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.

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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 The Good Lie – The Feel-Good Movie That Couldn’t

3 February, 2015 10:27 pm | Leave a Comment |

The “good lie” was right there on the movie poster. Reese Witherspoon’s involvement was at best a glorified cameo, but I guess one can’t fault Warner Bros. for using her star power to draw audiences into the theatre.

The Good Lie

The bigger problem was with the film itself. I do not doubt the filmmaker’s (Director Philippe Falardeau and writer Margaret Nagle) sincerity in shedding light on the plight of Sudanese refugees (often refered to as the “Lost Boys of Sudan”), who fled civil war (1983-2005) and was allowed to enter America through a special immigration program.

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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: , , ,

The One With The Theory Of Everything – The Story Jane & Stephen Hawking

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

For someone who cries at the movies all the time (the slightest swell in the soundtrack can set me off), I was surprisingly unmoved by The Theory Of Everything. Based on the second memoir by Jane Wilde Hawking (Stephen Hawking’s first wife), “Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen”, it told the story of the famed scientist, played by a determined Eddie Redmayne.

The Theory Of Everything

Hawking’s battle with the debilitating motor neuron disease (a version of ALS, which was thrust into the limelight last year by the “Ice Bucket Challenge”) was inspiring. There was no doubt that Redmayne put in a great deal of effort into the physicality of the role, and he nailed it. Redmayne also embodied Hawking’s self-deprecating homour in the most endearing way.

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The One With School Food – Korean Food With A Twist

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

So much was said about the long queue at School Food that it deterred me from visiting in the past. But as we have an hour to spare before a movie, we chanced upon a much shorter queue than expected, so in we went for some fun, casual Korean cuisine.

School Food Causeway Bay

The signature Mari combo was certainly interesting; of the three types of rice rolls served, the curry chicken Mari was certainly the most distinctive in terms of taste. The Mama-styled salad, on the hand, was a tad of a disappointment. To put it simply, it was a simple salad with pieces of crispy kimchi noodles added for that Korean twist. Not what I would call groundbreaking.

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

The One With Spasso Hong Kong – Valentine’s Day Menu

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

Tonight we went to Spasso Hong Kong for a tasting session of their upcoming Valentine’s Day menu, specially created by Chef Michelle with heavy emphasis on aphrodisiac ingredients for, you know, obvious reasons. Priced at HK$628 per person, the menu comprises of four dishes and we set out to try out the entire menu.

Fresh shucked oysters topped with Hendrick's gin and cucumber. The gin gives this a slightly bitter twist, and the chopped cucumber a crunchy texture to the tangy oyster. The oyster itself still have that light seawater aftertaste #valentines #spasso #lif

Fresh shucked oysters topped with Hendrick’s gin and cucumber. The gin gives this a slightly bitter twist, and the chopped cucumber, a crunchy texture to the tangy oysters. The oyster itself still have that light seawater aftertaste.

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