Named "President," but serving up braised tripe and handmade pasta — that contrast is probably the most fun part of IL PRESIDENTE.
This is the latest project from Félix De Arriaga Balanzat and Marcello Scognamiglio, the duo who turned Trattoria Felino into one of the hardest reservations to score in Hong Kong. This time they're expanding into Central, taking over shop M2 on the ground floor of Baskerville House at 13 Duddell Street. The logic behind the signature dishes stays the same — "built on nonna spirit." In other words: no gimmicks, just technique.
The menu runs 31 dishes deep, split into stuzzichini (small bites) and classici (classics). Leading the charge: braised tripe (HKD178), yellowtail crudo (HKD238), and a fried seafood platter (HKD198) — all comfortably within classic Italian trattoria territory.
The pasta and mains are clearly designed for sharing: handmade pasta with zucchini and mussels (HKD218), handmade linguine with Sicilian red prawns and bottarga (HKD248), and rigatoni with sausage and beef ragù (HKD198), backed up by half a butter chicken (HKD348) and pan-seared veal chop (HKD588) to fill out the table. With prices spread across a wide range, this is a menu built for passing plates around.
The bar takes a different tone entirely. Bar Manager Simone Ciambrone, who previously worked at BVLGARI Ginza in Tokyo, describes himself on Instagram as "Director of Gestures" — a bit of self-deprecation that captures the vibe the place is going for better than any PR line could: refined, but never stiff.
IL PRESIDENTE opens for dinner service in August, running Wednesday through Monday, with lunch service to be added starting September. Reservations via WhatsApp at 5443 0908.
