COVA's New Opening in Lee Gardens

Established in Milan in 1817 and later entered Hong Kong since 1993, Italian classic dining and pastry specialist COVA Ristorante-Caffè has found its new home in the Lee Gardens, the luxury mall in Causeway Bay.

Guests are first welcomed by the palatial Pasticceria-Confetteria, a truly shopping experience from a neat counter displaying delectable takeaway lunch and teatime goodies, followed by a spacious European-style Ristorante-Caffè with floor-to-ceiling windows, in which comfortable ambience, impeccable service and decadent recipes can all be found at once.

Diners can enjoy the signature dishes such as roasted quail with pan-fried duck liver, baby pear and fortified port reduction, and pan-fried fresh Adriatic sole with thyme porcini and pumpkin coulis, relaxed on elegant chairs in chocolate-brown leather or beige upholstery.

Those who favor more privacy can choose to dine in on of the two private rooms named "La Scala" and "My Room". The dark-wood-panelled La Scala can accompany around 20 guests, while My Room is perfect for an intimate gathering of 8-12 people under the dramatic crystal chandelier and backdropped by a hand-printed calligraphy fresco on one of the ivory walls.

Next door guests can find the wonderful Pasticceria-Confetteria, offering exquisite cakes and pastries for all occasions, tailor-made hampers, wedding gift ideas and a range of branded merchandise. New indulgence are always guaranteed for every revisit.

COVA Ristorante & Caffe

Shop 101-03, 1/F Lee Gardens, Causeway Bay

Tel: 2907 3399

COVA Pasticceria-Confetteria

Shop 106-07, 1/F Lee Gardens, Causeway Bay

Tel: 2907 3060

Seize the Chance - The Spice Market in Prince Hotel

Operated for more than 30 years, The Spice Market in the Prince Hotel will finish its last day of service on October 17, replaced by the "Best in Town" Buffet Restaurant in the Beijing Suites I, II, III next door from October 18 onwards.

The Spice Market started its business in the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel during the 1980s, later moved to the Prince Hotel in 1991. With its exquisite South East Asian cuisines, the restaurant have received numerous awards, including the Hong Kong's Best Restaurant 2010 award, Favorite Food Award 2010 and the Best-Ever Dining Award 2010 etc.

And the promising successor, the Best in Town Buffet, will continue the spirit of The Spice Market to offer some of the signature dishes such as Hainanese Chicken, Pan-fried Wagyu Beef, Tom Yum Kung Soup, Wok-fried Seafood in Thai Style and Sauteed Egg White with Bird's Nest.

During 12 to 17 October, guests of The Spice Market will receive a thank you card to enjoy 25% off for all meal period of The Best in Town Buffet after 18 October. Seize the chance to enjoy the last-but-not-least dining experience in The Spice Market!

The Best in Town Buffet Restaurant

Beijing Suites I, II & III, 3/F, Prince Hotel,

Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Tel: 2113 6046

Fonterra Foodservices Pastry Challenge 2010 Results

Held in 28 September at the Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre in Pokfulam, the Fonterra Foodservices Pastry Challenge 2010 was wrapped up in success. Under this year's theme "A Taste of Flowers", twenty two young chefs challenged each other with their great potentials, and two winners have been announced.

The competition was divided into two categories: winner of the Cake Category was Mr. Lai Tat Shing, Cook B of the JW Marriott Hong Kong; and winner of the Petit Four Category was Mr. Cheong Chan Weng, Demi Chef of the Wynn Resorts Macau. Chef Lai amazed the judges with his "Rose White Chocolate Mousse" made out of rose water, while Chef Cheong also showed his talent with his "Lady Flower/Flower Basket/Golden Flower" petit four collection with great creativity. Apart from a medal and cash reward, both winners will have the opportunity to take overseas pastry courses with a Master Pastry Chef, courtesy of Fonterra.

Another highlight of the day came from the guest appearance of Amanda Strang, taking part as one of the four judges in the Petit Four Category contest. Well-known for her keen interest in pastry, Amanda is planning to open her own pastry shop in the future. Knowing Amanda is getting married next year, Thomas Lui, Pastry and Dessrt Consultant of Thomas Trillion has created some special wedding bands made out of chocolate, which brings the occasion into another level of excitement.

Result - Cake Category

Gold Award: Lai Tat Shing from JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong

Creation: "Rose White Chocolate Mousse"

Silver Award: Cathy Desiree Lim Choi form Wynn Resorts Macau

Creation: "Ikebana"

Bronze Award: Chan Wai Pan from Royal Plaza Hotel

Creation: "White Chocolate Violette"

Result - Petit Four Category

Gold Award: Cheong Chan Weng from Wynn Resorts Macau

Creation: "Golden Flower, Flower Basket and Lady Flower"

Silver Award: Ho Shing Yan from JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong

Creation: "Vitality"

Bronze Award: Ng Chak Man from The Hong Kong Bankers Club

Creation: "Bountiful Summer"

Sukhothai Bangkok - Business Package

From now until 31 March 2011, award-winning deluxe hotel Sukhothai Bangkok introduces the "Business Package" to business travellers with maximum luxury at the most affordable prices.

For a minimum of 2 consecutive night booking, guests will enjoy special rates in the Executive Deluxe Room, Deluxe Suite and Garden Suite, starting from Baht 11,500 for single and Baht 11,900 for double occupancy in Executive Deluxe Room, excluding service charge and government tax. Package also includes daily buffet breakfast at the Colonnade restaurant, a complimentary one-way airport transfer by hotel limousine (from or to the airport) and a complimentary in-room mini-bar with soft drinks, juices and beer.

For more information and reservations, contact reservations@sukhothai.com or visit www.sukhothai.com

October Issue: Out Now

There must be a good reason why "Food" and "Beverage" always come hand in hand. We look into the origins of gastropub, where a pub and a restaurant blend together, and search for some of the nice places in Hong Kong where good drinks and mouth-watering food can be found at once.

Fest is in the air, and certainly the most appealing way to celebrate do not include getting squished in a crowd. We talked to several professionals in the field and present to you our guide on stocking the perfect bar at home.

Being the best-selling alcoholic beverage in the world, beer surely has its unique charm that other alcohols cannot compete. Before you get knocked off in the hot summer night, it should not be a bad idea to read our World of Beers and know more about what you've been drinking all the time.

October Issue: The Hangover Cure Issue out now!