Journeys Within Travel Blog

The renowned Parisian steakhouse La Vache! has officially debuted its largest-ever Hong Kong establishment in Exchange Square, marking a significant culinary addition to Central’s financial hub following the closure of the beloved Liberty Exchange. Operated by Black Sheep Restaurants, the new venue retains the bistro’s signature simple, high-quality dining experience while introducing an expanded layout designed to accommodate large social and corporate gatherings in a sophisticated yet comfortable setting. Situated at Two Exchange Square, the location promises to quickly become a central meeting spot for a refined lunch or lively evening celebration.

Maintaining Tradition with the ‘Aujourd’hui’ Menu

Patrons familiar with the La Vache! concept will find the core dining experience unchanged. The restaurant adheres strictly to its “Aujourd’hui” (Today’s) menu, a testament to culinary simplicity and perfection. Upon seating, guests are immediately presented with fresh baguette and a crisp, dressed salad. The centerpiece remains the USDA prime ribeye steak, served in traditional French style, accompanied by an endless supply of crisp, golden frites. This focused, no-fuss approach ensures consistency and quality, establishing the bistro as a reliable choice for classic French fare.

Expanded Features for the Central Clientele

The Exchange Square location distinguishes itself from its predecessors not only through size but through enhanced amenities tailored for the high-traffic area. The venue features a prominent dedication to social interaction, most notably showcased by a sizable, dedicated bar area stretching along the storefront. This design aims to recreate the conviviality of a classic Parisian zinc bar, serving as an ideal setting for after-work drinks with colleagues, friends, or dates.

To complement the drink offerings, the bar menu introduces several location-specific hearty snacks:

• The Burger Maison: An elevated cheeseburger featuring fresh brioche, caramelized onions, and melted Raclette cheese.
• La Vache! Steak Sandwich: Layers of sliced USDA aged ribeye, caramelized onions, and horseradish crème served on a robust baguette.

Designed for Group Gatherings

Recognizing the need for flexible dining options in Central, this new La Vache! iteration is specifically built to cater to large parties. The expansive main dining room includes numerous larger tables suitable for corporate lunches or sizeable dinner parties. For more intimate or private events, the venue offers two completely separate private dining rooms, providing exclusive spaces for extended celebrations well into the evening.

The new residence is located at Shop 103, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, and is already welcoming reservations. Its strategic position within Exchange Square guarantees accessibility for both residents and international business travelers. Black Sheep’s commitment to offering an authentic yet accessible Parisian dining concept in a prime location solidifies La Vache!’s status as a staple within Hong Kong’s fiercely competitive dining scene.

To secure a table, reservations can be made online via major dining platforms. The continued success of the La Vache! model—simple menu, quality ingredients, and welcoming atmosphere—suggests its newest, largest home will be a fixture in Central for years to come.

Following a catastrophic fire in Tai Po yesterday that tragically claimed 55 lives, the city of Hong Kong is observing a period of mourning, leading to the cancellation or modification of numerous weekend events and activities as organizers prioritize respect for the victims and resource allocation for ongoing recovery efforts. This societal shift is impacting everything from major international awards ceremonies to local fundraising hikes and entertainment events scheduled for November 28–30. Residents are strongly advised to check with organizers before any planned outings.

Major Events Canceled or Postponed

To relieve pressure on emergency services and demonstrate solidarity, several prominent events have been fully withdrawn from the weekend calendar:

• Oxfam Trailwalker 2025: The annual fundraising hiking event, originally set for November 28-30, has been canceled. Organizers announced on Facebook that all public funds gathered for this year’s Trailwalker will be immediately donated to aid residents affected by the Tai Po tragedy.
• Arts in the Park Night Parade: The Standard Chartered Arts in the Park, an annual performance organized by the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation and planned for November 29 and 30 in Causeway Bay, will not proceed. Rescheduling information has not been provided.
• MacPherson Stadium Concerts: Emperor Entertainment has postponed three concerts scheduled for late November: Arvin Tsang’s “Lunatique” (Nov. 28), Angela Hui’s “Glowing Tour” (Nov. 29), and Ken Hung’s “Explorer Live Tour” (Nov. 30). New dates will be announced shortly.
• Political Gatherings: Several public forums and political campaigning events related to the forthcoming December 7 elections have been suspended as a mark of respect.

Entertainment Adjusts Focus and Scale

While some major events are continuing, organizers are implementing significant changes to maintain a somber and respectful atmosphere, particularly by eliminating high-energy visual elements.

MAMA Awards 2025: The large-scale South Korean music ceremony will proceed, despite the tragedy, as many artists and production teams have already arrived in Hong Kong. However, the event will adopt a more sober tone. Stage plans and performances are being adjusted, excluding pyrotechnics and flame-like special effects. The scheduled red carpet event for November 28 has been canceled. Organizers confirmed that high-profile presenters Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh will still attend, and the ceremony will open with a minute of silence to honor the victims.

Hong Kong Disneyland Events: Several promotional activities at the resort have been halted. A special screening and an evening gala premiere for the new Zootopia 2 film, along with an appearance by Hong Kong star Joey Yung at the ‘Friendtastic’ parade, have been canceled. Tonight’s “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky” light and drone show on Main Street, U.S.A., is also canceled. As compensation for any inconvenience, guests who entered the park on November 27 using a valid ticket may use their original ticket to revisit Disneyland within the next six months.

Miriam Yeung’s Concert: Cantopop star Miriam Yeung’s “Live My Live 2025” concerts (November 29–December 2) at the Hong Kong Coliseum will continue due to production constraints, but all pyrotechnic effects have been removed. Significantly, Yeung has pledged that the proceeds from the concert’s opening night and all merchandise sales will be donated to local fundraising efforts supporting those affected by the fire.

Ticketing and Sales Postponements

In a gesture recognizing the city’s collective sorrow, some artists have temporarily paused commercial activities. Hong Kong singer Jace Chan postponed the general public ticket sales for her upcoming “Jace World” concert, originally scheduled for November 28, stating via social media that it was “not a suitable time” to proceed with the ticketing event. Her concert, however, is still planned for February 2026.

As the city grieves and recovery efforts continue, the widespread cancellation and somber modification of these events underscore a unified community response, channeling focus and resources toward assisting those devastated by the Tai Po fire. Readers seeking to contribute or find further information on community support efforts should consult official civic channels.

A devastating fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, which tragically claimed over 50 lives, has prompted the cancellation and modification of several major weekend events, as the community pauses to mourn and resources are redirected toward relief efforts. Within 24 hours of the disaster, event organizers across the city announced changes to their schedules, ranging from full cancellations of prominent races and parades to somber adjustments to international awards ceremonies. Residents are urged to confirm event status before planning outings this weekend.

The government’s focus on crisis response and a general atmosphere of public mourning have led to significant shifts in Hong Kong’s social calendar. The immediate implications for several high-profile gatherings and launches are detailed below.

Major Weekend Events Cancelled or Postponed

Two significant annual Hong Kong events, intended to raise funds and celebrate the arts, have been halted to allow for a dedicated focus on the unfolding tragedy.

Oxfam Trailwalker 2025 Cancelled: The large-scale fundraising hiking event, organized by Oxfam and scheduled for November 28–30, has been officially called off. In a move designed to facilitate government efforts and directly aid those affected, Oxfam announced the cancellation, stating it intended to ensure that emergency resources could be better allocated to the ongoing crisis. Furthermore, the organization confirmed it would donate all public funds already raised for this year’s Trailwalker directly to the residents of Tai Po impacted by the fire.

Arts in the Park Night Parade Scrapped: The annual Standard Chartered Arts in the Park celebration, known for its vibrant street performances and parade through Causeway Bay, will also not proceed. The Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation confirmed via its website that the event, slated for November 29 and 30, has been canceled entirely. There is currently no indication regarding the potential for rescheduling later this year.

Jace Chan’s Concert Ticket Sales Postponed: Hong Kong singer Jace Chan has announced a delay in the public ticket sale for her upcoming “Jace World” concert. Originally planned for November 28, the general public ticketing launch has been postponed. Chan communicated her decision via Instagram Stories, noting that it was “not a suitable time to go ahead with the ticketing event.” While the sale is on hold, her concert, scheduled for February 2026, is expected to proceed as planned.

Awards Ceremony and Political Activity Adjusted

In a display of solidarity and respect for the community, high-profile events that could not be fully canceled are proceeding with significant modifications to reflect the city’s mood.

MAMA Awards 2025 Proceeds with Alterations: The large-scale South Korean music awards ceremony, the MAMA Awards, will proceed as scheduled, given that many artists have already arrived in Hong Kong. However, organizers confirm the event will adopt a more subdued and solemn atmosphere. High-impact elements, such as pyrotechnics and flame-like special effects, have been removed from stage designs and performances.

Furthermore, while earlier rumors suggested otherwise, prominent film stars Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh are still confirmed to attend. Organizers stated that the awards show’s script and flow would be modified to “offer comfort” to the victims. Attendees should expect the show to begin with a minute of silence. Additionally, the planned red carpet event scheduled for November 28 has been canceled.

Political Campaigning Suspended: In the context of the upcoming December 7 elections, campaigning groups have also halted activities. Several public forums and political events related to the election have been suspended or canceled out of respect for the victims of the Tai Po disaster, temporarily shifting the focus away from political discourse.

Residents should check official event channels for the most current updates as the city navigates this period of mourning and recovery. Individuals seeking to assist those affected by the fire are encouraged to look into verified donation and volunteer opportunities.