Shanghai Bunny: October 2008

Happiness Cuisine

Our first visit to the very new and shiny but deserted Science Park in Tai Po. My tax money!

We decided to give this restaurant a try when it was recommended by a number of people. It's supposedly a nice alternative to the otherwise very crowded Tai Po restaurant scene.

Since I was still pregnant they wanted me to have a taste of this vinegar soup with pig's trotter and eggs. I was told I didn't have to eat the trotters as all the "good stuff" should be infused in the vinegar based soup. I took a sip. IT WAS SOOOOO SWEET it was sickening. Needless to say it put me right off the stuff and I never looked back even after my delivery.

Some kind of fish congee. It was actually not bad.

BBQ pork neck. It was probably the greasiest piece of meat I came across in my life.

Beef rice stick. Again they managed to make it really greasy? It's not just the sauce which was oily the white pastry itself was exceptionally greasy also. Quite talented.

Pan-fried turnip cake. Again the cake slices were soaked in oil. Yuck!

The usual dim sum dishes. Nothing special.

More dim sum. To be honest we were having indigestion before we even finished the meal. Won't be going back again.

Happiness Cuisine

1/F, 1 Science Park West Ave, Shatin, Hong Kong. Tel: 2827-8803

The Press Room

If we lived in hong Kong we would be going to the Press Room at least once a week. We really enjoyed the food there although the same can't be said about the cramped tables and uncomfortable chairs.

Maybe I was very hungry, or maybe the crusty bread was really that good. We chowed it all down in no time.

My Parisien Cool (HK$45) with raspberry, mint, apple and orange was very refreshing and zingy. The mint reminded me of mojitos.

My husband had artichoke (HK$105) with truffle vinaigrette to start. he said it was nice.

My dressed crab with avocado (HK$85) was really fresh and sweet. Loved that crab meat!

Press Room burger (HK$88). Portion was much bigger than we expected for what they are charging - we had previously thought it might be delicate - translation: poncy so it was a nice surprise. It tasted good too - watch out Dan Ryan's!

My pan roasted guinea fowl with vegetables, watercress and truffle (HK$210). What can I say...it was the most delicious guinea fowl I had in my life! The meat was very tender, juicy and cooked to perfection. I still think about it often 3 months later.

No room for dessert. I hope we won't have to wait long for our next visit.

The Press Room

108 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 2525-3444

Chinnery, Mandarin Oriental

Comfort food at the good old Mandarin before our little monster's arrival. Ahhh those were the quiet and romantic days....

Steak and kidney pie with fresh peas. We don't know how they do it but they seem to be able to get fresh peas all year around. The pie was as good as always and the pastry was so good that my husband kept saving it till the end of the meal.

My bangers and mash with three types of sausages...I don't remember which one is which now. The reddish one was quite gamy, perhaps it was venison? It's not really my cup of tea. I prefer the good old pork sausages or Cumberland. Nonetheless the dish was very satisfying with creamy mash and real gravy instead of the thick ones from packets. Yum yum!