By Lily

Nicholini’s is the Italian restaurant inside the Conrad Hotel. When Antoine, the restaurant manager has suggested me to try the Saturday brunch, I was more than happy. I can literally die for Italian food and have already had dinner there few weeks before with a great memory of their homemade pastas (gluten free!)…

I have arrived on a Saturday brunch time, starving and exciting! By day, the towering view will fascinate you! The atmosphere is nice and classy and the service is flawless.
I have started the brunch with a glass of champagne - Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut - and the buffet of Italian appetizers including the traditional tomato mozzarella, all kinds of salads, delicatessen and breads. That’s a very good start!

Then, the “Nicholini’s Grand Seafood platter” is served to be shared. Seafood lovers, you’ll be in heaven: oysters, crabs, lobster…

As a main course, after hesitating, I have decided to share the signature “angel hair pasta with lobster and tomato sauce” and the very traditional penne all'arrabbiata. The homemade pasta are exactly like I remember: al dente and tasty. Note that the size of the dishes is reasonable… As you will get an incredible dessert tasting platter after that! Tiramisu, chocolate cakes, cheesecake… A sweet wonderland platter!
A last glass of champagne or coffee? Champagne!

In a nutshell, the Saturday Brunch at Nicholini’s is a really good deal. If you love Italian food and seafood, you’ll have an amazing time. For families, group of friends or as a face to face date, they’ll make sure you are having a good time and that’s much appreciated.

The price is 588 HKD for adults and 318 HKD for Children every Saturday 12pm to 3pm.
Pacific Place, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty – Level 8
Facebook Page Nicholini's
 

By Delphine
 
Head to Osteria Felice today. It’s a new restaurant already making headlines among connoisseurs of Italian cuisine. The space is huge but that’s not to mean that you’ll get a table easily: Business meetings, friends having lunch, families sharing pizza, clearly word has spread fast since the restaurant’s opening a month ago. Felice means happy in Italian, perfect name for a place with smiling waiters and delighted customers.
 
We were sat next to the open kitchen, with a handful of menus. The first one shows  a beautiful spread of cocktails. You could customize them, choosing your own martini, gin or vodka, as well as the type of martini, flavors and garnishes. It was so much fun.
The set lunch menu is appetizing but we preferred to choose from the A la carte option. Everything on the menu is 200% Italian. Pizzas, pasta, antipasti, burratas of all kinds, tiramisu, panna cotta, all the different regions of Italy are represented, certainly something for everyone. I went for the squid, then the grilled lobster in butter. They were excellent choices. My friend preferred to choose a traditional pizza and it appeared that she wasn’t disappointed judging from the way she cleared her plate. We wanted to be sensible and not have a dessert but we quickly changed our minds and went for the chocolate fondant, which was wonderful, gooey in the center and accompanied by a perfectly made espresso.
 
Such a pity it was a tad noisy. Next time we will avoid coming when the restaurant is busy.
 
More info : http://www.osteriafelice.com/
Adress: Shop 16-21/ Hutchinson house G/F, 10 Harcourt Road, Central
Telephone: +852 2516 6166
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 11:30am until late
 
The bill:
-      1 grilled octopus with spicy potato and celery salad: 165hkd
-      1 little gem salad: 88HKD
-      1 pizza contadina: 168HKD
-      1 grilled lobster: 468HKD
-      1 chocolate fondant glace mascarpone: 98HKD
-      2 espresso: 60HKD
-      1 cocktail: 80HKD
 
-      Set Lunch: 138HKD for starter/main course/coffee
 

By Delphine
 
Put aside your weighing scale and bikini body dreams a moment and treat yourself to a really nice brunch!

Hidden behind the heavy doors of one of the Royal Garden rooms in Tsim Tsa Tsui, Sabatini throws you straight in the heart of a Roman tavern. Arched ceilings, mural paintings and tinted windows, you’d forget you were in HK. You wouldn’t stumble upon it by chance, but that’s half the charm. You’ll only find regulars or fine food lovers here.

The atmosphere is calm and serene, refined but laid-back, great service, the seafood and antipasti buffet is so fresh, not to mention the desserts.

Langoustines, oysters, crab, Parma ham with melon, olives of all sorts and marinated grilled vegetables, beautifully displayed in the centre of the room. Pace yourself, these are only the appetisers. Then comes the primo piatti (asparagus risotto, clam linguini, truffle ravioli?), followed by a grilled dish (the lamb chops are really tender, the tuna steak perfectly pink in the middle). And even if you can’t possibly eat anymore, tell me you can resist the Tiramisu, panacotta or even a fresh fruit chocolate fondue ? So yes, we did warn you this is not for the faint hearted on a diet. Forget your calorie counter and spend your Sunday in Italy listening to the Piedmontese chef’s singing accent as he describes each dish with passion.
 
SABATINI
3/F Royal Garden Hotel, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
website : http://www.rghk.com.hk
Tel: 2733 2000
 
Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: noon-2:30pm
Saturday - Sunday: brunch from noon to 3pm
Dinner Monday-Sunday : 6-11pm
 
The Bill:
Brunch: 618HK$ Saturdays and 658HK$ Sundays
A la carte, expect a minimum of 500HK$ per person
 
 

By Delphine
 
Today I feel like eating Italian, but a real Italian. I mean generous portions like those served up by Italian mammas, big enough to feed the entire family. So off I go to La Pirata.

A few slices of speck or Parma ham as antipasti with shavings of Pecorino or Parmesan. Lasagnas melting in your mouth, pesto pasta or eggplant parmigiana with real tomato sauce. Tiramisu or panna cotta to have with my coffee made from an Italian coffee machine. Simple but executed perfectly, the dishes are served up straight from the oven or pan. The salads from the antipasti buffet are made right in front of you, and only when needed to maximize freshness. Everything here screams fresh. It’s delicious with no fuss. We let ourselves indulge and love. Don’t bother coming here on a diet, the portions are very generous, and the house isn’t stingy on olive oil and parmesan…. You’d even forget you were in Hong Kong if it weren’t for the skyline view you get being on the 29th floor in Wanchai. A great find to try out immediately.
 
La Pirata
29/30F, 239 Hennessy road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Phone: (852) 2887 0270
Website: http://pirata.hk/
 
The bill:
Lunch menu: 168, 198 or 248HKD depending on the chosen main
Dinner a la carte: 150-200HKD for a main and dessert
Coffee: 35HKD
 
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday
Lunch: noon – 2:30pm
Aperitivo: 5pm-7pm
Dinner: 6:30pm-11pm
Sunday brunch: noon to 3pm

 

By Lisa-Marie
 
The name will sound familiar, Linguini Fini previously established at L Place moved to Elgin Street last November.
 
Inspired by New York and his beloved Italy, chef Vinny Lauria pays special attention to the freshness and quality of his ingredients, working mostly with local produce. So, what should you have ? The « Radidore alla Vodka »($148), The « Fettucine Funghi »($158) and the « Fragrant Grass Linguini with Parm Fonduta »($118) are worth the trip. Or one of their huge 18cm pizzas to share (from $228 to $308) !
It would be a shame to miss dessert : the apple pie with ice cream or banana chocolate cake will get you singing.
 
You’ll understand that if you’re on a diet, Linguini Fini is probably not the best option… But if you’re happy turning a blind eye to your calorie counter, head straight there and indulge, you’re in New York !
 
We love the small garden at the back of the terrace were they grow fresh herbs and tomatoes that end up on your plate, and their waste collector, a first for Hong Kong .
 
Linguini Fini – 49 Elgin Street, Central
Open everyday
Monday to Friday, Happy hour with bier and chicken wings for $98

http://www.linguinifini.com/en/hongkong/contact/
https://www.facebook.com/LinguiniFini