Hong Kong - Sepa

Salted codfish on crispy polenta 

Ravioli filled with veal cheeks and parmigiano cheese,
with butter and thyme 

Beef with green pepper sauce with 'summer' eggplant

Mortadella ricotta cheese with black truffle 'Bomba'

Restaurant Name : Sepa

Location : 61 Caine Road, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Rating : 1 Marylicious Star

Price Range : Around HK $400 / person (with non-alcoholic drink)

Summary : Since I've heard about this restaurant for a couple of months, and have had some difficulty getting a reservation, I was looking forward to finally getting a chance to try the food here while cousin Lily was visiting.  However, to my utmost disappointment, all the dishes we ordered were basically not worth eating...

The salted codfish on crispy polenta was bland and the polenta was very dry... The ravioli was also lacking taste and was actually a bit lukewarm... The beef, while tender, did not have any "wow" factor that was memorable...  Sarmidulu had ordered a "special" duck ragu pasta that we actually ended up sending back, because the duck was soooo dry, the temperature was very lukewarm and the taste was basically nonexistent...

So, if this is the level of standard at this new restaurant, unfortunately it will not last long in the competitive neighbourhood of Soho/Central...  

Interior of main dining area

Hong Kong - Hoi On Coffee Shop (海安冰室)

Dry noodle with spring onion flavour topped with cha siu

Thick toast with spring onion scrambled egg

Thick toast with egg topped with butter and served with honey

Restaurant Name : Hoi On Coffee Shop (海安冰室)

Location : 17 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Rating : 4 Marylicious Stars

Price Range : Around HK $50 / person (with non-alcoholic drinks)

Summary : A fantastic Hong Kong style cha-chaan-teng that is family-owned and been around for more than 70 years.  The signature dry noodle and thick toast were super delicious and bursting with flavour.  The service is very friendly, which is very unusual for a cha-chaan-teng, or any restaurant in Hong Kong for that matter!  Additionally, the environment was clean and not extremely cramped!  I would highly recommend this cha-chaan-teng for any visitors to Hong Kong who want to try authentic Hong Kong style cha-chaan-teng food!!!

Unassuming entrance of the restaurant

Hong Kong - Eat Right

Grilled salmon fillet with Cajun vegetables

Grilled baby lamb fillet with tzatziki sauce

Restaurant Name : Eat Right

Location : 23 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Rating : 3 Marylicious Stars

Price Range : Around HK $200 / person (without drinks)

Summary : The concept behind Eat Right is to provide delicious food that is also healthy and full of nutrition.  And they have kept to their promise.  I usually order the grilled salmon fillet with Cajun vegetables and the taste is consistently delicious.  While it does not "wow" my taste buds with amazing flavours, the quality and taste is consistent and I would come back to this place when I feel like something tasty and healthy.  Juliette ordered the lamb fillet and also thought it was yummy.

Hong Kong - Oolaa (Soho)

Grilled NZ sirloin with hand cut fries and rocket salad

panna cotta

Restaurant Name : Oolaa (Soho)

Location : G/F Bridges Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Rating : 2 Marylicious Stars

Price Range : Around HK $150 / set lunch (with non-alcoholic drink)

Summary : Since I was having lunch alone, I sat at the cafe section of Oolaa.  The atmosphere is pleasant, with floor to ceiling windows that brought in plenty of sunlight into the dining area, and sufficient space between the tables.  While the surrounding is very inviting, the dishes I had from the lunch set menu left lots of room for improvement...

The grilled sirloin, while quite a good serving size, lacked flavour that makes the steak memorable.  I prefer steaks that are naturally flavourful, without needing external sauces to make it palatable...  As for the panna cotta dessert, while the presentation was very enticing, it tasted like a store bought dessert that came out of a plastic serving cup...

Hong Kong - noodlemi

Steamed chicken salad with crunchy cabbage and herbs

Crispy chicken spring roll

Restaurant Name : noodlemi

Location : G/F, 2 Bonham Strand East, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Rating : 3 Marylicious Stars

Price Range : Around HK $150 / person (with non-alcoholic drink)

Summary : For a healthy and delicious dinner, I sometimes visit the cute, little noodlemi shop conveniently located near the corner of Bonham Strand and Queen's Road Central.  While the little shop could get quite cramped during peak hours, the food is consistently fresh and flavourful, so I would definitely come back here if I am craving for a lighter dinner option.