Three nights into my trip to Hong Kong and I finally managed a night out in Central. After strolling round a couple of malls and not finding the inspiration to shop in a shoppers' paradise, there was only one solution.
I met my friend and we set off for dinner with no particular place in mind. As we mounted the hills of Lan Kwai Fong, we were becoming disheartened by the sights of chains such as Hard Rock Cafe and other such soulless establishments. When suddenly, like an oasis, appeared something unique. Yes, we were looking for dinner, and yes, this looked suspiciously like a wine bar, but get two Scottish girls together and when there's music and drinking to be had, food can always wait...
Eddie McDougall, Flying Winemaker is a small shop-cum-wine-bar which also boasts a wine school and acts as a wine club. To enhance our experience, a jazz duo (flute and guitar with occasional vocals) churned out the standards, and even offered to play our requests. Sadly, they didn't appear to know "Donald, where's your troosers?" but they didn't mind us singing along and directing their choreography.
Tastefully served in Riedel O glasses to prevent spillage and breakage, there were around 8 whites and 8 reds available, with the wine of the day at around $70HK. Purple Teeth selected a delicious Pinot Noir from New Zealand while my friend had the white of the day.
And so the decision was sealed... The music enchanted, and the very helpful Simon suggested we might enjoy a wine by the bottle. (How quickly he knew us!)
We were by now hungry at 10pm, and Simon indicated the small food menu. Nothing looked like it was going to sustain us for a hard night of drinking ahead so he kindly nipped across the street to Wooloomooloo (an Australian steakhouse) for a menu so that we could order whatever we fancied. Now that's service you just don't get everywhere.
I met my friend and we set off for dinner with no particular place in mind. As we mounted the hills of Lan Kwai Fong, we were becoming disheartened by the sights of chains such as Hard Rock Cafe and other such soulless establishments. When suddenly, like an oasis, appeared something unique. Yes, we were looking for dinner, and yes, this looked suspiciously like a wine bar, but get two Scottish girls together and when there's music and drinking to be had, food can always wait...
Eddie McDougall, Flying Winemaker is a small shop-cum-wine-bar which also boasts a wine school and acts as a wine club. To enhance our experience, a jazz duo (flute and guitar with occasional vocals) churned out the standards, and even offered to play our requests. Sadly, they didn't appear to know "Donald, where's your troosers?" but they didn't mind us singing along and directing their choreography.
Tastefully served in Riedel O glasses to prevent spillage and breakage, there were around 8 whites and 8 reds available, with the wine of the day at around $70HK. Purple Teeth selected a delicious Pinot Noir from New Zealand while my friend had the white of the day.
And so the decision was sealed... The music enchanted, and the very helpful Simon suggested we might enjoy a wine by the bottle. (How quickly he knew us!)
We were by now hungry at 10pm, and Simon indicated the small food menu. Nothing looked like it was going to sustain us for a hard night of drinking ahead so he kindly nipped across the street to Wooloomooloo (an Australian steakhouse) for a menu so that we could order whatever we fancied. Now that's service you just don't get everywhere.
Decisions, Decisions... What to choose from this cornucopia of delights? Sticking with the New World theme, I spotted a Hawkes Bay Syrah (Shiraz) from the famous Gimblett Gravels. An area, I'd read about but sadly not experienced as part of my WSET education, I was keen to understand a bit more about what's reputedly New Zealand's finest terroir for reds. We were delighted by the choice. At around $260HK (~£22) for the bottle, this was rich and ripe, yet elegant in the French Syrah style, rather than the sometimes over-powering Ozzie Shiraz style.
If only I was based closer to Central during my stay here, Eddie McDougall's would have been seeing a lot more of my business this week. Elegant wines, reasonably priced, within a deliciously intimate setting, it provides a haven of sophistication amidst the rabble. Purple Teeth recommends a visit to any wine lovers in Hong Kong. From what I could see of the rest of the wines on offer, there's a good selection of new and old world wines including sherries and sparkling with prices from around $200HK upwards. In addition, Eddie has his own wine range, and looks set to expand having been named Number 1 of the Top 10 Wine Retailers in Hong Kong by The Drinks Business Magazine. I was left wishing that such a store could succeed in my local market, and intrigued when my Chinese Fortune Sticks revealed a couple of days later that my future held singing, dancing and drinking parties! Perhaps a franchise?
Its nice to have a dream.
Cheers!
If only I was based closer to Central during my stay here, Eddie McDougall's would have been seeing a lot more of my business this week. Elegant wines, reasonably priced, within a deliciously intimate setting, it provides a haven of sophistication amidst the rabble. Purple Teeth recommends a visit to any wine lovers in Hong Kong. From what I could see of the rest of the wines on offer, there's a good selection of new and old world wines including sherries and sparkling with prices from around $200HK upwards. In addition, Eddie has his own wine range, and looks set to expand having been named Number 1 of the Top 10 Wine Retailers in Hong Kong by The Drinks Business Magazine. I was left wishing that such a store could succeed in my local market, and intrigued when my Chinese Fortune Sticks revealed a couple of days later that my future held singing, dancing and drinking parties! Perhaps a franchise?
Its nice to have a dream.
Cheers!
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