Let's start from the beginning. What brought you to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has always been one of my favourite cities in the world. I used to travel here frequently for business and leisure, and it always reminded me of Beirut-with its bustling streets, terrains and authentic eateries on narrow streets. I quickly grew an attachment and connection to Hong Kong, because of its familiar warmth and energy. I moved here 12 years ago.
How did you get into the restaurant business?
I have a deep attachment to my home country of Lebanon. One of the things we are most proud of as a country is our cuisine. Lebanese culture is deep and rich, and its cuisine resembles its culture and diversity. Sumac was always my favourite Lebanese restaurant in Hong Kong, and I wanted to invest in the restaurant and bring this passion of mine to the next level.
It's my mission to educate people about Lebanese cuisine and culture in Hong Kong, especially those that aren't familiar with it. Major cities like London, Paris and Melbourne offer a wide range of Lebanese cuisines, from cafés to high-end restaurants, and I am confident that Hong Kong can do the same.
Sumac opened in Hong Kong 13 years ago. Why did the team decide to open here in the first place?
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE LAST WORD
Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Takashi Murakami
GOING WITH THE FLOW
How does one approach the ancient philosophy of feng shui in a modern way? Three leading Hong Kong-based designers share their thoughts on this revered art of placement and how to introduce its principles into our spaces
SCENE MAKER
Italian architect Antonio Citterio reflects on his enduring collaboration with Maxalto and how far the furniture brand has come since its early beginnings
MODERN FAMILY
Kourtney Kardashian's California sanctuary by famed designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, is where elegance meets comfort
A TO Z COSMETIC TREATMENTS
From Botox to glass skin facials, here are the most talked-about cosmetic treatments to know
CHANGING THE GAME
Our world is ever-changing, and so is the way we experience it. Tatler explores how the travel industry is adapting to the needs and values of a new generation
ACTS OF SERVICE
Go on, then. Ask Vea and Wing's chef-owner Vicky Cheng what his love language is
THE BIRTH OF A MOVEMENT
More women are taking back their birthing experience and their power by challenging the institutionalised norms surrounding childbirth, honouring the healing process and leaning on the magic of sisterhood
THE RIGHT INGRDIENTS
Oscar nominee Tran Anh Hung, who won Best Director at Cannes last year, evolves the language of cinema to present the simple beauty of Vietnam
THIRST TRAP
Marilyn Minter takes an exclusive self-portrait for Tatler and reminds the world why raw, honest, non-conforming beauty is the most compelling kind