aera — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

I came here for Restaurant Week thinking it would be great to expand my palate and try something new. The food was fine, I did find a fish scale in my .... - it's too bad it was marred by a completely ridiculous situation we were left in - when the bill came, the manager told us that we would only receive the restaurant week discount if we paid with an HSBC credit card. This wasn't shared with us when we were first seated, this wasn't even a requirement when we paid the deposit. When we tried to explain that we don't have an HSBC credit card - the manager went into defensive mode immediately and told us that it was clearly stated on the dining city website - it was not. In all of the emails and reservation notes that we received from dining city and the restaurant, nowhere was this HSBC requirement listed. She said we needed to click into the term and conditions. We offered solutions like paying in cash, she said no, she even said she would have paid our bill and we could transfer her cash, but even she, doesn't have an HSBC credit card. The frustrating part of this incident is that she was defensive, bordering rude, accusatory, and didn't offer any solutions other than to pay an elevated price which the meal is not worth. While we waited and began writing this review, our unpleasant manager returned and finally begrudgingly offered a solution and told us we could ask our neighbors to pay on our behalf while we transferred them money. I was so sorry to bother our neighbors who were so kind and had a really great attitude about everything, unlike Aera's manager. This was not the manner or professionalism I would expect from a fine dining restaurant. We had to go to Salisterra to wash the bad taste of the attitude we received out of our mouths.

A word to Aera - though your food is good, your service separate from this situation, was terrible. This restaurant's food may be called fine dining, but the service is far from fine dining. In response to the owner's comment below - it was not clearly stated and if this is true about your contractual partnership then plaster it everywhere and make it abundantly clear on your website, on the tasting menu, when the guest is first seated etc. I appreciate you will now communicate to patrons about this - what I don't appreciate and still don't appreciate is how defensive and rude your manager was. She needs training in hospitality and problem solving. She needs a better manner than being curt, short and prickly and blaming the customer for not reading the buried terms and conditions is definitely a way to prevent us from ever coming back and saying anything positive about our experience - which...

I arrived 12 minutes late, at 7:42 PM, instead of the scheduled time of 7:30 PM. The restaurant had sent a WhatsApp reminder, but I had already informed them that I was on my way and would arrive before 7:45 PM

Upon entering, found that on a Thursday night, we were the only customers of the night! The lady in black (the manager?) had a very unfriendly attitude and looked extremely displeased. As soon as I sat down, she started pressing me on when my friend would arrive because the last order was at 8 PM, despite the booking confirmation stating 8:15 PM. Plus, their set menu only had one option, with the only choice being the main course: chicken or beef. I don't understand why there was such pressure!

It was a very stressful dining experience (I've never encountered such an unfriendly demeanor). If it weren't for the $1000 deposit I paid, I would have walked out immediately! There are plenty of great places to eat in Wan Chai!

Fortunately, once the food arrived, another staff member was responsible for serving us. They had a much better attitude and showed great passion when introducing the dishes. Each course was a delightful surprise and delicious! My friend and I immediately felt better; honestly, as long as there's basic service, we're easy to please.

We even discussed whether we would return or recommend it to friends, but thinking back to that unfriendly staff member in black really puts us off. Her attitude brought the experience down significantly. I hope the management takes notice and doesn't let this staff member negatively impact the restaurant's reputation and returning customers/referrals—after all, sustaining a business in Wan Chai isn't easy!

Our meal for two cost $3600. While it's not overly expensive, the service attitude of the female manager (who is a foreigner but speaks Chinese) really makes you question things.

On a positive note, I want to emphasize that the food was genuinely delicious! It was prepared...

æra, meaning honour and era in Danish, is a casual fine-dining establishment providing inspiring Nordic cuisine. Drawing from Scandinavian traditions of sustainability and local sourcing, the chefs apply techniques like pickling and smoking to craft seasonal menus highlighting finest fresh ingredients.

𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 -

✧ 𝙈𝙞𝙭𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙬/ 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙖 (7.5/10) A delightful one with a burst of flavors. The pairing of juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata, and tangy strawberry vinaigrette left us craving for more.

✧ 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙬/ 𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙚 (7/10) The silky carrout puree is complemented by smoky savory touch from guanciale. Each spoonful soothes, a warm invitation for taste buds.

✧ 𝘾𝙖𝙚𝙨𝙖𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙬/ 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙢 & 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 (7/10) While the chicken breast is tasty and tender, the Caesar salad itself is rather ordinary, lacking wow factor. The croutons add nice crunch though.

𝙼𝚊𝚒𝚗 -

✧ 𝙋𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙤 𝙬/ 𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 (8/10) Richly indulgent yet light, the risotto melds creamy rice with unexpected bursts of carrot and citrus. Walnut and house ricotta crown this harmonious blend of flavors, a taste of autumn that nourishes.

✧ 𝙇𝙖𝙢𝙗 𝙡𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙬/ 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙠𝙚 (7/10) The meat delivers flavorful bites of springtime pasture paired with artichoke, mint and yogurt. While they come together capably, it ultimately lacks the spark to impress beyond expectations. A sound execution but not a standout creation.

✧ 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙯𝙯𝙖𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙞 𝙬/ 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙣 (7.5/10) Toothsome pasta cradles plump prawns and sweet peas, its al dente bites are further enhanced by a saffron cream’s warmth. A satisfying textural triumph.

𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚝 -

✧ 𝙏𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙪 (7/10) Some say this is the best version in town. With its combination of crunches and pudding-like layers, it is a treat for tastebuds. I personally prefer a bolder alcoholic kick to further amplify...