NEW RESTAURANT AND BAR BOASTS HONG KONG’S ONLY VINYL SPINNING JUKEBOX AND INTRODUCES A LOW-COUNTRY BOIL
Graceland, Mong Kok’s newest neighborhood bar and restaurant, pays homage to the rich flavors, stiff drinks and warm hospitality of the United State’s most southern region. The 46-seat spot offers both indoor and outdoor seating while serving up American soul food alongside an unpretentious bar menu of easy-drinking cocktails, ciders, craft beers and iconic hits from Hong Kong’s only vinyl-spinning jukebox. Situated on Yim Po Fong St, in the heart of Mong Kok’s bustling nightlife hub, Graceland opens Monday to Friday from 4pm until late and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon and introduces a monthly Lowcountry Boil event.
FOOD
The cuisine of the Southern United States resulted from a collision of cultures during the nation’s birth and refers to the fare historically found in states south of the Mason–Dixon line including Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Carolinas and more. While the most notable influences on Southern American cooking are Native American, West African, and European, there are some parallels to Cantonese-style dining as it offers an emphasis on sharing plates, using every part of ingredients, and bringing out the deepest flavors. While Graceland is a namesake of the 13.8 acre Memphis, Tennessee estate that Elvis Presley made his home, its thematic range extends far beyond The King of Rock 'n' Roll, with their menu essentially offering a full culinary tour of the south.
Graceland’s kitchen is helmed by Tennessee native Jake Johnson. A long time restaurant veteran, Jake showcases his style of low and slow cooking with Graceland dishes such as Chicken & Dumplings (HK$125 with two sides) a homey and hearty dish hailing from North Carolina of slow-cooked and thickened chicken soup studded with biscuit-like dough balls. Country Fried Steak (HK$165 with two sides) is a schnitzel-like dish that features tenderized tenderloin steak that is breaded and fried until crispy golden brown before being smothered with a flavorful rustic gravy. Highlighting Jake’s Tennessee roots is Graceland’s Hot Nashville Chicken Sandwich (HK$135, with two sides) a crispy-fried chicken breast slathered in Nashville style hot sauce, which is a spicy paste made from cayenne and other peppers mixed with brown sugar served with cooling ranch dressing and pickles on top of a light and chewy bun. Mississippi Catfish (HK$120, with two sides) sees catfish filets bathed in a Louisiana hot sauce spiked egg wash before being dredged in corn flour, dipped into a cornmeal batter and deep-fried to a tender golden brown served along a vinegary Louisiana hot sauce. Headlining Graceland’s burger section is The Big Bopper (HK$145, with two sides) an all-beef burger topped with jalapeño poppers stuffed to capacity with melting cheddar cheese. Any restaurant embracing the American South knows that it is a region where side-dishes reign, and Graceland offers a variety of 9 different dishes including Black-Eyed Peas a slow-cooked bean dish dating back to the 17th century, South Carolina favorite Stewed Okra, Collard Greens cooked down slowly with ham hocks into a low gravy, and Old School Tater Salad which offers boiled potatoes mixed with a flavorful mayonnaise-based dressing; sides are served in twos with any mains or sandwiches, or on a platter of four (HK$80). Graceland also offers an extensive and unique Bar Snacks menu including dishes such as Country Fair Mini Corndogs (HK$75 for 6) cornmeal battered mini hot dogs served on sticks alongside american-style ketchup and mustard and Arkansa Fried Pickles (HK$75 for 6). Those uncertain what to order will be comforted by the Momma Knows Best set menu offering a “just feed me” approach to Graceland’s greatest hits (minimum of 2 people, entire table must participate HK$290 + HK$150 for free-flow beer, wine, spitzes and highballs)
"Across the world there seems to be a revived and deep interest in American Southern food culture right now, and it's because in these overprocessed times, people are hungry for anything that's real," says Jake Johnson, who is excited to introduce his home-style cooking to Hong Kong.
DRINKS
The bar at Graceland offers a place to belly up for a pint or two, some of the city’s best chicken, and great conversation. Curated by American-born but Asia-raised Niko Smirnoff who opened his first restaurant and bar Momentai (Sai Kung) at only 21 years old, the drinks menu consists of craft beers, unique ciders and appealing thematic cocktails. An array of craft beers and ciders on draught includes 2Towns Unfiltered Apple Cider (HK$70) and Stone Tangerine Hazy IPA (HK$75), alongside cans and bottles such as the 2Towns Cosmic Crisp (HK$75 at a whopping 8% ABV). Cocktails pay homage to The King with call-outs such as the Diamond Sole Spritz (HK$70) featuring gin, homemade peach soda, prosecco and vanilla; Hound Dog High Ball (HK$70) a mix of lemonade, iced tea, cherry, and vodka; and s southern favorite, the JukeBox Julep served in a branded tin cup offering bourbon, gingerbread, lychee, and fresh mint. Housemade soft drinks such as Sweet Tea and Lemonade are available alongside fabled southern soda Mountain Dew.
GOOD TIMES
Graceland is a neighborhood watering-hole pouring stiff drinks alongside toothsome food from a warmly-lit interior that’s studded with kitschy bits of ephemera and just the right amount of neon. Hong Kong’s only vinyl spinning jukebox is against the wall featuring 200 tracks of Americana throwback hits and the beer and bourbon vibe offers the ideal backdrop to endless tales of weird nights gone weirder. Happy hour is Monday to Friday 4-7pm offering snacks and drinks from $30, and the kitchen serves late, with last call at midnight for food and 2am for drinks Walk-ins are encouraged, but reservations are accepted.
Monday 31 January kicks off Graceland’s monthly Lowcountry Boil, featuring a South Carolina traditional steaming pot of crab claws, prawns and sausage alongside potatoes and corn on the cob, with unlimited side dishes and house-made iced tea and lemonades (HK$350 or $495 including beer, wine and selected cocktail pitchers). Advanced booking is required for the Lowcountry Boil.