Though Fang Fang is located at the heart of Hong Kong’s favourite party hotspot, Lan Kwai Fong, the restaurant is a far cry from the run-of-the-mill restobars that dot the streets of LKF by dozens. Offering the choicest of Chinese cuisine within plush interiors, complete with live music, Fang Fang mixes the best of fine-dining with upbeat party vibes.

As you step out of the elevator on the 8^th floor of LKF Tower, the beautiful – though a tad dimly lit – interiors set the perfect mood for a luxurious and leisurely experience. The feeling is only heightened with a first glance at the menu. Helmed by Head Chef Kent Lee, former executive chef of Hakkasan, Fang Fang taps into China’s classic recipes and gives them a modern twist. The result is a sumptuous blend of Chinese modernity and tradition, while embracing influences from surrounding regions.

We were particularly impressed by the assorted Dim Sum Platter, which is part of their new dim sum menu that’s available throughout lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The Soft Shell Crab with Five Spices is also a crowd favourite, and it’s easy to understand why, given its sheer ‘devil-may-care’ decadence. For the more health-conscious though, there’s the Crispy Duck Salad with pomelo, pine nuts, plum dressing and a generous dose of truffle oil. We could spend hours raving about this particular dish, but we’ll just let you judge for yourselves…

Moving on, the mains that made a lasting impression were the Jasmine Tea Smoked Ribs and the Forest Honey Grill Chilean Seabass, both interesting reinventions of classic Chinese fares. Kudos to the chef for taking a risk and pulling it off!

Some of the other mains that we tried, such as Vegetarian Gailan and Spicy Fried Rice, were more akin to ‘no-frills-added’ comfort food.

Though generally not big dessert fans, we were tempted to try the Ginger Crème Brulee on the staff’s recommendation, and we are so glad we did! Just mildly sweet with a hint of refreshing ginger, it was a perfect culmination to a very satisfying meal. For warmer climes, however, we’d suggest choosing from the selection of ice creams and sorbets.

For those looking to indulge in a tipple or two, Fang Fang also boasts a well-stocked bar to match its hearty food menu. Do try their newly launched Ikebana Cocktails, specially curated by Bar Manager Gagan Gurung, who is known for experimenting with Oriental flavours. Judging from the packed bar on a typical Friday night, it’s safe to assume his experiments are a roaring success. Add to that the soulful live music by jazz singer Wendy Robin and you have a space that comes to life every night! Be sure to reserve a table.

For reservations, click here.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay