A Modern Italian Cooking Concept: Cantina, translating to “canteen” in English, is helmed by Luca Schiavone, known for his work in Cecconi’s and Shoreditch House, as well as Michelin-recommended Zafferano in London, to bring Italian fares made with freshly sourced ingredients to the city. Opening doors in early May, Cantina serves Tai Kwun visitors Italian dishes with a modern twist.

Look & Feel: The Tai Kwun new joiner neighbors Agora and Dragonfly to share the open view of the former Police Headquarters in colonial Hong Kong. Guests are welcome to dine on the balcony while enjoying the summer breeze with a backdrop of the historical architecture, or inside the slightly dimed dining area for a more sophisticated dining experience.

On The Menu: Cantina offers a holistic journey to both casual and fine diners with their tasting and a la carte menus.

Freshen up your palettes with Cicchetti, a plate of Venetian-inspired bites made with seasonal ingredients sourced through artisanal producers while deciding on which drink to try from the culinary team’s careful selection of wines from small Italian winemakers.

When it comes to mains, you wouldn’t want to miss the must-try Sicilian red prawn carpaccio. The flavorful red prawns from Southern Italy flaunt a smooth buttery texture and the dish is finished with lemon zest, Bronte pistachios, known otherwise as to the country’s “green gold”, and sweet pomegranate jelly. Step up your game with caviar for extra indulgence. If this isn’t enough to satisfy your craving for seafood, give Fritto misto a try. Made with fried prawns, squid, and courgettes served with garlic mayonnaise, the dish reminds you of the seaside in Southern Italy.

Panelle, popular street food in Palermo, inspired by Sicily’s Arabic immigrants, is another Cantina favorite worth trying. Traditionally made with chickpea flour, parsley and water, these vegetarian fritters are upgraded with rich truffle ricotta served on homemade focaccia in Cantina.

And it’s not a complete Italian meal without pizza and pasta. Squid ink spaghetti with cuttlefish & sea urchin which comes from Northern Lazio and Southern Tuscany, Cavatelli pasta from the Southern regions of Molise and Puglia, to name a few — go on a tasteful journey to explore Italy with Cantina!

Great For: After-hour drinks and meals, weekend brunches.

FYI: Under the government’s vaccination requirements of Vaccine Pass, from 31 May onwards, all guests will be required to have received the third dose.

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.

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