Sunday, 1 December 2013

Tasting Journey #49 - 大倉久和 歐風館自助餐廳

大倉久和  歐風館自助餐廳
台北市南京東路一段 9 號
02.2523.1111
http://www.okurataipei.com.tw/?Nsn

$1,500 + 10%

This buffet is well known for its buffet, but it is honestly very disappointing given the poor quality and the selection.  Regardless the high price, I wasn't expecting a buffet as extensive as this to not even find enough satisfactory food to fill my empty stomach.   Not to mention that the ambiance and the interior deco looked more like a burger joint. 

Of all the savoury dishes I had tried, the only note worthy mention is the amaebi sashimi, and sadly, beef sukyaki. Dessert-wise, the only dish that was satisfactory to my taste bud was the panna cota.




  









Tasting Journey #48 - 平田壽司

平田壽司
http://www.hiratasushi.com.tw/

This is a chain sushi store, with one located in the Eslite Book Store in the Taipei Main Train Station.
It is a kaiten sushi that offers a selection that is very similar to 爭鮮壽司. Quality-wise, I do not see it any better, and the price is higher as well.

I wouldn't recommend it unless you are starving and needed to eat something before getting to your next stop (which is why I had stopped by).

The mackerel sushi (both grilled & nigiri) were great. Salmon wasn't.







Tasting Journey #48 - 小樂天餃子館

小樂天餃子館
台北市信義區忠孝東路五段151號1樓 
02.2753.0793
http://www.ipeen.com.tw/shop/23117-%E5%B0%8F%E6%A8%82%E5%A4%A9%E9%A4%83%E5%AD%90%E9%A4%A8

Dumplings, pot stickers are all really tasty.
Fillings in the dumplings are very flavourful. Therefore, no sauce is needed to compliment the dumplings.
Pot stickers are probably made of the same filling. If you are looking for a bit more grease, then I would opt for pot stickers over dumplings.

Beef noodle soup is good, but it uses round noodles - something that is just not to my favour, more of a personal thing. If you don't mind it, then definitely try the beef noodle soup. I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as well.



Tasting Journey #47 - HK Trip - 翠華, 添好運, 永華麵家, 滿記甜品

I spent a week in HK for the L&D Training. I had the priviledge of spending this week with a foodie co-worker, who did a lot of researching prior to visiting HK. So we were able to visit quite a few popular restaurants.

  
永華麵家 - I forgot to take a photo of this restaurant, but it was recommended by Anthony Boujrdaine - a well-known American chief. I ordered a bowl of their famous shrimp wonton noodle soup. It was pricey, $5.
The noodle, apparently was pressed and cut by bamboo sheets.  The broth is really good. Definitely worth trying out.


滿記甜品 - I love their 楊枝甘露涼粉. Hui Lau Shan (許留山) also has similar desserts, and both are extremely tasty.  Pomelo, mango....etc....


 I didn't get a chance to try this one, but it is considered a Michelin 1 star restaurant known for dim sum.


添好運 -  Rated Michelin 1-star, it is a place that offers quick eat, and decent quality dim sum. Honestly, I have to say that Vancouver Dim Sum quality is still by far, better. However, of all the dishes I tried, one dish that is worth mentioning, is the fish paste stuffed jalapeno pepper. Spicy and flavourful.


 
 
 翠華 - HK-style cafe that serves both congee and HK-style western food. We had spaghetti, risotti-type of dishes... all very tasty but I do have to say that because of its popularity, the price is slightly higher than what you would expect for a HK-style cafe.



正斗 - The restaurant that serves best congee ever! Ever since I started connecting flights in HK for business, I would always, ALWAYS, take the time to visit 正斗 for their congee.  If you are a congee lover, you HAVE TO try it. It is crazy expensive, but it is goo~~~d. So good. 


Tasting Journey #42c - Toshi Sushi

Toshi Sushi
181 E 16th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5T3B4
604.874.5173
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/181856/restaurant/Mount-Pleasant-Main-Street/Toshi-Sushi-Vancouver

The infamous Toshi Sushi.  Opens at 5pm, and already a line up.
The restaurant offers authentic and fresh Japanese sushi.  Well known within the Japanese lovers.
I've always wanted to try this place, but every time I drove by, the line up is always crazy long.
I had to try it before I head to Asia.  Therefore, I made special arrangements to ensure that I arrive just past 5pm so that I would be able to get a seat without having to wait an hour long.
 

Tasting Journey #42b - Purple Olive Grill

Purple Olive Grill
850 Thurlow St, Vancouver BC
604.558.2103
http://purpleolivegrill.com/

I have always driven by this place whenever I'm in downtown. So when I saw that this restaurant had a deal on groupon, I bought it right away.
With the groupon deal, it was definitely worth it because we had a two 3-course meal for the price of one.

Shrimp Caesar's - lots of shrimp.
Ribs - very tender and tasty!
Soup - quite salty but still decent.


Tasting Journey #42a - Indochine Kitchen + Bar

Indochine Kitchen + Bar
1 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 1V4
604.568.0828 
http://indochinekitchen.ca/

Totally forgot to log this when I was in Vancouver... well, here it is... back paddling a bit, and trying to catch up, so I'm gonna keep this short & sweet.
I was told that this place is owned by the son of Phnom Penh, Cambodian cuisines - one of my favourite restaurant. At Indochine, you will also be able to order Phnom Penh's infamous dishes such as the fried chicken wing, luc lac, and butter beef.... Well, because Indochine is a fushion restaurant that is catered more towards hip young guests, the dish is better presented, smaller portioned and at a higher price point.
I do have to say that the chicken wing is definitely better at Phnom Penh.