Showing posts with label restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurants. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Travelogue: Hong Kong (6 Aug 2015-9 Aug 2015)

Been wanting to update this space, but recently I have been too caught up with watching my Kdrama. You see, every day, I only have about 2 hours of free time to myself. I reach home from work at about 730pm. After eating my dinner and bathing, it would probably be about 830pm on good days, and to bed by 1030pm. So time is really precious!

So anyways, was in Hong Kong on 6 Aug- 9 Aug, during the long long weekend. Bought the tickets when the government announced that it would be a public holiday on the 7th Aug, in view of the national celebration of our 50 Jubilee years. So I rushed to the website immediately and snapped up 2 tickets to Hong Kong, before any price hike! The husband and I were deciding whether to go Hong Kong or Taiwan, but we chose to go Hong Kong in the end, because it had been about 5 years since he went there. Biggest regret of 2015; too hot, and too crowded and too fast paced. I felt like I could suffocate to death anytime. 


We stayed in Standford Hotel which was "conveniently" located at Mong Kok, but it was not so convenient after all. It took us about 10-15 minutes to reach our hotel from the MTR station. Imagine us lugging our luggages and wrestled our ways to our hotel, fighting the crowd.

The hotel was pretty value for money. The only grouse I had with it was that it was too far away from the MTR. The room was decent, and it was not tiny-ly small like other hotels in Hong Kong. There was space for 2 medium size luggages, and still plenty of space to walk around for the both of us. If you are claustrophobic like me, you can consider Standford Hotel. 


After depositing our luggages, we wasted no time in finding food to fill up our tummies! But first, let me take a picture of myself! :) 




We initially wanted to eat at Tsui Wah, but we combed the streets of Mong Kok, but couldn't find any! (we later passed by so many branches in Mong Kok!) 
We couldnt stand the heat and the hunger anymore, so we settled for some Cha Chan Teng.

This was the husband's beef fried rice, which tasted pretty alright. Mine was Char Siew Rice, which was extremely disappointing. I did not even bother to take any pictures of it. 


After lunch, we chanced upon Yee Shun Milk Company which was supposedly famous for its milk pudding. We ordered one original one to share, but we both disliked it. Eews. 


Next up was 許留山 which I had almost every single day.Really is #fatdieme.
It was a must to have it everyday, to combat the heat in Hong Kong. 


We roamed around, combing the shopping malls in Mong Kok. There was no specific agenda during this trip. We just walked, eat, and shopped at whichever mall we could find. 

During my previous trip in 2013, I enjoyed shopping at Mong Kok Argyle Center. Bought many clothings for work and also casual so we decided to go there again.

Disappointing. Nothing much to buy. 

But I managed to find this popular must-go shop at Argyle Center, 百味食品 . It was like a packet of cold noodles, and you can choose your own toppings to add to the cold noodle. Think I chose quai eggs, corn, and I dont know what else. Not exactly cheap in my opinion. Taste-wise, it tasted weird as as all the ingredients were cold. I ate a few bites and threw the rest away. Don't understand what the rave was about. 


We ended the day taking my #ootd #wiwt for the day. 
Good shots by the husband! Totally captured the neonlights of Hong Kong and depicted the fast-paced of Hong Kong.



After a good rest, we went for a hearty, but stressful breakfast at Australia Diary Company. If you can't read chinese, I would advise you not to patronize this shop. The waiters here, were the most unfriendly, hostile and impatient lot. Probably because the business was soo good. Do not be deterred by the long queues, it probably only took us about 15 minutes to get a seat. 

We were pretty sure what we wanted to order, until the waiter came along and confused us. So we went along with what he wanted us to order. and here it was. 

Ham and macaroni, toast and fluffy scrambled eggs, french toast and 2 cups of milk tea (one of which we did not recieve, but paid anyhows, because we were too afraid to approach the waiters. haha). It was too much for us, but we tried our best to finish it. 

The scrambled eggs were the nicest, I think, according to the husband.







Next up, was tea-break at Harbourcity. Ever since we fell in love with IIao IIao, I have been on the search for yummy yogurt. Googled, and it was said that we have to try Smile Yoghurt. Can't remember what I chose, but I think it was some banana chocolate and I would say, it was quite nice, but the husband preferred IIao IIao. 


Next up, was Mak's noodle. We went to the causeway branch's but they have several branches around Hong Kong. There was one just next to Austrailian Dairy Company. In my opinion, Mak's noodle is a MUST TRY. I fell in love on the first bite! The broth was so flavourful and the noodles were so QQ. 

Although there is a branch in SG, I think they don't taste as nice as the one in Hong Kong. 




Took my #ootd #wiwt at several random places. The husband is getting good huh. 




I can't stand this Hong Kong Travelogue, it seems like everything is about food food and more food!

In 2013 when I came to Hong Kong with the bestie, we chanced upon this cafe( oops. I can't rmb the name now! Check my Hong Kong post in 2013)

In my opinion, I think they serve the nicest Char Siew. There was also a promotion for half a chicken, and of course we got that as well. Can't remember how much we spent in the cafe, but it was really affordable.



After dinner, we went to Tsim Tsa Tsui's Victoria Harbour to look at the night view.
Pardon the not-so-clear photo Took this using my iphone. 


On our third day, we woke up bright and early for breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen
They only open at 1030am, and when we arrived before 1030am, there was already a queue forming. Shows how popular the cafe is!

Reviews said that the Pork Bun was good and so we ordered it. Didn't disappoint but portion was pretty small though. I finished it in a few mouthfuls and was still craving for more!



Then it was shopping again and finding more spots for #ootd #wiwt. Because it was our country's Jubilee Birthday weekend, of course I had to pose with a book about Singapore. 




Because I was really really enjoyed my lunch at Mak's Noodle, we decided to have wanton noodle again for lunch, but this time at Ho Hung Kee at Causeway bay, Hsyan Place. This is a 1 Michelin star restaurant. 

We ordered the wanton noodles each, and some dim sum (which we regret), but the wanton noodles was still very very yums!


After lunch dessert was Oddie Foodies 鸡蛋仔 and ice-cream. Be warned that this shop is pretty far away from the MTR station. We walked for probably 15-20 minutes under the BIG HOT SUMMER sun before reaching. 

Love the 鸡蛋仔 in Hong Kong, because they are so crispy on the outside and so soft in the inside, totally unlike Singapore's. Looking at this picture now makes me want to go back to Hong Kong, for the 鸡蛋仔!


It was not uncommon for us to head back to the hotel in the afternoon for a good shower, because we kept perspiring under the hot sun. 

We rested in the hotel for a while, and then had a change of clothes to head to Lan Kwai Fong. Both of us have been to Hong Kong before, but we had never visited Lan Kwai Fong at night before. 

This was probably the only couple picture we had in Hong Kong. The rest were just food and my ootd pictures. Haha. 


#ootd #wiwt while trying to locate Honolulu Cafe for our dinner. 


We wanted to visit Honolulu Cafe for their egg tarts, but they were already all sold out when we reached. Such a mood-spoiler! 

But we stayed on for dinner because we were too tired to look for other cafes for dinner. Cash was also running out so we needed cheap meals to fill our stomach!

Can't remember what we ordered but it was nothing to be raved about, honestly. 




On our final day, we took it slow and tried to avoid the sun as much as possible, because I didn't want to be sticky and disgusting for our flight at night. 

Alright, this has been a pretty long post, and I shall end it here with my #ootd and some profile shots that the husband has taken. 





Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Valentines's Day 2015

I am convinced that there is something wrong with my iphone 6 plus camera. The pictures taken using my phone camera does not seem sharp and focused. I shall go back to using my Samsung mini for my upcoming BKK trip!

So this was us, on Valentine's Day 2015. Our first Vday as husband and wife! 
Our couple #ootd captured by my mum. Not too bad I say. 

This Vday felt like Chinese New Year to me, because everything on me was new. My new dress from Love Bonito, my new wedge from Ferragamo and my new Celine bag, which I've bought for the longest time, but it had never seen daylight (as I was hiding it from the husband. teehee)


Our first stop of the day was to Etna, located at Duxton area for lunch. Can't believed that we have never tried this italian restaurant despite passing by it so many times last year when we were preparing for our wedding. 

After we parked the car, I spotted a great spot for #ootd #wiwt so we spent some time here trying to get a good #ootd shot. 

The husband can never do a proper #ootd, so this was his. 


And these are mine! Took lots of it, but was still not satisfied. And thus we returned back again after our lunch to take again.

#ootd is really hard work I tell you. 


And my huge face while waiting for my food at Etna. 
I hate growing out my fringe because its always at this annoying length. 



Complimentary bread on the restuarant! Look at the cute heart shaped bread. 
Really don't judge a book by its cover, because it was a really really hard, almost inedible bread. The others were nice though. 


My main dish, which was soft shell crab linguine (which I changed to spaghetti) in lobster bisque. It was DA BOMB, but the husband hates it because he couldn't stand the strong seafood smell. 


And his Hawaiian pizza. This husband is like how boring please. Order a normal pizza when in such an atas restaurant. But anyhows, he enjoyed it lots.


And how could we not order a Tiramisu in an italian restaurant. When it came, I was a little disappointed because it was not dusted with cocoa.
But when I tried it, it was heavenly! It was dusted with pistachio crumbs and it was a really good combination. Definite must try!


Was supposed to take this couple picture before we ate the tiramisu, but I was so excited when it came that taking a couple picture took a backseat. 


And the final #ootd shot which we took after lunch, and this time I was satisfied!


A day before Vday, I was informed by the Luxola team that I had won their Valentines Day giveaway, which consisted of a makeover by Makeup Store and a dinner at Marmalade Pantry (but at 9pm!)

And it was a wrong day to wear my Ferragamo out, because it was really biting my feet, and by 3 plus, I couldn't walk anymore. I needed to rest before I could make my way back to the car park to retrieve my flats (smart me brought out my flats, just in case!). 


At about 4pm, we made our way to Paragon for my makeover. Sorry for the lousy quality of the pictures, because I took it from their facebook. 

Thank you again @Luxolasg again for choosing me! :) 


By about 7pm, we made our way to the Mamalade Pantry at The Stables. Totally not a good place to go at night, because we got really really lost, and almost wanted to give up the dinner. 

We drove into a dead end (super dark and no night lights). The husband couldn't see the roads and when we reversed, the car probably hit a pole, but I refused to let the husband get down the car to check it out. 
This situation happened too many times in horror movies, and I was not going to risk the husband's life like that! (hahaha)

But anyway, we somehow got the GPS to bring us back to the right path again, and ta-dah, here we were at the restaurant, greeted by a lighted carriage with horses. 


It was a 4 course set meal for us, but we didn't get the appetiser because it was salmon salad which both of us don't take. He had beef tenderloin while I had my codfish.

Honestly, I wouldn't go for such set menus again or I won't pay for them during such occasions. 
Firstly, because I don't get to choose what I wanted to eat and secondly, we had to wait for the chef to finish cooking the meals for all couples before we got served each dish. Super long wait. 

My review of the food. Etna tasted better. The food served at Marmalade Pantry was mediocre. Not sure if this was the usual standards, or because the chef had to churn out so many meals in such a short time, thus the substandard. But, I still enjoyed my dinner because it was my first such experience, and I didnt have to pay a single cent for the meal which cost $222 after GST!


And so, this was how I spent my Vday 2015 with a flower, not gifted by the husband (hmph!) but Luxola!