SCANNOW 城市編輯室-心度探索（Deep Dive）- Saloon

店主的話

在香港大南街的某個角落，Saloon的故事悄然開始。那時，KK正經營著植物店「infecment」的尾聲。一次偶然的契機，他與舊街坊咖啡師Henry、植物店的客人Lok，以及曾在店裡舉辦展覽的Brian相遇。「不如找點事情做做吧！」這句簡單的話語，就像一粒種子，在大夥兒心中種下了創立Saloon的念頭。

如果用三個詞來形容Saloon，KK會毫不猶豫地選擇「狂妄」、「隨心」和「人性化」。在逆市中開店，對Saloon的團隊而言，或許「狂妄」都不足以形容他們的決心。許多人起初並不看好，而五人經營的團隊也曾面臨無數挑戰。儘管大環境總是不斷提醒著他們時局艱難，團隊中有人選擇離開，也有新血陸續加入，然而不知不覺間，Saloon已在風雨中走過了三年。

Saloon沒有用餐時間限制，讓客人能夠真正放鬆。有客人好奇為何這裡除了串燒，還有其他看似不相關的菜式，其實正是這種「隨心」的體現——不受框架束縛，只為滿足客人的味蕾，提供一個充滿「人性化」的用餐體驗。

在創業初期，是否有想放棄的時刻？KK卻說，他更感激的是，是什麼讓他從第一天堅持到現在。最首要的原因，一定是客人。Saloon曾接受過一次大型頻道的採訪，評價褒貶不一。儘管無法取悅所有人，但KK和團隊選擇全心全意地對待那些喜歡Saloon的客人，這份來自顧客的認同與喜愛，成為他們堅持下去的最大動力。

品牌故事

日常中的小確幸：將Saloon打造成「大家想做的事」

雖然Saloon尚未達到KK最理想的形狀，但團隊每天都在努力，將它打造成「大家想做的事」。每當看到客人帶著滿意的笑容離開，KK和夥伴們都會感到由衷的「值得」。

對「本地創作」的尊重：認真看待每一份熱情

對於「本地創作」和「手作」在香港的地位，KK認為，到了2025年，願意繼續投身其中的人越來越少。他不奢求「本地」二字能帶來多大的光環，只希望大家能以認真的眼光對待這些創作。他相信，當創作者受到尊重，他們也會更用心對待受眾。

獨特的用餐體驗：超越奢華的人情味

Saloon最受客人喜愛的，並非奢華的用餐體驗、精緻的擺盤或西裝筆挺的侍應。KK相信，客人們真正喜愛的是團隊所提供的「有別於正常香港餐飲模式」的用餐體驗——那份真誠與溫度。

不為人知的小堅持：清酒櫃裡的驚喜

在晚市時段，Saloon會供應清酒。KK有一個堅持，就是希望每一位客人每次都能品嚐到不同的清酒。雖然客人可能不曾察覺，但三年來，Saloon從未有過固定的酒單，取而代之的是一個如同「國際中轉站」般的酒櫃，不斷有新鮮的酒款進駐，連同事都不知道下一次會賣什麼酒。這份看似微小的堅持，卻是Saloon獨具匠心之處。

靈感的泉源：從客人身上汲取能量

當靈感枯竭時，KK會視之為「供求」。在經營上遇到瓶頸，最好的方法就是多與客人聊天，了解他們的需求。雖然不是每一個答案都有用，但「找客人幫自己充電」卻是KK認為最有效的方法，因為每一次的交流，都能為他帶來新的啟發。

Saloon的八字真言：「談文論藝，風花雪月」

如果用一句話來形容Saloon，那就是「談文論藝，風花雪月」。這八個字，從Saloon創立之初沿用至今，依然是它的核心精神。雖然在外人眼中，這裡或許只是一間餐廳或咖啡店，但KK和團隊卻希望大家能在這裡「談文論藝」，交流思想，也能「風花雪月」，分享生活中的喜怒哀樂。

大南街的奇遇：緣分編織的深厚情誼

大南街，對KK而言是一個充滿驚喜的地方。他曾因好奇去看了尚山舉辦的一個畫展，與畫家攀談幾句後，這位畫家便與太太來到Saloon用餐。緣分就這樣悄然展開，他們從陌生到熟識，甚至熟到會一起放假吃飯、遊玩，幾個月前更瘋狂地一同去了台灣。在一個連鄰居姓名都可能不知道的年代，能有如此深厚的緣分，這份經歷足以讓KK銘記。

給十年前的自己：享受生活，莫多規劃

如果能對十年前的自己說一句話，KK會說：「好好享受生活帶給你的每一刻，不要太多計劃，太多計算。」他從未想過植物店會結業，也沒想過會和隔離的街坊、店裡的客人朋友一起開店，更沒想到會在Saloon遇到自己的未婚妻。生活所帶來的一切未知與驚喜，都讓KK充滿感恩。

活在當下：Saloon傳遞的慢活哲學

KK希望大家能透過Saloon，感受到生活的慢，生活的細節，以及那些願意花幾個小時與你共進晚餐的朋友和家人。因為，這才是共同用餐的真正意義。 A Message from the founder

In a quiet corner of Hong Kong's Tai Nan Street, the story of Saloon subtly began. At that time, KK was winding down his plant shop, "infecment." A chance encounter brought him together with Henry, a former neighborhood barista, Lok, a customer from the plant shop, and Brian, who had previously held an exhibition there. "Why don't we find something to do?" This simple phrase, like a seed, planted the idea of creating Saloon in their minds.

If three words were to describe Saloon, KK would unhesitatingly choose "audacious," "unconventional," and "human-centric." Opening a business against the prevailing market conditions, for the Saloon team, "audacious" might not even fully capture their determination. Many were initially skeptical, and the five-person team faced countless challenges. Despite the constant reminders from the broader environment about the tough times, with some team members leaving and new blood joining, Saloon has nonetheless endured through the storms for three years.

Saloon has no dining time limits, allowing guests to truly relax. Some customers are curious why, besides skewers, there are other seemingly unrelated dishes. This is precisely the embodiment of "unconventional"—unbound by frameworks, purely to satisfy guests' palates and provide a "human-centric" dining experience.

In the early days of entrepreneurship, were there moments of wanting to give up? KK, however, says he's more grateful for what has kept him going since day one. The primary reason, undoubtedly, is the customers. Saloon once received an interview from a major channel, with mixed reviews. Despite not being able to please everyone, KK and the team chose to wholeheartedly treat those who love Saloon. This recognition and affection from customers became their greatest motivation to persevere.

Brand Story

Small Joys in Daily Life: Making Saloon "What Everyone Wants to Do"

Although Saloon has not yet reached KK's ideal form, the team works tirelessly every day to make it "what everyone wants to do." Whenever they see customers leave with satisfied smiles, KK and his partners feel genuinely "worthwhile."

Respect for "Local Creations": Seriously Treating Every Passion

Regarding the status of "local creations" and "handmade goods" in Hong Kong, KK believes that by 2025, fewer and fewer people are willing to commit to them. He doesn't expect the word "local" to bring much glamour; he only hopes that people will treat these creations with serious consideration. He believes that when creators are respected, they will also treat their audience with more dedication.

Unique Dining Experience: Human Touch Beyond Luxury

What guests love most about Saloon is not a luxurious dining experience, exquisite plating, or smartly dressed waiters. KK believes that what customers truly appreciate is the "different from normal Hong Kong dining experience" provided by the team—that sincerity and warmth.

Unsung Persistence: Surprises in the Sake Cabinet

During evening hours, Saloon serves sake. KK has a particular insistence: he wants every guest to taste a different sake each time. Although customers may not notice it, for three years, Saloon has never had a fixed sake menu. Instead, the sake cabinet functions like an "international transit station," with new sake constantly arriving, to the extent that even colleagues don't know what will be sold next. This seemingly minor persistence is a testament to Saloon's unique ingenuity.

Source of Inspiration: Drawing Energy from Customers

When inspiration runs dry, KK views it as "supply and demand." When encountering a bottleneck in operations, the best way is to chat more with customers and understand their needs. While not every answer is useful, "asking customers to recharge oneself" is what KK considers the most effective method, as every interaction brings him new insights.

Saloon's Mantra: "Discussing culture and art, enjoying nature and romance"

If Saloon were to be described in one sentence, it would be "Discussing culture and art, enjoying nature and romance." These characters have been the core spirit of Saloon since its inception. Although to outsiders, it might just be a restaurant or a coffee shop, KK and the team hope that everyone can "discuss culture and art" and exchange ideas, as well as "admire nature and romance" and share life's joys and sorrows here.

Encounters on Tai Nan Street: Deep Friendships Woven by Fate

Tai Nan Street, for KK, is a place full of surprises. Out of curiosity, he once visited an art exhibition held by Shang Shan, and after chatting with the artist for a few moments, the artist and his wife came to Saloon for a meal. Fate quietly unfolded, and they went from strangers to acquaintances, becoming so close that they would even take holidays to eat and play together. A few months ago, they even wildly went to Taiwan together. In an era where one might not even know their neighbor's name, having such a profound connection is an experience deeply etched in KK's memory.

To My Ten-Years-Ago Self: Enjoy Life, Plan Less

If he could say one thing to his ten-years-ago self, KK would say: "Enjoy every moment life brings you; don't plan too much, don't calculate too much." He never imagined that the plant shop would close, nor did he expect to open a shop with neighbors, customers, and friends. He certainly never thought he would meet his fiancée at the Saloon. All the unknowns and surprises that life has brought fill KK with gratitude.

Living in the Present: The Slow Living Philosophy of Saloon

KK hopes that through Saloon, everyone can feel the slowness of life, the details of life, and the friends and family who are willing to spend hours having dinner with you. Because that is the true meaning of dining together.