[Review 1229] Tsukemen, noodles and soup served separately @ 秀拉麵 Hide-Chan Ramen

27/04/2011

秀拉麵 Hide-Chan Ramen
中環威靈頓街33號The Loop地下上層
UG/F, The Loop, 33 Wellington Street, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/tsukemen-noodles-and-soup-served-separately-e2183936

On my last visit, I tried the black hide so this time I tried the Tsukemen.

Tsukemen is the noodle and soup served separately.

It would have been nice, but the type of noodles they used were the thick ones, if it had been the thin ones I would have liked it more.

[Review 1228] Wickedly yummy fried salt and pepper whitebait @ 大發茶餐廳 Dat Fat Restaurant

23/07/2011
大發茶餐廳  Dat Fat Restaurant
灣仔大王東街6號地下
G/F, 6 Tai Wong St East,, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/wickedly-yummy-fried-salt-and-pepper-whitebait-e2183825

For expats who can't read Chinese, some places are just waiting to be discovered on Open Rice,
if it had not been for 史馬田's photo I would never have stepped in this totally Chinese place.

There WAS NO ENGLISH WHATSOEVER!

These days, it is so convenient having a smartphone with OpenRice and showing the waitors the pictures of exactly what you want instead of trying to find it on a foreign menu.

Anyway, I had to dine here TWICE!!!!

I purposely came here for the fried salt and pepper whitebait, and the bloodcurds with chives because they looked really delicious on 史馬田's photos.

On my first visit I ordered the bloodcurds and fried whitebait, but to my disappointment, they got the order wrong and cooked whitebait omelette.

I was soooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed because I had come all the way for the deep fried version!
But anyway, I couldnt be bothered to tell them they had got it wrong, so decided to come here again.

On my second visit, I got what I wanted and ordered curry beef belly and tendons that were freshly done.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whitebait omlette:
Although it was not what I wanted, it was a big flat round omelette with lots of whitebait in it.
The whitebait served at this shop are huge which are visible on the omelette!
The whitebait was moist and soft.
There was fish sauce to too but I felt it tasted OK without.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fried salt and pepper whitebait:
The coating was amazingly light and thin!
It tastes like cornstarch coating rather than batter.
The coating is so light that after it is cooked, you can still see how white the fish is.
It has been fried with skill because each whitebait is separate and they are not stuck to each other.
The fish inside was soft whilst the outside was crunchy and it was not overfried.
The oil was fresh which did not ruin the delicate taste.
I really liked this dish because it is similar to the fried whitebaits in spain and just fried fish in UK.
If I had a piece of lemon and some chips that would make my day!


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pork blood white chives:
I ordered this because the pictures of it looked great from the reviews.
It had crushed garlic, chili and chives.
It had a slightly oily film on top, but nevertheless, it tasted great, fully flavoured from the outside to the inside of the bloodcurd.
Slightly too much MSG, but it did taste nice.
The chives were tough and dehydrated though.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Curry beef tendon and belly:
I was quite surprised for a place like this the curry was garnished with thinly sliced green peppers and onions.
I felt that this curry was a mix of curry and braised beef tendons and belly because the sauce was like gravy with a hint of curry, but it was really nice and went well with the fried white bait.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Intestine and white pepper soup:
Just tasted of white pepper and very spicy.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
cheese n butter squid?
Not sure what this, but it looks interesting, hope someone would order it in future.
I wanted to ask them what it was, but when you ask waitors what dishes are, they simple re-read the name of the dish, or say the obvious ingredients from the name of the dish which is so helpful, NOT!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Price: quite expensive
Portion:quite big
English menu: nope! not your dreams
Service: Ok I suppose
Yummy factor: Very
MSG factor: was slightly thirsty after the meal

[Review 1227] Sweet Lodge at Thompson Road @ 甜屋 Sweet Lodge

甜屋 Sweet Lodge
灣仔譚臣道117 號地下
G/F, 117 Thomson Road, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sweet-lodge-thompson-road-e2182719


Previously this dessert house used to be Fat Mama's Dessert, but Chinese desserts were not my cup of tea so I never went in.
To be honest, FMD looked really gloomy from the outside.

Anyway, this new Sweet Lodge fares slightly better, however its menu design gave me the impression it only served Chinese desserts until I looked at it closely.

The newly decorated dessert house was brighter than the previous shop and more appealing, it had lilac benches, similar to "Ng doy tung tong" but not as purple because they had white tables as well.
The menu could have been more modern to match the decor.
It would have been helpful if it had English as well.
If you can't read English, you can simply look at the fridge.

Went at an awkward timing because the staff were having their meal, so it was an awkward timing to order.

For the western desserts, they had chocolate truffle cake, chocolate mousse, hazelnut mousse, creme brulee and various milk puddings in glass jars just like Milk top. They also had this pear thing, but I couldnt read the Chinese, so I am guessing it is supposed to be a pear tart.

I ordered the chocolate truffle cake, chocolate mousse and hazelnut mousse.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chocolate Truffle cake:
The Chinese name for it was "ju gu lik chung low" and the English was chocolate truffle.
When I tried it, it was velvety hard and like the western chocolate truffle texture.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chocolate mousse:
This was quite nice and not too sweet, also velvety smooth.
I would have preferred it without the crispy flakes.
Perhaps serving it in  smaller glass would do the trick because it looks oddly weird in a drinking glass.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hazelnut mousse:
Not many places serve hazelnut mousse, so tried it as well.
Again I would have preferred it without the crispy flakes.
It would have been nice if it was topped with real crushed hazelnuts or if the mousse had pieces of hazelnuts in it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Overall, the desserts were Ok, and it was impressive the dessert chef was wearing formal clothing.

This new dessert shop has definitely brightened Thompson Road along with Gem Restaurant opposite.

[Review 1226] Eating in the twilight zone that didn't exist @ 賣魚勝餐廳

17/07/2011
賣魚勝餐廳
將軍澳毓雅里9號慧安商場地下
G/F,Well On Shopping Arcade,9 Yuk Nga Lane, Tseung Kwan O
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/eating-in-the-twilight-zone-that-didnt-exist-e2182559

Interesting, this restaurant is listed as CLOSED on Open Rice, however went during July 2011 and it was still operating.

This restaurant is on an open area at the centre of the mall, hence this is probably why restaurants at this location come and go fast because there is no feeling of security for diners.

The whole setting is quite surreal and empty, a bit like a TV Set.

The set dinners were dirt cheap at $38 including soup.

The portions were small, but it the typical Chinese dishes which I am not fond of, so size dosnt matter.

As for the fish, they made it worse by cutting it into pieces to spread on the plate making it look like a big plate.
Because it was cut, there were so many broken bones in every bit of fish.
I would have preferred just an intact piece that was small rather than tiny pieces with bones pretending to look like a big portion.
There was so much garlic in the fish it just tasted like garlic steamed fish.

[Review 1225] Grapefruit Skin with Prawn Roe @ 金兜記海鮮菜館 Kam Dau Kee Seafood Restaurant

17/07/2011
金兜記海鮮菜館  Kam Dau Kee Seafood Restaurant
灣仔灣仔道3號尚翹峰第二&三座A2舖及1樓
Shop A2 & 1/F, Tower 2 & 3, The Zenith, 3 Wanchai Road, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/grapefruit-skin-with-prawn-roe-e2182549

After trying pomelo skin at Kin's kitchen, I have had a craving for it since.

It seems that Kin's Kitchen is the best for Pomelo skin, but the one here was good too.

Pomelo (grapefruit) skin, it not literally the whole grapefruit skin, it is just the white part inside, and the outer skin part is thrown away.

Kin's Kitchen
http://www.openrice.com/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=2162345

I ordered the grapefruit skin with prawn roe and it came covered in rich gravy topped with prawn roe.
It was piping hot.
The gravy was nice and strong that it went well with the pomelo skin.
There was no bitterness.

REMARKS:
-expect a noisy environment and the need to raise your voice to have a conversation because the Chinese seem to like shouting out their converstations so everyone can hear!
-the usual chinese hidden charges for compulsory tea and snacks placed at your table whether you want them or not.

[Review 1224] WanChai Arabic food..I'll find u wherever u go!!! @ Oh Food 清真阿拉伯料理 (灣仔)

16/07/2011
Oh Food 清真阿拉伯16料理 Oh Food Arabic Halal Cuisine
灣仔盧押道11-13號修頓商業大廈11樓A,B室
Flat A & B, 11/F, Southern Commercial Building, 11-13 Luard Road, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/wanchai-arabic-food-ill-find-u-wherever-u-go-e2182342

I was searching for new restaurants in WanChai on OpenRice and noticed this restaurant!

It reminded me of OhFood at Fortress Hill. I have been a fan of Arabic food since trying out Sham Fast Food before it refurbished into Sham Dining, then lastly into OhFood.
I tried to go to Oh Food, but when I got there it wasnt open.
I really like their food and enviroment, Sham Fast Food was similar to the food at Uni. I am not sure if they still cater for universities in Hong Kong because I remember they had a branch at some university, but I havent tried it.

It was really cool because it turned out to the same group and now the location is even more better, there is no need to walk up the steep road at Fortress Hill.
It is located in a commercial building which I rarely go for food, but this is an exception, same as Ziafat and if your going for curries at Chung King mansion.
Anyway, the decor was a mix of Sham dining and Oh Food. Flashy young logo with formal fixtures.

The owner of this places speaks really good English and he was probably educated in the US because of the logo design and the really yummy scrummy food such as fried chicken served here.

The menu was A3 menu laminated, and it was really environmentally friendly because they provide you with markers to tick your orders and the ink is wipeable.

The set costs $75 and includes a a choice of appetizer, soup, main dish or noodles, and drink.

The choice appetizers and soup are:
Hummus
Arabic salad
Brown pea garlic salad
Coleslaw salad
Egg salad
Mushroom cream soup
Egg corn soup
Vermicelli and vegetable

For the main dishes they are served with choice of Arabic rice, Beryani rice or fries.
Beef steak with black pepper sauce
Beef kebab with tomato sauce
Mutton cubes with vegetables
Sliced mutton with cheese and mushroom
Chicken Sheesh Taook
Roasted chicken
Fried chicken
Sliced chicken with cheese and mushroom
Vegetables with tomato sauce

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Coleslaw
This was slightly different to the one at North point, the colour was bright orange and slightly sweeter.
Minestrone soup
Although it may not be Arabic food, but it contained cumin and some other spices which made it really really nice.
It even tastes better than the fake minestrone soups served in Chinese restaurants that do not even contain noodles.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hummus
This was not as thick as I would have liked.
There was more sesame in it than chickpeas which made it runnier.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Milk curd pudding
This is similar to the Chinese double boiled milk except that it was too sweet.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAKEOUT - Apple pie
This looked more like an apple crumble
It was quite flourly and sweet.
The packaging was really cute, they have got clear plastic stickers with their logo which they have stuck on the lid of the apple pie box and even on the white vest take-out bag
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chicken sheesh taouk with Beryani rice:
The chicken was tender with lots of herbs.
The white gravy on the chicken was a bonus, it tasted good with or without.
The rice was soft and fluffy just like the Indian type long and slender.
The taste of the beryani rice was aromatic but not spicy.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fries
This was my favourite since Sham, they are the shoestring type with lots and lots of lovely spices on top.

There was THOOM sauce too which is fluffy garlic sauce, however the one here tastes slightly different to the one at Sham.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For the drinks I wish they had Apricot juice like before, but the current selection is ok.
The coffee was a bit strong.
Apart from the above items they also serve pastas and sandwiches!!

Shrimp pasta, Chicken pasta, Vegetable pasta, Beef steak sandwich, Sliced mutton sandwich, Chicken Sheesh Taook sandwich, Sliced chicken sandwich, Hummus sandwich and egg sandwich.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Previous review at Sham fast food:
http://www.openrice.com/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=2023517
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Review 1223] McD's new taro oreo McFlurry and new cheese dip @ 麥當勞 McDonald's

15/07/2011

麥當勞 McDonald's
灣仔軒尼詩道1號熙信樓1樓C舖
Shop C, 1/F, Asian House, 1 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/mcds-new-taro-oreo-mcflurry-and-new-cheese-dip-e2182143

When I saw the new taro oreo McFlurry, I thought wow.
So I got it with some chicken nuggets to try the new cheese sauce.
The honey and mustard was the same as last years, so I just tried the cheese.

The cheese sauce was very runny but not strong enough in cheese.
It would be cool if they had blue cheese sauce, but I doubt the Chinese would like stuff like that.

As for the McFlurry it was really disappointing because it was different to what I expected.

I assumed it would be using Taro ice-cream but it was plain soft serve topped with Taro sauce and crushed OREO's.

It was really different to the ones in UK because it was not mixed.

The McFlurry is a vanilla ice cream dessert that has pieces of candy, fruit or cookies mixed into it. The mixing blade for the dessert is actually a specially designed spoon with a hollow handle that attaches to the mixer spindle. The blade is used once then given to the customer to use to eat the product.

I took a few spoons and left it to melt, it tasted nicer as a drink because the taro taste was stronger, but TOO SWEET!!!!
The sweetness is SOOOOOOOOOO sweet that you can smell it at an arms length.