Social Place

The real social deal

 Flaming pineapple

Social Place is a mini restaurant chain in Hong Kong spreading across 3 sites. It is aiming toward a younger generation with a modern concept that uses classic Chinese cooking methods and blending in South East Asian cuisine characteristics with a creative touch. It is extremely popular with the locals with its fun and ever-changing dishes, providing major talking points for diners and created a real buzz on social media. while it is such a trendy venue, but what really matters to me is the taste, as you can fool people only once if the taste failed to match up the concept or the cost, so it was time for me to test the water when a local friend suggested to try it out with me.

Social Place Hong Kong

Charcoal custard buns

Chinese curry with beef brisket and pineapple

The dim sum here is mostly classic with a modern twist, the charcoal custard buns were outstanding, the filling was packed with sweet umami taste and I would rate it better than the classic version, great start. The house special flaming pineapple was a clever take on a Pan-Asian dish, pineapple stuffed with seafood stir-fried rice. But Social Place has taken out the rice content and switch it to a Chinese creamy curry with beef brisket and fresh pineapple, the spicy and sweet profile were perfectly balanced, as was the beef, very tender and I really enjoy the fruity taste of the pineapple to offset the richness of the curry. The salted baked king prawn was another solid dish, well seasoned and finished off with a little bit of heat on your table. The prawns were so moist and loaded with some intense savory aroma.

Salt baked king prawns

Crispy and juicy:P

Steamed grouper with chill soy

Social Place is the real deal for me, it wasn't all just gimmick or marketing, the actual taste also really delivered. I can now understand why this is such a popular place, it was buzzing on the evening I was there, mostly the younger generation in their 20s and early 30s, I can see such concept would do amazingly well in the US and UK. Be aware as it is an extremely casual venue, the waiters would serve up the dishes to your table as soon as they are ready by the chefs, and the tables are closely packed together. Social Place is best for a group of friends rather than a family outing that is for sure.



Food 3.5/5

What I paid: 
£27 per head

Average cost without drinks and services :
£25

The L. Place, 139 Queen's Road Central, Central

http://socialplace.hk/

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