Journey Woman- Gal Friendly City Sites

The New Hong Kong
Dining Advice From the Women who Live There

With insider info provided by savvy Hong Kong women, Journeywoman has tested a collection of interesting female-friendly restaurants looking for taste treats to recommend to those of you who will be exploring the new Hong Kong.

It was Margaret Sheridan, Features Writer at the South China Morning Post, who introduced JW to Andy's Kitchen. It's a great place run by a co-op of eight women who got bored playing mahjong. Their restaurant offers up Shanghainese favorites with a few Cantonese specialties tossed in. It's spotless, tiny, friendly and you'll share tables with regulars. Dinner for one with wine is under $US25. A real find! 25 Tung Lo Wan Road, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2890-8137. Open daily. Sorry. No credit cards.

Pamela Kwok has been an info officer with the Hong Kong Tourist Association. Her restaurant recommendation is the Cafe Deco in the Peak Galleria, Victoria Peak. Expect an open kitchen concept offering an eclectic menu. Pamela's food favorite is Tandoori Chicken. Book in advance for a window seat with an excellent view of the harbor. Tel: 2849-5111

If it's good enough for the cooking instructor, it's good enough for JW. Aileen T'Sing, Chief Home Economist at the Town Gas Cooking Center recommends a special taste treat of Cantonese cooking. She frequents the moderately priced Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant, 3/F, Star House Building, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsimshatui. Her menu favorites--garlic prawns. Her dessert weakness--toffee apples.

Frances Bartlett, a Hong Kong book publisher, is quick to tell us about Lao Ching Hing. This Shanghainese restaurant located on the basement level of the Century Hotel serves up spectacular Braised Duck with Shallot. Other goodies include eggplant in garlic sauce and steamed veggie dumplings. The noise level is slightly high, prices slightly upmarket but don't miss the chance to taste the food here! 230 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Tel: 590-6080.

British expat, Margot Smith is a dim sum aficionado. Her number one Hong Kong choice is the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant (serving lunch time only). This is a celeb hangout that the International Herald Tribune dubs "one of the ten best restaurants in the world." Expect pricey prices and casual dress. 2nd floor, Hung Kai Center, 30 Harbor Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2827-9938.

Finally, Journeywoman's "best pick" for an eat-alone experience goes to Post 97 cafe-restaurant. Their eclectic menu stretches from all-day breakfasts to spaghetti primavera. Good choice of music presented at a reasonable decibel level. Newspaper and magazine racks offer the latest in reading. Bonus--A.M. Happy Hour with 2 for 1 cappuccinos and lattes. Female and single-friendly to the max! Sun Hung Kai Center, 30 Harbor Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2827-9938.

P.S. It is almost impossible to fathom how many restaurants there are in Hong Kong. New ones are opening every day and sadly some of our favorites have closed. With luck, the above female-friendly choices will still be available when you get the opportunity to visit the new Hong Kong.