Panino Gusto, Central, Hong Kong

I love a good sandwich – the bread is important, then the filling! However,it has been difficult to find a good sandwich in Hong Kong. Panino Giusto has been opened for a while now, it offers diners authentic Italian panini, desserts, espresso and wine. It is located on the 3rd floor of the IFC shopping mall, and although it’s small and busy around lunch time, it is quite a cool hang-out spot, especially the view overlooking the harbour.

Menu is well all panini with different types of fillings ranging from beef, ham, proscuitto, turkey and even vegetarian. ‘The Mother’ started with the coffee and it was a pretty decent coffee which was served with a nice little block of ice cream coated with chocolate!

We shared the tartufo – parma ham, brie, tomato, rocket, alba truffle oil (HKD98) – everything I really love in a sandwich! The truffle oil really gave it a nice rich flavour and loved the combination of parma ham and brie (although I think the brie could have been melted a little more!). The bread itself I thought was ok though, definitely had better bread in Sydney!

The montage – rosemary and sage roast beef, tomato, rocket, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil (HKD88). ‘The Mother’ really enjoyed the roast beef, but I definitely prefer the ham, especially with the truffle oil!

Overall I thought it was ok. It’s better than most places I have tried but considering I don’t work nearby, I don’t think I would make the trek.  I know ‘The Mother’ has been a couple of times and really enjoy it, especially the apollo – roast turkey breast, tomato, mozzarella, and mustard sauce! I have definitely been utterly spoilt by the choices of bread in Sydney, nothing really compares it in Hong Kong unfortunately and I am indeed looking forward to indulging when I am back later in the year!

GA’s ratings: 6.5 / 10

Panino Gusto

Shop 3077, Podium Level Three

ifc mall, 8 Finance Street,

Central, Hong Kong

Ph: +852 2564 7000