Favourite Hong Kong restaurants of La Vache's Tony Ferreira
My general attitude to food is not that picky. If it's terrible, I'll just not go back. If it's fantastic I'll visit regularly. From time to time I'll try out different chef-driven restaurants where I dissect each dish: taste-by-taste, texture-by-texture, and by presentation. I do this not to be critical of others but to learn and study my peers and the greats. That is the best thing about food, it's always evolving and there are always classic dishes made progressively better.
My general attitude to food is not that picky. If it's terrible, I'll just not go back. If it's fantastic I'll visit regularly. From time to time I'll try out different chef-driven restaurants where I dissect each dish: taste-by-taste, texture-by-texture, and by presentation. I do this not to be critical of others but to learn and study my peers and the greats. That is the best thing about food, it's always evolving and there are always classic dishes made progressively better.
My favourite restaurants include (8 Wo On Lane, Central, tel: 2660 5977), (78 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, tel: 2755 5547) and one of our Black Sheep Group's restaurants, (9/F Lan Kwai Fong Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2593 2593). They all serve comfort food. Whether it's fried chicken or a nice bowl of pasta, it always turns a good day into an even better one. My wife and I love Italian food. According to her, Carbone has the best spicy vodka rigatoni. Apparently, it's better than my pastas.
Another favourite — and another that is part of our group — is (1 Elgin Street, Central, tel: 2810 0860). I go for the wagyu short ribs with jalapeno purée, green shallot kimchi and soya glaze. It's super tender and juicy on the inside and perfectly seared outside. Another must-have is the hamachi with cucumber, lemon jam, horseradish and puffed buckwheat. I am a sucker for ultra smooth and tasty hamachi. When paired with the buckwheat it provides a nice pop. However, it's not for those who can't take the heat.
' (68 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2291 0308) brisket or wonton noodles are my most comforting source of food. Usually after a busy lunch service my cooks and I head down for a bowl of noodles and a tall glass of cold local coffee. Mostly I have the brisket noodles. The key is the flavourful and rich broth. After 4pm you can watch the owner and the ladies wrap the wontons.
For overseas guests, I always try to give them local flavours, such as at the (47 Parkes Street, Jordan, tel: 2730 1356) for a nice, super-fluffy egg sandwich. This family-run establishment only does a few things but they do them exceptionally well. Be warned, this is not a place to sit around and hang out. The staff will ask you not so subtly to leave.