Hotel Light Lunch Buffet

Hotel buffet is general expensive. But I found a hotel light lunch today which is quite a good deal. Well, not only a good deal, I actually really like it.

It has a little bit of everything.  Although there aren't many varieties, it's good enough to fill my stomach, happily!

To start with, there is a toast maker and I can make my favorite toast with boiled egg, greens, salmon and hams.  There are not too many kind of vegetables, but they are fresh and of good quality. Varies dressings are available if you want to make a salad.

Smoked Salmon

Three kinds of hams and different kinds of cheese and there are some sausages as well.  If you love yogurt, there are plenty of them.

The fresh fruits are lovely.  We can take the cut ones or we can grab a whole apple or banana.

As for desserts, there are mini coconut tarts, and couple other puddings. Again, not many choices, but good enough to fill our stomachs.  The buffet includes coffee and tea which are refillable.

At the lobby of Kew Green Hotel, the restaurant is spacious and with comfortable seats and couple of bar tables.

As Kew Green is an English hotel management group, so we find some UK style things around.  In fact, this hotel is re-branded from the Metropark Hotel owned by China Travel Services. The hotel and restaurant is newly opened in early 2017.

Since the buffet lunch is really light, somewhat like a breakfast, the cost is relatively low.  In fact it is of very good value of money - HK$100 +10% per person.  In terms of food, environment and services, it is really a very good deal.  If you want a cozy place to sit comfortably with friends and enjoy a light lunch, I highly recommend this place.  At the heart of Wanchai, it is easy to find the place.

Kew Green Hotel

Address: 41-49 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai 

Phone: 2861 1166

Hong Kong Food Blog - Hotel Light Lunch Buffet

Easter Seafood Buffet

My Easter Seafood Buffet is free.  In fact I haven't had buffet for sometime, due to my eating problem.  However I won some free coupon by luck draw, so I have this free buffet dinner.

Coupons usually have blackout dates, but I was lucky that hotel allowed me to book on Good Friday. The seafood buffet dinner is only served on Fri, Sat and Sun.  At the Garden Cafe of Conrad Hotel Hong Kong, the place is really nice.

There were I think at least four types of mini lobsters together with some crab claws.  Very fresh, but need to eat with hands and fingers.  But our table was pre-set with tongs, scissors and moist towel, everything we need to deal with the prawns and crabs.

Prawns and clams, but where are my beloved oysters?

Sashimi - well I'd love to have more choices.  So as the sushi rolls.

After all, these are my seafood collections.

It seems all the seafood were cold cuts.  Hot dishes were limited to pan fried Barramundi and a steamed Mandarin fish.  The stir fired mini lobsters were nightmare - the meat was somehow decayed! I wasn't able to find some hot vegetables, so I went on making my own Caesar salad.  Not bad at all, at least having some balance of diet.

The cold cut dishes are not bad at all, but I rather prefer more hot items.

There was an outdoor BBQ counter, serving sausages, chicken wings, lamb racks and some spare ribs.  May be this was the best hot items I could find.  I love sausages, so I had a big one.

On Easter holiday, I was expecting the restaurant to be full of people, but it turned the other way.  May be many people went overseas for their holidays.  As there were not many guests, we could get food and eat very relaxingly and of course with very intensive customer services. 

Finally, I manage to find out the cost of the buffet - HKD558 per person on regular days, HKD638 on holidays.  That means the one I had was HKD638 per person and 10% service charge.  I'm happy with everything, except I would want more choices of seafood, especially oysters as well as some more hot dishes.

Easter Seafood Buffet Dinner

Garden Cafe, Conrad Hong Kong

Dim Sum Buffet

I haven't seen dim sum buffet for some time.  Over the Easter holidays, I notice this offer from a nearby hotel, so I give it a try.  The overall experience is not bad, but still some rooms for improvement.

In fact, buffet is not quite accurate, should be one price, eat all you can.  To enable eaters to eat more varieties, the portion sizes are generally smaller than the ones from the a la carte menu.  We can even order the exact number of pieces for certain items.  The two of us had 18 variations and totalling over 20 dishes.

In terms of satisfaction, I grade the dim sums in three categories - Good, Average and Below Par.

Let's take a took at the Good ones.

Black Fungi in Rose Wine 玉露春耳

Very strong rose wine fragrance, a very healthy starter!

Preserved Beef Slices 牛展

Shanghaiese Pork Jelly 水晶肴肉

We ordered two dishes of the beef and pork, as they were really nice!

 Shrimp Dumplings 蝦餃

One of our most favourite dim sum items and they are generally expensive, so we decided to have two for each of us.

Shuijiao 水餃

 Kind of Shrimp Dumpling, but with pork in it.  My friend said the soup was Swanson.  Well, I was not able to tell, as long as the shuijiao tastes good.

Pan Fried Rice Rolls 煎蝦米腸

Next to the plain version, had only dry shrimps and green onion.  With dark soy sauce, taste good.

Cha Shao Bao and Chiu Chow Dumpling 义燒飽, 潮州粉果

As I said, some of the items can be ordered one by one. I don't want the Chiu Chow dumpling, so we ordered one for my friend and one cha shao bao for each of us.

Milk Custard with Almond Flakes 西杏炸脆奶

This dessert is quite unique and well done.  Not many restaurants serve this.

Honey and Pomelo Jelly 蜂蜜柚子糕

We are not sure of the dish size and it was towards the end of our meal, so we ordered just one.  I must say this is beyond our expectation.  Very fresh and fragrant.  Good pick!

Sago Cream with Mango and Pomelo 楊枝金露

My friend had Pumpkin cream.  They both looked the same, creamy yellow color, so I took photo for my sago cream only.  It's chilled with slices of mango and pomelo, wow...lovely!  Mango is my most favourite fruit.

Here are the Average items.

Rice Noodles in Soup with Chicken and Roasted Pork

I grade them average because my chicken noodle is just slightly warm.  Note:  dim sum has to been eaten hot for the best tastes.  My friend also commented that the soup was just Swanson.

Spring Rolls

I grade this average because it can be better.  The color can be more golden and the filling can be a bit more.  Note: the one on a la carte had snow crab in it.  The one we had was only veggie.

Baked Seafood Puff

Couldn't find much seafood inside.  In fact I was not sure if the stuffing had any seafood in it.  Freshly baked, also tastes average.

These are the Below Par items.

Beef Tripe 黑椒牛肚

Mushroom Pork Dumpling 冬菇燒賣

I don't think I need to tell why these are below par.  In terms of taste, they are acceptable.  But in terms of presentation, I don't think any restaurant should bring to the table something in that horrible manner.  In fact, we did try to tidy up a bit for photo shooting.  They were even worse when they arrived.

We were also not happy that the traditional authentic pork dumpling was not available while that was featured in the advertising poster.

Counting in the environment, services and foods, I would give it 8 out of 10.

In terms of money, it's quite a good deal.  We've tried to cross check the items against the a la carte menu, discounting the smaller portions we had, the food cost would go beyond $400, but we were only paying $108 per person.

Dim Sum Package - Eat All You Can (Dim Sum Buffet) - Weekends and Holidays Only

Food cost:  HK$108 per person

Tea cost:  HK$18 person

10% service charge

Total:  HK$277.2 (for two persons) (US$35.5)

Zaan

OZO Wesley Hotel

1/F, 22 Hennessy Road

Hong Kong

T: 2292 3033

Hong Kong Food Blog - Dim Sum Buffet

Yat Tung Heen Dim Sum

I earn some interest lately, time to enjoy a relatively luxury dim sum lunch.  Yat Tung Heen is a member of the Eaton Hotel and it has a restaurant at Great Eagle Centre in Wanchai. So I took my sister there today for a lunch.  The place was reasonably nice, not too crowded or noisy like many other dim sum restaurants in Wanchai.  However the price is quite expensive.  There are many things in life that quality not associated with money.  Today's lunch is an example.  I can't say it's bad, but there are rooms for improvement in relation to the money they are charging.

Stir Fried Rice Roll  XO醬炒腸粉

Good, hot and delicious.  Presentation - nice.

Deep Fried Shrimp Spring Roll 蝦春卷

Very crispy, hot and delicious.  Presentation - nice.

Prawn Dumpling 蝦餃

Freshly steamed, fresh prawns.  Nicely presented.

Deep Fried Tofu with Salt and Pepper 椒鹽豆付

Nice and delicious, crunchy outside and soft inside.

Deep Fried Stuffed Eggplant with Garlic and Pepper 避風塘茄子

Quite nice, although I prefer it to be in the size of the mini tofu.  I must say it is quite a specialty, as I didn't find this same dish elsewhere.

Pan Fried Waygu Guotie (dumpling) 和牛鍋貼

This is absolutely below par.  When it arrived, it was like 4 messy lumps of something splashing over the plate.  I had to re-arrange it in a relatively tidy manner in order to take this photo.  Waygu?  No way.  Can't taste or smell anything beef like, although there were some minced meat inside that was kind of beef-look.

They served a pot of tea and a pot of water.  Water was served over a little stove to keep warm.  Even so, the tea was below any comfortable temperature for drinking.  Regardless we requested to refill with boil water, there were no improvement.  After all we found that the tea leaves were put inside kind of a bag inside the tea pot, hence the Pu'er tea we had didn't offer the real fragrance of it. Tea drinking is an important part of any dim sum lunch.  Poor tea definitely spoil the meal.  

Total:  HK$333.9 (US$42.8) (for two persons, inclusive of 10% service charge and the tea/snack charge below)

Tea:  HK$18 per person

Snack: HK$22 per table

Yat Tung Heen

2/F Great Eagle Centre

Wanchai, Hong Kong

Hotel Chinese Dinner for Single

If you are travelling solo and want to enjoy Chinese food, this post may be interested.

I need to clear some of my holiday quota but tied of travelling, so I decided to be a domestic traveller.  I picked a low season date, not only enjoy low room rate and at the same time upgraded to a junior suite, only at HK$986 nett, including free wi fi and breakfast.

The hotel Chinese restaurant offers 30% discount for dinner, so I give it a try.  I was thinking the food choices for single diner is quite limited.  In fact it's true to some extent, but I still manage to look for something just right for me, in terms of portion, taste and money.

Starter HK$25

This is default.  Every table would have to pay for one dish.

Double Boiled Wild Mushrooms Soup HK$68 per person

Black fungi and plenty of various wild mushrooms.  Very fragrant, delicious and healthy.

Deep Fried Shredded Eel with Dark Vinegar HK$118

Very crispy, and the vinegar is kind of sweet.  Well done!  It's on the starters section, portion size is not that big, still leaving my stomach with some space.

Braised Fish Maw, Sea Cucumber and Abalone Mushroom in Casserole HK$128

Again, this dish is in one-person size, just right for me.  For health reason, the world encourages people to eat more veggie and less meat.  Thought my dinner tonight is in line with health target.

Almond Tea with Egg White HK$58

I must say this is the best of the same food I have ever had.  Very strong almond fragrance with lumps of egg white - extremely delicious and healthy!

The restaurant is relatively small, however cozy and with friendly waiters.  Food is well done, serving time is just right.

As the menu is concerned, the dishes are generally not heavy in meat, no msg and should be welcomed by health conscious eaters.

They have dim sum set dinner, quite a rare option.  Some set dinners for 2, 4, 6 or even Spring banquets for 12 are available.

Total:  HK$369.5 (US$47.5)

for one diner after discount, included tea and 10% service charge

Cheena Chinese Restaurant

2/F Rosedale Hotel

8 Shelter Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Tel: 852-21278838

30% discount for dinner (weekdays only ex festivals/holidays)

Hong Kong Food Blog - Single Diner

Best Cantonese Foods at Hong Kong Hotels

Some readers ask me where to eat the best Cantonese foods at Hong Kong hotels. I’m serious, if you want to eat the best Cantonese foods on earth, you have to come to Hong Kong. As hotel is your home away from home, you may find it easy and convenient to eat at where you stay. However not all hotels have Cantonese restaurants available. I have therefore pulled together some information here for your quick reference.

Super Luxury Dining $$$$$

If you are a fan of rating, you’ll love to know that there is a 3-star Michelin Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong, and it is the one and only one here - Lung King Heen at Four Seasons Hotel. According to Hong Kong Tourism Board, it says “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”.

Of course I don’t have a wallet thick enough to go there, so I cannot share with you any personal experience but you can take a look at their menu. Anything from dim sum to super deluxe seafood are available.

Luxury Dining $$$$

There are several 2-starMichelin restaurants situated in Hong Kong hotels. Summer Palace at Island Shangri-La and Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri-La both carry a 2-star rating. If you want to add a little uniqueness to your luxury Cantonese food, try the Tin Lung Heen on the 102/F of The Ritz-Carlton at Tsim Sha Tsui. Around the same area, there is the Ming Court at Langham Hotel, which is also a 2-star Michelin Cantonese restaurant.

Fine Dining $$$

Obviously the Michelin secret inspectors do not have time to rate all Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong. So let’s forget about rating and go look for some good balance among money, food, service and overall dining experience.

At Admiralty on Hong Kong island there are couple of hotels where you can find good Cantonese foods. Man Ho at JW Marriott and Golden Leaf at Conrad. These restaurants serve many business guests and you should have no doubt on their services, food and environment. Money wise, I would say reasonably expensive, but affordable. Man Ho claims this in their website: Award-winning restaurant features a contemporary table setting and decor for the finest authentic Cantonese cuisine. But I don’t know what kind of award they’ve won.

Over at Causeway Bay, there is a very popular Cantonese restaurant among local residents, tourists and businessman, situated within Hotel Excelsior - Yee Tung Heen which also claims to have won plenty of awards. It is always full. Please make an advance booking.

Cantonese Restaurants Quiz - What is Heen?

Lung King Heen, Tin Lung Heen, Yee Tung Heen…there are big bunch of restaurants in Hong Kong in the name of xxx Lung and xxx Heen. What has ‘lung’ and ‘heen’ to do with restaurants? I really don’t know. May be the restaurant owners can help. Anyway, ‘lung’ is dragon which is a classic Chinese mascot. But what is ‘heen’?

Mid Range Cantonese Restaurants in Hong Kong Hotels $$$-$$

If you associate hotel rate with restaurant rate, you may find a reasonably good deal at Guo Fu Lou situated at Empire Hotel in Wanchai, Hong Kong. For rating fans, you’ll be amazed that it is newly added to the 1-star Michelin list in 2013. Across the street is Fu Tung Gongdong Restaurant at The Wharney Guang Dong Hotel. Both restaurants claim to be managed by celebrity chefs and provide top quality Cantonese cuisine. However they both situated at relatively cheap hotels. These two hotels both located around the bar areas at the heart of Wanchai.

Quality Cantonese Restaurants Nearby Hong Kong Hotels $$$-$$

Many visitors like to eat Cantonese foods at the hotels where they stay for the sake of convenience. But there are many good restaurants not managed by hotel but serve very good Cantonese foods, and they are at the neighbourhood of good hotels. Below is a few to name.

In Central, opposite to Mandarin Oriental, Maxim’s Palace at City Hall is a very famous local chain of Cantonese restaurant. In Tsim Sha Tsui - Prince Restaurant at Heritage 1881 is right next to Peninsula and at the heart of shopping areas. In Mongkok, Sportful Garden Restaurant at Stanford Hotel is famous for shark fin, abalone and seafood. See my previous post, my birthday dinner was held at their Wanchai shop.

What Are The Best Cantonese Foods to Eat?

Best of the best – fresh seafood
Everyday delicacy – dim sum
Specialty favour – Cantonese style BBQ
Health conscious – ‘old fire’ soup

I have plenty of Cantonese food photos in this blog, feel free to browse. But I just realised that there are couple of photos from hotels that I haven’t posted yet. Here they are.

Cantonese Style BBQ - Pork Belly

(Summer Palace, Island Shangri-La)

 

Cantonese Style 'Old Fire' Soup - Bok Choy Mushroom and Ham

(Summer Palace, Island Shangri-La)

NOTE:  Hotel menus may rotate seasonally. 

My Personal Invitation  

When is your next trip to Hong Kong?  It would worth your special journey here to taste all the delicious Cantonese foods at Hong Kong hotels and everywhere over the city.  Look forward to seeing you here.

Hong Kong Food Blog - Cantonese Restaurants at Hong Kong hotels

Luxury Lunch at Amber

I seldom eat lunch, and seldom eat luxury lunch.  Last week, I had a treat from a client and had a luxury lunch at the 2 star Michelin restaurant - Amber at Landmark Oriental.  It's a high class famous French restaurant.  You may come across their signature dishes very easily over the internet.  Here are couple of them.

Duck Foie Gras

This little deep fried ball was one among the starter trio.  They had the manager explained what it was and told us to eat it in one bite.  It was hot inside, so we had to take extra care in that one bite.   The other starter was something like a mini spring roll (1 x 3cm) and we were told to eat by hand (licenced no table manner!)

The mushroom consumme was in fact what I liked most.  Unfortunately forgot to take a photo.  The mushroom fragrance was wonderful.

We had two choices of main course.  One was reindeer meat in ravioli, the other was fish.  I really wanted to try the reindeer meat as it is rarely available on any menu.  However to be on the safe side, I decided to go for fish.  The other guests having reindeer meat said it was very strong in taste, while my fish was relatively mild.  Served with lobster gravey, the combination and presentation was perfect. 

We had two choices of dessserts.  I don't like strawberries, so I opted for the chocolate mousse.  It was also very well done and nicely presented.  Crunchy chocolate sheets with vanilla ice cream.  The silky fine chocolate mousse was lying on the little flat bed below.  Very yummy!

 

Petits Fours is one of the Amber signature dishes.  Although I was so full but I simply couldn't resist as they were so delicious and beautiful.  After this super huge lunch, I had to fast through the next day's dinner. 

After all, we took office a box of Amber cookies as souviner.
I thought this lunch may go beyond HK$1,000 if we had to pay.

 

Amber

7/F Mandarin Oriental, Landmark, Hong Kong

852 - 2132 0066

 

Hong Kong Food Blog