NINETYs (Causeway Bay) — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

Dining Review: Ninetys at K11, Hong Kong

Tucked inside K11 with its sleek New York-inspired ambiance, Ninetys holds promise as a trendy dining spot. However, my recent visit with my family revealed inconsistencies that undermine its potential to be a standout culinary destination.

Food: A Mix of Highs and Lows

The menu at Ninetys reads like a modern brunch haven, yet the execution falls short of expectations. Take the Avocado Toast with Egg and Salmon, for example: what should have been a harmonious marriage of fresh ingredients was instead an overworked dish with salmon paste smeared over the bread—a choice that muddled the flavors and lacked the elegance expected of such a classic dish.

The Wagyu Beef and Lobster Bisque, though visually appealing, was a sensory letdown. The bisque carried an overpowering lobster aroma, hinting at a lack of balance or proper marination. The Spiced Scramble and Truffle Scramble, on the other hand, showed promise, offering comforting, well-seasoned bites that hinted at the kitchen’s capability when attention to detail is prioritized.

As for beverages, the Orange Juice was unmistakably bottled—its processed taste jarring in contrast to the fresh, health-forward ethos implied by the menu. The hot chocolate, however, delivered a satisfying richness.

Service: In Need of Refinement

Service at Ninetys bordered on the awkward, particularly in handling simple requests. When I asked for lemon slices to cut through the lobster’s intense flavor, I was met with a mix of confusion and inefficiency. A waiter questioned why I needed the lemons, another cautioned it would “take time,” and after an unnecessary delay, only a single slice was brought to the table—hardly the prompt, intuitive service one expects from a restaurant of this caliber.

The staff’s hesitancy and lack of polish in catering to international palates created a sense of disconnect. For a restaurant located in one of Hong Kong’s most cosmopolitan hubs, this was surprising.

Ambiance: A Silver Lining

Where Ninetys truly shines is in its design. The chic interior, coupled with the buzz of K11’s mall environment, creates a modern, inviting atmosphere. It’s a setting ripe for success if only the food and service could rise to the occasion.

Final Verdict

Ninetys has the makings of a stellar dining destination, but it suffers from a lack of coherence. The dishes, while creative, often miss the mark due to imbalanced flavors or poor execution. Service, too, leaves much to be desired, failing to reflect the professionalism required in an international dining scene. With thoughtful adjustments to its menu and improved training for staff, Ninetys could truly deliver on its promise. Until then, it remains a venue better suited for casual bites than a serious culinary...

Regrettably I would put zero star if I could. Over time it was the service that disappointed. I used to come here twice a work during workday break. I will never come here again after a particularly disappointing encounter. I came here today for lunch. I waited in line and they put my name down for 2 people on their notepad. From my experience, if they have your name down, they will call by the list when it’s your turn. After all, that’s the whole point of a list no? So i stepped outside of the line because I assumed those in line are ones who just arrived and not on the list yet. 20 mins later, he passed in two groups of people in who came in after me and i felt strange so i queried how long is the wait for us is still. All this time the waiter had seen my waiting after taking down my name. He then said that i was in the wrong line and motioned me to the back of the queue.

I checked his pad and saw my name crossed off. Probably did it when he lets previous groups in. So he just crosses off names without caring if that’s actually them or not.

THEN STOP KEEPING LISTS. That’s just confusing people if you are not actually using the list anyway.

He only pointed out the line and expect me to go back and wait again. Until I questioned again why my name was crossed off, he offered to put me in front of the line. No apologies.

Wow, I was seated at the end but I left without ordering. And will never come again, if you think its reasonable to have expected an apologetic tone or word, or an earlier instruction to stand in a specific area while waiting or frankly to yo be treated respectfully as a guest then i don’t recommend...

Good place to have some meal or snacking to catchup some life update with friend 🌟

The cafe overall is very beautiful and calm, I'm in love with their aesthetic. My phone died in the middle of my meal, so I get to talk with my friend and observe around the cafe. This place have a lot of charging station for us to charge, it will be a perfect place for me to work from cafe, quick meeting, or just doing some homeworks. There's also a magazine and book corner for us to grab and read by the cafe.

As a matcha lover, this Matcha Affogato dish been eyecatching ever since I got the menu. But I'm not so into the granolas, especially when it's have some flavour. So I decide to have the topping on the side. The granola was great. It's earthy, a bit bitter from the matcha, and giving more dominant on pitachio taste, complimenting the taste of the ice cream.

It's a very nice matcha dessert with a twist. I got suprised and in love with it when I realize it wasn't just a regular vanilla ice cream. They use the yuzu ice cream, which make the ice cream have those earthy and citrusy...