mariamanila's Profile

It's been almost a little more than a year since i first visited Ba Sushi in Wan Chai. I have never been a fan of eating Japanese food - particularly sushi. As I have always been afraid to eat something raw. But then my cousin and his wife had a little welcome surprise for me - to eat in a Japanese restaurant (which I may say at that time a BIG NO in my to do list in HK). So it goes i have no choice but to try and see for myself, or despair and be hungry for the night. The first bite. It was like, oh my why I haven't eaten Japanese food before? I have been missing it all the time. Ba Sushi, was the place - and thank goodness it has been good enough to satisfy my pallette.Anyway, I had visited Ba last Tuesday night. Very much a nice time to visit - as the place was not crowded (as perhaps it's winter time - most of the people would opt for hotpot andnoodles). Now let's recall what we ate for dinner.California Maki :) is a staple every time we order, for people who just wanted to taste a little of the rawness intwined with some seasoned fresh cucumbers - this would be enough.I personally love the one with the sesame seeds instead of those with red cavils. But hey it's a give away price i guess, just 18 dollars for six rolls. Grilled Tuna Roll a first try for me - and as always this place never fails to amuse me. I love the way their sauce kicks of the tuna blended with smoky effect of the grill. Plus the crisp weed wraps just makes this sushi roll one of my favorites. Aroung 26 dollars i for a serviing.Salmon Roll with avocado tastes nothing special. But could be a filler for that empty stomach. Avocado wasn't that recognizable in each bite.Beef Udon Could be a little bit oily at times, but who cares - udon is so much better with all the moisture it needs. The sauce is well enough to boost your appetite and their green servings are just enough. A bowl could be shared by two - at most three pax.Be sure to always ask for a refill of the hot tea. As it compliments well with their food.…Read More

It's been a running joke among my collegues to have somebody treat us to Freshness Burger - as the name of the burger joint is really intresting - it suggests us to Be Fresh! However, as we have always opted other restaurants (or burger joints for that matter) we have never get the chance to go together.Anyway, I took the liberty to try it for myself one saturday afternoon. After a buzzling walk around CWB I asked my friend to join me for some to go treats. Just like what Japanese burgers are famous of - I'd like the juicy taste of the meat married with the rich thick sauce of tomatoes and herbs. I've ordered a set of Freshness Burger, criss-cross fries and some orange juice. Everything was wrapped in paper take aways - though it was a suprise that the whole package was only handed over to me in a big plastic white bag. They could use some more greener options - dump the plastic and be green.Okay, so let's dig in to what I have in my take away bag. I got to taste first the criss-cross fries as it's an easy access and no frizz while eating. Potato texture was just enough - not to mushy and the crispness of the outer layer makes a very good potato fries experience. Now it's burger time - I grabbed the wrap and started to eat the famous burger. The size is not as big as I expect it to be (after all it costs me around a little like fifty bucks). First bite, as what I envision it to be there's the sauce - but more the sauce was pretty much everywhere. Be always ready to carry a pack of kleenex next to you for the drips. The meat was a little juicy - but not as I hope it would be. The thick tomato slice sometimes slips as you go for another bite. Little bit disappointed with the burger, as previous Japanese burgers I tasted just had the right juicyness and moisture of the sauce entwined.Oh well, then I might say I have tried it. But not so much I will return again and again to have some buns and pieces.…Read More

It's no wonder that most people love to see chefs and alike prepare food in front of them. Perhaps it's the amusement and the excitement to taste it afterwards knowing that it was especially made for you. But here in Pepper Lunch they're giving a different kind of experience - they just prepare it and you then do it your way; as they say sizzle it your way.I first visited PL in Langham Place in Mongkok, the experience was great; so upon hearing that PL will open a site in Tai Koo is more than a happy place to be for afternoon lunch or late dinner. Anyway, let's dig in the sizzlers you could try: 1. Beef Pepper rice - Beef strips smothered in sizzling butter (i know not so good if your watching out those calorie count). But the thinly stripped misonno-styled is indeed hard to resist. Aside from being affordable (compare to other meal choices) - it's basically a staple and a no-brainer choice i guess. As fas as I could count with my visits - meat was consistently juicy and fresh with just the right amount of servings to beefed up your appetite. Is also a good combination with there garlic something sauce.2. Salmon Pepper rice - Not so much of a beef lover? Then this pick could worth your try. Though i strongly suggest upon receving your hotplate order to settle down and enjoy the flipping back and forth the fish cuts as it may have a tendency to stick to your hot plate - as you wouldn't want it to happen. (We still want to maintain the chunkness of those salmon cuts into perfect pink-orange complexion). But on the other side - this dish may not compliment your palate if your in a more strong deep tastes - as I could remember this dish is not as good as I expect it to be. Fish is little bit dried up - and should I say it's only the pepper i could really taste. But perhaps i just got the last stocks of the day so I wasn't satisfied.3. Chicken Pepper rice - My friend had tried this set just for us to have the variations. Pretty chunks of chicken, be sure to have enough sauce. And as this is chicken - I trully suggest to cook it thoroughly no red part please.4. Most of all ask for the Russian Borscht to be included in your set menu. I might say it's one of the best fast-food/lunch set Russian Borscht I've tasted. The sweetness and sourness of the tomato entwined with the basic herbs is so much of a comfort food. But they could use a little dash of starch to make it a little thicker.Just one note: it's usuall for PL to have long queues as you wait for your order. As it's made only upon your payment. (The waiting is the downside, but knowing it's cooked fresh is an upper.)Overall, Pepper Lunch is a great deal - and you'll enjoy the doing the sizzling experience. …Read More

Thirsty and stressed out of the buzzling people out of the MTR? Or probably just had the long walk and shopping (window shopping could be)? Then thank goodness that with just a 10 dollar or a little bit more your thirst will be quenched. With a wide variety of choices from tea drinks, hot or iced coffee shots, creme based whips (Mousse Spins) and of course the all time favorite Lemon Series.May it be a hot scorching summer day, or just one gloomy rainy day - it seems like Happy Lemon would just be enough to make you smile again.I personally recommend the Lemon Honey Juice ^^…Read More

I'd still remember the Coming Soon sign in WTC for Mamma Mia's next site - i was so ecstatic and jumped a couple of times - my friend kept on laughing at me. But you see I think it's the first time there'll be a Hong Kong island branch for them (as far as to my source tells me). Hooray for this new cozy store Aside from the guilt-free gelato choices; Mamma Mia has always been inventive as regards to their gelato offerings. But what's more interesting is you could have a first taste of the flavors you seem interested with. Not satisfied? Then you could always ask to try on the next on line. Compare to other gelato offers in the 'hood Mamma Mia surely gives a knocked-off price and still the same great taste. Twenty dollars for a single scoop - but if I may suggest go for the double for an additional of 8 dollars ($28) - as a scoop wouldn't be enough.The following are the top flavors I suggest:1. Blueberry cheesecake - if you're a cheesecake lover then this is a must try. I might say I was never fond of cheesecakes but after a recommendation from my officemate - then it has always been in my list.2. Mangoesteen - A seasonal fruit from the south - I'd still remember after summer days here in Manila when Mangoesteen was such a favorite. Then finding some sorbet that houses this seasonal fruit would really be splendid at times you miss it. It's creamy and the distinct taste of the fruit is unforgettable.3. Cookies and Cream - Just a simple twist of vanilla and dashes of cookies. But hey it's creamy, got try it.4. Pineapple - Hahaha you might say i really love fruits - well that's the fun here in Mamma Mia's - most of it's flavors are fruits in ice cream. Pineapple flavor is just splendid enough to taste like the fruit's slush.5. Yakult - Yes, YAKULT - the lactobacilli drink. The child's and even adult's drink has it's own version of gelato. I just really wonder how they make it - a whole barrel of yakult perhaps, or just some flavors. But it's worth a try.Try to visit, after a long shopping day in the lane. ^^…Read More