Planking lunch planks at Jamie's Italian in Hong Kong

A while ago there was a planking craze where people lie face down and find the most unusual and original location in which to do it mimicking a wooden plank.
Now at Jamie's Italian they have set lunches at $148 served on a plank.
It is a two course set with a soup of the day or bruschetta followed by a main with five options.
The Italian steak costs extra at $50 more.

Had two planks for lunch so we tried each of the starters and for the mains we had the steak and mussels.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Here were our planks!!

The soup of the day was tomato soup which was thick and tasted like canned plum tomatoes.
The other starter was evidently divine because it was a crispy bruschetta with lemony cream cheese and proscuitto ham that was soft and tasty.

Juicy and meaty steak that was satisfying.

For the other mains, it was mussels which were soft and tangy in a lovely spicy tomato sauce.

Both mains were served with skinny fries which were crispy and flawless.
There was a side of coleslaw which was really appetizing because it was mixed with strong lemon and mint.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Kids menu:


As well as the planks we tried puppy dogs on the kids menu which are pork sausages served in mini buns with a jar of shake shake salad.

The sausages and potato wedges were cooked in the oven so that they are healthy without the use of oil and the salad was finely chopped vegetables which were crunchy and colourful.



★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
MUSSEL & SQUID SPAGHETTI NERO $108

Squid-ink pasta, flash-fried squid & mussels with slow-cooked, tender octopus, capers, anchovies, tomatoes & white wine.
This was my second time having it and the squid pasta was delicious and consistent with the first time I had it.
This is how it should taste because the pasta had squid ink taste and the sauce had a rich seafood taste so the whole thing was delicious but I have to admit the taste was better on this visit because it wasn't so spicy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
SAUSAGE PAPPARDELLE $88:

Braised fennel sausage ragù with incredible Chianti, Parmesan & crunchy, herby breadcrumbs
As well as the pasta above, I liked the parppadelle because the meat sauce was rich and the strands of pappardelle had frilly edges which hung more sauce to it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
For desserts we decided to have gelato for a change because we have tried most of the desserts.

Yoghurt gelato:

The yoghurt gelato is definitely a light dessert to finish off with.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Chocolate gelato:

My friend had the chocolate gelato which had a strong dark chocolate taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

The new era at Lions Rise at Olive ERA

Olive ERA is located at a secluded corner in Wong Tai Sin near the MTR, it is right next to the classy and glitzy Lions Rise residence.
It has a relaxed Western style atmosphere with matching tables and chairs.
Here was the feast that we had.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ice seafood mountain:

Started off with the ice seafood mountain which was studded with tiger prawns, oysters, yabbies, surf clams, smoked salmon, mussels and whelk served with lime remoulade, spiced cocktail sauce and fresh lemon.
The seafood was fresh and tasty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pan fried crab with lime relish and chili paste:

This was a huge crab cake that was crispy on the outside filled with silky crab in the middle.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Smoked salmon tartar with papaya and avocado:

This was refreshing cubes of diced salmon paired with creamy avocado and sweet papaya.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Baked escargot, mushroom crepe pocket with wild herbs sauce:

I was looking forward to this because it looked like a burrata surrounded in tangy tomato sauce filled with escargots and mushroom slices.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Lobster bisque cappuccino with cognac and basil aioli:

Just like a cappuccino, the soup was served in a cup with a layer of cream on top.
The soup was rich and strong.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Black truffle bisque:

Next we had the truffle soup which was blended mushrooms with aromatic truffle.
It was creamy with an earthy mushroom taste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Char-grilled US beef prime rib steak:

The steak was huge and great for sharing.
It was juicy and meaty.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Braised veal cheek torte in a star-anise port wine sauce:

The veal cheek torte reminded me of beef Wellington which is wrapped in puff pastry.
I felt that it tasted a bit like Chinese style beef wrapped in puff pastry because of the strong anise port wine gravy.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Seared pacific halibut steak with beans and vegetables and lemon herbs sauce:

As well as meats, we had the halibut which was a huge piece of fish on top of vegetables.
The fish was chunky and flaky but it would be good if they serve it without the bones.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pizza peking duck:

Theres always something special with spring onions, cucumbers, duck and sweet sauce.
It tastes good with anything even in a croissant, but here they've made it into pizza.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Ink seafood paella with seafood, chicken, pepperoni and bell pepper:

Lastly the paella that I was waiting for because I love rice.
The rice was really tasty because it has absorbed all the flavourings.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
French apple tart with vanilla icecream:

The apple tart was thin and flakey with sweet crisp slices of apple on top.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Walnut parfait with mocha cream and dark chocolate sauce:

The parfait had a lighter taste with lots of crushed walnuts in it.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Black forest chocolate gateau:

The black forest gateau was quite rich because there was no cake in it but chocolate truffle paste.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Olive era

Lion Rise Mall,

Shop G1-2, 

8 Muk Lun Street Wong Tai Sin

Ramen in Green tea and yuzu broth at Samurai Ramen

Discovered this ramen in luscious green tea broth from Kents FB.

Years ago green was not an appetizing colour but GREEN TEA mania has changed this perception.

While I was reading his article, I assumed it was from 中村藤吉 Nakamura Tokichi because almost every one was bragging about it on social media.
When I scrolled to the bottom, it said Samurai Ramen so I was quite surprised yet happy because it meant I didn't have to queue at Nakamura Tokichi.

It was a hot day which made it perfect for these noodles.

The broth was really refreshing with a strong grassy green tea taste, yet it was nice and savoury with a hint of yuzu.
However the yuzu could have been stronger because it was not tart enough which made the broth too sickly after a few sips.
The broth was ok but I didn't like the ramen because they were not the white ones.

I would give these noodles top marks if the yuzu flavour was stronger served with different noodles.





Samurai Ramen 武士拉面
Address: Austin Mansions, 15A Austin Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui
Phone: 2369 3211

GREEN MACHINE drink from Be-Juiced + Bar

Had this ice cold drink after an indoor cycling class and it was so refreshing,
The drink GREEN MACHINE had all my favourite ingredients: KALE, SPINACH, GREEN APPLE, and COCONUT WATER.
The coconut water makes it sweet, tasty and hydrating and I think this is my favourite blend.
There are other blends such as well to suit your taste and the drink comes in such a cute bottle.

Be-juiced +bar:
Address: Lee Roy Commercial Building, 45 Peel St, Central
Phone: 2668 6231

Chicken testies with cart noodles at High Street Cart Noodle

Discovered this shop because I was having dinner in the area but it wasn't open that night so I went the following day.
I was attracted here by the front which looked old but inside it was modern.

For cart noodles you have to order at least three items which cost $9 so I chose braised beef, beef tripe and braised chicken testes with e-fu noodles with Sichuan broth and Beef broth.

I wish there were more options to choose such as luncheon meat and beef tendons.


Chicken testes fans can come here for them if they don't fancy having a hotpot.
I was impressed with the noodles because the broth was strong and clear, you can see how dark it was with a strong anise flavour.


The chicken testes were as good as expected and they taste like shirako.


The Sichuan chili oil was served separately so that you can control the level of spiciness.


For drinks I had the coconut water which is my favourite.
Natrually sweet and hydrating which is a nice option instead of canned syrupy drinks.

Hopefully on my second the noodles will be just as good because I will be back.

高街麵霸 HIGH STREET CART NOODLES
Address: 39 High St, Sai Ying Pun
Phone: 2858 2680

Summer Matcha Fiesta: Matcha Brownie Chillino by Pacific Coffee Company

Pacific Coffee have launched two Matcha drinks in the Summer Matcha Fiesta series.
There is Matcha Peach Chillino and Matcha brownie Chillino.

Matcha brownie Chillino is basically Matcha blended with a brownie which they sell at Pacific Coffee!

The drink was really nice because the bitterness of the matcha and the chocolately brownie tasted really nice and there were bits of brownie it it.

Summer Matcha Fiesta: Matcha Peach Chillino by Pacific Coffee Company

Pacific Coffee have launched two Matcha drinks in the Summer Matcha Fiesta series.
There is Matcha Peach Chillino and Matcha brownie Chillino.

Matcha Peach Chillino is basically Matcha mixed with Monins peach syrup.


I found it icy and the peach flavouring was a bit artificial.