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J. Boroski
Add: I’m not allowed to say
Tel: +852 2603 6020
Hours: 7pm-late
Price: 100-200 HKD/cocktail
Visited: Aug 2016
In Hong Kong, the hottest place to be sipping cocktails right now is undoubtedly J. Boroski. This hidden bar, just opened a few weeks ago, is tucked away in a small alleyway somewhere in Central (exact location not to be disclosed) and is invitation-only for those in the know – for now.
某天在香港的晚上，朋友問我要不要去一間 “上周才開幕，而且受邀請才能去“ 的秘密酒吧。老實說在上海巴黎也去了不少所謂的 speakeasy bar，心裡默默的懷疑了一下這該不會又是一個空有噱頭，華而不實的地方…不過還是暫且相信朋友的品味，跟著他來到中環某條小巷弄。上方是鋼架、一旁是鐵皮屋，越走越深…然後瞬間鑽入某個不起眼的小門，來到這裏：J. Boroski。
This, as well as the original J. Boroski in Bangkok, is a collaboration between mixologist Joseph Boroski and interior designer Ashley Sutton. Other than the wildly successful J. Boroski, Sutton has designed quite a few other well-known bars in Bangkok, such as Maggie Choo’s and Iron Fairies, as well as Ophelia which recently opened in Hong Kong.
J. Boroski 是紐約調酒顧問 Joseph Boroski 和澳洲設計師 Ashley Sutton 合作的新酒吧，本來在曼谷有一家，現在開到了香港。Ashley Sutton 在亞洲有不少出名的設計，比如曼谷的 Maggie Choo’s（去過一次，的確是個相當迷幻的空間）和 Iron Fairies，以及在香港剛開幕不久的 Ophelia。
The new bar, housed in an elongated bunker-like space, is done in an elegant palette of amber and dark wood. The most eye-catching feature, other than the long bar that runs the entire length, is the collection of beetles on the ceiling, inspired by Joseph’s childhood dream to become an entomologist.
新酒吧的設計上用了很多手工皮革和鋼材，線條簡潔利落，搭配的昏暗燈光散發出華麗感。最引人注目的除了貫穿整個空間的長吧台，就是滿天花板的甲蟲裝飾，靈感來自 Joseph 對昆蟲學的濃厚興趣（據說他小時候的夢想是當昆蟲學家）。而這些甲蟲，不用懷疑，全部都是真的。
Why yes, these are all real.
近看一下這些從泰國帶過來的甲蟲們，在燈光下還微微發亮呢。有昆蟲恐懼症的人自己斟酌一下。
Sleek bar stools.
利落的吧台椅。
Facing the bar is a line of dark alcoved seats hidden behind fringed curtains. Quite sexy.
正對吧台還有一排隱藏于簾子之後的沙發座位，從外面看不大進來，從裡面卻能看清外面的一切。有點私密有點性感。
Let’s talk about Joseph Boroski. He calls himself a “mixsultant” – mixologist + consultant – to best describe what he does. He honed his skills mostly in New York, and has been a consultant for five-star hotels like like the W, Ritz Carlton, and Mandarin Oriental, as well as some exceptional restaurants around the world.
來說說調酒師。Joseph Boroski 是紐約人，在調酒界裡頗有名氣，自己開店之前一直幫 W Hotel、Ritz Carlton、Mandarin Oriental 等五星級酒店做調酒顧問。爲了抛開傳統的包袱，他的新酒吧裏沒有酒單，每杯調酒都根據客人的喜好定制，也更可以玩出新的作品。
To mix things up even a bit more, there is no menu at his new bar…So how does one order without a menu? Just tell the bartender your preference – Any specific liquor? Sweet or sour? Strong or subtle alcohol taste? Smoky or not smoky? Favorite ingredients? Price of the alcohol is based on the liquor, and generally ranges from 100 to 200 HKD. For my first cocktail, I chose the Iron Balls gin from Bangkok (photo above), a refreshing gin with floral and fruity notes.
沒酒單如何點酒？首先選擇基酒，再告訴調酒師自己的一些喜好（酸、甜、苦、還是辣？酒精味重還是淡？是否可以接受煙熏味？有沒有特別偏好的食材？）。價格也根據基酒而定，一般來說在100－200港幣之間。我的第一杯酒，選擇了上面這個來自曼谷的的 Iron Balls 琴酒，清新裡透著一點花果氣味和溫潤的杜松子風味。
J. Boroski’s bartenders come from seven different countries, and on the night of my visit, it was Nathan from Hong Kong who conjured up our drinks. It’s great fun sitting at the bar and watching him conjure up cocktails one after another – so many different apparatus, such gorgeous presentation.
J. Boroski 的調酒師來自英國、南非、泰國等七個國家，我碰到的是香港本地的 Nathan，來 J. Boroski 之前在朋友們也都推薦的 The Woods 酒吧。坐在吧台前看他調酒像觀賞表演一般非常有趣，動作不是特別花稍，不過相當好看，而且他幫我們做的 4 款調酒都令人驚豔。
Four Roses bourbon-based Old Fashioned.
以 Four Roses 波爾本威士忌做的 Old Fashioned。
Here’s one that tasted somewhat like Bloody Mary, but was made with horseradish-infused vodka.
還有一杯喝起來有點像 Bloody Mary，不過用了辣根風味伏特加的調酒。辣根的味道很明顯，但還不到搶盡風頭的地步，和其他元素搭配的的剛剛好。
Lastly, a smoky cocktail with some type of fungus (I forgot what exactly). Quite strange at first sip, but it’s the kind of intriguing concoction that grows on you…
最後來了一杯煙熏（某種）菇風味威士忌調酒。煙熏菇的風味加在威士忌調酒裏居然會好喝，也是有點神奇（沒有在喝蘑菇湯的感覺，請放心）。
Looks fun? Give them a call (+852 2603 6020) or shoot them an email (hk@jboroski.com) to find out the address and make a reservation. Do sit at the bar if you can for a more interactive and intimate experience.
若有興趣去試試 J. Boroski，可以先打電話（+852 2603 6020）或寫郵件（hk@jboroski.com）取得地址 － 反正就在中環，地點方便的很，只是按店家希望不公開在這裏罷了。可以的話請一定要坐在吧台，這樣才能和調酒師細聊，享受一下他爲你量身定制的調酒作品。
J. Boroski
地址：據說得保密
電話：+852 2603 6020
營業時間：7pm-late
價位：調酒100－200港幣
造訪日期：2016年8月
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