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Fresh pasta, ‘exceptional’ wine, delicious duck: where an Australian eats and drinks in Hong Kong and beyond

  • Kate Oliver, the Hong Kong-based executive producer of musical The Sound Of Music, shares her favourite places to eat in the city and beyond
  • They include a spot where she has had ‘many happy dim sum visits’, one where the ‘food, wine and service are exceptional’ and a place that ‘never disappoints’

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Kate Oliver, the Hong Kong-based executive producer of musical The Sound Of Music, shares her favourite restaurants in the city and further afield. Photo: Kate Oliver

Originally from Australia, Kate Oliver is the Hong Kong executive producer of the theatrical version of The Sound Of Music, the first musical to be staged at Xiqi Centre’s Grand Theatre, running until June 9. She spoke to Andrew Sun.

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Growing up, dinners were often a simple affair, focused around family. Our usual staple was “meat and three veg”.

Although we were on a lean budget, Mum always managed her “heavenly” dessert of white pillowy marshmallows, sour cream, coconut, crushed pineapple and tinned mandarin segments.

Meanwhile, Dad’s passion was avocado. He would halve, shell and pit them, pour vinaigrette into the centre, salt and pepper and just spoon it out. It was the most delicious thing I had ever eaten.
Gaia Ristorante’s burrata-filled tortellini. Photo: Instagram/@gaiaristorante
Gaia Ristorante’s burrata-filled tortellini. Photo: Instagram/@gaiaristorante

I do not spend a lot of time in high-end restaurants; however, for celebrations, Gaia Ristorante (G/F, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2167 8200) is my go-to place. It has been a tradition over many years, and it never disappoints, especially the house made fresh pasta with burrata and pomodoro.

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Closer to where I live in Tseung Kwan O, in the New Territories, we have had lovely and simple celebratory evenings at Oolaa (Shop G16, G/F, Capri Place, 33 Tong Yin Street, O’South Coast, Tseung Kwan O. Tel: 2369 2866). It is hard to beat their slow-roasted pork belly lollipops.

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