Cover Photo: Courtesy of Aria

Andrea Zamboni helms a kitchen atop California Tower, dishing up new twists on Italian classics

Aria, a new Italian restaurant from the Lan Kwai Fong Entertainment Group, opened this month at California Tower. Perched on the 24th floor in the heart of the clubbing district, the restaurant is helmed by executive chef Andrea Zamboni, formerly of 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, whose menu is inspired by flavours from across Italy and includes reinvented classics and family-style dishes.  

Bergamo-born Zamboni cut his teeth alongside Umberto Bombana at 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana and trained under Gualtiero Marchesi at Ristorante Teatro alla Scala il Marchesino. Marchesi is widely regarded as the father of modern Italian cuisine and was the first chef in Italy to earn three Michelin stars.

At Aria, Zamboni gives traditional dishes a new feel through creative presentation. Some menu highlights include Zamboni’s blue lobster and bagna cauda fondue; foie gras with scampi; Italian milk-fed veal cutlet Milanese with tomatoes; and roasted cherry tomatoes with Apulian burrata cheese and fresh basil.

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Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Aria
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Aria

A restaurant debut in the midst of these difficult times means the Aria team has had the opportunity to get creative with delivery options, offering both conventional ready-to-eat meals as well as ready-to-cook at-home food kits, which come with step-by-step instructions for meal assembly. Dishes on offer include Zamboni’s aubergine parmigiana; seafood open ravioli; and raspberry millefoglie for dessert. 

Aria, 24/F California Tower, 24/F, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2804 1116