ESCAPADES | Sugared & Spiced

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Kaohsiung Oden King 高雄黑輪大王

Address: 523 Bei An Road, Taipei / 台北市北安路523號
Tel: (02) 2533 6304
Hours: 10:00am~12:00am
Price: 15~35 NTD/oden
Visited on: 2012-01-25

On a cold winter day like this, there’s not much better than a bowl of oden and hot soup as a late night snack. But what is oden, you ask? This winter dish, basically put, consists of skewered items like fish cakes, meat balls, turnips, deep-fried tofu, tofu skin, pig blood cakes, mushrooms…all cooked and bathed in a savory vegetable broth. There are countless street stalls in Taipei selling odens, but if you are not sure where to go, try Kaohsiung Oden King near Exit 2 of MRT Da Zhi Station (捷運大直站) – this is definitely a local favorite.

Kaohsiung Oden King

There’s always a crowd at Kaohsiung Oden King. Most people get the oden to go, but there are a few tables available for “dine in” as well.

The stall

Let the guy with the ladle know which items you want. Point, but don’t touch. All the prices are written up on the headboard, but you really don’t have to care about how much each oden cost – we just ordered whatever we fancied, and the total came up to be only 180 NTD for two people. What a steal!

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2012/01/262015/08/31

[Taipei] Just In Bistro

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Just In Bistro

Address: 1/F Neo 19, 30 Songshou Road, Hsinyi District, Taipei / 台北市信義區松壽路30號Neo 19 1F
Tel: (02) 8786 2000
Hours: 11:00am~midnight
Website: www.justinquek.com
Price: [lunch] 580~780 NTD, [dinner] 1,000~2,000 NTD/person
Visited on: 2012-01-25

Nothing feels quite so comforting as a piece of warm apple tart, fresh out of the oven. Served as it is here at Just In Bistro, in a red hot metal pan with sauce caramel, it is irresistible.

Just In Bistro

JQ’s signatures baked fine apple tart with sauce caramel, 400 NTD

JQ’s signatures baked fine apple tart with sauce caramel (400 NTD) has got all the right elements. A delicate tart base made up of 8 phyllo pastry layers, a spread of tangy green apple slices, a glaze of bitter sweet caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of crunchy toasted almond slices.

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2012/01/212015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Grissini at Grand Hyatt

hong kong

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Grissini

Address: 2/F Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong / 香港灣仔港灣道1號香港君悅酒店2樓
Tel: +852 2584 7722
Hours: 12:00~2:30pm, 7:00~10:30pm
Website: www.grandhyatthongkong.hk
Price: [lunch] 388~420 HKD/set, [dinner] 800~1,600 HKD/person

Please note that this is an arranged tasting, so my experience is possibly more positive than a regular visit.

Addicted. One bite of this fluffy, chewy grissini, and I was addicted. It was with great mental control that I stopped myself from devouring another foot-long breadstick, so I can leave room for the Milanese specialties that were to come pouring out of the kitchen. I shifted my attention to other attractions of the restaurant – a dimly-lit romantic space, an extensive selection of Italian wine, an impressive floor-to-ceiling Vinotheque, and panoramic views of Victoria Harbour…

Grissini at Grand Hyatt

But the waiter brought us yet another batch of warm grissini, fresh out of the oven. Into the stomach they went.

Grissini

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2012/01/202015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Madam Sixty Ate

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Madam Sixty Ate

Address: Shop 8, 1/F J Senses, 60 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong / 香港灣仔庄士敦道60號1樓8號鋪
Tel: +852 2527 2558
Hours: 12:00pm~12:00am
Website: www.madamsixtyate.com.hk
Price: [lunch] 148~178 HKD, [dinner] 400+ HKD
Visited on: 2011-09-12

Chef Director Chris Woodyard and Head Chef Andrew Braham have put in plenty of heart into Madam Sixty Ate, and it shows in the details. From the hand illustrated menu featuring cauliflower-tailed fish and bunnies nesting in pea pods, to the edible art pieces that come pouring out of the open kitchen, there are quirky personal touches sprinkled throughout the restaurant. It all starts at the elevator, where a pig (her name is Eliza) greets diners in her wooly attire.

Entrance

Love the bright, airy space.

Dining room

Love the wall paper.

Wall paper

Love the open kitchen.

Open kitchen

LOVE the hand-illustrated menu. Meet Pedro the Squid.

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2012/01/202015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Island Shangri-La

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Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Address: Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2877 3838
Website: www.shangri-la.com/en/property/hongkong/islandshangrila
Visited on: 2011-12-23

My stay at the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong was a short but sweet one. I was only there for one evening and didn’t have time to try any of the restaurants except for Cafe TOO for its breakfast buffet, but the experience was enough for me to understand why this hotel is ranked #5 out of 322 hotels in Hong Kong on Tripadvisor. Location-wise, it’s perfect – Island Shangri-La is at the heart of Central District, perched right above Pacific Place (one of my favorite shopping malls in Hong Kong) and near the Admiralty subway station. The decor is luxurious without being over the top, its warm vibe enhanced by the welcoming and attentive staff.

Island Shangri-La

Lobby area

Reception

Upon exiting the elevator on the 47th floor where our room was located, we were greeted with the world’s largest Chinese silk painting that spans 16 storeys in the atrium. Quite an impressive sight.

Atrium

The standard room is spacious and elegantly appointed with a mix of Asian and European furnishings. It of course comes with a view of the Victoria Harbour – no need to belabor the point.

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2012/01/152015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Plateau Spa at The Grand Hyatt

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Plateau Spa at The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Address: 11/F Grand Hyatt, One Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2584 7688
Hours: 10:00am~10:00pm
Website: hongkong.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp
Price: Plateau Massage (90 minutes) 1,380 HKD
Visited on: 2011-12-25

Tell me, does the following description not make you want to immediately make a reservation at the Plateau Spa at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong?

“Living the spa life is not only possible at the Plateau Spa at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, it’s encouraged. So don’t just book for an hour or three; make it an overnighter. The Plateau’s 14 spa residential rooms have futons, low and minimalist furniture, and a glass-sided infinity bath for two. You could settle in for an in-room massage, then soak in the bath and wake up to a healthy, alfresco breakfast on the balcony or outside under the trees.” (via)

Yes, very much so.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

The landscaping at Plateau Spa – complete with fountains, pools, and a waterfall – form a peaceful oasis. The environment is perfect for a quiet escape, whether you are staying for the night at one of the elegantly decorated residential spa rooms, or are in it just for a few hours of day spa treatment – both will transport you to another state of mind.

Treatment room

Upon entering the soothingly scented treatment room, a sense of relaxation settles. The hustle and bustle of Hong Kong? Out of sight, out of mind.

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2012/01/152015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Grand Hyatt

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Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Address: 1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2588 1234
Website: hongkong.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels
Visited on: 2011-12-24

Grand Hyatt needs no introduction. There is nothing bedazzling about the hotel in terms of architectural design, but if you are looking for consistent quality and attentive service, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong would be it.

Christmas decoration

Reception

Our Grand Deluxe Harbour View Room, furnished with a King bed with cozy duvet and feather pillows, also came with killer views of the Victoria Harbour. Business travelers would like the spacious workstation and the selection of magazines in the room – The Economist, Forbes, Newsweek, TIME…etc.

The room

Work station

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2012/01/072012/03/12

[台北] Nonzero 非零餐廳

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Nonzero 非零餐廳

地址: 台北市大安區仁愛路四段27巷4弄5號
電話: (02) 2772-1630
營業時段: 11:30am~2:30pm, 6:00pm~10:00pm
網址: www.nonzero.com.tw
價格: [午] 400~800元, [晚] 900~1500 元, [下午茶] 300元
訪問日期：2011-10-03

位在仁愛路小巷中的Nonzero非零餐廳由崇尚自然的 Aveda 台灣總裁所經營，提供給顧客的是一道道樸實、忠於食材原味的有機輕食。其中的開放式廚房、原木桌椅及恰到好處的柔和燈光帶給繁忙都會人士一種很溫暖、輕鬆的氛圍。若今日的你想以健康的料理好好犒賞你的味蕾，Nonzero會是一個非常合適的選擇。

Nonzero

我們兩人決定分一份套餐(900元)和一份單點主菜做為今日的晚餐。餐點由歐式麵包佐由澳洲 Dandaragan Estate 生產的橄欖油揭開序幕。這獨特的橄欖油可是Nonzero的菁華所在，而餐廳也有提供品橄欖油的服務給那些感興趣的顧客們。

橄欖油

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2012/01/052015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton

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Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

Address: 103F, The Ritz-Carlton, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
Hours: 12:00pm~10:30pm, [chocolate afternoon tea] 3:00pm~6:00pm
Tel: +852 2263 2263
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/
Price: 328 HKD + 10%/person
Visited on: 2011-12-23

Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for chocoholics. While it is also open for lunch and dinner, the cafe (formerly known as The Chocolate Library) is most famed for its chocolate-themed afternoon tea. During its first few months of opening, it was impossible to get a reservation at the cafe, and you literally had to come 2 hours in advance to secure a seat. Now that the hype has cooled down a bit, I can finally see what this is about…

Cafe 103

The cafe is adorned with a warm ensemble of chocolate-colored couches, and even the waitress’ uniforms and menus are in the same tone.

The Chocolate Library

Chocolate-theme recipes books scattered here and there. I’d like to take a few home, especially this one by La Maison du Chocolat.

Chocolate chocolate chocolate

As it was Christmas season, we were first treated to a plate of Christmas cookies – a most delightful start. For my drink, it was tempting to choose the signature hot chocolate, but anticipating the avalanche of chocolate treats that were to follow, I opted for a pot of Apple Fantastic instead.

Christmas cookie and tea

In keeping with the library theme, the tea set (328 HKD + 10% per person) is served in a miniature bookcase. Lift up the cover and – voilà! – three savory bites and seven chocolate treats daintily presented on a wooden bookshelf. Different chocolates with varying percentages of cocoa content are used to create an ensemble of pastries in this tea set. The result? Layers of chocolate goodness.

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2012/01/032015/08/31

[Hong Kong] 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

hong kong

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

Add: Shop 202, 2/F, Alexandra House, Central, Hong Kong / 中環德輔道中5-17號歷山大廈2樓202號舖
Tel: (852) 2537 8859
Hours: 12-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm
Website: www.ottoemezzobombana.com
Price: [lunch] 330 HKD/set (a la carte also available), [dinner] 800 HKD+
Visited: Dec 2011

I won’t be able to describe my dinner at 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in much detail. It was one of those charming experiences filled with constant oohs and ahhs that in retrospect, everything is a blur – the copious amount of wine consumed that evening certainly contributed to the buzz. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

We were lucky to get one of the C-shaped booths in the corners, which provided a great vantage point from which to survey the entire dining room: a comfortable interior in a warm palette of bronze and cream, made festive by Christmas decorations here and there. The faceted mirror ceiling is a nice touch.

Corkage fee at Otto e Mezzo is charged not by the bottle, but by the number of people at the table (100 HKD per person), and in total we only paid 400 HKD of corkage fee for all three bottles we brought that evening (instead of 500 HKD/bottle charged by other high-end restaurants). It all started with a bottle of bubbly Egly Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru (thank you J & C :)

The amuse bouche may look like a chocolate truffle, but it’s actually a cube of chocolate foie gras.

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Category: ESCAPADES

[Taipei] Kaohsiung Oden King 高雄黑輪大王

[Taipei] Just In Bistro

[Hong Kong] Grissini at Grand Hyatt

[Hong Kong] Madam Sixty Ate

[Hong Kong] Island Shangri-La

[Hong Kong] Plateau Spa at The Grand Hyatt

[Hong Kong] Grand Hyatt

[台北] Nonzero 非零餐廳

[Hong Kong] Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton

[Hong Kong] 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA