Nathalie Ford, General Manager of China Tang at The Dorchester Hotel, shares with U her favourite dining destinations in Hong Kong.

Yardbird

Located in Hong Kong’s bustling Sheung Wan neighbourhood, Yardbird is a modern Japanese izakaya that specializes in yakitori dishes of skewered grilled chicken. Owned and operated by Chef Matt Abergel and Lindsay Jang, Yardbird is a family-style, neighbourhood restaurant that combines the highest level of service with the best quality food and drinks in a fun and relaxed environment and is definitely a restaurant to put on your Hong Kong hit-list.

Ming Lee Restaurant on Po Toi Island

This is a long standing favourite stop of mine, especially for amazing seafood. For me, this is all about wonderful lazy days with friends, out on a junk, with Po Toi serving as the perfect destination for lunch. Specialising in seasonal favourites, Ming Lee counts razor clams, steamed prawns and spider crabs amongst their stand-out dishes.

Tung Po Restaurant in the Wet Market in North Point:

I love this restaurant, as much for the fresh seafood as for the entertainment provided by the hilarious owner, Robby Cheung. He is an institution in Hong Kong and a celebrity in his own right as a result. It’s an incredibly fun, relaxed environment and is absolutely perfect for a large group; being as popular with the locals as it is with the expat community. Make sure you’re ready to join in!

China Club

A trip to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without visiting the private members club to which China Tang London owes its heritage. Opened by the late Sir David in 1991, the beautiful décor and relaxed surroundings transport you back in time, and allow for the food and service to speak for themselves. A particular highlight is watching the Noodle Master perform his show, if you’re lucky enough to attend on an evening he is present – this was a first for me, on my most recent visit, and it did not fail to impress. 

Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental

The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong will always be a place that is special to me, having started my career in hospitality there, straight out of University. In my opinion, they offer amongst the best food in Hong Kong. Man Wah conjures memories of being asked to wear a cheongsam for the first time when I was seconded to the restaurant during my initial training at The Mandarin … cheongsam’s are not designed for the western figure, but it was great fun nonetheless and set me on the path for my love of all Chinese food!

The Old Man

The Old Man is found in the heart of Hong Kong’s Soho district, and is a local’s secret, tucked up a side alley. This gem of a cocktail bar serves some of the most innovative cocktails I’ve ever come across. It is tight quarters, and always very popular, but offers a mind-boggling menu in a cleverly designed, unpretentious setting. Definitely not one to miss!

Nathalie Ford is the General Manager of China Tang at The Dorchester Hotel, having started her career in hospitality in Hong Kong. Despite living in London since 1992, she regularly returns to Hong Kong. Opened in 2006, China Tang bears the unmistakable fingerprint of its inimitable creator, the Hong Kong businessman and socialite Sir David Tang.

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