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Soho is Hong Kong’s beating heart of drinking and dining—but that’s no secret. A long-standing player in the neighbourhood, Fini’s, has been serving Italian casual eats since its debut. Decked in old-school 60’s decor and an eye-catching red colour theme, Fini’s remains a crowd favourite in a central location off the escalators. We drop by to try the cult classics, which includes indulgent appetisers and hearty pasta.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
Casual ambience in Soho
There’s no need to be intimidated when arriving at Fini’s—the setting is casual and the crowd welcoming, reigning in visitors from near and far. Plenty arrive for the drinks, but those who stay past the happy hours order from the food menu, which ranges from pizza and pasta to the signature secret recipe meatballs.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
We arrived on a weekday evening to a welcoming crowd and the restaurant was surprisingly very full for a casual Tuesday. Our dog came along so we were perched in the half outdoor area to get a front-on glimpse of the passers-by.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
The Food
If I happen to come across anything cheese and deep-fried related, chances are, I will order it. As a frequent guilty pleasure, fried cheese makes its appearance more at casual eateries and Fini’s did its justice. I ordered the White Gold Bars, a delightful concoction of homemade fried mozzarella sticks, served with juicy marinara and sprinkled with fresh basil to taste. Each piece was devouring and melt-in-your-mouth, making a tasty bar snack to pair with drinks.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
Next, we ordered the Fini’s Hot Wings, smothered in roasted red pepper vinegar sauce, carrots and gorgonzola. The chicken exterior was crunchy thanks to its deep-fried coating, however, the meat tasted a bit bland and underwhelming.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
The infamous Meatballs from Fini’s were as special as we were hoping. Using pork and veal as the meats, the pieces were covered in red sauce and sprinkled with parmesan for a well-suited pairing.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
It’s no trip to an Italian restaurant without ordering pizza and/or pasta. We opted for the latter, going for a safe but favourite classic from the menu—Spaghetti Carbonara. Arriving in a hefty palette of dense pasta, the dish was, unfortunately, a bit too thick for my liking, perhaps due to the large portion. Made classically (using egg yolks instead of cream, the Italian way), this pasta was cooked using traditional methods but would be better for sharing due to its heavy taste.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
We ended our meal with a sweet—and gigantic—warm cookie, topped with cold ice cream. Those with a sweet tooth will find themselves more than satisfied with this indulgent dessert, which ticked our boxes in flavour.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
The Drink
We ordered a round of cocktails to go with the meal—I had the margarita, a sweet-and-salty mix of tequila-based punch. Be sure to swing by during a happy hour for a wallet-friendly experience.
Image courtesy of Mr Ping | Cha Siu Papers Times
Our experience
Regular Soho-goers are most likely familiar and have tried Fini’s Central due to its well-known presence and reputation. The casual hotspot makes it a chic venue for post-work drinks and dinner, or a weekend catch-up lunch. Although the service was quite slow for us at the beginning, it improved the longer we stayed. If you’ve got a pooch—bring them along and dine outdoors for a breath of fresh air.
Fini’s Soho, 49 Elgin St, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2387 6338, finishk.com