The closure of a catering icon Jimmy’s Kitchen in Central at the end of this month has once again touched the nostalgic nerve of many Hong Kong old timers lamenting the loss of another symbol of Hong Kong’s colonial past.

This establishment, which has been around as far back as most people can remember, was at one time the restaurant of choice to bankers, stock brokers, business leaders and aspiring young professionals working in the central business district. It’s extensive menu, encompassing many special dishes from around the empire, is unmatched in Hong Kong.

Anyone for prawn Madras? Jimmy’s serves the best such dish anywhere east of the Suez. 

But to the dismay of many loyal patrons, it is said that the standard of the food and service at Jimmy’s Kitchen has slipped to what is seen as a shadow of its former self. The owner of the restaurant has reportedly said that the closure was only temporary and promised that it would reopen in a new address.

Jimmy’s is not the only establishment in the catering industry that is facing the most challenging times. The coronavirus outbreak that has led to a partial lockdown is threatening to wipe out many restaurants, some deservedly so.

When times were good, as in the past 10 years or so, even some famous and old established restaurants which used to enjoy a sterling reputation for the quality of their food and service have gone downhill. Business was so good that they didn’t feel the need to offer value for money to their customers while raising their prices to help pay for the ever rising rents.

For instance, patrons to a wonton noodles shop in Wan Chai were packed into tiny booths while being served by rude waiters who seemed to be always in a big hurry. When even the tourists who wanted a taste of old Hong Kong stopped coming, the place simply rolled over and died. 

This makes us wonder whether the public money used to subsidize the shops and restaurants to help them survive the business downturn brought about by the coronavirus outbreak is money well spent. Those that have been serving lousy foods and treating their customers with utter indifference just don’t deserve to survive.