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Cosimo Taddei. Photo: May Tse

Dine-Art is the latest in a trend for art-oriented restaurants

LIFE

In a city where space is a commodity, a 4,000 sq ft private kitchen sounds oxymoronic. But that's exactly what's on offer at Dine-Art Private Kitchen in Aberdeen.

Joining a trend that fuses fine food with art, Dine-Art, with just 24 seats, dishes up an intimate dining experience to satisfy all the senses.

Diners take in the works that hang from the walls (pieces by Australian painter Fred Williams and Chinese-French Zao Wou Ki are now on show) while enjoying a seasonally driven menu by Italian-born Cosimo Taddei.

"What sets us apart is the gallery space, and the way it's designed to encourage an intimacy with the art," says art project manager, Lamia Mahjoub.

"When you step in for dinner, it feels as if you're in a home away from home. Then, when the food arrives, you're transported to Italy."

Mahjoub says Dine-Art will appeal to those who have an equal passion for food and art. "With such a big space, it's ideal for intimate dining, corporate events, private events and cocktail functions."

After seven years in Hong Kong working for El Grande Group, first as chef then as executive chef at Domani restaurant, Taddei joined Dine-Art, where he prepares a new menu every month.

A fan of the southern Italian style of fresh raw seafood, Taddei often incorporates this into the menu; check out the stracciatella cheese, Sicilian red prawn, eggplant, anchovy mousse, crunchy capers, and Jerusalem artichoke chips.

His signature dishes are goose liver ravioli with pigeon sauce, wild mushrooms and black truffle, and roasted beef tenderloin wrapped with guanciale ham, roast potatoes, taggiasca olives and bell pepper.

This month's menu includes slow-cooked beef cheek, carrots, romanesco broccoli, finferli (chanterelle) mushroom and coffee sauce; bluefin tuna with caramel soya sauce, bell peppers and mint and pineapple; and home-made ravioli, beans and pigeon ragout with a dessert of beetroot, apple, carrot, candied lemon, passion fruit ice cream and chocolate crumble.

Slow-cooked beef cheek, baby carrots, romanesco broccoli, finferly mushroom and coffee sauce.

Dine-Art is the latest addition to the art/dining concept landscape that took root last year with the arrival of Duddell's in Central. Owned by hospitality and design trio Yenn Wong, Alan Lo and Paolo Pong, it recently won a second Michelin star. Its standard of art is equally high.

In the past it has showcased works by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei and ink-focused works from the M.K. Lau collection - a renowned body of Chinese art from the 20th century.

This week, Duddell's hosts acclaimed Vietnamese-born Danish conceptual artist Danh Vo, who makes his Hong Kong debut with a self-curated exhibition with onsite installations. The show runs for three months.

French restaurant Bibo has also upped the food and art ante with its Hollywood Road space furnished with works of street art by French urban artist Invader, JR, and Mr Brainwash as well as wall hangings from graffiti artist Banksy and works from Damien Hirst and Daniel Arsham.

Other featured artists include Jeff Koons, Keith Haring, "King of Kowloon" Tsang Tsou-choi, Frank Shepard Fairey, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama.

Dine-Art, 16/F Kwai Bo Industrial Bldg, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Aberdeen, tel: 6745 9130, dine-art-hk.com

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Art appeals to many tastes
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