New Leaf: After a six-month closure, Sydney-originated Italian osteria and enoteca 121BC has moved from its first location on buzzing Peel Street to a new spot along the equally buzzing Hollywood Road in Soho.

Look & Feel: The restaurant’s contemporary-casual vibe is reminiscent of its former location, with long tables and plenty of bar counter space encouraging conviviality. Exposed brick grants a rustic quality that offsets the sleek black furniture, while bottles of wine lining the walls behind the bar remind you of why you booked a table here.

On the Menu: Simple and classic Italian fare created from excellent ingredients. It’s all about the small bites at 121BC — think salumi boards, burrata, chicken liver paté and olives. There are also mains like veal, pork neck and Wagyu skirt steak along with pastas and desserts. Some of the ingredients, such as the pasta, grissini, cheese and ice cream are made in-house. The food is accompanied by a comprehensive wine list that spans the whole of Italy with a particular focus on biodynamic wines.

Meet the Chef: Australian-born chef Fabio Nicotra heads up the team after stints at a variety of other Italian restaurants, while award-winning sommelier Giorgio de Maria curated the wine list.

Great For: Enjoying booze and bites with plenty of friends.

FYI: There’s a regional banquet menu and regional wine pairing available for $450 or $250 respectively.

Check out Hong Kong’s newest restaurants and bars here.

This writeup is a news piece and was not based on a restaurant visit. The Loop HK will update this post once we’ve visited in person.