db Asia eats: Mr Wolf

db Asia’s Alice Liang heads to Mr. Wolf in Hong Kong for a hearty meal filled with modern European classics.

The concept: Located in the heart of Central, Mr. Wolf is a secret garden off the hustle and bustle of busy Queen’s Road. Thanks to its convenient location, the gastropub opened its door in 2017 and has swiftly become one of the popular hangout spots for Centralers. Helmed by British chef Jamie Draper, diners can explore a good selection of rustic and hearty European classics in this all-day dining outlet. From from morning until night, chef Draper has got diners well-covered.

The décor: Set in a smart and laid back atmosphere, the interior of Mr. Wolf is bright and airy. Most guests have their eyes on the open-air terrace. Cosy, bubbly and delightful, this is one of the most popular sites in town for mingling with acquaintances and sipping wine. If you are looking for an alfresco terrace to take some fresh air in the bustling city center, Mr. Wolf is the go-to spot.

The food: The dinner kicked off with a few European classics such as garlic escargot, crab and avocado tartare, and beef carpaccio. The flavourful escargot took on the savoriness of the garlic butter sauce. The tartare came in a generous portion, the creamy flesh of the avocado complementing the refreshing crab meat very well. It was irresistible. Another delectable dish was the carpaccio: the combination of beef slices and rocket salad was accented with the vinaigrette dressing, which balanced the fattiness of meat.

Moving on to the mains, the barramundi fillet was remarkable. The fish cookery was on point, with crispy skin and moist and delicate flesh underneath. Served in shellfish broth, the richness further enhanced the velvet texture of the fish and the umami notes created a further depth of flavour. Carnivores shouldn’t leave the restaurant without trying chef Draper’s meat dishes. The final savoury dish of the night was the Iberico pork. The pork was cooked to medium to retain the succulent texture and was served with a dollop of silky-smooth mashed potato and Marsala sauce, which gave a further twist to the dish.

Another highlight of the evening was the dessert – mixed berries pavlova with lychee sorbet. The dish was as photogenic as it was palate-pleasing. The light and crisp meringue layer was topped with delicious fresh berries and fragrant fruity sorbet. This marked a great end to the meal.

Signature dishes: The Sunday roast is also not one to miss. For HK$288, the all-you-can-eat roast includes an array of choices, such as roast rib of aged beef, Wicks Manor crackling pork loin, million herbs roast chicken and dripping roasties. Be sure to reserve your spot early as it is highly sought-after.

The drinks: The wine list covers all important wine regions and is reasonably priced, starting HK$330 per bottle. To complement the meat dishes, the red wine selection is comprehensive. The wine by the glass selection is a bit limited, and I’d like to see more effort put into expanding it in the future.

Needless to mention Mr Wolf’s happy hour promotion is one of the best bargains in town. For HK$45, it offers a good selection of beer, wine and cocktails for guests to choose from. Topped up to HK$65, the selection includes other premium choices.

Last word: With its winning location, it is unsurprising that people are drawn to the hearty restaurant from dawn ’til dusk. The setting is very straightforward and uncomplicated, and the chef’s unpretentious and delightful dishes are simply delicious and fulfilling. Apart from being a lively social hub, with its spacious seating, it also serves as an ideal venue for a deal-making business lunch.

Mr Wolf, 5/F Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong