[Review 3552] Who said icecream couldn't be ROLLED @ 雪國度 Snow Country

30/07/2014
雪國度 Snow Country
旺角通菜街139號B舖
Shop B, 139 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/who-said-icecream-couldnt-be-rolled-e2380526

Walked past and saw this interesting place serving bowls with rolls in it.
At first I thought they were pancakes or pastries, but NO, it was ICECREAM!!!!!

Intrigued by the concept I sat down and ordered one.

After I ordered I watched with curiosity to see how they made them.

Basically it is made the same way as the cold plate gelatos (stir fried icecream) except for the final step.

It is spread thinly on the cold plate until it freezes, then it is slowly scraped with the pan scraper which forms the icecream roll!!

The texture of these icecream rolls were chewy and sticky.
I should have opted for plain vanilla icecream because I found it quite sweet with the strawberry sauce.
 10 讚好

Snow Country is owned by the owners of Gum "Jeng" which is why they are served in those paper bowls.

The icecream rolls cost $38 which is about right as I haven't seen them elsewhere in HK but for its Mong Kok location it would appear to be expensive compared to other desserteries around the area.

It is going to be the new craze for the time being but sadly it will probably be copied by other gelato places who have the equipment.

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Video of the icecream rolls being made:https://youtu.be/7glmDeBlpWQ
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[Review 3551] From Causeway bay to Wan Chai @ Pantry Bread & Pastries

30/07/2014
Pantry Bread & Pastries
灣仔皇后大道東101號地舖
G/F, 101 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/from-causeway-bay-to-wan-chai-e2380525

Previously tried this place at Causeway Bay and I remembered the difficulty in carrying the cakes on the busy streets of Hong Kong.
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=2156066

They are now in Wan Chai.

As they had hot dogs I tried that and I will be back for the cakes.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Hot dog:

There was a choice of baguette or milk bread for the hot dog and you can choose the normal frank or the spicy one.
The dog was eight inches and the bun was a mere 3 inches, so if you don't like carbs then this would be great but then dogs are made with the usual ..........
Anyway, the taste of the hotdog was ok but the skin was a bit elastic and the hotdog went nicely with the tomato ketchup, mustard and onions.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
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The bill: $44

[Review 3550] Thai style milk tea @ 泰巷 Grand Avenue Thai Café

30/07/2014
泰巷 Grand Avenue Thai Café
荃灣楊屋道1號荃新天地一期地下G23號舖
Shop G23, G/F, Citywalk 1, 1 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/thai-style-milk-tea-e2380519

I am not a fan of Hong Kong style milk tea but the tea here was good because it was Thai style milk tea.
It was served in a metal mug which is better than those thick rimmed Hong Kong style cups and there was a colourful straw too.
As for the taste, I found it very pleasant because it did not have the bitterness and heaviness from the condensed milk used in Hong Kong style teas.
To go with the tea I had the Thai fish cakes which was also pleasing because the lemongrass was not strong and it was thinly sliced.
The menu here is designed like a newspaper.
There are lots of drinks to choose from.

[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.

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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.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★