August 10th, 2012
Grand Central Bar & Grill in Hong Kong is a stylish but casual restaurant and bar that takes its cues from the classic American sports bars and grills of New York. Serving an American style grill cuisine typical of the upper East Coast region from NYC to Boston, Grand Central also caters for the casual drinkers and sports fans with a rustic bar and drinking area and several large LCD screens showing live sports broadcasts. Grand Central occupies a two level space overlooking the open-air rotunda of the Civic Square lifestyle and dining zone of the Elements luxury mall, directly above the Kowloon MTR and Airport Express stations. Located directly adjacent to the tallest office tower in Hong Kong- the ICC building- and the numerous luxury residential towers of West Kowloon- the restaurants of Civic Square are an attractive magnet to office workers and residents wishing to dine or just hang out for drinks in the evenings. Grand Central features all-day dining with meals or snacks available from 7am on weekdays until late in the evenings.
Grand Central opened in 2010 and is one of the portfolio of quality restaurants and bars in Hong Kong operated by the Eclipse Group.
The rooftop entrance to Grand Central- overlooking the residential towers of West Kowloon
The interior of Grand Central extends over two levels- with a large internal staircase connecting the different spaces. The lower level opens directly onto the Civic Square rotunda space and features a rustic, industrial design with exposed brickwork, hardwood flooring timbers and a polished stainless steel bar counter. The bar area offers seating at the bar counter and at adjacent high tables, with a section of red leather booths on the opposite wall. A feature of the bar is the built-in Chilled Raw Bar- where daily-fresh oysters, crab, shrimps and lobster are showcased.
The upper-level functions primarily as a dining zone, with a New York “loft style” decor of high ceilings, exposed steel beams and concrete screed wall finishes. Full height glazing bathes the space in natural daylight and has a pleasant outlook over the open-space of the rotunda below. Seating options include a series of retro-style booths, plus wooden dining tables and some high tables adjacent to the compact bar counter.
The bar area of Grand Central- looking out towards the open-air Civic Square rotunda area of Elements
The main bar on the lower level of Grand Central
High-tables and red leather booths at the lower level bar
The open light well that connects the two levels of Grand Central- antique tungsten lights are suspended on cords from the upper ceiling
Antique drive-wheel patterns and sprockets that reference the industrial-era hang over the staircase well
The upper level bar and dining area- evokes a New York loft style with high ceilings and industrial elements
Dining tables and booths on the rooftop level- fully glassed facade overlooks Civic Square of Elements
Retro-style dining booths on the upper level – with concrete screed wall finishing
Highlights from the Grand Central Menu
The American “diner” style cuisine served at Grand Central is under the direction of their new Executive Chef, Keegan McLeod. Originally from South Africa, and having cooked in different areas of the world, Chef Keegan has learned to adapt his cooking techniques to both local and seasonal ingredients. The casual American grill style of cooking features the popular dishes to be found in typical diners in the New York and New England regions of the USA. The menu offers a broad selection of salads, sandwiches and burgers, and fresh seafood. The emphasis however is on the charcoal-grilled cooking style- with specialties including Wagyu burgers, USDA prime and dry-aged steaks, grilled fish and chicken.
Desserts are a specialty of Chef Keegan, and in addition to the classic over-size American desserts on the menu (recommended for sharing) such as Key Lime Pie and New York Cheese Cake, he is also proficient in developing a range of desserts that suits different dietary needs, such as gluten, sugar and egg-free treats.
Seafood Sampler for Two– 6 Oysters, half Dungeness Crab, Prawns, Tuna Sashimi, and whole Lobster.
BBQ Baby Back Ribs- signature dish at Grand Central
Blue Cheese and Bacon Burger– gourmet burger served with fries
Homemade Classic Key Lime Pie
From the Drinks Menu
The beverages selection at Grand Central includes draft beers and a large variety of imported bottled beers – many sourced directly from micro-breweries and artisan brewers. The list of ten “Kick Ass” beers is an on-going promotion at the bar of Grand Central. The Drinks List also features a good range of wines- both by the glass and bottle- selected to compliment the dishes served from the kitchen. The cocktails feature classics such as Bloody Mary, Manhattan, Pina Colada, and a variety of Martinis; and also the signature “Iceberg Martinis”– with flavours such as Apple, Ginger, Lychee and Pineapple, topped with liquid nitrogen for dramatic effect.
Non-alcoholic, fresh fruit mocktails, and the signature GC Punch are refreshing alternatives and popular with families and children.
The ten “Kick Ass” Beers. Bottles from Belgium, Germany, USA, Australia, UK & Canada
Bloody Mary– classic cocktail packs a punch! Made from secret recipe
Iceberg Pineapple Martini– fresh pineapple with vodka, Orange Curacao, pineapple juice, and dash of syrup
Grand Central Signature Punch ( non-alcoholic)
Grand Central Bar & Grill
Address: Shop R001, Civic Square @ Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Hong Kong
MTR: Kowloon station – Exit- Elements- 3 minutes walk.
Reservations: +852. 2736 4888
Website: www.grandcentralhk.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/grandcentralbarandgrill
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday : 7:00 am ~ 12:00 am Saturday & Sunday 11:00 am ~ Late
Promotions:
Happy Hour: Monday to Friday- 25% off between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm Selected beers, house wines and spirits & complimentary mini-hamburger and buffalo chicken wings as snacks
