208 DUECENTO OTTO
208 Duecento Otto is a neighborhood restaurant and bar inspired by the New York-style Italian culinary tradition. It's located on the art and antiques stretch of Hollywood Road in the up-and-coming Sheung Wan district.
“208 is set to be a buzzing new venue in Sheung Wan – an area I feel is akin to New York’s Meatpacking District in its early days with its working-class connection and heritage, and now a blooming art and design scene.” says Yenn Wong, owner of the new restaurant.
The restaurant used to be a meat storage warehouse. Now it is transformed into a two-storey venue with a bar on the ground floor and a more intimate upstairs dining room, both with outdoor seating that overlooks Hollywood Road. The interior design of 208 contrasts with the local architecture of the old building in which it is housed. A natural and genuine feel is imbedded in the design direction. Raw materials are featured throughout – steel pillars, marble table tops and solid walnut floors and ceiling. The interior walls are covered in specially designed blue and white ceramic tiles printed with Chinese illustrations. Playful and interesting Autoban furnishings add a whimsical element to the space. On the bar table, Italian words narrate the traditional recipe for Italian pizza.
Delicious aperitivi, cocktails and a long wine list are paired with pizzas and antipasti for casual all-day dining at the bar. The restaurant upstairs is a more intimate option with a unique menu of authentic Italian cuisine. Featuring a custom-designed pizza oven shipped in from Naples the aromas of Italy penetrate the venue.
Comments
Had lunch there today, firstly, faced the un-freindly barrage of "Have you got a reservation". Not once but twice (first downstairs upon entering then after being granted permission to dine got the same upstairs! I don't mind being asked this but its not just what you say but how you say it) that aside, the set lunch menu is good value, the Salad tasty and fresh, the pizza very good, coffee somewhat too strong and bitter for my taste, sadly the dessert was never served. Its a great looking place with decent food, if only they could handle the follow thru and get the service right!
The service is very slow (20 min to get the drinks, almost 45 min to get the food) you get all the food cold, the pasta is saggy, the meat is incredible salty, and the pasta with lobster is more a pasta with shrimp.
If you get a bottle of wine you have to serve yourself or nobody will.
Only the enviroment is good.
Fantastic addition to Hong Kong's dining scene! Good, unpretentious Italian cuisine and amazing decor. We loved the NY style buzzy bar - great cocktails and casual dining. Try the Rubbed Ribeye with prosecco potatoes in the main dining room for a culinary orgasm!
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