Featuring: Awa Awa, Giacomo at the Crowne Plaza, Wood Ear…

AS the current travel restricted situation in Hong Kong really does not look like it’s going away for the foreseeable (mandatory two or three weeks of quarantine in a designated hotel at personal expense at the time of writing), everyone’s resigned themselves to staying put for a while longer.
Fortunately (and we do have to look at the positives in all of this), it has led to a slew of new restaurant and bar openings, led by entrepreneurs who can see the advantage of having a literal captive audience.
Hong Kong has always been a food-lover’s paradise and the below three are just a few of an all-star cast of new dining options.
Peel Street newcomer Awa Awa officially opened its doors in August and has become an absolute neighbourhood hit with Japanese-food obsessed Hong Kongers. Focusing on Japan’s southern-most archipelago, Okinawa, Awa Awa also incorporates elements from Chinese, Hawaiian, Mexican and Taiwanese cuisine, all set to match with Okinawa’s national liquor, Awamori.
Founded by resident sake and whisky expert, Elliot Faber, Awa Awa’s colourful interior, friendly staff and punchy cocktails are sure to win anyone over. The fresh fish tostadas, octopus salad and even the Spam sando were all stand out dishes.
Awa Awa, 42-44, Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong, awaawahk.com

For those looking to push the boat out a bit, head over to Giacomo at the Crowne Plaza in Causeway Bay. Headed up by Michelin-trained chef Keith Yam, whose past credits include the award-winning Tosca di Angeló at The Ritz-Carlton and 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Giacomo describes itself as a ‘neo-classic Italian fine dining room’ with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients.
Highlights include the Brittany blue lobster Sardinian gnocchi, red prawn spaghetti chitarra and the gorgeous New Zealand langoustine.
Giacomo, G/F, Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay, 8 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, www.cphongkong.com
From the brains behind Épure and Arbor comes Ami, a ‘fine bistronomie’ which brings together fancy Parisian cuisine with (thankfully) an approachable and laid-back dining experience. Helmed by Executive Chef Nicolas Boutin and Chef de Cuisine Eric Taluy, expect bistro classics infused with all the sophistication of French fine dining.
Signature dishes include the likes of hand-cut beef tartare, richly flavoured Fisherman’s soup and the sumptuous French guinea fowl paired with octopus and a caramel jus, along with a show-stopping whisky-infused 64% Chocolate ‘Concorde’ dessert.
Opening in tandem with Ami is the restaurant’s whisky-forward bar, Wood Ear, which has over 400 rare labels sourced from Scotland, Japan and beyond: a whisky-lover’s paradise indeed.
Ami, Shop 302, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.ami-woodear.hk