For a world city Hong Kong has a rather startling lack of what I would call “design led” or “cool” places to eat or drink. The city’s best eating and drinking is found either in little backstreet venues with plastic chairs and bin bags for tablecloths or in elevated dining rooms in hotels where you can visably spend money.
This is no bad thing, I mean you get to sample the splendour of The Caprice or the claypot rice brilliance of Kwan Kee but sometimes you want something a bit more understated and pretentious.
Unfortunately, the options are minimal. There is Sevva but it is a bit banker (but worthy because of the killer view). Felix is for tourists without taste. Acqua Spirit is for expats hunting inappropriate girls.
However, there are some glimmerings of hope out there and Lily & Bloom is one of them. The bar and restaurant look beautiful. Speakeasy in style with a bar that does cocktails and seafood like some wierd amalgam of a prohibition drinking bar and a French brasserie.
So then, nearly perfect. Still, there was only one problem when we went; the food. Or that Lily & Bloom can only cook half of what is on the menu.
One half of the menu is simple – French onion soup and pork chops. This is what I choose. And it was excellent. The French onion soup starter drove me to burn my mouth out of desire to eat it too fast and the pork chop thumped home with big clunky solid cooking.
Unfortunately, there was the other half, what Jen choose. This half overreached itself with fancy fusiony / Australian influenced cuisine. Simply depositing mango or some sweet Asian fruit or puree into every dish did not result in an enjoyable meal.
So if you are going to go to Lily & Bloom keep it simple, keep it solid and drink the martinis and you’ll have a great night. Still this has got me thinking. What else would you suggest in Hong Kong for nice cut down design led eating and drinking?
My list is relatively short – Limehouse, Cafe Gray, Blackbird, Sense99 and maybe 208 Duecento Otto. With a coffee at Barista Jam/ 18 Grams for the hangover next day. Oh and my new favourite secret bar in Central Market; but that is secret.
- Price – 500hkd or more a head
- 6/F & 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
PS for the subsequent posts on HK Design look here
Thanks for the review! I’m still undecided about whether or not i want to dine here. I have heard mix reviews, but it does look super cool though!
I would go with the have a drink there. But I will take you to my new favourite secret bar. That is better.
I am starting to think what is your ‘secret’ hideout now haha!
Want to swap some secrets 1 day? : p *blink blink*
Definitely – I need to get some more local hook ups. And would happily take you to the secret bar anyday…. I need little excuse to visit!
Keeping it simple with Martini’s is always a good plan
Yup – though after a martini experience last night I am struggling.
Keep simple is such a good mantra – there’s enough fusion mess over here in London when simple pub/bar food is often so much better. I sympathise.
Sevva! I have been racking my brain for days trying to remember the name of that place. Good cocktails, and good view.
Lily and Bloom does look good for a cocktail. Maybe on my next trip when I’m actually drinking alcohol.
I forgot to ask whether you have been when you visited – insane views!
I do not agree in all parts of your argumentation, but overall it is a real insight text with lots of things to think about. Thank you, Frank