22 Ships

My girlfriend and I went for dinner at 22 Ships. We go relatively frequently because the food is excellent and the atmosphere is great. Unfortunately we had a weirdly bad service experience which marred the evening. In addition to a range of typically delicious tapas, we ordered the octopus paella. My girlfriend is allergic to crustaceans and shortly after eating, her throat started swelling up. Seated at the counter, we asked the chef whether the dish contained shrimp and he told us it was prepared with a lobster stock. We then called the waiter over and said they should have asked whether anyone has any allergies. This is fairly standard practice and even if you thought we probably should have flagged the issue, I would have expected a reaction along the lines of “oh no are you all right how can we help we’re very sorry you’re having an allergic reaction.” What ensued was a 15 minute argument. I have itemised the various steps below for convenience: 1. You’re having an allergic reaction. Umm maybe you should have told us you’re allergic?? 2. Okay so maybe other places do ask for allergies but I don’t actually think this dish has prawns in (I.e maybe you’re making this up) [chef confirms it does indeed contain crustaceans] 3. Okay so you’re having an allergic reaction and I should have asked but English is my second language (also my girlfriend’s second language and the waiter spoke excellent English, seems entirely irrelevant) 4. A highly begrudging apology (after 15 minutes of basically gaslighting my girlfriend and making us look unreasonable and histrionic) No manager came to intervene. While the restaurant kindly took the paella off our bill, this really doesn’t compensate for the lack of empathy. I would have happily paid the full price for receiving an immediate expression of concern. Want to underline food remains excellent and this is one of the best tapas spots in HK but this standard of service is not okay.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars) I recently dined at the Spanish Taberna in Hong Kong Central and had an amazing experience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal. We ordered a variety of traditional Spanish dishes that were simply delicious. The aceitunas (olives) were flavorful, the pan con tomate (bread with tomato) was a delightful combination of crispy bread and fresh tomato, and the pimientos de padron (padron peppers) had just the right amount of heat. The highlight of our meal was the tortilla de patatas (Spanish potato omelette) with its perfectly cooked eggs and tender potatoes. And let's not forget the berberechos a la plancha (grilled cockles), which were fresh and flavorful. The staff at Spanish Taberna were attentive and provided excellent recommendations for our meal. The service was top-notch, making our dining experience even more enjoyable. If you're looking for an authentic taste of Spain in the heart of Hong Kong, I highly recommend visiting Spanish Taberna. The food, atmosphere, and service all come together to create a truly delightful dining experience. ¡Gracias, Spanish Taberna, for a memorable evening.

Good food, good vibes but massively overpriced, I think. This is a popular joint, particularly on the weekends and nights. People come here after work to have a drink, hang out. It’s a good energy, I get it. The menu consists of tapas and mains. Extensive drink selection. Great and attentive service. Food is good - we had the pork and the beef, only because we did not want any of the tapas options. But the bill for those two items... wow!