Another pleasant surprise from Sai Ying Pun: Shop9 Restaurant & Lounge

A while ago I wrote about STACK which offers exceptional pancakes on Third Street, here you go another gem in the Sai Ying Pun already on the other end of Third Street – Shop9.  A cozy restaurant which only sits around 20, they also have a nice patio area for outdoor drinks. The brick walls and the hanging lightbulbs created a warm British style ambience.

This nicely decorated Salmon Tartare kicked start a happy meal.  Finely chopped salmon and avocado, with a splash of lime juice and wasabi mayo on the side.  A refreshing appetizer.

 

 

Then came a 7″ Peking Duck Pizza.  It reminded me of the Peking Duck pizza offered at CPK! This version was more like a Hong Kong style pizza but still a great snack.

 

 

Black Truffle Scallops Linguine – one of the signature dishes of Shop9.  It lived up to the standard of a signature dish, creamy and great taste of the truffle. Nicely pan fried scallops. Just wish the dish was bigger.

 

 

Another signature dish – Risotto with Deep fried Soft Shell Crab.  This one was my personal favourite.  Absolutely creative! There were also chunks of crab meat in the risotto rice. Deliiiicccious.

 

 

 

The Roasted Pork Knuckle was a nice surprise!  We thought we were too full to finish a pork knuckle but we finished the whole dish within 10 mins.  Different from pork knuckle dishes that you could get in German restaurants around Hong Kong, this one didn’t taste as greasy and the skin was super crispy.  It could really be one of the best in town.

 

 

Shop9 surprised us with their quality dishes! The staff was also very helpful and nice.  We are looking to go back sometime to try out their cocktails and also their afternoon tea sets!

Pricing: around $300 per head without drinks

Shop9 Restaurant & Lounge – Shop 9, 127B Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2828 8210

 

 

Ham & Sherry – Tapas Lovin’!

The team behind the amazing 22 Ships has brought to us earlier this year another tapas bar across the street – Ham & Sherry. It’s a more casual and spacious place comparing to 22 Ships and it is decorated with catchy blue and white tiles.  It can be a cocktail bar, and they also offer tapas which are good enough for a meal.

 

It’s rather rare in Hong Kong to have a restaurant which is focused on sherry.  I came across sherry back in the college days since we were offered sherry every week before high table dinners. Little did I know that there are in fact so many types of sherry and some can be priced at almost HKD 2000 per bottle. Apart from sherry, they also have an extended wine list and also a very cute cocktail menu with colourful drawings in a school exercise book.

 

We started off with a bottle of cava, which was very reasonably priced at $298, and since we couldn’t make a choice among the jamon they offer, we order the Ham & Sherry Charcuteria Board – which contained chef’s selection of jamon iberico, chorizo, pickles, toast with tomato salsa and manchego cheese! The cheese was so good that we had to get a separate order!

 

This beautiful dish of octopus is on the special menu on the blackboard.  Tasted as good as it looked.

 

The Crispy and Garlic prawns were so flavourful.  Would be great to pair with ice cold beer.

The portion of Paella was rather small, but good enough to share among 2 to 3 girls. It was interesting to give a twist to the traditional paella with the addition of this big piece of ‘chicken leg mushroom’.

The Fried Oysters came rather late but they worth the wait! Fresh and juicy, not oily.  Great dish.

To compensate for our wait we were given drinks on the house! (shhh) and just when I was planning to try our the sherry they brought us one to pair with our chocolate mousse dessert.  It was an interesting dessert with grilled carrots and sesame crumble – who would have thought to put carrot with chocolate? The sherry was okay but guess I am not a big fan for sweet wine.

Ham & Sherry is a great place for girl’s night out! (considering that tapas are generally not enough for a guy’s appetite. )  We enjoyed the drinks, the service and the tapas and three hours passed by quickly.  They do not take bookings, but this place is not as crowded as 22 ships – no need to queue, just come in earlier.

 

Ham & Sherry  | 1-7 Ship Street, Wanchai | 2555 0628

www.hamandsherry.hk

Jamie’s Italian – affordable celebrity chef’s dishes

Among all the hot new openings this summer, Jamie’s Italian in Causeway Bay created the biggest hype. The line has become increasingly long since its official opening in end of July, filled with people waiting to check out what the celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has to offer.

While we heard it is impossible to book a table until November, we tried our luck to walk-in at around 5:30pm.  We were told that the restaurant was already full (!), so we could only put down our name and go back 2 hours later. It wasn’t too bad at least we didn’t have to queue on the spot and we didn’t have to wait for calling of ticket number.

The restaurant atmosphere was fun and casual, with low lighting and a part of kitchen extended to the dining area.  We were seated at a long communal table – they left an empty seat in between parties so it didn’t feel too crowded.

 

 

The Bellini looked beautiful with peach puree at the bottom of the glass, surprisingly priced at only $45.  World’s Best Olives on Ice ($50) – – I can’t tell whether they were the best but they were quite good.  The black olives tapenade was even better!

 

Crab and Avocado Bruschetta ($70) – a bed of fresh crab meat mixed with slices of green apple, lemon and chilli, lying on a sourdough toast.  A refreshing dish to start the meal.

Spinach & Taleggio Croquettes ($70) – Simple yummy dish! The batter was light and crispy. The basil mayo also helped cut the richness of the creamy spinach potato filling.

 

It was a hard time choosing among the wide selection of main courses, but as pasta freaks we decided to go for the freshly made pastas! Everything looks good on the menu – thanks to the half portion option so we could try out more!

Vongole Tagliolini ($90/ $155) – the clams were so fresh! Tagliolini was cooked al dente.

 

Truffle Tagliatelle ($75/ $125)  was a personal favourite!  You get fresh truffle slices in a light cream sauce with a hint of nutmeg on al dente fresh tagliatelle.  What could go wrong?

Our Famous Prawn Linguine ($100/ $165) was however a disappointment.  The words “our famous” might have brought a higher expectation, but the dish, as you may see, was watery. The prawns were small and tasteless. The linguine was still good though.

 

We also ordered a side Rocket and Parmesan Salad ($40), their house aged balsamic was good and you could always get one home, among other merchandises, on your way out.

 

Now you would probably ask whether this place worths the two-hour wait.   I’ve heard mixed reviews regarding the restaurant since its opening. To be honest, if you are looking for authentic Italian dishes or Michelin-starred fancy dishes, this is definitely not the place that you are looking for.  The big name behind the restaurant is definitely setting the expectation way too high.  But to be fair, Jamie Oliver’s recipes are supposed to be something simple that you can also make at home, and the restaurant is also positioned as an affordable casual dining place, offering simple Italian dishes with a Jamie Oliver’s twist. With that in mind, I do think the restaurant delivers fairly well.  I certainly love the home-made pastas and they lived up to the reputation.  It offers an extension menu with dishes that most people would love, plus the prices are generally wallet-friendly.  All these add up to make it a great family restaurant/ group hangout spot!   I would certainly go back, just maybe when the waiting time is not as long.

 

STACK – Pancakes redefined.

A cool and hip restaurant with eye-catching red neon lights has recently landed on Third Street in Sai Ying Pun.

    

With the initial thought that STACK would be an ordinary pancake house, the menu proved me wrong.  I was told that that there are a selection of savoury pancakes with beef, pork and seafood, and was even more surprised that these pancakes can be paired with their house-mixed cocktails!

Their cocktails are pre-mixed and chilled in their cool looking numbered bottles to ensure that the taste will not be diluted.  Alcoholic’s Breakfast (no.1) is a delicious mix of Vanilla Vodka, Maple Syrup and Coffee; Queen B (no.8) is a refreshing option with orange and lime juice with sake; The Constant Black Face (no.7)  has an interesting combination with “Ng Ka Pei” – a Chinese wine with strong tastes of herbs.  Not a fan of cocktails? STACK’s drinks menu also offer an extensive range of craft beer and wine handpicked from around the world.

 

Here come the savoury pancakes stacked in different ways:-

     

12H78C  – bbq pork ribs cooked in 78 degrees for 12 hours with coffee infused butter, beautifully presented on mini pancakes.

Mexican Sunshine – what a smart mix of SoCal favourites ! – pancakes and GUACAMOLE (with a Yuzu twist)!

Red Koddo – a nicely pan fried cod with harissa miso sitting on a stack of signature pancakes.

We were told that STACK uses buckwheat soba pancakes for their savoury dishes, so they would go perfectly with their different toppings.  Props go to the Twins Kitchen for coming up with the creative dishes which totally redefined what pancakes should be like.

Apart from pancakes they also offer a range of exciting sides.   We LOVE their HASH – with duck meat bits and sour cream with the stack of potatoes.  The TOM YUM WINGS  are also a dish great to go with the drinks.  They also serve green salad and a lamb chop dish.

    

 

Finally we were only left with room for ONE dessert.  Here goes the Running Honey –

Back to the basics. Looking old school but DELISH ! Honey butter with honeycomb and mascarpone – what a evil combination!

STACK does not take reservations so be there early especially on weekends, though you can always sip on their bottled cocktails and enjoy their music at their bar table while you wait to be seated.

With the oh-so-cool interior and the fun atmosphere, creative dishes and unique cocktails, STACK will definitely be a great hang out spot.

Stack, G/F, 1 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, +852 2549 9787, www.stackconcepts.com   (Closed on Mondays) 

 

Brunch spots in Hong Kong!

Hands up if you like lazy weekend brunches !

Sometimes getting up early on weekends isn’t that bad when you get treated to a nice cozy brunch.  Try out the below places for your next weekend brekkie fix!

1. Lily and Bloom

They call their weekend brunch ‘A Movable Feast’. Quite different from your usual brunch experience, buffet style dishes are brought to your table throughout the meal. Perfect for lazy people like us! They also have a separate Omelette Station where you get to choose your own toppings AND the TYPE OF EGG – be it Japanese eggs, Thai eggs, duck eggs, Free range eggs. Good value brunch!

Price : HK$295 + 10% , additional costs for free flow of Bellini

5/F LKF Tower, Wyndham Street, Central | www.lily-bloom.com

2. The Flying Pan

My to-go place for diner style breakfast. Opens 24/7. Generous portion and option for bottomless coffee. Personal Favourite: Eggs Guacamole – a Mexican twist of the eggs Benedict with salsa and avocado. Also love their fluffy buttermilk pancakes which satisfy my random cravings for IHOP. Go to the Wanchai branch with more seats and shorter queue.

Price: HK$100ish per head

3/F 81-85 Lockhart Road, Wanchai ; 9 Old Bailey Street, Central | www.the-flying-pan.com

3. Madame Sixty Ate

Located in the J Senses building, the elevator opens up to a space with massive sunlight.  There are a la carte options as well as a breakfast menu for 2.  The honeycomb and coffee cream pancakes are devilicious.

Price : around HK$200 per head

1st Floor, 60 Johnson Road, Wanchai | madamsixtyate.com.hk

4. Club Chow

Hidden in The Pemberton Club Chow is a cool chillax spot if you wish to stay away from the crowd.  For Saturday brunch they offer a self-service salad bar, with main course choices like crab cake benedict, seafood linguine, and for meat lovers, lamb chops or striploin.  Their desserts are great too – it was a hard time choosing between Panna Cotta and Creme Brulee!  Their setting can be easily adjusted to cater your group size and there is a private section which can accomodate around 20.

Price: HK$128 up (closed on sundays)

9/f The Pemberton, Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan | www.clubchow.com

5. St. Betty

Indulge in the view of Victoria Harbour while enjoying the delish dishes offered at St. Betty! Their menu ranges from Classic Eggs Benedict to Smoked Haddock Fishcakes and the yummy wagyu steak sandwich!  Also try their mocktails – Princess Tam Tam is a refreshing choice with carrot, orange, ginger and rosewater.

Price: around HK$250 per head.

Shop 2705, Podium Level 2, IFC Mall, Finance Street, Central | www.stbetty.com 

6. Boqueria

All you can eat TAPAS!! And I can’t get enought of the paella and suckling pig! Upgrade the drink package to get access to the DIY Sangria Station (how cool is that), free flow cava and bloody marys. Perfect for hangover cures.

Price: HK$238, add $128 for the drinks package

7/F LKF Tower, Wyndham Street, Central | www.boqueria.com.hk

7. LUPA by Mario Batali

Italian buffet of chef’s selections, a secondi of your choice be it pizza or pasta and a selection of desserts, accompanied by live jazz music. Book a table on the terrace if you prefer an Al Fresco experience.

Price: $388, add $200 for free flow beverages.  Sundays only.

 3/F LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong | http://www.luparestaurant.com/hongkong/home.cfm

8. Duddell’s 

Not a fan for eggs benedict or pancakes? Head to Duddell’s for unlimited dim sum served to your table with free flow champagne and Pimm’s cocktail.

Price: HK$580+10%, Non-alcoholic option at $480.

Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell’s Street, Central | duddells.co

9. Toro Steakhouse and Gastro Bar

New addition to the Civic Square of Elements, Toro provides a unique Latin American brunch. Appetizer buffet includes signature dishes like ceviche and blue crab causa, with Mexican dishes for main course like heuvos rancheros.

Price: HK$218 , optional main course add HK$40-50.

Shop R008, Rooftop Garden, Civic Square, 3/F, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon | http://www.diningconcepts.com/toro/index.php

10. Oolaa

Generous portions for all your breakfast favourites – Breakfast Burrito, French Toast, Bagel etc., all reasonably priced.  No doubt it will remain a popular spot for breakfast.  Head there early!

Price: around HK$150

G/F, Bridges Street, CentreStage, Soho, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong | http://www.casteloconcepts.com/our-venues/oolaa

11. Le Dome de Cristal

The dome-shaped space of the ex “club 9” has now been taken by a champagne-themed restaurant.  Their weekend brunch provides an appetizer buffet, a 6-piece oyster platter and main course of your choice.  Make your experience perfect by adding $280 for the free flow of Louis Roederer champagne.

Price: HK$580, additional $280 for free flow champagne

3/F The Galleria, 9 Queen’s Road Central, Central | www.cristal-hk.com 

12. The Verandah at The Repulse Bay

Want a more lavish brunch? Make the trip to The Repulse Bay and indulge in the colonial charm.  The sunday brunch includes a quality appetizer buffet with unlimited freshly shucked oysters, alaska crab legs, foie gras station, pasta station.  It comes with a main course of your choice and desserts in buffet style. A lovely 3.5 hours pass by quickly with the entertainment of a Jazz band. The brunch is a quite pricey provided that it does not come with wine/ champagne.  It is certainly not a weekly choice but do treat yourself to The Verandah for special occasions. It gets fully booked every week so make sure you make one month before and request for a table by the window side.

Price: HK$638+10% (Sundays only)

The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road | www.therepulsebay.com

 

 

Let me know your favourites too!

 

Happy Hour Anyone?

We love happy hour! Happy hour is indeed happy coz it means that you can get off early for the day, or simply that you are taking a break from work and meet some old and new friends. Here you go my list of favourite happy hour spots around Central:-

1. DOT COD

OYSTERS WEDNESDAYS!! 2 for 1 offer on house wine and beer, and most importantly, freshly shucked oysters at HK$15 per piece from 6-8pm every wednesday.  Be sure you go get your table by 5:45 or else the seats will soon be filled.

DOT COD, Basement B4, Prince Building, Chater Road, Central, 2810 6988

 

2. TAZMANIA BALLROOM

Apart from the Snooker tables with a much shorter queue, Taz offers an AMAZING happy hour snacks buffet FOR FREE – puff pastries, mushroom tarts, chocolate fondue, fruits, and my favourite of all – HAR GAU! (The plate of Har Gaus is usually cleared within a minute) They also have buy-1-get-1 offer as long as you order the same drink.  Also it is one of the rare places which takes reservations for happy hour (and no you dun have to be a member) – so it’s a great place to gather some friends for a Happy Hour party.

TAZMANIA BALLROOM, 1/F LKF Tower, 33 Wydnham Street, Central, 2801 5009

 

3. FRENCH WINDOW

$29 standard drinks at IFC, need I say more?

French Window Brasserie and Bar , Shop 3101 IFC Mall, Finance Street, Central, 2393 3812 

 

4. GOGYO

You probably wouldn’t go to a Ramen place for Happy Hour, but GOGYO may change your mind.  You would be served with a small welcome drink and buy 1 get 1 offer for all Happy Hour drinks, including ice cold Kirin draft at just $25 each and sake-based cocktails. Craving for a bite? try their HTC Toast (HTC= Ham, Truffle, Cheese) and you would not be disappointed.

GOGYO, Shop 3020 IFC Mall, Finance Street, Central, 2385 1366

 5. SEVVA  and ARMANI/PRIVE

Although drinks at these two places are generally more expensive than the above-named, they remain in the favourite list due to the perfectly convenient location and the wonderful patio overlooking the night view in Central.  Popular among the bankers and professionals nearby, they remain the hip spots to see and be seen.

SEVVA, 25th Floor, Prince Building, Chater Road, Central, 2537 1388

ARMANI/PRIVE , 2/F Chater House, Central, 3583 2828