Star street, Hong Kong’s pre-eminent lifestyle destination.

If you still associate Hong Kong’s dining areas with the image of bustling neon lights and lines of busy restaurants and bars, then it’s time you experience something different and more stylish.

Star street precinct in Wan Chai -a few well-landscaped streets around Star Street and Three Pacific Place office tower-has been quietly transformed from a serene residential community into a cosy community of restaurants and lifestyle stores. Much like the famed Covent Garden in London and the Latin Quarter in Paris, the Star street precinct is the result of a group of visionary entrepreneurs who wont to set themselves apart from the mainstream in style.

They have chosen a non-conventional location that has not been overwhelmed by the city’s bustling pace. With a strong belief in their own concept and a high value attached to exclusivity, what used to be the location for on electrical plant in 1889 is now one of Hong Kong’s few creative lifestyle communities lined with art galleries, chic home design outlets, florists, cafes, tea bar, bistros and restaurants. The area also serves both local and expatriate communities working at Three Pacific Place and other office buildings, as well as residents in the neighboring premium residential homes. As a result, Star street has become an increasingly lively and quirky place for business lunches, after work drinks, an escape over a coffee or tea, fashionable dining, and shopping for homeware or art.

Its location plays a vital role in its continuing popularity. Within close proximity to three five-star hotels, serviced apartments and a luxury mall in Pacific Place – Hong Kong’s pre-eminent lifestyle destination, Star street fits snugly into the new urban Hong Kong.

It helps that other major streets around Pacific Place such as Queen’s Road East, Wing Fung Street and St Francis Street help contribute to the buzz of the area, besides a posh destination for lifestyle relaxation, Wan Chai is also the place where culture comes alive in Its famous adjoining landmarks such as the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Having the Star Ferry nearby and a direct link to Admiralty MTR station also means that visitors from Kowloon can enjoy easy access to this area.

An ecletic line-up of trendy boutiques, avant-garde galleries and designer lifestyle stores are scattered around the lanes along Star street. OVO’s theatrical concept store, OVO home, is filled with custom made furniture of the highest quality. With sleek sofas, innovative lighting and cool furnishings, their trademark sophisticated designs have become a favorite in Hong Kong. Just across the street, OVO GARDEN’s tranquil interior houses beautiful bouquets and tropical plants in simple yet surprisingly delightful ways, AI Joineur Family Store, original contemporary designer furniture is made using traditional Chinese wood joinery techniques and hand crafted by master craftsmen.

Agnes b. has opened its first art gallery outside of Paris on Star street, once again affirming the area’s position as a creative hub. With international photography exhibitions, local art promotions and a unique bookshop, the agnes b.’s librairie Golerie adds further diversity and international acclaim to the area. Starstreet also offers local merchandise to those who seek something different and nostalgic. Gitone Fine Arts, an art and ceramics gallery by day, becomes on artistic lifestyle kitchen in the evening, serving up a 12 course authentic Cantonese feast.

Besides shopping, Star street is also famous for having some of the city’s hippest places to eat and drink.

Besides shopping, Star street is also famous for having some of the city’s hippest places to eat and drink.

With sandwich delis, quaint cafes, contemporary teahouses and house cuisine served up in chic settings, an enticing variety of Eastern and Western hangouts waits. At one-fifth grill, prime-cut steaks and fresh seafood sizzle in the open kitchen while you slink into the deep, plush booths enjoying wine. Right above it, 1/5 one fifth ultralounge has a fantastic music scene that hosts international DJ acts regularly.

Nicely tucked away private rooms also make a sophisticated setting to enjoy their creative list of cocktails. Named after a famous movie studio, Cinecitta is Hong Kong’s most stylish Roman Italian restaurant. As fresh and tantalizing of its mouthwatering menu, it impresses customers with a glass-encased wine cellar, leather booths and on iconic bar With a glass shopfront and bistro setting, Pizza Express has established itself in the area for its delectable pizzas and semi-open patio.

Another exceptional restaurant in Star street’s tempting selection is Ingredients. Essentially French, With influences of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, all dishes are freshly prepared for a constantly changing menu. On Wing Fung Street off Star Street, epoch illy bar is a clever fusion of illy coffee tasting and Kosmic Soul music retailing. Customers can consult the DJ there and choose their own music to listen to, be updated on the music scene by the latest magazines and browse through the latest CDs on sole while they relax with a specialty coffee or healthy lunch. There is also a strong representation of Chinese cuisine, all presented in chic and delicate manners.

Ming Cha’s hip tea bar and salon enables tea lovers to celebrate a renowned selection of rare and distinguished Chinese teas in the most inspiring settings. Xi Yon Sweets presents the best Chinese Southeast Asian treats from Xi Yon’s elaborate private kitchen menu in its eye-catching red split-level restaurant.

With such a diverse offering of chic bars, fine restaurants and stylish boutiques, the dynamic area around Star street is growing rapidly with more designers and restaurant owners searching out space in the lanes. Already establishing itself as a creative community for Hong Kong’s upmarket crowd, it will not be long before Star street becomes synonymous with the city’s reputation for sophistication and creativity Together with exhibitions of inspirational art by distinguished artists from around the world at Three Pacific Place from time to time, Star street offers a uniquely pleasant experience that no other precinct can deliver.

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