[Review 2936] 2013 EBI burger is back @ 麥當勞 McDonald's

03/11/2013
麥當勞 McDonald's
灣仔莊士敦道74-80號地下及地庫
G/F&B/F, 74-80 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/ebi-burger-is-back-e2329015

My favourite EBI burger is back!~
There are now two options, one with egg and one without.

Went to the McDs on Johnsons Road for the first time and the queuing area was so small that the queue overflows to the stairs entrance coming down to McDonalds!
 The queuing area is so small that I don't know why they bother having a McCafe right next to the food counter adding to the congestion.
Anyway tried both versions of the EBI burger and as usual the Shake Shake powder comes free if you order the extra large meal.

If you choose hot tea for the extra large meal then you are actually losing out because the cup is actually the same size as the cup in the regular meal!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ebi burger with egg:


This burger comes in a box and the one without egg is just wrapped in paper.
The egg in this burger was a bit too much and made the prawn patty tasteless.
I know McDs won't have this but if was omelette or scrambled egg with prawn instead of egg and prawn patty, it would taste much nicer.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ebi burger:

At first glance, there is not much sauce in the middle.
The frying oil was a bit old, so the delicate prawn patty was ruined by the rancid oil, luckily the sauce was strong and tart enough to save it.
The prawn patty was really nice, it was soft and jelly like inside.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Japanese curry shake shake powder:


Basically it tastes the same as the curry powder launched a while ago but it has a hint of sweetness because it is Japanese style curry.
After eating the fries, you will find that your fingers and fingernails are stained yellow!!
Food colouring...................Nice!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Other new items:
Taro pie and Sweetcorn and mushroom soup

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2935] Toast that was too hard @ 檀島咖啡餅店 Honolulu Coffee Shop

02/11/2013
檀島咖啡餅店 Honolulu Coffee Shop
中環士丹利街33號地下
G/F, 33 Stanley St,, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/toast-that-was-too-hard-e2329000

Came here again because the noodles looked good at their other branch.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Rice vermicelli tossed in satay beef:
This was the only thing that tasted ok, but a bit pricey.
The rice vermicelli was nicely flavoured by the rich satay sauce which had a hint of sweetness.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
cheese and ham toast:

The bread was not fresh and dehydrated so by the time it was toasted, the texture was hard and dry.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Napkins:
Although the food was crap, I was surprised they had real napkins and not waxy tracing paper that other restaurants provide!!!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2934] Foie gras and Char Siu combo! @ 來佬餐館 Loyal Dining

02/11/2013
來佬餐館 Loyal Dining
中環威靈頓街66號
66 Wellington Street, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/foie-gras-and-char-siu-combo-e2328994

Went here because some of the dishes were quite Western and some were quite local to satisfy someone requiring some Chinese food!

Heres what we had
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Toast with fermented beancurd and white sugar:
Chose this because it was weird, but not that weird because I used to spread fermented beancurd on bread.
The fermented beancurd they used was quite good because there was no weird aftertaste and it was pleasant.
I would prefer it without the sugar because savoury and sweet tastes are weird together.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Foie gras with Char Siu and a fried egg:
It was interesting having roast pork and foie gras together so thats why we ordered it.
The foie gras was how it should be, not overly exciting but the roast pork was good, not too salty or sweet.
I was impressed because it came with spring onion sauce which usually comes with chicken.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Beef Wellington:
威靈頓 66 伴薯菜

This dish was surprised me too because it was properly Western with gravy and even a BAKED potato with sour cream and bacon bits.
The beef in the middle was tender and juicy complimented by the light puff pastry on the outside.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2933]La Parole @ Wine and Dine 2013

01/11/2013
La Parole 
上環文咸東街22-26號柏廷坊3樓
3/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/la-parole-wine-and-dine-2013-e2328713


It was my first time going to a Wine and Dine event Thanks to Openrice’s Wine and Dine guest passes.

Before you go in, you are given a starter bag which contains a wine glass and a booklet of coupons for free wine and food tasting.

There are two types of food coupons depending on your pass, the ones I got were VIP coupons which entitles you to full portions of food according to the information and the normal ones are worth $10 per coupon.

It was confusing at first because I have not attended this before and some booths were mind boggled by these coupons, some treated these VIP coupons for half portions, and some treated them as being worth $10 so I did not the coupons on these booths.

It was good seeing La Parole at Wine and Dine because I have yet to try their restaurant.

At this booth I used TWO VIP coupons for two half portion dishes.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Savoury beef stew with mashed potato:

Not keen on beef but just felt like trying it.
The mash with the beef was really nice, it was dense and silky with a strong potato taste and the beef sauce was rich.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Foie gras with caramelized apple:

The foie gras was nicely done, it was gently cooked leaving it soft and silky on the inside with a firm texture while the tart caramelized apples complimented it nicely balancing the heavyiness of the foie gras.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2932] Braised abalone in gravy at Wine and Dine 2013 @ 道北工房 Japan 88

01/11/2013
道北工房 Japan 88 The Fusion Studio
筲箕灣筲箕灣東大街2號地下11號舖
Shop 11, G/F, 2 Shau Kei Wan Man Street East, Shau Kei Wan
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/braised-abalone-in-gravy-at-wine-and-dine-2013-e2328707

It was my first time going to a Wine and Dine event Thanks to Openrice’s Wine and Dine guest passes.
Before you go in, you are given a starter bag which contains a wine glass and a booklet of coupons for free wine and food tasting.
There are two types of food coupons depending on your pass, the ones I got were VIP coupons which entitles you to full portions of food according to the information and the normal ones are worth $10 per coupon.
It was confusing at first because I have not attended this before and some booths were mind boggled by these coupons, some treated these VIP coupons for half portions, and some treated them as being worth $10 so I did not the coupons on these booths.
At this booth I used TWO VIP coupons and got one abalone.
(The normal portions have two abalones).
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Abalone in gravy:

The abalone and sauce was really hot so had to wait for it to cool down.
The abalone was relatively soft but the sauce was really salty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2931] i-Scream Gelato @ Wine Dine 2013

01/11/2013
i-Scream Gelato
中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場1104號舖
Shop 1104, 1/F, IFC Mall,No.1 Harbour View Street, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/i-scream-gelato-wine-dine-2013-e2328706

It was my first time going to a Wine and Dine event Thanks to Openrice’s Wine and Dine guest passes.
Before you go in, you are given a starter bag which contains a wine glass and a booklet of coupons for free wine and food tasting.
There are two types of food coupons depending on your pass, the ones I got were VIP coupons which entitles you to full portions of food according to the information and the normal ones are worth $10 per coupon.
It was confusing at first because I have not attended this before and some booths were mind boggled by these coupons, some treated these VIP coupons for half portions, and some treated them as being worth $10 so I did not the coupons on these booths.
As well as those coupons, there was a coupon for a free gelato from i Scream.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Caramel:
The gelato was quite nice and not too sweet.
It was smooth, thick and not icy.
I liked the bitterness of the caramel.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 2930] Le Canele D'or @ Wine and Dine 2013

01/11/2013
Le Canele D'or
59753098
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/le-canele-dor-wine-and-dine-2013-e2328705

It was my first time going to a Wine and Dine event Thanks to Openrice’s Wine and Dine guest passes.
Before you go in, you are given a starter bag which contains a wine glass and a booklet of coupons for free wine and food tasting.
There are two types of food coupons depending on your pass, the ones I got were VIP coupons which entitles you to full portions of food according to the information and the normal ones are worth $10 per coupon.
It was confusing at first because I have not attended this before and some booths were mind boggled by these coupons, some treated these VIP coupons for half portions, and some treated them as being worth $10 so I did not the coupons on these booths.
Le Canele D'or does not do retail and only takes orders for delivery so this was one of the booths I had to try.
There are three flavours: Traditional (vanilla/rum), Mediterranean (orange zest/liquor), Irish (coffee/whisky)
The boxes for these Canelés were quite classy.
At this booth, I used one VIP coupon on one cocktail sized canele.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Traditional (vanilla/rum) canelé:
The canele was quite hard with a bitter caramelized crust and inside it was quite sweet and chewy.
I was expecting the middle to be eggy and soft but it was not.
It is similar to eating the burnt edges of a bread and butter pudding.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★