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.

Beira Dos Namorados (Hong Kong)

Located at Sai Wah Ho MTR station, there's a strip along the harbour which I learned is called Soho East.

There were a lot of restaurants too choose from, but the one that caught our eye was Beira Dos Namorados.

It was only after I checked the website, I see that it's Portuguese food.  It was nice, busy during lunch hour, but enough space for us. The large windows give you a lot of light, and it was not noisy for some good conversation.

I love that in Hong Kong they give you hot water, and breads without asking.

The lunch special was around $50/ meal and you get a soup (which was brought to us while we were reading the menu), and salad bar.

I got a Linguine with Clams and Pinenut. I love western-chinese cooking. They added some gai lan cooked and chopped inside. It ws cooked al dente and creamy, but not too creamy. I really liked it.

Adele had the fried pork(?) on rice. it was nice and crunchy on the outside, and tender meats on the inside.

Then we went for Green Tea Cheesecake at a place around the corner. so fullll.

Tsunami Sushi (Vancouver)

After Dinner#1 at CinCin , we were still hungry and needed to get more.

Down the street was a very fairly priced sushi train restaurant (on Robson).
I love sushi in Vancouver, because it's so fresh and tastes so much better than Toronto. They have more selection.

The boats float around, and you can pick the plates. Price $2.95, $3.95, $4.95 depends on the dish and what the pattern of the dish it was put on. You can also order a la carte, we got a Toro. So yummy.

We spent probably around another $10, and were FULLY FULL to our stomachs. Awesome.

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.

Superior Restaurant

I came here twice before, once on a pre-formal dinner party in high school, and once again with parents. I always liked the food here, and it seems like a staple in the middle of downtown Toronto.

I've come across it again while looking for a pre-theatre place to eat. It would be nice choice if you want something a bit higher level than 3 brewers, or Jack Astors.

http://www.superiorrestaurant.com/menus.html

Kenzo Ramen

138 Dundas St W, Dundas and Bay (Elizabeth Street)
11am to 10pm

http://www.kenzoramen.ca/

Dec.11.2009
A quick weekday lunch, Conrad (my award winning violinist friend :) and I arrived at Kenzo a little before 12pm. There were plenty of seats, but around 12:45 when we left, there was a long line up. The place is not large, but accommodates many, with a good use of space.

We ordered two large noodles ($7.95-$8.95) and they were big portions! The noodles were NOT cup of noodles and the assortment of soups and topping choices was exciting.

'

Below is the Sapporo Miso Bowl

I LOVE takoyaki, but this one had more flour and rice dough ratio than normal. Still good. YUMMY

Definately a great lunch and authentic japanese noodle place.

Dec.09.2009
After looking at blogto's review of Liberty Noodle, I wasn't too impressed with the price and the feedback from customers. Someone suggested that instead of Mr. CupofNoodles with some fancy ingredients, Kenzo serves authentic made in house ramen, and at a much lower cost. I was sold on the mention of Takoyaki as a side.

See the blogto review.


They have your basic ramen, spicy ramen, speciality ramen , and a hole list of sides.

Price points seem good with ramen at $5.95 plus and gyoza at $6.95

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

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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.