Authentic Portuguese Cuisine, Anyone?

Portuguese food at its best

My friend and I are just about half way through our retail therapy at Harbour City when we come across ALMA Portuguese grill. We look at each other and the same thought crosses our minds. We have been planning to hop over to Macau the next day just to sample some authentic Portuguese food. After weighing the pros and cons, we decide to walk in. If the food taste as good as they look in the menu then we can skip the planned day trip. We are filled with excitement at the prospect of getting an additional day to explore Hong Kong.

We are fortunate to be early and manage to get choice seats with unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour. The menu is extensive and the prices are reasonable considering the location. Harbour City sits on prime Tsim Sha Tsui real estate. The mall is currently the most popular shopping and dining destination in Hong Kong.

I have been to Macau three years ago and can still remember enjoying the food there. That experience, together with the helpful serving staff, helped us decide our orders. We notice the word 'bacalhau' kept appearing very often in the food list. We were pointed in the direction of a large fish painting on the wall when we asked about it. 'It is the Portuguese word for cod fish. Bacalhau dishes feature prominently in Portuguese cuisine. Furthermore the portions here are perfect for sharing,' she tells us before moving towards to the kitchen to place our orders.

While waiting we look out at the harbour and watch the beautiful scenery. Just at that moment, as if on cue, a ferry chugs right in front of us. The iconic green and white vessel is a stark reminder of the past while the brightly lights in the distance represents modern Hong Kong.

A few minutes later our first dish arrives. The deep fried bacalhau and potato croquette must be enjoyed piping hot. I like the firm and crunchy exterior. My first bite reveals a creamy filling consisting of minced baculhau and mashed potatoes. We have just finished the last piece when the clams and salad arrive.

 The octopus salad is pleasantly refreshing. The slightly blanched octopus slices are not tough. They go well with the slightly sour seasoning and an assortment of fresh greens. The result is a crunchy and tasty appetiser.

Clams bulhao pato is distinctively Portuguese dish having being named after the 19th century poet Raimundo António de Bulhão Pato. The poet was said to have enjoyed his food and often wrote about these molluscs in his work. These fresh and fragrant shellfish are best enjoyed by adding a bit of the lemon and herb mixture from the bottom of the pot. I am as happy a clam by the time I finally reach the bottom.

The signature chargrilled Piri-Piri chicken is cooked to perfection. The skin is brown and crispy while the flesh inside is still tender and juicy. I always ignore the accompanying sauce at the beginning as I want to taste the chicken on its own first. The smoky taste coupled with the rich marinade makes this dish exceptionally delicious. Dipping the remainder of my portion into the sauce is an entirely different experience altogether. It's like having two dishes in one!

We end our meal with the baked duck rice with chorizo. While the chorizo slices are seen at the surface, I have to dig deep to find the tender duck pieces in the midst of the baked yellow rice. The slightly curled chorizo is a good indication that the dish has been cooked perfectly. My friend and I finish the last grains from the circular baking dish and we are glad we decided to eat here. Having crossed Portuguese food from our list and saving at least 10 hours of our time, we can now make time to visit the fishing village in Lantau Island that would have been otherwise omitted.


ALMA Portuguese Grill
WHERE
Shop OT 310, Level 3, Ocean Terminal Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3188 3668
Email: info@alma.com.hk
Website: www.alma.com.hk

HOURS
11:30am - 11:00pm

FOOD
A large variety of authentic Portuguese cuisine.

PICK
The baked duck rice with chorizo, bacalhau and potato croquette, clams bulhao pato and chargrilled Piri-Piri Chicken are highly recommended. Also remember to sample some of the delicious Portuguese egg tarts.

PAY
Price ranges from HKD 60 to HKD 438 per dish. The portions are large and can be shared.

MOOD
Relaxing with great views of Victoria Harbour.

SERVICE
Efficient and attentive.

I SAY…
Go give it a try. This place is a good alternative for those planning to visit Macau just for the food. I feel that the dishes here are equivalent if not better than those I have sampled at the former Portuguese colony. A good post-shopping meal at Harbour City.