Southside March 2021

FAMILY | OUTDOORS | DINING | PETS

March 2021

Fire up the grill Meet Hong Kong’s female chefs

Escape the city A northern Lantau adventure

At home with

John McLennan An exclusive look inside the Indigo Living founder’s Pok Fu Lam home

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CONTENTS — 03/21

17 COVER STORY

At home with Indigo Living founder, John McLennan

2 CONTRIBUTORS

15 LOCAL

6 PEOPLE

20 NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE

8 THE PLANNER

23 DINING

10 NEWS

28 BIG DAY OUT

13 FIVE MINUTES WITH

30 MUST HAVES

Meet the team

Dog poisonings in Cyberport

Southsiders out and about

Hanging around Tai Hang

What’s on in March

Meet four female chefs firing up the grill

What’s happening in our backyard

A northern Lantau hiking adventure

Gabrielle Kirstein, founder and CEO of Feeding Hong Kong

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32 PETS

Dr Pauline Taylor answers your pet questions

33 HOROSCOPES

Here’s what’s written in the stars for you this month

35 SECRETS

The mystery of Miss Willy

36 ZIM CITY

Paul Zimmerman goes in search of a lost trail

All you need to be a boss lady

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35

23 8

20 “Nothing good can grow if you don’t nourish your own soil.” – Elaine Welteroth

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editor’s letter They say home is where the heart is and we couldn’t agree more. With most of us spending more time in our homes this past year, they have become our office, entertainment area and place to relax, all in one.

This month Indigo Living’s founder, John McLennan welcomed us into his humble abode to talk about how his family has adapted their home to suit every situation (page 17). With his trusty dog Sasha by his side, he posed gracefully as we took over his home for a few hours.

With many of us adventuring around Hong Kong, be sure to add Tai Hang to your bucket list this month. The up and coming neighbourhood has become a hub for independent coffee shops, art galleries and rooftop bars. With so much going on, we thought we’d show you around the neighbourhood (page 20) to make sure you don’t miss a trick.

To celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8), we met four female chefs challenging society’s norms and showing Hongkongers whose boss in the kitchen (page 23).

We received a lovely email this month from a reader who loves reading our

Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Editorial Assistant Cheyelene Fontanilla, cheyelene@hongkongliving.com Senior Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Dining Editor Amber Lai, amber@hongkongliving.com

Design Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Yankee Tsang, yankee@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing

magazine in bed with a cup of tea and we couldn’t imagine a better set up. So snuggle down and enjoy this month’s magazine.

Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Sales and Partnership Manager Debbie Ky, debbie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Events Manager Pranali Gupta, pranali@hongkongliving.com

Publisher

Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com

Things we love

Founding Director

Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Contact us Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

Date nights

An afternoon tipple

Ovolo Hotels believe Valentine’s Day should be everyday, so have released a forever Valentine’s staycation package. Couple’s can enjoy room upgrades, sweet treats, dining credit and even some erotic toys to spice up their date night. ovolohotels.com

If a classic G&T is good then Hong Kongmade, Fok Hing Gin is even better. This gin features an array of local flavours to spice up your afternoon tipple. Swing by our Pet Friendly Pop-up on March 20 to have a taste. fokhinggin.com

Covid-19 update

As Southside Magazine goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but life under Covid-19 regulations means things tend to change, often from day-to-day. Please check with local businesses for operation hours and services available and remember, stay safe.

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HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Credit: Karin Bremer

Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Southside Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Southside Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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contributors

Thank you to our contributors

John McLennan Our cover star this month is Indigo Living founder and executive chairman John McLennan. We take a look around his stunning home in Pok Fu Lam while he shares his insights on the future of Hong Kong homes in our cover story.

Gabreille Kirsten As founder & CEO of Feeding Hong Kong, Gabreille Kirsten has helped to support over 10 million meals for vulnerable people across the city since the charity began in 2011. Learn about how the pandemic has increased the number of Hong Kongers going hungry and what you can do about it in our five minutes with interview.

Beckaly Franks Co-owner and head bartender at The Pontiac Beckaly Franks is well-known across Hong Kong for shaking up the bar scene. She has been busy hosting Kyoyu Sundays at Zuma the past month but found time to chat with us in our dining section.

Rory Mackay Avid hiker and thrill-seeker Rory owns adventure company Wild Hong Kong. This month he takes us on a northern Lantau adventure up to Fa Peng Teng and beyond in our big day out section. wildhongkong.com

Karin Bremer Dutch-Australian photographer Karin runs photography company Karin Bremer Photography offering a range of photography services including family portraits, events and commercial product services.

This month she photographed our wonderful cover at John McLennan’s home in Pok Fu Lam. karinbremer.com

Paul Zimmerman Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks and Southern District Councillor of Pok Fu Lam. In his column this month, Zimmerman discovers a hidden road in Stanley which was built in 1848.

Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | SOUTHSIDE

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people

Snaps from Southside

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say cheese

Parent & Baby Awards

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planner

Mark your calendars for these March events designed especially for children aged four to 14, ranging from 800 metres to 3.2 kilometres.

Central Harbourfront. 10am-6.30pm. From $580. spartanrace.hk

MAR 14

Discovery Bay Sunday Market

MAR 25

Hung Shing Festival Hung Shing Festival is a traditional celebration, honouring the god of the southern sea. What’s lined up for this century-old festival? Dragon and lion dances, a vibrant, jovial parade and Chinese opera performances, all held at a 245-year-old temple. Times vary. Free. hongkongcheapo.com

UNTIL MAR 9

See What Lies Beneath Pop-Up Gallery This unique photo exhibition will depict the harrowing struggle of advanced breast cancer.

Aiming to raise awareness of genetic testing, this gallery is presented by the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay. Times vary. Free. hkbcf.org

UNTIL MAR 31

CMHK Hiking Festival Take on a 5G technology-integrated hiking challenge and have the chance to win exciting prizes including an iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20. Location and times vary. Free. wewalk.hk.

UNTIL MAR 28

Active Angels Virtual Fundraising Walk Move for a good cause this month. Raise funds for the children of Bali Kids living with HIV/AIDS and for the children of Sunrise Cambodia. The virtual walk can be done from anywhere, as long as you register to track your steps. Donations from $250. angels-for-children.org

30-Hour Famine The annual famine event will take place virtually this year with a theme of Heated Hunger. All funds raised will go to support World Vision’s assistance projects for children and families in Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Somalia. 30hourfamine.org

MAR 20

Seasonal Family Fun Morning Take part in this family fun fair and enjoy Spring and Easter crafts, planting and breadmaking, topped off with a special puppet show. Highgate House School, the Peak. 9.30am-11am. $371. highgatehouse.edu.hk

Sai Kung Magazine’s pet-friendly market

MAR 5

International Women’s Day 2021 Virtual Lunch

MAR 6

Spartan Kids Race Let your children smash through obstacle courses

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MAR 19-20

MAR 20

Focused on women in film and other creative industries, The Women’s Foundation’s virtual lunch, Scripting Our Future - A Gender Equal Narrative, will feature industry experts, insightful speakers and their heartwarming stories. 12.301.45pm. Free. twfhk.org

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Support local business owners at Handmade Hong Kong’s craft market. Artists, bakers, designers and makers will be selling bags, jewellery, home accessories, fine art and more. Discovery Bay Plaza. 11am-6pm. Free. handmadehongkong.com

Shop for goodies and support local dog charities.

11am-6pm. Free. Pets Central, Sai Kung. hongkongliving.com/shop

what’s on

BOOK NOW APR 2

UNTIL APR 12

Enjoy the long weekend and keep an eye out for the Easter bunny.

Enjoy one of the biggest and most respected film festivals in Asia, with an impressive lineup of 200 new, noteworthy films from 60 countries. Venues vary. From $55. hkiff.org.hk

Good Friday

Hong Kong International Film Festival

UNTIL APR 4

Hong Kong Arts Festival If you love live theatre, classical piano, Western opera, and ballet, book your tickets for this five-week festival. Some performances will be online, while others will take place at various venues such as the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre in Central.

From $170. hk.artsfestival.org

APR 21

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert Watch the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong perform the entire magical score of the fourth Harry Potter film, while the movie plays on a 40foot screen. Star Hall, Kowloon Bay. 8pm. From $680. hkticketing.com

MAY 2

Wonder Woman Run Run like a hero in Hong Kong’s first Wonder Woman Run. Individual participants can choose between a 3, 5 or 10 kilometre course, while families can run together on the 3 kilometre

course. A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong. 7am3pm. From $398. Hong Kong Science Park.

Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

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news

Star ferry converted into luxury yacht A classic Star Ferry, formerly known as Golden Star, has been converted into a luxury yacht.

The yacht, now named Dot, took 18 months to convert with a full-time project manager on board. Dot’s owner is passionate about keeping Hong Kong’s heritage alive. He retained some of the original workmanship from the Star Ferry, including its original teak deck and upstairs deckhead. But added floor to ceiling windows and a mezzanine level. Larger than most Hong Kong apartments, Dot is 6,000 square foot and includes four cabins with en suite bathrooms, a cinema room, office, living room, kitchen and alfresco dining area. The yacht is currently for sale in Tai Tam for $21 million as its owners relocate to Europe.

The Grounds at AIA Vitality Park return The Central Harbourfront venue is a purposebuilt outdoor events area designed for the Covid era. Prior to the current restrictions being imposed, events including movie screenings, fitness classes and the Hong Kong Dining Awards were part of its offering.

The outdoor entertainment hub offers 100 socially-distanced private pods, seating two to four people. A large LED screen and

state-of-the-art sound system is also in place to give guests a true outdoor cinema experience. “It is our intention to extend this run of The Grounds until after Easter,” said Simon Wilson, managing director of Greater Bay Media Entertainment and organiser of The Grounds. That means that events, film screenings and other events will likely run until April 6. thegroundshk.com

Cathay Pacific cuts major international flights As of February 20, Cathay Pacific temporarily suspended a bulk of its flights to Australia, with Sydney now the last remaining destination for the Hong Kong carrier. Other international flights to be slashed include Auckland, San Francisco, Vancouver, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City.

Cathay said the Hong Kong SAR government’s latest announcement over hotel quarantine was behind the moves. “Our Hong Kong-based pilots and cabin crew are required to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine, plus seven days of

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medical surveillance when they return to Hong Kong,” the airline said in a statement. “We are

actively managing our crew resources to plan for our flight services for March 2021.”

in your backyard

Park smarter

Credit: Hong Kong Academy

Last month the Hong Kong Government introduced new smart parking metres to onstreet parking spaces across the city. The new metres operate daily from 8am to 8pm and charge $2 per 15 minutes. Drivers can top up the parking metre via the mobile app, HKeMeter for up to two hours. While the classic metres only took Octopus payment, these smart meters can be paid using Visa payWave, MasterCard Contactless and UnionPay QuickPass along with Alipay, WeChat Pay and Union QR.

The Hong Kong Education Awards Hong Kong Living is proud to announce the launch of the Hong Kong Education Awards, a new initiative to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong’s top international schools, principals, teachers and the wider education community. For the past six months, we have worked with teachers, consultants and education experts to put together a comprehensive program that reflects the

changing nature of education and its importance in the community. The results will be decided by an independent panel of education experts, academics and consultants covering the 2020 academic year. This year’s jury panel will be made up of experienced education experts from across the education sector. Voting for the readers’ choice categories is open until May on our website. hongkongliving.com/education

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five minutes with

Five minutes with Gabrielle Kirstein Cheyelene Fontanilla meets the Founder & CEO of Feeding Hong Kong

Gabrielle Kirstein is the woman behind Feeding Hong Kong, a charity responsible for getting 10 million meals to vulnerable people across the city since 2011. She made her start at an advertising agency in London, before moving to Hong Kong where she worked in marketing and events. Plenty has changed since those years though, as she’s

swapped out her corporate career for an impassioned mission.

Once committed to a job that granted frequent trips abroad, Kirstein now spends her time meeting with companies and charities in Hong Kong to accomplish one thing: ‘Feed people, not landfills.’ “My travel time shrank considerably but there was a

worthwhile trade-off,” she says. “In my first year of Feeding HK, I saw more of Hong Kong than I had done in the eight years previous.

This has only continued and my life is all the richer for it.”

So, why Hong Kong? Kirstein, much like numerous others who come to the city for work or holiday, ended up falling in love with everything Hong Kong has to offer. “I arrived in March 2003 for a three-month project. It was the middle of SARS and I flew out on an empty plane from the UK,” she says. “I loved absolutely everything about it – the hustle and bustle, the people (and food) from all over the world and the amazing hiking trails and beaches. Those three months became a year and then another year and another.”

Now, Kirstein runs an organisation that collects high-quality, surplus food from farms, manufacturers, distributors and supplies it to local, registered charities. It’s a system that prevents waste, saving tonnes of food from flushing into the city’s already-full landfills, while feeding those who might have otherwise gone to sleep hungry in a city that has so much.

“The need for food assistance has never been more vital,” Kirstein says. With the pandemic leaving so many vulnerable, Feeding HK has taken on the challenge of supporting those who have lost jobs. “Some 1.4 million people in Hong Kong live in poverty and Covid-19 has only exacerbated the situation and pushed many from just getting by, to struggling to get by.”

Determined to remain an establishment that people could rely on, Kirstein and the board of directors decided to keep their foodbank open throughout the pandemic.

Though this required a shift in operations, it’s been their most rewarding year yet.

When asked what her biggest takeaway has been since the pandemic began, Kirstein was quick to respond. “The importance of a support network. Professionally, the Feeding HK team and board of directors have been incredible. Personally, my friends and family remain a constant source of support.”

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local

Dog poisonings in Cyberport Another spate of dog poisonings has emerged in the pet-friendly neighbourhood.

By Charmaine Ng

On the afternoon of February 7, Sunday, news of multiple dog poisonings began circulating on social media.

Later that evening, the truth came to light as six dogs suffering from poisoning symptoms were admitted to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital (VSH) in Wan Chai. On Monday, two more dogs were taken in. Coincidentally, all had been to the Cyberport Waterfront Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Cyberport area is popular with dog owners, with a coastal park featuring bay views, a grass field and a children’s playground.

Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) was amongst the earliest to spread the news of the poisonings at 3pm that day. The organisation posted a photo on its Facebook and Instagram pages showing a piece of luncheon meat that had been poisoned.

“At this point we highly recommend that

all dogs are kept away from the area unless on leash, and that you take advantage of other fun places like the Country Parks instead,” said HKDR in its post.

VSH released a similar statement. “We want to continue to recommend all dog owners to avoid Cyberport (Pok Fu Lam) and the Pulse (Repulse Bay), be aware of reported poisoning cases in Sai Kung Country Parks,” it warned.

The statement referred to similar incidents that took place in Sai Kung and Repulse Bay at around the same time.

Taking action right away on February 8, Monday, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) posted on its social media that a dog lover has offered up to $100,000 reward for information on the recent dog poisoning cases. The reward has since increased to $420,000 after more donations from dog lovers. These incidents are not the

first, though we do hope they will be the last and the killer will be caught. For now, all we can do is stay vigilant and protect our pets the best that we can.

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cover story

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cover story

AT HOME WITH JOHN MCLENNAN SOUTHSIDE | 17

cover story Award-winning home furnishing retailer and interior design provider Indigo Living has offered its services across Asia and the Middle East for over 40 years. With 12 stores, in-house furniture design and design consultancy, it is the go-to provider for home goods that are unique, ontrend and long-lasting.

The firm’s mission is to inspire lives through beautiful interiors. With the events of the past year forcing us to stay indoors for an extended amount of time, our homes play an important role now more than ever. John McLennan, founder and executive chairman of Indigo Living, tells us about Hong Kong homes and how they have changed in the wake of a pandemic.

“Homes here have had to become more multifunctional,” he begins. “In addition, with increased time inside, people are rethinking how they balance work and play in their space.

They know they will be home for a long time, so they are trying to make them more comfortable and relaxing, for example by adding some spalike elements.”

He references his own home as an example, noting that many of his furniture pieces are now being used for multiple purposes.

“Our dining table is mainly an office during the day,” he says. “Then, in the evening, we clear all work aspects out of the living and dining rooms so we can then relax as a family.”

For Hongkongers who are trying to navigate the extra amount of time at home, McLennan deviates from the usual advice of cleaning and decluttering. He recognises that these are not normal times and most of us are under immense pressure.

“Everybody says to keep it tidy, keep it clean, keep it simple, but I think everybody is different. If you live in a small space, it’s about how you live. Not everybody can live with very simple furnishings and have everything put away. I know our house is always a mess, and I always look at other people’s homes that are so clean and I wonder how do they do it. “Just make your home comfortable, make it your own, have some of your own personality in there.”

As a business owner, McLennan has had to work harder and smarter with the market slowing down. But the past year has also been good for Indigo Living in unexpected ways. With people focusing on sprucing up or even just taking better care of their homes, the furniture retailer’s design consultancy team has stayed busy during the worst of the pandemic.

There have also been positive takeaways from a personal perspective. Schools are closed, which means McLennan has been able to spend quality time with his son, who is home from university.

Of course, there is no denying that the pandemic has uprooted his family’s routine.

Before Covid-19 struck, McLennan would take

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John and Sasha chilling out

at home with

Dining area

frequent flights back to Canada and the US, where his extended family resides.

“I met my wife here, my kids were born and grew up here, so Hong Kong is home for us,” he says. “But during the pandemic, it’s been difficult not being able to see ageing parents, family and friends. We usually go to Canada and the US twice a year, but we haven’t been back for almost a year and a half now.”

To make things more enjoyable in Hong Kong during this time, McLennan is reading more books, watching more movies and generally ticking off his to-do list. “I’ve been exploring the country parks and outlying islands, things like that. As a family, we’ve become closer and tighter, though we are looking forward to a trip to visit our extended family overseas.”

So what’s new for Indigo Living? McLen-

nan teases some new releases that we can look forward to in the coming months. “We’re working on a big project in a neighbourhood called Meydan in Dubai, refurnishing over 400 homes, so it’s quite exciting for us. In Hong Kong, we’re working on a new brand, directed towards small apartment living. It will be younger, edgier, more affordable, and aimed at an underserved market.”

As Hong Kong and the world slowly recover from the tumultuous events of the past year, McLennan is looking forward to tackling 2021 with fresh thoughts and ideas.

“I’m excited to bring the Indigo spirit to our new ventures.”

Indigo Living is a leading home furnishing and interior design provider with stores across Hong Kong, China and the Middle East.

Find out more about what it has to offer at indigo-living.com

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neighbourhood guide

HANGING AROUND TAI HANG Katrina Lau shows you seven ways to spend the day in the up and coming neighbourhood

Around the corner from crowded Causeway Bay, Tai Hang is gradually becoming a favourite for artisanal cafes and modern restaurants but still retains its small-town charm. If you’re looking for a spacious cafe to sit back with your favourite book and want to spend the day wandering around some shops and galleries, Tai Hang is where to go. We’ve done all the legwork for you, here’s our guide for hanging out in Tai Hang.

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Snoop around The Shophouse Pay your respects at Lin From the outside, The Shophouse is a Fa Temple Grade-III listed pre-WWII building but what it stores says otherwise. The 4,000 square foot space is actually a gallery dedicated to showcasing the works of modern unconventional artists. Combining lifestyle and exhibition areas, you can also enjoy some aromatic Oolong tea in the 1930s shophouse. 4 Second Lane.

Located at the end of Lin Fa Kung Street, the temple is decorated with murals of the phoenix and lotus and an iconic roof.

Declared a Grade I historic building, it is a popular tourist spot, especially during MidAutumn Festival when the neighbourhood is lit with burning incense on a dancing fire dragon. Lin Fa Temple, Lily Street.

tai hang Sample fusion dishes at Second Draft

Enjoy the highlife at Bond No afternoon is complete without a drink on a rooftop bar. Located in Little Tai Hang hotel, the restaurant and bar is home to a spacious outdoor terrace with views over the neighbourhood. Be sure to drop by during happy hour to take advantage of its buy-one-get-one deals. 2/F, 98 Tung Lo Wan Road.

From the outside, The Shophouse is a GradeIII listed pre-WWII building but what it stores says otherwise. The 4,000 square foot space is actually a gallery dedicated to showcasing the works of modern unconventional artists.

Combining lifestyle and exhibition areas, you can also enjoy some aromatic Oolong tea in the 1930s shophouse. 4 Second Lane.

Stroll around Victoria Park Arguably the most well-known park in Hong Kong, stretching from Causeway Bay to Tin Hau, Victoria Park is a large open area with plenty of benches and grassy patches to play, picnic and hang out with friends. The majority of the park is pathed, making it the perfect place to take a stroll.

Sit back and relax at Muse Pretty cafes are no stranger to the neighbourhood. The minimalist cafe is dazzled with hints of wood and leafy greens and serves artisanal coffees, fruit-infused teas, light bites and sweet treats. The twostorey cafe also offers alfresco dining where you can enjoy a sweet honeycomb coffee under the sun. 15-17 Ormsby Street.

Taste local cuisine at Shun Hing Cha Chaan Teng Cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong are the inventors of some of the most unique local dishes. Specialities include the macaroni soup, pineapple buns stacked with butter or in this case, scrambled egg and char siu rice. 5 Ormsby Street,

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dining

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Dining

dining

Vicky Lau

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dining

WOMEN BELONG WHERE?

Amber Lai meets four female chefs firing up the grill this international women’s day When you imagine the hustle and bustle in a kitchen, a female head chef might not immediately come to mind. Whether that is due to movies or societal beliefs, these Hong Kong female chefs

are challenging the norm and showing us who’s boss in the kitchen. Taking their inspiration from their true love, passion and childhood memories, these chefs have created unique eateries and

food experiences that showcase their passion, creativity and skill.

Peggy Chan Paving the way for not only female chefs but vegetarian cuisine, Peggy Chan has become a role model in Hong Kong for multiple reasons. She has bundled her culinary knowledge into her digital cookbook, Provenance, which sheds light on sustainable yet delicious food. Chan has even collaborated with local restaurants to promote plant-based eating and organic sourcing, such as The Aftershroom burger with Beef & Liberty.

Vicky Lau With a non-suggestive degree in Graphic Communications, Vicky Lau has become one of Hong Kong’s most inspirational women. Following her 2021 Hong Kong Michelin guide win, Lau has become the first female chef in Asia to receive two Michelin stars for her restaurant Tate Dining Room.

Lau founded Tate Dining Room to showcase her love for culinary art and its ability to showcase personality, limitless imagination and inspiration. tate.com.hk

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Stephanie Wong After a long nine years, Stephanie left her job as a HSBC banker to pursue her true passion of the culinary arts. After cooking in Michelin starred restaurants like Amber in the Mandarin Oriental, Wong opened the French-Cantonese bistro, Roots. “Seeing other role models ahead of your time succeeding in their realm empowers you to hope and to dream big… with female chefs such as May Chow, Vicky Lau and Peggy Chan who set the path,” says Wong.

She is inspired by the opportunity to be an example for future female generations. rootseatery.com

female chefs

May Chow Voted Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2017 by World’s 50 Best Restaurants, May Chow is a culinary influence to be watched in Hong Kong. She has put her unique spin on the traditional Chinese bao by turning

them tiny and creating a whole restaurant around them. Little Bao is known for its flavourful and innovative sandwiches, with both sweet and savoury options. Chow also brings an east-meets-west feel to her famous gastropub, Second Draft, creating fusion dishes such as a Shanghai dip, cured sausage risotto, mapo burrata and a fuyu carbonara. little-bao.com

Beckaly Franks Co-owner and head bartender at The Pontiac, Beckaly Franks is shaking up the male dominated industry to show her power. Her bad-ass style comes from a love of rock’n’roll which is engraved into the culture of her bar that focuses on creating an all-inclusive environment. Helping to earn its spot on Asia’s 50 best bars list for five consecutive years, this isn’t the only award in her life, Franks was also the first female mixologist to win the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.

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nibbles

Dining News Dine & Dram Whiskey connoisseurs commence for The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong’s latest dining experience, An Evening of Dine & Dram. Located in The Lounge & Bar, guests can sample Japanese whiskey’s from the popular brand Nikka Whisky, through a unique cocktail-pairing dinner experience. Each cocktail will be prepared by seasoned bartender, Sky Huo and a Spirits Alchemist of Nikka Whisky throughout the three-course dinner. ritzcarlton.com

International Women’s Day menu

Cabana breezes in Tung Chung is now home to a new alfresco tiki-inspired restaurant and bar, Cabana Breeze. The relaxed restaurant is led

by Morocccan executive chef, Faycal El Mouhahid, a love for seafood and Mediterranean flavours is showcased in the all-day dining menu. From fresh pizzas baked in a woodstone oven to seafood towers and a

whole slow-roasted suckling pig, there is an impressive array of flavours and ingredients from around the world. No tiki bar is complete without a fun cocktail culture, custom-built gin and rum trolleys and a skilled mixology team are ready to shake drinks tailored to your preferences. Try the HomeKong Sling that whips up Bénédictine D.O.M with citrus fruits for a tangy and refreshing cocktail.

Two Michelin-star restaurant, Écriture has curated a tasting menu to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. Chef de Cuisine, Heloise Fischbach, led the army to create the exclusive five-course lunch and seven-course dinner. Dishes include a butternut cuttlefish black truffle and Blanc de Blanc Aveyron lamb. For those with a sweet tooth, Tia Cheung, chef de partie, takes inspiration from classic french desserts where guests can indulge in her modern interpretation of rice and honey. ecriture.squarespace.com

Cookies by the dozen The popular cookie brand, Cookie Vission, opened its first brick and mortar store in Tai Hang last month. Known for its 150g cookies, the brand serves up classic and fun combinations including chocolate peanut butter and Vietnmese coffee on its everchanging menu. The shop always offers icecream cookie sandwiches and homemade hot chocolate for those who really want to indulge. cookievission.com

Get meaty Partnering with Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Grand Hyatt Steakhouse has curated a special menu, Meats with the Beast, available until March 28. Signature dishes from the steakhouse have been specially chosen by head chef, Marc Benoke, to match the meaty and daring flavour of Mortlach. Start with 48-month Bellotta Iberico Jamon served with sourdough before exploring three pairings of dishes with whisky. Whisky reinvents the traditional sweet dessert, sticky date pudding.

The Meats with the Beast is available a la carte or as a full pairing menu for $1,600 per person. hyatt.com

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big day out

A northern Lantau hiking a Rory Mackay explores Fa Peng Teng and its surroundings Once remote and untouched, Lantau Island as a whole is anything but nowadays. Since the construction of Chek Lap Kok Airport, the island has become a major transport hub and commuter base. Many of us pass through the northern reaches of Lantau on a regular basis, but most overlook this region for outdoor pursuits as it is not part of any country park.

Known instead as a hotspot for infrastructure; namely the Lantau Link, Disneyland and Sunny Bay. Despite all the construction of recent decades, the area still possesses some surprisingly secluded areas, peppered with nature walks and stunning viewpoints to accompany them.

There is a fantastic short to mid-length loop walk that navigates hilltops and coastlines,

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offering a contrast of vistas. The basic loop described here is around seven kilometers in length, so allow anything between two to four hours to complete it depending on your pace.

It is perfectly feasible to complete this route in a clockwise direction, but the anticlockwise adventure makes for the best experience and simplest navigation in my opinion. No matter which direction you decide to go, you’re guaranteed a peaceful retreat from city life and a dose of fresh air.

The simplest way to reach these trails is by taking a bus rather than a train or by car, as this enables one to disembark at the Lantau Link Toll Plaza bus stop. If travelling by MTR or car, then the option exists to begin from Sunny Bay or Disneyland and access the route via alternate

adventure

lantau adventure

trails running over Tai Yam Teng Peak or up Mong Tung Hang Valley.

Not far from the Toll Plaza, there is a reasonably visible set of concrete stairs which begin through thick foliage and quickly rise into scrubland vegetation. This section of footpath is direct and will propel you towards the summit of Fa Peng Teng promptly. En route, take a few stops to catch your breath and turn back to enjoy the emerging views of the Kap Shui Mun Bridge and open waters to the north (you’ll know you’re near the top when you pass a small building).

Without being too high at 273 meters, Fa Peng Teng commands prominence over its surrounds providing fantastic views in all directions. At this point, if wishing to do this hike as more of a family friendly option, then it is probably best to spend more time up top enjoying the views before simply returning back the way you came. Otherwise, carry on as there is plenty more to come.

Not far from the summit, jutting out of the hillside is Fa Ping Rock, renowned for its apparently striking resemblance of a flower vase. From there descend towards the other side of Lantau and a small beach, once at the coastline keep an eye out for a discreet turning to the left which then heads along the coast.

This last section of this trail in many ways, is my favorite, wrapping all the way around the top of Lantau back to the start point giving plenty of open vistas in the process. Please be sure to come prepared with plenty of water and some food as there are no facilities.

For the more adventurous folk out there; this basic loop can be extended in a variety of ways by following the hilltop trails southwards towards Discovery Bay, Mui Wo and beyond.

A hike in Northern Lantau serves as a perfect excuse to drive over now the Lantau Link is toll free. Northern Lantau is such an incredible part of Hong Kong to explore. Any adventure here will leave you with a bunch of great memories and a sound night’s sleep.

If you wish to stop and take in views of the Tsing Ma Bridge, without hiking, the Lantau Link Visitor Center over on the neighboring island of Tsing Yi is worth a visit. The center can be reached by public transport via the 308M minibus from Tsing Yi MTR, taxi or by car.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong. For more details visit wildhongkong.com

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Brass business card case $40 from Style Standard stylestandard.com

Small wynne weekender $3,490 from Tumi tumi-hk.com

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pets

Ask a vet...

Dr Pauline Taylor answers your pet questions Dr Pauline Pets Central veterinarian

My dog growls whenever people walk near my house.

How can I get her to calm down?

Without knowing more about your home environment the first thing I would suggest is to block off the sight of people walking nearby. This may mean installing a cover over a balcony so your dog cannot see out or stop your dog getting access to a window viewpoint.

Anxiety about the unknown is most likely the cause of the defensive growling you describe.

In some cases, seeing moving things including birds, other animals, as well as people from a window, causes frustration in pets, which in turn can build up and lead to abnormal behaviour in other ways. For example, chewing the skin for no apparent reason.

So, despite us thinking it’s nice to let a pet look outdoors we could be causing the problem ourselves.

If it is a sound that triggers the growling that is more difficult to control and usually people want their dogs to growl and alert us should an unwelcome visitor be nearby. When you respond to your dog when she growls, she is achieving her goal by getting your attention which is what most dogs want in their watchdog role.

Got a question for Dr. Pauline?

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W Hong Kong

With work from home less frequent now, how can I prepare my dog for me not being around so often?

Reorganise your schedule and do not make it the same every day. Dogs like routine and very quickly settle into certain time slots for food, walks, sleep and playtime. By alternating these you will alter their normal daily routine. Normally this is not something we want, but separation anxiety in dogs may lead to many other problem behaviours.

These include barking, home destruction and indoor soiling, all behaviours we want to prevent starting.

Barking when owners are gone is one of the main reasons for pet abandonment according to many welfare shelter-groups. If your dog is used to you leaving by car, leave your car keys out of her earshot when you pick them up to go, change the times you go and instead of saying goodbye leave quietly by a back door.

Another trick is to arrange some food toys or treats and give them as your pre parting gift that she soon begins to associate with a nice reward when you are not around.

It is important your dog’s daily needs are met. Arrange some extra walks and playtime for her even during your absence. Hopefully, things will be fine and soon your dog will have a ‘new normal’ routine without you around all day.

horoscope

Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month AQUARIUS Your work team is going to need a reorganisation, Aquarius. You will feel the need to update the way you manage and interact with your colleagues. The planetary energies will help you change your approach and create more innovative goals.

Don’t hold on to outdated ideas, but listen to what other generations have to offer.

TAURUS If you were thinking of embarking on a new project, this is the ideal time. The astral alignment encourages you to bring out your entrepreneurial spirit. Your passionate nature will help you find the right people to help you, however be careful not to make too many demands on yourself.

LEO Your artistic talents are going to be highlighted during this time, Leo. Your sensitivity will bring you in contact with subtle worlds, which will result in beautiful works of art. Let yourself be carried away by inspiration and show the world the reflection of your beautiful soul.

SCORPIO This will be a period of many work challenges and your endurance will be tested in unexpected ways. You will have a very high production capacity and secure your finances for a long time. However, be careful of turning work into an obsession, Scorpio. Your personal life can deteriorate if your attention is solely on your career.

PISCES Your agenda will likely be full for a while and you will need to do several things at the same time to finish all your commitments.

Try not to forget to rest from time to time.

These moments will help you recharge your batteries to continue with your hectic life.

GEMINI Your imagination will be more active than ever, Gemini. The planetary configuration will open your third eye and help you contact other realities. Don’t be surprised if you feel more sensitive than usual, a great channel of awareness is opening up in your heart. Be careful not to be scattered in your ideas, be clear and precise when describing your intentions to others.

VIRGO The path to success may be very different from the one you had in mind. You may feel an internal contradiction and the need to look for dubious shortcuts. However try to be consistent with your actions and avoid falling into temptations, they will only bring you more problems.

SAGITTARIUS Social activities are highly encouraged at this time, Sagittarius. Everything that has to do with your friends will take on great relevance and bring much joy to your heart.

Organize get-togethers and take the time to visit old companions. You will be the life of the party at every social gathering.

thehealingkingdom.com

ARIES You will have a great facility to overcome obstacles, Aries. Your spontaneity and dynamism will help you overcome any problem that comes your way. You will lead projects that will bring you many rewards.

Enjoy the results of your efforts and celebrate every step of the way.

CANCER Life will bring you many surprises this month, Cancer. Living in the moment and adapting to new things will be a great lesson to learn. If something in your life doesn’t make sense anymore, you need to let it go.

Planetary energies encourage you to leave the past behind and focus on the future.

LIBRA A new romantic adventure will change your perspective on life. Passion will come knocking on your door again, so the expression of sensuality and the enjoyment of intimate pleasures will be especially important. Bring out all the fire you have and leave nothing inside, Libra.

CAPRICORN Different choices can make you doubt whether you’re doing the right thing, Capricorn. However, try not to lose focus and keep persevering in what you know is the right thing to do. Reorganize work teams according to proposed goals and don’t let outside opinions discourage you.

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marketplace

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

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The mystery of Miss Willy

secrets

Nicole Slater discovers Southside’s unique tourist attraction

Exactly whose skeleton stands guard next to the Swire Institute of Marine Science at Cape D’Aguilar remains a mystery. Some say it belongs to the female Orca (killer whale), Hoi Wai who performed in Ocean Park for 18 years until her death in 1997. Others say the bones are those of a juvenile Bryde’s whale found stranded between the pillars of a wharf in Victoria Harbour in 1955. Google Maps denotes the skeleton as the Bones of Miss Willy.

This unique tourist attraction has been rediscovered over the lockdown period, with many families using the skeleton as a spooky way to get the kids exploring.

In any case, this lesser known part of the Southern District is well worth visiting. Named

after Major-General George Charles D’Aguilar, D’Aguilar Peninsula sits at the southeastern tip of Hong Kong Island. It’s a quiet, wild and wave-lashed place with a 20-hectare marine reserve, mangroves, caves, a coral reef and a heritage lighthouse dating back to 1875 - the first in Hong Kong. The lighthouse and Swire Institute of Marine Science are not open to the public but visitors can explore other areas, whilst minimising any disturbance to the surrounding nature.

A word of caution, to discourage hordes of visitors there are no public sanitary facilities in the Marine Reserve, including litter bins and toilets. In order to protect the important organisms and their habitats here, all water

sports and coastal recreational activities, except those permitted for scientific purposes, are prohibited.

To get to Cape D’Aguilar: Take First Bus 9 and get off at D’Aguilar Road and walk for about 40 minutes (no motor vehicles are allowed on the road except for taxis). Alternatively, you can hike straight up and over D’Aguilar Peak from Shek O beach (an unofficial trail is marked by ribbons and chalk). The area is closest to Hong Kong Trail Stage 8.

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zim city

Restoring a lost trail Paul Zimmerman goes in search of an 1848 Stanley Road

Having read my story in Southside about the discovery of 16 masonry aqueducts constructed in 1877 as part of the Pok Fu Lam conduit, a Stanley resident sent a message saying that he had seen similar bridges in the woods between Chung Hom

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Kok Road and Ma Hang Prison. We had to check it out.

The TrailWatch app showed a rough trail below Stanley Gap Road which we reached after some scrambling.

The trail led us to an old road overgrown by trees running over two masonry bridges and a storm drain. Using Hkmaps.hk (a map viewer created by Tymon Mellor with maps of Hong Kong dating back to 1810m) it became clear that we found a section of Stanley Road.

After posting the find, another reader reported that the index of the Government Records Service listed a “Bond for Contract No. 10 of 1847 between A Shung and Charles St. George Cleverly”, whereby A Shung agreed and engaged to build a piece of road between Aberdeen and Stanley. Chim Aqui’s and PakPing’s became sureties in the sum of $1,000.”

The document had been discovered on 1962 in the roof of the Supreme Court

Building during a building survey.

Government annual reports show that Stanley Road was built as a bridle road, good for horses and people on foot, between Aberdeen and Stanley. Around the same time a similar road was built from Stanley to Shau Kei Wan. The 1890 report notes that Stanley Road had not been repaired since 1874.

In 1918 the new road, Stanley Gap Road was built higher up the hill. Soon thereafter, Stanley Road disappeared from maps.

We are proposing Government to grade the masonry bridges as heritage structures and to link Wilson Trail with Stanley Village by fixing Stanley Road together with adjacent trails for hikers. This will directly benefit the local economy, as many will end their journey with a meal and drink at restaurants or food stalls at the Stanley waterfront.

Today, in the absence of a safe footpath along Stanley Gap Road, hikers of the Wilson Trail find themselves jumping on the bus and skipping Stanley altogether.

Those who are comfortable walking the rough can explore the historic Stanley Road. While you are at it, you may want to volunteer clearing rubble and overgrowth in advance of government resource deployment. Happy hiking.

Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, a Southern District Councillor and the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks alliance.

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