Cammino, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

This Italian restaurant is situated on the first floor of the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay. 

I was running late due to rare trouble on the public transport system. However, with the help of technology I was able to order the set lunch items through my wife, who had arrived first.

It was not exceedingly busy but I had booked ahead in case. The waiter instinctively knew who my wife was (probably because she was the only lone luncher?) and pointed out where she was sitting.  

As I sat down I was promptly poured some water and handed my unfolded napkin. I then got up again to head to their buffet selection.

When I returned from the buffet selection the daily soup had arrived, seeing as it was ordered in my absence . It was Bean and Bacon flavour as shown below, which was served at a good temperature and very hearty. 

Soup of the Day

My buffet selection consisted of a potato salad, salad leaves and Parma ham with melon. All this combined well as a nice appetiser before the main course.

Anitpasti Buffet

I chose the veal as my main. It tasted nice and tender and was fried with a light breadcrumb outer and came with a portion of lemon. The rice was a little too cheesy and they said there was saffron but it did not seem that flavoursome.

Veal and Risotto

Ricotta cannelloni was my dessert choice, shown in the picture below. The ricotta had a slight orange taste to it, like a Jacobs Club. This was unexpected as it was not noted on the menu but nice nonetheless. The cannelloni part to it was a crunchy biscuit roll.

Ricotta Cannelloni

My wife had the Mango Napolitean, shown below.

Mango Napolitain

There was a bit of an inconsistency in our tea orders at the end of our meal. I asked for an English Breakfast Tea and was given a Lipton black tea in a bag, whereas my wife got her Earl Grey order with leaves and a sieve. Nevertheless, I still drank mine without complaint.

The food was generally good, of decent portions and  presented well in Cammino. The buffet selection was also quite wide, given the small-ish size of the restaurant, which lent itself to the service being friendly, quick and attentive. As it is fairly priced I would recommend a visit.

Scores:

Food: 3/5

Presentation: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Setting: 4/5

Overall: 15/ 20

Total Bill: $509 about £21 a head.

I ate: Three course set lunch with antipasti buffet.

I drank: Water, Lipton Tea.

I wore: Casio calculator watch.

Fairwood, Tai Wai, Hong Kong

For this entry I am lunching at another one of Hong Kong's popular fast food chains, the orange colour branded Fairwood.

Shop Frontage

As with other branded fast food outlets there is an order counter and then you collect your food from the kitchen counter, canteen style. I ordered a meal that had the letter 'G' designated on it for ordering. Cash was exchanged and I went to the kitchen counter to get my food. 

The wait for my food was not that long but it was interesting that the uncooked item of my order, my 7-up, took the longest. It was more of a logistical reason for the delay rather than a technical one. After receipt of food in all its plastic tableware, I managed to find a seat in the busy restaurant.

My order

I ate the chicken wing first, which was roasted well enough to be quite tender and had a decent flavour.

When I lifted the lid of the noodles it still partly resembled the  out-of-the packet dried cake form. It tasted very instant like also, so a little disappointing. There was a half circle of luncheon meat and a fried egg to accompany the noodles as well.

The toast was a thick slice but there was not enough peanut butter and condensed milk to spread. It tasted sweet enough to pass as a dessert course and quite filling. 

Discounting the noodles this lunch was not that bad and it was decent value. Service is efficiently professional and as there are branches everywhere in Hong Kong so it is very likely I will be popping in here again.

Scores:

Food: 3/5

Presentation: 2/5

Service: 3/5

Setting: 3/5

Overall: 11 / 20

Total Bill: $33, about £2.75.

I ate: Noodles, chicken wing, toast.

I drank: 7-up.

I wore: Fred Perry Polo Shirt.