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Invest Hong Kong welcomes the business expansion of three foreign restaurant chains in Hong Kong that have recently opened four international restaurants including Bulldog's Bar & Grill Kowloon, Don Juan Mexican Restaurant, Red Stone Bar & Grill and Outback Steakhouse, at Tsim Sha Tsui Centre. Owners of the restaurants vowed to turn the seaside neighbourhood into a modern dining hub named "Al Fresco Lane".
Mr Paul Buxton, Managing Director of Great Vision Company Limited said, "Hong Kong is renowned for its wide variety of cuisines and vibrant city life. In order to capture this attractive business opportunity, I decided to set up the second Bulldog's Bar & Grill on Tsim Sha Tsui East shore. This venue has the world-famous harbour view as a backdrop and is located in a business and tourist centre in Hong Kong."
Mr Colin Smith, Managing Director of Down Under the Steak House Limited remarked, "We are thrilled to open Don Juan Mexican Restaurant and Red Stone Bar & Grill at 'Al Fresco Lane'. Hong Kong is an energetic city with a good mix of Western and Chinese culture, particularly in food and beverage. We plan to build a strong restaurant base in Hong Kong and then expand to other countries in Asia."
Mr Michael Domer, Regional Director/Asia Pacific of Outback Steakhouse International said, "I am glad that Outback Steakhouse has so many friendly and promising counterparts as neighbours. Outback's founders believe in hospitality, sharing, quality, being courageous and having fun. Hong Kong and 'Al Fresco Lane' is the right place for us."
The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr John Rutherford, expressed pleasure at the development of the new dining hub. He said, "Hong Kong has an international mix of tourists and local customers and visitor numbers to our city continue to grow. There continue to be exciting business opportunities in this city for pubs and restaurants providing appealing venues for relaxed socialising and dining. It is great to see a new restaurant area developing in Tsim Sha Tsui and Invest Hong Kong will encourage similar companies to consider investing in 'Al Fresco Lane'."
Great Vision Company Limited, an Australian food and beverage company, also owns and operates The Quarterdeck Club in Wan Chai and The Quarterdeck Kowloon in Tsim Sha Tsui. Following the success of the first Bulldog's Bar & Grill in Lan Kwai Fong, Great Vision opened its second Bulldog's outlet in Tsim Sha Tsui East. The English-styled pub offers food inspired by British and Australian cuisine and live band performances.
Down Under the Steak House Limited was established in 2004 by Mr Colin Smith from New Zealand. The company owns Wooloomooloo Bar & Grill, Don Juan Mexican Restaurant and Red Stone Bar & Grill. The restaurants provide a wide range of authentic dishes flown in fresh from all around the world and a unique dining experience - blending the good food and service with the qualities of modern restaurants.
Outback Steakhouse, Inc. headquartered in Tampa, Florida was founded in 1988. The restaurant chain offers quality food and service, generous portions at moderate prices and a casual atmosphere suggestive of the rustic Australian Outback. Outback's Australian-themed decor provides a fun and easy-going environment designed to appeal to the entire family.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, August 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:35
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