31 August 2013

Modern Asia – Zuma & Hu’u – two Chic Restaurant and Lounge Escapes

from Vietnam Golf Magazine
August 2013

Vietnam Golf Magazine
August 2013
 zuma and hu’u -- two of East Asia’s leading restaurant and lounge venues offer jetsetting fashionista’s intimate dining experiences within highly recognized, prestigious addresses.  Both zuma on Hong Kong island, and hu’u on Bali provide guests an exotic escape from the chaotic streets outside.

zuma
Hong Kong

zuma, London’s award winning Japanese restaurant and bar concept opened its doors in June 2007, at Hong Kong’s most prestigious address, The Landmark.

zuma brings award winning chef and co-founder Rainer Becker’s completely new take on Japanese dining to Hong Kong, with a sophisticated twist on the Japanese izakaya style and concept of informal eating and drinking.
zuma Hong Kong

The 10,000 square foot space, accessible from the Queen’s Road entrance of The Landmark, is split-level, connected by a stunning spiral staircase.

The restaurant is located on level 5, and features three dramatic open kitchens: The Main Kitchen, The Sushi Counter and The Robata Counter.

Both The Sushi Counter and The Robata Counter invite guests to watch their meals being prepared from freshly selected ingredients. At The Robata Counter, a fine selection of quality meats and poultry, market seafoods and seasonal vegetables are grilled and served with zuma’s signature sauces, whilst the Sushi Counter tempts people with a variety of market fresh sashimi, nigiri and maki sushi.

Outdoor dining is available on the exclusive terrace, and two private dining rooms allow for
tables of 14 and 8. The restaurant caters to a total of 158 people.

Dishes are authentic but not traditional, with an emphasis on simple presentation and flavour through quality ingredients. There is no set protocol on ordering from the menu, instead dishes are designed with the concept of sharing in mind.

zuma Hong Kong
A place to see and be seen, zuma Lounge on level 6 is the venue for pre-dinner champagne and cocktails till late night when featured DJs mix. With a variety of relaxed seating areas for Hong Kong’s savvy customers, the lounge caters for a total of 95 with bar stools, sophisticated lounging areas and a semi-private room.

The lounge offers the same menu as zuma restaurant during dinner hours and in addition a selection of savory and sweet snacks are available. The space is also a sensational space for private launch events and celebrations, catering for up to 110 people.

zuma’s beverage lists are created with Japanese ingredients and culture in mind. The signature Rubabu cocktail is set to be Hong Kong’s most sought after drink with a unique blend of Rhubarb infused sake shaken with 42 Below Vodka and fresh passion fruit. Must-try’s on the cocktail list also include the zuma Bellini and the Cherry Blossom Bellini.

A resident Sake Kikizakeshi will be on hand to serve premium sake by the glass, including zuma’s own label- designed specifically to complement zuma dishes.

With a wine cellar of over 2,000 bottles, and 10 vintage wines served by the glass, guests are able to sample the finest selection from around the world.

Designed by Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Studio Glitt in collaboration with Tokyo design firm Super Potato, zuma’s style is clean and minimal. Muramatsu has used natural materials - stone, iron, wood and glass to merge traditional Japanese design with Western influences including vast floor to ceiling glass windows looking out over zuma’s exclusive outdoor terrace and beyond over the hustle and bustle of Central.

“The sophisticated and vibrant atmosphere is a huge part of zuma,” comments Rainer Becker, “…delicious, freshly prepared food in a unique, relaxed but uber-chic location. People will want to come back to zuma again and again.”

Rainer Becker and the Waney family launched the original zuma in 2002 in the hip Knightsbridge district of London, where it has fast become one of London’s most desirable and fashionable restaurants. Recent recognition includes Restaurant of the Year at the Tatler Restaurant Awards and Sommelier of the Year for Alessandro Marchesan at the Harpers & Queen Restaurant Awards.

zuma
The Landmark
Level 5 and 6, 15 Queen’s Road Central
Central, Hong Kong



hu’u Bar & Baba’s Restaurant
Bali

The trendy, super-chic Hu’u Grill & Bar is located in the upscale enclave of Seminyak, where the island’s designer boutiques, diverse galleries and fashionable lifestyle resorts are found.  With an intimate ambiance, Hu’u brings a level of sophistication to the island, providing an exotic gathering-place where Bali’s A-list and jetsetters mix and mingle.

Hu'u Bali
Named after an atoll off the coast of Sumbawa, Hu’u offers both the finest cuisine in its “Garden of Eden” setting as well as tantalizing signature cocktails mixed with an eclectic selection of international music in the lounge.  This oasis on the Island of Gods celebrates its 12th anniversary throughout 2013.

An elegant venue for the beautiful people, Hu’u regularly hosts international celebrities including socialite Paris Hilton and music producer Quincy Jones.  Tens of thousands ranging from locals to expats and tourists have come to mix with the fashionable to savour their epicurean delights along with the club’s lively beats.

For foodies and those who take delight in the best a restaurant has to offer, Hu’u has been a draw due to their delectable local and international creations.  For those visiting in 2013 they’ll notice a change, as Hu’u offers a fresh and authentic dining scene, paying homage to its South-East Asian “Peranakan” roots. This style of cuisine has long been anticipated by Asian and well-travelled peers, to have native chefs creating the Pernakan menu means everyone in or visiting Bali gets to experience its authenticity and diversity.

Hu'u Bali
Owner Sean Lee says “to understand the meaning of Peranakan, all you have to do is check out a famous song “Rasa Sayang,” to see how passionate the tri-nation cultures feel about their past, and if you care to ask anyone from either place, they’ll all try and claim the song to be from their own mother land. At the end of the day does it really matter who wrote the song?  The fact is, there is a pride for a bygone era that a mish-mash of cultures shares, which is why we’ve named the restaurant BABA’S.

Lee says “Baba’s are everywhere in the world to this day and from every culture – in Asia for example, you can be Chinese or Tamil and have a Scottish, Portuguese or English surname, this is true to a Baba’s heritage. What we want to do is give everyone the right to be proud of their own mix, because it’s something we all essentially share. It’s a global thing.”

What to expect on the menu?  For starters, try the Grilled Sambal Fish on Banana Leaf, Crispy Chicken with Spicy Chilli Sauce or the Beancurd with Achar Thai Sauce. Mains include Jumbo Prawn Laksa, Caramelized Coffee Pork Ribs, Singapore Lobster Noodles, a classic Mee Goreng and Burnt Wok Style Beef or Fish KwayTeow (Rice Stick)

For those looking to loosen up with one of their signature cocktails, the lychee martini comes highly recommended.  Often mentioned as the best lychee martini in Bali, they’re best experienced while lounging near the pool as the sunset casts its golden hues throughout the venue.

As the evening progresses, Hu’u transforms from its laid-back, fashionable BABA’S restaurant into a chic nightclub where top international DJs spin a blend of the best house, funky and tribal tracks.  The club has hosted guest DJs from as far afield as Australia, UK, USA and Asia.

Hu’u is a “must-visit” venue where occasional tourists can mix and mingle with others from the jetset group as well as Bali’s well-connected expats.  For more information:

hu’u Bar & BABA’S RESTAURANT
Jalan Petitenget
Seminyak, Bali 80361

Website:  www.huubali.com





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