Cover Osteria Marzia’s spaghetti with pistacchio di Bronte and Sicilian anchovy
Osteria Marzia’s spaghetti with pistacchio di Bronte and Sicilian anchovy
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From sweet treats to savoury toppings, here's where to find seven of our favourite dishes that feature the little green nut
Hong Kong is undeniably food obsessed and every so often a new trendy dish or ingredient will take the city by storm. Some are good and some are, well, let's just say it's better to look ahead.
In this edition of Food Obsessions, we're looking at nature's super nut—the pistachio. In Chinese, it's known as the “happy nut” because its cracked shell is said to resemble a smile and it's also one of the oldest flowering nut trees which means humans have been eating pistachio nuts for at least 9,000 years. This green nut is not only rich in nutrients with a long list of health benefits but it's also delicious and used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes.
Ahead, we've listed some of Hong Kong's favourite pistachio dishes that foodies are going nuts for and where to go to try them.
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Chaat
Chaat's tandoori lamb chop with pistachio and mint chutney is one of the restaurant's most popular dishes for good reason. The chops are tender and charred to perfection, imparting a smokiness to the succulent meat with a touch of sweet, nutty flavour from the pistachio crust. This is a must-order when dining at this vibrant Indian restaurant.
Chaat, 5/F Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Fiata
At Fiata, one of the top spots for pizza in Hong Kong, diners can try various dishes that feature pistachio including the Sicilian-style pesto atop the Bronte pizza. This Neapolitan pizza is topped with fine Italian produce including buffalo ricotta, mortadella, pistachio pesto, chopped pistachios and lemon zest, all of which come together for a unique and flavourful combination.
Fiata, 2 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong
Read more: Where to find the best pizzas in Hong Kong
Osteria Marzia
Inspired by Italian coastal cuisine, Osteria Marzia offers satisfying plates of handmade pasta including this twist on a classic dish. The spaghetti is coated in rich and creamy Bronte pistachio paste with salty anchovies for a combination of flavours and textures that is reminiscent of a Sicilian summer.
Osteria Marzia, G/F, The Fleming, 41 Fleming Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Venédia Grancaffè
There is a crisp, buttery croissant available at Venédia Grancaffè that comes with two scoops of homemade pistachio gelato that is simply delicious. It is topped with pistachios for extra crunch and goes down superbly with a cup of coffee during the day or as a light dessert after dinner.
Venédia Grancaffè, G/F One Chinachem Central, 22 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Estro
Believe it or not, this unassuming scoop of pistachio gelato from Estro is actually a crowd favourite. The gelato is freshly churned using Sicilian pistachio from Bronte which results in a rich, velvety dessert that many have requested when dining here. The gelato was taken off the menu for some time but swiftly returned thanks to avid fans.
Estro, 2/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
Ān's pop-up store at Landmark
Chef Vicky Lau's soy-based brand Ān is popping up at The Landmark until March 31, offering a variety of soy milk and pastries along with other grab-and-go options. The pistachio and white chocolate chip cookie is an exclusive item at the pop-up which is made with soy pulp, a side product of Ān's soy milk production, and comes topped with pistachio paste and pistachios for a strong yet balanced taste of our favourite green nut.
Ān pop-up, Shop 350, 3/F, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong
Don't miss: Tatler Dining’s Chef of the Year, Vicky Lau, shares her thoughts on soy and spirituality
Maison Libanaise
A meal at Maison Libanaise is best finished with the daily selection of traditional-style Lebanese desserts which arrives at the table on a two-tier tray. While the pastries differ daily, the baklava here is definitely one of our favourites. The crispy layers are baked to perfection and filled with chopped pistachio nuts and sweetened with syrup.
Maison Libanaise, G/F-2/F, 10 Shelley Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong
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A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
