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Set in the middle of busy Wan Chai, designer boutique accommodation, The Fleming Hotel, with its industrial-era vibes and retro decor, is a convivial spot for tourists and locals alike. Now, to up its welcoming quotient even more, the hotel has introduced three summer surprises, all of which make sure that the guests have a jolly good time not only at The Fleming Hotel but also when they are out exploring the city.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-47029" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3.jpg" alt="The Fleming Hotel" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-3-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
The first surprise would be particularly appealing to the Instagram addicts and the budding influencers among us. The Fleming&#8217;s vintage urban decor makes it a perfect spot for lots of photo ops, so to ensure that the guests make the most of this experience, the hotel is now offering a complimentary private photo session with a professional photographer. Guests will be able to explore the many photogenic spots in the hotel and create lasting memories of their holiday, while taking part in a fun photoshoot. Channel your inner Gigi Hadid now!
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-47030" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3.jpg" alt="The Fleming Hotel" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-3-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Of course, no trip to Hong Kong is complete without partaking in its vibrant food culture. Thanks to The Fleming&#8217;s enviable location in Wan Chai, guests staying in the hotel are never too far away from mouthwatering cuisine at any time. To enhance their experience further, the hotel has arranged for special food tours and night tours with local guides as part of its summer promotion. During the day tour, visitors can savour authentic Cantonese cuisine, while on the night tour, guests are whisked away on an evening adventure to uncover Hong Kong&#8217;s history and heritage. Be sure to wear your walking shoes though.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-47031" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2.jpg" alt="The Fleming Hotel" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3-2-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Finally, the hotel&#8217;s last (and perhaps the best) summer surprise is a complimentary bottle of in-room champagne to make your holiday as beautiful as the sparkling liquid inside. Perfect for both staycationers and vacationers, it&#8217;s the ideal way to unwind with your loved ones.
Photo session: Available from 1 May to 31 July with a minimum 2-night stay 
Food tour and night tour: Available from 1 May to 31 July with a minimum 3-night stay 
Bottle of champagne: Available from 1 May to 31 July with a minimum 2-night stay

Celebrate summer in style with special surprises at The Fleming Hotel

2018 is looking to be a strong year for Hong Kong&#8217;s F&amp;B scene with so many <a href="//www.gafencushop.com/fumi-opening-party/">new restaurant openings</a> in the first month alone&nbsp;– <a href="http://www.francis.com.hk">FRANCIS </a>in Wan Chai being one of them. The neighbourhood hangout opened its doors on January 22 in the up-and-coming St Francis Yard section of Wan Chai (just down the road from <a href="https://pici.hk/">Pici</a>).&nbsp;
The airy 30-seater concept celebrates&nbsp;Tel Aviv&#8217;s vibrant food culture with&nbsp;curated wines and an inspired menu of mezes. As soon as I heard about it, I immediately booked a girls&#8217; dinner to get the 411. Tel Aviv is one of my favourite cities in the world for many reasons, and the cuisine stands out in my memory as the best of any trip I&#8217;ve ever done. (Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://morenatravels.com/2017/06/02/10-reasons-why-tel-aviv-should-be-your-next-holiday/">10 Reasons Why Tel Aviv Should Be Your Next Holiday</a>)
<figure id="attachment_31931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31931" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31931 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/mussels-e1517296839817.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/mussels-e1517296839817.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/mussels-e1517296839817-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31931" class="wp-caption-text">Stuffed Mussels (HK$110)</figcaption></figure>
Refreshingly, FRANCIS is not &#8216;just another brand&#8217; adding to the roster of some big dining group. It&#8217;s&nbsp;the first venture for a trio of young entrepreneurs&nbsp;led by James Ward, former manager at successful venues <a href="//www.gafencushop.com/19377-2/">Aqua</a>, Zafran and <a href="//www.gafencushop.com/sea-sides/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Ocean</a>&nbsp;in Repulse Bay. His partners are Israeli-born chef Asher Goldstein and sommelier Simone Sammuri.
Goldstein, a native of Tel Aviv, crafted a seasonal menu of shared plates using organic produce in addition to fresh seafood and vegetables. In fact, the night we came we dined meatless:&nbsp;Baked Halloumi&nbsp;with pomegranate molasses and wild oregano (HK$120),&nbsp;Smoked Carrots&nbsp;with almond and spiced honey (HK$90),&nbsp;Cauliflower&nbsp;with yogurt and tarragon&nbsp;(HK$80) and&nbsp;Raw Tuna&nbsp;with kohlrabi, anchovy and tomato (HK$140).&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_31932" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31932" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31932 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/owners-3-e1517297602801.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/owners-3-e1517297602801.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/owners-3-e1517297602801-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31932" class="wp-caption-text">Ward, Goldstein and Sammuri</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_31933" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31933" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31933 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/octopus-e1517297614558.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/octopus-e1517297614558.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/octopus-e1517297614558-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31933" class="wp-caption-text">Grilled Octopus with harissa, burgul potato cake (HK$140)</figcaption></figure>
If I were to go back, I would try the&nbsp;Hummus (HK$80),&nbsp;Falafel (HK$50)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sweet Potato&nbsp;with paprika and feta (HK$90); they ran out of the latter when we were there. For dessert, we had a delicious modern take on the Palestinian&nbsp;knafeh,&nbsp;a crispy pastry with melting mozzarella inside topped with orange blossom and pistachio (HK$80). This one was definitely one of my favourites at&nbsp;Shuk Ha&#8217;Carmel.
Word of warning: I was eating with a girlfriend and neither of us has much of an appetite, but we had to order at least five plates between the two of us (dessert included). We had to shell out around HK$450 each in the end (counting the wine), which is no small price to pay for only half-filling our stomachs.&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_31935" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31935" style="width: 533px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31935 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="800" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi.jpg 533w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi-187x280.jpg 187w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi-500x750.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/halloumi-400x600.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31935" class="wp-caption-text">Baked Halloumi cheese – excellent! (HK$120)</figcaption></figure>
What should you expect at FRANCIS? Refined versions of your Tel Avivian classics in tiny portions. The wine selection, on the other hand, is altogether another matter: the vintages are excellent and you can get a bottle of red from HK$180.
FRANCIS is definitely a great place to catch up with friends over casual bites and drinks (we loved the vibe!), but for a sit down dinner I would recommend eating<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/lebaneat-2/"> somewhere else (first)</a>. Shalom!
FRANCIS G/F, 4 &amp; 6, St. Francis Street, Wan Chai (852) 3101 9521 hello@francis.com.hk <a href="http://www.francis.com.hk">www.francis.com.hk</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/francishkrestaurant/">facebook.com/francishkrestaurant/</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/francishongkong/">instagram.com/francishongkong/</a>

FRANCIS brings Tel Avivian food culture to Wan Chai

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For the fourth instalment of our Date Night series in Wan Chai (see our last one <a href="//www.gafencushop.com/date-night-series-wan-chai-akrame-2/">here</a>), we head to Chengdu Bistro &amp; Baijiu Bar <a href="http://www.elite-concepts.com/en_US/dengg/">Deng G</a>. The Sichuan specialist celebrated its first anniversary since making its debut in September last year; Gafencu takes stock of where it is a year after it opened its doors.
Best for out-of-towner / traveller dates: Deng G
If your date is looking to try Chinese flavours, Deng G is a flexible and fun venue to go on a culinary adventure. The unassuming setup in Wan Chai’s up-and-coming neighbourhood is divided into two parts: downstairs for the Noodle Workshop and Baijiu Bar, while upstairs for Classic Sichuan dining with plush private room options.
What vibe you want for your night out is completely up to you, but we definitely have some recommendations as to what’s on offer.
For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of regional Chinese cuisine, Sichuan province is famous for its unique and characteristic Mala sauce. Mala involves simmering ingredients with peppercorns, chillies and various spices in oil. The effect is distinguished from Indian or Mexican spices by a mouth feel that is more numbing than burning in sensation.
Think you can handle the heat? Then by all means order from the Mala section of the menu. We had the Deep-fried Fish in Mala Sauce (HK$168), deliciously crisp with heaps of white rice. As Deng G is the only Baijiu** bar in Hong Kong, you might also want to pair your dish with a Baijiu cocktail concocted by award-winning mixologist Héktor Monroy.
A milder but equally delicious recommendation is the Kung Pao Chicken (HK$118), a sweeter dish filed under the “Lychee” (spicy and sweet) section of the menu. Other sections cover “Home” flavours (rustic farmhouse cooking), Sweet &amp; Sour, Pepper Salt and Yu Xiang (aromatic/fragrant) among others.
**Editor’s Note: The infamous Baijiu is a strong, clear distilled spirit, usually with 40-60% alcohol content. It’s fermented from sorghum, rice or other grains. Often characterized and misunderstood as a hard-to-drink liquor, Baijiu can be as complex as a fine whiskey, judged on its colour, aroma and taste.
Deng G is part of the <a href="http://www.elite-concepts.com/en_US/dengg/">Elite Concepts</a> Dining Group. 2/F 147 Queen’s Rd East, Wan Cha.i (852) 2609 2328. <a href="http://www.elite-concepts.com/en_US/dengg">www.elite-concepts.com/en_US/dengg</a>
Stay tuned for our final instalment of the Wan Chai Date Night series coming soon: the stylish and elegant <a href="http://www.fishsteria.hk/">Fishsteria</a> just down the road!
Text: Julienne C. Raboca

Of Spices and Spirits: Deng G Bistro & Baijiu Bar (Wan Chai)

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In the third of our stories on date night in Wan Chai (see our last one <a href="//www.gafencushop.com/date-night-series-wan-chai-optimist/">here</a>), we head to <a href="http://akrame.com.hk/">Akrame</a>. Opened in November 2013 to great acclaim, this minimalistic spot on Star Street is the place to take your date on an exquisite gastronomic adventure.
Within one year of opening, Akrame garnered a Michelin Star securing its place in the city’s culinary hall of fame. “We have maintained this star since,” says Business and Operations Director Vivien Leung. She believes the reason for their continued acclaim is the “one of a kind” dining experience. “[It] can be compared to high couture fashion,” she says. “&#8230;avant garde and forward thinking.”
Four months ago, Akrame (pronounced Ah-khramm) unveiled its new design presenting contemporary artworks by artists Yaz (French-Algerian) and Ogut (Java) in partnership with <a href="https://www.artyze.com/page/collections">ARTYZE Gallery</a>. Since then, the restaurant has been holding ‘Art x Gastronomy’ events every month, with a private art preview from 6-8:30pm and a special tasting menu from 8:30pm onwards. You can follow their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/akramehk/">Facebook updates</a> to find out when the next one is.
Best for anniversary dates: Akrame
Stagecraft is part of the show here, as your server – with his booming French accent and emphatic gestures – presents each dish with much ado. We went for the blind tasting lunch, leaving our destiny in the chef’s hands. They will adjust to any dietary restriction or allergy before coming up with the day’s concoctions.
We began with bread topped with melted cheese and a delicate amuse-bouche. The latter appeared like a sliver of fish suspended on a black leaf, set on cling wrap over a small ceramic bowl as if it were levitating on air. We could already tell we were in for an artistic ride of a meal.
At this point we were already having difficulty making sense of the heavily-accented descriptions of our server, as we tried to connect what he was saying with what we were seeing and tasting. A lobster appetizer with fruit-cream froth and what looked like a seaweed wafer perched on top was next. Regardless of what it really was, it was exquisite and delicious. It also looked like a piece of abstract art.
The other appetizer of charcoaled egg with cauliflower foam was our first sampling of two-Michelin-star chef Akrame Benallal’s signature method. The Parisian-Algerian food artist is best known for his use of activated charcoal in his creations. The ingredient is utilised to add texture, with a grainy-powdery mouth-feel also gaining popularity as a health supplement. Apparently, it’s a strong detoxifier able to cleanse the body of impurities with moderate consumption.
We had duck for our main, paired with carrot and exotic fig. It was cooked to perfection, the meatjuicy and tender, disappearing in a matter of seconds. You may not leave with the fullest of stomachs, but your eyes will be sure to have feasted in equal amounts on the exquisite plating, done justice by the sublime flavours.
Finally, dessert arrived. Akrame’s all-time best is the dark ensemble of charcoal pineapple, sea salt cookies and ice cream. Try not to smile at your partner immediately after eating. If you want to avoid that Halloween look, you can request for the new Fragrance Blanc de Blanc: a fruity and refreshing alternative featuring citrus, orange blossom, and cherry.
Hong Kong’s dining scene has been graced by the presence Akrame for four years now, which has never lost its gastronomic position that sets it apart from its neighbours on the busy restaurant-lined Ship Street. We discovered just what was so special about this concept, founded by the world’s youngest Michelin-star chef. Get ready to embark on a journey of food and art to delight your tastebuds as you toast to your red-letter day.
For a fine dining experience complete with dégustation menus, Akrame keeps its prices reasonable starting at 3 course lunches from HK$280, a Sunday brunch at HK$580, and a 6 to 8 course dinner at HK$888/$1,888 respectively. It’s definitely not your everyday spread, but a once-in-a-blue-moon celebration for special occasions.
Shop B, G/F, No 9 Ship Street Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tue-Sunday 12-3pm, 6-11pm. +852 2528 5068. <a href="http://www.akrame.com.hk/">www.akrame.com.hk</a>
Text: Julienne C. Raboca

Tag: wan chai

Celebrate summer in style with special surprises at The Fleming Hotel

FRANCIS brings Tel Avivian food culture to Wan Chai

Of Spices and Spirits: Deng G Bistro & Baijiu Bar (Wan Chai)

Art or Food? Akrame (Wan Chai)

Tag: wan chai

Blog Section

Celebrate summer in style with special surprises at The Fleming Hotel

FRANCIS brings Tel Avivian food culture to Wan Chai

Of Spices and Spirits: Deng G Bistro & Baijiu Bar (Wan Chai)

Art or Food? Akrame (Wan Chai)