Even hoteliers and chefs fancy a meal outside their home grounds, but where would they go? Dedicated foodies take Margie T Logarta and Julian Tan on a tour of their favourite munching grounds
HONGKONG
Philip Lim, general manager, Prince Hotel Hong Kong
BREAKFAST
WHERE TO EAT? Peking Garden Restaurant
CONTACT: 3/F, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel 852 2573 8211
OPENING HOURS: Daily 11.30am-4pm and 6pm-11pm (peak hours 12pm-2pm)
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… from Prince hotel where I am based, it is conveniently located in the Star House. The restaurant has a spacious layout and offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour. Its soft and fluffy buns, mouthwatering dumplings and fragrant pancakes are absolutely delicious! The food here is different from the usual offering of Cantonese dim sum that incidentally is also my favourite weekend brunch.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… steamed vegetable bun and spring onion pancake.
LUNCH
WHERE TO EAT? On Lee Fish Ball Noodle
CONTACT: G/F, 14-22 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, tel 852 2560 6897
OPENING HOURS: Daily 7am-7pm (peak hours 12pm-2pm)
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… of its casual and unassuming atmosphere, very local and with a neighbourhood feel. Of course, its smooth and soft flat rice noodle is the main draw, as are deep-fried fish cake triangles which are very tasty and springy. Most diners would go for the succulent beef brisket, with just the right blend of fat and meat – tender and juicy.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… flat rice noodles with fish cake and beef brisket to have the best of both worlds. Do try deep-fried fish skin – crispy but not too oily, and best eaten dunked in the flavourful soup.
DINNER
WHERE TO EAT? Misto Restaurant
CONTACT: 1/F, Hang Lung Bank Building, Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel 852 2311 3298, www.misto.com.hk
OPENING HOURS: Daily 12pm-3pm and 6pm-12am (peak hours 12pm-2pm and 7pm-10pm)
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… of its wonderful mix of Western and Southeast Asian cuisine, giving every diner what they favour most. The dishes are delicious, and the ambience is comfortable – cosy and stylish without being pretentious.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… the Malaysian Kampung Chicken Curry, a dry kind of curry with fragrant coconut flavour and not too spicy.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Nobu Matsuhisa, chef and chief proprietor of Nobu, Matsuhisa and Ubon restaurants worldwide
BREAKFAST
WHERE TO EAT? Polo Lounge and Fountain Coffee Room, Beverly Hills Hotel
CONTACT: 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, tel 1 310 276 2251, www.beverlyhillshotel.com
OPENING HOURS: Daily 7am-1.30am (Polo Lounge) and 7am-7pm (Fountain Coffee Room)
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… the famous Polo Lounge has a nice outdoor patio, but a lot of who’s who – celebrities and Hollywood execs – prefer the booths inside the Lounge for more privacy. The Fountain Coffee Room is also a fun place with just 19 seats at what was once a 1950s-style soda fountain counter.
As I stay in Los Angeles only for a short period during the year, I actually like to keep homebound and eat the traditional Japanese breakfast my wife Yoko prepares for me. This usually consists of steamed rice, grilled salmon, Japanese pickles, miso soup, and sometimes steamed vegetables and fresh fruit. It’s the best Japanese breakfast that I can get anywhere.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… having your power breakfast at the Polo Lounge, complete with movie moguls making deals at the next table or a casual breakfast on the go at the Fountain Coffee Room.
LUNCH
WHERE TO EAT? Matsuhisa Restaurant
CONTACT: 129 North La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, tel 1 310 659 9639, www.nobumatsuhisa.com
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Friday 11.45am-2.15pm, Monday-Sunday 5.45pm-10.15pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… since I stay for such a short time in LA every year, my priority is to be in my restaurant Matsuhisa where we are always testing and tasting new dishes. I also like to eat with my team as this gives me a chance to bond with them.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… Chirashi Sushi (rice topped with seafood), Kaki Age Donburi (shrimp and vegetable tempura on rice) and Beef Katsu set.
DINNER
WHERE TO EAT? CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel.
CONTACT: 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, tel 1 310 276 8500, www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Thursday 5.30pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5.30pm-11pm, closed on Sunday
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… it’s a very nice steakhouse owned by my friend, Wolfgang Puck. CUT, which opened in 2006, features a contemporary design by architect Richard Meier that is quite minimalist, which I like. I remember this space when it was the formal dining room of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel; it has a totally different feel now, just like night and day. If Wolfgang is around, I enjoy catching up with him.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… starting off with a selection of appetisers, and then, either go for the Wagyu of a US beef selected cut. Both are always excellent.
SHANGHAI
Emmanuel Soulier, executive chef, Hilton Shanghai
BREAKFAST
WHERE TO EAT? Element Fresh, which is a chain with several outlets in Shanghai and Beijing.
CONTACT: 4th floor, Kwah Centre, 1028 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, tel 86 21 5403 8865
OPENING HOURS: Daily 7am-11pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… of their freshly made sandwiches and salads as well as fresh juice drinks and smoothies, which make a great start for the day. In fact, have two glasses of fresh juice! The HuaiHai Zhong Lu outlet has a great view of the city.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… grilled tandoori chicken wrap and cobb salad.
LUNCH
WHERE TO EAT? Lost Heaven
CONTACT: 38 Gaoyou Road (West Fuxing Road), Xuhui District, tel 86 21 6433 5126
OPENING HOURS: Daily 12pm-2pm and 5.30pm-10pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… it is one of the city’s few restaurants that offer cuisines of the Chinese ethnic communities such as the Dai, Bai and Miao of Yunnan and those found in Lijiang, Dali and Burma.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… Yunnan Lijiang-style stir-fried beef, Yunnan tofu skin roll and Dali spicy flavoured chicken with scallions.
DINNER
WHERE TO EAT? Hai Ku Japanese Restaurant
CONTACT: 28B Taojiang Lu, Xuhui, China, tel 86 21 6445 0021
OPENING HOURS: Daily 5.30pm-10pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… I like to eat Japanese in the evening. It offers good attentive service.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… the Moto-roll-ah sushi, which is juicy, crusty and rich in flavour.
MUMBAI
Yannick Poupon, CEO, Taj Luxury Hotels International
BREAKFAST
WHERE TO EAT? Indigo Delicatessen
CONTACT: 5 G/F, Pheroze Building, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharshi Marg, Apollo Bunder, tel 91 22 6655 1010, www.indigodeli.com
OPENING HOURS: Daily 9am and all the way to 12.30 am
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… of this award-winning restaurant’s cool ambience; it’s nice and quiet in the mornings. Due to its central location, one can pick the build-up of the city’s hum during the day until night.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… either the Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine. Vegetarians will like the couscous upma. Beverages include single-origin coffees, cold coffee and frappes as well as pre- and post-meal teas and herbal infusions.
LUNCH
WHERE TO EAT? Indigo Restaurant
CONTACT: 4 Mandlik Road,Colaba, tel 91 22 6636 8980, www.foodindigo.com
OPENING HOURS: Daily 12pm-2.45pm, two seatings at 7.30pm and 10pm; bar opens from 6.30pm-1am
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… of its bright atmosphere and the area overlooking the little garden in front that provides a temporary respite from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… any of the soups, salads and sandwiches – freshness is guaranteed.
DINNER
WHERE TO EAT? Trishna
CONTACT: Sai Baba Marg, next to Commerce House and near Rhythm House, Khala Goda, Fort, tel 91 22 2270 3213
OPENING HOURS: Daily 12pm-4pm and 7.30pm to 12am
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… it is a long-established restaurant and enjoys a good reputation for its Indian seafood dishes.
I WOULD RECOMMEND... butter pepper garlic crab and Hyderabadi pomfret.
SINGAPORE
Katherine Wong, general manager, Meritus Mandarin Hotel
BREAKFAST
WHERE TO EAT? Jones the Grocer
CONTACT: Block 9 Dempsey Road #01–12, tel 65 6476 1512, www.jonesthegrocer.com
OPENING HOURS: Monday 9.30am-6pm, Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-11pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-11pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… of the novel concept of a café-cum-grocer and its relaxed and casual feel. The food presentation is simple and neat, good coffee and fair price for the quality.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… all-day breakfast items such as toasted breads and preserves, and the egg dishes are consistent.
LUNCH
WHERE TO EAT? Swee Kee Fishhead Noodle House
CONTACT: 96 Amoy Street, tel 65 6224 9920, www.ka-soh.com.sg
OPENING HOURS: Daily 11.45am-2.30pm and 5.30pm-10.45pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… what you see is what you get and it always tastes good.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… fish head soup with bee hoon.
DINNER
WHERE TO EAT? Morton’s The Steakhouse
CONTACT: Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 4th storey, 5 Raffles Avenue, tel 65 6339 3740, www.mortons.com/singapore
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Saturday 5.30pm-11pm, Sunday 5pm-10pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… it has the best and most consistent quality steaks. Never gives you surprises. The wine list is extensive though some drinks are pricey.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… New York Cut and House Chopped Salad.
TOKYO
Philippe Roux-Dessarps (right), general manager, Park Hyatt Tokyo
BREAKFAST
WHERE TO EAT? Sushi Dai at Tsukiji Fish Market
CONTACT: Tsukiji Fish Market Building 6, 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, tel 81 3 3547 6797
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Saturday 5am-2pm, closed Sundays and holidays. The peak hours are from 5am to 8am and with only 12 counter seats, be prepared to wait in line even at 6am.
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… you can get fresh fish straight from the source in a local setting, surrounded by the buzz of the market.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… the Omakase menu, which includes 12 pieces of sushi and miso soup. The chef chooses 11 and you choose the 12th piece.
LUNCH
WHERE TO EAT? Tonkatsu Nishiazabu Butagumi
CONTACT: 2-24-9 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, tel 81 3 5466 6775, www.butagumi.com/nishiazabu/about.html
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday 11.30am-3pm and 6pm-11pm, closed Mondays
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… the dining experience gives you a glimpse into the Japanese culture. I marvel at the chef’s precision in the frying process, resulting in perfectly and evenly cut cabbage slices and his dedication to offering his guests the best quality pork.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… Iberico Pork Roast, which is beautifully deep fried to a crisp golden brown in homemade breadcrumbs. The Yonezawa fillet is a leaner option, yet juicy and tender.
DINNER
WHERE TO EAT? Cuisine(s) Michel Troisgros at Hyatt Regency Tokyo
CONTACT: 1F, 2-7-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku, tel 81 3 3348 1234, www.cuisinesmicheltroisgros.com
OPENING HOURS: Daily 11.30am-2pm and 6pm-9.30pm
I LIKE TO DINE HERE BECAUSE… although Tokyo has many French restaurants, Troisgros represents the best authentic cuisine of my home country with the finest products that Japan provides.
I WOULD RECOMMEND… beef grilled on vine shoots, which reflects authentic French cooking using the local products.
