Lawry's The Prime Rib, Central, HK

After it moved to this place on 9 Queen's Rd Central from Hutchison House, I hadn't visited it for years.  The renovation looks quite grand as compared to the old one.  However, the service wasn't the same.  I was wondering if Maxim's hired their fast food chain staff for this one.  On the weekend, it served semi-buffet with salad and dessert on the buffet bar and one main to choose from the list.  Their prime rib was about HK$490 and the other dishes was about HK$390 to 450.  I tried their pan fried garoupa.  It further told that it's a maxim's fast food grade dish but in a nice presentation.  The salad bar wasn't that tempting either.  The croissant and the mini cakes were a bit better and nice coffee too.  So it made up a bit.

 

Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill, Tai Koo Shing, HK

It has been years I haven't been to this restaurant.  The ones in Ocean Terminal and Pacific Place have been quite popular for those who would like to get some steaks, spare ribs and cakes.   Got a burger but it wasn't too appealing.  The bun was a bit too soft and the beef patty was too dried out.  The fries were not aromatic either.  Supposed carrot cake shouldn't be a problem from this place, but it was very disappointing.  The cream wasn't fresh and the cake a bit too rough.  I was asked what Chicago was famous for, I pointed at their wet tissue "Windy City". 

 

Ruby Tuesday, K11 Atelier Quarry Bay, HK

Tried this restaurant's other branches quite many years ago and found it quite disappointing.  When this new branch was opened in K11 Atelier in Quarry Bay/North Point intersection, I took the advantage of eatigo 50% discount and thought it could be a try at a lower risk.  Or I should say this restaurant marked the prices by double and urged customers to buy their member cards for 50% off throughout the year.  So if you don't buy their card, you paid an unreasonably high price.  Most of the dishes are over HK$200-300 on the menu.  The half portion spare ribs is HK$300 and 328 for the grilled salmon on caesar salad.

The spare ribs wasn't too bad.  It was shimmered for long hours and then grilled and sealed in a smoky sauce.  However, the caesar salad was very awlful.  First they shouldn't use kale with caesar dressing.  The main ingredient Romaine lettuce was rusty.  Yet, caesar salad was all about a fast hand-toss for all the dressing slightly blended with the lettuce.  They just put a small cup of dressing on the side.  Such a turn off.  When the waitress came to ask if everything was ok, I promptly pointed out the rusty lettuce.  What's amazing was they came back with a small plate of lettuce to make up for the lettuce's part.  That means I had to take out the problematic lettuce from the main dish and kept on enjoying the rest plus the small plate of lettuce.

Clinton St. Bakery, Siam Paragon, BKK

Another delight from eatigo for 30-50% off for off hours.  Tried their house signature pancake and the deep fried chicken with biscuit and coleslaw as well as their waffles.  I'd highly recommend the pancake with banana and walnut.  This combination goes so well with the pancake.  No need to put the syrup.

IHOP (International House of Pancakes), Siam Paragon BKK

It's quite difficult to tell the others about the difference of buttermilk pancakes and the Asian style pancakes if they often claim "crisy" outside only for the latter one.  Though I am not into American food, I like the way it was made so hearty and comforting.  IHOP was one of my favourite restaurants I visited in the States.  So when I first noticed this in KL and Dubai, I felt like meeting a good old friend. When they opened in Siam Paragon, I was happier it was geting closer and more convenient.  Photo 1: is their all day breakfast with steak cubes with fried onion, (original) hash brown, scrambled egg and their signature pan cake.  We also ordered their other specialities like waffles and French toasts.  On personal preference, I'd prefer waffles, but I'd still like their pancakes because of the good old memory.  

American breakfast, Dean & Deluca, Central Embassy

The poster of this American full breakfast got me go in for a try.  Though it looks quite American, but it doesn't taste like.  The pancake is quite disappointing and the better ones are the sausage and grilled asparagus.  I'd still prefer Paul for the breakfast in this Embassy mall.

International House of Pancake (IHOP), Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

It's been over 20 years I haven't been to this shop.  Though it isn't my favourite, I'd still hope to taste their buttermilk pancake.  Didn't remember if IHOP has 3 more flavour of syrup beside the original one.  Tried a bit of the others, I still prefer the original syrup.  The pancake is still as good as those I tried in CA.  Buttermilk is buttermilk that it has the butter salty flavour which goes so nice with the flour and milk aroma.  So the 2 side dishes (yes those other 2 are what I called them side dishes) are fish filet in tomato sauce and a chicken mushroom pasta.  Both are pretty good but couldn't finish them all so as to save room for the main course.

Texas Roadhouse, Dubai Mall, UAE

This chain has rapidly been growing in the States from its first shop in Indiana with its famous hand cut steak and the freshly baked bread (photo 1).  This time I didn't try their hand cut steak but the other dishes like caesar salad, chilli, deep fried fish filet and the spare ribs are pretty nice, especially the bread and chilli.  I do miss chilli a lot and it reminds me of how I have my own recipe of chilli to share with the neighbour back in the very old days.  Happy to find it in Dubai.  

Hideaway to Dubai Mall n the glamourous heat

Got a serious plane diversion to this far away place where I couldn't go out of this complex.  Had to stay here but good to see all these good old friends which I haven't been able to see in Asia.  So for the past 2 days I visited all of these places and brought back some good old memories of an American dream.

Lucques Tavern (Dan Ryan's), Ocean Terminal

This restaurant was once a talk of town in the 80's.  Now it has re-branded herself into a new name as Lucques Tavern.  Back to the 80's, there were other American restaurants coming in as flood, such as Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Thank God It's Friday, Ruby Tuesday, Tony Romas...etc.  A pity that my other 2 favourite ones Denny's and International House of Pancakes didn't arrive with those folks.

It's been more than 15 years I haven't been to this restaurant.  Their sourdough bread is still pretty good.  Got a beetroot salad (HK$98) and a BBQ combo for a half spare ribs and half chicken (HK$268).  Service has been improved and food is maintained to the American restaurant standard.  What a nice and fond memory

BLT Burger, Times Square, HK

Haven't got a chance of trying this shop in Ocean Terminal due to the constant long line (even at 4pm).  The last time when I tried to check this branch in Times Square, I got discouraged by the indifferent waiters and the reciprocated transparent receptionist.  This time they hired another one too see the customers right.  After the try, I had to go back to Cafe Caussette (MO HK) to come here and check out what a real American burger is!  A nice beef patty shouldn't be marinated.  Then the bun need to be browned on the pan to make the inside crispy but yet soft inside.  Just some lettuce and tomato with the beef patty with your choice for the mayo and/or ketchup.  BLT made it!  I love their potato wedge as well - very fresh potato and nicely fried.  When I checked the menu, I felt like I was in CA.  There I found something I seldom ordered in CA but this time I took it - Chinese chicken salad.  I think the last time I tried this one was almost 15 years ago in Soup Plantation.  Seeing it in HK is just like seeing an old friend.  The meal is really hearty.  BTW, the beef burger is so big that you can share it with the other.  It's not expensive in considering this jumbo burger.  A set of burger with fries and soda is at just HK$138.