New to aqua’s former iconic location, we check out Aqua Restaurant Group’s latest Italian venture, Vista…
District: Tsim Sha Tsui
Cuisine: Venetian cicchetti, handcrafted pasta and grilled seafood
How much: $988 per person for tasting menu
Must order: Sicilian Red Prawn Carpaccio with Grated Caviar and Bronte Pistachio, Lobster and Lime Linguini
Best for: Special occasion dinners and romantic date nights
Taking up the two-storey penthouse that previously housed aqua, this new Aqua Restaurant Group venture opened earlier this month with big shoes to fill. Vista Ristorante brings the iconic space back to life with bold new Italian dishes by Executive Chef Andrea Mura (who also helms the group’s two other Italian concepts, aqua and Cantina), currently serving dinner from 6pm till late. Read on for our first impression and thoughts on the sharing tasting menu.
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The Location
Vista sits on the 29th floor of One Peking, directly above Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, Exit L5. If you had dined at aqua before the restaurant moved to H Zentre, you’d have an idea of what to expect upon entering its new replacement: grandiose floor-to-ceiling windows framing a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. Low-lit at night, the lofty space stretches out left and right from the entrance, but the spotlighted window-facing tables feel cosy and intimate.
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What We Ate
We tried the tasting menu which is designed to be shared among the whole table. To start, we were served the creamy Burrata with San Daniele ham and home-made tomato marmalade, tasty Pulled Pork Maritozzo Sandwiches topped with crispy cracking and chives, and the Sicilian Red Prawn Carpaccio with grated caviar and Bronte pistachio. All three cicchetti were a hit for us and primed our palates for the two flavoursome pasta dishes to follow.
The Mezzo Maniche with spicy octopus ragu was pleasantly piquant, which contrasted the zestful and brackish Lobster and Lime Linguine. For our mains, we enjoyed the Grilled and Smoked Tomato and Ginger Marinated Half Chicken, which was theatrically presented in a smoke-filled wooden box, and Grilled Australian Rib-Eye with red wine jus. The portate principali were generously portioned and came with sides of truffle mashed potato and tomato salad, so be sure to come hungry for dinner!
We had just enough room left to enjoy the Table Side Tiramisu and a delicious Strawberry Tart with White Chocolate Mousse, which gave a satisfying finish to our meal.
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Final Thoughts
We weren’t surprised that Aqua Restaurant Group was able to do the iconic space justice once again. With a solid menu and exceptional service, we’re confident this place will continue to be a Kowloon-side hotspot for dinner with a view.
Vista Ristorante is open daily from 6pm to 10:30pm.
Vista Ristorante, 29/F & 30/F, One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2778 3255, Facebook: Vista Hong Kong, Instagram: @vistahongkong, vistahk.com
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