Restaurant Review: Angelini at Kowloon Shangri-La

Last Friday lunchtime saw us heading over to TST for lunch at Angelini restaurant at the Kowloon Shangri-La. We were invited to try their special tasting menu to celebrate the 4th Anniversary of the restaurant and were very excited. We have to admit, we are very bad girls when it comes to leaving Hong Kong Island - we tend to view "the other side" as halfway across the world, rather than the 10 minute MTR journey it is in reality. Because of this, we had a vacation-like feeling as we took the Star Ferry over.

Angelini's is on the first floor of the hotel, and is one of an amazing seven restaurants on the premises. Lunch-time trade was booming, and the tables lining the windows which offer a stunning view of Victoria Harbour were all packed. We briefly met Italian Chef Vittorio, who reassured us that he would make all the portions small for us, probably assuming we are the perma-diet kind of girls. As we're definitely not, we asked him please not to shrink our food!

We started the meal with a Carpaccio of Bluefin Tuna, Salmon and Sea Bass which was heavenly and the perfect light way to begin a heavy lunch. When the pasta course arrived afterwards, we knew we were really in for the full Italian experience. The home-made Torcetti Pasta was unfortunately a little over-cooked, as I like my pasta al dente. Accompanied by Sardinian Shrimp and a Saffron and Parsley Purée, it was nevertheless delicious.

We then moved onto a fish course, which was a perfectly sautéed piece of Sea Bass sitting on a ratatouille-style sauce of Courgette, Aubergine and Sea Urchin. I have to admit, I'm not sure I would ever be able to identify the taste of Sea Urchin! The sauce was the ideal tangy compliment to the soft, subtle flavours of the Sea Bass.

We finished our savoury courses by sharing a New Zealand Lamb Rack with Pistachio Crust and White Polenta, and a Braised Pork Short Ribs with a Green Apple and Cucumber Salad. It was a tough call, but we think the Pork may have just beaten the Lamb Rack (top image) by an inch. This is great hearty autumnal food, and watching the rain lash down outside made me feel like we were actually going to step out into a brisk, cold day.

Finally came the piece de resistance - a Moscato Wine Cream with Blueberry Sorbet and Meringue that was like eating sweet, creamy air. This was definitely the absolute highlight of the meal and being so light, didn't give us the bloated feeling one can get from too much food at lunchtime.

We particularly recommend Angelini for a great business lunch or dinner option on Kowloon side. The service is impeccable and the food quality very high. Until the end of September, the set dinner is available at HK$680 per person.

Angelini at the Kowloon Shangri-La - 2733 8750

64 Mody Road, East TST