From Gastroposter Rosita Lam, via Instagram: Empress Cafe : Japanese mentaiko spaghetti www.facebook.com/thepearlorange
*Reposted from Gastropost Vancouver
Showing posts with label wanchai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wanchai. Show all posts
12 November 2014
Vancouver Gastropost Mission 62 : Asian Noodle Smackdown
From Gastroposter Rosita Lam, via Instagram: *Reposted from Gastropost Vancouver
01 October 2014
Cold-Overpriced to the Max | Cali-Mex
The first time I knew about Cali-Mex was when I passed by the outlet in Central when it was still under renovation and while I finally saw the opening of another branch in Wanchai, I went there to grab a quick lunch one day. There aren't many Mexican joints in HK, let alone good ones so I was really looking forward to giving this place a try. The branch in Wanchai is on Queen's Road East right next to Burger King and PP3 - quite conveniently located. Ordering's at the front, and there're seating on the second floor.
That afternoon I was craving for something light so I opted for the Baja fish taco ($98) in medium spice, which was definitely not cheap I thought. *still reminiscing the once-upon-a-time CAD 99cent tacos at Taco Bell* Food was ready pretty soon and I grabbed a free-seating-fast-food-style table upstairs. The order came in 3 taco shells, although the presentation didn't look too very appealing.
In fact, the food itself didn't taste that great either. The salsa and sour cream was cold, which of course I wasn't surprised but nothing else was even a tiny bit warm, not the taco shell, not the fish. While there're 3 tacos in an order, which worked out to be around $33 each, there was only one small piece of fish found in each one of them, and the rest was stuffed up with veg and sour cream.
This place is not worth my second try. I would much rather get a deluxe lunch combo at Tsui Wah WITH beverage at this price. At least they serve their food hot.
That afternoon I was craving for something light so I opted for the Baja fish taco ($98) in medium spice, which was definitely not cheap I thought. *still reminiscing the once-upon-a-time CAD 99cent tacos at Taco Bell* Food was ready pretty soon and I grabbed a free-seating-fast-food-style table upstairs. The order came in 3 taco shells, although the presentation didn't look too very appealing.
In fact, the food itself didn't taste that great either. The salsa and sour cream was cold, which of course I wasn't surprised but nothing else was even a tiny bit warm, not the taco shell, not the fish. While there're 3 tacos in an order, which worked out to be around $33 each, there was only one small piece of fish found in each one of them, and the rest was stuffed up with veg and sour cream.
This place is not worth my second try. I would much rather get a deluxe lunch combo at Tsui Wah WITH beverage at this price. At least they serve their food hot.
Cali-Mex, G/F 25 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, +852 2325 3005
District: Wanchai
Overall Rating: 2 / 5
30 September 2014
Didn't Have My Sweet Tooth Fix | Pantry Bread & Pastries
People are right when they say Hong Kong is very fast-paced and changes rapidly. I left town for a mere 2 weeks and came back and saw many new shops on Queen's Road, one of them being Pantry. I believe the Pantry in CWB has been around for some time and they are famous for their pastries and cookies. I got off early one day and thought I'd buy home a dessert to fix my sweet tooth so I went to the new branch in Wanchai.
It's a bright and neat little bakery shop with all sorts of breads and cookies shelved on one side, all of which were welcome for sample tasting.
The other side were the cakes and apparently they do lunch sets too.
What really caught my eyes were the cute Lego block cakes ($54) which came in various colors. The blue blueberry cheesecake sounded most safe so I bought that one home.
I took a first bite and thought...hmm, it's not the usual kinda cheesecake I had before, not the traditional style, and not even NY nor Japanese styles. I thought the cheese texture and taste resembled ricotta cheese, not that I'm saying ricotta cheese is bad, but it's not what I was expecting for when I bought this cheesecake home. Inside the cake, there was a layer of blueberry purée, cake and a crunch covered by the "cheese".
The cake itself looked cute and creative, perfect for photoshooting purposes, but the flavor was not fantastic. Let's just say I didn't have my sweet tooth fix. Likely I will give this bakery a second try, but will definitely go for the safer option of chocolate cake or cookies.
Pantry Bread & Pastries, G/F 101 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, +852 2577 3898
District: Wanchai
Overall Rating: 3 / 5
Cost: $54 per small cake
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
It's a bright and neat little bakery shop with all sorts of breads and cookies shelved on one side, all of which were welcome for sample tasting.
The other side were the cakes and apparently they do lunch sets too.
What really caught my eyes were the cute Lego block cakes ($54) which came in various colors. The blue blueberry cheesecake sounded most safe so I bought that one home.
I took a first bite and thought...hmm, it's not the usual kinda cheesecake I had before, not the traditional style, and not even NY nor Japanese styles. I thought the cheese texture and taste resembled ricotta cheese, not that I'm saying ricotta cheese is bad, but it's not what I was expecting for when I bought this cheesecake home. Inside the cake, there was a layer of blueberry purée, cake and a crunch covered by the "cheese".
The cake itself looked cute and creative, perfect for photoshooting purposes, but the flavor was not fantastic. Let's just say I didn't have my sweet tooth fix. Likely I will give this bakery a second try, but will definitely go for the safer option of chocolate cake or cookies.
Pantry Bread & Pastries, G/F 101 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, +852 2577 3898
District: Wanchai
Overall Rating: 3 / 5
Cost: $54 per small cake
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
25 September 2014
Healthy Food on a Fever Day | Gaba Concept
I called in sick one day and after visiting the doctor in CWB, I decided to grab some healthy food from Gaba on the way. To be honest, the location was a little awkward. Seated on the first floor of an old building on Lockhart Road, I had to beep the old-style intercom at the door on the ground floor for them to unlock the gate for me to go up the building, reminding me just exactly how many many years I haven’t gone up to these private venues for late-night drinking, which was THE thing 6.5 years ago when I came back to HK.
The cafe was quiet, not a surprise though on a weekday afternoon, but it was a cozy venue. They even had my fav pink lily on each table, e-props.
I ordered the pasta du jour which was whole wheat pasta with pan-seared scallop. Scrumptious al dente spaghetti mixed with ginger, garlic and spring onion (like the dipping sauce for Chinese white cut chicken), the scallop was skillfully seared such that the inside remained raw.
I was already warned but how can a fever day go without sweets? So, I went ahead and ordered the Puffle – chocolate puff x waffle. It was a big portion and the fact that the ice-cream was home-made and sugar-free made me feel that much better. There’s always a trade-of course. The waffle was not orgasmic, probably because butter and cream and all those sorts of unhealthy ingredients were opted out of the recipe. I love the chocolate puffs and vanilla sauce though. They were very crunchy, and the dark chocolate sauce poured on top did not make the puffs too sweet.
Sank into Adele’s singing in the background the entire time, it was a relaxing and healthy experience at Gaba. Will definitely be back next time to try out their unique coffee selection and dessert. See the turntables? Hopefully can catch DJ in the house next time too! ;)
The cafe was quiet, not a surprise though on a weekday afternoon, but it was a cozy venue. They even had my fav pink lily on each table, e-props.
I was already warned but how can a fever day go without sweets? So, I went ahead and ordered the Puffle – chocolate puff x waffle. It was a big portion and the fact that the ice-cream was home-made and sugar-free made me feel that much better. There’s always a trade-of course. The waffle was not orgasmic, probably because butter and cream and all those sorts of unhealthy ingredients were opted out of the recipe. I love the chocolate puffs and vanilla sauce though. They were very crunchy, and the dark chocolate sauce poured on top did not make the puffs too sweet.
Sank into Adele’s singing in the background the entire time, it was a relaxing and healthy experience at Gaba. Will definitely be back next time to try out their unique coffee selection and dessert. See the turntables? Hopefully can catch DJ in the house next time too! ;)
Gaba Concept, 1/F Diamond Mansion, 462-468 Lockhart Road, CWB, +852 3679 0348
Overall Rating: 4 / 5
Cost: $200 ph - Lunch
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
04 September 2014
A Hidden Butterfly in the City | Papillon Cafe
I randomly found out about this restaurant hidden on the 17th floor of Hopewell Centre one day en route to my adhoc jogging session at Bowen Road, so decided to give it a try one night with my D mates in our little pre-celebration for Mid-Autumn Festival. While waiting for the rest, including myself, to arrive, Missy J started chatting with the waiter and learnt that the restaurant was under the same group as Zen / Zen Too. Ah, no wonder the name Papillon...which in French means butterfly (Chinese name of Zen is also called butterfly).
Set dinners were served here with price ranging from 12x to 200ish. Came with soup and a dessert, I thought the prices were very inexpensive. Apologies for not remembering to take a photo of the menu but I vaguely remember it included something like pasta du jour (which was grilled salmon with squid-ink spaghetti in tomato sauce), salmon wrapped in pastry, roasted chicken, steak, linguine vongole, some kinda risotto and duck breast.
Soup du jour was corn and pumpkin which was served hot and nicely blended. The soup was so thick that it was like a dip sauce for the bread. Flavor was good too.
I guess we're all so health conscious in avoid having carbs at night so we all coincidentally opted for the roasted chicken and duck breast. I highly recommend the roasted chicken which was served in decent portion. While still moist and tender on the inside, the chicken was slightly crispy on the outside yet not too dry. Definitely one of the best roasted chicken I had in town other than the one from Chez pearlorange of course. The reduced orange juice added a refreshing spritz to the duck breast. The chef did not go crazy with the butter which made the mash tasted just right. We also ordered a bottle from Côtes du Rhône to share. This light-bodied blend of red from Southern France was very easy to drink with a fruity and smooth finish. Went well with the meat.
Evenings tend to be slightly quiet due to the location but definitely a highly recommended hidden gem in Wanchai - hearty food served at very good price.
Soup du jour was corn and pumpkin which was served hot and nicely blended. The soup was so thick that it was like a dip sauce for the bread. Flavor was good too.
Venue: Papillon Caffe
District: Wanchai
Must-try: Roasted whole chicken
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5
Cost: $250 ph - Dinner
Address: 17/F Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai
23 August 2014
Highly Recommended Takeaway Dessert Shop | Oddies
What really caught my eye in the middle of a random local street in Wanchai was the neat and transparent decor of this little newly opened ice-cream shop. It’s not just any random local dessert shop though. Just as its name suggests, desserts being sold here are put together by odd, yet surprisingly go-well-together ingredients. Other than the usual 5 dessert being served on the regular menu, a different special flavor is served for a limited time every weekend.
Having reached my early thirties, my risk aversion suggested that I opt for the low-fat gelato on matcha panna cotta, fresh mango, sesame crumble and caramelized almond meringue, finished with an edible pansy flower and butterfly waffle, named “Oddies Garden,” at a price of $49. I’m never a big fan of paying for overpriced take-away dessert but this Oddies Garden was surely worth its money. Cute presentation similar to those served in Ms B yet half the price, this cup of scrumptious dessert was a piece of art standalone with the detailed edible butterfly and carefully layered goodies.
The gelato was very very smooth and reminded me of the ones I had in Florence many years ago, although they did melt quickly in this summer heat so I really had to nibble against the clock. Sweetness of the matcha panna cotta was adjusted just right which went extremely well with the exotic taste of the fresh mango. The pansy flower and butterfly waffle were better off left alone as visual art appreciation though, unless you are really feeling extremely hungry that day.
I never understand why there’re always long line-ups for the small scoop of overpriced $44 gimmick ice-cream at Lab Made in Tai Hang, while a hearty good quality dessert at Oddies is sold for only 5 bucks more and yet, it’s almost always empty whenever I passed by this hidden gem. Oddies is definitely one of my top picks, and let’s hope that I won't gain another 10 pounds from my bi-weekly visits…!
Oddies, G/F 149 Wanchai Road, Wanchai, +852 9155 5185
Distict: Wanchai
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5
Cost: $50 per cup
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
Having reached my early thirties, my risk aversion suggested that I opt for the low-fat gelato on matcha panna cotta, fresh mango, sesame crumble and caramelized almond meringue, finished with an edible pansy flower and butterfly waffle, named “Oddies Garden,” at a price of $49. I’m never a big fan of paying for overpriced take-away dessert but this Oddies Garden was surely worth its money. Cute presentation similar to those served in Ms B yet half the price, this cup of scrumptious dessert was a piece of art standalone with the detailed edible butterfly and carefully layered goodies.
The gelato was very very smooth and reminded me of the ones I had in Florence many years ago, although they did melt quickly in this summer heat so I really had to nibble against the clock. Sweetness of the matcha panna cotta was adjusted just right which went extremely well with the exotic taste of the fresh mango. The pansy flower and butterfly waffle were better off left alone as visual art appreciation though, unless you are really feeling extremely hungry that day.
 |
| Pretty edible pansy flower and butterfly waffle |
I never understand why there’re always long line-ups for the small scoop of overpriced $44 gimmick ice-cream at Lab Made in Tai Hang, while a hearty good quality dessert at Oddies is sold for only 5 bucks more and yet, it’s almost always empty whenever I passed by this hidden gem. Oddies is definitely one of my top picks, and let’s hope that I won't gain another 10 pounds from my bi-weekly visits…!
Oddies, G/F 149 Wanchai Road, Wanchai, +852 9155 5185
Distict: Wanchai
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5
Cost: $50 per cup
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
16 August 2014
很有heart的街坊小店 | 波仔記車仔麵
回想起第一次吃波仔記是已經二十多年前的事。時隔那麼多年，最surprised的是在煮麵的（應該就是波仔吧！？）師傅還是二十年前的那個，在旁邊幫手的還是他的太太（只是猜猜而已嘻嘻）。
在這裡自己選料，有湯麵和lo麵。lo麵我覺得是最好吃的，雖然比較肥，應該是用了豬油lo在一起。寫好了還點了一杯凍「燕鴦」小甜。
lo麵我點了菜心，牛根腩，魚皮餃，魚蛋，齋跟幼麵。啊姐放低碟麵幫我拿對筷子說：啊妹，嗔熱食，慢慢食。我突然覺得很warm很有親切感，比起同一個街市另外一間車仔麵的服務好很多。雖然另外一家的openrice review多好多，但我反而覺得波仔記的lo麵是比較好吃，料也比較多，真誠的態度更加是無價啦！
我喜歡再加兩圈的甜醬，肥C啦，但真的超超正。最多晚飯吃小D喔。。。
在香港現在真的很難找到那麼有人情味的店鋪了。波仔記是一間我首選吃車仔麵的小店。
在這裡自己選料，有湯麵和lo麵。lo麵我覺得是最好吃的，雖然比較肥，應該是用了豬油lo在一起。寫好了還點了一杯凍「燕鴦」小甜。
lo麵我點了菜心，牛根腩，魚皮餃，魚蛋，齋跟幼麵。啊姐放低碟麵幫我拿對筷子說：啊妹，嗔熱食，慢慢食。我突然覺得很warm很有親切感，比起同一個街市另外一間車仔麵的服務好很多。雖然另外一家的openrice review多好多，但我反而覺得波仔記的lo麵是比較好吃，料也比較多，真誠的態度更加是無價啦！
 |
| 很有人情味的lo麵 |
我喜歡再加兩圈的甜醬，肥C啦，但真的超超正。最多晚飯吃小D喔。。。
 |
| 加了兩圈甜醬 - 超超正 |
在香港現在真的很難找到那麼有人情味的店鋪了。波仔記是一間我首選吃車仔麵的小店。
Venue: 波仔記車仔麵
District: WC / CWB
District: WC / CWB
Must-try: lo麵
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5
12 August 2014
WC Burger Joint | The Butchers Club Burger
While bosses were not in my colleague and I decided to check out The Butchers Club Burger to see for ourselves what the hype was all about. This was my second encounter with The Butchers Club chain, and the first being the sister store in Aberdeen. Now with that as the backdrop, I was in fact not totally satisfied with this $100 burger, especially having to walk 15-min over under the 32 degrees Celsius heat.
Anyhow, we were lucky to find two indoor seats at 1215pm, and I went straight to the queue to make my order. Didn't know why the cashier girl took sooo long to take orders - there's basically only THE burger and THE fries on the food menu. I ordered a $20 canned coke light for my colleague and I opted for the healthier (and cheaper) option of fresh juice in the local shop just around the corner (oops!).
Two original burgers, one order of duck fat fries and a canned pop costed to a total of *ching ching* $240. I would say this is an acceptable price, yet definitely not cheap, for dry-aged beef or so as they claimed on the website. They do have root beer and cherry coke on the menu FYI, at a cost of $30 each, canned.
After 13min or so our food arrived. Burger itself was not big, but to be fair, the meat patty was pretty thick, at least so wide that I wasn't able to bite through the entire deck of burger at one go. And no, this isn't a place to show your proper dining etiquette - they don't have forks so gotta go with your hands!
The bun was grilled but was apparently served at room temperature by the time our order arrived. The beef was juicy, tender and cooked just right, but I felt that the overall burger was lacking flavor so I had to add some hot sauce onto it.
The fattening sauce was generously applied on the bun though and the taste of melted butter was good (how could it not, right?).
The potato wedges were a little too salty, perhaps that's their way of balancing the lack of flavor of the burger? But, at least the fries were not soggy!
So what's the hype all about? Probably because it's an affordable burger joint in the proximity of Star Street with Caucasian chefs? Been there, done that. Not likely I'll have another go at it although it's conveniently located in my hood.
Venue: The Butchers Club Burger
District: Wanchai
Overall rating: 3 / 5
Cost: $150 ph - Lunch
Address: G/F Rialto Building, 2 Landale Street, Wanchai
Link: http://www.butchersclub.com.hk
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
Anyhow, we were lucky to find two indoor seats at 1215pm, and I went straight to the queue to make my order. Didn't know why the cashier girl took sooo long to take orders - there's basically only THE burger and THE fries on the food menu. I ordered a $20 canned coke light for my colleague and I opted for the healthier (and cheaper) option of fresh juice in the local shop just around the corner (oops!).
Two original burgers, one order of duck fat fries and a canned pop costed to a total of *ching ching* $240. I would say this is an acceptable price, yet definitely not cheap, for dry-aged beef or so as they claimed on the website. They do have root beer and cherry coke on the menu FYI, at a cost of $30 each, canned.
After 13min or so our food arrived. Burger itself was not big, but to be fair, the meat patty was pretty thick, at least so wide that I wasn't able to bite through the entire deck of burger at one go. And no, this isn't a place to show your proper dining etiquette - they don't have forks so gotta go with your hands!
The bun was grilled but was apparently served at room temperature by the time our order arrived. The beef was juicy, tender and cooked just right, but I felt that the overall burger was lacking flavor so I had to add some hot sauce onto it.
 |
| Beef cooked just right |
The fattening sauce was generously applied on the bun though and the taste of melted butter was good (how could it not, right?).
 |
| Generous fattening sauce (mayo?) |
The potato wedges were a little too salty, perhaps that's their way of balancing the lack of flavor of the burger? But, at least the fries were not soggy!
So what's the hype all about? Probably because it's an affordable burger joint in the proximity of Star Street with Caucasian chefs? Been there, done that. Not likely I'll have another go at it although it's conveniently located in my hood.
Venue: The Butchers Club Burger
District: Wanchai
Overall rating: 3 / 5
Cost: $150 ph - Lunch
Address: G/F Rialto Building, 2 Landale Street, Wanchai
Link: http://www.butchersclub.com.hk
*REPOSTED on OpenRice
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