Gradini意大利餐廳 (Closed)

Item: Gradini Ristorante E Bar Italiano
Rating: 4
Author: JayLowe

Gradini Ristorante E Bar Italiano

83 Reviews

Taste

Decor

Service

Hygiene

Value

11946

Central

$401-800

Italian Seafood Hotel Restaurant

JayLowe

Level3

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We dined at Gradini because my wife's friend got a "free lunch for two" coupon. I just tagged along. I turned out to be a bit underwhelmed. It's a restaurant of the boutique hotel the Pottinger, home to the famous Ta Vie, which I haven't had the pleasure to try yet. Gradini positions itself as a traditional Italian restaurant and the food is not bad, though not great either. On the up side, the portion size is big for the price and the service is thoughtful and warm. On the down side, it's too expected and the plating could use some creativity.

We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there were only three tables of guests. Thus, I suppose it's a bit quieter than other popular places. You can easily get a table by walking in last minute. Not sure if it's the same on weekdays though.

The room is bright and airy, with high ceiling. The sage green and white colour scheme and floral wall panels in matching colour work well together. It feels relaxing with an European touch. But I have one complaint -- I never saw any decent hotel restaurant using fake flowers. And they look very fake.

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At HK$368 for 3 courses including coffee or tea, this set is quite competitively priced. Note that the Tiffany blue plate that looks so nice with the decor will be removed after you order your food.

The freshly baked raisin and walnut rolls are nice. But not everyone wants sweet buns to start a meal. It'd go better with coffee.

crabmeat, mango, cucumber salad

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For appetizers, we all ordered the mango crabmeat salad. The portion is huge and the crabmeat is flavoursome. I think it can take more seasoning. But all in all, it's the highlight of the meal.

slow-cooked beef cheek

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For the entree, the slow-cooked beef cheek with potato, carrot and parsnip is quite underwhelming. The slightly gelatinous beef jus doesn't do anything to the dish. It's bland, nondescript, with no character whatsoever. Purists may argue that's how you get to taste the natural flavour of the beef. True, but I'd appreciate you serve the jus on the side to give the diner an option to try it with some other seasoning. On the up side, the beef is very tender and the portion size is generous. On the down side, it tastes mediocre and looks too rustic (reads not pleasing).

Rigatoni with Tuscan sausage, spicy tomato sauce

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The rigatoni has the perfect al dente consistency. The sauce is well made and the sausage has hints of herbs. This is a traditional pasta dish done properly. But did it blow me away? No.

For dessert, the milk tea gelato is good. But again, I'd expect more thought going into plating for a hotel restaurant.

The strawberry mousse is more like a panna cotta -- I expect a mousse is more meringue-like with airy and fluffy consistency. But that being said, it tastes strongly of strawberry. Again, there's much to be done about the presentation.

All in all, it's a great place for a filling meal at the heart of Central at a decent price. The environment is pleasing and it's not busy. The food is not bad, but not brilliant either. It's great for business lunches, but I would pick somewhere else if I want to be excited and wowed by the food.

(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)

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DETAILED RATING

Taste

Decor

Service

Hygiene

Value

Date of Visit

2021-07-31

Dining Method

Dine In

Spending Per Head

$400 (Lunch)

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