Gia Trattoria

 
by Aude
 
You know my love for Italian food, I actually dedicated the first column of the Food Cravings seriesto Italian cuisine and nothing has changed since then. Since arriving in Hong Kong almost 4 years ago I’ve been hearing about Gia Trattoria. It was recommended to me again few weeks ago. But you know how things are sometimes, you got so much things on your to do list that you can never tick-it all off. Especially in Hong Kong where there always a new place opening. But last week, I was invited for dinner at Gia Trattoria and it was the perfect excuse to finally try one of the most famous Italian place in town. Guess what? I should def have gone earlier! 
 
Firs of all, I loved it that the restaurant is located right above Mercato by Giando, a little shop where they sell produces directly imported from Italy and sourced by Chef Gianni Caprioli. I like it when restaurants also have a shop corner because it means that they are quite proud of the products they use which is usually a pretty good sign on the quality of the products but also because I’m always in for a little yummy take-away. Definitely not an empty fridge kinda girl!  Then, a quick look at the menu had me convinced that it was going to be quite a feast. They are some good Italian restaurants in town (and not only expensive and fancy ones, I could tell you again and again about my deep love for Pici) but until then I had not try any that felt like being invited to share family meal with an Italian family. This is how I felt at Gia Trattoria where they serve family style sharing dishes. Ok, don’t get me wrong, not just any Italian family … a super foodie one. I’d better warn you, I hope you came angry … not sure you are ready for the feats they have cooked-up for us! 
 
Shall we go for the starters? 

 

-    Puglia burrata cheese w/ mixed fresh Italian tomatoes(HKD 188) – proper classic Italian starter but that burrata is a good one, I can tell you 
-    Poached white and green asparagus w/ classic “Bassano” boiled eggs– my fav starter, fresh and surprising and a perfect combination of super soft-boiled eggs and crispy asparagus 

 

-    ​Spicy salami pizza(HKD 188) yes! Pizza served as a starter, the true Italian way. Love it! I wouldn’t usually order salami pizza as I usually think they are too greasy but this one wasn’t. A super pornfood treat (which we did not finished but some of us on the table asked for a doggy bag … and no I was not one of them) 
 

Ready for primi piati?


 

Here come the family style sharing pasta 
 

-    Breaded Milanese style boneless Veal (HKD 288), again such a regressive and addictive dish 
-    Charcoal grilled prime ribs 

Hope you still have room for dessert! Because we will be sharing Tiramisu, Mini Sicilian cannoli stuffed w/ ricotta cheese(god I love those mini stuffs way too much) and the creamiest and most pornfood ice-cream I’ve ever tasted: Mascarpone Gelato. I didn’t even know mascarpone ice-cream was a thing. Feel like I’ve been wasting some many years not knowing about that killer dessert! 
And yes, you’re counting it right, that’s a 11-dishes tasting I just treated myself too. But you know guys, why bother doing the job if you’re only doing half of it. Not my style! (And now you understand why I have to work out every day … working out for eating out that’s my philosophy). 
 
Ok so in a nutshell: I would happily be back to Gia Trattoria for just a spoonful of their indecent mascarpone gelato (yet would never be able to limit myself to just one spoonful) but while at it would also always make sure to treat myself to Chef Gianni Caprioli’s family style dishes. 
 
Buon Appetito! 
 
Gia Trattoria
1/F Fleet Arcade, 1 Lung King Street, Fenwick Pier, Wanchai Hong Kong