By Julie-Ann Sherlock

Hong Kong is a city famed for its fantastic street food, Michelin-starred restaurants and quirky eats. With an extensive international community, the wide range of cuisines available rivals any cosmopolitan city globally. But it just got that bit better as HK has a new tastebud-tingling sensation in the form of ESTRO. 

ESTRO (Italian for ‘inspiration’) elevates classics from chef Antimo Maria Merone’s hometown of Napoli for the discerning Hong Kong diner. With delights such as a red prawn coral panna cotta with Kristal caviar and ink gnocchi served with cuttlefish, honey peas and chilli, customers are in for a treat. 

But it’s not just the mouthwatering fare that makes ESTRO a memorable dining experience. Award-winning designer André Fu is the genius behind the interior, finding inspiration in the classic Italian styling of a luxury salotto (living room) in Napoli's old town. With its gently curving walls, soft-toned wood and earthy tones, the decor evokes the colourful character of one of Europe's most historic cities. 

“My vision is to create a visual journey that aligns with the chef’s culinary philosophy. Eschewing clichés, it offers a personal interpretation of Italian history whilst striking a balance between the artful and the avant-garde. It is a cinematic dreamscape that evokes an abstract re-telling in the manner of Jean Cocteau and Gio Ponti,” says Fu.

The collaboration between the master chef and design guru is also in partnership with local hospitality giants the JIA Group. The group's expertise combined with the culinary inventiveness and the artistic conception of Merone and Fu is sure to be a winning combination. Those eating at ESTRO can expect to escape the bustle of Hong Kong and retreat to the far-off shores of Italy for a relaxing, delicious experience. 

The beautifully balanced lunch and dinner menus paired with a curated wine list, all served in such an enchanting environment, will set ESTRO apart on the Hong Kong dining scene. Locals and ex-pats alike will be exclaiming “bellissimo” as they enjoy the modern Italian gastronomic delights on offer. 

@estro.hk