Source:
https://scmp.com/article/634993/warm-welcome

Warm welcome

Sole Mio

G/F 47A Elgin Street, SoHo, 28696522

Fare Unpretentious Italian fare with a broad selection of antipasti, fairly predictable pizzas, pasta and risotto dishes, and main courses including old-time favourites such as osso bucco and braised veal shank.

Ambience Tucked away on fashionable Elgin Street, this is a gem of a restaurant with its warm lighting, uncluttered orange walls, tiled floors, low music and crisp white tablecloths. We were greeted on entry not only by the table staff, but also by the three chefs behind the open-plan kitchen counter. The restaurant was buzzing but not loud, and although it's a small venue we didn't feel cramped. The eatery was full on a week night, which is always a good sign. Service was attentive but not overwhelming and our dishes were served promptly.

Cost Bank on about HK$350 a person without drinks for three courses. Pizzas range between HK$98 and HK$135.

Who to bring A down-to-earth friend who enjoys good food and a chat.

Turn-ons Special mention must go to the finger-sized breadsticks which were crispy and melted in the mouth - lightly brushed with olive oil and just a tad salty. The fresh seafood salad antipasti dish was served wonderfully warm, and the tasty squid, shrimp and mussels were uber-fresh. Also from the antipasti section, the fresh prawn salad with fried basil, crispy garlic and olive oil was a celebration of taste and texture - the garlic flakes were crunchy, the flavours were very strong, and the prawn was cooked to perfection. The crisp basil leaves proved a perfect partner to the dish, while the just-added dash of olive oil did not overwhelm. The big pan-fried beef rolls with red and yellow peppers, asparagus and potato provided an intriguing option on the main course menu. They were big, flavoursome and came with a rich rosemary sauce which complemented the smoked ham, fontina cheese and mushroom filling beautifully.

Turn-offs For the pan-fried mixed mushrooms served on a bed of parma ham and fontina cheese starter, I was hard-pressed to find the ham, barely noticed the cheese and couldn't safely say there was a 'mix' of mushrooms either. As a main course, the risotto with mixed seafood proved nothing to write home about. The consistency seemed a little off-par and the lobster tail came with melted cheese on top, which detracted from the seafood taste.

Drinks A good selection of Italian wines, with by-the-glass options for about HK$50, and bottles from HK$150 to about HK$800.