Business lunches are often used as an excuse to hold informal meetings with corporate clients and splurge on the account, all while enjoying a fine meal, a comforting and often sophisticated environment and good company. With Hong Kong’s traditional business centre relatively constrained within Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, there are a plethora of upscale options on both sides of the harbour at which to splash out. With that in mind, here are five of Hong Kong’s business lunch spots to power your way through:
Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental, Central
Right in the heart of Central, the one-Michelin star Mandarin Grill is the place to see and be-seen. Contemporary yet modest and subtle in its design, the highlight here is the modern European cuisine, overseen by Chef Uwe Opocensky. The lunch and dinner menus are somewhat similar, with highlights such as the intriguing twist on “Bacon and Egg” and “Flower pot”. Many of Chef Opocensky’s stunning creations, previously crafted and perfected at the private chef’s table, The Krug Room, make it onto the Mandarin Grill menu, offering a sampling of some of Hong Kong’s finest fare.
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Landmark Atrium, Central
In the nearby luxury shopping mall of Landmark, three-star Michelin star chef Umberto Bombana works his magic behind the kitchen, which was the first Italian restaurant outside Italy to be awarded three Michelin stars. Known for his flair and his extensive use of the seasonal white truffle, Chef Bombana serves modern Italian fare based on traditional Italian recipes. The two-course lunch menu at the restaurant starts at HK$390 for two courses, one of the best bargains in the city for fine dining.
Restaurant Petrus, Island Shangri-La, Admiralty
Slightly further east, Restaurant Petrus atop the Island Shangri-La presents some of the city’s finest French food. The elegant decor is regal, and the perfect setting to impress a client or two, framed beautifully by the skyline and harbour in the distance. While the courses that arrive are stunning, watch out for the heavenly breadbasket that arrives at the start: butter rolls and crusty olive bread served with a selection of butters, including seaweed butter. Don’t fill yourself up on bread though, because the courses are worth waiting for!
Yan Toh Heen, InterContinental Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui
Located across the harbour is one of Hong Kong’s finest Cantonese restaurants. This iconic one-Michelin starred institution serves classic Cantonese cuisine in a recently renovated and modernised environment that is an homage to Cantonese traditions, all with a backdrop of the harbour and Hong Kong Island’s towering skyline. The lunch menu offers an extensive range of dim sum as well as plates including appetisers and barbecued meats as well as seafood. While the dumplings are excellent, the wok-seared cod fish is a delight.
Sabatini Ristorante Italiano, The Royal Garden Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui
With its origins in Rome, this Italian restaurant is well known within the city. Located in the lesser visited area of Tsim Sha Tsui East in The Royal Garden Kowloon, Sabitini is placed just off a very spacious and beautiful upper-level atrium. Once inside, the atmosphere changes immediately to countryside Roman, which matches the restaurant’s servings of hearty no-frills Italian fare. The aptly titled “Sabatini Business Lunch” offers a selection of courses for a reasonable price, starting at HK$258 for two courses. Highlights include fusili with Tuscan sausage and grilled lamb chops.
