Sophia Loren Hong Kong marks the first international footprint for the dining and entertainment concept founded by the iconic actress; there are four restaurants in Italy, in Milan, Florence, Bari and Rome. Opened in April, the Hong Kong outpost—which takes up the historic Wan Chai building that once housed Woo Cheong Tea House—is styled by Italian architect and designer Ivo Maria Redaelli, who also designed the four Sophia Loren restaurants in Italy. Tony Paese, Sophia Loren Hong Kong’s co-founder and managing director, says Loren has always had an affinity for Hong Kong, from as early as the 1960s, when she starred in Charlie Chaplin’s film A Countess from Hong Kong (1967). Here, he talks to Tatler about revamping the location into a glamorous Italian hotspot.
Congratulations on the launch. What made this historic building the ideal spot for Sophia Loren Hong Kong?
We really wanted to have something unique and special for Hong Kong. The outdoor space was perfect for us to create alfresco dining, which is very popular in Naples and the Amalfi Coast. This type of building can be seen in Italy, with its finishing and history. Sophia Loren Hong Kong could not have been anywhere else.
This story is from the July 2024 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.
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This story is from the July 2024 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.
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