InnInn's Profile

The menu attracted my attention as I was shopping around Harbour City. The thick creamy soup paired with cherry udon offered the best comfort food if you’re craving something hot and savoury. The flavour is fine, not mind blowing, but it definitely fulfills the comforting part for a meal! We ordered the curry and miso flavoured udon, along with their chicken wing mountain and tempera. Portion size standard, loving the snacks and would definitely return for seconds. The overall take is that it’s a nice homey restaurant with a nice view of a cruise ship (originally the ocean). Seating is decent and spacious enough for HK standards. …Read More

As Sai Kung has become the next "hot weekend destination" for families looking to get away from the city hustle and bustle, my friend started researching for new hip restaurants to explore in the area. I personally have been living in SK for over 6 years and have come to adore the restaurant scene here - the turnover rate is still frequent but we believe Bones & Blades is here to stay for the long run!I had a party of 4pax and we made reservations ahead of time - upon arrival, we discovered that there was outdoor seating in the back so smokers are welcomed. It was the first time we visited this restaurant and I must say the service was amazing. The manager Jessica was friendly and outgoing, and our party just felt so welcomed! We hung out, chitchatted and was even recommended an off the menu steak for sharing plus a series of sides that included freshly cased sausage from that morning! Jessica showed us a video of how the sausage was made and how their leading butcher designed the flavors herself, and we definitely didn't regret a single item we ordered that night. The atmosphere was great, and since we were seated outdoors, there was much more freedom and flow of fresh air (very important during this day and age of COVID dining). Seating was comfortable and there was enough room to fit 6pax at our table.The first to arrive was the beef tartar - since I don't favor raw proteins, my friends were the one who commented saying the bread was toasted to a crispy perfection and the tartar was full of rich flavors.Next was one of my favorites - the pate which came with crispy toast and fried garlic crisps. It was so rich and fragrant that we had to order a second helping of bread to finish the plate (the server as  extremely nice and catered to our hungry hungry hippo demands). This is a MUST TRY and great appetizer if you're looking to share with a large group.Then came the pork belly which was nice and crunchy on the outside and slightly soft on the inside. It was a tad too crispy for me but that's only my personal preference as I like pork belly super soft. It's very well seasoned and the aioli dipping sauce was to die for. We were almost full by then with the appetizers when the freshly cased sausage arrived (we soldiered through)! The texture was softer than I imagined but exploding with rich flavors. The manager  would visit our table every so often to ask for our opinions, and we actually engaged in a nice little discussion on the amount of heat should go into each link to make the flavors pop even more  - she really knows her food and we can feel the heart she has in her staff, chef, butcher, and restaurant as a whole.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to post any steak photos because we basically devoured it upon arrival - our cameras didn't make it to capture the gorgeous moment. But I can say, it was a perfect cook at medium rare, super juicy with a great bite. We paired it with a bottle of wine and that's when the party began.We were stuffed but couldn't leave without a nice dessert. We opt for the lava cake, but unfortunately it was sold out so we ordered the Cookies and Cream which was soft, gooey, and oh so delicious! We took a shot and asked Jessica whether there was ice-cream and she graciously offered us vanilla a la mode on the house - it was the perfect pairing to a lovely evening.  NO REGRETS with the cookie and cream at all!I think by the end of the evening, we were chatting with everyone including the server (Rock/Rocky) and the dining experience was just unforgettable. I will definitely visit again with friends and see if we can secure the outdoor area for any private gatherings.Lastly, the whole bill was approx. $500-600 per person which wasn't bad at all for the amount of food and wine we ordered (remember, we ordered the off the menu steak as well) so I would recommend this restaurant to anyone if you're exploring Sai Kung or the area!…Read More

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a post but this new restaurant really surprised me with the love they put in their food - so it’s a must share with all y’all OpenricersBully Base attracted my attention because of its hard rock, dark interior, which looks really cool showcasing a super “Harley-like” motorcycle and decor - seating is comfy and spacious so it’s on my list for my next happy hour destination once they start serving alcohol. We ordered their famous “Bully Fries” which are super long crunchy fries covered with mustard and ketchup, and it really lived up to the name - it stayed “bully crispy” even until the very end! (Best bar snack ever if you’re planning on sharing a booze with friend here to just chill) Next we had the Chili Dog which wasn’t bad, but the sausage could’ve been grilled slightly long - this us of course, only my own personal preference, because a proper hot dog shouldbe slightly charred with that juicy BBQ factor!Lastly, which completely sold me was the “single-boned crispy wings” which was an accidental find (originally I wanted the burger but someone persuaded me to get the wings instead)! When you think single boned wings, most often you’ll think the the wing is “cut in half” but NO - the wings here are “whole wings” with only a “single-bone” inside! I had to ask the owner “how” because I couldn’t stop devouring this crispy piece of delicious-ness, and the lovely couple said they remove the bone every night (not an easy process) so that these wings are meatier and juicier with every bite! (Note - the flavour of these crispy wings are buttery garlic dashed with parsley so the flavouring is heaven on its own) Yap, I’m in love with these wings now and will definitely come back for more. The owners seems really cool, the place is comfy, and I really enjoyed my lunch here with the chilled atmosphere. I mean, we don’t have much of these spots in Sai Kung, so am super glad there’s one now!FYI - price is avg, and am excited to see what happy hour deals they offer in the future! …Read More

Had the most hectic morning at work and decided to treat myself to something nice for lunch (for a change). I called up a close friend and and she recommended this restaurant inside the new hotel “Tuve” that just opened not long ago in Tin Hau.I didn’t know what to expect especially in Tin Hau where it’s laden with crowded local eats and restaurants, especially when I was looking forward to some place quiet before heading back to work. :)Surprisingly, I was blown away when I arrived--the design alone was captivating in its simplicity.This lofty chic restaurant stood out in comparison to the busy Hong Kong street of Tsing Faat Rd. It was nice and spacious with only a few tables and soothing lounge music playing in the background. My friend and I even had a bit of fun searching for the "hotel" and "restaurant" name as there weren't any signs of them anywhere. According to the restaurant manager, this was part of the design created by the hotel owner to portray art at its minimalist form. I liked the idea and it really made me bow my head and search for them (see if you can find the names when you visit the restaurant next time).  I arrived at around 12:00pm (quite early for lunch if I must say so myself) and was able to get a table immediately with my friend. The service was pleasant as we ordered 1 of each of the set lunch menus.The Lunch Pasta Course is $120 and the Lunch Main Course is $200 with both including soup/salad, a main, and coffee/tea. Dessert is $20 extra but we didn't order any because we were stuffed by the end. The Seasonal Salad was gorgeous and refreshing dressed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I especially enjoyed the large cuts of buffalo mozzarella cheese that incorporated the salad together with the right amount of texture.To be honest, I was never a huge fan of seafood but the minestrone soup was surprisely one of the most fragrant seafood soups I've ever tasted. It doesn't have any seafood in it but it incorporated the richness and flavors of the sea--shrimp and lobster. This is a must try if you visit the Silver Room! I quite enjoyed the spaghetti aglio e olio tossed with shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini. It's one of those simplier pastas that isn't over dressed or greasy, and still manages to carry out a delicious flavor. Even though the spaghetti itself lies in between a tad undercooked to al dente, I devoured the whole dish and was craving for seconds after. My friend ordered the seabass with clams and it was quite an authentic Italian dish--one of the most flavorful dish from Silver Room so far. The fish was dressed in a lemony anchovy sauce with olives and cilantro giving it a tangy but fragrant taste. I especially adored the clams because it wasn't overcooked and had that juicy sweet taste when you bite into it (yes, the texture is a HUGE factor for me because you have no idea how many restaurants overcook their clams).  After the whole meal, I was craving a nice cup of quality coffee (especially when I needed the caffine to go you back to work) so I ordered that instead of the complimentary tea. As a hardcore coffee drinker, I really love a good cup of Joe and this one was amazing because it wasn't the generic kind. It was aromatic and had that rich creamy texture which was extremely satisfying after a long morning. I even asked the manager what roast it was and he said it was a Columbian roast with 15% Robusta beans which from my experince, has a less acid and more bitter taste (just the way I like it). Finally, if you're an artsy person or just appreciate a good design, remember to check out the lofty and rustic features of Silver Room--especially the dark and chic washroom at the back of the restaurant. The secret garden facade via the corridor is really an incredible contrast to the whole restaurant itself which is mostly "silver" themed. Overall, I really enjoyed my lunch here. It was quiet, comfortable (tables are far apart), great service, and most of all, authentic Italian cuisine. The whole bill was $320 + 10% for 2 people, so if you'r ever in the mood for something fancy in Tin Hau, this would be a nice place to start. …Read More

I woke up in the morning (on the right side of bed) wanting to just spend the whole Saturday exploring new places in HK--and that was exactly what I did. I travelled a bit around Sai Kung for a beautiful day at the beach (with my date Mr. Sun) until the early afternoon before I headed off to Central pier and randomly chosed a place I've never been to--Mui Woh at Pier 6. :)Mui Woh is known for its long strip of amazing beaches along its coasts, and all of its historical town houses within the village. You can find a lot of old Hong Kong culture in this place and I knew I had to explore them to enhance my ample knowledge of Hong Kong's geography. :)By the time arrived (approx. 40min ferry ride), I was famished because I was soaked in by the wonderful feeling of salt water in my hair and breezy chill in my face (I get hungry when I'm in Zen mode--it's normal!). I didn't bother searching or asking around for a good place to eat but instead, I saw glimsps of lights from this small western bar located just next to Mui Woh's pier in front of the ocean and headed straight for it. Without even thinking, I chosed the most outskirt table (closests to the ocean) and just helped myself to the wine and food menu. My server was a young beauty in casual and beach attire, and I fell in love with her the moment we started chatting. She was witty, nice, and attentive and when I asked for her recommendations, she didn't disappoint me.:)First of, the price was medium average, approximately $70-$100 for an appetizer and $100-$150 for a main course (at least my pizza was). The menu was filled with typical western comfort foods that goes well with beer or wine; from quesadillas, fries, nachos to burgers, pasta and pizzas, you name it, they got it (even if they don't have it, I'm sure they can create it one way or another).After chatting with my server for a bit, she recommended I try the house Chardonnay to go with the night because it was still warm and a chilled glass of soothing white wine would be perfect to go with my dinner order. The 2012 vintage Lazo chardonnay from Chili was pale gold on the eyes and had aromas of faint minerals and citris tones. It was dry, and lighter bodied than I thought on the palette with a short zesty finish--slighty acidic. It's not a bad wine compared to it's price ($240-$280 I think) and it hits the spot for the moment. (You can try a more expensive choice but in these typical bars, a more expensive pick doesn't really make much difference unless you're at a fine dine restaurant and choosing among fine wines).:)When my nachos arrived, the first thing that came to mind was how LOADED it was with salsa, chili, sour cream, guac, and cheese! I thought I saw stars and just dug in. This restaurant used tortilla chips which was PERFECT because it balances out all the other condiments (if they used Nachos, it would've been way too much flavor and salt). The only small nit-pick I may have is the melted cheddar and mozzarella that's dried and stuck to the plate--I had to use my hands to pick off the cheese even though I (100%) love to eat with my hands (most fun thing anyone can do when ordering nachos--who uses a fork anyways?). So maybe because I was starving, but this appetizer was SUPER fulfilling and comforting to a point I was almost too full to continue on with the meal.My pepporini pizza with extra pineapples was gorgeous (regular sized & they have large too for those who have a bigger belly)!  Thin crispy crust with hot melting mozzarella and a handful of my favourite pitted black olives. YUM! I had so much fun playing with the cheese and sipping my refreshing chilled Chardonnary that I basically devoured half of the pizza (don't judge me, I can eat!). To me, pizza is pizza. Unless it's specially created in a fancy Italian restaurant, just give me the regular Joe with fresh tomato sauce, lots of cheese and the toppings I like. The only part I can really comment on is the crust which China Bear hits spot on because I love thin crispy ones that doesn't go stale after 30 minutes of trying to finish the whole dish. BROWNIE POINTS for that!Overall, I had a fantastic and comforting meal with my wine and yummy (but full on fattening) food. The people, the atmosphere, the sounds of the waves, and the smell of the food flowing out of the restaurant can cause anyone to fall in love with this place. Even though I didn't finish all the dishes and the price of this meal was way over budget, I had no regrets. Just sitting there and watching people in tanks and shorts accesorized with cool shades and (rare) friendship bracelets on their hands reminded me of the sun and beach, and the purpose I love to explore and discover more of these places in Hong Kong. :) …Read More

Since it's a public holiday, I totally went spontaneous and ferried over to Lamma Island with my best friend to catch some sun and beach. Of course, after a long beautiful morning swim in the ocean, we were both famished and wanted to find a place to chill with nice cold beer, ciggies, and hearty food. I'm a super beach girl who likes to hit every beach I can find in HK, hence searching for local and down-to-earth places to dine near the beaches has become my ultimate goal. While exploring and walking barefoot in the crowds of tourist in Lamma Island, my friend and I couldn't stand it any longer (it was the Golden Weekend & there were sooooo many people:() and we stopped in front of this quaint little stone house that had pictures of their menu posted all over the front (I love that because pictures always say more than a thousand words--especially with food).However, what really caught my attention was their POUTINE! Seeing that I'm from Canada, whenever I see the word poutine, I absolutely go berserk and must try. Hence, this is how we ended up in this chill little store that only had 2-3 patrons all standing around chatting and having a good time.Surprise#2 followed really quickly after I had a nice chat with the store owner--she told me they had A&W rootbeer! A&W is a Canadian burger joint franchise and they promote themselves for their original flavour in rootbeer and GOD I haven't had one in ages.To add the strawberry on top of a perfect sundae, the SUPER DUPER nice owner said she can put soft vanilla ice cream into the rootbeer to make the ultimate ROOTBEER FLOAT I was so ecstatic I sceamed, "YES! DO IT!". Gosh! The soft velvety ice cream melted into the rootbeer made this the perfect day of my life. It was sweet and creamy and the whole thing just comes together like it was meant to be. I devoured the whole thing After we ordered, we sat at the bar table (basically a small strip right next to the sidewalk) and chilled and chat for a bit. There were a lot of tourists walking back and forth but it didn't bother my friend and I because we were very much absorbed by the comfortable and semi-private atmosphere of the restaurant. Of course, the ice cold beer also helped with the whole zen and relaxed feeling--SUPER BROWNIE POINTS FOR THAT The first dish that arrived was the chicken breast green salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing. Very down-to-earth salad because it had that stereotypical western soft, moist chicken breast (came from the freezer) with cheese on the top that matches the salad perfectly. Basically my friend and I are considered very primitive, hence we ate with our hands which made the whole dining experience even more fun. Perfect amount of dressing and lots of chicken to fill you up :)The chicken breast salad came with it's own coleslaw which was surprising because both are considered salads, but I'm definitely not complaining. Coleslaw to me is a very difficult appetizer to create because if overdressed, the whole thing becomes a mess of mayo and soggy strands of cabbage and carrots. In this coleslaw, even though it was slightly overdressed, I'm glad they didn't use pure mayo and had a mixture of other dressing as well so it didnt taste to pasty.:)The POUTINE finally arrived and I was insanely happy! Every poutine in the world is created differently and this particular one used cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella and had dark beef gravy with thick cut fries. It tasted great! Personally, I still prefer mozzarella because it gives it that fun chewy texture, but cheddar works just as nice giving the flavor a bit of zest instead. :)The star of this meal finally arrived! I had been craving the poutine all this time but didn't realize the gem was saved for last. These crunchy and steamy hot mozzarella sticks comes in 5pcs or 10pcs vintage paper bags (we chose 10pcs of course). We had so much fun with them! We basically just sat there pulling at the mozzarella sticks while the cheese stretched to arm's length and my friend and I had a competition to see who could stretch the longest piece of cheese. In the end, I think we were having too much fun and attracted a lot of people to come in, the restaurant was filled up with tourists after watching us play with our food so we had to end our dining experience short (not a super fan of crowded places). :)We didn't finish all of the poutine because their portions were HUGE, but we did manage to finish everything else and the total bill came to approximate $240 which was very decent for the amount of fun and fullness we left with. I will definitely come back here EVERYTIME when I visit Lamma Island again because it's just so peaceful and nice here. …Read More

My first time eating at Hysan and my friend chosed this Viet restaurant for a quick dinner before our badminton game. When I arrived (which was pretty late because my friends had already started eating ), the chic modern interior of this Viet restaurant already captured my attention--the black hanging lights matche with the light wooden tables & chairs really gives it a beautiful contrast. Even though I'm not sure what BB1 stands for, but even the name gives the whole deal a very fusion and young feel.When I entered, the restaurant was quite packed but our table (right in front of the entrace) was a decent size so we set pretty comfortably during this dining experience. BROWNIE POINTS for that! My friends had already ordered a 2 people dinner set that included an appetizer platter, 2 main dishes and 2 drinks. The price was decent and the portions were more than enough for 2 average adults' appetite. :)The appetizer from the set had 2 pieces of spring rolls, mussels with tomato salsa (super fusion), and Viet cold meat, accompanied by a sidedish of salad. Personal preference, I liked the spring rolls a lot because it was super crunchy even though slightly cold (since I arrived late), but it was still yummy! Recently been going on a diet so this Veggie Pumpkin Stew was perfect! Very light but the fragrant of the pumpkin was rich and fresh. This combination of whole natural greens flavoured by another fresh ingredient just made this the most refreshing dish of the night. MUST TRY! The 2 people dinner set came with tea and my friends ordered hot milk teas which I thought was alright. Nothing special about it, except that it was a bit "milky" for my taste.This curry fried noodle was the STAR of the 2 people dinner set. The boys loved it (I guess they didn't enjoy the light veggie dish as much as the girls did) and devoured the whole plate. It wasnt too spicy and it had a lot of flavours and powerful spices. If you like rich and heavy dishes, this is a pretty nice carb dish.:)Since we had 4 people and only ordered a 2 people dinner set, it wasn't enough to feed all the hungry mouths (even though we were going to play baddy after and shouldn't be eating so much in the first place..), so we ordered more food. As mentioned, the price was decent, a bit above average but the food quality matched the standard.We orderd a beef Pho and this was the coolest idea I've ever seen. Till now, I still truly think that Viet Pho's taste the best back in Canada because there are so many Vietnamese immigrants there with traditional recipes and authentic cooking techniques. Their guideline for a good Pho requires not just the flavour of the soup base, type of noodles, and the tenderness of the beef--but how HOT the soup is. So, when the server came over to our table and poured this hot, steamy soup into our Pho, I was ecstatic and immediately fell in love with the whole idea. Just watching the basil and green onions slowly wither release its aromas under the hot soup made my mouth water. The Pho itself tasted nice and the soup really kicked it up a notch. I SUPER recommend trying their Pho just because it's the closest I've seen to tasting something from back home. Last but not least, my friends ordered the Orange Glazed Duck which I liked a lot too (I'm all for sweet and sour ). It was tingy with zesty with the perfect blend of sweetness. However, if the chef could give it a kick with some contrasting spices (maybe something spicy...), then the dish could be even more vibrant and captivating (it was slightly flat from the pure orange glaze).Overall, I really enjoyed my short dining experience there. Even though it's not the "best" Viet restaurant I've tasted in HK, but it's definitely a place I would revisit if I'm around the area. Plus, the surprise effect of the Pho really made an impression on me and I would recommend this anyone who wants to try something different. :)…Read More

My friend and I were just hanging around before our game at Freeing HK the other day and we decided to sit down for a coffee. She recommended this cafe because she thinks I'll love it seeing that I'm a huge coffee lover. The reason she thinks I'll adore this place was because of their free refill for your whole dining experience, and was she ever right! At first glance, I loved the hip store front because it's located inside Miramall and the adjacent stores were all petite fashion boutiques so you could shop around after a light tea with a few friends.There wasn't a lot of patrons there either even though it was a Saturday afternoon in TST, so we didn't have to wait for a table. I was quite surprised because this restaurant was reasonably priced and the setting was perfectly chilled for young adults and hipsters--not that I'm complaining because the peace and quiet actually gave the restaurant SUPER BONUS POINTS in my books.I liked the setting and interior design of this cafe because it had a mixture of pop art and post modern decorations that really give it the style. It just makes the whole dining experience so much more fruitful when you enjoy the setting itself. :) MUST VISIT!My friend told me that this cafe was famous for its various fusion pancakes in a metal pan itself and even though I was dying to try one, I was still quite full from lunch so didn't get a chance to try. Will save this for another time :)The menu itself was pretty westernized and the choices were light and healthy. I have a feeling the health eaters and the ladies would love it here, especially when the prices are pretty decent for the quality of food they're serving. At the end, my friend and I shared the King Taco Rice because we wanted something light. BUT even though it was splattered with beautiful greens, the portion of the rice and meat was actually quite compelling and we barely finished the whole plate. It's a simple but flavourful dish and I think the best of it was the taco meat sauce (I adore Mexican by the way so I've had my fair share of tacos) which bursted with cumin, paprika and other spices. LOVE! I ordered an iced coffee and of course, I LIKED them on Facebook to get my free drink. There's nothing much to comment here because if you like coffee and chilling with friends at a cafe, you'll love this offer. Who doesn't like free refills? My friend ordered the hot coffee and it was freshly brewed from the pot (I don't really like the generic kinds where they already pre-make all the coffee and just leave it in the open for hours). She herself had 3 refills and by the end of the tea, we were bursting with caffine which fitted out day perfectly since we needed the energy to play our Freeing HK game. Overall, even though we didn't try a lot of different foods, the environment and ambience of this cafe really kicked it up a notch for us. I'll definitely remember this place when I need a place to rest or a place to just chill. :)…Read More

I saw the email promotion and knew I had to try it (all time FAN of buffets with fois gras and oysters). I've never been to Harbour Restaurant before but with the coupon, the cost was approximately $350/adult so it's too good to be true for a buffet with all my favorite foods. Just like the restaurant and download the coupon from Facebook (note: remember to print it before heading over because they actually collect the coupons).I arrived at 6:15 but the buffet starts at 6:30 so a handfull of patrons were already waiting patiently at their tables. The restaurant area was HUGE and super comfy and I even got a table next to the window facing the streets. But what was most intriguing of all was I expected a lot of people (come'on, it's a buffet with oysters and fois gras) but dinner service wasn't packed at all. A few hotel diners here and there and a handful of people visited for the buffet itself. I'm definitely not complaining because it just makes the whole dining experience so much better with less people hogging and pushing around. The service was amazing too, basically the waiter served and catered to our every whim and I basically saw waiters serving buffet food to other tables because they didn't want to get up to pick the foods themselves. :) 10 BROWNIE POINTS FOR THEM!First up, their seafood buffet was amazing. Lots of choices including Alaskan crab legs (my all time favourite), baby lobsters, whelks, crab, mussels, and so on. It was all laid out there for anyone who's craving it When I saw the oyster bar, I felt like I was in heaven because there was no waiting line and every single oyster was already opened. They replenish the oysters insanely fast so you can have your fair share without having to tackle other oyster lovers I really liked their assorted appetizers especially the elegant little fois gras pate hor d'oeurves in their bite sized plating. I had the honour of trying a bite of everything and giving the rest to my friends so they could share in on the flavour (best buffet strategy ever if you've never tried before). The waygu beef chuck was already to be served when I toured the buffet bar and it looked absolutely gorgeous (tasted amazing too) complimented with various types of sauces. Lots of different desserts, pastries, cakes, cookies and a huge chocolate fountain that can perfectly satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. I loved the chocolate fudge cake, it was soooo creamy and rich. Movenpick ice cream bar was the pick of the day. A server would scoop up any flavour you like into a cup (or onto your waffle which is what I did) and let you sprinkle whatever toppings you want. Must remember to bring an extra dessert tummy for this if you want to get the full satsifaction of this buffet. I started of with the oysters and Alaskan crab legs and first off, I must say the crab legs were the best I've ever had. They completely outshined the oysters! For one thing, the oysters were too salty (too much sea) and very crunchy which doesn't suit my palette (I adore creamy ones). My friends said the oysters were alright so I guess it depends on what type of oysters you prefer to enjoy this. However, the Alaskan crab legs were absolutely delicious because they were boiled to the perfect texture and seasoned perfectly! Out of all the crab legs I've had in buffets (mmm..let's say Mr. Steak), these were outstanding and completely FRESH. I think I ate the legs of 5 crabs in total (sorry to all the crabless legs out there). MUST TRY!Since I'm a wine lover and we were having seafood, I couldn't help but order a bottle of Chardonnay--dry, crisp, citrus note--to pair with the appetizers. Surprisingly, I would've thought ordering wine at a hotel would be expensive but it only costed around $280-$320 per bottle! I ended up ordering 2 bottles of wine to go with the whole meal because come'on, one bottle is just not enough for 4 people. I loved the lamb chops the most because it was cooked perfectly pink inside--just the way I like it--seasoned with lots of raw herbs. The fois gras itself is an all time favourite for me so I like this dish no matter what, but my friend did say he thought it was slightly cold because the cook just left it on a plate after he pan-seared it (I didn't mind, maybe because I was lucky and got all the hot pieces). The waygu beef as mentioned before was scrumptious! It had all the juices and fat that makes it super moist and full of beef aromas. Dip it with a bit of mustard and that zingy beefy flavours all explodes in your mouth. SUPER LOVE! My friends and I shared the sashimi because we were getting stuffed. The salmon was nice and it wasn't the generic kinds either--fresh with the sweet fragrant of fish. I really enjoyed it. :)The Movenpick ice cream was my dream come true! I had so much of it at one point, I brainfreezed myself. I had the server give me 4 different scoops and with the extra chocolate m&m(s) to give it the crunch, this is the perfect dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth (my favourite was the Caramelita, it's so rich and sweet)! Overall, there's a lot more dishes I haven't talked about such as their salad bar, bread and soup bar, chocolate fountain, sushi bar, and the conventional noodles, rice and hot dishes buffet. A lot of their foods were really up to par relative to the prices they were charging with the promotion. Atmosphere, environment, service, price, and food all adds up, so it's definitely a great buffet to try. NOTE: Don't try their cream soup, it was generic and tasted like they opened a pouch of soup mix and just added water. Probably the only bad comment I can think of now for thisthis dining experience. :(…Read More

I really wanted to get out of the office after a long and hectic morning, so I decided to meet up with a few friends and enjoy a nice (extravagant) lunch. My friend recommended 208 because her office is just across the street and even though I've been here a few times for "happy Hour", it was my first time dining for lunch. As usual, the restaurant was scattered with chilling patrons in their relaxed atmospheric zone and enjoying their slow lunches on fancy bar stools. It really is a wonderful feeling especially during the middle of a work day. :)I was seated at one of the tall bar stools and even though it was raining cats and dogs that day, the mood was set and everyone was ready to dive in.There were two set  lunches to choose from 1) $118 for a main entree pasta dish plus salad buffet, OR 2) the $128 pizza plus salad buffet. For just the salad buffet alone, it costed $98 but that didn't seem like the best deal in the world when you can get an extra entree for just $20 more. (Overall a lunch over $100 is pricy for me on a weekday, but sometimes you just have to treat yourself to something nice) I was so excited when I saw the salad buffet because I was starving! There were around 7-8 choices and they were constantly being refilled at a pretty decent speed. The servers were exceptionally nice (althought I might say, a bit slow but I'm alright with that in this environment). :)The first thing I attacked was the foccacia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside infused with rosemary and spices. Absolutely gorgeous (espeically when I'm a super a carb lover) I personally loved the spinach salad and chick pea even though they weren't the top picks from the look of the other patrons (I could tell because their salad buffet plates didn't really need refilling) It was flavorful and very traditional Italian cuisine created with lots of herbs and natural flavours.Of course, the proscuitto, smoked ham, and salami was the star of the buffet! When it was served at the buffet bar, the whole plate disappears within 5 minutes, but luckily for me, the servers replenished it fairly quickly. I mean if you ask me, who doesn't like proscuitto? My friend ordered the Fettuccine Pesto Genovese and honestly it's one of my favorite dishes out of the whole meal. The pesto was shockingly rich and aromatic with just enough olive oil to make the whole dish creamy. I didn't know what my friend thought at the time, but I think he wasn't too happy while I kept stealing his pasta when he wasn't looking  My other friend ordered the Pappardelle Wagyu Bolognese and it was a very saucy dish. My friend really enjoyed it because it had a lot of bolognese sauce where she can dip her foccacia into, and I thought it was very fresh and vibrant. Not a bad choice for lunch :)Unfortunately, I wanted to taste something different (even though I really wanted the Pesto) so I ordered the Rigatoni all'Amatriciana. Was I fully disappointed--I just couldn't understand why this dish was so blend and dull in comparison to the other two yummy pastas. Mainly, it tasted like canned tomato sauce poured on top of rigatoni pasta with a sprinkle of parmesan--that's it--I couldn't even taste salt or pepper. Definitely a deal breaker for me :(Overall, even though my pasta wasn't the best, I really filled myself up with the hams and salad buffet and I was stuffed to the max. The meal came with a tea or coffee and I was so stuffed I couldn't even drink it. So, if you're really hungry, have some extra cash to spend, and looking for a nice place to chill for a (fairly) long lunch, give this restaurant a try--the food is alright, but you're basically paying for the atmosphere.  …Read More

It was raining cats and dogs that day and basically my friends and I were desperately hopping around the area trying to get a table to avoid the rain. Every restaurant was super packed in this small complex village, and after careful consideration (and long waitings), we ended up at this local Chiu Chow restaurant. We waited for approximately 10 minutes before we were ushered to small table in the middle of the restaurant by one of this rowdy waiters. Again, I was surrounded by patrons just inches away from me--literally inches because the people from the next table can actually touch my arm whenever she lifted her chopsticks. Since beggars can't be choosers, so we just had to focus on the food and enjoy the meal (even though it was really REALLY packed). :( To be fair, the place smelled amazing. When you walk in, you can smell the flavours of old soy sauce and the fried food just wifting in the air (I was starving). It really helped build an appetite for everyone.Being in a Chiu Chow restaurant, there's no way we wouldn't try the sliced duck and I loved it! Tender and very well seasoned because the flavours were actually seeped into the duck--rich soy and spices. This was definitely the best dish of all (not to mention the tofu really absorbed the sauce as well). The Salad Rib was alright for me because it just-had-too-much-mayo on it. The ribs were freshly fried and super hot (if it were just the ribs alone, the dish would've been so much better), but I only had a taste and let it go. Not much flavour to comment here since it's only mayo. :(The oyster congee was okay because it had a lot of MSG in it. I was so thirsty after eating it that I had to down 2 glasses of tea to get that salty and artificial flavour out of my mouth. Not to mention, the appearance wasn't too appealing because they didnt sift the surface of its residues. I think I had the most Seawood and Tofu soup because it was the only thing that tasted like its supopse to. Very fragrant of seawood and lots of eggs, but again, the MSG really killed it and I got thirsty again. The veggie tasted nice too because the roasted garlic really enhanced its flavour. Kudos for this dish :)Everyone devoured the steamed fish with black bean paste. I, myself is very snobby about fish, but this tasted fresh and absolutely gorgeous! The black bean paste enhanced the flavour of the fish and took away that fishy odour all together. LOVE! Overall, this local Chiu Chow restaurant was alright. If the service there was a bit better, the place wasn't as packed, and their food didn't have as much MSG, then I wouldn't mind coming back again for the fish.…Read More

My friends and I were craving for Japanese all-you-can-eat because it was cheaper and buffet is always the ultimate choice what you need to cater to different people's taste buds. However, we had a lot of trouble looking for a restaurant in Mongkok during dinner hours because everywhere was packed!We finally ended up at coming to this restaurant because my friend said that it had fairly nice food relative to their price per head ($178/person + 10%). Whe we arrived, the lobby to the restaurant was insanely packed and there were over 20 patrons waiting for a table. We were told we had to wait for 45 minutes, but out of pure luck, we got in after twenty because another group (same number of people as us) left earlier and we got to slip in and take their place! I got a good luck around the restaurant and it was HUGE with all the tables were filled. I was really glad my friends took me here because I never would've known about this restaurant if it weren't for them.:)The service wasn't bad because there was always someone walking around taking orders. Even though the tables were tight (my biggest pet peeve) but our food came fairly quickly, and I was soon distracted away from the patrons that was sitting 5 inches away from me.  I was really in the mood for sake so I ordered a 300ml bottle of cold house sake for $43 while my friends enjoyed their all-you-can-drink Blue Ice beer (love it when buffets include alcohol). :)The first thing that came was the Japanse poached egg and diced beef steak. The egg was cooked to perfection--it wasn't too leaky and you can actually use your chopsticks to pick up the yolk because it was perfectly orange and creamy. MUST TRY! My friends really enjoyed the grilled pinapple but I thought it was a bit too sour. I didn't find it exceptionally special but I guess this dish varies with different people. :)I absolutely loved the lamb chops! It was seasoned with black pepper and had thick coat of powdery sauce around it giving it full flavours. Nice, juicy and super tender that I had to have seconds! The salmon salad and crab roe salad weren't my favourite because it felt like they were swimming in dressing rather than moderately coated with. Another fail for me in this area because all I tasted was mayo. :(:(The edamame (perfect diet food by the way because it has very little calories) was delicious and not too over cooked. Crunchy and had texture, seasoned with just a hint of salt--very nice. :)This was the best skewered steak ever! It was perfectly cooked on the outside but still slightly pink on the inside with lots of juice and it was the most fragrant dish of all. When I tasted this, I really hoped that I had a glass of red wine with me because it would be a perfect pairing--the steak had just the perfect amount of oil. We loved this so much we ordered 6 more skewers at the end. The sashimi was amazing especially the salmon. We actually ordered 30 slices of each but they only gave us 15 slices at the end (very smart of them because I think my friend who was ordering was writing down numbers way out of proportion relative to how many people we had) The salmon was fatty and it had that burst of flavour at first bite--I liked it the moment I tasted it because it wasn't those generic kinds that tasted rubbery and blend.Grilled salmon sushi has always been one of my favourite dishes from the Japanese menu. The salmon--slightly charred on the top--actually melts in your mouth and becomes one with the sushi rice. Absolutely gorgeous! The crabstick and beef sushi weren't that bad either, but the salmon really took the spotlight. They said that the sesame chicken wings was the specialty of the house, hence we had to try it. When it arrived, the appearance itself was breathtaking because the sesame was mixed into the batter and fried together (compared to other restaurants who only sprinkle sesame on top). It was crunchy, aromatic, and super hot and juicy inside--we ordered seconds. :)Finally, we ended the filling meal with an array of Nestle's ice cream. They came in vanilla, chocolate, sesame, and mango flavoured. Not too special, but a perfect touch of sweetness after all the rich and salty food (wouldn't call it a palete cleanser but it hits the spot). Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant and everyone left full and satisfied. The bill came out to be approximately $650 for 3 people which I thought was decent considering the amount of beer and food we consumed. The only thing is that there's always the hassle of a long wait, but if you have the time, this dining experience is worth a try. …Read More

My friends and I have just returned to TST after a long day at the beach in Shek O, and we suddently had this ad-hoc idea to watch the sunset since it was still too early for dinner. We strolled around Harbour City Mall (in our ridiculous swimwear) and finally decided to go to Spasso. When we arrived, we realized that Spasso has relocated! They're re-launching in a new location somewhere in October (Spasso has the most amazing cheese and ham platter by the way). At that point, we just really wanted to sit down so we went outside to the balcony where this restaurant was located and sat down outdoors to enjoy the beautiful evening sky. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing with lots of spacious rattan lounge chairs and hip music playing in the background. The tables are protected by by barricades so other mall shoppers (also enjoying the beautiful sunset) can't disturb you. The servers were professional and our orders came almost immediately By the time we got settled in, the sun was already setting and we had the perfect view of the sunset. This is by far the best and chilled place to end a long day of fun. There are a lot of great places to chill outdoors in TST, but this is bar far the best because it had a lot of space and you finally feel that your table actually has privacy within the bar. :)There is a large variety in drinks menu and as mentioned, the price is very decent in relation to environment the restaurant offers. :)My friend ordered the 七月花 cocktake (July Flower) and it was a mix of strawberry, orange, and prosecco. It was a gorgeous and refreshing drink--perfect for a hot summer day. My other friend ordered the Honey Jasmine Green Tea (mocktail) which tasted even more delicious because they actually used fresh seeped Jasmine green tea, LOVE! Other than their trendy cocktails, the bar also provides a handful of wine, spirits, and champagne at very reasonable price. I ordered the Chardonnay and it was very soothing (always white when it's hot and you're craving for something cold). Their chardonnay had notes of lime, structured minerals and a short by dry ending. YUM! Overall, even though we didn't taste any of the restaurant's food, but if you're ever looking for an outdoor bar with a nice view, this is the perfect place (especially inside Harbour City).…Read More

After a whole morning of the sun and beach, my friend and I were starving! Then, I recalled someone telling me that there was a very famous restaurant that serve very yummy noodles. My friend and I went to hunt for it and this is where we ended up. The walk from Shek O beach to the restaurant wasn't very far, but you'll have to keep your eyes out because it's hidden inside a small alley, behind 2 other restaurants. I adored the petite little restaurant with its open tables and chairs outdoor. The weather was great and we had a large round table to ourselves. The menu was very straight forward--choose what you want in your noodles and that's it. Nice and simple and nothing too brainwrecking. Our server was actually the owner of the restaurant and she was super friendly. She told us the beverage was self-serve so we went ahead and grabbed whatever we wanted out of the fridge. I ordered the egg noodles with dumplings, mushroom balls, and duck (I heard that their beef brisket and duck were what made them famous). The soup was really rich and flavourful because they added beef brisket sauce to it and it went amazingly well with the spring green onions. The duck itself was juicy and tender--just how everyone described it to be. However, everything else from there on (the mushroom balls and dumplings) were just alright, nothing too surprising.My friend ordered wide noodles with fish ball and fish dumplings, and the first thing he said when it arrived was, "It's so small!". I cracked up because my bowl was a lot bigger than his since I ordered 3 things and he only ordered 2. His noodles tasted similar to mine but as I've mentioned before, it wasnt bad, but it was great either. :)We also ordered the boiled veggie with nothing added (we needed our daily vegetables after the along swim) and it tasted exceptionally fresh. It was cooked to the perfect texture and even though there wasn't any sauce, you can actually taste the natural flavours of the leaves. HEALTHY! Overall, this is a nice place to try out whether it's for their duck or beef brisket, or just to experience the local flavours of Shek O village. The price wasn't expensive and it has a very chilled atmosphere perfect for a few friends to grab a quick snack.:)…Read More

My friend wanted to introduce this restaurant to me because she thinks it's the best chill-out place ever--and YAP!--she was right. After work that day, I took the MTR to Jordan and then after getting lost fo 20 minutes just wandering around the narrow alleys and darken streets, I finally found the restaurant. The restaurant pretty much looks like any typical local bars with bright flashy beer lights completed with the stereotypical brown wooden finish. I didn't know what to expect, but after walking into the restaurant, the aromas of barbeque food just hit me in the face and I knew then, that I was famished and wanted to order everything on their menu.We were seated upstairs next to the long row of open windows and here's where the best part of the restaurant comes in--you can have a ciggy (if you're a smoker), order a pint (everyone can use a cold beer), and order as much barbeque as you want because the food wasn't pricy at all. Super fantastic place to hang out with your buds. My friend already ordered the String Beans and it smelled delicious. It was spiked with garlic and a rich fragrant sauce, PLUS grilled to the perfect crunchiness. YUMI ordered the Long Island Ice Tea and it was a nice refreshing drink. A tad too sweet for me, but the presentation was nice and I had fun playing with the cute pink stirer. The Barbeque Pork Neck was the best dish out of everything! They're tender and juicy on the inside, and heavily marinated on the outside giving it a lot of flavours. When dipped into the restaurat's special Thai chilli sauce, it was the most glorious appetizer to go with a nice cold beer.The Fried Tofu wasn't bad. It was very crispy on the outside, and most importantly, it was freshly fried so the insides were super HOT! Although it's a bit over fried (slightly dry) but it was a very captivating snack where you just want to keep puting piece after piece into your mouth.:)We ended the dinner with the grilled eggplant and it tasted really nice. Lots of flavours accompanied by fresh spring green onions and garlic (beware of stinky breath) which makes it another good dish to go with a nice cold beer.Overall, we ordered a lot of snacks and small barbeque dishes and the bill came out to be around $400 (including 2 Long Islands) which I thought was pretty decent. The service was alright and we didn't have to wait for a table. The snack food and the environment really promotes a more down-to-earth feel to this whole dining experience and I will definitely come back for a revisit. …Read More