CIAK in the Kitchen at the Landmark Atrium in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2137778/irishman-abroads-favourite-hong-kong-restaurants-ciak-kitchen Food & Drink
An Irishman abroad’s favourite Hong Kong restaurants, from CIAK – In The Kitchen to Congress Plus
Ian Carroll is the owner and founder of The Candle Company and its new beeswax candle brand, Carroll&Chan. He tells us his go-to places for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ian Carroll is the owner and founder of The Candle Company. Photo: Ian Carroll
I enjoy eating out in Hong Kong, There is so much variety to choose from. Eating out usually means family meals with my wife and two kids and the occasional business lunch or dinner.
CIAK – In The Kitchen (Shop 327-333, 3/F The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, tel: 2522 8869) is my favourite place. My wife and I go as often as we can.
The place is stylish without pretensions, the food is always fresh and authentic and the service is excellent, with a very nice manager from Italy. My son Louis became friends with chef Bombana’s son many years ago at playgroup. I love their pizza Napoletana. It’s the perfect Italian pizza base and generous with anchovies.
For really great dim sum, I take my team to Chiu Chow Garden Restaurant (Shops 511-530, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, tel: 2418 9333). We all love it. It’s big, the service is fast and the portions are generous. There are no English menus but you can select from a picture paper menu. It’s always busy and noisy and it’s absolutely jam-packed at lunch time. The shrimp and pork dumplings and the tripe are excellent and not greasy.
A gamja-jeon dish served at Congress Plus in Wan Chai.
Another favourite is Congress Plus (4/F, HKCEC, Wan Chai, tel: 2582 7250). It overlooks Victoria Harbour with big windows and high ceilings. They have a fantastic buffet, one of the best I’ve seen. I took our Carroll&Chan staff there to celebrate New Year and there was something for everyone. There’s a great selection of fish, in particular, and different international cuisines and very good desserts, cheese and fruit. It’s a great place for families and team lunches and dinners, as there’s plenty of space and it’s not too noisy.
For a lazy Sunday afternoon, I like going to Delaney’s in Cyberport (Shop 314, 411, 501 and 601, The Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, tel: 2677 1126). They have a family-friendly menu, relaxed environment with great service and a lovely outdoor terrace. The hamburgers are good and they pull a perfect pint of Guinness. We usually take the kids there and take a stroll along the seafront after eating.
The interior of Iberico & Co in Central. Photo: Paul Yeung
For after work drinks and tapas, I like the tapas and drinks selection at Iberico & Co (18 Shelley Street, SoHo, tel: 2752 8811) on the Mid-Levels escalator.
The China Club at the Old Bank of China Building in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
A special place is the China Club (13/F-14/F, Old Bank of China Building, Bank Street, Central, tel: 2521 8888), as much for the ambience as the food. You have to be a member though. I’m not, but I know someone who is.