Marco Wong Tai-fai has been a chef for more than 20 years, including a four-year stint at Gaddi's in The Peninsula. He now has his own restaurant,
the Marco Bistro in Tsim Sha Tsui. After a long week in his own kitchen, he often goes to these restaurants to relax.
California Pizza Kitchen, Level 3, LCX, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Shui, tel: 3102 0375. 'I usually have pizza (pictured) and pasta, which are quite nice. I like the lively environment of this restaurant, especially on Sundays.'
Lo Chiu Vietnamese Restaurant, 17 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2314 7983. 'This restaurant serves delicious Vietnamese dishes. The fried crystal flat noodles with assorted meat, and deep-fried minced shrimp on sugar cane are famous.'
Lips French Cuisine, 4/F, Sung Lan Mansion, 37 Leighton Road, Wan Chai, tel: 9386 0981. 'The set meals are good and the place is cosy. It's nicely decorated and you feel like you're eating at home.'
Al Dente, 16 Staunton Street, SoHo, tel: 2869 5463. 'This place serves excellent traditional Italian pasta. It is not like the soft pasta served elsewhere. Cooking pasta requires a good technique and the chefs here know what they are doing.'