Le Gavroche

Timeless classic

Le Gavroche, photo from management

Probably the most famous restaurant in London, the legendary Le Gavroche was the very first restaurant in the UK to gain 3 Michelin stars. Now operated by Michel Roux Jr, who has become such a household name after acting as a judge for the popular TV show "Masterchef: The Professional" for 6 years. Le Gavroche is all about classical French cuisine with small modern touches in an old fashioned classy setting. 2 years ago I had my birthday dinner at Le Gavroche and my wonderful experience on that very night still remains strong in my memory.

Big Easy

American BBQ

Big Easy Chelsea, photo from management

Every once in a while I need to get my fix of BBQ meaty treats, but that is something that is so simple, yet so many restaurants fail to do it properly. Big Easy is one of the few US themed restaurants that has a reputation that cooks up some awesome BBQ, so I decide to try my luck at its Chelsea joint, the first Big Easy in the UK. We went for two surf and turf mains to share, the sirloin and lobster combo was not good value for money. The half lobster was so tiny that all it needed was just one mouth full to finish off the whole tail. 

Spring Deer

Classic Beijing cuisine

Spring Deer, Hong Kong

Spring Deer is an old fashion Chinese restaurant that champions Beijing cuisine in Hong Kong, I am a massive fan of its cuisine, its richness and powerful flavours are something that is not easy to find in London so when I visited Hong Kong, dining at the Spring Deer was high on my agenda. It is a restaurant you can book in advance in Hong Kong, but due to its popularity and holiday seasons, it was fully booked for the next three weeks, but somehow I managed to get a table in the end after agreeing to dine at late hours. 

Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop

Wonton delight

Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop

Wonton is a shrimp and pork based dumpling that is among one of the most common comfort food in Hong Kong's culture. When it's done properly it can be such a delight. Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop in Jordan is a wonton specialist and it is extremely popular so it is not unusual to see long queues flooding at the front door in the evening. The decor is very old school HK style, really poorly done with tiny tables and limited space.

Australia Dairy Company

Faster than Bolt

Australia Dairy Company 

Australia Dairy Company is a legendary canteen in the heart of Jordan, Hong Kong. At peak times the infamous queue is so silly that it can be as long as 200 meters plus, which would put the queue at Meat Liquor to shame. Why people would be mad enough to commit such effort for some canteen food? Well three reasons, one is down to the mindset of HK culture which I wouldn't go into it, the other two reasons would be its signature dishes: scrambled eggs and milk pudding.

Yan Toh Heen

Dim sum fine dining style

Yan Toh Heen

Located inside the Inter Continental Hong Kong hotel, Yan Toh Heen is a fine dining Chinese restaurant and it was awarded its second Michelin star in the latest HK edition. While it is located on the ground floor, it still has a great view of the Victoria Harbour and I am sure it will be a spectacular place to watch the weekend fireworks whilst dining in style. I visited over lunch to seek some high level dim sum.

Kam's Roast Goose

What the goose

1 star factor

Kam's Roast Goose, yet another new entry in the 1 star session in the latest Michelin guide HK edition, a tiny Chinese restaurant in Wan Chin. It is popular for its Chinese style roast goose, a whole goose cooked in a charcoal furnace with different types of seasoning such as sugar and rice wine. As expected, the usual in Hong Kong: Michelin star + affordable price = no booking, mad queue and full of tourists. I don't see that as a problem if the food is actually worth the hype but sadly it wasn't.  

Ho Hung Kee

Shrimp feast

Ho Hung Kee... busy

Located inside Hysan Place shopping center above Causeway MTR station, Ho hung Kee is a Chinese restaurant that specialises in Gungdong style noodle and was awarded a Michelin star in the 2015 guide. Now it is an extremely popular restaurant and as expected, I had to wait a while before I managed to get a table due to its no booking policy. The decor is very modern with glossy design elements which was refreshing.

Tim Ho Wan

Value for money dim sum

Tim Ho Wan

By far the the cheapest restaurant ever awarded one star in the Michelin guide, Tim Ho Wan is a dim sum specialist in Hong Kong. Now it has somewhat become a mini chain with five branches strong and three of those awarded a Michelin star each. Personal I don't really have much faith in the Hong Kong Michelin guide as the standard generally is a lot lower than its UK counterpart, I returned to Tim Ho Wan for one reason only, its outstanding value for money dim sum.

Lyle's

Russian roulette

Lyle's

Lyle opened in mid-2014 and since then has become a very popular and fashionable restaurant in the East End of London . Cooking style is modern British in principle, focusing on seasonal produce without too much dressed up presentation. For dinner, there are no options, just a 5-course menu and unless you are vegetarian or have a special diet, you are stuck with what is offered on the day. Sounds like Russian roulette, but a risk I was willing to take, considering the decent number of comments from the press.