February 1, 2010

• Song of the Day
  

  Lately, W has been humming this tune – “Catbus” (고양이 버스). I guess this song was inspired by the character ‘Catbus’ in the Japanese anime film “My Neighbor Totoro”. What a cute music video!

  最近的我…..
  日子過得頗為悠閒…..恍惚進入成年養老院…..
  曬曬太陽散散步…..沒事還會看看書…..
  晚睡晚起已是習慣…..
  人生的場景就此匆匆而過…..

  It’s that time of year again! dineLA Restaurant Week is here. This time with over 200 Southern California restaurants participating, and affordably priced three course-meals ranging from $16 – $28 for lunch and $26 – $44 for dinner. Therefore, seizing the moment, we booked a table for two at Chaya Venice . This place has established itself in the Venice beach community for almost 18 years, and has earned the right to be called an institution. It specializes in contemporary French and Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on international seafood selection. There is a full sushi bar and its sushi has always been among the best on the Westside. If you are budget-conscious, the happy hour sushi bar will certainly delight your wallet, which lasts daily from 5 pm. to 7 pm.

  

  The night is still young, with only a couple of patrons sitting by the sushi bar…..
  

  Appetizer – CHAYA’s Classic Big-Eye Tuna Tartarte…..
  

  Entree – Grilled Salmom, with Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Yukon Potato; topped with Dried Plum Balsalmic Reduction…..
  

  Entree – Pinoit Noir Braised Short Rib, with Spinach Yukon Potato Puree…..
  

  Dessert – Chocolate Pots de Creme…..
  

  Dessert – Red Velvet Cupcake
  

  The entire dinner costs US$34 per person, plus service charge. The quality of food is quite good and the portions are very satisfactory indeed. But I’d not probably go there for a quiet and romantic dinner, since the bar section occupied almost half of the building, the bar scene is quite vibrant and loud at times.

  HONG KONG (part 3) – “Tidbits” December 2009 – No matter when and where you are in the city, there is always a way of getting a bite to eat. We landed late at night at the beginning of our trip and looking for a quick snack to ease our empty stomach. No problem. There are a host of small restaurants near our hotel, and Ho Hung Kee Congee and Wonton Shop is amongst them. Without studying the menu, we ordered – wonton noodle, stewed beef n’ wonton noodle, ‘Thousand Year Old’ Egg, and boiled Chinese broccoli. We also had congee, but someone devoured a good portion of the congee before the photo was snapped.

  

  

  The broth was very flavorful (made of powdered dried flounder, dried shrimp roe and pork bones) and without the ‘alkaline water’ flavor at all. The wontons were satisfactory in size. I have to say they are indeed very tasty, fresh and got great textur. I really appreciate the lighter Cantonese flavor after a 16-hour long flight and airplane food!

  Man Fai, King of Cuttlefish Balls- are the exact words on their neon-lited banner. It was almost nine o’clock at night and we were longing for a quick night snack. This joint is located along Jardine’s Bazaar, where a host of small popular local restaurants are. We had the Cuttlefish Ball with Thick Rice Noodle. The cuttlefish balls are AMAZING! They’re so springy and soft, fresh and extremely delicious. The broth was light and flavorful with preserved dried mustard greens added in. You have the option of adding seaweed. For me this is not only heaven in a bowl, it’s also the authentic taste of Hong Kong tidbits.

  I had the Cuttlefish balls with noodles, while W had the same dish but with extra cuttlefish meat. Every seat in the restaurant was filled and we had to share the table with ten other patrons.
  

  

  Someone seated across from me was having this dish of “Stewed egg-noodles with Roasted Goose Meat”, it looked really delicious as well…..
  

  Caffe Habitu/The Table- Most Western style eateries near the Times Square open late in the morning, this place is an exception. The Table is a relatively new restaurant that actually opens for business early and serves western style breakfast There is a huge open space floorplan and the decor reminds me of the yuppie coffee joints in Los Angeles. It is located on the second floor, inside of G.O.D., a quirky Hong Kong lifestyle brand rooted in retro HK aesthetics. There is also a very cool bookstore on the ground floor as well.

  

  Good Morning Brekkie, with double fried eggs, Chipolata Sausages, Mushrooms and Grilled Tomato served with VERY THICK TOAST…..
  

  Macadamia Nut Latte (rear), Rose Latte (teddy bear face)…..
  

  The meal costs HK$84 per person, which is less than US$11 per person; then we added on some service charges which came out to HK$95. Reasonably priced for a comfortable setting.

  People’s Recreation Community- This is one of the first “upstair cafe” + bookstores in Hong Kong that started the trend. Using Mao & Communist propaganda as theme, PRC is more known as a bookstore that sells political books about Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and the touchy subjects between the three. They have special sections on banned-in-China books. They also carry design, lifestyle and indie comic books too.

  The interior space is small but they managed to fit in 3 tables. The vibe was cozy and quiet. And you may also “check-out” and browse any book while sipping drinks…..
  

  The menu was pasted inside an old communist propaganda clip art book, with lots of cool clip art inside, I wish I could take this home for souvenir / The table top also has a few communist art clippings…..
  

  The dessert is homemade and drinks are of high quality, and there are so many interesting books and magazines to browse through. Definitely a cool place to hang out. If you find yourself around the Times Square area in Causeway Bay and need a coffee/tea break, skip Starbuck and come here instead…..
  

  Le Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon -at The Landmark; thanks to agmhkg , who visits HK very frequently and knows almost every popular spots for high tea. We met here for a sample of pastries. This high tea has the quality over quantity kind, the food is presented in such an artistic manner that I almost did not want to consume it because it was so fancy! Raspberries, bits of lavender, gold leaves…were all used to further accentuate the aesthetically pleasing display. The pastry is somewhat displayed in a more minimalist style and the food itself is made with fresh ingredients and is prepared meticulously.
  

  

  

  Agnes b Delices Cafe - at the IFC Mall. The cafe is very charming and is located in a rather obscurely shaped passageway on the 3rd floor of IFC Mall, Agnes b converted the space that it occupies into a little roof top garden cafe inspired by a French style courtyard, which I thought was a clever way of interpreting a normally sterile outdoor walkway. Rows of tables line the long left hand side of a narrow passage way leading into the main dining room. The price and menu for items at the Deli, even the cake and coffee, differ slightly from what’s served in the main room. You can also order at the Chocolate Bar which serves different chocolate desserts, dipping chocolate for fondue and chocolate for the weight-conscious patrons.

  

  

  

  

  MY *heartfelt* THANKS to W for a few of the above fabulous and very well focused photos!!

  • 8:20 pm
  • 34 Comments