GOCHI - Japanese Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Kowloon

Have dined in this restaurant a couple times, impression was good. However this recent visit was quite disappointing. Looks like they're short of staff or the full team wasn't there yet, plus the waiters were not attentive and responsive.

Arrived around 12:30pm, not crowded, seat arranged quickly. Waive hand a few times before a staff noticed so that order can be placed. It's forth day of Chinese New Year, menu price raised to $188 for a lunch set with starter (soup/salad), sourdough baguette, main and a glass of iced tea.

Ordered Ribeye steak and scallops pasta. Food was served quickly, presentation was good but the ribeye taste really no good, very dry and tough, the meat quality can be an issue. Waive hand high a few times to get to talk to a staff, didn't seem like they concern about customer comments and feelings. We're told to wait for someone to come again to handle. Few minutes later, the same staff came back, said can change the dish, we changed to roast chicken which was ok. The scallops pasta was fine too, only the portion was small and the asparagus was old/woody.

Added a tiramisu when we finished the food. 15 minutes later, the dish didn't come. Again waive hand few times to get a staff to check (by then lunch hour was over, not busy at all) she came back asking us if we ordered one tiramisu, answered yes and she left us. Came back again as we asked for water refill, asked the staff about the tiramisu, she said "will look at it". Then a minute later it finally came. Don't think it can be freshly made, or it has to wait in the fridge, the order was simply missed. No apology at all.

Overall unpleasant...

4.3 stars. It's worth coming back. Venue: next to MTR Exit A and use escalator to shopping mall. The restaurant is just outside the shopping mall. There are some tables and little garden outdoors. Such a European style restaurant with a bar is very unique in this district. Spacious but causal setting. Good atomphere. Well-decorated and furnished indoors. Good floor plan. Comfy seating. Big windows - street view but one with little garden outside. Suitable for various customers. There is also a bar and another exit downstairs. ---- 8.3/10 Service: Good. Drinking water is provided when to be seated. Food served fast in sequence. Nice and polite staff. --- 7.7/10 Food: simple menu. Italian cuisine with Japanese elements. Nice presentation. Good portion. Goos price. Tried Dinner set for 2. $528 +10% service charge.

Starter Snow Crab meat Avocado Salad: fresh vegetables on the top. Icy crabmeat. --- 7.5/10 Seared Scallops with Pestro, +$25: beautiful presentation. Four scallops weren't overcooked. --- 8.5/10

Mains Sea Urchin Creamy Tomato Pasta, +$20: pasta was al dente. Enough creamy sauce. Fresh sea urchins. --- 8.7/10 Soft Shell Crab Squid Ink Risotto: deep-fried a whole Soft Shell Crab on the top of well-cooked Risotto. --- 8/10

Drinks: additional charges except Cola and 7 Up. 7 Up: larger portion. Cappuccino, +$25: unexpectedly very small portion. Too small.

Desserts: Signature Tiramisu / +$20 Matcha Azuki Cake. Tiramisu with a strawberry. Texture was good....

Dining at newly-open restaurant, Gochi, in Lok Fu was a great experience. Lunch set of $138 is responsible, with a wide variety of choices. We tried the Carbonara pasta and Pepperoni pizza, both were in large portions and served right after cooking. The pasta was handmade which gave an unique texture. The strong flavour is offset by the black pepper added. I wonder if the pizza size is for one person. It was about 10-12 inches. Freshly baked with tender bread. Traditional pepperoni and cheese flavour are simply but the last. Tiramisu and Panna Cotta cost $28. They tasted good as well.

The staff were friendly in general and always giving helping-hand to customer. But some procedures in delivering meals can be improved, tho not bad at the moment. I will definitely recommend people try this restaurant not only for the food. But also for the cozy environment and wide window. It is a place for selfie...