Where sommelier Simone Sammuri shops, drinks and eats in Hong Kong

As a proper Italian, I like cooking at home. When I want to organise a meal for my beautiful girlfriend Aries and our friends, I make sure that the ingredients are top quality. For this reason, I think (several branches, including 3/F Bayfield Building, 99 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2529 2902) is my favourite Italian deli here. They have a great selection of Italian cheeses and cured meats, and Italian olive oil, pasta and more. The prices are obviously higher, but the quality is guaranteed.

I lived in London for three years working in a French wine bar. That's where I started to appreciate regional French cuisine and discovered so much about small artisan wine producers from Italy and France. (62 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2776 6070) has such an impressive wine list focused on small artisan producers and not just French ones. It also operates the (97 Hollywood Road, tel: 2517 0186) selling the wine at retail price. It's a very warm place to hang out. Ask the manager Alban for recommendations — you will not be disappointed.

I also like Asian cuisine very much, especially Japanese. My favourite ramen is (69 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2530 0600). There is always a considerable queue of people. The staff are friendly and there is no doubt about the freshness of every ingredient in their dishes.

As for an Italian restaurant, I want to suggest one of the oldest in Hong Kong. Established in 1969, (36-38 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2376 1945) is a small place where I think every Italian would feel comfortable. It features a rustic interior, with a beautiful and homey environment. Pastas are home-made, dishes are very simple, generous and delicious. What a great spot to have a proper traditional carbonara with no cream. Also I had the best tiramisu there. I could feel the intense coffee flavour and the richness of the Savoiardi biscuits, with that nice touch of mascarpone. Again with no addition of cream! Delicious, really.

Lastly, I want to mention where I probably had my best meal in Hong Kong, (25/F Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 5 Connaught Road, Central, tel: 2825 4001). I am not usually a big fan of fine dining. As a simple person, I feel a bit uncomfortable with such methodical service where you struggle to interact with staff. Also, the expectation for a wonderful and perfect meal experience is usually so high that we get disappointed easily. But chef de cuisine Jean-Denis Le Bras is a good friend and often he visits our wine bar for a nice bottle of Italian. When I finally tried his lunch menu, I was in love with every single dish. And, if you can get a table next to the window, enjoy the wonderful harbour view.