Rustic French dining right at home in NOHO

Having lived in Hong Kong for more than two decades, it no longer surprises me when restaurants open and close within a short time period-some within months of opening. With sky-high rents and rising labor and ingredient costs, it is not easy for small businesses to run profitably. However, there are a few restaurants that have been around for a number of years-for good reason.

One such restaurant is On Lot 10 on Gough Street, in what has been called the up-and-coming NOHO (North of Hollywood Road) area for years. I remember when Gough Street was the place to go for a late-evening bowl of beef and noodles at my favorite noodle shop, or to sit outdoors on a lazy afternoon with a cup of Hong Kong-style milk tea and toast with a thick slab of butter. It was a very local scene at the time.

On Lot 10 has been a reliable constant on this short, narrow, and formerly quiet street.