Off the back of Off Menu, T.Dining’s latest addition to their line-up of innovative gastronomical experiences, the city’s leading platform for discerning diners unveiled the seventh edition of T.Dining’s annual Best Of The Year awards and the T.Dining Best Restaurants Guide 2020. Every year, the T.Dining panel rallies around to celebrate those who have pitched themselves above and beyond the call of duty. This year’s awards continued to highlight the restaurants, bars and people who have made the dining scene flourish in 2019.
“As we enter the 36th year of the T.Dining Best Restaurants guide amid challenging times, it has never been more important to support Hong Kong’s diverse dining scene. All of us here at T.Dining are strong believers in the power of food to bring people together, and it is also why the theme of this year’s issue is “United We Dine”—highlighting the best of the culinary community and celebrating local talent,” says Charmaine Mok, Editorial Director of Dining, Tatler Asia. “Our team has long believed in championing the hard work of the hospitality industry, and it is also why we have pushed ahead with our annual dining awards night to shine a spotlight on groundbreaking new restaurants, trailblazing young talent, and culinary stalwarts that continue to make Hong Kong proud.”
Richard Ekkebus of Amber won Chef of The Year for his bold new dogma—one that eschews most dairy and gluten in the kitchen—that has challenged his team as well as loyal customers and made a statement about what fine dining could be in this new era.
Simon Rogan’s Roganic took home triple honours. The winning combination of a comfortable and convivial atmosphere, unfussy dishes with an incredible clarity of flavor, effortless and personable hospitality, all while staying true to Rogan’s philosophy of quality farm produce imagined in thrilling new ways, earned Roganic the title of Best New Restaurant (Critic’s Choice), Best Service and a place on T. Dining’s Top 20 Best Restaurants list.
Rajasthan Rifles was crowned Best New Restaurant (Reader’s Choice). Helmed by Chef Palash Mitra, this Anglo-Indian offering from Black Sheep Restaurants at The Peak was a runaway favourite for this year’s best new restaurant opening, with readers loving the eclectic design and laid-back atmosphere.
André Fu’s vision of Louise is rich with lush greenery, tactile textures and eclectic artworks all working together to create the sense of a lived-in, glamorous boudoir—home of the fictional Louise which was awarded Best Interior Design.
Darkside was bestowed the title of Best New Bar for its elegant, expertly balanced drinks that offer just the right amount of quirkiness to keep things interesting. Saketen, Elliot Faber’s tiny sake bar focused on boutique Japanese breweries captured the attention of rice wine enthusiasts all over Hong Kong, who appreciated the staff’s in-depth knowledge and delectable snack menu, and won the title of Best New Bar (Reader’s Choice).
10 years ago, Danny Yip had a simple mission: to open a MSG-free Chinese restaurant that could be popular and successful. A decade later, the restaurateur has more than reached his goal, and Yip continues his effort to promote the city’s vibrant food culture and heritage, shaping the future for Cantonese cuisine with The Chairman. His unwavering commitment has earned him the twin titles of Local Champion and Restaurateur of the Year.
A self-taught chef who climbed her way up to Nobu after a career in advertising, Joanna Yuen, with her tireless work ethic, her flair for flavour and architecturally impressive desserts, has earned the title of Pastry Chef of the Year.
David Yeung was named Sustainability Champion for the second year running thanks to his efforts to champion the need of sustainable living with Green Monday and Omnipork, which proved that the meat-free movement can make an impact without sacrificing flavour.
Previously mentored by Richard Ekkebus, Stephanie Wong went out on a limb to translate her French culinary training to her love of Cantonese dishes with Roots, the enthusiasm and passion for what she does has gotten her to where she is today. Wong was awarded the newly-introduced Rising Star Award which recognises individuals who have shown great promise and potential within the industry.
After considering 12 months of meals and a rigorous reviewing process that involves more than 200 restaurants across Hong Kong and Macau by the T.Dining panel, T.Dining’s Top 20 Best Restaurants list sees six new names with Amber as a returning awardee. In no particular order, the top 20 restaurants are:
- Amber *
- Arcane
- Belon
- Caprice
- Écriture *
- Haku
- New Punjab Club
- Sichuan Moon *
- Somm *
- Tate
- VEA
- The Chairman
- Neighborhood
- Roganic *
- Arbor
- Ronin
- Roots *
- Beet
- Happy Paradise
- Épure
* indicates the new entries to T. Dining’s Top 20 Best Restaurants list in 2020.
The full 2020 list is detailed in the annual T.Dining Hong Kong magazine and online at hongkongtatler.com/dining. More than 200 updated reviews are included in the T.Dining Best Restaurants guide, with this year’s edition now available in a smaller print format for ease of use. Priced at HK$100, the magazine and guide are available as a bundle on newsstands from November 19 onwards.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
