PappaRich Opens in Central [Hong Kong] - Preview of New Exclusive Menu, Soft Opening on 22nd Jan 2017 for Dinner

 PappaRich from Malaysia has opened outlets overseas for quite a number of years already, but it took until 2016 for the first branch to reach Hong Kong's shore in Causeway Bay. Fast forward a year later, PappaRich has decided to open a 2nd Flagship outlet in Central, HK. Located at L Place, where the original Linguini Fini and Mana Cafe used to be, this latest PappaRich store carries an ambition to become the most authentic Malaysian and Indian food concept in Hong Kong, and even the fine tuned, more sophisticated recipes here are a notch above the existing Causeway Bay store. 

PappaRich - Serving Malaysian Delights
They also serve some Mamak Malaysian-Indian food recipes, and all are Halal Certified

Satay Sticks, with Spicy Peanut Sauce -
We didn't get to try some of the food,  although according to Head Chef Joe Wong, this sauce recipe is more on the sweetish side

3 Layered Iced Tea - 
Made with Gula Melaka Palm Sugar, Tea, Cream, this has a decent tea aroma and is smooth drinking.  For a stronger drink, the shop recommends the Teh Tarik version which we had after the meal..

This Chef from Malaysia,  is making the Roti Canai unleavened Bread -
It is folded then finished on the griddle.  Usually more round,  in this case it's a squarish version..

Roti Canai - Served with Curry, Dhal Beans and Sambal with Belacan Paste - 
This item is available in most PappaRich stores in the world.  In this Hong Kong Central outlet,  it is still being fine tuned before it might or might not be put on the permanent Menu.  However,  they do serve the Roti Canai bread with other Main Size Curry dishes.

Rojak Salad with Shrimps Paste, Jicama, Crullers, etc - HKD $65
One of my favorite dishes,  with slight variations across different countries.  I didn't get to try this today either as it was for a photo shoot.  Eventually I will get around to trying it - so far I haven't found a correct tasting plate in HK,  so hopefully this will be closer to the original(s)

Ipoh Bean Sprouts - Served with a Flounder infused Soy, and Salted Fish Chili Paste $58
Imported from Malaysia Ipoh directly,  these sprouts are wider and shorter, much sweeter than the norm.  Even the fried shallots on this plate were imported from Malaysia surprisingly,  they said it brings it closer to the home taste.  Lovely !   ~ 8.5/10

Seafood Laksa - HKD $98
I ate this at another time.  It has good intense seafood broth and a slightly curried base.  With plenty of Seafood, Tofu Puffs,  Fried Soy Bean Sheets, Eggplant, etc.  I liked this previously although it is more on the higher price range for a Laksa... ~ 8/10

Grilled Flounder with Sambal Sauce and Calamansi - 
This is usually served with Skate Wing,  but tonight they use a similar flat fish instead.  The Sambal sauce to me could be slightly more fiery and exotic,  albeit it was said some sauces were slightly toned down for Hong Kong.  I think us more hardcore foodies would prefer the original flavors we encounter in South East Asia!  ~ 7/10

Sarawak Black Pepper Prawns - $148
The imported Malaysian peppers are quite spicy and fragrant, even some Michelin Restaurants use it in cooking French or Western food.  This dish was superb,  with a gritty coating and the prawn meat and head tomalley roe flavors enhanced by the frying and peppery sauce.  They also do a Crab version here...  Must order!  ~ 10/10

Prawn Mee with Chicken - Cham Cham Mixed Noodles $88

This had a Prawny and Prawn heads intense taste as expected,  since the above Laksa also had a good seafood stock base. This used Chicken instead of Pork Belly sliced to comply with Halal Standards.  Overall this was a lovely bowl,  and at the bottom it was more intense and progressively got hotter with the chili!  ~ 8.5/10

Teh Tarik - 
Milk Tea that is poured 3 times,  using their special Tea Leaves and technique.  These use higher quality tea leaves,  which you can tell from the slight astringency,  and longer lasting tannin,  which creates layering.  Very good tea and addictive!   Must come back for this often  ~ 9/10

Mao Sha Wang Durian Cheese Cake - $65
Another Signature here,  this was creamy, sweet, smells of fresh quality durian, without leaving that almost sulphur after taste or smell.  A memorable Durian dessert which was well balanced.  ~ 8.5/10   There are many other dishes I want to come back to try,  as this Flagship Central Outlet has many new items.  Next on my list to do is their Nasi Rich,  Nasi Lemak and also the Cendal and Ice Kachang, also Coffees and Kaya Toasts!   This shop will be officially soft opening on 22nd Jan 2017 for Dinner.  

Price: HKD $98 - $250 +10% Per Person (Food Preview & Photo Shoot) 

Food: ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 

Address: Ground Floor, The L. Place, 139 Queen's Road Central, Central
中環皇后大道中139號The L Place

Halloween Seafood Buffet at Harbour Grand Kowloon - The Promenade

 Thanks to Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel for inviting us for a Preview of the Halloween & Seafood Buffet.  This has already started this week and will continue upon Halloween Day on 31st of Oct.  The Lunch Buffet starts from $258–$368 depending on day of visit.  Dinner Buffet starts from $548 to $598.  More details are available here on their Website:  http://kowloon.harbourgrand.com/content/promenade-2

 

 

The Halloween Cakes and Eye Lollipop set up -
The Pastry Chef here actually does very good Chocolate Sculptures and Cakes too,  which can be ordered 7 Days in advance.  You will see below.

 

 

 

Vietnamese Single Origin Chocolate Spider,  eating some Finger Food -
The finger is an almond cookie.






Mummified Sausage Rolls -
Kind of cute for the kids..






Pastry Chef Ken Lee created this Halloween Chocolate Cake for Display Only here -
However you can order it or other designs on +852 29968432, 
with 7 Days notice and discussion on your desired Design.  He is quite flexible and talented!

 

 

Freshly Shucked Oysters -

 

 

Seafood Counter -

 

 
Grilled Aburi Salmon,  Tuna, Salmon,  Hamachi and Prawn Sushi  - Top
Akagai Ark shell Nigiri I made using the Sashimi table’s offerings  - Below
The fish quality for buffet is quite high,  the 1st tell tale sign for me is always the Tuna’s fatty texture and redness which carries actual tuna flavor.  This is rare to find in HK buffet settings!  The fact they serve Seared Salmon and unlimited Cooked Akagai (and not the ubiquitous cooked Hokkigai)  is also a big plus..  Even the Hamachi had a good fatty taste.   I am not a buffet person but this section alone entices me back

 

 

Halloween Devilled Eggs,  and Meat Eye-Balls -
The left one seemed very popular when I posted on Instagram  (EpicurusHongKong)

 

 

Pumpkin Soup and a Lychee Eye Balls Cocktail made with Blue Curacao -
I personally think,  they can slightly carve into the side of the Pumpkin too to give it a face just to make it more Halloween-y !! 

 

 

Roast Section -
The Roast Duck surprisingly had a crisp skin,  the White Chicken behind also smooth.  I find most duck in buffets to be limpy and chewy so this was a big positive.  The Roast Pork had a crackly skin.   The Char siu I personally found a bit too lean and not too soft.

There’s 2 types of Shumai or Siu Mai here,  and Curry Puffs -
Interesting as I love both types, one is a Beef Shumai and one is Pork based,  so I personally thought it caters for visiting customers who can’t eat either meat.  How thoughtful is that? 







Sustainable Seafood is Practised,  served Western or Chinese Style - 
I love Plaice.  I think it could be presented neater but it was good in taste.

 

 

Roast Beef and Lamb Section,  with Potato Wedges -
The Roast Beef was decent expected,  cooked Medium-Well.   The Wedges could be crispier.   I also need some Horseradish cream with my beef.   Didn’t get to try the Lamb cutlets however as becoming full.

 

This is the Indian Food Small Corner –
but I noticed there were slightly more on the Opposite side this time..

 

 

Movenpick Ice Cream of 4 Types,  and a Waffle Station -
There’s a few more Cake Selections on the side,  apart from the Halloween options.

 

 

Kids during the Halloween Buffet Period -
Also can get to draw and make their own Pumpkin Cookies for FREE !

Lovely Night View and the Walk Path outside is gorgeous -  It’s almost like Shanghai The Bund
And as with all better Buffets,  you reach a certain point where you are saturated full and wished you could have peeled more of those Crawfishes or shucked another Oyster,  and eat another piece of Sushi or Roasted Beef !   

 

For now however,  Time to Say Good Bye with the Halloween Fish Fingers ! 
The most Updated Information can be found at their Website.  Or call up (+852) 29968432 before 31st Oct for further information:
http://kowloon.harbourgrand.com/content/promenade-2

Price:   HKD $258 to 598.  This Meal was the $548 night option  (Preview Meal by Invitation)
Food:   ♕♕♕♕ 1/2

Address:  The Promenade,  九龍海逸君綽酒店,  紅磡德豐街22號海濱廣場二期地下
The Promenade,  Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel,  G/F, Two Harbourfront, 22 Tak Fung Street, Hung Hom,  Hong Kong
Ph: (+852) 29968432

Festiva 群芳, Galaxy Hotel - (Macau)

  Thanks to GALAXY HOTEL from Macau for the cordial invitation to do a 2D1N stay at the Galaxy complex to experience some of their different bars,  restaurants and hotel offerings all inside the Galaxy Casino Complex.     Festiva Buffet Restaurant was our 1st stop as we arrived via Ferry from Hong Kong to Macau,  which the trip approximately takes 1.5 hours.     I come to Macau monthly myself just to eat or have fun,  in fact I have visited Galaxy Hotel a few times and blogged about shops.   But along this trip I still managed to discover quite a few new things here – it shows that a properly guided tour will give you the best insider information!  

 

Christmas Themes are already being built up -
It starts with one of Galaxy Hotel’s own buffet restaurants on the ground floor.

 

 

 

 

The high ceiling in the buffet dining area is a relief from the tight spaces typical in Hong Kong

 

Bread Rack -
Interesting array of bread selections

 

 

 

Cold Cooked Mussels -

 

 

Hamachi ハマチ Sushi -
Not many selections on rotation,  today was Tuna or Hamachi.  This yellowtail hamachi was quite crunchily fatty.  Really fresh and tasty.   ~  7.5/10

 

 

 

Beetroot Cured Salmon and Smoked Salmon -
Pretty good quality and in fact they tasted meatier than most,  almost like Gravlax ..  ~ 7.5/10

 

 

 

The Cantonese Roast Meat section -
I tried them all and they were fantastic,  in fact the Roast Chicken was crispy,  Roast Pork was hot and cruncy.  The best was the Char Siu… 

 

 

This Char Siu had a nice marination and tender flavourful.   It beats many restaurant’s version.

 

 

Hand Cut Noodles with Beef Shanks and Pickles, Chili -
Not many buffet noodle stations have ‘hand cut’ noodles done on the spot…
And this version is done very well with a nice texture and chicken broth base.  ~  8/10

 

 

Some Fried Items -

 

 

 

Nasi Lemak -
They have the full authentic range of Ikan Bilis, Rendang,  Fried Egg,  Sambal,  etc to build your own Nasi Lemak.  Very impressive as this is better quality than most Malaysian restaurants.  ~ 8/10

 

 

 

Some other Hot Food Items -

 

 

 

Indian Curry Station -
Manned by three Indian cooks.

 

 

 

‘Christmas Period’ Honey Glazed Ham -
Well glazed and served with cherries and pineapples.
*Served from 9th Dec to 25th Dec

 

 

 

Christmas Period’ Roast Turkey -
Served with different vegetables and parsnip, 
cranberry chutney, onion gravy, etc.
*Served from 9th Dec to 25th Dec

 

 

Christmas Mince Pies,  Christmas Yue Log cake,  Christmas Pudding -
*Served in the buffet from 9th Dec to 25th Dec

 

 

Dessert Display -

 

 

 

Corn Ice Cream and Raspberry Swirl -
The corn ice cream was very strong,  I think it can even pair with some chicken or seafood dishes!
Too full to experiment by this stage,  but would love to come back and try it out!

 

 

 

 

Price:  
9 to 23 Dec,  26 to 30 Dec -  Lunch $218  Dinner $398
24 to 25 Dec,  31 Dec to 1 Jan – Lunch $288  Dinner $528

Food:   ♕♕♕♕ to ♕♕♕♕ 1/2
Ease of Access:  4/5

Address:  路氹城澳門銀河™」綜合渡假城購物大道東地下G19號舖
Festiva, G/F, Galaxy Macau™
Ph: +853 8883 2221