Central has always been a hub for global cuisine, and recently in Central Market, there is a new Italian restaurant Cantina, exuding a casual Italian charm from its decor to its food. With Father’s Day approaching, if you are looking for a restaurant, why not take a look at our introduction and bring your dad to Cantina to enjoy a leisurely Italian time.
Cantina means “canteen” in Italian. The restaurant is located on the 1st floor of Tai Kwun Building 1, with a European-style terrace corridor and a row of outdoor seats, allowing guests to sit at the bar and enjoy the view of Tai Kwun as if they were abroad.
The store’s main focus is on traditional Italian cuisine, with a menu that includes classic dishes from various regions of Italy. Executive Chef Luca Schiavone, from the Sicilian island of Italy, has even added his hometown delicacies to the menu, hoping to bring childhood memories and traditional flavors to the guests in Hong Kong.
When it comes to classic Sicilian dishes, one cannot miss out on the local favorite street food, fried chickpea fritters (panelle). Luca mixes chickpea flour, water, and parsley, slow cooks it for 40 minutes, refrigerates it overnight, then cuts it into small pieces and fries it. It can be served with bread sandwiching the chickpea fritters, along with a squeeze of lemon to enhance the flavor.
Of course, the main course cannot be without risotto and pasta. Among them, the Sicilian prawn risotto incorporates blood orange, lemon, and lime into the dish, balancing the richness of the sauce and bringing a sweet and salty interplay to the whole dish. Additionally, the squid ink pasta is highly recommended, with homemade Italian pasta paired with squid ink and sea urchin, providing a very chewy texture. By the way, all dishes in the restaurant are prepared with fresh ingredients, exuding an authentic Italian charm.
In terms of desserts, one of the Italian classic desserts is Cannoli, with an outer layer of fried flour tubes like egg rolls, filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, 75% chocolate, pistachios, and cinnamon cream, sprinkled with a hint of lemon zest, making it very sweet with each bite.
Father’s Day brunch will also be available on June 18th and 19th, including unlimited Non-Stop Brunch. During the 3.5-hour dining period, guests can enjoy a continuous flow of Italian sparkling wine, champagne, wine, and beer, while indulging in a variety of delicious Italian dishes and pizzas. Priced at HK$788 per person.
Cantina
地址：中環荷李活道10號「大館」1座1樓
電話：2848 3000
