WorkSmart Asia: to go

24 May 2025

LMO Freshly Baked welcomes Bar Leone as second Tastemaker

Source: Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark Hong Kong. Left: spinach ricotta pie; right: Italian chicken salad from Bar Leone as part of The Tastemaker Series.

After the success with Yardbird in May, LMO Freshly Baked at Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark Hong Kong continues its Tastemaker Series this June with Bar Leone. Recently named Asia’s Best Bar 2024 and ranked No. 2 on The World’s 50 Best Bars, Bar Leone is renowned not only for cocktails but also for food. The bar is expected to bring Roman flair to the LANDMARK Atrium with a menu of comfort-driven dishes created exclusively for LMO Freshly Baked.

"The Tastemaker Series is about showcasing the diversity and excellence that make Hong Kong a world-class dining destination," said Chef Richard Ekkebus, Director of Culinary Operations & Food & Beverage at Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark Hong Kong, and curator of The Tastemaker Series.

"Bar Leone’s distinctive approach and reputation as a local and international favourite and its ability to connect with Hong Kong’s discerning dining crowd and cultural spirit embody exactly what this series is all about. We're proud to collaborate with Lorenzo and his team, and even more proud that every dish contributes to a meaningful cause."

Bar Leone at LMO Freshly Baked (2–28 June)

Founded by bartender Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone has redefined what a neighbourhood drinking experience can be. Now, Antinori brings that same approachability to the bakery counter with three exclusive dishes that reflect Bar Leone’s playful but refined culinary identity:

Spinach ricotta pie (HK$78)
Vegetarian option, made with ricotta, spinach and organic egg, ideal for a summer snack.

Italian chicken salad (HK$98)
A chicken salad with cherry tomatoes, basil, capers, parmesan reggiano and Bar Leone's smoked olives.

Tramezzini tonno e pomodoro sandwich (HK$88)
Sandwich made with Japanese milk bread, white tuna salad and vine tomatoes – a Roma signature.

"In my family, food was always what brought everyone together. That’s something we try to capture at Bar Leone — comfort, connection, and a sense of place. So when Chef Richard asked me to be part of The Tastemaker Series, I didn’t hesitate. It’s a chance to share flavours from my childhood while supporting a cause that matters," said Antinori.

The Tastemaker Series celebrates the city’s top homegrown culinary talent. Each month, a different icon is invited to reinterpret their flavours in a casual, grab-and-go format while contributing to a meaningful cause: MINDSET, the registered charity of the Jardine Matheson Group focused on raising awareness and transforming perceptions of mental health.

Each item in The Tastemaker Series reflects the high standards of Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark Hong Kong and the creativity of its partners. For every item sold, HK$10 is donated to MINDSET.

Details

Each collaboration runs for four weeks, with a new partner introduced monthly from May to September 2025. Details on the exclusive creations from Bar Leone, The Chairman, TATE Dining Room and Little Bao will be revealed throughout the campaign period.

LMO Freshly Baked

LANDMARK Atrium
Address: Shop 233-234, 2/F, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road, Central
Monday to Friday | 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday | 10 am to 7 pm
+ 852 2132 0188, or email lmhkg-restaurants@mohg.com

5 May 2025

LMO Freshly Baked launches The Tastemaker Series

Source: Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark Hong Kong. Left: chicken schnitzel sandwich. Right: Yardbird caesar salad.

Chef Richard Ekkebus, Director of Culinary Operations & Food & Beverage of Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark Hong Kong, is celebrating the city’s most renowned restaurants and bars through the launch of The Tastemaker Series - a limited-time collaboration spotlighting five of Hong Kong’s most iconic culinary talents.

Each month from May to September, a new partner will debut exclusive grab-and-go dishes, reinterpreting their signature flavours in a casual format designed for Central’s on-the-move crowd, exclusively for LMO Freshly Baked.

The five collaborators are:

- Yardbird (May)

- Bar Leone (June)

- The Chairman (July)

- TATE Dining Room (August)

- Little Bao (September)

Each month, guests can enjoy a limited-time menu of sandwiches, soups, salads or pies, all crafted with the same attention to detail and ingredient integrity these venues are known for. While each collaboration reflects the individual identity of its contributor, the series represents a unified celebration of Hong Kong’s world-class food and beverage scene.

"The Tastemaker Series celebrates the extraordinary talent that defines Hong Kong as one of the world’s most exciting culinary capitals," said Chef Ekkebus.

"Many of these icons have reshaped modern dining and mixology in Hong Kong, and here, they reinterpret their craft in an approachable, everyday format. What makes this series even more meaningful is that all five collaborators are homegrown brands, each one shaped by Hong Kong’s distinctive culture, energy, and evolution as a global dining destination. We’re honoured to provide this platform at LMO Freshly Baked and to contribute to our community through MINDSET."

LMO Freshly Baked is kicking off the series in May with one-Michelin-star Yardbird, the modern izakaya that has shaped a new era of casual dining in Hong Kong since its opening in 2011. Founded by Matt Abergel and Lindsay Jang, Yardbird earned cult status for its beak-to-tail Three Yellow chicken skewers grilled over binchotan charcoal.

Exclusively available from 6 to 31 May, items will include the Yardbird caesar salad (HK$88) with crispy jako* and nori, the chicken schnitzel sandwich (HK$88) with cabbage and sesame kewpie*, and the Three Yellow chicken meatball soup (HK$58) made with Yardbird’s signature homemade meatballs, negi*, and myoga ginger.

Beyond the plate, the initiative also supports MINDSET, the registered charity of the Jardine Matheson Group focused on raising awareness and transforming perceptions of mental health. For every item sold, HK$10 will be donated to support MINDSET’s programmes and partnerships in the community.

LMO Freshly Baked at the LANDMARK Atrium branch, opened in March 2025, has quickly become known for its pastries, sandwiches, and soups crafted by the hotel’s culinary team.