Lily & Bloom

If you are spending your night hunting for food and/or drink in LKF, you know that you are going to have a very difficult time choosing between the just-way-too-many choices in this very middle of the soho area. With Lily and Blooms being one of those situated in this competitive upmarket area, you bet that their food, ambience and service are something top of the notch.You know how it is like, just another long day from work, and just another typical night that you and your co-workers are in desperate need to treat yourselves nicely just to stay sane. And tonight we decided to dine in this highly featured western restaurants in LKF.You can pretty much tell the concept behind Lily and Bloom the moment you walked into the restaurant, the vintage fittings, heavy use of the wood elements and classic furniture pretty much yell old ‘Murica at you. And the food you asked? The food is just as definitive as their ambience.Appetizers: Cedar River Beef TartareMade with just the most tender beef, local quail egg, homemade wasabi aioli and served with crispy beef jerky. The integrity of every single ingredient is simply treated in the most respectful way. With the subtle sweetness and sourness in the sauce combined with the touch of exoticness with the wasabi, you can almost taste the freshness of the beef being accentuated in the best imaginable way.Main: Grain-fed beef rib-eye with spiced friesRequested medium as this is a large 400g steak and it was cooked just to perfection, slightly charred, crispy surface wrapping your juicy interior with the marble cooked just right enough to melt, which, as a matter of fact, not all of the so-called steakhouses nowadays could do properly. Could not lie about my slight disappointment on the fact that grain-fed beef though…at this kind of price range you would be way happier if grass-fed beef would be used. But overall the hunk of meat will justify its price tag just because it was processed this well.…Read More

A happy birthday dinner must includes laughter & free conversation. This is a perfect place for 9 people to talk freely & laugh freely......because it's quite noisy! The restaurant located at the 5th floor below the bar, the loud music from the bar covered our voice & indirectly concealed our conversationI used openrice to book the table & its convenient. The services of the restaurant were good. Originally we thought the food was typical American but turned out to be sophisticated.My lobster was just right & the meat remained tender. The sauce was creamy & tasted good.The aged grilled Steak was so soft. Totally different from usual American style restaurant which is out of our expectations.Of course, a dinner could not ended without dessert. The so call “ultimate” ice cream actually not very “ultimate”. It's actually a small banana boat.Overall the atmosphere was nice & relaxing. Price was not exceptionally high for dinning at LKF. Just the bill for Sparkling Water ($540) was a little bit over when compared with one dozen of oyster ($465)! But talked freely with friends & laughed without hesitation was priceless!…Read More

“What we should remember, in all the push and shove, is Christmas is a time to love”From hymn Christmas is the time for love, MaranathaChristmas, just like the Chinese New Year in Chinese tradition, is the most important festival in Western culture. Relatives are all gathered in a house and have a nice dinner together. They eat, chat and laugh together. This is not just simply a dinner, this is a dinner full of warmness and love.For celebrating Christmas, I took my beloved one to Lily & Bloom(though it was a bit too early to celebrate it in Mid-Nov). Spending 10-15 mins to find the restaurant, we arrive to this elegant restaurant. The inner design is so westernized: a long bar table with seafood on the side for the customers to chit-chat, eat and drink, a big wine glass stand for holding the wine glass, red tiles wall, elegant lights and some “windows” at the roof. It seemed that you were in a big house. Of course, to echo with the restaurant’s name, the owner put a lot of dehydrated flower decoration in the restaurant. With the dimmer light, the restaurant become a good place for chatting.For food, the restaurant offered food which is quite special. Therefore, what we picked are new for me:Cedar River Beef Tartare $140It included wasabi aioli, fresh lime and beef “chips”. The beef is a bit raw in outlook, but by mixing with the wasabi aioli and lime, it tasted fresh and soft. The chip was crispy and if you put the beef on top of it, the taste was quite matched.Bloom Cesar $ 95With soft spa egg, espelette casar dressing and focaccia, the taste was not bad.Old fashioned Bloomberg-er $295It was one of the special dishes of the night. It included the dry aged wagyu beef patty, truffle aioli, cheddar and bacon and fries. The size is big and the cheddar and bacon were very thick. However, it was not too dry and still a little bit juicy. The fries were not oily and obviously hand cut, because they were not of one shape and size.Steak Frites $345Rib-eye steak was big in size. However, it was not as juicy as the beef tartare. Even though, what make this dish special is the house daikon sauce. The taste was unique and we could not figure how the sauce was made of (even the waitress didn’t want to tell us as it was a secret!)Bloom Mac n’ Cheese $80Mixed with four cheese sauces and truffle butter, the dish was full of cheese taste and I thought it was a bit over.Return of the Halo Fries$70Fries with freshly shaved parmesan and truffle oil, they were the best fries among three.Ice cream sundae(dessert of the set dinner that night)There were two different ice cream: caramel and vanilla. With chocolate cookie crumble and sauce, the taste was not just sweet.Yellow Peach Crepes(dessert of the set dinner that night)Maybe peach was not my favorite, the taste was not as attractive as I think. However, its outlook was marvelous.What a meal! With a glass of cocktail, we chatted for a long time. Sometime, love is simple. Love is, to share and spend time with your loved one. That’s LOVE.Christmas is the time to LOVE!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!…Read More

在中環工作了好一段時間，但一直未有到過蘭桂坊晚飯，這次友人突意為我找來一間環境氣氛超浪漫的餐廳，讓我放鬆一下心情，好好享受這種異國風情哇～環境靚得實在令我驚訝，餐廳內有吧枱及梳化位置，一盞盞的吊燈、一張張咖色皮製梳化，內裡還有一個較圍隱秘的位置，在高高的樓底下更顯高貴。還有餐廳內所擺設的裝飾，最令我難忘的絕對是一座座為配合店名「bloom」而設的巨大乾花～Bread［分數：7.5/10］點餐過後，侍應就為我們送上一條軟包及黑醋橄欖油。麵包份量足之外，特別之處是麵包放於紙袋內呈上，不怕弄髒雙手，感覺貼心。麵包表面帶少許微脆，內裏鬆軟非常，還帶麵粉香，沾一過黑醋提味，味道更香，不過若麵包條可多添一點香草，感覺完美Shades of Grape $130［分數：6.5/10］不竟是間酒吧，怎樣也要叫點酒品扮扮high-class,不過始終不太善於喝酒，為免喝醉還是要兩杯cocktail比較好。友人所點的是Shades of Grape，由grapes, white wine, hennessy vsop, elderflower, ginger & celery 所組合而成。試了一口，提子味不太突出，可能是混入了芹菜的關係，感覺有點橄欖味似的，感覺一般Snicker's Old Fashioned $150［分數：7/10］而我就要了一杯Snicker's Old Fashioned，當中有snickers infused michter's, vanilla demerara及chocolate bitters，由於看到vanilla及chocolate感覺甜甜的吸引非常。但試過一口後. . .發現跟想像的有所不同，朱古力味不濃，反而有著話梅味，不過甜度較友人那杯甜一點，但感覺酒精濃度蠻高呢Cedar River Beef Tartare $140［分數：9/10］前菜方面就分別點了Cedar River Beef Tartare & Bloom Caesar，雖然量少，但製作精美用料特別，即使連醬汁及伴碟也做得一絲不苟的，當中有mustard aioli, fresh herds and capers, smoky red pepper Sauce & crispy shallots。圓圓扁扁的他他上放上了沙律菜，而旁邊一小埋的就是炸洋蔥。他他入口綿綿的，充滿了牛肉香，再配上芥末醬味道就更豐富了，吃了數口後再吃點香脆的洋蔥條，令整個感覺不會太過單調，非常好吃Bloom Caesar $ 95［分數：8.5/10］另外還要了一客凱撒沙律，沙律同樣足料，大大只表面一劃即破的溫泉蛋，大量的麵包脆粒及芝士片。劃破蛋黃，橙黃色的蛋汁慢慢流出，跟沙律菜拌混再吃，感覺又香又滑。然而麵包烤得又香又脆，芝士味道夠香濃，再配上新鮮的沙律菜及醬汁同吃，感覺開胃Old Fashioned Bloomberg-er $295［分數：8/10］一向愛吃漢堡，來到這裡仍然想要試一下巨大的漢堡，內裡的漢堡扒還可自行決定生熟程度，由於友人怕血水，所以就選了7成熟。漢堡內還夾有車打芝工、煙肉、蔬菜及𩃭露醬。漢堡還附有大量的手切薯條，薯條夠脆，薯味豐富，整個份量實在多得一位女士未必能夠全部吃完呢！Old Fashioned Bloomberg-er $295漢堡扒用上了dry aged wagyu beef patty，到網上翻查，dry aged的意思大概是把牛肉放到一個控制了溫、濕度的風乾櫃內15-28天，令牛肉失去水份，繼而肉汁會濃縮於肉內，加上部分纖維被分解了，肉質還會變得更加鮮嫩。漢堡的外層相對硬身，但能做到外脆內軟的感覺，切開漢堡就能清楚看到內裡紅潤的肉質，入口外層香口，而內裡則牛味香濃，感覺特別。至於其餘的配料，味道同樣不錯，大大片的半融芝士，加上乾身脆面的煙肉，不論是味道還是質感上也能滿足到愛口感的我，不過友人就覺得煙肉有點稍為過硬了Steak Frites $ 345［分數：8/10］另一主菜是炭燒400日穀飼肉眼扒，大大塊的牛扒擺放在木板我正中位置，送來時已聞到陣陣扒香了！牛扒同樣配有大量的手切薯條，不同的是薯條灑上了黑椒微粒,入口帶微辣,雖然令熱氣度大大提升，但同時令香口度同時大幅增加。木板的左右兩方放有兩款由店方自製的醬料aikon sauce & bloom ketchup，daikon sauce的味道跟燒烤醬有點相似，但由於內藏蘿蔔蓉,所以調度較高，至於自製茄醬感覺甜度低一點而茄味就更濃郁了Steak Frites $ 345［分數：8/10］牛扒同樣要了7成熟，底面也燒至一層焦面，帶微脆口感，而內裡肉質嫩紅，肉汁豐富,雖然經已7成熟，但入口不會過韌或過o鞋，細膩下富肉香，連同邊位少量的脂肪同吃，味道就更香了，若嫌味道有點單調，還可沾一點daikon sauce 提味，沾上後為表面增加了濕潤感外同時亦能突顯了烤肉的味道，不過由於硬為喜歡原汁原味,所以還是比較喜歡只放一些己鹽巴直接吃就好了The ultimate Ice Cream Sundae $95［分數：7.5/10］甜品方面看到新地內所包含的甜食種類蠻多的，有salted caramel ice-cream、banana sorbet、vanilla ice-cream、chocolate cookie crumble、hot fudge & caramel sauce，一共5種，每樣也能試試就最適合我們了~Salted caramel ice-cream入口順滑,但鹹度比相像中的要高，反而焦糖味不太突出。還是首次吃到Banana sorbet，入口少了冰涼口感，但香蕉味頗濃的，感覺特別。Vanilla ice-cream相對普通，沒甚麼特別。Chocolate cookie crumble 是整個甜品內我最喜歡的一項，朱古力味香濃之餘，入口質感鬆軟，沒有一般brownie的飽膩感，即使吃得飽飽也不怕~至於大大塊的hot fudge ，口感脆脆的，但少了濃濃的牛油香，有點可惜...Lily & Bloom (中環)中環蘭桂坊雲咸街33號LKF Tower 5樓及6樓∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼∼總消費：$ 1,400味道：8/10環境：9.5/10服務：8.5/10衛生：8/10抵食：7/10…Read More

The only impression that I have for LKF before this meal was bars, bars, and bars    However Lily & Bloom, located right at the heart of LKF, offers otherwise. The staff are well-mannered and greeted me nicely upon my arrival As I stepped into the restaurant, I was attracted by the use of grayish tone in the infrastructure and deem light that make the bright candles along the corridor very eye catching. There were quite a bit of diners in the restaurant for a weekday night I was lead to the sofa zone in the restaurant. The restaurant is not particularly large in area but a spacious feeling is felt by the extension to the upper floor. The glass decoration on the upper floor and the inclusion of the large wine glass rack create a roomy environment. I particularly like the large wine glass , it is hanged on the ceiling and it glimmers as the light reflects on the wine glasses. What I like about Lily & Bloom is that candles are everywhere! The candles on the tables, together with the dim light, create a romantic feeling in the restaurant. The restaurant provided a cozy and relaxing environment for me even before the dinner has begun. Buccaneer's BrewThe cocktail that I had before the dinner was Buccaneer's Brew. It is a mixture of cold dripped coffee and rum. The staff first explained thoroughly on the process of making cold brew coffee and how it works well with rum   I am not a particular alcohol lover but I quite like the mixture of the taste of coffee and rum as I tried it. The bitterness from the coffee binds well with the sweetness of rum. A very nice cocktail before the meal Cedar River Beef TartareThe dish is presented with an egg yolk surrounded by greens placed nicely on the tartare. The mustard aioli is beautifully drawn on the dish with crispy shallots and smoky red pepper sauce surrounding the tartare  The herbs add some fragrance to the dish which make it more aromatic. The tartare is cold while the cripsy shallots is a bit warm, they complement well with each other. The crispy shallots add a bit of crush as I had the shallots and tartare together. The yolk is oozy and adds silkiness to the tartare as well  As I enjoyed the dish, the tartare itself is fragrant and its smell intensifies as it is dipped with the mustard aioli and smoky red pepper sauce. A bit of heat is felt when having the tartare. This is the first time I have had beef tartare with egg yolk and it tastes very delicious. The egg yolk coats all the ingredients together and makes the mouthful pack with flavor. A very high quality appetizer Steak FritesA classic dish that is served in many restaurnats. As usual I ordered a medium rare for the steak as I like a bit of tenderless from the cut Instead of placing the food on a plate, the rib-eye and the bowl of fries are placed on a wooden board alongside with two little cups of sauce to create a rustic feel. The staff explained how the fries were made. Unlike normal fries that only have saltiness, these fries are coated with pepper immediately after they are fried. The rib-eye has its natural flavor with salt and pepper as seasoning on it. The bloom ketchup gives a bit of heat to the rib-eye while the house daikon sauce delivers a layer of sweetness to it. The rib-eye is really nicely grilled with charcoal marks on it. It is succulent, juicy and full of flavor. Most important of all it is not overcooked  Nothing worse when a medium rare steak is cooked to well done Short Rib Mac n' CheeseThe dish smelt nice but it was a bit too heavy to have this dish after finishing the beef tartare and steak  I was quite full by the time I had this dish already. Nonetheless, the short rib tastes delicious and overall it is quite nice Crepes with peachThe first dessert was crepes with peach, almonds, and ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce. The ice cream and slices of peach were quite sweet. The caramel sauce is the highlight of this dish. I like the saltiness that is hidden in the caramel sauce which balances perfectly well with the sweetness in other ingredients   Sundae Ice cream is the ultimate indulgence for everyone, including me  There are ice cream scoops, cream, and cherry in this delicious dessert. I especially like the cruchy bits that go with the sundae, they provide another texture to this dessert. I couldn't help but to finish everything inside!!!…Read More

享用了一頓一級的晚宴。很想推介給各食家，但又很懶惰不想寫一篇冗長的文章去介紹，新進食家又只可以 post十二張相，選擇困難。躊躇了兩週，終於“的”起心肝下筆，去片！！之前已很想試一試Bloom. 知道它最近加入了超級星期一，立刻訂檯去食晚飯。去到經侍應生介紹，先知道Bloom逢星期一二晚飯時段只需$175的價錢便可品嚐九種不同的氣酒，白酒及紅酒。席中有酒鬼朋友，當然不會放過這個機會豪飲一番。先來的麵包是暖暖的連袋子一齊上(因限額擱置相片）。吃完第一輪女侍應還問我們要不要添加麵包，很是窩心...因為有九款酒要試，我們亦按用餐次序先來氣酒打頭陣…叫了三道頭盤，之後亦一拼送來。友朋享用了蝦頭，說很脆很好吃。我就試了底下的蝦肉漬物，混合了龍蝦跟椰汁的獨特味道，先把味蕾刺激一下。單看菜名不知是甚麼，其實是很開胃的頭盤。鴨胸伴著芒果肉，中間夾着一種植物，之後先知是一種叫parsnip的植物，又叫歐洲蘿蔔。一看便知是生牛肉他他，賣相很精美，牛肉很新鮮。旁邊伴著牛油果蓉，很適合與薄脆一齊享用。下次有機會可把牛肉他他與牛油果混在一起去吃，試一下口味夾不夾。寫意地吃著頭盤時，已經喝著白酒去。是時候主菜上場，件件都份量十足。T骨羊扒伴risotto.此道菜叫了兩客，相片是某中一客的三份二份量。羊扒熟度剛好，沒有太大的羶味。穀飼肉眼。牛扒沒有贅肉，very juicy.是今晚的亮點菜。黑毛豬排。來了兩件應該屬於不同部位的豬排。個人覺得豬腥味太濃，未必人人受得了。吃紅肉要伴紅酒，今晚濃淡味都品嚐過，不經不覺人都 high 了起來。到了甜品時間，人雖已經飲飽食醉，但做人要有始有終，難得來大吃大喝，當然不能放過甜品。香蕉燒過後，伴著金寶碎與sorbet一起吃，層次豐富，非常滿意的一道甜品。之前剛抵餐廳未點菜時女侍應先拿了一塊粉筆板介紹了當日的特別菜，這道甜品是當日的推介。其實只是伴著巧克力及雲呢拿醬一同吃的粉團。作為是日推介有點失望。綜合整頓晚宴，水準還是高水平的。最值得讚賞的是當晚試了八款酒。侍應生不停的換酒杯都絕對沒有手軟及給面色，服務水平非常專業。值得一讚。…Read More