New restaurant review: PANO, West Kowloon, Hong Kong

Fine dining at PANO in the West Kowloon Cultural District (a review)

The Hong Kong skyline is one of the best in the world, and it’s always a treat to see it from a new angle. Especially when it’s accompanied by a 10 course meal. PANO is a new east meets west fine dining restaurant in the West Kowloon Cultural District. You may know Executive Chef Ken Lau from his stints at The Peninsula or from his other restaurant Palco Ristorante in Wan Chai. While I’d never had Chef’s cooking before, you can count me as a fan now.

If you’ve lived in Hong Kong for awhile, new openings with a nice view are fairly common. As are places that serve beautifully plated cuisine. And having written for Foodie for a number of years now, I’ve had the privilege of trying some of our city’s great restaurants. Even still, PANO stands out as offering some seriously delicious food.

Below are dishes from their 10 course dinner menu ($1,188). They also offer a 4 course lunch ($498).

Amuse Bouche

Seasonal Vegetables

Roasted Short Neck Clam with Caviar and Garlic Foam

Coconut Fish Maw, Abalone & Chicken Bisque with Slow Cooked Chicken Breast

Apple Wood Smoked Organic Broccoli Royale with Hokkaido Sea Urchin

Deep Fried Tilefish with Scales in Sicilian Sauce

Mala Pasta with Clams

Homemade Seasonal Fruit Sorbet

Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Two Ways

Dried Beancurd Mille Feuille

The amuse bouche of Hokkaido scallop tartare with Thai spices and mascarpone foam in a beetroot cone was memorable. As was the butter laden roasted short neck clam with caviar and garlic foam. The spaghetti with Sichuan spice and clams was incredibly silky and addictive. And the coconut and chicken bisque with fish maw, abalone, and slow cooked chicken breast was so comforting and another reminder that the details matter at PANO; every single element was tender and flavourful. For my main, I chose the Miyazaki Wagyu beef (+$198), which was one of the few dips in the meal for me. The meat was tougher than expected and the overall dish felt too heavy when paired with the beef pastry.

The vibe is slightly more casual than might be expected for the price.

The Panorama Mocktail

Verdict

Check out PANO the next time you’re in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The food and vibe would be great for a date night. Also they’ve got great cocktails/mocktails (highly recommend the Panorama, $128/108). Grab one and hang out on their gorgeous patio before the weather gets too hot!

Unit 1F-1, 1/F, 24-26 Museum Drive, Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon

*By invitation for Foodie