CIAK - In The Kitchen — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

Vegetarian friendly. Family’s regular place for pizza. We got the pesto and margherita pizza. Since they had handmade pasta I ordered cacio de pepe in fettucini which was decent but the chef decided to add porcini mushrooms that was overpowering the pepper flavor. We also ordered a pink sauce in regular penne that was good. Burrata was prettty goood I have to say. Definitely going back for that

So went there again in oct 2023. Was served by a group of Nepalese staff. One of them who said she was the manager that night but can’t believe she was. We were overcharged for balsamic vinegrette and when we argued she was so disrespectful and rude don’t expect service like that. It wasn’t about the money but you can be apologetic? Don’t think I’m wrong in expecting a tad bit decent service. Don’t think will be going there again knowing she will be working there.unfortunately the worst of experience in all of hk. Even when we (Indians) are judged of racism by non brown people it doesn’t hit so hard like it hit when judged and served by peopel of the same color with no genuineness in the service. Wish we could expect the same service like the white skinned when paying the...

Eggplant parmesan? Or eggplant lasagna? This is what I was served when I ordered eggplant parmesan at CIAK here in Landmark.

As I look up the website, I see that it was awarded a Michelin star for two-three years in a row, a couple of years back.

Just a few days ago, I had pesto, so I didn't go for the pasta but the eggplant parmesan again. And I must say I wasn't very impressed.

When I think of eggplant parmesan, I think something a bit breaded, a bit crusty, very chunky tomato sauce-y. This wasn't breaded. It wasn't crusty. Wasn't very sauce-y but not dry.

I think eggplant lasagna might be a better way to describe this, to avoid disappointment on not getting the eggplant parmesan. It was very neatly presented, neatly portioned to be able to cut out slices.

The taste wasn't bad and it tasted better at home later that evening, as I took my leftovers to go.

The house breads were good. I was too chatty to get a picture of my Long Island Iced Tea.

The space was quite big and the menu, overall extensive. I may stop here for another bite someday. Pesto something, I'd guess.

More photos and details on the blog -...

I’d give Ciak between 2.5 stars for many reasons. It is meant to be swish but the interiors are quite canteen like. Prices are high but the service and the food is not worthy of such high prices. The chef was a little stand-offish, almost haughty and that is not appreciated. We had 2 pizzas - one was the buffalo mozzarella and the other was with mushrooms. The crust was good but the mushroom pizza was tasteless. But of all the things what is most unforgiving is when the Tiramisu is poorly made. No excuses for that ever. EVER. Every Italian chef should learn that first and foremost and create their own version of a skilled masterpiece. Ciak has a heavy and very amateurish version just presented fancifully. Bread portions were generous and my son’s meringue pavlova dessert was ok-ish. I surely have had better. To end with, Italian restaurants are everyone’s favourite and Italian food is widely eaten so it doesn’t take for an expert to know a good pizza over a not so nice one or for that matter a tiramisu.

There are only 2 options for Ciak - improvise and get it right or bring...