Buon Appetito
In celebration of Italian National Day on June 2, Johannes Pong takes a tasting tour around the old boot.
Non-italians may not comprehend just how mind-bogglingly diverse Italian food is. The traditional dishes of each city are unavoidably linked with its regional identity, from the seasonal local produce down to the shape and size of a particular type of pasta. But buona fortuna for us, during “Italy Quality and Lifestyle” (the Italian Chamber of Commerce’s annual event, somewhat akin to Le French May), we get a chance to sample twelve authentic regional Italian cooking styles during a promotion entitled “A Tavola!,” or “To the table!”. From June 2 to June 21, twelve restaurants in town will have their Italian chefs offer 12 distinct cuisines from 12 different regions of Italy. Each venue offers a three-course meal for a fixed price of $388, plus a complimentary flute of Prosecco from Casamiawines and a coffee from Caffè Pascucci. Remember not to order a cappuccino after the dinner, you barbarian—in Italia, it’s strictly a breakfast drink.
Catania, Sicily, at The Mistral
The island is soaked in Mediterranean sunshine and marinated with Arab and Greek influence. Circled by abundant seas, the islanders aren’t afraid of raw seafood. Try chef Claudio Dieli’s swordfish carpaccio with avocado, fried sweet apples and lemon dressing. Pasta dishes are popular here, with the first traces of dry pasta originating in Sicily. So go for the home-made pappardelle with tuna, eggplant, cherry tomato sauce, Sicilian ricotta and basil. For dessert, try chef Claudio’s modern interpretation of the classic Sicilian dessert, the cassata (a round sponge cake) with cinnamon ricotta and strawberry sauce. End with a Pascucci coffee sorbet or an espresso with Amadei chocolate.
The Mistral, B2, InterContinental Grand Standford, 70 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2731-2870.