If you're searching for really good fast Shanghainese food in Hong Kong, this place is the best. Although they have many locations, there's always a line up. Try to get there early to beat the lunch crowd. However, usually they are located in a Mall (IFC, WTC etc.) so, wait for a bit, then leave them your phone number so you can walk around and they can call you when a table is ready.
Locations include IFC mall, Central; World Trade Centre, Causeway; Harbour City, TST
http://www.crystaljade.com/index.htm
We went there as a large group one day. 5 guys and 4 girls. When the food came, it litterally disappeared. We ordered more than 20 dishes, but the bill was only about $20CAD.
I don't have pics of this because honestly the food comes and goes so quickly that I barely had time. I'll update once I do.
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 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!
I can see why my mom raves about this restaurant like crazy!
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!
Cova
My mom, alexey and I picked Cova for afternoon tea because it was close to us (Pacific Place, Admiralty) and that the buffet went until 5:30pm. Although not as refined in presentation and quality as the other surrounding hotels, at $128HKD per person (as opposed to $228) it is quite a good deal.
The buffet has small little sandwiches, little cookies and pastries, along with some hot hors d'oeuvres and cakes.
Buffet pictures of food are always strange looking. Unless I place it on my plate correctly, I can always get something that looks like it's half eaten!
We got there around 5:00pm and it looked as if they were almost finished, but the waitress assured me that they would refill things up until 5:30pm. There was one hot dish that my mom asked twice and was waiting for it to refill. After asking the host a few times, they just brought some warm quiches directly to our table.
He also brought us a plate of desserts directly to our table. We felt so bad we couldn't finish the giant massive one.
The buffet has small little sandwiches, little cookies and pastries, along with some hot hors d'oeuvres and cakes.
Buffet pictures of food are always strange looking. Unless I place it on my plate correctly, I can always get something that looks like it's half eaten!
We got there around 5:00pm and it looked as if they were almost finished, but the waitress assured me that they would refill things up until 5:30pm. There was one hot dish that my mom asked twice and was waiting for it to refill. After asking the host a few times, they just brought some warm quiches directly to our table.
He also brought us a plate of desserts directly to our table. We felt so bad we couldn't finish the giant massive one.
Zen @ Discovery Bay
Alexey and I went to Discovery Bay to take in this man made residential island. It was very peaceful and different from the hustle bustle of Hong Kong.
After getting off the ferry, you reach a plaza and as hungry as I was, I was in search of an area called D-Deck, where I read there were tons of 'alfresco dining by the seaside'. At first we found a few restaurants side by side, nothing too interesting. It wasn't until I peered further into the restaurant, that you can the other side where there are outdoor seating.
There are 21 restaurants on the deck, but you have to go to the outer edge near the water to find the 2nd half. Zen takes up most of the area there, and seems like the likely only open air space to eat.
The food was okay. I ordered my carbonara pasta (favourite) because I was craving for it. Sitting outside, the food easily becomes cold. It was creamy, but could have more bacon and pepper. But I enjoyed it regardless
Alexey ordered the Lamb Shank on a bed of mashed potatoes. In my opinion, the lamb could ahve been a bit more tender. But it was still okay. The potatoes were really good, but could be because there was butter in it.
After getting off the ferry, you reach a plaza and as hungry as I was, I was in search of an area called D-Deck, where I read there were tons of 'alfresco dining by the seaside'. At first we found a few restaurants side by side, nothing too interesting. It wasn't until I peered further into the restaurant, that you can the other side where there are outdoor seating.
There are 21 restaurants on the deck, but you have to go to the outer edge near the water to find the 2nd half. Zen takes up most of the area there, and seems like the likely only open air space to eat.
The food was okay. I ordered my carbonara pasta (favourite) because I was craving for it. Sitting outside, the food easily becomes cold. It was creamy, but could have more bacon and pepper. But I enjoyed it regardless
Alexey ordered the Lamb Shank on a bed of mashed potatoes. In my opinion, the lamb could ahve been a bit more tender. But it was still okay. The potatoes were really good, but could be because there was butter in it.
June Japanese Restaurant
Located very near Tin Hau station, my cousin took me here for a quick lunch. What I love about Hong Kong food is that even if you go to many Japanese Restaurants, you'll always find something unique about it.
Their menu had a lot of different lunch set combos, and for a good price you could eat like a king.
I got a Minced Salmon Belly on Rice, it came with Miso soup and a bowl of Udon/Soba noodles (hot or cold). Mixing all the onion, fish and soy sauce together (I don't like wasabi) it was so yummy and favourful. It's not a hot dish, but it's a good combo with the hot noodles.
We also shared a grilled back cod. This fish is so abundant in Hong Kong, I wish they would serve it more in Toronto. I like flavor, and each bite was full it it. Crispy skin and a sweet sauce.
You can also get a sashimi platter as a lunch combo (and we got a third miso soup with it too!) The fish was very fresh.
It's a small little place, perhaps hard to find, but totally recommend it!
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.
Nha Trang Vietnamese Cusine (Hong Kong)
To be honest, I was paying little attention to the food, and having way more fun catching up with a good friend I haven't seen in 9 years. Still managed to catch a few photos, and would recommend this place to anyone who liked Vietnamese food.
I guess I would have to compare this to Rice Paper, which I do find different b/c it's infused with French styles. But the food here seemed more fresh, and simple, and authentic.
Website: http://www.nhatrang.com.hk/
We started with the Spicy Hue Beef Noodle Soup.
(I apologize for the pic of the half eaten soup)
We also ordered to side dishes. I didn't choose. I wasn't paying attention but chatting instead. The shrimp is on top of a special veggie found only in Vietnam. Couldn't tell you the name.
I really liked the rice roll. the inside was warm.
I guess I would have to compare this to Rice Paper, which I do find different b/c it's infused with French styles. But the food here seemed more fresh, and simple, and authentic.
Website: http://www.nhatrang.com.hk/
We started with the Spicy Hue Beef Noodle Soup.
"Second only to pho in popularity. Bun Bo is more earthy and spicy, characteristic of central Viet cooking and of the elegant yet rustic cuisine of Hue."The beef was a bit tough, but maybe it's supposed to be. But it was a perfect type of spicy.
(I apologize for the pic of the half eaten soup)
We also ordered to side dishes. I didn't choose. I wasn't paying attention but chatting instead. The shrimp is on top of a special veggie found only in Vietnam. Couldn't tell you the name.
I really liked the rice roll. the inside was warm.
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