I’m back just in time to file my column after a wild culinary adventure in the Arctic Circle munching on reindeer and pickled haddock. My job as your food taster is never done. If you thought stinky tofu was daring, may I tempt you with rotting shark meat? No?

First things first, there’s a brand-new Italian eatery at The Peak Galleria called Simpatico (2849-0001). As the name suggests, the boys keep things simple up there, fixing the flavor mix to a max of three per dish. I tried a simple garlic and extra virgin olive oil pasta and I might just be a changed man.

Speaking of Italian, I know Daddyos, the new joint on Staunton Street, might not be the first place to come to mind for pizza, but they make a great “American” whole wheat thin crust version and for now you can get a second pie for half price. 29 Staunton St., Central, 2526-8668.

Do you dig the new look of the magazine? Let me know if there’s something you want more of – bdawson@asia-city.com.hk.

There’s a reader who keeps raving to me about the new menu at the Vietnamese restaurant Song (L/G, 75 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2559-0997). But I also just suggested he head over to the Renaissance Kowloon Hotel, where a guest Vietnamese chef is in town serving up wicked fresh dishes at the Patio Coffee Shop, which is not really a coffee shop at all but a kick-ass restaurant. 22 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2734-6690.

Last year I was a judge at the surprisingly controversial chili cook-off, “Chili Spank Off,” on the grassy slopes of the Indian Recreation Club opposite Hong Kong Stadium. Boy howdy did I get some heated emails from the, uh, non-winners. Well players, don’t be haters, you’ve got another chance to put your money where your mouth is at the fifth annual Spank Off this Oct 27 in the “Ring Of Fire” cook-off. Enter at www.chilispankoff.com. For those who just want to see who is the true “Pope of Chili Town,” fork over $288 for the all-you-can-eat buffet of about 40-odd chilies by professional chefs and novices alike – it includes two Sol beers to get you started.

Mark your calendar, movie fans – the new chef flick “No Reservations” will open on October 11. And why do I care besides the fact that it’s Catherine Zeta-Jones playing the chef? Well because Madison’s is doing a tie-in promotion – on October 1 to 3, spend $600 there and you’ll get two free tickets; for $1,000, you’ll get four. G/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Rd., Central, 2523-4772.

By the way, if anyone ever tells you it’s cruel to eat reindeer, let it be known that every single animal in Finland is actually owned by a herder, and the population has to be kept in control as there are very few predators left these days to do nature’s natural work. Damned tasty and nearly fat-free. Need I tell you that the best place in town for it is FINDS? 2/F, Lan Kwai Fong Tower, 33 Wyndham St., 2522-9318.