Neighborhood, one of my favourites in Hong Kong.

Ever since Chef David Lai appeared on “一饭封神”, the China reality cooking show “The Divine Dish”, his popularity along with reservations for his hole-in-the-wall One Michelin starred Neighborhood, has shot through the roof!

Not that it was easy to book Neighborhood in the first place but it has gotten way tougher.

But behind all the glamour and stardom is still authentic David Lai, probably one of the least self-regarding Chef I know. It shows in his food and definitely one of the reasons why I love Neighborhood.

Counter for 1 this visit but I rallied the help of @hungry.bear.hk and @porabbitt , who dropped by to have their second dinner. I love the counter, you see everything, best vantage to people watch (more and more young people visiting Neighborhood) and you can stalk every dish that comes out of the kitchen, oooh so many Salt-baked Chickens!

I have ‘no menu’ at Neighborhood, because I love David’s “No Recipes”. It’s whatever David wants to cook and has available to cook. I am even happy if he puts scraps together, “crumb” dishes by the hands of geniuses can be a million bucks. But the quirky one always has something up his sleeves and I have tried some of his craziests.

David made a special Crab Pasta - Baked Tortiglioni (I think) with Hairy Crab topped with White Truffles. I know he loves to bake food but this was clearly an expansion pack, holy moly! Gluey with ocean-y flavours, the earthy musk as the shaves of white truffle melted. I shouldn’t get too used to this kind of Surf & Turf! Unsustainable.

Then came the main course - Paella Seafood from David with lots of Love! Or was it Seafood with a side of Paella? Bloody tasty, built right in front of you, every minute spiked the appetite. Simple but perfect, focused on making people happy - that’s food.

I was the envy of many likely-first-time diners who frantically flipped the menu wondering how they could have missed ordering it.

So ask me again, why I love Neighborhood…

Plan your visit to Hong Kong round a reservation at Neighborhood. It will be worth the trouble, David food is just ridiculous... #noneedmeepok @davidtlai Less