环球之旅:香港人新年前夜吃什么?

If high-end restaurant bookings are a leading indicator of upscale consumer confidence, things are looking rosy in Hong Kong.

A quick check with some of the S.A.R.'s leading western restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments, showed that most were fully booked, with waiting lists, several weeks in advance of New Year's Eve.

The standard New Year's Eve menu among these elite restaurants is a 6-9 course gastronomic dinner.

At the Island Shangrila's Petrus, the price per person for a 6-course set menu was HK$3,988 plus 10% service charge. To secure a reservation requires submitting a signed credit card authorization form at least ten days in advance, with the applicable condition that no refund is possible once the reservation is confirmed.

Over at the Mandarin Oriental Landmark's Amber, the 6-course gastronomic dinner costs HK$3,888 per person, plus 10% service charge. A 5-glass wine pairing option would cost an additional HK$2,012 per person, plus 10% service charge.

Amber's booking form states that "Children under 12 are not recommended". (It’s open to interpretation whether that refers to having them at all, or just bringing them to dinner here.)

Amber's offering includes a live jazz band providing musical accompaniment. Like Petrus, a signed credit card authorization form is required to secure the reservation at least ten days in advance. Also like Petrus, customers are advised that bringing bottles of wine from outside is not permitted on special occasions like this.

The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong's Pierre restaurant offers a New Year's Eve banquet complete with starting cocktails, canapés and a glass of champagne for HK$4,388 per person plus 10% service charge. Their message on children is clearer: "We welcome children age 12 and older." Guests are requested not to wear sandals, shorts, trainers or T-shirts.

At Michelin 3-star rated L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, the per person tariff for dinner is only $3,680 plus 10% service charge, for a seat at a table. A seat at the bar counter offers dinner at a lower price per person.

It's interesting how high-end Western restaurants in Hong Kong all seem to incorporate lucky Chinese numbers ("8", "6") in their pricing.

That's smart marketing, considering this is Hong Kong, where East celebrates West, and vice versa.

Speaking of the annual Michelin ratings, which are not without some controversy, China currently boasts 5 restaurants in the coveted 3-star category, which is the highest grade Michelin gives out. Of these, 4 are in Hong Kong and 1 is in Macau.