Small bites

Lau's new food fest

Hong Kong actress Carina Lau is, in her own words, "back in restaurants" after previous ventures on the mainland. She's launched two - one serving "imperial" Japanese food and the other dishing up avant-garde Spanish cuisine, as well as a tapas bar and a DJ spinning tunes until late. Located on the 18th floor of The One Shopping Center in Tsim Sha Tsui, the new venues should offer some spectacular views of Hong Kong.

Kyo-Shun (pictured) serves the traditional, seasonal, and imperial a la carte cuisine of Kyoto, in a minimalist setting that exudes peace with a tranquil ambience. The open kitchen allows guests to admire master chefs preparing the specialties from Kyoto, famed for its simmering bowls of softened bean curd and bean curd sheets in soup, flown in fresh daily from Japan; and sea bream fish rice in a clay pot from the famous Kumoi Gama factory in Kyoto. All grilled dishes are prepared using Binchotan charcoal from Kyoto.

Zurriola chef Pedro Samper runs the kitchen at this high-end Spanish restaurant with its avant-garde menu of hot and cold tapas, "bomba" rice, pastas, mains and desserts. Signature dishes include mackerel confit cooked at 62 C for 1 minute, Spanish bell pepper sauce and green leaves; amadai (tile fish) fried with its crunchy scales, Spanish apple cider, pine nuts and raisins; and lamb loin slow-cooked for 36 hours with seasonal green leaves. Panoramic views are especially stunning from the private dining room with its own balcony for al fresco dining.

Tapagria is a glamorous tapas and sangria bar that transforms into a late-night dance lounge every Friday and Saturday night. The curved wine bar wraps around an open tapas kitchen with sculptural dining chairs and bar stools that pay homage to the legendary Catalan architect Gaudi. The sangria menu lists over 65 varieties of fruit flavors mixed with red, white, rose, cava, and cava rose wine. An outdoor lounge terrace is perfect for relaxing out over cocktails while admiring Hong Kong's stunning skyline.

18/Floor, The One, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

Kyo-Shun: 852-2426-6111.

Zurriola: 852-2253-7111.

Tapagria: 852-2147-0111.

- Donna Mah

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