Dinner & a Show: Critic's Panel Edition
5-5-13
A lot of questions we seem to get seem to revolve around how to make a night out of attending the theatre. Some people when they go to a show make it a full experience; dinner, drinks, etc. We asked our critics panel members about their suggestions for great dining places near some of HK's theatres. For people new to Hong Kong we hope you'll find this guide helpful.
Here's the areas we covered:
TST
Wanchai
Sheung Wan
Central
Yuen Long
Kwai Chung
Sai Wan Ho
Satoshi- TST
For me, the primary venue for shows in Tsim Sha Tsui would be the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Depending on the amount of time one has before the show, the choices can be quite different. If not in a hurry, Felix at The Peninsula offers “early dining” from 6-8pm. For Chinese cuisine and with a bit of time, I would tend to go Wu Kong Shanghai Restaurant at the Basement of Alpha House, 27 Nathan Road. For Chinese cuisine and right in the Cultural Centre, the Serenade Chinese Restaurant at 1-2/F, of the Restaurant Block is more than adequate. If I am in a rush though, I am more than happy to go to Deli and Wine at the G/F Restaurant Block of the Cultural Centre. Though it tends to be really crowded, I have always found a seat to have my dinner. For post-theatre drinks, I only go to two places, either The Parlour in Hullett House at 2A Canton Road or the The Steak House Winebar in the InterContinental Hotel at 18 Salisbury Road.
Leeann- Wanchai
If Wan Chai is your destination for a performance and dinner and a show is in your itinerary, you can do worse than stroll down Jaffe road where eateries and restaurants abound along with plenty of wet spots for a quick drink or two. Stop by before the show for a bit of curry at Sabah Malaysian Cuisine at 98 Jaffe Road or how about some quick dumplings at Peking Dumpling Wong just down the road at 188 Jaffe Road? After you’ve had your evening’s entertainment you are probably a little thirsty or perhaps you’ve had an early show and you are peckish for a late snack. Stop by Coyote Bar and Grill at 114-120 Lockhart Road to satisfy both cravings.
Tony- Sheung Wan
My favourite pre-theatre eatery is Dim Sum Square (88 Jervois St, Sheung Wan). It's popular with locals and expats alike and although always busy I've never had to wait for seats with a group smaller than four people. A warning to stick to the dim sum if you're in a hurry to get to a show - don't order from their dinner menu because you may miss the first act! Recommended dim sum dishes are the shrimp & vegetable rice rolls, crispy BBQ pork buns, and fish fillet with garlic rice bowl. A bonus is that the area is full of western style bars so you can also grab a pre-show drink, if you're that way inclined. Dim Sum Square is two blocks from both Sheung Wan MTR station and Sheung Wan Civic Centre, the home of Hong Kong Repertory Theatre.
Olivia- Central
Central – Drunk tourists, wanker bankers, overpriced, underwhelming food, right? It doesn’t have to be that way. Start with a drink at happy hour at Club 71 (Pak Tsz Lane park , 67 Hollywood Rd). A relaxed vibe, reasonably priced drinks, free peanuts and an interesting history. For a quick, cheap and tasty meal – try a jian bing, the famous Beijing street crepe at Mr Bing (83 Wellington St - right under the escalator). Or dine al fresco at the Stanley St dai pai dong. Plastic stools, local food, beer, clanging woks and loud locals – it’s straight out of a scene from Chungking Express, in keeping with the evening’s artsy theme. If you want to sit at a proper table, Habibi (114 Wellington St) serves up great Egyptian food with a nice but typical Hong Kong waiter who tries his hardest but just doesn’t get what good service is. For a post-show nightcap, someone else’s bedroom is always more exciting. Le Boudoir (65 Wyndham St - downstairs) serves great cocktails in an oh-so-Frenchy, so-chic setting.
Stephanie- Yuen Long
Street food and small roadside restaurants are everywhere in Yuen Long, with great variety and at reasonable prices. Ideally, if I were to watch a show at the Yuen Long Theatre, I’d arrive earlier for a pre-show bite at Pasha Kebab and Pizza House on 53 Kin Yip Street, a mere four minute walk from the Yuen Long MTR station. If chicken and lamb kebabs are too greasy and filling for you, Fat Kee, a congee shop on the same street, is a great alternative, but be there early because the shop is as famous for its queues as it is for its fresh chicken congee. And ideally, after the show, I would go in Biere von Irene. Located on the corner of Yau San Street, about a four minute taxi ride from the theatre, the tiny shop carries draught from the Oregon brewery Rogue, as well as the German Fürstenberg Weizen Hefe Hell on tap. I would pull up a plastic stool and unfold a wooden table on the sidewalk, and sit down for ice-cold beer and heated discussions with the rest of the theatregoers. In reality though, you’d probably find me hurrying home with a laptop under my arm. Review needs to be written.
Tom- Kwai Chung
The Kwai Tsing theatre in Kwai Chung is a favourite of mine because, whatever the quality of the show, you can be sure to find something good to eat before and/or after. One side of the theatre is QUI, Italian food with white tablecloths – service can logjam so if you’re eating before a show go early – and on the other is China Land with a range of Chinese dishes (including late night dim sum). Walk 50 metres to Metro Plaza and you’re spoiled for choice with Ant One and Shanghai Min offering good value eclectic Chinese, plus Thai (at Ma Thai), Japanese (at Watami) and burgers (at MOS Burgers) and more (check out Open Rice under Kwai Fong). For the more adventurous, there’s plenty more eateries in the surrounding streets. If you just want a drink before or after, QUI is conveniently close and stylish (for a quick intermission strong black coffee too). Most of these places open early and close late – and they’re 5 minutes walk or so from the Kwai Fong MTR too, just 30 minutes from Central on the red line.
Meaghan- Sai Wan Ho
Sai Wan Ho is the home of the Sai Wan Ho Civic Center and close to the bustling art district in Chai Wan. One can find it daunting to travel to a new part of the city for the first time. But no need to fear with Sai Wan Ho, there are plenty of delicious treats around! A must have is the Sai Wan Ho Cooked Food Center just around the corner from the theatre. There are over 20 stalls with local street eats. They're fast, cheap and yummy; perfect for pre-show dining. If you're open for a private kitchen experience, I recommend Uncle Moustache (35 Tai Hong Street). Reservations are a must have with all private kitchens but they can tailor your dining experience to when the show gets out. And if you're wanting good drinks and are in on the recent tapas craze, try Tapeo Bar de Tapas y Vino (55 Tai Hong Street).
Do you have a favorite place to dine when going to a show? Share it below in the comment section!
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