December 24, 2009

• Song of the Day
  

  回去走走熟悉的路…
  呼吸屬於自己的空氣…
  走走自己一起長大的海邊…
  渡過燭光下的聖誕晚餐…

  

  I‘m writing from Hong Kong now. It’s been a long long time since my last entry. I apologize for not updating anything, having been occupied with finishing up my project at work, as well as planning for a visit to Hong Kong with W. During the past few days, I had been playing the part of tour guide, carrying on a whirlwind tour of the island. Since W only had five full days here, with me having to abandon him for two days due to family obligations. All in all, the resulting three days were spent on W’s to-do list. Since we are short on time on his last day of visit, we had to choose between either spending the day in HK Disneyland; or luncheon at a Michelin One-Star restaurant plus high tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Both itineraries are on the top of the list, but knowing W’s passion for food….a visit to the Mouse House can wait. Sorry, Mickey!

  Tim Ho Won (添好運) – as the name implies “add good luck”; this hole-in-the-wall restaurant was recently anointed a Michelin one-star, instantly becoming the CHEAPEST Michelin starred restaurant of the world! Compared with other Michelin-ranked restaurants where a meal can cost more than $400, Tim Ho Won is an excellent value. Tim Ho Wan is headed by a former dim sum chef at Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel, where he worked at its three-starred restaurant Lung King Heen (Hopefully, I’ll get a spot for dim sum at this place next week). During the economic crisis the chef branched out on his own to offer his dishes at bargain prices. His most expensive dish, a plate of noodles, costs the equivalent of about $5.40, and he sells about 750 of his signature crispy pork buns each day.

  A glimpse inside the kitchen and the narrow eating area which can only accommodate twenty patrons…
  

  We started to queue up before opening time, and it was a long queue…
  

  The menu is simple with limited choices; our table is very small…
  

  First up is the crispy baos with barbeque pork fillings. Once I bite through the crispy outer crust, the savory bbq sauce just oozed out…
  
  

  Steamed Shrimp Dumplings “Har Gaow” – the trick to distinguish the good “Har Gaow” from the bad is when it does not stick to the paper, and the size is just right; the wrapping is so thin with the fillings clearly visible…Steamed Shrimp ‘shiu-mai’ – the texture is similar to a meatball, spongy and juicy…
  

  Egg rolls with shrimp…Pan fried Daichon cake…
  

  Steamed chicken nuggets and mushroom sponges… Steamed beef meatballs with Chinese “orange peel” inside…
  

  Shrimp wrapped in steamed rice rolls….Steamed chicken feet in black bean sauce…
  

  Dessert – Jello with sweet Osmanthus pedals…
  

  
  The entire meal costs approximately US$20. The appearance and presentation of the dishes was quite shabby, and did not do justice to the calibre of the taste at all. It would help with a few garnishes and dressings here and there. But considering how quickly the dishes are flying off the shelves, nobody were complaining about the sloppy presentation. Why fix it ? Even so, I’d definitely return for future bites!

  Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel is an experience not to pass up, especially during Christmas. Thus, a sip of English tea and a bite of scones was on our agenda.
  

  

  Three tiered set – with the sweets occupying the top level; sandwiches and pies in the mid-level; scones are at the bottom…
  

  Sweets – Chestnut & Blackberry Yule Log, Champagne Mango Passion Fruit Mousse Cake, Honey Anise Truffle, Christmas Cookies, Spice Pear Financier, Rose Berry Marmalade Mascarpone tart, Spiced Pear financier…
  

  Finger Sandwiches – Balik Salmon on Buckwheat pancake, Smoked Turkey and truffled cream in sun-dried tomato bread, Marinated cucumber and bell pepper in white bread…
  

  Savoury Jalousie, strawberry jam, Goose liver and candied walnut quiche, Raisin and plain scones, Devonshire clotted cream…
  

  Decorative hanging balls were handed out to us…
  

  Everyone has a special wish on the tree…
  

  Girls choir from a local high school singing inside the hotel lobby…
  

  Outside of the Peninsula Hotel…
  

  Later on, we strolled along the Kowloon harbour front, catching a glimpse of Hong Kong Island…
  

  • 7:08 pm
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