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

Spoil Café

Spoil Café

Shop A, G/F, Shun Ho Building, 1 Sun Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Date of visit : 27 Feb 2013 (Thu) 8:30pm

No. of diners : 6

Average cost per head : $265

Food quality : 8.5/10

Environment : 8/10

Service : 8.5/10

Value-for-money : 8.5/10

Overall rating : 8.45/10

a) Focaccia (complimentary) – 8.5/10

The focaccia made a good start for the meal while waiting for the food. Soft and tasty with a sprinkle of chopped herbs on the top. The olive oil and balsamic vinegar were also of good quality.

b) Caesar Salad – ($98) 8/10

This classic salad will never go wrong with fresh romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, anchovies and beacon flakes.

c) Spoil Garden Salad in Red Wine and Chinese Parsley Vinegar ($98) - 8.5/10

As it’s named, this signature salad is pleasing if you can stand the unique flavour of coriander. Don’t worry, the portion of the Chinese parsley was just right, and with dices of tomatoes and mangoes, the whole dish had a balance of mixed flavours.

d) Meat Antipasto ($178) - 8/10

The platter was composed of 3 types of Italian cured meat – San Daniele Ham, Salami Milano and Coppa. Though not aged for a long period of time, the meat was soft and not too salty, good to go with the focaccia and wine.

e) Linguine with Scallops and Parsley Pesto & Lemon ($168) – 8/10

The scallops were caramelized on the outside, its unami flavour was highlighted with a pinch of salt and pesto. The Linguine was cooked just right.

f) Spoil King Prawn Linguine in Thai Red Curry ($188) – 9/10

This dish is my friend’s all time favourite. The huge prawn almost covered the whole dish of pasta on which it was sitting. Despite its size, the meat of the prawn was still sinewy. The spicy red curry went very well with the prawn.

g) Daily Catch ($188) – 8.5/10

Sea bass was the catch of the day and it was nicely cooked, tender and moist at the centre. The sweetness of fernel, bitterness of rocket and texture of roasted pine nuts blended very well to make the dish enjoyable.

h) Baked Pork Chop with Cherry Tomato Balsamic Sauce ($208) – 8.5/10

The pork chop should be pan fried before putting in the oven. With a beautiful grilled surface the meat was juicy and tender. The reduced balsamic sauce brought sweetness to the dish.

i) Carrot Cake, Walnut Pound Cake and Crunch Cake – 8.5/10

Spoil is famous for its crunch cake and carrot cake. Given the previous courses of food we had, we still managed to share the slices. If it was not night time, a coffee to go with the cakes would be perferct.

Q : When will I go again?A : The tiny café is always full for lunch or dinner. Well in advance booking is a must for lunch. Would be nice to go for dinner with a couple of friends.


Q: What will I next order?
A : The Spoil salad and king prawn linguine.

03.2013

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