The Optimist — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

My second pirata group encounter! Was invited here for their AYCE 90 mins oyster extravaganza on Wednesdays.

We felt really welcomed right as we entered the restaurant. We got seated and was offered drinks right away while we waited for our friend to arrive for our oyster night.

The meal started out with their house bread. Wow we were so blown away with this. Their bread was so good (better than Pici’s) and paired with their butter (aioli), it was even better. We had to ask for seconds.

Then we moved on to our oysters where each person was given 6 oysters for starters (you can ask for less). We devoured it in minutes. It came with lemon and was dressed with some shallot dressing? Which i thought could have a little more kick or sourness to it. The lemon did help but it just felt one dimensional. After finishing our first batch of oysters, we asked for more

Then we told the wait staff that we wanted to move on to appetizers - i felt like they should’ve asked us instead of us asking them. We waited for a bit for the appetizers. We got the: PAN CON TOMATE WITH JAMON (Coca bread, tomatoes, olive oil, Iberico ham): this was good! The bread was well toasted and the proscuitto pair was amazing TRUFFLE "HUEVOS ROTOS" (V) (Crispy potatoes, sunny side up eggs, fresh shaved truffle): i thought this was just okay. The potatoes were not crispy but soggy instead? I felt like this dish lacked flavor OCTOPUS CROQUETAS (Seafood squid ink bechamel mayo): this one was also okay. There wasn’t a flavor that stood out KING PRAWNS AL AJILLO (king prawn in chilli oil): this tho, the star of the show. The prawn was fresh and cooked perfectly. The saucr was so really good and it didn’t taste oily!

For the mains we had the: BEEF CHEEK (Braised beef cheek, mushrooms): the beef was really cooked well and it was tender. But again i felt like it was lacking a flavor profile it jusy tasted one dimensional CHARCOAL SEABASS (Chickpea cream, chorizo, sunday vermouth sauce): again same like the beef. It felt like it was lacking flavor or umami. IBERIAN PLUMA (Chargrilled spanish pork, truffle mash potatoes bell pepper and paprika mojo sauce): this was the best main out of the others. Pork was well cooked and seasoned. The sauce i thought was also a bit one dimensional - could only taste the chilli and thats it. Felt like it could use some sweetnees.

Lastly we closed off with: CHURROS (Chocolate, salted caramel): churros was fried well and wasn’t oily. Loved their salted caramel dipping sauce CREMA CATALANA (Popping wild berries): kind of like pana cotta. This was good and it wasnt too sweet. Perfect ending to our meal.

Overall a good dining experience with our 50+ oysters (90 mins time limit to get your oysters). We were quite happy with the starters but were quite disappointed...

Venue: 4 minutes walk from nearest Tram station. Nice decoration. Ground floor or walking upstairs. Causal setting. Good ambiance. --- 8/10 (to whole team) Service: very busy on Mother's Day. We were told 90 mimutes dining time. Many waitpersons. Very strong team spirit. Most of them were attentive. Kristine was our server. She was very friendly but not attentive enough. More people than usual. Probaby, she had a lot of exrra work to do on Mother's Day - giving roses to all ladies. She took away my spread/butter when I was still enjoying the bread. I tried to stop her, but another female waitress got back to me. Three starters and bread was served very fast. But we had waited for the main over 40 minutes after the starters finished. Kero realized that and solved the problem for me finally. The manager gave us unlimited dining time and free sparkling wine. --- 7.9/10 F&B: English menu. Normal presentation. Good portion. Good quality of food. Resonable prices. We tried the Desear tasting menu, $738pp +10% service charge. Iberico Ham (24 months) 30gm: good serve. Patatas Bravas: yummy too --- 8.3/10 Octopus a la Gallega: very tender --- 8/10 Bread with garlic butter: nice King Prawns al ajillo: Gorgeous. There were 6 prawns submerged chili & garli olive oil. --- 9.5/10 Mains (5 options), Lobster Rice for 2 peoples: well cooked rice was full of flavor. --- 8/10 1 Dessert 1 person. 3 Inches Cheese Cake with wild berries sauce --- 8/10 Churros with chocolate sauce: the oil were not smelled very...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Optimist Restaurant, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted with a warm smile and a genuine sense of hospitality. Melina and Umesh, went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. Their accommodating nature and friendly demeanor immediately put me at ease and made me feel welcome. The service at The Optimist Restaurant was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to assist with any request. Speaking of the menu, the food at The Optimist Restaurant is truly a culinary delight. Each dish was expertly crafted, showcasing the freshest ingredients and innovative flavor to perfection. It's a true feast for the senses. The ambiance of The Optimist Restaurant is equally impressive. The elegant interior design, coupled with soft lighting and comfortable seating, creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere that is perfect for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends. The attention to detail in every aspect of the restaurant's aesthetic is evident and adds to the overall dining experience. In conclusion, my visit to The Optimist Restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. Umesh and Melina's warm and accommodating nature, combined with the outstanding service and delectable cuisine, make this restaurant a must-visit for any food enthusiast. I cannot wait to return and indulge in their culinary...