Exclusive: A First Look At HOME – Eat To Live, Christian CGM’s Incredible New Plant-Based Central Eatery

July 2017 Update: HOME has now closed down.

Green Queen could not be more honored to be the first to announce the opening of HOME – Eat To Live, an inspired new addition to Hong Kong’s plant-based dining scene. Get ready to be wowed. HOME offers busy Hong Kongers sustainably-sourced, delicious plant-based food in a fast casual format. The restaurant, cafe, takeaway and coffee/juice bar will open its doors (softly) on Tuesday May 3rd at 10 AM. HOME’s flagship location will cement the concept, as the group behind the endeavor (ZS Hospitality Group, helmed by Elizabeth Chu) looks to expand in Hong Kong and beyond in the near future.

Whether you are an avowed vegan or a mitigating omnivore, it’s hard to ignore the evidence trail: the world is getting hotter, the meat and dairy industry account for a huge proportion of all carbon emissions and if we want global temperatures to remain stable, we need to eat less meat. And that’s without even getting into the numerous health benefits of a plant-based diet for humankind! For a devoted eater and food-lover, one of the most rewarding aspects of the changing global foodscape is the culinary establishment’s renewed commitment to and passion for vegetables. Chefs are making roots, bulbs and leaves the star of every plate, our fair city notwithstanding. Hong Kong has been privy to some exciting plant-based concepts in recent years, many conceived by Christian CGM, the talented soul behind HOME.

We have already told you Christian’s inspiring story and today, as his friend and admirer, we are so very proud to share his latest project, one that has given him the space to spread his wings and reach for the the stars. HOME is the living embodiment of Christian’s passion for bringing healthy food to the world. It is the restaurant of his dreams: from the interiors to the menu to the mission to the branding to the team, Christian has spent months honing every detail, staying faithful to his vision- one rooted in a deep respect for the earth, its bounty and the wildlife we need to protect– every step of the way.

Food-wise, HOME serves veggie bowls, salad bowls and burgers PLUS make-your-own oven-fired flatbreads, a panoply of vegan baked goods, ferments, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, vegan burgers, non-dairy ice cream (launching soon) and desserts, not to mention a unique organic wine and cocktail menu. We also love that they have a Little Homies menu for the kidlings! It goes without saying that everything HOME serves is made from scratch, on the premises from the highest quality ingredients possible. The sourcing is a key part of the story for Christian and the team, and they go the extra mile to ensure that everything has been grown ethically and organically (in Hong Kong, they are working with local farm Kau Kee and they have their own rooftop farm). Christian has also ensured that a zero waste philosophy permeates everything from packaging (compostable) to lighting (LED) to disposal (built-in recycling bins). For starters, HOME will serve lunch, dinner and everything in between; they will roll out breakfast very soon.

Set over two floors on Des Voeux Road’s Nexxus Building smack in the middle of Central, the almost 3, 000 square foot space is comforting, earthy and grounded, exactly what you would expect from a team committed to creating an environment centered on principles of ecological harmony. From the private dining room that simulates a greenhouse, to tiered stadium-like seating that encourages a community feel to the dozens of planters hanging all over the walls that literally oxygenate the air you are breathing to the red tiled floors reminiscent of your childhood country house kitchen to the eco-friendly flattened bamboo table tops, it’s a tour de force in cozy, inviting design. Crucially, the kitchens and food prep areas are visible: Christian is dedicated to transparency.

The ground floor caters to a takeaway crowd, with a juice bar and fridge full of to-go dishes. On the first floor, you can build your own flatbreads and salad/veggies bowls. HOME is packed with comfortable seating (and over 100 seats), has electrical outlets galore and free WIFI: ideal for an afternoon session with your laptop or a lazy morning catching up on a great book. HOME may also be the first healthy bar in town: perfect for after work drinks. We simply CANNOT wait for May 3rd!

Stay tuned for our full menu & food review!

Find Out The Story Behind HOME – Eat To Live’s Logo

Lead Image: rendering of restaurant by HOME – Eat To Live team.