CIAO SUNDAY | PIRATA | HONG KONG

Close to Christmas, I was busy but happy with so much spontaneous meals happened in the last few weekends before we were all out for long holiday. 

A lazy Sunday morning, embracing the rare bedding time, while the sunshine outside the window and the 'glo-glo' sound in our belly, dragged us out of the bed. Hunger pushed us to think about the evil brunch instead of light & easy breakfast at home; well, without doubt, aiming to try the new brunch spot (at least new for me), I was introduced the Brunch at Pirata. Just next to the door, which sounds perfect ever for laziness like us!

LOVELY SPANISH | QUEMO | HONG KONG

We always get great surprise when we are not expecting in advance. It was a random weekday night, we had a casual dinner to wash off the whole day tense after the office. A garden-like and countryside decoration made our dinner place quite different and refreshing, even giving an illusion of the daytime is extending.

YUM-YUM KOREAN MEATY DINNER | SEORAE BBQ | HONG KONG

Seorae opened the branch store in Wanchai recently and I was so excited and eager to have a try. It’s quite huge space with a flat and open dining area which is also occupying the whole floor. The waiter and waitress walking around there was all young people which seem to be equipped by perfect Korean and Cantonese. Impressive!

SEAFOOD FEAST | 泰園 | HONG KONG

We were quite wasted after the regular Saturday morning workout in friend's gym. Protein was the saver for me and my boyfriend that night before we continued the night activities with friends. Thanks for this new opening Thai restaurant in Wanchai, we got some energy to make night better!

MIND-CHANGE VISIT | CALI-MEX | HONG KONG

Burrito fever is coming to Hong Kong!!! Besides, my favorit burrito restaurant (Little Burrito), Cali-Mex, is another good choice. I have paid my first visit to the first Cali-Mex shop in Wellington street, Central, which honestly is very disappointing experience. I'm even not willing to give a second chance for it when my friends mention it to me after. While, as its branches covers more and more spots in Hong Kong Island, and people around me reflects good comment on it; I decide to have a look of Cali-Mex again.

The burritos from Cali-Mex, is famous of its size! I was satisfied a lot by its perfect-made baked flour tortilla and the 'massive' fillings and selected beans. 

QUAYSIDE | HONG KONG

It is not easy to find such a spacious and outdoor place inside the downtown circle of Hong Kong city nowadays. Benefitted from the old maritime rest-house, the modern French restaurant, Quayside is offering a nice place for happy hour, for comfort dinner and for relax brunch with breeze. The little tropic design outdoor area is very beautiful even due to the harbour construction, the view is kind of blocked by the big machines nesting in the water. It is a typical harbour-side designed restaurant, a casual bar; romantic dining tables lighted by candles; a classically chic showcase space for wine collection and cigars; and a rectangular outdoor terrace with a thin boulevard aside the harbour. The servings are French causal, also due to the coming warm season, Chef. Andrew, specially designs the appetite-stimulated  spring menu with the combination of spices, herbs and sour & sweet dressing.

DRINK IN HK | HONG KONG

What is the dining routine of eaters in Hong Kong, with such advantage of good bars and lounges within and outside of CBD area. The answer is without doubt. 'Just-one-drink'! Every one knows it is impossible to satisfy by just one drink; hope it's not just-one-bottle :P

My favorite drinking area is quite limited within Hong Kong Island or say even smaller, from Wanchai to Central ONLY. Shame on me!!! I should be more open minded and extend my journey to Sheung Wan, Kennedy Town and Causeway Bay at least, but it is not easy to make it for the too-fast changing speed of Hong Kong's Food & Beverage Industry. You find one new-opening restaurant in your neighborhood, and plan to visit it someday, and some day when you pass by, you find it's closed already. A good place for drinks in my mind can be a good restaurant serving alcohol, or a bar/lounge offering purely drinking & talking vibe instead of party!

Here's the small list I visit quite often recently...

EAT IN HK | HONG KONG

Before I continue my normal restaurant review, I want to write some simple words about my real food journey in my every day-time. Not sure I am lucky or not to have my new office location at one of the most local district of Hong Kong, where when you have a random walk there, you are every-second rounded by the very Hong Kong locals, with slippers and pajama (not much this extreme situation), VERY not patient and always loud. Wait!!! Looks quite negative description? half yes, half nope, actually it is Hong Kong, the real one, and I do appreciate those neighbors who are maybe not that rich or educated, but they are real persons, and they deliver good stuff by their heart! 

That's why those areas, in general, have the highest density of good local restaurants.

KOH THAI WAN CHAI | HONG KONG

We encountered a horrible rain that night and it was such a challenge to locate myself and let my feet lead me to the restaurant in Wanchai's street-crowd. Koh Thai, has three locations in Hong Kong, two in Central with limited space and self-defined more like a bar where I pass by quite frequently. Wanchai one, on the opposite, is an ideal place for find-casual dining. If there is a nice weather, the huge terrace dining space makes this restaurant a big attraction in summer. 

A little different from normal Thai restaurants, Koh Thai is slightly high-end defined as its decoration, its bar-restaurant atmosphere and its decent presentation of dishes served. Of course, it is still in the causal-dining category, thus I wonder argue too much on the looking and services.

ORGANIC AND RAW HEALTHY | MAYA CAFE MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE | HONG KONG

Maya is a healthy baby growing up with fresh juice, coconut ingredients, organic farm products, coffee beans and wine. The little restaurant is featured in a purely white and blue Mediterranean tone with some colorful exotic decorations. Two intelligent ladies behind this great idea are, actually fashion designer and business-owner, meanwhile they are bringing the Mediterranean cuisine (South France, Italy, Spain) and Indian spices by their knowledge of where they come from. 

The restaurant is more like a combination of daytime-cafe and nighttime-bistro, serving a rich collection of light dishes and drinks. Maya runs from the early breakfast till late dinner in the famous but quiet area of Wanchai (Star/Moon Street), and differs largely from the nearby restaurants by their dining concept.

A BURGER TAKEOVER | THE BUTCHERS CLUB | HONG KONG

A-Burger-Takeover is on-going since the 1st Round of Vinny Lauria's Meatball Burger. Don't know The Butchers Club? Are you kidding? It is one of the hottest burger shop in town!!! Located in Wanchai, the new rising dining block for Hongkongers and Expats, following Soho gourmet area. Their dry-aged Angus Beef cheeseburger, is absolutely must-try item, and actually except the yum-yum to be introduced, I would like to say something about the concept the lovely crew told me that day... 

THAI FARMER | HONG KONG

Heading to Wanchai quite often these days because of my new apartment issue, well, it gives me chances to explore 'where-to-go' for eaters. To mention Lockhart Road, what your reaction in brain firstly? I guess some of you will say bars and some say indoor-decoration, and some say... (you know); while I say Thai food. It is not a famous block for Thai cuisine as in Kowloon City, but it matters something in Hong Kong Island.

Lockhart Road, close to bar street side, I have already written up one blog about the street restaurant weeks before (read >>), and now I find another little restaurant there which is featured with North-east Thai food, and most importantly, impresses me a lot by the friendly and tender service.

GOODBYE FOR A WHILE | THE PAWN | HONG KONG

Every time passing Wanchai on the top deck of Tram, I will be attracted by the crowds, noise and sexy shade of the building where The Pawn is located. Last week 21st to 23rd July, The Pawn is holding its last-three-day lunch menu and of course the 'Good-bye' night featured with half price drinks and free snacks. A renovation will be taken during August and maybe early September, then a brand-new Pawn with the new British Chef, Tom Aikens, would lead this British-Gentleman (The Pawn) onto a new stage.

TASTE THAI RESTAURANT AND PUB | HONG KONG

It is such a happy night to celebrate with my blogger friends' birthday. I am always feeling blessing that a group of eaters around me in Hong Kong, so that we can feel free to pursue the good food, good drink and good life together. 

That night we have a recommended restaurant in Wanchai, hidden upstairs in the busy lane of Wanchai market. Taste Thai has run for years and enjoy its fame of neighbor-restaurant to the fellow. It features a rich collection of Northeast Thai cuisine, which uses a lot lime, pepper and lemongrass as dressing ingredients, and they have very good salads. 

BAO WOW | HONG KONG

Bao Wow

28 Tai Wong Street East, Wanchai, Hong Kong

+852 2528 9505

info@baowowhk.com

Mon to Sun. 12nn- 9pm

BAO WOW. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The dining business in Wanchai is booming. In those hidden lanes, there locates interesting and new concept to feed your stomach and mind. Inspired from Taiwanese 'Gua Bao' (steamed bun), BAOWOW is a casual style restaurant. It is a cool place but more expat-feeling, for those looking for small bites. The semi-open buns are kept in the steamed bamboo basket, and you have a rich flavor list served freshly by cooks. Japanese imported beers and Taiwanese sweet beer is the must try items. Well, farther than cute buns, a variety of fried snacks are offered as well.

RACHA MOO YANG | HONG KONG

RACHA MOO YANG

超級食得開心

Shop A&B, 87 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel. 2529 6378

I just recognized this shop is well known and reported several times by the English-writing online medias. Well, I have been there twice, both in the late mid-night, or say, in the middle break of night-out party. It is quite a convenient, cheap, tasty and clean street-restaurant in Wanchai, just one street away from the bar street, Lockhart Road. The restaurant is small; the entrance is fully covered by the glass counter with a rich collection of Thai food, most of them are Thai street snacks; inside, there is a family-style cooking space to serve the fresh made dishes to those night eaters seated along the street. They have a not-small supply of Thai dishes from raw/cold salads (seafood/meat) to hot dishes (fried/grilled), even offer some Thai sweets and special drinks. The price per dish is around 40-60 and the snack is just 10-15 around. You won't be over surprised by the potion, while overall it is under the average consuming level in Wanchai area if you are a fan of street restaurant.

RIO CATWALK CARNIVAL | RIO CLUB | HONG KONG

RIO CLUB

B/F, Hang Shun Mansion, No. 68-82 Jaffe Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel. 25273777

Fax. 25273626

Email. info@rioclub.hk

Mon to Sun. 5pm - 5am

RIO. Facebook | Youtube

轉角處的美式隨性 | Corner Burger & Bar

CORNOR BURGER & BAR

G/F, PAUL YEE MANSION, 340-348 JAFFE ROAD, 1-5 MARSH ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG

TEL. 22973310

Passion About Sweets - Passion by Gerard Dubois

Passion by Gerard Dubois, is like an entrance of a different Wanchai block. Every time pass by the shop with those transparent windows, I have a feeling of walking in a small village. You can consider it as a full-chain of baking products, ranging from European-style breads to French pastries, and during peak lunch time, they also serve simple and healthy lunch set to the nearby office people.

Treat Your Tongue Differently

New Year Eve, we escaped from the crowded and crazy 'upgraded' New Year Eve dinner in Wanchai, for a different and little warm dining environment for our tongue, stomach, and brain :)

Sabah Malaysia Cuisine, quite traditional Hong Kong restaurant layout, a little bit crowded while peak time, served by 40s/50s nice gentlemen who are always willing to make some recommendation to the clients, very nice guys. Restaurant offers traditional Malaysia foods and drinks, and it's recommended by famous local food critics, thus we find not less travelers dining there. Basically, it covers all Malaysia signatures and you can even find some local description/dish names on the menu representing different families of curry.