Osteria Marzia’s coastal Italian fare at The Fleming Hong Kong brings boutique charm to Wan Chai
With an open kitchen, seafood on ice and retro bar, it was like being on an ocean liner
The Fleming Hong Kong’s transformation from nondescript business hotel to slick boutique property has created a buzz on the corner of Fleming and Jaffe Roads - and a night we will remember for a long time. Big wrought-iron windows of the hotel’s restaurant offer views of the high ceilings, light wooden panels, white and blue tiles and pendant lights.
Alice, our attentive waitress, walked us through a menu inspired by the Campania, Amalfi and Puglia coastal Italian regions. We chose the fire-roasted seafood tower (HK$888), and a crudo of hamachi with cherry tomatoes, olives and basil (HK$178), served carpaccio style. The fish was rich in texture and layered in flavour. The double-decker seafood oozed goodness, with lobster, blue swimmer crab, prawns, mussels, clams, octopus and salmon chunks in a light wine sauce. Halfway through the meal, the manager approached with a frying pan of linguine, fresh lemons, chopped basil and chilli flakes. He tossed the pasta, seafood sauce and jus, before serving heavenly food.
We also ordered lombata (beef sirloin, (HK$298) served in anchovy butter, topped with crispy deep-fried shallot slices.
The meat was expertly prepared, the sauce gave it a nice kick and rosemary steams brought out the best from the meat. The shallots added crunch. We wrapped things up with a refreshing pannacotta (HK$118) with yogurt sauce, caramelised strawberry and cookie crumble, and the rich and bittersweet torta di gianduja (HK$118).
