Tiger Tales

MEAL HOP

Hong Kong

A hearty appetite needs nurturing, particularly when on holiday. Mary Weaver hits the slopes of Soho for a day of gluttony

Breakfast

With outside chairs and marble-topped tables facing the street, Classified/The Cheese Room looks and feels almost Parisian. The menu soon incites drooling: artisan cheeses, wines, jamon, prosciutto, caviar, risotto. As I look at my watch – 9am! – it’s hardly the time for tucking into such a feast. Instead it’s an omelette with a side of people-watching and a vow to return for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and a late-night snack next visit.

● Classified/The Cheese Room, 108 Hollywood Rd, tel: +852 2525 3454, www..classifiedfoodshops.com.hkk

Lunch

Elgin Street, just off the Mid-Levels escalators, is home to a range of cuisines – a Japanese sashimi bar sits next to a Lebanese restaurant which faces a Mexican eatery – all in the space of about five metres. Further down is Posto Pubblico, a New York-style Italian restaurant/bar. Think home-style cooking with classically simple ingredients: arancini, mushroom risotto and tagliolini with pancetta and peas. Best of all, there’s a great set menu – a starter, main and espresso for only HK$120 (S$21/A$16).

● Posto Pubblico, 28 Elgin St, tel: +852 2577 7160, www.postopubblico.com

 

Dinner

Back down the hill and along Hollywood Road, nirvana appears – an authentic tapas and wine bar, Tapeo. After grabbing the last seats at the counter, we’re soon devouring marinated anchovies and glasses of rioja with freshly-baked bread and olive oil. Sautéed prawns with secret spices soon follow and, it’s official, we’ve found the dish of the day. After a serving of chorizo and cherry tomatoes, the excess of the day finally catches up. The crema Catalana and churros will have to wait until next time…

● Tapeo, 15-19 Hollywood Road, tel: 852 3171 1989, www.tapeo.hk