All posts tagged: wan chai

Pici: New Cute Italian Pasta Bar in Wan Chai

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I was immediately sold by the description of Pici as a casual pasta bar tucked behind the small streets in the Star Street area of Wan Chai. It seemed like the perfect spot to suggest trying for three girls catching up on a implicitly-agreed chilled out early Friday night. Cozy bustling vibes in a quiet corner Tucked away deep into the quieter alleyways of Wan Chai, this small pasta establishment had curated lively vibes and charm on its own. In fact, given that this restaurant had only opened on 25 January and I was visiting on 3 February, I thought, surely we would be able to get a seat (they don’t take reservations). Thankfully my friends arrived at 6:55pm and grabbed the last three-person seat because when I got there at 7:03pm, a few people were waiting outside already. Vitello Tonnato  – HK$80 I found out about this dish when I was dining at Cochin and absolutely fell in love with all the mesh of flavours. When I saw it on the menu, I thought …

Bib n Hops: Casual Korean with Subtly Unique Flavours

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There are definitely enough Korean ‘fusion’ restaurants in Hong Kong, including Moyo, Momojein and Kobab & Koshi, just to name a few that I did enjoy. But just when we thought the train of modern Korean restaurants had long set off, Chef Alvin Leung from One Michelin star Bo Innovation introduces yet another casual ‘urban’ take on Korean food. Casual, Semi Al Fresco Vibes Located in Wan Chai, Bib n Hops lives up to the standard of good vibes its neighbours (22 ships, Ham & Sherry) have brought to Ship Street, as they played epic hip hop throwbacks like No Diggity as we walked in. But unlike their neighbouring restaurants, the seating arrangement was very comfortable and pretty spacious too. They also take bookings. This makes the restaurant a good choice for medium-sized group gatherings and dates alike. They also have a nice spacious outdoor area for drinks. Kimchi Supreme Fries – HK$98 We had decided on a few items already and contemplated whether we were ordering too much. But who could say no to kimchi fries!? From the …

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 …

Momojein: Creative Take on Korean Food (Lunch & Dinner)

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Korean fusion or ‘modern Korean’ is no new trend. It was super hit about 1.5 years ago – that’s when I first tried Italian-Korean restaurant, Moyo – but the hype around kimchi-everything has definitely tapered off. Fads come and go but Momojein’s creative take on traditional Korean flavours goes far beyond kimchi grilled cheeses, focuses on quality and is definitely here to stay. A Korean foodie friend has talked about Momojein since the day it opened last year. She’s eaten there about three times and kept urging me to try it. Finally I gathered some colleagues to go with me – in fact I ended up going twice in one week, for dinner then lunch. So let’s talk about both! New ‘Season 2’ Menu for Dinner I was a tad confused and disappointed when I arrived because the menu items didn’t match the recommendations my Korean friend had whatsapped me with. It turns out they had just launched their new menu which was almost completely revamped: their Season 2 menu. Unfortunately I can’t make comparisons to their original Season …

Le Relais de L’Entrecote: Fuss-Free French Steak Frites

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Before I found my number one steakhouse of choice in Hong Kong, Grand Hyatt Steakhouse, I compiled a list of Top Classic Steakhouses in Hong Kong, which I personally think captures most of the best quality steaks on offer in this city. But all the places listed were expensive ones, where you’d be spending potentially HK$1200 or even more per person. That’s not something we can all afford to do on a weekly or fortnightly basis, which is why Le Relais de L’Entrecote can easily become a regular steak spot for me. I wouldn’t call it a steakhouse because there is only one choice of dish on offer and you can’t choose your cut – they only serve sirloin. But at the bargain price of just HK$288, you’re getting a decently sized piece of meat which is cooked pretty perfectly, unlimited fries, and a salad as starters. Bread & Salad We started with some delicious French baguettes and a walnut salad. They were both good and a light way to kickstart our dinner. Steak Frites The …

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 …

Grand Hyatt Steakhouse: The Ultimate Steak Experience

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I always knew Grand Hyatt Steakhouse was one of the most “must-try” steakhouses in Hong Kong. After such roaring reviews, inevitably came the skeptics who felt it didn’t live up to expectations or that it was too expensive. Apart from other people’s disappointment, one reason I procrastinated my visit was because they do two sittings on weekends; I didn’t want to rush a HK$1500 dinner (return the table by 8:30pm) nor dine at an awkwardly late 8:45pm. But I finally gave in. When I compiled the Top Classic Steakhouses in Hong Kong, the “What about Grand Hyatt?” comments were bound to come. Given that I do sometimes disagree with restaurant reviews out there, I needed to give this place a try for myself. Expectedly Excellent Service We came as a big group of 8 on a Saturday. Traffic was unexpectedly smooth and we arrived at 8:15pm… 30 minutes before the start of the second seating at 8:45pm. But the service was great (as maintained throughout the night) and the table was ready. We were sat …