Sibling of acclaimed Sydney wine bar & restaurant- serving artisanal wines & rustic Italian cooking
January 14th, 2014
Introducing to Hong Kong for the first time the unassuming urban vibe of an acclaimed Sydney-based wine bar and Italian restaurant, 121BC Hong Kong opened in August 2013. Nestled into a compact, street level space on SoHo’s Peel Street neighbourhood, the setting evokes the unpretentious laneway home of its Sydney sibling- 121BC Cantina & Enoteca. For the Hong Kong branch, the concept is modelled on the quintessential Italian osteria e enoteca– combining rustic Italian cooking with an exceptional selection of boutique small producer Italian wines- for drinking either at the bar, or with meals at the communal dining table. Additionally, in authentic enoteca fashion, all the wines can be purchased by the bottle or case to take home. While the directly sourced “natural” wines are at the core of the 121BC Hong Kong concept, the casual, communal style dining has proven remarkably popular- the simple, carefully executed provincial Italian cooking of head chef Dan Johnston acclaimed both in Sydney, and now in Hong Kong.
Focussing exclusively on natural wines, personally sourced from individual small wine producers across all of Italy’s diverse wine regions, the sommeliers at 121BC (Giorgio de Maria and Simone Sammuri) offer a unique selection of wines not available at any other outlet in Hong Kong. Wines are selected on the basis of being made with an emphasis on natural processes and minimal interventions in the cellar. Less commonly known grape varieties create some unusual wines- providing intriguing tasting experiences of artisanal Italian wines. A good variety of the wines are available by the glass, and all labels can be purchased by the bottle or case to take home.
Having cooked for the “family” of Sydney restaurants that include the highly-regarded Vini, and 121BC Sydney, Australian chef Dan Johnston has a well earned reputation for his masterful renditions of simple, rustic Italian cooking. Complementing perfectly the flavoursome wines, the cuisine at 121BC Hong Kong is created from fresh produce, sourced locally wherever possible from natural, organic producers, with an emphasis on seasonal specialties and house-made pastas and ricotta. A compact daily blackboard menu consists mainly of large dishes of simple, good food for sharing, with new dishes featured daily. Friendly and knowledgeable service, combined with reasonable prices add further lustre to the 121BC Hong Kong experience.
121BC is open Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30 pm for drinks, and from 6:30 pm for dinner. With only limited numbers of seats available, bookings are strongly recommended. A private room located in a space behind the bar can accommodate small groups of up to 10 diners.
The understated facade of 121BC blends in harmoniously with the neighbourhood street-scape- simple black awnings and the open view into the restaurant through the full width windows the only indications of its presence.
The only identification is a small stencilled script on a glass panel of the metal framed door. The partly open kitchen stands behind the bar, with the wine bottles showcased both behind the bar itself, and on shelving at the far end of the room.
The floorspace of 121BC is dominated by the long timber communal dining table that spans the full width of the room. A simple window-front counter, plus some high barstools at the bar, provide further individual seating options. At the entrance doorway, the daily menu is written onto the circular blackboard.
Selected dishes from the daily menu
Green beans with goat cheese dressing and walnuts.
Gnocchi with beef cheek, mushroom, fried sage.
Grilled octopus with chickpeas and olives.
Selections from the small producer Italian wines
Notes from the 121BC sommelier-
(L & 2nd from L)- PANEVINO U.V.A and PANEVINO CCP– Panevino is a small producer located in the heart of Sardinia, with only 5 hectares of vines. Panevino translated is Bread and Wine- referencing a family bakery as well as the winery. The vines of Cannonau grape are grown without fertilisers, and wine naturally made with indigenous yeasts and limited intervention in the cellar- resulting is a wine with pure wonderful authenticity, great freshness and drinkability.
(3rd from L) OLEK BONDONIO BARBARESCO 2010: Olek Bondonio is a young producer located in the prestigious area of Barbaresco, Piemonte.His philosophy is really simple and extremely successful: minimal impact in the vineyard, total respect of the environment, use of indigenous yeasts, minimal impact in the cellar and no filtration. His Barbaresco, Nebbiolo grape, is a spectacular mix of elegance and simplicity…a true wine!
(4th from L) VERMOUTH DEL PROFESSORE: Made by wine (Moscato bianco delle Langhe), with addition of pure alcohol, brown sugar and about 15 aromatic herbs and spices collected on the mountains around Torino, Piemonte; the production is totally artisan and in very limited quantities.The result is a very surprising aperitif, great for a Negroni cocktail.
121BC- wine bar & Italian restaurant in Hong Kong
Address: G/F, 42-44 Peel Street, SoHo. Central. Hong Kong
MTR: Central- Exit D2 -take Mid-Levels Escalator to Staunton Street
Inquiries: +852. 2395 0200
Website: http://121bc.com.hk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/121BCHongKong
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 5:30 pm ~ midnight / Dinner from 6:30pm
Attire: Casual
