[Review 4523] Wonton noodles that look Singaporean @ 英記麵家 Ying Kee Noodles

10/08/2015
英記麵家 Ying Kee Noodles
西環西營盤高街32號地下
G/F, 32 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/wonton-noodles-that-look-singaporean-e2478328

Discovered this joint when I was going to High Street Cart Noodles.
Out of curiosity I looked at the reviews on this place and the roast pork looked good so I went there.
If it had not been photos of the roast pork I would not have considered going there because I am not fond of wonton noodles.
The décor was old as expected with interesting lights and the staff were much nicer than anticipated.

There is no English menu and it doesn’t really tell you there are other noodle choices apart from wonton noodles.

Anyway ordered the roast pork and fried wonton noodles.
When it came, they looked like Singaporean style Chinese wonton noodles.

The pork was the most disappointing because it was fatty pork neck meat in the form of roast pork with a coloured edge.
As well as the pork I didn’t like the soapy tasting noodles and the crispy wontons were cold but still crispy!

[Review 4522] Third culture and new age dining @ 漁牧 Fisher & Farmer

10/08/2015
漁牧 Fisher & Farmer
此餐廳前身為南燒北鍋
尖沙咀加拿分道20號加拿芬廣場2樓
2/F, Carnarvon Plaza, 20 Carnarvon Road‎, Tsim Sha Tsui
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/third-culture-and-new-age-dining-e2478303

I wasn't sure what to expect coming here because the name Fisher & Farmer sounded interesting and when I got there I was surprised.
As an expat, my perception was these archaeological artefacts and these characters which looked like they were from sci fi movies and Aztec symbols yet it had a Chinese element to it.
At the entrance, it looked like a Western kitchen with Chinese roasting going on.
Looking at the menu (which can also be seen on openrice's desktop version), they do Sichuan dishes and the menu is really nicely designed and funky.
The food is served in a fancy way too.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Chinese cabbage salad:

I liked this cabbage salad because it was a change from juicy lettuce.
The cabbage was also juicy but it was had a firm crisp sweet taste complemented by the sesame sauce.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Beancurd drizzled in chili oil with black garlic:

This was delicate beancurd in a spicy chili oil which warms up your stomach for the coming spicy dishes.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Roast fish: Sour hot fish:

Fish lovers will love this.
A massive fish surrounded in amazing sauce rich in spices and herbs.

The lime in it made the fish really refreshing.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Peking duck:

I love this Peking duck because duck, cucumber, spring onions and pancakes never fail and the duck was not that fat.
The pancakes were separated by a piece of grease paper which you can put on your hand without getting your hands dirty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Pepper salt duck:

When you order the Peking duck you can have this add on where they cook the remaining bones in salt and pepper.
There are other choices you can choose from but salt and pepper was nice because it was crispy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Suckling pig:

This was a suckling pig stuffed with glutinous rice served with three sauces: mustard, matcha and mustard.
The pork skin was crisp and the pork was soft and lean.
It was nice dipping it with the green matcha sauce because it was delicate and sweet which did not over power the pork.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Dancing fish :

This is basically fish poached in oil and we were told the oil is only used once.

The fish is quite spicy and silky but the tasty potato noodles in the bowl were even more spicy.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
clay pot chicken with lobster:

The chicken was silky covered in flavourful gravy that was not spicy with a hint of sweetness.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
Iwate pork:

This was slices of Iwate pork which were blanched in the pot after we finished the lobster and chicken clay pot.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
bean flour cake with purple yam:

For desserts we had these pretty bean flour rolls which were soft and starchy filled with my favourite purple yam that was not too sweet.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

[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.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★