Introducing the "Skunner" List

After my latest disappointing meal at Mesa 15, I was feeling positive that my subsequent dining experiences would only get better. My next attempt was met with the same fatal end: uninspired, overpriced, and definitely not as advertised.

This seems to be a trend as of late and I'm starting to worry about my own ability to discern a good restaurant from a bad one. Even though I usually read all the reviews and am confident that I've done my due diligence, the meals have been mediocre at best. Sadly, I no longer think I can rely on TimeOut, HK Magazine, nor OpenRice.com to give reliable advice. My "Skunner" list is getting longer by the minute and I can say emphatically that I will never dine again in Soho unless desperate (okay, I lie, I still like Posto Publicco but even that's been losing it's lustre ).

THE LATEST LOSERS:

LIMEHOUSE, Wan Chai

Everything from decor to food to service fell below the mark for this critically acclaimed restaurant by TimeOut. What happened to the quaint and cozey decor? I just felt like I was in a white washed room with a couple of wood tables. The small space boasted one waitress and a completely charmless maitre'd. Upon tasting the house wine, a 2009 cab sauv that tasted more vinegar than dark cherry as advertised, I asked the waitress if there was anything else by the glass. The Maitre'd rushed over and said that they had a Chilean wine but then almost immediately reneged his offer. All in all, very odd and slow service at Limehouse.

And the food? Completely forgettable. We tried the fish and chips and the foie and duck egg appetizers. Both were fine but the portions were incredibly small and the price point at $78 and $98 respectively, was not cheap.

The main entrees were slightly better. Out of the seared monkfish, steak diane, and shepard's pie, the pie was by far the best. It was hearty and delicious but again, there was nothing particularly remarkable about it to justify it's $138HKD price tag. It literally just came out as a pie in a casserole dish---they didn't even give me any peas on the side! TimeOut HK magazine, I'm sorely disappointed with your misrepresentation! I definitely would NOT come back here.

Egg was undercooked although the foie and duck liver components blended well with the brioche and yolk.
Steak Diane was well seasoned but again, nothing special.

The best part of the meal, my shepard's pie. Tastey but definitely not worthy making the trek back for.
This was advertised as a raspberry shortcake. It tasted more like a toasted blueberry muffin with a dollop of cream and a couple of berries on top. It was overly sweet and definitely not worth the $48HKD. I will personally toast you a muffin and call it shortcake for a quarter of the price!

YORKSHIRE PUDDING, Staunton St., Soho

I'm really sad to report that my favorite place for Sunday Roast is officially on the Skunner list. Feeling a bit under the weather, I tried their tomato and roasted red pepper soup. It tasted and looked like Worcestershire sauce---eww!!! After two sips, I asked to swap out for their other soup of the day which was a cream of fish. I kid you not, it tasted like cream of butterscotch with floating parcels of overcooked fish nubs. Jay's burger although glorious in its appearance, had the distinct taste of meat tenderiser. If you ever dine here, make sure to stick with what they're good at which is their roasted meats and yorkshire puddings.

My first ever butterscotch flavored soup masquerading as fish chowder

THE WINNERS:

I would like to point out that the restaurants below aren't even what I would call "winners" by a NY standard. They're winners by HK standard which brings me to a topic near and dear to my heart: why do HK eaters expect less and pay more? It's mind boggling to me that people accept the quality of food that they receive and are willing to pay over $300 a meal for something that I could make with a can of prego and borelli dried pasta out of a box. Is it the years away from home that have numbed people's palettes? Are the folks living in HK simply accustomed to an interior standard of food? Or am I just being over critical and unreasonable for applying what I would consider acceptable in Manhattan? Regardless, I'm losing my enamor for non Chinese food dining in HK and it breaks my heart because I love this city.

LIME, Shelley Street, Mid Levels (right off the escalator, above Prince's Terrace)

The decor and location is a bit strange for this brand new Thai bistro, nestled in the mid-levels. The old Lime in Kennedy Town shut down and it decided to reincarnate itself as a tacky green, disco lighted club in an otherwise residential area. Contrary to other reviews, I found their curry hot as hell! I'm not the best when it comes to heat but I'm not pansy either. I had the Tempo tissues out during my entire lunch and it was so refreshing to finally feel the sizzling tingle of a thai curry done right. In the 1.5 years I have lived in the Central area, I have not had a curry as complex in flavor and hot enough to warrant brow sweat. Thank you Lime, green fluorescent lights and all. Lunch sets start at $98 and dinner per head should cost approximately $200-300 per head depending if you drink or not.

Thom Yum Seafood Curry Lunch Set

THE BURGER ROOM, Causeway Bay

All I have to say is why has no one told me about this place yet?! Finding a good burger in HK is like trying to find non-commerical music in a LKF club. I want to personally thank Jay for taking me to Burger Room and for restoring my hope in the HK burger. I've recently crossed off red meat from my list so I ordered the chicken burger:

The chicken was well seasoned, the condiment just right and my potato wedges crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. This meal plus a drink was only $39HKD for the tea set. A great value considering it's the "mini-size" and I was still stuffed afterwards.

Now if you want to go full on cardiac arrest, try the portabella burger smothered in cheese. This thing is so big, you'll need to share it with a friend. In fact, all their regular size burgers are HUGE. And I lied again...I did try a bite (sorry mr. moo cow!)---I just couldn't resist! The patty stayed together as you bit it. The beef was well seasoned and incredibly juicy. All in all, a very good burger. Just be wary of the queues and long wait time for your meal.

THE CHINESE RESTAURANT AT THE GRAND HYATT

My second dining experience here was not as good as the first a few months ago but I did not leave disappointed. The service is still great and the food is still as refined as before. I never thought lotus roots stuffed with fish meat could be elevated to a 5-star quality dish (this is normally a dish my mom just makes at home). Although delicious, the price tag is staggering. A meal for three came to $1900 not including dessert. Considering the price and the views, I would still bring special guest or visitors here but I'm not sure if it deserved the dining award of the year by TimeOut HK for Chinese food.

When Szechuan means Canton: Jumbo prawns with crab meat and coral and chili peppers next to lotus roots and peppers stuffed with fish meat.

Lamb casserole with beancurd sheets and mushrooms. Perfectly cooked lamb and barely gamey, even by my standards.

So who's on your SKUNNER list? Tell me what restaurants you wouldn't ever go back to and why!

Review of MESA 15 on Wyndham Street, Central.

I'm going to be brutally honest here, while the food was all beautifully presented, the service impeccable, and the space modern and chic for HK, the food at Mesa 15 fell devastatingly short. Three "pica" plates of tapas in, I was starting to worry that no Michelin star worthy dishes would arrive. It appears that the award winning dishes have stayed in Spain. Looks like we poor Hong Konger's will just have to physically go to Spain if we're going to experience the type of meal that critically acclaimed chef Alejandro Sanchez is known for.

Sanchez's first foray out of Spain is lacking in basic flavor. I'm no trained chef but several dishes were begging for some simple salt and pepper or a squeeze of lemon. The dishes we tried are described below:

THE LOSERS

When I see the word gazpacho, I expect a refreshing blend of full flavors of tomato, vinegar and spice. Nothing about this soup was refreshing nor robust in taste. It was an odd blend of flavors and lacked any texture. I LOVE soup and I think this may have been the worst one I've ever had in Hong Kong. Talk about epic failure!


Sanchez's signature fish and chips dish was also a disappointment. Although the batter was light and the fish was of good quality, again there was very little flavor. The dipping mayo hadZERO taste. The chips were the best part of the dish, perfectly fried and flavorful as far as potatoes go. A signature dish though should not rely on the strength of the potatoes!

Razor clams are definitely some of the ugliest bi-valves out there but man, are they tasty when done right! As a Cantonese food lover at heart, I often order these with blackbean sauce. When I saw the pesto version on the Mesa 15 menu, I was eager to try them at $39 HKD a piece. They looked fresh and the green color was vibrant and although the pesto was reasonable in flavor, the clam itself tasted a bit fishey. This was mostly due to the fact that much of the stomach gunk was left inside the clam. I know some people actually like this bit but let me reassure you, in a razor clam where the sauce is light---it's hard to mask that funky odour and taste. Another failure for an otherwise promising dish.

The pulled pork burgers looked promising as they arrived. As I bit into them, I enjoyed the soft texture of the pork and the balance of radicchio ,dressing, and bun. Again the pulled pork was bland and in need of some serious spice. Pulled pork lovers in HK, I would avoid these!

THE WINNERS:

I can't even say that duck breast over braised vegetables was that great. Compared to the other dishes though, it was a solid portion of duck with an appropriate level of seasoning. My only complaint was the lack of crunch on the skin of the duck.


Well you can't really eff up iberian ham! The ham was excellent quality, better than the stuff I've tried at City Super. But at $150HKD per 40 grams, it's no bargain!

If you're looking for a trendy spot for drinks and maybe some quick nibbles then Mesa 15 would be more than adequate. If you're looking for a tapas meal that will blow your mind, I think you're better off saving your $$$ and waiting till your next trip to Spain or keeping to the more traditional tapas offerings in the area.

Price per head with dessert and one alcoholic beverage: approximately $450

Dedicated to BEEF!

I should be overweight by now. By the sheer grace of God, I have somehow managed to maintain my weight even with the last 3 months of extreme gluttony. Even though my jeans still fit the way they should, I may have to start slowing down for fear of my metabolism giving out. Or worse, I could be putting myself at risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure with the copious amounts of beef and uni consumed lately. On that cherry note, I'd like to introduce you to some of my favorite HK haunts for beef dishes, whether it's a steak of the Japanese Wagyu variety or good ole' NY Siroloin Strip. Perhaps my fears of a lethargic metabolism will just have to wait...

(Above is the Beef Bourguignon at Pastis, Central)

POSTO PUBBLICO, Elgin Street, Soho

I have been to Posto three times in week before: I shit you not. The reason why? Their VEAL MEATBALLS. I don't even like meatballs (especially the steamed ones at dim sum) but for whatever reason, I can't seem to get enough of these giant free-formed balls of spongey yet well seasoned veal meat. The accompanying tomato sauce has the right ratio of savory and tartness and chunks of tomatoes to compliment the main event. A plate of meatballs, a glass of Montalcino, and a side of pasta makes for a perfect organic Italian meal. Price per head approximately $300.

The Grass-fed NY Sirloin at Posto is also excellent. Although much leaner than my usual steak, it's still full flavor and tender. Note of caution, I would stay away from Posto on the weekend. Their service and quality of food becomes a lot spottier when they're busy.

ALLORA, Staunton Street, Soho

Opened just a few months ago, I was skeptical of their expansive menu and lack of customers. Given it's location and decor, it seemed like it would be a winner. Casting my skepticism aside, I boldly ventured into the mostly empty restaurant after a rough Friday night. I was impressed by the grass fed beef burger option and eagerly awaited for its arrival whilst sipping my bloody mary, hoping for a hangover miracle. The burger was just what the doctor ordered. It had a perfectly toasted bun, melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and a gooey egg to top it all off. The burger paddy was also done well, arriving at medium rareness, just as I had ordered it. However, the fries on the other hand were dismal. Tasting of old oil and grease and lacking any seasoning, they were practically inedible. I can't say the other food was great but overall, done well and reasonably priced. This is a good choice if you're looking for place to have a meal without a reservation or when you want to have a proper conversation with your dining companion. In addition to a brunch menu, Allora is serving up a super value prix fixe of 4 courses for $198. This set dinner even includes the option of fresh raw oysters or a steak. Needless to say, I had the steak ;-)

PARADISE OF KING ASIA SEAFOOD HOT POT (Don't you just love this nonsensical English name?), Tung Lung Street, Causeway Bay

Since I can't afford Baoduweng Hot Pot in the Food Forum, Times Sq.,all the time, this place is a wonderful alternative. It's the perfect place to go with a big crowd and get your hot pot on! They have three fatty beef options (lean, fatty, and super fatty---nom nom nom!) and plenty of seafood choices as well. Prices are very reasonable and the restaurant is clean, especially for the location. Expect to pay approximately $200 per head including beer.

PRIME, Civic Square, Elements, Kowloon Station

Another classic steakhouse in the conveniently located Civic Square brought to you by Dining Concepts (same group as Bisteca, Blue Smoke, etc.). The food here is what you'd expect from any high-end steakhouse. All the meat options are done well, especially the Chateaubriand for two and the 24 oz M-9 Wagyu steak, also big enough for 2-3 people. The macaroni and cheese was a lovely blend of three cheeses, and even with it's slightly watery creamy consistency, I would still recommend it. I would, however, take a pass on the hamachi appetizer at it tastes more cocktail sauce than fresh fish. I was pleasantly surprised with the food overall as the chef de cuisine was at Craft before, which I found sub par and an embarrassment to the Dining Concepts Chain. I'm happy to see that they've got their chefs cooking at their best now!

The massive M-9 Wagyu Steak

WAGYU EN, 11 Stanley Street, Central

Tucked away in the same building as MisoCool, I tried this restaurant when the queue at my go-to ramen place proved to be too long. The wait here was a much more manageable time of 10 minutes during peak lunch hour on a Thursday. Although the dishes here are skewed toward the Hong Kong-Chinese palate (their pastas taste Chinese, not Italian), I was still impressed by their wide selection of wagyu beef, all cooked "a punto" at medium-rare. I will definitely be coming back here for their Wagyu steaks and beef bowl which has received much praise. At $88, the wagyu steak cube with curry over rice (including salad and soup) was a great value.

Some other notable mentions include the beef carpaccio at Sushi Kuu and Wagyu Beef roll at Zuma. These dishes display beef at their finest. For those of you with a tighter budget, Wagyu and Wooloomooloo do great lunch specials (ranging from $125-168) that includes a steak option as the main course. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time for lunch though!

Beef Carpaccio Appetizer at Sushi Kuu, $140

The Shanghai Edition

Summer came and past like a whirlwind and what a mighty fun whirlwind it was! My "summer break" in Shanghai was not only fun but extremely educational from a cultural and gustatory perspective. In fact, I'm so enamored with SH, I'm starting to plot my future life there. Hong Kong will always be my first love and my wifey but I think SH is the new hot mistress!

In addition to loong but fun putonghua classes every day, I did my fair share of sight seeing and eating. The Expo was worth going to but I would definitely keep your expectations realistic---if you've ever been to Italy or Spain, the pavilion will be a mere shadow of the real thing. Needless to say, the Expo is for the locals that will never get a chance to travel to those places. For me, I couldn't imagine queuing up for hours!

Now back to the FOOD, below is a list of some of the more high-end Chinese places that are highly recommended in Shanghai. Further down, I'll highlight some of my favorite western restaurants. Sadly, the western food options were on the whole, better than Hong Kong. I liked the Chinese food in Shanghai but at the end of the day, I'm a Cantonese food lover at heart. I missed the clean flavors and of course, the fresh seafood, which is hard to come by in Shanghai.

1) Lost Heaven - Yunan cuisine located in the Bund and French Concession area http://www.lostheaven.com.cn/main.html This is also a great place to grab drinks after work or dinner as their is a DJ and a lot of beautiful people :)

The address in the French Concession area is: 38 Gaoyou Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu. Tel: 6433 5126

2) Yé Shanghai - traditional upscale Shanghainese cuisine located in Xintiandi. They have good xialongbao, sweet and sour pork and mango pudding. Xintiandi-338 Huangpi Nan Lu. Tel: 6311 2323

3) Paul's: Another famous Shanghainese restaurant who's menu has recently expanded to include Cantonese and Sichuan fare. Some of the favorite dishes include the river prawns wok friend with broad beans (shuijing xiaren) and a fusion dish of fried dough rolls stuffed with minced seafood, topped with a thousand island dressing (youtia haixian juan). 271 Fumin Lu. Tel: 6279 2827

4) Pin Chuan: specializing in spicy Sichuan dishes, this is a casual restaurant in the French Concession area. They have the classic spicy chengdu style chicken, poached sliced beef and the customer favorite is the "old nanny fish." 47 Taojian Lu (near Wulumuqi Nan Lu). Tel. 6437 9361

5) Xiao Nan Guo: This restaurant is a SH institution. They serve up reliable Shanghainese cuisine in a stylish setting. 9th floor of Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu, Pudong. They also have other locations on the Puxi side so check with your hotel concierge to see which is closer.

6) Fu 1088 - they serve traditional cuisine with updated interpretations in an antique filled villa. I have not eaten here but the reviews have been great. 375 Zhenning Lu, near Yuyuan Lu, Jingan district. Tel 53239 7878

7) Xin Guang - considered the godfather of hairy crab restaurants, Xin Guang is worth checking out if you want the full, authentic Shanghainese cuisine experience. I'm not sure if the crabs are in season though so please check with concierge again. People's Sq., Building 7, Hongqiao State Guest Hotel, 1591 Hongqiao Shuicheng Lu, Changning district. Tel. 6322 3978

8) Fuxing Hui - another classic Shanghainese restaurant in the French Concession area. It's an elegant restaurant also in an old villa. Meal for two will only run about $250 RMB. I would suggest the stewed pork meatballs with crabmeat in a clear broth and the cold chicken ('boiled chiken') from Chonming island which is served with a soy, garlic, and ginger dipping sauce. 1479 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Huahai Zhong lu, Xuhui district. Tel. 6433 6955

DA MARCO's

As I entered this cheesy Italian ristorante tucked away in an equally cheesy hotel, I was almost certain that my dining experience would be lackluster. Needless to say, when my sublime homemade fettucini with eggplant, ricotta, and vine ripened tomatoes arrived, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Not only were the pastas and pizzas made in a traditional manner, the portions were large by Chinese standards. Furthermore, the prices made this a place that I would include into my weekly rotation if I lived in Shangherz. A shared starter of lightly fried calamari, a pasta, and a peroni set me back a very reasonable $110 RMB.

MAYA

I can't believe that I'm saying this but I think Maya serves up the best contemporary Mexican that I have had, to date. I'm a die-hard fan of Zarela's amongst other modern Latin eateries in NYC but I have officially raised Maya to the golden standard. From the exotic drinks to my perfectly seared truffle encrusted tuna served over a fresh corn and bean salad, my meal shared with 10 friends far exceeded my expectations. Although Maya is hidden in a residential complex on Julu lu, the interior of the restaurant was tastefully done and the service was excellent. Shanghai has truly impressed me with the quantity and breadth of dining options and Maya is a definite knock-out amongst the rest. Three courses plus one drink costs approximately $300-400 RMB per head.

I usually don't even like tuna!

Felipe's Carne Asada---increible!

Dessert platter served with churros with jam and fresh creme, molten chocolate cake and cinnamon ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, and creme brulee. Lo mejor churro he comido en mi vida!

MESA MANIFESTO

I enjoyed a beautiful Saturday brunch with my French school mate, Lumi. Mesa serves up wholesome food with flair. Some unusual touches include their champagne scrambled eggs featured below and eggs florentine with sun dried tomato hollandaise. In addition to the airy and lofty space below, Mesa boats a large rustic wood terrace upstairs equipped with misting fans. Not only is this a great place to meet for drinks after work, you won't be disappointed by the food nor the ambience. Brunch with a smoothie and coffee cost approximately $250 RMB.

NOUGATINE

I will be first to admit that it often seems that I forget that I'm a student and eat as if I still have my Wall St. job. However, in my defense, I am adept at finding fine dining values. Case in point, Jean George is now offering an affordable three course prix fixe at their flagship restaurant's lounge area, Nougatine,for $205 RMB. This is by far, is the most exquisite meal I have had at such a reasonable price. Our set meal included a diaphanous steak tartar served with potato stix reminiscent of my childhood. The unusual addition of lime juice gave it the extra Jean George-"umph". The second course was the pan seared red snapper pictured below served on top of an intense seafood consomme with a touch of cream and fava beans. The third course was a disappointment as it was simply just a cheesecake served with raspberries and nothing more. Some other notable mentions, however, include the caesar salad, which quite possibly was the best caesar salad I've ever had in my life and the black truffle pizza. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in Shanghai!

Steak Tartar

Black truffle pizza with fontina and gorgonzola cheese: pizza at its most decadent

Pan seared snapper with a broth so good, not a single drop was left

MR. AND MRS. BUND
I was totally enamored with the sexy Alice and Wonderland decor of this restaurant. Their menu is as thick as a book so be prepared to be overwhelmed with their many options. Presentation is a definite highlight at this restaurant but thankfully, this does not overshadow the food. Even the fresh baguette is delicious and served with a homemade pate on the house. The people that come here to dine are sexy, and the food can definitely get you in the mood, so bring a hot date, indulge in the filet with seared foie and then head up to Bar Rouge for some late night boogying. Price per head including wine, $600-700 RMB

12 oz. Filet with seared foie gras and a balsamic reduction

White Truffle Risotto

GOGA
This tiny little restaurant (although they do have a rooftop upstairs) serves up San Francisco fare right in the heart of Shanghai. The ingredients are all locally sourced but the flavors are truly West Coast. The food also seems to be on the healthier side with a lot of veggie and fresh seafood options. Some highlights include the cabbage salad with chicken and lobster roll. Price per head including a drink is approximately $200-250 RMB

BELLAGIO

I have one word to describe this restaurant: OBSESSED! I can't get enough of this Taiwanese chain. We were so mad about the cruller stuffed with mayonaise shrimp that we ordered it again (mind you, after we had already ordered dessert!). Absolutely all the dishes we tried here were great, including their mango drinks and dessert offerings. This a must for those that love flavorful Taiwanese at a remarkable price. Price per head including drinks and multiple desserts $100 RMB per head.

Fried cruller stuffed with shrimp in a mayonaise and pineapple sauce

Garlic and scallion chicken. This with a bowl of rice could be a complete meal

Taiwanese shaved ice with all the classic topics, or "jewels" as Jackie would say ;-)

Summertime!

With spring semester behind me and the summer semester in full-swing, I'm feeling cheery and positive about an otherwise sweltering, humid, and grumpiness-inducing three month stretch in Hong Kong. Mosquito bites, 120% humidity, and heat rash---I dare you to damper my good mood!

I feel so blessed for all the wonderful people in my life and am so thankful for all of the great experiences and opportunities that I've had in Hong Kong thus far. Every day is an adventure and I never thought that at the age of 25, I would be starting another major chapter in my life that would be so rewarding. It feels like a mini-rebirth and I hope the good times continue to roll....

I recently went to Phuket, which would be my 3rd visit to Thailand since I moved to HK. Phuket was beautiful but I must admit, I had more fun on my last trip to Thailand. A 2 day visit + 3 day visit to Hua Hin to me, is a more perfect combination of night life/shopping/beach/and spa. Phuket's snorkelling was truly amazing though and the surrounding islands were lovely and definitely worth the visit.

I'll have a few weeks of in August after my internship so I'm thinking about doing an intensive Mandarin course. That is if the promise of a white-sand beach doesn't lure me away!

The start have summer has been great so far with some lovely and relatively low humid weather and lots of visitors!

Kellie and Me at the top of Azure, Hotel LKF

Nicole, Kellie Me and Erica in Harbour City

My JD gang at Chocolate, our local watering hole

Helen's Going Away Party: Black glam with the ladies that lunch!

HK Art Fair 2010: hopefully my future living room mural

While on my 2 month hiatus from blogging, I've been doing some serious eating. Thai delights aside, I've augmented my HK restaurant list significantly. Below are some highlights:

BISTECA - Lan Kwai Fong, Central

After my dismal experience at Craft steakhouse in Soho, I had little hopes for a top notch steak house experience in Hong Kong. It seemed that I would be doomed to chewy and sinewy meat or over-processed options unless I wanted to shell out serious cash for the Wagyu and Kobe cuts at various Japanese outlets. Thankfully, the Dining Concepts group has yet again churned out a consistent and delicious steakhouse restaurant right in the heart of LKF. Located on the second floor, next to Tuscan H, I was pleasantly surprised by the perfectly prepared steaks and the homey décor. I particularly liked their 8 oz filet, which was perfectly tender and well-seasoned, served on its own wooden cutting board. Bisteca also has creative sides served in cast iron skillets. Everything was done well from the fresh baked focaccia to the creamed spinach. It's a little more pricey than the other steak places but definitely worth the price. Steaks start at around $265 HKD ($35USD) and sides are about $35HKD

BLUE SMOKE - Lan Kwai Fong, Central

Ladies and gentleman, southern BBQ has arrived to HK! Blue Smoke, much like the version in NYC, has great ribs, brisket, and an authentic rustic décor. I love the wooden picnic tables, open air space, and where else do you get served complimentary cornbread and freshly fried bacon as starters? I didn't love the baked mac & cheese nor the lamb ribs, but the creamed corn was fantastic as was the key lime pie. The Chef and owner, Chris, is Canadian, and also is part owner of Bisteca located downstairs. Blue Smoke is a great place to bring friends as they have large tables perfect for get togethers. Be expected to pay $200-300 per head including a drink.

Baby back ribs, creamed corn and spinach

PASTIS - Wyndham St, Central

Pastis serves up solid french fare that did not disappoint. I was impressed with the authenticity and full flavor of the dishes that we tried. The menu is relatively limited so I would stick with the beef bourguignon, garlic shrimp, and escargot. Make a reservation as seating is very limited.

Beef Bourguignon

Classic Escargot!

COAST - Soho, Central

For their easily acceible location right on the escalator to Soho, I would say that this restaurant is a good value. I thoroughly enjoyed their Australian and mediterranean fare ranging from their Aussie kangaroo pie to their baramundi fish and chips. I also liked their mushy peas and brussel sprouts and proscioutto sides. Coast is great for large groups as they have sharing plates and large tables. They have $110 HKD Mussel Mondays and also serve up a tastey steak for approx $285 and up. Just beware that they sometimes run out of mussels on Monday so try and get there early! Some things to avoid would include the risotto balls and the desserts as the variety is limited and they aren't particularly delicate.

Maine Crab and Asparagus Risotto

Bottomless Mussels: tomato and chilli sauce

GOURMET BURGER UNION - Soho, Central (various locations)

I'm officially a big fan of Burger Union's innumerable offerings of well-dressed and well-priced burgers. As the burger and bbq trend is in full swing in HK, sometimes it's hard to tell where you'll actually get a decent burger. Having had burgers at the nearby Frites and the Peak Cafe, I must say that Burger Union's stood out. The Double Truffle and the Portobello burgers were exceptionally good. Everything is cooked fresh to order in a no-nonsense environment. In addition to chilli, fries, and poutine sides, they also have a long list of killer milkshakes that will enhance your calorie bonanza.

Double Truffle and Portobello Burgers