MICHAEL LOGAN works at the South China Morning Post, where he is the newspaper’s Multimedia Editor.
Q: What do you like most about Hong Kong?
Michael: I like Hong Kong’s energy and entrepreneurial spirit. There’s an old Chinese saying: “It’s better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a donkey.” That’s definitely true here. People want to work for themselves and they’re not afraid to undertake new endeavours.
Q: Where do you like to go in Hong Kong to chill out?
Michael: I find the cinema to be the most relaxing place in Hong Kong. While Hong Kong’s offering for independent films is rather weak, the local film industry produces some great stories that are easily missed overseas. I usually take in local films at the President Theatre in Causeway Bay.
Q: What are your favourite restaurants for (i) relaxed/easy dining and (ii) for more special occasions?
Michael: I’m a big steak eater but can’t afford to eat at Morton’s every week. For something easier on the pocket (but still quite tasty), the recently opened Italian steakhouse Bistecca does the trick for me. For entertaining out-of-town guests, a trip to Yung Kee is pretty much mandatory.
Q: What are your favourite bars or clubs in Hong Kong?
Michael: I have no real favourite bars or clubs. But for a relaxed gathering among friends, Club 71 is the perfect meeting spot.
Q: Where do you like to shop for your wardrobe?
Michael. I usually stick to the “high street” stores in Times Square or IFC. If you need a tailor, I would recommend Jantzen Tailor. For inexpensive casual clothes, there are a few boutiques in Oriental 188 Shopping Centre that I favour.
Q: What are the biggest changes to Hong Kong you have seen over the past five years (or however long you have been in Hong Kong)?
Michael: Hong Kong is pretty consistent in that change is always happening. Bars, restaurants and stores are here one day and then gone the next. But the energy and entrepreneurial spirit here—even in bad times—that never changes.
Q: Are there any hidden gems or less known destinations in Hong Kong that you could recommend?
Michael: Hong Kong has a reputation for gadget shopping. If you’re in the market for a camera, I would stay away from the shops in TST. Unless you know what you’re doing, you’ll be overcharged. Almost any device, computer, phone, etc you need can be found at either Broadway or Fortress. But for speciality gadgets, I tend to visit 298 Computer Zone in Wanchai and for gaming the Oriental 188 Shopping Centre in Wanchai. Another must-visit is the Golden Computer Arcade and the market on Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po.
MAGGIE LEUNG is a public relations practitioner in Hong Kong.
Q: What do you like most about Hong Kong?
Maggie: Everything is so nearby as such that you can just go to a convenient store or 24-hour supermarket and get whatever you want even at midnight! Moreover, Hong Kong is always so energetic; people here are optimistic and tough which helps Hong Kong to survive from many crises like the IT bubbles back in the 90s, SARS and the economic crisis of 2009. I also love the blend of heritage and modernity because there are a lot of historical buildings/sites to explore in Hong Kong while at the same time seeing all the skyscrapers and hi-tech developments spring up.
Q: Where do you like to go in HK to chill out?
Maggie: I prefer small group gatherings with a few close friends, so those private dining places are always my favourite. I also like to organise dinners at my place and invite some friends over so we can all chill and chit-chat (and gossip!).
Q: What are your favourite restaurants for (i) relaxed/easy dining and (ii) for more special occasions?
Maggie: I strongly suggest those private dining places (for instance, I always go to one called Chez Moi, French, and another called Zone-D, Italian, both in Causeway Bay) which really allows you to enjoy a relaxed/cozy dinner. For special occasions, I actually prefer to stay home and cook some simple food.
Q: What are your favourite bars or clubs in HK?
Maggie: For happy hour or chit-chat with friends, I like Zentro in IFC as the atmosphere is easy and friendly. I am not really a clubbing person now so I don’t really have a particular one in mind.
Q: Where do you like to shop for your wardrobe?
Maggie: I like to explore different areas to look for special items—so really, everywhere. One thing though is I always look for quality and not just the brand.
Q: What are the biggest changes to HK you have seen over the past five years (or however long you have been in HK)?
Maggie: I would say the people in Hong Kong have definitely become more health-conscious and cautious, which is good! But what I hate is the problem of pollution which is getting increasingly worst. Hong Kong is really my home and I don’t want to see it “dying”.
Q: Are there any hidden-gems or less-known destinations in HK that you could recommend?
Maggie: Go to all the islands! Tung-Lung island is always my first choice; the landscape is just perfect for photography!
LIZA LEBEDA runs the online city guide hiphongkong.com.
Q: What do you like most about Hong Kong?
Liz: I love the fact that you can go hiking, go to the beach and still have a posh dinner or an urban experience all on the same day. I also think the Hong Kong skyline is one of the most stunning and distinctive in the whole world. The melange of the modern skyscrapers and the charming old colonial/retro buildings is very unique.
Q: Where do you like to go in HK to chill out?
Liz: South Bay Beach is one of the best places for weekend sun downers—they have DJs spinning sunset sessions on weekends and is Hong Kong’s answer to Mykonos. Shek-O beach is really groovy and the town is really cute. There are two great spots there—a bar called Paradiso and a restaurant called Black Sheep Cafe. Both those businesses embody the quirkiness of the little village.
Q: What are your favourite restaurants for (i) relaxed/easy dining and (ii) for more special occasions?
Liz: I’m a big fan of Sahara on lower Elgin and La Kasbah on Arbuthnot Road for a convivial, exotic atmosphere. I love the Brunch Club on Peel Street when I’m feeling pensive and want to relax with a book. The Pawn has an amazing colonial atmosphere. The Aqua Group restaurants like Hutong and Yun Fu have mysterious Chinese decor and are great for a special occasion.
Q: What are your favourite bars or clubs in HK?
Liz: Sevva—unbeatable terrace and an upscale crowd of successful people. Go for happy hour on weekends when they have a live DJ and Saxophonist.
Dragon-I—the spot for model and celeb spotting. The entertainment line-up (DJs, dancers and live performances) is always really good.
Lei Doh—romantic bar with quirky European décor. It’s a great place to chill with friends or take a date.
Yumla—a fun alternative crowd with an amazing sound system. The owners are true music lovers and they usually have great DJs.
Solas—a Wyndham street staple. This place is super popular with expats. They are always throwing great events there.
Q: Where do you like to shop for your wardrobe?
Liz: In Causeway Bay, around Fashion Walk, Times Square and all the surrounding lanes and alleys which have cool treasures to unearth.
Q: What are the biggest changes to HK you have seen over the past five years (or however long you have been in HK)?
Liz: Seeing Soho being developed and the property market go through a roller coaster ride. The local people have become more considerate, polite and more aware of green issues like cleaning the air and recycling.
Q: Are there any hidden-gems or less-known destinations in HK that you could recommend?
Liz: Millionaire’s Bay in Sai Kung which is only accessible by private yacht or junk boat. Hire Jaspas Junk to go there. Full Cup Cafe in Mongkok is an artist’s enclave that few people know about. They built a brand new retro floor and have a cool urban terrace. Sham Shui Po and Lai Chi Kok have great shopping for fashionistas and creative types that like to make their own clothes and accessories. Sham Shui Po also has a really interesting snake restaurant at exit A1 and a street flea market that sells all kinds of campy vintage knick-knacks.
DAN F is a music producer and the founder of the Soho night club Yumla.
Q: What do you like most about Hong Kong?
Dan: Travelling around SE Asia is easy from Hong Kong, due to its location. Also the air pollution blowing in from mainland China 10 months per year is fantastic; the way it catches the evening sunlight and turns everything curry-paste yellow is so picturesque. Where else in the civilised world do you still get to see these things?!
Q: Where do you like to go in HK to chill out?
Dan: To be honest, if I’m not partying at Yumla, then I’m chilling out with friends at my recording studio (which has a terrace, big kitchen and BBQ). Having friends over for dinner and drinks really doesn’t get any better and you can *really* relax...something that’s usually impossible in any of the commercial restaurants. A fact of Hong Kong—if a food place is good—then it’s usually packed.
Q: What are your favourite restaurants for (i) relaxed/easy dining and (ii) for more special occasions?
Dan: It’s all about Tsui Wah! Their Malay-style fish curry has been one of the staples in my diet. Otherwise places like The Press Room are good for Western food and cheese. Also I need to mention the Nepalese Social Club in Wan Chai: they make the best fried chili pork and momo in Hong Kong.
Q: What are your favourite bars or clubs in HK (besides Yumla)?
Dan: There aren’t any. I am a fascist when it comes to music and Yumla was built to prevent me from going completely insane. If you actually like MTV hip-hop, cover bands or crappy commercial dance music then knock yourself out in Lan Kwai Fong...spoilt for choice.
Q: Where do you like to shop for your wardrobe?
Dan: Online or tailor made. I’m over 6 feet tall and not exactly skinny, so forget trying to buy anything locally! A quick note, many of the tailors here will send your measurements over the border to be machine made. If you want something decent quality, hand-made and traditionally assembled (not to mention perfectly cut) then check out Yeun’s Tailor in Central.
Q: What are the biggest changes to HK you have seen over the past five years (or however long you have been in HK)?
Dan: I’ve been here 10 years. Major changes include the government getting more ineffectual at doing what’s best for the citizens—I keep hearing the phrase “inhongkongpetant” which sums up the administration perfectly—and the developers and civil construction companies being allowed to basically wreck the city and harbour front without any thought for the environment or future. Also the gap between rich and poor is growing at a frightening rate, but then this is the same throughout all PRC, not just Hong Kong.
Q: Are there any hidden-gems or less-known destinations in HK that you could recommend?
Dan: Cheung Sha beach on Lantau. It’s not exactly hidden but the fact that residents here are exceptionally lazy means that the 40-minute trip (from Central) prevents this beach from ever getting busy. On a sunny day Cheung Sha is unbelievably beautiful. If some remote island beach in Thailand had an international shipping lane two miles offshore, then that would be Cheung Sha.
