Mediterranean on the run at Bene

Bene Pizza + Pasta was a welcome addition to Olympian City when it opened late in 2012. A quick and casual version of Gaia Group's fine dining staples Isola and Va Bene, Bene is bright and friendly, with crates of juicy tomatoes on the vine on display. The emphasis is on freshness, with pastas, pizza and mains big enough to share. Our starter of deep-fried vegetables kept the inherent firmness of its broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini trio while retaining their sweetness. Smoked-duck pizza featured a chewy crust while the Tuscan-style pork chop was flavored with a hint of rosemary and included perfectly roasted potatoes on the side. Our only gripe was that the dishes could be more robust. It was like someone painted a black-and-white version of the Tuscan countryside instead of using Technicolor. - Rebecca Lo

Bene Pizza + Pasta, Shop 106, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon, Hong Kong. 852-2352-4848