Superlative Italian dining- with traditional Roman-style cuisine created by acclaimed American celebrity chef Mario Batali
March 30th, 2013
Since its Hong kong debut in March 2012, LUPA by Mario Batali has endeared itself to the city’s discerning diners with its offering of a traditional, home-recipe style Italian cuisine, attractively priced and served in a stylish and vibrant dining space in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central business district. The concept for LUPA in Hong Kong is based on the original Lupa that was first opened in New York City back in 1999 by the high profile American celebrity chef Mario Batali and his business partner Joe Bastianich- and continues to draw crowds of diners through its doors. Many of the menu favourites from the NYC restaurant are represented on the Hong Kong menu, together with other authentic dishes added by Mario Batali and his Hong Kong Executive Chef Zach Allen, who has been cooking in Mario’s restaurants in the USA for over 10 years. From their original opening in New York in the late 1990’s, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich now helm a hugely successful restaurant empire that incorporates over 18 restaurants spanning major cities in the USA- including NYC, LA and Las Vegas, and more recently in Asia, firstly in Singapore, and subsequently Hong Kong.
Dining at LUPA is grounded on the long tradition of Italy’s “osteria”- casual, family-style eateries that serve a robust, provincial cuisine, complimented with local wines, at affordable prices. Updating this concept for contemporary dining in today’s sophisticated global cities such as New York and Hong Kong, LUPA in Hong Kong occupies an expansive indoor and outdoor space of over 5,500 square feet that comfortably seats around 200 guests, in a prime Central office and lifestyle tower. The handsome interior design references its NYC sibling and the “osteria” heritage- with classic mosiac tiled floors, simple dark timber furniture, solid timber beamed ceilings, overlaid with design elements such as custom designed retro light fittings, that create an appealing dining environment of a hospitable and relaxed nature. Serving a well-executed, authentic Roman-style cuisine, in generous portions, reasonably priced, and accompanied by an impressively deep selection of Italian regional wines, has proven a sustained hit with diners at the original Lupa in New York. And now, one year after its opening, the Hong Kong restaurant continues to enjoy the same impressive popularity.
In addition to its classy rustic chic interior dining space, LUPA in Hong Kong also boasts a spacious outdoor terrace- named The Terrace at Lupa– where guests have the option of dining outdoors from a more casual menu- or just relaxing with evening drinks on the comfortable sofa settings or high tables.
LUPA is open daily- serving a popular buffet lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm, an a la carte dinner menu from 6 pm to 11 pm, and a Weekend Jazz Brunch from 12 pm to 3pm.
Inside LUPA Restaurant
Front section of the restaurant opposite the bar and wine cellars- with leather banquette table settings along the windows. Mosaic tiled flooring combine with dark timber furniture and ceiling beams to evoke a classic Roman-style osteria.
Table settings in the main dining room- a compact outdoor terrace area overlooking Queen’s Road is behind the glass doors at the end of the room. Full height glass along the side wall suffuses the interior with natural daylight and frames the view out over the streetscape below.
The main dining room- looking across towards the bar area. White table linens and retro styled lighting fixtures add their sophisticated elegance to the room.
The handsome bar- with white marble top and dark timber paneling.
A life-size bronze sculpture of the legendary she-wolf- “La Lupa”- suckling the twin infants- Romulus and Remus- stands prominently in the centre of the main dining room.
(L) The exquisite private dining room- with double height ceiling, murals depicting ancient Roma, and a spectacular chandelier.
(R) Reception Desk with private dining room behind and passageway to the outdoor La TERRAZZA to the side.
The impressive glass-encased wine cellars showcase the extensive collection of over 400 Italian regional and boutique wines- personally curated by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich.
The wine list at LUPA includes over 40 Italian wines available by the glass
Selections from the LUPA menu
Consistent with traditional “osteria” style dining, the authentic Italian provincial cuisine of simple, uncomplicated recipes cooked by the culinary team at LUPA is presented as a concise assemblage of dishes that includes antispasti, pastas, and grilled and roasted meats, fish and poultry, rounded out with desserts of dolci and formaggi. The dinner menu includes classic dishes from Lupa New York including Bavette Cacio e Pepe– thin linguine with cheese and black pepper; Bucatini all’Amatriciana– hollow spaghetti with tomato, cured pork jowl and onions; Ricotta Gnocchi with Fennel and Sweet Sausage– cheese dumplings with house made pork sausage; Hanger Steak with Chickory and Salsa Romana– 10 oz American Black Angus with bitter greens and anchovy dressing; and Duck with Saba and Sunchokes– confit duck leg with grape viniagrette and roasted Jerusalem artichokes.
Lunch at LUPA is served in buffet format- with an extensive selection of salads, antispasti, house-cured meats and vegetables offered at an approachable price of HK$188. Additional courses can be ordered- for pastas and pizza- add HK$60; and for main courses- add HK$90. Outside at La TERRAZZA, a separate menu features selections of small bites, cold cuts, pizzas and cheeses.
Affettati Misti with Gnocco Fritto– Selection of House-Cured Meats with Pillows of Fried Dough. Antipasti selection.
Pappardelle- Wide Ribbon Pasta with Pidgeon “in Salmi”– selection from the LUPA Pasta Tasting Menu.
Branzino with Peas and Peperonata- Mediterranean Sea Bass with Spring Pea Puree and Marinated Peppers.
The Terrace at Lupa – Outdoor Terrace & Bar
(L) The entrance to The Terrace at Lupa
(R) The “island” bar in the centre of the timber decked outdoor terrace
The spacious outdoor terrace is surrounded by neighbouring office towers – so views are limited. In the evenings the glow from the city lights provides a more colorful backdrop.
The feature garden wall- with huge plaque engraved with the legend of LUPA. A variety of table and lounge settings across the terrace deck offer the opportunity for outdoor dining or just chill out drinks. A separate menu for The Terrace at Lupa features selections of small bites, cold cuts, pizzas and cheeses.
LUPA by Mario Batali- Italian Restaurant – Hong Kong
Address: 3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road, Central. Hong Kong
MTR: Central station – Exit D- 3 minutes walk
Reservations: +852. 2796 6500
Website: www.diningconcepts.com.hk
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/LUPA.HK
Dress code: Smart casual
Opening hours:
Lunch – 12:00 pm ~ 3:00 pm
Dinner– 6:00 pm ~ 11:00 pm
Weekend Jazz Brunch– 12:00 pm ~ 3:00 pm HK$388 per head for buffet & Secondi. HK$588 for free flow beverage.
See also review article on CARNEVINO Steakhouse by Mario Batali in Hong Kong
