Lunch @ Beef & Liberty

來自上海的Beef & Liberty，在金鐘星街開了於香港的首間分店，標榜專做用草飼牛肉的高質素漢堡飽。餐廳在Pizza Express樓上，要進去用Pizza Express的升降機才能到達，比較難找。主菜如Cheese Burger ($92) 和Bacon Cheese Burger ($108)都不錯，但比預期中小份，而我們也吃不出牛肉有甚麼與別不同。反而前菜Crispy Chicken Wings ($62/4 pieces) 頗出色，雞皮香脆，雞肉嫩滑，加上韓式辣醬，互相配合得很美味。相比之下，Beef & Liberty的招牌漢堡包比較遜色，缺乏獨特魅力，而價錢也較貴，午餐大概每人＄200 到＄250。

If only J has made her hatred for Chinese food less explicit, we wouldn't have the chance to go to the recently opened Beef & Liberty for her sort-of farewell lunch last weekend.  Nestled on top of the Pizza Express on Star Street in Admiralty,  most of us are misled by its name and thought it's a burger joint run by the Liberty Exchange group, but Beef & Liberty is actually a Shanghainese brand which is known for using 100% Australian grass-fed cattle for its high quality burgers, or so it claims. 

The weather was rather cool and gloomy that day.  Yves and Brown Sugar, being their sporty-selves, suggested we walk from Causeway Bay to the restaurant which seemed far at first, but it only took us around 20 minutes to get there in the end.  When we arrived at the building, we saw T standing at the entrance for Pizza Express, looking clueless by himself.  It turned out that to be able to get up to Beef & Liberty on 3/F, we needed to use the elevator at Pizza Express, and this was confusing.  

Once the elevator opened to 3/F, a friendly waitress greeted us with a smile and led us to our booth next to the window.  Although the restaurant wasn't a big place, its high ceilings and decoration rendered a casual and hip vibe.  The booth was however quite small for 6 people.  When we saw that there was a very reasonably priced "All Day Set" on the menu, we were quite excited until C drew our attention to the smaller print underneath which stated that "All Day Set" was not available on weekends, which was a total bummer!  As J and Julie were "fashionably/excusably/absolutely" late again, we decided to order some drinks first.  The price tags of this place were on the hefty side and lunch was priced at around $200 to $250 per person. 

(1) The drinks we ordered failed on multiple levels and it was definitely not the best way to start our meal.  The Liberty Iced Peppermint Tea ($32) Brown Sugar ordered looked good but tasted like normal iced tea soaked in peppermint leafs with too much ice. 

(2) We knew we wouldn't be getting freshly squeezed lemonades for the Liberty Fresh Lemonade ($32) but this un-fresh drink could use a more suiting name: iced lemon water.  It was so tasteless and bland, and we were disappointed to tears to have to pay for this. 

(3) Our table of 6 decided to order some starters to share.  The Crispy Chicken Wings ($62/4 pieces) with Korean spicy sauce were intensely satisfying.  The size for each chicken wing was big enough.  Although the use of Korean spicy sauce was perhaps inspired by the widely popular Korean TV show, we were certainly blown away by the alluring spiciness and the delightfully crispy skin.  Speaking as a lover for wings, this dish was absolutely enticing for my tastebuds and was easily one of the most memorable dishes! 

(4) The Sticky Rib Fingers ($68) were slow roasted US pork ribs covered in honey bbq marinade and spring onions.   But there was just simply much more bone than meat for this dish with an overwhelming taste of honey sauce which made my fingers fairly sticky. 

(5) Julie, being just back in town, went for the classic Cheese Burger ($92) with beef, cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, pickles, and house BBQ sauce.  You can tell the waitress how cooked you want your beef to be and Julie opted for Medium Rare. The burger was accomplished where the beef was exquisitely juicy and tender, while melted cheddar cheese and the house BBQ sauce composed a complex and fine taste!  Though we couldn't tell the difference between their grass-fed beef and the other ones (i.e. the grain-fed ones), we were satisfied but we just wish the portion could be bigger! 

(6) Yves and J ordered the same Cheese Burger but they added extra $20 for it to be served in a bowl.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this concept, it is a more healthy option for those counting carbs, and the Cheese Burger would come with a tender leaf salad without the buns!  But we couldn't help but wish the salad could use more salad dressing or some more citrus elements to help balance the fattiness of the beef and they could also keep the house BBQ sauce too! 

(7) The Bacon Cheese Burger ($108) T and C ordered was delicious.  The beef was tender and moist, and the bacon had a fabulously crispy and chewy texture, and they were always a fantastic match to me!  The cheese and house bbq sauce further accentuated the indulgent flavours! 

(8) The Green Chili Burger ($98) ordered by Brown Sugar was marvellously prepared with green chili sauce and jalapeno relish.  The mayo and the beef complemented the spicy flavors well but stronger flavouring was needed. 

Overall remarks:  Burgers at Beef & Liberty were delicious but they were not particularly outstanding. We don't need to be having top quality beef burgers to enjoy a meal- most meals I have are far from good or healthy but I like them and I enjoy them.  Beef & Liberty's biggest disappointment is wasting a perfectly good opportunity to become the next hit burger joint in Hong Kong and being unable to live up to its expensive price tags and our high expectations it set up.  If only the dishes were worthy of the restaurant, it does just about everything right -- the decoration, the service and the goodwill idea.  For a farewell party, we were happy with its ambience.  For a burger place, it is just a blank void as vacuous as the brand itself. 

Food: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Ambience: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Service: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

INFO

Beef & Liberty 
2/F, 23 Wing Fung St., Admiralty 金鐘永豐街23號2樓
Telephone: 3460 4900

Dinner @ Bug and Bee

想不到這家叫Bug and Bee的餐廳是在泰國有名的連鎖餐廳，主打新派fusion泰國菜式。在香港新開張的分店位於銅鑼灣，裝潢以蜂巢和泰國民族圖案為主，很有泰國街頭色彩。雖然人流不多，但是店裡桌椅放得頗亂，讓人感覺很擠逼。餐廳的菜式很創新特別，如Peachy Massaman Curry Ox Tail (with rice) ($88) 和 Mango Chicken Kiev ($62) 都製作用心，把不同的水果跟肉類揉合得驚喜無窮，一試難忘。服務態度友善，可是食物稍嫌不夠熱，且價格有點貴，晚餐大概每人＄200 到＄250。

With a name like Bug and Bee, the restaurant is memorable by default but never in a million years would we expect it to be a Thai restaurant, so it was certainly more surprising for us when we realized that it is actually a well known chain in Bangkok serving some interesting and creative Thai fusion dishes.  Foodie who loves Thai restaurants like Mango Tree and Greyhound Cafe may now flock to this cute Thai restaurant recently opened near our place.   As lovers of Thai food, we decided to go there for dinner on a slow Sunday evening because you know, we wanted to take a (small) break from our usuals and try something new. 

Bug and Bee is located right next to the extremely popular ramen place in Causeway Bay.  A 2-storey place with a yellow neon sign and large windows making it look like a giant beehive.  When we arrived at 6 p.m., the place was practically empty and we were allowed to choose our own seats, but the chairs and tables were placed in such a disorganized fashion that made the place seem a bit messy and cramped.  Once we opened the menu, we were completely amazed by the variety of appealing and original dishes and D was having a difficult time because there were just so many dishes we wanted to try.  Dinner was priced at around $200 to $250 per person. 

(1) Tom Yum Kung Soup ($88) is always a must for our Thai meals! The soup boasted a spicy but attractive flavours.  We loved the variety of textures and seafood ingredients to the soup.  But we just wished the soup could be warmer because the soup was simply not hot enough and this reduced the overall flavour of the soup! 

(2) There were several things to praise for the Peachy Massaman Curry Ox Tail (with rice) ($88)!  First, the curry was rich and indulgent and definitely spicy enough!  The ox tail on the other hand was incredibly soft and juicy, even though some of them had too much bone for C's liking.  The accompanying peach was fresh and sweet.  The different layers of the flavours for this dish really captivated us! 

(3) This Mango Chicken Kiev ($62) took a while to arrive, but it was certainly worth the wait! As if chicken wasn't good enough, the innovative twist they took was to fill alluringly tender and succulent chicken breasts with fresh mangoes and this dish was amazing beyond our imaginations! 

(4) The Tom Yum Seafood Fried Rice ($108) had a generous portion of different kinds of seafood including prawns and mussels but the flavouring could have been stronger.  We also thought we made a mistake ordering this dish right after we had the Tom Yum Kung Soup. 

(5) The Green Tea Tiramisu Crêpe Cake ($45) was an interesting cake sandwiched between sheets of crêpe separating each layer, creating a dazzling overall sensation.  But D noted that the cake was less impressive and sweet than he had expected. 

Overall remarks:  The dishes at Bug and Bee were far better than it was given credit for and they captured perfectly the variable nature of Thai cuisine when you're getting tired of the been-there, eaten-that typical Thai dishes.  But the restaurant needs more "buzz" given the expensive price tags and we wished many of the dishes could be warmer and bigger in portion.  This place doesn't appear to be popular, and that disappoints us because we really wanted to come back again.


Food: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Ambience: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Service: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

INFO

Bug and Bee
456 Jaffe Road,Causeway Bay 銅鑼灣謝斐道456號
Telephone: 3460 4900

Dinner @ Jaspa's

Jaspa's是一間價錢合理，環境舒適的西式餐廳，主打多國菜（包括意大利及西班牙菜）。 位於跑馬地的分店更像一家感覺親切熟悉的社區餐廳（neighbourhood restaurant)，服務態度友善，桌上還提供蠟筆給小客人在餐桌的畫紙上畫畫。它的 Fettuccine Carbonara ($130)可觀可口，芝士和煙肉的分量比例處理得相當好，值得推介。可惜其他菜式如Pizza等都只是過得去，水準參差。要注意餐廳每週一和週二也有"half-priced dinner"優惠，所以晚餐每人只需大概＄100 到＄150，是不錯的西式餐廳選擇。

When our friend, Lil, visited from Singapore last month and requested a budget Italian meal (consisting of pizza and pasta), we wonder what quality but affordable Italian restaurants fit into those requirements in the heart of Hong Kong.   When we didn't have to look at the prices, it was always tempting to think of the Michelin-starred restaurants.  But those are expensive and hence, out-of-the-question.  So it's a small blessing that Jaspa's, a modern fusion western restaurant chain, offers a very reasonably priced menu and has multiple locations in Hong Kong.  We went on a Monday night and were pleasantly surprised to find out that Jaspa's was doing "half-priced dinner" for its main dishes every Monday and Tuesday. 

Located on a quiet slope in Happy Valley, it was a long walk from Causeway Bay (about 20 mins) and it was certainly not easy to find, but we were happy to arrive at the colourful signboard of Jaspa's. It was not a big space, but with its large windows, Jaspa's had a charismatic and homey neighbourhood feel. The lighting was comfortable and the staffs were welcoming. We were excited when we saw that crayons were provided for us to draw on the paper sheets on the table. With the special discount, dinner was reasonably priced at around $100 to $150 per person.

(1) Since Lil was super hungry, she decided to order the Nachos ($100) to start with.  Although it was not part of the "half-priced dinner" deal, all of us were completely over the moon when we saw the huge portion of nacho chips and the generous toppings of cheese, avocado, sour cream and salsa sauce.  The nachos were sheer deliciousness and the combinations of toppings were an excellent symphony of flavours, hitting all the right notes! 

(2) The Fettuccine Carbonara ($130) was served with pancetta bacon, cream & parmesan Cheese and it was a truly satisfying dish. The taste of the carbonara was just beyond reproach, with the right amount of cheese and ham.  To our amusement, the dish successfully balanced the level of softness and bounciness of the pasta and its generous portion made it a delightful and pleasant main dish. 

(3) The Linguine Salmon with Provencal Sauce ($150) served with fresh salmon infused with tomato sauce and fresh herb was not everyone's favourite.  C found that the pasta was a bit too soggy perhaps due to the under-temperature oil.  The salmon was also a bit too scarce to find underneath the linguine. 

(4)  For pizzas, we ordered the All you can Meat Pizza ($135) with ham, sausage, salami, pepperoni and meatballs with mozzarela and oregano.    The pizza crust seemed to be a bit burned and dry.  The toppings formed by layers of different kind of meat were in want of some nice seasoning and Es found that it was filling but not particularly tasty. 

(5) The Parma Pizza ($145) with fresh rocket and basil was another disappointing pizza. The pizza dough could be more airy and moist.   Sam also thought that the taste of the pizza was overwhelmed by its high degree of saltiness.  The parma ham did not have the unique succulent taste we were expecting.  Instead,  we were all in need of a glass of water after having a slice of it.  

Overall remarks: Dinner at Jaspa's is casual, comfortable and laid-back, though it's a shame that not all of its dishes,  particularly its pizzas, are as fantastic as the environment.  But for the price it's charging, perhaps this could all be forgiven.  It is not the most delicate and traditional Italian fine dining restaurant; it is a family western restaurant that sits in your neighbourhood that could win your heart, not because of what you eat, but because of what you don't.  It's there that Jaspa's aura, that sense of coziness and heart-warming colors, is full on display.  Ultimately, we were happy that Lil was satisfied both cuisine-wise, budget-wise and of course, tummy-wise. 

Food: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Ambience: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Service: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

INFO

Jaspa's
G/F, 18 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley 跑馬地藍塘道18號地下
Telephone: 2575 7730

Brunch @ BRICKLANE

Brick Lane 本是倫敦東邊的一條以印度菜聞名的街道，所以當知道這餐廳以BRICKLANE為名，但卻不是主打印度菜，而是英式早午餐（English Breakfast），也大感相當詫異。餐廳的裝潢很有英國特色風味，牆上的單車佈置頗有心思，令人感覺十分悠閒寫意。但是它的菜式如Egg Benedict with Scottish Smoked Salmon ($98) 和Pancakes ($78) 等就平平無奇，更遠遠不及真正的英式早餐般傳統多變的味道。它的 All Day Breakfast（＄88) 不會令人失望，是最有水準的一道菜。雖然BRICKLANE的理念是要把傳統英式菜帶來香港，可惜現在看來純粹宣傳技倆，不理想之處很多，希望可以好好改善。午餐要大概每人＄150 到＄200。

When we first heard that BRICKLANE was opening in Hong Kong serving English breakfast  dishes, we were definitely very skeptical.  The name of the restaurant, "BRICKLANE", refers to a street in East London which is famous, not for English breakfast diners, but for Indian curry houses.  So we thought it was a misconception that the English breakfast dishes brought by BRICKLANE would be anywhere near representative of the true Indian dining scene of Brick Lane in London.  But BRICKLANE is dedicated to take the iconic landmark in London and turned it into a popular and cute English diner that highlights the best and worst English breakfast dishes for Hong Kong. 

First opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, BRICKLANE opened its Hong Kong Island branch in the quiet Citic Tower in Admiralty which was a good news to most Island people. The layout of the restaurant is laid-back and stylish, complete with a bicycle on the wall, a patio area, and a bar/cake counter.  It was almost reminiscent of the airy and comfortable coffee houses and diners you would find in London. The staff were all very welcoming and friendly.  Brunch was priced at around $150 to $200 per person. 

(1) We started off with Egg Benedict with Scottish Smoked Salmon ($98).  The place provided a wide selections of toppings for egg benedict such as Gammon Ham, Parma Ham, and Corn Beef.  You can also choose to add extra toppings such as Black Truffle Paste or Caviar. The English muffin was deliciously thick and buttery, and the smoked salmon was flavourful and juicy.  However, the poached eggs lacked the runny yolks which were essential probably due to being overcooked which is a common error made by many undertrained chefs.  Sadly, this was quite fatal to the whole dish and render the taste to be subpar. 

(2) The All Day Breakfast ($88) may be ordered with 3 choices of food and D went with Bacon, Hash Brown and Mushrooms.  This combination was utterly satisfying.  The bacon was beautifully grilled on the surface without being too oily but keeping its softness and tenderness.  The scrambled eggs were marvelously runny and smooth.  The hashbrown and mushroom were also delicious.  This definitely hit all the right places on our taste buds and was ultimately an authentic and substantial English breakfast combo. 

(3) The Pancakes ($78) were the most disappointing dish of them all.  They were unattractively ordinary, and each slice was cold and not fluffy at all.  D commented this was even worse than the ones he had at McDonald's, which might very well be true. 

Overall remarks: BRICKLANE might feel contrived, artificial and its dishes needed improving, but it didn't have to be.  It is hard to dislike the restaurant because of the casual and laid-back London atmosphere it successfully re-creates, which was certainly not like Brick Lane in East London.  It was an interesting concept, but their opportunities to offer alluring dishes were repeatedly squandered when the lack of cookery skill could be overlooked and replaced by its ambiance. BRICKLANE could have been so promising, which makes the final result really mediocre. 

Food: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Ambience: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Service: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

INFO

BRICKLANE
Shop 404, 4/F., Citic Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Admiralty 金鐘添美道1號中信大廈4樓404號舖
Telephone: 2363 2500