This Italian restaurant is located at Ocean Terminal Extension (OTE) and having just visited another Italian restaurant a few days ago, it is unavoidable we would compare the two. Unfortunately, this one is inferior in most respects.Seated at a table on the window side, the breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour is certainly a selling point for the restaurant. When weather permits, the seating on the balcony offers another good option to experience the amazing view in even better way.The décor is neat, and apart from the large windows facing the harbour, the other walls display some nice black-and-white photographs, creating a nice ambience which is comfortable and relaxing.We order the Lobster Festa menu ($1,088 each, with 50% off for the second set). To start with, I have 3 Oysters ($178). They are quite big, fresh and with a nice briny taste. A squeeze of lemon juice helps to brighten the acidity.The first course is Appetizer, featuring Poached Lobster with Caviar, Heritage Carrots and Buttermilk Cream. The claw and lobster tail does not have much taste on its own unfortunately, and even with the caviar and dressings it did not help much. The carrots are also a bit too hard and would be ideal to cook slightly longer. Not a good start to impress.The second course is Soup, featuring Lobster Bisque with Roasted Pumpkin. While the soup is served steaming hot, which meets my most basic requirement, with also good intense flavours, it was not as complex as the one I had a few days ago. The lobster meat are tiny and has a bit of fishy taste.For the Main course, my wife has Lobster Fregula in Spicy Lobster Broth, while I go for Butter Poached Lobster with Celeriac Puree, Banana Shallot Confit & Lobster Jus, plus the upgrade of Australian M5 Wagyu Beef Sirloin with Red Wine Sauce ($300 additional). There are abundance of lobster meat in the pasta, but the taste is rather mediocre.The ‘surf and turf’ I have, apart from lobster, included also red prawn and sirloin steak. The lobster compared with the appetizer is better in seasoning, while the beef is reasonably done too. It does not give a big wow to the palate but is decent in flavours. But I am not sure I will call it good value to pay the additional to have the steak.Finally, the Dessert is Paper Moon Tiramisu. Following the traditional recipe, the tiramisu is good in taste, with the mascarpone rich and delicious, the ladyfinger at the bottom soaked in espresso to give the bitterness to balance the sweetness of the mascarpone, and the cocoa powder on top wrapping up nicely.Service is good, with the staff attentive and cheerful. The restaurant is quite busy for a Wednesday evening, which is a good sign. However, with the bill on the night at $2,461 it is not exactly good value, considering there is already 50% off for the second set. It is clear which one I would recommend among the two Italian restaurants I visited this week.…Read More
