Cafe Deco remains a favorite, despite the naysayers

Authentic cuisine is a hot topic lately, and with good reason. Foodies don't want "Chinese versions" of pizza and pasta when the real thing made by Italian chefs is so readily available.

That is perhaps why Cafe Deco has always suffered a somewhat chilly reception among local gourmands. Ever since the first outlet by founders Graeme Reading and Martin Allies opened on The Peak almost two decades ago, Cafe Deco Group has tried to be all things to all people.

Its venues are stylish without being trendy; its menus will never offend anyone; and it has a wide selection of international cuisines to choose from. It is a popular choice among expats and tourists precisely because it is a safe bet for a night out. With the October opening of Cafe Deco Pizzeria in Elements shopping mall, it brings another option to an audience always looking for the next new restaurant.