Did you know that the old Thai restaurant/bar/pickup joint Klong is now called "Heat" and now located in the upscale dining district of Wan Chai? Obviously a good move to class up the joint. It caught my eye with its free spirits and champagne for ladies all night every Thursday. With an offer like that I’m almost tempted to throw on a wig and shave my legs, but then again I’m six food three and two hundred pounds, so unless I convince the bartender I'm an Amazonian warrior princess, I'd probably be footing the tab.

So it turns out all the ballyhoo about Italian restaurant Tuscany by H’s takeover of the former Va Bene space in Lan Kwai Fong was not in fact about coughing up the mysterious $600,000 per month rent – Harlan Goldstein’s wife and her uncle bought the space, leaving the bit G with a rent-free prime location. Did you think I lost my touch?

Zest restaurant has such a cool new menu I simply can't resist telling you about it, since chef Jason Black was good enough to show up at my own restaurant and challenge me to a bit of a cook-off. This man is good; better at fusing different flavors from disparate cuisines than almost anyone I know. Just go and try anything on the menu. I’m being honest here, you will taste some amazing stuff. 57 Wyndham St., Central, 2526-7993.

God strike me dead if I haven’t done enough in my three years here at the magazine to champion standalone restaurants. Last week, we put in an odd photo that wasn't exactly what I had in mind, so let me give another shout out to The Press Room (see picture) - hats off to one of the best new brunches in Hong Kong. 108 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2525-3444.

My friends are largely asshole chefs and journalists who generally suffer a weakness for a good night out once in a while. And while they'll never admit it, they're keen to join me on my next outing. Come with on my pre-Christina Aguilera concert feast? What shall we eat? Something Latin, perhaps? Read on to the next bit...

Frankly, there’s no reason why this city shouldn’t have more Caribbean restaurants, and I was fanning the flames with Havana’s Puerto Rican guest chef Michel Ramos who brought some mind-blowing flavorful new dishes to the menu. "It’s simple, but with explosive flavors," Ramos told me – and so of course I dared him to bring it on. If you have never tried roasted tomato braised pork shanks with green banana puree and Creole sauce, rectify that omission swiftly with a visit. Havana, 35 Elgin St., SoHo, 2545-9966.

Fresh rumors of restaurant openings: Union Square near the Kowloon Airport Express station opens this September with a couple of massive new restaurants by the Dining Concepts group. Look forward to an expansion of the international dining scene in Tsim Sha Tsui, as Thai-Vietnamese and Middle-Eastern/Moroccan places are due to open by September.

When I think of Bali, I tend to have flashes of big strapping Aussie lads drinking it up – not that I sought that out or anything, just seemed to happen wherever I went - serene Balinese chefs making absolutely fabulous dishes based almost entirely on rice, killer Arak Attack cocktails and $20 streetside nasi goreng. OK, it’s not quite as cheap, but check out the six new offerings at Dirty Duck, including a crab nais goreng, from $85-$125. 5/F, The Broadway, 54-42 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai, 2217-8000.

Chatting with Cafe Deco Group president Martin Allies recently, I was happy to hear that after an eight-week refitting in China, the Jumbo Kingdom boat is back in Aberdeen harbor. The Sunday brunch is still $328 for adults, $198 for kids, with unlimited bubbles and soft drinks respectively. Anyhoo there’s a new barbecue buffet every Fri & Sat night for $388 with seafood and steak with unlimited Carlsberg. Oh – new breakfast menu Sun from 9am. Call 2552-3331.

Is there no end to the madness at Lotus Thai restaurant? Chef Will Meyrick has launched yet another new menu with seared barramundi fish and palm hearts, caper berries, lemongrass topped off with chili lime dressing. Perfect for kicking off the summer season. It packs a punch, amigos, so you’re well advised to pair it up with one of the new wine selections, such as a nice crispy Sauvignon blanc or a nice buttery Chardonnay. 37-43 Pottinger St., Central, 2543-6290.It was recently my brother’s birthday, which had me thinking, what is the appropriate thing to do for a guy in his mid-thirties? Personally, I love my birthday. Being a longterm traveler, it’s the one celebration I can always count on no matter where I’m living. Well, I would suggest a good meal and a wine-addled cruise of the high seas, such as the set dinner on Le Boat: Deep Water Bay Beach, Island Rd., 2982-8321.If you didn’t know this, May 9 marks the 150th anniversary of civil rebellion against British rule in India. In what was the biggest jail-break in history, an estimated 20,000 prisoners were set free from over 40 prisons. Anyhoo, it all gives me an appetite for a good curry: the $98 all-you-can-eat at Jashan, 1/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Rd., Central, 3105-5300.

Ladies, if you like your Italian chefs, catch Michelin-star chef Valentino Marcattilii and his special menu until May 19 at Grissini (2/F, Grand Hyatt, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2588-1234).

Honey is the only food on earth that will never spoil.

Guangzhou’s best is on the menu at the following m.a.x. concepts restaurants: Jasmine (Shop 5, LG/F, Jardine House, Central, 2524-5098) and Guangzhou Garden (Shop 35, L/3, Langham Place, Mongkok, 3542-5768).

It seems Sunday brunch is back with a vengeance. The latest to re-launch is the Oyster & Wine Bar at the Sheraton Hotel (20 Nathan Rd., 2369-1111). Champers, a killer view, unlimited seafood – shall I say this is a pleasant way to spend a Sunday?

The Igor’s Group has a new card out giving discounts and special invites to members. Just ask at any of their outlets for an application.

An interesting combo: revered winemaker Albert Mann from the Alsace region of France will host two nights of wine pairings at both Chinese restaurant Lung King Heen and French restaurant Caprice. Is it madness to suggest wine with Chinese, when most people tend to order beer out of sheer habit? The answer is no, my friends. A light, delicate, fruity white wine is smashing with most Chinese seafood and starters, while a bold, gutsy red washes down a Peking duck (or duck a l’orange for that matter) with style. May 24 at Lung King Heen, Caprice May 25.

There are only two things in the world that can kill me: coconut and swordfish. But on my last trip to Africa I took a special pill and to my amazement was able to neck down pina coladas and swordfish steak to my stomach’s content. Check this: swordfish is in season from the Pacific ocean, seared with avocado and grapefruit salad or grilled with teriyaki sauce and wasabi mash at Dot Cod seafood restaurant, 10 Chater Rd., 2810-6988 – but remember it’s closed on Sundays.

Not in a million years would I have imagined making a point to visit the Novotel Citygate hotel’s Olea restaurant out in Lantau, but believe me it is worth the effort. Tranquil water pools, bamboo and views of the hills are yours courtesy of the seven-meter-high windows. And value? For $188, you get a four-hour brunch with dishes from France and Greece to Spain to Italy. Fresh homemade pasta? Check. Daily roast? Check. Chilled seafood on ice? Check. 51 Man Tung Rd., Tung Chung, Lantau Island, 3602-8818.