On the heels of Primavera ad Amalfi and Chalet des Alpes, embark on a new transportive experience embracing the Greek way of life right in the heart of Hong Kong
White-stuccoed villages. The sun glinting off the crystal-blue sea. The fresh catch of the day, simply roasted and washed down with wine and ouzo. While these snippets of life in the islands of Greece seems like a million miles away, they'll be within reach this summer as Black Sheep Restaurants and Tatler return to Tai Kwun for a third pop-up experience, following the successes of Primavera ad Amalfi and Chalet des Alpes.
From May 24 to June 12, Tai Kwun's Magistracy building will be transformed into Papadakis, an estiatorio inspired by the open-air eateries and beachside restaurants scattered across the Aegean Sea. Mirroring the convivial way of life that pervades innumerable Greek seaside towns and villages with the onset of summer, guests arriving at Papadakis are welcomed with a customary shot of ouzo, before easing into the night with a glass of red or white wine.
Onto the main attraction, a generous dinner menu served in a transportive dining room thrumming with anticipation, as a DJ spins Greek covers and classic Europop. Each table is presented with sharing-style mezze of housemade hummus, taramasalata, and smoky roasted eggplant, with a side of warm Greek pita and fresh-cut crudités. Starters evoke the scent of sea spray in dishes like Bottarga Avgotaraho, or sliced hamachi with watermelon, lemon, olives and bottarga; and the signature Scallop Saganaki, seared jumbo scallops basted with roasted cherry tomato, ouzo butter and a dusting of green herbs.
Amid surprise shots of ouzo and toasts of "Yamas!", the centrepiece, a shoulder of slow-roasted lamb, makes its entrance. Marinated for 12-hours, this succulent cut is roasted, wrapped and basted in lemon, herbs and red wine, making for a mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone dish enjoyed with a selection of sides, from the light and refreshing classic Greek Village Salad to the hearty Potatoes Papadakis.
As dinner winds down, the scent of sweet treats beckons from a quaint souvenir shop tucked away on the side street. There, you'll find two limited-edition gelato flavours created in collaboration with Messina: Scents of Santorini, a refreshing grapefruit and olive oil sorbet; and A Greek Tragedy, a honey gelato smashed with pistachio baklava and pistachio fudge (also available for a limited time at Messina). Beside the gelato counter, a stash of postcards is for the taking, a momento of a brief escape from the city to the sunny climes of Greece.
Papadakis will take place from May 24 to June 12, 2022 at Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Culture. Find out more information and register here.