Above Photo © Stockton
Stockton
(852) 2.565.5268
32 Wyndham St
Central, Hong Kong
Tag Archives: Cool
Ammo – Hong Kong
above photo © Ammo
Ammo Restaurant
(852) 2.537.9888
Asia Society HK Center
9 Justice Drive
Admiralty, HK
www.ammo.com.hk
Open Hours:
12:00 – 23:00 Sunday – Thursday
12:00 – 24:00 Friday – Saturday
Inspired by Jean-Luc Godard’s Alphaville film, Architect Joyce Wang designed Ammo, a most beautiful restaurant enclosed in a six meter high glass box, tucked away on the lower level of the Asia Society.
On one side, the tall windows face a lush jungle garden at the base of a hill; peering up at the walking bridges above in the gardens.
As you enter yo are impressed by the hanging, deconstructed spiral staircase light fixture and the back drop of copper piping; an embossed pattern covering the wall behind the bar. The elements combine well and create a refined atmosphere with a bit of a steam-punk edge. Once you sit and start to take in the different elements every detail starts gaining importance, from the green velvet banquettes by the window. to the wood choices. Ammo is very well put together.
The menu is designed by chef Roland Schuller is a gentle mix of east and west. A menu that allows you to sample local flavors without pushing you out of a comfort zone. Highly recommended are the Sous Vide Cocktails; quite an interesting take on some classics.
Spiced Old Fashioned Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Orange, Cherry, Anise, Cinnamon Stick, Cloves and Syrup
above photo © Ammo (Angel Hair with sea urchin, cherry tomatoes and garlic chips)
above photo © Ammo (Japanese Scallop Carpaccio with green apple, chili caviar and sesame soy dressing)
Sous Vide Mojito Pampero Anejo rum with Mints, Freshly Squeezed Australian Lime Juice, Syrup
Scampi Cappuccino with brandy and scampi foam
Slow Cook ed Egg with asparagus, caviar and potato fondue
above photo © Joice Wang
above photo © Ammo
above photo © Joice Wang
above photo © Ammo
above photo © Joice Wang
above photo © Joice Wang
above photo © Ammo
Asia Society
Bar Mut – Barcelona, Spain
above photo © Garrett Ziegler
Bar Mut
(34) 93 – 217 4338
Calle Pau Claris, 192,
Eixample District
08037 Barcelona, Spain
Open Hours:
12:30 – 24:00 Monday – Friday
11:30 – 24:00 Saturday – Sunday
We found and fell in love with Barmut over our kitchen table in New York City. Chef Albert Mendiola’s anti-promo video on the website is more like a Jim Jarmousch’s Vampire film “Only Lovers left Alive“, then an enticing view of his moody and delectable establishment.
In life, thankfully, the service is very warm and accommodating; as we were not familiar with most of the extensive local wine list, we received a very fun crash curse and tasting from the sommelier – without any attitude or up-sell.
The food was heavenly. In a city known for seaside taps, Barmut had he softest, most delicious octopus we found in Barcelona. Seriously. It was grilled to perfection with just enough fire flavor to enhance, not overwhelm. The paprika potatoes on the side are the perfect companion. My mouth is watering a little just remembering the dish!
If you are in Barcelona, we highly recommend Barmut!
Some other quick notes on the menu:
Scallops with aioli -> perfect 🙂
The Pan con tomato was the 3rd best for us in Barcelona (we became a bit aficionado in our pursuit of the perfect Pan con Tomate !)
The gambas a la brasa, were pretty good, if you are a fan of the dish.
we found a bit heavy.
A reservation is recommended, we found the best place to sit is one of the tall table. There is also outdoor siting for those lovely Barcelona nights 🙂
top octopus
Scallops with aioli – a must order!!
Torrija
Bota Bota Spa – Montreal, Canada
above photo © Sid Lee
Bota Bota Spa
(1) 514 284 0333
Old Port of Montreal
358 rue de la Commune Ouest,
Montreal, QC, Canada
OPEN HOURS:
10:00 – 22:00 Daily
A 52-meter long floating ferry, converted into a Scandinavian style spa by Sid Lee Architecture, on the St. Lawrence River provides perfect views of Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67 and BuckyFuller’s geodesic dome; as well as a lovely place to grab a bit of hot and sun near old Montreal.
Go for a treatment, or simply take the Water Circuit – a three hour package that gives you access to saunas, steam room and the whirlpools, located on the third and fourth decks. If weather permits, you can also get nice lay-down outside for some sunbathing.
There is no photo taking and severely policed, no talking rules – you are constantly remained to be quiet. This is both nice and annoying depending on your state of mind & company! The restaurant is good enough with a health oriented menu. Interestingly enough, and quite intelligently, the price varies depending day and time.
The top floor Sauna is one of the most beautiful we have been to. It is spacious, with a panoramic view of old Montreal. Bota Bota is interesting place to explore and well worth a visit. You journey from the locker rooms – in the former engine room – up to the the therapy rooms on the next deck – along side some interesting resting areas, with hammocks reclining beds. Then as you climb you get to the aforementioned hot tubs and hotter saunas; culminating on the lovely roof deck. Even in winter – a great escape!
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
As you journey towards the river – above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
above photo © Sid Lee
Les Cols Pavellons – Olot, Spain
Les Cols Pavellons
(34) 69 – 981 3817
Avinguda de les Cols, 2
17800 Olot, Girona, Spain
About an hour and a half north of Barcelona is the Garrotxa, an area full of small volcanoes, nature reserves, and picturesque little towns. One of these is Olot, and nestled towards the back of a 13th century farm house is the anachronistic Le Cols Pavellons hotel.
This science-fiction like hotel was designed by RCR Architects; Who are also responsible for the superb restaurant next door, the two Michelin star “Les Cols”
In the Pavellons, all rooms are built out of glass; floating over petrified lava. The ceiling is metal and glass, and the rooms are separated from each other by front and back zen gardens. Each is isolated in vision and sound – and it is hard imagine where you are in the world whilst inside your private world.
above photo © Miquel Guifré
As noted, the rooms, or pavellons, are very private being made out of several layers of opaque / translucent green glasses. Blackout shades, the same color tone as the glass, are remote-controlled via a minimalist panel that also controls ambient lighting.
The bathroom has a a floor level plunge tub that fills with soothing volcanic thermal spring water. The amenities are likewise enjoyable – including the lovely, and very warm, slippers.
Breakfast is planed a day ahead and is left outside your door. A tray of bread, orange juice, yogurt, fruits, hard boiled eggs, honey and preserves, butter and tomatoes along with thermoses filled with hot coffee and cold milk. This is such a lovely way to start the day; my words are just failing to describe the happiness this breakfast brings.
At checkout time, we were given a picnic bag with bread, olive oil, sausage, a round of cheese, salad, mineral water and a lovely bottle of wine. A loving touch was a collection of postcards depicting watercolors of local attractions – and on the backs were hand drawn road maps of how to get to each one. We took up the conceit and enjoyed a lovely day of site seeing and picnics!
The Pavellons at Les Cols is not the hotel for everyone; we recommend reading other reviews before booking. For us it was a dream location, painful to leave and first in our hearts to return!
