Author Archives: Razlan

The One With Secret Ingredient – Valentine’s Day Menu

16 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

So last Saturday was Valentine’s Day. How did you celebrate the day of love and romance?

If you are anything like me, you’ll think twice about the whole notion of Valentine’s Day. Roses and chocolates everywhere, with V-day packages offered by your favourite restaurants to your neighborhood pharmacies (trust me, I have seen them). Your relationship with your significant other should be celebrated everyday, and not just on Valentine’s Day.

I sounded old. But it is indeed a day to remind ourselves of the relationship we are in, and to cherish the memories you shared together. And so I celebrated it in one of the best ways I enjoy life.

Food.

Secret Ingredient - Valentine's Day Dinner

The love weapon of choice was Secret Ingredient’s Valentine’s day menu. Pre-order started two weeks before the V-day, and so expectations were high. I placed mine straight away.

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Posted in: Food & Dining | Tagged: , ,

The One With Michele Senigaglia – Chef of Spasso Hong Kong

13 February, 2015 10:09 am | Leave a Comment |

You might have noticed that I have been to Spasso Hong Kong quite a bit lately. First it was for their Sunday brunch, and then to try their Valentine’s Day menu. Both meals were rather stellar, so I thought why not get to know the man behind the food?

So I caught up with Chef Michele Senigaglia to find out the idea behind food at Spasso, his fiery passion for cooking, and his thoughts on Hong Kong (and its local food!).

Chef Michele of Spasso

What are the main essence of Italian cuisine at Spasso? How would you differentiate Spasso from others?

Spasso is an eatery. The food we serve is not fancy; what we want achieve is to deliver a dish that, with its aroma, the look and taste will give you the perception that you are eating in Italy. Many guests from Italy and overseas commented that sometime they eat better in Hong Kong that in Italy! This is a great compliment to us. We work very hard to select and import the best ingredients for our menu.

Guests noticed our passion and commitments to deliver a small piece of Italy to Hong Kong. We focus to use imported fresh ingredients served simply but with well executed preparations. The ambiance at Spasso is cozy and the service friendly and accommodating, making the dining experience even better.

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Posted in: Food & Dining, Italian | Tagged: , , , ,

The One With He Jiang – Dual Hot Pot Goodness

12 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

I think I have a slight addiction to the hot pot at He Jiang. When I saw this deal on Groupon, I just couldn’t resist. It was a hotpot set for four, plus a bottle of Spanish wine, all for some $500+.

Quite a steal, right? And knowing He Jiang, I knew the deal will be limited, so I went ahead and bought the Groupon without even thinking about who will go with me.

It was a decision I don’t regret.

He Jiang

The dual hot pot of Chengdu hot & spicy pot and fish pot with Chinese herbs sets the tone for the night. There were rich and aromatic, which gets us going all night long.

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Posted in: Hotpot, Sichuan, Wan Chai | Tagged: , , , ,

The One With Taipo Street Cart Noodle – Incredible Value, Incredible Taste

11 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

Street cart noodle is undoubtedly one of the cultural icons of Hong Kong. Made popular in the 1950s by street vendors peddling their wares using carts, street cart noodle continues to be a popular staple for Hong Kong today, and can be found everywhere.

I am a BIG fan of street cart noodle. Cart noodle is a kind of à la carte meal – you pick the kind of noodles that you want, the soup base you fancy, and the kind of ingredients you like to go with your noodle. The sheer options available can be mind-boggling especially to tourists, but it is a great big joy of an eat for gluttons like me.

So when my friend brought me to this nondescript stall at Taipo for a spot of street cart noodle for lunch one day, I couldn’t resist.

Taipo Street Cart Noodle

And oh my, what a bargain! There was a queue of course, but that’s mainly because the very reasonable price charged. You pay based on what kind of ingredients you want to go with your noodle.

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Posted in: Chinese, Taipo | Tagged: , , , ,

The One With Okonomi – My Choice Of Sashimi Takeaways

9 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

When the cravings for Japanese food come a-knocking, I have three ways to fulfill them:
1) Go to a fancy restaurant for a proper sit down dinner, like The Mon and Hal’s
2) Sit at a sushi bar for more reasonable prices, like Sushi One, or a crowd favourite like Koheitsu
3) Get some takeaway sashimi and sushi

Okonomi Sashimi

So when funds were a little low recently and the cravings was high, the third option became the obvious decision. I ordered my usually platter of delicious sashimi with a side of jade sea whelks from Okonomi, this little hole-in-the-wall Japanese place along Canal Road East in Causeway Bay.

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Posted in: Causeway Bay, Japanese | Tagged: , , ,

The One With 1081 Open Kitchen – Great Spot For A Sunday Breakfast

6 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

Living in Hong Kong can make one spoilt for choice when it comes good breakfast spots on weekends. I usually spent my breakfasts at Happy Valley Bar & Grill, but on one fine Sunday I decided to make my way to 1081 Open Kitchen at IFC for a spot of breakfast with a dear friend.

This place used to be called Simply Life. The terrific view into the beautiful Hong Kong harbour and selection of delicious pastries remain unchanged. My choice of a scone was heavy in butter, making it a decadent treat with an equally energising cup of coffee, served in a beautiful porcelain cup and dish.

Great Sunday breakfasts are made of this.

Note: Some of the window-side seats are part of the adjoining restaurants. You can use it for breakfast up until 10.30 a.m., when you have to vacant the tables for lunch service.

EAT | 1081 Open Kitchen |Shop 1081, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong | Tel: +852 2234 7356

Posted in: Central, Western | Tagged: , , , ,

The One With Big Bang Theory – And My Dream For Space

5 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

I graduated with an engineering degree but decided that a nerdy, geeky path wasn’t for me. I realised a life deciphering formulas and equations while handling grease and fume wasn’t one that I fancy. As I took on my first job, I left all those technical knowledge and brain for numbers behind.

BIg Bang Theory

Today, I watched the documentary behind the episodes on The Big Bang Theory where they sent Howard Wolowitz into space. All that talk about once-in-a-life-time experience and trips into space have reigniting something inside me that was long forgotten.

You know what would be one cool thing I should do before I die? To train for a trip into space and actually step onto the moon. There were twelve persons whom have done that in history, and that number is big enough for me to be a plausible opportunity.

Posted in: Screen Talk | Tagged: ,

The One With Koh Thai – Great Alfresco At Wan Chai

4 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

Sometimes it is hard to find a decent, reasonable alfresco places on Hong Kong Island. Therefore I often keep a few places close to my heart and Koh Thai at Wan Chai is one of them. One early evening I was at a bit of a loose end so decided to head there for a work-cum-leisure dinner.

Koh Thai Wan Chai

The restaurant is located one level above ground, so you are spared from the usual dust and noise from the street. You walk into the terrace after climbing a flight of stairs, and pass those Buddha statues, it is like stepping into another world.

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Posted in: Thai, Wan Chai | Tagged: , , ,

The One With Amporn – Still The Best Thai Food In Kowloon City

2 February, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

It has been quite sometime since I last wrote about my delicious Thai meal at Amporn at Kowloon City. Though I continue to venture out to town for Thai food, in my books nothing can beat this down-to-earth, rather authentic Thai food located at the top floor of Kowloon City wet market. I was there again one evening for dinner and am pleased to report that the food is still good as well. Without going into too much details, here are some of the stuff you must try.

Amporn Thai Food

Red prawn sashimi remains my firm favourite, with its unique combination of raw succulent shrimp meat and golden, crunchy tail fried to perfection. The chili sauce is still as fiery as ever.

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Posted in: Kowloon, Thai | Tagged: , , ,

The One With Koheitsu – Great, Affordable Japanese in Causeway Bay

30 January, 2015 10:00 am | Leave a Comment |

Koheitsu is a very decent and reasonable Japanese for dinner in Causeway Bay. Prawn tempura, minced tuna and soft shell crab hand rolls, scallop, seared salmon and seared halibut (very good, fat and juicy, I wished I took a photo) sushi, beef shabu shabu, edamame beans and minced chicken meat balls, with complimentary tofu-flavored ice cream (ultra refreshing, must try!). The whole deal came up to $481 for two pax, a real steal! The place is rather small so can be packed and noisy, but for such quality and that price, it’s worth the hassle.

Koheitsu Japanese Causeway Bay

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Posted in: Causeway Bay, Japanese | Tagged: , , ,