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Aqua

Located atop the iconic One Peking Road building is Aqua, one of the city’s best-known and most talked-about restaurants, on account of its excellent food and glitzy bar. So, a visit to Aqua is always an occasion to look forward to – for the contemporary Italian and Japanese cuisine that is ever chock-full of surprising delights, the stunning panoramic views of the harbour and skyline, and the glamorous ambience of the uber- cool Aqua Spirits bar and club in its penthouse lounge, all in one ultra-stylish setting.

Aqua was founded by famed restaurateur David Yeo, a Singaporean former high-flying London lawyer who took the plunge into the F&B business in 2000, founding Aqua Restaurant Group. It has since successfully expanded here and internationally, with over 15 outlets in Hong Kong, Beijing, London and New York. Through the growth Aqua has stood among the group's flagship outlets.

Aqua delivers an eclectic mix of modern Italian and Japanese dishes, using seasonal and fresh ingredients from both countries, with an emphasis on creating innovative fare in which the lighter Japanese seafood is nicely balanced by the more savoury Italian cuisine, plus its fabulous desserts.

Our meal started with Burrata with Tomato Two- way, Pistachios, Pine Nuts and Basil Oil ($258) which is light and zesty. This was followed with Charcoal Grilled Black Cod Marinated with Saikyo Miso ($318), Abalone, Sea Urchin and Salmon Slices on Sushi Rice ($388) and Black Truffle Tagliolini, Egg Yolk, Toasted Hazelnuts and Crutin Fondue ($358). We rather enjoyed the contrast of the rich urchin flavour on rice with the infused truffle taste of the pasta. The cod is tender and bites meltingly.

We also ordered a Deluxe Bento Box ($448) – as sumptuous a bento box as you will ever find. It includes prawns and vegetable tempura, pan-fried foie gras and beef tenderloin, together with miso soup and rice.

For dessert, we had the Aqua Signature Tiramisu ($168) and Mixed Berries, Blood Orange Curd, Lemon Sorbet ($138). We tried out Aqua's famous cocktails too – Japanese Garden ($158), an Earl Grey–infused Tanqueray gin, lemon, yuzu, peach and egg white, and Sakura ($158), made from Ketel One vodka, ginger, lemongrass, passion fruit, honey and lemon.

Aqua is also offering a series of special “Homegrown” dishes which include special herbs grown in its own “home garden” in the kitchen, using state-of-the-art technology. The herbs include oxalis, mitsuba, sorrel, and pakuchi. The six dishes created include Lotus Wood, Avocado & Fig Sushi with Homegrown Mitsuba ($298), Pan-fried Hokkaido Scallops with Homegrown Sorrel Pesto & Crème Fraiche ($278) and Grilled Wagyu Sirloin & Sea Urchin Hoba Misoyaki with Homegrown Pakuchi ($628). It was a real treat!

So, if you are looking for a memorable dining experience of fine food, exquisite drinks, lively music and unforgettable views of the city, Aqua should be near the top of your list. Be sure to book early.

29 + 30F, One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

3427 2288