Surprisingly for a restaurant headed by a well-known chef, Dedica opened without much fanfare last August. The intimate, elegant eatery with its sprawling outdoor terrace is hidden away within the twists and turns of ifc mall – set within the Lane Crawford cosmetics section, to be exact.
Dedica is one of the latest ventures for chef Gianni Caprioli, who has achieved multiple successes in Hong Kong with his namesake Giando Group, from fine-dining Italian restaurant Giando to Italian grocer Mercato Gourmet.
The ifc mall restaurant is a change of pace for the chef, a move towards a more affordable all-day-dining approach. There’s a menu to suit every desire, including à la carte, set lunch, weekend brunch, and even happy hour. We’re fans of the “pizza hour” concept in particular, when a margherita pizza and drink will set you back just HKD158. It’s offered daily from 3PM to 6PM.
The à-la-carte menu showcases a wide-range of mostly Italian favourites, where the provenance of the ingredients is key. Notably, there’s a section that places the spotlight on eggs from Italy’s Ferioli Bio, with these eggy dishes available for ordering until 6PM.
From the small bites menu, ideal for pairing with a drink or two, we recommend the deep-fried Ibérico meatballs (HKD118), six plump pockets of well-seasoned porky goodness on a base of bright and tangy tomato sauce (admittedly, we could have done with more sauce). These babies definitely whet the appetite.
Though more American than European in style, the seafood chowder (HKD148) is a standout on the à-la-carte menu for its creamy, comforting richness and abundance of fresh seafood. The portion can easily be shared between two.
Less really is more with the colourful appetiser of octopus (HKD208) with crushed potato, rocket, and cherry tomato. The octopus has a nice char, and the simple seasonings and salad ingredients allow the quality of the produce to shine.
In terms of heartier plates, the beef short rib risotto (HKD288) is a good choice. The saffron risotto has a strong Parmesan flavour that contrasts well with the robust meatiness of the tender short rib. We’re keen to try the lamb rack (HKD398) next time around.
We’ve heard great things about Dedica’s pizza selection, so perhaps the kitchen team were having an off night as the tartufo (HKD248) pizza we ordered was lacking the airy crispiness that we had been expecting. This tomato-free pizza is topped with buffalo mozzarella and stracchino cheeses, seasonal mushrooms, and black truffle. We found the overall flavour on the bland side and the cheese texture rubbery.
Our verdict of Dedica
Whether it be for lunch, happy hour, or dinner, Dedica is a lovely mid-range addition to the dining landscape of ifc mall. Even simply tracking it down feels like you’ve stumbled upon a well-kept secret. The restaurant’s terrace is one of the best outdoor spaces in Central.
Dedica, Shop 3025–3026 & 3031–3066, Lane Crawford, 3/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 2234 5524, WhatsApp 9239 8736, book here
| Order this: Ibérico meatballs, seafood chowder, octopus, beef short rib risotto Menu: Dedica menus Price for two: HKD800–1,000 | Atmosphere: discreet and secluded Perfect for: the most romantic happy hour in town, starring sundowners and harbour views |
This review is intended to offer an individual perspective on the dining experience and should not be considered as a definitive judgement of the restaurant’s overall quality or reputation. The views expressed in this review are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions of Foodie.
