Page 126 - Hong_Kong_&_Macau's_Best_Restaurants_English_edition

BAR REVIEW

CAPRICE BAR

6/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 31968860
www.fourseasons.com/hongkong

There may be no better place for fine wines and a platter of cheese than
the Four Seasons’ sophisticated offshoot of Caprice restaurant, where you
can indulge in both in sheer, unadulterated comfort. Sink into the sofas and
let the gentle jazz tunes wash over you as you ponder the menu of elevated
bar snacks (a HK$450 wagyu burger with fine cheeses, Culatello ham, wild
mushrooms and foie gras, say) and unusual wines by the glass—the helpful
sommeliers are on hand to guide you through the fray. In the evening, the
window seats offer a twinkling vista of the Victoria Harbour and is ideal for a
Blue Bar
relaxed date; in the daytime, smart diners head here to enjoy the menu of
classic French bistro fare paired with a cheeky glass or two.
AQUA SPIRIT
DR FERN’S GIN PARLOUR
30/F, One Peking, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 3427 2288 Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road,
www.aqua.com.hk Central, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 2111 9449
Boasting understated décor that lets panoramic aspects of Victoria Harbour www.drfernshk.com
and Kowloon take centre stage and a lengthy list of well crafted cocktails,
it’s easy to see why Aqua Spirit remains popular with a well-heeled crowd Given the origins of gin and tonic, it seems only fitting that this Landmark bar
in search of classy libations. The menu includes a compact curation of has taken the clinic theme to the max. Look out for the discreet, doctor’s
traditional concoctions with a twist, as well as a good number of signatures, office-themed façade as you make your way through the lower levels of the
many of which flaunt a Japanese influence to tie-in with the Aqua Tokyo Central shopping mall; behind the doors, you’ll find a cosy and beautifully lit
restaurant the floor below. Meanwhile, snacks run the gamut of Italian bar showcasing a jawdropping number of esoteric gins. Fill your prescription
comforts from Aqua Roma and further delights from Aqua Tokyo—drinkers with concoctions blending fresh local herbs and botanicals, and take your
are also welcome to order from the full menu, if they so desire. Service has a pick from the gin-centric menu that includes delights such as the Eden Mill
tendency to be brusque, but, when prompted, the staff know their stuff. Love Gin paired with Fever-Tree Indian tonic, goji berries, hibiscus, and rose
petals. The menu is small but the bartenders are happy to freestyle based on
your requirements—the Doctor’s Prescription is all you need to ask for.
BAR DE LUXE
EMPLOYEES ONLY
30/F, Asia Pacific Centre, 8 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 3706 5716
www.attire-house.com/bar 19 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 2468 2755
This classy Hong Kong offshoot of Tokyo’s Bar High Five (one of the highest www.employeesonlyhk.com
rated watering holes in the world, with eye-watering prices to match) is
located in the rather sophisticated men’s atelier The Attire House. As Walking into Employees Only, it’s easy to forget you’re in Hong Kong. After
such, the décor is consistent in its use of handsome wood details and emerging through the minimalistic entrance, guests will discover trendy art
attractively decked out bar that is resplendent in its array of fine Japanese deco-inspired interiors with a curvaceous bar that encourages interaction
whiskies. However, don’t expect your usual whisky bar clichés—there are no between imbibers and bartenders. Behind the bar are well-stocked shelves
Chesterfield sofas to sink into, nor a roaring fireplace next to which to sip of liqueurs and spirits—a clear indication that they take their drink seriously
a dram. The focus is on precision-made cocktails, strong ones at that—the here. The signature EO Gimlet shakes together Four Pillars Navy Strength gin
making of the Ceremony cocktail is approached with reverence, and comes with house made lime cordial; kaffir lime leaves add to the citrus aroma of
to the table a Hulk shade of green, loaded with Kirin Fuji Sanroku whisky, the drink, which is refreshing and dangerously drinkable. The Black Diamond
matcha liqueur, green tea liqueur, and homemade green tea bitters. also pleases with plum-infused cognac, vermouth and chocolate bitters—
a delightfully fragrant and complex concoction. If you’re feeling peckish, a
selection of refined nibbles can be enjoyed alongside the drinks.
BLUE BAR

G/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 3196 8830
www.fourseasons.com/hongkong Caprice Bar
When the clock strikes 6pm on a weekday, it’s almost as if a portal opens from
the adjoining International Finance Centre and funnels a stream of bankers,
lawyers and other corporate types down to Blue Bar for its happy hour. Noise
levels rise as the day’s worries are relieved or deals celebrated. Classics are
especially well made at Blue Bar—barrel-aged Negronis, Vespers, Margaritas
and the like. Premium champagne, wine, spirits and craft beers are plentiful
too, and the bar menu is a cut above your usual nachos and dip—think caviar
and blinis, Peking duck wraps, burratina and Alaskan king crab salad, or simply Bar de Luxe
nibble on the complimentary snacks during happy hour. The bar is also open
for breakfast and lunch, and there is live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

124 | T .DINING 2018