As with many new restaurants that have created a buzz, it took awhile before we could get into Pica Pica, the contemporary Spanish tapas bar by the Epicurean Group. I finally had to settle for a 6.30pm booking, and was warned that we’d have to give back the table by 8.30pm.
It’s a great, airy room with lots of counter seating around the bar and in front of the open kitchen. We were hoping for a private conversation but our small table for two was very close to the other diners. It’s a noisy space because of the lack of soft surfaces.
Our waiter was helpful, and advised us on the menu. When I ordered the potato omelette (HK$55) he suggested we try the lazy omelette with morcilla and chorizo (HK$65) instead. Great call.
The thin disc of potatoes and eggs was firm on the bottom and very runny on top, seasoned perfectly, and topped with thin slices of quality chorizo, and a thicker piece of morcilla (blood sausage).
Our favourite dish was the red prawn hot dog with Josper-grilled prawn head (HK$120 each). The prawn was just barely cooked, the bun was soft and mild, and it came with a not-overwhelming red pepper purée. We were instructed to pour the prawn head juices over the “hot dog” but we could not resist eating the gooey contents on their own.
The Iberico ham croquette (HK$15 each) was crisp outside and soft within, but should have been served hotter.
Fideua from Gandia with cuttlefish and allioli (HK$85 for small, HK$150 for large) was a very thin layer (as it should be) of noodles that were dark with cuttlefish ink, dotted with blobs of the garlicky emulsified sauce. The noodles were moist, and delicately crusty on the bottom of the pan.
To our surprised, the deboned suckling pig (HK$165) was the least interesting dish of the night.
It wasn’t badly cooked – the meat was tender and the skin was slightly crisp, but it was somewhat dull.
We loved the dessert of Catalan cream foam with vanilla ice cream (HK$50), which was airy with a thin bruleed top and a firmer core of ice cream.
Pica Pica, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 317-321 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, tel: 2811 9880. About HK$320 per person without drinks. There’s no service charge
While you’re in the area
Great dishes at new Sichuan spot Jing Alley in Sheung Wan
Amazing meat-free burgers at Confusion in Sheung Wan
A Thai fusion lunch for less than US$12 at Clicked in Sheung Wan
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Delicious morsels with a twist from modern tapas bar
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