Tenuta Sette Ponti Poggio al Lupo Maremma 2009

Date of Tasting: 3 August 2013

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (~75%), Alicante (~20%), Petit Verdot (~5%)

Alcohol: 13.5%

Origin: Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

Expect to Pay: ~ THB1,200 - THB2,000

Web: http://www.tenutasetteponti.it/
Chubby Score: 89/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WS - 89/100

Appearance: opaque red/violet

Aroma: tea, cedar, dark berries, and phenol

Palate: ripe dark fruit such as cherry and plum with spices and herbs notes, mocha and espresso to the background, big, dark, and dense with firm tannins, very dry, full body

This is a big guy that is still shy. I would guess that this lad needs to rest for a few more years before showing the potential for a decade. Need to wait for tannins to integrate and fruit flavour to shine. If you do not like something really big, this is perhaps not the one for you. It will sure need something right to along side such as steak, roasted red meat, and rich flavour cheese.

Otto e Mezzo Bombana (8 1/2) @ Landmark Alexandra, Central, Hong Kong

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Otto e Mezzo Bombana (8 1/2) @ Landmark Alexandra, Central, Hong Kong

Price: HKD900 per person (what we paid for)

Visited: 27 September 2013

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 2/10

Services: 8/10

Here is another 3-Michelin Stars Awarded restaurant in Hong Kong, "Otto e Mezzo Bombana" which is located at Landmark Alexandra building. At first glance, it did not look attractive nor elegant from my perspective. The interior is in modern look but cosy and elegant. Spaces between tables are kept rather wide but still can be overheard easily. The good thing is the ambient was not so tough but relax in fact. Probably it is located right in the heart of business centre of Hong Kong, the place was packed during lunch time which was the time of my visit. That is what probably why restaurant staff had told me a few times about keeping the table for me for 15 minutes only. Well, the place was crowded and it was rather noisy for a fine dining venue (I love quiet place though).

Otto e Mezzo Bombana at Landmark Alexandra, Hong Kong

entrance (I'd not know it's 3-Michelin Stars by looking)

modern theme decor

On the service wise, the lady staff who took care of my table was really friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. I was impressed with such care and recommendation. Nevertheless, given information was not really complete. For example I ordered set lunch which comprised of 2 courses at the price of HKD390 + 10% service charge (additional HKD80 for dessert) and was recommended that I could try 2 main courses in half portions instead in order to experience. It turned out to be a full portion of iberico pork and half portion of pasta which costed an extra HKD200. Anyway, it was partly my fault not to properly ask.

Coming back to recommend service, I was advised to have a glass of Tua Rita Tierre Rosso 2011 (90/100 pts), 80% Merlot and 20% Alicante, to go along with the course as it should match well with my order and I did not disappoint. It was dry and aromatic with bouquet of gummy vanilla. Red and purple in colour. Berries and spicy on the palate. Medium body and finish well with sweet and refine tannins. But complexity is questionable. This wine can be drunk young but could be kept a few more years for tannins to integrate. However, the price of HKD150 per glass (if I remember correctly T.T) was a rip off mark up, I suppose. The price on high street for this bottle should be around HKD200.

bread basket (delicious but not remarkable)

Tua Rita Tierre 2011

I chose to start the meal with Mushroom Soup (6/10) which was made of Chanterelle and Porcini. It was nice, it was warm, and it was aromatic. Kind of creamy just on its own. Mushroom pieces were the third dimension. However, on the palate it was too plain. Perhaps, it lacked a touch of sweetness. At least, it was good to go along with some bread.

Mushroom Soup: Chanterelle and Porcini

The pasta dish was the second to arrive: Homemade Tagliolini: Baby Cuttlefish "Scarpetta" and Lobster, Parsley and Natural Jus (6/10). At the price of HKD200 for a half portion of signature pasta, well, you gotta be kidding me. The overall structure was light and fragrance with seafood scent and pepper flake on the background. The jus was flavourful and gave sea breeze feeling. The tagliolini was a little too soft actually. Anyway, it was rather ridiculous for this signature dish. I could find some other better pasta dish elsewhere and surely at ways lower price.

Homemade Tagliolini: Baby Cuttlefish "Scarpetta" and Lobster, Parsley and Natural Jus

top angle of tagliolini

The last dish was Iberico Pork Rib: Braised with Fennel and Red Wine, Garden Salad and Whipped Potato (7/10). Of course, the famous Iberico pork was definitely delicious on its own, both flavour and texture. It was so tender that meat came apart from bone with hardly any pressure from knife. The sauce was taste and thick. Mashed potato was supremely smooth. This was such classically good dish. But it was not amazing. At this high end fine dining, I wish I could see better creation or perhaps I demand too much.

Iberico Pork Rib: Braised with Fennel and Red Wine, Garden Salad and Whipped Potato

All in all, speaking frankly I would not return to Otto e Mezzo Bombana. I do not find this restaurant interesting nor it could not excite my heart at all. Given the additional price tag, I was sure mad to visit it. If I have to go for a place with fine dining around Central area of Hong Kong again, I would pick the near by place;  L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon which offers much better experience as well as price tag.

Otto e Mezzo Bombana (8 1/2) @ Landmark Alexandra, Central, Hong Kong
Shop 202 Landmark Alexandra
18 Charter Road
Central
Hong Kong

Open Hours: Mon - Sat 12:00pm - 02:30pm for lunch and 06:30pm - 10:30pm for dinner

Tel: +852 (0) 2537 8859
Web: http://www.ottoemezzobombana.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/OttoeMezzoBOMBANA