A recent re-imaging of Discovery Bay's waterfront has produced a dining option Hongkong has sorely lacked. Anisah Ahmad reports on the transformation of the neighbourhood and what's attracting the crowds to the island.
Discovery Bay – that most manicured of Hongkong’s residential villages on the eastern tip of Lantau Island – is now providing what the city has long sorely lacked: alfresco dining by the sea. “DB” is hot.
Its promenade, formerly a gaggle of uninspired shopping and dining options, has morphed into a smart 3,809-square-metre complex. Unveiled last December and branded “Water Margin”, it consists of a piazza, a strip of restaurants where outdoor seating is the draw and a waterfront deck facing Tai Pak Bay. In tune with the times, Wi-Fi broadband connection is available free of charge at the eateries and along the beach.
Planning took place about three years ago when Hongkong Resorts International Limited (HKRI), parent company of Hongkong Resort Company that owns DB, fell in with the government’s aim to develop Lantau Island’s tourism assets.
Its blueprint envisioned combining a five-star resort, convention hotel and shopping centre, which HKRI managing director Victor Cha and his team believe would transform DB’s image.
Polly Kong, senior marketing manager of HKRI, says improvements were inspired by the market trend of alfresco dining. “This HK$100 million (US$12 million) project included land reclamation, new dining blocks, a waterfront deck, new flooring for the piazza, and ultimately, a stylish and relaxed atmosphere for guests to experience.”
When completed, total development, including the 13,935-square-metre hotel and shopping centre scheduled to open in early 2009, will amount to HK$1.2 billion (US$153 million).
For now, visitors can enjoy Water Margin’s offerings, particularly its range of dining establishments, each with a strong theme, from Turkish to Sichuan, Mexican to international buffet. Out of the 20 restaurants, six are new such as Hemingway’s by the Bay, which specialises in Caribbean seafood barbecue.
Kong says: “The image of DB now is that it’s more stylish, more relaxed – something you can’t get anywhere else in Hongkong. There are more choices under one roof.” Chan Chi Ming, general manager – development and marketing of HKRI, couldn’t agree more, adding: “(We are) dedicated to providing a diversified lifestyle for both residents and visitors.”
He says that Water Margin provides city dwellers the ideal excuse to escape their polluted and congested surroundings. “It (Water Margin) will be the ultimate food and leisure experience.”
The prospect of open-air dining, HKRI executives are convinced, will prove irresistible to visiting corporates who may want a change from the usual five-star ambiance.
Weekend sailors are encouraged to berth their boats at several designated points at Tai Pak Beach and then head up to Water Margin. There are spaces for children to play, while adults can tee off at the DB Golf Club or hike along safe but challenging trails.
With Hongkong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok a 20-minute bus ride away from DB, transit passengers only need to hop onto the airport feeder bus for a bite or wander around the complex before returning to catch their flight. Should they be enjoying a late dinner, they will be lucky enough to witness the nightly firework display put on by neighbouring Disneyland, surely an explosive end to their short visit.
FRESH PICKINGS
Dymocks & Gallery Café
Hongkong’s leading bookstore, Dymocks, has opened a sprawling book café, the first in Hongkong, complete with a sea view. Specialty of the house is Homemade Blueberry Cheese Cake with Tea.
Hemingway’s by the Bay
Comfy seating, lilting music in the background and 50 different types of cocktails to sip on –?you could be in the Caribbean! Highly recommended is the Barbecued Baby Jerk Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes served with its signature homemade jerk sauce (US$14).
Ippu Japanese Restaurant
Ippu serves fresh seafood flown in daily from Hokkaido, sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki and more. The Salmon & Beef Maki is truly oishi.
Koh Tomyums
Koh Tomyums specialises in Thai fusion. The King Prawns in Red Curry Sauce is not to be missed.
Manta Ray Seafood
This restaurant spoils guests with its choice of 10 types of fish, Scottish oysters, lobsters, mussels among a range of nautical bounties, most of which are imported daily from Australia and New Zealand. Go for the Manta Ray Seafood Platter.
ZAKS
A variety of seating experiences is designed to suit your mood of the day, from canvas beach loungers to love seats. ZAKS offers a combination of Asian and European cuisine such as Sesame-crusted Tuna Chunks with Wasabi Mayonnaise Dip and Grilled Salmon Steak using fresh salmon from Norway. Try the yummy ZAKS Surf & Turf.
GETTING THERE
Ferry
- The quickest way to DB from Hongkong Island is still by ferry boat, which takes about 25 minutes from Central Pier 3 and costs HK$27 (US$3) one-way.
- Services are frequent, departing every half hour, and even at closer intervals during peak hours from 0740 to 0900 and from 1810 to 1910.
- The ferry operator has responded to the connectivity trend and installed free Wi-Fi in all the vessels.
Bus
- From Tung Chung Citygate Bus Station to DB, hop onto DB01R for the 15-minute ride costing HK$8 (US$1) one-way.
- From Sunny Bay MTR Station to DB, catch DB03R for the 15-minute ride costing HK$8 (US$1) one-way.
- Transit passengers with lengthy layovers can board the 20-minute airport shuttle service to DB, which costs HK$28 (US$3) one-way.
- All buses are air-conditioned – a welcome perk especially during Hongkong’s sweltering summers – and run regularly at 20-minute intervals for DB01R and DB03R and every 30 minutes for DB02R.
- Contact: www.watermargin.com.hk
