Common Ground

Common Ground 

G/F, 19 Shing Wong Road, Central, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 11 Mar 2013 (Sun) 6 pm

No. of diner : 1

Average cost per head : $90

Food quality : 8.3/10

Environment : 8.4/10

Service : 8/10

Value-for-money : 8.7/10

Overall rating : 8.34/10

This is another unique tiny café in the NOHO (North of Hollywood Wood) area. The unit was used to be a local design jewelry shop and office, and have been converted  to a café and shop since a month ago. Had a chance to chat with Sean, one of the 4 partners about the concept of the café. Common Ground, as it’s named, aims to be a common place for friends or strangers to mingle. As Sean briefed, many of the wooden furniture were “upcycled” from used benches, desk, floor tiles which also reflects the philosophy of the shop. 

Like many cafes around, Common Ground have limited choices of food, but you can feel their passion from their food. Glad that I paid the visit on a Monday evening and share the 4-seated table with no one. Jazz was played in the house and the visit made my day.

a) Salted Chocolate ($40) – 8.2/10

My eyes spot on this recommended drink (marked with an asterisk) on the menu. Made from their own mixed chocolate base, the shake was rich in chocolate flavour all the way till I finished the drink.  However, I could barely taste the sea salt in the mix but it gave an interesting finishing. A sprinkle of grinded salt crystals on the top may further enhance the flavour of the drink.

b) Common Toast ($50) – 8.4/10

It took some 10 minutes to prepare for the dish but it’s worth waiting. Diced portobello mushroom and onion were deglazed with cream and rested on toasted dried tomato bread. The bread was just a bit too crispy and dry but overall still a good savoury snack. Local grown organic greens and tomatoes sat on the centre of the plate with balsamic cream. The salad was fresh and delicious. This was another recommended dish on the menu board which I totally agreed.

Q : When will I go again?
A : On weekdays to avoid the crowd or before it gets popular.
Q: What will I next order?
A : Crunchy cheese cake or fresh beef burger.

03.2013

The Salted Pig

The Salted Pig

2/F, The L Place, 139 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 10 Mar 2013 (Sun) 7pm

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $305

Food quality : 7.8/10

Environment : 7.5/10

Service : 7.5/10

Value-for-money : 7/10

Overall rating : 7.58/10

Though with the name, The Salted Pig doesn’t offer a full range of pig’s body like the Chinese do. From its menu printed on their dining mat, excluding the section of “Mains without Pork”, one can find a few dishes made with cured meat such as sausage, ham or bacon, and pig’s knuckle, pork belly, loin steak or roasted pig. Does the pig specialist focus on the right dish to wow the diners?

On a Sunday night, there were just around 10 guests including us, while the restaurant can accommodate at least 80 people. Was it the location or food that explained why? At a price of $300 per head without wine, there are handful of choices in town.

a) Spinach & Roasted Beets Salad ($98) – 7.8/10

The green and tomatoes were fresh, with a hint of coriander in the dressing. However, I didn’t taste the chervil as mentioned on the menu. The yoghurt cheese on top was not my favourite cheese though.

b) Char-grilled Pork Belly with Mango Crab Salsa ($128) – 8.1/10

Three pieces of nicely trimmed pork belly, each with well mixed diced mango and shredded crab meat in the salsa sauce. The belly was tender and rich in smoky flavour.

c) Crispy Skinned Pork Knuckle ($268)  - 7.5/10

The waiter first presented the whole knuckle in a ceramic pot with a pig’s head on its lid to us before deboning it on a wooden board with side dishes. The presentation was nice, however, I valued the food quality more. The meat was less salty than I’d expected. It was tender and moist, just that the skin was not crispy enough. The homemade mustard sauce was not very strong and I didn’t touch it after the first try. The new potato and the slice of grilled sweet potato were quite pleasing.

d) Banana Fudge “Eton Mess” ($58) – 8.2/10

Instead of the traditional Eton Mess in which strawberries are used, this banana version was still on the right track. The banana slices, meringue and cream, topped with chocolate syrup gave a good blend.  

Q : When will I go again?

A : Hmm… Maybe with a large group to share the food and joy.

Q: What will I next order?

A : Risotto.

03.2013

Laris Contemporary Dining

Laris Contemporary Dining

 2/F, Carfield Commercial Building, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 8 Mar 2013 (Fri) 12:45 pm

No. of diners : 3

Average cost per head : $185

Food quality : 8.3/10

Environment : 8.8/10

Service : 9/10

Value-for-money : 9/10

Overall rating : 8.68/10

Laris is a new member of the Dining Concepts which owns dozens of dining outlets such as Lupa, Al Molo and Carnevino.  The restaurant is headed by chef David Laris, an Australian, and that explains the choices of some meats including wagyu beef and lamb from the Australasia. For lunch charging at $138++ for a 2-course, the quality of food and environment definitely worth the penny you pay.

a) Potato Soup (Starter) – 8/10

The ingredient and soup was delivered separately. On the soup plate were the cooked and raw mushroom, and some green. The waiter then gently poured the potato soup from a tea pot. I could feel the fine grains of potato in the soup but the dish was tasty.

b) Hand cut New Zealand Ocean Beef Tartar with Crostini, Apple Mustard and Slow Cooked Egg (Starter) – 8.2/10

This was a beautiful dish. The apple mustard was mild while the slow cooked egg gave a creamy texture.

c) Leek Tart with Brie Cheese served with Rocket Salad and Aged Balsamic Toffee (Starter) – 8/10

The tart was served warm. Although the brie was not strong, the leek flavour was weak too.

d) Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Sweet Corn Puree and Fresh Made Coleslaw (Main) – 8/10

The crab cake was lightly deep fried and full of crab meat, however, its appearance was more appealing than it tasted. The coleslaw was fresh and crunchy.

e) House Made Green Pea and Ricotta Ravioli with Sage and Brown Butter Sauce (Main) – 8.4/10

Freshly made pasta never goes wrong.  The ravioli was nicely prepared from the dough to the cooking. The green pea puree as the filling was refreshing. Topped with parmesan cheese and slow baked tomatoes made the dish full of flavours.

f) New Zealand Grass Fed Burger, Fontina Cheese and Truffle Aioli Served with Potato Croquettes (Main) – 8.6/10

An order of medium raw patty had been requested but a rare was delivered. No complaint for that as the beef was still juicy and coated with charcoal flavour on the outside. It was rightly seasoned, with the fontina cheese, red onion and aioli all made the burger scrumptious. The patato croquettes were crispy and full of flavour.

g) Blood Orange Panna Cotta with Orange Jelly and Almond Crumble (Dessert at $40) – 8/10

The lunch set serves 2 desserts at an extra of $40. Apart from the panna cotta, the other was seasonal fresh fruit plate which we haven’t tried. The panna cotta was rich in cream too stiff than it should be, however, the ruby like blood orange gelatin tasted rich.

Q : When will I go again?
A : For lunch when they rotate the menu or for dinner on special occasions. They offer a tasting menu at a cost of $788.
Q: What will I next order?
A : Grilled chicken breast or the Iberico pork tenderloin.

03.2013

Landmark Café

Landmark Café

1/F, The Landmark, 16 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 1 Mar 2013 (Sat) 8:15pm

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $290 ($155 after credit card discount)

Food quality : 8/10

Environment : 8/10

Service : 8.5/10

Value-for-money : 8/10

Overall rating : 8.05/10

This Landmark Café is a popular spot for local celebrities having high tea and attracts the paparazzi because of its openness setting in the mall. However, the café will return to normal after dusk. Being one of the Maxim’s group, it offers AE platinum card holders a 50% discount off for a dining party of 2  persons (33% off for a party of 3 and so forth) for dinner throughout the year. So the restaurant is dominated by couples (including me) in the evening. Besides a high price-quality-ratio, efficiency is also a plus for this café. Our dishes took less than 10 minutes from order to serve, so as long as you are able to get a table, you can finish a quick and above average meal in less than 30 minutes.

a) U.S. Sirloin Steak ($280) – 8/10

Medium rare was requested for this steak, obviously it’s more like a “rare” instead. As I could stand raw flesh I didn’t ask to send it back to the kitchen. Another reason that I didn’t complain is that the steak itself is of good quality and was very tender. Nice smell of charcoal. However, the side dish was quite disappointing. The fat chips were not thoroughly fried like what "Deli and Wine" under the same catering group does. And more, the serving plate was cold, a de facto standard for decent Western restaurants.

b) Lobster Capellini ($250) – 7.8/10

Half of a Boston lobster was used for the dish. The lobster itself was fresh and with roes and fat solids in its body. The pasta was cooked with buttery sauce, the overall impression would be better if both the food and plate were hot.

Q : When will I go again?
A : When I need a quick meal given seats are available.
 Q: What will I next order?
A : Anything on the menu depending on the appetite.

03.2013