In Hong Kong, there’s no shortage of fancy restaurants, but finding a special hidden gem can be hard work. Recently, I visited a sleek, tiny, 30-seater (if that!) Italian gem in Happy Valley called Locanda dell’Angelo. It’s run by chef-owner Angelo Agliano, who spent nearly a decade working at various L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurants across the world (Paris, Monte Carlo, Hong Kong and Taipei). Rumour has it that the master himself called Chef Agliano’s risotto the best he had ever tasted. While we didn’t get a chance to try the risotto on this visit, we were treated to some recipes from Chef Agliano’s home town in Sicily. From 28 August–2 September 2018, he is offering a special eight-course Sicily Event menu ($980 per person) that features:
- pan-fried octopus with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and parsley
- marinated fresh anchovies, gratin mussels and roasted peppers
- spaghetti with tuna, bottarga, pine nuts and raisins
- rigatoni in Sicilian flavours with eggplant and Pecorino cheese
- mixed fish soup “Matalotta style” with garlic bruschetta
- roasted meat rolls with Caciocavallo cheese
- cannoli with ricotta, pistachio and candied fruit
- Sicilian lemon blancmange with granita and mint
What stands out about Locanda dell’Angelo is the quality of the ingredients and the authenticity of the recipes. When I took a bite of my olive-oil-dipped breadstick, I knew that the rest of the meal would be great; the oil by QuantoBasta was extremely fragrant and chosen by Chef Agliano himself.
The Sicilian dishes tasted extremely homey and satisfying, showcasing some recipes I haven’t seen anywhere else in Hong Kong. Weeks later, I’m still thinking about the tuna spaghetti. When I told a friend about it, she asked if the sauce had a red or white base. It had neither – it was just… clear? It simply featured beautiful ingredients that stuck to the perfectly cooked, al-dente pasta. Beware that the portion sizes are generous, so try not to fill up too much on the pasta when there are two mains and two desserts to go.
If you’re a fan of Sicilian food, interested in trying it or looking for a new Italian spot, Locanda dell’Angelo is easily one of the best places in town for authentic Italian food.
10–12 Yuen Yuen Street, Happy Valley, 3709 2788
This write-up is based on a complimentary media tasting provided in exchange for an honest review and no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s.
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