bc magazine

Megabites: BrewDog, Butchers Club, Khana Khazana

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BrewDog
Craft beer brewery BrewDog opens it’s second bar in Asia on the 4 February at 19 Hollywood Road, Central. The bar is the 45th for this fast expanding brewery which only tapped it’s first pint in 2007. BrewDog UK staff Neil and Lucy, in town to supervise the opening, are passionate craft beer advocates and the ethos of producing quality beers has – taste them yourself to see if you agree or not – survived the rapid scaling of volumes over the last eight years.

BrewDog Hong Kong has 14 beers on draft including regulars like their signatures Punk IPA (5.4%), Elvis Juice (6.7%) Jackhammer (7.2%) and experimentals like the delicious AB:19 (13.1%). The beers are served in UK pint, 2/3 pint, half pint and 1/3 pint glasses. A UK pint is 568ml compared to an American ‘pint’ which is 473ml and a Hong Kong ‘pint’ which can be as small as 335-385ml. When asked why the different serving sizes… it’s about keeping the quality of the beer. A customer won’t drink a glass of AB:19 at 13.1% in the same way as they’ll drink a pint of Punk…

There’s a range of food including delicious french dip sandwiches, lamb cheese fondue, jalapeno cheese bread and glazed donuts to be enjoyed with your beer.
BrewDog: 19 Hollywood Road, Central. Tel: 2219 9905 www.facebook.com/BrewDogHK

Fei Jai Burger

Fei Jai Burger
For Chinese New Year The Butchers Club have a new option on their ‘secret menu’ the Fei Jai burger. Stacked inside a classic pineapple bun the ‘Fei Jai’ consists of a five-spice pork belly burger patty with a char siu glaze, seared luncheon meat, a crispy wonton, Chinese cabbage and coriander salad, spring onion mayo and a fried egg.

A veritable feast of Hong Kong flavours the pineapple bun holds together well as a burger bun, for health safety reasons pork has to be cooked longer than beef so the meat comes out a little drier than a traditional beef patty but the fried egg and the mayo lubricate the burger well. Luncheon meat and wontons are not what you’d expect to find in a burger but the crispyness and flavour add well to create a unique and delicious burger.

The Fei Jai burger ($88) is available until the 10th February at all three The Butchers Club Burgers outlets – Wanchai, Central and K11 in TST. www.thebutchers.club

KK-CNY-2016

Eat What You Want, Pay What You Want
Khana Khazana’s unique Chinese New Year “Eat What You Want, Pay What You Want” buffet promotion returns for the seventh year. Every Monday evening in February from 6-10pm the Wanchai Indian Vegetarian restaurant dinner buffet allows customers to pay what they want for the buffet via an empty red packet included with the bill. Drinks are not included and must be paid for in full. The buffet includes dishes like sprout bean salad, boondi raita, meduwada, pakoda, hariyali kebab, paneer butter masala, jeera aloo, dal punjabi, sevian kheer and roti’s and naan are served at the table.
Khana Khazana: 1/F, Dannies House, 20 Luard Road, Wanchai. Tel: 81081070 www.khanakhazana.com.hk

Megabites: Sai Wan Ho Tortillas and Roti

Many of Hong Kong’s commuter towns are soulless towers filled with thousands of people living on a concrete platform or a-top a shopping mall. Carefully regulated and controlled they’re not places that allow HongKongers entrepreneurial spirit and hard work to thrive. To find that you’ve got to look for the older buildings. In Sai Wan Ho for example one such building close to the MTR is Tai On Building (57-58 Shau Kei Wan Road) whose ground floor is a warren of shops and businesses including many small restaurants and food stands. Two among these are Sek Ho Di and 艾·蜜思手抓餅 – both open around midday.

sai-wan-ho-tortila-shop

Sek Ho Di, located at shop A63A has been open for almost a year and serves up tasty savoury and sweet tortillas Hong Kong style. The savoury options are char sui and mozzarella in BBQ sauce ($20) and chicken and mozzarella in hot sauce ($20) while those looking for a sweet tortilla can enjoy green tea and mozzarella ($16) or citrus paste and mozzarella ($16). The 12inch tortillas are filling and flavourful – although the char siu would be better with a bit more meat – and make a perfect lunch, snack or meal. The lemon and mozzarella is a tasty not too sweet dessert perfect after a bowl of rice or noodles.

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艾·蜜思手抓餅 located at shop A3-A7 offers a massive range of stuffed roti. Take care when ordering as the owner speaks no English, although there is an English menu. They have two types of roti plain and taro, you’ll need to ask for taro when you order otherwise you’ll be served a regular. Fillings on offer run the full gamut from egg to duck to tuna to tinned mushrooms.

egg-waffle-cooking2

I ordered a sausage, mushroom and bacon roti ($22) but as the owner cracked an egg onto a roti that already contained a slice of cheese I realised he hadn’t understood the bilingual menu. However the stand is small enough that you can point to the fillings you want. Egg and cheese instead of mushroom was fine and the resulting roti was hot, delicious and full of flavour. As you can see from the photo they don’t stint on the fillings. The taro adds a different texture and flavour to the roti, it’s not any ‘better’ than a plain roti but visually it looks awesome. Surprisingly and perhaps disappointingly there are no sweet options – maybe because there’s a lovely egg waffle stand next door – but a taro red bean roti or a plain roti with condensed milk and peanut butter would be delicious…

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Neither shop is perhaps good enough to warrant a special visit to Sai Wan Ho but if you’re in the area both are well worth checking out, as are the other food stands that fill the building.

Megabites: Food News 21 November, 2015

Paradise Inn
Singapore-based Paradise Group has announced the opening of its second outlet in Hong Kong, Paradise Inn. Located at Olympian City the new outlet features Nanyang Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Nanyang Chinese cuisine can be traced back to the 18th century, when large numbers of Chinese ventured across the seas to Nanyang regions of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand for trade. When the traders returned to China with ingredients and cooking styles techniques the Nanyang style of Chinese cuisine emerged.
Paradise Inn: Shop UG09, UG/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon. Tel: 2177 0760 www.paradisegp.com

Howard’s Gourmet
Howard Cai, first established his “Howard’s Gourmet Workshop” in Guangzhou in 2005. Now Howard’s Gourmet is expanding to Hong Kong, the restaurant is now soft open in the CCB Tower Central, and it is slated to official open its door in early December. Mr Cai embraces two culinary philosophies: “Ingredients always come first”, “Tasty is the absolute principal”.
Howard’s Gourmet: 5/F, CCB Tower, 3 Connaught Road Central, Central. Tel: 2115 3388. www.howardsgourmet.com

Lan Kwai Fong Carnival
The korean themed Lan Kwai Fong Carnival 2015 will take place on the 21-22 November. This year’s carnival will feature the usual variety food and beverage treats, games booths, live music all with a Korean theme. Wo On Lane will be ‘transformed’ into “Myeong-dong”, the No.1 tourist destination in South Korea… with taekwondo demonstrations, Korean drum performances, K-pop dance groups and of course K-pop.

High Tide
After 6 years on Cheung Sha beach, Hong Kong’s landlords strike again as High Tide is closing on the 28 November, to re-open in Silvermine Bay in early 2016. www.hightidehk.com

Megabites: 2 November, 2015 – The Chippy, Awfully Chocolate, Taste of Bavaria

The Chippy
As part of November’s Best of British festival there’s an English fish and chip shop, The Chippy serving 100% English fish and chips all imported from the UK. The cod is sustainable, the potatoes are English and cut as chips. There’s even malt vinegar and chip forks… There are two sizes of cod, Signature a 10-12oz fillet ($148) and regular (5-6oz fillet, $108). The quantity of chips served with each is the same and both are served in a “Cod Save the Queen” Chippy Box.

The cod is firm and tender the batter just English and the chips are – as my memory remembers from the eating take-away fish and chips growing up – some of the best i’ve eaten in Hong Kong. They’re cut thick and use a different potato to that used locally and it makes all the difference. They sag and bend (in a good way), unlike most chips or fries served locally which stay firm and straight whether cold or hot, these are proper “chip shop” chips and delicious. They’re also serving Pukka pies ($48) and big thick jumbo sausages – battered ($38) or plain ($28).

The Chippy will be open in Tamar Park from 6pm on the 3,4 November and at the various Best of British Events later this month. Managing Director of The Chippy Craig Barnett hopes to open The Chippy in Soho later this year and serve English fish and chips 7 days a week.

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The open air cinema has loads of space on the grass, just bring something to sit on. You can also bring your own drinks and food. Entry is Free.

Awfully Chocolate @ Hysan
Opening in Basement 2 of Hysan Place in early November is the fifth Awfully Chocolate outlet in Hong Kong. Known for their signature multi-layered chocolate cakes sold, by the inch because size matters, these are now also available by the slice. For chocoholics there’s a wide range of chocolate goodness including chocolate ganache, chocolate brownies, chocolate mille crepe, chocolate truffles, chocolate tarts, chocolate ice-cream and the super stacked chocolate cake… All can be enjoyed with chocolate ice blends and chocolate coffee.
Check out their locations and prices at www.awfullychocolate.com

Bavarian Festival @ Great Food Hall
Octoberfest maybe coming to an end but there’s still lots of Bavarian goodies to enjoy at Great’s Bavarian Food Festival in the basement of Pacific Place. In the bakery there’s a choice of 15 pretzels and logans, wonderfully textured and tasting baked products that put the plastic bread onsale at local chain bakeries to shame. Or try some German dark bread with your Bavarian blu cheese from the ‘cheese room’ or sliced meats and salami’s. Of course there’s Bavarian craft beers from Pfungstäedter – all at around 4-5% alcohol, because Bavarian’s drink beer like the English drink tea. Beer, a drink to be enjoyed at all times of the day.
The Taste of Bavaria festival runs until November 12

Megabites: Food News, 15 April, 2015

Fast Food Pizza
Napoli’s Pizza & Caffe which opened at 40-46 Carnarvon Road in Tsim Sha Tsui last week, see’s Italy’s traditional staple re-worked Japanese style as fast food. In a traditional pizza restaurant the pie often takes about 20-30 minutes to arrive. Using a 400+ degree oven the pizza at Napoli’s is cooked in 90 seconds! Yes, we found that hard to believe as well but it’s true. From order to table/ take-away was around 5 minutes.

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Is it any good? Surprisingly so, and not expensive. The basic 25cm Margherita is just $35 and there’s a wide range of flavours available including prosciutto rucola ($78). Quattro Formaggi ($58), this four cheese classic, is given a Japanese twist with the addition of a side of maple syrup which adds little sweetness to a savoury dish – and very popular with Japanese women. One the most popular topping’s in Japan, and sure to be here too, is the cheese less Cicinielli ($68, baby sardines, clams,). A pizza with no cheese, as a cheese lover the idea seemed sacrilege. But it’s very tasty, add a splash of Tabasco to make the flavours sing

For those with a sweet tooth Napoli’s has some very tasty desserts including panzerotti (pizza dough deep fried and coated in sugar and other flavours $8-15) and chocolate banana pizza ($35)

Fresh Pizza as a ‘fast food’ is something different, but it tastes good at a price that’s hard to beat. Does it survive the cold pizza next day reheat test? Definitely – not that’s there’s much chance it’ll make the fridge, unless you buy and extra pie.

Waitrose @ Great Food Hall
Through the end of April, Great Food Hall in the basement of Pacific Place is featuring British supermarket chain Waitrose’s own brand basic food products including the Love Life ‘Quick Cook’ grains range which features various combinations of whole grains, beans and pulses that only requiresa ten-minute boil before using. There’s also the Duchy Originals’ (produced in partnership with Prince Charles) range of organic products.

Free Sandwiches
Free give-aways seem to be the promo-de-jour as Caribbean themed bar Rummin’ Tings (G/F, 28 Hollywood Road, 2523 7070) picks up where a sexually discriminating burger joint left-off when on Saturday 18 April between 2-5pm they’re looking give away 500 sandwiches.

There’s three types to choose from Jerk Chicken, Grilled BBQ Beef & The Cubano. There’s also cold slushies and beer to enjoy with your sandwich while getting your grooves on as DJ Noel spins the tunes.

Advertising v Reality
Pizza Hut recently launched a ‘new’ pizza the Golden Lava Pizza and it looks gorgeous on the posters and on the front of the menus… The reality is somewhat different, so different that we cheese lovers decided to pass and order from another pizza outlet.

Megabites: Food News, 31 March, 2015

America’s Culinary Bounty
In the basement of Pacific Place, through April 7, Great is showcasing America’s Bounty as it introduces and features many new American products. From seafood: East Coast Clams and Pacific Northwest Oysters, to fresh produce: meats to superfoods and grains – there’s lots to explore an savour. In Great’s wonderful cheese room there a selection of artisan cheeses from California. A wonderful firm and tasty Fiscalini Bandage Wrapped Cheddar is a delight, while the Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor is truly a gorgeous soft-ripened goat’s cheese. Among the other new products is Tolerant Foods range of bean based pastas which are wheat and gluten free, non-GMO, vegan and organic. For those who love grains and ‘superfoods’ there’s organic grains including quinoa from Arrowhead Mills and chia from Bob’s Red Mill. Many of the products will remain on-sale after the promotion period.

During the promotion Great’s hot food counter is introducing a range of take-away Tex-Mex dishes including nachos, quesadillas, fajitas and tacos

Free Milk @ Circle K
As the price of milk continues to increase, up almost 25% from last year as the regular price of a 946ml carton of milk surges past the $25 mark. It’s not often that you’ll find convenience store prices are lower than supermarkets but currently Circle K is running a long term fresh milk promotion buy 5 cartons of Nestle milk and get the 6^th free. Simply pick up the chop card at any shop and chop away.

Buffet ala Hung Hom
Newly opened in Hung Hom is Sav, one of these new modern hotels looking to be your trendy home from home and full of bubbly friendly staff. Located on the first floor adjacent to reception is Palatte the hotels industrial looking dining space. With raw concrete floors, clear perspex chairs, the look is very modern and bright – but for all the staff buzzing around it’s strangely cold and functional with everyone trying that bit too hard to be nice.

The dinner buffet is prettily displayed, with a table of enticing desserts looking to draw you into the main dining area where cold and hot dishes stretch the length of one wall. Two cooking stations offer fresh pasta and noodles. There’s lots of seafood – lobster, oysters, yabbies, muscles – some sushi and sashimi, various western, Indian and Chinese hot dishes and the obligatory range of salads. Organic greens grown in the New Territories and a cheese board round out the offerings. It’s a reasonable sized dinner buffet, but… at $588 it’s not cheap. The extensive seafood offerings may be a factor in the price – as this was a special media tasting it’s impossible to know if on a regular night when the place is full, it seats 100, these will be constantly replenished.

It’s a very pretty looking spread, sadly though the food is very bland – the hot dishes lacked flavour, the salads identity and the quality of meat wasn’t all that you’d expect. There are a lot of very good buffets available in Hong Kong these days and Palatte’s at the moment isn’t good enough to make it worth the trek to Hung Hom. If you’re in the area though, the high tea sets look good at $288/two people and the lunch offerings of a hot dish, salad buffet and tea/coffee range from $68-$138 are very good value.

In-n-Out Burger
Family owned burger chain In-n-Out returned to Hong Kong for their third pop-up burger event, this time in Causeway Bay. 250 lucky customers got to sample In-n-Out’s burgers – at American prices: a double double ($25) hamburger ($15) and cheeseburger ($20). Cooked either ‘animal’ or ‘protein’ style, the tasty fresh ingredients were a big hit and well worth queuing for. Sadly Brian Nakao the organiser of In-n-Out’s foreign events confirmed that the burger chain has no immediate plans to open a store or three in Hong Kong.