Offshoot of acclaimed New York restaurant evokes quintessential 1950’s Italian-American style dining
January 10th, 2015
Carbone in Hong Kong recreates a style of dining synonymous with the archetypal Italian restaurant of 1950’s New York, serving elevated renditions of classic Italian-American cuisine in an atmosphere reminiscent of the period. Launched in Hong Kong mid-2014 as the local offshoot of its much-lauded New York namesake restaurant, Carbone in Hong Kong offers the same idiosyncratic dining experience with its tableside service from tuxedo clad waiters, generous portions of the robust “red-sauce” genre of Italian-American cuisine, and meticulously recreated decor of dark timbers, red curtains, leather banquettes, pressed metal ceilings and checked tile floor.
Carbone has been introduced to Hong Kong in a partnership between progressive local restaurant group Black Sheep Restaurants (Ho Lee Fook; Boqueria; Chom Chom; Motorino; La Vache) and the New York-based Major Food Group of acclaimed New York chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, and their business partner.
Strategically located within the landmark LKF Tower- home to an impressive assemblage of top-tier Hong Kong restaurants – Carbone greets guests on entry with a handsome front lounge and cocktail bar that is good for pre-dinner drinks or casual dining. The main dining room exudes a relaxed sophistication with its comfortably spaced table and banquette settings amid the meticulously detailed retro decor of antique brass chandeliers, extensive mahogany paneling, and bold chequered floor tiling. Substantial polished stainless steel sliding panels can divide the room longitudinally, while the back dining room can also be further divided into two private spaces.
A short but well-constructed menu lists familiar Italian-American dishes drawn from the hybrid red-sauce culinary genre that emerged from the restaurant kitchens of New York’s Little Italy. Authentic recipes and ingredients are elevated with modern cooking techniques to create generous portions of rich and intensely flavourful, yet sophisticated dishes. Stand-out examples include the signature Mario’s Meatball’s; Linguine Vongole; and Veal Parmesan. Tableside service from the attentive and engaging wait-team contributes its own sense of occasion, aptly complementing the cuisine.
A broad selection of mostly Italian regional wines ensure good drinking to accompany the hearty cuisine, while classic Italian digestifs such as limoncello and grappa are well paired with selections from the indulgent dessert trolley. Solid renditions of classic cocktails such as Old Fashioned, Gibson and Whisky Sour are agreeably updated with a nuanced approach to ingredients.
Carbone opens Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, bookings are highly recommended. Several private spaces are suitable for small groups or parties.
Carbone Hong Kong – 1950’s retro decor
Carbone Hong Kong – selected dishes
