Dreamy Food Dimensions Through Soledad: 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo: Central, Hong Kong

Date: jeudi 28 juillet 2011
Location: Shop 202, Alexandra House
8 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Tel +852 2537 8859

http://www.ottoemezzobombana.com/en/homepage/

Video as filmed by my eating mate Simon Ng, sitting to my right that night.
Typhoon Level 3 (Whilst dining at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo - Hong Kong):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABJcO-U98Ls

The Italian cuisine here is perfecto. The ambiance is classy, sophisticated, sleek, sexy (and still warm). There are a lot of restaurants in Hong Kong. It can be challenging to know which ones to visit. Even a recent stop in at the Michelin 2 or 3 Star @Amber in Hong Kong (somehow voted one of best Restaurants in World) was disappointing - I won't be blogging on that experience here. However, I redeemed myself by stepping foot into this clean and sophisticated space at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo in the Alexandra House in Central, Hong Kong. 8 1/2 was recommended to me by Henry Chan, owner of Yang Sing Dim Sum San Francisco (see blog on a recent visit with Henry and my friends at PWMWine http://blog.pwmwine.com/wine-and-dim-sum).

Some may think it strange to seek out European cuisine in Asia. To me, this is not strange at all. I love all kinds of ethnic cuisines. And it just so happens that sometimes (actually a lot of the time), when I am not in Italy, that I crave some very serious authentic, sophisticated, first class Italian cuisine. You know, the kind that onlookers oooh and ahhh about and feel a little jealous that you experienced something they didn't. This of course includes perfectly al dente house made pasta and naturally (see photo below!) - a fantastic Italian wine list.

Fine pasta dish - lobster crab filling, and the biggest, most generous flakes of fresh, delicate, seasonal truffle I have ever had in my life - served right at the table.

After a week long feast of different kinds of some of the best Asian cuisine in Hong Kong and Taipei, I longed to go back to my love for Italian cuisine. Be sure to book here far in advance here. These A-list type restaurants in Hong Kong are booked full weeks in advance, even on week nights.

We brought our own wine (from SF's PWMWine http://www.pwmwine.com/default.asp) which paired magnificently, my 2008 Bruno Giacosa Barbera D'alba Piedmont. Dry, aromatic, cherries, spices - tannic like all Italians should be to pair with the rich Italian food to be served soon. When our waiter opened our bottle - within seconds the aromas of the wine permeated the 5 feet space between us. He then decanted it with precision. Decanting probably wasn't needed for this bottle but why not, I needed quickly to drink a glass so speeding up the opening of the wine was fine by me!

The service was 5 star and unlike most Hong Kong restaurants - 8 1/2 was not overly fussy. Oh, they definitely had their eyes on us this is sure; however we did not feel as if our every move would be met with a counter abrupt and brisk follow up to see if everything was alright, or if they could get us anything else. --> That's one thing most of the French Michelin's are verrrryyyy good at... staying out of your way during your intimate dining experience, knowing exactly when you need something, and catching your spilled drop of water just before it hits the ground - of course with grace, ease, and swiftness.

The staff at 8 1/2 took impeccable care of us with great respect, catered to our every need, and still let us feel human. Loved speaking a bit of Italian with the staff, and then going back to British accents with the Chinese staff. Love Hong Kong.

Beautiful contemporary sommelier serving area - where we were very lucky to be seated directly next to. Lovely view out to the green flowing leaves of the trees through the window - it was Typhoon Warning Level 3 that night, so the visual of swaying summer green leaves provided high visual stimulation. This was no mistake, as my friend whom I was dining with - his architecture firm designed the Interior and Exterior and Landscaping of this building and restaurant.

Little jelly foie gras with chocolate powder to whet our palates. Of course, it did the trick. Put smiles on our faces and stomachs, always a great way to start a forthcoming amazing meal.

Lobster in cold melon soup, mint, and Iberico ham.

Poached langousitine, on parsley gnocci, and spicy salami jus, caviar.

Our white linen cloth table with our beautiful wines... in my favorite Schott Zweisel wine glasses.... and some delicious Italian bread, breadsticks, rich and creamy house made butter, EVOO, and balsamic vinegar. All the very best ingredients and serving accoutrements. Very nice environment with well dressed and well behaved clientele. Ourselves included.