Hong Kong Welcomes Confectionary Specialists

A flurry of pastry and coffee specialists are giving Hong Kong-ers and visitors alike more reasons to linger. LMO Freshly-Baked by Richard Ekkebus has opened an outpost in the Landmark Mall. Serving up confections by Ekkebus and the pastry chef team at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, the selections include the “Purple Velvet,” a tender pain de gènes biscuit layered with blueberry crémeux, blueberry compote and Amalfi lemon cream cheese mousse. The indulgence costs $448 and serves four to six people.

Luxury shoppers might want to make fashion purchases a size up at Lane Crawford, where Rosewood’s Buttery Patisserie has a pop-up. Through July, a limited number of delicacies such as Hokkaido taro-flavored custard flans will be available in the IFC Mall. Just as sneaker stores and some New York City bakeries cap their customers’ purchases, so too is Rosewood’s Butterly Patisserie at Lane Crawford. Each person can purchase two pieces a day. But the fresh made goods are only availale until noon, provided that they don’t sell out sooner.

Executive pastry chef Jonathon Soukdeo has worked amid such talents as chef Sébastian Serveau, Meilleur Ouvrier de France chef Jérôme Chaucesse at Hôtel de Crillon, and pastry world champion chef Julien Alvarez at The Peninsula Paris. It’s worth noting that at the Rosewood, the dress code is smart casual, so no exercise or beach clothing.

Bacha Coffee, the Marrakech-based coffeehouse that dates back to 1910, has a Hong Kong outpost in Harbour City. There weary shoppers or passersby can choose from more than 200 types of 100 percent Arabica specialty coffees from 35 countries. If the coffee isn’t enough of a pick-me-up, the location has an eye-opening view of Victoria Harbour. The Hong Kong flagship offers such favorites as 1910 Coffee, Seville Orange Coffee, Happy Glanduja Coffee and Grand Moka Matari Coffee. The indecisive can take heed. There’s a Coffee Finder to help them mine a choice, based on their personal preferences.

Shoppers and other on-the-go patrons can keep moving, or they can choose to linger in the 50-seat Bacha Coffee Room. The all-day menu includes pastries like viennoiseries and croissants, as well as traditional Moroccan Kefta meatballs that are served with gravy and straw french fries and the popular Bacha club sandwich with layers of chicken, cheddar, bacon, fried egg, onion raisin confit and gherkins.