Archive for category Food
Review – Inakaya (田舍家), Hong Kong
Having just been to Roppongi Robataya in Tokyo recently, we were a bit skeptical about the much hyped robatayaki restaurant Inakaya (田舍家) in Hong Kong. Located on the 101st floor of the International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon, at least the view would be stunning. The robatayaki room is in the far back of the restaurant, past the sushi counters and teppanyaki tables. Once seated, we were amazed by their attention to detail in replicating the decor and felt that we were transported to Japan.
We ordered the usual stuff: ginkgo (HK$80/US$10), Shiitake mushrooms (HK$150/US$19), Tsukune – chicken meatballs (HK$150/US$19 for two), shrimp (HK$300/US$38), pork (HK$170/US$22 for two), onion (HK$120/US$15), garlic (HK$65/US$8) and corn (HK$100/US$13). Outstanding were the king crab legs (HK$360/US$46), which were very fresh and sweet. The wagyu beef (HK$680/US$87 for two) were also delicious. But the highlight of the evening was the grilled kinki fish (HK$1,100/US$141)…the moist and soft meat mixed with the crispy skin was fabulous and kept us digging into every nook and cranny to get the last bite. Although not cheap, it is definitely highly recommended.
During our dinner, although we didn’t have the ‘changing of the chefs’ ceremony as in Japan, two chefs displayed a show of Mochitsuki (literally ‘making mochi’) by pounding a batch of glutinous rice inside a large mortar (usu) with a large wooden mallet (kine). They gave out loud grunts every time they pounded the flour, so it was quite a spectacle. They even invited guests to help out – kids even have a small version of the mallet to get in on the action. This was not just for show however, the end result was a delicious dish of mochi.
Although dinner can set you back HK$1,800/US$231 per person without wine, the food and experience was worth it. With the quality comparable to Roppongi Robataya in Japan, if you want to save a plane ride, this could be your answer to the best robatayaki in town. Next time we go to Tokyo, we’ll be sure to try the original Inakaya.
– 18/20
Inakaya (田舍家)
Shop A, 101/F, International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
T: +852 2972 2666
W: www.jcgroup.hk
111106 Inakaya - Entrance signage
111106 Inakaya - Table setting
111106 Inakaya - Robatayaki room
111106 Inakaya - King crab legs
111106 Inakaya - Tsukune
111106 Inakaya - Shiitake
111106 Inakaya - Ginkgo
111106 Inakaya - Pork skewers
111106 Inakaya - Shrimps
111106 Inakaya - Onions
111106 Inakaya - Mochitsuki
111106 Inakaya - Mochi
111106 Inakaya - Kinki
111106 Inakaya - Garlic
111106 Inakaya - Wagyu beef
111106 Inakaya - Corn
Review – Sushi Ichi (鮨一), Tokyo
Recommended by our golf buddy, we were expecting great sushi. But first, we had to find the place. For some unknown reason, our taxi stopped one block short of the restaurant and we were walking in circles looking for the place. just as we were about to give up, we popped into the Ginza Apple Store to ask for directions. Cleverly, the staff whipped up an iPad and launched Google maps to type in the address. In a second, we knew exactly where to go. Cool. The restaurant is actually one street behind the Apple Store, tucked inside a nook so look out for the signs directing you inside.
Chef Masakazu Ishibashi was serving us and we went for the omakase (chef’s choice) as usual. For about ¥15,000 (US$195) per person, it wasn’t cheap (especially with today’s exchange rate) but the quality was very good. I confess that I couldn’t resist the chu-toro as it might have been rude to reject it. It literally melted in our mouths. The grilled tuna cheek sushi was also very nice. The uni (sea urchin) was Grade 1 and rightfully so as it was very fresh and sweet. The sushi rice was good, but when compared to Sushi Kanaseka, it was a tad soft.
The highlight was when Ishibashi-san asked us if we liked crab. Are you kidding? Then the waitress bought a live Hokkaido crab (¥8,000/US$104) that looked delicious. Off to the steamer for him. Once cooked, the meat was removed and we started devouring the claws. Then the amazing part was the crab meat mixed with the soft fragrant roe…delicious!
A great place for sushi and now that we know where it is, the location is very convenient. We can always pop in the Apple Store after lunch 
– 18/20
Sushi Ichi (鮨一)
1F, 4-4 Ginza 3-Chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061
T: +81 (3) 3567 0014
E: info@3567-0014.com
W: www.3567-0014.com
110917 Sushi Ichi - 4-4- Ginza 3-Chome
110917 Sushi Ichi - Main entrance to the restaurant
110917 Sushi Ichi - Chopsticks holder
Review – Roppongi Robataya, Tokyo
Hey this might be a touristy place, but the atmosphere was really great. All the staff speak pretty good English, so ordering was not a problem. Even if you’re lost in translation, you can just point at what you want grilled as everything was spread out in front of you. We arrived early (around 7:00pm) so there was just one party apart from us. But the later it got, more people arrived and the atmosphere became ecstatic. Towards the end of our dinner, there was a “Changing of the Chefs” ceremony where everyone joined in the shouting and synchronized clapping of hands.
The food was great and cooked right in front of you – teppanyaki style. There was a water tank where we picked fresh shrimp and abalone. Really nice. The Kobe beef melted in our mouths and surprisingly the garlic and ginko were excellent.
I’d suggest to go a bit later, around 8, to experience the atmosphere to its fullest. You can walk around Tokyo Midtown, which is right next door.
– 16.5/20
Roppongi Robataya
1/F Kyowa Building Nishikan
4-4-3 Roppongi Minato-ku
Tokyo, Japan
T: +81 (3) 3408 9674
W: www.roppongi-robataya.com/english
110916 Roppongi Robataya - Logo typography
110916 Roppongi Robataya - Chef picks ingredients
110916 Roppongi Robataya - Live seafood
Review – Yardbird, Hong Kong
The buzz around town recently has been the opening of this place called Yardbird tucked in a small street off Hollywood Road (behind The Press Room). The chef, Matt Abergel, previously at Zuma Hong Kong takes chicken to a new level. Although we were never huge fans of Zuma, we must say this was impressive. Their specialty is chicken and you can get yakitori with just about any part of the bird that you can imagine. They claim that their birds are fresh from the market every day.
When we tried to book a table, they said that apart from being closed on Sundays, they don’t take reservations. Seems like there are more and more places adopting this in Hong Kong. IMO, I’m not sure that it works here. People are impatient and this favors the patrons either living or working nearby. Nevertheless, we went early and managed to grab a seat downstairs next to the open kitchen. Our whole party had to be present before they could give us a table, so our friend had to wait at the bar on the ground level. The decor was neat and simple, but maybe because of the loft-like high ceilings, everyone’s conversation bounced off the walls left right and center. We almost had to shout to hear ourselves. Maybe we’re just getting old.
Yakitori notables were the Thigh (HK$38/US$4.87), which was very tender; the Oyster (HK$42/US$5.38) – the hip joint, named for its resemblance to an oyster and the Knee (HK$38/US$4.87), the soft bone. But the highlight were the Meatballs (HK$42/US$5.38), which were juicy, soft and tender. It went extremely well with the sweet soy sauce mixed with a delicious raw egg yolk.
Some non-chicken items were also very good. The Sweet Corn Tempura (HK$85/US$10.90) was excellent. Even better than Inagiku. Each individual kernel was crispy and sweet. Yummy. Another interesting dish was called KFC (HK$75/US$9.62), and from a restaurant specializing in chicken, you would think the obvious. But it’s actually Korean fried cauliflower with a hint of kimchi but not too spicy. To get your fiber, the Yardbird Caesar (HK$90/US$11.54) was very unique. An oriental twist to the Caesar salad, with deep fried anchovies and miso sauce.
Although stuffed, we still couldn’t resist the fragrant Chicken and Egg Rice (HK$128/US$16.41) with crispy skin and peas. And of course there’s dessert…Peanut Butter Ice Cream (HK$40/US$5.13), not really our cup of tea though. It’s kind of like foie gras ice cream, you either love it or hate it.
Overall, Matt has done a great job and we would certainly be back for more. There are still parts of the chicken that we haven’t tried yet.
– 18/20
Yardbird
33-35 Bridges St.
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
T: +852 2547 9273
E: info@yardbirdrestaurant.com
W: www.yardbirdrestaurant.com
Hours: 6pm till late | closed on Sundays
110913 Yardbird - Main entrance
110913 Yardbird - Table setting
110913 Yardbird - Matt Abergel
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Review – Ms B’s CAKERY, Hong Kong
Following the success of SEVVA, Bonnie Gokson recently opened Ms B’s CAKERY and their Crêpe Suzette Cake immediately caught our attention. Ordering was a bit cumbersome as we had to download a form and fax it back to them. However, their staff followed up first thing in the morning and ensured that the order was received. An online form would have been a better user experience.
We picked up our order at the prescribed time and the packaging was very chic as expected. Seemed like something you would walk out with from a boutique. The multi-layered cake was very nice, not too sweet and certainly had all the flavors of a Crêpe Suzette. The candied orange rind that topped the cake also added some zest if needed.
Now to explore the other goodies on their site…
– 18/20
Ms B’s CAKERY
39 Gough Street
Central, Hong Kong
T: +852 2815 8303
E: info@msbscakery.hk
W: www.msbscakery.hk
CLOSED ON SUNDAYS From 2nd Oct 2011, open all day Sundays.
110701 Ms B's CAKERY - Chic packaging
110701 Ms B's CAKERY - Crêpe Suzette Cake
110701 Ms B's CAKERY - Crêpe Suzette Cake
