Reviews

• 

  A little taste of Creamy Goodness

  honeycaramels | Aug 13 2011

  Sometimes it's hard to overlook the fact that Classified does more than cheeses, despite that it's what makes it famous for anyway. There's always a good selection of cheese at the shop, and the staff is relatively well-trained (at least they can tell between the difference between a soft cheese and a hard cheese) This day I decided to skip lunch (or more like, have desserts for lunch). While not very healthy and in the middle of Wan Chai, I walked past Yo Mama and ended up in Classified Wan Chai. I had my eyes on its Panna Cotta
  
  Served flat on a plate with strawberry coulis and strawberry bits around, the panna cotta was jiggly but smooth...and very creamy. The flavour of vanilla is pronounced as tiny black dots of seeds suspend inside the wobbly dessert. The strawberry bit though, is a little too much for my taste. I'd rather have macerated strawberries (maybe with julienned basil leaves, or nothing?!) on the side. It's not of a great portion but I understand that it's better to have something good in a healthy dose (small amount) rather than having something in large quantities but of mediocre quality...This panna cotta, is on the small amount's side.

  • How much did you spend?
    $50
  • Overall Rating
    Good

  

  

  
  • Food 7
  • Service 6
  • Ambiance 6
  • Price 3

• 

  The best mozzarella ever!

  Pan | May 12 2010

  The Classified Mozzarella Bar is definitely one of the best places to dine and watch people in the Star Street precinct. However, it's not just the Star Street hype or the overflow from the neighbouring bars that make this place popular with diners. This unusual and casual corner restaurant with its large rustic tables invites its all its diners to sit together, relax and just enjoy - family style. It's like sitting at mother's kitchen table. They have a huge selection of wines (but careful, the old world wines are not cheap), so it's always a good idea to first order a drink and an appetizer (the homemade garlic bread is an all-time favourite) while contemplating the menu. The lasagne is quite good, though the texture does vary and can be a bit too soft for my liking. The couscous dishes are always good and the salads are lovely and fresh too. However, for me the main event is always the mozzarella. I won't ever leave without having had at least a small portion of their famous Burrata. (This gem is not to be confused with the normal bufala mozzarella - the Burrata is also a buffalo (bufala) mozzarella, but it has a very soft mozzarella and cream centre. The runny core is so creamy and yummy, you'll be moaning for more!) - say cheeeeeeze!

  • How much did you spend?
    less than HK$300 per person
  • Overall Rating
    Good
  • Food 9
  • Service 8
  • Ambiance 9
  • Price 4

• 

  One of HK great Trattorias

  Recovering Restaurateur | Mar 3 2010

  Classified is a slice of Italy in Hong Kong. The quintessential corner deli, grocery with a few tables- more than the name suggests. On top of Wing Fung Street at Star Street, you’re in the heart of the developing Wanchai South scene. From the street it looks like a cozy place for friends to gather. After passing by so many times when it was packed, I decided to give it a try. Fortunately, we happened to be early and got the prime table in the front.
  
  Entering before they became busy, gave me a chance to look around. The décor is pleasantly spare in a rustic European manner. Simple tiled floors and several large communal tables dominate the dining space. Classified is more of a cross between a Trattoria and Salumeria than a bar since there is no bar per se but the deli case which doesn’t encourage people to stand there congregate. Along the left wall is a great wine storage rack that looks like it came from a cellar in Tuscany with chalkboards for the specials. Combined with the large doorwalls in the front and high ceiling, the result is that it feels open and airy rather than stuffy and cramped as so many establishments in Europe.
  
  With over 150 wines, the majority from Italy, It would have helped to have a printed wine list. Looking at the bins along the wall was fun for a foodie but I think it could be overwhelming for someone who is not confident in ordering. I asked the waiter about a 2001 Giacomo Mori Castelroto Riserva Chianti that I was considering that I wasn’t familiar with and how well it was maturing. While pleasant and helpful he demurred and said he only knew that Chianti was a medium bodied wine. I took a risk following my gut that 2001 was a great year in Chianti and we would be ok.
  
  I asked the waiter to decant the wine because I assumed that there would be some sediment. The waiter brought a carafe style decanter which was fine for a wine of this age and quality but unfortunately is not large enough for the whole bottle, allowing the remaining wine and sediment to mingle. They have some very expensive wines on their reserve list reaching into the thousands for some first growths. We had a few other service issues, a broken cork(turns out the second bottle had a very soft cork as well) and mixing the first and second bottle in the decanter but we’re not dining at a Michelin restaurant. As it turns out, the wine was delicious and ready to drink.
  
  We were lucky to have come in on a Friday, one of the two days a week Mozzarella is flown in from Puglia and Napoli. We ordered a beautiful fresh mozz served with a wedges of heirloom tomatoes and a bed of rocket greens accompanied by extra virgin olive oil and a very nice balsamic reduction and grilled garlic and chile flatbread. The mozzarella was perfection, just formed on the outside and creamy in the center. It perfectly complemented the accompaniments.
  
  The charcuterie plate was a symphony of flavors and textures: the Jamon Iberico was outstanding with notes of nuttiness from the acorns fed to the pigs. It was accompanied by Chorizo, Speck, and Salami with truffle oil… They nicely cut the creaminess of the mozzarella. The Salami with truffle oil was so good, we had to order some more.
  
  The grilled asparagus with parma ham and pesto was outstanding. In season asparagus I so delicate and flowery compared to the woody green stalks you find in many supermarkets. The aromatic quality of the asparagus, the saltiness of the parma ham and nutty/herbiness of the pesto played off each other nicely to balance.
  
  I wasn’t sure about the Grilled Moroccan Spiced Lamb Brochette when I first saw it but the aroma won me over instantly. The plate presentation was nothing fancy, just the brochette but the flavor was incredible.
  
  The Tabbouleh was a surprise because it came out of the kitchen red rather than mostly green. The chef held back on the parsley and it was quite nice, similar to a couscous but with more bite. .

  • How much did you spend?
    $1200
  • Overall Rating
    Good
  • Food 9
  • Service 6
  • Ambiance 7
  • Price 3

• 

  Cool place to hang on a Friday

  Seb | Sep 3 2009

  DEspite the location, this place comes alive on Fridays. Be prepared to wait for a chair (not a table, since you might have to share with total strangers) Good mozzarella dishes but the other cheeses are only ok.
  
  Makes me feel like I'm not in HK but some place like LA.

  • How much did you spend?
    400
  • Food 8
  • Service 6
  • Ambiance 8
  • Price 4

• 

  Not bad but not worth the effort

  eatme | May 30 2009

  Very overpriced for what it offers. I think this a a case of style over substance - someone had an idea and made it into a restaurant. Unfortunately it wasnt a great idea. Wouldnt bother cleaning out the wallet for it.
  • Food 6
  • Service 5
  • Ambiance 4
  • Price 5

• 

  Nice hangout. Hard to find in HK

  TK | May 6 2009

  My friends and I actually really enjoy going to Classified. where else in HK is there a easy-to-get-to, chill place where you can eat yummy tapas-ish food with decent wine?
  
  Our favorites include their bacon-wrapped mozzarella with fig jam, penne pasta with slightly spicy sauce, fresh mozzarella with their extra tasty balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I would go back any day esp after a film or a performance over at APA.
  
  The chicken skewer is tasty. The fish though is not outstanding. Order a few dishes to share. That's the way to go.
  
  Comes to about 2-250-ish/head with wine.
  • Food 8
  • Service 7
  • Ambiance 9
  • Price 1

• 

  poor!

  CHK | Apr 8 2009

  totaly overpriced. Very small portions. No side dishes. Staff is neither attentive nor helpful.
  Big loose for classified!
  • Food 1
  • Service 1
  • Ambiance 3
  • Price 5

• 

  worst value for money ratio in HK

  CHK | Apr 7 2009

  If you are not hungry and want to spent a lot of money for a coffeespoon of food- go there!
  
  The " Gorgonzola, spinach and bean salad" is a good example of what i mean. It costs 60 something and you are able to get the whole salad on one fork - dessert fork!!! Of course no side bread.
  
  Same same with all other dishes. 4 boring, overcooked asparagus wrapped in a tiny piece of ham for 70 something ???
  
  Of course you can buy some bread, overloaded with burned garlic and fatty. Only for 20$.
  
  By the end we spent more than $ 500 and went for dinner.
  • Food 2
  • Service 2
  • Ambiance 3
  • Price 5

• 

  I will never go again

  Tommy Jr. Zau | Mar 13 2009

  I had the worst experience there in my life. We ordered the 36 month pama ham for HK$ 150 and the waiter refuse to change the beard so that my daughter can make a sandwich. They charge $90 for ham and eggs w no bread or anything else. I ordered pri pri chicken for HK$ 130. they serve it w the metal BBQ stick in place which makes it impossible to pull off without burning the hands. Of course, there is no side dishes (veggie or potato/rice.
  • Food 3
  • Service 1
  • Ambiance 2
  • Price 5

• 

  Private Dinners

  DCYP | Mar 6 2009

  This charming little place is ideal for private dinners for 10. (The restaurant says they can fit 14 but it's a bit crowded.) The "family style" private dinner menu is excellent. Service very friendly + professional. Wine prices reasonable.
  • Food 8
  • Service 7
  • Ambiance 9
  • Price 3