MEXUS [Hong Kong] - Weekend Mexican Unlimited Brunch Starting at just HKD $253.50 Per Person

  MEXUS by ZSHospitality Group used to be Mamasita Cantina, but recently they updated the name to reflect on their slight menu directional change, which now incorporates both authentic Mexican food together with some American dishes.  A fellow friend was helping to organize a Sat or Sunday Brunch session here together with ZSHospitality,  which starts at HKD $338 unlimited per person.  Every 4 Customers booking can receive 1 person for Free,  averaging the cost per person to just HKD $253.50 for All You Can Eat Mexican in the middle of Central.  Free-flow drinks with Sangria, Wines, Beers and some Cocktails start at $168 more. 

Unlimited Saturday & Sunday Brunch -
HKD $253.50 Per Person as Groups of 4 Pax,  or normally HKD $338 per person -

Includes unlimited Buffet Table,  Taqueria Tacos and Tortilla with Dips, Ham, etc

- Unlimited Breakfast Station

- 1 Main Course

- Unlimited Desserts, etc.

One of the Brunch Tables has Breakfast, Desserts, and Ham -

Unlimited Prosciutto -

Despite the Mexican & American Theme,  they still serve some prosciutto ham,  which seem to be a prerequisite for a brunch buffet in HK

Plenty of Ceviches and Salads -

There is also a Crab meat toast on the left side

This Side has many Tortillas, Breads,  Charcuterie and Dips, Ceviche, Cheese -

And some seafood items

Starting with some Mexican Chicharrones Crispy Pork Rinds -

Also some Tortillas with Avocado Guacamole,  Pico de Gallo, Prawns, and Chickpea hummous

Unlimited Tacos ordered from the Staff -

There's Baja Fish taco,  Pork Carnitas, and some Mushrooms version

My Favorite would have to be the Pork Carnitas Taco -

By default, they are saucy but not too spicy, slightly sweet.  It is recommended that you put on more Pico de Gallo and Chili sauce on top..

Unlimited Mexican Seafood Paella with Saffron -

1stly I didn't understand reading the menu,  but it turned out despite being listed amongst the Main choices,  this carb dish with plenty of seafood is actually served unlimited,  and it was actually quite oceanic in taste.  It's Latino Spanish in spirit..

Sangria -

This was actually quite potent and spiked,  I only wanted a photo for reference but took 2 sips to try their in house recipe.

Main Course Hanger Steak -

This was my choice as a Main, although by this stage I was pretty KO'ed by the Buffet and Taco's section.  The sauce is quite intense,  but balanced by the green apple slaw.  I think the meat was slightly marinated for this recipe.

Main Course 2 - Slow Cooked Salmon

This was quite huge for a Main fish dish,  and it was silken soft.  Topped with some tortilla strips and calamari,  I preferred this main over the steak above, since it is lighter relative to the rest of the brunch buffet,  which got really filling.

Main Course 3 - Burger with Bacon and Fries

Someone on the table ordered this,  which I did not end up taking a bite.  The fries however were really crunchy and fluffy.  I am not sure that with so many unlimited Mexican tacos and desserts coming before and after,  I could actually fit in the burger myself..

More Baja Fish Tacos -

We couldn't stop ordering these again.  Remember that with Taco's in HK, they usually cost around $45 - $50 each,  and some places serve 5 Tacos for like $300 after Service Charge.  Overseas in the States and elsewhere,  Taco's are meant to be street food around USD 0.80 to a Dollar...   so in this sense,  unlimited Taco's on the weekend is quite attractive

Improvised Taco with Egg and Pork Carnitas -

The breakfast section is unlimited,  so I ordered some Fried Eggs to top my taco's.  The same thing would prob cost you $78 each at other restaurants. Lol...

Mexican Churros with Chocolate -

Fried well and not greasy,  and not overly crunchy on the surface.  These were dusted with Cinnamon and Sugar on the outside,  a bit different from the usual Spanish versions.

There's also the Signature layered Tres Leche "3" Milk Cake -

And I am glad that was the first thing I ate,  before the meal began because nowadays I try to enjoy the pastries and desserts before I get full!   Overall we all thought this was very good Value for Money at $338 or $253 per person if coming as 4 pax.  I mean overall Mexican food in HK costs a bomb,  especially when ordering A La Carte.  It seems wise to come here on the weekend every month or so,  to satisfy that Mexican or even Cal-Mex crave,  with a capped cost with your buddies!

Price:  HKD $253 to $338 + 10% Per Person  (Meal Organized by ZSHospitality)
Food:   ♕♕♕ 1/2 to ♕♕♕♕

Address: 中環擺花街8號5樓及6樓
5/F & 6/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Ph: +852 28966118

藤之宮誠太郎商店 Fujinomiya Seitaro Shoten [Hong Kong] - Japanese Seafood Izakaya for Dinner Under $200 Per Person

  藤之宮誠太郎商店 Fujinomiya Seitaro Shoten used to be simply called Ika Centre,  before converting into the current Concept which is more of a Seafood Izakaya.  I have been here quite a number of times and a recent re-visit saw standards being maintained very well and right up there with expectations in Japan,  and the prices have not crept up either, remaining in touch with reality.  Below are some dishes I have experienced here,  I will have to search for some other visits' dish photos gradually as I recompile them..

One of the Best, Unique & Affordable Seafood Izakaya's in Hong Kong -

There are many decent Japanese places in HK from low range to Michelin Star expensive,  but usually the better places are pricy.  Here it is always affordable and with daily specials

Whisky High-Ball -

Still at $38 only

Small Seafood Rice with Egg - HKD $98

The price of this crept up a bit recently,  but it is still affordable

Adult's Potato Salad with Tuna Flakes - $38

One of the best Japanese Potato Salads in town,  the only other one better is probably the 3 Textures one at Futago Yakiniku.  And big size too with a bit of salad leaves..

Sea Urchin Croquettes - $58

Full of creamy melted Urchin bechamel inside, this is probably the only shop in Hong Kong which carries this recipe and it's not only done well,  it's only $58 for 4 pieces

Seaweed and Grated Yam Tempura -
This is one of my favourite dishes here,  but it is on rotation.  You can always ask the Chef to cook this up again..

Mixed Prawns Tempura - $88

The price is joking right?  But it is reasonable and not greasy,  with decent tasting prawns.  Hence why for a while this was my canteen.

Kinmedai Alfonsino Kamameshi Rice 釜飯 - $98

Made with Alfonsino fish stock which penetrates into each rice grain,  this was sweet and paired with egg shreds and mitsuba herbs, and sliced lime.

Umeshu Apricot Wine - $38

Have been here quite a few times and photos are left behind everywhere or on Instagram, and they actually specialize in Sashimi and Calamari-Squid dishes here too.  Already want to come back as I am typing this review!

Price: HKD $180 - $300 + 10%
Food: ♕♕♕♕ to ♕♕♕♕ 1/2

Address: 銅鑼灣登龍街28號永光中心22樓
22/F., Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay
Ph: +852 3904 3533

Pici [Hong Kong] - Italian Pasta Bar. Precisely What the Doc Prescribed for Hong Kong's Foodies

  Pici has proven super popular with the Wanchai and Admiralty crowd arriving here for their pasta's, cocktails & wines.  Prices are reasonable and a quick glance at the menu and other foodie's Instagram posts confirmed this is a value-for-money handmade Pasta bar concept which is not dissimilar to one you find in Bologna, Italy, which frankly was something Hong Kong has always needed, and which we actually do have some, but no one simplified it enough to make it an understandable concept by first glance.  And then bang,  we have the success of Pici by the people behind the Pirata and The Optimist Group.

Prosciutto Ham - Part of Lunch Course for HKD $148
It came with some aged Parmesan cheese too,  and portion was generous.  When I arrived here during late lunch time,  the queue was not as bad as I'd imagined.  Walking past during night time however would be a different story as the wait can take an hour or more..

Tagliatelle with Spicy n'duja Sausage, Cherry Tomatoes and Cheese -
Basically the same sauce as their Orecchiette pasta,  but served with Tagliatelle paste during lunch time.  The fresh pasta was smooth and the appetizing sour and spicy sauce hung onto the pasta strands well,  and texture was perfectly cooked too.  Look it is a very simple pasta recipe,  but sometimes we just want some simple food that's affordable.  That's why Pici does well..

Tagliatelle Noodle Strands remained Long and Springy -
Unlike some shops which fall apart with little gluten within...





Tiramisu in Verrine Glass -
This looked really correct on paper,  but unfortunately the taste was south of average,  I was actually quite shocked.  There is almost no espresso coffee taste or well soaked savoiardi fingers,  and 2ndly the worse fear was confirmed that it had absolutely no Marsala wine nor even Kahlua or Rum or coffee liquor at that within, this second omission I can understand for a family bistro,  but at Pici?   This disappointment in dessert is easily fixable however - and overall this was a dainty little Pasta Bar which served it's purpose and was well priced at HKD $148 for Lunch 3 Courses.   It's not meant to be Amazing,  although some Pasta Bars in Italy actually do, but perhaps that's not its point for now!  Until next time..!

Price: Around HKD $148
Food: ♕♕♕♕ to ♕♕♕♕ 1/2

Address: G/F, 16 St. Francis Yard, Wan Chai
灣仔進教圍16號地舖
Ph: +852 27555523

慢煮工業 Under Vacuum The Steak [Hong Kong] - Slow Cooked Sous Vide Meat in Prince Edward, Popular but Is it Any Good?

  We came to Under Vacuum's restaurant for one reason - its original sister kiosk inside a Park in Tsim Sha Tsui churns up some of the best Steak sandwiches and Turnip fries in Hong Kong,  rivaling those wagyu steak sandwiches in Tokyo but at a dime around HKD $42 (Previous Review:  Sous Vide Steak Sandwich inside Park ) .   This time we came to its second and grander restaurant,  which sells Steaks and Meat at affordable prices with seating.  

Prices are Very Reasonable - 
Duck confit starts at only HKD $48,  Steak for 1 Person from HKD $98 only... Hence it is quite popular in this Prince Edward location.

Fried Mozzarella Sticks - HKD $38
These are bulk bought from manufacturers,  but comparing Apples with Apples other shops sell these at around $58 for the same portion size. 

US Angus Sirloin - 8 Oz for One person, $98
The steak surprisingly fared worse than the Steak Sandwich in its sister kiosk shop, the inside was mostly grey meat and slightly dry.  The marination with thyme and salt was okay,  but since one cannot order the 'doneness' as they are by default Medium to Medium-Well,  we were sorely disappointed..  ~ 5/10

Duck Confit - HKD $48
At this pricing point,  we weren't expecting any miracles.  In the end the duck confit had dry stringy meat,  and a rubbery skin.  Instead of having a fatty taste,  it also had a very salty briny taste within...  If I had to pick though, I would pick the Duck over the Steak - it's like comparing eating softened Chewing Gum vs dry Protein with gristle.  ~ 6/10

Despite the Popularity - 
And my recommendation of their gorgeous Steak Sandwiches at the other park location,  this bigger premise restaurant simply didn't live up to the same hype.  Even at this more than affordable pricing point,  we personally wouldn't recommend it unless it saw a major improvement in cooking technique and finishing.   In all honesty Beef Steaks and Duck meat don't really need sous viding in my books anyway,  but we were exploratory due to good experience with the brand elsewhere.

Price: HKD $110 Per Person 

Food: ♕♕ 1/2 to ♕♕♕ 

Address: 旺角太子道西91號

91 Prince Edward Road West, Hong Kong

Ph: 56903290

The Secret Kitchen by Butchers Club [Hong Kong] - Kitchen for Private & Corporate Bookings at Wong Chuk Hang MTR Station

  I have previously been to The Butchers Club at Ed1tus, Wong Chuk Hang for other functions and parties, and the biggest difference is that currently the nearby MTR Station has finally opened, giving this space much easier access as it's only within 5-6 minutes by walking.   Nowadays Butchers Club Deli has grown to become more of a Private Events space, where corporate or personal Customers and Clients can book out "The Secret Kitchen" including for Butchering or Sausage Making Classes, with food and beverages provided. You can contact them at Website: http://thebutchers.club/events/wong-chuk-hang/

A Video of "The Secret Kitchen" at Butchers Club -

The Butchers Club - Meat & Produce Counter
Depending on your Package, The Chefs might prepare a Demo of the butchering, or a Cooking Class.  This time around we did a Sausage Making class as shown below..

The Seafood Station - with Ceviches, Clams, Oysters, etc

Food & Carving Station -

Bone in Dry Aged Beef -
Which is what made Butchers Club famous in Hong Kong,  and ultimately their Butchers Club Burger series receiving Michelin Guide recommendation.

Various Beef Cuts and Bone Marrow being Served - 

Dry Aged Beef - Bearnaise Sauce & Duck Fat Fries
This night two cuts were served.  Porterhouse and Rib Eye.

Beef Wellington with Mushrooms Duxelle -
Always a crowd favorite.  Eat it quite when the pastry is flaky and fresh..

Roast Lamb Leg -

Sausage Making Class - From the natural intestinal membranes to the grinded meat and herbs, spices, all hand made.  Quite fun for a Corporate Event.

Self Made DIY S'more Station -
Personally I really liked this idea,  as its like a camp fire gathering with friends.

Roulette Table with 'Shots' that can be Won - I find "The Secret Kitchen" by Butchers Club to be quite engaging and fun,  and sometimes as a foodie,  I also love to attend Private Function parties to gage what is available for the Hong Kong Market,  since Food & Beverage is not necessarily limited to Restaurants or Bars, Cafes alone,  but occasionally we also need an all rounder package and venue.  Much like some of us book out resorts or hotel rooms,  even Beer Pong venues or Night Clubs to serve their respective purposes.  Here The Butchers Club is unique in Hong Kong and recommendation.  Obviously for the Pricing Enquiries, you need to contact them directly :  http://thebutchers.club/events/wong-chuk-hang/

Address:  Unit A, 20/F, Kwai Bo Industrial Building, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

Phone: 2552 8281