On The Sassy Mama Radar: Your Hong Kong Cultural Cheat Sheet

Need a quick shot of inspiration, mama? Here’s our pick of this month’s film, books, nights out and eats, condensed and served up in yummy bite-sized pieces just for you… sweet!

Sh*tty Mom, The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us has to be the most hilarious and inappropriate guide to modern parenting. Written by four mamas as a reaction to the Tiger Mothers that most of us have come to loathe and admire in equal measure, this book tells it how it really is. With their tongues planted firmly in cheek, these women are familiar with the reality that most of us would rather be on our smart phones than sitting through our kids’ Chinese poetry recital. If you are looking for a little validation of your crummiest mama moments, hunt this book down, and while you’re at it get copies for all your closest mama friends. It’s perfect for reading with a glass of wine while ‘working’.

If you are UK-bound, but trawling through hotel or luxury travel websites is too time consuming and expensive, The Escape List is the answer to your prayers. Launched by Sassy’s very own Jaime Rose and her friend Sam Goldman, this highly curated collection of affordable, luxury British hotels not only match their strict quality controls, but offer rooms for under £150 per night. With an initial collection of just 40 carefully selected hotels, B&Bs, inns and self catering properties throughout the UK from Cornwall to Glasgow, they also have a fantastic launch competition in place where you can win one of six UK breaks.

With a number of Oscar nominated films including Silver Linings Playbook and Beasts of the Southern Wild only opening in Hong Kong after the ceremony, take the time to see those released before. On Sassy Mama’s must see-list are Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty, which saw Jessica Chastain win best actress in a drama at The Golden Globes, Spielberg’s Lincoln and Flight. 

While we have already written about 22 Ships over on Sassy HK, Jason Atherton and Yenn Wong’s hip eatery in Wan Chai is so good it deserves another write up. The Michelin-starred chef of London’s Pollen Street Social fame, and the cutting edge restaurateur responsible for Hong Kong hotspot 208 Duecento Otto have created a no reservation, no service charge tapas bar offering diners an opportunity to experience what Atherton describes as ‘the deformalizing of fine dining.’ It’s great fun, with fantastic service and food that really hits the spot. Try the petite char-grilled Iberico pork and foie gras burgers, or the suckling pig and be prepared to return again and again.

Sassy Mamas know you can never have enough bags, but it lessens the guilt of purchasing yet another clutch when you know it’s raising money for a good cause. Kotur’s Pearce Minaudière to benefit FilmAid is a special edition of the design, that comes in gold and gunmetal versions. Proceeds from sales will benefit FilmAid, a humanitarian organisation that harnesses the power of film to bring hope and education to refugees and displaced persons in need around the globe.

Elad Lassry has developed a reputation for the wit and rigour of his investigations into how we perceive and conceive pictures. White Cube’s Hong Kong gallery currently has an exhibition of new work by Lassry, including pictures, sculptures and drawings, as well as perversely hybrid objects that radically question the distinction between these media. From now until February 9 at White Cube, 50 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong.

Want to get your groove on old-school style? Marking four decades of vinyl dance floor grooving in Hong Kong, legendary DJs Kulu, Andrew Bull, Chris Lee and Suiki Lor will be at KEE on Friday January 25 from 10pm. Non members are HK$200 with a standard drink while members are free and can bring 3 guests. For table bookings call +852 2810 9000.