Bor Kei

波記燒臘粉麵店 (Bor Kei Chinese BBQ and Noodle Shop)

Shop P, G/F, 425 Queen’s Road West, Western District, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 19 Jan 2013 (Sat) 1pm

No. of diners : 2
Average cost per head : $75
Food quality : 8.5/10
Environment : 6/10
Service : 6/10
Value-for-money : 8/10
Overall rating : 7.95/10

Traditional Chinese BBQ shops are distinguishing in Hong Kong under the high surge of property rent. Extra effort in travelling is worthy for visiting shops with good quality such as this one.

a) Roast goose (leg portion) and BBQ pork ($130) – 8.5/10

The skin of the goose was pretty thin with not much fat beneath it, however, unlike peking duck, not all the skin is crispy. The meat was juicy and well seasoned.

The BBQ pork was tender, especially the fat was condensed and shrunk to some chewy tendon like.

b) Rice vermicelli ($10) – 6/10

Not of good quality but went well with the BBQ sauce from the goose and BBQ pork.

c) Boiled kale ($11) – 8/10

Unlike many of the wanton noodle shops that serve poor quality vegetables, the kales on this dish were strong and still tender, and more stems than leaves.


Q : When will I go again?
A : Good to visit by yourself or in a small group up to 4 before your next stop for dessert or coffee in the area round. Shop opens till 1am but wonder if there are still food available. Closes on Sundays.
Q: What will I next order?
A : Heard that the white chicken is also worth trying.

02.2013

Bistro du Vin

Shop 1D, G/F, Davis Street, Kennedy Town, Western District

Date of visit : 12 Jan 2013 (Sat) noon

No. of diners : 2

Average cost per head : $360
Food quality : 8.5/10
Environment : 8/10
Service : 7/10
Value-for-money : 8.5/10
Overall rating : 8.3/10

Converted from a once popular chinese dessert shop Xiao Tian Gu (小甜谷), the bistro du vin landed on a location which is better for a bistro in the Kennedy Town.

Visited on a Saturday for lunch and found that lunch sets were not available at weekends. With a size of 2 diners, the following dishes were ordered :

a)  Baby squid a la plancha ($130) - 8/10

This dish was not a standing item on the menu. Fresh squids from local market were simply fried with olive oil, salt and parsley. The squids were tender and fresh, good to go with a glass of white.

b) Cheesy onion soup ($75) - 7.5/10

Quite a large portion and won't have room for other dishes if you finish the soup all by yourself. The soup is delivered hot and rich. Generous spread of gruyere cheese. Don't know if the sweetness came from the onion itself or sugar was added, the soup was a bit too sweet to me.

c) Crispy suckling pig confit, choucroute (leg $220) - 9/10

This is one of the most popular dishes. You can order the belly portion ($200) or the leg portion which is more meaty. The piglet was beautifully cooked and well deserved its name "crispy". The pork was first slow cooked that kept the moisture in the meat, and then grilled outside to make the skin crispy. The choucroute on side did neutralise part of the pig's fat.  However, the sauce that came with the dish seemed redundant as it was quite blend. Anyway, at this price for a French piglet is value for money. Highly recommended.

d) Grand Marnière soufflé, vanille ice cream ($75) - 8/10

I am not a big fan of soufflé but when you saw almost one every two tables had ordered this dessert, you just couldn't resist. Many of the dishes are served in Le Creuset cast iron pots which do not only look good but are also practical in keeping the temperature of the food including this soufflé. Timing was well controlled that made the soufflé rose beautifully and sat well on the small pot. Although extra shot of Grand Mariner was demanded for the dessert, to our disappointment, not even extra shot was added, I couldn't taste any of the liquor.

House wine is at around $60 to $75 per glass or $350 per bottle. As corkage is free, highly suggest you BYOB (however, they only serve one type of glasses if you bring mixed wine but that's fair enough as compared to those who charge for corkage).

Q : When will I go again?
A : For friends of a group size 4 - 6, casual dinner

Q: What will I next order?
A : Crispy pig will be a re-order item. Rabbit leg in white sauce, slow cook lamb shank.

02.2013