Among all the hot new openings this summer, Jamie’s Italian in Causeway Bay created the biggest hype. The line has become increasingly long since its official opening in end of July, filled with people waiting to check out what the celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has to offer.
While we heard it is impossible to book a table until November, we tried our luck to walk-in at around 5:30pm. We were told that the restaurant was already full (!), so we could only put down our name and go back 2 hours later. It wasn’t too bad at least we didn’t have to queue on the spot and we didn’t have to wait for calling of ticket number.
The restaurant atmosphere was fun and casual, with low lighting and a part of kitchen extended to the dining area. We were seated at a long communal table – they left an empty seat in between parties so it didn’t feel too crowded.
The Bellini looked beautiful with peach puree at the bottom of the glass, surprisingly priced at only $45. World’s Best Olives on Ice ($50) – – I can’t tell whether they were the best but they were quite good. The black olives tapenade was even better!
Crab and Avocado Bruschetta ($70) – a bed of fresh crab meat mixed with slices of green apple, lemon and chilli, lying on a sourdough toast. A refreshing dish to start the meal.
Spinach & Taleggio Croquettes ($70) – Simple yummy dish! The batter was light and crispy. The basil mayo also helped cut the richness of the creamy spinach potato filling.
It was a hard time choosing among the wide selection of main courses, but as pasta freaks we decided to go for the freshly made pastas! Everything looks good on the menu – thanks to the half portion option so we could try out more!
Vongole Tagliolini ($90/ $155) – the clams were so fresh! Tagliolini was cooked al dente.
Truffle Tagliatelle ($75/ $125) was a personal favourite! You get fresh truffle slices in a light cream sauce with a hint of nutmeg on al dente fresh tagliatelle. What could go wrong?
Our Famous Prawn Linguine ($100/ $165) was however a disappointment. The words “our famous” might have brought a higher expectation, but the dish, as you may see, was watery. The prawns were small and tasteless. The linguine was still good though.
We also ordered a side Rocket and Parmesan Salad ($40), their house aged balsamic was good and you could always get one home, among other merchandises, on your way out.
Now you would probably ask whether this place worths the two-hour wait. I’ve heard mixed reviews regarding the restaurant since its opening. To be honest, if you are looking for authentic Italian dishes or Michelin-starred fancy dishes, this is definitely not the place that you are looking for. The big name behind the restaurant is definitely setting the expectation way too high. But to be fair, Jamie Oliver’s recipes are supposed to be something simple that you can also make at home, and the restaurant is also positioned as an affordable casual dining place, offering simple Italian dishes with a Jamie Oliver’s twist. With that in mind, I do think the restaurant delivers fairly well. I certainly love the home-made pastas and they lived up to the reputation. It offers an extension menu with dishes that most people would love, plus the prices are generally wallet-friendly. All these add up to make it a great family restaurant/ group hangout spot! I would certainly go back, just maybe when the waiting time is not as long.
Hong Kong Food Blog | SOCIALISTA 