Otto e Mezzo Bombana, has officially opened in Central. Even though it's an authentic Italian joint, boss chef Umberto Bombana has been around Hong Kong long enough to know he's got to keep some rituals for the sake of fung shui and tradition. That's why an opening ceremony was performed, though toned down to Hongkong Land's stuffy specification - not too loud, not too wild - on Tuesday morning inside Alexandra House. There was the usual lion dance, offerings to the gods of prosperity and pasta, and the cutting of a roast pig. Apparently, this was ordered in though. We're curious why Bombana did not just roast his own suckling, which would probably have been even tastier? According to his public relations director, the Tuscan kitchen maestro did consider the idea, but he couldn't order a whole pig from his import suppliers and the local sources didn't meet his quality specification. 'He just couldn't get a whole pig with the head and the tail the way it's supposed to be for the ceremony.' By the way, Bombana has also added a Picasso and a Warhol print to brighten up the place.
