The group behind Goccia, DiVino and Spasso have once again got their concept just right. Imax moviegoers, shoppers, and the weekday lunch crowd will be hard-pressed to a find a better quality spot for a casual, comforting bite. The Italian restaurant's speciality is carpaccio and there are four varieties, two chilled and two described on the menu as lukewarm. We tried the branzino (HK$98), a platter of thin slices of imported sea bass heated in a salamander broiler and tossed with capers, Ligurian olives, fresh plum tomatoes and lemon zest and sprinkled with young bean sprouts - it was simple, refreshing and delicious. Five varieties of pasta are hand-made each day, and the dried varieties of pasta and risotto, all imported from Italy, include whole wheat and Kamut pasta, the latter being suitable for some cases of gluten intolerance (an extra HK$10 per dish is charged). Mains include Italian favourites such as osso bucco (HK$175) and tonno (HK$168), seared tuna loin with French beans. The thin-crust 11-inch pizzas (HK$108-HK$148) (right), cooked in the restaurant's pizza oven, are another big draw. Recommended for dessert: the homemade cappuccino custard creme brulee (HK$65) (below), which is served in a coffee cup and finished with caramelised brown sugar, a twirl of biscuit and a stick of fried, sugared spaghetti - it is creamy, smoky and sweet. Carpaccio has a reasonably priced and Italian-focused wine list offering white wines divided into light and fruity, racy whites and the big boys, reds categorised by fruit driven, easy riders and rustic reds, and sparkling, rose and dessert wines. It also has cocktails, spirits, shooters, beers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic smoothies, liqueurs and fresh juices.
Shop 307, 3/F iSquare, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 23285202
