You get the drift.

Anyway.

First impressions were excellent. Dramatic lighting, lit walkway, lamps taller than MichaelJordans laid end to end. But then they handed us the menus, and they were these flimsy cardboard things, completely at odds with the prince’s ransom they were asking for a couple slices o’ fish. Which arrived, again beautifully presented, but didn’t taste anywhere near as spectacular as the price warranted.

Oh yes, the chawanmushi, which we ordered to fill up, was decidedly below par.

Wasabisabi is currently having an Australian wagyu beef promotion. The shabu-shabu set for HK$258 gets 1 mushroom, ’bout 12 strands of vermicelli, a plate of vegetables, and 7 slices of beef.

I don’t think I’m coming back. I had a much better time at Doraya, recommended by Charmaine over at http://tastytreats.wordpress.com/.

By the way, if the management of Wasabisabi ever reads this, please explain to your waiters that when people ask for recommendations, this isn’t a cue to point out the most expensive items on every page.

Wasabisabi
http://www.aqua.com.hk
Grades: ambience: A1, food: B3, prices: C6, service: C6
13th floor, Times Square
T: +852 2506 0009

Now we’d love to say this place was excellent. Because it’s cosy and it screens art films above its patrons’ heads, it’s precisely the sort of restaurant that would make a great hidden-gem sort of find.

Unfortunately the food was only so-so, and the portion sizes, though not q. miniscule, could definitely be improved upon. Then the waitress informed us that the only dessert available was a somewhat sad-looking cake on the counter.

And so we paid and left.

It’s too bad, though, inventing idiotic dialogue for foreign films is one of life’s great joys.

We say go, but stick with wine or coffee.

Bricolage62
Our grades: ambience: A1, food: B4, service: A2
62 Hollywood Road, Central
T: +852 2542 1991

Lian might not serve the most authentic Thai or Vietnamese dishes, as many of the recipes appear to have the spice factor reduced significantly. And eating around a table-sized pond might not be your idea of fine dining.

But then again, it might. And the food is really pretty scrumptious, even if somewhat wimpy, chili-wise. We say, give it at least a try once. Particularly if you have a credit card that gives you deals at Maxim’s outlets.

Lian
Our grades: food: B3, ambience: B3, value for money (w/ Amex Platinum): A1
Shop 2004,  Podium Level 2
IFC Mall
T: +852 2521 1117

Everything we had was a poor imitation of someone’s idea of something Spanish.

El Cid Spanish Restaurant
Our grades: food: F9
Shop C, G/F, Florida Mansion
9-11 Cleveland Street
Causeway Bay

Set lunch is HK$128 for 2 courses, HK$148 for 3 courses, not including taxes. An Angus steak will carry a surcharge of HK$30 but is pretty worthwhile. Service is friendly and prompt, the old Indian proprietor will go out of his way to please, so don’t be afraid to ask for things off the menu.

The food is consistently good, if not particularly spectacular. Tables are decently spaced.

The only downside is that for lunch, it’s pretty pricey considering what’s being offered just a little higher up over at Wagyu, Frog Face Fish and Zest.

Rive Gauche Rive Droite
Our rating: food: A2, ambience: A2, service: A2, value for money: B3
2/F Onfem Tower
29 Wyndham Street, LKF
T: +852 2525 1681

Fish congee was excellent – fish was sliced wafer thin and the congee was delicious. For HK$22, a total bargain, particularly for these cold wintry days.

Despite the English menu stuck on the window, they don’t speak any. Happy pointing. Add HK$1 for takeaways (ling zhao!).

Law Fu Kee Noodle Shop Ltd
Our rating: food: A1, value for money: A1, ambience: old HK
50 Lyndhurst Terrace (get off the escalator when you see Dozo and head towards Hollywood Road)
T: +852 2850 6756

If they’re still serving the prosciutto with fresh figs starter – have it. Afraid I haven’t got any pictures of the appetizers – the escargot was equally excellent – we were starving.

Seafood risotto, served on a large shell. Better than I thought possible. Laced with slivers of crab.

Lamb. Also excellent.

And to top it all off, service was impeccable. Candlelight and proper waiters.

Oh yes, – smokers rejoice, the tables outside are yours.

Papa Razzi
Our grades: food: A1, ambience: A2, service: A1, value for money: A1
2 Knutsford Terrace
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Reservations essential: +852 2312 6668

I was starving and this was on the way home and it was pho for HK$25.

Very, um, rustic decor:

And here’s the pho (noisy picture warning):

Pho is the cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine. This rendition was, um, maybe a six outta ten. But I don’t really feel qualified to rate this place, since I did a takeout this time, and plastic containers almost always result in soggy noodle death. There was a newspaper article in the window though, so they’ve impressed someone – something about chicken wings and French butter. Hm.

If you’d like to try it out:
Chuk Yuen Vietnamses Restaurant
30 Gage Street, Central
+852 2815 0783

Monday was one of those days. And the first item on McSorley’s menu is fish and chips in beer batter.

Batter was a bit thick in places but the fish (barramundi, I think) beneath was gorgeous, light and fresh and perfect with the seasoning. The only gripe I had was that there wasn’t enough. It took me no time at all to polish this off.

The fat fries were nothing spectacular, but neither were they disappointing.

Proper wood floors! Plus a pool table on the second floor, such a rarity for Hong Kong. It’s free as long as you drink something, says the bartender. Which reminds me – service was patchy, but it was a quiet Monday afternoon, so I’ll forgive ‘em.

McSorley’s Ale House
Our grades: food: A2, ambience: A2, service: B4, value for money: B3
55 Elgin Street
SoHo, Central
+852 2522 2646
http://www.mcsorleys.com.hk/soho.html