The best Italian restaurant in Hong Kong, and other dining tips from a wine importer who’s called the city home for 20 years
- Frenchman Hervé Leroux sees the inside of many restaurants as an importer of European wine, and for him one Italian chef-restaurateur stands out in Hong Kong
- He likes Han Ah Rum for Korean barbecue, misses the seafood platters at La Coupole in Paris and tips Ristorante Emilia in Ancona, Italy, and its ‘crazy owner’
Frenchman Hervé Leroux has been in Hong Kong since 2000. His company, Sino Vantage Asia, imports wine and spirits to East Asian markets, mainly from France and Italy.
When I was a kid, my parents had a garden with vegetables and fruits. My priorities have always been quality and freshness.
As I import many Italian wines, I get many chances to eat Italian, and nothing compares to Umberto Bombana’s places. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Shop 202, Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Road, Central, tel: 2537 8859) is my all-time top. I also like Tosca di Angelo (102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2263 2270).
For less formal, Divino Patio (Shop 11, Brim 28, Causeway Centre, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2877 3552) has a nice, relaxing terrace next to my office. Also, Crust Italian (Woo Cheong Pawn Shop, 60-66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2191 0278), the Campania restaurant, is nice too.
As I used to live in Seoul, I like to eat Korean. Arirang (3/F, W Square, 314-324 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2506 3298) is very traditional and their Korean dishes are well done. For barbecue, I like Han Ah Rum (6/F, Causeway Bay Plaza 1, 489 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2866 6927).
For first time visitors, Aqua (17/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 3427 2288) is the best spot for dinner. For breakfast or lunch, then it’s China Club (13/F-14/F, Old Bank of China Building, Bank Street, Central, tel: 2521 8888).
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I also like to bring people out of the city. So many visitors think all Hong Kong is like Central. When they discover outer islands like Cheung Chau, they are so surprised, especially when we sit down at one of the very casual seafood restaurants near to the pier.
As a wine merchant, vino is an important part of any gathering. A nice dinner cannot be with lousy wines, only good wines. I admit I can be very troublesome choosing the wines, checking the glasses. I do like Max Traverse’s new restaurant and bar with terrace, Maka Hiki, (2/F, Little Tai Hang – The Corner House, 98 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, tel: 2155 1777).
Overseas, I have many souvenirs from Maxim’s de Paris restaurant (3 Rue Royale, 75008, Paris, tel: +33 1 42 65 27 94). I used to represent the brand in Asia and had some interesting dinners there. One time, I spent a whole evening with the owner and Pierre Cardin talking about sparkling water and olive oil.
I was born in Paris, and I like sitting in front of street cafes checking out passing people. La Coupole (102 Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris, 75014, tel: +33 1 43 20 14 20) has a historical décor and excellent seafood platters.
Unusual restaurants I like to take friends to include L’Ecurie (58 Rue de la Montagne Ste Geneviève, Paris, 75005, tel: +33 1 70 22 62 29).
It’s near my old University, Panthéon-Sorbonne, with a very simple menu, but the basement cave is so unique. I miss all the historical buildings of the St Michel and Paris’ 5th arrondissement.
I also miss Italy. In Verona, I wish to have a drink at the iconic Antica Bottega del Vino (3 Via Scudo di Francia, Verona, 37121, tel: +39 045 800 4535) and eat in its basement surrounded by the bottles. I also miss the seaside, in the Marche region with friends from the Umani Ronchi winery. You must try Ristorante Emilia (Portonovo Bay, 60129, Ancona, Italy, tel: +39 071 801 109) and meet its crazy owner.
