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.' Hot Pot House, 1/F, 10 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2377 1315. 'I have hot pot with my friends occasionally. Hot Pot House serves beef of excellent quality, only fresh, never frozen. Every morning the buyer searches the wet markets for the best meat available.'
