Sushi Mamoru: Still phenomenal (9.5)

Readers who know me probably know that I am not big on sushi. I often felt that the combination of fish and rice was not greater than its parts alone. I miss out on the minute details of either if I have to take them together in one bite. That, and the fact that I… Continue reading Sushi Mamoru: Still phenomenal (9.5)

Xinrongji: Well-deserved Michelin star (9.3)

I have had Xinrongji in Shanghai before the pandemic as a business treat, and then again in Hong Kong, but I was very pleased to visit it again with friends, where I could be forgiven for photographing during the meal's most eagerly anticipated moments. The food was wonderful and we all mindfully savored the meal… Continue reading Xinrongji: Well-deserved Michelin star (9.3)

Jean May: Loving work from the kitchen (8.9)

Jean May is named after Chef Tiffany Lo's grandmother, which immediately gives the place a personal touch and loving glow. Lo has trained under Pierre Koffmann, whose protégés include Tom Aiken and Gordon Ramsey, among a long list of reputable chefs all over the world. Bringing home skills from one of the most talented chefs… Continue reading Jean May: Loving work from the kitchen (8.9)

Yongfu: Tasty Ningbo fare, Awkward experience (8.0)

Upon arrival at its ground floor entrance on Lockhart Road, there is an odd sense of awkwardness in this newly opened establishment in Wan Chai. The décor and bulky furniture all feel a tad clumsy for the limited space of the restaurant's main dining room that seems only to accommodate five 2- or 4-seater tables.… Continue reading Yongfu: Tasty Ningbo fare, Awkward experience (8.0)

Salisterra: Pleasant food with a view and lots of sunshine (8.0)

Salisterra perches atop Upper House and replaces Café Gray Deluxe which closed its doors earlier this spring. The name of the restaurant literally means salt and earth in Latin, and alludes to flavors of the coast along the Mediterranean. The head chef is American born, UK-raised, Japanese-British chef Jun Tanaka, a somewhat well-known TV personality… Continue reading Salisterra: Pleasant food with a view and lots of sunshine (8.0)

Sushi Mamoru: Phenomenal (9.5)

Mamoru means to protect, and in this case, it is to uphold the art and tradition of sushi making. To me, it also seems to serve as a reminder to preserve the passion for the highest quality. It sounds like an easy thing to say, but serious diners will be able to discern whether that… Continue reading Sushi Mamoru: Phenomenal (9.5)

Bo Innovation: An artsy experience paying tribute to Old Hong Kong (8.5)

Our dinner at Bo Innovation was an aesthetic feast. And one with a theme that pays tribute to old Hong Kong. Each course was beautifully presented, carefully constructed, and endowed with its own meaning and story. More importantly, the food was portioned so that you would be able to try twenty different combinations of flavors… Continue reading Bo Innovation: An artsy experience paying tribute to Old Hong Kong (8.5)

Grissini: Behind the times (7.6)

Grissini should be on the rota for a lot of people who like Italian food and find its location convenient. But on this visit, I am starting to feel like this is an increasingly dated restaurant that, perhaps intentionally for its existing clientele, is still clinging on a little too strongly to the past. If… Continue reading Grissini: Behind the times (7.6)

Mr Brown: Casual smoking and grilling action (7.9)

Mr Brown is a lively restaurant run by the founders behind Francis and continues the concept of a sleek menu with only a handful of dishes to ensure quality and maximum economies of scale. Brown refers to browning from grilling, and as you may have correctly guessed from the title, Mr Brown specializes in just… Continue reading Mr Brown: Casual smoking and grilling action (7.9)

Old Bazaar Returns (8.5)

I am far from being a connoisseur of South East Asian food, especially of the Singaporean and Malaysian variety, but I do know whether I enjoy a meal. Old Bazaar Kitchen was a genuine surprise, not in a spectacular and aesthetically dazzling way, but in its execution of mostly ordinary dishes with a touch of… Continue reading Old Bazaar Returns (8.5)