[Hong Kong] Strawberry Picking & Guong Shing Ice Cafe

I often hear my overseas friends complain that there is not much outdoor activities in Hong Kong.  This is so not true.  Ever since I moved to Hong Kong my weekends have been packed with outdoor activities and I still haven't explore everything Hong Kong has to offer!

Wildflour Cafe + Bakery

Aside from Brasas, Wildflour Cafe + Bakery was the only restaurant I returned for lunch.  If you were on the cronut train, you can get your fill here as well.  Otherwise, they have exceptional salads, soups, and sandwiches too!  Great place for lunch!

Brasas & BONO artisanal gelato

Brasas was a delicious find inside the Podium Mall in Ortigas while scouting for a quick dinner.  I found the prices here very reasonable but I was later told that it's considered expensive in local standards.

Robbie's Seafood Restaurant @ Dampa Seaside

Robbie's came highly recommended from my ex-co-worker who is originally from the Philippines.  I really appreciated her recommendation as this place was so much fun and the food was so delicious!!!  And big thank you for her husband and mother-in-law came took me there despite of the infamous Manila's Friday traffic.

Weekend Getaway: Manila, Philippines (November 2013)

I was in Manila, Philippines for work in November and I finally got time to write about the little weekend trip I took to to Tagaytay and Batangas.

Taal Volcano from Tagaytay

18 Grams & Coffee Academics

The cafe culture is so strong in Hong Kong that it is almost one of the standard activities when scheduling a meet up with friends.  At the same time, it has become increasingly difficult to find a nice and quiet place to enjoy a cup of Joe on a weekend without standing in queue or tolerating blabbering of unconcerned neighbors.  I don't know... I don't find going to cafe relaxing anymore... it's comparable to going to a dim sum restaurant, only with a younger demographics.

ad hoc

Seems like this has been a strings of fried chicken posts lately~!  Oh well, this will be my past for now :)  Let me introduce to you ad hoc.  I was taken there by a friend when we visited Napa, California a few years ago. Although I love savory food, I normally prefer something lighter for breakfast / brunch.  Buttermilk fried chicken was definitely too heavy for me but I still have to admit, this was some very good fried chicken.

Anchor Bar - Home of the Original Buffalo Wings!

Since we are on the topic of fried chicken, I think it's also a perfect time to introduce one of the classics: Buffalo Wings.  Fried chicken is an universal love and while there are many contenders, there is only one place that can claim to serve the original buffalo wings:  the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.

 

Red Chicken (紅雞 / 홍까이)

Unless you are living under a rock (in Southeast Asia), you must have heard of the Korean drama series: Man from Mars (來自星星的你).  Even a person like me, who normally doesn't watch TV, cannot resist the charisma of Professor Du.  (I am actually partial to the male #2 character.)  星星is currently the hottest show and probably responsible for the sudden increase in registered users in LINE, sell out of YSL lipsticks #52 and #202, and an increase of consumption in fried chicken and beer...  This is almost unthinkable among the calories conscious OLs...  (I am actually looking for ways to buy Naver stocks in Hong Kong... LOL...)

Power Shell (蜆勁村 盧爸爸的私房菜) (encore!!!)

When I found out Lam Tsuen was near Tai Wo, I got excited!  Why?  It gives me an opportunity to come here again!  (See my post on my first visit here.)  The dishes this time were even tastier compare to our last visit (how did that happen?)  I can't wait to discover more things to do in Tai Wo just to have an excuse to come here again :)

Remember to make your reservations early!  AND... ask if they have any "Butterfly Clams" (蝴蝶蚝)  I never had them at anywhere else and they were so delicious!!! So good that we had to encore!  One per person is most definitely not enough!

Butterfly Clams (蝴蝶蚝)

2014 Hong Kong Well Wishing Festival @ Lam Tsuen

Earlier last month, I went to Lam Tsuen (林村) in Tai Wo (太和) with a friend for the 2014 Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival (2014 香港許願節).  The weather wasn't superb but it didn't damper our spirits.  Lam Tsuen was a lot easier to get to than I originally anticipated.  All you need to do is to take the train to Tai Wo station exit A then take minibus 25K and it will get you right there at the front gate!  (Tell the driver you are going to Lam Tsuen or follow the crowd if you are going during the festival!)

a checklist of wishes, how convenient!