Tai Cheong Bakery (泰昌餅家), Central, Hong Kong

It happen that I go pass Tai Cheong Bakery today. I saw the queue outside its shop. What are they waiting for? It must be their infamous Egg Tart which is one of Chris Patten's (last British Governor of Hong Kong) favorite. Nowadays, there is Tai Cheong Bakery everywhere across Hong Kong.


It is not the same picture how I remember it. My bus went pass their shop every day when I was going to school. Their shop front displaying various type of traditional Chinese biscuits. Of course without the queue. :) Oh... it brings back my memories of the good old days.


Since I am here, why not queue up for its Egg Tart? It did not take me too long for a tart. Wow... it is so smooth and creamy... I wish I have bought more than one!

Egg Tart in front of Tai Cheong Bakery

泰昌餅家
中環總店
中環擺花街35號地下
Tai Cheong Bakery
35 Lyndhurst Terrance
Hong Kong

Hallam's Waterfront Seafood Restaurant, Launceston, Tasmania

We are at Launceston thinking where should we go for our seafood dinner. When we did a google search, this restaurant name pop up at the top of the list. Clicking a few more link into their website, it looks good to us and we quickly hop onto the car and drive there.

Hallam's Waterfront Restaurant

When we arrived, I had an impression that the restaurant is going to close. But we arrived just around 8pm, they are not closing, right?? The waitress asked us whether we can order our food once we have settled down. Of course, we are here to have local seafood, in particular, oysters and lobster (or crayfish in Tasmania). 

  Hallam's Waterfront Restaurant

Our "Tools" for this Meal

 Complimentary Bread

The complimentary bread is served warm and it is crusty... nice!

Kilpatrick Oysters

The kilpatrick oysters are so fresh and just right tangy taste. Loving it!

 Tiger Prawns

The tiger prawns is large and fresh. We have an argument over which sauce is which... wasabi or lime?? Finally we have to get the waitress to clarify for us... and Yes I am correct... hahahaha...

 Tasmania Rock Lobster Grilled with Garlic & Butter

Finally the long waited Tasmania Rock Lobster (or crayfish) is ready to serve. Wow... the freshness of the lobster... I cant use any word to describe how delicious this lobster is!


We have also ordered a seafood pasta, but I was busy with the lobster and forgotten to take any photo of the pasta. :p


Although it is just a random pick, but I had a most memoriable seafood dinner at Launceston!!

Hallam's Waterfront Seafood Restaurant

13 Park Street

Launceston TAS

(03) 6334 0554

Quay, Sydney

Happy New Year! It has been awhile from my last blog. Now I am back, so my first post of the year is something which I have waited for a long time... Quay!! It is in the S. Pellegrio World's 50 Best Restaurant's list.

I have organised the booking before my friend went for her overseas trip. Now she is back in Sydney and we are enjoying this culinary experience.

Amuse-bouche

Amuse Bouche is a refreshing start of our wonderful food journey which Peter Gilmore will take us.

 Sea Pearls: sashimi tuna, sea scallop, crab, smoked eel, octopus

Sea Pearls, as the name suggested, variety of fish has been shaped into pearl. What's amaze me they also use edible silver on top of one.

Smoked Eel & Egg White Pearl, Sashimi Hiramasa King Fish, Pickled Kohlrabi, Octopus, Nasturtiums, White Dashi Jelly

The other entree is smoked eel & egg white pearl. The photo I have taken when they found out that they have missed out the smoked eel. Since we took our time to take photos, they changed for us before we start. :)

Mud Crab Congee: hand shelled mud crab, Chinese inspired split rice porridge

It is our first time to have congee in a Western Restaurant. Although it is not what we expected, a thick and smooth congee, but a soup full of mud crab favour with rice. 

Gentle Braise of Pearl Oyster: shaved southern squid, lettuce hearts, golden tapioca, lobster velvet, pea flowers

When I looked at the menu Pearl Oyster, that an interesting must try dish for me. The pearl oyster has a strong distinctive favour. I would want more of it!

Slow Braised Pork Cheek, Ginger Milk Curd, Fresh Palm Heart, Green Lipped Abalone, Tasmanian Wakame & Chestnut Mushroom Consomme

The seafood broth brings out the favour of the pork.

Roasted Bass Groper: kabu turnips, hairy melon, hasuimo, radish pods, garlic scapes, vongole juices, oyster cream

Berkshire Pork Jowl, maltose crackling, prunes, cauliflower cream, perfumed with prune kernel oil

The roasted brass groper became ordinary when comparing with the pig jowls. The waiter asked us to smell before you enjoy this pig jowls! The crackling is so crispy. This dish for sure have what we Chinese say, Have Colour, Smell, Taste! :)


Finally it's dessert time, how can we miss this out? We are here for one reason... Snow Egg!! Of course, we have also other desserts to compare.

White Nectarine Snow Egg

We cracked open the egg... and the runny inside is flowing through to the white nectarine ice.

Eight Texture Chocolate Cake featuring Amedei Chocolate

I love my chocolate. I resist to finish the meal with a chocolate cake. Although the name is quite ordinary, but they run over hot chocolate over the cake before serve. Wow... it's all I want to say!

Preserved Wild Cherries, coconut cream, chuao chocolate crumble, cherry juice and chocolate sorbet (sorry about the photo)

When I looked at this dish, where is the preserved cherries and coconut cream? It is all spread at the bottom of the dish and it has transformed into crumb.

What a culinary experience, both visually and my taste bud. The creativity level is out of imagination. No wonder it has been listed at one on the world best restaurant.




Quay
Overseas Passenger Terminal
The Rocks, Sydney
(02) 9251 5600