[Review 3711] Great American comforts @ The News Room Diner

30/09/2014
The News Room Diner
鰂魚涌糖廠街33號地舖
G/F, 33 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/great-american-comforts-e2395828

Although I am British, any food that is British, American or French is comforting.
The News Room had a facelift and is now a Diner serving great American food.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The new look:

Here was what we had:
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Fried crispy prawns:

These were peeled prawns coated in breadcrumbs on a stick and fried.
They were crispy and tasty complemented by the creamy dipping sauce.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Mac 'N' Cheese:
 0 讚好

The Mac and cheese was my favourite because it was cheesy with a mix of chedder and creamy cheese. The macaroni was al-dente and it was comforting that they used proper macaroni and not the local stuff.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Quesadilla with pollo:
 0 讚好

Quesadillas are always my favourite because it had gorgeous melted cheddar cheese in the middle with chicken served with my favourite sour cream, guacamole and salsa.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Sauteed vegetables:

The sauteed vegetables had a fragrant buttery garlic taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Crab salad:

We had the salad too as we ordered quite a bit of meat and it had my favourite crisp and sweet gem lettuce with fresh pieces of crabmeat.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Buffalo wings:

The wings were really tasty with the creamy blue cheese dressing and a dash of hot sauce to give it that Buffalo touch.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Philly cheese teak:
 0 讚好

Although I am not fond of beef, this is one that I would eat because of the thinly slices of tasty beef and juicy green peppers, onions and delicious cheese.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Dirty Mexican:

This was a hotdog topped with spicy pulled pork in chipotle sauce.
I found the sauce a bit sweet and it was not spicy enough.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The wagyu:


The Wagyu burger was topped with bacon, cheese, tomato and truffle mayo.
As I wanted to try the desserts, I was too full to try this.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
bbq pork ribs:

The ribs were sweet and soft but were a little on the dry side.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Now to the desserts which I was looking forward to!!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
New York cheese case:

The cheesecake was dense and rich, with the top white layer having a strong cheese taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
homed made donuts:

This was my favourite, soft and crisp donuts which went nicely with the cream and marmalade.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
chocolate sundae:

hot fudge, caramel, peanuts with cookies ice cream.
I didn't try this because I was really full.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

As a summary my favourites were: quesadilla, Philly cheese steak, macaroni and cheese and the home made donuts!!

[Review 3710] A new restaurant in town @ Union Jacks Bar & Grill

30/09/2014

Union Jacks Bar & Grill
西貢沙咀街15號地舖
G/F,15 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/a-new-restaurant-in-town-e2395827

Went all the way to Sai Kung to try this new restaurant which sounded British from the Restaurant name.
(Previously made an enquiry through FB for a menu, but no menu has been uploaded hence I randomly made a trip into SK to try it).
Comparing it to other British do's, their prices are quite expensive and probably the most expensive in the Sai Kung square because the roast costs around $26X which costs more than dining in Central or Wan Chai.

They did have the basic British fare like Bangers and Mash, Cottage pies which still costs way more than other top notch places in Central.
If it was authentic fare, it would probably be worth paying but I changed my mind on the cottage pie when they said the custard was made with Vanilla because they said it was Fusion so for that price, I hope the other items were not fusion.

As I wanted to try the sticky toffee pudding, I ordered a small bolognese so that I wouldn't be too full.

The smoothie was free because they gave me a coupon when I went in.
(I shouldn't really complain because it was free but it didn't look a smoothie.)

The second attempt was much better visually with blended ice and tasted strong of blended berries.

Then came the bolognese which was garnished with a piece of Thyme.

The bolognese sauce was actually quite good because it had a rich tomato taste with onions and basil, but the pasta strands were too thick for my liking but I still managed to finish it because the sauce was good.

For dessert, I was tempted by the Bramley apple crumble but the Chef said it was custard sauce made with Vanilla which was not the proper English custard so I got the sticky toffee pudding instead.
Although the traditional British Sticky toffee pudding does not look like this, the pudding was a surprise because it was presented in a modern way with the toffee sauce separately served.
I requested mine with plain whipped cream instead of icecream because the normal sticky toffee pudding is meant to be really sweet which is why they serve it with proper custard.


Anyway, the sponge was really nice with bits of wheat in it and the cream and toffee sauce complemented it really well, however the sauce tasted like caramel more than toffee.
◎ⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓖⓘⓡⓛ◎
The bill: $151

[Review 3709] Jashan Saturday lunch buffet @ Jashan Celebrating Indian Cuisine

30/09/2014
Jashan Celebrating Indian Cuisine
中環蘇豪荷李活道23號金珀苑1樓
1/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, SOHO, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/jashan-saturday-lunch-buffet-e2395702

I love curries so went here for the lunch buffet.
On Saturdays the lunch buffet is basic whereas the Sunday brunch as an option for free flow wine as well.

I was satisfied with the Saturday buffet because it had my favourite Indian rices, curries and freshly made naan.
One of the curries reminded me of the curries in the UK.
It was spinach and potatoes with fenugreek which had an aromatic flavour and the potatoes were tasty.
The bill came to $129.8

[Review 3708]Cheering up got me depressed @ 明施出品 Cheering Up

30/09/2014
明施出品 Cheering Up
鰂魚涌海光街 13-15號海光苑地下 6B 號舖
Shop 6B, G/F., Hoi Kwong Court, No. 13-15, Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/cheering-up-got-me-depressed-e2395636

Came here randomly because lots of people were queuing for it.
The queue was long because the food was cheap compared to other places.
Although the food was crap, the staff were really nice and served with their hearts
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Jah juang noodles:
The noodles had a really strong alkaline taste and the meat did not taste fresh and the sauce was really sweet.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
the menu:

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
◎ⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓖⓘⓡⓛ◎
The bill: $2x

[Review 3707] Relaxing place for a drink @ Deli-O

30/09/2014
Deli-O
上環干諾道中168-200號信德中心2樓268A號舖
Shop 268A, 2/F, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/relaxing-place-for-a-drink-e2395634

Came here for a drink before jetting off to Macau.
All the other cafes near the terminal were full but this one was further away and less busy so went here.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Earl Grey tea:
It was tea by Dilmah, and it felt like I was having tea at home because of the flowery mug and wooden tables and chairs.
The tea had a nice taste and the bergamot was not that strong which was good because I am not fond of bergamot.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Photo of Deli-O:

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
◎ⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓢⓤⓟⓔⓡⓖⓘⓡⓛ◎
The bill: $16

[Review 3706] Who ate Miffy? I ate Miffy! @ 東海堂 Arome Bakery

30/09/2014
東海堂 Arome Bakery
旺角港鐵旺角站18號舖
Shop 18, Mong Kok MTR Station, Mong Kok
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/who-ate-miffy-i-ate-miffy-e2395619

It was my colleague's birthday so she got the Miffy cake from Arome Bakery.
From the cross section it reminds me of Maxim's [POP] cake launched a while ago for Father's day.
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=2367431
The cake was quite nice with rich chocolate mousse and sweet chocolate cake in the middle with soft chewy chocolate pieces and a creamy pudding layer.
Below, you can still see Miffy's chocolate nose!!!

[Review 3705] One of the surviving bakeries @ 金屋西餅麵飽公司

29/09/2014
金屋西餅麵飽公司
彩虹坪石村111號金石樓地下
G/F, Ping Shek Estate Kam Shek House, Ping Shek Estate, Choi Hung
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/one-of-the-surviving-bakeries-e2395313

A few years ago, Choi Hung village was really different but obviously the area is getting revamped to make the value go up.
It is sad for people with relatives who have dementia because they definitely will not be able recognize the place the or the shops.
There are a few still standing but I wonder how long they will last because their second or third generations will probably not want to take carry on the family business.
Anyway, I just went to this shop for fun to look at the old Chinese cakes and decor but ended up getting some chicken biscuits.
They are quite different to the ones at Kee Heung because they are regular in shape and joined together like eggettes so when you eat them you have to separate them.
They were chewy but tastier than Kee Heung because they were not too sweet or salty with a light red beancurd taste.
It was interesting that they had egg tarts with cheese and cream and I wonder if anyone buys them but the owner said Chris Pattern loves them!