It is a matter of preference but I generally do not like sitting at the sushi bar. I think it can be traced back to my distaste for being watched while I eat. But, there certain undeniable advantages to sitting at the bar; the obvious being that it is only at the bar where you can meet and actually converse with the person who is preparing your dinner.

JW's Sushi Bar
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway
Hong Kong SAR, China
+852 2841 3899

It was at the JW 's California Sushi Bar in the JW Marriott in Hong Kong, where I had the pleasure of sitting at the bar and meeting Toshitaka Kasseki. It is at this quiet section of the JW complex that Kasseki has been working for over ten years. I'm not sure this hotel restaurant qualifies as a hidden gem, but some of the food that Kasseki is preparing is certainly worth some more attention.

The omakase on this particular night was provocative, balanced and immense.

Octopus w/ Stewed Turnip
Seared Toro w/ Black Bean and Mustard Sauces
(a memorable savory creation - uber tasty)
Clam Medley
Grilled Hamachi
Sushi Course

Trio of Uni (US, Hokaido, Russian)

Mak's Noodles
Phone Number: +852 2854 3810
Address: 77 Wellington St, Central
Hong Kong

For a while now, whenever I would order wonton noodles, I would hear from Grace about this small noodle shop which she would often frequent in Hong Kong and how much better it was. And since I make it a point to try to eat everything that is ever mentioned to me with even just a smidgen of smug (either to prove they are wrong or provide myself with a good meal; win-win), I knew that we had to go while in HK.

The restaurant itself is small but clean. The noodles were pretty much as advertised; and I would have been more impressed if not for the portion size. Now I'm not asking for US sized uber portions, but at least something more than a small bowl which is barely enough to fill a toddler still in diapers. Surprisingly the best part of the meal may have been the tendons. The wontons were good, but probably not worth traveling across a sea. The tendons on the other hand were a soft and smooth savory delight, rarely available on this side of the pacific.

Wonton Noodles

Beef Noodle Soup

Wonton and Dumpling Noodle Combo

Marinated Stewed Beef Tendons

It is a peculiar (and egotistical) feeling to watch a movie and to think that it was in fact made specifically for you. It is a feeling that while one would think could be quite fulfilling, really is rather unsettling. I had something close to this feeling while watching the Will Ferrell film Stranger than Fiction. I'm not sure why it struck such a chord with me; perhaps it has something to do with the location of the film in an unnamed Chicago, or the strong thematic element of cookies. I have like many people thought, or perhaps hoped that my life was actually a story being written by some kind writer in a far off land. Hoping, of course, in the writers own love for his character. But inevitably it come back to the thought, who would want to read my story?
I think that the last few weeks are so may make some kind of story. If not fine literature, something good enough for the trashier sections of Walgreens' book rack. Somewhere within two graduations, two weddings, three receptions and the start of a new job in the span of a month you should think there should be something to say; if only I could remember any of it. Sadly, most of that story have gone the way of my brain cells during my hiatus, disappeared. Ironically, I think it was the hectic and story worthy schedule of things that made it to difficult to remember.

Luckily, In those precious few moments when I had a moment to breathe, I was afforded the opportunity to eat and enjoy. Which was particularly important being that I found myself in Hong Kong. Delicious.

Grace had lead us to New Cheung Hing, a classic Hong Kong establishment. Classic in the sense that this type of food is distinctly Hong Kong. A type of East West fusion cuisine before fusion was a culinary term.

Milk TeaRamen with Spam and Eggs

Rice Noodle with Preserved Mustard Greens and Pork Strips

Butter Toast

It's wedding week and I've been left home alone. Grace is off on her Las Vegas bachelorette party leaving me to fend off the wedding planning crisis alone. But nice things about having all this time is I've been having fun playing with the new kitchen tools (love them) that people are sending us.

The first super fun things to come was the waffle iron. First I had to figure out a waffle recipe since I am morally opposed to using a mix. Then I had to play with it a little until I figured out all the settings but after all that I made ---(cue any and all Donkey references) ---> WAFFLES!

Waffles with Whipped Cream and Blackberries
1.5 c flour
1.5 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoon sugar
1.5 c buttermilk
2 eggs
salt
vanilla
1/3 c oil

The waffles end a bit like cake and if with a touch more sugar they would taste a lot like "Gai Dan Zai." Grace liked them slightly less done, but I prefer them with a crispier exterior.