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What a waste of time, money and carbo!
2013-11-13 2952 views
What is the big hoopla about this restaurant?  I procrastinated in writing this review as it is almost a waste of time to write about a restaurant, which I will not visit again or recommend.  It is a lot more fun writing about a good one!  But I thought some may appreciate reading this before their decision on their next dining out.  There was no waiting time as we have made a reservation.  The decor is pleasant, seating comfortable but things kinda went downhill from there.  We were asked which
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What is the big hoopla about this restaurant?  I procrastinated in writing this review as it is almost a waste of time to write about a restaurant, which I will not visit again or recommend.  It is a lot more fun writing about a good one!  But I thought some may appreciate reading this before their decision on their next dining out.  There was no waiting time as we have made a reservation.  The decor is pleasant, seating comfortable but things kinda went downhill from there.  We were asked which of the 2 complimentary appetizers (since we ordered via TableMap) we preferred.  We chose the pork hock terrine, which we would not prepare at home over the more common cucumber dish.  The server seemed to want to talk us out of the pork hock until I asked her which one was better.  Then she said both were good.  So I insisted on the pork hock.  My companion commented after that the pork hock was probably more expensive than the cucumber, oh well.... No one else came to serve us for at least 10-15 minutes until we waved down one of the servers.  I told her that we have preordered the shrimp roe pomelo skin and 1/2 order of the smoked chicken the night before and asked what else she would recommend.  She was reluctant to recommend and blurted out a few.  Recalling the openrice recommendation paired with her recommendation, we finally ordered the five spiced ribs and pea sprouts in broth.  Pomelo skin was tasteless, worst of all I have tasted in Hong Kong so far and a big disappointment to my out of town guest who actually wanted this dish - 2 small pieces for $88.  Smoked chicken, one of the better tasting dish, except it felt like it was reheated - 1/2 chicken for $170.  5-spiced ribs were not ribs but 4 pcs. of fatty pork deep fried and then soaked in the sauce, ended up like 4 pcs. of pork with a not too good-looking mushy coating.  We tasted tomato and curry, that's about it and only a couple of the pcs. were tender - $128.  Pea sprouts, nothing special - a very small dish for $108.  Steamed rice is $15/bowl and $15 per person regardless if you want tea or hot water.  So with the 'service-less' charge, our bill came to $626 for an uneventful evening. We gave this restaurant a second chance as my companion once visited the Tin Hau branch, which is now closed.  Should have gone with our first instinct instead of the recommendation from friend of our out of town guest.  Now it is your decision to try this restaurant or not.  Happy feasting!
Other Info. : Make sure you put aside enough time to dine at this restaurant, even though they only do a 6 and 8 p.m. seating from Fri. to Sun. We suspect they purposely make you wait for your dishes so you think they are freshly prepared.
(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
Taste
Decor
Service
Hygiene
Value
Date of Visit
2013-11-10
Dining Method
Dine In