Housed in one of Hong Kong's most iconic landmarks and considered a historical site dating back to 1888, The Pawn brings you an exciting restaurant and bar concept in a unique space that was once the famous Woo Cheong pawnshop. After extensive renovations in the summer of 2014, The Pawn reopened in collaboration with celebrated British chef, Tom Aikens and now offers both traditional and modern British cuisine across two floors, the 'Botanicals' bar and second floor 'Kitchen'.
CULINARY DIRECTOR
Our intention is to serve dishes that not only appeal to local diners, but also travellers and foodies. Above all, we want to create a fun dining experience and a relaxed, informal environment.
Tom has been cooking since the age of 16. Born in 1970 in Norwich, he was inspired by his father and grandfather who were both wine merchants. He tagged along on their exploratory trips throughout France sampling the best of the different regions have to offer and was hooked. After studying at Norwich City College Hotel School he forged a career in cooking at legendary establishments that included Pierre Koffmann’s Tante Claire, as it won its third Michelin star, and London hotspot, Pied à Terre, when it gained a second star, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most exciting chefs. At 26 he was the youngest British chef ever awarded two Michelin stars.
Tom is dedicated to serving only the highest quality, ethically sourced ingredients and continually supports The Environmental Justice Foundation to raise awareness of illegal ‘pirate’ fishing and diminishing fish stocks. The celebrated chef has made several appearances on television and reached the final banquet of 2013’s Great British Menu on BBC2 in aid of Comic Relief. Tom works closely with various charities including the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Campaign, Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and School Food Matters, where he teaches young children basic cooking skills. Tom has written three books, Cooking (2006), Fish (2008), and Easy (2011), and has collaborated with designer David Linley on a beautiful range of kitchenware.
The Pawn underwent extensive renovations in July 2014 and reopened three months later under the culinary direction of Tom Aikens with a refreshed menu, design and mission.
Catch Tom in our kitchens for a week every three months!
GENERAL MANAGER
RESTAURANT MANAGER
HEAD CHEF
BAR MANAGER
A true Italian by heart, Nicoletta (a.k.a. Niki) is our fun-spirited manager who leads both bar and restaurant teams and ensures the day-to-day run smooth. Niki has worked for Rosewood Hotels as well as for Jason Atherton in London and joined The Pawn in early 2015.
With a true passion for the industry and a strong work ethic, this tatted lady will ensure you have a good time with us!
Fact: have her suggest a cocktail and you’ll be dancing around the bar in no time ;)
You will probably recognise this familiar face. Kevin, our Restaurant Manager, has been with The Pawn for 3 years. With a passion for hospitality and a strong background in hotel management, Kevin leads and trains the restaurant team and ensures that guests have an unparalleled dining experience.
Fact: He knows a thing or two about wine. Ask him to recommend a food and wine pairing!
Chris joined The Pawn in 2015 as our Head Chef to run the daily kitchen operations and ensures food quality is up to standard, while working closely with The Pawn's Culinary Director, Tom Aikens.
Fact: When he's not leading the kitchen team, he's got his eyes on the target playing competitive darts!
Half-Australian and Half-Papua New Guinean, Tunny comes from an interesting background and has worked in Australia, Cuba, London, and around Asia.
With a strong understanding of mixology and team culture, Tunny leads the bar team and ensures to tantalise your taste buds to help you slide into the perfect mood for your night.
Fact: Ask him about volcanoes, diving, tribal life, and he'll happily join you for a great conversation!
The first floor Botanicals bar is a unique living room like space featuring different indoor and outdoor seating areas and two bars run by our Bar Manager, Tunny Grattidge. Starring artisan hand-crafted cocktails using only the finest spirits, special weekend concoctions that change on a regular basis, and DJ’s every Friday and Saturday, the Botanicals bar makes for a perfect after-work venue.
Bar snacks served Sunday to Thursday
from 2:30pm to 11:00pm
Friday to Saturday
from 2:00pm to 12:00am
Bar drinks served Sunday to Thursday
from 5:00pm to 1:00am
Friday to Saturday
from 5:00pm to 2:00am
Saturday and Public Holidays from 12:00pm to 2:30pm
Sundays from 11:30am to 2:30pm
The second floor Kitchen offers an open and casual-chic environment with balconies overlooking Johnston Road. The open kitchen provides an interactive ambiance and the warm interiors of the dining room encourage a relaxed dining experience.
With both more traditional dishes and refined modern British cuisine, the menus offer a diverse variety of Tom’s creations.
*For any specific dietary requirements, kindly notify us at least 24 hours in advance*
Monday to Friday
12:00pm to 2:30pm
Reduced a la carte also available at lunch
Saturday and Public Holidays
12:00pm to 2:00pm
Sunday all day brunch
11:30am to 10:00pm
A la carte available from 6pm onwards
CURATOR
Stanley Wong, also known as anothermountainman, has worked in the creative industry for over 34 years and is the recipient of more than 600 Asian and international awards for his art, design, photography and advertising work.
Inspired by the emotional, colourful history of Hong Kong and the story of a city in transition Wong’s will you come back… exhibition is as much an attempt to chart the past as it is an attempt to savour the present, as well as explore an imagined future. Made up entirely of art by Hong Kong artists, the permanent collection includes pieces hand-picked by the curator from The Pawn’s founders’ existing collections as well as pieces commissioned specifically for this project.
BRANDING
Max Dautresme started his career with the prestigious Christian de Portzamparc, atelier of architecture in Paris, and later spent several years in New York, Miami, Shanghai and Hong Kong with TBWA, Ogilvy & Mather and DDB. In 2011 he established the branding and design consultancy agency Substance in Hong Kong, now with a presence in Paris and Stockholm.
The Pawn's new brand identity springs from Tom Aikens's gastronomic philosophy and has a strong focus on botanicals and nature. The logo changes seasonally, bearing summer fruits from March and winter flowers after September. The design is heavily rooted in the name and history of the building, which is represented by upside-down bat, symbolising fortune and prosperity, holding a coin.
RESTAURANT FURNITURE DESIGN
Michael Young graduated from Kingston University in 1992 and quickly became one of the UK’s most sought-after young designers. Revered institutions such as the Conran shop and the Pompidou Museum began demanding his work. He became known in the industry as a sophisticated minimalist acclaimed for his elegant, pared-down design, which was in direct opposition to the elaborate style dominating London at the time.
After nearly a decade working across the UK and Iceland, Michael set up a studio in Hong Kong in 2006. Today Michael Young Studio is considered to be one of the most exciting and formidable design companies operating in Asia, responsible for designing award-winning icons for its clients that last a lifetime and are presented in museums globally.
OUTFITS
Founded in 1771, Gieves & Hawkes is located at the remarkable and prestigious address “no. 1 Saville Row”. With unbroken service to the British Monarchy for over two centuries and proudly carrying three Royal Warrants of Appointments to HM the Queen, HRH Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Prince of Wales. Gieves & Hawkes takes inspiration from a rich archive and history while also drawing on over two centuries of craftsmanship and innovation. Today Gieves & Hawkes, as the purveyor of quintessential English style, combines heritage with modernity to produce crafted clothes for the modern gentleman.
Keeping in line with the British background and modern British food concept, our male management is dressed in Gieves & Hawkes suits.
