Remembering this great lady: Princess Diana, the People’s Princess.
Picture from the internet
Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward. Safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
Princess Diana, July 1, 1961 to August 31, 1997
It was indeed another fine day. So I went walking in the scorching heat from IFC bus terminal all the way uphill to 80 Peel Street for brunch. Yes the place was worth the walk. It’s called Tea Saloon by Another Fine Day: a lovely British bakery cafe that specialized in brunch and afternoon tea.
The weekend brunch set was so tempting because it comprised of peach museli, Florentine egg, mushroom tart, smoked salmon on harsh brown, blueberry muffin, mini croissant, mini chicken sausages, rose flavoured macaroon, freshly squeezed juice and choice of delicate tea.
Hummmm… when should I go again to try the afternoon tea set?
There’s a term called “soy sauce western cuisine” 豉油西餐 when a Chinese restaurant localized western dishes to suit local tastes.
Tonight we ventured to one of them: Tai Ping Koon restaurant 太平館餐廳. This restaurant could track its history back to 1860 (Qing Dynasty), when the great great grandfather of the current owner started his first restaurant in Guangzhou China.
Unfortunately there was only two of us and we could only try limited dishes. Swiss chicken wings was a must try. This dish has nothing to do with Switzerland. The sauce was soy sauce based with special ingredients to give it a sweet tint. Therefore way back in early 20th century, a guest sang his praises to the chef and said it was sweet. However the waiter thought the guest said Swiss! And of course the rest was history.
To end a meal at Tai Ping Koon, one has to try the souffle. It stood some 10 inches wide & 14 inches tall. But please take a photo immediately and enjoy the souffle while it was still in full volume. Like many things in life, the good things will not wait around for you too long!
We have had a wonderful evening at this place that I considered to be the first fusion restaurant in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has never been really good at conserving historical buildings. But there is always exception. The old Wan Chai wet market building has been preserved and refurnished into a nice little decor haven, hosting the 4 stores of OVO Group: home, studio, garden, and cafe.
Yesterday I went to OVOCAFÉ for lunch. The cafe served fresh vegetarian dishes, with the aim of promoting healthy and eco-lifestyle. I think food was only OK, but the relaxed environment, mixed aroma from the fresh aura and flora from the adjacent OVO garden, was a bit of a surprising urban green!
The new potato salad was quite good, but the beetroot pasta needed a bit more flavouring.
As a foodie, I can’t wait to watch “The Hundred Foot Journey”. As a movie-goer, I can’t wait to see Helen Mirren’s latest excellent performance.
Plus the impressive creative brains of this movie: Steven Knight adapted Richard C. Morais’ book for the script, with Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey as producers, directed by Lasse Hallstrom of “Chocolat” & “The Cider House Rules”… it’s really worth watching.
Yes, it’s about a michelin star restaurant and the scrumptious gourmet, but my eyes can also feast over the beautiful French countryside.
Audrey Hepburn – Funny Face promotional photo, 1957
Photo sourced from the internet
“When you dance to your own rhythm, people may not understand you, they may even hate you. But mostly, they’ll wish they had the courage to do the same.”
– unknown
Since I have shared dining at Sushi To on Saturday, I might as well share dining at the Penthouse. This restaurant was one level up from Sushi To on Midtown, also managed by the Harlans group.
The menu was mainly international western cuisine. For lunch, there was an offer of scrumptious appetizer buffet and a great variety of desserts. However the reviews on the main courses varied. My slow-cooked organic chicken breast, wrapped in parma ham and melted mozzarella, was tender and well-seasoned. However the beef burger looked amazing but tasted disappointing: I guess someone might have seasoned the patty twice!
Anyway since this was a farewell lunch, even my favourite sacher cake tasted a bit bittersweet!
Of course, one of the main attractions of restaurants on the top few levels of Midtown was the excellent view. Enjoy the view of the Penthouse by Harlans in 360°!
http://hongkongin360.com/virtualtours/penthouse/
One of the advantage of working in a regional role is the chance to meet and know people all over Asia.
Last Sunday was a fantastic yet sad time, when some colleagues gathered to bid farewell to a colleague, who has decided to return home after working abroad for more than 10 years.
Thanks to our great hosts, the authentic homemade Thai lunch was simply delicious! Even our desserts were all Thai-themed: mango mousse cake (from Cova) plus Thai tea cake & lightest coconut cake (from Teaspoon).
When I looked around the table, our group composed of Thai, Indonesian, UK and US educated Chinese. Although we all came from different backgrounds, somehow we have made Hong Kong our home.
However at times, our inner souls may have a calling: Maybe, it’s time to go home. I guess to put it simply, “Home is where the heart is.”
Midtown Soundwill Plaza II is a new trendy building in the heart of Causeway Bay Hong Kong. Even Jamie Oliver has chosen this place to set up his first restaurant in Hong Kong.
Today we tried the Japanese restaurant Sushi To on level 29, another restaurant under the Harlan group. Food was fresh and delightful, but the prices were, of course, associated with the excellent view of Kowloon from across Victoria Harbour.
Tasty Road is one of my favourite Korean gourmet TV programmes.
Simply follow the 2 hosts Park Soo Jin 박수진 and Kim Sung Eun 김성은, and travel all over South Korea in search of tasty Eastern and Western cuisines.
I am amazed by the variety of traditional, exotic and contemporary diners and restaurants that Korea has to offer.
What a great food-hunting journey. I just can’t wait to visit Korea again…… hopefully later this year!
Inspiring Passions 