Binge Hong Kong - Morsels of Ladylike Deliciousness

Hey, just because I said ‘ladylike’ doesn’t mean boringly dry non-alcoholic stuff. In fact, let me just jump straight into the alcy- and caffeine-laden delectables that I would suggest as a perfect repast for a girls’ get together.

Stylish little foods are always a winner when socialising and catching up is the main thing. We can get it nice and luscious at Langham Place's new nosh + raw bar where chefs make up your lovely little bar snacks a la minute. Every month features a different menu of bar foods, and what funky, babelicious bites. Just take a look at the picture - foie gras lollipops anyone? Or a seared scallop, tomato and watermelon sandwich with licorice sauce? Dishes are priced from HK$38 – HK$68. There's also oysters and seafod flown in every day, and plenty of health giving  wines by the glass.

555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 3552 3232

TAPEO, in Central is the place to go for authentic tapas and Spanish wines and sherries. Kick back in a casual, stylish setting and pick on little plates of tapas made as you order, and sip on wines or sherries with the gals. Highlights are cheeky Pedro Peppers which has one spicy pepper hidden amongst the milder flavours, Prawns Plancha, Ham Tortilla and desserts like Curros & Chocolate (Spanish donuts with chocolate) and Crème Catalana. Be prepared for communal seating where you can hope to rub shoulders with sizzling fellow diners, and watch the cooks whip up your little nibbles. TAPEO is the latest bar/restaurant from Concept Creations, the same people behind Soda and Belgium restaurant Frites.

G/F, Au’s Building

19 Hollywood Road

Central HK

Tel: 852 3171 1989

Don’t like Spanish? How about Japanese then? Within the neighbourhood, Zuma is flowing with sake and Izakaya bites every other Saturday afternoon. Guest breweries from various regions of Japan will be featured every Sake Saturday, and the 18 little bites to match will be seasonal, izakaya style dishes like Wakasagi river fish nanbanzuke, pork shaboo with cabbage and sesame ponzu and crispy scallops with roasted turnip. Shichida, a global brand from the Tenzan Brewery in Kyushu, is showcased on April 10, and Born, served at State dinners and events including Cannes Film Festival and the 2002 World Cup Opening Ceremony, is showcased on April 24 and May 8, while Hakkaisan, from one of Japan’s highest mountains, Mt. Hakkai in Niigata, is featured on May 22 and June 5. Sounds tempting? What’s more, Zuma was one of four Hong Kong restaurants to be ranked in the World’s Top 100 in last year's S.Pellegrino’s World’s Best Restaurants Awards. Don’t think you need more persuasion!

Sake Saturdays start at noon every other Saturday. HK$490 for free flow zake, and $450 without sake…but must you?

Level 5 and 6, The Landmark,
15 Queen’s Road Central,

Central, Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 3657 6388

Finally Kowloon Shangri-La has started a dark, mysterious year of chocolates! Every month, afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge will showcase a particularly exquisite chocolate from a single estate, so this is serious chocolate connoisseurship. Dive in and eat your way out.

For April, the chocolate highlighted is Michel Cluizel Maralumi. Says the press release, it is made from Trinitario cocoa grown at the Maralumi plantation in Papua New Guinea. The sweetest of the Cluizel single estate dark chocolates, it has a slightly spicy edge with fresh hints of green banana and tart, sour notes of red currant. Sounds just like wine.

In May, it will be Michel Cluizel Los Ancones, made from a blend of Trinitario cocoa beans grown at the Los Ancones plantation, on Santo Domingo in the Caribbean. It promises a complex assortment of fresh fruit flavours including apricot, peach and even green olive. Then in June, sink your teeth into the world's first single estate milk chocolate, with 50 per cent cocoa, from Michel Cluizel. The Mangaro Lait is created from Trinitario cocoa from the Mangaro plantation in Madagascar. I can’t say I know too much about this yet... but it sounds intriguing, and after all, how is one to pass up chocs?

The afternoon tea buffet is up for the eating every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from 1pm. HK$218 per adult and HK$168 per child.

64 Mody Road

Tsim Sha Tsui East

Kowloon
Tel: (852) 2733 8740