川善茶居 Sinmei Tea - (Hong Kong)

  Sinmei Tea House is just 2 days away from their 1st year anniversary of opening,  but initially it took me some months to pay my first visit as I was honestly quite apprehensive about visiting new Tea Shops in Hong Kong.   Especially after a couple of false starts where tea houses here actually sold teas that tasted WAY worst than my morning McDonald’s Earl Grey in France.   Sinmei,  named behind the Owner and the Shop,  managed to convert me my bias towards this phenomenon,  as she makes good teas and is also a great baker.   It is no surprise to me,  as Sinmei has spent time in both Australia & London and knows exactly what pastries and teas should taste like back at home…  

 

Who’s this little young Tiger? 

Matcha Mojito -
It would be unfair if we came here just to see Mithu the Cat, but I have got to say I have been very impressed by the Green Tea items here too, as I am such a Matcha fan. The Matcha Mojito is quite Green Tea powdery like but also balanced with fresh Mint leaves and Soda. I just liked this so much despite the powdery tannin background. ~ 8/10

Vegetarian Club Sandwich -
Sinmei, the shop owner is majoratatively Aqua-Vegetarian herself.  All food items here are therefore vegetarian by default. I was offered this Club Sandwich during 1 day and was gob smacked by how wonderfully constructed this vegetarian sandwich really was. I swore I even tasted meat in it,  as it was quite complex with layers of eggs, tomatoes, green leaves and marinated tofu. ~ 9/10

Matcha Yoyo-
Yoyo is an Australian invented biscuit. I grew up in Aust so this had a nostalgic feel personally.  This special recipe is quite unique and quite like a Macaron gerbet sandwich, but with more shortbread pastries sandwiching within the Green Tea White Chocolate filling.  I think this could do with more Green Tea flavours still, but overall it was enjoyable but expected. ~ 8/10

Baked Banana Toffee Cake,  Green Tea Sponge Cake -
The Banana Cake here baked satisfactorily.  Sometimes it is a tad too wet but the crust is crunchy and the banana and toffee flavour pronounced   ~ 7/10 to 8/10

Green Tea Matcha -
Kyoto style Matchas are hard to come by in Hong Kong. I have been to so many places looking for the elusive REAL Matcha experience that can measure up to the ones I had in Kyoto, Kobe and Tokyo. None of them delivered thus far  Except here.  The Matcha is prepared by using an imported water with lower Sodium-Carbonate content and a soft water, in order to emulate the real Kyoto tea ceremony experience.  You have got to give Kudos to the shop owner for even thinking about these points.  The Japanese Matcha dissolved tea is whipped rigorously to re-create the true bubbly experience.  It is slightly green bitter but I was totally addicted as it is quite loyal to the original Kyoto experience. Well done. ~ 9/10

Mithu -
He was once a stray young cat barely a few weeks old but taken into custody by the owners here, and oh so adorable, and just too playful with his own personality.  He has grown up in size since a few months ago and is starting to bite you back in a friendly way.  He also seems to love girls more than guys, haha welcome to the world of Pheromones & sense of smell!!

 

 

 

Price: Around HKD $30 - 75 per person
Ease of Access:   3/5  (Close to Sheung Wan MTR Station)
Food: ♕♕♕♕  -  ♕♕♕♕♕ 

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun  - 11:30am - 19:30pm

Address: 上環永樂街50號昌盛大廈5樓
5/F, CS Tower, 50 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan
Ph: 3690 8238

Trattoria Caffe Monteverdi - (Hong Kong)

  Found this relatively new Italian eatery when destination shopping at the famous fried wonton noodles shop found along the same street called Ying Kee 英記麵家.   The founders behind this Italian Trattoria already import in the Monteverdi branded wines and 80-90 different other wines into HK as a wholesaler.   The concept behind this Trattoria is simple enough –  the Owner says this is no ordinary commercialized Italian food but what you would expect to eat in someone’s home in Italy..  and dishes from different Italian regions are cooked on rotation, whereas Wine Dinners with pairing may also be pre-arranged to fill the cozy space.  On the name card it says Historical and Country Cuisines from different parts of Italy.   But is it homey and good?
   

 

One of the Set Menus -
It’s Simple Italian done according to regional traditions!  If you expect Upscale Italian food please find alternative venues instead..   






A naturally effervescent Mineral Water – $48
This was naturally fizzy and savoury with a tinge of minerals. 

 

Fresh Bread -
It was decent by local standards and in particular the fragrantly fresh Olive Oil.  ~  7/10









Sarde Ripiene – Liguria $52
Sardine slice is stuffed with Olives, Pancetta, Mortadella mince then fried with an egg batter.  It was slightly fishy for me but I still enjoyed it for the mingling of different flavours.  ~  7/10

 

Bread Crumbed Mint Frittata,  Puglia style – $48
I like the external crumbed coating.  It was eggy.  Still prefer my Frittatas with more warmed vegetables.   ~  6/10

 

Gnudi dumplings.  Spinach and Ricotta Balls in Sage Butter sauce with Tuscan Style – $118
Our favourite dish on the night,  this was quite packed with cheese flavours and felt like it was almost meaty.  The sage butter was a little thin in consistency.  Like the Gnudi balls overall ~  8/10

 

Monteverdi Primitivo from Puglia – $68
It wasn’t my 1st preferred Wine but since the owner hinted they already have this bottle opened by the glass,  I decided to check out the Italian Zinfandel once again… Quite minty but good.

 

Vincisgrassi from Marche – $128
An alternative to Lasagne from nearby Romagna,  this Marche version is even more gamier strong,  possibly infused with chicken organs.  And there was a slight hint of nutmeg which always accentuates the meatiness.   The baked pasta was spot on cooked,  the minced meat and organs sophisticated despite no white bechamel sauce.  A signature dish here.. ~  8/10






Sicilian Cassata – $88
This Cassata version is interlaced with a Sponge cake,  Vanilla Gelato,  Chopped Almonds, Pistachio Gelato & Sugarized Orange bits & Zest.  There are many types of Cassatas,  but usually I either encounter the ice cream version or the decorative cake Cassatas stuffed with candied fruits and of Arabian descent.   The wedge for $88 served here was kinda small but half-way between a cake and ice-cream version it was decent. ~  7/10

 

Trattoria Caffe Monteverdi -
Despite selling Italian Regional homey dishes it is a little basic.  Where are the frogs legs and the many chicken liver or seafood stew dishes,  or a plate of Tripes for winter?    Home recipes can also create sparks with our taste buds and WOW us sometimes like a popping candy exploding in the mouth.   Trying to open a cliché market wouldn’t naturally work unless your home recipes are so different from your competitors and impress in that direction,  or else make sure the portions are generous and with executional accuracy.  Here, we caught glimpses of hope and it’s reaching that goal slowly! 

 

 

 

Price: Around HKD $270 per person plus Wine
Ease of Access:   2/5  (Walk uphill to High Street, Sai Wan.)
Food: ♕♕♕ – ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 

Opening Hours:
Tues to Sun  - 11:00am - 3:00pm,  6:00pm – 11:00pm

Address: 西環西營盤高街6A號地下
G/F, 6A High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District
Ph: 2559 0115

Bistro du Vin - (Hong Kong)

  I have heard great things about Bistro du Vin,  owned and operated by the famous Les Amis Group from Singapore and which also owns Piccolo Pizzeria next door and the Michelin starred Cepage.    They also have a French competitor next door at Bistronomique.   Thanks for their PR Invitation to get a preview of their authentic French bistro food.

 

Bistro du Vin
Les Amis already operates the same named Bistros in Singapore.

 

Nice Bread,  finally !
I always complain about bread in Hong Kong but we got some decent sourdough here.  In fact the aroma was kinda strong and reminded me of rye bread.  The skin was crusty and fresh. 

 

A Sparkling wine from French Languedoc-roussillon -
It was slightly off-dry with a green apple crispness and fresh grape juice taste.
I am actually experiencing a lot of this style lately,  and almost all the girls love them.
(I actually quite like this type as an aperitive myself)

 

(far) Duck Pate,  Pork Pate and Duck Rillettes – $170
The pork fat on the pork pate was melt in your mouth,  the pate can be less compressed but tasted great.  The Duck Rillettes was my overall favourite.  ~  7/10

 

 

Duck Rillettes
Liked this the most and it was gamey and not stringy as expected,  coated with duck fat.

 

Old-Style Cork Screws decorate the walls ..

 

Baby Squid a la Plancha -  Market price $120
Pan grilled squids were really fresh.  You know how squid textures change as soon as you leave them out too long or kept it in a freezer?   This was one of my favourite dishes  ~  8/10

 

 

Roasted Bone Marrow with Escargot snails,  with Garlic Herbed butter sauce  - $150
Haha what can I say?  You got to try this to believe it…   I think some have mentioned that the marrow could be roasted a bit longer and I normally agree but with this special recipe it’s forgivable.  The snails were so huge and cooked spot on,  all bouncy.  Wonderful..   ~  12/10

 

A Loire Sauvignon to follow…
Most wines here start at around $350/bottle,  decent.  Remember Les Amis and Cepage group import their own unique wines,  sometimes from boutique wineries.   They definitely have one of the most interesting and quaffable French wine offerings in town,  you can bet on it!

 

Seafood Bouillabaisse stew with Rouille -  Market Price, around $460 for 2
The base soup is made from prolonged boiling of fish meat and bones.  The stew consists of mussels, clams, crab, striped prawns, daily fishes, red mullet, squid, etc.  Bistro du Vin insists on using fresh local seafoods which means it will deviate slightly from the Marseilles versions,  but here it came with the traditional Rouille sauce and bread on the side.   I really think this was great version for money,  but 1 bowl had a stronger tasting soup and I think it could benefit from more saffron too.   ~  7/10

 

 

A 2010 Chave Jean-Louis,  Cotes du Rhone from down South  -
This was a very lovely purple wine with black cherry, olive, violets and a hint of black pepper & cedar.   Didn’t ask how long this was pre-opened to breath for but it reminds me of a typical Barossa shiraz but minus the powdery tannin and chocolate note & less forward fruit.  It’s just so approachable as a quaffer,  somewhere between old and new worlds.   Yum !  

 

Wild Pheasant Pie with Gravy
Using French wild game meats with foie gras,  beware of biting into Shot-gun bullets! 
The pastry was really good here,  crisp-layered and all buttery goodness.  A must order  ~ 8.5/10

 

Coq au Vin – $180
2 chicken Maryland thighs are cooked with vegetables and red wine,  served with crushed potato mash.   The sauce was all hearty,  the chicken seemed a little cooked for too long and became sticky to the teeth despite the clean cutting off the bone.   ~  6/10

 

Grand Marnier Souffle with Vanilla Ice Cream – $75
The normal portion is smaller.  This was quite alcoholic and after eating out with the same bunch of friends for a long time I know they will find this too strong.  For me I thought it was good but even during my 1st bite I was taken aback at the aggressive alcohol input.  Generally a good souffle that was also surprisingly Eggy.  ~  8/10

 

 

 

Genuinely French in Taste
You can just totally believe in the Les Amis Group when it comes to French food. 
The food here is meant to be simple,  unlike their counter-part Michelin restaurant Cepage.  It’s a BISTRO afterall,  and is priced as such.  This is exactly the type of French bistro food I could survive on.

 

 

 

Price: Around HKD $250 – $350 per Person.
Ease of Access:   4/5  (end of Kennedy Town,  take Bus or Tram)
Food: ♕♕♕♕ - ♕♕♕♕♕   (Note: Meal was by Invitation)

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun  - 12:00pm - 22:00pm

Address: 西環堅尼地城爹核士街1D號舖
Shop 1D, Davis Street, Kennedy Town, Western District
Ph: 2824 3010

Agnes b. Christmas Cooking Class - (Hong Kong)

 Thanks to fellow blogger Saii  夯天人 for a referral to join this Agnes b. cooking event,  where Agnes b’s residing French Chef Christophe will teach us some of his kitchen secrets.  We also get to play around with the food preparation and plating.  This was held at the kitchen facilities at Corner Kitchen in Sheung Wan this day.  Some of the dishes below are the Christmas special dishes that can be found on the December X’Mas menus in the Agnes b. restaurants soon.

Kitchen Set Up -
At Corner Kitchen







Agnes b.  Chef Christophe from Poitou,  France -
You can tell from the way he cooks liberally with butter,  where his heart lies…  No Olive oil was used on most cooking recipes.








Some of the ingredients today..

 

 

Paimpol Coco Beans (pre-soaked overnight) being Cooked in Water and Chicken Stock -
With a mirepoix base

 

Duck Foie Gras -
Cooked from Frozen deliberately,  fried Poele style.  Before they become pan-roasted in the  oven for about 8 minutes to finish off cooking.






Time to dress up the Salads, 
and make some Paimpol Coco Beans puree for dishing..

 

My Final Dished Plate of Pan Roasted Duck Foie Gras with Mango Salsa,  Edible Flowers, Coco Beans,  Grilled Butter Squash,  with some Black Truffle -
How did you like my presentation? 

 

 

The Cooking participants -  Blogger Saii suddenly noticed me Taking Snap Shots.
UFO 発見しましたか！  Saii’s blog can be found at She.com website at :
http://prochats.she.com/saii-lee/?ref=prochats.home   Please follow him there..

Mussels Juice being Cooked and turned into a Reduction Sauce -
The mussels and shells are not eaten due to the prolonged cooking of the mussels deliberately to extract the most mussel jus flavours.

 

Turbot Fish -
Chef explained how there are many fake flat fishes being passed off as Turbot these days,  but if you touch across the skin of a real French Turbot – you can feel their ‘nipply’ skins.  I volunteered to tried this out and can say it was indeed very true,  real turbot skin reminds me Lego.

Black Squid Ink pasta interlaced with Normal wheat pasta for Wrapping the Fish Parcel -
Boston Lobster tail meat and claw on Turbot fish,  with black truffle shavings!  Drizzling of Olive oil and seasoning. 

 

Duo Pastas wrapped Turbot Fish with Lobster and Black Truffle,  topped with Caviar & Chives -
Looks lovely !

Inside -

 

Preparing for Dessert – Blackberries, Blueberries, Red Currants, Raspberries and Strawberries

 

Frying up Some Spices such as Sichuan Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Star Anise
Before inserting into a muslin bag for infusing with the macerated berries..

 

 

Berries to be cooked with 2 types of Cassis Liqueurs -

Chef’s secret to Macerating the Berries -
White Balsamic Vinegar..

 

Low Heat is applied to speed up the Maceration process -
With a sprinkling of sugar.

 

Chocolate Cups ready for action -

Playing with Gold and Silver Dusting for decoration - 
Fun !

 

 

The inside of my Chocolate Dome -
With macerated berries, syrup, sponge and edible flower.

 

Finished Product with Decorations,  we all had our own way to do this !
The best one was obviously by the Chef himself..








Agnes b. Le Pain Grille restaurants will be serving their X’Mas dishes during December -
We discovered that a lot of dishes took a long time to prepare from scratch,  and our cooking session went over-time by more than 1 hour and ended up taking us around 3 hours plus to finish!   French Chef Christophe has expectation with his created dishes and once again,  thanks for a wonderful event and invitation….

 

 

 

Food:  ♕♕♕♕ 1/2  to ♕♕♕♕♕

Address 1: 銅鑼灣開平道1號Cubus 15樓
15/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay
Ph: 2577 2718

Address 2: 中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場二期3樓
Shop 3093 & 3096-3097, La Loggia, Podium Level 3, IFC Mall, Central
Ph: 2805 0798

Address 3:  九龍塘達之路80號又一城UG層33號舖
Shop 33, UG, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong
Ph: 2265 7680