As an art lover, Chef May chose to open her place away from the city, in an airy space adorned by artworks on loan from the gallery nearby. Tables are well spaced out, but consider booking a private room for special occasions. Fujian cuisine prevails on the menu and most ingredients are shipped straight from the province. Specialities such as the umami-loaded sea worm jelly and the aromatic Xiamen ginger duck stew are well executed.

Besides river views and stunning murals, Hongtu Hall is prized for its exquisitely crafted dim sum ranging from the classics to novel creations, as well as velvety congee and juicy roast meats. Make sure to try their shrimp dumplings and shrimp shaomai. Tableside tea service is also a nice touch. The restaurant is always busy during opening hours and reservations are accepted for guests staying in the hotel only. Other customers have to simply join the queue.

The elegant, relaxing interior, which showcases a happy marriage between East and West, has recently been refurbished to suit the tastes of a younger generation. Its Cantonese fare strikes a balance between tradition and creativity, with timeless classics sitting comfortably next to novel seasonal offerings. The techniques are varied, but always impeccable. The dim sum lunch features exquisite gems; roasted Wenchang Chicken with flaxseeds is also a must-try.

The kitchen team never fails to deliver quality dishes thanks to inspired insights and honed skills. The must-try black pepper mud crab exudes an intoxicating aroma and seafood flavour, while double-boiled fish maw soup with shark bones warms the heart and soul. Their dim sum lunch is to die for – deftly crafted translucent rice noodle rolls and tofu skin rolls stuffed with shrimps and chives.