Sam Evans

The scorching heat reminds us that summer is in full swing. While cool escapes can be found in the comforting breeze of home air conditioning or the city's premier shopping malls, you can also enjoy a dose of vitamin sea and relax in the beachside getaways the city has to offer. Though it might not be the ideal season for hiking, a stream hike, coasteering, or canyoning adventure can provide a refreshing water-based experience to help you cool off. These waterfall hikes provide a welcome respite from the intense heat and an opportunity to revel in nature's breathtaking beauty. Here's a roundup of the best waterfalls to explore in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Not outdoorsy? Plan your next staycation and let your worries swim away in some of the best scenic hotel pools in the city. 

It can't be denied that hiking in Hong Kong is a great way to spend your days. However, hiking after dark grants a different experience entirely. Not only is night hiking significantly less gruelling without the sun beating down overhead, but a nocturnal trek also provides the most captivating night views of Hong Kong as the city's skyscrapers all light up, magically illuminating our beloved metropolis. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll that comes with harbour views or a challenging cliff-side climb, these are the best night hikes to try.   RECOMMENDED: Also check the best Hong Kong hiking trails, and the 10 best country parks in Hong Kong.   

There’s something about Hong Kong that always seems to get people talking. Whether it’s the extraordinary buzz of our city, the out-of-this-world food scene, the quirky fashion, or just the sense of acceptance and belonging that people find here – remarks about our great city never seem to end. Here are nine notable quotes by prominent people – from Hong Kong and elsewhere – that really sum up our city. RECOMMENDED: If you’re looking for even more reasons to love Hong Kong, read about the best books set in Hong Kong

The Battle of the Sando at Silencio was a roaring success last night with Chefs Yong Soo Do, Chris Grare from Kinship and Nicholas Chew of Bibo cooking up a storm and serving three exquisite takes on the humble sandwich, each with a deliciously unique twist. The night was made possible by Asia Miles, while the good people at Nikka and Yau brewery kept the audience, and the chefs, lubricated nicely. Missed out? Join us for the exciting Time Out Bar Awards on December 4th at Cassio in LKF.

The 1960s was a seminal decade for Hong Kong. Not only was this a time when attitudes began to change as people became more culturally and sexually liberated, but the 60s was also a period when our city flourished. Hong Kong grew in wealth and population at an unprecedented rate to become the significant high-rise metropolis it is today. It's a great thing to journey back and imagine what the city must have looked like back then, and better still to actually see it. We've been lucky enough to have gotten hold of some photos that allow us a window back in time to view the Hong Kong of yesteryear. Join us as we journey back to what has been described as ‘the decade of one damn thing after another’. RECOMMENDED: From Victorian private members’ clubs to Hong Kong’s old international airport, read about the city’s lost architectural gems. Victoria Harbour, 1964. Photograph: Mike Cussans Rewind the clock to the 60s, and you'll be met with a city in flux. Low-level colonial buildings are being razed to the ground and replaced by high-rise buildings that tower over the older buildings still standing – all at lightning speed. The Prince's Building and a luxurious new hotel called the Mandarin Oriental have just opened, much to the awe of passersby. One of the older buildings that can still hold its own amongst the Central district's rapid development in the 60s is the HSBC building. Built in 1935, it stands proudly as the first air-conditioned building in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, it

Hong Kong is traditionally celebrated as the ultimate shopping haven, whether for its sleek malls or its old fashioned markets. Somewhere in between, however, there are the city's vintage shops, that sell everything from clothes to homewares, and bridge the gap between old and new. While going out on a shopping spree remains not all-that appealing to many of us, the vintage-minded will be pleased to know that more than a few of our beloved vintage shops around the city are utilising online platforms so that you, the shopper, can peruse, enquire, and arrange delivery of your new old clothes from home! RECOMMENDED: If you're passionate about sustainability, check out our list of the best eco-friendly places to shop online.

Summer is in full swing here in Hong Kong, and though that means the occasional rain shower, temperatures are high, and there's enough humidity to make us break a sweat within minutes of stepping outside of our air-conditioned apartments. To combat the heat, there's nothing better to eat in the summer than a nice, refreshing salad, full of greens and with a fragrant dressing to cool us down and leave us energised. So, we asked John Nguyen, the head chef at Wan Chai's exciting new Vietnamese restaurant Xuân, to show us how to make a summertime Vietnamese salad to keep us cool all season long. Bun heo nuong nam heo nuong – grilled pork chop with vermicelli noodles and mixed vegetables – is a delicious dish that is regularly eaten from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to fight the summer heat. Chef Nguyen will be showing us how to prepare a simplified version of this classic summer bite in a way that is easy to follow and using easy-to-find ingredients. Photograph: Sam Evans "I ate bun heo nuong nam heo nuong for the first time in Hanoi, and it's basically a dish made of vermicelli noodles with vegetables and any type of protein," Chef Nguyen tells us. "The version I tried in Hanoi was made with beef, and it contained so many peanuts and fried shallots that I instantly fell in love with it and decided to bring it back with me to Xuân to make for the people of Hong Kong. For my take on the dish, I use pork chop instead of beef, and I add more colourful vegetables than will typically b

Hong Kong is a city where you can find some of the meatiest, most decadent food on earth, but there's also another side to our city's restaurant scene that is decidedly more green-oriented. We're talking about the wide selection of quality vegetarian and vegan options around town, that offer everything from fresh, tasty salads, to innovative, meatless take on traditional dishes. At present, dining in may not be of much interest to you, so it is all the more fortunate that some of our favourite vegan and vegetarian restaurants are doing delivery and take out. Here are some of the best. RECOMMENDED: And to wash your food down? Check out these cafes delivering coffee straight to your home. 

Thai cuisine is among the most celebrated in the world, with its diverse range of flavours from dreamily aromatic to burn-your-tongue spicy, and from stodgy and meaty to light and bouncy – looking at you, pad Thai. There's no cuisine on earth like it, and that's the reason so many of us Hongkongers love a good yellow curry, or a crunchy, soupy khao soi. We've got more than our fair share of Thai spots dotted around the city, but in times like this when eating out may be off the table – forgive the pun – for some, we can all take comfort in the fact that some of our very favourites are doing delivery and takeaway. Here are some of the best in the city that are offering dishes for you to eat in the comfort of home. RECOMMENDED: Inspired by your binge watching sessions of the latest K-dramas on Netflix? Well, you might want to check out our list of Korean restaurants doing delivery, instead. 

Let's face it, us Hong Kong dwellers love Japanese food. There's just something about the subtle flavours and dizzying variety that we simply cannot get enough of – to the point where many of us won't even blink when dropping hundreds of dollars on an omakase dinner. Having a sit-down meal may not be at the top of your to-do list right now, but luckily some great Japanese establishments around the city are providing takeaway and delivery services. So whether it's sashimi, tempura, or udon, you can get your favourites delivered to your door. RECOMMENDED: Drink with your meal? Learn how you can support Hong Kong's bar scene in these difficult times.

Vietnamese food is nothing new to our city and has been a popular cuisine for Hongkongers. Whether it's the steaming soups of Ho Chi Minh City or the fragrant street food offerings of Hanoi, Vietnamese dishes are often well executed in our city by a number of talented chefs who know the cuisine like the back of their hand. In this lineup, we largely forgo the humble banh mi – for which we already have an exclusive article – and instead slurp and crunch our way around the restaurants serving some of the best Vietnamese soupy, noodly and rice-filled dishes in town. The best part is that more than a few of these do delivery and takeout, so, whether you're looking for a light lunch, or a decadent dinner feast, these might be right for you.  RECOMMENDED: For more delivery options, check out our ever-evolving list of the best delivery and takeout options in Hong Kong right now.

It’s a difficult time for our city’s restaurants, as the numbers of diners are down and the city's social distancing measures continue to impose restrictions on the operations of eateries. It is, therefore, more important than ever to show support for our friends in the restaurant industry, and here are some important ways we can all do our bit to preserve the food scene we love so dearly.   RECOMMENDED: While we're on the subject of support, here's how we can help Hong Kong's bar scene

As the name would suggest, these guys specialise in pho but don't let that make you think their skills in the kitchen end there. As well as the ubiquitous noodle soup, they also do a well-executed range of funky snacks, including their Bomb-ass Karaage, which lives up to its name, their house special chicken wings, and a selection of fries that you may not expect from your usual neighbourhood Vietnamese joint.

Our restaurant scene is now back on the mend after some hard times as of late. Through the struggles that were felt around the city, delivery experienced a surged in popularity that still has plenty of momentum. Sun Tung Lok is among the most-decorated restaurants in the city to offer delivery, and so we thought we’d review this 51-year-old, two Michelin-starred Tsim Sha Tsui institution, to assess to what degree its delivery service does the award-winning food justice.  After having our meal delivered by an immaculately suited gentleman, we dug into the starter of stuffed crab shell ($198), an exoskeleton of the famous crustacean stuffed with crab meat, onion, and mushrooms, all baked to a golden crust. The thing that hit first was the textures; if the initial, satisfying crunch of the crust didn’t get our mouths watering, the bounce of the succulent mushroom chunks and tenderness of the meat certainly did. As for flavour, think savoury, moreish, goodness somewhere between crab cakes and meat pie, with the onions working their magic at the end to add a gentle sweetness that rendered this dish far from crabby.  Stuffed crab shell After a positive start, we moved onto the braised beef rib with house gravy ($198 for two pieces), and were immediately catapulted up into the flavoursome echelons of Cantonese cuisine heaven. To say these ribs were delicious is an understatement, with the fall-off-the-bone tenderness of the perfectly braised prime beef complemented by the devilish

Para/Site, one of Hong Kong's leading contemporary art institutions, is teaming up with Soho House to present its new Garden of Six Seasons exhibition. The exhibition will showcase the works of artists from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the rest of the world at both Para/Site's two-floor art space in Quarry Bay, and in a larger exhibition space on the eighth floor of Sheung Wan's Soho House. The exhibition is named after the English-style garden built by the Nepalese King in Kathmandu 100 years ago. Through art it explores the historical propensity of humans to create artificial environments that map their visions of the world. As well as the art itself, the exhibition will also include a VR viewing room and live panel discussions with the curator and the exhibiting artists. Billed as a precursor to the Kathmandu Triennale, which will begin at the end of the year, this is certainly an exciting event for Hong Kong's culture buffs and contemporary art appreciators. 

Calling all martial arts buffs, meditators, or those just wanting to promote health for their mind, body and soul! Asia Society Hong Kong will be hosting a two-hour-long live-streamed wellness event on Saturday, April 25, consisting of a Kung Fu class followed by a relaxing singing bowls meditation session – all for free. The first part of the Facebook Live-streamed session will be led by instructors from Hong Kong martial arts centre Mindful Wing Chun to discuss and introduce Kung Fu-based form of self-defence that explores geometry and the body's relationship with space to move with efficiency and power while remaining relaxed and focused. If you want to relax after all that movement, the second part of the session will be perfect for you. Led by wellness coach Stephanie Luo, attendees will be guided through breathing techniques and meditation to the sound of live singing bowls, to promote inner peace and tranquillity.

Nine of Hong Kong's best Spanish chefs will #COOKFORSPAINHK on the evening of April 29th to cook up a 10-course feast of contemporary Spanish food, with all proceeds going to help hard-hit Spain. The chefs will come from many of our favourite Spanish restaurants in the city, including Pica Pica, Rubia, and La Rambla itself, to name a few. They will be serving up a mouth-watering line-up of dishes including jamon and tomato bread, avocado lobster roll, pulpo gallego, carabinero creamy rice and cured ravioli, and more! In addition to the food, the service includes a welcome glass of Cava and a post-dinner drink. During dinner, organisers will run a wine roulette in which diners will have the opportunity to donate however much they want to spin the wheel for the chance to win a glass of premium wine. The price to attend the event is $1,800 per person. To book, call 2661 1161 or email reservations@larambla.hk.

There’s something about steak that captures the imagination of us meat lovers like nothing else. Perhaps it’s a primal, insatiable lust to devour meat in its most unadulterated form, or maybe our obsession lies in appreciation of the art form, the majestic simplicity of a steak laid bare and denuded of any peripherals to hide behind. Whatever it is, one thing’s for sure – while some of us can achieve near-restaurant quality at home with our clutch curries, stir-fries and spaghettis, to sear a steak like the pros is a formidable task. With this in mind, those of us with a carnivorous streak will welcome Rubia. This new Central Spanish steak and tapas restaurant is certainly one for the visit list when the current situation surrounding the coronavirus improves. Forget your Angus, Hereford or even Wagyu, Rubia specialises in beef from northern Spain, including an exclusive beef called Rubia Gallega, or Galician Blond. This is a unique breed of bovine reared on the verdant hills of Galicia in northwestern Spain. The cattle interestingly aren’t slaughtered until as old as 17 years – that’s pensioner age in cow years – which is different to many parts of the world where, in the interest of tender meat and beefy profits, cows become steaks just a few years after tasting grass. The result is a Spanish beef of unique taste and texture that in the past decade, has been lauded by food critics the world over. As for the restaurant itself, it’s split into two levels. The ground level take

Updated July 20, 2023: (Pondi is temporarily closed for a quick revamp; visit @pondihk for their latest updates)Tucked away at the end of Sai Ying Pun’s vibrant Fuk Sau Lane, Pondi is a delightful new addition to an already exciting alcove in this residential neighbourhood. Named after Pondicherry, the former French colony in India, Pondi's food is an electrifying combination of Indian home cooking and classic French cooking philosophies. The restaurant is a passion project of restaurateurs Taran Chadha – founder of the original award-winning BlackSalt – Camille Glass, and George Kwok. Guests can taste careful skill and passion in every bite in an inspiring and intensely enjoyable dining experience. The space sets the scene for epicurean bliss, with a thoughtfully decked out, candlelit alfresco terrace that opens onto the street and allows diners to relax while being immersed in the buzz of the neighbourhood. Inside, the kitchen bar seating is an intimate, modern nook where diners can chat away and look on as the chefs prepare dishes behind the counter. Upstairs there’s additional seating, but only reserved for private parties of 20 or more. The menu is kept refreshingly simple and caters to vegetarians and the gluten intolerant, as well as boasting more than enough to keep carnivores satisfied. A good lead-in is the hung yoghurt croquettes ($115), a dish that elevates the oft prosaic French nibble to new, tangy heights with tamarind and pickled onions. The parcels lie atop a

If you're into Italian food, then surely you've heard of Pici. To kick off 2020, the team behind Pici is launching a new eatery, Pizza Project. The trendy venue, again, features a tightly-edited one-page menu focusing on handmade pizzas and generous toppings, completed with freshly prepared starters and, of course, decadent desserts to curate an authentic pizza experience. Headed by Italian Chefs Andrea Viglione and Davide Borin, Pizza Project aims to share with us truly unforgettable pizzas that are also affordable, so that "everyone can enjoy pizza the same way we did at home." Apart from purveying delicious pasta-focused fare, Pici has gained a loyal following in Hong Kong by offering a straightforward dining experience that is free of pretension and relatable to many city dwellers. The group behind this pasta paradise is now setting their sights on Hong Kong’s growing pizza market with the opening of their latest venture on Peel Street. True to form, this new joint is a hit, with a casual atmosphere to complement some classy creations! In the interest of providing diners with a straightforward experience, the food menu is kept to a very digestible single page; split between starters and small bites, pizzas, and desserts. While everything is available a la carte, the Tasting Menu option offers parties in multiples of two a good deal for a full stomach, with each couple receiving one starter, one Gnocco Fritto, two pizzas and a dessert for $180 per person. The starters in

Since opening in Wan Chai back in 2016, Samsen has gained droves of loyal fans and a stellar reputation for serving up some of the best damn Thai fare in Hong Kong, especially when it comes to those legendary boat noodles. In this new venture, head chef Adam Cliff boldly does away with the brand’s famous headliner to focus on the northern-Thai staple of Khao Soi. As questionable as his decision may at first seem, the chef’s sense of adventure here – and elsewhere on the new menu – pays delicious dividends that leave the Sheung Wan outpost well-poised to match the success of its older sister. The interior stays faithful to the Wan Chai flagship with distressed concrete walls rising from a weathered tile floor behind a shopfront which can be opened to introduce that all-important al fresco vibe to the dining experience. At this branch, however, there is an increased use of bright hues sloshed over the sticker-speckled walls and, notably, space is significantly larger to make for an experience that is less likely to see you rubbing elbows with hungry strangers than at the original. Like the colour on the walls, the new menu prides itself on being “bold”. Upon a preliminary scan, it is apparent that Chef Adam Cliff is letting his imagination run free with the experimentation on Thai flavours in a range of truly exciting culinary creations. Particularly flavourful titbits include the Grilled Chicken and Wing Bean Salad ($118), the dish treats the taste buds to a spicy, aromatic sy

A couple of floors above bustling Jaffe Road, Kura recently opened its doors as a Japanese restaurant with a mission to offer top-quality traditional Japanese cuisine in an authentic, modern setting. In a city where Japanese restaurants are – thankfully – these days ten-a-penny, Kura manages to stand out because, although slightly missing the mark in a couple of important areas, it serves up an impressive array of Japanese favourites that do full and delicious justice to the ways of washoku. The restaurant is relatively spacious, with various nooks and crannies delineated by pillars, dainty-wooden-beamed dividers and thin walls, much like in restaurants on the back streets of, say, Tokyo or Kyoto. There’s also a hulking counter that stands as the focal point of the restaurant and at which nine lucky patrons can sit and look on as the sushi chefs slice and press away. Despite these features however, it has to be said that the ambience of the place falls short of offering that truly authentic Japanese experience. Whether it be the choice of furniture, which could be taken more for Ikea than Ikebukuro, or the slight messiness – it is extremely hygienic by the looks of things – behind the sushi counter that just wouldn’t fly in your average Osaka sushiya, it’s hard to forget that you’re actually in Hong Kong. Now onto the food, which leaves very little to complain about. Kura’s rather extensive menu offers 13 lunch sets comprising of favourites from sushi to tempura, priced aroun

Opening its doors this autumn in LL Tower just off Hollywood Road, Think Wine is the labour of love of renowned French sommeliers Romain Loriot and Jean-Benoît ‘JB’ Issele. The two are no strangers to Hong Kong’s food and beverage scene, previously holding head sommelier positions at Le Comptoir (the group behind popular restaurants Ecriture and Bibo) and Michelin-starred Belon, respectively. This new venture sees these two forces of the wine world come together in an intensely personal venture that reflects the pair’s extensive knowledge, impressive attention to detail, and passion for vino. The bar boasts almost 600 wines from across the globe, with particular emphasis – at least 250 varieties – from the Burgundy and Languedoc-Roussilon regions of France. All well and good for the amateur oenologists amongst us, however such a varied menu is potentially grape-ly bewildering for the average customer. To ease the picking process there are friendly and knowledgeable staff on hand to educate in an un-patronising way about the tipples, and guide the appropriate drink to the lips of even the most winey of philistines. In terms of volume, wines are offered here by the bottle and by glass, with prices ranging from as low as $60 per glass to as high as $15,000 per bottle. A good place to begin is at the cheap end of the spectrum, but for those looking to really explore Romain and JB’s collection, a cool glass of the Italian Maso Cantanghel ($120) proves a nice white to start on, wit

The latest offering from the group behind Ecriture and Bibo partially fills the enviable space previously occupied by Lily & Bloom as a restaurant offering “sustainable cuisine inspired by the island of Bali”. Far from the first Indonesian restaurant to grace our city, Poem carves out its niche by offering a mid-high-end island experience, which is generally well done but somehow lacks that X factor to make it really stand out in this bustling part of town. To start on a positive note, the interior is beautifully done, with a wall of lush vegetation gently leading the eyes towards a maelstrom of exotic shapes etched within the fixtures and furniture – done in wood, bamboo, rattan and stone. The venue clearly focuses on escapism, and it works as these elements bring the rainforest to the city in a tropical-cum-urban-chic environment that primes diners for the Poem experience before they so much as sit down. The menu is extensive with a good selection of dishes for different budgets and palates. This is a good thing as it affords diners the freedom to mix it up, with offerings like the Home-Style Fried Rice ($118), the Skipjack with Egg Noodles ($128) and Vegetable curry providing relatively inexpensive ways for diners to fill their stomachs here. The Soft shell crab ($98) is as good a place as any to start, with a promising accompaniment of smoked eggplant caviar, coconut sambal, balado sambal and sea asparagus. This dish isn’t bad, with a nice earthy flavor, but it is let dow

The team behind Belon have announced that the preeminent French bistro will be temporarily closing come October and reopening in the winter in a new Soho location, with a string of other new features to boot. Upon the relocation, the new Belon will welcome new head chef Matthew Kirkley who has worked at a number of Michelin-starred establishments including Hong Kong's very own Amber, where he worked as chef de cuisine with Richard Ekkebus, as well as L20 and COI restaurant in the US. With a new and upgraded kitchen, the new restaurant aims to bring out the stellar quality of French food with a local sensibility that Belon fans have become accustomed to over the years. Chef Matthew Kirkley The new location will also have a more mature and modern aesthetic designed by award-winning firm Joyce Wang Studio. With so much going on in the city right now, foodies can at least look forward to welcoming the new and revamped neo-Parisian bistro to its new Soho location.  A render of the interior of the new Belon

Mercato Gourmet has made a name for itself in Hong Kong for offering a range of quality goods from small farms and boutique wineries and vineyards throughout Italy. In addition to its three stores throughout Hong Kong – in Wan Chai, Mid-Levels, and Happy Valley, now Giando head chef and Mercato Gourmet founder Gianni Caprioli has announced a pop-up at Fishsteria on the waterfront in Kennedy Town, that will bring more quality Italian goods to the neighbourhood. Some of the many Italian imports on offer at the new pop-up In true Mercato Gourmet style, this new pop-up will sell top-notch ingredients, including award-winning cheese from the Puglia region in southern Italy and much, much more. The pop-up is open from 10.30am to 8pm on Tuesdays through Sundays for a limited time only, so this could present an opportunity that fans of top-grade imported ingredients of the finest origins may want to take advantage of.

Dairy Farm Group and its associated partners Hang Seng Bank and Jardine Restaurant Group announced the launch of Hong Kong’s biggest customer rewards club app, yuu. Available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store, yuu is also available as a WeChat mini programme. Not only is the app free, but it also connects a wide range of brands together on one platform, bringing convenience to all customers. The outlets around the city covered in the scheme include: Wellcome, Mannings, 7-Eleven, Ikea, KFC, Pizza Hut, Market Place by Jasons, Market Place, PHD, 3hree6ixty, Oliver’s the Delicatessen, Jason’s ichiba, Wellcome Delivers and Market Place Delivers. These brands loved by Hongkongers allow members to earn more points, in more places and redeem more rewards faster than ever before. With this app, customers earn one point for every $1 spent, and an even harder-working option is the Hang Seng yuu enjoy credit card, which users can earn three-times the points when they shop at Wellcome, Mannings, 7-Eleven, IKEA, Market Place by Jasons, Market Place, 3hree6ixty, Oliver’s the Delicatessen, Jason’s ichiba, Wellcome Delivers and Market Place Delivers, and four-times the points when they order at KFC, Pizza Hut, and PHD. yuu will cover 2,000 shops around the city No physical cards will be needed with yuu as the app does it all. Not only does it update point balances after each transaction, but it also has a special share points feature which enables customers to share points a

Cosy neighbourhood kitchen Jean May has just announced its grand opening on August 18. This 32-seater eatery nestled behind the flower stalls of Wan Chai's Gresson Street is helmed by Tiff Lo, a Hongkonger who has spent much of her life in the UK, and during the time perfecting her skills in the kitchen, has trained under Michelin star chefs Pierre Koffman, Michel Roux Jr, Phil Howard, and Eric Chavot. Dishes from Jean May's takeaway menu The restaurant – which is named as an ode to chef Tiff's grandmother – offers a selection of homely dishes with a French sensibility, including oyster and pickled cucumber ($64), steak tartare ($162), duck breast in a spiced honey glaze with carrots ($312). Right now, from 12 to 5pm Wednesdays through Sundays, Jean May is offering a takeout menu, with scrumptious dishes like a light summer salad with walnuts and parmesan, to a hearty steak baguette, or confit chicken and leek terrine. The restaurant also offers a roster of brewed coffees, if you're looking for something to accompany the food. To place an order, email: info@jeanmayhk.com or call 3590 6033.

You've probably seen your social media feeds flooding with black and white pictures of women, or maybe you've been nominated to participate for the challenge. Well, however you've seen it, you might well be wondering what it's all about. #ChallengeAccepted is a viral chain letter that has taken the world by storm, with over five million women around the globe posting black and white photos of themselves on Instagram in all kinds of different poses. This social media movement has gained momentum by women sharing a monochrome snap of themselves alongside the hashtags #ChallengeAccepted and #WomenSupportingWomen and then tagging a woman in their life that they want to show support for. The pictures that have been flooding social media feeds include women standing on mountaintops, posing in bikinis, on yoga mats, or stylized images of themselves that look fresh out of a magazine beauty editorial. Others show pictures with their kids or pets, or even showing their baby bump or mastectomy scars. There have been a few trending quotes to accompany the images, like "we rise together when we lift each other up", or "women supporting women." However, some critics are questioning the irrelevance of a 'challenge' just to post a vanity black and white picture of themselves. Nevertheless, it's been taking social media by storm, and the numbers of women participating (we've even seen some men!) keep on growing.    There are various competing ideas as to where the movement originated – includ

From Friday, July 31, the government will reverse the blanket dine-in ban in restaurants that came into effect on Wednesday, July 29, as the public reacts to blue-collar workers around the city who have subsequently been forced to eat their lunch in uncomfortable conditions. Many of the city's construction and other workers were seen on Wednesday and Thursday eating their lunches under bridges, at transport interchanges, and in air-conditioned public corridors in lieu of the cafes they have traditionally frequented on their lunch break.  The government initially responded to the situation by announcing it would open 19 community halls on Thursday, July 30, for those who had nowhere to go to eat lunch. In a similar vein, KMB and Pricerite launched initiatives to lend chairs to workers to sit on while eating their lunch, at Jordan (West Kowloon station), Tuen Mun station, and Tai Wai station bus terminals; and Pricerite's 18 branches across the city, respectively. The reversed regulations will allow restaurants to operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity during day time dine-in until 6pm, with a maximum of two people per table. Patrons can only purchase food to takeaway from 6pm onwards.  If you have questions about the latest social distancing restrictions and rules on public gatherings, visit our regularly updated guide on the things you can and can't do in Hong Kong right now. 

In light of the ongoing situation in the city, one of Hong Kong's most popular detox and nutrition centres, LifeHub, has just announced the launch of its COVID-19 testing kits for those who wish to get a quick and easy diagnosis on the state of their current health. The tests can be picked up in-store for low-risk customers who haven't recently travelled or knowingly been in the presence of carriers, or posted to homes in the cases of higher-risk customers. The deep throat saliva PCR tests are self-administered – explanations on how to do so are given by LifeHub staff upon ordering – after which participants are to either drop off their test in-store, or send back via mail. Following this, the tests are sent to a lab and results are given in two working days. There are two test packages available, the standard testing ($880), and testing with a medical certificate given based on test results ($1580). To order yours, call LifeHub on 3622 3452 or WhatsApp +852 6115 2094. Use the code PUREBUZZ for a free 200ml bottle of hand sanitiser with the purchase.

The government has just announced that from Wednesday, July 29, stricter measures will be put in place in the fight against the ongoing surge in new coronavirus cases in the city. From mid-week, all restaurants will be completely closed for dine-in – only takeout and delivery are permitted. Furthermore, public gatherings will now be limited to just two people, except for those who already live together. The government also stated mandatory mask-wearing in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, except for those with 'reasonable excuses' such as medical conditions, and infants under the age of two years. This rule means that masks will be required for all those exercising outdoors.  The tightening of social distancing measures comes as new cases on Monday, July 27, exceed 100 for the third consecutive day resulting in more deaths around Hong Kong. The current rules will continue to be in place until August 4, pending any further developments. If you have questions about the latest social distancing restrictions and rules on public gatherings, visit our guide on the things you can and can't do in Hong Kong right now. 

Hot 'N' Meen, the newly launched delivery only noodle venture by Sichuanese stalwarts Chilli Fagara has announced that they are currently offering a 20 percent discount on all orders of $200 or more, which means that we can enjoy our favourite noodle dishes with extra great value. The deal includes all the favourites that noodle fans have come to enjoy since Hot 'N' Meen's opening back in March, with Chilli Dumpling Noods ($78) with peanuts and coriander, and the spicy Dan Dan Meen ($68) which noodle fans can choose to include dried shrimp of minced pork. For those who want something a little more refreshing in these hot summer months, try the cold dish Rainbow Meen ($78). Hot 'N' Meen's refreshing Rainbow Meen In addition to the main course, Hot 'N' Meen also offers a range of delicious appetisers like Sichuan sprouts and crunchy mushrooms (all available for $30 per order), and there's also a range of beer and wines available for delivery too, so you can get your eat on in style.  To place your orders, call 2796 6866 or visit the online app for delivery. 

Frites is offering an eye-popping 50 percent off items from the a la carte and takeaway menus at all its venues across the city until July 22. The local favourite, known for its delicious food in charming beerhall surroundings, is extending the offer to all those who want to pick up their order from 11.45am until 10pm every day. For dine-in customers, the menu is available until 6pm in line with the latest social distancing measures. For those wishing to take advantage of the takeaway option, check Frites' online menu, and then call the branch where you will pick up your order to give them a reasonable time for preparation. Alternatively, just show up and order from the takeaway menu located at every branch. Hungry patrons must note that seafood and certain items are unavailable for takeaway. Check out the list below for branch locations and their phone numbers so you can take advantage of this great deal! Central: 2217 6671Wan Chai: 2877 2422Causeway Bay: 2142 5233North Point: 2333 5538Quarry Bay: 2250 5188Kwun Tong: 2781 0262

Admiralty Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant Ammo has launched an afternoon tea set in collaboration with Mr. Men Studio for you and your best Mr. Men and Little Miss fan friend to enjoy all summer. The set, which will be available every day until September 27, sees a spread of delicious snacks – sweet and savoury – served in a way that's sure to excite fans of the colourful book series. As well as a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, the range of delights designed and crafted by Ammo's head chef Jack Law consist of the following: -Smoked salmon finger sandwiches fit for a Little Miss Princess-Mr. Strong mini quiche squares-Mr. Greedy's indulgent foie gras crème brûlée-Happyland chocolatey daisy flower pot-Mr. Happy cookie-Little Miss Princessʼ strawberries and cream panna cotta-Little Miss Hug's rose macaron and Little Miss Sunshine's lemon macaron-Mr. Men's finest scones with jam and cream Happyland chocolatey daisy flower pot, Mr Happy cookies, strawberries, and cream panna cotta, and Little Miss macarons The best part of it all is that Mr. Men and Little Miss fans can savour the memories with a special mug that comes with the set, that you can personalise with your own name and desired character from the series. To make a booking, call 2537 9888 or head to ammo.com. The price for the two-person set is $498 plus an additional $68 for those that wish to indulge in an Ammo Garden cocktail or mocktail. The set is available Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5.30pm, and 1.30 to

Dang Wen Li by Dominique Ansel has introduced a brand-new range of fruit tarts at their Harbour City location that will be available for a limited time only from July 10 to 19. The tarts are crafted by the patisserie's skilled pastry chefs using some of the finest fresh fruits in the world, from Hawaiian papaya and passion fruit to rambutans from Thailand used in their Thai rambutan, pineapple, and vanilla tart. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 當文歷餅店 by Dominique Ansel (@dangwenlihk) on Jul 8, 2020 at 3:41am PDT Thai rambutan, pineapple, and vanilla tart Others sure to catch the eye of those with a sweet tooth are the strawberries and cream tart using fruits from California, the Turkish fig and black sesame tart, and the South African pomelo and mango tart. There are ten tarts in total to give dessert fans a lot of choices. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 當文歷餅店 by Dominique Ansel (@dangwenlihk) on Jul 6, 2020 at 1:00am PDT South African pomelo and mango tart