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2014-01-05
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The Xmas/New Year holidays are one of the most wonderful times of the year, but the leap back to reality is almost traumatic. So thanks to my dear friend for keeping the new year celebrations coming and alleviating the post holiday blues!Stone Nullah Tavern is snugly situated on the corner opposite the historical Blue House, and is easily recognizable from its modern exterior combining chisled grey stone and a spacious open air bar front among the old Wan Chai buildings. The retro interior is we
Stone Nullah Tavern is snugly situated on the corner opposite the historical Blue House, and is easily recognizable from its modern exterior combining chisled grey stone and a spacious open air bar front among the old Wan Chai buildings. The retro interior is welcoming, with vintage furniture, sturdy wooden tables and an equally spacious dining area accentuated by the wall-less layout and high ceilings.
The food portions are small (especially for Amercian food, which perhaps explains why its 'new American cuisine'), but the flavors are not. The Foie Burger ($120) and the Meatloaf ($120) featured a juicy succulent beef patty sandwiched between what appeared to be Hong Kong style buns (餐包). The former was complemented with classic burger ingredients - lettuce, tomato, onions; and the latter with sweet caramelized onions. Both were winners, and absolutely yum! My only complaint is that the burger could have been full sized for burger lovers.
The looks of the Fried Artichoke ($100) was unassuming, I would probably not have recognized the ingredient on first glance, but the tender flesh and the mildy sweet flavor of of the artichoke heart were still present. The deep frying did little to enhance the texture - it was neither crunchy nor crispy, and a bit on the salty side, pairing well with beer. But I think this ingredient would fare better non-fried.
This is not your classic Mussels ($195) in white wine cream sauce. The tomato based sauce was a slightly tangy and watery mixture with peppery undertones and a hint of fire to it. It worked well with the plus-sized mussels that were fresh, tender and meaty, though I've lately grown more fond of the smaller but sweeter bouchot mussels. A good appetizer nonetheless.
A combination of normally separately used grains, the Quinoa Risotto ($130) was a well-executed dish in terms of flavors - a warm medley of simple buttery flavors; a little less creamy than the usual, and offering some crunch from the quinoa. Not the most memorable dish despite the innovation; and at its steep price (given the size), I'd be happier with another burger.
Recommended by the waiter, the Fried Chicken ($575) was the closest we got to non-appetizer sized portions. Nothing fancy here, it was chunks of chicken deep fried in a well-seasoned batter, which was a tad too thick, resulting in a crunchiness that seemed a bit dull. The meat, however, was tender and succulent. We also ordered a side of Greens ($80), which was an oil-drenched plate of kale (leaves only) reminiscent of those from old fashioned Chinese kitchens.
Desserts were the highlight of the meal. The Green Tea ($70) was a scattered plating of refreshingly fruity rasberry sorbert and dense floury green tea cakes. Definitely a palate pleaser! Their signature Fat Kid Cake ($80) also did not disappoint. It's sweet, but what else can you expect when you have gorgeous layers of creme burlee, red velvet cake, cheesecake and chocolate mousse! ::||Good for||::
Drinks and chilling with friends, it's got a wonderful vibe! For dinner, recommended if you're on a diet of small-portioned fatty food.
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