[Review 1234] There has been an improvement @ Roast Sai Kung Takeaway

30/07/2011

Roast Sai Kung Takeaway
西貢福民路42-56號西貢大廈地下16號舖
Shop16, G/F, Sai Kung Mansion, 42-56 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/theres-been-an-improvement-e2185635

On my last visit, I felt that this shop was in its teething stages, since then it has improved.
The rude waitress is not there anymore and you are served by Star studded crew which I shall explain later.

There is more items on the menu that were not previously there such as the fried chicken, burritos, quesadilla, kebabs and burgers.
I ordered a lamb kebab, fried chicken, and roast chicken.
The fried chicken was good because there were two versions spicy and non spicy.

It was also interesting that they had a beverage called Halo Halo which is Flipino!
It would be good if they also offered fries with chicken salt that is served in Australia, because one of the owners is also from Oz.

I really liked the aluminium boxes that they used to serve the food, the exact same ones used in the English takeaways.
On my previous visit it was the white CFC boxes.

Roast chicken:
This was very spicy, it was like chicken roasted and then dipped in chili oil and grilled.
The texture of the chicken was so juicy, and it has definately improved since my last visit.
On my last visit, the skin was ripped and falling off, this time it was intact and grease free!
Interestingly on the chicken it had grill marks on it resembling the alphabet, the one on the drummette resembles an "N" and the one of the thigh resembles an "O".
So when it was served together it looked like the word "NO"!

Fried chicken:
I was expecting just ordinary fried chicken, but it was amazing, it is a delicious version of the fried chicken served at the Green Waffle in Central.
The difference is that the one here has taste!!
It was loaded with spices such as caraway seeds which you could visually see, the chicken was meaty and juicy.
It is close to the divine ones I had at PFC in London.

Spicy fried chicken:
The spicy version was also good too, same as the fried chicken, also big and juicy, both the coating was light.
However this one was spicy but not as spicy as the grilled chicken, it had cumin powder on it, which really made it taste nice.

Lamb Kebab:
It is not the English kebab I was expecting served in pita bread, but tasted better than the Hongkie ones, there was less sauce dripping from the kebab but it was still flavourful.
The lamb was thinly sliced and accompanied by sweet purple onions with spices too.

Price: slightly more expensive than your average fast food joint but the drinks are fairly priced at $6 per can unlike other places where they charge you $15-$20 per can, and there is a convenience store in close range.
English menu: yes, and they speak English too!
Service: very friendly
Yummy factor: very
MSG levels: did feel thristy afterwards

Anyway just for fun, the star studded couple (owners) are from the filming industry, lets hope to see more of their productions.

Irina Hadjieva - known as Irina Clarkson or Irina Hadzhieva-Clarkson was an art department director for various films and also an assistant direction.
2009 The Fourth Kind (art department coordinator - as Irina Clarkson)
2006 The Black Dahlia (art department coordinator: Bulgaria - as Irra Clarckson)
2004 Air Strike (video) (art department coordinator - as Irina Hadjieva)
2003 Air Marshal (art department coordinator)
2003 Alien Hunter (art department coordinator - as Irina Hadjieva)
2003 In Hell (art department coordinator - as Irina Hadjieva)
2003 Disaster (art department coordinator - as Irina Hadjieva)
2003 Rats (art department coordinator)
2003 Marines (video) (art department coordinator - as Irina Hadzieva)
2003 Submarines (video) (art department coordinator)
2003 In Hell (second second assistant director - as Irina Hadzhieva-Clarkson)
2002 Derailed (third assistant director)
2002 Run for the Money (art department coordinator - as Irina Hadjieva)
2002 Panic (art department coordinator)
2001 The Order (art department coordinator: Bulgaria - as Irina Hadjieva)

Ross W. Clarkson, well known for cinematography in various films and even appeared as an actor too.2011 Conan the Barbarian (cinematographer: second unit)
2010 The Eagle Path (camera operator)
2010 Undisputed III: Redemption (camera operator)
2009 Ninja (camera operator)
2009 Direct Contact (camera operator)
2009 Push (camera operator)
2008 Shark in Venice (camera operator)
2008 Jin ping mei (camera operator)
2008 The Shepherd: Border Patrol (video) (camera operator)
2007 The Hills Have Eyes II (camera operator)
2006 The Black Dahlia (camera operator)
2006 Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (Steadicam operator, camera operator)
2006 Making of 'The Mechanik' (actor as himself)
2005 The Mechanik (Steadicam operator, camera operator)
2004 Unstoppable (Steadicam operator - uncredited, additional photographer, camera operator, cinematographer: second unit)
2004 Skeleton Man (TV movie) (camera operator)
2003 Belly of the Beast (video) (camera operator)
2003 Out for a Kill (video) (cinematographer: second unit)
2003 In Hell (camera operator)
2003 Alien Hunter (Falkland Man #1 actor as Ross Clarkson)
2002 Greenmail (video) (Steadicam operator, camera operator)
2002 Derailed (Steadicam operator, camera operator)
2002 Dead Heat (camera operator)
2001 The Order (Steadicam operator, camera operator)
2001 Replicant (camera operator: "a" camera / second unit, cinematographer: second unit)
1997 Full Alert (underwater cinematographer)
1995 Guardian Angels (camera operator: second unit, Hong Kong)
1995 Ma ma fan fan (underwater cinematographer)

[Review 1233] So where is the dessert? @ 順興茶餐廳

28/07/2011

順興茶餐廳
大坑安庶庇街5號地舖
G/F, 5 Ormsby Street, Tai Hang
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/so-where-is-the-dessert-e2185216

When I saw pictures of the soy sauce with spring onions, I just knew I had to try their signature egg because it comes with the sauce.

Ordered egg with roast pork and egg with prawns.

Both came beautifully done with lots of spring onions embedded in it, and the colour of the spring onions were still jade green and fresh.

The roast pork was thinly sliced, lean, tender and soft, much better than the specialists that sell roast pork!

Before I tried the egg, I tried the soy sauce first, the one thing that made me come here.
The soy sauce had some stir-fried spring onions in it, and there was some spring onion sweetness and aroma to the soy sauce.
The egg with delicious natrually, it was cooked just right with a thin layer of half cooked egg in jelly form.
It was so nice it tasted nice with or without the sauce, but adding the sauce made it completely delicious.

The lemon tea was nice as well, but there seemed to be no dessert offered even though it stated it on the menu.

Next time I will try their bottled soy milk with the set.

Price: slightly more expensive than your average Chinese
English menu: nope! not your dreams
Service: Ok I suppose, can be confusing.
Yummy factor: very
MSG levels: none

[Review 1232] Sugar cane juice beats the thirst @ 公利真料竹蔗水 Kung Lee Sugarcane Juice

28/07/2011
公利真料竹蔗水 Kung Lee Sugarcane Juice
中環蘇豪荷李活道60號地下
G/F, 60 Hollywood Road, SOHO, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sugar-cane-juice-beats-the-thirst-e2185151

I have a sweet tooth and I love savoury snacks but not for Chinese food.
The sweetness in Chinese desserts seems to taste weird and overly sweet, even their crisps are sweet.

I am not sure if the sugar used in Western food is different to the Chinese one, but the Chinese sweetness stings the throat and causes a build up of phelgm.
Unless it is plain water or sugar-free drinks it does not quench my thirst, because the sweetness of the drinks just makes more thirsty.

Anyway I assumed that it would be another one of those "been there tried that" reviews because I only wanted to try their famous Cane sugar juice and Cane sugar dessert.

From the reviews some people have said it wasnt too sweet and some said it was too sweet.

I sat down and the sugar cane dessert was placed on my table by the lady before I even ordered, but I was going to order that anyway.

Wanted to try the sugar cane juice and the hot sugar cane drink so I ordered the sugar cane juice first to see how sweet it was.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sugar Cane dessert:
The sugar cane dessert texture was similar to those steamed red bean puddings in a bowl (butjaigo) but softer.
The first piece was hard to get as it was all stuck together.
The sweetness was not that sweet so it gave me confidence to order both the sugar cane juice and the hot sugar cane drink.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sugar cane juice
After trying the dessert, I ordered the sugar cane juice.
It was not that sweet and similar to drinking nectar or the sap of some plants.
It was slightly grassy but pleasant.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hot sugar cane
This was slightly sweeter than the cane juice, but it was lighter and reminded me of that drink with waterchestnuts and carrots.

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

I think the sweetness of the sugar cane juice varies from time to time depending on the season for sugar cane and the concentration, just like the way soy milk tastes stronger and sweeter from the bottom of the jug.

Although the shop is old, they had many interesting decorations inside like the green thing which is made of green drinking straws.
On top of the fridge there is a huge paper cup with a story cut out.
The story of how sugar cane juice is processed from washing the sugar cane, to peeling the sugar cane, extracting the juice and drinking it.

Chinese word thing made from green straws.

green thing made from green drinking straws
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Price: in my opinion cheap, but then I havent tried other cane juice places
English menu: nope! not your dreams, but this shop only serves drinks.
Service: Ok I suppose, but don't expect them to serve you immediately.
Yummy factor: dessert was good
Sweetness level: the sweetness was just right and not so sweet.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Review 1231]Looking forward to gelato in croissants @ Bibini Ice-cream Gelato

27/07/2011
Bibini Ice-cream Gelato (已結業)
西貢福民路58-72號高富樓地下11號舖
Shop 11, G/F, Ko Fu House, 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/looking-forward-to-gelato-in-croissants-e2184919

Was not intending to have gelato because I just had some froyo, but they had popcorn gelato which is not often on the menu so I got a cup for $27.
As well as that they had cheddar cheese gelato which was interesting.

The taste of the popcorn gelato had that popcorn taste, it was light and fluffy like marshmallow spread that you get from the US.

Anyway I am looking forward to gelato in croissant which is available in September, similar to eating toast with ice-cream.

[Review 1230] Just another Froyo joint in Sai Kung @ Mr. Froyo

27/07/2011 Mr. Froyo
西貢福民路西貢苑65號地下
Shop 65, Sai Kung Villa, Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/just-another-froyo-joint-in-sai-kung-e2184918

This froyo shop has opened for quite a while.
It was the last thing on my mind when there is nothing else interesting to try.
I wanted to try Yogurtime but I have already tried the flavours they had that day.

Basically it tastes the same as other froyos, not very distinctive.
The raspberries were canned and not sweetened which was good, but it looks like...........
The toppings were better, they had berries, but I should have picked the raspberry crispies which are not commonly found in other Froyo shops.
They had pineapple crispies as well.

[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