GBA Lifestyle News
We don’t care what time of year it is, we are all about oysters all the time! Go shuckin’ crazy at Hong Kong’s best oyster bars and restaurants.
If you’re after a laid-back feast that thinks outside of the bivalve, then take The Walrus for a spin. The raw signatures include a shortlist of crazy cool oysters, like the Lady Gaga which is topped with pickled red cabbage jelly and chrysanthemum petals, or the That 70s Shell, topped with salmon roe, plum wine caviar and pansy flower. If you’d rather drink your mollusks, then opt for the signature shooters — ring the nautical bell if you want to buy around for the whole restaurant.
64 Staunton Street, Central.
Mix together great views of Victoria Harbour, oysters and wine and you have a recipe for one excellent date spot. The Sheraton’s Oyster & Wine Bar does its name justice — the sophisticated spot features an extensive wine list and a dedicated oyster bar with 25-30 different varieties. A sommelier can point to the right bottle to go with your bivalves, while an oyster specialist shucks them fresh to order.
18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2369-1111.
Devoted to all things under the sea, Fishsteria brings fresh fish and mollusks to the lucky folks in Wan Chai. At this spacious 6,000-square-foot restaurant, the menu is as diverse as it is enticing, showcasing fish from all over the world such as Calvisius Caviar from Italy, Spanish Carbineros and of course a long list of fresh oysters. For a great deal, head there on Mondays and Tuesdays when the tasty bivalves cost just $10 each from 5-7pm.
G-1/F, 111 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 2343-8111.
If you’ve seen the decadent buffet at Yamm then you won’t be surprised to hear that the restaurant is constantly adding fresh finds to its oyster bar. There’s always something new going on, and this month is no different with an ‘Oysters and Bird’s Nest dinner buffet’ on until the end of February. Oysters come in every form imaginable — think deep-fried oyster cakes, fresh oysters, oyster congee, teppanyaki oyster, and even oyster sushi maki. And if that’s not enough for you, check out The Mira’s Sunday Champagne brunch at sister restaurant Whisk where you can dig into unlimited freshly shucked oysters all morning.
Lobby Level, The Mira Hotel, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315 5111.
Tucked away on New Street in Sheung Wan, Shelter Lounge is a refreshing surprise, sprawling across two stories and outfitted with cool retro-Scandi style. Focusing on contemporary European cuisine, the restaurant recently introduced a rotating stable of fresh French oysters that vary widely in flavor and size. Start off a sophisticated sit-down meal with a platter, or place an order from the takeaway menu over fax, email or even Whatsapp.
Shop A, G-1/F, Universal Building, 5-13 new Street, Sheung Wan, 2517-6211.
A revamped Lily & Bloom recently launched an all-new bar and dinner menu that revolves around American classics and 13 new cocktails. You’ll find a lot of New York style in this intimate bar and restaurant, including a new list of locally sourced seafood and seasonal dishes such as smoked salmon flatbread, grilled maple smoked pork belly and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. Tuesdays nights will be extra special — it’s all-you-can-eat oyster, mussels, prawn cocktails plus one main course for $490 per person.
5-6/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, 2810-6166.
Holding court on the 7th floor of the JW Marriott Hotel, Fish Bar is a promising bet if you’re looking for jet-fresh oysters, sustainable seafood and meaty shellfish. The little wine bar is set aside from the rest of the hotel’s big restaurants, and has become a hit with the afterwork crowd thanks to its al fresco setting by the pool.
7/F, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2810-8366.
A newcomer from esteemed chef Vicky Cheng and mixologist Antonio Lai, VEA knows a thing or two about the finer things in life. An abbreviation for ‘Vicky et Antonio,’ VEA has two floors to its name — a cozy bar and lounge area, as well as a polished dining room upstairs that revolves around an innovative food and cocktail tasting menu. There’s an a la carte bar menu in the lounge where you’ll find some of the finest oysters in town, including a raw oyster with salmon roe and mano relish or a spicy raw oyster with snap pea relish and yuzu yogurt.
29-30/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, 2711-8639.
A cozy little spot in Sheung Wan, Petite Oyster has a homey rustic feel to it and an impressive oyster menu. As you might imagine, the restaurant is dedicated to its namesake mollusk and offers a rotating stable to keep things seasonal with most of the bulk of the selection from France, Japan, Ireland and the US. Whether you’re after an intimate date or an afterwork snack, Petite Oyster is in no rush so sit back and relax. There’s also an a la carte menu with mains such as grilled ox tongue, pasta and bone-in Iberico pork loin.
44 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, 2549-0808.
