Il Milione- Bar & Ristorante Italiano- Hong Kong

Sophisticated Hong Kong cocktail bar & restaurant serving contemporary Umbrian cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Marco Gubbiotti

Update October 2015 – Il Milione has closed

July 31st, 2013

Adding lustre to the perennially popular Italian fine dining establishments of Hong Kong, Il Milione Bar & Ristorante Italiano was launched in May 2013 by Michelin-starred chef Marco Gubbiotti (and local partners), marking his first culinary expansion outside of his native Italian region of Umbria. Famous for his contemporary interpretation of the rustic, earthy flavours of traditional Umbrian cuisine, Gubbiotti, as the Culinary Director at Il Milione, creates dishes using the classic produce and cooking techniques of the Umbrian region- adding a contemporary flair to the taste combinations and presentation. Enhancing the sophisticated dining experience and Gubbiotti’s culinary excellence at Il Milione, a collaboration with globally renowned Italian cocktail expert and bar consultant- Giancarlo Mancino- has created a superbly realised cocktail bar and lounge in the front section of the restaurant. With a deep appreciation of the art of crafting classic cocktails, Mancino has assembled an impressive collection of exquisite cocktails, prepared from an extraordinary selection of rare and vintage spirits.

Conveniently located in a ground level space of the prestigious Hutchinson House, within Hong Kong’s Central business district, Il Milione is well placed to attract a discerning clientele for both business lunches ( a Set Lunch Menu is a popular option) and elegant evening dining from the a la carte menu. And the Il Milione cocktail bar and lounge is a destination within itself- offering a sophisticated setting for the appreciation of some of Hong Kong’s finest classic cocktails- crafted by a personable team of professional bartenders. Embracing the Italian apertivo concept, in addition to the cocktails and fine spirits, the bar also serves a selection of rustic Italian dishes- as snacks all day, or for a quick lunch.

Sourcing local produce from Umbria, the culinary team at Il Milione create dishes that respect the earthy, rustic origins of the regional cuisine. Renowned for producing fine black truffles and cured meats, Umbria is also highly regarded for its vineyards- with local premium quality extra-virgin olive oil used extensively in the cooking at Il Milione’s kitchen. Dishes that exemplify the contemporary Umbrian cuisine of Chef Gubbiotti include – Beef Tartare (with fresh aromatic herbs salad and a deep-fried egg yolk); Pan-fried Pigeon Breast (open ravioli of minced pigeon and spices on warm snow pea salad); and Passatelli pasta (made with bread crumbs and Sorrento lemon, served with lobster in lobster tail broth with samphire). Standout dessert dishes include Zuppa Inglese (spongy biscuits with custard cream and Italian-style meringue) and the Crispy Lentils Cornet (with pistachio mousse and blackberry sorbet with milky cream).

At the decidedly glamorous cocktail bar, the comprehensive and informative bar menu is printed in the style of a 13th century Italian newspaper, and proffering a thoughtful selection of vintage cocktails. For the cocktail connoisseur, a wealth of knowledge is imparted from the expertise of Giancarlo Mancino, with detailed descriptions of the mainstays of his cocktail program- namely collections of Negroni; “Apertivi Classici” ; Amaro; and the specialty of the bar- the “G & T Perfetto“. Finely executed classic cocktails include the Vintage Negroni with Mancino Vermouth Rosso Amaranto; The Americano– with equal parts of Campari and Mancino Vermouth Rosso Amaranto; and the 1939 Manhattan– (made famous by Francis Ford Coppola in Hong Kong).

Most alluring is the concept for the “G & T Perfetto”– which allows the guest to select their serves of gin from a stunning range of artisan and premium gins- the largest in Asia- encompassing classic labels such as Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, Gilbey’s, Tanqueray, and Hendricks; and artisan brands such as Farmer’s Organic Gin, Sipsmith, William Chase Dry Gin, and Martin Millers- to name just a handful of a selection that runs to over 70 labels. And with 8 different tonic waters to select from- including Wilkinson “Japan”, Bttermans Commonwealth, and Fevertree Lemon Tonic– literally hundreds of combinations are possible in pursuit of the perfect G & T.

Both the bar and restaurant at Il Milione Bar & Ristorante Italiano are open Monday to Saturday, from 12 noon till 12 midnight.

Il Milione Cocktail Bar & Lounge

The sleek cocktail bar at Il Milione exudes an aura of sophistication and glamour- in the finest traditions of the classic cocktail bars of Europe.

The back-bar elegantly showcases an extraordinary variety of rare and premium spirits- highlighted by a collection of 76 different gin labels.

Stylish modern decor of the bar lounge section- on upper level between the bar and restaurant dining room.

Il Milione Ristorante- Dining Room

An intriguing design concept has created an elegant and chic dining environment that compliments the fine Italian cuisine. Circular “halo” light fittings and mirrored panels suspended across the low ceiling create a sense of additional height, and suffuse the room with a luxurious golden hue.

A centrally placed elongated glass-topped wine display showcases premium vintage wines- and delineates different spaces within the open dining room.

Attractive contemporary Italian dining chairs match with crisp white- clothed tables, combining comfortably with the dark, unpolished timber flooring. A palette of gold and black tones are utilised to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Highlights from the Cocktail List

House Negroni- secret recipe with fresh batch created weekly.

G&T with Martin Millers Gin, Wilkinson Tonic, rose petals and pearls

Bicicletta (Bicycle)- vintage Campari Bitter built with Pinot Grigio

Aged MancinoVermouths- created by Il Milione’s “Bar Maestro”- Giancarlo Mancino

Impressive selections of rare and artisan-produced spirits are a standout feature of the bar.

Popular rustic Italian dishes from the Bar Menu-
• Italian Panini with Roast Beef, Rocket Salad and Cheese with horseradish
• Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad from Campania
• Homemade Lasagna with Beef Ragout and Broccoli

Signature dishes from chef Marco Gubbiotti’s Ristorante Menu

Cod Over Cod- crispy-skinned Baccala cod filet, creamed, with organic chickpeas from Poggio Aquilone, candied orange peel

Passatelli pasta- made with bread crumbs and Sorrento lemon, served with lobster in lobster tail broth with samphire

Pan-fried Pigeon Breast- open ravioli of minced pigeon and spices on warm snow pea salad

Crispy Lentils Cornet – with pistachio mousse and blackberry sorbet with milky cream