August-September 2018

WINE & DINE

JAMIE’S ITALIAN 2/F, Soundwill Plaza II – Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay 3958 2222 | jamiesitalian.hk

Jamie Oliver has made headlines around the world for his anti-junk food campaigns and efforts to change the way healthy food is marketed to children. So, it comes as no surprise that Jamie’s Italian, founded by Jamie himself, serves up a kids’ menu with a healthy twist. With two locations in Hong Kong, the restaurant offers dishes inspired by Jamie’s visits to Italy. I took two hungry tweens along with me to give them a try. The kids’ menu is available in two sizes: “little kids” and “big kids”. Traditional favourites such as spaghetti and meatballs are there, along with salmon, chicken wraps and, the favourite by a mile, Chicken Lollipops with Hedgehog Potatoes. All kids’ meals are served with a fresh “shake-me” salad, which would never usually get a glance by my lot, but when you can shake up your salad with its own dressing, it suddenly becomes interesting. Right before my eyes, the entire thing was eaten. Nice one, Jamie! Thankfully, there’s a grown-up menu that is equally satisfying. For starters, don’t miss the roasted cauliflower, served with egg, asparagus, pancetta cream and lemon; the flavours are delicious. There’s a good selection of homemade pasta dishes, including spicy nduja rigatoni , which was very tasty. The standout for me was the balsamic-braised short-ribs, served with a celeriac salad. It was tender, tasty and simply sensational. While the kids’ dessert menu does offer a healthy option, the gooey chocolate brownie with ice creamwas the hands-down winner. How could I refuse? After all, they ate their salad! – DANIELLE HIGGINS

DOCKYARD Level 1, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon 2252 5228 | dockyardhk.com Close to Hung Hom Ferry Pier and Whampoa MTR is the innovative Dockyard, offering a fun, fast and fresh approach to informal dining. Once seated in the open, airy, industrial-style space, simply download the menu from the App Store and punch in your order. Watch in wonder as the “10 kiosks to your table” concept works its magic. A mouthwatering choice awaits: plump dumplings from Korea’s Dongsan mountain, sushi direct from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji market, homemade ramen by global award-winning chef Hide Yamamoto, silky fresh pho, curries and that Hong Kong classic of slow-cooked beef brisket with homemade noodles – pretty much every Asian delight imaginable, or so it feels. You can also build your own salads or tuck into crab brioche rolls, heavenly burgers or Guinness black-bun sliders. The choice is breathtaking and it all magically appears at your table before you know it. After a few clicks, our order arrived.

The Korean fried chicken was crisp and delightful; satays fell off their sticks; Thai green curry added a heady perfume; and the Indian butter chicken, vegetable samosas and cumin potatoes all offered great depth and spice. Ice creams and a warm skillet cookie with fudge sauce made for the sweetest of endings. Dockyard is chilled, sociable and fun. Your kids will love navigating the app with its easy ordering system – and what a great way to introduce them to so many exciting tastes. With family and friends, this is indeed the perfect place to dock. – KARL WOODBURY

87 AUG-SEP2018