Italian restaurant Domani oozes modern sophistication while managing to feel warm and welcoming. The open kitchen gives the restaurant a palpable buzz and background music is pitched at the ideal level. Tables are well spaced, and diners are seated thoughtfully. A number of tables are located on the outdoor terrace on the rooftop of Pacific Place. The restaurant makes a good setting for a romantic meal or a group dinner. Its proximity to the upmarket stores in the shopping mall below and offices make it popular for lunch, too.
Food
The pork belly appetiser is a favourite and perfectly cooked. Delicate slices of meat are paired effectively with a rich plum sauce and the accompanying iced yogurt adds a refreshing, cool twist. The succulent, poached Boston lobster is served as a generous portion, but it is a little overpowered by the strong passionfruit. Unusually, the risotto dishes have a minimum order of two persons as the dish is individually assigned a dedicated chef. This sets expectations high. There are four options, including Earl Grey tea risotto with calamari and lime. The risotto with Italian figs and French foie gras has frozen foie gras crumbled on top and is moist, well balanced and the attention during cooking is apparent. The hazelnut-crusted lamb is not nearly as successful. It is recommended medium, but is served predominantly rare. The meat is fatty and tough. The accompanying cabbage and garlic foam are unmemorable. The fig and almond tart with apricot sauce and yogurt gelato requires a 20-minute wait but is well worth it: pastry is light and flaky and the apricot and almond combine very effectively.
Wine
There is an excellent selection of Italian wine, both by the bottle and glass. A number of boutique provincial wineries are featured and offerings are high quality and well priced. Wine recommendations paired very well with food.
Service
Although the welcome is warm, the quality of service is inconsistent and less attentive than one would expect at a restaurant of this quality. Some staff lack menu knowledge and find it difficult to answer questions.
Price
A three-course meal, without wine, will cost from HK$1,200 for two persons. Ordering from the menu of the month can work out to be better value.
