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Portobello Review by HK Magazine 2009-10-08   This classic English teahouse, named after London's famous street market, is an oasis of calm a few doors from the Mid-Levels Escalator. There's no front door, just a large opening onto the street, which makes it a great place for people-watching. The interior is cozy and tastefully decorated and there's also a clever back terrace with wooden fence and foliage that gives the place a sense of space and nature. Portobello is well thought out, down to the original details such as weighted cutlery, pots of honey and three types of sugar on each table. We chose the set meal ($58), which was a soup and sandwich or salad; the delectable carrot and tomato soup was zesty and came seasoned with bay leaves and pepper. However, the asparagus soup, though fresh, was slightly sour and overly peppery. The gammon and cheese sandwich that followed came with a welcome dollop of mustard, as did the roast beef and red onion, but the iceberg lettuce, though enjoyably crunchy, was predictably insipid - it missed some rocket or a mix of leaves. The tandoori chicken salad, however, was near faultless; light and juicy, the chopped cucumber and red onion adding a teasing tang. With its mixture of charm, intimacy and air of freedom it attracts a young and hip crowd and makes you feel it's worth coming back to at any time of day.