Friday, October 22, 2010

The China Club, Central - 8.10.10

The China Club is one of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong, and in my opinion the main dining room on the 13th floor has the best atmosphere in town.  Even after in excess of twenty visits, I never tire of the busy, bustling room with the nightly tea pouring and noodle making performances.  It may be a bit of a gimmick, but boy does it make for the perfect place to bring out of town guests!

The food isn't so bad either.  On this particular occasion, my husband and I went with a friend from London and another from Hong Kong.  We ordered all the staples.  To start we had Siu Long Bao (Shanghai Dumplings) and Peking Duck.  Both were perfectly prepared and infinitely delightful.  To follow, we had Sweet and Sour Fish, String Beans with Minced Pork, Hot Pot of Aubergine and Minced Pork, and a dish of Crispy Fried Noodles with Beef and Black Bean Sauce.  The Peking Duck, String Beans and Aubergine Hot Pot are always particular hits with any first time diners we take to The China Club.  Although not exactly gourmet in presentation or taste, the food at The China Club is always satisfying and very enjoyable.  The mix of Shanghai and Cantonese cuisines on offer is a perfect combination as they complement each other well and offer the best (minus Sichuan) of Chinese cuisine.  The quality of the food does tend to go up and down with each visit I make to this Hong Kong institution, but no experience is a bad experience here as the atmosphere, service and value for money is second to none in Hong Kong.

Make sure you have a drink outside on the roof after dinner. The view is awe-inspiring.  The China Club is members only, but you can make a booking through some hotel concierges or if you have an American Express Centurian Card.

The China Club
13/F Old Bank of China Building
Bank Street
Central
Hong Kong
T: 2521 8888

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Nagomi, Happy Valley - 6.10.10


This tiny little restaurant with only five tables is conveniently located, in my opinion at least, three minutes walk from the public stand at Happy Valley racecourse.  I therefore enjoy a quick sushi fix here on the odd Wednesday night, before a night of moneymaking (or losing) at the races.

This really is a gem of a restaurant, serving incredibly fresh sushi and tempura at an extremely good price.  Everything I have tried on the menu has been excellent but I particularly recommend the Spicy Tuna Handroll, which is the best I have had anywhere in Hong Kong.  I would recommend reserving a table as there are far too few tables to meet demand here!



Nagomi
1 Village Road
Happy Valley
T: +852 2938 3848