CD族's Profile

Electric Ave 的店名源自英國倫敦的一條街名，據聞該條街是以不同美食而聞名的。至於香港的餐廳已由舊址西環搬到中環蘇豪區，位於不起眼的嘉咸街的樓上舖，但卻為亞洲區近年漢堡包排行榜上的座上客。店內地方不大，裝潢簡單，但服務態度一流。想吃牛肉的，推介 American (HK$125) 跟 The Mac Daddy (HK$125)。 配菜也有幾款，其中 Chili Fries (HK$80) 和 Spiced Bone Marrow Wedges (HK$70) 也非常驚喜，值得一試。當然作為一家英倫風的漢堡包店，怎會缺少了啤酒呢？啤酒價錢非常合理，全為 HK$60，有IPA， Lager 及 Pale Ale，任君選擇。作為細小而色彩豐富的小店，提供了一個舒適的地方跟好友一邊喝杯酒，吃點  junk food，值得大家去支持一下小店。Named after a street in London known for its diverse eateries, Electric Ave has moved from Sai Ying Pun to Soho in Central. As a burger joint located on the 2/F in Graham Street, Electric Ave has garnered some fame for being on various lists of the top burger restaurants in Asia. The shop itself is honestly very small with only four to five tables, but it provides an intimate setting for its guests as well as friendly services. Their menu is a simple one comprised of burgers and sides. The place is not trying to be anything else other than a burger joint – it does not offer any other appetizers or small dishes, which is a common pitfall of many restaurants nowadays. For beef lovers, we would recommend American (HK$125) and The Mac Daddy (HK$125). American (HK$125)  is made with 2 Smashed UK Beef Patties, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, American Cheese. At first glance, it may not appear to be anything special, but the simple combination of premium quality beef as well as the sauce and cheese work together to create a very satisfying and classic sensation that we crave for in burger. The Mac Daddy (HK$125) has the similar composition of American but it contains the homemade faux mac sauce which is wonderfully tangy, creamy and delicious. The offerings of Chili Fries (HK$80) and Spiced Bone Marrow Wedges (HK$70) are both great sides to the meal. We just wish the portions are bigger for the price of these fries. Lastly, how can we have burger and fries without a cup of beer ? The shop offers a selection of beer – including IPA, Lager and Pale Ale -- at the price of HK$60. It will no doubt appeal to burger fans, and maybe people who would enjoy some junk food with beer. But it also serves as an intimate burger joint for people to come together and just have a good time. …Read More

Seasons是 L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon十分有名氣的大廚 Olivier Elzer最新在銅鑼灣自己開設的法國餐廳，而它已經在六月底靜稍稍地開幕了。位於Lee Garden二期3樓，Seasons的門口寬敞，地方不大，一面有對著Open Kitchen的吧檯，另外一面有沙發座位，一貫大廚的風格。不知是否由於剛開幕的原因，侍應們雖然很殷勤，但是常襬出一副不知所措的樣子。食物方面選擇頗多，大都屬中上水準，但沒想像中突出，只有菜式如Chilled tomato soup with basil ice cream 跟Obsiblue prawn with venere rice真正與眾不同，味道另人難忘，值得推介。午餐Set Lunch由＄288 （3-course) 到$588(5-course)一位。Advertised as "reinvention of French cuisine", Seasons, the new baby fathered by Olivier Elzer, the former head chef at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Central, is a top notch French restaurant that is as good as contemporary Hong Kong dining scene has the ability to produce nowadays. For my parents' big anniversary this year, we stumbled across this very newly and secretly opened restaurant which was so new that it didn't even have a phone number yet(!), so we had to make a reservation personally.Located on the 3/F of Lee Garden Two in Causeway Bay (where Caffe Habitu used to be), Seasons has a neat and nicely decorated entrance that opened into an elegant, modern interior with dim candlelit lighting mixed with tranquil colours. With its counter seats facing the open kitchen on one side, and big couches on the other side, the restaurant demanded immense attention to the performance of Mr. Elzer leading his team of chefs creating our dishes. The restaurant is also planning to set up an outdoor dining area soon. The staff were exceptionally friendly and enthusiastic except that they seemed to be quite nervous and needed more training (probably due to the fact that we were one of their first customers) as they dropped our bread or placed the wrong dish for us. The menu for lunch ranged from $288 to $588 per person and had a variety of dishes to choose from. We went for the 3-course set lunch which costs $288 per head.(1) Marinated chicken breast, avocado salad and parmesan - this first course was one of my parents' favorites as the chicken meat was impressively soft, tender and juicy, a texture that many chefs failed to master. The salad dressing, and the other ingredients enhanced the fresh and perfectly grilled flavours for this starter.(2) Escargots fricasse with tomato and pastis sauce - these escargots were taken from their shells and cooked with a creamy and rich tomato sauce which accentuated the freshness of the escargots and differed from the usual practice of serving escargots in shells and mash potatoes. (3) Chilled tomato soup with basil ice cream - at first we were worried that this cold soup would taste like tomato juice, but we were amazed by this dish visually where the green colour mixed in the centre of the red rendered a hint of cartoonish and fantasy feeling and it turned out to be a delicate and tasty dish which offered a twist with a refreshing basil ice cream. Highly recommended!(4) Pan-seared seabass, fava bean and thyme foam - the seabass was clean-tasting and enjoyable. However, the dish proved to be too ordinary and the taste was bland; more flavouring was needed in order to give it a nice kick.(5) Obsiblue prawn with venere rice - this dish is without a doubt the star of our meal! It is a bit small for its portion, but the freshness of the prawns and the butterness texture of the rice were surprisingly complementary and resulted in a perfect delicate symphony of flavours! This dish best exemplifies what modern French reinventive cuisine could achieve and is worth our every bite!(6) Duck leg confit and braised turnip - the duck leg confit is a tad too salty and tasted almost like the Chinese preserved sausage. The skin was crispy and the meat was tender but the braised turnip was a bit bitter and did not go with the overall flavours.(7) Homemade lemon tart and meringue - the dessert was delicious with a balanced level of sweetness and an impeccable texture of the lemon tart.Not as much as a "reinvention" of French cuisine where you would expect from a big name like Olivier Elzer, an elegant decoration and an expensive price tag, Seasons actually has many problems with its undertrained staff and hit-and-miss inconsistent dishes showing that Mr. Elzer may not be able to move solidly to a new restaurant with the ease of a well worn slipper. But given that Seasons is still in its soft-opening days, I sincerely hope that Seasons would catapult Mr. Elzer into not just one that lived off the fame he garnered in Central, but a head chef whose dishes should be awaited with palpable excitement and bring us another iconic French restaurant in Causeway Bay!…Read More

Little Bao is anything but little when it comes to its popularity and buzz around the city right now. I can't say I went into the restaurant with high hopes since I was never a big fan of "Baos" (Chinese steamed buns), so not to mention the little ones. But after hearing many positive reviews raving about it, we decided to go with our friend, Tee, last weekend. Unfortunately I was spot on: I hoped to at least get an enjoyable dinner at a cool and hip restaurant with my friends, but ended up feeling quite uncomfortable and unsatisfied after our "little" meal.Little Bao is the most-obsessed new restaurant in SoHo devoting itself to feature tiny Chinese steamed buns with creative ingredients fillings. When we arrived at Little Bao a little before 7:30 p.m. on Friday, we were greeted by a cheerful waitress at the entrance who informed us the wait would be for at least an hour (!) and asked us politely whether we wanted to put our names on the wait-list so that she would call us once our seats were ready.After wandering in the Sheung Wan neighbourhood for nearly 45 minutes, we finally received a call from the restaurant and by that time we were just happy to be able to sit down and eat. The restaurant was also little, intimate and cramped with an open-bar area on one side, and the other side facing the wall. The music was incredibly loud that made dinner conversation extremely difficult and you would feel like you were in a bar instead of a diner. The menu was simple and the choices of Baos were less than we expected (only 4 in total). They also offered a few daily specials on the board. The price was expensive for its portion and dinner was priced at around $250 to $300 per person.(1) We started with Short-Rib Pan-Fried Dumpling ($128) which was served with slow-braised organic OBE beef short rib, celeriac coleslaw. There were only 4 pieces when the dish was served and we wouldn't complain if it was able to blow our minds with the expensive price tags. But, it didn't. The dumplings were outright disappointing, with the beef tasting bland and dry. The dish was in need of some brilliant seasoning to redeem its poor execution.(2) For the Baos, we ordered the Bao with Pork Belly ($78) which was a combination of slow-braised pork belly, leek & shiso red onion salad, sesame dressing, hoisin ketchup. We were stunned when we saw the actual size of the bao (see below) and it was wrong for customers to feel happy just because there were 2 (instead of 1) pieces of pork belly! The flavours weren't bad but the Bao wasn't as spectacular and Tee thought that this dish definitely did not worth its price.(3) The Bao with Fish Tempura ($78), made of fresh market fish, tamarind palm sugar glaze, pickled lemongrass dennel salad, was a symphony of crunchy, was quite good with its alluring textures and tastes. The gorgeously deep fried fish tempura, sandwiched between the steamed buns completely made for a rich and sweet taste! We just wish the portion could be larger as there was only 1 piece of fish tempura for this dish.(4) The LB Ice Cream Sandwich ($48) and the Ice Cream Bao ($48) both looked extremely adorable and colourful with green tea ice cream and caramel ice cream respectively. These beautiful and petit desserts, however, did not taste as delightful as they appeared as the ice cream proved to be too cold and tasteless while the deep-fried bun was too hot and too salty. And after a few bites, we realized that the desserts were only daring in conception but lacking in execution as when the ice cream started melting, and quickly becoming messy and you would just want to finish it as quickly as possible.With such expensive price tags, we expected the signature Baos to be little yet delicate and refined, but the dishes were still stuck at the beginner's stage: the clever, inventive and ridiculous variations Little Bao promises seemed to be impossible for its own chefs to realise. Little Bao is certainly an example of exceptional marketing and how to run an business with ordinary food solely fueled on hype! Filled with gimmicks, words-of-mouths and promises, I would like to say that you might enjoy it if you just try and go for what it is, but it's hard because the food was too unbalanced, too unmemorable and too expensive. If those buns could have at least made us more than a little "Bao" ("full" in Chinese), Little Bao might be getting somewhere by now.…Read More

來自上海的Beef & Liberty，在金鐘星街開了於香港的首間分店，標榜專做用草飼牛肉的高質素漢堡飽。餐廳在Pizza Express樓上，要進去用Pizza Express的升降機才能到達，比較難找。主菜如Cheese Burger ($92) 和 Bacon Cheese Burger ($108) 都不錯，但比預期中小份，而我們也吃不出牛肉有甚麼與別不同。反而前菜 Crispy Chicken Wings ($62/4 pieces) 頗出色，雞皮香脆，雞肉嫩滑，加上韓式辣醬，互相配合得很美味。相比之下，Beef & Liberty 的招牌漢堡包比較遜色，缺乏獨特魅力，而價錢也較貴，午餐大概每人＄200 到＄250。If only J has made her hatred for Chinese food less explicit, we wouldn't have the chance to go to the recently opened Beef & Liberty for her sort-of farewell lunch last weekend. Nestled on top of the Pizza Express on Star Street in Admiralty, most of us are misled by its name and thought it's a burger joint run by the Liberty Exchange group, but Beef & Liberty is actually a Shanghainese brand which is known for using 100% Australian grass-fed cattle for its high quality burgers, or so it claims.The weather was rather cool and gloomy that day. Yves and Brown Sugar, being their sporty-selves, suggested we walk from Causeway Bay to the restaurant which seemed far at first, but it only took us around 20 minutes to get there in the end. When we arrived at the building, we saw T standing at the entrance for Pizza Express, looking clueless by himself. It turned out that to be able to get up to Beef & Liberty on 3/F, we needed to use the elevator at Pizza Express, and this was confusing.Once the elevator opened to 3/F, a friendly waitress greeted us with a smile and led us to our booth next to the window. Although the restaurant wasn't a big place, its high ceilings and decoration rendered a casual and hip vibe. The booth was however quite small for 6 people. When we saw that there was a very reasonably priced "All Day Set" on the menu, we were quite excited until C drew our attention to the smaller print underneath which stated that "All Day Set" was not available on weekends, which was a total bummer! As J and Julie were "fashionably/excusably/absolutely" late again, we decided to order some drinks first. The price tags of this place were on the hefty side and lunch was priced at around $200 to $250 per person.(1) The drinks we ordered failed on multiple levels and it was definitely not the best way to start our meal. The Liberty Iced Peppermint Tea ($32) Brown Sugar ordered looked good but tasted like normal iced tea soaked in peppermint leafs with too much ice.(2) We knew we wouldn't be getting freshly squeezed lemonades for the Liberty Fresh Lemonade ($32) but this un-fresh drink could use a more suiting name: iced lemon water. It was so tasteless and bland, and we were disappointed to tears to have to pay for this.(3) Our table of 6 decided to order some starters to share. The Crispy Chicken Wings ($62/4 pieces) with Korean spicy sauce were intensely satisfying. The size for each chicken wing was big enough. Although the use of Korean spicy sauce was perhaps inspired by the widely popular Korean TV show, we were certainly blown away by the alluring spiciness and the delightfully crispy skin. Speaking as a lover for wings, this dish was absolutely enticing for my tastebuds and was easily one of the most memorable dishes!(4) The Sticky Rib Fingers ($68) were slow roasted US pork ribs covered in honey bbq marinade and spring onions. But there was just simply much more bone than meat for this dish with an overwhelming taste of honey sauce which made my fingers fairly sticky.(5) Julie, being just back in town, went for the classic Cheese Burger ($92) with beef, cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, pickles, and house BBQ sauce. You can tell the waitress how cooked you want your beef to be and Julie opted for Medium Rare. The burger was accomplished where the beef was exquisitely juicy and tender, while melted cheddar cheese and the house BBQ sauce composed a complex and fine taste! Though we couldn't tell the difference between their grass-fed beef and the other ones (i.e. the grain-fed ones), we were satisfied but we just wish the portion could be bigger!(6) Yves and J ordered the same Cheese Burger but they added extra $20 for it to be served in a bowl. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this concept, it is a more healthy option for those counting carbs, and the Cheese Burger would come with a tender leaf salad without the buns! But we couldn't help but wish the salad could use more salad dressing or some more citrus elements to help balance the fattiness of the beef and they could also keep the house BBQ sauce too!(7) The Bacon Cheese Burger ($108) T and C ordered was delicious. The beef was tender and moist, and the bacon had a fabulously crispy and chewy texture, and they were always a fantastic match to me! The cheese and house bbq sauce further accentuated the indulgent flavours!(8) The Green Chili Burger ($98) ordered by Brown Sugar was marvellously prepared with green chili sauce and jalapeno relish. The mayo and the beef complemented the spicy flavors well but stronger flavouring was needed.Burgers at Beef & Liberty were delicious but they were not particularly outstanding. We don't need to be having top quality beef burgers to enjoy a meal- most meals I have are far from good or healthy but I like them and I enjoy them. Beef & Liberty's biggest disappointment is wasting a perfectly good opportunity to become the next hit burger joint in Hong Kong and being unable to live up to its expensive price tags and our high expectations it set up. If only the dishes were worthy of the restaurant, it does just about everything right -- the decoration, the service and the goodwill idea. For a farewell party, we were happy with its ambience. For a burger place, it is just a blank void as vacuous as the brand itself.…Read More

想不到這家叫Bug and Bee的餐廳是在泰國有名的連鎖餐廳，主打新派fusion泰國菜式。在香港新開張的分店位於銅鑼灣，裝潢以蜂巢和泰國民族圖案為主，很有泰國街頭色彩。雖然人流不多，但是店裡桌椅放得頗亂，讓人感覺很擠逼。餐廳的菜式很創新特別，如Peachy Massaman Curry Ox Tail (with rice) ($88 和 Mango Chicken Kiev ($62) 都製作用心，把不同的水果跟肉類揉合得驚喜無窮，一試難忘。服務態度友善，可是食物稍嫌不夠熱，且價格有點貴，晚餐大概每人＄200 到＄250。With a name like Bug and Bee, the restaurant is memorable by default but never in a million years would we expect it to be a Thai restaurant, so it was certainly more surprising for us when we realized that it is actually a well known chain in Bangkok serving some interesting and creative Thai fusion dishes. Foodie who loves Thai restaurants like Mango Tree and Greyhound Cafe may now flock to this cute Thai restaurant recently opened near our place. As lovers of Thai food, we decided to go there for dinner on a slow Sunday evening because you know, we wanted to take a (small) break from our usuals and try something new.Bug and Bee is located right next to the extremely popular ramen place in Causeway Bay. A 2-storey place with a yellow neon sign and large windows making it look like a giant beehive. When we arrived at 6 p.m., the place was practically empty and we were allowed to choose our own seats, but the chairs and tables were placed in such a disorganized fashion that made the place seem a bit messy and cramped. Once we opened the menu, we were completely amazed by the variety of appealing and original dishes and D was having a difficult time because there were just so many dishes we wanted to try. Dinner was priced at around $200 to $250 per person.(1) Tom Yum Kung Soup ($88) is always a must for our Thai meals! The soup boasted a spicy but attractive flavours. We loved the variety of textures and seafood ingredients to the soup. But we just wished the soup could be warmer because the soup was simply not hot enough and this reduced the overall flavour of the soup!(2) There were several things to praise for the Peachy Massaman Curry Ox Tail (with rice) ($88)! First, the curry was rich and indulgent and definitely spicy enough! The ox tail on the other hand was incredibly soft and juicy, even though some of them had too much bone for C's liking. The accompanying peach was also fresh and sweet. The different layers of the flavours for this dish really captivated us!(3) This Mango Chicken Kiev ($62) took a while to arrive, but it was certainly worth the wait! As if chicken wasn't good enough, the innovative twist they took was to fill alluringly tender and succulent chicken breasts with fresh mangoes and this dish was amazing beyond our imaginations!(4) The Tom Yum Seafood Fried Rice ($108) had a generous portion of different kinds of seafood including prawns and mussels but the flavouring could have been stronger. We also thought we made a mistake ordering this dish right after we had the Tom Yum Kung Soup above.(5) The Green Tea Tiramisu Crêpe Cake ($45) was an interesting cake sandwiched between sheets of crêpe separating each layer, creating a dazzling overall sensation. But D noted that the cake was less impressive and sweet than he had expected.The dishes at Bug and Bee were far better than it was given credit for and they captured perfectly the variable nature of Thai cuisine when you're getting tired of the been-there, eaten-that typical Thai dishes. But the restaurant needs more "buzz" given the expensive price tags and we wished many of the dishes could be warmer and bigger in portion. This place doesn't appear to be popular, and that disappoints us because we really wanted to come back again.…Read More

When I first started working in Central last year, lunch time was actually one of the most intimidating hours because finding affordable and comfortable places in the area was actually a challenge and I never thought I would be able to make it through. Now, having exceeded the maximum number of months in one place, it's hard to believe it's been over a year working here, and it's even harder to believe there are so many reasonably-priced and delicious restaurants in our pedigree! Little did we know that there's a real hidden gem serving prime rib sandwiches in a Central alley. When T told us that he hasn't been there before, we were like "STFU!", and we decided to go there for our happy-almost-end-of-the-week-lunch/Chinese New Year lunch gathering last month.Located inside Wo On Lane, Westwood Carvery is a small and casual place with only 4 to 5 tables, so early booking is a must. The place is an easy one to miss and you may casually disregard its existence at first glance. Service was friendly and polite. Having reserved a table at 1:15 p.m., Yves, being her charming and punctual self, successfully got us seats at 1 p.m. and wonderfully prepared some cute red envelopes for us!Westwood Carvery offers several lunch sets ranging from $128 to $200 which are served with either a salad or a soup, and a drink. The famous Prime Rib "Dip" Sandwich set was what we came here for. For that, they offer two sizes: the regular size ($128) and the large size ($168). Since it's not officially the end of the week yet, and you know, we wanted to stay fit and healthy, we opted for the regular size one.(1) Believe it or not, T chose the Green Salad to start with which was surprising considering he's the athlete among us. However, it was certainly a decent and light salad to set your stomach for how much meat you are about to gulp down your throat. The salad dressing tasted fine and distinctive.(2) Yves and C ordered the Cream of Spinach Soup which was quite pleasantly presented. The soup was naturally flavourful and creamy, and the tiny bits of bacon further elevated the taste of the soup. It was just nice to have something warm (and green) during these cold, cold days.(3) The long-awaited Prime Rib "Dip" Sandwich finally arrived with freshly made creamy horseradish on a ciabatta bread and beautifully came with French fries and an Apple. It was definitely worth the hype! The taste of prime rib, the sauce and the bread interacted with one another magnificently, forming some of the most delightful and attractive tastes in our mouths. The beef was tender, moist and after dipping into the flavourful gravy sauce, the meat instantly melt on our tongues, due to being gleefully and perfectly cooked! The fries were sheer deliciousness and the apple was also a refreshing and healthy complement to such a heaty, meaty dish! T certainly liked the sandwich very much as he finished the two of them very quickly! And no, he was not that hungry.Westwood Carvery is fantastic (except that they keep increasing their price). Although I am slow to finding good and affordable places for lunch around my office in Central, it is definitely one of my favorite lunch spots. We really did have a happy lunch with a satisfied feeling. Westwood Carvery delivers top-notch prime rib sandwiches which kick some fine asses and the combination of fries and apple as an excellent trifecta-- we can't recommend this place enough, go make your bookings now!…Read More

和三昧的日式鐵板燒（teppanyaki) 確實優異出色，難怪在香港那麼多年也能屹立不倒，成為了C家人大時大節指定的餐廳。位於銅鑼灣Sogo旁的東角中心頂樓，地方頗大，環境簡潔感覺舒適，還很巧妙地分為兩邊：一邊是日式定食，另一邊是鐵板燒。我們坐在窗旁的位置，能邊看鐵板燒，邊欣賞高樓大廈的景色。侍應跟廚師的服務態度友善，會主動替我們拍照，唯一美中不足是不能拍攝鐵板燒過程。餐廳有很多不同的鐵板燒套餐可供選擇，而我們點了商務套餐（Business Lunch Set) (＄520二人/$780三人)。套餐裡的每一款菜式也極之出色，尤其是美國牛肉薄燒，牛味相當濃厚，夾帶蒜絲和洋蔥，非常清盈爽口。我們後加的一客日本珍珠蠔 ($80/6pc)更是整餐的亮點，烤得質感幼滑無比，鮮味扣人心弦，是巧奪天工之作。午餐大概要每人＄250 到＄300。The most remarkable thing about Japanese teppanyaki is seeing your food being cooked and transformed into one delicious dish after another in front of you with a few tricks and spectacles involved! When it comes to teppanyaki dinners in Hong Kong, C's family loves going to Wa San Mai and that is why we felt that it was a perfect place to go for a special lunch last month because Michelins aren't just good or exciting enough!Wa San Mai is located on the 22/F next to the Sogo department store in Causeway Bay. It is a huge place split into two sections: one for normal Japanese food, and the other is what we came here for--the teppanyaki! Considering it was a Sunday lunch, the place was still quite packed and the earliest time we could get was 1:30 p.m. By the time we were seated at the grill table, we were completely famished. The place was casual yet elegant at the same time, with spacious seating and we were lucky enough to be seated next to a big window with a sunny view of the buildings in Causeway Bay.The staffs were very polite and attentive in helping us into our aprons (the aprons were to prevent us from being splashed by the oil) and the chefs were also professional and friendly (offering to take pictures for us on multiple occasions), although they invited us not to take pictures of the menu or film the cooking (to which we secretly and strongly objected to because we wanted to take as many pictures and footage as possible for the price!). There are many sets offered for teppanyaki with a lot of different combos and we ordered a Business Set Lunch (＄520 for 2 pax/$780 for 3 pax). After waiting for a while, we were thrilled to see our fresh and raw ingredients arriving next to the grill, ready to be cooked! Lunch was priced at around $250 to $300 per person.(1) Initially we didn't know which dish to expect as our chef wasted no time and immediately placed multiple items on the grill and started cooking them at once, while she danced around the place. The first course, 北海道貝柱 Hokkaido Scallop, was D's favourite. Each of us only got one piece, yet it was totally satisfying and juicy. It was perfectly grilled to achieve an outstanding flavour and texture.(2) We love goose livers and we were more than happy to find that 法國鵝肝 Goose Liver was naturally light with an enticing flavour. The goose liver was ultra tender and thoroughly grilled, creating one of the most alluring dishes.(3) The 酒煮蜆 Boiled Clam with Sake was another memorable dish. The clam was wondrously sweet and fresh, further enhanced by the refined and bittersweet taste of the sake broth.(4) The 美國牛肉薄燒 US Sliced Beef was an exceptional dish. What amazed us was the thinness of the slice of beef, with garlic and onion fillings , offered a symphony of harmonious and unforgettable flavours.(5) At first we had no idea what 日本赤豚薑燒 Japanese Red Pork with Ginger Sauce was, and when we saw our chef started laying out thin slice of dough on top of the grill, we wondered even more. The dish turned out to be a pork slices wrap and it was heartening. C noted that it was like a Japanese version of fried dumplings.(6) We decided to add an extra order of 日本珍珠蠔 Japanese Oysters ($80/6pc) which was simply phenomenal! It completely showed off the the chef's skills again in handling fresh ingredients and turning them into wonderful scrumptious dishes. The portion was generous and each oyster was grilled to perfection to bring out a delicate, delicious and superb flavour which left us in awe!All the dishes at Wa San Mai are first-rate and the teppanyaki meals are just incredible. Impressed, D said that "when they did it right, it was really spectacular!" That is true! The chef at Wa San Mai was able to handle the cooking and the performance with masterful culinary sensitivity and timing, placing in front of us, simple yet fantastic and surprising dishes that are not to be missed - teppanyaki at Wa San Mai is an absolute and delicious tour de force!…Read More

近年上環成為不少熱門新餐廳聚集的地方，Oolaa 不算新餐廳，但是作為一家主打悠閒週末早午餐（Weekend Brunch）的餐廳，的確很有水準，且環境舒適，猶如置身外國般寫意，值得推介，成為我們最喜愛吃Brunch的地點之一。Oolaa分為兩邊：一邊是可供訂座的餐廳，另一邊是可隨意Walk-in的部分。 早餐菜式如Eggs Benedict ($110)及Oolaa' Big Breakfast ($120)，賣相與味道也奇佳，確實優異。其他菜式也不俗，但當然不及美妙早餐。雖然有些外籍侍應完全沒笑容，但是星期六中午也座無虛席，可見Oolaa的吸引力。午餐大概每人＄150到＄200。After looking at apartments in Sheung Wan a few weeks ago, we walked passed Oolaa when D said he had never eaten there before. It's been a while since we have come to Oolaa, so we decided to come here for a weekend brunch with D and Sher. Although the vast Sheung Wan neighborhood has begun to show ripples of gentrification with many new and hip restaurants popping up, Oolaa remains to be one of the affordable and casual brunch diners that is emotionally sincere and culinary focused and continue to be an extremely popular spot for weekend brunch.Located on the ground floor of the very expensive apartment building, Centre Stage, Oolaa is divided into two sections, a restaurant section for eating in and a walk-in section consisted of communal sofa seats where you can order from the counter or from the restaurant menu. The room immediately renders a elegant and decent American ambiance. The restaurant section was completely packed with a variety of customers and we were glad that we made a reservation one week before. With the amount of customers, the service however lacked the level of attentiveness and friendliness we would expect (some of the female waitress didn't smile at all!). There was a breakfast-focused menu and a normal a la carte menu. Brunch was priced at around $150 to $200 per person.(1) The Eggs Benedict ($110) C ordered came with smoked salmon and buttered baby spinach was one of the best options at brunch. The place certainly mastered some of the most perfect poached eggs in town which were round and huge with the well-executed runny yolks. The salmon and spinach both had very clear and enjoyable flavours, smothered in a delicious and satisfying hollandaise sauce!(2) Oolaa' Big Breakfast ($120) that D picked was served with 2 eggs, pork sausages, smoked bacon, roast Roma tomato, baked beans, mushrooms, home fried potatoes & toasted sour dough. Anyone who was still sleepy on a Saturday morning would definitely wake up for this dish. While the French toast was satisfying, the scrambled eggs also had a pleasing runny texture. On the other hand, the meat of the dish, bacon and sausage, were both well-grilled and not overcooked.(3) Sher didn't want breakfast food and chose the Wagyu Spaghetti Bolognaise ($150) topped with shaved parmesan and served with garlic bread which was very generous in portion. The dish had a strong and attractive aroma of the wagyu beef and tomato sauce, and the rich taste was equally delicious and alluring, making you want to have more than one bite. The pasta was also delightfully fresh and we all like its texture!(4) Finally, we had the Mango Crumble ($65) topped with vanilla ice cream to end our brunch with. Although it took quite some time before its arrival (due to the baking time), the dessert was fantastically tasty and pleasant while the mango was fresh and sweet!As fans of weekend brunches, all of us were definitely impressed by our brunch at Oolaa. The dishes and the environment were both breezy and casually tuned at Oolaa, which captures the essence of what a good relaxing weekend brunch means beautifully. D noted that the place reminded him of the high-end brunch places in New York. Despite the service was slow and unprofessional at times, you can certainly feel at ease and find amazing, wonderful brunch here. Apparently, after this brunch, every one of us would like to find an apartment in Sheung Wan so that we can stick to Oolaa for weekend brunch in the future.…Read More

Jaspa's是一間價錢合理，環境舒適的西式餐廳，主打多國菜（包括意大利及西班牙菜）。 位於跑馬地的分店更像一家感覺親切熟悉的社區餐廳（neighbourhood restaurant)，服務態度友善，桌上還提供蠟筆給小客人在餐桌的畫紙上畫畫。它的 Fettuccine Carbonara ($130)可觀可口，芝士和煙肉的分量比例處理得相當好，值得推介。可惜其他菜式如Pizza等都只是過得去，水準參差。要注意餐廳每週一和週二也有"half-priced dinner"優惠，所以晚餐每人只需大概＄100 到＄200，是不錯的西式餐廳選擇。When our friend, Lil, visited from Singapore last month and requested a budget Italian meal (consisting of pizza and pasta), we wonder what quality but affordable Italian restaurants fit into those requirements in the heart of Hong Kong. When we didn't have to look at the prices, it was always tempting to think of the Michelin-starred restaurants. But those are expensive and hence, out-of-the-question. So it's a small blessing that Jaspa's, a modern fusion western restaurant chain, offers a very reasonably priced menu and has multiple locations in Hong Kong. We went on a Monday night and were pleasantly surprised to find out that Jaspa's was doing "half-priced dinner" for its main dishes every Monday and Tuesday.Located on a quiet slope in Happy Valley, it was a long walk from Causeway Bay (about 20 mins) and it was certainly not easy to find, but we were happy to arrive at the colourful signboard of Jaspa's. It was not a big space, but with its large windows, Jaspa's had a charismatic and homey neighbourhood feel. The lighting was comfortable and the staffs were welcoming. We were excited when we saw that crayons were provided for us to draw on the paper sheets on the table. With the special discount, dinner was reasonably priced at around $100 to $150 per person.(1) Since Lil was super hungry, she decided to order the Nachos ($100) to start with. Although it was not part of the "half-priced dinner" deal, all of us were completely over the moon when we saw the huge portion of nacho chips and the generous toppings of cheese, avocado, sour cream and salsa sauce. The nachos were sheer deliciousness and the combinations of toppings were an excellent symphony of flavours, hitting all the right notes!(2) The Fettuccine Carbonara ($130) was served with pancetta bacon, cream & parmesan Cheese and it was a truly satisfying dish. The taste of the carbonara was just beyond reproach, with the right amount of cheese and ham. To our amusement, the dish successfully balanced the level of softness and bounciness of the pasta and its generous portion made it a delightful and pleasant main dish.(3) The Linguine Salmon with Provencal Sauce ($150) served with fresh salmon infused with tomato sauce and fresh herb was not everyone's favourite. C found that the pasta was a bit too soggy perhaps due to the under-temperature oil. The salmon was also a bit too scarce to find underneath the linguine.(4) For pizzas, we ordered the All you can Meat Pizza ($135) with ham, sausage, salami, pepperoni and meatballs with mozzarela and oregano. The pizza crust seemed to be a bit burned and dry. The toppings formed by layers of different kind of meat were in want of some nice seasoning and Es found that it was filling but not particularly tasty.(5) The Parma Pizza ($145) with fresh rocket and basil was another disappointing pizza. The pizza dough could be more airy and moist. Sam also thought that the taste of the pizza was overwhelmed by its high degree of saltiness. The parma ham did not have the unique succulent taste we were expecting. Instead, we were all in need of a glass of water after having a slice of it.Dinner at Jaspa's is casual, comfortable and laid-back, though it's a shame that not all of its dishes, particularly its pizzas, are as fantastic as the environment. But for the price it's charging, perhaps this could all be forgiven. It is not the most delicate and traditional Italian fine dining restaurant; it is a family western restaurant that sits in your neighbourhood that could win your heart, not because of what you eat, but because of what you don't. It's there that Jaspa's aura, that sense of coziness and heart-warming colors, is full on display.…Read More

Brick Lane 本是倫敦東邊一條以印度菜聞名的街道，所以當知道這餐廳以BRICKLANE為名，但卻不是主打印度菜，而是英式早午餐（English Breakfast），也大感相當詫異。餐廳的裝潢很有英國特色風味，牆上的單車佈置頗有心思，令人感覺十分悠閒寫意。但是它的菜式如Egg Benedict with Scottish Smoked Salmon ($98) 和 Pancakes ($78) 等就平平無奇，更遠遠不及真正的英式早餐般傳統多變的味道。它的 All Day Breakfast（＄88) 不會令人失望，是最有水準的一道菜。雖然BRICKLANE的理念是要把傳統英式菜帶來香港，可惜現在看來純粹宣傳技倆，不理想之處很多，希望可以好好改善。午餐要大概每人＄150到＄200。When we first heard that BRICKLANE was opening in Hong Kong serving English breakfast dishes, we were definitely very skeptical. The name of the restaurant, "BRICKLANE", refers to a street in East London which is famous, not for English breakfast diners, but for Indian curry houses. So we thought it was a misconception that the English breakfast dishes served at BRICKLANE would be anywhere near representative of the true Indian dining scene of Brick Lane in London. But BRICKLANE is dedicated to take the iconic landmark in London and turned it into a popular and cute English diner that highlights the best and worst English breakfast dishes for the people in Hong Kong.First opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, BRICKLANE opened its Hong Kong Island branch in the quiet Citic Tower in Admiralty which was a good news to most Island people. The layout of the restaurant is laid-back and stylish, complete with a bicycle on the wall, a patio area, and a bar/cake counter. It was almost reminiscent of the airy and comfortable coffee houses and diners you would find in London. The staff were all very welcoming and friendly. Brunch was priced at around $150 to $200 per person.(1) We started off with Egg Benedict with Scottish Smoked Salmon ($98). The place provided a wide selections of toppings for egg benedict such as Gammon Ham, Parma Ham, and Corn Beef. You can also choose to add extra toppings such as Black Truffle Paste or Caviar. The English muffin was deliciously thick and buttery, and the smoked salmon was flavourful and juicy. However, the poached eggs lacked the runny yolks which were essential probably due to being overcooked which is a common error made by many undertrained chefs. Sadly, this was quite fatal to the whole dish and render the taste to be subpar.(2) The All Day Breakfast ($88) may be ordered with 3 choices of food and D went with Bacon, Hash Brown and Mushrooms. This combination was utterly satisfying. The bacon was beautifully grilled on the surface without being too oily but keeping its softness and tenderness. The scrambled eggs were marvelously runny and smooth. The hashbrown and mushroom were also delicious. This definitely hit all the right places on our taste buds and was ultimately an authentic and substantial English breakfast combo.(3) The Pancakes ($78) were the most disappointing dish of them all. They were unattractively ordinary, and each slice was cold and not fluffy at all. D commented this was even worse than the ones he had at McDonald's, which might very well be true.BRICKLANE might feel contrived, artificial and its dishes needed improving, but it didn't have to be. It is hard to dislike the restaurant because of the casual and laid-back London atmosphere it successfully re-creates, which was certainly not like Brick Lane in East London. It was an interesting concept, but their opportunities to offer alluring dishes were repeated squandered when the lack of cookery skill could be overlooked and replaced by its ambiance. BRICKLANE could have been so promising, which makes the final result really mediocre.…Read More

在銅鑼灣時代廣場的School Food由開張至今吸引了不少人遠道前往，是近來最多人龍的餐廳之一，等候時間長達2小時。School Food主打菜式跟大部份韓國餐廳不一樣，它的店名源自是韓國學校門外受學生歡迎的傳統韓式街頭小吃如Kimbap（韓式壽司）和Topokki（韓式年糕），而這些小吃正正是這間餐廳受歡迎的原因。它的韓式壽司 (Mari) 的確款式出眾，且每碟製作得很有心思，如校園花卷 Blooming Mari (HK$62) 和烏卒卒卷 Squid Ink Mari (HK$68) 都很有韓式地道風味，值得一試。其他菜式如地獄辣醬年糕 Street Topokki (HK$62)真是如菜名般辣，特別適合愛辣人仕。午餐要每人大概＄150到＄300。If you are looking for the next glamorous fine-dining Korean restaurant, this is not it. In fact, it is the opposite - it is small, crowded and noisy. Located on 13/F in Timesquare's Food Forum, School Food doesn't advertise glamour in any way, which is a complete deviation from the traditional norm in Hong Kong. But at the same time, it is one of the most raved about restaurants in the city right now with its unbelievable line-ups (for up to 2 hours waiting time) and it seems like the entire Hong Kong misses "school".The name "School Food" refers to the little food stands outside Korean schools selling popular Korean street food to students like kimbap ("seaweed rice") and topokki. The restaurant was decorated like a modern school canteen, thus it was small and cozy with wooden desks and chairs. After the failed previous attempt with C's friend Timon to the restaurant, we came with Jen at 11:40 a.m. before it's opened, and we were surprised to see that there's already a line-up outside. After about a 20-minute wait, the restaurant was finally opened and we were allowed to be seated. As its first customers, we were told by the staff to pick our own tables. Despite the long queues, the service was polite, attentive and efficient. Lunch was reasonably priced at around $150 to $300 per person.(1) We started with the Street Topokki (HK$62) which was made of Korean soft rice cake in red soy bean paste. The texture of the soft rice cake was authentically tender and moist, however, the spiciness was definitely too overwhelming for us to handle. Although we were warned about the level of spiciness when we ordered, this degree of hotness was beyond our imagination and it was definitely recommended for spice-lovers!(2) The Blooming Mari (HK$62) was filled with deliciously marinated bulgolgi beef wrapped in rice and egg, which was alluringly flavourful and nicely sweet. Whilst the presentation was gorgeous, the taste of the dish was also light and homey with a bit of Korean flair!(3) We ordered the Squid Ink Mari (HK$68) which proved to be another enticing dish. The creamy rice in black ink colour and and fried calamari rolled in roasted seaweed boasted clean but attractive flavours. The mixture of different flavours elevated the richness and freshness of the dish, making it a dish to be remembered!School Food is dedicated to capture the essence of the authentic and traditional Korean street-style food and ambiance. The portion of the dishes was also quite generous for its price. If you are still convinced that it wasn't worth lining up for hours, at least queue up for their take on kimbaps as these seaweed rolls (or "Mari") certainly reign as the most creative and fascinating comfort food you would find in Hong Kong -- they are the "School Food" you don't want to miss.…Read More

綠茶或抹茶("Matcha")是很多人的最愛，而近來大受歡迎的Via Tokyo正是主打日式綠茶甜品跟咖啡的日式甜品屋，一開張馬上吸引不少愛甜點的人前往。店子座落在銅鑼灣希慎道的角落，外表摩登，面積不大，但裝修充滿了日式般的簡約味道，十分舒服。它的甜品如白玉紅豆抹茶雪糕 ($45)及生果抹茶雪糕白玉餡蜜($50)賣相精緻而且分量十足，雪糕柔軟順滑，雖然綠茶味不是很濃，但是真的製作得非常用心和出色，服務態度也很親切有笑容，真是值得一試！價錢合理，每人大概要＄50到＄100。Have you ever noticed that anything to do green tea seem to be always more appealing? I never understood why. Perhaps it's because of its Japanese roots? or the fact that it's less sweet and thus, more healthy? There's no universal answer, but the newly opened dessert place at the corner of Causeway Bay, Via Tokyo, offers an answer to all the green tea lovers in the city. It is definitely not your typical Japanese dessert place as it only specializes in "Matcha" (green tea) flavoured dishes, ranging from green tea latte to green tea ice cream. Wary of its constant long line-ups, we and our friend Jen arrived on a Saturday morning (thanks to its early opening hour at 9:30 a.m.) and was happy to see that there were no one at the place, yet.Although Via Tokyo is not a big place itself, with only a few seats available, it effortlessly oozes a stylish, casual and monochrome tone of a Japanese cafe. The service was friendly and heartwarming. The female staff recommended and explained different dishes to us patiently with a perpetual smile on her face. The menu was reasonably priced at $50 to $100 per person and the portion was surprisingly generous that you would definitely be full afterwards.(1) C ordered the Shiratama Azuki Matcha Soft Cream ($45) which was visually stunning.  It tasted alright at first bite, but it instantly began to grow on us at each bite. The taste of "matcha" and the airy and ultra-smooth texture of soft ice cream blended together perfectly for a refreshing and playful sensation. The sides were also accomplished: "shiratama", a small sweet rice dumpling, and "azuki", a red bean paste, complemented the dessert while adding pleasing and delicate touches.(2) Jen went for the Fruit Matcha Soft Cream Shiratama Anmitau ($50) which was a colourful dish with many freshly cut fruits including kiwi, strawberry and mango. The anmitau, a kind of small white translucent jelly, were placed at the bottom of the dish, and the combination made Jen, an all-Japanese-lover from Canada, squeal in joy! The flavours of the whole dish were incredibly balanced and yet not randomly put together, which was what made it so marvelous.Via Tokyo succeeds with precision and detail, evinced not only in its close-to-authentic flavours but also in its stylish and petite decorum. It has quickly won the hearts of many sweet-lovers in the city with almost everybody's favourite Japanese matcha green tea dessert, and even the non-green tea lovers might just fall in love with such an alluring taste as well! …Read More

蛇王芬是在香港著名數一數二的的蛇鋪, 它的名字相信不只在中環上班的打工一族熟悉，也有不少遊客專程到訪這間有過百年歷史的香港老字號。難怪它的地方不大，但是店外人龍也不少。蛇王芬顧名思義的招排菜是蛇羹，它的太史五蛇羹($95)的確用料豐富，湯羹跟五蛇肉絲的味道也份量十足。雖然味道比位於銅鑼灣的蛇王二淡了一點，但喝下去也有和暖滿足的感覺。它的飯類如特色臘味糯米飯($110)和大蝦蒜香荷葉籠仔飯($160)也能做到豐香而不油膩，挺美味的！晚餐要每人大概＄150到＄300。We sat down at Ser Wong Fun ("Snake King Fan") in Central without knowing what to expect, just thinking this to be another one of those snake soup diners. We were surprised when we found out that the restaurant had been serving snake soup for over 100 years. Snake soup is one of Hong Kong's oldest and traditional winter Cantonese delicacies, usually served with shredded meat of two types of snakes boiled in a thick soup.Located next to the escalators in Central, you would not be able to miss its bright neon light sign. The restaurant, however, does not have a reservation policy and only allows walk-ins. And even so, be prepared to share a table with other fellow diners. We arrived at the restaurant a little after 6 p.m. on Sunday, and there were already a line-up outside. The decor was like most other traditional Chinese eateries--cramped, uncomfortable but laid-back. Be aware that English translations weren't provided for all the items on the menu. Dinner costs around $150 to $300 per person.(1) We ordered the 太史五蛇羹Assorted snakes banquet ($95/bowl) which was served with slices of snake meat, abalone, chicken, shredded ginger, mushroom, agaric, and fish maw and it was a real gem! The thin shredded black snake was bathed in a finely cooked soup with other delicious ingredients which provided a decadent and magnificent taste. Although D thought that the taste was not as strong as the snake soup from Se Wong Yee, we were very satisfied by this delightfully authentic and hearty rendition of snake soup.(2) The 特色臘味糯米飯Preserved sausages in sticky rice ($110/small) was another invigorating dish. The preserved Chinese sausages were also a specialty of the restaurant. The pork sausage ("Lap Chang") and the duck liver sausage ("Yun Chang") were tender and fatty. The aroma and texture of the sticky rice were enticing, and after it had absorbed the flavours from the meats within, it became a truly decadent dish.(3) The 大蝦蒜香荷葉籠仔飯 Steamed special fried rice with dry braised prawns ($160) was Al's special order. This type of rice was steamed while wrapped within the lotus leaf. The rice had a lovely, soft texture without being sticky. The generous portion of the dry braised prawns were fantastically springy and fresh, and gave a lot of fragrance to the dish.If the service and ambience of Ser Wong Fun are perfunctory, the splendid and warm traditional Cantonese dishes gave the restaurant unexpected weight, particularly the snake soup and the preserved sausages in sticky rice, which managed to goose this otherwise small and cramped run-down place and capture a palpable notch of authentic Chinese dishes.…Read More

魚作 Gyotaku 是在中環云云眾多日本餐廳中用心落力地製作價錢合理，但與眾不同的午市Set Lunch， 為中環的上班一族提供富有水準的選擇，難怪餐廳長期Lunch Hour也滿座。餐廳的名字（Gyo-taku) 原文解作日本人以前把魚的形象用墨汁拓印到紙上的技法。餐廳地方雖然不大，但是落地玻璃令人感覺舒服，不會太侷促。餐廳的Set Lunch Menu勝在款式夠多，而且菜式也有特別增添新意。它的香滑焗三文魚定食 Baked Marinated Salmon ($130)非常出色，肉質嫩滑多汁，也真正帶出魚的鮮味，加上一點點辣味，真是一道值得推介的特別菜式。它的Set Lunch包了一客沙律，麵豉湯和一客芝麻布丁，也頗滿足，所以成為了C在中環其中最愛的餐廳。午餐也只是每人大概＄150 到＄200。Retooling the Japanese cuisine for busy week-day lunch hour is hardly a new idea. The word "Gyo-taku" originally means a traditional method of Japanese fish printing and while Gyotaku may not display all the sparkle and creativity of this historical innovative way of recording different kinds of fish, the restaurant counters with a surprising willingness to explore the rich variety of Japanese dishes. Ever since working in Central, Gyotaku has been C's favourite lunch spot.Located on the 12th Floor of the thin building on Stanley Street, the decor of Gyotaku is sleek, yet utterly cosy. Comfortable lighting, simple colours and wooden furniture imbue the space with a casual and modern feeling. The restaurant is usually very fully booked during lunch hour almost every day, so we had to book a table at least 2 days in advance. Service is polite and attentive. Gyotaku serves a special daily set lunch menu that changes every day and also its more pricier lunch menu. What amazed us was its wide variety- from sashimi set to sukiyaki set, it really included almost every items you could imagine from a Japanese restaurant! A lunch set comes with a salad and a miso soup. Lunch is reasonably priced at $150 to $200 per person.(1) The Baked Marinated Salmon ($130) is C's favourite and is the must-have dish every time he visits. The salmon was extravagantly tender and succulent, and was baked in an alluring way to bring out the vibrant and intense flavours of the fish with a hint of spiciness. The mayonnaise further lifted the enticing taste of the dish. It was an outstanding dish that is highly recommended for everyone who is a fan of salmon.(2) San ordered the Grilled Miso Cod Fish Set ($150) and it was another accomplished dish. The cod fish was wonderfully grilled. Each piece of fish was adoringly soft and tender, and delicately moist to keep its surface shiny. San found the dish to be very enjoyable.(3) Everyone seemed to like the Marinated Pork in Ginger Sauce ($108 Set Lunch Price) including Chow Chow. The pork had a gorgeously firm and bouncy texture. The soy-sauce-based marinate was sweet and decadent, but it was hard to find the ginger taste in the dish.(4) The 3 Type Sashimi on Rice ($118 Set Lunch Price) was a bowl of joy. The 3 types of sashimi varied based on the availability of the day. That day we had Salmon, Tuna and Scallop. The raw fish were all very fresh and tasty and the flavours were well balanced. We just hoped that they could be more generous with the portion of each slice of the sashimi.(5) Lastly, the dessert, Sesame Pudding was a real showstopper! It only came with the normal lunch set menu. The medley of sesame mixed with the soft, chewy pudding texture formed a symphony of tastes in the mouth that was utterly the perfect and unforgettable end to our lunch.Gyotaku presents the Japanese cuisine with confident, fluid grace and these dishes, coupled with a brace of insightful cookery skills lend the restaurant a warm and comfortable ambience, offering a satisfying lunch that would lighten up the timeworn elements of your boring work days in Central.…Read More

老北京是一間主打傳統北方菜式的餐廳，雖然地方不大，幸而室內的裝潢充滿了懷舊中國色彩與格調，木製傢俱跟中國字畫讓人感受濃厚的中國氣氛。餐廳的北京填鴨($168）真的十分出色，外皮烤得脆薄而又不太油膩，肉質鴨香鬆軟，難怪要提早幾天預訂。其他菜式如蔥爆牛肉($60）和拔絲香蕉 ($70) 也相當特別，值得一試。可惜服務態度甚差，侍應們很不友善，常對我們說很忙，連替我們拍照也黑著面，令人非常失望。晚餐大概每人＄150 到＄200。What is it about the crispy, fire-blasted skin of Peking Duck that make it the most intriguing and addictive thing and keep us wanting more? For those of you who are not familiar with this famous national dish of China, Peking Duck is a type of oven-roasted duck from Beijing, known for its thin and super crispy skin. Situated inside a nondescript building near Jardine's Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Old Beijing has been a long-standing Hong Kong eatery that serves cheap, authentic Beijing and Northern Chinese cuisine. Craving for some Peking Duck, we decided to go there with San and Sam on a Friday night.Old Beijing is the kind of brightly-lit, down-to-earth restaurants that offer the no-frills Chinese cuisine. Although we didn't mind that the place was small and intimate, loud and open, the service was appallingly impolite and unfriendly. Some of the waitresses snapped at us while pronouncing that they were too busy to take a picture for us. We would suggest you not to mess with the waitresses as they all seemed to have attitude problems. However, considering that dinner was priced at around $150 to $200 per person, perhaps all should be forgiven.(1) The Chinese style 酸辣豆腐湯 Hot and Sour with Tofu Soup ($55/Small) offered a pleasing sensation as a starter to warm up our stomachs. Each spoonful of it was a delightful appetizer, with just the right level of spiciness and sourness.(2) Even though there were many delicious dishes at Old Beijing, the signature had to be the 北京烤鴨 Beijing Roast Duck ($168/Half) that C pre-ordered. The dish did not disappoint at all and it was the highlight of our meal! Each slice comprised of a paper-thin layer of skin with an alluring, tender piece of meat from the underbelly underneath that made the dish pristine! When wrapped within the traditional Mandarin pancake, the green onions and sweet hoisin sauce just elevated the experience to utter pristine. San, visiting from Toronto for Christmas break, noted that the skin was not too oily or too fatty and she thought it was done "just the way she liked it"!(3) The 蔥爆牛肉 Braised Beef with Beijing Onion ($120) was tasty. The onion, chili sauce, and garlic also added exciting flavours to the dish. We were happy to find that this rendition of a tradition dish was also scrumptious too!(4) The 韭菜豬肉水餃 Chives Mix Pork Dumplings ($60/Boil) was simply irresistible. The boiled dumpling wrapping was incredibly thin and the pork and vegetable fillings within were soft and gentle-flavoured. The portion was generous and it proved to be a very hearty and satisfying dish. Sam, a dumpling fan, also thought that the dumplings had a hint of home-made taste to it which was well done.(5) Lastly, our dessert, the 拔絲香蕉 Banana Braised in Sugar Oil ($70) was a beautifully constructed and enticing dish. We all adored the strands of fried syrup that formed a nest over the fried bananas. The taste was intense, and it made the overall dessert extra addictive!While we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Old Beijing (as we honestly couldn't remember the last time we had a delicious Peking Duck) and many dishes were more impressive than we had expected, the unattentive service significantly affected our dining experience. We would seriously recommend the restaurant to work harder on improving the service as it was glaringly the weakest link of the restaurant and no more melt-in-the-mouth Peking Duck skin would be able to draw its customers back!…Read More