Hong Kong – Chef Antonio Oviedo from 22 Ships restaurant is partnering up with JIA Group in mid-May 2022 to present a new iteration of Spanish gastronomy to Central.
AGORA is a new contemporary Spanish fine-dining concept nestled within Tai Kwun‘s heritage building that displays Chef Antonio’s boundary-pushing cuisine while maintaining true to his Spanish roots through seasonal tasting menus.
This 24-seater venue features a private dining room, individual tables, and a chef’s counter, with red marbled tabletops providing contemporary flashes of color.
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What does AGORA actually mean?
AGORA‘s name echoes the old Latin meaning of being the “Centre of Life” — a social center and a spot where ideas converge.
Gora means “now” in old Spanish, alluding to Chef Antonio’s current and ever-evolving vision of Spanish food.
Chef Antonio, together with General Manager Anton Marquez, at AGORA draws on his Spanish history and expertise to provide diners with a genuine dining experience while seeking to surprise and amaze with unique twists.
Tell me more about Chef Antonio Oviedo
Chef Antonio Oviedo, a Madrid native, has worked at gastronomy restaurants under some of Spain’s finest chefs, including Santi Santamaria and the Roca Brothers.
Antonio began his profession in 1999, working his way up the culinary ladder in Madrid during his formative years.
He worked in a variety of cooking positions, perfecting his talents in everything from quick appetisers, sauces, and meat and seafood preparation to mastering the complex art of pastry.
Antonio was promoted to Junior Sous Chef at one-Michelin-starred El Chaflan in Madrid in 2006, before joining two-Michelin-starred Sant Celoni in 2007 under Chef Oscar Velasco.
In 2008, Antonio was employed as a junior sous chef in Villamagna by the renowned Eneko Atxa of Madrid’s three-Michelin-starred Azurmendi.
In 2009, Antonio accepted a position as Head Pastry Chef at Chef Fernando Arellano’s two-Michelin-starred Zaranda, where he oversaw bread production, chocolate works, and boulangerie, in addition to assisting all cooking stations.
From 2010 until 2012, he worked as both Sous Chef and Head Pastry Chef at the two-Michelin-starred Arola Gastro by Sergi Arola (since closed) in Madrid.
Antonio made his first large international transfer to Singapore in 2012 to take up the post of Head Chef at popular restaurant Binomio, motivated by his quest for fresh challenges on a different continent.
He rose to prominence as a top Spanish chef before becoming Sous Chef at Singapore’s one-Michelin-starred modern European restaurant Iggy’s.
In June 2020, Antonio will take over the helm of the ever-popular Spanish restaurant 22 Ships by JIA Group on Ship Street, Wan Chai.
What can I expect at AGORA?
Featuring as many seasonal ingredients sourced from the greater region of Spain as possible, such as Verdial extra virgin olive oil cultivated in Málaga served with wheat and red wine butter, and choricero chili pepper – a dehydrated variety of Spanish red pepper served with crayfish and nectarine.
AGORA will be open for dinner service only during its initial phase, providing a seasonal chef’s degustation Menú Gran Ágora, which includes 10 courses starting from HK$1,288+10% or 12 courses starting from HK$1,688+10% per guest.
The menu at AGORA will be a testament to Chef Antonio’s ingenuity and invention, which he gained while working alongside some of Spain’s best culinary brains and recently helming award-winning tapas restaurant, 22 Ships.
How do I make a reservation?
AGORA’s official opening is this mid-May and reservations will be open from 27th April 2022 onwards. Book here: http://sevn.ly/xFD9bdwt
AGORA
Address: Shop 14, G/F D Hall, Tai Kwun 10 Hollywood Road, Central (please use the Gallery Gate entrance on Old Bailey Street to enter Tai Kwun)
Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday 18:00-22:00 (dinner only)
Tel: +852 2316 2005
Website: www.agorahk.com
Email: info@agorahk.com
Reservations: http://sevn.ly/xFD9bdwt (to open from 27th April onwards)
Instagram & Facebook: @agora.hkg @tuan19
Image courtesy of AGORA.
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