Ser Wong Fun (Hong Kong)

When we visited Hong Kong back in January it was in the middle of winter and a perfect season for eating snakes. It may not sound exciting but snake soup is a true winter delicacy is Southern China.

Along with a few local friends we headed to Ser Wong Fun at Central, it is only around the block from the Lan Kwai Fong district.

The snake soup was … interesting but the shredded meat did only taste like chicken breast. The true surprise was the rice dish cooked in clay pots with Chinese sausages – real comfort food for winter.

Details:
Ser Wong Fun
30 Cochrane Street
Hong Kong

Meierei in Stadtpark (Vienna Austria)

Ahead of our stay in Vienna, I tried to book at the reputed Steirereck Restaurant in Stadtpark. Unfortunately it is under renovation during our stay so we went to the casual Meierei downstairs instead.

White asparagus was in season and featured prominently in the menu. The simple starter with hollandaise sauce was excellent and brought out the sweetness of the asparagus. We also recommended the Viennese wedding soup and beef goulash from the signature menu.

Details:
Meierei in Stadtpark
Am Heumarkt 2A 
Stadtpark
Wien, Austria
http://www.steirereck.at/en/meierei/

Ah Yat Harbour View Restaurant (Hong Kong)

My friends treated me to Ah Yat Harbour View restaurant during my visit in Hong Kong. Attracted by the fame from his treatment of dried abalone, we went for a set menu consisting of the reputed abalone as well as other classic Cantonese delicacies.

The Ah Yat abalone has a unique tenderness on the inside accompanied by intense seafood flavours – unrivaled by other kind of seafood dishes. The shark fin soup (environmental issues notwithstanding) and fish maw were also very enjoyable. Coincide with the hairy crab season, we added a crab roe noodle dish which was a great treat.

Details:
Ah Yat Harbour View Restaurant
29th Floor, iSquare
63 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong

Balla (Sydney)

We walked around Darling Harbour and decided to have an early dinner at The Star casino complex. After comparing menus, we settled on Balla for their pre-theatre menu (even we were not watching a show).

The pre-theatre menu was good value with 3 courses for just $55. The vegetable soup with black truffle was simple and fragrant. And the cheese crepe and pasta main courses were satisfying.

Details:
Balla
Level G, Harbourside
The Star
80 Pyrmont Street 
Pyrmont
http://www.star.com.au/sydney-restaurants/signature-fine-dining/Pages/balla.aspx

Vulcan's (Blackheath Blue Mountains)

We visited Vulcan’s at Blackheath for a Sunday lunch as we heard the legendary chef-owner will be retiring. The dining room was packed on what was the chef’s second last weekend of service.

The highlight for me was the crab soup entrée with red rice. The broth was clean yet packed with seafood flavour. The famous oyster blade was tender and similar in taste to a good beef brisket at Chinatown (maybe the hour long wait for main course dulled our taste buds). The yogurt brulee was our favourite dessert, and it was fun to taste the chequerboard ice-cream.

Details:
Vulcan's
33 Govetts Leap Road 
Blackheath NSW 2785

Mino (Willoughby)

When we heard Mino has opened a new restaurant at Willoughby, we were dying to go given our kaiseki experience at the Mosman restaurant last year.

The Willoughby restaurant focuses on sushi but a set menu is also available. While the ‘Willoughby set’ is a smaller set menu than a kaiseki but still offer 4 courses consisting of soup, sushi and sashimi, an entrée plate, and your choice of main. All the dishes were authentic and generous in portion – all for $30! If I have to be picky the entrée plate was rather salty, so get yourself a nice beverage.

Details:
Mino Sushi & Sake Willoughby
533 Willoughby Road
Willoughby NSW
http://minomino.com.au/willoughby/

Kappou-Kitada (Nara Japan)

The Michelin guide has a page suggesting the more affordable star restaurants. We were attracted to the 1 star Kappou-Kitada in Nara which offers a bento lunch at Y2,700.

Despite the price tag, service was immaculate and we struck up a nice conversation with the head chef. To our surprise, the bento lunch included entrees and dessert, including a soup with a delicious prawn and egg ball.

The bento contained a large variety of food including sashimi and grilled meat. All were delicately presented and well seasoned. The entire bento was a nicely balanced meal and made a satisfying lunch.

Details:
Kappou-Kitada
割烹きた田
奈良県奈良市芝辻町4-5-6
Nara, Japan

Bona Fides Café Restaurant (Sydney)

We walked past Bona Fides next to the Queen Victoria Building often and decided to have dinner there on a Thursday night. The dinner menu had a wide range of pasta and risotto dishes, as well as some ‘Balkan style’ dishes from the grill.

My beef and vegetables soup of the day was generous and was followed perfectly by the rigatoni pasta with pancetta and ricotta cheese. It was a satisfying meal on a cold rainy night.

Details:
Bona Fides Café Restaurant
Next to Queen Victoria Building
70 Druitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000
http://bonafidescafe.com.au/City/About-Us

Ashcrofts (Blackheath Blue Mountains)

After a whole morning of driving and walking around the national parks in the Blue Mountains to observe the autumn leaves on a Sunday, we dined at Ashcrofts Restaurant at Blackheath for lunch.

The friendly staff (of one) made us felt welcome and quickly settled us with a glass of locally sourced apple juice. My cauliflower soup was smooth and hit the right notes on a chilly day. The beef tenderloin was nice and rare, perfectly complimented with the ox tongue jus. I recommended the vanilla bean custard dessert – it is worth the 15 minute wait. Portion size was huge.

Details:
Ashcrofts Restaurant
18 Govetts Leap Road 
Blackheath
NSW 2785
http://www.ashcrofts.com/