Choi's Kitchen

Claypot rice is one of the best options for a chilly winter's night. The only other better choice that I can think of is hot pot :) We decided to visit Choi's kitchen for a girls dinner where they have many famous dishes apart from their hot pot rice. Although the name of the shop in Chinese means "private kitchen" the restaurant isn't actually a private kitchen. Reservations are definitely recommended though as this place is always full!

Ghetto and delicious mm mmm mm

Pork Stomach and Pepper Soup
This soup was very flavorful and had a lip smacking kick from the pepper. It was hot, spicy, and a perfect start to the meal. Some people who can't take spicy may find this a bit overwhelming but I loved it. 

Gotta have some veggies

Salt and Pepper Squid
This dish was quite hearty and I enjoyed the crispiness of the squid but it was nothing compared to the version served at Ngau Kee (FAVORITE!). The batter was a bit thick and the flavors could be a little bit more robust.

Sweet and Sour Pork
This pork pieces were cut into generous chunks and the quality of the meat was also decent. There were not huge globs of fat and the meat was tender. The outside was also fried well with the batter being just the right thickness. The sauce was also not too gloopy and had a nice tangy flavor. A very solid dish. 

Chicken and Preserved Sausage Claypot Rice
The chicken was very tender (maybe a bit TOO tender?) and went perfectly with the skillfully cooked rice. Each grain of rice was cooked well and had just the right amount of bite to it. The bottom of the pot had the glorious crackling that claypot rice is famous for and was smothered in the rich soy provided.

Eel Claypot Rice
The eel had a great bouncy texture and the black bean sauce complemented it perfectly. I think this dish was made very well and is one of their most famous claypot choices but since I am abysmal at eating anything with small bones I only took a small bite of this.

Yeahhh buddy 

Pork Belly Claypot Rice
Mmmm the pork belly was braised until melt in your mouth tender and was a lovely contrast to the crispy rice. Even though I scrapped off most of the fat I kept a little in my rice which provides yet another layer of texture and flavor. 

YUMMMAYYY

Beef Brisket in Clear Soup 
This dish was heavily recommended by friends and it did not disappoint! Although the brisket itself was not mind-blowing as I prefer the brisket cooked in "Chu Jau Jeung", the soup base was incredibly flavorsome and we all enjoyed it very much. 

Overall the meal was very enjoyable and the prices were also very reasonable. The servers were very friendly and down to earth. Although this is not something I will eat all the time, I will definitely keep Choi's Kitchen in mind when I have my next claypot rice craving.

Choi's Kitchen

Shop A1

9-11 Shepherd Street

Tai Hang

Hong Kong

Restoration

Ugh been on a hiatus again but thanks to the persistent T I promise that I will be churning out backlogged reviews in the upcoming days! I've been dying to try Restoration since a friend told me about the amazing Christmas meal that she had there. Southern Creole food is not something that I have very often and reviews have been incredibly favorable for Restoration. I was told that it was a good idea to go with a big group since servings are quite large and after scanning the menu I noticed that everything was quite heavy as well. I when I finally got a group together so I could order everything to my hearts content (anyone who knows me well would know how greedy I am and how much I love over-ordering). My mom always limits the amount of dishes I order which would cause me to very upset. I don't waste the food either I am always extremely keen on leftovers but she just feels that it is excessive, meh.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite charming and comfortable. The space is small and dimly lit and we were promptly given a nice warm loaf of bread and butter. The hostess was very friendly and made some helpful recommendations of wine. Service could be slightly more attentive in terms of the other waiters as there were multiple times where I had to search around for a server. One other small note was that at the end of our meal the we could hear the junior chefs talking amongst themselves and swearing and that was not very professional. 

Seafood Gumbo - Crab, Shrimp, Oysters, Popcorn Rice 
I think it may actually be my first time having gumbo! The gumbo had a strong and robust flavor and had generous amounts of seafood. The consistency was just thick enough without being too lumpy and it definitely piqued my appetite for the meal ahead! 

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - Lemon Aioli, Herb Salad, Basil Oil
The crab cakes were filled with lovely chunks of crab meat and the outside was fried very well. The flavor was also well done. I think it was a TAD too soft for my liking but overall this was a very solid crab cake. 

Stuffed Blackened Catfish - Jumbo Lump Crab Filling, Lemon Brown Butter
Bestie C told me that this was her favorite dish when she dined here so I made sure to order it. I think the dish was actually flavored well but when I cut into the middle segment I realized that my piece was completely raw! It was a bit nauseating but since the rest of the food was so good I did not want to make a big deal out of this. I told the waitress who apologized but this was a bit shocking as the fish was quite thin and should be cooked quite easily! Hopefully I will be able to enjoy a properly cooked version of this dish on my next visit since I have faith in C's taste.

Crispy Pork Belly, Slow-cooked, Molasses BBQ Sauce
This was another one of C's recommendations and it was absolutely glorious. Every fatty bite was worth the calories. The skin was deliciously crunchy and the meat did not turn dry even though it was deep fried. The fatty bits did not feel disgusting greasy and was decadent and flavorful. I would definitely spend an extra 30 minutes on the treadmill for this!

Jack's Fried Chicken - Tobasco Aioli, Watermelon Pickles
This dish is one of Restoration's most famous dishes and I can definitely see why! Fried chicken may seem like a simple food but as J and I discussed very GOOD fried chicken requires a lot of skill. The batter was just the perfect amount, not too thick not too thin. This crispy flavorful batter encased the juicy succulent chicken meat and although I was already quite full I could not stop nomming on a massive piece of this chicken. The tobasco aioli was also the perfect compliment to the chicken by providing a luscious creamy component with a spicy kick. 

Rosemary Fries
mmm these were very very good. Just order them! 

M7 Australian Wagyu Porterhouse
I usually don't swear too much on this blog but holy shit this steak just blew my mind. The fat was distributed meticulously throughout the meat and it just melted in my mouth. The flavor of the meat was also flawless and each bite resulted in another "omg" look from every one of us. My friend J claims that he usually is not a big fan of steak but even he was won over by this steak. The bone was such a treat and J, M, and I took turns nomming on it.

Ridiculousness - Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
The cookie was thick and relatively chewy but the ice cream left much to the desired. It tasted like whipped cream and was not creamy or rich enough at all. We initially actually thought it was the whip cream and asked for an extra scoop of ice cream. It was only after this that we realized this whimpy glob was the ice cream. 

Bourbon Pecan Pie
This was not exactly the most photogenic dessert out there but it was quite rich and decadent. I haven't had a lot of pecan pies before so I can't be the biggest judge of how good this was but this overall was decent. The crust could be slightly more flaky and once again the horrendous ice cream was present.

Banana Fosters - Spiced Rum Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream
UGH this ice cream just won't leave me alone! This was easily my favorite dessert but it also makes you wonder why you are paying such a premium price for a dish that can be easily recreated at home. Apart from this, this dish was a lovely sweet end to our meal that wasn't too heavy.

Spiced Pumpkin - Graham Cracker, Apple, Bleu Cheese, Vanilla Ice Cream
I swear this vanilla ice cream is in every single dessert... This dish was quite frankly disgusting. The bleu cheese did not go well with the pumpkin pie at all and presentation wise this was also rather ugly. 

Root Beer Float
I am not a huge fan of root beer and that blasted ice cream was also in this again but my friends thought this was good.

Overall I enjoyed my dining experience at Restoration very much. The food was really good apart from the catfish and the desserts. I think Restoration DEFINITELY needs to improve its ice cream quality along with its desserts but I would return again just for the appetizers and mains.

Restoration

1/F

No. 68 Wyndham Street

Central

Hong Kong

Mr. Bing

Although Beijing was highly polluted and sometimes I just got so sick of the noise and chaos, I really do miss the street food terribly! Anyone whose been to Beijing can recall that lovely first bite into a steaming hot jian bing after a night of fake alcohol and dancing to cheesy hip hop music at Vics or Mix. As much as I love the street food in Hong Kong as well, I really did yearn for that little plastic bag of goodies that I always munched on during my break between classes while at Tsing Hua and was SO excited when I heard that Mr. Bing was opening. Mr. Bing is opened by Brian Goldberg who fell in love with the snack while studying Mandarin in Beijing. I was unsure of how well this version was going to compare to the ones I've had at Beijing and I am so happy to announce that I APPROVE! These jian bings were delicious and brought back so many memories of my time in Beijing! Good job and I will be shoving my face with many more jian bing in the days to come!

Super cute logo!

I guess since I was used to the lightning speed efficiency of the Beijing experts I thought this guy moved at the pace of a snail! Yet the food was good so I guess it's ok...

Original Jian Bing with NO cilantro (blech!)

I felt that the crepe skin was a tad thick but it was nice and soft. The amount of sauce was very generous and was bursting with flavor. The crispy wafer inside was crispier than the version I've had in Beijing which was great! Overall a delicious pipping hot meal that perfectly hits the spot!

I've heard some complaints that these jian bings are no good because they are so overpriced as compared to Beijing. That is quite a thick remark because clearly you are not in Beijing. This store is also in Central where rent is sky high. I felt that the price was very reasonable at $30 for the original jian bing and I urge everyone to come try it out! There are also other interesting flavors and add ons which I am excited to test out on my next visit.

Mr. Bing

83 Wellington Street

Central

Hong Kong

Ted's Lookout

Fish tacos are my newest obsession and I am happy to say that Ted's Lookout has the best fish tacos I've tasted in Hong Kong! Ted's Lookout is a welcome addition to the oh so popular dining area of Star/Moon Street in Wanchai serving up very solid drinks and delectable food. It took a little effort to find but I guess that is only fitting with a name as Ted's Lookout. The space is quite small it was very full when C and I arrived but luckily we were able to secure a nice spot on the leather couch.

Parmesan Truffle Fries 
Yum yum YUM. These fries were absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on and the fries were also fried perfectly. I later found out that these were the same fries as the ones that I used to ADORE at Halo! So happy that these glorious fries are once again available. 

A little overexposed oops 

Taco Platter - Fish, Chorizo, Beef Carnitas, Grilled Tiger Prawn
I loved all of the taco's but did not like the prawn one too much. It could be due to personal taste as I just felt that prawn and tacos do not make the best combination. The chorizo and beef carnitas were both incredibly flavorful and tender. The amount of garnishes were also just right and resulted in a great mixture of textures and flavors. The fish taco was my absolute favorite. The amount of fish was generous and fried to a scrumptious crispiness. The crunchy cabbage balanced out the richness of the fish and the entire flavor profile was just spot on. Definitely will order a pure order of fish tacos next time just for me! 

Buffalo Wing Lollipops
I am usually not a fan of buffalo wings at all but they were actually quite good. I liked how the wings are cut into these lollipop shapes for easy consumption. The wings were not as sour as the regular buffalo wings which I liked and the meat was tender inside while crispy on the outside. Another great dish!

Ted's Lookout definitely left a great impression and am excited for my next visit! I do not recommend coming with a large group as the space is quite small. Although it was difficult to get the attention of the waiters at times service overall was friendly and efficient. Next time you are looking for a hip and lively place for some great drinks and food be sure to stop by Teds!

Ted's Lookout

Moonful Court

17A Moon Street

Wan Chai 

Hong Kong

Ruby Tuesdays

As much as I am incredibly glad that I am no longer the horrifying size that I was back in the States I do crave that indulgent fatty american cuisine once in a while. A and I decided to completely shove our faces one day at lunch and went to Ruby Tuesday to accomplish that! I'm not going to review each dish... but know that  the food was ok, nothing amazing, but it did satisfy our fatty cravings for sure!

Ruby Tuesdays (various locations)

Shop No. 505

5/F

Cityplaza

Phase 1

18 Taikoo Shing Road

Taikoo

Hong Kong

22 Ships

Woohoo! Another blog post already :) many more to come as I rush to get updated with all my previous reviews!

Hong Kong has been hit with a huge bout of Tapas fever and one of the most hotly anticipated and buzzed about new restaurants is 22 Ships. After seeing drool-worthy collages of the delicious offerings on instagram bestie C and I finally decided to have a taste ourselves. 22 Ships is headed by British celebrity Michelin star chef Jason Atherton who has trained under legendary chefs such as Pierre Koffmann, Nico Ladenis, and Marco Pierre White. Atherton has also launched numerous coveted restaurants such as Pollen Street Social in London and Pollen in Singapore. Lucky for us Chef Atherton has now extended his culinary talent to Hong Kong! The restaurant is tiny – only 35 seats, but the front façade of the restaurant opens out into the street which allows the restaurant to seem less confined and results in a bustling and intimate environment. There is a no reservations policy and waiting diners can stand outside and enjoy a drink until their table is ready.

Roasted Baby Gem Lettuce, Anchovy, Crispy Ham, and Parmesan Mayo
This dish seemed like a deconstructed caesar salad/wedge salad of sorts. It tasted fine, but not something I would want to get again. I believe we ordered it just because everything else was meaty and heavy and we felt that we should balance things out with a bit of greens. The crispy ham and the mayo was a nice touch but the dish was just not particularly memorable. I also don't think it is worth the price for a cut of lettuce.

Spanish Breakfast - Chorizo and Potato
This was a dish that was very popular in previous reviews. I was very excited to try it but must say that I do not share the same sentiments as the other food reviewers towards this dish. The reviewers praised the potato puree to be lusciously smooth and although it was very smooth, C and I just felt that it lacked texture and was almost like a potato smoothie. The egg was also very creamy and smooth which cause the dish to become quite one-dimensional. I think the potato puree can be a bit thicker and perhaps some croutons or crispy bread can be added for a much needed textural contrast.

Scallop Ceviche, Yuzu Dressing, Soy, Cucumber, Apple
This dish was very refreshing and all the flavors went perfectly together. The delicate slices of radish and apple provides a lovely crunchiness and sweetness to the soft and well flavored scallops. My only complaint is that the serving is tiny!

Iberico Pork and Foie Gras Burgers, Avocado and Pickled Cucumber
This was another dish that was very popular from what I read in other reviews. The beat patty was very flavorful and juicy. The onion jam at the bottom was delicious and rich and just made the burger even more decadent. I am a huge fan of foie gras but I felt that I didn't really taste any foie flavor. The sliders were very yummy, but I didn't think that the addition of foie was very evident. Perhaps the addition of the foie was what caused the burger to be so rich and juicy yet I definitely did not detect the rich distinctive flavor that I love so much. 

Fried Egg, Black Pudding, Capers, and Anchovy
This may have been my favorite dish of the night. The black pudding was robust, rich, and went perfectly with the soft cooked egg. I think they should provide bread for this dish as I had to request for thin bread crisps which went gloriously well with this. Without the bread this is a bit too rich and soft in texture overall. C and I both loved this dish and would definitely order it again.

22 Ships is definitely making a big splash in the Hong Kong dining scene and although not every dish was amazing I can definitely see myself returning to 22 Ships to try out the other dishes! I hear that the suckling pig is very good so that will be something that I will try next time! The atmosphere is great and very lively and  although service was a bit spotty (waitress put our white wine into a cooler that was empty...) at times I think these are things that can be ironed out soon! I also think that servings could be a bit larger as C and I were not too hungry to begin with therefore we were relatively satiated after the meal but we did feel that a lot of the dishes were too small (even for tapas!). We have heard however that the meat dishes are much larger and substantial so we will have to give that a go next time!

22 Ships

22 Ship Street

Wan Chai

Hong Kong

Tamarind

Ugh once again I have been lazy with keeping up to date with my blogging, now there are a HUGE amount of backlogged restaurants! Be ready for an influx of reviews in these upcoming weeks and I try to get back on track with all my food reviews!

I was meeting J for a long delayed catch up dinner and we decided to try out Taramind in the Sun Hung Kai center which serves Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine. Reviews of Tamarind has been generally quite favorable so I was eager to try it out for myself. When I told H that I was eating at Tamarind, he seemed very skeptical and commented that he did not think a restaurant that offered three different cuisines would be able to deliver quality food as the focus is scattered. I understood what he meant but still had high hopes for Tamarind. Unfortunately H's doubts were correct and I will not be returning to Tamarind again!

Grilled Pork Neck with Tamarind Sauce
The serving was very generous and the pork neck was quite decent. Although this dish was fine, the flavors could be a bit more interesting and it was only just ok. 

Chicken Makhani 
This curry was quite flavorful and went well with our garlic naan which is not pictured. The sauce could be a little thicker and although this dish was probably one of the better dishes of the night the chicken makhani is far better at Bombay Dreams.

Tamarind Black Cod
This was a dish that was praised in many reviews and I truly do not know why this was the case. I usually LOVE black cod yet this dish lacked that delicious buttery flavor that is the signature of black cod. The texture was also a bit off, it was overly oily and just too soft. The sauce was also a bit overpowering and too sour and sweet.

J and I were thoroughly disappointed with this meal and was going to cheer ourselves up by ordering a mango sticky rice but then was let down again when they waiter told me that they only had indian desserts. This is quite shocking as you would think that a restaurant that wanted to dabble in different cuisines would at least include this very popular dessert. It is possible that some of the other dishes are good and the curry wasn't BAD, but there are other places with better choices that I would rather go to.

Another special note is that the service left much to be desired. When I first arrived at the restaurant the waiter could not hear that I already had a reservation and was EXTREMELY rude. I was about to give him a piece of my mind but his brain suddenly functioned again and he realized I made a booking (not that having a reservation or not should have any effect on one's attitude towards a customer) and suddenly became much more polite and also tried to offer some sort of explanation about his behavior earlier. Although he reverted back to acceptable behavior, the damage was already done as this type of customer service is absolutely unacceptable.

Tamarind I will not be returning again!

Tamarind

2/F

Sun Hung Kai Centre

30 Harbor Road

Wan Chai

Hong Kong