Tucked down besides the Peel Street market stalls; this is an unlikely location for a fancy French restaurant. The menu isn’t huge—a choice of three or four courses. But there were French people eating there, which is always a good sign. Appetizers are pretty experimental (bitter chocolate with pan-fried foie gras and foie gras ice cream) but the mains were reassuringly staid: tender slices of venison with sides of gratin potatoes and fresh vegetables, and a rare Angus steak. Special mention to the service—polite, welcoming and unobtrusive.
Tucked down besides the Peel Street market stalls; this is an unlikely location for a fancy French restaurant. The menu isn’t huge—a choice of three or four courses. But there were French people eating there, which is always a good sign. Appetizers are pretty experimental (bitter chocolate with pan-fried foie gras and foie gras ice cream) but the mains were reassuringly staid: tender slices of venison with sides of gratin potatoes and fresh vegetables, and a rare Angus steak. Special mention to the service—polite, welcoming and unobtrusive.
Located across Peruvian eatery Chicha across the road—also owned by Concept Creations—The Roger Room is a pirate-themed bar. It serves various Peruvian-inspired cocktail creations and tapas-style snacks.
Makumba is the best—and only—authentic African bar in town; from the leopard print and the caveman wall paintings to the unique live music performed by artists from Africa and the Caribbean.
Makumba is the best—and only—authentic African bar in town; from the leopard print and the caveman wall paintings to the unique live music performed by artists from Africa and the Caribbean.
Makumba is the best—and only—authentic African bar in town; from the leopard print and the caveman wall paintings to the unique live music performed by artists from Africa and the Caribbean.
This tiny tapas bar with simple gray tones and mosaic-tiled bar tables is co-owned by a family of Spaniards from Barcelona. One member is chef Edgar Sanuy Barahona, who’ll be cooking away in front of patrons pretty much the whole meal. Currently, BCN (short for Barcelona, natch) has only two menus to choose from: the regular Trip to Spain—which stays unchanged on the menu—for $580; and the more seasonal Pinxtos Party for $680.
This tiny tapas bar with simple gray tones and mosaic-tiled bar tables is co-owned by a family of Spaniards from Barcelona. One member is chef Edgar Sanuy Barahona, who’ll be cooking away in front of patrons pretty much the whole meal. Currently, BCN (short for Barcelona, natch) has only two menus to choose from: the regular Trip to Spain—which stays unchanged on the menu—for $580; and the more seasonal Pinxtos Party for $680.
Chicha’s dim lights, wooden furniture and warm baritone colors are a stark contrast to the current trend of restaurants industrializing their looks with concrete accents and exposed ceilings. In that sense, Chicha doesn’t feel like a new restaurant at all.
Opened by resto veteran Concept Creations and backed by the Peruvian government, the restaurant’s credentials are strong, and we certainly weren’t disappointed with our recent Friday night dinner there. There are two sections to the restaurant: one is a proper dining section with long dinner tables; the other is a more casual bar space that faces a cozy open kitchen crammed with up to a dozen chefs.
Tucked away in SoHo, this Spanish restaurant-bar serves tasty dim sum-slash-tapas, then segues into a hip nightspot with smooth music.
Tucked away in SoHo, this Spanish restaurant-bar serves tasty dim sum-slash-tapas, then segues into a hip nightspot with smooth music.
Inside the Peel 35 Cafe is a quiet bar at the center that serves cocktails, wines, and beer. During its happy hours 3-9pm, beer and wine are offered at buy one get one free. Small side dishes including spring rolls are also available.
Inside the Peel 35 Cafe is a quiet bar at the center that serves cocktails, wines, and beer. During its happy hours 3-9pm, beer and wine are offered at buy one get one free. Small side dishes including spring rolls are also available.
Peel 35 Cafe is an Indian restaurant that has the chill atmosphere like that of a cafe. With an Indian chef, the restaurant menu not only includes authentic Indian curry, but also a variety of dishes such as steak, seafood, burger, and pizza. Brunch is served during the weekends, so drop by for a calm morning with your family or with a short novel to read. The restaurant is 2000 square feet and has a ground floor and an upper floor that seats about 30 people each. The upper floor is available for those who wish to hold an event or a birthday party at Peel 35 Cafe.
One of Hong Kong’s biggest galleries features an outstanding collection of contemporary Vietnamese oil paintings, acquired directly from the artists. The owners have carefully selected and bought each painting during frequent trips to Vietnam so, contrary to common practice, none of the works are on consignment. Be sure to check out their private stock on nearby Peel Street, featuring a fine collection of 20th-century contemporary paintings from some of Asia’s leading artists.
Dedicated to top-quality Southeast Asian art, Arch Angel has a large selection of Vietnamese oil paintings, which combine Asian and Western artistic traditions.
Dedicated to top-quality Southeast Asian art, Arch Angel has a large selection of Vietnamese oil paintings that combine Asian and Western artistic traditions. It also has an antiques gallery nearby on Hollywood Rd.
To have survived the SoHo invasion and still be packed for lunch everyday, we’ve got to give Mala props. Praise aside, the décor is nothing special, a casual interior of unassumingly dressed tables and aging chairs. We sampled Mala’s famous Hainan chicken rice: the meat was sweet and moist, the rice heavily fragranced with chicken, and the dipping sauces could well have been homemade. We also had rendang beef curry with rice topped with fried garlic chips, which was spicy and hearty. Mala is also known for stir-fried curry crab, but it must be ordered a day in advance.
To have survived the SoHo invasion and still be packed for lunch everyday, we’ve got to give Mala props. Praise aside, the décor is nothing special, a casual interior of unassumingly dressed tables and aging chairs. We sampled Mala’s famous Hainan chicken rice: the meat was sweet and moist, the rice heavily fragranced with chicken, and the dipping sauces could well have been homemade. We also had rendang beef curry with rice topped with fried garlic chips, which was spicy and hearty. Mala is also known for stir-fried curry crab, but it must be ordered a day in advance. Next time.
