The Grill

Address：11/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
Tel：2584 7623

Despite its no-frills name, The Grill is an enchanting dining experience. Everything is outdoors at this poolside venue, from the barbecues to the shaded tables. The centrepiece of the restaurant is the illuminated bright blue pool, with the skyscrapers of the city as a backdrop. A waterfall muffles the sounds of the city, while palm trees and lush green plants make being here feel more like a tropical getaway than a barbecue in the centre of the city.

The Grill works as an open-air buffet. All the old favourites are available, from corn on the cob to barbecued steak, but here at the Grand Hyatt they come in gourmet form. Paper plates and napkins are nowhere to be found, replaced by silverware, fine wine and 5-star service.

After a selection of homemade bread and bell pepper dipping sauce arrives at the table, head over to the buffet area which is divided into sections for salad, sides, seafood, meat, cheeses and dessert. At the salad platforms, the variety is enormous. Choose to make your own creation or select from the colourful ready-made salads of potato, tomato, mushroom, cous cous and many more.

The barbecue selection is equally impressive. While the chefs cook away over an open fire, grab what you please from the assorted meat and seafood that are continually taken off the grill. The juicy steak and grilled lobster halves are favourites, along with the roasted red bell peppers and creamy cauliflower and cheese. The dessert stand is nearby, with an enticing range of cheesecake, chocolate sweets and fresh fruit.

Not only can you feel like you are on an island getaway at The Grill, but you can eat like it too. Be sure to make reservations, especially if the weather is nice.

Mijas

Address：Shop 102, Murray House, Stanley Plaza, Stanley
Tel：2899 0858

Stanley is one of the top outdoor tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Besides its market and beaches, the old English village is home to Murray House, the former British army barracks that was moved here from Central stone by stone. This historical building has been transformed into a seaside dining spot, with large balconies boasting some of the best al fresco dining options on Hong Kong Island.

Inside Murray House is Mjias, a Spanish-style restaurant serving tapas (assorted Spanish snacks for sharing) and authentic dishes and drinks. Outside is an open balcony with spinning ceiling fans and wide, white columns reminiscent of Spanish colonial times, while inside is an open kitchen, clean as can be, and dining area.

The Mijas menu is divided into tapas, grilled selections, house specialities and desserts. The multiple pages of tapas and appetizers make choosing a difficult decision. A must-try is the Iberico ham with melon, sliced from the leg of ham displayed in the centre of the restaurant. Made from Black Iberian pig, this particular ham is cured for many months and seldom exported. Another authentic choice is the grilled chorizo, served with greens and asparagus. The salty sausage, sliced into bite-size pieces, leaves its colourful streak on the plate. The fried garlic prawns are also delicious, served lightly crisp and with a mild mango sauce.

An order of paella, along with a tasty jug of fruit-filled sangria, tops off the ultimate Spanish meal. The seafood paella is especially a feast for your eyes. Prawns, mussels and clams sit atop bundles of aromatic rice with a caramelised, crispy bottom, called 'socarrat', which the traditional dish is known for around the world.

After all of this, don't forget dessert. The almond tart with fresh blueberries and lemon cream is light, refreshing and beautifully built, while the warm apple and mango crumble is a warm and comforting end to a feast of a meal.

Depending on what time of day you finish up at Mijas, take a Spanish 'siesta', or midday rest, at the beach, or relax under the stars after dinner.

Viceroy

Address：2/F, Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
Tel：2827 7777

Waterfront al fresco dining may be hard to come by in Hong Kong, but Viceroy, sister to the Gaylord restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, not only has a prime location with a view of Victoria Harbour, it also has an enormous terrace to go with it.

Day or night, sitting outside at Viceroy is enchanting. The outdoor patio, half of which is covered, overlooks the harbour, Wan Chai waterfront and Kowloon. On a nice day, diners prolong their meals to enjoy the view, the breeze and the food. At night, the area is illuminated by lights and becomes a comfortable place for groups to gather and relax.
Decorated in an Indian and Middle Eastern theme, Viceroy serves Mughlai cuisine, made up of recipes originating from the ancient Indian aristocracy and the kitchens of Moghul emperors, from where the Muslim influences on the menu come. The selections often change, but curry, rice, sweets and tandoor favourites are mainstays. There are also plenty of dishes for vegetarians.

A full meal at Viceroy initiates a feast of flavours. Beginning with a traditional lassi, a creamy yoghurt-based drink, provides a list of options - sweet, savoury or fruity. The mango version is particularly fresh, made with ripe alphanso mango and garnished with the fruit's shavings. Moving on to appetisers, the vegetable samosas, another typical Indian dish, are packed with seasoning. The recipe calls for deep-fried spiced patties stuffed with cumin, tempered peas and potatoes and packed into a crispy shell.

Quite a few other dishes are hits as well. The Sarson Ka Salmon - Norwegian salmon marinated in yoghurt, cheese, dill, fennel, honey and mustard oil - is roasted in the tandoor oven and served at the table sizzling hot. Another great dish is the Chicken Tikka Masala, chargrilled chicken tikka in onion and tomato masala, which is tender and spicy to the bite. In addition to the typical naan bread, the Pudina Paratha, flaky wholewheat bread coated in mint leaves, cleanses the palate in between each course.

The grand outdoor terrace and authentic Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine make Viceroy a destination, rather than a quick meal.