Hong Kong Observations

More good stuff on the island.

• Amber: a Pellegrino Top 50, with the main highlight being sea urchin with lobster "jello" and cauliflower; also learned from our friendly Chinese waiter that an 18-month Mimolette is the perfect age as anything older is a bit too sharp. Also recalling the elegant Christofle dish that opened like a fan for the petit fours.
• Zuma: nice for lunch outside; highlights were scallops & umeboshi plum, king prawn with yuzu & pepper; grilled courgettes with condiments including green tea maldon sea salt, tampo and tarragon white miso.
• L'Atelier: a very good outpost of the Robuchon chain; cod in daikon yuzu soup a winner.
• Tim's Kitchen: one of five two-star Cantonese restaurants in HK; ambiance is so-so, more about the food.
• Grissini: perfectly fine Italian food with a Ligurian chef in the Grand Hyatt; spot-on spaghetti bottarga and quality prosciutto; very original focaccia-like grissinis cooked on the spot and served warm.
• The China Club: Cantonese lunch place with fun 30s style brasserie ambiance; feels like a club because it is a club; a good concierge will get you in.
• Isola: great views and lovely bottarga & sea urchin pasta from the Basilicata chef.
• 208: well-designed (Turkish firm Autoban) hang with good Italian food in Sheung Wan; the pork cheek carpaccio could have used a lighter touch with some herbs etc. Chef from Liguria.