtual is replacing the real at a fast pace, HKGTA may just be the place to play a good ol’ round of tennis and golf and make some friends in the process.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

New 1926 Montblanc Heritage collection has a vintage vibe

Montblanc’s new Tuscan-inspired leather goods will get a nod from any well-heeled traveller. With a muted, subdued, worn-in charm, the 1926 Montblanc Heritage pays tribute to the company’s heritage and celebrates the year it began producing leather goods.

In a market brimming with goods made out of synthetic fabrics and artificial dyes, Montblanc has bucked the trend by relying solely on natural vegetable tannins for the rich earthy colour of its leather.

The finished products are comfortable enough for daily use in the urban jungle, yet durable enough for a safari. The dark brown patina and antique-gold-finishing metal buckles evoke nostalgic memories of a bygone era of exploration. The Maasai-inspired inner red linings lend an additional dash of exoticism.

A frequent flyer might pick the large travel-ready duffel bag or passport holder, while the single gusset briefcase may appeal more to businessmen. With 20 different products on offer, there’s something here for everyone. Montblanc also offers made-to-order large backpacks or double messenger bags.

So make your next holiday even more stylish with a Montblanc!

Yan Oi Tong’s 40th Anniversary Charity Dinner

The Yan Oi Tong 40th Anniversary Charity Dinner was held recently at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Operating since 1977, the groups has become one of the six largest full-service charities in the city. Throughout the evening, George Lam serenaded the guests with his classic tunes.

Among those present were celebrities like Heidi Chan, Christina Lee, Virginia Lok, Allen and Kimmy Shi, James Shing, Kyle Li, Carmen Tong, and many more.