Eat Drink Hong Kong

Lobby Level
Royal Park Hotel
8 Pak Hok Ting Street
Shatin
New Territories
Tel 2694 3869

12&13/F Langham Place,
8 Argyle Street,
Mongkok,
Kowloon
Tel 3514 9288

Seng Tau Village,
Shap Sze Heung
off Sai Sha Road
Sai Kung,
NT
Tel: 2791 2684        French

Level 3, Royal Park Hotel
8 Pak Hok Ting Street
Shatin
New Territories
Tel 2694 3886

Shop F-G, 18 Jupiter Street
North Point
Hong Kong
Tel 2807 1386

Shop 5 UG/F Olympian City 2
18 Hoi Ting Road
West Kowloon
Tel 2273 4688

25/F Morecrown Commercial Building
108 Electric Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2234 6628

2/F & 3/F Pavilion Stand
Hong Kong Jockey Club
Happy Valley Racecourse
Hong Kong
Tel 3690 3690

Regal Riverside Hotel
34-36 Tai Chung Kiu Road
Shatin
New Territories
Tel 2649 7878

Shop GB 18-20 Yat Wah Mansion
45, Tai Hong Streed
Lei King Wan
Hong Kong
Tel 2539 0098
Fax 2539 7638

G/F 88 Electric Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2508 0122

15 Yuen Yuen Street
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2575 1322

2 Princes Terrace
Mid Levels
Central
Hong Kong
Tel 3100 6379

LG/ F 132, Festival Walk
Kowloon Tong
Kowloon
Tel 2265 8828 or 2845 4600

G/F 79a Wong Nai Chung Road
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2577 2202

G/F 1826B Po Tung Road
Sai Kung
New Territories

Tel 2792 8474 or 2792 8444

713-715 Grand Century Place
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 2628 3711

Shop B G/F Kam Yuk Mansion
13 Yuk Sau Street
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2572 1555
Fax 2574 6555

Shop 005-006 G/F City Plaza
18 Tai Koo Shing Road
Taikoo Shing
Hong Kong
Tel 2560 9666
Fax 2560 8656

Shop 15/19, 1/F Shatin Galleria
18-24 Shan Mei Street
Fotan,
New Territories
Tel 3188 0852
Fax 3188 0175

Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel
Castle Peak Road
Castle Peak Bay
New Territories
Tel 2452 8338

63A, Richmond Commercial Building
107-111 Argyle Street
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 2395 4100

Shop G23, Festival Walk
Kowloon Tong
Kowloon
Tel 3105 5055

Shop G23, Festival Walk
Kowloon Tong
Kowloon
Tel 3105 5055

43 Water Street
Sai Ying Pun
Hong Kong
Tel 2484 9981

C16 Millenium City 5 APM
418 Kwun Tong Road
Kowloon
Tel 3148 1181

G/F Bella House
102 Hing Fat Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2887 2098
Fax 2887 6691

G/F Bella House
102 Hing Fat Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2887 2098
Fax 2887 6691

Tripping out of Tin Hau station on the way to the lunar new year flower market, I suddenly noticed it was lunchtime. A quick turn left along Hing Fat Street and I nipped into Baba Laksa, which of course, I’d never seen before.

It would seem to be at a disadvantage along such a busy one-way, no-stopping road, but at 1.30pm, the place was almost full. A high ceiling, clean white walls and simple dark furniture set the tone. I managed to grab a table near the door just as the previous people were leaving.

The small menu features curry laksas, mees, some extra spicy ‘pepper mees’, Hainan chicken ($45), and a few snacks such as satay sticks ($22), or belacan chicken wings. The main dishes range from $35 to $55. At lunchtime this will include a drink with your order. There are some sets for $26 which were a mystery to me as that menu was in Chinese only. Oh, well..

I wouldn’t call myself a Laksa connoiseur, but it arrived looking perfect to me - thick soup with hints of chilli, creamy texture, stuffed full of noodles and goodies. I set to (though I was a bit dubious about the look of the large prawn - so dubious, in fact, that I left that aside).

The coconut curry soup was gently spicy, and I think purists would say not spicy enough. I appreciated it, however, as I’m not into getting my tongue burnt off. There were lots of bean sprouts, and real pork (hmm - is that authentic laksa? Not really, but who cares?).

The dish was a fairly big one - definitely enough to satifsy a hungry shopper. The peach tea was, as expected, yummy. Very sweet though - it gave me enough of a sugar rush to spend nearly 2 hours fighting the crowds and haggling in the market, before calling it a day.

If you find yourself in the Tin Hau area, I would recommend this place as a good fill-up joint. The prices are reasonable, the surroundings no-frills, but clean and spacious, and the food, though not authentic Malay or Singaporean laksa, is tasty. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Shop 3, G/F Cheong Yuen Appts
2-8 Tsat Tsz Mui Road
North Point
Hong Kong
Tel 2368 8706

G/F 21 Man Nin Street
Sai Kung
New Territories
Tel 2574 7477

4/F Langham Place Hotel
555 Shanghai Street
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 3552 3200

Shop 19, Mui Wo Centre
Mui Wo
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 2984 0222
Fax 2984 0221

Shop 1 G/F Wun Cha Tower
Wun Sha Street
Tai Hang
Hong Kong
Tel 2972 2266

L4 Langham Place
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 3586 0666

Shop 2-7, G/F Site B, Tai Hong Street
Lei King Wan
Hong Kong
Tel 2567 8889

I don’t have to many opportunities to go up to the Sai Wan Ho end of town, so when I do I like to stop in and see what’s going on along Tai Hong Street. This is a little strip of restaurants on a small leafy lane that fronts onto the harbour.

It’s an attractive corner of town. The half dozen or so restaurants are geared towards the occupants of nearby residential blocks so while they may be European in style they cater very much towards local preferences. Most of them are also aimed at young family groups.

I decided to give Beira Dos Namorados a try. The decor was bright and cheerful and Ricky Martin was belting out his hits. I took a table at the front by the window. On less humid days the restaurant opens right up but on this particular evening I was grateful for the air con.

The menu is essentially Portuguese but with local characteristics. There is a range of set dinners which include a trip to the salad bar, the soup of the day, a main course, dessert and tea or coffee. For a single person they start at $165 for a pasta with seafood and go up to $250 for steaks and lobster.

Set meals for larger groups are also available. For two - $488; four - $888 and six - $1,388. These include a selection from the other main dishes. The menu also has a range of options for children.

I went for the roast baramundi option. While I waited I went to plunder the salad bar. It was a simple affair; lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, pak choi and cucumber. Sprinkled with dried bacon bits and parmesan cheese, it kept me happy until the soup arrived.

The soup of the day was chicken and it reminded me very much of the ones I have in the cupboard. Perfectly edible, it came with a bread roll and a little plastic tub of butter. I wolfed it down.

Outside a young boy, about 5-years-old, barrelled past on a tricycle. The lights of Kwun Tong twinkled through the trees and a crane barge slipped silently by in the dark. My baramundi arrived.

It was a decent fish too. Succulent and tasty, served on a bed of buttery creamed potato along with broccoli and a spicy, sweet orange sauce for dipping. I was pleasantly surprised to be honest.

Dessert was apple strudel with mango ice cream. Again it was perfectly adequate, the strudel could perhaps have done with a little more apple in it. But drizzled with lashings of chocolate and strawberry sauces it is undoubtedly a hit with the kids

After a salad, three courses and a coffee the overall bill was still well below $200. It’s hard to knock that kind of value.

Shop GB08-10, G/F, 45 Tai Hong Street
Lei King Wan
Hong Kong
Tel 2568 3993
Fax 2568 2289

G/F Oxford House
Westlands Road
Taikoo Place
Quarry Bay
Hong Kong
Tel 2250 5020
Fax 2250 5028

Yacht!
Tel 3758 9000

G/F 12 Sing Woo Road
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2893 6900

G/F 456-464 Prince Edward Road West
Kowloon City
Kowloon

3 Luk Fo Tsun Road
Kowloon City
Kowloon
Tel 2718 4368

Shop U12, 560 King’s Road
North Point
Hong Kong
Tel 2155 1066

GA26-27, G/F Site A, 55 Tai Hong Street
Lei King Wan
Hong Kong
Tel 3105 1761
Fax 3105 1762

452 Shek O Village
Hong Kong
Tel 2809 2021

Shop C-D 132 Main Street
Ap Lei Chau
Aberdeen
Hong Kong
Tel 2518 3638

Big Wave Bay Road
Shek O
Hong Kong
Tel 2809 2583

83 Smithfield Road
Kennedy Town
Hong Kong
Tel 2872 8686

18 King Kwong Street
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2893 3395

2/F, 215 Porland Street
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 2191 4977
Fax 2191 4967

DiscoBay
Tel 2914 1906

18A Sing Woo Road
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2891 8558

Guest review

My hike up the Peak every weekend is made more pleasant with something to look forward to - gulping down a four-glass shaker of magarita that costs only $70.

Besides that, I get to eat shrimps cooked in every possible way - shrimps in tasty buttery/Cajun broth, Cajun shrimps, fried shrimps, grilled shrimps, cold salad shrimps, and the list goes on. The servings are generous, unlike those usual shrimp dishes where you only get five small shrimps that can hardly satisfy your shrimp craving.

It’s not just all shrimps, however. There’s also juicy burgers, pan fried fish and other mainstream dishes. However, the highlight and chef’s recommendation is of course, the Cajun shrimp.

Main dishes cost about HK$100-170, while appetisers cost less than HK$100. Because of the generous servings, just one main dish and another appetiser is enough to fill up two adults. If you order a shrimp platter, you even get to read the Forrest Gump newspaper which wraps up the platter of shrimps.

Another great thing is the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co Restaurant is one of the best spots to see the fireworks and admire the Hong Kong skyline while devouring your meal.

Some might say there’s a Forrest Gump overload, but I admit that I am a Gump fanatic and the souvenir store piled with Gump-themed T-shirts, water bottles, tank tops, towels, etc is just fab. I got one that says: I love Bubba. Forrest Gump fans get to watch the movie replayed over and over again, while sports fans can also watch seasonal games in the bar area.

Don’t forget to look out for all the famous quotes from the movie on the walls, tables and on the T-shirts of course: ‘Run Forrest Run’ and ‘Mama says life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are getting’. In Bubba Gump, though, you can be sure that at the least, you’ll be getting some great food.

Shop 5 Level 3, The Peak Tower
128 Peak Road
The Peak
Hong Kong
Tel 2849 2867
Fax 2849 2670

Dorset House, Taikoo Place
979 Kings Road
Quarry Bay
Hong Kong
Tel 2968 5555

100 Cyberport Road
Pokfulam
Hong Kong
Tel 2989 6011

I decided to stop into Byte for Sunday brunch. They offer a set menu for $150 which includes a cold buffet, a choice of main dishes, then back to the buffet for desert and cheese and biscuits.

The restaurant is laid out on two levels and has a modern but comfortable interior. A selection of magazines is available and there is a plasma TV for sports fans.

There are also tables outside but although the restaurant wasn’t crowded I did notice that these had been reserved. So if you like to lunch in the open it is best to make reservations. Inside Frank Sinatra was in fine voice as I made my way to the buffet.

The available dishes vary from week to week depending on what produce was available but there is certainly no shortage of choice. Prawns, smoked salmon, lamb chops, assorted cold cuts, roast pumpkin, pasta and salads to name a few. One item that particularly caught my attention were tin law, Chinese edible snails. This was a welcome treat as they are quite unusual to find these days.

The breadth of choice extends to the main courses as well. You can choose between the familiar American style sausage, eggs ham and hash browns or any one of the alternatives which included both Indian and Thai style curries, fusilli with feta cheese and smoked salmon, fish and chips and several other dishes.

For those that prefer, the full a la carte menu is also available, offering a range of international and Asian options including burgers and hot dogs, pizzas, spaghetti, noodles and curries.

By the time I got to dessert I was already full, but I made a little bit of space to try the cranberry pudding. Sadly I was forced to give the cheese and biscuits a miss even though the brie did look very tempting indeed.

Afterwards I decided to walk back up Sha Wan Drive and along Victoria road to Kennedy Town. It’s not a classic country walk by any means but it is a pleasant stroll on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Especially after a good lunch.

Brunch at Byte is served on Sundays from 12 -3 pm.

Shop 105B, 1/F Discovery Bay Plaza
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 2987 4141
Fax 2987 1401

G02, Maritime Square
Tsing Yi
New Territories
Tel 3150 8118

Regal Airport Hotel
Chek Lap Kok Airport
Lantau Island
New Territories
Tel 2286 6238

Lobby, Novotel Citygate
51 Man Tung Road
Tung Chung
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 3602 8828

3A-B Ko’s House
577 Nathan Road
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 2332 6433

G01B The Plaza
Discovery Bay
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 2987 8203

The Galleria, 118 Peak Road
The Peak
Hong Kong
Tel 2849 5111

Half the fun of the Peak is just getting there. Usually, after a look at the queues for the Peak Tram, we hop straight into a taxi, but this time opted for the white-knuckle ride at the front of the number 15 bus from Exchange Square. We arrived at Cafe Deco feeling a little shaky, but the efficient staff soon put us at ease and escorted us to our window table. (Remember to request one when you book, as they always fill up first).

Cafe Deco is a glamorous place. Sheer glass walls on both floors make the most of the spectacular views. But while modern Hong Kong provides the backdrop, inside is definitely Deco from the feature spiral staircase and chequered floor right down to the details on the chairs, crisp white linen napkins and an impressive collection of original art deco artifacts. Strange ambient music was playing when we arrived but this was rectified when a jazz quartet took to the stage upstairs a little later.

Considering the size of the restaurant, it has a surprisingly quiet and peaceful atmosphere. If it’s possible to get bored gazing over Victoria harbour, you can always watch the chefs going about their business in the front kitchen along one side of the restaurant.

The wine list is impressive, offering selections that could challenge some very deep pockets. There is even a choice of house wines; three white and three red. We plumped for the Belmonte Sauvignon Blanc 2002 at $270, or $54 per glass. There is a choice of champagnes from $95/glass, and champagne cocktails from $118. Draught beer (San Miguel or Fosters) is available at $55/pint.

The menu offers a wide variety of international dishes including pizza, pasta, risotto, tandoori (including ostrich, which we found hard to resist), a grill section and a large selection of ‘Asian specialties’. While cruising the starter menu, we decided to skip all 14 of the oyster options (from $29 each) and save energy by ordering the Cafe Deco starter platter: cajun spiced crab cake, thai spring rolls, pork and papaya salad, smoked salmon pizetta, and grilled beef fahita quesadilla ($128 - good to share). We also ordered a California roll ($48) from an extensive Japanese menu that includes foie gras hand roll ($148), a 26 piece sashimi ‘blue plate’ ($598), and 10 choices of sake.

For our main courses we headed straight for the grill section of the menu, and after being warned that the Cornish game hen would require a wait of 45 minutes, we chose the the Victorian lamb chops with roast potatoes (you could also choose between mashed, baked or fries) and daily vegetables (or salad) $165, and the succulent one-inch thick Angus beef fillet $238.

We were so full we could hardly find room for dessert, so we bravely ignored the Tiramisu and German cheesecake and ordered the ‘hot fudge gay 90s’ - a scoop of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce and whipped cream - yum!

If you enjoy cigars to finish off a luxurious meal, Cafe Deco has a large selection from $55 for a Bolivar Coronus Junior.

GB12, 45 Tai Hong Street
Lei King Wan
Hong Kong
Tel 2535 9979
Fax 2535 9921

Shop G06, Block A
Water Margin
Discovery Bay
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 2987 0966

33 Tong Chong Street
Quarry Bay
Hong Kong
Tel 2960 0994
Fax 2563 2177

Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel
Castle Peak Road
Castle Peak Bay
New Territories
Tel 2452 8448

Royal View Hotel
353 Castle Peak Road
Tsuen Wan
Kowloon
Tel 3716 2898

G/F 11 Wun Sha Street
Tai Hang
Hong Kong
Tel 2882 8227
Fax 2882 8260

According to the place mat the restaurant takes it’s name from a recipe for the famous Vietnamese beef noodle broth that was popular at a railway station hawker stand. The old hawker never gave up his secret recipe but cafe locomotive have created their very own.

It seems to be popular too. On my previous trips to this area the Cafe Locomotive has always been packed. This time I got there early.

The decor boasts a railway theme with luggage racks and station clocks showing the time in several cities around Asia. The staff are friendly and efficient. I ordered a coconut base with jelly bits and ice and perused the menu. Most people were having the noodles and they did look very good but I had decided I wanted to try something different.

I started with roasted French quail ($48) this is served simply on a banana leaf with a slice of lime and an orchid (which I didn’t eat). It can sometimes be a bit of a fight to get the meat from the bones of small birds. The use of fingers is essential. The restaurant does provide disposable plastic gloves but that is cheating in my view and besides it makes the whole process seem rather surgical.

It was a tasty bird and it wasn’t long before all I had left was a neat pile of bones. The waitress enquired as to whether everything was to my satisfaction. I assured it was and she whisked my plate away.

The waiter had warned me that the quail would take around fifteen minutes to prepare. This meant that my next dish, big head prawn ($118) arrived almost as soon as the last one had been cleared away.

The prawns were baked in a rich, buttery garlic sauce. This too was most agreeable. The only downside was that flesh of the prawn seemed rather less that the shell had promised. But I guess that is prawns for you. You never do get as much as you think you’re going to get.

For vegetable I’d ordered morning glory in broth ($42). It turned out to be a considerably larger bowl than I had anticipated. I couldn’t finish it all though I made a valiant effort soaking up the broth with garlic bread.

The lemon creme brulee with cinnamon sugar French toast and ginger ice-cream ($39) proved to be an excellent finale but then I’m a sucker for ginger ice cream.

Cafe Locomotive is quite a small but very popular restaurant. If you’re making a special trip it’s worth calling ahead to make a reservation.

Shop 127, New Town Plaza (Phase 1)
Shatin
New Territories
Tel 2605 3636

LG2 Festival Walk
80 Tat Chee Avenue
Kowloon Tong
Kowloon
Tel 2265 8308

62 Bonham Road
Mid Levels
Hong Kong
Tel 2116 8883

4 King Street
Tai Hang
Hong Kong
Tel 2882 7135

Intercontinental Grand Stanford
Tsimshatsui East
Kowloon
Tel 2731 2860

Level 7, HK Int’l Airport
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 3118 1333

Hotel Nikko
Tsimshatsui East
Kowloon
Tel 2313 4222

Shop 22B Cityplaza
Taikoo Shing
Hong Kong
Tel 2904 8676

G/F 61 Caine Road
Mid Levels
Hong Kong
Tel 2577 3488

G/F 402-403 Yen Kung Mansion
Tai Mou Avenue
Tai Koo Shing
Hong Kong
Tel 3568 9808
Fax 2915 3752

Unit 6P033, Terminal 2
Chek Lap Kok Airport
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 3197 9098

22 Shepherd Street
Tai Hang
Hong Kong
Tel 2890 9308

G/F, 27 Yik Yam St
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel 2834 6565

2/F Dundas Square
43H Dundas Street
Mongkok
Kowloon
Tel 2388 8202

G/F Chi Sing Mansion
Taikoo Shing
Hong Kong
Tel 2886 2100
Fax 2886 3844

G/F, 7 Wun Sha Street
Tai Hang
Hong Kong
Tel 3528 0852

There has been quite a lot of talk about Cherry Garden and the other restaurants that are popping up around Tai Hang. Though most of them actually popped up a year or more ago. It’s also been suggested that the area could be the next restaurant district. Wun Sha Road where most of the restaurants are isn’t all that appealing, but the narrow roads and low rise buildings nearby certainly would have possibilities. At the moment, however, it is mostly auto repair shops.

Anyway, I’d heard good things about The Cherry Garden so I decided it was time to go and see for myself.

It’s a popular little place, I got there just after seven and it was already quite busy. There is a rather large lighting fixture but otherwise the decor is clean and simple. There are some Chinese style square tables and stools and some conventional rectangular tables. Some jazzy sounds were drifting from a loudspeaker somewhere but it wasn’t very loud.

The menu is European and fairly straightforward. There is a choice of steaks, lamb, chops and chicken. There are also pasta and pizza options as well as vegetarian choices. It struck me as being a pretty well balanced menu for all the family.

For starters I was hankering after some calamari ($34) but the potato skins ($28) were also tempting so in the end I ordered both. The skins came stuffed, one side with bacon and cheese the other side vegetables in a tomato sauce. Both dishes were garnished with a little jungle of salad greens.

For the main course I’d ordered the baby back ribs ($98). The menu warned of a thirty minute wait (hence the two starters) but it didn’t take anywhere near that long.

“We’re not that busy tonight,” the waiter assured me. I looked around and thought that there must be quite a lot of restaurants that would kill to be ‘not that busy’ on a Wednesday night.

The ribs were served with regulation fries. These were a little ordinary but the ribs themselves were perfectly acceptable. Again there was a little forest of green on the side but this time there were some peppers to add a little colour.

Now I have often said that a meal isn’t complete without dessert, and I have also often lamented that too many restaurants don’t make the effort to come up with interesting choices. But Cherry Garden really pull out an ace with their Earl Grey Pudding and Fresh Fruit Sabayon ($38).

The Sabayon (from the Italian zabaione) is a light airy sauce made from eggs, sugar and some kind of liquor poured over watermelon, pineapple and papaya. Green tea ice cream had never really excited me but the Earl Grey pudding was truly yummy.

I left and headed back towards Causeway Bay through the narrow streets. I could envision tables on the pavement, plants growing up walls. People spilling out onto street corners, drinks in hand, on balmy summer evenings. It would indeed make an excellent bar and restaurant district. But I couldn’t help thinking that if it did take off, it would attract the attention of some corporate behemoth who would wreck the place for everyone and put up some soulless concrete and glass tower.

G/F 117 Pak Sha Wan
Sai Kung
New Territories
Tel 2243 1918

Nan Lian Garden
Diamond Hill
Kowloon
Tel 3658 9388

G/F 25 Hoi Wan Street
Quarry Bay
Hong Kong
Tel 2562 5681
Fax 2562 5694

1035-1038 Level 1, Metro City Phase II
Tseung Kwan O
New Territories
Tel 3194 3823
Fax 3194 3820

DD124 Lot 2289 Hung Shui Kui
Tuen Mun
New Territories
Tel 2473 0168
Fax 2473 0893

Shop 117, Podium Level 1
The Westwood
8 Belcher’s Street
Hong Kong
Tel 2542 7777
Fax 2542 7721

18 Tung Wan Pau Road
Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo)
Lantau
New Territories
Tel 2983 8931

9 Cheong Tat Road
HK Intl Airport
Lantau Island
Tel 2286 6898

L3-1, Level 3 Millenium City 5
418 Kwun Tong Road
Kowloon
Tel 3580 1882

GA8-9, Kwun Fung Mansion
Tai Hong Street
Lei King Wan
Hong Kong
Tel 2967 1666