All posts tagged: italian food

SPIGA: New Free Flow Champagne Italian Brunch

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‘Brunch‘ has two very different meanings. The first comes with wooden tables, latte art and eggs. The other comes with champagne and… an abundance of all things edible. Unsurprisingly, the second is the version of brunch this new Italian restaurant in Central – SPIGA – is going for. Weekend Brunch Deal at SPIGA – HK$388 per person Weekend brunch at SPIGA is reasonably priced at HK$388 per person, which includes their antipasti buffet, a choice of main course and dessert buffet. You can add on HK$260 for free-flow Veuve Clicquot champagne, mimosas, red/white wine, Peroni and Bloody Mary; or add on HK$140 for free-flow prosecco in place of the champagne. More importantly, I loved the ambience here. On a Sunday afternoon it was extremely lively, with some casual live music which wasn’t too loud either. They have large ceiling-to-floor windows which let in a comfortable amount of daylight, cultivating the perfect laid back brunch vibes. Antipasti Buffet The antipasti buffet counter was not huge, but most options on the table were very tempting, and turned out to be delicious too. Given that I obviously prefer quality …

8 New Restaurants for Weekday Lunch Dates

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It was January 2015 when I came up with a list of 10 restaurants in Central for lunch dates – you know, for when someone is counting on you to make a decision on where to go for that team lunch or catch up. But the Hong Kong dining scene evolves quickly (i.e. restaurants frequently close) and people get bored easily – so here are some of my latest suggestions. This time, the list goes beyond Central and to the wider CBD area of Hong Kong. Leave a comment below and share your favourite lunch spot! For locations, check out the map at the end of the post. 1. Mercato – Italian (Central) I first visited Mercato for dinner (see the full review here). I loved the food and vibes so much that I was eager to return for lunch, especially given the restaurant’s convenient location in California Tower. At HK$198 for two-courses, the set lunch didn’t seem like an amazing deal. But the portions were extremely generous, especially for the salmon tartare starter which I …

Mercato: New Italian Restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong

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I have a bit of a connection with California Tower. I religiously go there to workout, while frequently visiting their wide array of restaurants, just because the location is so convenient.  But most of their restaurants are admittedly not really off-the-charts amazing. There are a handful of good ones. For example, I featured ciao chow as one of the 5 Italian Restaurants in Hong Kong that Do Stand Out. With their prime location on the ground floor, you wouldn’t have expected they make such delicious pizzas. Ore-no Kappou is another restaurant I enjoyed in the building too. Mercato on the 8th floor of California Tower Now comes another Italian restaurant, Mercato. The food is unlike the typical Italian pizza and pasta choices (as is ciao chow’s), so there’s definitely a place for it in the building. It has a great ambience, but thankfully not overly fancy either. It’s definitely a spot I’ve name dropped exactly eight times in the week after, when different friends or colleagues ask “what’s new? What restaurants do you recommend? In light of its perfect location, I naturally came here one day …

Giando: Authentic Italian with the Best Ingredients

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When an Italian chef is the sole owner of a restaurant, you know things can go really really right. To add to this wonderful microeconomic backdrop, Chef Gianni Caprioli makes it a personal mission to ensure only excellent quality ingredients are used. In fact, I was told 95% of their ingredients are imported directly from Italy – including their eggs. Chefs of top Italian restaurants have been spotted eating here a number of times. I first came here on a Saturday and returned the next Sunday again. With this in mind, it’s not a question of whether you should dine here, but a question of what to order when you come here. Had I come here earlier, it definitely would be among the 5 Italian Restaurants in Hong Kong that Do Stand Out, for being the most authentic and featuring the best quality ingredients. Weekend Brunch at HK$338 for 3-Courses I love my ‘epic brunches‘ and this place would definitely rank high if I ever came up with such a list. The 3-course set runs from 12-3pm …

5 Italian Restaurants in Hong Kong that Do Stand Out

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The thing about Italian food in Hong Kong is that it’s abundant. So it’s not often you come across an Italian restaurant that really stands out. I mean we live in a city already saturated with good eateries, many of which serve Italian-ish dishes. So when it comes to the “best Italian food” I find it impossible to pick one out, but I definitely have a short list of favourites that I’d visit again and again. Here are five Italian spots I’d definitely recommend: Carbone – Hip vibes and a perfect lemon cheesecake Carbone is my safest choice to recommend in most cases because it’s a restaurant that most people would find cool, comfortable and yum. The Black Sheep Restaurant group definitely knows what it takes to set up new spots with good vibes (like the Vietnamese Le Garcon Saigon). So Carbone would be my go-to for a social gathering, since it has a lively ambience and a good selection of drinks too. The food: I love the fact that you’re always greeted with a basket of really delicious garlic bread, …

Jamie’s Italian: All About the Fish

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I mentioned in my full review that a place like Jamie’s Italian could be prone to negative comments because people are riddled with high expectations of something uniquely fantastic. While it may not have been the best Italian food I’ve had, it’s definitely become one of my go-to spots if I’m craving an easy, casual and comfort meal – that is, comfort food which isn’t just full of carbs. And from my numerous spontaneous visits, I’d say that good quality ingredients, consistent tastes and attentive service is practically guaranteed. The Express Lunch Plank On one of my more recent visits, I tried their lunch set. They’ve labelled it as the “Express” lunch plank which means that everything comes at once, to ensure a relatively speedy experience, for those who need to return to the office. The lunch set costs HK$148 per head including two courses and an iced tea. Rotolo Al Forno For one of the sets, we ordered the Rotolo Al Forno which is basically pasta sheets wrapping around some spinach and cheese stuffing, like a huge …

Gradini: Fine Italian Food for Occasions

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In Hong Kong, pasta can be associated with Italian food, cafe food and cha chan teng (cheap local eateries) food alike; it can be quite a casual affair. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking for a place to treat your loved ones for a special day or celebration and they love pasta (well, who doesn’t?), Gradini is one of few places which does delicious Italian food in an intimate yet fancy setting. Perfect Atmosphere I usually don’t put great significance to atmosphere/environment/service of a restaurant as long as the food is good. But realistically, those three factors are instrumental to ensuring a great dinner experience, when it’s important. Gradini ticks all the boxes. Located on the first floor of beautifully designed boutique The Pottinger Hotel on Queens Road Central/Stanley Street, Central, Gradini boasts an even more impressively fine yet cozy interior, perfect for an intimate gathering. Refreshing Seafood Salads To kickstart our meal, we had the seared king scallops with cherry tomatoes (HK$188) and the seafood salad (HK$168) – these were great refreshing starters for our meal and the seafood (especially …