Hyde and Sleek
Two for the price of one, that’s what you get at Hong Kong’s newest private members’ club, Hyde. On one floor is Hyde nightclub, a thumpin’-pumpin’, booty-shaking boom-boom room. On a separate floor is Hyde Lounge, a New York-style loft space for milling, swilling and chilling. On both floors, a parade of slinky minxes and the not-so-stealthy wealthy.
You know you want it...
London may be finally catching up to speed, but when it comes to private kitchens and hideaway foodie spots Hong Kong rocks. Step along buzzy Hollywood Road and arrive at #31 and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve come to the wrong place. The grubby ubiquitous metal grille door, manky plastic DIY-store keypad and grungy miniscule blue lift are all part of the clandestine adventure, but hit floor 7 and the gentle thud of expectant heart turns to a rapid flutter when you arrive at TBLS, chef Que Van Dinh’s newly created little laboratory of luxe.
The door to foodie heaven
If you think ‘local’, ’sustainable’ and ‘Cantonese cooking’ in Hong Kong are mutually exclusive concepts, you’re right. It’s either ocean-depleting abalone and endangered shark fin delicacies, or mass produced battery hens, thrice frozen prawns and genetically modified tomatoes. Bad for the environment, bad for you. Well, The Chairman is out to change that, and they’re doing it with dishes to rival those being served at the top end of town. Intrigued, we hot-footed it quicksticks, or should that be chopsticks…
In the red [Photo by chooyutshing/Flickr]
Lanterns, lai see (red packets) and lions, oh my! In case you missed the memo, lunar or Chinese New Year is this Sunday and while it’s V-day for many, it’s fam time for others. Each family has their own traditions, but if there’s one thing everyone does, it’s eating. We’ve picked one iconic dish from cities that celebrate the festival, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong, via Toronto (yep, Toronto), so you’d better get those stretch slacks ready, Tiger.
Lust and beauty from Adriano Zumbo
It’s that time of year again – carnations and baby’s breath, silver balloons and greeting cards, hearts won and hopes dashed. There’s no avoiding Valentine’s day, unless possibly you’re in Myanmar, or North Korea, but there’s no need to make it cheesier than a Roquefort cave. Here’s a quick whip round the world for luxe ways to give and celebrate that won’t always break the bank, but are a darn good bet for bedroom Olympics. Mwaah!
This article was first published by The New York Times T Magazine Blog ‘The Moment’.
Become a merry old soul at the King Cole Bar in New York
One of the many jobs charged unto the staff and city resident LUXE editors is to search out the perfect pre-prandial perch to enjoy this liquid divinity in each city that we cover. New York, the home of The Beautiful Drink, is chokka-blocked with great places – personally we are fond of the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis despite being more famed for its Bloody Mary, we love it for its dark atmos and quiet, but upbeat murmuring. But let’s not forget Death & Co and the always excellent Pegu Club or Milk & Honey. But where else around the world should you partake? Here’s a whizzbang round-up of a few other personal faves around the globe…
Welcome to the pamper palace, The Peninsula Bangkok
For years, people have begged and pleaded for the opportunity to be a LUXE reviewer, and thanks to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Hong Kong’s leading English-language daily, you finally got that chance. SCMP readers were asked to submit a review on any hotel, restaurant, bar, spa, shop or activity of your choice in trademark witty LUXE style for the chance to win 3 delicious nights at smooth-as-silk The Peninsula Bangkok, right by the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The stunning Asian Grand Tour Box set was also up for grabs by 3 runners up. We’ve sorted and sifted through the responses of all you budding critics out there and you know what we found?
Wham bam glam at alfresco pioneer SEVVA
We love a win-win situation and Hong Kong’s ban on smoking inside bars and clubs earlier in the year has accelerated the opening of stylish rooftop and terrace venues, most with eye-popping views and settings to match, in a city that had, until recently, been sadly lacking. So, no more smoke in your eyes or smell lingering in your Brioni or Alexander Wang, and even more places to get merry under the stars. Here’s our pick of the crop.
Mmmmmacarons from Pierre Hermé
Pink and yellow and green and blue, orange and purple and green, you can sing a macaron all you like but nothing beats pressing them against your lips and savouring every last crumb of the sweet little suckers. Here’s our pick of five pâtisseries around the globe that are giving us the most amazing sugar highs right now. Oh-oh-oooh!
Get in a sweat at Spice Temple
Whether in the steaming tropics of Asia or chilly east London, and whether through slow burn or instant self-combustion, LUXE loves a euphoric chilli hit, and thankfully, we’ve uncovered plenty of places to satiate this desire over the years. Hot foot it now with us to a few of our faves, just make sure you’ve packed your fan-cooled underwear and a moist towelette, or three…
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