Modern cross-cultural cuisine at spectacularly designed space within Hong Kong heritage museum
March 30th, 2015
Appropriate to its location within a restored mid-19th Century British Army explosives depot – the arrival experience at AMMO is dramatic. Set within a newly built annexe of the heritage complex now home to the museum of the Asia Society, the glass cube-like structure of AMMO features 6m high floor-to-ceiling glass walls on three sides, and a striking modern interior. In harmony with the historic and cross-cultural connections, AMMO offers a menu of elevated modern Mediterranean cuisine, tweaked with Asian culinary influences, and served in an elegant dining room suffused with understated sophistication and a bold, theatrical design aesthetic. Open daily until late in the evenings, AMMO transitions through multiple menus – including all-day a la carte, three-course set lunch, weekend afternoon tea, and cocktail hour tapas. Diners can expect to enjoy delicious food and cocktails, whilst immersed in a dramatic setting of bold original design.
Opened in mid-2012, AMMO was the first collaboration between local restaurant group Drawing Room Concepts and Hong Kong-based designer Joyce Wang’s WANG design studio (see also their most recent restaurant project in Hong Kong – Isono & Vasco). Marking her first major restaurant & bar project in Hong Kong, the award winning design features a meticulously realised concept that interweaves cross-cultural and heritage references into a luxurious modern dining environment. Extensively deployed gleaming copper piping alludes to the historical military function, while the spectacular series of three copper “staircase” lighting fixtures, suspended from the high ceiling, draw inspiration from a 1960’s sci fi movie. Luxuriously upholstered with leather and velvet, bespoke sofas, chairs and bar stools soften the retro-industrial tone of the predominantly metallic surfaces.
The uncomplicated yet sophisticated menu of Mediterranean-themed cuisine at AMMO is centred on in-house, freshly made Italian pasta. Dishes are created from skillful combinations of the finest ingredients, and elegantly presented in accord with modern culinary sensibilities. Standout starters include the Scampi Cappuccino, with brandy and scampi foam; and the Marinated Black Cod, with miso and baby eggplant.
Creative cocktails are the highlight of the drinks menu, with signature cocktails distinguished by the inventive application of sous vide culinary technique to infuse flavours and aromas into premium spirits. Additionally, classic cocktails and bespoke requests are well-executed by the first-rate bar team. A well compiled, reasonably priced wine list features over 300 labels, with a good selection available by the glass.
AMMO is a popular destination during the day for casual lunches and afternoon tapas and cocktails, while the evenings tend to be particularly busy, with dinner bookings recommended. Seasonal menu specialties are a feature of the kitchen, refer to the AMMO Facebook Page for the latest updates.
AMMO – interior design
AMMO – signature cocktails
AMMO – modern European-Asian cuisine
