Luxury Dim Sum at Hong Kong Ritz Carlton, Tin Lung Heen

Recently, I'm hooked on watching old episodes of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations - they're on repeat because it's the final season (I'm in mourning...seriously.) Bourdain and I share passions for many thing - street food, all preparations of pork, and Asia, to name a few. Last night, I watched him explore Hong Kong, one of my favorite cities in the world and my home for a brief summer. He described Hong Kong as the true foodie city, like a pinball game where the eater is exposed to an infinite amount of food options at every corer.

If Hong Kong is a  pinball game, Tin Lung Heen at the tip-top of the Hong Kong Ritz Carlton in Kowloon Bay is an elegant snooker tournament. Bourdain visited a traditional (read: noisy, crowded, and oh so delicious) teahouse for his dim sum. That's a required experience for anyone - my recommendation: Maxim's City Hall in Central Hong Kong. But sometimes I'm in the mood to enjoy my dim sum with a beautiful view and luxury ingredients, just for a little treat. I recently visited Tin Lung Heen for a dim sum lunch, and it delivers in spades. It's the perfect spot for a business meeting, a celebration, or a quiet moment to savor. 

And the flavors? As good or better than the teahouses - I'd like to think Bourdain would approve.   

{Dim Sum Menu, full of delectables}

{Tiny Bonsai Garden next to our table} 

 {Insanely decadent gold leaf Har Gow, steamed shrimp dumplings} 

 {Three Meats Barbecue Platter, including suckling pig and roast goose - crispy, salty skin perfection} 

 {Yes, more pork: A riff on the classic pork in glutinous rice, using Spanish Iberico Pork}

 {Sweet dim sum to finish - sesame balls with red bean centers, and glutinous rice treats}

Tin Lung Heen

International Commerce Centre (ICC)/the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

1 Austin Road West, Hong Hong, ph: (852) 2263 2270

Chinaful Reviews: The Park Hyatt Beijing

When I first lived in Beijing in 2004, luxury hotel options were limited.  Shangri-La hotels dominated, and while they were wonderful, a city as vast and important as Beijing needed more - it needed options.  

With the 2008 Beijing Olympics, hotel options proliferated, particularly in downtown Chaoyang and surrounding the Olympic complex.  Now, there are large luxury hotel chains, small boutiques run by both Western and Asian companies, and everything in between.  The Five Star Alliance boasts 31 luxury hotels in Beijing - one I'd love to try are the Opposite House, which I've heard from friends in amazing.

  

I recently stayed at the Park Hyatt Beijing, a hotel I used to visit weekly when I lived in Beijing for Xiu Bar for Thursday Ladies' night. (Free cosmos? Yes, please!) The Park Hyatt has an excellent reputation for serving business travelers, and my experience did not disappoint. 

Source: beijing.park.hyatt.com viaCourtney on Pinterest

The lobby on the 63rd floor welcomes you to one of the best views I've seen in Beijing, through floor to ceiling windows.  There are several restaurants in addition to Xiu Bar, and a mall with designer labels on the first few floors.  Other benefits?

• Rooms are large, and very zen - a huge tub and rain shower are a nice touch, and the closet was perfectly laid out for even a long stay.
• The electronic system is easy to use and perfect for a jet lagged traveler - with the same key pad, you can turn off all of the lights, close the blinds and pull the black out curtains.
• Comfy bed? Check.  King sized and the perfect balance of firm yet soft
• Service is fantastic - excellent English, helpful staff that endeavor to make your stay as seamless as possible.
• Breakfast is included, and delicious. Too often rooms in Asia come with a sub-par continental breakfast. Not so at the Park Hyatt.  You can choose to visit the plentiful buffet on the 66th floor, or enjoy breakfast in your room.  I tried both, and they were equally delicious.  
• Delicate balance of Beijing flavor with Western amenities is achieved. I love that the Park Hyatt endeavors to mix Beijing and Chinese aspects into all aspects of the hotel rather than abandon it to Western sensibilities. One example - they feature a full Chinese breakfast that features mainstays of a Beijing breakfast, such as a variation of the jian bing. 

My only complaint?  Cab drivers had a very difficult time finding it.  If you stay at the Park Hyatt on your next trip to Beijing, be sure to have the hotel write directions for your return in Chinese.  I had to rely on my Mandarin more than once to get back!  

Park Hyatt Beijing
2 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District
Beijing 100022
People's Republic of China
Tel: +86 10 8567 1234 
Fax: +86 10 8567 1000 
Email: beijing.park@hyatt.com