Bolaven

G/F, 239 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 23 Feb 2013 (Sat) 11am

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $65

Food quality : 7.5/10

Environment : 8.5/10

Service : 8/10

Value-for-money : 7.5/10

Overall rating : 7.65/10

The past Zambra, a coffee shop welcome by latte-art fans, is now superseded by Bolaven. Bolaven is a plateau in southern Laos. As it's named, the place turned to a casual eatery serving IndoChinese cuisine. The restaurant owner from Lao brings in food around his motherland. Just opened for a week and just before they served proper meal, I had a chance to try their classical breakfast.

a) Kai Dao Cha (Lao Breakfast | 家鄉星星早餐) – 8/10

This Lao breakfast was served with 2 sunny side up eggs sitting on a mini frying pan. 3 types of pork, the minced, Vietnamese Cha (a type of preserved skinless sausage) and the Chinese sausage. Except for the Chinese sausage which tasted more like the one from Canada which are sweeter than the local ones, the other 2 types of pork are pretty mild in flavour. The sprinkle of spring onion gave a fresh taste to the egg. The pair of mini baguette was warm and slightly crunch on the skin.

b) Kao Sao Bolavens (Bolaven Eggs Benedict | Bolaven 高原早餐) – 7.5/10

This is the modification of the classic Egg Benedict by replacing the ham or beacon sandwiched beneath the egg by a slice of Vietnamese Cha. The eggs were nicely poached and the toasts at the bottom were warm.

c) Brewed Coffee – 6.5/10

Brewed coffee or tea was the standard drink with the breakfast. At an extra cost of $15 you can choose other types of coffee from the menu. All the coffee beans are from Lao and you can grab a pack if you like the flavour. For me the brewed coffee was a bit blend.

Q : When will I go again?A : At this price for an average breakfast, the premium you pay is for the environment. However, I would still like to visit again for other dishes on their menu.
 Q: What will I next order?A : Their prawn cakes, eggplant salsa and rice paper rolls sound interesting.

02.2013

Teakha

Teakha (茶。家)

Shop B, 18 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 27 Jan 2013 (Sun) 12:30pm

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $70

Food quality : 7.5/10

Environment : 8.5/10

Service : 7/10

Value-for-money : 8/10

Overall rating : 7.6/10

The Hollywood Road has a long spread stretching from Lyndhurst Street in Central to somewhere near Queen’s Street in Sheung Wan. The East and West of SOHO (South of Hollywood Road) represents contrasting characters. Unlike those bars and pubs near Central, you can found a couple of cafés or tea houses such as Teakha.

Teakha is located at the corner of Tai Ping Shan Road where you can dine al fresco on a fine day. Visiting at weekend afternoons will be their busiest days where you will have difficulty in finding seats, you will expect sharing tables and long waiting time for you food and drinks to be delivered.

a) Masala Chai (印度香料奶) $40 – 8/10

Masala chai is a traditional Indian black tea with mixed spice. Some common to Chinese spice such as cinnamon and star anise were used, a little spicy and the tea was quite smooth.

b) Keemun Milk Tea (祁門奶茶) $36 – 8/10

Keemun (or Qimen in Putunghua/English pronounciation)  is a Chinese black tea served with red dates honey. The flavour of dates was weak, however, upon request, additional honey was added and gave a better aroma.

c) Ginger Scone (薑鬆餅) $20 (a la carte or $52 w/Masala Chai) – 8/10

To accompany with the teas, Teakha also serves bakery such as scones and cheese cakes.  For scones, they had choices of ginger, fig and apple cinnamon. I picked the first one as I thought ginger would go well with the tea we chose. In the scone, there were some little diced of sweetened ginger which were tender and tasty.

d) Dark sugar osmathus chiffon cake (黑糖桂花雪芳蛋糕) $36 – 8/10

This pound cake was layered with spreads of cream and osmanthus. I could clearly see the petals of the minute flowers besides smelling them. A good balance with dark sugar.

Q : When will I go again?
A : Going alone or with 1 or 2 friends on a weekday afternoon to avoid the crowd.

Q: What will I next order?
A : Some other drinks or bakery I haven’t tried.

02.2013

Fishful Season

Fishful Season (漁悅)

Shop B, G/F, 23 Shepherd Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 23 Jan 2013 (Wed) 12:30pm

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $340 (including corkage of $100 for a BYOB)

Food quality : 8.5/10

Environment : 8/10

Service : 7.5/10

Value-for-money : 9/10

Overall rating : 8.4/10

Tai Hang is an interesting district where new and unique eateries and restaurants can be found from time to time. This Fishful Season as its named, serves mainly seafood and the owner avoids choosing seafood from Asia to assure the qualities. At lunch from Tuesday to Friday, they offer an all-you-can-eat set where you can choose from the special menu including starter, shells, crustaceans, carbs, grills (only one order is limited) and dessert at $258 pp. Can’t ask for more at this price.

a) Mixed bread basket – 8/10

Olive tomato and herbs focaccia and cheese crispy break sticks were served warm and tasty although not made on spot.

b) Tomato dice with olive oil – 8/10

The veggies were fresh in particular the cherry tomatoes.

c) Tofu cube with sesame sauce – 8/10

(Photo above at the back) Locally made tofu can be with high price-quality-ratio. This simple dish with a spread of sesame sauce already brought the taste of yellow beans.

d) King crab legs – 9/10

A decent portion of crab legs. The crab was juicy and not too salty, would definitely encore if there’s room in the tummy. No seasoning or a squeeze of lemon would be perfect.

e) Mussels in cream – 8.5/10

The mussels from USA were tender and beautifully cooked. The sauce was a good dip with bread.

f) Clams in white wine – 9/10

The Manila clams were also beautifully cooked and didn’t shrink much. These shells were even with more intense umami than the mussels.

g) Grilled lobster tail– 8.5/10

The lobster from Africa was fresh and yummy.

h) Grilled prawn – 7/10

(Photo above in the front) The meat of the Argentina prawns was not fresh though.

i) Grilled tuna – 7.5/10

Not a big fan of tuna (sashimi or cooked) but at least this one was not that bad. The outside of the tuna was grilled to medium rare, leaving the inner part totally raw.

j) Grilled rib eye – 8/10

This rib eye was grilled to medium rare, tender but without intense taste of beef.

k) Napoleon – 8/10

The pastry was crispy and tasty.

l) Yoghurt with berries – 7/10

To me this was more like a raspberry mousse than yoghurt.

Q : When will I go again?

A : Only available from Tuesday to Friday lunch for the lunch offer, and should start as early as noon or the waiter will be rushing for the rest of the dishes. Better to go with 2 to 5 friends to share as the portion of each dish is quite large.

Q: What will I next order?

A : Everything on the menu.

02.2013

Oceanna

Oceanna

G26, G/F, K11, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 13 Jan 2013 (Sat) 8pm

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $260

Food quality : 7.5/10

Environment : 7.5/10

Service : 8/10

Value-for-money : 8.5/10

Overall rating : 7.65/10

This is a problem solving challenge – a decent 4-course seafood dinner with a glass of wine in Tsim Sha Tsui with a budget of $300, can you name a place?

By chance caught by the menu placed at door – a 4-course dinner (excluding seafood platter and wine) at $168++ in K11, one of those malls with only over priced dining outlets. With a spirit of adventure, we decided to give Oceanna a try.

a) Romaine Lettuce Salad – 7.5/10

 This is an orange, romaine lettuce salad with honey pommery dressing. The romaine was fresh but with many green part of the leaves.

b) Seafood Platter (at an extra course of $68 to upgrade from the salad) 7/10

 The seafood platter was quite impressive given its price tag when it was delivered to the table. The oysters from Australia were fresh but not comparable to those in Europe. The muscles were creamy and nicely cooked. The sea whelks were plain but the tails were prior removed. The clams were fresh but also not rich in flavor. The shrimps were over cooked.

c) Vegetable soup – 7.5/10

 The vegetable soup tasted like those Campbell’s canned soup, still not bad and rich with a few dices of carrot, tomato, potato, celery and cabbage.

d) Grilled rib eye steak (choice of steak or spaghetti for the course) – 7.5/10

 It’s cooked to order (medium well). The steak was tender and with flavour.

e) Crab meat and prawns spaghetti (choice of steak or spaghetti for the course) - 7/10

 The spaghetti was not exactly al dante but still better than those served in local bistros. It was served hot but a bit bland. Just 3 pieces of prawns but with much flavour and freshness than the shrimps in the seafood platter. The crab meat was scarcely found on the dish and tasted like frozen meat.

f) Apple filo pastry roll – 7/10

 The apple roll was warm, crispy outside but chewy inside.

g) Coffee – 8/10

 With good aroma.

g) Red/white wine (at an extra $30 for a glass of house wine) – 7.5/10

Drinkable house wine.

Q : When will I go again?

A : With a group of friends (4+) looking for western food with concerns of budget and location.

Q: What will I next order?

A : The standard set menu without any need for upgrade of food.

02.2013