And even more of Hong Kong

As I've been reminiscing about my Hong Kong trip, I found myself missing the city again.  So... I just came back from a short weekend getaway.  Yes, I know, I really can't get enough of Hong Kong.

This time around, it was a relaxed leisurely trip to enjoy the city, the eating, and the shopping (even though I didn't actually buy anything - which still feels so weird).  For part of the leisurely feel of the trip, we enjoyed getting up to room service.  Mandarin Oriental's the Statue Square view provides such a breathtaking way to start each day watching the weekend and weekday crowds bustle around Central.

Staying at the Mandarin allows us to readily eat at the hotel's restaurants.  In our past trips, we've dined at Man Wah and Pierre.  This time around it, we felt like taking things more casual.  Cafe Causette is a perfect place for a quality, yet relaxed meal at any time of the day.  Local publications recently awarded this establishment with the "Best Hotel Burger".  After dining at the restaurant for lunch and dinner, with a classic burger for each meal, I can conclude it is a satisfying burger.  They do, however, need to work on the consistency.  At lunch, the simplicity and minimalism made a clean burger with the intense quality of beef shine.  At dinner, the lettuce and mayonnaise were slathered on too much and made for a messier burger experience.

Hong Kong has been all over the international news these past weeks and months.  It was fascinating to see how protestors are still affecting the city.  The partial closure of Connaught Road is surprising to see in person.  It's such a significant road and protestors are successfully redirecting major traffic.

In other current event news, we also witnessed the ceremony of Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day.  While no longer an official city holiday since 1997, it was nice to see how the history of British culture is still alive in the island.

Room service with a view

A classic burger, paired with red wine

Starting off the week at Disneyland Hong Kong

The happiest place on earth!  And because everyone wants to be happy, it's also the most crowded place on earth.  Disneyland Hong Kong is so much fun, but get ready for the crowds and hoards of people.

Following the biking afternoon adventure around Lantau Island, I extended my stay in Hong Kong just a little bit more.  My flight home to Manila was now scheduled in the evening.. so that left me with a good 5-6 hours at the park.  That's more than enough time to get a few rides in.

If you go to Disneyland HK during summer months, get ready for the crowds and get ready to spend money on cold drinks all day to stay hydrated.  It's the happiest, most crowded, AND most sweaty place on earth.  Heat and hoards of people aside, it's still Disneyland.  It's still so cool, regardless of age.

The park is smaller than Los Angeles, but it's slowly growing with many appealing attractions, like Toy Story Land, as well as an Iron Man Experience soon to come.  There are also the familiar rides like Space Mountain and the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.  There are about a handful of rides offering Fast Track tickets before lunch.  It's so worth it.  To cool down, there are also a fun variety of indoor rides and on-screen and live productions, like the Lion King.

Before the sun had a chance to set, I had to take off to catch my flight (where the airport is also on Lantau Island).  If you go to the park and it's your first time, the fireworks show is amazing.  There's something about fireworks in Asia that's so spectacular..

A seas of umbrellas under the Hong Kong heat

Biking around Lantau Island in Hong Kong

Coming from a bustling, chaotic convention crowd over in Hong Kong Island, fresh air and nature were needed to end the weekend.  Lantau Island is a perfect place to get your nature fix.

Thanks to my best friend, who currently resides in Lantau Island, we quickly rented bikes and were on our way to an enjoyable Sunday afternoon.  I'm so impressed with the bike paths - they are so safe and off the road.  It keeps everyone in their own sections preventing accidents for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles.

You can get all the sceneries around this island.  Greenery of trees and mountains, water, and cityscapes.  There's also the view of planes flying from the airport and the speed of trains whizzing by heading to Tung Chung and to the airport.  Water and greenery quickly blended with the rush of a city - it's pretty breathtaking and a great way to take a pause from the routine of life.

I really do love HK

Along the water

Gogyo: A "ramen dining" experience

Ramen is a food I cannot go without.  At least one bowl a month brings balance into my food life.  But, it has to be good ramen because average and mediocre ramen just makes you hungrier for better broth and better noodles.

Hong Kong always has new restaurants every time we revisit.  In IFC, restaurants and stores constantly change or revamp.  Where one ramen shop used to be, another one opened up earlier this year.

Gogyo comes from the creator of the Ippudo Ramen.  Gogyo's concept is "Ramen Dining". It's sort of a higher end ramen dining experience, away from the rush of traditional ramen stalls.  Started in Kyoto, the ramen shop became known for it's burnt ramen, Kogashi.  Here in Hong Kong, there are also a few other bowls, including those similar to Ippudo.  I actually find the broth here cleaner tasting.  Plus, I lean toward places that have clean atmospheres and are relaxed for the diners to eat and drink.  Aside from ramen, there are also artful skewers and yakitori, all made with quality ingredients.  Another fun selling point are the selection of alcohols, as well as craft beer pairings with the ramen bowls and skewers.

Good ramen and good beer!  That's the perfect combination.

Mini Aka Ramen

Can't get enough of Hong Kong

I have come to love Hong Kong because of my mom who summered with her family in the Central district as a child.  Central is really where it's at.  You still feel British Hong Kong, and I love that.  It has culture, discipline, high fashion, great foods, and a true modern metropolitan city feel.

Visiting the city for these many years, we have a certain set of traditions or routines each time we come back: staying at the same hotel, having a Chinese feast, enjoying tapas, and trying out new establishments from international chefs.

Staying at the Mandarin Oriental is a true privilege.  The cleanliness, the service, the attention to detail - it all lives up to its reputation here in Hong Kong.  A benefit in staying at this hotel is the restaurants just upstairs.  The Man Wah has become one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in the city.  They have it all - attentive service, artful presentation, quality, and taste.

On the hotel's mezzanine floor of restaurants, Cafe Causette has a generous list of breakfast items perfect for a weekend brunch.  I'm a fan of corned beef hash, and theirs blew me away.  The plating, the quality of the beef itself and how it all tasted together was just the best I've encountered so far.  There is so much quality and finesse in it.

Across the harbour (via Star Ferry which is a fantastic way to go to Kowloon), Gateway Arcade in Harbour City has a great variety of restaurants.  Our family favorite is Sergi Arola's Vi Cool.  I can't get enough of the tapas and pitchers of sangrias.

Another international chef that has been a long stay in Hong Kong, Joel Robuchon, has recently expanded several outlets of his cafes across the city.  Le Cafe de Joel Robuchon in Gateway is a good place for dessert or for afternoon tea.

Hong Kong is really about the eating.  And I can't wait to go back for more.

View of the harbour
Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Man Wah - A Classic Hong Kong Experience

My first memories of Hong Kong dates back to the late 90s.  And from then on, the city became my respite from trips to Manila.  The city was a breathe of fresh air, and the expat community around Central reminded me of home (which was the San Francisco Bay Area at the time).  I only remember one or two meals that really stood out and that I still carry with me today.

Man Wah is a Hong Kong tradition that dates decades back.  I first dined here as a young girl over the Christmas season.  I can recall the classy fine dining setting and the proper attire of all the diners.  Growing up, I really valued all those meals my parents took our family to when we would have to dress up and indulge in course by course meals and five star service.  It was so special (and that feeling still holds true today).  And then, to make the holiday dinner even more memorable, a line of school girls came in, lined up around the restaurant, and sang traditional songs to the diners.  Wow!  As a girl who grew up endlessly replaying the Sound of Music and Almost Angels, this made me fall in love with the restaurant.

Flash forward 15+ years, and I'm still finding myself dining at Man Wah.  The restaurant remains located on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental - a hotel my grandfather loved, who passed on the love to my mom, who in turn passed on that love to me.  The panoramic views of the city are reason alone to dine here.  Another reason, it's legitimately Michelin starred - and by legitimate, I mean there are other restaurants in the city who earned it by hype, but Man Wah actually earned it and continues to earn it.

And the food!  You know that feeling you sometimes get after eating Chinese food?  Oily, heavy, lethargic, etc.  There's absolutely none of that here.  So much so, we ate there three times over the course of our three day trip!  And trust me we take each meal in Hong Kong seriously since we're only there for a limited time.  Yes, Man Wah is that good.  It's just as delicious as it was in the 90s, maybe even more so.  The best part of it all, it's luxurious while being completely unpretentious.

Today, Man Wah has kept up with the high expectations of food lovers.  It's serving traditional cuisine with worldly influences and unforgettable plating.  I can't tell you which to choose, dinner or dim sum, because both are amazing.  When you have dinner here, you must get the Iberian pork.  Succulent, fried, savoury, with a hint of sweetness.  I can eat this for days.  And the dim sum was almost too beautiful to eat, but I'm glad I ate it because it's the best dim sum I've had in Hong Kong (which pretty much means it's the best dim sum I've eaten around the world).  To top it all off, the service is beyond impeccable.  The captain waiter, Richard, details the meal with such knowledge and passion.  The best part before tasting the food is when the server describes the dish and its background.  Richard excelled in this because he cares for the diners, the food, and the whole dining experience.  Even if it's pricey, the plating, the taste, the atmosphere, and the service makes you want to come back for more, and more, and more.

Deep fried codfish, preserved olive, black bean, five spices

Deep fried crab claw coated with minced shrimp

Hong Kong Hype, Part 2: Catalunya

On the other end of the hyped Hong Kong dining scene spectrum (Hong Kong Hype, Part 1) is the highly revered Catalunya.  We came here just after New Years for a special night with Chef Albert Adria who flew in from Barcelona via Singapore.  Coming fresh from Spain just a few months prior to this evening, we were blown away with the casual fun eating at Tickets.  Technically executed modern and traditional Spanish tapas by one of the famous Adria brothers.  Tickets became sole reason to want to revisit Barcelona (as I favor the other Spanish cities like San Sebastian, Madrid, etc.).  Now the food and the chef were flown in for this special evening in Hong Kong.

I've been curious about Catalunya since it's opening, as the number of articles and reviews highly praise the food and staff, many of whom trained with the Adria brothers at the former El Bulli.  Coming from my family's roadtrip in Spain and eating in a number of restaurants from the Adria-trained chefs, we had expectations and excitement for the night.

...And it turned into one of those highly anticipated nights that became a complete disaster.  This has to be one of the biggest letdown meals I've ever experienced.  First of all, the meal was over $450 per person inclusive of wine pairing, all pre-paid weeks prior to the meal.  With that price, you just naturally expect a flawless night.  After being seated and given the menu, expectations continued to excite and rise.

The first courses came out and looked great.  All these small bites for a fun start.  The server lacked details of describing what we were getting.  Okay, fine, that loosely passed me.  After the "snacks" a traditional course of jamon and pan con tomate came out.  This was high quality, melt in your mouth jamon.  So quality, so good, and only found in Spain.  After savoring the slices, we saw that one of the obnoxiously loud tables next to us were onto their next courses and did not touch the jamon plate.  Whaat?  We kept eyeing the plate all night, and it was not touched.  How can you go to a Spanish restaurant and not appreciate the jamon??  What kind of customers are they?  As we saw some of the servers nearby gush over these customers, it was clear these people were just here to be seen and not the eat the meal.

Because of whoever these people were at the tables next to us, our table was completely forgotten.  Between courses we did not get a change of plate or utensils.  You might think that is too much to ask, but for a meal this costly it's the least you expect from the service.  Our food was getting served without any explanation.  You can tell the servers were overwhelmed with the crowd, but this is a restaurant that's always fully booked.  Shouldn't they be ready for this kind of rush?

We also had to remind our server that we had the wine pairing.  When the sommelier came to our table he told us were were just a part of a handful of people who paid for the wine pairing.  He explained to us how it's completely ridiculous to have a wine pairing for this kind of meal.  Too many flavors and how can you possibly pair wine with that.  Seriously?!  You're a sommelier - first of all, it's your job, and second, with Spanish wines it's very possible.  Spanish wines were made for tapas and its multitude of flavors.  He was just not into the task at hand.  So much so by the second courses, he completely forgot about us and we had to ask our server to take care of our wines.  By the third course we voiced out our annoyance, and were given unlimited pours of the wines.  That might have worked 5 or so years ago, but my liver is too aged and experienced to gush at free alcohol from a douchey guy.

To make matters worse - and this is the real icing on the cake - before pouring a new wine, we were given new glasses.  Or so we thought.  The counter next to us had new plates, glasses, cutlery, etc.  The shelf on the bottom of the counter had all the used things waiting for the servers to take it to the kitchen.  My mom had a clear line of sight of this counter.  The server gave us two glasses on the top counter, and was scrambling to look for a third glass for our table.  It was taken from the bottom shelf.  Yes, the used glasses.  Not even realizing it, it was served to our table.  My mom asked for a new glass because of what she witnessed.  Gross, right?  You know what's grosser?  The server kept getting glasses from that used shelf and serving it to other tables, including Chef Adria's family table!  We could not close our mouths from the shock.  Unbelievable.

We couldn't stand it at this point and started to show in our faces we were not having a good meal.  When the managers approached us, we voiced our complaints and even told them about the used glass incident since we finally had their attention, and they used the excuse that they weren't ready for the rush.  I just can't buy that.  When they realized we were real food fans and well traveled to know that we were just in Spain, they began acting faster with us.  We weren't complaining about the servers being slow.  A couple of them were actually nice and tried their best.  It's how they were taught and the attitude of the managers and that sommelier.  It's like they think just because they came from El Bulli they don't have to try anymore.  In Spain, I was expecting some stiffness from the higher end restaurants.  Not at all.  They were all so relaxed and friendly like we were in a neighborhood restaurant.  There was none of that genuine friendliness here.

To appease us, they gave us desserts to take home, El Bulli books, and had Chef Adria (who we had already met in Barcelona at his Tickets) greet us at the end of our meal.  Was all that enough to make us come back to Catalunya?  Sadly, no because you can't change attitudes that fast, and when you carelessly give tables used glasses that's a huge no turning back for me.  If people are still flocking to them because they want to tell others they ate here, I can't imagine them getting their heads out of the clouds and being humble.  The restaurant is successful because of the social scene wanting to the seen.  Not because of the whole package experience of food AND service.

Menu for the night at Cataluyna

Hong Kong Hype, Part 1: Tim Ho Wan

Eating is like appreciating art.  It's subjective to your preferences and not the opinions of others.  Modern day marketing, social media, and those wanting to be of "society" have changed some dining scenes.  Eating in certain cities and restaurants has become a status symbol, rather than the joy of good food and the dining experience.

Hong Kong used to be my favorite city in the world because of its eating and vibrancy.  Unfortunately, the city has rapidly changed in the past few years; actually, the change is incredibly evident in just this past 1 or 2 years.  British Hong Kong and that Hong Kong standard have vanished.  Orderliness has given way to the crowds and clusters of mainland China rushing in.  As for the food, there still is a lot of great eating and dining in Hong Kong.  However, you can't readily trust reviews or articles because it can just be marketing or popular because it's the place to be seen or to say you've eaten there.  So really it's a matter of trying it for yourself to determine: hype or the real thing.

Tim Ho Wan at the Hong Kong Station is not the Michelin rated location, but it serves the same food in a cleaner-ish setting.  There's always a crowd and a wait at all times of the day and night.  In general, a long line means it's worth lining up for, right?  No way.  What a complete let down.  The food is ordinary and the service is absolutely, ridiculously awful.  We ordered a lot, and they treated us as though we were an inconvenience for giving them business.  They rushed us to finish our meal by cleaning all the tables around us, putting up chairs, mopping the floors, AND turning off the lights and shutting down the front gate halfway.  Whaaat?  This is the food service industry?  This is what people line up for?  This is a reflection of Michelin?  Literally ridiculous.

Hong Kong Hype, Part 2: Catalunya.

English menu at Tim Ho Wan HK Station

Pineapple Bun
Pale and soft with no texture on top,
while lacking a punch of BBQ pork taste inside.

A few sights of Hong Kong and beyond

Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities because of so many reasons.  The quality and accessibility to a high standard of food is number one.  Everything else is number two.  The vibrancy and city-feel of Central, the transportation system, the whole culture, and the beauty of the city.

Hong Kong is beautiful and there are so many picturesque moments throughout the island and its surrounding islands.  Entering into the city, Victoria Harbour, HK Island, Kowloon, the nightly light show, and even the beaches within the city.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Sights of HK

Pierre. Pierre Gagnaire in Hong Kong

In these past couple of trips to Hong Kong, my family and I have come back to the Mandarin Oriental.  This is sort of a nostalgic place for myself and my family.  This was the first hotel I stayed in when I first traveled to Hong Kong in the late 90s.  And, in its 50 year history, both my grandfather and mom are loyal MOHK (Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong) "fans".  So it's a special place for me as a third generation MOHK fan.  

One benefit in staying at a nice hotel is the access and proximity to the hotel's restaurants.  At a place like MOHK, you can't go wrong with any of them because they are all top notch.

Because of summer rains, we opted out of our dinner at Cataluyna and were more inclined to stay indoors and nearby.  With the help of the concierge (which is another fantastic perk of higher end hotels because of their professionalism and connections), we managed to get a table at the hotel's French restaurant.

Pierre.  As in Pierre Gagnaire's restaurant on the 25th floor of the MOHK.  After years of being spoiled in San Francisco, NYC, and Europe with rich meals from French chefs, I tend not to be inclined towards classic French cuisine.  But, this time, I was eager to check out Pierre because for this particular weekend Chef Gagniere himself was in town to introduce his Summer Tasting menu.  In fact, prior to ordering he came out to personally great all the tables.  At our table he graciously shook our hands and more than willingly accepted our request for a photo opp.  Such a nice guy!  And because of that, we proceeded to order his Summer Tasting Menu.

The tasting menu is not for the faint of heart.  And I mean that quite literally.  Wow, it's such a rich indulgence course after course.  I haven't felt that heavy after a meal in a long long time.  Classic French food...  If I were to order a few of the courses a la carte, the meal would have been easier to handle; but all 7 including the grand dessert was a feat.  I woke up the next morning feeling hungover from all that butter and cream.

The overall experience is a real indulgence.  You start the night with some amazing champagne paired with a fun display of amuse bouche courses across the table.  The individual dishes were all spectacular with the presentation and the execution.  But all together, with cream courses after butter courses after foie gras courses, was insanely rich.  If I were to come back, I would take it easy on my heart and go a la carte.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Pierre HK

Manhattan eating in Hong Kong at Michael White's Al Molo

If you're looking for a place to dine with a stunning view of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island, Ocean Terminal and it's connecting buildings (Gateway Arcade, etc) are an excellent option and the restaurant selection is becoming increasingly appealing.

Hong Kong, being one of the food capitals in Asia and the world, is also welcoming more and more foreign celebrity chefs.  Hailing from New York with refined Italian influence, Michael White brings his Al Molo.  Classic Italian cuisine with homemade pastas, pizzas, and signature entrees.  You really feel like you're in eating in Midtown Manhattan with food worthy of the address and the chef.

Two rounds of pizzas and a couple of his signature dishes proved that he's more than a celebrity chef, but a chef that knows good food and how to serve it well abroad.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Al Molo HK

Ippudo Ramen, Hong Kong

While I do love all kinds of foods and cuisines, I have my favorites.  Ramen is totally one of my favorites.

After strolling around Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong and touring the museums in that area, I ready for a late lunch.  When I'm by myself and looking for a place to eat, I tend to look for either cafes or ramen places.  Both are comfortable for lone diners.  Lately, ramen has been my craving.  So it was finally time to try out Ippudo Hong Kong.

Ippudo is a Japanese ramen chain from Fukuoka - the home of tonkotsu ramens.  It has several branches around Asia and a couple in New York City.  The reviews in NYC are always raving with the lines out of the door.

Does it live up to it's hype in Hong Kong?  Yes, it completely does.  This is a chain establishment that does not at all feel like a cheap chain establishment.  Milky, deep broth, chewy noodles, and a contemporary setting make a fantastic ramen experience.  There's additional toppings to order, such as vegetables or eggs, as well as an a la carte menu if you're hungry for more than just ramen.  Plus, the drinks selection with sakes and beers perfectly complement the ramen.  I can't wait to go back for more bowls.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Ippudo HK

A city break in Discovery Bay

When there's blue, sunny skies in Hong Kong, you have to enjoy the outdoors.  It can be a stroll through the city streets, a ride to see Buddha, a hike in the mountains, or a visit to the beach.

Discovery Bay is a great city getaway to enjoy the beach for an afternoon and some great food and drinks.  You can get there by ferry from Central or public bus.  Taxis and cars are not allowed within the Discovery Bay compound.  In fact, if you're a resident and want to drive around the only way to do so is with golf carts.  It's a totally different world from Central, and it's pretty refreshing.

Expats are dominant in Discovery Bay and that's reflective in the restaurant selection.  There's a range of Western cuisines to choose from, as well as a fun choice of bars.

After enjoying a couple of beers at the beach while taking in the sunset, my best friend and I were hungry.  And when we're hungry, we can totally eat.  So what could fulfill our grumbling stomachs?  German food.  Meat!  Berliner serves up some great pork knuckles and sausages.  The servings are large and satisfying.  Plus, the food goes perfectly with cold beers, cold German beers.  A perfect ending to the night.

And, to make the night even more special, Discovery Bay is so close to Disneyland HK that you can see and enjoy the nightly fireworks from the amusement park.

If you can't see the slideshow here, check out my Flickr album: Discovery Bay HK

Thai with a golf course view in Hong Kong

A trip to Hong Kong usually involves endless walking and eating around Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.  If there's enough time and stomach space, I usually venture out of Central and into Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay.  Basically sticking to the bubble of Hong Kong Island.  So when there's even more time and good company, it's refreshing to explore beyond HK Island.

Hong Kong International Airport proudly has a nine-hole golf course just 10 minutes away from the airport.  A free shuttle takes you there to enjoy the links and the clubhouse.  In the clubhouse sits a Thai restaurant, Erawan, which serves home-cooked Thai cuisine with a relaxing golf course view.  

The restaurant provides indoor seating when it's raining or too hot and outdoor seating when the weather is just right.  It's a peaceful and tasty escape from the bustle of the city.  Whether you're a golfer or an eater, this is a fun option for something completely different.

If you can't see the slide show check out my Flickr album: Thai Golf Course HK

Graham Street Market in Central Hong Kong

Amidst the bustling modern financial buildings in Hong Kong’s Central district lies the historical Graham Street Market, between Queen’s Road and Hollywood Road.  This wet market has been a Hong Kong landmark for 160 years.  It still houses vendors generations old.  Meats, seafood’s, high quality vegetables, dry goods, and all sort of local consumables can be found in this street and its side streets.

Catch this market while you can - the city plans to redevelop the area in the coming years and move the market stalls into indoor markets.

If you can't see the slide show, check out my Flickr album: Market HK

Nepali Cuisine in Hong Kong

Another best friend reunion in Hong Kong. And, it’s a birthday celebration. So there’s nothing better than a nostalgic lunch.

A couple years ago, we journeyed around Nepal and came back talking about our memories of momos and Nepali beer. After walking around SoHo in search of a fun place for to eat with a good lunch set deal, we found Nepal Restaurant. Perfect!

The momos brought back fond memories of our trip. The cuisine and Nepali staff make this place a great find if you’re looking for a Himalayan treat.

If you can't see the slide show, check out my Flickr album: Nepal HK

Spanish Tapas at Vi Cool in Hong Kong

Spanish tapas is consistently one of my favorite foods to eat - especially if it’s modernized traditional tapas.  And then paired with rioja or sangria…now that’s a perfect meal.

In a tucked away corner in Harbour City, Vi Cool is a fun tapas restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola.  The food is playful and the atmosphere is relaxed and hip. 

After going through most of the menu (and yet I failed on the pictures.  Fatigue from a 14+ hour flight from SFO just a couple hours prior..), I’m so eager to go back for more tapas and sangria.

If you can't see the slide show, check out my Flickr album: Vi Cool HK

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Hong Kong edition

Birthday week in Hong Kong means some specials meals are happening every day.  Some are casual special and some are splurge special. 

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong is a splurge special worth taking.  The open kitchen (which is in all of L'Ateliers worldwide) is perfect for food lovers.  The food is refined and fun.  And the service is a attentive, high quality, and friendly.

The A La Carte selections are pretty extensive.  If you can't decide (like I couldn't) the Degustation Menu will not disappoint.  Every course is close to perfection, if not pure perfection.  The uni risotto and the duck breasts are two courses that are still in my mind and will remain my favorite bites of food for the coming months.

It’s no wonder why Robuchon’s restaurants have been making it high on Michelin lists worldwide.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Atelier HK

Mexican Treats at Brickhouse in Hong Kong

Growing up in California gave me an appreciation for Mexican cuisine.  Specifically, college late night eats really gave me the occasional craving for Mexican food.

I found myself craving Mexican food more and more when I first moved back to Asia.  The problem, though, is that it's really hard to find good quality authentic Mexican food.  It's localized and doesn't at all fulfill my cravings.

After eating in Lupa and talking to the general manager who's native to Los Angeles, I found out about Brickhouse.  It's a hidden gem in Lan Kwai Fong that attracts expats who are also looking for some real Mexican food.

Brickhouse is the real deal and it's such a fun place to drink and eat.  It's a great restaurant to go with a small group of friends and share the plates of appetizers, tacos, and more.  Plus, there's a good drink selection of beers and cocktails that kill time while waiting for your table and that pair perfectly with the food.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Brickhouse HK

Birthday Eats in Lupa Hong Kong

A birthday celebration in Hong Kong – and it’s not just anyone’s birthday, it’s my birthday!  Eating memorably is imperative.

Mario Batali’s Lupa was the best place to celebrate another year in my life because it was a great opener to another year of amazing eats.  In fact, my birthday lunch at Lupa was so good, my family and I came back that very same day to celebrate my birthday dinner there.  Yeah, it’s seriously that fun to eat there.

It’s all in the food AND the friendly service.  The food is consistent to all of Batali’s places that I’ve tried in Las Vegas and New York.  And he has the best pizza I’ve eaten so far in Asia.

The service is imported from Batali’s other restaurants from Los Angeles and Singapore.  These guys know the ins and outs of the restaurant and they know all about the food and wine.  Plus, they were so generous to us when we came back for dinner and when they found out it was my birthday.  Thanks, guys!

Batali is one chef I’d love to dine and wine with because of how fun it is to eat in his restaurants.  Eating so well while drinking so well – that is the only way you should celebrate your birthday.

If you can't see the slide show, check out my Flickr album: Lupa HK