AQUA

There is no denying the beauty of Hong Kong’s skyline—and being located on the 29th floor, Aqua’s floor-to-ceiling windows really do showcase it in all its majesty. As the night goes on, more design niggles become apparent (it is freezing, the window tables are too close together, and once busy, it approaches club-like levels of noise and darkness), but we let those slide given the spectacular vistas. The menu is split into two distinct cuisines, Aqua Roma for Italian, and Aqua Tokyo for Japanese. Whilst the ingredients are premium (wagyu beef, black truffle), more seasoning and culinary flair is required to make them truly sing—and to warrant their hefty prices. Of the highlights, the organic spinach rolls with homemade sesame sauce are an appetite-whetting start to the meal; the umami-laden sauce is utterly addictive. The wine list is impressive in its length, with a wide selection of tipples from all around the world. Overall, whilst it is easy to see Aqua’s appeal for out-oftowners and those celebrating special occasions, it is the view rather than the food that you will remember.