Whampoa is a bustling residential neighbourhood with a thriving and vibrant local restaurant scene, and visiting the area has made easy after MTR opened a station there. The promenade has a lot of exciting developments coming and one restaurant that’s taken over the scene is The Bayside. The modern patio is one of the most spacious I have come across, sitting on the promenade and overlooking the Eastern side of Hong Kong Island.
Diving into the food, The Bayside offers a huge selection of dishes to choose from and looks to present a Mediterranean menu, but the tapas section contains American-fusion dishes.
The fish tacos ($78 for 2 pieces, $148 for 4 pieces) were one of the best I have had in Hong Kong! Pickled shallots and cabbage lined the bottom of each taco, with tomatillos and chipotle sauce to give some mild heat to each bite. There are also limes on the side to give the perfect squeeze of acidity. The fresh, plump scallop ceviche ($148) was a perfect one-bite size and sits in a citrusy Peruvian vinaigrette.
The beef tartare ($168) could use more seasoning and the bread was a little tough to tear apart and eat, but the gambas al ajillo ($148) was spot on in terms of flavour, and filled with a ton of garlic despite being a little too oily for me.
The pizzas are ultra thin - we opted for the artisan pizza barca ($268), a deluxe pizza covered in pickled peppers and layered with 36 months jamon, salami, and chorizo. This dish is great for sharing with a group, and you can order a few to try!
For something on the American side (and less Mediterranean), the lobster rolls (1 piece $128, 2 pieces $238) are fun to try. Fluffy, buttery brioche buns hold a large scoop of minced lobster battered in mayo, while the light foie gras ($128) goes deliciously well with the sweet fig compote.
Mains are hearty and best to share, but the most notable dishes are the suckling pig ($288) and the Kyoto cod ($298).
The suckling pig comes in slices and is crispy and super tender. The dish could have used a bit more sauce, and comes with shishito and roasted potatoes, going with the Mediterranean or Spanish-fusion theme.
The Kyoto cod is perfectly cooked and glazed in miso, honey, and topped with toasted sesame seeds. This dish may not be Mediterranean but suits anybody who wants a dish that infuses Asian flavours, and comes with seasonal, stir-fried vegetables.
Desserts are kept simple – gelato is done well at The Bayside, and my favourites have to be the gelato ($48 per scoop) and the lava cake ($118). Warm chocolate oozes from the centre with vanilla gelato adding a creamy texture to the bittersweet dish.
Verdict
The Bayside is one of the most spacious restaurants I have been to in the city and it is a great place to stop by when strolling along the promenade. This modern patio is a great neighborhood restaurant, as well as those making a special pilgrimage to enjoy the backdrop and al fresco dining, especially when the weather is getting cooler. I would not consider the restaurant fully Mediterranean since it contains a lot of different cuisines mixed into the dishes (with some that could use a tweak). However, the selection can make you greedy – there is so much to choose from!
Shop G1, One Harbourfront, Whampoa Garden, (Adjoining Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel); 2123 2177
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This write-up is based on a complimentary media tasting provided in exchange for an honest review and no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s.
