We’ve been waiting a long time for a proper salad bar to open in this town; and so has everyone else it seems. The long lines outside Dressed, IFC’s newest eatery, can attest to that. So here’s the deal: you choose from five choices of greens (mesclun, spinach, arugula, iceberg or romaine), more than 40 choices of toppings, seven types of cheeses, 12 meats and protein options, a handful of nuts or fruit, then a pick of dressing. Once piled, your healthy concoction is thrown onto the countertop and chopped into bits.
Finally reaching the front of the queue, we asked for every single vegetable we like (a list that includes artichoke hearts, avocado, carrots, corn and broccoli) and had it tossed together with balsamic vinaigrette ($120). Then we watched the server hack the veggies into rabbit food. To be honest, we’d much prefer it was left in its natural state with our teeth doing the chopping. In comparison, our dining companion’s arugula salad with fried chicken and honey Dijon vinaigrette ($62) was more roughly chopped, and the fried chicken a little rubbery. However, the dressing was tangy-sweet and combined well with the arugula. Here’s an idea: since you get to choose your own ingredients, you should be able to choose the degree to which it is chopped, as well.
All these options to have it your way do come at a cost though, not to mention a long wait (over ten minutes) for what is supposed to be fast food. Still, if you’re willing to just grab and go, there are pre-packed options as well starting at $58.
Ultimately, this pop-tart space will do well in this location, and we look forward to them expanding into other areas of Hong Kong (Wan Chai next please). We’d just like even more options.
Alan Wong
2/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2295 4848. Mon-Sat 10.30am-10pm, Sun 10.30am-9pm. Meal for two: around $250.