Monday, June 24, 2013

Venturing into a Chinese bakery Head Quarters for British pastry

Garden Restaurant (Sham Shui Po)

Garden Bakery is a Chinese Brand that produces bakery, confectionary and biscuits.


You can also buy their products at China towns worldwide which is how I know about this brand.

I used to like the chive crackers and was fascinated by their wafers.

Recently I found out about this restaurant through reviews, but nearly every big company has their own canteens, but it is a matter of whether it is open to the publlic and if it is listed on this database.

If I found out about this place earlier I would have gone sooner before the prices went up, so
the reviews are useful so keep them coming openricers!!

I wish someone could list canteens for TVB, Phoenix, ATV and Appledaily here too and review them. Last time I visited TVB I forgot to order milk and drank water instead.
At ATV, the canteen is on the top floor with the smoking area outside.

My main mission to Garden Bakery was to try the Cornish Pasty. I called to make sure they had it.
My first phonecall was not very sucessful because the lady who answered it did not know what a Cornish pasty was so I did not go that week, then I called again the next week and luckily that person knew what it was because it is their signature item!!!!

As I asked "Cornish Pasty" in English they probably didnt know which pie I meant as the Chinese for Cornish is quite weird "Hongyeexxx".

When I entered the building I was expecting a temperature scan as mentioned in the reviews, but as it was a Sunday, they were expecting diners more than random intruders.
I was so surprised the restaurant was nearly full, they even had a sign outside ready to say FULL HOUSE!!
The guard at the reception even advised disappointed guests to book in advance but as I was coming for the tea there were less people.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Lamb toastie:

The English for this was quite cute, it was called TOASTIEST.
Ordered this because not many toasties have lamb in it.
The toasty was just unbelievably delicious because it was buttered heavily and it seeped through the bread and it was toasted to crisp.

The lamb filling inside was moist and nicely flavoured with spices such as cumin, it was like having toast with delicious mongolian spices.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cajun chicken croissant:

The Chinese for this was cute as well, it was called "K 津" the Chinese phonetics for Cajun!

Cajun is actually a spice that normally contains: paprika, cumin, salt, garlic, onion powder, black pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, cardamom, caraway seeds, dried basil etc.
The croissant itself was really light and crispy and the pieces of chicken were like mini thin chicken steaks made with chicken thigh meat so it was extremely tender.
There were grilled aubergine slices beneath the chicken as well.
The chips seemed to have been fried twice.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cornish pasty - Beef:

Before the prices went up, it used to cost $30 making it the cheapest Cornish Pasty in Hong Kong, now it costs $40 which is still theoretically the cheapest but the size of it is quite small.
There were also two choices: beef and herbs or minced pork and pumpkin.
The pork one is clearly not really British so I chose the beef.

The filling just contained beef and potatoes and the herbs were not strong enough.
Real Cornish pasties have suede and carrots in it too.

The top edges of the pastry where it was twisted was too thick.
Although the cornish pasty was not as good as the one at Queen Victoria, it was fun making a trip to the Garden Headquarters.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cold Coffee:
Too sweet!
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Tea:
It was nice the milk was served separate because it was condensed milk which would have made it Hong Kong styled tea if I added it.
The black tea was slightly bitter as it was the Chinese type of tea.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Interesting menu translations:
The English for toastie was quite cute, it was called TOASTIEST.
The Chinese for this was cute as well, it was called "K 準" the Chinese phonetics for Cajun!
For Cornish, the Chinese was Hongyeexxx.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Hoixe Cake Shop (Tseung Kwan O)

Saw these nice square cup cakes through the window, the cup cake holder was really nice too.

They even designed special boxes and promotional posters for them too.




☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Okinawa brown sugar cup cake:


The cake was amazingly soft and dusted with powdered sugar on top.
It was so light and moist just like a chiffon cake with a hint of okinawa brown sugar flavouring.
In the middle there was delicious fluffly white cream which was made with Anchor Cream!

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

山東餃子館 : fennel dumplings

山東餃子館 (Sham Shui Po)

On the window outside it showed a variety of dumplings and skewers so decided to go in and to try them.


★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Fennel dumplings:


They were a bit disappointing because the fennel taste was light which is probably good for people who do not like fennel or havent tried it before.
Here you get 10 dumplings for $30 which is the cheapest compared to the other two places I have tried.
My issue with these dumplings is that the fennel is old and dry which was why they lacked the fennel aroma.
There was also a twinge of sourness in the dumplings.
I did not like the pork because it had pieces of unchewable bits in it such a tendon and parts of pork that your meant to throw away.
Lastly the dumplings were quite salty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
I think I should have ordered the lamb skewers and boiled sweet potato leaves.
The two other places which I have tried Fennel dumplings:
Biang
http://www.openrice.com/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=2292296&tc=review
華園餃子館
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?shopid=23306&commentid=2291541

Soft boiled egg in wine @ 日船章魚小丸子

日船章魚小丸子 (Tseung Kwan O)

This joint is actually famous for Takoyaki balls but when I saw the soft boiled eggs in wine I decided to try it.

They were only $5 each because it was on promotion.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Soft boiled egg in wine:

I was given two pathetic bamboo skewers to eat it which was pretty challenging because egg is the most delicate thing you can eat and it was a soft boiled one too.

Managed to eat it and the yolk was indeed runny!
The egg was a bit cold because it was chilled and it was a bit too salty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Dinner served in a rice cooker at Hong Kong Day



Saturday, June 22, 2013

Finally tried Chan chuen fun noodles

Tung Yuen Banquet (Wan Chai)

Went to Tung Yuen for Chinese food......


Just going to review what I found interesting because I can't stand Chinese food in Hong Kong.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Spare ribs with Chan chuen fun (陳村粉):I was quite impressed with this dish because not many places serve Chan chuen fun 陳村粉 which was why it was my first time reviewing them.

There was actually more noodles than the ribs.
Basically it was a chewier and firmer type of rice sheets that were not rolled up.
It was clumped together which absorbed the delicious black bean sauce.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Prawn dumpling:
Not great, but not bad.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Egg tarts:

They were oval shaped and the thin shortbread crust was too thin and floppy that you could not really use your hands or any other utensils to hold them.
The filling was still runny as well.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Soy bean milk with sweetcorn (low sugar):
Interesting drink.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Secret taste! Secret Location!

Secrettaste (Causeway Bay)

I am beginning to like private kitchens because you get to discover every nook and cranny of Hong Kong!
Places where you thought a restaurant could not exist, it could be a private kitchen!!

Private kitchens are becoming more popular these days as more people are readily accepting them as restaurants just like those upstairs retail shops.

So far this is my favourite private kitchen, I think I like it because it is converted from an old residential flat, the ones that have three floors without an escalator.

As it has been opened for two months, I like the privacy as not many people know about it so far.
Ideally at the moment, it is great for public figures (公眾人物) to dine here or for them hold parties and celebrations such as the completion of filming (慶功宴).

Anyway, here was what we tried which is about $350 per person with no 10% service charge and corkage fee.

I was extremely impressed with the portion size because I was full after all that!

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pan-Fried Watermelon & Wrapped sea urchin mousse

Even though I don't like watermelon, I have always wanted to try pan-fried watermelon after seeing it on some food show before.
It basically tasted the same as uncooked watermelon and it was still crisp.
I liked the spring onions, garlic and crushed peanuts that garnished it, because it got rid of that weird watermelon taste.
The other piece was sea urchin foam wrapped in filo pastry which was extremely light and delicate and the sea urchin in the middle has a faint taste of crab.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Parma Ham & Black Truffle Salad

To be honest it was proscuitto ham and not parma ham as it was softer and not so waxy.
The proscuitto was quite salty but with the salad, the taste balanced and the portion of this as a starter was really generous.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Cream of Mushroom Soup

It was cream of mushroom soup which is commonly served in lots of restaurants these days.
The foam on top just differentiated it from the rest and something that will make me remember this place.
It added a touch of gastronomy and sophistication (高雅) to the soup.
The truffle on top enhanced the flavour of the soup but if the soup was not that salty it would taste better.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Roasted Chicken Asparagus Roll with Goose Liver

The presentation was marvellous, every corner and area of the plate was decorated.

The liver that they put in the middle was really velvety and soft which is achieved by using liver pate.
I was really impressed with these chicken rolls especially with the golden roasted skin on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside complemented with sweet asparagus and rich liver.
The roll was made with chicken thigh meat too which is nice and tender.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Pasta in carbonara sauce with sesame and peppered scallop

The pasta surprised me as well because the sauce was really nice, it had lots of bacon and onions which gave it a lovely smoky and sweet taste.
The sauce was also made with sesame and pepper.
On top there was a seared scallop too.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Chocolate Mousse:
The appearance of the mousse was slightly different from the usual mousses.
It had a lumpy surface.

After trying it, I realised there were pieces of chocolate sponge cake in it which gave it more depth and dimension.
The icecream on the side was equally as good because it had pieces of dark chocolate in it.
The portion size of this dessert was reasonably big.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
At the moment I would choose this place as my favourite private kitchen because the environment is good and the portions are big and suitable for guys.
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