Full marks

Parma ham with melon shot is a good way to enjoy the Italian snack at Half&Half Wine Bar and Restaurant in Hong Kong. [Photo by Rebecca Lo / For China Daily]

I saw that almost half of the restaurants' tables are barstools, and the menu offers a snack section with mouth-watering choices such as eggplant lasagna, wagyu beef cheeks with roasted potatoes, and a foie gras burger. There is a makeshift table consisting of wooden wine crates in front of the restaurant popular with the al fresco drinks crowd.

Unlike many wine bars where guests are expected to be in and out within the hour and contain less than comfortable furniture to facilitate speedy turnovers, Half & Half encourages guests to stay as long as they like. The heavy wooden tables and chairs mirror a wooden-slat ceiling, while weathered red bricks on the walls, sealed concrete floors and art deco pendant lamps provide additional warmth and character.

The impressive wine list boasts some 25 whites, roses and sparklings and 40 reds available in 375 ml bottles. As expected, French labels dominate, but there was also a decent choice of Italian, American, Australian, New Zealand, Portuguese, Chilean and Argentinean vintages.

Chan also offers a few reds and whites by the glass, which he changes daily to give guests more choice each time they visit.

Those who hanker for a beer or cocktail won't fare as well, as there is only Stella Artois and no other spirits are available. This is a wine bar.

Chan mentions that Half & Half will be participating in the summer edition of Restaurant Week Hong Kong from Aug 1-10, and that some of its best-selling dishes will most likely make up the set menu. With his help, I decided that I would try a few of the chef's suggestions.

I started with a complimentary amuse-bouche of cherry tomato topped with basil cream that was lighter than air. I then moved on to a Parma ham with melon shot that was a novel way to enjoy the Italian snack.