The week in pictures: Hong Kong

A three-day work week because of two public holidays consisted of gin judging, a Sotheby’s tasting and devouring delicious lobster pad Thai as an nontraditional way to celebrate Hong Kong’s National Day.

As part of D1 London’s Gintober campaign, a panel of drinks journalists including db HK were invited to sample the 14 cocktails on offer throughout this month at Hong Kong’s top bars. The overall winner was the delicate and refreshing D1 & T from Bibo which consisted of a “5 citrus juice” (calamansi, yuzu, lime, grapefruit and bergamot), homemade tonic syrup, cold Passion Fleur tea and D1 London Gin.

Ahead of its two October auctions, Sotheby’s hosted a preview of some of the wines on offer including a generous selection of First Growths, Super Seconds and delicious vintage Burgundy. Highlights were the 2005 Margaux and 2003 Lafite.

Keen to try new-ish Wan Chai tiki lounge, Mahalo famed for its extravagant cocktails, team db HK headed there for lunch to try the traditional Hawaiian poke (fish salad) of Californian Roll, Tom Yam and Tuna Miso. Endearingly, the after-lunch espressos were served in mini Tiki masks. 

Legendary mixologist Simone Caporale from London’s Artesian Bar at the Langham was in town to shake things up at the Lobster Bar & Grill. “I’m passionate about bringing an experimental element on every drink that I fashion and you’ll find that evident in my signature cocktails, which were lately inspired by air and altitude”, he said to an assorted stunned audience as he and Lobster’s bartender Agung Prabowo created some stunning libations.

One crowd-pleasing standout was Caporale’s “Secrets & Lies,” made with Johnnie Walker Black Label, dry Vermouth, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup, Peychauds bitter and Fever Tree soda water.

Next up was a celebration of the launch of the Langham’s new Ladurée afternoon tea. Highlighted with Marie-Antoinette macarons and free-flow Perrier-Jouët, it was a sumptuous way to spend a lazy afternoon for the public holiday.

As a delicious way to round up the week, team db HK and friends headed to Soi 7, a modern, Thai street-food venue on Wyndham Street. Hands (claws) down, the best dish was the lobster pad Thai pairing beautifully with New Zealand Pinot Gris.