Haagen Dazs, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

I am in a Haagen Dazs cafe in Causeway Bay for this entry, which was a bit of a break from the Chinese cuisine I had been eating during the Lunar New Year period, and also more at afternoon tea time, rather than midday.

There was a small wait for a table due to the number of patrons that day. After we got a table the waitress gave us various menus to choose from.

My order of the Belgian Dessert Set is shown in the foreground of the picture below, which was nicely presented on white crockery. There were a couple of Belgian Waffles draped in a chocolate sauce, with a scoop of strawberry flavoured ice-cream and some strawberry and banana to garnish as well. The waffles were thick, warm and sweet enough, with the ice cream and fruit complimenting well. The ice cream was their own brand, with a creamy texture and nice wee bits of strawberry mixed in as well. Overall a very satisfactory dessert snack that was rounded off with a good cup of tea and cream.

My wife had a Paris Brûlée, shown in the background of the photo, a dish that came with three scoops of ice cream, which satisfied her needs.

Our Order

The waiters are friendly and service efficient. It is clean enough, although tables are small and they can get crowded with food as shown in the photo, but you get used to this in Hong Kong. 

From the Germanic - Scandic name, it came as a surprise that the chain was founded in America, after reading it up on Wiki. There are a few branches around Hong Kong so far to say I will be visiting again, albeit maybe for just an ice cream only. 

I also recall them having a branch in Edinburgh years ago but that has since closed so no opportunity for a compare and contrast...

Scores:

Food: 3/5

Presentation: 3/5

Service: 3/5

Setting: 3/5

Overall: 12/20

Total Bill: $203.50, about £9 a head.

We ate: Belgian Dessert Set, Paris Brûlée.

I drank: Tea by 'Bontea', which came with the set.

I wore: Bally shoes.

彩龍, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

This entry dates back from  Christmas Day. My wife and I went for an early lunch with the in-laws, followed by a hike as it was cool and sunny that day. 

Food was had at Choi Lung (phonetic translation) restaurant that is situated half way on the highest mountain of Hong Kong, Tai Mo Shan.   

It uses a canteen service in that they have food counters where you choose your item but then it is noted on your ticket in order to pay at the end. There is no queuing system so is a little disorganised but it is not anarchy. Tea is also served by oneself.

There is a decent selection to choose from, and we selected a variety as shown in the picture below. Starting from the top at the twelve o'clock position, there was Watercress; Black Sesame Roll; Steamed Quail Egg Dumpling; Spring Roll; Large Steamed Bun, Steamed Cake; Deep Fried Milk; and Prawn Rice Roll.

Our food

Most of the items that were taken were standard dishes when visiting a dim sum restaurant. The exceptions to this were the black sesame roll or 'photo film' as it is called due to its appearance, which has a sweet glutinous taste. The Egg Dumpling is rather like a wonton dumpling with a cute little egg on top. Deep fried milk is something I had never tried and not sure how they make it (it may have come from Scottish cooking techniques?). However is was inoffensive.

Although not pictured we had more food with barbecued pork buns and choi sum taken later.

It's not particularly clean but the food it prepared professionally enough, served with basic plastic plates and bamboo steamers, and service is really by oneself.

Some things were good to eat, some OK. It's not dirt cheap but not that expensive either. Due to the location of it being halfway up a mountain, it is unlikely I will be frequenting this place. However, it is worth a visit if one is in the area.

Scores:

Food: 3/5

Presentation: 3/5

Service: 3/5

Setting: 2/5

Overall: 11/20

Total Bill: $278, about £5.50 a head.

I ate: All of the above.

I drank: Pu-er tea.

I wore: Hooded Top.