Goodbye Chippy and welcome Shortbread Teas

When I saw this restaurant listed on Openrice, the name Shortbread sounded really familiar so I looked up Shortbread on Openrice and found this other restaurant in Tai Po called The Shortbread Company which I intended to go but it was closed down.

Anyway, found out that the owners of this place used to own that.
The owners Clive and Karin are really really nice!

Shortbread Teas is slightly different from The shortbread company because here they serve teas and cakes.
It is located in Central which is convienient for everyone!

Ironically the location is round the corner from where Chippy's used to be!!!!


Basically there are two entrances to Shortbread Teas, you can either go to the alleyway round the corner from where Chippy's used to be (by the stairs next to the fancy dress shop) or get there from Wellington Street and go down the lovely sky blue staircases which reminds me of Victorian houses with a banister.



If you do go by the stairs method, you would expect it to be like a basement down there but its not because your faced with glass doors at the back, a bit like a patio.
The decor in there is great, its just like home. Although Timeout describes it as "the bedroom of a present-day British teenager", I really liked the tartan curtains and flowery wallpapers.

There are colourful teapots and cute things hanging on the wall.



The teapots are fun because I got a different colour everytime, next time I hope to get the pale blue one, and when the teas come, there is a 3 minute hour glass (each hour glass has different coloured sands too) to indicate when the tea is ready to drink.



The choice of tea is amazing too, there are jars of teas near the teapot displays and there are samples of each tea which you can smell before ordering.



I have been here so many times now, on my first visit, I went mad and ate 2 cakes, 1 scone and a slice of quiche because there was finally some real British stuff and FRESHLY BAKED.
There are still more items to try and the different teas as well.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★:
Victorian Sponge:


I have been searching all over Hong Kong for this cake but couldnt find a place that had it.
They used to have them at Teakha but they've stopped doing them and they were sold out when I got there.
Anyway, I was so happy they had it here.
It normally has buttercream or cream in it but Hong Kong people are not keen on cream.
However you can ask for cream and I put lashings of gorgeous double whipped cream and the Victorian Sponge just tasted amazing because the soft cake, cream and jam was heaven.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Carrot cake:



The carrot cake was delicious because it had walnuts in it too, so it eased my craving for walnut cake as well.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Chocolate and beetroot cake:



This cake was moist, rich and extremely chocolately.
The secret of the texture is the beetroot because it makes it moist and gives it a rich colour without using artificial colourings.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cream tea set:


Again, I requested EXTRA whipped cream because the scone was just perfect in everyway!
If you smell the scone, it has that fragrant baked scone smell too.
Basically the best scone in Hong Kong and it tastes better than the scone at Ali-Oli's Bakery Cafe.
I loved it the way the scone is sliced before it is brought to you so you don't end up making a mess when you attempt to slice it.
Everytime they open the oven door to check their baking cakes, there is a gorgeous smell which opens up my appetite again even though I am full.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Breakfast tea:



The breakfast tea was fragrant because I loved the leafy earthy tone.
Highland toffee tea is also really popular and it has a lovely sweet irresistable smelling scent!
I can't wait till Christmas because I tried their Christmas pudding tea which will be launched in Christmas and it was amazing!

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ginger cake slice:



I forgot to take a photo of the slice intact because I just couldnt wait to eat it, this turned out to be one of my favourites because the ginger was just right and not too intense yet you could actually see real pieces of ginger in it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Apple pie:



This was made with granny smith apples, and tasted amazingly with cream.
The pastry was the best part too, it was just right and not too thick, the pastry smelt good and was dusted with delicious sugar on top.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Bakewell Tart:

I was hesitant about trying this because I never liked Mr Kipling's but after I tried it I had to eat another one!
The tart of soft and chewy with a heavenly almond scent, and there was a thin layer of jam at the bottom.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

2013-07-30 港人自講 細心計劃每餐享食可保持體態苗條

Youtube:

Thanks to Phoenix TV and Michelle Lo for interviewing me for the Speak Out Hong Kong programme.

Speak Out Hong Kong is a 30-minute talk show hosted by Michelle Lo which casts light on showbiz celebrities and socialites. The guests speak out freely on the show including media guru, comedian, actor, film director, singer, wine connoisseur, dream interpreter, coffee expert, adventurist and make-up artist as well as other top players from different fields. Speak Out Hong Kong can definitely enlighten, empower and astonish you with interesting topics and Hong Kong stories!

Michelle is a Hong Kong host, actress, author, editor and script writer. Besides her previous works in several print media, Michelle has also been working in different TV and radio stations and hosting various kinds of programs like talk shows, game shows etc.

Cookies from Café 8 Degrees

Café 8 Degrees (To Kwa Wan)
Thanks to a friend for these delicious cookies.


★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Chocolate and almond cookies:
As you can see, it was loaded with lots of almond in it.
Each bite was delicious with a good crunch of almond combined with a strong cocao taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Palmiers:
Compared to other palmiers, the size of these were much smaller which was good because you can pop them in your mouth without breaking them.
They were crisp and buttery with a delicate flakey texture.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Oily food at Very good Banquet hall

Very good Banquet Hall (Tseung Kwan O)
Went to the restaurant below.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Steamed fish:

The steamed fish was on promotion for $28 but you need to check to see if it is still available and you must order other dishes that cost at least $68 to qualify.

It was a fresh fish but it was ruined by the oil which was rancid.
Either it was steamed in this oil or the oil was heated in a stinky wok and poured on top of the fish.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Chinese style angus filet:

The menu here was idiot proof with photographs for every dish.

Again, the wok or whatever it was cooked in was rancid so it had an unpleasant taste.
Anyway, the beef was marinated in soda flour prior to cooking hence its soft tasteless texture.
It was quite salty too.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Steamed aubergines topped with dried prawns and squid:
This dish was meant to healthy, ie steamed aubergines!!
But it turned out the whole dish was REALLY oily and there was a pool of oil at the bottom which makes me wonder if it was steamed in oil.



I felt that they put sugar in this dish because it tasted really artificially sweet.
The dried prawns on the top were fried and tasted a bit bitter.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
It is advised to check your bill because one of the items was cancelled by them because it was sold out and we were still billed for it. GREAT JOB!!

Delicious BBQ pork toast on Cloud 9

Cloud View Chinese BBQ Congee Needle Restaurant (North Point)
Before I talk about food, I have just discovered Braemar Hill is such a great place, the air is crisp and pure, and the whole area is clean and unpolluted that I wonder why people still go to Sai Kung thinking it is such a nice area.

Anyway, the English name on OpenRice is somewhat hilarious because it is called "Cloud View Chinese BBQ Congee NEEDLE Restaurant" (perhaps noodleinstead of needle?)

I found this restaurant really interesting because it is located in Braemar Hill where all the tycoons live but this place was really down to earth and the prices were reasonable too.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Soya chicken and roast pork with rice:
The best tasting roast pork in Hong Kong!!! I thought Joy Hing was good but this is the best!
It is slightly fatty but the texture is gelatinous and also burnt too so it is crispy as well.
There is no bitter taste even though it is slightly charred but the texture of the pork was really moist and soft.
The chicken was good too and their rice also stood out too because it was fragrant and fluffy!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Roast pork toast:

There was thinly sliced lean pork in the middle and the chewiness of it paired nicely with the crispy toast.
Basically, it was delicious, and the unbuttered version is even better because the margarine ruins it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The roast pork here is so delicious that I have purposely got the minibus up here three times now just for their roast pork!

Great Okinawan food at Lan Kwai Fong

Rakuen
Even though I don't drink, LFK is a great place for food if you know where to go!
Last time at LKF I had amazing African food without trekking too far because LKF is really close to the MTR.

There is another branch of Rakuen in Causeway Bay but frankly I prefer this branch because it is much more accessible and the male staff here was so professional and spoke fluent ENGLISH.
A great place for XBC's to hangout!

I have previously tried Rakuen in Causeway Bay and the food was great so I did not hesitate to try the LKF branch.
It is only on the 4th floor too which is a short elevator ride compared to the CWB branch.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Mozuku seaweed:

Mozuku is a type of seaweed that is characterized by its unique viscous texture and high contents of fucoidan which claim to cause cancer cells to self destruct.
It was served in vinegar and extremely appetizing with a slimey thick texture.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Bitter gourd pickle preserve:
The bitter gourd was nice and crunchy with a delicious savoury taste as it was pickled in beer according to the menu.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Deep fried soft shell crab:The soft shell crabs were packed with unami taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Jewel leaf:
These Jewel leaves were magic and stunning, they appear to have tiny water droplets on the surface but they are tiny sacs of liquid.
When you touch them those droplets do not come off.
Jewel leaves are scientifically called Mesembryanthemum crystallinum which is covered with large, glistening bladder cells, commonly called common ice plant, crystalline iceplant or iceplant.
When you eat them, they are delicate and crispy and just collapse into liquid with a savory taste.
Its almost like a fibreless vegetable!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
French fries with miso dip:

The fries were not really Okinawan but I ordered it because of the miso dip and it was really delicious because it was creamy and salty, and tasted like a cheesy dip.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Taco rice:
Previously tried this at WIRED CAFE and really liked it because it is similar to Chili con carne.
The taste was amazing because it is really similar to Mexican chili con carne and the meat is grounded finely.
The mince was fresh and did not have any chewy bits in it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Grilled capelin in vinegar:
Following fries, these grilled capelins in vinegar were a good follow up, ie fish and chips and these fish were delicious because of the vinegar!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Peanut flavoured tofu:
Tried this before at the CWB branch and I loved it.
It was delicious because the texture is a bit like mochi tofu with a hint of peanut if you realy concentrate your tastebuds.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Deluxe sashimi platter:
Although you can get sashimi anywhere, the sashimi here was really fresh.
The scallop sashimi was natrually sweet and the sea urchin was amazing.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Deep fried camembert:
The deep fried camembert was delicious, it was oozing with melted cheese in the middle.
If it is too cheesy, there is a blueberry dip to go with it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Fried minced chicken pinchos:
This was a cute snack, it was minced chicken rolled into balls and coated with breadcrumbs.
It was delicious with the delicious tangy sauce provided.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Crispy lotus root slices:
These crispy lotus root slices were delicious and basically taste like crisps, great with beer if you drink.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Icecream:
Sweet potato icecream:Out of the three flavours, this was my favourite because of the colour and sweet potato taste.
Okinawa sugar icecream:This was the brown one on the far right corner, the okinawa sugar taste was subtle.
Cookie and sea salt icecream:I was expecting the sea salt taste to be strong but I could not taste it, however the cookie and vanilla taste was more prominent.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Focaccia series at Saint Honore Cake shop

Saint Honore Cake Shop

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Focaccia Series:
Walked past and noticed these huge focaccias which were only $10.
There was Italian style focaccia with sea salt and potato or Italian style focaccia with ham, cheese and herbs.
I was tempted to choose the potato but when I used the bakery tongs, the focaccia was a bit hard so I bought the other one which was softer.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Italian style focaccia with ham, cheese and herbs:
The ham in it was a bit weird because focaccias are usually made with sundried tomatoes and herbs.
Anyway, the focaccia was nice and soft and the cheese on top gave it that extra Italian touch.
It was good to see a local bakery producing focaccias which tasted similar to a real focaccia and not shaped to look like one!!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★