9:30pm, 31 Dec., 2013, Causeway Bay

Swensen's, Central World BKK

After Sizzler, why not for another American dessert.  This shop is almost a must for me whenever I am leaving Samui airport as that's the only few that I am able to visit in Samui.  In terms of the price and the portion, the ice cream isn't bad.

Sizzler, Central World BKK

In every major mall in Bangkok, there are a no. of regular chain restaurants.  Sizzler is the one and often with a long line.  Simply the reason is the fresh salad bar and various steak choices at good prices.  At this recent visit, I found the beef filet of some very good quality.  The spare ribs is also a good try.  

Whenever I am here, I often recall the TV jingle "Sounds like Sizzler, sounds like fun.".

Scalini, Hilton Sukhumvit, BKK

In taking the convenience of staying at her sister hotel, we came here for a cool sunny lunch.  The waiter highly spoke of their olive oil and balsamic vinegar as well as their cheese (over 30 years old).  As I turned over the bottle of the vineyard, I found out it can last until 2031.  Not sure where I'll be then.

Got a spinach salad and a bean soup as the starters.  Both are pretty nice, especially the salad (just some light olive oil and sea salt).  The olive oil is very refined and the balsamic vinegar is a must-try.  I finished all the bread with these.  Out of curiosity, I ordered a spicy grilled prawn soup.  It's not that surprising though it's not the best.  It was a bit cool down when it was served.  On the mains, we took a sea bass and the shop's signature dish - paccheri (a flat pasta) in duck ragout flavoured with black truffle.  The pasta is a bit too soft to me and not very freshly made though it's still good.  I supposed it should be a fresh tossed pasta instead of some having been made a few hours ago.  However, the sea bass is very nice and I'd recommend this one.  We had a panna cotta and a choco orange crust with vanilla ice cream.  The panna cotta is a bit too hard; so I'd prefer the latter one.   

Another memorable food court, Emporium, Sukhumvit BKK

This food court is getting even more expensive - a noodle soup can be around THB60 (vs. 30-40 in T21), a somtam at THB60 too.  So you can easily spend THB200 here.  If the food quality is good, then no complaint, but the somtam is the worst.  The noodle soup is ok but not at this price level.  However, this food court is so much of memory. 

Cooked Deli, B/F., Times Square, Causeway Bay, HK

Finally the newly renovated food court of City Super is there.  No matter how it is called now, it's still a memorable place to me as it was one of the few food courts I would like to visit (the others including the closed one of Pacific Place, the one in City Plaza and the other in Silver Cord TST.  The Korean outlet of this one is not bad for the chicken ginseng soup though it's at HK$78.  However, when we count the food cost, it isn't that expensive.

洞庭樓, Hunan Garden, Citiplaza phase 3, Taikooshing, HK

I used to visit several Hunan restaurants in the early to mid. 90's in Guang Zhou.  The unique spicy flavour of Hunan cuisine has still been in my mind - such a fresh chill aroma with some tomato sweet.  Another characteristics of Hunan cuisine is the slightly brown all the ingredients, resulting in a nice aromatic caramelised  flavour.  The most notable dish is the signature Hunan dish called 左宗棠鷄 (Zhor Zhong Tang chicken).  

Unfortunately Hunan cuisine isn't that popular in HK.  Since I seldom visited Guang Zhou, I almost forgot this cuisine.  Glad that Maxim's Hunan Garden has been relocated to Taikooshing.  A few days right after its opening, we got to come here for a try.  Apparently Hunan Garden and most other Maxim's Chinese restaurants have been on a constant improvement.  This one is much better than that of when it was in Central.  No wonder it is quite full even during weekdays.  Highly recommended their chilled beef slice, stir fried veggie with egg in wrap, stir fried pepper chicken (I'm impressed that they used fresh chicken for this hot and spicy dish, as most restaurants use frozen chicken because they think the hot and spicy flavour  will cover up the frozen meat texture and flavour).  Their pear with red bean paste (dessert) is also a must-try.

寶香肉骨茶 Pao Xiang Ba Ku Teh (spare rib soup), Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur

This kind of food is almost an extinct in KL.  20-30 years ago, it wasn't like that.  However, though back then certain religion considered pork as something dirty, to some extent, a respect can be paid to the others.  In the recent years, it has become more drastic by claiming pork as something offensive or blasphemous.  

When I tried to ask for a table close to the door's entrance, I was told that I couldn't because there was a wedding being held next door, they didn't allow to have the pork smell being close to the door side.  I really feel that those people shouldn't choose a restaurant which is next to a place selling pork.  Anyway, if someone doesn't like beef or chicken in their religion, would they ask for the others on the same? 

So back to this shop, I am happy they continue to keep its nice quality.  I like their soaked peanuts, eggs, and the main character spare rib soup.