Delish Eats: A Review of French Neo-Bistro SOMM

The highly anticipated annual Asia’s 50 Best Bars Week is happening soon!

The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, will host an exclusive, one-night-only party on July 12, 2025, marking the start of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 Week, set to take place across Hong Kong and Macau. 

Curated by Bar Manager Stefano Bussi, the “Unofficial Asia’s 50 Best Opening Party” will spotlight top international talents from the global bar scene, setting the tone for one of the region’s most anticipated hospitality events. 

The event follows The Aubrey’s recent Hong Kong Best Bars Takeover and shifts the focus to a global perspective, featuring four renowned bars from around the world that were selected for their originality, influence, and point of view. 

The night’s lineup features a Netflix Drink Masters finalist, a Tales of the Cocktail committee member, and collaborators from some of the world’s most progressive bar programmes.

Guests can sample two signature cocktails from each participating bar, available throughout the evening at HK$170 per drink. The event is sponsored by Iichika Shochu Japan, Michter’s, Nikka Whisky, Torres Brandy, and Perrier. 

Featured Guest Bars

The lineup highlights four acclaimed bars from across the globe, each bringing their distinct flair to The Aubrey’s one-night-only celebration. 

• Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, New Mexico): helmed by Netflix’s Drink Masters finalist Kate Gerwin, this boundary-pushing bar is celebrated for their unapologetically bold American style and inventive drinks. The bar is ranked #88 on North America’s 50 Best Bars.
• PS40 (Sydney, Australia): A trailblazer in Sydney’s cocktail scene, Michael Chiem blends culinary technique with bartending precision. PS40’s drinks are experimental yet refined, ranking #95 on The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2019.
• Artesian (The Langham, London): A perennial fixture of London’s bar scene and former four-time winner of the World’s Best Bar title, Artesian will be represented by Head Bartender Giulia Cuccurullo. The bar is currently listed on 50 Best Discovery, ranked #100 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, and #48 in 2019.
• Manhattan (Singapore): A benchmark in Asia’s cocktail world, Manhattan is currently ranked #69 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Ricardo Lugano, at the helm, brings renewed energy and creativity to the bar’s signature solera-aged cocktails and timeless New York inspiration. 

The “Unofficial Asia’s 50 Best Opening Party” will be running from 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Capacity is limited, and cocktails are served on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Visit the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong’s website and follow the official Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.  

It’s almost here, friends! Crowd-favorite Filipino modern restaurant Barkada is making its much-anticipated comeback this mid-July at its new location in Soho, Central!

Created by Filipina-American cookbook author Jen Balisi (“Indulgent Eats”) and the team at Singular Concepts, Barkada is a Filipino eatery known for its gourmet boodle fights and karaoke brunches. Everyone has been buzzing as it prepares to reopen at a refreshed space located at G/F, 25 Elgin Street, Soho, Central.

The new 20-seater, hole-in-the-wall resto is a vibrant nod to Filipino street food culture, promising the soulful, ingredient-driven flavors that earned it a cult following, but with an even sharper, more playful attitude. And yes, you can expect your favorites back for good, from the Spicy Funky Coconut Noodles to the crave-worthy Lumpia.

To mark its exciting return to the Hong Kong food scene, Barkada 2.0 is featuring a new pizza oven that will be slinging inventive pies that blend both Filipino flavors with New York-inspired cuts, underscoring the brand’s fresh direction: “Filipino heart, New York edge.” The new pizza menu will include the Sisig Pizza from Jen’s cookbook pop-up that started it all. 

“We were gutted when we had to close our doors, but the outpouring of love from our 'barkada' was incredible," said Founder Jen Balisi. "This new space is everything we’ve wanted — intimate, edgy, and all about the food. It's a return to our street food soul, with a bit of a New York swagger. We can't wait to welcome everyone back.”

Stay tuned for updates on the official opening date by following Barkada on Instagram.

Hong Kong’s most playful house of mixology, The Opposites, is ringing in its one-year anniversary this July with a bold celebration of contradictions, craftsmanship, and cocktails. 

Founded by award-winning mixologists Antonio Lai and Samuel Kwok, the bar has made its mark by blending popular cocktails with inventive flair.

With an ethos centered on the concept of "creating unity with opposites," their cocktail menu presents 16 drinks that playfully represent Antonia and Samuel's contrasting styles and personalities. 

“We have always had the shared goal of reintroducing timeless cocktails to a broader audience, especially in a market that has been trending toward ingenious styles,” said Samuel. 

Highlights include the unexpected Bombay Mary (HK$150), spiced with butter chicken seasoning and Exotic City Gin, and its bold counterpart Miss Gazpacho (HK$140), featuring Wasabi Vodka and Kimchi. 

Or sip on Soya Sour (HK$150), made with Tofu, Pisco, and Green Cardamom, alongside its sweet, photogenic twin Scoop Me Up, served in a cone-shaped glass with a bubble of fruity foam. 

Another standout is the Son of Pimm’s (HK$130) with Mountain Begonia, Lychee, Strawberry & Shiso, Cucumber and its show-stopping pair, Selling Seashell (HK$130), a shell-shaped creation bursting with flavor from a combination of Pimm’s No.1, Tomato Water, Strawberry Caviar, and Cucumber Air. 

Dessert lovers, meanwhile, will delight in the LA Socialites vs PB&J showdown — bourbon-based, wildly different, but equally indulgent.

The month-long anniversary series kicks off with East Meets West: Dessert Pairing Cocktails on July 10 (7 to 10 PM), featuring four decadent dessert-and-drink duos created with renowned chefs Justin Lee (JL Dessert Bar, Seoul) and Fabio Bardi (Tozzo). Guests can preview the pairings from July 1 to 13, 2025.

Then on July 16 (8 to 11 PM), bar stars Hiroyasu Kayama (Bar BenFiddich, Tokyo) and Seven Yi (LE ROOM, Taipei) take the stage for an exclusive Masters of Mixology guest shift.

Capping off the month on July 31 is the Tea vs Coffee Series, a four-cocktail face-off between premium tea blends (led by Nana Chan of Plantation) and refined coffee extractions (courtesy of EN Coffee’s Jeremy Yeung and Jason Chan). Impatient? Sneak peeks of the cocktails will be served at The Opposites from July 21 to 31, 2025.

In August, the bar will debut a refreshed cocktail menu spotlighting elevated takes on well-known favorites such as the Espresso Martini, Paloma, and Sidecar — each filtered through the bar’s signature lens of contrast.

For more information, visit The Opposites on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Location: LG/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong 

Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays from 5 PM to 1 AM, Fridays to Saturdays from 5 PM to 2 AM

Sometimes, a home-cooked meals is all you need to slow things down, a gentle and comforting hug from the everyday rush.

Amid Hong Kong’s dynamic and ever-evolving dining scene, Korchina F&B's newest venue The Porch is a breath of fresh air. No flashy concepts or over-curated theatrics—just authentic Korean food, rooted in warmth and memory. 

Tucked in a corner of Kerry Hotel overlooking Victoria Harbor, The Porch is a comfort kitchen offering more than just stunning views: a sense of home. 

Drawing inspiration from South Korea’s Madang culture, where life unravels away from the hustle and bustle, The Porch offers the simplicity of shared meals and slow-fermented flavors, making every moment feel more meaningful. 

“The vision was about wanting a true gathering space, not the empty kind, but a fertile space where conversations meander, silences settle like old friends, and food becomes a shared language in front of the beautiful Whampoa promenade – similar to relaxing near the Han River in Seoul,” shares Sun Mi Park, CEO of Korchina F&B. 

The Porch redefines Korean food as a shared language, emphasizing on the simplicity and warmth of backyard family meals that are effortless and abundant. 

Their menu introduces house special: the National OG Chicken (HKD$128) hand torn tableside by The Porch's culinary team, a classic 1960s street icon where vendors fried hens into crispy gold for laborers, holding a special place in Korean food culture that represent the simpler times of sharing and gathering. 

Another 1950s to 60s staple is soulful Korean BBQ. The Porch introduces a delectable twist on Seoul’s classic backyard food culture with the K-BBQ Kochi Skewers (HKD$18 -HKD$68), which were born in port cities like Busan, where dockworkers first threaded scraps of meat and seafood onto bamboo sticks. This tradition has now evolved into an irresistible culinary experience. 

The Porch presents premium-quality options like beef, pork, lamb, and chicken that are perfect for mixing and matching, all at attractive affordable prices. 

Other stellar menu items include the Korean Marinated Galbi Ribs (HKD$32), Chuck Flap Tail (HKD$68), Pork Skin (HKD$22), Pork Belly Samgyupsal (HKD$22), and Black Pork Ribs (HKD$32), among many others that deliver a truly succulent and smoky grilled experience. 

The Porch goes beyond its signature BBQ to offer a selection of hearty, rustic Korean dishes that evoke the comforting flavours of home. From rice to soups and noodles, these dishes bring authentic Korean culinary traditions to life. 

Highlights include the Perilla Oil Makguksu Noodles (HKD$88), a nutty and refreshing noodle dish tossed in aromatic perilla oil, and the Soy Bean Cold Noodles (HKD$88), featuring chewy noodles in a creamy, savory soy milk broth – an ultimate summer cooler. Both dishes are must-tries, delivering a taste of Korea’s rich culinary heritage at The Porch. 

The Porch’s menu culminates in the perfect sweet finale with its authentic Korean Patbingsu. 

The Injeolmi Bingsu (HKD$68) is made with sweet and fresh succulent red beans sourced directly from South Korea, paired with fluffy shaved milk ice and a sprinkle of nuts. This traditional dessert offers a refreshing and indulgent end to the dining experience. 

Born from Korea’s fading front porch culture, where neighbours come together to share food, stories and laughter until late at night, The Porch reimagines this with a harmonious blend of Korean comfort food, slow-cooked BBQ, and a nostalgia-filled atmosphere. It offers a space for meaningful conversation and shared experiences, bringing the warmth of Korea’s past to life in every bite. 

Follow The Porch on Instagram to learn more. 

Location: The Porch, Shop 101, 1/F, Kerry Hotel Hong Kong, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom

This summer, Black Sheep is turning up the Italian charm in Hong Kong with Stazione Novella’s vibrant ‘Summer of Spritz’ pop-up, running now until Sept. 6, 2025. 

Located on the corner of Soho’s Staunton and Aberdeen Streets and channeling the effortless glamor of an Italian piazza, the pop-up will be a sun-drenched party hub where locals and visitors alike can gather for Aperitivo hours and lively DJ sets, all centered around Italy's quintessential summer beverage, the Aperol Spritz!

The pop-up coincides with Aperol’s global summer campaign, “L’unico. Per tutti” (The One. For Everyone), which celebrates the brand’s role in bringing people together through Italy’s beloved Aperitivo culture. 

For three months, Stazione Novella will serve a limited-edition cocktail menu featuring creative twists on classic spritzes, alongside Italian-inspired sharing bites. 

Guests can indulge in the classic Aperol Spritz (HK$78 per glass) or go all-in with the Aperol Spritz Tree (HK$288 for four glasses). Each vibrant, citrus-kissed pour comes with a curated selection of Italian aperitivo bites, transporting diners straight to a sunlit piazza in Venice or Florence. 

Messina is joining the excitement by offering Maritozzi (HK$48) — soft Italian brioche buns stuffed with rotating Messina gelato flavors, ideal for beating the summer heat.

The festivities kick into high gear with monthly DJ parties on the first and third Saturdays at Stazione Novella, turning the space into an open-air dance floor where guests can sway to upbeat tunes with a spritz in hand. 

But the celebration doesn’t stop at Stazione Novella. The orange bittersweet drink is also making a summer appearce in various venues across Hong Kong, such as Staunton's, The St. Regis Hong Kong, Pazta (Tai Kwun), and Portico (Central), with limited-edition menus, pop-ups, DJ performances and exclusive guest shifts throughout summer.  

For more updates on these activations, visit Aperol Spritz Hong Kong on their official website, Facebook, Instagram. 

Location: 52-56 Staunton Street, Central