[Review 2915] Turkish delights! @ 土耳其安塔利亞 Turkey Antalya

23/10/2013
土耳其安塔利亞 Turkey Antalya
此店之前身為我愛安塔利亞

旺角西洋菜南街1A-1K百寶利商業中心13樓4B室
Shop 4B, 13/F, Pakpolee Commercial Centre, 1A-1K Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/turkish-delights-e2327290

Thanks to 饞餵人 and Turkey Antalya restaurant for organizing this tasting.

Turkey Antalya is a private restaurant located in a commercial building right in the heart of Mong Kok.

Although the restaurant and kitchen is small, they were able to cater for a birthday party that day as well as our tasting.

Here was what we tried:
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Roasted Tender Chicken Stuffed with Red Rice in Mersin Style $236:


This was a whole roasted chicken stuffed with rice and herbs.
It is called red rice because of the herbs.
The chicken was tender with crispy skin and the rice was rich in herbs and spices but just a tad too salty in my opinion.
There was yoghurt and salad to complement the chicken as well.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Mektup Böreği:
Fried cheese and yoghurt (pre-order needed)
$185


I loved the cheese and yoghurt which was wrapped in crispy pastry.
The cheese is not that strong and similar to cottage cheese.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Mussels and Rice with Tomatoes Sauce - Midye Dolma (pre order needed)
$236

The rice was similar to the rice in the chicken dish above but it did not taste that strong which was a good balance with the mussels because the taste of that was light and there were pieces of aubergines in it too.
It would be great if the mussels could have been detached from the shell or placed above the rice.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Turkish Grilled Meatball 6oz and Lamb Sis kebab 6oz
$396

This meat was a bit heavy for me and it was slighlty dry and hard.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Manti (Lamb/Beef)
$185

These were cute deep fried wontons, which were really similar to the Xiamen style mini wontons.
http://static3.orstatic.com/UserPhoto/photo/4/38L/00N12OD825952CECB25164l.jpg
The turkish style ones were tastier as they had tomato sauce and yoghurt dressing.
Once you start on them, you can't stop.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Buttered rice

Simple but delicious buttered rice!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Rose Pudding

It had strong rose flavour, perfect for rose lovers but since I do not like rose I can't comment but I just felt that the sweetness could be toned down.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2914] Le Dôme de Cristal media tasting @ Le Dôme de Cristal

23/10/2013
Le Dôme de Cristal
中環皇后大道中9號嘉軒廣場2-3樓
2-3/F, The Galleia, 9 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/le-dome-de-cristal-media-tasting-e2327246

Thanks to KC and Le Dôme de Cristal for inviting me to this media luncheon at the first Cristal-branded Bar and Restaurant in the World.
Guests are greeted with a glass elevator surrounded by a small flight of stairs to the restaurant with a classy wine cellar at the entrance.
This newly opened restaurant is located on the third floor of The Galleria where diners dine beneath a grand dome-shaped ceiling.

Here was what we tried:
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
4-Piece Oyster Platter:


Ostra Regal, White Pearl, Gillardeau, Ecaille D’ Argent
The oysters were great with the champagne because sipping the champagne after eating the oysters balanced out the saltiness which enhanced the taste of the champagne.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Organic Tomato Salad with White Anchovies & Pickled Garlic in 12-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar:


The salad was delicate and delicious, I loved the minimalistic dressing, it was just balsamic vinegar and white anchovies which were enough to keep it tasty because the beets and cherry tomatoes tasted perfect on its own.
The salad leaves were grown by hydroponics which does not contain pesticides while containing high nutrients.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Alaskan Crab Meat with Imperial Caviar in Du Barry Cream Sauce:

Again, this is why I prefer Western cuisine because the tastes are lighter, I could taste pure crab meat which was flavoured by the caviar on top.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Carpaccio of Yellowfin Tuna, Scallops & Salmon Roes in Sesame Dressing:


The carapaccio was nice and fresh especially the scallops, I love the salmon roe because it gave it an extra burst of salty flavouring when it popped.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Terrine of Duck Foie Gras stuffed with Fig Chutney:

The portion of this was huge, and the foie gras terrine literally melts in your mouth.
It was paired with fresh fig slices and fig chutney both which I adored because they were natrual and no sweeteners were added.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Linguine with Sicilian Red Shrimp & Imperial Caviar in Cherry Tomato Sauce:

This is the best Sicilian red shrimp I have tasted because the texture was not too springy.
Usually shrimps of that size end up too tough, but this one was a bit like sashimi.
The linguine was infused with prawn oils, lobster essense and butter giving it the most intense prawn taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Charcoal Grilled Yellowfin Tuna & Alaskan Crab Leg with Fennel Salad:

This was a colourful dish, and the tuna was grilled just right with a pink centre.
The delicate crab paired nicely with the fragrant fennel salad.
☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Charcoal Grilled Canadian Pork Rack with Apple & Rhubarb Chutney in Red Currant Glaze:

The pork was tender and tasted fruity because it was paired with apple and rhubarb chutney which gave it a appetizing sweet tone.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Slow Cooked Lamb Loin with Gratin Potato in Morels Cream Foam & Sheep Milk Yoghurt:


The lamb was lovely and tender with delicious potato gratin in the middle.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Champagne Caviar with White Peach Mousse Cake:

The mousse cake was glistening with golden champagne caviar on top.
A nice way to sweeten the palate with floral peachy tones.
There was tangy lemon powder and refreshing jelly on the plate too.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Valrhona Chocolate Le Dome with Wasabi Filling Vanilla Ice-cream and Sorbet:

The chocolate dome was an interesting fusion, but not bad because many desserts pair chocolate with salt or salted caramel.
I liked the way the wasabi toned down the sweetness of the chocolate.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Throughout the tasting, it was a journey with the following LOUIS ROEDERER fine champagnes:

Louis Roederer NV
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2007
Louis Roederer Cristal 2005
Louis Roederer Cristal Rose 2004


I am not an expert on champagnes but each and every one of them was unique with ultra fine bubbles rising in straight line from the centre of the champagne flute which were mesmerizing to watch.

There was one which you could smell instantly, but my favourite had to be the one with super fine bubbles, the Cristal 2004.
The bottles were beautifully designed just like crystal.

[Review 2913] Creole food restored @ Restoration

23/10/2013
Restoration
中環雲咸街63號巴力大廈1樓
1/F, 63 Wyndham Street, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/creole-food-restored-at-restoration-e2327225


I used to go to Blue Smoke for creole food but it has closed down.
Luckily I had their last Thanksgiving dinner because it was delicious.

Anyway, I heard about Restoration last year but every time I called no one picks up the phone and they are not open on Sundays.

When i got there, the food was strikingly similar to Blue Smoke, after asking the staff, they said the Chef was from Blue Smoke which was comforting.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Oyster po boy:

The oysters were coated in delicious cornmeal which was light and crispy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Catfish po boy:

The catfish was also coated in the same delicious cornmeal, but the catfish was slightly saltier.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cinnamon roll:

Bit dry and hard
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
After the meal, there was an electronic questionnaire to leave comments.

[Review 2912] Mexican buffet @ I Caramba!

22/10/2013
I Caramba!
中環蘇豪伊利近街26-30號地下
G/F, 26-30 Elgin Street, SOHO, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/mexican-buffet-e2327164

I have always wanted to try the Mexican buffet at I Caramba! but it is only available during weekday lunches.
It costs $88 per person with refillable drinks such as lemon tea.
I went on a Monday and surprisingly the restaurant was almost full before 1pm.
The selection was quite good, they had my favourite refried beans, black beans, guacamole and sour cream.

The refried beans were a bit sweet and it tasted like baked beans, the black beans were a bit hard, and the guacamole was the best because it was light and tangy

[Review 2911] Pumpkin and Spice Pie @ Tai Tai Pie Pies

22/10/2013
Tai Tai Pie Pies
金鐘金鐘道88號太古廣場二期LG1樓Great Food Hall
Great Food Hall, LG1/F, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/pumpkin-and-spice-pie-e2327163

Previously tried the Pumpkin and Spice Pie at Blue Smoke for Thanksgiving but unfortunately it has packed up.

Then I got to try it again because Secret Ingredients stocked it.

At GREAT food hall, there is now a TTPP stall where I can get all my favourite pies directly from them.

The Pumpkin and Spice Pie is just the thing for Thanksgiving or halloween.

The two that I got were obviously for halloween because one had a cute bat and the other had a witch on a broomstick.

There were other designs as well.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pumpkin and Spice Pie:

The pie looked more like a tart because there was no pie top to cover it, and the filling was delicious and buttery with a strong taste of cinnamon.
The sweetness was just right and after reheating it, the pie was even more delicious because the pumpkin aroma came out more.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2910] Boisson de Plage et Soleil @ Cafe Lavande

21/10/2013
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/boisson-de-plage-et-soleil-e2326833


Previously tried the Cherry Clafoutis which was quite nice.
On this visit, I wanted to try the quiche but it was sold out so I got a drink instead.
There were quite a lot of non-alcoholic mocktails which was really good but quite a few of them had lavender and flowers which were not really my cup of tea.

Here are more photos of the place because it was in the evening on my last visit which was too dark for photos.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Photos of Cafe Lavande:

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Plage et Soleil
(French meaning beach and sun in English)
Pineapple juice, coconut syrup, sparkling water water with cream on top.

A nice concoction of Monin's coconut syrup and pineapple juice.
The drink tastes better than Pina Colada because it does not have coconut milk which is quite sickly.

I found it a bit too sweet after mixing the coconut syrup at the bottom and I would have preferred more sparking water because it was not fizzy enough.
Overall, the drink tasted quite nice if it weren't too sweet.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2909] Dessert corner at Tim Ho Wan @ 添好運點心專門店 Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists

21/10/2013
添好運點心專門店 Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists
中環港鐵香港站L1樓12A號舖
Shop 12A, L1/F, Hong Kong MTR Station, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/dessert-corner-at-tim-ho-wan-e2326830

I was intending to go to Veggie Express, but it has packed up unfortunately!
Walked past Tim Ho Wan and discovered that they had a section just for takeaway desserts.
The rolls and glutinous rice balls looked interesting so decided to get them.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Red bean and custard cream roll:

Basically it was custard cream and red bean rolled up on each side.
I only tried the custard side because I don't like red bean.
The custard was quite strong and paired nicely with the soft sticky roll and the sweetness was just right.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Custard snowball:



Tried it chilled and tried it at room temperature.
I preferred it chilled because the custard taste was stronger, the custard in the middle was cooling and the glutinous pastry was chewier.
At room temperature, I could not really taste the custard and the shredded coconut taste was more prominent.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★