Tai O Lookout — Restaurant in Islands District

Visited on 1st day of Chinese New Year of Ox. Arrived at 1pm & waited some 15-20 minutes. Owing to social distancing requirements only at most half of the tables available for eaters. All available tables were fully occupied. As there were no plastic table partitions like elsewhere, two adjacent tables with 4 seats can only seat 2 persons. A family of a couple with a kid and a domestic helper occupied in total 3 tables and 6 seats with the mother & kid sitting together while dad and helper each sitting separately in a different table. Even when some customers have left vacant tables can suddenly become booked! Family of three can end up sitting in 2 different tables at a distance from each other. It seems no one was in charge for a more efficient table allocating as the waiting queue getting longer & longer. Foodwise it seems the food looks better on the menu. We have ordered signature Tai-On shrimp fried rice (smaller portion $88), spaghetti bolognaise (smaller portion), fish & chips. The smaller portion fried rice is about an indivdual rice bow size. The fried rice is so so. The spaghetti is ok in terms of portion & taste. The fish n chips with the fried fish crust a bit thick. Overall I have been kind of disappointed this time as the quality and service were not as good as a few years ago when I had afternoon tea at the same spot and it was a pleasurable experience. The F&B service simply does not match the category of such a hotel if you compare it to Heritage 1888 (also converted from ex-marine police headquarters). I would recommend hotel management to...

Overall rating: 4.8/5

Food: 4.5/5

Mains: *Spaghetti bolognese - delicious sauce and spaghetti was perfectly cooked 5/5 *Lamb with veges - asked for medium rare, also cooked beautifully and good flavour. Wasn't a fan of the boiled vegetables, too bland 4/5

Dessert: *Mountain begonia egg waffle with ice cream - looks beautiful, tastes good too 5/5

Drinks: *Parrot sprite (cranberry x lychee) - average taste but looks nice 4/5 *Iced lemon tea - as you'd expect 4.5/5

Service: 5/5 Excellent. Servers are attentive, polite and helpful

Atmosphere: 5/5 Excellent - quiet and relaxing, with a lovely view if you are sitting next to the windows. Tasteful classical music playing in the background Air con!!

⚠️Accessibility note ♿️ There is a lift/elevator, BUT it is frequently in maintenance and therefore out of service. My elderly aunt had a lot of trouble going up the steep stairs and steps. When we had finished lunch (took us around 3 hours), the lift was still out of service. She was very lucky the manager of the restaurant/hotel knew her as a frequent customer as she lives locally and was able to help her with a wheelchair to bring her down the slope as it would have been impossible for her to climb down the 4-5 storey stairs.

Overall rating = 4.8/5 Thanks...

What a place! Tai O, logically, doesn't have an abundance of restaurant choices so once I discovered this one, I was sold. I ate and drank there twice a day during my amazing staycation. This place is so lovely. I loved the food and drink selection that can really satisfy anyone. All my faves from Caesar salad, fish & chips, club sandwich to spaghetti bolognese at one place. Kronenburg 1664 draught, my all-time favourite beer of all, was just really one of the most surprising bonuses I could wish for. The space is clean, with a beautiful view and the staff are extremely friendly, professional, helpful and kind. Every time I was there they made me feel welcome and I looked forward to every single moment spent in Tai O Lookout. It's also great value for money given the style of the restaurant so I highly recommend this to anyone staying or visiting Tai O. I myself hope to be...