Great European Restaurants with Character

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  1. #1

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    Great European Restaurants with Character

    I think I already know the answer to this question but does anybody know of any Italian, French, British, Spanish restaurants in Hong Kong that serve great food (so no chains please) and and also have a really authentic and preferably not modern interior and not in a hotel/shopping mall.

    I'm looking for somewhere with a bit of character, owned by the family for many years, has some history associated with it etc etc.

    I think the answer is no, and that guidance will be - 'if you want that - then go to Europe', but my girlfriends parents are visiting in September and they love that sort of thing, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask the Geoexpat community :-)

    Many thanks,

    Doug.


  2. #2

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    How about Macau?

    Unfortunately I don't know of any restaurants in HK that fit your description, but there are a few in Macau serving great Portugese/Macanese food that could be great fun for you and the parents.

    There's Fernando's on the black sand beach on Coloanne (not sure of the correct name), Ah Lorcha sp? next to the Ah Mah temple and Antonio's in the old part of Taipa.

    I know Fernando's has been around for years and has some great quirks including Fernando himself. Same with Antonio's. Not sure about Ah Lorcha's history but the food was great when I was there.

    Anyway it's something different to consider and you could couple it with a day trip round the old part of Macau or casinos if that's what you would prefer.


  3. #3

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    Hi, one night we were walking along Elgin Street Soho looking for somewhere to have dinner and came across Cecconi's (Italian cuisine at G/F, 43 Elgin Street). Why this? the reason was we had been Cecconi's in Melbourne Australia. Without hesitation we assumed they are related and our experience with their food in Melb was very good. Ouch! despite they were not related, they bought the name from Aust and also an Australian chef (I know I am bias!), the food was comparable to Melb. My husband and I love trying out restaurants at least once a week - I have to say that we rate Cecconi's the top of our list at this point of time. The deco could be modern (individual's perception), cosy but tend to be a little noisy. Cost is what you pay for most fine dining restaurant.


  4. #4

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    If you can get over your exclusion of chains, well - this isn't really a chain, recommend Fat Angelos in Soho or Causeway Bay


  5. #5

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    Swiss Chalet at Hart Avenue TST has good Swiss/French food and decor is good.


  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by ray98:
    If you can get over your exclusion of chains, well - this isn't really a chain, recommend Fat Angelos in Soho or Causeway Bay
    You are joking, aren't you?

  7. #7

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    Amigo in Happy Valley.
    that place out in sai kung - i think its called 0ne-thirty-one?
    lots of private kitchens in central and causeway
    Gaia and all their restaurants (do you consider that a chain too?)
    Kee Club
    Cipriani (i suppose this is a chain)


  8. #8

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    How about private kitchens and restaurants? And I know it doesn't qualify as European, but I hear really great things about Magnolia.

    I've also found this online (no idea how up to date it is and have never eaten there):

    Le Blanc
    6/F, 83 Wan Chai Road,Wan Chai
    Tel: 3428 5824

    Le Blanc is a tiny French private kitchen on the sixth floor of an office block down a dingy market alleyway in Wan Chai. Like, Da Ping Huo, the obscure location only adds to the drama when you emerge from a rickety old lift into a small dining room decorated like a French country barn with huge velvet curtains sectioning off each table allowing you a perfectly private dining experience. More: Taasty - Hong Kong's Best Restaurants | Private Kitchens

    More private kitchens listed here: Hong Kong Private Kitchens - Hong Kong Directory


  9. #9

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    Jimmy's Kitchen is the obvious choice - I don't go often these days but I've never had anything other than good food and a very good night out when I've been - I always go to the TST venue which has moved recently but is still a nice place to eat.

    I also like the food and ambience in Ruths Christ Steak house - but you'll spunk about a grand a head - I've always been to the TST East venue.

    You've always got your Brit and Irish pubs for your more basic fare - Dickens Bar at the Excelsior though is always worth calling by esp for lunch.

    Peak Cafe is pretty much a must if you have visitors - not exactly European but mixed fare and enough history to throw a dead chicken at.

    Last edited by Load Toad; 08-08-2009 at 07:05 PM.

  10. #10

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    Fat Angelo's?
    The bread and salad are OK - pasta? every sauce tastes the same - it's redeeming feature is massive portions; great if you are with a bunch of kids or so 2@ed that you can't taste much.


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