Doors are officially open at Il Presidente, the latest concept to open from the powerhouse team behind everyone’s favourite Italian restaurant and hardest-to-book Trattoria Felino.
Félix De Arriaga Balanzat and Marcello Scognamiglio expand their dominion with this Central opening, with fine Italian hospitality amplified by suave design and service, bold bar offerings, and a food programme shaped in the spirit of nonnas everywhere.
The 31 dishes on the menu at Il Presidente cover the gamut of Italy’s boot. Salty stuzzichini announce one’s meal and classici follow, with favourites of braised beef tripe (HKD178), hamachi crudo (HKD238), and fritto misto (HKD198).
The pasta and secondi sections are designed for sharing across the table, with the homemade spaghetti with courgette and mussel (HKD218), homemade tagliolini with Sicilian langoustine and bottarga (HKD248), tortiglioni with sausage and beef ragù (HKD198), half yellow chicken, (HKD348), and pan-fried veal cutlet (HKD588) to match.
Simone Ciambrone, formerly of BVLGARI Ginza in Tokyo, mans the floor as bar manager, or “director of hand gestures,” according to his Instagram bio.
Il Presidente is open Wednesday through Monday for dinner service in August, before opening for lunch in September.
Il Presidente, Shop M2, M/F, Baskerville House, 13 Duddell Street, Central, WhatsApp 5443 0908, book here
