Unforgettable Night at Upper Modern Bistro (Sheung Wan, Hong Kong)

Upper Modern Bistro is owned by French Michelin-Starred Chef Philippe Orrico. Upper Modern Bistro is his first restaurant in Hong Kong opened since 2013. 

Upper Modern Bistro is located at Upper Station Street (end of Hollywood road) in Sheung Wan. It is 10 minutes walk from Sheung Wan MTR station. Take note that it is required to walk up stairs and high slope to get to the restaurant. Alternatively, you may take a taxi or grab a Uber to get there conveniently. Making a reservation is highly recommended, especially during the weekends and festive dates. I reserved a table for 2 people for dinner with my boyfriend Ryan and we were lucky to be seated in a window seat.

We start off with a Crispy Squid with Black Sesame & Lime Dip, a Vintage Negroni (their signature) and a glass of Chateau Roubine Rose 2014.

Crispy Squid

For starters, we had a Beef Tartare with Burattina, Blueberry & Roasted Hazelnut, a Scallop Carpaccio with Japanese Turnips, Pecan Nuts & Pear Vinaigrette and one of their signature dish Egg Onsen with King Crab, Beans & Piperade Emulsion.

Beef Tartare

Egg Onsen

For main courses, we had a Fassone Milk Fed Veal Chop with Roasted Eggplant Caviar Teriyaki & Sauteed Vegetables and an Atlantic Cod with Lobster Sauce.

Fassone Milk Fed Veal Chop

Atlantic Cod

For dessert, we had an Upper Chocolate and 5 Upper Cheese Selection.

Upper Cheese Selection

Overall, the food and service were excellent and very unforgettable. I would highly recommend this restaurant. I will definitely try their brunch very soon!

Food: The Egg Onsen was known to be their signature dish and it did not disappoint me. The taste was a mixture of sweet and savoury. The presentation was exhilarating. The Veal Chop was very tasty and the sauce was fantastic. Lastly, I would give a thumbs up for the Cheese selection. I would say Upper Modern Bistro got the best cheese in town! 

Beverage: The Sommelier, Reeze have recommended us a very good wine pairing with our main course. Feel free to ask for his assistance.

Service: The service was very efficient, attentive staff and unforgettable. 

Ambiance: The interior of the restaurant is quite unique and relaxing. They have 3 different sections, the main dining, the coffee tables and the Chef's table (high table). All 3 sections seems to be pretty good to me. 
 

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Late Dinner at 22 Ships (Wan Chai, Hong Kong)

22 Ships is located at 22 Ships Street in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island. This bar-restaurant is named after the street were they are located. The place has a chilling vibe and although the place is quite small the staff were attentive and they still accepted us even though we almost reach the last order time. 

We ordered Spanish Breakfast, Beef Tartare, Seafood Platter, Peanut Butter with Condensed Milk Banana and 2 glasses of White Wine.

Spanish Breakfast

Wild Hereford Beef Tartare with Egg Yolk and Crips

Seafood Paella with Fava Beans and Crispy Bacon

Overall, the experience was average. Although the food portion was quite small but the price was quite reasonable. I will definitely come back here for drinks but probably not for dinner.

PS: They do not have 10% service charge! It's a guarantee that all cash or credit card tips will go to all of the hardworking staff.

Yours Sincerely,

Michelle Chan

Dinner at Lily & Bloom (Central, Hong Kong)

Lily & Bloom is located at LKF Tower in Central. Lily is on 6th floor, the bar area and Bloom is on 5th floor, the restaurant. We had our dinner at Bloom 5th floor. 

For Starters, we had Beef Tartare with Wasabi and Smoked Salmon Flatbread.

Smoked Salmon Flatbread

Cedar River Beef Tartare with Wasabi Aioli, Fresh Lime and Beef Chips

For Main courses, we had The Mac & Cheese Lobster, Steak Frites and Whole Grilled Fish.

The Lobster Mac & Cheese

Steak Frites

Whole Grilled Fish

For Dessert, we had Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Overall, the experience was great. The food portion and quality are on point. My most favorite dishes are the Beef Tartare and the Mac & Cheese Lobster. The flavorings of the Beef Tartare with wasabi is very nice for me. Honestly speaking, I was the one who finished the plate! This was my second time having dinner at Bloom and It did not disappoint me the second time around, I will definitely come back here again!

Yours Sincerely,

Michelle Chan

A Relaxing Afternoon at Full Cup Cafe (To Kwa Wan, Hong Kong)

Wouldn't it be nice to have a nearby afternoon cafe shop around your home? Most especially when you are feeling lazy to go somewhere far or the thought of having to commute somewhere in this hot weather just to have an afternoon meal.

Well I got lucky this time! There's a nearby cafe shop, just 5 minutes away from my home place in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon area in Ma Tau Kok Road. The place is called "FULL CUP CAFE". This cafe shop is surrounded with plenty of vintage stuff such as, vintage cars display, old generation telephones, wall paintings and a pile of cup collections and music records. Beside the cafe shop, you can find a vintage looking salon and tattoo parlour. This place is absolutely unique and I am one lucky person to have it near my home.

Vintage everywhere

The menu is in a newspaper type, which I absolutely thought was super cool and creative! The server explained the menu and which food items are unavailable for the day. The staff were friendly and outgoing.

Jasmine and Honey Tea 

We ordered a Chef Burger, Assorted Mushroom with Butter and Duck & Egg Pizza, 

Assorted Mushroom with Butter 

Chef Burger

Overall, the experience was great. The ambiance was very relaxing and the staff were very welcoming. The food was good as well. I will rate it 7/10. I will definitely come back to this place very soon!

PS: They are closed on every Mondays!

Yours Sincerely,

Michelle Chan

Dinner at The Optimist (Wan Chai, Hong Kong)

I have been to The Optimist for brunch but this time it be will my very first time to eat dinner here. As mentioned in my previous blog about this restaurant, The Optimist have 3 floors and we were assigned at the 2nd floor with the sofa seat.

For starters, we had a platter of Oysters with bloody Mary shots, Grilled Octopus and Broken Eggs 

Oyster Platter with Bloody Mary shots

Grilled Galician Octopus

Broken Eggs "Huevos Rotos"

For main courses, we had Tuna Tartar, Flank Steak and Seafood Charcoal Baked Rice.

Tuna Tartar with Avocado, Potato Chips and Japanese Dressing

Charcoal Grilled Australian Flat Iron Steak

Seafood Charcoal Baked Rice "Al Horno" with Mussels, Clams, Blue Prawn, Squid and Garlic Sauce

For dessert, we had Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Custard and Alfredo's Warm Apple Pie with a "Happy Anniversary Tim and Netra" dessert wording in it. It is actually just for fun!

Alfredo's Warm Apple Pie, Vanilla Custard "Natillas" and Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream

Happy Anniversary to Tim & Netra ! :)

Overall, my first dinner experience at The Optimist was great. The food were all tasty and up to standard. My most favorite dish was the Seafood Charcoal Baked Rice. I am the type who like to eat rice with savoury taste and a little bit of sauce, I call it "soupy rice". I can't wait to be back.

PS: They do not have 10% service charge. All tips goes to the lovely staffs.

Yours Sincerely,

Michelle Chan