Double Down by KFC (Toronto)

So what exactly is a Double Down by KFC? Simply put, it is an ordinary cheese + bacon burger but with the two buns replaced by two big slabs of KFC original recipe chicken breasts! Oh yes, not that ordinary right? My friend A dared me to give it a try and being who I am, I am all in! I have seen the commercial on TV for a few times and tempted to give it a try. As warned by many, prior to eating this, one should arrive with an empty stomach and ensure one has high sodium tolerance. I was quite nervous for some reasons, perhaps because it seemed to be a challenge or maybe just because of the verbal pressure I have been receiving about this Double Down.

Fat Siu Lau 2 佛笑樓餐廳 (Macau)

There are currently three outlets of Fat Siu Lau 佛笑樓餐廳 in Macau which serve so-called traditional Portuguese cuisines, but I would not call that authentic or by any means traditional per se because they are somewhat localized for many years already. My previous visits to the original outlet a year ago was boring and this visit to the newer outlet was utterly ... disappointing! I rarely use such strong words but it was not a good experience in my opinion. It is true that the restaurant has plenty of history to it but without good food or great services to offset each other, there isn't much history left to it. I have a feeling that the establishment / franchise has been expanding too rapidly over the last few years targeting tourists from all over Southeast Asia that the management has lost focus on its food.

Kaiko Teppanyaki 鐵板燒‧海幸 (Hong Kong)

I just realized this is my first teppanyaki coverage in my blog. In other words, teppanyaki is apparently not something I frequent yet quite enjoyed mainly for the watching how the chef skillfully maneuver around the food in addition to the food itself of course. Based on my humble research (thank you wikipedia - apparently there are more details in the Japanese wiki for the same entry for those interested and know Japanese), tappanyaki was introduced around 1945 as a way to cook Westernized food on iron plate. However, this concept was poorly received among local Japanese yet greatly welcomed by foreigners and tourists mainly due to how diners can watch the chefs do their magic in front of them. I do think it is a main part of having teppanyaki, at least to me, but here at Kaiko Teppanyaki, there wasn't much of a show yet you will get a great view overlooking the Victoria Harbour Hong Kong. To be fair though, the chef we had was very friendly, initiated various chit chats and very attentive to our needs, more attentive than the wait staff to be honestly.

Made In China 长安一号餐厅 (Beijing)

I came across an article somewhere talking about Peking Duck, particularly Sha Tin 18's Peking Duck inside Hyatt Regency Hong Kong. It reminds me of a much overdue review of my Beijing trip during early Oct 2010. Yes, it was a very crowded weekend due to China's National Day weekend but for the sake of gastronomic adventures and to get away from Hong Kong, such short trip was much needed!! Instead of going reporting my meal sequentially, let me jump the queue to the Peking Duck meal at Made in China  长安一号餐厅 in side Grand Hyatt Beijing which seriously reassemble that of Sha Tin 18 both in terms of decor and offerings. Sisters shops if you ask me!

Carluccio's (London)

With so many other choices, why did I pick Carluccio's? Well, very simple. We were hungry and it was close to where we stayed, that was the reason. If you pay attention when you walk around the city, you will find that Carluccio's is a rather large chain restaurant!!! My past experiences with chained restaurants in Hong Kong or other countries were not something worth noting but this one in London, I may return not necessarily for its so-called food quality but for its convenience. Don't get my wrong, both my visits (brunch and lunch on two separately occasions) were ... alright, unexciting and boring to be exact, but with its convenience, setting, atmosphere (which is more fitted for a casual yet rush meal), occasional visits may happen.

Shanghai Mei Wah 上海美華菜館

In addition to the food aspect of this resto, I wanted to set aside some words to talk about what I have observed  in relation to the overall management of this family-run style resto. I am no expert in running a restaurant at all but I am interested in this one among all the others because it so happens this restaurant has been recently featured by one of the popular Chinese food publication and one can find a copy of it on every other table or even a few on a large shared table.

MisoCool

Cool name, but no so cool with it comes to food in my opinion. I mean it was alright, unexciting and boring? description too strong? It was rather boring when it comes to the food but had a great time chatting with friends. The decor at its K11 Mall outlet was trendy and contemporary with what I considered funky paintings and fixtures in this semi-open venue without walls.

Kam Shan Seafood Restaurant 金山海鮮酒家

This place is fairly well known for its seafood offerings at reasonable price. The last time I was here was ages ago and I cannot remember a thing about it and I guess there is a reason for that. Situated right in the middle of Jordan, the resto has three floors, two of which are located in the building next door with a separate "residential" staircase. We were one of those being assigned to the second floor. I would not say the setting was comfortable but at least there was strong air conditioning and it was all part of the dining experience.

The Grill

I actually forgot when I visited, I just remembered it was a cold evening a few days before or after XMAS. The Grill at the Grand Hyatt is one of my favorite buffet venue not for its selection of items because there aren't many, but I quite enjoyed the pool side atmosphere and its focus on grill item. In any case, it was another Boring Meal to be honest.

Thai Basil

Among 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, there are meals that exciting and full of surprises but there are many that are plain boring. I feel bored even writing the review myself. Therefore, I am creating a new label / category named Boring Meal. Less description will be provided because they will be boring anyhow but I don't want to waste the pictures I have taken and deprive reader's

A semi-open kitchen approach but seemed like a semi-fast food counter to me from the speed of serving the dishes, both hot and cold.

Valuable real estate here hence the packed arrangement of tables in my opinion

Refreshing Pomelo Salad but a boring dish.

Thai Prawn Cakes were nice with or without the sauce. The sauce was a bit ... too sour for me to be honest.

Ywannn .... didn't I tell you that it is boring?? Sauteed Spinach leaves was a bit too salty, other than that it tasted like another sauteed spinach leaves everywhere.

Char-grilled cod fish was rather interesting. It was curry broth instead of thick curry. The fish was nice but not of optimal temperature unfortunately.

Char-grilled satay platter was unexpectedly pleasant. Soft and tender beef plus pork skewers. At least they were hot!

Char-grilled Duck Breast wok fried Hokkien Noodles was a bit too greasy and too moist for my liking.

Likes:

• Casual atmosphere
• Rather pleasant Char-grilled satay platter

Dislikes:

• Can be quite noisy
• Food pacing was pretty fast
• Sauteed Spinach leaves was a bit too salty

Avg Spending: HKD 100 - 200 per person

Thai Basil
Shop 001, Basement, Pacific Place,
88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2537 4682
http://www.maxconcepts.com.hk/eng/index.htm


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