[Review 7308] Easter cookies at [La Bohéme Bakery] @ La Bohéme Bakery

27/03/2019
La Bohéme Bakery
西環西營盤港鐵西營盤站SYP5號舖
Shop SYP5, MTR Sai Ying Pun Station, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/easter-cookies-at-la-boheme-bakery-e3352151

Spotted these cute Easter Cookies at La Bohéme Bakery.
There were Easter Eggs and Rabbits.
The rabbits looked a bit messed up as the rabbit eyes were not consistent  or perhaps it was deliberate.
It was such a bummer I didn't take a picture as some were cross eyed, some were just weird.
Anyway got the Matcha Cookie which was much nicer and I thought I would match on some green tiles.
The cookie was thin and crisp with a slight buttery taste.
The icing sugar was quite good and complimented it nicely while the matcha flavouring wasn't too artificial.

[Review 7283] Possibly the only Yibin Noodles in HK @ 川之源 River Sichuan Restaurant

16/03/2019
川之源  River Sichuan Restaurant
西環西營盤正街62號地舖
G/F, 62 Centre Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/possibly-the-only-yibin-noodles-in-hk-e3339438

Possibly the only Yibin Noodles in HK
2019-03-16  19 瀏覽
You can't miss River Sichuan Restaurant if you take the SYP escalators.Inside you will find their house pickles and Spicy Chili sauce that they make!
The only thing that sucks is the greasiness of the floor otherwise it is a great place to dine.
I was impressed with the noodle choices on the menu as there were so many to choose from and you can even go meatless.
They had lobster with salted egg yolk!! Imagine that!
Turtles too if that is your thing.
The Yibing noodles are a must as I have not come across any other joint that serves it.
These noodles are more commonly known as Yibing ran mian, Yibing fire noodles or Yibing Burning noodles.
They are so popular that you can find this flavour for some instant noodle!!
The essential ingredient is Sichuan yacai which is some preserved veg from Sichuan.
You toss the noodles together and eat.
For mains had the chicken which was just bones but the gravy was lovely.
The celtuce was crisp with a sweet nuttyness but a bit salty.
Finished with the Sichuan Jelly which is classic dessert to sooth the heat.

[Review 7104] Hideout for SMO KAS @ The Hideout Coffee House

08/01/2019
The Hideout Coffee House (已結業)
西環西營盤第三街63號地下B舖
Shop B, G/F, 63 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/hideout-for-smo-kas-e3268457

Hideout for SMO KAS
2019-01-08  781 瀏覽
Went here a while ago as  I haven't tried it before.
Had the signature croissant which is basically two croissants, one is drizzled with sweet stuff and the other was  savoury with a side of salad in the middle and a baked mushroom.
Also had the pistachio Italian thing which was cloyingly sweet and heavy.

Definitely a great place to hangout because you can smell ciggy smoke.
There is a collection box for it too!

[Review 7090] The Otak Otak Toast stole the show @ Shaz Confections

01/01/2019
Shaz Confections
西環西營盤第一街21號地舖
G/F, 21 First Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/the-otak-otak-toast-stole-the-show-e3262233

The Otak Otak Toast stole the show
2019-01-01  1242 瀏覽
As a fan of pandan flavoured things, I  have been meaning to try this cafe because of the pandan mille crepes.
There are so many flavours for the mille crepe including Earl Grey etc.
I am glad I didn't go earlier because they now have this new Singaporean inspired Otak Otak Toast!

====
Singaporean inspired Otak Otak Toast:
I don't normally order the Otak Otak because it has lemongrass in it but ordered it because it was in the form of a toast so decided to try it.
It basically reminded me of the prawn toasts in the UK but without sesame and replaced with fish.
It was so damn delicious and the lemongrass was subtle.
To me otak otak is basically a South East Asian form of Chinese minced mudcarp paste but laced with spices and lemongrass.
I really enjoyed it because it was boneless and it was deliciously complimented by the eggs.
====
Pandan Mille crepe:
The mille crepe was as good as expected, each layer was filled with fluffy cream with a fragrant pandan flavour.
====
Earl Grey Mille Crepe:
The EG mille crepe was rather disappointing because I couldn't really taste the EG and it just tasted like HK Milk Tea with that horrible bitterness.
Finished with raspberry orange tea which was rather artificial in aroma

[Review 7069] Disappointing @ Flying Pig Social Club and Deli

24/12/2018
Flying Pig Social Club and Deli
西環西營盤正街52-56號地舖
G/F, 52-56 Centre Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/disappointing-e3255525

I have been wanting try this place for ages because they had fried chicken drumsticks.
On the menu it says chicken drumsticks as well which reassured me to order them.

When the drumsticks came, I realized they were drumettes and not drumsticks, secondly, the frying oil was so old that the colour of the coating looked like Chicken Tandoori.

They were way too salty for my liking as well.
The filo pastry was not good either, you could smell oil at a distance.
With Filo Pasty, you are supposed to bake them and not pan fry them to save time which results in a soggy inner pastry.

[Review 7065] Thirsty @ Maison Eric Kayser

24/12/2018
Maison Eric Kayser
西環西營盤高街75號地舖
G/F, 75 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/thirsty-e3254991

Thirsty
2018-12-24  529 瀏覽
Went here randomly.
Had the croque monsieur sandwich and pumpkin feta cheese quiche.
The quiche was too soggy and sweet for  my liking and you couldn't really taste the feta.
The croque monsieur fared better but not as cheesy as hoped.
It was crammed with a lot of decent ham.
The items were not too salty but they left me thirsty all afternoon.

[Review 7053] Workmen's lunch! Huge Plate and Huge Portions @ 義興三餸飯 Yee Hing Canteen

17/12/2018
義興三餸飯 Yee Hing Canteen
西環西營盤英華臺1-6號華輝閣地下2號舖
Shop 2, G/F, Wah Fai Court, 1-6 Ying Wa Terrace, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/workmens-lunch-huge-plate-and-huge-portions-e3249133

Came here randomly as I saw dishes and dishes of food by the window.
It was affordable too, one dish only costs $2x.
Being greedy, I decided to get 3 dishes which was only $4x.
I didn't realize the plate and portions were going to be that big!!!!!
When I was handed the plate, it was so heavy I had to carry it with both hands as the joint is canteen style where you get the soup from the big vat.
Anyway, here was the plate that I had!!!
It was quite hearty and healthy as it was not too salty but the only thing that ruined it was the rice because it was too hard for my liking.
Will definitely come back but probably for one dish!

[Review 7051] Sharks fin dumplings @ 包點鉅人 Bao Dim Gui Yan

17/12/2018
包點鉅人 Bao Dim Gui Yan
西環西營盤正街9號地舖
G/F, 9 Centre Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sharks-fin-dumplings-e3248726

Sharks fin dumplings
2018-12-17  546 瀏覽
There are quite a few branches of this but I can't find the address of the one near HKU station.Anyway, they serve the usual dimsums but I was attracted to the mock shark fin dimsum because it looked appealing.

Same with Chinese wet markets and Chinese takeaways, Chinese people don't queue.
It is the battle of who shouts the loudest to order to get attention.

Managed to get served and ordered the steamed mock shark fin dumplings.
The lady tried to get to me order two portions which I would have but they didn't have another portion of the mock shark fin dumplings.

They definitely looked good and after taking a bite, the ingredients were fresh.
But hell came when I ate the rest because the bottom was rancid as it was the part that was in contact with the steamer which probably isn't so c.l.e.an.
You can imagine how many times the steamer has been used which accumulates that smell!
So anyway, I only ate the top of the shaomai which tasted good.

[Review 7046] Fish Dumplings @ 京香餃 Home Town Dumpling

13/12/2018
京香餃  Home Town Dumpling
西環西營盤皇后大道西418號地下
G/F, 418 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/fish-dumplings-e3245743

Fish Dumplings
2018-12-13  1487 瀏覽
Went here randomly and realized it was the joint my friend recommended for fish dumplings.Started off with the tofu and rice which was too garlicky and the rice was too hard so that was a waste.
The fish dumplings were as good as recommended.
Strangely, they were not as fish as expected and luckily I didn't find much bones in it but evidently it seems like a mix of pork and fish.
They were a little salty but worth trying.

[REview 7019] Salted caramel gelato @ Coffeelin

04/12/2018
Coffeelin
西環西營盤高街99號地下3號舖
Shop 3, G/F, 99 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/salted-caramel-gelato-e3236076

Tried to come here last week but the service was off putting.
Went again a week later and it was just the same.
The funny thing was when you asked them if they served food they said no when there were croissants and apple turnovers in the glass display.
I guess they must be realistically fake then.

One of the gelato wasn't labelled so asked what flavour it was and she replied they were all labelled.
If it was labelled I wouldn't need to ask you, you dumb bozo!
This wasn't the one I had because I had the salted caramel.
It was smooth and velvety with a strong caramel taste.
There was a slight bitterness to it and I wish I had ordered two scoops.


I wonder who is going the survive long, the shop or the biatches.
It seems that the customers are disturbing these bozos to doss around.
Overall shat service, infact zilch!

[Review 7018] Sour tea and dried lobster @ 掌門精釀啤酒 (已結業) Zhang Men Brewing Company

04/12/2018
掌門精釀啤酒 (已結業) Zhang Men Brewing Company
西環西營盤高街53-65號地下富裕大廈地庫
Basement, Wealth Building, 53-56 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sour-tea-and-dried-lobster-e3235859

Sour tea and dried lobster
2018-12-04  1123 瀏覽
Unfortunately I didn't have a good experience here.Started with the Nitro brew Earl Grey tea which was strangely sour, the sourness that you get when tea has been made for a long time and not thrown away.
This is not the first time I have had Nitro Brew but it was the worst and not how it should taste.
Ordered the lobster burger as it looked good with all that sauce.
When it came, couldn't quite see the lobster but I liked the butterleaf/gem lettuce that they used.
It was annoying they grilled the bun too when the photo shows a lovely white bun and the charred taste is not nice.
Took a peek inside and the lobster quite small and there was not much sauce either.
Anyway, I am a quality person and not a quantity person so I was hoping it would taste phenomenal.
I put my fork into the lobster and it was just hard and rigid.
After putting it in my mouth, I realized the lobster was cold, dry and hard.
It tasted like an expensive version of semi dried big shrimp 大蝦乾 but in lobster form 大龍蝦乾.
[pic of dried shrimp]
The lobster taste was strong and intense as it was dehydrated!!
LOL imagine dry aged lobster!!
Anyway, might be back!!

[Review 7012] Fortunately GOOD @ LN COFFEE

03/12/2018
LN COFFEE
西環西營盤第二街118號懿山地舖
G/F, Altro, 118 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/fortunately-good-e3234140

Fortunately GOOD
2018-12-03  797 瀏覽
Went here not knowing it was a vegetarian cafe until I looked at the menu.The ambiance and staff were really nice and friendly.
As I was pretty hungry, I had the steamed vegetable dumplings, Fortunate Sandwich and banana and chocolate cake.[I think one of the staff was in shock as she saw how much I could eat, but then it was delish so it was all good].

The Fortunate Sandwich was very satisfying as it tasted like a vegan club sandwich and it had my favourite Alfalfa in it.
The steamed dumplings were a good choice, all of them were uniformly shaped and inside it was delish chopped vegetables.
The chocolate banana cake was soft and moist without being too sweet.
Finished with the caramel latte.
To summarize I enjoyed the food and the staff were friendly so I will definitely be back.