bc magazine

Covid Test Needed to Enter Bars & Clubs

From today you will need a negative RAT test to enter local bars and clubs.

“Patrons are required to present proof of a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) result obtained within 24 hours before entering bars, pubs, clubs or nightclubs from June 16 to 29” announced Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan.

According to the government announcement, customers will need to show a photo of the RAT device with their name, testing date and time written on it as proof of taking the test – before they can enter.

Local illustrator surrealhk perfectly captures the new rule.

Cod-licious – The Chippy, Granville Food Square, TST

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away… Ok, it was Chater Garden in 2015 – but today in twenty twenty-two it feels like a different time and place – an Englishman frustrated at the quality of fish and chips found locally imported a complete fish and chip shop, The Chippy, from Derby.

A bit extreme perhaps, but the massive queues and smiling faces at the Best of British pop-up event proved he wasn’t the only frustrated Hong Kong diner yearning for quality fish and chips. At the end of the week-long festival, the Englishman said he hoped to open a permanent version of The Chippy soon…

Is ‘seven years’ soon? I’m not sure, but the newly opened ‘The Chippy’ in Tsim Sha Tsui certainly scratches an itch. Crispy battered succulent Icelandic cod served on a bed of hot chips – simply delicious!

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And yes you will want to Instagram your beautiful-looking meal, but do it quickly so you can enjoy the freshly prepared meal hot. There are two sizes of cod; the Signature a 10-12oz fillet ($188) and a regular (5-6oz fillet, $108) served in a “Cod Save the Queen” Chippy Box full of plump English chips.

The Granville Food Square location seats around 60 and as well as fish the menu includes battered jumbo sausages, Pukka pies, mushy peas, curry sauce and proper gravy – all imported from Derby. Cold beer and drinks are also available in the food court and delivery options will be added soon.

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The Chippy – Tsim Sha Tsui
Granville Food Square, 46-48 Granville Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Tel:
Opening Hours: 11am til late

Vegetarian Fish and Chips at Chip In

Recently Chip In a local social conscious fish and chip chain sent bc an invite to try their new vegetarian fish and chips. Intrigued, a Saturday afternoon visit to their branch in The Vantage at Hung Hom was arranged.

In all honesty, we weren’t expecting much, if you want to eat fish (or meat) then, at the moment, nothing matches the real thing for flavour or texture.
And the same is true with ‘vegetarian’ fish, in a direct comparison – really there is no comparison – to cod the beautiful flaky white pieces of cod are delicious. And ‘fish and chips’ is really cod and chips, nothing else is better battered and deep-fried to a golden hue.

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That said if you don’t try to compare it to the real thing, the vegetarian soy product is not that bad. It has a reasonable texture and flavour, if a little salty, and it holds the batter well.

And for dessert, there are Chip In’s unique deep-fried Oreo cookies, sweet chewy and delicious!

If your vegetarian friends have been keeping you away from your local fish and chip shop, then invite them along to Chip In in Sai Kung or Hung Hom and everyone will be happy.

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Chip In: Sai Kung
Shop 11, G/F, 9 King Man Street,
Sai Kung, Hong Kong.
Tel: 6418 6575
Opening Hours: 11am – 7:30pm

Chip In: Hung Hom
Unit 28, G/F The Vantage, 63 Ma Tau Wai Road,
Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
Tel: 9452 3373
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm

Feasts ’n Treats Dining Offers

The Hong Kong Tourism Board is launching its “Feasts ’n Treats” discount dining promotion today (2 June). 20,000 sets of half-price cash vouchers, valid at 800 restaurants, will be offered for six consecutive weeks.

Feasts ’n Treats cash vouchers worth HK$200 or $400 will be sold at half price (HK$100 and $200, respectively) for use at participating outlets. At the promotion website, https://feastsntreats.openrice.com pick the restaurant and buy the voucher. New voucher quotas go on sale every Thursday at 10am.

Vinexpo Rebrands and Moves to Singapore in 2023

After twenty years Vinexpo Hong Kong is no more. The government’s covid restrictions on travel and the bar and restaurant trade have essentially forced the popular wine exhibition to leave Hong Kong for a location where over 1000 global exhibitors will be able to participate.

CEO of Vinexposium Rodolphe Lameyse commented on the move “Unfortunately I and my shareholders consider that Hong Kong is not where we want to be in the future.”

Vinexpo Asia will take place at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 23-25 May 2023.

Carbon Brews Opens on Wyndham Street

Local craft brewery Carbon Brews new outlet soft-opened this week on Wyndham Street. It would be slightly misleading to call it a ‘taproom’ or ‘gastropub’ because (as you can see from the photo) it has a far more clubby/ lounge vibe.

With thirty taps, there’s likely to be a beer for everyone – flavour profiles range from the traditional to a pina colada flavoured Kokomo – and they are served in small, medium and large sizes. As well as Carbon Brew beers, other local craft beers and collaborations will rotate across the taps. There’s also an option to buy a keg and have your own ‘tap’!

Chef Sean Yuen’s menu features a selection of tasty starters and mains that the knowledgeable staff can pair with a beer to enhance your meal or snack.

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Carbon Brews Central
Shop 1, G/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

Duck & Waffle in IFC Closes

Duck & Waffle in IFC has closed its doors this month, another victim of the government’s dining restrictions where restaurants have hours and capacity limits – but landlords are still allowed to charge full rent.

It was tasty while it lasted…

Duck & Waffle
Shop 1081, 1/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central – CLOSED
Tel: 2267 6338

Image: Duck & Waffle

Egg Custard Buns @ Red Bean 紅豆烘焙

紅豆烘焙 Red Bean bakery in Mongkok launched their new take on an egg tart a few weeks ago but the lines were massive and supply sold out quickly… Today however bc managed to grab one.

The $15 egg custard bun, released daily at 3pm, is basically a hollowed-out bread roll filled with egg custard. The texture of the bun makes a nice contrast to the rich creamy egg custard – thankfully not excessively sweet – and it’s really rather nice hot or cold!

There are several versions including chocolate and a ‘creme brulee’ style with burnt sugar on top.

Red Bean Bakery: Shop A2-A3, G/F, Wah May Building, 520A-522 Shanghai Street, Mongkok – is on the corner of Shanghai and Shantung Streets, near Langham Place.

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