Chef Chris Cosentino is known as much for his mastery of off-cut cookery at his restaurant Cockscomb in San Francisco as he is for appearances on Next Iron Chef America and Top Chef Masters. The guru of offal recently visited Hong Kong—a place well known for adventuresome eats—and passed Condé Nast Traveler his short list of favorites in the ever-evolving city.
EAT
Rōnin"It’s the perfect stop for all your seafood and cocktail needs by my good friend, chef Matt Abergel. Order the amazingly tender sea clams."
Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong"Fall is hairy crab season in Hong Kong, and Yan Toh Heen's special hairy crab was served naked in its shell and with the iconic Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce. Classic, but super delicate and flavorful."
Yardbird"Matt Abergel's izakaya serves the best parts of the chicken, like the heart, liver, and skin. When I’m there, I just let the team order for me—and always leave craving even more yakitori on the way home.”
DRINK
The Peninsula Hong Kong"Instead of afternoon tea, I tried afternoon gin: The mobile gin and tonic bar at The Peninsula has a great selection, and the beautiful lacquered cart is wheeled directly to your table."
Sunday's Grocery"This must try is modeled after a New York City bodega and has an impressive selection of wine, sake, and Japanese whiskeys including their own single-malt batch."
SHOP
PMQ"A former housing facility for policemen, it’s now the ultimate destination for local artisan goods. I could spend all day in here, especially at Alternative Country. It's this great shop that makes their own work boots locally, modeled after 19th-century American styles."
The Mandarin Barber at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong"The Mandarin Barber is one of the most stylish and classic spots in all of Hong Kong. It's a great spot to relax and get some man-scaping done."
Take5"The denim selection here is incredible. They've got everything from vintage Levi's to Samurai Denim, which is some of the best raw denim out there.”
