Gradini RistoranteItaliano has opened its doors at The Pottinger Hong Kong, adding classic and authentic Italian cuisine to the historic heart of the city. Led by celebratedItalian chef, Giovanni Greggio, Gradini Ristorante Italiano specialises in time-honoured Italian dishes. Hearty Italian flavours are amplified by theelegant ambienceand intimate old-world charm of The Pottinger Hong Kong, where East meets West and heritage meets modernity.
Born in Viterbo and hailingfrom Verona, Italy, Chef Greggio is passionate about celebrating Italian favourites, and specialises in classic Italian cuisine. He is known in Hong Kong as the former Head Chef of Nicholini’sat Conrad Hong Kong, where under his leadership Nicholini’sreceived the international accolade of ‘Best Italian Restaurant Abroad’from the President of Italy, Mr Oscar Luigi Scalfaro.
Drawing inspirationfrom the freshest ingredients, signature dishes include ‘Grigliata de polpo con spinaci in balsamico e olio di olive’, grilled Mediterranean octopus with citrus salad on a bed of hand-picked baby spinach leaves;‘Rigatoni Alla Norcina Piccanti’,pasta with Tuscan sausage in spicy tomato sauce with a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese and ‘Spigola Alle Erbe Al Forno’, salt-crusted whole Italian line-caught sea bass with fresh aromatic herbs. Cognoscenti should not miss the ‘Classico tiramisu del pasticcere’,a classic tiramisu with layers of savioiardi biscuit flavour with aramotto topped with mascarpone cream and cacao.
‘Throughout my career I have launched a number of Italian restaurants but Gradini Ristorante Italiano holds extra meaning. Being within The Pottinger Hong Kong is like being part of living history and Gradini shares this historical importance, symbolising the meeting of East and West through food that is intrinsically true to my Italian heritage,’says Chef Greggio.Gradini Ristorante
Designed by LCL Architects, the elegant dining room of Gradini Ristorante Italiano reflects the timeless style of the hotel. High ceilings give a sense of class within oriental inspired surrounds that illustrate the historical importance of the restaurant’s location.
The centre piece of the dining room is a spectacular copper Italian coffee machine, the ‘Victoria Arduino Venus’. A special release, the machine is a limited edition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the prestigious brand. With only 100 machines produced, it is as unique and treasured as Gradini Ristorante Italiano itself.
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Adjacent to the dining room is the Gradini Bar, which provides a stylish and ambient escape from the hustle and bustle of Central Hong Kong to catch up with friends or enjoy a pre-dinner drink. The signature Bellini Gradini Cocktailis a sure favourite.Fresh peaches are blended with champagne and grappa to create this romantic cocktail which was originally inspired by a 15th century Venetian painting.With ‘Gradini’ the Italian word for steps, the Bellini Gradini is the perfect statement drink for the Gradini Barand is aconnotation of an elegant lady waiting on stone steps.
‘Pottinger Street’,or ‘slab street’as the locals call it for its trademarkgranite slab steps, is the cultural and historic epicentre of the city. Pottinger Street has witnessed the development of Hong Kong into a world city, while treasuring and protecting its traditions and heritage.
‘The Pottinger Hong Kong and Gradini Ristorante Italiano have been built upon the foundations of this historic area. Through every step of our planning –from the enchanting pictures ofFan Ho adorning the walls of the hotel,to the coffee machine that symbolises the Italian roots of the restaurant –we have been striving to create an establishment that pays tribute to its heritage and the meeting of East and West,’says Ms Gina Tam, Hotel Manager of The Pottinger Hong Kong.
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Opened in June 2014, The PottingerHong Kongis fast building a strong reputation for its elegant bar and restaurants. Gradini is the centrepiece of the hotel’s dining options.
(Source: The Pottinger Hong Kong)
