Now with a brand-new moniker attached to the group, Hidden Gem Restaurants of Flat Iron Steak and Burger fame have opened an Italian-American restaurant in Sheung Wan, The Lasagna Factory, veering away from their namesake beefy steaks and patties.
The Lasagna Factory has quite big shoes to fill, having opened in the well-known two-storey space at 208 Hollywood Road – an address long synonymous with Italian-American cooking, first with 208 Duecento Otto and then, much more briefly, 208 Italian. The ground floor houses the clean and simple dining room, whilst the first floor is reserved for events and regular pasta-making workshops.
For those seeking a quiet spot for date night, The Lasagna Factory is not for you – but, then again, that’s not what it’s aiming for. It’s very noisy, the servers treat guests like family, and sometimes even the customers get up to sing and dance. This is a spot for fun nights out with the gang and family meals with kids in tow at the weekend.
To start, Nonna’s garlic bread (HKD78) is as buttery and garlicky as we had hoped, perfect for dunking into any of the eatery’s pasta or lasagna sauces.
Another great carby starter or side option is the pepperoni pizza (HKD180), a “grandma-style” oblong pie with an airy and fluffy crust and to-die-for light tomato sauce with a hint of garlic.
We also suggest ordering a small pasta dish to share before the main event. Our pick is the strozzapreti pesto (HKD98), chewy corkscrew pasta glistening in a fresh earthy, nutty, cheesy, basil-rich pesto sauce – simple Italian flavours at their peak.
As its name states, lasagna is at the core of the restaurant’s short-but-sweet à-la-carte menu. There are three lasagna options here: beef short rib lasagna (HKD188), crab lasagna (HKD228), and mushroom lasagna (HKD168).
The beef lasagna stars Wagyu short rib braised in red wine, tender and savoury. We could have done with more béchamel sauce for balance and a bit more seasoning to amp up the overall flavour profile.
The crab lasagna pips the short rib to the post. The crabmeat filling, naturally sweet, is a fine match to the bright and creamy vodka sauce in which the lasagna is bathed, the sauce’s slight acidic tang cutting through the dish’s richness.
For dessert, the classic tiramisu (HKD98), scooped in heaping portions tableside, is a given. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll be treated to a shot of limoncello or grappa on the house courtesy of one of The Lasagna Factory’s effusive servers.
It’s worth noting that Flat Iron’s grain-fed Australian Black Angus sharing steaks can be added on if you’re hankering for more protein. There’s the 1kg bistecca alla fiorentina (HKD1,198 for 2) T-bone and 1.2kg costata di bistecca (HKD1,198 for 2) tomahawk. Both come complete with green salad, roasted fingerling potatoes, and red wine jus. T-bones are 50% off every Tuesday, whilst the same half-price discount applies to tomahawks on a Thursday.
Even more wallet-friendly is the Festa della Famiglia (HKD298 pp for 4 or HKD288 pp for 8) set dinner, which features two mains, sharing sides, and a trio of desserts. Or you can stop by during the daytime and opt for the weekday lunch set (HKD148), inclusive of garlic bread, all-you-can-eat salad, a choice of lasagna, and a drink.
Our verdict of The Lasagna Factory
The Lasagna Factory is bound to be just as popular as Flat Iron Steak and Burger. Hidden Gem Restaurants have cracked the code on offering what Hong Kong diners are craving – moving away from fancy, pricey fine-dining experiences to more affordable, laid-back eating escapades that are just as satisfying. Like the Italian-American restaurants adored throughout the USA, the heartfelt service and comforting plates make dining at The Lasagna Factory feel like home.
The Lasagna Factory, G/F & 1/F, 208 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 9078 6491, book here
| Order this: garlic bread, pepperoni pizza, strozzapreti pesto, crab lasagna, chicken parmesan, tiramisu Menu: The Lasagna Factory menu Price for two: HKD500–700 | Atmosphere: loud and proud – straight outta Little Italy with its red chequered tablecloths and roving accordionist belting out “O Sole Mio” Perfect for: rowdy, gut-busting red sauce meals just like Nonna used to make (or we wish she used to make) |
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.
