[The Night Market] Taiwanese fare in Central

When this restaurant opened a few years ago everyone was raving about it. Finally tried it and the dishes were up to my expectations.
I chose the Central branch because quality is often better and it has more positive reviews than the branch in Tai Koo.
Started with the noodles in sesame soup with chicken.
The sesame flavour was strong and not sickly.

I liked the fried oysters because most Taiwanese joints serve greasy oyster pancakes so the individual fried oysters were much nicer complimented by the chili sauce but unfortunately they were a bit too salty.

The tea was good with a huge block of herbal jelly but it tasted like HK style milk tea.

Finished with the soup which was light and clear.

My friend had the minced meat with gravy which she said was too sweet.

+++++
The Night Market:
11 Stanley Street,
6th Floor,
Central

[MO Bar] Stylish afternoon tea

MO Bar is a stylish swank bar located at The Landmark, when you go in, there is a huge bar on the right with a mirrored glass bottle cabinet where you can see all the bottles they have.
The bar was surrounded with lots of people enjoying themselves.

We sat near the back and had the afternoon tea which costs $260 per person.

There was a good selection of savories and pastries:

It was such a treat having the champagne shooter with strawberry and rhubarb because rhubarb is rare in Hong Kong and the champagne was strong with went nicely with the sweet compote.
The lobster medallion was springy and meaty, while the luscious green asparagus and comte cheese was divine.
For the veggie bites, I loved the filo shell topped with zucchini and green pea garnished with goats cheese and lemon.

Last but not least were the deliciously crumbly scones paired with clotted cream.

++++++

MO Bar:

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark/fine-dining/mo-bar/

[食好啲] Kaiping cuisine at food Terminal 啟業市場

In London, there are Boxparks, where a bunch of shipping containers are made into shops and eateries.

Recently Kai Yip Estate market had a makeover where it was given an Industrial theme with a shipping container outlook so I decided to check it out.

The outside display window had realistic chops and meat hanging.

The location is not exactly convenient because it is a bit of a walk from choi hung MTR station or you can get a bus to Kai Yip Estate Terminal.

As well as checking it out, I was clearly there for food.

There were various stalls from dimsum, fried stuff, noodles etc but 食好啲 clearly was unique because they had these strange looking ricerolls, silver pin noodles which were filled and these items on the menu which I have not seen anywhere else.

It turns out to be Kaiping cuisine after asking the guy there.

I ordered the rolls and a rice, it was difficult deciding between the salted fish rice or dried dace fish but he recommended the salted fish because they salt and sun dry it themselves.

On the counter, there some mouth watering condiments like red and green chili sauce made by them as well.

The rolls were slightly sweet with a strong soybean taste filled with bits of minced meat in the middle but not too much and the chili sauce complimented it nicely.

The not so photogenic salted fish and pork belly rice was amazing because the salted dried fish texture was like fresh fish but slightly firmer like bacalhau, and there were no bones.

It was steamed with pork belly and ginger which releases some oils and goes perfectly with the rice.

Video of 食好啲:

Video of the market:

+++++++++

啟業市場
Kai Yip Estate, 18 Kai Yip Road, Kowloon Bay
Opening Hours:

(Food Terminal) 8:00-22:00

https://www.facebook.com/foodterminal.kaiyip

New shipping container style market at Kai Yip Estate

In London, there are Boxparks, where a bunch of shipping containers are made into shops and eateries.

Recently Kai Yip Estate market had a makeover where it was given an Industrial theme with a shipping container outlook so I decided to check it out.

The outside display window had realistic chops and meat hanging.

The location is not exactly convenient because it is a bit of a walk from choi hung MTR station or you can get a bus to Kai Yip Estate Terminal.

As well as checking it out, I was clearly there for food.

There were various stalls from dimsum, fried stuff, noodles etc but 食好啲 clearly was unique because they had these strange looking ricerolls, silver pin noodles which were filled and these items on the menu which I have not seen anywhere else.

It turns out to be Kaiping cuisine after asking the guy there.

I ordered the rolls and a rice, it was difficult deciding between the salted fish rice or dried dace fish but he recommended the salted fish because they salt and sun dry it themselves.

On the counter, there some mouth watering condiments like red and green chili sauce made by them as well.

The rolls were slightly sweet with a strong soybean taste filled with bits of minced meat in the middle but not too much and the chili sauce complimented it nicely.

The not so photogenic salted fish and pork belly rice was amazing because the salted dried fish texture was like fresh fish but slightly firmer like bacalhau, and there were no bones.

It was steamed with pork belly and ginger which releases some oils and goes perfectly with the rice.

Video of 食好啲:

After having some satisfying food, visited the market which was clean with dry floors.

Huge dried fish:

Toilets:

Video of the market:

+++++++++

啟業市場
Kai Yip Estate, 18 Kai Yip Road, Kowloon Bay
Opening Hours: 

(Market) 8:00-20:00; 

(Food Terminal) 8:00-22:00
https://www.facebook.com/foodterminal.kaiyip

[PICADA] Bigger and exciting Latin American hangout

Visited Picada before when they were on Elgin road, it was a small bar but they had great drinks and food.
Now they are at LKF and the place is 10 times bigger with a huge bar, buffet area, music area and dining area.
On weekdays, they serve big lunches with a semi buffet included, the salad selection was good.

Started with two refreshing drinks.
+++++
It was punchy with pineapple, lime, mint and passionfruit.

++++
The Ruby Rose was sweeter mixed with cranberry juice, lime, passionfruit and grapefruit.

++++++++
Chicha venezolana:
The drink tasted similar to Horchata but there was rice in it which makes it is quite filling.
I loved it because you could taste roasted rice and there were grains of rice that had a good chew to it while the drink was not too sweet or creamy.

+++
I got the Empanadas which are like mini pies.
There are lots of fillings to choose from like beef, chicken etc but I chose the three cheese because I just love cheese and it was cheesy and satisfying.

+++++++++
The Peruvian Ceviche is a MUST ORDER because it is mixed in tangy Tigers milk and the whole dish is just appetizing and moreish.

+++++++++
Carne:
This was juicy skewers of beef sirloin in Bettel sauce on top of soft and silky baby potatoes tossed in a tangy chimichurri and aji limo sauce.

+++++
Bandeja paisa:
The portion was quite big and good for sharing.
If you like chili con carne and refried beans, this is the dish for you because there is fried egg, a thick slice of crispy pork belly, complimented by the meat sauce and refried beans.
There was also avocado, arepas and a piece of fried plantain.

++++++
PICADA:
29 Wyndham Street

[Oriental House Arabic Halal Cuisine] Consistently good Arabic food

This restaurant has been here for years serving the best Arabic Halal food in Hong Kong.

I used to eat at Sham Fast Food which was owned by them before this restaurant popped up in 2004.

Went here for dinner because I haven't been here for years and nothing has changed except for the improved decor which gives it a stronger Middle Eastern appearance like Simurgh in London.

That guy who served me a few years ago was still there.

Dinner portions are quite big.

Started with lentil soup which was starchy and creamy with a hint of cumin.

Next was the silkiest hummous which I just wolfed down.

It is too good to be shared.

Also had the mutabal and babbaganoush. The babbaganoush tasted sweet and sour while the mutabal was more savoury, both delicious with their fluffy pita bread.

For mains had the Shawerma which was tasty chicken, lamb and beef.

All were nicely spiced.

The mixed kebab paired with Arabic salad was grilled minced meat drizzled with tahini, again with cumin paired with refreshing salad and tasty Arabic rice.

Finished with the Halawat Al Gibn which tasted like a chewy glutinous rice cheesecake that was not too sweet.

https://www.facebook.com/OHFoodArabic/