If Hong Kong has SoHo (south of Hollywood Road), Manila has Binondo. They may come from two different cities but they all tell rich stories of migration, culture and food.
This June 18 and 19, those tales will be deliciously told by Hong Kong cocktail salon Kinsman and modern East Asian restaurant Lazy Suzy as they explore their shared language through a set menu of inspired dishes and drinks.
From Admiration to Collaboration: How Kinsman HK and Lazy Suzy Came Together
The collaboration was driven by admiration. “I’ve been following Kinsman for the longest time since I love Hong Kong,” Patrick Go of Lazy Suzy shared. “We finally got to try Kinsman earlier this year. What struck me the most is their take on Chinatowns around the world. It’s a very unique concept that I haven’t seen anywhere else.”
That admiration eventually turned into an invitation. Go personally reached out to Kinsman’s co-founder Gavin Yeung, who had previously done a guest shift in Manila, specifically at Ruby Wong’s back in 2024.
For bar manager Moses Yuen, it will be his very first time leading an international activation on behalf of the bar. “It’s a little nerve-wracking, but mostly, I’m excited to represent our team and reconnect with the phenomenal hospitality community in the Philippines.”
The importance of cultural exchange is not lost on him. He adds, “As a bartender, genuine connection is everything. Our craft depends on continuous learning—it pushes us to look inward, refine our skills, and constantly question how we can improve. Stepping outside the familiarity of your own venue forces you to grow. Collaborations like this act as a cultural exchange; we share our Cantonese heritage, we absorb the local bar culture, and ultimately, we inspire each other to push the boundaries of what a cocktail experience can be.
When Binondo Meets Soho: Inside the Kinsman HK x Lazy Suzy Menu
The resulting menu evidently sees the close relation between Binondo and Hong Kong. Guests can expect a five-course set menu from Lazy Suzy paired with two cocktails from Kinsman, with each side interpreting Chinese culinary traditions through the lens of their respective cities.
“We designed the menu to have a lot of Binondo flavors and references, while the cocktails have Soho Hong Kong influences,” Go explained.
Among the dishes the chef will be serving are a yellow chicken congee finished with black truffle and crispy chicken skin, a lumpia made with cloud ear mushroom, cured mackerel with Binondo fruits, paper-baked catch of the day with sotanghon, Angus beef chuck rib with smoked fish XO, and his take on Hong Kong French toast, which comes with brown butter ice cream.
On the bar side, Kinsman is approaching the collaboration with the harmony between classic Cantonese flavor profiles and Manila’s vibrant energy. “Kinsman has always been dedicated to celebrating and redefining Cantonese heritage, so we are bringing our signature culture-centric techniques to the table,” said Yuen.
Instead of simply serving their signatures from Hong Kong, the team created entirely new drinks for Manila. One of them, the Sichuan Pepper Stout, combines the bitterness of stout with tongue-tingling Sichuan peppercorn, Suntory Kakubin whisky, 70 percent dark chocolate, and lemon, clarified milk-punch style and served with a chocolate chip cookie.
Then there’s the Manila High Tea, perhaps the cocktail that best captures the spirit of the collaboration. Made with Roku Gin, elderflower, calamansi, and tea sourced from Hong Kong, it bridges multiple cultures in a single glass.
“We also have an off-menu Boulevardier, my favourite classic cocktail featuring Maker’s Mark, Campari, and Cocchi Vermouth,” added the Kinsman manager.
The First of Many
As the event’s title suggests, ”Volume 1,” this is only the beginning for Lazy Suzy. According to Go, they are already in talks with local and international chefs, restaurants, and bars for future collaborations.
For now, though, all eyes are on this meeting of Hong Kong and Binondo—an exciting dialogue told through congee, cocktails, and French toast.
Lazy Suzy is located at Level 6, The Podium, Podium Social, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong. To reserve, contact 0917-3245299.
Frequently Asked Questions
A two-night dining collaboration featuring a five-course menu by Lazy Suzy paired with cocktails from Hong Kong cocktail salon Kinsman HK, inspired by the shared cultures of Binondo and Hong Kong’s SoHo district.
The event takes place on June 18 and 19.
Lazy Suzy is located at Level 6, The Podium, Podium Social, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong.
Highlights include yellow chicken congee with black truffle and crispy chicken skin, as well as Lazy Suzy’s take on Hong Kong French toast.
Special creations include the Sichuan Pepper Stout and Manila High Tea, alongside an off-menu Boulevardier.
The event explores the cultural connections between Hong Kong and Binondo through food, cocktails, and Chinatown-inspired storytelling.
