Months after Testina, the meaty Italian restaurant he led for three years, shuttered in Central, chef Marco Xodo is back in the kitchen.
Opening on Jun. 20, the recently anointed executive chef lands at Ninetta, a new JIA Group restaurant focusing on family-style (or grandmotherly, as the website puts it) Italian fare. Michelin-starred Estro chef Antimo Maria Merone and general manager Graziano De Gregorio join the restaurant as co-founders.
The menu, and its prices, place the trattoria firmly in the mid-range tier of Hong Kong dining, so expect high-quality dishes. From the antipasti section, recommendations include the mini veal tongue bun (HKD98), mozzarella braid (HKD188), and veal tonnato (HKD208).
With the pastas and mains, designed for both “sharing is caring”and “all for me,” Ninetta marks the lasagna terrine (HKD188), tagliatelle (HKD228), veal chop (HKD588), ma yau fish (HKD498), and pork skewers (HKD238) as signatures.
The wine list features three dozen labels, along with a collection of Italian and global classic cocktails if you’re not feeling red, white, or sparkling. Dessert is comprised of five rather Italian picks, including tiramisu (HKD108) and panna cotta (HKD98).
Ninetta, 3F, M88, Wellington Place, 2–8 Wellington Street, Central, 9726 4188, book here
