Amaroni’s

Haven’t been here for years and suddenly crave for Italian food so we came to Amaroni after shopping at Festival Walk.
We arrived around 8:45 without a reservation, got to the reception and were treated quite impolitely. The receptionist was rude when giving out a number to us. Told us we were no.36 while the next number to be called was no.15, and told us we need to wait outside. She couldn’t tell us how long the wait would be. Although the message was informative, the tone of it was rude and unwelcoming. We saw there were only a few others waiting so we decided to wait. Soon enough we were seated before 9pm, probably most of no.15 thru 35 were turned away by the receptionist. Then the hostess seated us without any greetings.
We ordered the Ravioli, Chicken Parmesan, and creamy baked potato chips. To our surprise the ravioli were served before we got our bread. Didn’t mind the surprise at all coz it was quite delicious. The creamy tomato sauce was just right and very tasty. Then we got the baked potato chips, and our water soon after. Had to ask our server for bread again and got an impatience response. Then finally got our bread and Chicken Parmesan. The Chicken Parmesan was great! Portions were big but the two of us managed to chuck it all.
The restaurant was very busy. We had to wait for a while for water refill and to get the bill. Overall, great food but poor service! Turned off by bad attitude receptionist and hostess, servers were just too busy to take care of too many tables.

If you crave Italian food and big portions– this place does not disappoint.
Amaroni’s Little Italy has been in Festival Walk almost since the beginning and the shop is probably one of the best decorated Italian eateries in Hong Kong. As soon as you step in, the low lighting and the bar, to the photos on the wall seem to bring you back to the 1920/​30s; you can also imagine yourself as Tony Soprano with your crewing dining out and discussing «plans».
There are plenty of choices on the menu and you will really have to focus on deciding what you want as there seems to be options for every single dish. On my visit I had the lasagna, Caesar salad, meat ball spaghetti and a pizza which to this day I still have no idea what it is. A general comment would be: its no fine dining location but the portions and the presentation aims to impress. The lasagna was fine with good meaty bits and layers of pasta in between, the meat ball was no surprise (only surprise was that they were the size of tennis balls) and the salad was run of the mill. Everything was well dressed and the complimentary bread basket was certainly a bonus for a table full of famished souls.
The prices are relatively modest given that you are given huge portions for whatever you order. This place is also known for doing a full blown happy birthday with staff signing happy birthday to the birthday boy/​girl whilst brining a cake– this will have to be arranged beforehand and I guess its not something you do spontaneously anyways. Would I come back? Yes, because sometime I just want a really fulfilling meal at reasonable prices.