Hong Kong Face Off

If you’re here for corporate work,chances are you’ll be on the Hong Kong side, where all the banks and multinationals have their offices. For a change of scenery, shack up on the Kowloon bank: recently renovated bay-side InterContinental Grand Stanford  is just beyond the frenzy, yet only a 15-minute walk to the Star Ferry Service. Go for a Harbour View Suite to get great cityscape views in well-appointed surroundings,plus access to the Club Lounge on the 18th floor, where there’s complimentary breakfast, canapés and cocktails and free WiFi.

Club InterContinental guests also get two free hours’ use of a conference room in the Business Centre. There are plenty of places to eat at the Grand Stanford (Café Rendezvous, which serves a great buffet breakfast, and The Mistral for Italian lunch and dinner, to name two), and the refurbished gym gets points for top-of-the-range machines with individual TV screens. Downtime, go shopping: Kowloon’s mega-malls and knock-off joints are all within striking distance.Rates from USD 321 for a Deluxe Room; USD 650 for a Harbour View Suite.

Also Of Note: Grand Hyatt; Island-Shangri-La

Exec dine
Treat clients (or demand to be treated) to more than a spoonful of decadence at Alain Ducasse’s Spoon in the InterContinental, where top class ingredients are spun into unfathomable creations, like Steamed Foie Gras, and Tuna Jelly. The menu does not editorialise: Chilean Seabasswith pistachio/macadamia Viennoise arrives with an inch-thick crust of bright green nuts in a swell of coconut/lemongrass condiment.

Desserts are mind-blowing: French diners swear the sticky-sweet ice-cream flavours recall summers on la plage. Graze with the six-course Sexy Spoon Menu (USD 96+), and ask savant Sommelier Thomas Scheidt to guide you through the traditional wine menu (i.e. organised by region, not grape). Moody Tony-Chi lighting, dramatic views and un-inflated prices that won’t call for the black company card (though hell, you may as well) make this an impressive spot.

Also Of Note: M at the Fringe

Exec lunch
The place to lunch in the commercial district,Toscana at the Ritz Carlton  exudes grandeur from every heavy brocade drape and crystal chandelier adorning its neo-classicist interior. The Executive Set meal features creations by Chef de Cuisine Umberto Bombana, named Best Italian Chef in Asia and “Worldwide Ambassador of the White Truffle”. Start with delicate anti-pasta buffet or soup, followed by a choice of two mains (usually homemade pasta, plus a carne or pesce dish; Pappardelle with Lamb Ragout and Boletus Mushrooms is a winner) and choice of two desserts, plus coffee and pasticcini. (Another must-try: lavender ice cream with Muscat jelly and mini malt balls.) Executive Set meal: noon to 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday, USD 50.

Also Of Note: Harlan’s in the IFC; Cipriani’s in the Bank of China Building

Exec drink
For a real throw-back, hop on the Aqua Luna Junk (USD23 includes a drink), a re-crafted, three sail Chinese junk with restaurant and cocktail bar that runs between banks and lands you at One Peking Road.Ascend to Aqua Bar (same company), which boasts sky-scraping views and hyper-suave style.

Also Of Note: Feather Boa; MO Bar in the Landmark Oriental; Lotus

Hipster sleep
If partying, or something related, is your business in Hong Kong, then you’ll want to be close to the action – preferably near SoHo and the Lan Kwai Fong area on Hong Kong island. Hotel LKF is ground zero in that respect, with all manner of hipster anarchy going on outside the place (threecheers for soundproofed rooms). The hotel itself looks, smells and feels new, but décor here is mature and contemporary. Rooms are quite big (500 – 900 sq.-ft) and styled thus: white bed; blond wood floor; photographic wall art; big, wide windows.

There’s also a plasma TV, a funky red espresso machine,and a high-tech business desk with broadband and iPod-friendly stereo system. Instead of your usual gym/pool combo, the hotel’s leisure facilities incorporate the neighbouring Yoga Plus studio with a variety of stretchy classes in which hotel guests get priority placement. Get fed at Azure, on the 29th and 30thfloors of the hotel, though truthfully you’ll never go hungry amid the fantastic network of neighbouringbars and restaurants. Rates from USD 385 to 771.

Also Of Note: Jia in Causeway Bay; The Fleming in Wan Chai

Hipster lunch
Italian restaurant Isola clocks points for food and location. This bleach-white, open-kitchen space occupies levels 3 and 4 of the gleaming International Finance Centre Mall, granting enviable waterfront views. Monday through Friday, the lunch buffet is USD 29+ (USD 31 on Saturday and Sunday) for buffet-style appetiserand dessert, and a choice of mains. Pizzas are decadent, stone-fired things lavished with delicacies like black truffles. Book ahead, especially for a seat on that lovely terrace. Level 3, Two IFC, Central (+852 2383 8765 ).

Also Of Note: Dragon-I for an all-you-can eat dim sum buffet

Hipster dine
Hipsters and business folk alike are vying for tables at Pierre, the tour de force of new kid on the block Mandarin Oriental . Franchise of eponymous Parisian Chef Gagnaire, the restaurant makes a sophisticated design statement with a range of textures and deep, rich colours.But you’re here for the food: expect what Head Chef and Gagnair protégé Philippe Orrico calls “structured, clear and singular” plates: Beef Fillet withmelted butter; Poached Oysters with beaufort and sour beetroot juice, and the evocative-sounding Popcorn Soup. Book ahead for this one. Tel: +852 2522 0111 .

Also Of Note: Nobu at the Inter-Continental; Hutong

Hipster drinks
In LKF Tower on D’Aguilar Street is FINDS , a restaurant and bar running with theScandinavian theme (the name’s an acronym of Nordic countries – figure it out). FINDS pulls in the after-work crowd for its Scando-bites (great Black Forest Mushroom Quiche), cocktails and a fine wineby-the-glass list. They’re also quite clever with special events and private dinners.

Also Of Note: Blue Bar at the Four Seasons; Armani Bar in Armani House

By Anu Shea

For full article please click here

Courtesy of lifestyleandtravel.com