I visit Hong Kong frequently for work, and am always searching for some new restaurants to try, and places to explore, which led me to Chino. I made the trek out on the MTR, and walked the sleepy evening streets in K-Town, which was a completely refreshing change from the hustle and bustle around Central.
Location:
It was also nice being right on the waterfront, which I imagine is great during Summer evenings. As I walked down New Praya towards North Street, I came up on a striking floor to ceiling glass box with a bold, black/white Aaron Dela Cruz piece that reminded immediately of La Brea in LA. Already things were looking up.
Seating/Wait:
We came in a little later which made a table for 5 much easier to pull off on a Friday night. The place slows down after around 9pm, which is a nice time to sneak in for a late dinner. We had about a 30 minute wait, and decided to walk down the street to some pubs on Davis to grab a quick beer. The staff was completely friendly, and even called us when our table was ready, even with a US number.
Ambience:
The feature wall does a lot to really capture the vibe of LA. Anyone who's been down La Brea and hit up the shops there will immediately recognize Aaron's work. The music selection was good too, hearing some Ice Cube, "Today Was A Good Day" pretty much set the tone for me to have a good experience.
Food:
We kept them chips flowing, and tried a few of the dips. You can't go wrong with the Salsa Fresca aka Pico De Gallo, or Guac - but hands down my favorite is the Shiso and Vinegar dipping sauce, so good.
Our group pretty much ordered the entire menu. Everything was absolutely delicious, but the ones that immediately stuck out to the group were the Fish Taco, which my colleague, who is a west coast guy, like me, made the bold claim that they were "The best fish tacos I have ever had". Now, growing up around a lot of authentic mexican restaurants of all regions, that is a bold claim, but I will go ahead and agree with him. The batter was light and airy, and the fish had a really delicate but pronounced flavor at the same time. The spicy kewpie was a perfect touch.
The shrimp tostadas, chicken/egg tostada, corn, all killed it. Don't be fooled by the small portions, they will add up, and you will be leaving there quite satisfied. Don't slow play your order though, double up on a couple during ordering and you'll be straight for the evening.
Presentation:
Chef Erik doesn't play around. I watched him eye the staff, making sure the dishes come out absolutely perfect, and if they weren't, I saw him refuse to let it pass to the service team. You're not only getting a perfectly cooked meal, you are getting his years of experience cooking at a very high level at some of the world's best restaurants. That means presentation is as important as taste.
On The Fence?
If you visit Hong Kong and have a "usual" list of places you always visit, venture out and try something new. This place is the real deal. If you've got a hot date and you want a spot with good vibes, this is it. Not to mention the area is perfect for a romantic walk near the water after dinner.
Last note: Business travelers be advised - They don't take Amex, but whatever, use your Visa and expense that sh*t. The food is worth it. read more