Presumably we’ve all made New Year’s resolutions by this time, and one of ours at Asia Tatler Dining is to be more tolerant of children in fine dining environments. Call us squeamish or immature, but the thought of paying top dollar and splurging on a luxurious night out, only to be serenaded by a wailing toddler is enough to make us want to put on our warmest pajamas and curl up on the sofa with a pizza instead. But in a bid to be more inclusive and accepting of all human beings, regardless of the shape, size or lung capacity, we bring your our Top 5 child-friendly restaurants in Hong Kong.
Café Deco
Starting from the top, literally, is Café Deco on The Peak. With a dedicated children play area on the first floor where your child can be entertained, interact with other children and generally tire himself out to make too much of a fuss at the dining table, this bright and modern restaurant is a great choice for families. When the kids are all tucked out and ready to sit down for a meal, the children’s menu offers classic kids’ favourites including spaghetti with meat balls, jumbo hot dog, chicken nuggets and Hawaiian pizza. If you’re not too concerned about what the sugar will do to their energy levels, end your child’s meal with a brownie with vanilla ice cream or a homemade apple pie, also served a la mode. For the grown-ups, the live-shucked oysters are always a safe bet, with varieties from all over the world. The curries and tandoori from Café Deco’s Indian chefs are also recommended, especially the tandoori lamb shoulder chops. Or if you feel like being one of the kids, the grilled Angus burger with cheddar and mushrooms is one of the best in town.
Level 1, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Rd., The Peak. Tel: +852 2849-5111.
Top Deck
Also by Café Deco Group but located by the sea rather than in the mountains is Top Deck, atop the iconic and moored Jumbo floating restaurant. Not only does the restaurant also have a play area just for children, but its 9,000 sq.ft. of alfresco dining area means that the kids can literally run wild. The children’s menu is amusingly named after a nautical theme, with items such as Pirate Bounty (macaroni and cheese), Port Side burgers, Battleship (hotdog and fries) and Catamaran (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream). The best time to visit Top Deck is undoubtedly on Sundays, when there is a Sunday brunch with live stations cooking everything from dim sum, curries, crepes, as well as an unlimited all you can eat oyster station and inclusive free-flowing sparkling wine, ensuring plenty of fun for grown-ups and children alike.
Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen. Tel: +852 2552-3331.
Lung King Heen
While most people would balk at the idea of bringing their children to one of the very best fine dining restaurants in a five-star hotel, Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons goes out of its way to make sure that families feel welcome at this haute Cantonese restaurant. As long as your child is over the age of three, they are welcome with not only open arms but also two special children’s menu. For children aged three to eight, the menu includes easily chewed and nutritious dishes such as braised bird’s nest soup with chicken; braised beancurd with minced beef and tomatoes; congee with garoupa and egg; and shrimp omelette. For children aged nine to 12, the menu becomes a little more sophisticated but still children-palate-friendly, including steamed egg white with diced chicken and abalone; steamed egg custard with conpoy and pork; and udon in soup with shrimp dumplings. Needless to say, adults will also be delighted with Lung King Heen’s exquisite dim sum and signature crispy chicken. A sure-fire favourite with both children and adults alike is the Peking duck, which must be ordered at least six hours in advance.
4/F Four Seasons, 8 Finance Street., Central. Tel: +852 3196-8880.
Café Causette
Another fantastic hotel option that is slightly more informal is the all-day Café Causette at the Mandarin Oriental. Its children menu is more extensive and international than most, ranging from breakfast options such as eggs with mini sausages, porridge, boiled eggs and chicken congee; to lunch and dinner options such as meatballs with mash, Chinese-style chicken and sweet corn soup; and favourites such as spaghetti Bolognese and mac and cheese. Desserts include peach jelly with seasonal fruit and evaporated milk, or an even healthier fruit platter. Adults can choose between Café Causette’s excellent Hainan chicken rice, famous Mandarin burger, or the classic scones with rose petal jam.
M/F Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central. Tel: +852 2825-4005.
Crystal Lotus
Surely we couldn’t write a child-friendly list without including “the happiest place on Earth”, Disneyland. While most amusement parks would horrify gourmands with their over-priced and over-processed offerings, Crystal Lotus, the Chinese restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel, is different. In addition to serving a variety of pan-Chinese delights such as barbecued eel Shanghai-style to prawns with Sichuan sauce, the highlight at Crystal Lotus is the dim sum. And no, not because the dumplings all have paper thin wrappers that melt in the mouth or because they are topped with luxurious extras such as truffles. Rather, it is because they are simply adorable. Shaped as various cartoon characters, traditional dim sum take on new life. Plain old pork and vegetable buns are dressed up as the Little Green Men from Toy Story, while steamed barbecued pork buns are, a little disturbingly, in the shape of little pigs, complete with pink and yellow snouts and ears. For dessert, what child (or adult for that matter) would not squeal at the adorable steamed lotus seed buns when they come in the shape of Chicken Little? However, to make sure you don’t disappoint the little ones, make sure to pre-order three days in advance and note that the Disney character dim sum are only available during lunch on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Magic Road, Disneyland Hotel, Lantau. Tel: +852 3510-6333.
