The Pal Isle Cafe — Restaurant in Hong Kong

Dinner for two - $468

❥ Soup Cream of mushroom soup with mushroom chunks and a touch of black pepper for seasoning.

❥ Grapefruit Chicken Breast Salad Well-seasoned chicken breast with a side salad of cherry tomatoes and blueberries, paired with grapefruit vinegar.

❥ Garlic and Szechuan Pepper Clam Meat Linguine This is a cafe's original and signature pasta dish and a must-try. The pasta has a spicy kick reminiscent of Szechuan cuisine, which is appetizing and addictive but not too spicy to handle. The garlic is fried until fragrant, and the texture is crispy, not greasy or heavy. The clams are large and fresh, and there's no point for disappointment.

❥ Slow-cooked Spanish Pork Saddle The pork saddle is about an inch thick, juicy, and tender. It is even more flavorful with mustard sauce and has a light yet rich taste. The mashed potatoes are made with coarse potatoes, making them very substantial and not too creamy, which feels refreshing.

❥ Carrot Cake 🥕 At first glance, it looks like a Russian cake. It's less sweet than regular desserts and has a pleasant fragrance. It contains walnuts, which add to the texture, making it a rare find among desserts.

❥ Passion Fruit Soda The passion fruit flavor is sweet, but not overly so, making it a stable choice to quench your thirst.

❥ Winter Coffee It's like a mini version of affogato, made with milk, coffee, and chocolate ice cream. The three flavors blend well together, creating a rich and satisfying taste. As you drink it, it becomes thicker and more like a mocha.

💬 Overall, the food is of high quality and has nothing to do with the heaviness associated with Western...

The Pal Isle is a local restaurant offering coffee in the day and alcohol in the night. The place is rather low profile with a small entrance and I'm glad I found this hidden gem.

Each lunch set comes with a free drink, which we picked hot cappuccino and Earl Grey. Guests may choose either soup or salad as an appetizer.

Spaghetti Alle Vongole w/ Sichuan Peppercorn Garlic Oil A pasta dish combining the culinary essence of Chinese mala and a sauce originating from the coastal regions of Southern Italy. Layered with flavors of fresh clams, fragrant garlic and olive oil and a hint of spiciness.

Miso Glazed Halibut The fish filet was delicate and buttery smooth. Savory saikyo miso which wasn't too sweet. Served with greens and mashed potatoes.

Deep-fried Chicken Wings Flawless, huge wings - served piping hot, thin crispy batter, juicy meat, perfectly marinated. Hadn't had such heavenly wings in a long time.

Honestly I didn't expect such quality at a local café. Every dish was delightful. Highly recommending this place if you're around the Prince...

Took over from the previous cafe owner with new food menu. The vibe is cafe-chill and 文青.

I've visited during peak tea time hours on a Saturday. The owners have to turn away guest due to limited tables. Prepare to have time to spare (i.e. embrace the chill vibe completely) as they work through their orders.

I liked the quesadilla, although I think it would work better without all the paprika/cayenne powder on top, which may latch onto your throat when you eat akin to the coca powder on a tiramisu.

The cakes were nice. The chocolate one is seasonal, aims to mimic a Ferrero Rocher chocolate ball with some crunch in the layers. It was very good, though I think without coffee it may be too sweet to some.

Speaking of coffee, there are some special drinks that piqued my interest, although I've ultimately stuck with a flat white.

Overall a...