Journeys Within Travel Blog

Black Sheep Restaurants has brought back its acclaimed winter-exclusive pop-up, Chalet des Alpes, to Central, Hong Kong, offering city residents an immersive European holiday experience without leaving the metropolitan area. Now in its third year, the seasonal venue at 18 Shelley Street mimics a traditional, warm Alpine lodge, providing a convivial setting and hearty, traditional fare through January 15. The concept, designed to encapsulate quintessential holiday ambiance, caters to those seeking a festive retreat amidst the dense urban landscape.

The dining experience centers on a fixed-price menu ($1,088 per guest) showcasing classic Alpine gastronomy renowned for its rich flavors and comforting textures. Guests begin with festive starters, including salade de Mâche garnished with savory bacon bits, a carefully curated charcuterie board featuring pickles and mustard, and the much-anticipated raclette, served molten over potatoes and pickled pearl onions. The main course is a highlight: an irresistible cheese fondue crafted from a blend of Gruyère and Emmental cheeses, accompanied by cubed sourdough bread perfect for dunking. Those with capacity remaining can conclude the indulgence with a rich chocolate tart topped with Chantilly cream.

Enhancing the Merriment with Festive Libations

To elevate the celebratory atmosphere, Chalet des Alpes offers optional free-flow beverage packages. For an additional $200 per person, guests can enjoy a selection that includes aromatic mulled wine, sommelier-selected wines, and Heineken beer. For those seeking premium options, an upgrade of $600 per person provides unlimited servings of N.V. Gosset Extra Brut Champagne and a variety of classic holiday cocktails.

Beyond the culinary offerings, the pop-up incorporates a playful social element inspired by après-ski culture. Each evening, the dining group judged to have the best après-ski outfits is awarded nightly prizes. Diners are encouraged to embrace the theme by donning ski overalls, fuzzy hats, and oversized ski goggles, fostering a fun, communal dining environment.

Securing Your Alpine Escape

The Chalet des Alpes residency taps into a core desire for immersive holiday experiences, particularly in locations where seasonal travel is restricted or complex. By meticulously recreating the aesthetic and culinary traditions of the European Alps, Black Sheep Restaurants provides a localized solution for festive escapism, transforming a sliver of Central Hong Kong into an accessible winter destination.

Reservations and detailed menu information for this exclusive dinner can be found on the official Chalet des Alpes website. Given the limited duration, strong demand is anticipated for the tables, particularly during peak holiday weeks. This temporary transformation of the urban environment highlights the innovative ways lifestyle and dining outlets in Hong Kong are creating unique, high-value experiences for residents during the festive season.

Following the devastating incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Tsz Shan Monastery, a prominent Buddhist institution, has significantly increased its daily visitor quota and launched specialized memorial services to offer spiritual and emotional support to the victims, their families, and the wider community. From the present day until December 6, coinciding with the traditional seven-day Buddhist mourning period, the monastery is hosting dedicated services, establishing memorial tablets before the revered Guanyin statue, and providing onsite counseling services for those affected.

The initiative provides a sanctuary for residents grappling with shock and loss. Located amidst the serene Tai Po mountains, the monastery is opening its gates to people of all faiths, welcoming them to seek comfort and reflection within its tranquil gardens.

Spiritual and Emotional Support Extended

Understanding the profound mental toll of such a disaster, Tsz Shan Monastery has established a temporary Spiritual Counselling Centre. This center is staffed by professional social workers and trained volunteers, offering essential emotional and spiritual guidance. Beyond traditional counseling, the monastery has curated a suite of activities designed to facilitate healing:

• Prayer Zone: A dedicated area for silent reflection and prayer for the repose of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.
• Sound Healing Sessions: Therapeutic acoustic experiences aimed at promoting relaxation and mental tranquility.
• Expressive Arts and Crafts Workshop: Creative outlets allowing visitors to process grief and emotions non-verbally.

This comprehensive approach addresses both immediate emotional distress and the deep spiritual need for communal mourning following a tragedy. Visitors are encouraged to utilize these resources to find internal peace amidst external chaos.

Attending the Memorial Services

The special memorial services are scheduled to take place daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until December 6. Due to enhanced visitor quotas, individuals wishing to participate in person must register online beforehand through the official Tsz Shan Monastery website (tszshan.org). Admission is contingent on available space and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Recognizing that many may not be able to attend physically, the monastery is ensuring broad access to the services through digital platforms. The entire service schedule is being live-streamed via the monastery’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel, allowing the wider public to participate in the collective grieving and prayer from anywhere.

Tsz Shan Monastery is situated at 88 Universal Gate Road, Tai Po. By opening its doors and proactively offering multifaceted support—ranging from formal spiritual rites to accessible emotional counseling—the institution is utilizing its unique resources to serve as a vital anchor for collective mourning and recovery in Hong Kong during this difficult time. This compassionate response underscores the critical role spiritual institutions play in community resilience and healing after a major trauma.

Hong Kong’s vibrant culinary scene continues to mobilize support following the recent devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, with Black Sheep Restaurants organizing a special fundraising event. The leading dining group announced that renowned Chef ArChan Chan will host an exclusive charity dinner at its Peng Leng Jeng venue on December 4. All proceeds from the $500-per-person event will be directed to relief efforts assisting affected residents. This initiative is part of an ongoing city-wide effort to provide aid to the community impacted by the tragedy.

Community Commitment Drives Culinary Action

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, which saw widespread injury and displacement, Hong Kong residents and businesses demonstrated remarkable solidarity. Black Sheep Restaurants quickly offered condolences and a tangible commitment to assistance, underscoring the deep connection the organization feels toward the city.

The dining group shared its sentiments on social media, emphasizing, “Hong Kong is our home, and we are heartbroken for the Tai Po community. Our song has always been about community and that commitment compels us to take action.”

Beyond the planned charity dinner, the group immediately acted by contributing a significant sum from its philanthropic arm, the Black Sheep Family Fund. A donation of $100,000 has already been made to support essential relief services. Furthermore, to maximize community participation, all restaurants under the Black Sheep Restaurants umbrella are offering patrons an optional $10 donation to the relief fund, which is added to their checks.

A Night of Classic Hong Kong Cuisine

The one-night-only charity event at Peng Leng Jeng promises a nostalgic culinary journey rooted in classic Hong Kong flavors. Chef ArChan Chan will prepare a menu featuring beloved dai pai dong classics, offering diners a taste of authentic local street food culture while contributing to a crucial cause.

The menu for the fundraising dinner includes a curated selection of favorites:

• Deep-fried salt and pepper tofu
• Typhoon shelter corn
• Black peppered beef and potatoes in honey sauce
• Pork lard rice topped with sweet soy sauce

To complement the rich flavors, the dinner will also feature bottomless wine and beer, ensuring a festive atmosphere dedicated entirely to philanthropy.

How to Support Relief Efforts

The charity dinner represents a key opportunity for the public to directly contribute to the recovery of victims from the Wang Fuk Court fire. Reservations for this special December 4 event are highly sought after and can be secured through Black Sheep’s booking system.

For those unable to attend the dinner, supporting relief efforts through the $10 optional check donation at Black Sheep restaurants remains a simple and effective method. These coordinated efforts by the city’s business sector underscore the resilience and communal spirit necessary for recovery following a major urban incident. As Hong Kong continues to manage the long-term impact of the fire, the collective action by organizations like Black Sheep Restaurants provides both financial relief and a valuable message of support to those rebuilding their lives.