Finding a home in a beautiful shop house on Boon Tat Street in the CBD, Sum Yi Tai invites for an adventure and some mystical explorations.
“The name Sum Yi Tai means ‘Third Wife’ in Cantonese. We built a story around the wife and her habitat – somebody that lives within the concept,” says Tay Eu-Yen, who is the co-founder and CEO of Sum Yi Tai.
1980’s Hong Kong
Entering a theatre-like scenario, the restaurant bar offers insights into the past. “The connotation really is the underground glamour of 1980’s Hong Kong.”
Bright neon signs light the way, while the beautiful selected décor adds the details to an authentic time travel. “We have a wild imagination. We imagined up the person who dictates the kind of things that we do in terms of décor and language, and even the food.”
Imitating the glamour of the 1980’s Hong Kong, Sum Yi Tai’s overall interior feel may seem very dark at first, but in reality is very comforting and soothing. Beautiful chandeliers and wall lights offer just enough light to make you feel at home, while being in a mystical world at the same time.
“We could have gone very masculine, but we did want to put a bit more feminine sexiness to it, where you come and immerse yourself in the theatrics.” It is this feminine touch that makes the restaurant bar so attractive and sophisticated. The Canto-pop music, sounding in the background, makes the entire experience even more inviting and curious.
As creative as the décor and interior of Sum Yi Tai is also the menu. Designed to be shared, the Chinese tapas include candied crispy pork belly chips, fried tofu with Szechuan Ma Po Dipping Sauce as well as crispy sticky gong bo mushrooms. However, one can also find several different kinds of claypots and seafood platters to share on the menu.
Three in One
The restaurant downstairs offers wonderfully plated and delicious tapas-style dishes, making it an ideal spot of either lunch or dinner (or both). One level above is the Mona Lounge, which combines relaxing live DJ music with a chill-out atmosphere and after-work drinks. Sum Yi Tai is not only a good place for crafty cocktails, but also holds a fine selection of whiskeys that won’t leave any lover of spirits go home unhappily.
Crowning these efforts is the lofty rooftop bar with stunning views of the CBD and the surrounding skyscrapers. The comfortable and pretty furniture on the rooftop invite you to unwind, as you sip along on a glass or two of your favourite drink. Be sure to try one of their signature cocktails, such as the ‘Golden Dragon’ that comes with gin, lemons and a little bit of sugar. If you seek something slightly stronger, you will love the ‘Date a Gangster’, fuelled with whisky, Drambuie liquor, triple sec, and dates.
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Travelling, eating, and drinking his way through life, Peter is continuously hungry for more. Always looking something new and exciting every single day, his day starts before the sunrise and ends longer after the sunset.
