The week started with a pacy jolt of radio shows in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, hit the midpoint with a smoothly productive flight back to Zürich and it’s wrapping with a bit of beach time in the sun south of Lisbon. You’d be hugely disappointed if I didn’t have a few observations and opportunities from the road, so to keep your Sunday bright and perky, here are a few to set you up for the week.

1.
If you’ve had a good Q1 but what remains of Q2 is looking wobbly and you have no idea how the rest of the year is going to go then maybe you need a team summit. If you want to treat your colleagues but don’t want to go over the top then now’s the time for a bit of beach on Saadiyat Island. The sea is still fresh, the tunes are pumping and the room rates are low. You could also take the family for a long weekend.

2.
While we’re on the beach, have you attempted to buy a quality sun umbrella lately? Or gone further and hoped to see a “Made in the EU” label on the pole? Good luck. There’s an opportunity for a smart company on the continent to own the beach experience and proudly make towels, totes, cushions and umbrellas in Europe. Seasons are getting longer and no one has a solid offer for the lawns along Lac Léman or the beaches of the Med and Atlantic.

3.
If you pass through Zürich Airport from June onwards, Monocle is back with a new seasonal shop and a sharp collection of both Swiss-made originals and special travel items. We’re on the hunt for more airport locations, so if you run airports and would like a new tenant – drop me a note.

4.
Why don’t airline lounges offer more privacy nooks for calls? While I’ll always opt for a classic call over a dreadful Teams or Zoom experience, sometimes you can’t fight the system or the people who’ve lost the ability to dial. This is why smart carriers need more soundproofed cabins to keep the peace in the dining room and other public areas.

5.
Is Tesla the Skechers of the urban transport industry? Just as Skechers seem to own the F&B industry, are there any families or everyday consumers still buying Teslas? I can’t imagine.

6.
Always carry a crisp shirt and a tie – especially if you’re visiting a big Emirati energy company. I thought my Japanese knits and navy blazer would be enough for a visit to the 57th floor. So too did my colleagues in similar attire. But after some negotiating and questioning – “Did you not read the protocol section of the invite?” – we made it through the gates and had a jolly meeting. Our host even organised for the UAE Air Force to do a flypast. While I was glad that I didn’t have to wear the tie that was offered by security, I fully respect the concept of keeping up appearances.

7.
On that topic, why is it okay for newsreaders to wear a suede bomber jacket for days on end and deliver important headlines? It’s a fine way for a network to attempt to look “modern” while undermining decades of authority and trust.

8.
This week I’m off to Toronto and then Tokyo but between the two is our Shanghai Entrepreneurs conference. These pit stops mean that our café expansion is under way. Shanghai will also feature a full retail and café pop-up starting next weekend. Come see us. 

9.
If you would like to join our conference, we’re sold out. But if you ask Hannah (hg@monocle.com) nicely, we might be able to find you a jump seat. It’s going to be a good one. The mission is to outdo Jakarta.

10.
If we miss you in Shanghai, we have the Badi Market in Zürich and our summer party in Merano as our next key gatherings. So keep an eye on our events page and make sure to jot them down in the diary.

Enjoying life in ‘The Faster Lane’? Click here to browse all of Tyler’s past columns.

All 16 years of Shelley Tai’s bartending experience have been poured into her first solo venture, Mius (writes Sophie Monaghan-Coombs). The new spot, which is open until 01.00 every night on Gough Street in Hong Kong’s Central district, is already attracting a lively crowd. A stainless-steel bar stretches almost the length of the main space, while a second room has cosy seating around low tables. With its clean lines and mid-century aesthetic, Mius is a calming backdrop for raucous evenings.

When designing the space, Tai referenced coffee shops, wanting to emulate their informality and approachability. “I like the simple look,” she says. “I like places that you can go back to again and again.” There is a touch of comfort on the menu too, with dishes such as pasta alla vodka and duck-fat fries. But everyone is really here for the drinks. Mius specialises in subtle twists on old classics, adding fennel pollen to a margarita or mixing its negroni with strawberry and pink peppercorn. “The highball is my favourite cocktail on the menu,” says Tai. “That’s what I drink every night after work and on my day off.” The Kobe-style drink features frozen whiskey and chilled Japanese soda, keeping it as cool as the bar itself.
mius.hk

Monocle’s special ‘The Hong Kong Correspondent’ newspaper is here. We meet the entrepreneurs going against the grain, survey fresh projects that are reshaping Central and give you a taste of what the fashionable Hong Konger is wearing about town. Plus: our favourite places to eat and drink.

You’ll find Restaurant Twenty-Two in a Victorian townhouse a mere mortarboard toss from the River Cam (writes Blake Matich). Headed up by chef Sam Carter and his wife, Alex Olivier, it’s the kind of place whose Michelin star isn’t garnered from overcomplicated cooking or inferior produce sent on stage in borrowed finery. Instead, the regionally sourced menu is an elegant balance of detail and contemporary flair. Here, Carter takes us to his favourite weekend coffee haunts, tucks into a Sunday roast and tours a renowned gallery space.

What do we find you doing this weekend?
On a jaunt in Manchester. The food-and-drink scene there is excellent – we’re particularly excited to be eating at Erst. The grilled flatbreads are an absolute must. It’s an interesting industrial space with a delicious natural-wine offering. 

Ideal start to a Sunday? Gentle or a jolt?
After a long week it’s always a gentle start. A long lie-in followed by great coffee. We are spoiled with excellent spots in Cambridge – it would either be a stroll around Jesus Green and a visit to Bould Brothers Coffee or a river walk and a pop into Kerb Kollective.

What’s for breakfast?
It has to be Turkish eggs with a side of crispy bacon and halloumi. 

A Sunday soundtrack?
Something chilled. Hazlett, Charlie Cunningham and Luke Sital-Singh are all on the playlist. 

Sunday culture must?
We are lucky to be a few minutes from Kettle’s Yard gallery. There is art, sculpture and furniture on display but it feels more like a lived-in home than a formal museum. It’s a relaxing place for a wander.  

News or no news?
I try to avoid the news at all costs, especially on a Sunday. Cookbooks are my go-to reading material. I have far too many but always come back to Marco Pierre White’s White Heat and Aiden Byrne’s Made in Great Britain.

What’s on the menu?
Cooking and eating a great Sunday roast is a passion of mine. I’m biased but [our sister-restaurant] Margaret’s in Cambridge is pretty special. The highlight being the cauliflower cheese finished with Wiltshire Truffles. 

And to drink?
On a Sunday, bloody marys and Guinness, in that order. 

A favourite product for the pantry?
Crispy peanut chilli oil. I add it to everything. 

Which brands does your wardrobe currently consist of?
I love Universal Works and Lululemon for comfort and simplicity.  

Next on the travel itinerary?
We have a trip down to Coverack in Cornwall planned. I love the UK – there are so many amazing places to explore and the beaches are far better than many might expect. 

Gianluca Gennaro, head chef at Maset in Marylebone, prepares a lemon tart inspired by the abundant citron harvests in the south of France. “Menton lemons have very fragrant oils and a balanced acidity. After months of eating richer desserts, this offers a sharpness, freshness and clarity.” Gennaro recommends making the filling 12 hours in advance.

Equipment
Food processor
20cm tart tin

Ingredients
For the filling
9 eggs
375g caster sugar
375ml double cream
Juice of 5 lemons
Zest of 4 lemons

For the tart case
480g unsalted butter
180g icing sugar
800g plain white flour
65g cornflour
2 eggs
A pinch of salt

Method
1. 
Combine the filling ingredients and leave in the fridge for 12 hours.

2. 
To make the tart case, cream the butter and sugar with the paddle. Add the flour and cornflour, and bring together. Then add the eggs and salt, combining until everything holds together. Cover in clingfilm and leave to rest for 2 minutes.

3. 
Roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper. Line the tin and bake at 160C for about 20 minutes.

4. 
Place the filling in the tart case and bake for 45 minutes at 110C.

5. 
Check if the filling is set by gently moving the tart tin to see whether the mixture has a wobble. Once done, allow it to cool for an hour before serving.
maset.london

You can find the full feature in Monocle’s April issue, on newsstands now.

On the outskirts of Clermont-Ferrand and against the backdrop of the Chaîne des Puys mountains, Grand Mess hotel is a bit like a US motel, only with French flair: less neon, more nonchalance (writes Joana Moser). Designed by Parisian practice ASL in partnership with Clermont-Ferrand-based studio Boris Bouchet Architectes, it draws upon the terracotta rooftops and distinctive Volvic stone of the Auvergne region.

The 96 rooms range from compact mezzanine hideaways to terrace suites with mountain views. Le Bouillon du Mess canteen serves traditional broths with a modern touch, while La Brasserie offers classic French dishes under soft light from candelabras. Once you discover Bar Central and the adjoining wine cellar, you might find yourself staying far longer than you planned. 
grandmess.com

Planning your next trip? Monocle’s annual travel special, ‘The Escapist’, has got you covered. It’s time to pack your bags.