Sunday, April 15, 2012

80 Days Around the World- Week 7

UPDATE
Due to a glorious suggestion from a reader named Spike! (Thank you Spike!) We have altered our color coding system so that you can see the week to week progress more easily.
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine         



We knocked off Seven places this week! We are very proud of ourselves for finally getting a lot done!

A lot more was accomplished this week both good and bad things were discovered. I think we found a new candidate for worst resteraunt in Hong Kong. This honor belongs to So Bali Bali in Soho. One of the worst dining experiences of my life. I gave them an F- and frankly I would have gone lower if possible. I was the ONLY customer in the place and they still fucked up my order. They didn't even feel bad about it. And then they still charged me 20HKD for a bowl of rice. (Read that again) Yes, 20 HKD for a bowl of fucking rice. That is highway robbery and frankly it wasn't even that good. It was expensive, the chefs and the staff OBVIOUSLY didn't give a shit. It was my first taste of Balinese cuisine and frankly I could care less if I ever had it again. It was disgusting.
(Rant officially over)

Matthew found a treasure in Indonesian but has yet to give up the details... *tsk tsk* We're waiting...

Our team mate Louise also had a VERY BAD dining experience on Lamma at the Banyan. 2 hours for an order to be completed. When they still did not bring person's food they got really angry. The owner kicked them out and said he didn't need their business. Fine, we don't need their business either. It's called the hospitality industry for a reason. No one deserves to be yelled at for wanting their food done correctly when they are a paying customer. All Lamma people should avoid The Bayan for the way they treated our team mate. If we continue to give rude people our money, they will continue being rude.

We had some good things happen also! A lovely surprise at a tiny hole in the wall in Jordan where we ordered the house special "Hanan chicken rice". Super yummy and cheap. Chicken, plus rice, plus a side and a drink were 32HKD. Can't get much better than that! It didn't have an english name so just know it's the one with the green awning of Austin rd with the chickens hanging in the window. Can't miss it!

French was provided to us via a groupon at Babylon. (Am I the only person that thinks of Queer as Folk when I hear something named this?) French bistros seem to have popped up all over the place but we got a 5 course meal with wine and frois gras for less than 200HKD thanks to our groupon. The service was rude, the frois gras was not cleaned properly and the prices without the groupon were ridiculous. (600 HKD for a steak?! WTF?)

Veganism was handled by the people at Life Cafe in Soho. Now, I think the place is a little pricey. I also have a little difficulty eating any of the bread products because they LOVE to put nuts in everything they have. (It makes sense for veggies to get their protein in other sources but it would be nice to have one bread that is nut free!) I had the "fake burger with fake bacon and fake cheese". Flavors were all good but the textures were what was off. It was too chewy if that makes any sense. I also felt that the caesar salad was one of the worst things I've eaten. It had a slimey texture to it and because it was dairy free it had a funky aftertaste. Not a dish that would convert me over to the green side. We had the option of making almost anything on the menu vegan which was nice for the sake of the challenge.



1. Cantonese- Hong Kong- TSUI WAH, CENTRAL, GREAT STAPLE OF CHINESE TEA HOUSE FOOD, GREASY BUT YUMMY, GREAT FOR POST DRINKING IN LKF, GRADE=B, MEAGHAN

2. Szechuan- China

3. Vietnamese- Vietnam- BAO BAO KING, JORDAN, CHEAP, TASTY, GRADE=A, MATTHEW

4. Korean- Korea- HUNGDAE, JORDAN, TASTY AND CHEAP LUNCH! GREAT BIM BIM BOP, GRADE=A, MEAGHAN AND MATTHEW

5. Japanese- Japan (not sushi)

6. French- France- BABYLON, GOUGH ST. CENTRAL, PRICEY, RUDE STAFF, AVERAGE FOOD, GRADE=C, MEAGHAN

7. Italian- Italy (Not pizza)- ENOTECA, SOHO, OK LUNCH PRICE, NO VEGGIE OPTIONS, GRADE=B, MEAGHAN

8. German- Germany- BERLINER, OLYMPIC, PRICEY BUT GOOD PORTIONS, GRADE=A-, MEAGHAN AND MATTHEW

9. Belgian- Belgium- FRITES, CENTAL, GRADE=A, VERY COSY!- MEAGHAN

10. Spanish- Spain- BACAR FOR TAPAS, GRADE=B+, SOME ITEMS PRICEY BUT GREAT DEAL FOR SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS!- MEAGHAN AND ERIC

11. Ukrainian- Ukraine- IVAN THE KOZAK, CENTAL, GRADE=B, UNCOMFY CHAIRS-GROUP

12. Russian- Russia- IVAN THE KOZAK, CENTRAL, GRADE=B, SMALLER PORTIONS-GROUP

13. Australian- Australia- OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, CHEAP FOR LUNCH, TERRIBLE WAITER!, GRADE=C, MEAGHAN, STEVEN, MEAGHAN

14. Mexican- Mexico- AGAVE, GREAT 2-4-1 MARGARITAS, FOOD IS GOOD, BATHROOM ATROCIOUS, GRADE=B, MEAGHAN

15. Canadian- Canada-CANUUK,SOHO, EXPENSIVE AND SMALL PORTIONS, FANCY BUT LEFT HUNGRY, GRADE=C, MEAGHAN

16. Taiwanese- Taiwan- TAIWAN KITCHEN, YUMMY AND CHEAP!, GRADE=A, MATTHEW

17. American Regional- USA (not burger and fries) CALIFORNIA VINTAGE, CENTRAL, WEIRD AND WONDERFUL! GREAT FISH TACOS!, GRADE=A+, MEAGHAN


18. Greek- Greece- OLIVE, GREAT FOOD! TRY THE SALMON!, GRADE=A++, MEAGHAN

19. Middle Eastern- DIMPAL FUSION, JORDAN, BAD SERVICE/OK FOOD, GRADE=C, MATTHEW

 20. Egyptian- Egypt- HABIBI, CENTRAL, CHEAP LUNCH (DINNER PRICEY!), GOOD SPINACH PIE, GREAT COFFEE, GRADE=B

21. Mongolian-China

22. Swiss- Switzerland

23. Vegan- LIFE CAFE, SOHO, PRICEY AND A LOT OF THE TEXTURES FELT OFF, BUT GREAT FOR THE NICHE MARKET OF VEGAN FOOD, GRADE=B, MEAGHAN

24. Vegetarian- SERENDIPITY IN SHEUNG WAN, COFFEE IS PRICEY AND SMALL BUT GREAT HEALTHY BRUNCH OPTIONS, GRADE=B+, MEAGHAN AND MATTHEW


25. Indian- India BEER GARDEN, LAMMA, OK WESTERN FOOD NOT AUTHENTIC, GRADE=B, LOUISE

26.West African

27. Thai- Thailand- I-TAI, TSING YI, GREAT YELLOW CURRY, GRADE=B, LOUISE

28. Argentinian- Argentina

29. Macaunese- Macau

30. Scottish- Scotland- CANNY MAN, WANCHAI, GOOD SELECTION AND FOOD, GRADE=A-, MEAGHAN

31.Irish- Ireland- DELANEYS IN WANCHAI, GOOD FOOD, HORRIBLE, RUDE ASS STAFF, GRADE=D, MEAGHAN

32. British Pub- UK- YORKSHIRE PUDDING, GOOD FOOD, BAD SERVICE, GRADE=C, MATTHEW, MEAGHAN, ERIC

33. Filipino- The Philippines

34. Turkish- Turkey

35.Burmese- Burma

36. Moroccan- Morocco- SAHARA, SOHO, GOOD FOOD, BAD WAITRESS, GRADE=C, LOUISE

37.Malaysian- Malaysia

38. Singaporean- Singapore- BREAD TALK, JORDAN, FOOD HORRIBLE, GOOD COFFEE, GRADE=D, MEAGHAN

39.Indonesian- Indonesia- NAME UNKNOWN, GREAT FOOD, A+, MATTHEW

40.Nepalese- Nepal- KASHMIR, JORDAN, GREAT CHEAP LUNCH SETS, FRIENDLY STAFF, HUGE PORTIONS, SUPER YUMMY, GRADE= A, MEAGHAN

41. Swedish- Sweden

42. Lebanese- Lebanon=BEYROUTH, CENTRAL, MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHERS BUT TASTY, NICE STAFF AND CLEAN!, GRADE=A, MEAGHAN

43. Cuban- Cuba

44. Austrian- Austria

45.Hanan- China, GREEN AWNING WITH CHINESE CHARACTERS (Austin Rd.) JORDAN, 32 DOLLARS FOR A HANAN CHICKEN RICE SPECIAL, CHEAP AND YUMMY, GREAT GARLIC SAUCE, GRADE=A+

46. 100% Kosher meal- Our friends in Israel and other places- STEAKHOUSE AT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, TERRIBLE! NEVER AGAIN! AND EXPENSIVE!, GRADE=F

47. Basque- An in-between spot between Spain and France

48.Hunan- China

49.Dumplings- China- WANG FU DUMPLINGS, CENTRAL, YUMMY, GREAT EGGPLANT DISH, AWESOME DUMPLINGS, CHEAP AND TASTY!, GRADE=A, MEAGHAN

50. Dim Sum- Hong Kong-DIM SUM ON WELLINGTON, YUMMY AND AUTHENTIC, GRADE=A, MATTHEW AND STEVEN

51. Chocolate Meal

52. Pie- REAL BREAD CAFE IN SOHO, GREAT PIE AND DESSERT OPTIONS!, GRADE=A, ERIC AND MEAGHAN

 53. Beach side, sea food meal

54.High Tea (Peruvian was removed because there isn't one)- PURE RESTAURANT, SOHO, PRICES WERE OK, PORTIONS WERE HUGE, GRADE=B, MEAGHAN AND NICOLE

55. Portuguese- Portugal

56.Balinese- Bali- SO BALI BALI, THE WORST! HORRIBLE! AND EXPENSIVE! NEVER AGAIN! I HOPE THEY GET SHUT DOWN SOON!, GRADE=F-, MEAGHAN

57.Steak House- ANGUS, WANCHAI PIER, HARD TO FIND, GOOD FOOD, NICE STAFF, COOKED WELL BUT JUST TOO FAR AWAY!, GRADE=C+

58. Asian Fusion- CICADA, SOHO, FOOD WAS OK BUT EXPENSIVE, YOU CAN GET BETTER AT THE PLACES IN JORDAN, GRADE=C, MEAGHAN

59. Pizza- Italy- MOSAIC IN TST, SMALL HOLE IN HALL, GREAT FOOD, SERVICE IS NOT SO GREAT. CHEAP AND YUMMY! GRADE=A-, MEAGHAN

60. Burger and Fries- USA- GOURMET BURGER UNION, SOHO, FOOD WAS FINE BUT PRICES WERE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE!, GRADE=C, MEAGHAN AND MATTY

61. Brunch-LOTUS, SOHO, FOOD OK. OPEN AIR BUT AVERAGE, Grade=B-, MEAGHAN AND MATT

62. Fish and Chips-UK- THE CHIPPY ON WELLINGTON, GREAT FOOD, GRADE=A, MEAGHAN

63. South African

64. Shanghainese- China

65. Peking - China

66. Bar Food-COCHRANES- AVERAGE FOOD BUT GOOD SELECTION AND CHEAP PRICES, GRADE=C+, MEAGHAN AND LOUISE

67. Hand pulled Noodles- Asia in general

68. Dai Pai Dong- Hong Kong-JORDAN NIGHT MARKET, YUMMY AND CHEAP!, ON TEMPLE ST. GRADE=A, MEAGHAN

69. Sushi- Japan- GENKI SUSHI, JORDAN, GRADE=A, GO EARLY AND GET FRESH PICKS!-MEAGHAN

70.Non PC Meal- All the things you are not supposed to eat! SH....

71.Diner/Deli- USA- FLYING PAN, WANCHAI, GRADE=A, GRITS ARE TECHNICALLY POLENTA BECAUSE THEY ARE USING THE WRONG CORN- MEAGHAN

72. Organic/Free Range Meal- (The Earth)-

73. Cafe/Bistro- CAFE BISTRO (AKA CUM BABY), JORDAN, TOO FEW VEGGIES, GRADE=B, MATTHEW

 74. Gluten Free for the Celiacs in HK

75.Claypot/Hot Pot- China- MONGOLIAN HOT POT, MONG KOK, SUPER BUSY BUT GOOD FOOD, GRADE=A, LOUISE

76. Traditional Chinese Deserts- China and Hong Kong

77. Meal under 30 dollars (not fast food)- BANYAN, LAMMA, AWFUL!!!!!, DON'T GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS! GRADE=F, LOUISE

78. Street Food- Hong Kong- GREEN BANNERED SHOP (PEDDER ST.), JORDAN, CHEAP AND TASTY, GREAT FLAT ROLLED NOODLES AND SHANGHAI DUMPLINGS!, GRADE=A, MEAGHAN

79. Cupcakes- USA- SWEET SECRETS, CARROT CAKE, GRADE=A+, NUT FREE CARROT CUPCAKES! YEA!!!!!-MEAGHAN

80. Home made meal- LAST SUPPER

Days Left:14
 Restaurants Left:27

7 comments:

  1. I'm enjoying following this "journey". The problem is that the format you're using doesn't allow me to see what's new from one post to the next. Maybe a * in front of the number or a different highlight color?

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    1. That is an excellent idea. Thank you for the suggestion!

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    2. We have altered the color coding thanks to your suggestion. Hope you can read it easier. Are you doing your own food journey?

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  2. Thanks! Mine is much more random and occasional.

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    1. I've eaten out so much these past few weeks that I think I need an intervention...

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. I have a look at that , good as well as interesting culture they have

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