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2018-02-04
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I wasn’t very fond of panini before as I found it not filling enough for a meal. Back in the times during my stay in England, the panini was not warm and fresh enough even though it was toasted. Therefore, I always chose pasta over panini as a lunch option. Not until I had the best panini at the All’ Antico Vinaio did I change my mind towards panini. Their panini bread was homemade and toasted to perfection. The filling was abundant at customers’ call, or could be made into recommended combinati
My favourite combination was: fennel salami, courgettes, truffle sauce and mushroom sauce. -
Learning that a Michelin-starred panini restaurant from Milan was newly opened in IFC, it sounds a wonderful plan for my not-that-hungry night.
Being a high-end shopping mall, IFC never fails to treat the visitors with neat and tidy interior design. Even just a panini place can offer customers with such a great night view of the Victoria Harbour. The seating area is located outside, while customers have to make their order at the counter next to the open kitchen area.
Lots of huge dried pork legs are hanged at the window just outside the kitchen. That is what the restaurant is famous for putting inside the panini.
Here is specialised in panini, and thus having lots of different flavours of panini to choose from. There are only a few salads, appetisers and desserts to choose other than panini.
Solely having panini sounds a bit too dry. We also ordered a detox option for drink. Aracione is a cup of fresh pressed juice made from apple, carrot, pineapple and strawberry. The balance between sweet and sour is equilibrium, and the taste is definitely refreshing.
After a while, here comes the panini for the three of us. The panini is all toasted to warm with some nice grill marking. Yet the portion is kinda small disappointingly, not to mention the given price compared to the one in Italy.
There are two starred panini made by the 2-starred Michelin chefs. We pick the Milano 2015 which is the best one of the night. With 24-month parma ham, romaine, artichoke cream, parmigiano reggiano cream, balsamic vinegar flakes, rockets and black pepper, the sandwich filling is rich in flavour. Parmigiano reggiano is a strongly flavoured dry cheese, making into cream adding moisture to the panini bread. The artichoke cream is also a relatively rare ingredients which give a light taste like asparagus. The savoury parma ham mixes very well with the light and unique flavour of the other vegetarian ingredients. 
We pick roasted beef to try another meat panini. The amount of roasted beef is abundant. As it is rosemary and sage infused, the beef is tasteful with a crispy roasted layer. Tomato always goes well with beef, and the flavour is further enhanced by lemon zest and extra-virgin olive oil. Rockets add to the crunchiness of the panini wrap. The whole combination is above average, but the Milano 2015 definitely excels its quality.
The most disappointing panini is the Diplomatico. Hoping to try the difference between 24-month parma ham and smoked Prague ham as the two different making of ham, we pick the recommendation among the prague ham series. However, this is actually the plainest option as it only has prague ham, edamer cheese and aurora sauce. The prague ham is not as tasteful as the 24-parma ham, but the plentiful layers enrich the panini. Yet, it is still too plain to be a top product, and would be much better if anchovy can be added to mix fish and meat like the Giusto option.
Knowing the other recommendation is tiramisu, we also order one to share among. The layering is neatly done with spongy lady finger biscuits, mascarpone cheese and cocoa powder. The cheese is creamy and silky smooth. I love how the spongy lady finger biscuits are soaked into the espresso completely. This homemade tiramisu is up to standard. Overall the panini is an okay-standard. The Milano 2015 is the best pick but is also quite overpriced.
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