Favourite Hong Kong restaurants of Giacomo Pani, Italian boss of the DiVino dining group
Tokio Joe’s toro tuna tartare often tempts Pani, who’s also partial to Thai food, the Chinese dishes at Ye Shanghai, and the fancy Italian fare at Tosca and 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
I have many favourite restaurants in town. Tokio Joe (16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, tel: 2525 1889) is unbeatable for its relaxed Japanese decor and ambience. I can’t stop eating the signature toro tuna tartare wrapped in salad leaf, which is my favourite dish – a must-try. For a main course, I love sharing the gently caramelised cod fish and the dynamite combo sushi platter.
My second pick is the Mandarin Grill (1/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, tel: 2825 4004). I particularly love the effort of the team in reaching perfection all together, so that each dish is a unique experience revealing the aromas and flavours in an unexpected artistic presentation. I like to experience the Gourmet Tour menu with wine pairing. I still remember the sublime beef, seasonal garden vegetables and a painstakingly layered potato, presented inside a book.
For Chinese, I like Ye Shanghai in Pacific Place (Shop 332, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, tel: 2918 9833) and my other favourite is Din Tai Fung (various locations, including 68 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 3610 8998) for their famous dumplings.
