[Hong Kong] Cafe Gray Deluxe

Categories hong kong
[Hong Kong] Cafe Gray Deluxe

Cafe Gray Deluxe

Add: Level 49, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3968 1106
Website: www.cafegrayhk.com
Hours: [lunch] 12-2:30pm [tea] 3:30-5:30pm [dinner] 6-10:30pm
 Price: [lunch] 295~355 HKD/set [brunch] 350+ HKD/person [tea] 345 HKD/for two [dinner] 675 HKD/set

On my first day in Hong Kong, I had the perfect light lunch at Cafe Gray Deluxe, a modern European restaurant by celebrity chef Gray Kunz up on the 49th floor of Upper House.

View of the Victoria Harbour, I can only imagine how spectacular it must look after dark.

The meal started off with fluffy mixed grain bread accompanied by a plain yogurt dip. Excellent.

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[Antwerp] Half Day Trip

Categories antwerp
[Antwerp] Half Day Trip

Antwerp really didn’t make an impression on me – perhaps I needed way more than 7 hours to explore the city.

The statue in Grote Markt, with a story behind:

“Antwerp got its name from a legend involving a mythical giant called Antigoon who lived near the river Scheldt. He exacted a toll from those crossing the river, and for those who refused, he severed one of their hands and threw it into the river Scheldt. Eventually, the giant was slain by a young hero named Brabo, who cut off the giant’s own hand and flung it into the river. Hence the name Antwerpen, from Dutch hand werpen – akin to Old English hand and wearpan (= to throw), that has changed to today’s warp.“

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[Ghent] Simon Says B&B – The Breakfast

Categories ghent
[Ghent] Simon Says B&B – The Breakfast

Simon Says B&B

Add: Sluizeken 89000 Gent, Belgium
Tel: +32 9 233 03 43
Website: www.simon-says.be
Price: €100/night for 2 people, discounts for 2 nights or more
Visited: Jul 2011

The bed at Simon Says is ultra comfortable. The only thing that lured me out of it was the enticing aroma of freshly baked croissants and freshly brewed coffee from the downstairs cafe. When breakfast smells this good, sleeping in simply is not an option.

At the cafe, we were greeted by Christopher and Vache the B&B cat. Vache is “cow” in French – just look at his fur and you’ll know why this name is so befitting.

Breakfast at Simon Says is a feast. Freshly squeezed orange juice, amazing croissants (I’d say one of the best I’ve ever had) and other pastries (pain au chocolat was delicious as well), perfectly boiled eggs (so soft so tender), yogurt, organic museli, fresh cherries, and of course, luxurious coffee.

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[Ghent] Simon Says B&B

Categories ghent
[Ghent] Simon Says B&B

Simon Says B&B

Add: Sluizeken 89000 Gent, Belgium
Tel: +32 9 233 03 43
Website: www.simon-says.be
Price: €100/night for 2 people, discounts for 2 nights or more
Visited: Aug 2011

Simon Says is a wonderful, wonderful cafe + bed & breakfast located in the heart of Ghent. We arrived late in the evening exhausted from a full day of touring, and our hosts – Simon and Christopher, two lovely Brits who have been living in Ghent for 10+ years – scooped us right off the floor, carried our luggages up two flights of steep stairs, and ushered us into our simple but comfortably furnished room. Light music in the air, evening breeze through the windows, and a pot of freshly steeped Mariage Frères Jasmin Mandarin tea with Belgian chocolates on the table. Ahh, it’s good to be here.

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[Waterloo] Hameau du Roy

Categories waterloo
[Waterloo] Hameau du Roy

La Ferme du Hameau de Roy

Add: Ch. de Bruxelles 70, 1472 Vieux-Gemappe, Belgique
Tel: 02 387 15 15
Website: fermeduhameauduroy.be
Price: [beer] €3.00 and up [food] €7.50 and up
Visited: Jul 2011

This rustic farm bakery near the Waterloo battlefield serves amazing quiches and fruit tarts. Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch.

Just looking at these fruit tarts and quiches made me very happy at heart.

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[Brussels] A La Mort Subite

Categories brussels
[Brussels] A La Mort Subite

A La Mort Subite

Add: Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 7, 1000 City of Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 02 513 13 18
Hours: [Mon-Sat] 11am-1am [Sun] 12pm-12am
Website: alamortsubite.com
Price: [beer] €3.50 and up

A La Mort Subite, literally “Instant Death”, is a 1920s-style beer hall just a short walk from Brussels Central Station. Long rickety wooden benches, tall ceilings, raucous and cosy atmosphere, and haphazard service. Great place for a glass of beer or two.

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