[Review 2860] The sky's the limit @ 翡翠雲臺 Sky Crystal

27/09/2013
翡翠雲臺 Sky Crystal
尖沙咀柯士甸道西1號環球貿易廣場(ICC)101樓B2號舖
Shop B2, 101/F, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/the-skys-the-limit-e2322671













Located at the ICC on the 101st Floor, Sky Crystal most probably has the best views in Hong Kong.
(Please refer to Mjqueen7e's photos.)
It was my first visit to the ICC and the first time going above the 100th floor!

When we got up there, there were spectacular views at Sky Crystal matched by numerous sparkling crystal chandeliers in the restaurant.

Sky Crystal specializes in Shanghai cuisine and dim sums.

Thanks to a fellow foodie and the restaurant for inviting us to try their food.
I was extremely impressed by their creativity which made their food delightfully similar to the dim sums at Disneyland which are aimed for families and children.

Here's was what we tried:
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Steamed siu mai dumplings with scallop and black truffle:


I loved how Western food was incorporated in the siu mai because scallop and truffle are usually paired together.
It turned the boring dimsum delectable with the addition of truffle and juicy sweet scallop.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Steamed peapod shaped scallop dumplings:


These cute dumplings were shaped like peapods with scallops in each pod section.
Each bite guaranteed with a piece of scallop.
It was really nice having something normal presented in a different style and tasting great too.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Carrot shaped Chinese pastry with grated radish filling:


These were filled with grated radish and the radish was not too soft or hard with a distinctive white radish taste complemented with light gravy inside.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
House special soupy dumpings:

Ever since I saw them posted on the internet, I have always wanted to try them.
I really appreciated that each one was uniquely different and not just different by trivial sauces eg curry, chili or other essence flavourings.
They were different meats inside and they even had cheese or beef too.
The dumplings in this steamer were:
Orange - spicy chicken
Green - black Iberian pork and organic vegetables
Black - black truffle and steamed pork
Beige - foie gras and steamed pork
The one I tried was the spicy chicken and it is rare to get chicken dumplings in Hong Kong because it is usually made with pork by default.
Although in Nepalese restaurants they have chicken momos (chicken dumplings) and in China they have duck meat dumplings.
I loved the taste of it because chicken was really delicate and the spicy sichuan spices were really fragrant.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Plum pickled Chinese yam:

The yam was presented in a fun way, just like Jenga Blocks!
Each piece of yam was crispy with a slight viscous texture flavoured lightly with pickled plum.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pickled cucumber rolls:

The cucumber rolls were wrapped with carrots in the middle and it was nicely done because the cucumber was tautly rolled up.
The taste was really refreshing because the cucumber rolls were picked right through and there was a sweet aftertaste.
They reminded me of Chinese guerkins.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Homemade wine flavoured eggs:
These wine flavoured eggs were really impressive because the wine flavour was strong and soaked right through.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Double boiled fish maw soup with morel mushroom and conch:

The soup was really good and a must try item.
There was a big chunk of fish maw and a huge piece of conchmeat.
Initially I thought the conch would be chewy because of its size, but it was so soft that it needed minimal chewing and the broth had really strong conch taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Shanghai style Soup with fresh salted pork:
Clearly this soup had salted pork in it that you could taste the salted meats in the soup.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Deep fried chicken:
Basicially it was a Chinese style roast chicken with crispy skin covered in their secret sauce which was really nice and not spicy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Nanjing style Salted duck:
The duck meat was gently flavoured not as salty as the name suggests.
It was nice and plain.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Poached asparagus wrapped with shredded Chinese yam in spinach soup:

This was another one of my favourites, not only does it look fabulous, it tastes great as well.
The crunchy asparagus is wrapped in ultra finely shredded Chinese yam which is also crunchy giving it a double crunch when you eat it.
The spinach soup was extremely light blended with spinach making you crave for more.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Deep fried diced abalone dumplings:

Again this is the best savoury dumpling compared to other ones because it was not oily and the filling inside was abalone and lean meat in delicious gravy.
The outer casing was crispy with a chewy inner surface similar to mochi.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Braised imitated sea cucumber with pork:

This is another creative dish again, the sea cucumbers are actually dumplings shaped like sea cucumbers with squid ink which gives it the colour.
Inside it was filled with delicious grounded pork and gravy while the chewyness of the imitated sea cucumber is quite similar to the real thing.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Mini egg tart with birds nest:

These egg tarts were delicious and the crust was extremely buttery.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Sky crystal dessert surprise:

In this platter there were:
-Imperial pea cakes (orange)
-Ejiao jelly
-Mango yam sorbet (top)
-Tremella and sweet scented osmanthus jelly
-Red date pudding
Personally my favourites were the mango yam sorbet and the imperial pea cakes.
The yam sorbet had a starchy texture followed by an interesting savoury taste complemented by the mango sauce.
The pea cakes were also nice because they were not too sweet.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
I can't wait to dine here again but I hope there are more product shots on the menu or photos posted so that I know what to order next time. But in general their menu is very impressive because it has properly translated dishes in English, a must for expats.

[Review 2859] Sandakan food @ Cafe Kool

22/09/2013
Café Kool
尖沙咀麼地道64號九龍香格里拉大酒店閣樓
Mezzanine Level, Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, 64 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sandakan-food-at-cafe-kool-e2321903

From 21st to 27th of September you can experience wonderful dishes from Sandakan because Shangri-La hotel has partnered with three Malaysian guest chefs: Johon Bin Sinma, Kuneh Binti Sumpat and Chong Vui San to offer an extensive buffet at Cafe Kool.

I was greeted by a vibrant reception and a Sandakan 8% alcoholic drink which was really really nice because it was sweet with pineapple and rice wine and we were given a lovely handmade necklace.

I liked the way the dessert selection was near the entrance, it was a good reminder to leave some room for dessert too.

The buffet offers Banana bud salad, sea bird's nest salad to hinava shrimp, prawn roll with bambangan dressing, sambal belgacan (chili shrimp paste), ikan bilis (anchovies), sotong kangkung (squid and kong xin chai drizzled with peanut sauce), and bitter gourd hinava and mackerel.


Popular soup and noodle choices include Mee Suah (Shrimp soup), bak kut teh, laksa, Sandakan spring noodles and soto (Chicken noodles).













At the featured sections, there were Ikan panggang (grilled fish), assam curry fish head, steamed prawns and sabah lo ton garouper with soy sauce, soft shell crab, wok-fried crab with sambal, kam heong crab, fried butter prawns, oxtail assam peda, mui heong far lam (braised pork), ayam bakar (BBQ chicken), beef masak hitam (beef in soy sauce) and three flavoured chicken.

Lastly leave yourself some room for dessert with a captivating range such as Sandakan UFO tart, Jackfruit and Banana spring roll, chee tan cha (herbal tea with braised egg) and bahulu (Malaysian cake).
The Durian swiss roll was simply delicious with real pieces of durian in the middle and the fun UFO tart.

As well as their Sandakan food, their other food were great too with a good range of seafood, foie gras, shake shake salads served in glass jars, Indian food, Mexican food and the desserts!

Dinner buffets are available at from 6.30pm-9.30pm at the following prices: Mon - Weds: Adults $518, Children $428. Thursdays: Adults $548, Children $448 Fri-Sun, PHs: Adults $568, Children $468 All prices are subject to a 10% service charge.

[Review 2858] Great fish and chips on the hills, not by the sea @ Seasalt

20/09/2013
Seasalt
半山摩羅廟街23號
23 Mosque Street, Mid-Levels
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/great-fish-and-chips-on-the-hills-not-by-the-sea-e2321294

When I found out about this place I really wanted to go especially if a Brit saids that an Oz style fish and chips are good.

At first I was a bit hesitant to go because it was located on the Mid Levels and they did not answer their phones.

I can understand they are not taking phone orders but it would be appreciated if they answered the phones so that I know it is open especially trekking a long distance from SK to the Mid levels.

I nearly gave up coming here because I was not familiar with the Mid Levels and did not have the slightest clue how to get there.

Anyway, since I really wanted to try their fish and chips I took my chances and hoped that it would be open because new restaurants often have special opening hours.

When I got there, I was greeted with bright blue stools and chequered tiles.
The front of the restaurant had open windows, lovely for breezy and cooler days.
There is a lovely view of trees with a sense of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the noisy city.

The food selection is listed on the side of the wall.

There was a 20% discount to celebrate its opening which turned out to be quite a deal since I saved about $6X.

Basically they offered three types of fish: Cod (Ling), Barramundi, Red Snapper served with chips, salad or rice.
There was a choice of beer battered or grilled fish.
For the fish, there were a choice of sauces such as tartar, ginger and soy, wasabi mayonnaise, sweet chili or garlic aioli.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The lot:

This is good if you want to try everything because it had calamari, haloumi cheese, prawn skewers, fish, chips and salad.
The chips were slightly disappointing because they were hand-cut and they just tasted like frozen crispy fries, they lacked the soft oilyness that fresh cut chips have.
The calamari was delicious because the batter was extremely light and the fish was great because the batter was extremely thin.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cod with rice:

As I already chose chips for "The Lot", I decided to choose rice to go with the fish.
It was no ordinary rice which was why I chose it.
The rice was nutritious red rice mixed with red wine and coconut milk.


As you can see, the batter was thin and crispy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
A bit pricy, but I do want to come back.












[Review 2857] Delicious Dutch Poffertjes @ Orange Tree

20/09/2013
Orange Tree
半山蘇豪些利街17號地下
G/F, 17 Shelley Street, SOHO, Mid-Levels
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/delicious-dutch-poffertjes-e2321291


I have been past this restaurant quite a few times but the outside just looked like an ordinary restaurant so I never would have guessed they did Dutch food in there.

The name of the restaurant didn't sound Dutch, but it was a nice name.

I found out it was Dutch from the reviews so decided to go there just for the Poffertjes.
The last time I had something similar were the Dutch oven pancakes which were like big yorkshire puddings.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Poffertjes:




Poffertjes are made with yeast and buckwheat flour which look like small, fluffy pancakes. Unlike American pancakes, they have a light, spongy texture.
They were like cute coin pockets that were soft and fluffy with delicious powdered sugar on top.
I felt they tasted great without the icecream because the icecream was too overpowering.
Although there is no cheese in the recipe, it tasted like there was cheese and it was savoury too which was even more delicious.
They were so delicious, I finished them really quickly!
I'll be back.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2856] French tranquility spot @ Cafe Lavande

19/09/2013
Cafe Lavande
半山太子台4A地下
Shop 4A, G/F., Prince's Terrace, Mid-Levels
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/french-tranquility-spot-e2321288

Discovered this place as I was at another restaurant nearby.
It appeared to be a cake shop but I did not know it was French until I walked in and saw the owner of Chez meli melo who was helping out that day.

There were various cakes and quiches but I tried the Clafoutis because it was freshly made by them.
The last one I tried was a frozen cherry one by French brand CASINO.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Clafoutis:


Basically it was a bit like a sweet flan with lots of European fruit in it from blueberries, strawberries and pears.
The sweetness was just right and I liked it because it was crammed with lots of fruit pieces.
It was slightly different to the frozen one I had because that one just had cherries and it was much sweeter.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2855] The best blackforest cake in Hong Kong @ Vanilla

19/09/2013
Vanilla
半山摩羅廟街33號地下
mosque Road
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/the-best-blackforest-cake-in-hong-kong-e2321287




Found out about this bakery because I was at a restaurant nearby.
It would be hard discovering this bakery on openrice because there were not many recent reviews even though this place has been here for YEARS!!

They had a good selection of British pies, quiches and cakes.

The one that caught my eye was the blackforest cake.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Blackforest cake:


After removing the plastic sheet that was around the cake, I knew I made the right choice choosing it!
As well as the cherry on top, you could see whole cherries in the middle.

There were at least NINE WHOLE cherries in this cake! (Money well worth spent already and this cake was only $34)

The price of this cake was extremely reasonable too compared to other crappy local cakes which only give you chopped cherries and cheap cream.
As well as that the chocolate shavings on top were amazing because they were NANO thin and melts in your mouth. They were as soft as snowflakes.
The cake as a whole was delicious, the chocolate sponge was light and the cream was deliciously fresh whipped cream guaranteed with a juicy cherry in each bite because there were so many cherries in this cake!
I'll be back!
Best of the British.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2854] Joy and Joy mooncakes @ 喜双逢 Joy & Joy

19/09/2013
喜双逢  Joy & Joy
中環皇后大道中33號萬邦行2樓211號舖
Shop211,2/F,Melbourne Plaza,33 Queen's Road Central, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/joy-and-joy-mooncakes-e2321260

Got these mooncakes from Joy and Joy after a tasting.
The mooncakes were quite sweet but I loved the egg custard filling because the egg yolk was mixed in with it.

The mooncake pastry was quite thick.


[Review 7821] Kaya toast @ 一粥麵 Super Super Congee & Noodle

19/12/2020 一粥麵  Super Super Congee & Noodle 樂富聯合道198號樂富廣場1樓1113-1114號舖 Shop 1113-1114, 1/F, Lok Fu Shopping Centre, 198 Junction Road, L...