Enjoy Pan-Latin classics at Picada restaurant in Hong Kong

Originally tucked away on Elgin Street, Picada’s new spot in Lan Kwai Fong offers 3,000 sq ft of food and fiesta. Picada, which it describes on its website as “Hong Kong’s first Pan-Latin restaurant and bar”, serves up classics from Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina. Chef Abel Ortiz Alvarez, previously at now-closed Chicha, is Peruvian, and trained at Lima’s Central, one of the world’s top 50 restaurants.

With a menu made to share, and many flavours to sample, we recommend ordering multiple small bites for groups of two or three, and adding mains for groups of four or larger.

We started with Peruvian ceviche (HK$148), which lived up to expectations, brimming with zesty and bold flavours, thanks to the tiger’s milk, fresh cilantro and side of sweet potato puree.

The menu features multiple gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, and we tried the slow cooked beef rib arepa (gluten free; HK$78), Venezuelan-style mushroom empanadas (gluten free and vegetarian; HK$98), and portobello taquitos (HK$65). Served with the empanada was an aioli infused with black truffle, white truffle and black garlic - a decadent combination that compelled us to forgive the oiliness of the arepas and empanadas.

Mains at Picada are barbecued or wok-fried, and we opted for the seafood rice (HK$388), a paella-style dish topped with clams and red onion salsa. The duck arroz con pato with green rice (HK$238) seemed a favourite among fellow diners.

Our dessert of suspiro a la limena (HK$68), which combines meringue, caramel and more, impressed more than expected.