Our new go-to spot for healthy, delicious meals
Our former That Girl, Peggy Chan, is at it again! After successfully launching two restaurants, Grassroots Pantry and Prune Organic Deli & Workshop in Sai Ying Pun, she’s now moved her organic, veggie fare closer to Central. You’ve probably already noticed that Grassroots Pantry has relocated to Hollywood Road, right next to Classified, Grana and just down the road from PMQ, and this new location is already proving insanely popular. We couldn’t wait to see whether this new resto was just as good as before…
The new Grassroots has a much larger, lighter space that is impeccably designed. They say simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and that certainly rings true when you take in “clean lines, Scandinavian minimalism and neutral tones”. The space manages to feel bright and airy whilst still maintaining a welcoming, homely touch.
As usual I admired the little details in the design, such as the various hanging plants, the quaint candle holders on each table, the wooden kitchen utensils hanging on the walls and the rustic, mismatched chairs. This new, sleek look definitely gives Grassroots a cool, calm, collected vibe that fits in well with the trendy neighbourhood.
The dinner menu at Grassroots is concise with six starters and six mains to choose from. The menu features a few of Grassroots signature dishes from the old restaurant, along with some exciting new surprises. We were happy to let Peggy choose a range for us to try, and we started off with the fail-safe ‘Raw Spicy Sprouted Seed Hand Rolls‘ – $118, which were a favourite at the old Grassroots.
These chunky rolls were unbelievably similar to a tuna hand roll, with the raw ‘tuna’ pate tasting remarkably like fish! The homemade sriracha gave a subtle, spicy kick to the rolls and the cauliflower rice, avocado, lettuce, cucumbers and carrots all blended together to create a truly tasty starter. The size of the rolls are decent too, and definitely sufficient for a starter.
Another starter we tried was the ‘Charred Yunnan Mushrooms‘ – $108, which were beautifully presented. The autumnal colours matched the earthy flavours of the different mushrooms, which included Termite Mushrooms and Cordyceps. Topped with a Nori Niboshi Cracker and smeared with Celeriac Puree, this was another delicious start to dinner and I would definitely recommend trying it for some different textures and unique tastes.
On to the mains! The ‘Mushroom Tempeh Rendang‘ – $128, smelt delicious, and tasted just as good. I loved the warming cinnamon flavour that came through, and the mushrooms were so meaty we didn’t even realise it was a vegetarian curry. The slightly breaded eggs in the curry also added an extra interesting texture, and although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the roti (which was slightly bland) I would definitely recommend this as a main if you’re looking for something really comforting, filling and warm.
The other main we tried was the ‘Kelp Noodle Salad’ – $178. The name of this dish may not sound all that appealing, but I was truly surprised when it arrived. The large plate of kelp noodles were surrounded by crispy veggie spring rolls and satay hedgehog mushrooms, almost with the appearance of a pad thai. I was blown away by how tasty this dish was – again, the textures and flavours were all unusual but worked together harmoniously to create a mouthwatering combination that I’d never had before. The sweet and salty peanut flavour of the noodles was addictive and I couldn’t believe how similar the hedgehog mushroom was in texture and taste to chicken. A must-try!
By this point I was surprisingly full, which makes sense as all the food is packed with nutritious goodness that is designed to fill you up. But we couldn’t resist a sweet ending to the meal, and had to try the intriguing sounding ‘Pistachio Sponge and Brown Rice Kheer‘ – $98. The dessert was beautifully presented and once again the variety of textures was playful and unique and the warming flavours.
I am happy to report that the new Grassroots Pantry is just as good, if not better, than it’s former home. I love the whole feel of the restaurant, which is airy and light yet still retains that ‘cosy’ vibe that was originally there. The staff are attentive and clearly care about what they’re doing – you really get the the sense that everyone working at Grassroots is passionate about spreading this healthy, nutritious concept around Hong Kong.
Apart from the dinner menu, breakfast and brunch are also highly recommend (yes – I went back to just to try them!), with fail-safe classics like Poached Eggs and Smashed Avocado as well as inventive dishes like Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes bringing in the crowds. If you’re conscious about eating clean or if you have any special dietary requirements, or simply if you just want to try a different, healthy restaurant, Grassroots Pantry on Hollywood Road is a must try. You’ll be fighting over the last kelp noodle…
Grassroots Pantry, 108 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.grassrootspantry.com. Make a reservation here.