[Review 3549] Durian icecream blind tasting @ 貓山皇Musang King

30/07/2014
貓山皇Musang King
銅鑼灣希雲街28-30號
28-30 Haven Street, Causeway Bay
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/durian-icecream-blind-tasting-e2380389

Attended a blind testing for Durian icecream.
There were eight different brands that we tried and we wrote down our comments on the sheet as shown.

After all eight were tested, our sheets were collected and the results were revealed.

For this particular icecream, my comments were:
Natural durian taste with a medium aftertaste.
The texture was smooth but slightly icy.
The colour of this icecream was creamy light yellow.

I will definitely go and try their desserts because they have just opened a branch at Causeway bay so you don't have to travel all the way to Yuen Long!!
Hurrah!

[Review 3548] New look and new burgers @ Caliburger

29/07/2014
Caliburger
灣仔軒尼詩道68號地下
G/F., 68 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/new-look-and-new-burgers-at-caliburger-e2380319

Burger joints have been popping up in Wan Chai lately so Caliburger is in serious competition.
Walked past the other day and discovered some new burgers and the front area had changed.

Here is the new look~!
At each table, there was this huge bottle of Tabasco sauce!!

The new menu is more concise and offers fish and chicken which is great for non beef lovers like me!
Caliburger is also on instagram so you can hashtag your photos or videos for a chance to win free meal @caliburger_hk

Here was what I had.

The Vanilla Milkshake was a classic, I fell in love with that the first time I came here because it is mixed with dreamy icecream~!
They also have spiked milkshakes with peanut butter jelly.

Then I had the Snapper Fillet Burger, which was a huge fish fillet in a soft bun.

The bun itself was big too, so I had to eat it carefully!!
But anyway, as you can see, the fish was succulent and soft as the picture shows with a lovely light crisp breadcrumb coating.
It was paired deliciously with their homemade tartar sauce which was refreshing but not too heavy.

My colleague had the Chicken Burger which had a piece of chicken breast in the middle.

I tried the chicken and it was a little dry but it went well with the sauce which was creamy with onions in it.

Lastly we shared the Chilli Cheese Fries which were crispy, coated in fiery meat sauce with cheese.

◎ⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓖⓘⓡⓛ◎
The bill: $1xx

[Review 3547] A neat blueberry Danish from Papillon Cafe @ Papillon Caffe

29/07/2014
Papillon Caffe
灣仔皇后大道東183號合和中心17樓1701-1705號舖
Shop 1701-1705, 17/F., Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/a-neat-blueberry-danish-from-papillon-cafe-e2380224

I love Papillon Cafe because it is a young and vibrant cafe at the Hopewell Centre.
Papillon has a lovely pastel logo of a butterfly which incorporates the name Papillon.

Saw some delicious pastries featured on their Instagram so decided to get one.
It was neatly wrapped up which was amazing because I did not get my fingers sticky.
There were napkins provided as well which was super handy.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Blueberry danish:
Anyway, the blueberry danish was delicious, the pastry was not too dense but light and flakey with fruity blueberry filling that was not too sweet.
 0 讚好

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
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[Review 3546] Spicy hot Northern Thai cuisine @ 18巷泰國餐廳 Soi 18 Thai Cuisine

29/07/2014
18巷泰國餐廳 Soi 18 Thai Cuisine
銅鑼灣告士打道280號世貿中心13樓1302B室
Shop 1302B, 13/F, World Trade Centre, 280 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/spicy-hot-northern-thai-cuisine-e2380101

The food served at this restaurant is North Thailand cuisine.
Overall I found them too spicy for my tastebuds but there were a few dishes that were delicious and not spicy.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
To start off I had the special young coconut drink which turned out to be the best young coconut drink I have ever had because it was thirst quenching and also acted as a cooler.
The young coconut was made into icy slush with young coconut meat making it tasty as well as cooling.
 1 讚好

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Then we started the meal with fiery Tom Yum Kung soups, there was chicken and fish
 0 讚好

 0 讚好

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The next dish was interesting, it was finely chopped fried pork pieces accompanied with ginger, calamansi, peanuts, chilis and onions which were fillers for the lettuce wrap.
 0 讚好

This was fun to eat while the calamansi and ginger added a fiery and refreshing note to the wrap.
For a spicier experience, add the green chilis as well.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Northeastern Thai style Grilled beef, papaya salad and glutinous rice:
泰東北燒牛扒青木瓜沙律配糯米飯 $168
 0 讚好

The beef slices were meaty and juicy which paired nicely with the papaya salad.
The glutinous rice was fun to eat and presented in a cute woven box.
 0 讚好


★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Northeastern Thai style grilled chicken:
泰東北燒雞扒 $148
 0 讚好

The chicken was juicy and tasty with a fine charred aroma.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Spicy pork neck salad
香辣豬頸肉沙律 $78

I found this quite spicy and the pork neck slices were reasonably lean.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Prawns in Tamarind sauce
香炸虎蝦配酸子汁 $218

The prawns were springy and fresh but I felt that it needed more sauce.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Black pepper crab:
秘製黑椒炒蟹 $360

The crab was quite spicy, spiked with spices and black pepper.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Grilled fish with herbs:
泰式香草燒魚 $188


It was nice how the fish skin just lifted off leaving delicate fish beneath it.
The fish was soft and juicy which was further enhanced by the zesty sauce provided.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Lamb filet with mango
香芒炒羊仔柳 $118
 0 讚好

I didn't try the mango but the pieces of lamb were juicy and tender.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Stir fried young chayote plant:
清炒佛手瓜苗 $78
I was glad to see this on the menu because normally people consume Chayotes but not the plant itself.

It had a lovely dry crisp texture which is similar to the sweetpea plant but it was not stringy and does not have a grassy taste.
[I wonder how long this will be on the menu because of demand and supply issues.]
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Okra cooked in garlic:
蒜香炒毛茄 $78

The okra had a light taste and it had the usual viscous texture with a crunch.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
seafood and pineapple fried rice:
鳳梨海鮮炒飯 $118

The fried rice was impressive, it was colourful and tasty with savoury notes and spices.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pad Thai:
鲜蝦炒金邊粉 $88

The Pad Thai was a bit of a disappointment because it didn't really stand out in terms of taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Dessert:
甜品 泰式香芒椰汁糯米飯 $68

The purple glutinous rice was chewy and sticky.
It tasted really nice after more coconut sauce was added.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 3545] Hearty dinners @ Passion by Gerard Dubois on Mody

28/07/2014
Passion by Gerard Dubois
尖沙咀麼地道32-48號麗東大廈地下A號
Shop A, G/F, Lyton Building, 32-48 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/hearty-dinners-passion-by-gerard-dubois-on-mody-e2380056

Before Passion by Gerard Dubois opened their first branch in Wan Chai, they were selling delicious sandwiches and patisseries in the name of Noire Bakery.
Now, there is a second branch of Passion by Gerard Dubois on Mody Road.

Most people go there for cakes and patisseries.
I have been tempted by their salads in Wan Chai, but ended up getting roast chicken and soup round the corner.

At the TST branch, the quality of salad looks better and not as oily as the salads in the Wan Chai branch.
There is a good selection of sandwiches and wraps.

In the evenings, they serve stews as well.

Finally got the salad and tried slow cooked beef.
The salad I chose was wholesome, there was beetroot and sweet mandarin segments, my favourite couscous and tomatoes in a refreshing herb sauce.

Then we had the slow cooked beef which stole the show.
The beef was soft and tender in rich gravy with delicious carrots and peas.
The bread was crusty and soft, perfect with that delicious gravy, but two pieces were not enough.

For desserts, tried the new White chocolate with calamansi and yuzi cake and the Mon Cheri.


The white chocolate was surprisingly good because the white chocolate was not overly creamy or sweet with refreshing citrus flavours bursting from the inside.

The Mon Cheri was sweeter with fragrant notes of raspberry encased in a big macaron.
Overall, I loved the stew and hope to try the other ones.