sidewalk

I'm not much of an off-piste shopper, but when my friend Mandy comes to town I bring out the big guns. Where to take her when she's just flown in from London, has done IFC, knows Pacific Place and Princes Building like the back of her hand and half the stores in Hong Kong seem to be in a state of flux. I'm sorry, what happened this summer?

Well there was one bit of good news that's for sure. Gaye Gibson opened Sidewalk. Dilemma solved. Despite heading out that morning with promises of no spending I'm afraid Mandy and I both left Sidewalk rather heavy of hand.... but what's a girl to do? It's like a confectionery store for adults. The COLOUR! (that old chestnut again for me...) The collection is so well edited, a little like being on the ninth floor of Barneys, or in your favourite resort shop - Sandy Lane? Amanpulo? Well funny that cos Gaye is about to open in the Mandarin Oriental Resort in Sanya.

After an hour of pottering the gorgeous barista made me a pitch-perfect mocha and managed the ultimate task: a "weak latte" for Mandy. You would be amazed how many baristas around the world can't get that right. We didn't stop for lunch but the takeaway sandwiches were like something you could grab in Australia (why is there a dearth of decent Hong Kong food-to-go?), and my friend Karen tells me she ordered the best Waldorf Salad she's ever had. One-stop-shopping never looked this good.

Sidewalk: 4-6 Gough St, Central, Hong Kong