[Review 4521]Planking lunch planks at Jamie's Italian @ Jamie's Italian

10/08/2015
Jamie's Italian
銅鑼灣登龍街1-29號金朝陽中心2期Midtown 2樓
2/F, Soundwill Plaza 2 - Midtown, 1-29 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/planking-lunch-planks-at-jamies-italian-e2477825

A while ago there was a planking craze where people lie face down and find the most unusual and original location in which to do it mimicking a wooden plank.
Now at Jamie's Italian they have set lunches at $148 served on a plank.
It is a two course set with a soup of the day or bruschetta followed by a main with five options.
The Italian steak costs extra at $50 more.
 1 讚好

Had two planks for lunch so we tried each of the starters and for the mains we had the steak and mussels.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Here were our planks!!

The soup of the day was tomato soup which was thick and tasted like canned plum tomatoes.
The other starter was evidently divine because it was a crispy bruschetta with lemony cream cheese and proscuitto ham that was soft and tasty.

Juicy and meaty steak that was satisfying.

For the other mains, it was mussels which were soft and tangy in a lovely spicy tomato sauce.

Both mains were served with skinny fries which were crispy and flawless.
There was a side of coleslaw which was really appetizing because it was mixed with strong lemon and mint.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Kids menu:

As well as the planks we tried puppy dogs on the kids menu which are pork sausages served in mini buns with a jar of shake shake salad.

The sausages and potato wedges were cooked in the oven so that they are healthy without the use of oil and the salad was finely chopped vegetables which were crunchy and colourful.


★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
MUSSEL & SQUID SPAGHETTI NERO $108

Squid-ink pasta, flash-fried squid & mussels with slow-cooked, tender octopus, capers, anchovies, tomatoes & white wine.
This was my second time having it and the squid pasta was delicious and consistent with the first time I had it.
This is how it should taste because the pasta had squid ink taste and the sauce had a rich seafood taste so the whole thing was delcious but I have to admit the taste was better on this visit because it wasn't so spicy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
SAUSAGE PAPPARDELLE $88:

Braised fennel sausage ragù with incredible Chianti, Parmesan & crunchy, herby breadcrumbs
As well as the pasta above, I liked the parppadelle because the meat sauce was rich and the strands of pappardelle had frilly edges which hung more sauce to it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
For desserts we decided to have gelato for a change because we have tried most of the desserts.

Yoghurt gelato:

The yoghurt gelato is definitely a light dessert to finish off with.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Chocolate gelato:

My friend had the chocolate gelato which had a strong dark chocolate taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 4520] The new era at Lions Rise @ Olive ERA

09/08/2015
Olive ERA
黃大仙睦鄰街8號現崇山商場地下G1-G2號舗
Lion Rise Mal Shop G1-2, 8 Muk Lun Street, Wong Tai Sin
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/the-new-era-at-lions-rise-e2477616

Olive ERA is located at a secluded corner in Wong Tai Sin near the MTR, it is right next to the classy and glitzy Lions Rise residence.
It has a relaxed Western style atmosphere with matching tables and chairs.
Here was the feast that we had.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ice seafood mountain:
Started off with the ice seafood mountain which was studded with tiger prawns, oysters, yabbies, surf clams, smoked salmon, mussels and whelk served with lime remoulade, spiced cocktail sauce and fresh lemon.
The seafood was fresh and tasty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pan fried crab with lime relish and chili paste:
 0 讚好

This was a huge crab cake that was crispy on the outside filled with silky crab in the middle.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Smoked salmon tartar with papaya and avocado:

This was refreshing cubes of diced salmon paired with creamy avocado and sweet papaya.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Baked escargot, mushroom crepe pocket with wild herbs sauce:
 0 讚好

I was looking forward to this because it looked like a burrata surrounded in tangy tomato sauce filled with escargots and mushroom slices.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Lobster bisque cappuccino with cognac and basil aioli:

Just like a cappuccino, the soup was served in a cup with a layer of cream on top.
The soup was rich and strong.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Black truffle bisque:

Next we had the truffle soup which was blended mushrooms with aromatic truffle.
It was creamy with an earthy mushroom taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Char-grilled US beef prime rib steak:

The steak was huge and great for sharing.
It was juicy and meaty.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Braised veal cheek torte in a star-anise port wine sauce:

The veal cheek torte reminded me of beef Wellington which is wrapped in puff pastry.
I felt that it tasted a bit like Chinese style beef wrapped in puff pastry because of the strong anise port wine gravy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Seared pacific halibut steak with beans and vegetables and lemon herbs sauce:

As well as meats, we had the halibut which was a huge piece of fish on top of vegetables.
The fish was chunky and flaky but it would be good if they serve it without the bones.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pizza peking duck:

Theres always something special with spring onions, cucumbers, duck and sweet sauce.
It tastes good with anything even in a croissant, but here they've made it into pizza.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ink seafood paella with seafood, chicken, pepperoni and bell pepper:

Lastly the paella that I was waiting for because I love rice.
The rice was really tasty because it has absorbed all the flavourings.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
French apple tart with vanilla icecream:

The apple tart was thin and flakey with sweet crisp slices of apple on top.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Walnut parfait with mocha cream and dark chocolate sauce:

The parfait had a lighter taste with lots of crushed walnuts in it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Black forest chocolate gateau:

The black forest gateau was quite rich because there was no cake in it but chocolate truffle paste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

[Review 4519] Summer Matcha Fiesta: Matcha Brownie Chillino @ 太平洋咖啡 Pacific Coffee

08/08/2015
太平洋咖啡 Pacific Coffee
半山般咸道13-15號金寧大廈地下A舖
Shop A, G/F, Kam Ning Mansion, 13-15 Bonham Road, Mid-Levels
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/summer-matcha-fiesta-matcha-brownie-chillino-e2477031

Pacific Coffee have launched two Matcha drinks in the Summer Matcha Fiesta series.
There is Matcha Peach Chillino and Matcha brownie Chillino.

Matcha brownie Chillino is basically Matcha blended with a brownie which they sell at Pacific Coffee!
The drink was really nice because the bitterness of the matcha and the chocolately brownie tasted really nice and there were bits of brownie it it.

[Review 4518] Summer Matcha Fiesta: Matcha Peach Chillino @ 太平洋咖啡 Pacific Coffee

08/08/2015
太平洋咖啡  Pacific Coffee
將軍澳坑口重華路8號東港城1樓C區
Area C, Level 1, East Point City, 8 Chung Wa Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/summer-matcha-fiesta-matcha-peach-chillino-e2476977

Pacific Coffee have launched two Matcha drinks in the Summer Matcha Fiesta series.
There is Matcha Peach Chillino and Matcha brownie Chillino.
Matcha Peach Chillino is basically Matcha mixed with Monins peach syrup.
I found it icy and the peach flavouring was a bit artificial.

[Review 4517] Unleash the sweet monster in you @ Sweet Monster

08/08/2015
Sweet Monster
旺角亞皆老街8號朗豪坊3樓10-19號舖
Shop 10-19, 3/F, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/unleash-the-sweet-monster-in-you-e2476834

Went to this tasting session organized by Weekend weekly.
Tried the icecream coated in cheese and caramel popcorn which tasted divine because the icecream was really thick with a strong milk taste that was not too sweet.
The popcorn and icecream were unbelievable good together because the popcorn was crisp which gave the icecream some sweetness and roasted aroma.
The cheese popcorn also tasted nice with the icecream.

[Review 4516] Some hits and misses this time @ 富華餐廳 Fu Wah Cafe

08/08/2015
富華餐廳 Fu Wah Cafe
土瓜灣新碼頭街38號翔龍灣廣場地下27號舖
Shop 27, G/F, Grand Waterfront Plaza, 38 San Ma Tau Street, To Kwa Wan
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/some-hits-and-misses-this-time-e2476702

Went back because the dishes here are creative.
Tried the duck and e-fu noodles braised in XO sauce (286) which should be tasty but the duck wasn't that fresh and the noodles didn't have much taste as anticipated because previously I tried the e-fu noodles in red beancurd sauce and that was amazing.

Also tried the instant noodles in ginger broth with liver (C10) and the broth was just as good as this famous place in sham shui po.
The liver was soft and velvety.
The noodles came with scrambled eggs which were beautifully done but I could have done without the artificial tasting truffle.
It was impressive served with a croissant because the croissant was really nice and not too buttery which was perfect with the egg.

[Review 4515] A new dining experience at Watami @ 居食屋「和民」 Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant

08/08/2015
居食屋「和民」 Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant
銅鑼灣告士打道311號皇室堡4樓401號舖
Shop 401, 4/F, Windsor House, 311 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/a-new-dining-experience-at-watami-e2476697f

I used to go to Watami often but now there are too many new restaurants and things to try that I only go back if it is really good or for something new.
Went here because the decor was modern and brightly lit.

Modern lights
On this visit, I got quite a few surprises.

Here was what I had:
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Bluefin chu toro sashimi rice $128:
The tuna had a strong unami taste which tasted good with the rice but the portion was quite small and more wasabi was needed.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Kyushu pork broth ramen $78:
The ramen gave me a big surprise because they were the thin noodles that I like and the broth was creamy and flavourful.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Roasted Atka Mackerel $98
The mackerel was huge and grilled evenly with a crisp skin and the fish was soft.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
It was hard deciding which desserts to get so I ordered three because they only cost $18.

Matcha pudding with red beans:

This was quite sweet but the pudding beneath it was silky and creamy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Matcha affogato:

The maccha is poured onto the icecream to make affogato so it had a lovely creamy taste balanced by the bitterness of the maccha.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Homemade arrowroot cakes with uji matcha:

This was another good dessert because the arrowroot cakes were soft and chewy covered in delicious yellow bean powder.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆