The buzz: This is restaurateur Marwan Cabbabé’s first restaurant in Asia. Situated next to Classified and The Press Room, it is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

The décor: Designed by Chilean architect Hernan Zanghellini, the restaurant is done in warm and inviting golden shades. Wine racks and a charming collection of mirrors line the walls and there is a self-service salad bar at the back.

The food: Pan-Mediterranean. Having opened over a dozen restaurants in France and the Middle East, the menu is inspired by the different countries Cabbabé has lived in. There is chorizo from Spain, pasta from Italy, foie gras from France and fruit confiture from Lebanon, just to name a few.

The drinks: Large selection of wines from France, Australia, New Zealand as well as South America. But the best drink isn’t even on the menu: ask the genial Cabbabé for a “white coffee”, a soothing and gentle Lebanese after-dinner drink of hot water, orange blossom and lemon peels.

Why you’ll come back: The combination of fresh, simple and well-executed dishes and the amiable hospitality of Cabbabé is a winning one. The food is made for sharing over lazy brunches or long, relaxed dinner with friends. Not to mention the beef carpaccio is an absolute must-try.

118 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2547-0000.