Makoto

Address: 2nd Floor, J Senses, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 2866 1010

Located on the second floor of an ultra-modern building next to colonial throwback restaurant The Pawn, Makoto is a comfortable hideaway in bustling Wan Chai. The small black elevator concealed on Ship Street transports foodies to J Senses, a hip haven for great dining. It is less than a year old but the Japanese restaurant skips the modern look of some of its neighbours, instead opting for the homey, traditional feel of rustic lanterns, exposed beams and wooden furnishings. The alfresco seating area is thoughtfully decorated with bamboo, and canopies offer ample shade from the sun and just enough privacy.

Start with some fresh sashimi. An order of assorted sashimi comes with five different types of raw seafood depending on availability. We were served salmon, abalone, scallops, tuna and shrimp, presented elaborately on a platter. The shrimp and scallops were especially good, but everything was extremely fresh, as much of the food here is supplied directly from Japan. The shrimp salad, a new menu item, is simple and refreshing, using large prawns, diced fruit and mayonnaise dressing.

Makoto takes special pride in its robatayaki items off the charcoal grill. The robata grill is placed in full view of diners to allow them to watch the chefs in action. One of their most popular items is the grilled snapper, with its soft meat and crispy skin. Another crowd-pleaser is abalone chicken fried rice – the menu promises 15 baby abalones in the bowl as a decadent twist on this staple food.

And don’t forget sake. The restaurant takes drinking seriously with an extensive list of sake, wines and tea, which includes detailed descriptions to help you make your selection.

Tandoor Address: 1st Floor, Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central Tel: 2845 2262 Tandoor’s general manager Mr. Rana has a stack of photographs he’s taken with the likes of Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Indian dignitaries, and he has reason to be proud. The restaurant has been around for over two decades, and about half of its clientele is Indian, a testament to the quality and authenticity of the food. Located amid offices in Central, the restaurant also receives droves of locals for the affordable lunch buffet, which is served Monday to Friday. A dinner buffet is available from Monday to Thursday offering a good selection of items at an unbeatable price.

Bonheur

Address: 6th Floor, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
Tel: 2544 6333

“I cook what I like,” says Bonheur’s owner Tim Leung. A simple philosophy, but the passion can be tasted in the food designed by the Swiss-trained Hong Kong native. The selection of European dishes is refined but down-to-earth, not shy on local flavours, and even includes some comfort foods. If one could translate bonheur (French for “happiness”) into a culinary term, these French and Italian inspired dishes would come close to epitomizing it.

Another of Leung’s principles is to cook only with ingredients that are in season and easily obtainable, and the menu changes occasionally to accommodate produce availability. This means that the restaurant's seafood is always fresh. Try the lightly-seared scallops topped with Hokkaido sea urchin, or opt for the tomato seafood broth, chock full of prawns, clams, fish and squid, with a fragrant touch of saffron.

Among the mains, the roasted monkfish with white wine and thyme is hearty and tasty. But our favourite is the grilled kurobuta pork chop with porcini mushroom sauce. This type of pork is prized for its fat marbling and tenderness, and the large piece of meat is prepared perfectly: extremely juicy, slightly smoky, and served with a delicate sauce.

The signature mango millefeuille dessert is simply amazing – large pieces of mango wedged between flaky, buttery pastry. While chocolate fondant can be found at most French restaurants nowadays, the one here uses bitter chocolate, a more sophisticated alternative.

All the dishes are generously portioned and beautifully presented, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. The three and four-course dinner menus have fixed prices, which are surprisingly low. Foodies would be hard pressed to find this kind of value for money at hotel restaurants or the many fine dining spots around Central. Wine lovers will also appreciate the free corkage.

The restaurant, located in an office building, is cosy with simple decor. Sunlight shines upon white linens and office workers during lunch hours, and the nighttime atmosphere is given an air of formality with candles. Bonheur is packed every day of the week, so reservations are essential.