Grant Thatcher’s Hong Kong Picks

  • South China Sea scenery along the Dragon's Back trail.

    South China Sea scenery along the Dragon's Back trail.

  • The accessories at the men's clothing shop, The Armoury.

    The accessories at the men's clothing shop, The Armoury.

  • Curry and condiments at the Mandarin Oriental's venerable Chinnery lounge.

    Curry and condiments at the Mandarin Oriental's venerable Chinnery lounge.

  • LUXE City Guide founder Grant Thatcher.

    LUXE City Guide founder Grant Thatcher.

  • The bar at The Reserve at Alfie's.

    The bar at The Reserve at Alfie's.

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LUXE City Guides founder Grant Thatcher can be called upon to name the hippest haunts in cities around the world. We, however, asked the dapper, British-born globe-trotter about his favorite spots on his home turf, Hong Kong. Here’s what he said…

Table of Choice
“I’d dearly love to see Korean cuisine getting its due, but while we wait for the bibimbap-and-barbecue boom, I am very much enjoying the British-style tapas (who knew?) at The Reserve at Alfie’s (M18-19, Prince’s Bldg., 10 Chater Rd., Central, 852/2530-4422). Chef Neil Tomes has sourced and assembled a remarkable list of British artisanal delicacies—think divine smoked haddock ceviche, Trealy Farm wild boar salami, Hebridean peat-smoked scallops—which, when placed in an elegant, gentleman’s-club-style bar with an enviable wine cellar and an impressive list of whiskies, makes for a very agreeable and genteel repast.”

An Old Favorite
“I have delighted in the curries at the Mandarin Oriental hotel’s The Chinnery (5 Connaught Rd., Central; 852/2825-4009) since arriving in Asia 17 years ago. And as the hotel is celebrating its 50th year this year, and so am I, I figure that’s old enough!”

Best Bet Come Cocktail Hour
“001 (Shop G1 Welley Bldg., 97 Wellington St., Central; 852/ 2810-6969) for their whisky sours—also for their grilled-cheese sandwich, the city’s best. But should anyone heed my advice, please make a reservation. Just turning up at the door will result in your being shown to the bone (translation: massive embarrassment) when you are turned away like so much street detritus.”

Shop Talk
“Clothes shopping per se for me has always been limited as I like to have things custom made. That said, the range of accessories at The Armoury (3/F, 307 Pedder Bldg., 12 Pedder St., Central; 852/2804-6991) is exemplary, particularly the Drake’s handmade ties and bowties to which I’m sadly addicted.”

Escape the Hustle and Bustle
“I walk most mornings at about 5:30 rain or shine in the country park in Pok Fu Lam, the western district where I live. But the Dragon’s Back trail in the south of the island is always a great cobweb blaster, especially when followed by a relaxed lunch in little Shek O village.”

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2013 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Home Sweet Home”)

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