Even before you enter the warm recesses of AHA Restaurant & Bar, you are greeted with a pleasant view of the welcoming interiors, thanks to its distinctive open-air frontage. The feeling of warmth only intensifies as you take in the urban chic decor within the restaurant – here is a place that is at once casual and sophisticated, contemporary and vintage. The vintage touch is even more heightened by the white vaulted ceiling, inspired by the famed architecture of Moscow’s metro stations, that emphasises the room’s height and allows plenty of natural lights during the day. For the night, dozens of beehive-shaped pendant lamps illuminate each corner of AHA Restaurant & Bar, transforming into an inviting neighbourhood tavern.
Suitably enticed by the interiors, we dove straight into the menu, with the first appetiser, Fresh Burrata and Watermelon Salad. Redolent with the goodness of soft Italian milk cheese, juxtaposed with the freshness of watermelon, it was a refreshing start to our tasting menu, and one, which would no doubt be a crowd favourite, come the sultry summer season in Hong Kong.
Next up was the Lump Crab Cake, with a crispy crust that contrasted beautifully with the meaty chunks of crab inside. If one is to be fastidious, the crab cake could indeed have been a tad juicier, but this did not make it less palatable in any way.
Our appetites more piqued than ever now, we delved into the Spaghetti with Mixed Seafood. Though packed with maritime flavours, it proved to be slightly overpowered by the rich tomato broth, all of which, though, only adding to the dish’s overall succulence.
The biggest draw was, however, the Roasted Free Range Chicken, a signature dish at AHA Restaurant & Bar. It was easy to understand why it’s such a crowd pleaser. Freshly roasted so that the chicken retains its inner moistness and served with a savoury homemade gravy, it is ‘comfort food’ at its wholesome best, elevated even further by the sprinkling of corn and other veggies on top.
For those who believe dessert is the darling of any dining experience, AHA’s offerings won’t disappoint at all. In fact, the Chia Seed Panna Cotta, with its perfect balance of sweetness and crunchiness is a wobbly wonder. Lip-smackingly good, we say!
With scrumptious fare, uplifting interiors and heartwarming service, AHA by ZS will not just fill your belly, but also your heart and soul.
AHA Restaurant &Bar
Address: G/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahabyZS/
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay