PPQ, San Francisco

After returning to San Francisco, we had dinner at PPQ. It was one of a few restaurants still open after our arrival into SFO at 9:05pm.

It's located at 1816 Irving Street.

The #2--rare steak, tendon & tripe. A medium was $9.25. The broth was quite good.

There was bun rieu & bun bo hue on the menu but they ran out.

2018 10 13

A Few Last Notes About Hong Kong

We had a fabulous week in Hong Kong. The weather was perfect in early October: a couple days in the high 80s; otherwise, it was very pleasant. Not much humidity. We did encounter rain one day but we used it to visit museums.

We were told to bring bug spray but we didn't see any mosquitos.

Don't forget Hong Kong has a British tradition and they drive on the left. Fortunately, there are signs reminding you which way to look before stepping out into traffic.

As with most Asian countries, anything with English is highly treasured. I'm not sure she understood what was on the back of her jacket nor that "Btich" was mis-spelled.

We found this wedding limo decorated with a snoopy bride & groom.

Gold jewelry is everywhere and some of it is pretty extravagant.

One recommendation I do have is to bring napkins. Restaurants have the chintziest napkins.

2018 10 13

Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula

A classic Hong Kong tradition is Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

The Peninsula Hotel is located on Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Tea is served in the grand Lobby. You can make reservations if you are staying at the Peninsula. Otherwise, wait in line. Tea is served from 2-6 pm. Enjoy the string quartet while waiting. You can order a la carte or have the "Afternoon Tea"--HK$388/person or HK$688 for 2 people.

Your choice of tea is served with scones, quiche, tea sandwiches and dessert.

Scones are served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The scones were good but not as good as ones I've made using the St. Francis recipe. The strawberry jam was delicious!

Assorted dessert

Truffles at the end of Tea.

After tea, wander upstairs to check out the extravagance of the hotel.

2018 10 13

Kam's Roast Goose

Kam's Roast Goose is well known in Hong Kong.

It's located at 226 Hennessey Rd. in Wan Chai.

There was a huge line when we arrived so we decided to get it To Go. We didn't want to take a chance that they would run out of the roast goose by the time we got a table.

I ordered both the roasted option and the braised option. The roasted option came with 1/2 salted egg, roast goose,  BBQ pork and sausage--HK$70. The braised option came with 1/2 soy sauce egg, goose wing, pork and tofu for HK$65. Each option came with soup. Both were good but I liked the roasted option better. 

2018 10 13

Yuen Kee Beef Brisket Soup

We had dinner at Yuen Kee Beef Brisket Soup in Yau Ma Tei.

This wasn't what I was expecting for Stewed Beef Noodle Soup--HK$50. I'm more used to the soy sauce braise. The meat was tender though.

Stewed Beef with Rice--HK$50.

Vegetable with Soy Sauce--HK$18.

2018 10 12

Central Plaza

Central Plaza is a skyscraper that has a nice view of Hong Kong from the 46th floor.

Take the elevators to the 46th floor. On a weekday, there's hardly anyone on the observation floor.

Large glass windows afford fantastic views of Hong Kong and all for free.

2018 10 12

Noon Day Gun

The Noon Day Gun is a colonial tradition dating back to the 1850s.

It's hard to find. From the Excelsior Hotel taxi rank, look west and find the door marked "Car Park Shroff, Marina Club & Noon Gun."

The gun is fired daily precisely at noon. It's very loud.

2018 10 12

Chun Yuen Street Market

We got off at Chun Yuen at the eastern edge of Wan Chai. We came for Tim Ho Wan but enjoyed looking at the variety of food sold.

If you had a kitchen, you can get great ingredients for your meal here.

This shop sold homemade noodles.

2018 10 12

A Tour Through Central and Wan Chai on a Ding Ding

Start your tour of Central at Statue Garden. It used to house sculptures of British royalty but now the  only statue in the garden is the founder of HSBC.

Fountains occupy a big part of Statue Garden.

In Statue Garden, you'll also find the Cenotaph, built in 1923 as a memorial to Hong Kong residents killed in the World Wars.

The HSBC Building is across the street from Statue Garden. At a cost of US$1 billion, it was the world's most expensive building when it was completed in 1985. The atrium is grand. From the street, take the elevators to the 2nd floor and look up.

There are 2 bronze lions guarding the HSBC Building:--Stitt & Stephen (the roaring one), named after 2 bank managers from the 1920s. Rub their paws for luck.

A modern tribute to the lions.

Another statue nearby--"Grain of Rice."

Catch the Tram, also known as Ding Dings and take it east to Wan Chai.

Each ride on the Ding Ding is HK$2.80. Use cash or swipe your Octopus card when you get off.

Old Bank of China Building

The Ding Ding is slow but it gives you a nice tour of Central.

This building reminded me of whale bones.

Large apartment building on the Ding Ding route.

How many antennae can you fit on a roof?

2018 10 12

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

My husband thought it odd that I made reservations at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. Just because it's a French restaurant in Hong Kong? I loved Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, so why not?

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is located at 15 Queen's Road in Central.

If you want to have the 4-course prix fixe, you have to sit at the counter. Otherwise, there are a few tables in the restaurant. You'll be offered bottle water but you can ask for tap water. The bottled water was HK$98 ($12.50) per 750 ml.

The bread basket is my favorite thing at Joel Robuchon. It included bacon baguette, mini baguette brioche, chestnut bread, comte bread, croissant, croissant roll, saffron bread, spinach bread, tomato bread and walnut bread. My favorites were the bacon baguette and comte bread. Amazing!

The 4-course prix fixe was HK$1230 ($157). We were served an amuse bouche--Foie Gras Cream with Chicken Stock Gelee, Corn Veloute and Popcorn.

The first course was Le Caviar Imperial--King Crab Meat with Sologne Imperial Caviar. The white dollops were Cauliflower Cream and Chlorophyll.

2nd course was Pan-Fried French Red Mullet Filet with Bouillabaise. I forgot to get a picture of it.

The 3rd course was Free Range Quail with Foie Gras, served with Mashed Potatoes. The mashed potato was the most amazing thing--loaded with butter and smooth as silk.

Dessert was Coconut Vacherin with Mango & Passion Fruit Tartare & Lime.

Mignardise of Lemon Macaron, Vanilla Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Madeleines,

We even got a sweet treat to take home.

2018 10 11