By Amy Ma
Amy Ma/The Wall Street Journal
Truffle gnocchi at ShoreWhen it comes to Western food in Hong Kong, some of the simplest things are the hardest to find. A nice juicy burger, a well-made sandwich or a salad that serves more purpose than a garnish.
That's where Shore comes in.
It serves comfort food, plain and simple. The restaurant opened only a few months ago, but chef Jason Black hails from the once-popular but since-closed eateries Face Fish and Zest.
There is a selection of starters, including a "things in shells" section featuring raw oysters and white-wine-and-garlic mussels. The prices of the salads, such as the bitter leaf salad with spiced macadamia nuts, orange slices and sultana grapes, hover around 110 Hong Kong dollars, (US$14).
For mains, there are sandwiches--the "Hog Island" three-meat jaw-breaker sandwich with salami ham, chicken, cheddar, tomatoes, onions and pickles is true to its name in size, i.e., hearty (HK$139)--or hot entrees, such as truffle gnocchi (HK$188). Meat lovers might want to consider ordering from the "Meat Bible," a section of the menu that allows you to choose your cut of meat--there's a diagram of a cow showing where the different cuts of steak come from.
The nine-ounce "American Reserve" tenderloin (HK$360) comes with a choice of sauces and seasoned compound butters. A smaller six-ounce portion is available, too (HK$228).
The two-story space is homey, with a touch of swank. Downstairs is the "Offshore Zone," featuring a lounge and al fresco deck; upstairs, the "Onshore Zone," is a sit-down dining room. Located on the periphery of the Central business district, the restaurant can accommodate a one-hour lunch. One note: The restaurant doesn't have a service charge.
Shore, L Space, 139 Queen's Rd., Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2915-1638
