Oolaa – A new Sassy favourite for Salads

We are very much creatures of habit here at Sassy and while part of our job is trying out new restaurants and being in the know we often can’t help ourselves from going back to the places we simply can’t get enough of. The wait staff at Pure Bar & Restaurant (formerly known as Red SoHo) can certainly attest to that and I am pretty sure that the waiters and waitresses at Oolaa, the new restaurant, bar and cafe on Bridges Street, will soon know my order by heart as it has quickly become my new favourite hangout in town. This past week I had two lunches there and if it hadn’t have been for a very sick husband I would have had brunch there yesterday as well. A word of warning though, it is probably best to call for a reservation especially on the weekends as it is becoming quite the popular new kid in town…

Here is the down low for those of you who may have been away and didn’t hear all the buzz about Oolaa’s opening. It is absolutely ginormous (6,000 square feet!) and it is divided into several areas (Cafe Corner, Lounge Bar and Restaurant). The whole layout is open and spacious and the three areas have a way of being connected to each other but also separate and intimate enough that you don’t get the feel that you are in this massive loft style space.  The restaurant is part of Castelo Concepts (Wagyu and Jaspas to name a few) so as a starting point you know that it has experienced management behind it. The menu is mainly Western and it is very big so if you are indecisive make sure you show up a few minutes before your dining companion as you may need the extra time to decide. Breakfast can be ordered throughout the day and I hear their s’mores are to die for. Mental note…must try them next time.

I have yet to find a go-to place for salads so when Oolaa invited us to sample a few of their green creations I was pretty excited as my salad consumption has gone way down since moving to Hong Kong. I really love exercising so many people think that I am a healthy eater but lately I have been preferring burgers to lettuce so I knew that these salads would have to blow me away to keep me coming back for more. Well, they did and a few days after our taste test I ordered a salad on my next visit to Oolaa so I think it is pretty safe to say that their salads are now officially Sassy Approved!

Here is a glimpse into our very yummy taste test.

Salad 1: Pesto Chicken Salad with baby spinach, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, parmesan and basil cream. Cost = $115. Hester’s favourite.

Salad 2: Insalata Caprese kumato tomatoes layered with buffalo mozzarella drizzled with olive oil and balsamic. Cost = $140. My favourite.

Salad 3:  King Prawn, Mango & Avocado Salad with a tangy Thai dressing. Cost = $190. Avocado was so tasty. Definitely my 2nd favourite!

Salad 4: Baby Beet, Broccoli & Goats Cheese Salad with pomegranate seeds and balsamic dressing. Cost = $135. The most healthy of the bunch for sure!

Oh and Oolaa, here is my order if you want to memorize it as I know I will be coming back again and again. I will have the Insalata Caprese with a crisp glass of white wine please!

Oolaa G/F, Bridges Street, Soho. 2803 2083.