Almost two years after the closure of the legendary Toscana at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, former executive chef and Hong Kong’s very own “Best Italian Chef in Asia”, Umberto Bombana, returned with his most personal and distinctive project ever—8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA.
Strategically located in the heart of central Hong Kong in the elegant Landmark Alexandra, this award-winning project by the Italian maestro, also hailed the “King of White Truffles”, is the hottest high-end fine dining spot in town, and the only three Michelin-starred Italian restaurant outside of Italy.
Unsurprisingly then, the restaurant serves up what is arguably the best Italian food in Asia, and nothing here is done by halves. A first step in to the restaurant and prestigious artworks from Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Mimmo Rotella set the scene, alongside an exclusive ageing cellar that houses high-grade hams such as Pata Negra and Cinta Senese, Italian cheeses, premium caviar and truffles, and a spacious walk-in wine cellar collecting more than 3,000 bottles from all over the world.
A homemade Cavatelli comes next, cooked in saltwater and served with a shellfish ragout that’s been bountifully curated using octopus, lobster, scampi and snapper, before yet another extravagant garnish of silky sea urchin.
Even the desserts go above and beyond. The Coffee Trio of Tiramisu sees a warm coffee tart and a crunchy coffee ice cream—yes, crunchy—with a coffee jelly and a fluffy sponge that lets you know each bite here has been very carefully crafted to give a sensational contrast of textures, unlike any other.
Three Michelin stars, very well deserved.
Another example of culinary finesse is the Tajima Short Rib and Beef Tenderloin with sautéed vegetables that have been stewed over hours with Parma ham and two different types of red wine—a truly progressive Italian creation to die for
