Showing posts with label crispy pork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crispy pork. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Yat Lok Restaurant @ Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong - 一樂燒鵝 @ 中環士丹利街香港

Cuisine: Chinese / Cantonese (roast meat)
Price: HKD105 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 12 July 2014
Food: 9/10
Atmosphere: 3/10
Value for money: 9/10
Services: 3/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Thinking of having Cantonese style roasted goose with crisp skin and juicy tender meat, I can assure you that Yat Lok does offer one of the best in Hong Kong and perhaps in the world. It is just a blog of commercial build on Stanley Street, Central Hong Kong (only a few buildings from Luk Yu Tea House). A few minutes walk from MTR Central station in fact. Yat Lok offers really good roasted meat from early morning but the goose is usually ready around 11am just before lunch time. Make sure you do arrive early to avoid queue and in consequence to avoid disappointment from goose running out.

If you are going to visit Yat Lok, just bear in mind that you are there for food and nothing else. It is a kind of old style venue where you are there for a quick good meal. Forget about lovely service, nice friendly words, or those hygienic routine. One thing I noticed is that the floor was somewhat slippery and I was not so sure how long since their properly floor wiping (T_T). Anyway believe me, just looking at those hanging roasted meats and you would already drool so forget all other factors and enjoy your roasts.

Yat Lok @ Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong



It was around 11am of Saturday lunch time when we were there and was lucky to be the first one to arrive around the period. So our food came pretty fast. We had only roasted goose (10/10), bbq pork and crispy belly pork (8/10), and vegetable with oyster sauce (5/10) which costed HKD22 (but forgot to take photo). These roasts went pretty well with both rice and noodle (both stewed and soup).

The roasted goose was the very best. So juicy, so sweet, so tender, and so flavourful. There is no need to make so hard effort at all to bite meat off the bone. It is hard to stop eating this and it is difficult not to fall in love with it. I personally love to have it with rice. A friend of mine also recommends to order a drum of goose and a drum of chicken to have with boiled rice for a satisfy combination. BBQ pork and crispy belly pork were as well delicious but not as spectacular as the roasted goose. It is worth an order but you may probably find this quality of bbq pork and crispy belly pork in other places in Hong Kong.

Anyway, have a go with this local style Yat Lok and you would probably forget the famous and well-known Yung Kee nearby. Bon appetit many more times.

roasted goose - half (HKD240)

wonderfully tender and juicy

bbq pork and crispy belly pork (HKD130)

stewed noodle (HKD25)

noodle in soup (HKD16)

Yat Lok Restaurant @ Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong - 一樂燒鵝 @ 中環士丹利街香港
34-38 Stanley Street
Central
Hong Kong

Open Hours: Mon-Fri 07:30am - 09:00pm and Sat-Sun 09:00am - 05:30pm
Tel: +852 2524 3882

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Greenhouse Restaurant @ The Landmark Bangkok, Sukhumvit Road - ห้องอาหารกรีนเฮ้าส์ @ โรงแรมแลนด์มาร์ค กรุงเทพ ถนนสุขุมวิท

Cuisine: Chinese / Asian / International / Coffee Shop
Price: THB550 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 14 June 2014
Food: 6/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Needless to mention much, The Greenhouse Restaurant at The Landmark Bangkok has been well-known destination for Bangkokian congee lovers during the last few decades. I, personally, do visit this restaurant from time to time. The Greenhouse Restaurant is like a coffee shop of the hotel that operates twenty seven. The menu range is not just Chinese but also mix of Asian, international, and coffee shop style food. The atmosphere is an old style hotel's coffee shop but comfy enough.

Greenhouse Restaurant @ The Landmark Bangkok

the old school coffee shop style

Of course, congee was my main target for the meal. Nevertheless, we did also have 2 choices of roast: crispy pork and roasted duck - เฉโปสองชนิด: หมูกรอบกับเป็ดย่าง (5/10) to accompany. This was enjoyable but, comparing to the one at Imperial Duck we had a few days earlier, not so much impressive though. I would say it is on par with many other places. I found that the dish was somewhat too fatty and both duck skin and the pork were not crispy enough to my liking. At the price of THB520 for a portion, it is definitely expensive. Well, the venue is a coffee shop of hotel, so no complaint.

2 choices of roast (crispy pork and roasted duck (THB520)

crispy pork

roasted duck

For congee, the ones we had were congee with special meat balls - โจ๊กลูกชิ้นหมู (7/10) and congee with beef - โจ๊กเนื้อสด (7/10). At the price of THB195 and THB200 respectively, these were considerably expensive for congee. Additional of preserved egg - ไข่เยี่ยวม้า or boiled egg would cost THB50 or THB30 extra. Congee here is almost as good as those in Hong Kong. It is extremely smooth with mild flavour. Pork ball and beef are tender and come in generous portion. This is sure a perfect compliment for breakfast or light dinner. No wonder why people keeps coming back here even the high price tag.

our congee trio

congee with special meat balls with preserved egg (THB245)


Imperial Duck @ The Up Rama 3, Bangkok - อิมพีเรียล ดัค @ เดอะอัพ พระราม 3 กรุงเทพฯGreenhouse Restaurant @ The Landmark Bangkok, Sukhumvit Road - ห้องอาหารกรีนเฮ้าส์ @ โรงแรมแลนด์มาร์ค กรุงเทพ ถนนสุขุมวิท
Floor G, The Landmark Bangkok
138 Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toei
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: 24 hours

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Imperial Duck @ The Up Rama 3, Bangkok - อิมพีเรียล ดัค @ เดอะอัพ พระราม 3 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Chinese / Cantonese
Price: THB450 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 12 June 2014
Food: 5/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 3/10
Services: 6/10
Scale: [ 1=poor ----- 5=average/standard ----- 10=outstanding/exceptional ]

It was during early June 2014 that the UP Rama 3, a new community mall around Rama 3 area, just started to welcome visitor. If you were familiar with this area, the UP is only a few hundred meters from Central Rama 3 and is right on the corner turning into Naradhiwas Rajanakarindra Road. We were passing by the UP and did not hesitate to pop by for a survey. Spotting on this restaurant "Imperial Duck", so why not at all to give a try.

Imperial Duck is a Chinese restaurant that serves Cantonese style dishes. Staffs at Imperial Duck claimed that roasted duck here is unlike other restaurant in Thailand that its style is similar to the famous roasted duck in London (in which I assume it to be Four Seasons at Bayswater). What make me laughed about Imperial Duck was the logo which comprises of 5 ducks. However, when observing in more detail, I recognised that the big duck in the middle looks pretty similar to Jemima Puddle Duck of Beatrix Potter!!!!!!!!

Imperial Duck @ The Up Rama 3, Bangkok

Isn't that Jemima Puddle Duck??????

the open kitchen

The first to be mentioned was Imperial Crispy Belly Pork - หมูกรอบอิมพีเรียล (6/10). This is sure a good one. I do like the crispy skin part a lot. Flavour wise was also enjoyable. Texture was also soft and tender. Only if it was thicker, this should have been a better dish. The sauces that came along were the simple dark soy sauce and mustard. I wish they would have their own home-made sauce. Nevertheless, for the price of THB200 for a small portion of this dish, I would say it was expensive though enjoyable.

Next was the must try, the restaurant's proudly presented dish, Imperial Roasted Duck - เป็ดย่างอิมพีเรียล (7/10). Well, I say they were nice and tasty. The quality thick and tender meat. The fatless and crisp skin. These were really savoury. Not as good as those in Hong Kong but great enough for Bangkok without having to fly all the way abroad. It is, in fact, comparable to the Bangkokian's favourite roasted duck of Four Seasons. Pricing wise is as well not the exception. I had just a portion and it costed me THB380. If you were to order the whole duck, that would be THB1,200. Rather expensive I would say. Lastly, we had Stir-fried String Beans with Minced Pork - ถั่วแขกผัดหมูสับ (4/10). The flavour was well balance. Just the texture of string beans that were too soft. Yes, ones would expect this dish to be soft but also it should maintain the crispiness character.

In summary, without having a chance to try other dishes just yet, this is not a bad restaurant at all from my perspective. However, I would not come all the way just to have dishes at Imperial Duck unless I happen to pass by or live around the area. As aforementioned, food were enjoyable but might not be valuable.

Imperial Crispy Belly Pork - หมูกรอบอิมพีเรียล (THB200)

crispy belly pork with dark soy sauce

Imperial Roasted Duck - เป็ดย่างอิมพีเรียล (THB380)

1 portion - THB380 and 1 whole duck - THB1,200

Stir-fried String Beans with Minced Pork - ถั่วแขกผัดหมูสับ (THB180)

Imperial Duck @ The Up Rama 3, Bangkok - อิมพีเรียล ดัค @ เดอะอัพ พระราม 3 กรุงเทพฯ
Floor G, The Up Rama 3
54/5 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road
Chong Nonsri, Yannawa
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Open Hours: daily 10:00am - 10:00pm

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Summer Palace @ Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Cuisine: Chinese (Hong Kong / Cantonese)
Price: HKD675 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 27 September 2013
Food: 5/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Value for money: 3/10
Services: 6/10

Here comes another Chinese fine dining with award of 2 Michelin Stars "Summer Palace @ Island Shangri-la, Hong Kong". First thing I have to say is disappointment. Not even sure if I had ordered wrong menu or something. Anyway, I just think such prestigious restaurant should perform so much better for all dishes.

Summer Palace is located on the 5th floor of Pacific Place./ Island Shangri-la. To come here, it is pretty easy, not to mention taxi of course. Pacific Place is connected directly to MTR Admiralty Station and travelling by tram can also be pretty convenient. The dining is kind of grand and elegant in the sense of Chinese tradition with red and gold theme. Again, we were not so impressed with the kind of service in fine Chinese restaurant. We suppose that with this price tag, the service should be clearly none or less fabulous with helpful and knowledgeable staffs.

Summer Palace @ Island Shangri-la

traditional and elegant entrance

big dining room

Anyway, let's get into food. For our starters, we had Baked King Prawn in Truffle Pesto (5/10) and Steamed Fresh Crab Claw with Winter Melon in Egg White and Mashed Yunnan Ham (7/10). Cooking skill and quality of ingredients are no doubt. Prawn was cooked to near perfection with soft but meaty texture whilst the aroma and the overall touch of crab claw was cool with fresh and firm crab meat. I like the cool touch of winter melon with egg white which can be really good for Summer dish. However, the taste of king prawn was a bit plain. The East meets West magic of king prawn dish did not quite work for us.

Baked King Prawn in Truffle Pesto (HKD180)

Steamed Fresh Crab Claw with Winter Melon in Egg White and Mashed Yunnan Ham (HKD200)

For the more serious and heavier dishes, first of the three was Deep-fried Crispy Chicken (7/10). The chicken was pretty tender, juicy, and delicious. Skin was really crisp which brought the wonderful touch apart from tender meat. Nevertheless, this dish can be a little oily in which I would recommend anyone to have this with plain rice rather than just pure chicken.

Next was Stewed Spare Ribs in a Clay Pot (5/10). Ok, this was nice but did not meet the expectation of Michelin Star awarded restaurant. It tasted like delicious home-cooking food really. Well, the pork was tender I have to admit. But still not spectacular. The flavour of this one was thick and rich. Again, plain rice is highly recommended to go with the dish.

Lastly, we ended our meal with Fried Rice with Minced Beef and Egg White in Preserved Shrimp Paste (3/10). Guess what, my fried-rice is perhaps similar to this one at Summer Palace. Come on, anyone would not expect soaky fried rice, wouldn't they. The overall taste was ok but the texture and mouth feel just ruined the whole dish.

Well, we would prabably not return to Summer Palace @ Island Shangri-la for the second time, unless we are really bored with other restaurants on Hong Kong island. (^^)

Deep-fried Crispy Chicken (HKD230 for half)

Stewed Spare Ribs in a Clay Pot (HKD175)

Fried Rice with Minced Beef and Egg White in Preserved Shrimp Paste (HKD180)

Summer Palace @ Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
Level 5 Island Shangri-la Hong Kong
Pacific Place
Supreme Court Road
Central
Hong Kong

Open Hours: Daily from 11:30pm - 03:00pm for lunch and 06:30pm - 11:00pm for dinner

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Cuisine Cuisine @ IFC Mall, Hong Kong

Cuisine: Chinese (Hong Kong / Cantonese)
Price: HKD660 per person (what we paid for)
Visited: 26 September 2013
Food: 6/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 5/10

Awarded 1 Michelin Star Cantonese style Chinese restaurant, "Cuisine Cuisine", is located on the 3rd floor of the famous IFC Mall (another branch is at The Mira @ Tsim Sha Tsui). The location is pretty much convenient with Hong Kong MTR station right below the mall.

From outside, the restaurant looks pretty much elegant and in a rather modern style. However, the interior is not so impressed. It is rather crowded from my sense. Perhaps it is because tables are just put around the big hall without any divided section or partition. If privacy is needed, do ask for more private tables which are located near the entrance.

For the night, we had a bottle of Billecart Salmon Brut Rose to accompany us which was somewhat disappointed. It kind of showed the over-aging or unwell storage of the champagne. Anyway, the taste of champagne is not the big point, it just reflects how much care they put for their customers. Otherwise, the overall service here is at average standard.

Cuisine Cuisine @ IFC, Hong Kong

kind of elegant entrance

rather crowded open floor setting

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a cup of herbal juice which tasted like Roselle drink in fact. To start our meal, Abalone Marinated in Chinese "Hua Diao" Wine (4/10) and Steamed Whole Tomato Stuffed with Assorted Fungi (7/10) were selected. The tomato and fungi was splendid. Tasty, sweet, and soft peeled whole tomato. Stuffed fungi was light but enhanced with flavour well. If you like fungi and tomato, do not hesitate and just go for it. However, the abalone was rather disappointed. If would not say it is a dish served in an awarded restaurant. Ok, it was not unacceptable, it was perhaps at par. The abalone itself had firm but soft texture with good natural taste. Nevertheless, the wine sauce was just overly alcoholic that was unbalance. I would not personally recommend this dish.

herbal juice

Abalone Marinated in Chinese "Hua Diao" Wine (HKD88)

Steamed Whole Tomato Stuffed with Assorted Fungi (HKD88)

As for more serious dishes, we decided to have roasted meat which is of course the well-known traditional Cantonese choice. Roasted Crispy Pork Belly and Sliced Suckling Pig (8/10) were delicious. Suckling pig was crisp to the max and full flavour. So tasty and not overly salty. Crispy pork belly was tender and crisp on the skin. Minimum fat layers. As a crispy pork belly lover, I really like it. The other dish was Roasted Crispy Goose (7/10). This goose dish also gave me a lot of pleasure. Skin was crisp. On the palate, the flavour was fabulously yummy. I just wish that the dish would come as boneless which would make it much easier to eat and a better "finale".

Well, Cuisine Cuisine at IFC Mall may not be the ultimate Cantonese restaurant but it offers pleasure and joy. I would not mind returning to this restaurant to try other dishes.

Roasted Crispy Pork Belly and Sliced Suckling Pig (HKD280)

pork belly along side suckling pig

Roasted Crispy Goose (HKD188)

roasted goose comes with traditional sweet dipping sauce

Cuisine Cuisine @ IFC Mall, Hong Kong
3101-3107, podium level 3, IFC Mall
Central
Hong Kong

Open Hours: Daily from 12:00pm - 02:30pm for lunch (10:30am - 03:00pm on Sunday) and 06:00pm - 10:30pm for dinner

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Si Fang Cai (Hong Kong Home Cuisine) @ Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 24 (Sathu Pradit 19), Bangkok

Cuisine: Chinese
Price: THB500 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)
Visited: 16 August 2013
Food: 5/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 4/10

By its name, this restaurant "Si Fang Cai or Hong Kong Home Cuisine" has already told us what it specialises in. Si Fang Cai is located within Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 24 or Soi Sathu Pradit 19 or locally known as Soi Wat Pho Man at Nara Place. It of course offers decent Cantonese style Chinese food. When I say decent, I mean it is enjoyable but not that great. It is a restaurant that can be enjoyable for any day but not the one to be looking forward to.

Si Fang Cai store front

seatings

hidden toilette

The place is not big, just a block of commercial building. There are probably around 10 tables. Typically I do not expect much on the service side from local Chinese restaurants, however, this one is better than expected. The decoration is kept in Chinese style. What surprise me was the way they hide toilettes; it looks like a panel of drawers but it actually is toilette.

random picture

cutlery in Chinese style

cup of tea....yeah

We had ordered 2 kinds of tofu dishes. The first one was cold bean curd with century egg - เต้าหู้ไข่เยี่ยวม้า (6/10).  The other one was tofu in Sze Chuan style - เต้าหู้ผัดสไตล์เสฉวน (5/10). Both were ok. Cold bean curd with century egg was basic but still delightful. Tofu in Sze Chuan style was not so hot but still maintained richness of taste.

cold bean curd with century egg (THB99)

tofu in Sze Chuan style (THB120)

To have Cantonese food, how could I miss roast dishes. This time we had half roasted goose - ห่านย่างครึ่งตัว (5/10) and crispy roasted pork - หมูกรอบ (7/10). I did enjoy the crispy roasted pork a lot: so crisp on the skin and soft inside. Roasted goose was not that amazing but still yummy. If it could be more tender, this would be a highlight dish as the overall taste was good already except texture.

half roasted goose (THB950)

crispy roasted pork (THB260)

We were recommended by a staff to try steamed egg white with tiger prawn - กุ้งนึ่งไข่ขาวกับมันปู (4/10). Indeed, I did not hesitate to order so. However, it was not so great as expected. It was just a basic steamed egg white topped fatty crab sauce and 4 small tiger prawns. Anyway, at least it was not that bad.

I then spotted on an advertised card on the table that they also do serve egg yolk bun - ซาลาเปาไส้ไหล (4/10). So, why not. Egg yolk bun has been so famous in Bangkok during the past year, especially, the one at Chef Man @ Eastin Hotel. Well, this one was ok to eat and to enjoy but not up to standard of Chef Man. It was too sweet to my liking in fact. Anyway, there is not 3 months queue here. (^.^)

steamed egg white with tiger prawn (THB245)

egg yolk bun (THB120)

runny filling

Si Fang Cai (Hong Kong Home Cuisine) @ Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 24 (Sathu Pradit 19), Bangkok
Nara Place
297/439 Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 24 (Sathu Pradit 19)
Chong Nonsri, Yannawa
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Open Hours11:00am - 10:00pm daily
Tel: +66 (0) 2674 1414, +66 (0) 85 088 3835
Webhttp://www.mywaterlibrary.com/chamchuri/
FBhttps://www.facebook.com/hongkongsfc
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