Fireworks In Hong Kong For National Day

I remember the year when Hong Kong returned to China’s fold. I was working as a copy editor at the equities desk in Dow Jones Newswires in Singapore at that time, together with a motley team of fellow editors who seemed to be yearning for more fun in life than tracking and nitpicking on reports of markets going up and down, company results and corporate developments. (It was a professional deviation for me after leaving Wine & Dine as an editor, but every day at Dow Jones served as a realisation that for me, life was still about food and wine and travel. I lasted only a year there, before trotting straight back to my one and only professional love.)

Anyway, to make life more fun, I managed to persuade my fellow rim editors to mark the occasion together, and on 1 October, we turned up in all manner of chinoiserie – ladies in cheongsam and men in auspicious red or pink or Chinese motifs – much to the amusement of our other colleagues. So from Singapore, we watched the historic handover on cable TV over our desk which was permanently tuned to the news channel.  

So with 1 October coming round the corner again, I may not be in a cheongsam, but I’ll be wishing I was there to watch the fireworks. For those who are, there are plenty of vantage points to catch the view and excitement. The fireworks itself starts at 9pm. 

 

Harbour Grand Hong Kong is smack on the waterfront with a great view of Victoria Harbour and the fireworks. Book a table at its restaurants, all of which give you a view of the show. Best of course is Le 188˚ Restaurant & Lounge with its 180-degree floor-to-ceiling windows. Watch the fireworks indoors over a 7-course set dinner (HK$1,488 per pax) or head to Le 188˚ Terrace for drinks. If you’re bringing the family, and grandma wants to eat Chinese, the hotel’s restaurant Kwan Cheuk Heen also offers a view plus set menus. For drinks and stylish nibbles, the Viewing Deck on the 42nd floor is offering a fireworks package at $888 per person for an unobstructed view over canapés and cocktails; and the Harbour Club Lounge on the 41st floor is serving up drinks and canapés for $688 per person. Usually exclusive for executive club inhouse guests, it’s opened on National Day to viewing the firework. But of course, the best way is with a room with a view – from HK$3438 for a night on 1 October, with dinner and brekkie for two thrown in.
www.harbourgrand.com/hongkong

 

If food is super important – and when is it not? – the wonderful restaurants at the InterContinental Hong Kong is another option with great views. Book as soon as you can! THE STEAK HOUSE winebar + grill has a 4- course dinner (HK$1,438; add $520 for Champagne & wine pairing) and Yan Toh Heen  serves up a 6-course Cantonese dinner ($1,438 per person); guests at these two restaurants will view the fireworks from the private promenade in front of the restaurants. For celeb eats, go to SPOON by Alain Ducasse for its 6-course dinner (HK$1,888)  or NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong for its  6-course “Omakase” menu  (HK$1,438; add $400 per person for sake pairing).

18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 2313 -2323

 

Meatlovers, head to Wooloomooloo Prime on the top floor of The One in Tsim Sha Tsui for red meat paired with a panoramic view of Victoria Harbor. They are serving a 4-course set dinner menu that day (HK$1,200 per pax) with Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio and a Lamb Degustation – featuring lamb chop, lamb cap and lamb shoulder in different flavors. There’s always steak a la carte like Australian Rib Eye Steak, served with Yukon Mashed potato, Foie Gras, etc, and Strawberry and Rhubarb Strudel. If you’re on a tighter budget, there’s always Wooloomooloo Steakhouse (TST East), where you can also enjoy the fireworks and a 4-course set dinner menu at HK$525 per guest.

Wooloomooloo Prime: Level 21 The One, 100 Nathan Road, Kowloon T. +852 2870 0087
TST East): Shop G7/8 Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Road, TST East T. +852 2722 7050

 

Eclectic Duetto’s outdoor terrace is another vantage point. From 7pm National Day, it’s serving up an Italian and Indian smorgasbord ($375 for adults; $175 for kids). Tuck into Vegetable Samosa, Chicken Tikka, Beef Steak Filet in Red Wine Mushroom Sauce, pizzas, penne shrimp in tomato and basil sauce, and more. From the kitchen are curries like Lamb Roganjosh, Chicken Korma, Aloo Til Gobi, and Dhingri Muttar.  Booking is a must.
 
2/F, Sun Hung Kai Centre,
30 Harbour Road, Wanchai, HK
Tel: (852) 2598 1222