Savvy Hong Kong: Bar, Lounge and Restaurant

Welcome to Savvy Hong Kong,  the SAR’s all new and uber sophisticated bar, lounge, and restaurant! Serving authentic pan-Asian and Western dishes in stylish surroundings, the Savvy Hong Kong Restaurant is located on the third floor of Harbour City on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon Peninsula. 

The Back Story

Prince Hong Kong Marco Polo Hotels closed in early 2020 for a compete makeover. And that includes the renovation of both guest rooms and public spaces, including the food and beverage outlet.

The F&B outlet has been rebranded as Savvy Bar Lounge and Restaurant, with an entirely new dining concept.  And its entrance is on the third floor of Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall, Harbour City, which has a whopping 450 shops!

The rest of the hotel will reopen in the second half of 2022 with a new name: Marco Polo Prince Hotel, which I must say is a BIG improvement!

Overview

Savvy Bar Lounge and Restaurant has three distinct zones. And each zone has a totally different vibe.

Savvy Bar 

Located at the entrance, the bar is an evolving kaleidoscope of colours. And it opens for quick lunches and remains open for evening cocktails and bar bites. Don’t miss the barrel aged cocktails or the extensive selection of whiskeys!.

Savvy Lounge

In the mood for afternoon tea? Savvy Lounge is the place!  With a casual and spread out space, it has sumptuous cakes and pastries displayed on dessert trolleys.  In fact, it has its own dedicated pastry chef!

Savvy Restaurant

In addition to a talented chef de cuisine, Savvy Restaurant has an Indonesian chef, an Indian chef, and a Thai chef. And each one specializes in his respective cuisine.

The Menu

The Savvy Hong Kong Restaurant has an international menu with a focus on popular Asian dishes as well as Western style grilled meats and seafood. The ala carte menu features cold and warm bites, main courses, desserts, and a kid’s menu.

There is an extensive noodles menu at lunch, running from  Chinese and Hong Kong to Indian, Japanese, Malaysian, and Thai. Meanwhile, bar bites, afternoon teas, and weekend brunches round out the dining options.

If you are thirsty, the extensive drinks menu runs from cocktails to beers, soft drinks, juices, coffees, and teas.

My Meal 

My dining companion and I are served a mouth-watering five course meal, which starts with cocktails and concludes with a cup of espresso. To clarify, we are guests of the restaurant.

Cocktails

My evening at Savvy begins with cocktails. I want to try one of the house specialties. And I like citrus. So I opt for the Citrus Vibe: Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila, grapefruit juice, Hojicha liquor, hazelnut syrup, bitters, and line juice. SUBLIME!!!

• HK$108 (US$13.75)

As for my second cocktail, l opt for the Whiskey Base Old Fashion made with whiskey aged four years, cherry liquor, Cointreau, Angostura, and bitters. OMG! SO SMOOTH!

• HK$128 (US$16.50)

First Course

Otak Otak – A street snack popular in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, otak otak is a grilled fishcake wrapped in banana leaves and coated with spices. And it comes with a savoury peanut dipping sauce.  ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

• HK$38 apiece (US$5)

Second Course

Tom Yum Kung – if tom yung kung is Thailand’s most famous and popular soup, Chef Buapha has elevated it to a new level using an innovative syphon cooking technique.

The broth is heated and cooled in a syphon brewer filled with spices, lemongrass, coriander, galangal, and other ingredients. And this intensifies the complexity of the sweet and sour broth, adding nuance and depth.

If you are not familiar with tom yum kung, it is a pungent prawn based soup. Other ingredients include tomato, straw mushrooms, beansprouts, scallions, and tomato. And it is often enriched with coconut milk or cream.

• HK$148 (US$19)

Third Course

Grilled Hokkaido Sea Scallops – thin slices of cucumber and sea scallops are topped with edible flowers and tomato salsa and drizzled with a balsamic glaze to create this succulent dish. And talk about an artistic presentation!

• HK$268 (US$34)

Fourth Course

Pat Thai – While  Pad Thai is undoubtedly Thailand’s best known dish, many foodies maintain that the best renditions of it are served by street-side  hawkers rather restaurant chefs.

So why is that? Well, hawkers focus solely on taste and texture while chefs sometimes get too carried away with presentation. Will Savvy’s Chef Buapha get the right balance?

When the dish arrives, it is  simply but elegantly presented, a promising sign. And l must say, the taste and texture live up to the promise. I thoroughly enjoy  it! In fact, I can hardly wait to return to the restaurant for an encore!

• HK$98 (US$12.50)

Fifth Course

Savvy Mango Sticky Rise – Thailand is famous for is sticky rice desserts. And this is what we are served. The fresh mango and sticky rice is paired with coconut ice cream. And it is topped with toasted almonds. As a refreshing and light dessert, it proves the perfect end to a splendid meal.

• HK$88 (US$11.25)

After Dinner Beverage

Espresso – when asked if I’d like an after dinner drink, I reply, “I’d love a double espresso!” It is perfectly brewed. In fact, it is so perfect that I need neither sugar nor cream!

• HK$65 (US$8.25)

The Verdict

Considering the quality and variety of the food, the splendid surroundings, and the impeccable service, my dining companion and I give Savvy Bar Lounge and Restaurant an enthusiastic two thumbs up!

Restaurant Location

Savvy Bar Lounge and Restaurant – Level 3, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City,  Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Telephone: (852) 2113-6188.

The restaurant is located in the Harbour City shopping mall In addition, it is within walking distance of the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, Ocean Terminal, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Terminal,