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2016-02-09
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I was not planning to go to Isono the other night, and in fact I had never even heard of it. But we were hungry, and by the PMQ, and the place we wanted to go was booked solid, so we gave it a go.Isono bills itself as a "Spanish-centric Mediterranean kitchen." From looking around on their website apparently there is a tapas menu available at high tables and the bar, but not the regular dining area. We were not informed of this when we arrived, we were just asked whether we were there for drinks
Isono bills itself as a "Spanish-centric Mediterranean kitchen." From looking around on their website apparently there is a tapas menu available at high tables and the bar, but not the regular dining area. We were not informed of this when we arrived, we were just asked whether we were there for drinks or food, and when we said food they sat us in the non-tapas area. OK.
We ordered all three "warm appetizers" off the menu we were given. Everything on the menu, save for desserts and sides, comes in a "regular" and a "large" size, the first being described as "a few bites for 2 to share" and the second as "a few bites for 3-4 to share". The first dish to arrive was "Chargrilled Octopus w/ Potatoes, Tomato Dates & Piquillo Pepper Sauce." It was OK. It came out lukewarm; I was uncertain as to whether that was intentional. The octopus was meaty and tender, the potatoes were bland and nothing else really stood out.
When you're paying $148 for a few bites, you kind of expect a little more razzle dazzle.
Here are two separate dishes, Pata Negra Ham Croquette ($118), and Organic Padron Peppers ($98). Both of these dishes arrived hot. The croquettes were crispy on the outside and very creamy on the inside. I thought they were pretty good. The padron peppers could've used a bit more char, and maybe a little more salt, but they were nice and meaty and it was good to get our vegetables in. (We didn't get any spicy ones.)
We also ordered the Meat Paella ($220) from the "Rice & Pasta" section of the menu. (Yes, the Spanish place has pasta, and yes it's carbonara-- we're in Hong Kong, what did you expect?) I was worried that ordering paella might be too much, but the menu is serious about its claim that "regular" means "a few bites for 2 people." It was all pretty good. There was some kind of pork rib and some chicken in there (no description of what "meat" is on the menu). They use Bomba rice, which is supposed to hold thrice its volume in liquid, and the rice was plump and tender while still being a little crispy from the pan.
Finally, because one should eat more veggies than just padron peppers, we got a side of mushrooms ($50). I thought they weren't all that exciting or flavorful. Last time I got mushrooms at a Spanish place, Numero 15, I thought they were a fair bit better.I didn't dislike the food here; it was all competently executed, but two things really stand out. First, there are lots of Spanish places in Hong Kong, and this just wasn't as good as the competition, in my opinion. The second is that it seemed rather pricey. I don't have the receipt, but adding up the prices on the menu, we paid about $700 for food (w/ service charge) and then another $300 for a carafe of sangria (because I remember we paid more than $1,000 for two people). I'm pretty sure I could get better service in a nicer environment, and better food, for less. And speaking of environment, the place just felt a little dark and empty.
So, no, I won't be coming back. I don't hate you Isono, you're just not all that.
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