Posted on Tue, 22 Nov 2011
Papi’s Small-Plate Grazing In Kowloon
Here’s a cute concept that has arrived in Hong Kong. Papi, a new restaurant that opened at ELEMENTS in West Kowloon, introduces ‘small plate foods’ that make up a meal, downed with glasses of good wine! To draw a parallel, it’s a kinda like an Italianesque dim sum but with choice al-kool instead of tea. Don’t hog them all to yourself – it’s meant to be a shared, casual meal among friends.
Following the tradition of Italy’s Cicchetti, Papi serves over 30 starter-sized Finger Food and Fork Food dishes like its signature traditional meatballs, 24 months Parmigiano cheese served with traditional Balsamic vinegar, dry cured pork rind with mascarpone cheese, stewed beef tripe Florentine style, and marinated sliced raw swordfish served with cherry tomato and asparagus.
There’s also pasta, pizzas and roasts. Signatures are Tuscan pici with spicy tomato sauce and garlic chips, tagilatelle with sea urchin and fresh Italian parsley, and Boston lobster with spaghetti and cherry tomatoes. From The Special Oven comes daily roasts, Neapolitan-style pizzas such as Margherita created with fresh tomato sauce, basil leaves, mozzarella cheese and the signature Pizza Lardo di Colonnata with asparagus, Teleggio cheese and Colonnata fatty ham.
Like The Disgruntled Chef in Singapore which offers a similar concept, drinks here get as much limelight as the food. The wine list is centered on value and bold tastes, while the cocktail list is grouped under Signatures, Martinis, Classics, Bubbles, and Long drinks. Must have the signature Papi which mixes fresh Balsam pear, Bacardi Light Rum and apple juice.
Says restaurant manager Greg Wong: “We encourage diners to share many dishes between friends, ordering as you go along with dishes arriving at the table as they are ready. It’s a casual atmosphere designed to encourage conversation, and it allows diners to drop in for a glass of wine and a few small-plates, or to make a meal of it over lunch or dinner.”
And if you think this is only for the grown-ups, think again. It’s refreshing that restaurant owner Benjamin Lung declares that Papi is a restaurant and bar for families too, so go ahead and bring the kids!
Shop R011, Elements, MTR Kowloon Station
Tel: (852) 2811-2681
Opens from 11:30am, closed on Sundays
