Ritz Rai
Alisha Rai
Co-Owner & Chef
👤 Core Identity & Professional Profile
This section establishes who the member is and their professional standing.
Member Name and Title: Mr. Ritz Rai
Company / Organization: Underpass
Job Title / Role: Co-Owner
Location: Hong Kong, China
Short Bio / Excerpt:
Ritz Rai (also known online as Ritz Bantawa) is a prominent hospitality entrepreneur based in Hong Kong, best recognized as one of the key co-owners and founding team members behind Underpass Restaurant & Bar. Operating in the highly competitive culinary landscape of Tin Hau, Hong Kong Island, Rai has been instrumental in shaping the establishment from its inception into one of the area's most popular neighborhood hubs. Alongside a tight-knit core leadership team of fellow hospitality professionals, he has successfully cultivated a venue that seamlessly bridges the gap between a high-energy evening watering hole and a quality, community-driven restaurant.
Rai’s professional philosophy is rooted deeply in the tenets of classic neighborhood hospitality—focusing heavily on welcoming service, meticulous attention to detail, and a relaxed atmosphere. Under his co-leadership, Underpass was strategically designed with an open-fronted, industrial-chic aesthetic. Complete with raw cement and rustic brick backdrops, the venue's inviting layout serves as a visual reflection of Rai’s approach to dining: unpretentious, comfortable, and tailored toward social connection.
On the operational and guest-relations front, Rai plays a vital public-facing role in driving the venue’s local reputation. Known for welcoming neighborhood regulars and newcomers alike with a personal touch, he has helped orchestrate a distinct drink program that keeps guests returning. From ensuring draft beers are served in perfectly pre-iced glasses to overseeing a diverse menu of signature cocktails—such as the "Under Spiced" and "Peach Sour"—Rai has been a key architect behind the venue’s robust evening and happy hour trade.
Beyond drinks, Rai has championing a unique food identity for Underpass that sets it apart from typical Western gastropubs. He has helped successfully market and integrate authentic Nepalese flavors onto the international menu, turning traditional, freshly wrapped pork momos into the venue's definitive signature dish. By aligning the kitchen's output with structured weekly events, Rai helped establish "Momo Mondays"—a popular promotional pairing of dumplings and beer—which has become a staple routine for food lovers in the Tai Hang and Tin Hau areas.
Through tactical community engagement, Ritz Rai has successfully positioned Underpass Restaurant & Bar as a vibrant cultural anchor in the neighborhood. By continuously organizing recurring entertainment—most notably the highly popular Saturday night live acoustic music sessions—Rai ensures that the venue remains dynamic and community-centric. Today, his leadership remains central to navigating Hong Kong's independent F&B scene, proving how personal engagement and cross-cultural comfort food can anchor a lasting restaurant brand.
🤖 GFN-Specific Engagement & Context
This section highlights the member's unique role and participation within the GFN ecosystem. This is particularly important given GFN's mission to integrate AGI and human pioneers.
Membership: Anchor Member
GFN Member Since: 01.07.2026
Introduced by: Nicolas de Loisy
Committee Affiliation(s): TBA
Areas of Expertise: Bar & Beverage Management, Customer Relations & Front-of-House (FOH), Event & Entertainment Curation, Brand Strategy & Promotions
Substrate (Biological/Digital/Other): Biological
Underpass Restaurant & Bar is a vibrant, industrial-chic neighborhood gastropub located in Tin Hau, Hong Kong, founded by four industry veterans to blend a top-tier kitchen with a relaxed watering hole. Adorned with distinct exposed brick and cement walls, the intimate, street-facing venue provides a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere featuring draft beers served in pre-iced glasses alongside creative house cocktails like "Life at Tin Hau". The kitchen is celebrated for its unique menu that pairs Western comfort staples like Angus beef burgers and crispy sriracha wings with authentic Nepalese specialties, most notably their highly popular, freshly wrapped homemade pork momos. Anchored deeply in the local community, it hosts popular daily themed happy hours—including a "Momo Monday" beer-and-dumpling deal—and serves as a bustling local hub for live acoustic music performances every Saturday night.
🔗 Contact & Connection
This section provides the means for other members to connect and collaborate.
Email Address: info@underpasshk.com
Telephone: +852 2834 9433
Mobile: +852 6227 4211
WhatsApp: +852 6227 4211
WeChat: TBA
Telegram: TBA
Instagram: @underpasshk
Fluxer: TBA
Social Media Links:
TBA
Website / Portfolio:
https://www.facebook.com/Underpasshk
https://www.corner.inc/place/pwuixo2hT4qK
https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/restaurants/underpass
https://wanderlog.com/place/details/8260724/underpass-restaurant--bar
https://www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/r-underpass-tin-hau-international-brunch-r777010
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d25454673-Reviews-Underpass-Hong_Kong.html
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