Hong Kong Hitch

Date Spot Review: The Moet Bar (Macau)

Oct 202009

Would you like to feel like you and your date are super villain?s Then the Moet Bar in Macau is for you.

The Moet Bar is in the Galleria Macau, which is part of The Shoppes at the Four Seasons. It is connected to the Venetian and it is NOT easy to find from the hotel. But, given that the casinos don’t dole out the free drinky drink the way they do in Vegas, HKH and The Girl were willing to do a little searching.

The bar is right in the middle of a slew of high end stores like Dior and Louis Vuitton. What makes this interesting is that they are clearly screwed if the economy doesn’t turn around asap, because there was no one in the entire mall on a Saturday night. Which is nice, because they had to let us in since no one else was apparently interested in coming.

Once we sat down, we were greeted with a menu full of champagnes that we had no interest in paying $4,000 for. But dainty finger sandwiches? Sure! Crust-less white bread with cucumbers, salmon and tuna. Delightful! (Note: most references to sandwiches in future posts will be to crust-less white bread, because the Chinese apparently hate bread crust just slightly less than a free press, Jack Bauer and forks).

Honestly, I am kind of bored with this review myself because, well, there was not a lot to complain about. Very attractive Chinese girls bringing us champagne with no attitude? How can I mock that?

We might not be so lucky next time if the economy picks up because I think that normally you cannot enter without a monocle, a white cat and at least one hench person.

Grade: B+

Good for: 3rd date, last ditch attempt to impress

Date Spot Review: The Moet Bar (Macau)

The Shoppes at Four Seasons
Estrada de Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca
s/n, Taipa, Macau SAR
Noon to midnight
853 8118-9333
DFS Galleria Macau

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Date Spot Review: FINDS (LKF)

Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized No Responses »

Oct 022009

In my attempts to provide you, my valued reader (literally), with tools to make dating in Hong Kong a little easier, I will be running an ongoing series of restaurant and bar reviews so that you can make informed choices about where your next awkward date will take place. This week: FINDS in Lan Kwai Fong.

Being a half Swede (yeah, not loving the heat here) I am always happy to hear about places where I can indulge in classic Scandinavian fare like pickled herring, even though I hate pickled herring. FINDS in Lan Kwai Fong is one such place. And it also has a super clever name since “FINDS” comes from combining the first letter of the names of the main five Scandinavian countries. Do I really have to do this for you? Sigh. Okay, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Now go buy an atlas.

FINDS is located in the Hotel LKF which is “a hip boutique hotel in Lan Kwai Fong .” Okay, people and businesses of Hong Kong, referring to yourself, places you hang out or things you do as “hip” or “trendy” makes people that actually are those things giggle at you behind your back. Please stop, you wouldn’t last a day in New York.

Now, as to the restaurant itself, I can assure you that this review will be biased, with a bit of negative commentary, but ultimately perhaps an overly positive conclusion given that FINDS tries too hard, just like every place else in LKF. But it’s my blog, so shut it. That said, why don’t I let the good people of FINDS themselves tell you a bit about the experience? My commentary in bold.

“Live a FINDS life! Indulge on our delectable Scapas — Scandinavian Tapas (we paid someone $10,000 to come up with “Scapas”) till closing; Lunch or dine from a delicious choice of Modern Scandinavian cuisine (enjoy smaller portions of classic food!); or simply sip on our gorgeous drinks while lounging in our cool atmosphere till late! (we are trying hard to make you feel cool, yet failing to realize that saying that has the opposite effect) Located on the famous Wyndham Street in Central, FINDS has an enchanting forest like lobby entrance (we found some plants on sale at Japan Home Center), an icy-cool decor , a warm atmosphere (we’re indecisive), an exclusive 5 star dining VIP Scapas Private Lounge (douchebag lair) and a relaxing outdoor terrace all in one venue (we know you’ll be more likely to come if we let you smoke somewhere)!

Now, as this was not a real dinner date, we did not get too deep into the menu. That’s one thing that makes FINDS a…find (thanks. Here all week.) You can grab a table, inside or out, and have a couple drinks and appetizers and have a fairly relaxed first meeting. I highly recommend the Chef’s Tasting Platter, which includes a a salmon/dill mix on dainty little toasts which were, quite simply, awesome. I also had the Scandinavian Crab and Shrimp Cocktail, also excellent, though I have always found shrimp cocktails and the like rather overrated. And of course, being good Norsepeople, they make very solid cocktails, including a very nice Manhattan, the benchmark by which I measure all establishments against each other. Take a look at the menu and you can see why this should be a destination for anyone wanting a cool and refreshing meal to take the edge off the Hong Kong heat.

And if you’re not convinced yet, they have reindeer on the menu. Sorry Rudolph, but you are just too tasty to pass up.

Grade: B+

Good for: first date cocktails, second date attempts to impress with your diverse taste in cuisine.

Hours, location and contact information for FINDS

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Date Spot Review: Urawa Sushi (Sheung Wan)

Restaurant Reviews No Responses »

Sep 292009

As you exit the Sheung Wan MTR station on Des Voeux Rd., you will notice a sign advertising an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. I know. Buffet + Date = FAIL. Usually. However, I am happy to report that Urawa is a regular Japanese restaurant that happens to have a “buffet,” which is to say that you pay $198 HK (!) per person and order all the sushi, sashimi and cooked foods the same way you generally do at any other sushi place. So no, it’s not like Hometown Buffet. Not that the HTB is not awesome. The atmosphere at Urawa is certainly nice enough for a date and the staff is attentive. Very attentive. Dude, if you’re going to give me a bottle of sake and a shot glass to drink it in, then fill me every time I’m empty, just pull up a chair and let’s make this a three way date ’cause you’re going to be at my table all night.
Everything was tasty, especially the salmon, which was like buttah. However, if you get the salted mackerel, be careful. It comes whole and was very good, but at some point I ate some part that really should not have been eaten and needed three shots of sake to keep me from thinking about the fact that I just ate a mouthful of fish crap. They made up for it with the fried salmon skin. Think pork rinds, but with fish. White trashy goodness, Asian style!

Grade: B+
Good for: second dates, budget-conscious sushi lovers (I know you exist)

Address: 244-252 Des Voeux Rd., Sheung Wan
Phone: 2850-8226
Hours: Daily 11:30am-3:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm
Menu
[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=244+Des+Voeux+Road+Central,+Sheung+Wan,+Hong+Kong&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FX4QVAEdndPNBg&split=0&ll=22.297435,114.156532&spn=0.00957,0.018325&z=14&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

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Date Spot Review: Wooloomooloo Steak House (Wanchai)

Restaurant Reviews No Responses »

Sep 072009

Say it with me. Wooooloooomooooloooo. Fun right? The name’s just fun to say and the place itself is pretty good too.

Last week me, The Girl and Meg from Kobe went to Wooloomooloo in Wanchai. Its the fourth Wooloomooloo here and situated on the 31st (and 32nd) floor The Hennessy. Upon arriving, we realized that the bar and restaurant are actually not on the same floor and you need to take the elevator to get from one to the other. I suppose you could take the stairs, but my recent penchant for opening up doors and hearing blaring alarms has made me a tad cautious about venturing from the proscribed path. Nonetheless, the spacious terrace bar has great views (reminiscent of the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles). and more importantly, whoever was working that night made me a great Manhattan, which is so hit or miss here that I gave them a half a star right off the bat.

We chatted in the comfy chairs, waiting for our dinner reservation time, and even got to see a bit of the nightly light show before heading down to the actual dining room. Here’s where it gets a bit less awesome. But only a bit. The semi-hip lounge music playing terrace bar does not exactly match up with the dining room, which seems a bit serious and subdued. Formal steak houses are fine, but the dichotomy from the upper venue was a bit jarring. But really, who cares? I was about to eat some steak.

The service was very attentive and reasonably prompt. We got our crab cake appetizer in due time, though it was kinda tiny. But it was crab cake for God’s sake (I heart crab cake), so no demerits. The Girl ordered the pan seared sea bass, which was very buttery so…kudos! And I of course ordered the ribeye rare (I rarely order fish and never chicken out so don’t hold your breath for such reviews) which was cooked perfectly, but I think the cut was not awesome. Still, I won’t give it a “meh” since I was happy with it. Meg from Kobe ordered something, but I forget what. Did mention they make great Manhattans? I also got a side of hash browns which were tasty, but (and I hate to do this because I love grease!) but they were too greasy even for me, which is saying something.

We skipped dessert because we were feeling gluttonous and opted for polishing off bowls full of Hagen Daaz at home, but the dessert menu had promise. To wit, the menu.

I think the highlight might have been watching the family next to us eat dinner while the kids played psp, oblivious to the presence of their parents. I am not sure how much of my face my mom would have caught as she slapped any gaming device out of my hands had I been crazy enough to pull one out at dinner, but it would have left a mark for sure.

Grade: B
Good for: second or third dates, even if it’s just for drinks. Date one might be a much. Save the big guns for later right?

Tel: 2893 6960

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=256+Hennessy+Rd,+Hong+Kong+Island,+Hong+Kong&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FTjvUwEdjzHOBg&split=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&ll=22.288223,114.180565&spn=0.002502,0.003836&z=14&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

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Date Spot Review: Brown (Happy Valley)

Restaurant Reviews No Responses »

Aug 182009

Since I am lazy and on a deadline, this post, which follows my review of Chu Kee, is actually an older write up that I had intended to publish but never got around to. Get used to this theme. That said, we did have a few nice drinks on the outside patio after dinner at Chu Kee. But what follows is my take on a meal I had at Brown while on a trip to Happy Valley a few months ago.

I have eaten at few Hong Kong restaurants that appear to serve “American” cuisine. However, most Hong Kong restaurants offer what initially appears to be a solid American dish, then they add some local twist that messes the whole thing up. Think pizza…with thousand island dressing for sauce.

Brown avoids this pitfall. Brown is in Happy Valley, which is just off the beaten path but which most Hong Kongers treat the way I treated Park Slope when I lived in New York. If a girl is not involved, I am not hiking out there. But really, it’s not that far and it’s near the Jockey Club, so you have a reason to go.

Brown started out with high marks because they have an all-you-can-drink dinner special. And I was not even aware of that before going. Really. For about HK$400 (US$50) you get to select one appetizer, one entree and a dessert, plus all the beer, wine or well drinks you want. Cool.

I ordered, if I remember correctly, the ribeye, which came out out in a reasonable time, accompanied by some pretty tasty potato wedges and steamed vegetables. The steak was cooked properly rare and most importantly had a simple au poivre sauce. No muckin’ about with the basics. I approve.

Lastly, the atmosphere was chill. The décor was kinda mod and…um…brown. It had the feel of a place that wants to be a club, but since it’s in a quiet residential area with mostly an older crowd, it’s turned into more of an early dinner place with a handful of locals who come later for a drink or two. And a couple were rather comely. How do you say “cougar” in Chinese?

Grade: B

Good for: first dates when you don’t want to spend a ton of money and don’t want to run into a bunch of your co-workers in Central.

Location map:

View Larger Map

Contact info:

18A Sing Woo Road
Happy Valley

Tel: 2891 8558

11.30am-late

Website:

http://www.letsbrown.com.hk/menu.htm

Thinking you might need some help with dating in Hong Kong? Well,you are in luck because Hong Kong Hitch is here. Come visit us.

Date Spot Review: Chu Kee (Happy Valley)

Restaurant Reviews No Responses »

Aug 142009

Besides providing reviews of online dating sites and advice of general applicability, HKH will also be offering up totally biased, off-the-cuff and by no means to be taken as gospel reviews of a staggering array of Hong Kong restaurants and bars. He will, however, try keep his reviews relevant to the dating game and help readers know what they are getting into should they decide that they want to take a date to any of the establishments reviewed herein.

First up, Chu Kee. Get this straight right off the bat, Chu Kee is not a “restaurant” in the sense that most non-natives are accustomed to. Unless you considered your high school cafeteria a restaurant. Chu Kee is legit, bare bones Hong Kong canto fare served with no B.S. and a low price tag. Hence, unless you are an artist of some sort, this is a place to take someone on date three, not date one.

Chu Kee is in the Wong Nai Chung market complex in Happy Valley, just off Sing Woo Road. You won’t easily see it from the street. But when you walk in, you will wonder how you didn’t know there was a total mob scene going on up there. HKH was chaperoned by his new Chinese tour guides, one of whom had gotten us a reservation. Say what now? Yeah, you should get a reservation.

The four of us were promptly seated and provided with menus that were pretty useless to me and my whole two months of Mandarin study. But “Ken” (names have not been changed to protect the innocent) took the initiative and started ordering. Being me, I said I was fine with anything as long as one dish was fried. I was assured that would not be an issue. While Chu Kee is the real deal, it’s also very gweilo friendly and you can get by with English no problemo. They are also very perceptive, because as soon as Ken finished ordering the food, our waiter asked if we would like beer and looked directly at me. Apparently, I have a look.

What arrived at our table was plate of fried squid that was not the chewy “calamari” that I am used to getting at Chili’s, plus a plate of green beans in a sauce and I believe also with beef (I had had a few drinks by then) and a some giant segmented shrimp that looked like something out of “Alien I-IV.” All tasty! We also got some sort of special chicken that Ken had pre-ordered, which was excellent as well. I think we got a couple other dishes so that my better half (hereafter referred to as The Girl) would have something to eat as she was running late. But honestly, I was full of squid and Tsing Tao by then, so I can’t be sure of what it was, but it was gooood.

The bottom line is that if you want to get off Wyndham Street, explore some real local food, but are worried about walking into random local places and having no clue what to do, Chu Kee is for you. And you’ll be proving to your date that you’re not excessively high maintenance and can get down and dirty once in a while.

That said, our next post will give the HKH take on a more upscale establishment nearby where you can go for drinks after Chu Kee, or if you find you aren’t feeling adventurous enough and want to have dinner in a safer environment. We won’t judge you. (That is a lie, you wuss.)

Grade: B+

Good for: keepin it real

Chu Kee
Shop 3, 2/F Wong Nai Chung Complex, Happy Valley, HK.
Telephone: 2574 9937
11am-12:30am
Take the Tram to the Happy Valley Terminus, walk up Sing Woo Road for two blocks and take escalator to 2/F.

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22.268903,114.185827&sll=22.273971,114.183637&sspn=0.00874,0.008916&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=22.277739,114.190092&spn=0.002586,0.004039&z=14&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Thinking you might need some help with dating in Hong Kong? Well,you are in luck because Hong Kong Hitch is here. Come visit us.

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Hong Kong Hitch

Date Spot Review: The Moet Bar (Macau)

Date Spot Review: FINDS (LKF)

Date Spot Review: Urawa Sushi (Sheung Wan)

Date Spot Review: Wooloomooloo Steak House (Wanchai)

Date Spot Review: Brown (Happy Valley)

Date Spot Review: Chu Kee (Happy Valley)

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