Epic at Royal York Hotel

 

So we went to Epic only because I had Fairmont $25 coupons (x4) for food at a hotel.  We have been before to their brunch, but unfortunately they have discontinued it, and we were left with dinner only. 

Epic wouldn't have been the first place I would eat at. Even looking at the menu, food seems over priced, potentially small plates, and lack selection. 

After ordering, we got a big bread

 

I ordered a squash soup with goat cheese to start.

I ordered the Scallop Pasta. It was actually very good, and I've never had such good scallop ever! It was tender and soft, and didn't even taste like scallop.  The pasta was creamy and yumy.

Alexey got a tuna. We weren't too sure about the suggestable shape to the right.

For dessert was a creme brulee that was covered by fruit and a biscotti. It was good, but with some maple syrup in it and it was weird. 

 

Overall it cost with 2 glasses of wine around $110. We only had to pay $10. It was okay... but still wouldn't go there on my own.

Lah Wai Heen

I've been here many time with parents before, but I always complain that with their expensive "innovative dim sum" because I don't get exactly what I want (i.e. bbq with zucchini chung fun, no fung tsao, or my classic dishes with some odd twist).

This visit turned out very good, and I was really pleased. They also do a really good job on presentation.

Ham in pastry.

 

Braised Duck Web (duck feet). It was actually quite yummy

 

Pig Belly

Satay

 

Crispy Fish Skin

 

BBQ pork in puffy pastry

  

Waygu Dumpling ($8/piece!)

Black Seasame (tong yoon) fried.

Jacob and Co. Steakhouse

http://www.jacobssteakhouse.com/

So tonight I was dining with one of the owners of Jacobs, and so as to not look like a complete dork, I was convinced that I shouldn't bring out my camera and start taking artsy shots of my food. I was so tempted to sneak shots from my blackberry, but resisted.
But alas, I still must share.

I learnt a new word today when I was looking up reviews of the place.  They staff someone called a Sommelier  A well trained wine professiona, who specializes in wine and food matching.  Didn't get to experience their skills though today.

Once we ordered, it took about another 20 mins before the 'bread' arrived.  Granted, they were completely booked, but it's still a long time.

Arriving was a very delicate and crisp, but moist pastry/bread in what looked like an exploding muffin.  It was filled with air. Imagine a cream puff, savory, not sweet, but no cream instead.  Served with an garlic butter it was soft and buttery.  I didn't eat much I was saving space for what was ahead. I was dying to take a picture of this.

Next was the appetizers.  If you order a caesar salad ($14) they come on a little cart to make the salad from scratch in front of you.  Interesting, but quite gimmicky.  He took some garlic, pepper, lemon juice, anchovy, worchester and tabasco sauce (among other things), and mashed and stirred awkwardly in a big wooden bowl for all to see.  Then the croutons and salad added, and lastly cheese and bacon.  I didn't get to try the salad, and although it seems like a novelty, I'd try it again next time.

Instead we split a Lobster Cobb Salad.  Cooked Lobster, avacados, grape tomatos, bacon and egg.  The bacon was the best bacon I've ever tasted.  Thick, and smokey it made a great complement to the salad.  The egg, somehow, was cooked to a nice creamy perfection. Good salad, HUGE portion.


For an appetizer as well, we split what I thought was the $92 Waygu, between the 5 of us.  Now I remember, and it was the Flatiron. Still around $70~.  The menu changes, so what is on the website, may not be the type of steak they decided to serve today.
This Kobe beef was very flavourful, and each bit oozed with a 'gamey' taste. The meat was a bit tough. Seems very heavy as a single main course.

Also shared a lobster risotto. Not on the menu, but served as a side for one of the other mains.  The rice was a big undercooked and crunchy.  It was creamy, but again must save room.

Our mains finally arrive. Each steak on a small skillet, and we ordered a bunch of sides to share.  I think it's a good idea to do this, as the sides are quite big on their own.

I got a 6oz Striplion ($34). It was more than big enough to eat.  The meat was SO tender, the knife almost melts through. I'm not a  big steak fan, but I finished this up (okay, 90% of it) and was very pleased. I ordered medium, and the outer edge was cooked, and inside was pink.
The steaks are served with a ponzu sauce, some olive oil based sauce, blue cheese and bacon spread and 3 different types of salts (sea salt, smoked salt and a charcoal salt). But to be honest, the steak was so flavorful, no salts were required.

As for the sides, let's start with the Duck Fat French fries.  The fries themselves are cruchy and fried nicely, however, I'm not sure how much the Duck fat adds to the taste.
Baby carrots, a mixutre of yellow and orange baby carrots.
Mushrooms, a mushroom medley in a creamy sauce
Aparagus with bacon hollendaise sace.

Finally dessert.  In additional sorbets and rum raisin ice cream, i couldn't eat anything cold.  Got the Vanilla Creme Brulee. It was amazing. Super crizpy and not as sweet as it could have been on the creamy inside.

Overall the experience was very good, and would recommend it to parents night out ,or to have a good hearty steak.



 

LIAN

A very smart looking Vietnamese/Thai resto on the 3rd floor of IFC.  I heard a lot about this place, and not only from my mom who loves it.

When the waiter heard me cough, he immediately offered me the Lemongrass Honey Ginger Tea. Although I hate ginger, this actually tasted quite good!

My mom got the traditional condensed milk drip coffee.

They had a set menu, but I was told that prices are not very different from ordering a la carte. The first thing that caught my eye was the Soft Shell Crab avacado rolls.
The salty, warm  and crunchy crab bits, with the melt in your mouth cooler avacado, all combined with a sweet honey like sauce.

Next to share was a big bowl of Pho. Yes, just like our chinatown Pho train, however, the broth was fresh and not full of MSG.

Alexey orderd the set menu and it came with an appetizer of chicken wings. I didn't try one, but looking at it I was slightly disappointed, unless they were REALLY good. Small chickens....

Next was my order of cold vermicelli with lemongrass pork. I ate the first one by unsucessfully trying chew at the noodle (kind of rubbery) and dipping the pork in the sauce. I realized later that the noodle can open up and you can put the pork in there in one big wrap.

The beef was very tender and I wish there wasn't so much food so I can eat some more!

But I had to save room for dessert.  Almost everything on the menu came with ice cream, and because of my cough I really was trying to avoid it.  The fried banana seemed like a nice comprimise.  It came with a coconut ice cream and some type of green cotton candy.  The dough to banana ratio was perfect!

I can see why my mom raves about this restaurant like crazy!

The Parlour at 1881 Heritage (Hong Kong)

It's my mom's birthday, and one of the missions today was to find a nice place to take her out to dinner.  I was in the TST area, and wanted to find something close by.  My friend took me to a newly opened outdoor mall behind Ocean Terminal called 1881 Heritage.

It's built around the similar colonial style as the old Hong Kong Observatory building (now I think they call the Hullet House) that stands in the spotlight. The open mall is built around it, and as usual fashion the mall opens, but half the stores are still to be occupied.

Hidden away in different nooks, are some fine dining restaurants.  The Parlour is on the ground floor of the Observatory building.  Inside the glass walls are lined with chinese style hexgons, and seems like something out of the 1970s Hong Kong.  We sat out on the balcony, which was nice and the weather was mild.

They have a very nice Afternoon Tea menu, which I would like to come back another time for.  The dinner menu seemed a bit sparse, but still some good choices.

The seat was quite dim. We asked them to bring a candle.

My mom had a Lobster Bisque ($90hkd). It was tasty, and they added brandy (my mom had to make sure),  and you can taste the lobster. It wasn't creamy, and I don't think it was supposed to be. They poured it out from a teapot. I couldn't get my camera out in time.

I ordered the Chillean Sea Bass. (all entrees around $180-190 and up). It was light, yet subtly flavourful. Served on a lemon sauce, and some veggies on the side, the combination of tastes complimented each other. I paired it with a glass of the New Zealand Sauvignon blanc ($90)

My mom got the Filet of Cod. It was saltier, but really flavourful.  I think the parma ham on top added a smoky, salty taste. Underneath I think it was gnocchi, or beans.

For dessert, only the Apple Pecan Pie and the Rumbaba caught my eye. We ordered the latter. The description said it had chantilly cream and shortcake in an Earl Grey infused sauce.  My mom commented that it was a very simple and cheap to construct dish (the ingredients) but they presented it nicely. I especially liked the texture of the walnuts crunchy in the cream.

The staff were super friendly. The only thing I have to complain is that it was strange when we got our entrees, the server picked up the pepper mill from our table and asked us for pepper. Would rather him not do anything. Awkward.

By night time the area was filled of tourists, models, and wedding photographers taking in the lights.

Four Seasons Hong Kong - breakfast at the Lounge

I always like going to have some Eggs Benny while I'm in Hong Kong, but the only place that I can find to serve it is at some expensive hotel like the Mandarin, or buffets like at the Marriott (my favourite).

I went with my aunt and mom today to the Four Seasons Hotel at the Lounge.  I wasn't too impressed.
It was a steep $150-180 for some meals. And doesn't include coffee/tea etc. We also had to ask for toast, I'm not sure it was included.

They did give us a small walnut yogurt which was yummy to start.

I got my Eggs Benny. Served on the usual english muffin and ham, it was tasty, but I found the poached eggs too watery. when I cut it, liquid poured everywhere. The perfect poached egg would be slightly hard yolk on the outside, but soft and liquidy in the middle, running thick. Maybe it's the type of eggs they get here.

My aunt and I also shared a waffle with apricot compote, and maple syrup. I thought it would be served on top or on the plate. But it was on the side.
The waffle was thick and very floury and dry. It can't compare to Le Petit Dejeuner, I think it will be the waffle to beat for me.

I told someone about this and she suggested one place that might be good to get a western breakfast would be the Flying Pan (Wanchai, and Central). Not sure if it's good, but better value for money for sures. I guess it's not that popular here, esp. when you can get street food, or small cafes for really quick and really cheap.

Cin Cin (Vancouver)

I was visiting my friends in Vancity for one night, and I was asked to pick a restaurant to go to. CinCin seemed one of the best in the city, and it was also one she had in mind as well.

Right on Robson street, it was a nice location for an after shopping dinner. The stairs were festively decorated and inviting.

It's voted one of the most romantic restaurants in Vancouver, and I can see why.

We had a lot of questions about the menu. It was divided into Anitipasti, Primi, Secondi, and Dolce.
And it corresponded with the size of their portions.  It's probably proper Italian conduct that they served it this way, but most restaurants, even if it said "Primi" would give it to you as a main course.

The menu was full of mushrooms which was nice.

Secondi (mostly pastas) were priced at $15-19 each. The server informed us that this is going to be an appetizer size. To get a main course size, we would have to add $10. We took the risk and ordered the smaller size, thinking that it can't be that small.  There wasn't anything ont he Antipasti side we wanted either.

Our server was a bit flustered because as he warned us. It was tiny. My garenelli with veal cheeks was about 20 pastas. It was very flavourful, and the pasta was cooked al dente.

Dilnoor ordered the gnocchi. Pillowy and soft. I like the one at Buca better.

Akber got the lamb shoulder orrichette. I like Orrichette. with a cooked rapini. yum

Unfortunately, after a carafe of wine, and our 3 dishes, the bill was $80, and we were still hungry.

Wondering whether we should have paid the extra $10 for the main course, we went for sushi.

If they had stated something like appetizer/main course cost right there, I probably wouldn't have though twice to order the main course. I feel like a cheap unexperienced foodie now.

Ame

12.04.2009 (see my preview below)

You pass by the red walls with black cherry blossoms, and you wonder where the entrance is. Enclosed by 2 large steel double doors, you enter another world. A huge difference from what Rain used to be, this place has so much character and feel. Ame = Rain in Japanese

I ordered a Hot Sake for $14. It was nice after a Cold cold walk. Went down very smooth.

We started with Edamame covered in sea salt.

We got two orders of sashimi, 6 pcs around $13 each. This was the Sea Bream. Thin slices, but didn't have much flavor.

We also got the Salmon Belly. It was good, but didn't really see the difference between that and regular salmon. Regardless, it was very fresh. The Salmon belly had a miso drop on it.

Next was the Grilled Black Cod. Very flavourful. And Crispy. It was my favourite.

Then the Robata Grill Butter fish. Not as good as the Black Cod. A little rubbery.

We got tempura $10 for 6 pieces. Perfectly crispy and battered, and served with Wasabi Soy dipping sauce.

I never tried Wagyu beef before. Karmen said that the Flatiron wasn't that good ($28) but the Sirlion was $55. We went with the short ribs. It tasted like chinese "ban yook". It was tender and chewy and served with a berry sauce.

The last dish was a Watercress salad. Served in boquets and with soy beans and seasame 'tota' (some japanese candy. we weren't sure what it was.

For dessert we had the Liquid Chocolate. It was mousse filled with melted chocolate and covered with more chocolate and and wafer. All desserts $9.

We also got the Apple + Chestnut. There was a lot going on in the dessert, and I can't describe it all.

Overall, it was a good restaurant, and worth trying, however be careful with your orders to make the experience worth while. And be prepared to spend some money.

I would come again, but not in a long while.

They also didn't know how to refill my hot water.

Just don't get these guys mad

-----------


New Japanese restuarant called Ame opened up on Mercer where Rain used to be. Ame means Rain in Japanese.

According to the review on blog.to: http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/ame this place looks unique and worth trying out.

Not sure if it's a glitch on my browser but I can't view the entire menu on their website, but maybe you will have better luck: Website

The Sashimi there is priced between $12-16. Nigri platter 12 for $36.
True, this isn't the most cheap place, but seems affordable, and hopefully fresh and good quality.

The Robata Grill looks yummy, and offers some things I've never tried before. mmm Butterfish

Butterfish, Salted Miso Plum Broth 19

Pork Belly, Tonkatsu  16

Wagyu Flatiron 30 "A Wagyu flat-iron steak is paired with braised oxtail stuffed in bone marrow ($28). The steak is nicely marbled, juicy and charred to perfection, while the braised oxtail is tender and well-seasoned."

 The cocktails don't look exteremly appetizing on first glance, but look VERY interesting and worth trying. They can't put it on the menu if it tastes bad!

Gin Kim chi 14
Gin, pickled ginger, pickled daikon, cilantro, kojuchang, lemon juice, simple syrup

Budou Cocktail 14
Grape infused Vodka, house made bitters, pressed grape juice, ginger-concord grape foam, edible flowers

Interesting:

"We're told that there are some intriguing plans for AME in the new year. A cocktail school is in the works, while a lineup of celebrity chefs (including Iron Chef Morimoto) will also grace AME's kitchen."

I am posting this as $$$$ (as opposed to $$$) because I'm not sure you get too much quanitity for the meal.