The Southside ‘hood of Hong Kong Island has long been viewed as a bit of a hinterland when it comes to quality dining options, but thankfully, all that’s now changing. Over in Repulse Bay, The Pulse is proving to be a beacon of culinary calibre, and in Wong Chuk Hang, the restaurant scene is on the up.
Joining the recent openings at brand-new Wong Chuk Hang shopping mall THE SOUTHSIDE is Flatiron Deluxe at nearby boutique hotel The Southside by Ovolo.
Conceived by the team behind the success of meat-centric Flat Iron Steak, Flat Iron Burger, and Steak King, restaurateur Johnny Glover and chef Aarik Persaud, Flat Iron Deluxe is a levelled-up all-day diner delivering an expanded menu that goes beyond the duo’s burger and steak signatures.
When dining at Flat Iron Deluxe, while you can still order the Double Happiness (HKD198) burger – a tower of two grilled cheese sandwiches together with two beef patties – and the flat iron steak (HKD158/HK208), we recommend branching out with plates exclusive to this location.
Your first order of business should be the buffalo chicken parmo (HKD208), a riff on that Australian pub staple, here featuring Aussie free-range chicken coated in a buffalo sauce made with chilli crisp, then layered with Cheddar sauce and mozzarella. It’s gloriously cheesy, with that hint of buffalo spice cutting through the creaminess. Like many of the dishes at Flat Iron Deluxe, this buffalo chicken parmo has a final flourish of herbed breadcrumbs, adding another element of flavour and texture.
The lunch menu at Flat Iron Deluxe sees another chicken competitor in the form of the fried chicken club (HKD158). The classic sarnie is upgraded with crispy chicken, bacon, and caviar mayo. We hope it’s soon added to the dinner menu by popular demand!
Sides are a must at Flat Iron Deluxe, and our motto is: the more carbs, the better. The lobster mac ’n’ cheese (HKD98) is a funky mix of briny lobster and tangy raclette, whilst the beef-dripping fries (HKD28) are seriously addictive, fried to a golden brown and dusted with a moreish salty-spicy seasoning mix.
The Caesar wedge salad (HKD48), a special on the evening of our visit, is a good choice if you’re looking for some greens – though this salad certainly couldn’t be considered healthy owing to its ultra-creamy, ranch-like dressing and topping of three thick slices of bacon.
Flat Iron Deluxe offers a few tempting desserts to take you to the precipice, including chocolate lava cake and New York cheesecake, but for your fill of sweet calories, we think the Portuguese egg tart (HKD48) concrete shake is the way to go. Crowned with a mini egg tart, the shake has an inkling of eggy sweetness, complemented by smacks of vanilla custard and salted caramel. It’s surprisingly not sickly sweet, yet there’s a lot going on in the taste department.
Our verdict of Flat Iron Deluxe
Flat Iron Deluxe is a great addition to the triumphant Flat Iron portfolio, perfect for when you’re craving a bit of comfort. We think it’s particularly suited for family dining (there’s a dedicated kids’ menu) and for groups of mates who are looking to indulge at prices that won’t break the bank.
We visited the eatery on the first evening following its soft-opening period, and it was packed with punters. The service was well-meaning and friendly, but a bit chaotic. However, we expect the seasoned hotel servers to quickly get into the swing of things once this initial teething stage has passed.
Flat Iron Deluxe, 4/F, Southside by Ovolo, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 6707 4020, book here
| Order this: buffalo chicken parmo, beef-dripping fries, lobster mac ’n’ cheese, Flat Iron Deluxe burger, Portuguese egg tart concrete shake Menu: Flat Iron Deluxe menus Price for two: HKD500 | Atmosphere: fun and lively, with an awesome rooftop terrace that looks ideal for the soon-to-be-launched BBQ brunches Perfect for: treating yourself post-beach or hike in Southside or grabbing a bite to eat after checking out new mall THE SOUTHSIDE, a five-minute walk away |
This review is intended to offer an individual perspective on the dining experience and should not be considered as a definitive judgement of the restaurant’s overall quality or reputation. The views expressed in this review are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions of Foodie.
