Hot new Hong Kong restaurant and bar openings

Mercato is the latest Hong Kong venture by three-Michelin starred chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten following the roaring success of his first Mercato in Shanghai’s upscale Three on the Bund. Mercato’s menu higlights include Prosciutto wrapped pork chop and glazed mushrooms with white wine and sage. Cocktails include the Mercato Negroni and Cucumber Martini.

Mercato, 8/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central; 3706 8567

Rhoda must be one of the most hyped of all restaurant openings this year, with ex-22 Ships chef, Nate Green teaming up with Yenn Wong of Jia Group fame in a vast industrial space in Sai Wan. Lovingly named after Green’s grandmother, Rhoda lives up to all expectations with a 12-hour slow cooked Hawke’s Bay lamb shoulder, Green’s homemade beer bread made with Suntory Dark Ale and an extensive wine list, crafted by his brother Adam of LDN Cru who will be moving to Hong Kong’s sunny shores in the next few weeks.

Rhoda, GF, Upton, 345 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Wan; 2177 5050

Anyone with a hankering for decently priced fine French fare (a rarity in Hong Kong) with a heart-melting wine list should beat a path to Figaro in trendy Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan. Founded by dapper duo, Elias El Daif and Alexandre Ben Kheder with Jon Irwin heading up kitchen operations, Figaro is cool without any pretentiousness and is one of the most in-demand wine bars in town. Pick Irwin’s langoustine tartare with cucumber consommé and pair with any number of delicious Burgundies by the glass.

Figaro, G/F-1/F, 2 Shin Hing Street, Central; 2757 1777

Potato Head brings a slice of the exotic to Hong Kong and is the little sister restaurant to Bali’s glorious beach club of the same name that is much loved by sun worshippers all over Asia. Introducing Kaum – an authentic Indonesian restaurant to Sai Ying Pun plus a plethora of refreshing cocktails masterminded by industry legent, Dre Masso, Potato Head has been booked solid for weeks as Hong Kongers make a beeline for its rendang and Indonesia’s answer to suckling pig, babi gulung.

Potato Head, G/F, 100 Third St, Sai Ying Pun, 2858 6066

NEO is one of Hong Kong’s quirkiest late night venues, with pinball machines, 80’s reclaimed furniture and cocktails with a kick. After a brief hiatus, NEO has reopened and together with its swanky sister restaurant Cocotte, will celebrate July’s upcoming Bastille Day by offering free La Revolution cocktails.

NEO, 10 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, 2812 2280

Buenos Aires Polo Club does an amazing job of recreating a tucked away Argentine cigar bar right in the heart of Hong Kong’s busiest district of Lan Kwai Fong. Filled to the hilt with polo memorabilia, beautiful hand drawn pictures and lashings of leather but with a hint of secrecy and loucheness, the Buenos Aires Polo Club really piles on the charm, with a fantastic Argentine wine list, a heft of fantastic steak and well-made cocktails.

Buenos Aires Polo Club, 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central; 2321 8681

Ophelia somehow combines all the glamour of Moulin Rouge with the seediness of an opium den, and even seasoned frequenters of ahem, ‘late night Wan Chai establishments’ may raise an eyebrow at Ophelia’s deliberately over-the-top peacock feather decor, girls cavorting atop the bar and cabaret-style capers. With eye wateringly-strong cocktails and hidden nooks, this is the new place for everyone in Hong Kong to usher on the weekend.

Ophelia, Shop No. 41A, 1/F, The Avenue, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Rd East, Wan Chai; 2520 1117