Receiving the email from Rosewood that they are opening this Italian diner in June, when I made reservation a few days later I could only secure a booking in July, clearly showing its popularity. Instead of accessing from the hotel, one should go direct to its entrance on the ground floor at Victoria Dockside.
We came sharp at 6pm and were seated in the middle facing the large windows looking out to the waterfront and Victoria Harbour. The restaurant reminded me of a dining hall, with different counter sections showcasing antipasti, pizza, pasta, cheese, and secondi. The décor created a relaxing, casual and lively ambience, bringing customers to the streets of Italy.
The restaurant introduced the Nordaq system to provide filtered water ($30 each, free flow) as a way to reduce shipping bottled water from overseas. We also ordered a Watermelon Fizz ($100) and Peppermint Tea ($52) to start. My mocktail was very refreshing and served as a good aperitif to start the meal.
Ordering two starters, the Octopus Salad ($210) was perhaps the most popular choice. Surprised by the big portion, the thick tentacles of the octopus were tasty and soft, with good bite but not rubbery. Together with some Bella di Cerignola olives, the biggest table olives in the world, chopped basil and extra virgin olive oil, I also like the acidity in the seasoning as well.
The Italian Cold Cuts ($280) was certainly a big platter of different types. With limited knowledge, I could only identify Salami, aged Finocchiona, Prosciutto, Pancetta, Mortadella, and the spicy Salsiccia, together with some green and brown olives. These were nice, and the portion was good for three to four people, it was a bit overwhelming for the two of us, but we managed to finish them.
We also had the Braised Beef Cheek ($280), as recommended by the staff. Very tender, I could use a spoon to cut it open, with the beef cheek infused with the great flavours from the root vegetable and red wine sauce. The latter was so good I would like to have some spaghetti to mix with, to savour every last drop of the delicious wonders.
Decided to order a slice of pizza, we chose Tonno Pizza ($90), with tuna, red onion, Pantelleria capers which are famous for its sweetness and aromas, heirloom tomato, and fresh basil. This pizza was very good, especially the crunchy pizza base, with its texture one of the best I had tasted in town. The staff had helpfully cut the pizza in halves for us to share too.
For dessert, my wife had Tiramisu ($88), with the recipe having a bit of twist, including ladyfinger, espresso, eggnog zabaione, and dark cocoa. I had the Venchi 2 Flavour ($59) instead, choosing the Pineapple Sorbet and Brutto & Buono Gelato. In fact, a wide range was available, and going out to take a look at the counter was like visiting an ice-cream parlour which brought joy to my young heart.
Wrapping up with a Double Espresso ($45), the staff perhaps misunderstood me and got a cup for each of us, so I ended up finishing four shots. Fortunately, I was well-trained on caffeine and did not affect my sleep on the night. Service was very good, with the staff friendly and happy, making you feel at home and relaxing. The bill was $1,440 and I can now see why this place has become such a popular spot for people vying for a place to enjoy some nice food in a casual manner, without having to break the bank.
沒有留言:
張貼留言