HONG KONG, October 21, 2026: Lucciola, the authentic Italian restaurant at The Hari Hong Kong, has unveiled a new à la carte menu that takes diners on a culinary journey from the northern regions of Italy to its southern coastline. The menu focuses on Italian classics prepared with premium ingredients sourced from across the country.
Italian Ingredients and Regional Flavours Take Centre Stage
Provenance is central to the new menu, which brings together ingredients from different Italian regions. These include seven-year-aged Acquerello Carnaroli rice from Piedmont, aged Parmigiano Reggiano from Emilia-Romagna, Apulian burrata and Sardinian fregola. Southern Italian ingredients such as Vesuvian Datterino tomatoes, Pantelleria capers and Amalfi lemons further highlight the country’s regional produce.
The menu is led by Francesco Gava, director of food and beverage at The Hari Hong Kong, who hails from Italy’s Piedmont region. According to Gava, the selection combines the precision of fine dining with the comfort and warmth of Italian cooking, encouraging diners to share dishes around the table in keeping with Italian dining traditions.
Starters and Main Courses Highlight Italian Classics
Among the starters, Il Vitello Tonnato Piemontese features sliced veal tenderloin served with creamy tonnato sauce, aged Modena balsamic vinegar and Pantelleria capers. La Burrata Pugliese combines Apulian burrata filled with stracciatella and cream, accompanied by sweet Vesuvian Datterino tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
The main courses include Le Pappardelle Scampi, Caviale e Cipollina, one of Gava’s personal favourites. The dish features homemade pappardelle with scampi and chives, topped with Ossetra caviar. Another highlight, Cavatelli al Granchio, Limone e Zafferano, combines Alaskan king crab with Amalfi lemon and saffron, complemented by red chilli.
Traditional favourites remain part of the selection. Gli Spaghetti alla Carbonara follows the classic preparation with guanciale and Pecorino Romano, while La Cotoletta alla Milanese Orecchia di Elefante features a breaded, pan-fried milk-fed veal cutlet served on the bone with tartar fennel sauce.
Signature Risotto Inspired by a Private Tasting
Acquerello Risotto Astice e Piselli Novelli originated during a private tasting dinner, when the culinary team prepared a small pot of seven-year-aged Acquerello Carnaroli rice with sweet Boston lobster and fresh green peas.
“Guests were so taken with its richness and texture that they asked for full portions to take home that night,” Gava said. He added that regular diners subsequently began requesting the lobster and aged rice risotto before even opening the menu, prompting the restaurant to make it an official offering.
New Sharing Section Brings Coastal Italian Dining to the Table
The menu also introduces Da Condividere, a section dedicated to dishes designed for sharing. One of its highlights, La Spadellata di Cozze e Vongole Veraci, originated when regular guests dining late asked for a rustic, comforting dish to share.
The kitchen responded with a skillet of clams and mussels served with garlic bruschetta. As diners used the bread to soak up the seafood broth, the team recognised that the dish captured the relaxed atmosphere of a coastal Italian family meal.
“The ethos behind the new menu is authentic regional Italian comfort food reinterpreted through a contemporary lens,”
Gava said. He noted that Hong Kong diners value ingredient provenance and the stories behind their food, making the quality and origins of ingredients important to the restaurant.
Italian Desserts Complete the Dining Experience
The dessert selection includes Lucciola’s signature Il Tiramisù Tradizionale and La Torta Caprese Bianca, which combines almond and lemon cake with mascarpone and white chocolate.
For an espresso-inspired finish, Affogato al Bicerin brings together double espresso and artisanal vanilla gelato with Bicerin chocolate liqueur, whipped cream and white chocolate.
Lucciola at The Hari Hong Kong
Located on the first floor of The Hari Hong Kong at 330 Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, Lucciola features an interior defined by amber and green tones, warm leather and dark timber. Geometric floor tiles and sculptural brass lighting add character to the open dining room, while expansive windows bring in natural light during the day.
For more information or reservations, guests can contact Lucciola at +852 2129 0333 or email lucciola@thehari.com.
Dining and Cooking