Change is a constant in Hong Kong’s F&B industry, and nowhere knows this better than the pizzeria concepts existing on the fifth floor of Carfield Commercial Building, stationed at 77 Wyndham Street in Central.
In September 2018, 77 Wyndham was graced with the mastery of Franco Pepe, an award-winning Italian pizzaiolo, and his Kytaly concept opened its doors in Hong Kong and Asia for the first time, following the inception of the brand in Geneva.
Topping the list of the 50 best pizzerias in Italy in 2017 and 2018, Kytaly followed the wave of Western chef-celebrities landing in Hong Kong to deliver a taste of their cooking swagger. Along came Franco with his second outpost of Kytaly, armed with the recipe of his famed Margherita Sbagliata, the dish that won the chef his best pizza award.
The geometric-marvellous pizza, pillowy in texture, charred for pleasure, and featuring equal sharings of tomato, basil reduction, olive oil, and DOP mozzarella, was an instant hit.
By the end of 2019, news came that Franco and Kytaly Geneva had cut ties with the Hong Kong restaurant. In mid-December, Franco allegedly began legal proceedings to sue Kytaly Hong Kong for trademark infringement after his “relationship with the management company [of Kytaly Hong Kong] had been terminated since 2 December 2019”.
Kytalty closed its doors in April 2020, a presumed effect of the legal battle and ongoing pandemic, not long before the beloved Babacio brand replaced the concept and enjoyed an exceptional reception from Hong Kongers. The portions were plentiful and the flavours authentic to Italy.
Babacio enjoyed countless listicle mentions, nominations in pizza awards, and a constant crowd flocking to their first Soho restaurant, smaller Lan Kwai Fong takeaway concept, and third location in Tung Chung.
However, by November 2023, Babacio fell off of the map and disappeared. Google Maps rendered the location “permanently closed” and multiple calls to the restaurant came back unanswered. In a message on LinkedIn, Rural Cabrera, CEO of Babacio, confirmed that he has “future plans” for reopening his stores.
Only a month later in early December 2023, the latest concept – Abbraccio – opened at Kytaly and Babacio’s former home.
The new pizza restaurant was not publicly announced in a press release, but rather caused a stir with an Instagram loaded with flashy old-school advertisements for their Italian bites, pizza, and “exclusive” dinner offers. It remains to be seen how long Abbraccio survives in this cursed pizza spot.
