Virgilio Martinez’s Hong Kong debut delights with colourful plates and lounge vibes
The vibrant international character of H Queens’ dining options has taken shape, with La Petite Maison and Ecriture bringing iterations of French cuisine, while Arbor shines with its Japanese and Nordic influences. Ichu Peru, meanwhile, transports guests to South America, where ceviche and pisco sours thrive.
Opened and operated by the Bulldozer group, who previously tested the local waters with the now-defunct Seafood Room in Causeway Bay, Ichu Peru marks the group’s return with a major name attached to it—Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, of Central Restaurante fame.
Ichu Peru’s colourful interiors set the mood and style for its no-fuss dining format. Guests are greeted with a kitchen open on three sides, complete with the bar facing another side hidden from the entrance. In this establishment designed by renowned designer Joyce Wang, a wooden installation hanging from the ceiling details the mountainous contours of Peru, while shades of moss green and blue invoke the fusion of land and sea. Low sofas and padded seating are accompanied by evenly spaced tables across the two sides of the dining room. At night the lighting is dim, adding a mystic quality to the space.