本人實在太喜歡英國式的 Modern Gastro Pubs, 有時加上了少少的愛爾蘭或蘇格蘭色彩也可接受. 但香港以前雖然曾經比英國人統治了段很長的時期, 唯獨城中的英國菜式同英國本身吃到的又只可以說是完全另一回事. 不是吃落差很多的質素, 便是一望清楚餐牌就知是騙人家說成了是英國菜, 或愛爾蘭菜. 自己久不久也會去的
Dickens Bar 最近來了個大番身, 還請了一些傳媒或微博的朋友去, 發現原來連個餐牌也加入了很多新嘅元素. 總廚是同樓上 TOTTs 一樣的, 是比較上新來報到的百份百英國人. 之前最喜歡的英式吧, 有東方文華嘅 The Chinnery, 也不錯吃的 The Globe, 同水準下降了些的 The Pawn Living Room - 但現在 Dickens Bar 也終於成為了香港內, 幾罕有的正宗英國 Pub 份子之一.
(也請不要跟我說 SOHO 嘅 Yorkshire Pudding 或 Jimmy's Kitchen, 或灣仔的 Trafalgar, pubs 係英國嘢. 嗰幾間就算味道不差, 但望完個餐牌都見唔到英國 Pub 必須有嘅幾樣嘢.
但這裡就真真正正做到了!)
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Many Draught Beers on tap and bottled Specialty Beers are available here -The overall choice seems to have grown substantially from before, especially the rarer to find British and Belgian beers. If you're a beer lover this comes highly recommended with their newly expanded list.
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Pork Rillettes en croute with Spiced Chutney - This is the Canapes version, which is smaller and not really served
en croute in pastry, but the rillette was still quite fresh in pork taste and very well made, pairing well with the sweet and spicy chutney condiment.
9/10
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Mixed Beans Quesadilla & Chicken Quesadilla - The canape sized bites once again, are a little different to the normal flatter versions, which they serve as a la carte here with Mexican influence. The taste of these were pretty good with big chunky pieces of meat and a good tortilla wrap. 8/10
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Cumberland Sausage with Onion Jam, Mash and Mustard Jus -The normal serving size will be that recognizable long and curled sausage of course. This tasted fine but could have had more mustard jus in my personal opinion... 7/10
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Prawn Croquettes with Preserved Lemon and Harissa Mayonnaise -Just the recipe itself sounded very intriguing. When this arrived, I thought it was fried well but there wasn't too much prawns taste, especially when comparing with Bubba Gump's prawns. The slightly tangy and spicy mayo was very good however and overall could be even more balanced! 6.5/10
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Beer Battered Cod and Chips with Tartar Sauce -This is again the smaller version, but I was a little baffled by the fact that these carried a bread crumbs like external, rather than a real batter coating which is smoother and fried batter like. The tartar/tartare sauce was a bit lacking in pickles and eggs taste too. I think they could really improve on this dish as a Beer Battered Fish and Chips dish is how everyone judges British pub food these days! It could also do with some mushy peas infused with mint, and a better tartar sauce! 6/10
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Organic Beef Burger with Hot English Mayonnaise, Tomato Chutney w Chips -The chips were really good and hot fluffy. The burger bun had a cheesy top, which was also unique and delicious. The beef patty became the centre of a debate subject - it carried too little grill marks and caramelization and looked a bit pale, like it was cooked on too-low a heat.
On the other hand, the beef taste was quite excellent and appreciated. All they need to do is darken it a bit more on the surface which shall give it that extra flame-grilled aroma.
6.9/10
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Confit Duck Leg with Braised Lentils and Jus -At only $188 a pop this is good value for money, as the duck confit was cooked really spot on well and the lentils absorbed the duck jus, making this a very complete dish in harmony! The duck skin was slightly crispy and overall wasn't too salty or dried, it was very well balanced. The dish of the night for me. 8.5/10
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Indian Chicken Bhuna - Served with Rice, Naan, Raita and Chutney -Dickens Bar has always been famous for their curries and curry buffets. With the recruitment of an Indian Chef looking after this department they are into safe hands here.
Importing in exotic ingredients such as Indian black salt to cook their curries, curries are an essential staple in any British pub but you can't seemingly find it much in other places except The Chinnery, the saffron rice is nice and fluffy here with a decent herbs and spices taste. The Chicken Bhuna is tender and can be cooked even more richer to bring out its best! 7/10
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Lemon and Lime Tart with Limoncello Sorbet and Roasted Macadamias - This came looking surprisingly smart in presentation for a Gastro Pub's dessert, and at $68 sounded like a bargain. The slightly alcoholic Limoncello sorbet was fantastic and a novelty. The Lemon Tart's pastry crust is the thinner type, and the lemon and lime curd was refreshing yet balanced. A good tart indeed and more curd like than some others in town. 7/10
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Chocolate Slice with Strawberry Compote and Frangelico Cream - Another promising recipe on paper, and it turned out to be even better than the tart above. The chocolate slice was truffle-cake like in texture and rich enough in chocolate flavours. It worked with the strawberry compote. I could certainly do with more of that Frangelico cream !! 8/10
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The Beer selection was fantastic for Hong Kong's pub standards. The Food recipes are approachable but modernised British pub grub and quite promisin, although some of the described flavours weren't too apparent in the end result, but we will have to re-try some dishes at the normal portions to know. Thanks for the Invitation indeed, and we look forward to receiving quality British gastro pub food in the future, and many more great curries!
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- great if you like curry; kind of terrible if you don't 
There's chicken curry, fish curry (although mostly just potatoes..), beef curry, vegetables curry. There are also some naan and papadaum, and of course some chutney and different sauces on the side. There was also some sauteed veggies and a very brief salad bar that's needless to mention. Some de...
