Italian-Mediterranean restaurant JUNO has opened in Wing Lok Street in bustling Sheung Wan, presenting a leisurely dining sanctuary with a joyful cosmopolitan vibe. Its authentic culinary journey across the sunny southern coast of Europe embraces tranquillity, freshness and sophistication in equal measure.
Nodding to the Roman goddess of love for which it is named, Chef Jordi Vallés Claverol marries homely Italian signatures and modern Mediterranean inspirations stretching from the Costa del Sol to the Italian Riviera, complemented by an intriguing wine list handpicked from the region. Both refined and relaxed and casual yet chic, the restaurant boasts a calming aura and convenient location in the vibrant heart of the city. Providing a soothing respite from stressful modern living, JUNO enhances the enjoyment of life, Mediterranean-style.
Its design created by Hong Kong-based studio Brash Atelier harmoniously balances exterior spectacle and understated interior serenity. Outside, a long, striking frontage of light-reflecting 3D tiles draws diners into an oasis of pink and olive tones and natural materials. A marble-clad kitchen pass at the centre of the 1,300-sq.-ft space serves as an attractive focal point and creates two distinct dining areas seating a total of 50 people. Textured plaster walls set with elegant travertine wall panels and backlit arches offer a backdrop of timeless beauty, while high ceilings adorned with custom-designed pendant lighting that cast plays of light and shadow add to the mellow ambience.
Award-winning chef Jordi Vallés Claverol, Group Executive Chef and General Manager of the Salamanca Group, is a familiar face to Hong Kong foodies. He most recently led the success of tapas-culture hotspot Chueca, JUNO’s sister restaurant. The veteran comes armed with years of experience in renowned Spanish and French restaurants worldwide.
To celebrate JUNO’s opening, he presents an enticing 7-course evening tasting menu as well as a focused a la carte menu of heartfelt Italian and Mediterranean-inspired signatures. To start, three kinds of home-baked bread, a speciality of the house, are available along with a choice of three superior extra-virgin olive oils. Roman-style Rosemary Focaccia (HK$50) is the highlight, emerging soft and fluffy from the high-temperature bread oven.
A la carte opens in fine style with “A Mediterranean Affair” list of appetisers embodying the charm and flavours of that sun-kissed land and abundant sea. Ibérico Ham (HK$180), aged for 48 months and redolent of autumn acorns, comes with the chef’s superb rosemary focaccia. Delicious dips into the Mediterranean include Fried Seafood “Fritto Misto” (HK$160) uniting lightly battered prawn, sardine, whitebait, squid and pieces of cod. This favourite European fish also stars in Codfish Fritters “Beignet de Morue” (HK$120) – croquettes of Spanish salted cod with a citrus mayonnaise dipping sauce.
The freshest catch is gathered for the Seafood Platter (HK$340), a succulent shared starter comprising a half lobster, juicy tiger prawns and immaculate No.2 fine de claire oysters.
Pasta and rice specialities are headed by Juno Truffle Tagliolini (HK$220), a simple yet outstanding dish of thin, ribbon-like ‘all’uovo’ (egg) pasta laced with shaved truffles and parmesan. Short, thick noodles step in for rice in the paella-like Seafood Fideos ‘a la Cazuela’ (HK$480 for 2), an Italian twist to the Spanish staple which stirs carabineros (plump red prawns from Spain) and cuttlefish in a traditional Spanish tomato, pepper and onion sofrito sauce.
The chef selects premium, aged Italian Carnaroli rice for Lobster Acquerello Risotto (HK$320), which offers a firm showcase for chunks of Boston lobster. Creamy mantecato butter and Mascarpone add to the richness of the dish.
Among the mains, Baked Côte d’Azur Seabass (HK$290) is a signature serving of sustainable French sea bass with an aromatic vegetable garden of fresh tomato, courgette, aubergine and sage. Lamb is one of the chef’s specialities and Ballottine d’Agneau à la Provençale (HK$260) with 2 juicy cuts of milk-fed lamb from Provence are cooked in different ways – slow-roasted shoulder in a ballotine and charcoal-grilled chop. Another highlight, Crevettes en Persillade Citronée (HK$230), presents a delightful combination of flavours, featuring tiger prawns pan-tossed with mildly spicy espelette peppers, fried garlic, parsley and a zesty lemon twist.
Sweet-toothed diners will not want to miss the traditional Tiramisu (HK$100), which is presented in a Champagne coupe; dousing the ladyfingers in Illy coffee is a decadent touch. Another standout from the list of desserts is Raspberry Chocolate Coulant (HK$110), which sees the gooey lava cake paired with luscious raspberry sorbet.
The Tasting Menu (HK$490 per person, 2-person minimum) is a leisurely 7-step sojourn through many of these delectable signatures. This full expression of Chef Vallés Claverol’s prowess in the Italian and Mediterranean kitchen begins with 5 appetisers to share, including Ibérico Ham and Codfish Fritters “Beignet de Morue”. Whipped Feta and Caviar d’Aubergine are lovely light concoctions, and crunchy deep-fried Padron Peppers bring a fiery kick to the parade. The main is a choice of Juno Truffle Tagliolini, Ballottine d’Agneau a la Provençale or Lobster Acquerello Risotto (add HK$50), while Tiramisu, classic Tarte Tatin with vanilla ice cream and a dash of caramel, and Raspberry Chocolate Coulant (add HK$20) are the dessert options.
JUNO presents an inviting lunchtime menu, attractively priced at HK$180 for a 4-course meal that is specially crafted to satisfy the discerning palates of the Central and Sheung Wan office crowd. Drawing inspiration from the bountiful Mediterranean coastland, the menu offers a wide array of options to cater to seafood enthusiasts and meat lovers alike.
Chef Vallés Claverol’s care in curating a fascinating wine list of Italian, French and Spanish discoveries bolsters the restaurant’s appeal as a restful haven just a door away from the city’s madding crowd. Diners can wind down over conversation and contemplative sips of offerings like Varvaglione 1921 Primadonna Chardonnay (HK$640/bottle), brimming with fine acidity and oak, or the crisp, elegant Rosato del Salento rosé (HK$80/glass; HK$450/bottle). The chef has personally matched preferred wines for his signature dishes, and many producers hail from Puglia including Varvaglione, whose Susumaniello (HK$550/bottle) is presently exclusive to the restaurant – a young, vibrant expression of the area’s native black grape.
Cocktails (all priced at HK$110) herald a lively buzz when they are crafted with a flourish by the inhouse mixologists. The list includes the sparkling Italian wine invention of Aperol Spritz and a vodka-based Peach Me Up sweetened with peach liqueur and refreshed by peach tea. Creamy Espresso Martini slips down well before or after dinner, while Juno & Tonic brings fragrant whiffs of the Amalfi coast through a blend of gin, calamansi and rosemary.
Mocktails (HK$80) are headlined by Pink Love, which pays tribute to the goddess Juno and wows with fresh raspberries, sour lemon and cranberry juice. Ginger Lemonade and Peach Ice Tea are also available for the no-alcohol-inclined.
“After months of careful prepping, we are excited to welcome guests for a casual yet chic and affordable dining experience embracing the extraordinary flavours of Italy and the Mediterranean coast,” says Group Executive Chef and General Manager Jordi Vallés Claverol. “We believe JUNO offers something unique and wonderful here in one of the busiest districts of Hong Kong – the amazing food, wine and leisurely charm of a southern European holiday in a beautiful and blissful setting.”
JUNO is located at G/F, 88 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. It opens Monday to Thursday from 12 noon to 4pm and 6pm to 11pm; Friday from 12 noon to 4pm and 6pm to 11:30pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 4:30pm and 6pm to 11pm.
For more information please visit www.juno.hk; for reservations visit https://book.bistrochat.com/juno, call (852) 2703-5188, WhatsApp (852) 5183-0188 or email info@juno.hk.
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Facebook – www.facebook.com/junohongkong/
Instagram – www.instagram.com/junohongkong/
