In The Know with Diana d’Arenberg

I have conversations with artists, architects, and designers, see lots of art and design around the world, and then I write about it. This is all done while consuming liberal amounts of coffee. When I’m not doing that I play my bass guitar and sing with Hong Kong band, The Belfies.

I like the little dai pai dong Beijing Dumplings on Wellington Street for delicious dumplings (they have vegetarian too). I am also constantly on the lookout for the best tacos in town– that’s my comfort food. I’m still waiting to find something that surpasses the taco van outside LACMA in LA, but Brickhouse, Chicha and Little Burro in Sheung Wan have pretty good tacos.

I’ve also been known to wind up at the falafel bar on Hollywood Rd on more than one occasion after late night drinks. You wake up smelling like fried chips and garlic sauce the next morning, but I swear at the time you’ll think they’re the best thing you’ve ever eaten. Best done after you’ve lost all dignity and downed half a dozen vodkas.

Chinese food at Man Wah in the Mandarin is one of my favourites. Always such impeccable and friendly service, and the food is fantastic. For Italian, Otto Mezzo is amazing! I love their truffle pasta (and martinis)!

Usually we would catch up with friends over some drinks at one of the city’s many bars. There are new ones popping up every week it seems. I like Blackbird (whisky) and Origin on Hollywood Rd.

An old favourite is Club 71 in a quiet back alley off Hollywood Rd. Cheap gin tonics, an assortment of interesting characters- writers, journos, locals- stray cats, and memorable conversations.

My hubs and I hang out on our rooftop (its such a gorgeous view, why leave the house?) or jam together in the music studio to relax and ‘get away from everything’. I also ride my horse several times a week in Clearwater Bay. The stables are by the water and on sunny days it’s beautiful. For a nice weekend hike we like to go to the twins or Dragon’s Back. Beautiful scenery.

I like to check out all the new little design shops around Sheung Wan. We kick back with some coffee, grab some cake and walk around seeing what new little shops, street art and projects have cropped up. Wong Chuk Hang also has a cool shop called Editus– great stuff for men and women and there is also vintage furniture and design, as well as a café (bonus!). Also, the shops around Noho are cool and fun to check out.

I regularly pop in to the art galleries in the Pedder Building to see what’s new, or in the industrial areas of Wong Chuk Hang or Chai Wan- they are teeming with galleries and cool little cafes.

For music, I am a big fan of Hidden Agenda, an underground industrial live music venue in Kwun Tong. We recently saw Blixa Bargeld and Teho Teardo performing there with the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble and it was incredible! As a former sax player I have a soft spot for jazz, so I enjoy checking out local acts at the Peel Fresco, Gecko Lounge, and Orange Tree.

For films, I find the lack of cinemateques and art house cinemas in Hong Kong lamentable. You have to book in advance to see X-Men, or whatever, and you rarely get to see new international indie flicks or old archive art house films. We just create our own rooftop cinema at home.

A fitted cheongsam from Linva tailors in Central. They’re elegant and flattering and you’ll wear them for years to come.

Eat at a hole in the wall dai pai dong. Visit the Mong Kok flower market during peony season. Go on a weekend hike to the Twins or Drgaon’s Back mountain. Shop in a wet market for food. Check out the industrial areas of Chai Wan and Wong Chuk Hang.

Listen to Diana’s Urban Night Run playlist on our Tribute Hotels Spotify Channel.