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'.
Macaroni cheese
Sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce, date ice-cream
Roasted sirloin steak, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream
Beef burger extraordinaire
Macaroni cheese
Avocado on wheat toast
Herb-roasted chicken, bread sauce, roasted carrots, creamed mash
Iberico pork rack
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
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Manin joined Classified Group (previously Press Room Group) in 2011 and was promoted to General Manager of The Pawn in 2014. A well-seasoned hospitality professional with a strong background in both hotel and luxury independent establishments, Manin oversees all operations of The Pawn. With an eye for detail and a love for good food and wine, this Korean ensures no detail is missed.
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 ;)
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 very own Mixologist from Russia, Kirill Runkov who has been awarded several international accolades. Starring artisan hand-crafted cocktails using only the finest spirits, special weekend concoctions that change on a regular basis, and DJ’s every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the Botanicals bar makes for a perfect after-work venue.
Bar drinks served Sunday to Thursdays
from 12:00pm to 1:00am
Friday to Saturdays
from 12:00pm to 2:00am
Served Saturdays and public holidays from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
On Sundays from 11:00am 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*
Served Mondays to Fridays from 12:00pm to 2:30pm
Reduced a la carte also available at lunch
Served Saturdays and public holidays from 12:00pm to 2:00pm (free flow ends at 2:30pm)
On Sundays 11:00/11:30am – 1:00/1:30pm & 1:30pm to 2:30pm (free flow ends at 3:30pm)
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.
BREWERY
Founded by husband-and-wife team Laszlo and Michele Raphael, Moonzen Brewery is a family-run nanobrewery born from a passionate love for beer and inspired by the creative and collaborative spirit of the craft-beer community. All Moonzen beers are 100% natural, unpasteurised and living. Each bottle contains live yeast for a slow fermentation in the bottle - a process that provides marvelous fresh flavors and develops over time, much like a fine wine. This not only makes the beer taste better, but healthier too.
Every beer has a story and The Pawn is proud to serve three craft brews - The Pawn’s Pale Ale, The Pawn’s Botanical Bitter and The Pawn’s Colonial IPA - made exclusively for The Pawn by Moonzen Brewery.
