September 20th, 2011
The News Room is a contemporary restaurant and bar that recently opened (July 2011) in the vicinity of the Taikoo Place office tower complex in Quarry Bay, on Hong Kong island. The News Room joins a growing cluster of stylish restaurants and bars that are catering to the weekday workers in the 10 interconnected office towers within Taikoo Place- which has become the main Hong Kong hub for creative industries such as advertising and information technology firms. With a prime location facing the open air plaza area directly adjacent to the main access points to Taikoo Place, The News Room has become a popular dining option for a discerning clientele. The restaurant has embraced an “all-day” dining concept- offering contemporary comfort style food- with hot breakfast served on weekday mornings, and brunch on the weekends; lunch and dinner every day, and bar bites all day. The News Room is the most recent addition to the family of successful venues conceived and operated by the Press Room Group– comprising The Press Room, Classified, The Pawn and SML.
The News Room occupies a street level corner space, with an open facade along most of the frontage to the plaza area – which also offers the option of outdoor tables. The dining area is spread across three main dining areas, plus a smaller private room, and with the open bar area facing onto the street. The interior design utilises a contrast of natural materials with plenty of timbers- dark and polished, and textured surfaces; and with elements of the classic bistro style of cafe. The atmosphere is of under-stated sophistication, with a casual warmth. Table settings vary from leather banquettes in the front room, to the traditional bistro style marble top tables and chairs in the rear dining room. Bright green aluminium chairs add some color highlights to the timber furnishings. In the bar area, high tables with round white marble tops are accompanied by stools upholstered with light green colored leather. Individual light globe fittings are suspended on long cords from the blackened ” industrial style” ceiling. The combination of style and comfort for the guests provides a pleasant environment for either leisurely dining, or casual after-work drinks with colleagues or friends.
The News Room offers a large selection of international wines and champagnes- and an automated wine dispenser allows guests to select and serve their own wines by the glass from a choice of 16 different bottles. The bar also serves an alluring collection of signature cocktails- all themed around notable “news” identities- “Nixon Sour“- Achade Domenico Pisco, lemon, sugar & egg white, shaken and served with burnt orange peel; “Pulitzer Punch“- Patron Reposado Tequila, Yellow Chatreuse, pineapple & orange with ginger beer, shaken & served on the rocks; and “La Stampa Spritzer”– Campari, Dolin Sweet Vermouth and soda, stirred and served in wine glass with green olives and orange. In addition to cocktails and wine, both draught and bottled beers, plus a good range of premium spirits, liqueurs and non-alcoholic fruit juices and sodas, are available. The kitchen offers a menu of Bar Bites for snacking whilst having a drink- including The News Room Burger; Louisiana Chilli Crab Cakes; and Sharing Platters- of Classified Artisan cheeses, Seafoods or French Charcuterie.
The daily breakfasts include full hot breakfasts with eggs cooked in various popular styles; muesli and granola; and freshly baked breads and pastries. Lunches can either be ordered al a carte, or as the Set Lunch with 3 courses. The Lunch and Dinner menus are essentially an assemblage of international dishes cooked with a pared back, but modern style- with a extensive selection of soups & salads; grilled prime cuts; seafoods- oysters, lobsters,crab; rice and pasta; burgers and sandwiches; and mains including Whole Roast Spring Chicken; Grilled Sea Bass; Bacon Wrapped Rabbit; and Braised Oxtail and Kidney Pudding. A limited selection of desserts are offered, including- Creme Brulee; Classified Artisan cheese Platter; Wild Berry Fruit Sundae; and Valrhona Chocolate Tart.
The Weekend Brunch menu is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am until 6 pm- and in addition to favourites such as Full English Breakfast; Grilled Tomatoes & Bacon on Toast; Steak & Eggs; Omelette; etc – after 12pm a good selection from the Lunch & Dinner menus are also available. And for family groups- there is a Kids’ Specials menu – which includes soft drink and ice cream with all meal selections.
The News Room
Address: 33 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay. Hong Kong
MTR : Nearest station Quarry Bay- 3 minutes walk
Reservations: +852. 2562 3444
Website: http://www.thenewsroom.hk/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thenewsroomhk
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. ~ 12:00 a.m.
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 a.m.
Happy Hour: Monday to Friday 4:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m. 50% off selected draft beers, wines & spirits
Weekend Brunch: 10:00a.m.~ 6:00 p.m.
