Replacing fine-dining favorite Pierre and perched on the panoramic 25th floor of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, The Aubrey had big shoes to fill. A collaboration between Maximal Concepts — the group behind such au courant spots as Mott 32 and Limewood — the izakaya dubs itself “eccentric,” but you should think less quirky than one-of-a-kind. It offers a sweeping set of sensory experiences, from the well-crafted cocktails to the delightful bites of sashimi to the different decors of the Curio Lounge, Drawing Room and bars, all with a view of Hong Kong’s world-famous skyline and Victoria Harbour.
Entering the all-day drinks and dining space, you walk on a literal red carpet through a long hallway, though the voluminous, decorously framed works on the dark wooden walls hint this isn’t a Zen-like austere locale. The Aubrey takes its name from Aubrey Beardsley, the remarkable (though often offbeat) illustrator who brought elegant linearity to prints inspired by Japanese woodblocks. (“Fantastic in conception…perfectly severe in execution” is how he described his work, which is also apt for the meticulously curated spaces of The Aubrey.) This gained him great fame, especially from his support of Japanisme, the 19th-century European art that imitated Japanese print styles, can be seen in later movements such as art nouveau.
The Main Bar’s hanging stemware and art-nouveau-inspired fixtures, set off against green in both ceiling plants and the Omakase Bar, are reminiscent of stepping into a well-stocked kitchen at an urban estate. The Drawing Room, chock-full of impressive smaller artworks along Victorian-style wooden walls, offers sumptuous privacy for a romantic rendezvous or a quiet drink among friends. The Curio Lounge is an airy alternative, bathed in light and showcasing artistic pieces that speak to travel and natural spaces.
No less attention has been paid to the carefully crafted cocktails, the choice of Japanese shochu and the delectable eats. Located in the heart of Hong Kong, bathed in European works inspired by Japanese artists, named for a British illustrator and providing fresh sushi, sashimi, tempura and robata grill items, The Aubrey evokes the East-meets-West cosmopolitan spirit long championed in the city.