Being married to a foodie husband from a foodie family means one is constantly on the challenge of…read moreone-upping every dinner so one runs out of ideas FAST. With a bit more time on my hands I decided to get schooled by the newest culinary school in town. I've heard raving reviews on ABC cooking studio from a friend who used to live in Japan. I've also visited their Roppongi campus so I kind of knew what to expect in terms of environment. I was invited by a friend for a trial class. Apparently existing members get a free class by bringing in new blood. So the new blood was there to learn Omurice, or the Japanese/western omelette rice. I arrived at the Tsimshatsui location and was welcomed by a bright, spacious space not unlike Muji (god bless Japanese Zen minimalism). Upon signing up and paying for my $200 trial fee, I washed my hands and went to my work station to don my disposable apron. The instructors are trained by Japanese teachers and offered Japanese culinary tips such as the most efficient way to wield a knife (at a slight angle, teetering/dragging instead of pushing down) All the ingredients used are Japanese ingredients and the instructor is happy to show us the packaging for identification/picture taking. The class is well organized and information easy to follow. I was able to bring home a nicely printed copy of the recipe to replicate the dish at home. At the end of the class the instructor would present you with the class packages. If you signed up for a course on-day (which I did) the one-time joining fee of $800 would be waived. For $200, I had a fun morning learning a new dish and having it for lunch. Not a bad deal I must say.

Craving for something sweet and wish to cool down a bit under the scorching heat? After reviewing…read moreon all those nice restaurants in Tai hang, it is high time to write one on a dessert place - The Pudding Nouveau. It is time to satisfy the cravings and they offer lots of choices. Mango Yogurt, Chocolate Fondant, Lemon Parfait, Souffle, you name it! I have not tried all of them but it surely does not disappoint. If you are just looking for a simple meal, of course they do have other choices like all day breakfast that costs ranging from HKD$88 to HKD$98. However, I stand by what I said before, Bricklane still offers the best Egg Benedict so I will stick with the desserts instead. However, there is still room for improvement unfortunately. First, I understand that dessert places normally do not provide nice seatings and stuff; but given that it is decorated as one of those café, I expected a lot more in terms of the atmosphere. I wish it was more cozy as this was not spacious at all; to pay the enormous rent here, you will expect diners come and go and you will be expected to leave the table once you finish your meal. Which is very disappointing to be honest. Also, I do not understand why there is only one waiter when it is that hectic all the time there. I feel sorry for the server sometimes as it clearly is too much to handle.

Place is very cozy and there are approximately 7 tables…read more We ordered the duck and waffle, the lobster croissant, portion is very big as you can see in the pictures. and it is rather yummy, though the duck in my opinion was a bit too crispy, anyways, the strawberry daiquiri that we ordered is somewhat too sweet... they added honey in it... it was a bit too sickly sweet in my taste. Other than that, service is quite good and the environment is quite chill.

This kitchen is a private affair, perfect for a group gathering who want a bit more than just…read moredinner. We hosted a party for our friend who's leaving HK for the shiny shores of NYC and this restaurant was perfect. The staff are SUPER friendly, and mega talented as they were able to guide a group of novices through cooking our own meals. We were able to arrive early to decorate the venue, and the chef even helped us put up bunting. For a little appetiser, they wetted out pallets with fish tacos and deep fried corn fritters. They were amazing. The fish tacos certainly won the day. We split into two teams for a friendly competition, one making pasta from scratch and the other onto the tiramisu. We then had full on competitions on meatballs and bruschetta wars. The food, even though cooked by teams of people who are not skilled in the kitchen, was delicious if I dare say so myself. The venue is charming, and there's enough room to get into the kitchen to join in the heat, or to hang back a bit and sip your bubbles as you watch your friends battle it out over who can chop garlic better. Such a laugh, and I highly recommend booking a private party and get your hands dirty in the kitchen.

What a wonderful experience! We for a small tour of the area and a wet market . Edith took the time…read moreto explain all the new items I have been so curious about for a long time. Even with a set menu to make she got additional items just for tasting! Then what an expeditor. Ok in her home and get a feeling of what it's like to be a local! I would highly recommend this as a great activity! Only a half day event so totally doable!

At this cookie store, get a tin of shortbread cookies with a mix of the four different flavors:…read moreButter Flower, Coffee Flower, Shortbread, and Raisin Oat. Like a shortbread cookie, it is rich, buttery, and crumbly. The Coffee Flower is nice with a mild coffee flavor. Plus, they come in a collectible cookie tin, which changes depending on the season.

If you're a fan of the cookies, you're a fan of the cookies, and it's worth the wait…read more Line moves fast once they're open, the tins are cute and rotate in design regularly, and the price is affordable. It's just... yeah, still a bit of effort.

Tucked away on the third floor of IFC Mall, the location poorly demarcated on Google Maps, Pierre…read moreHerme's Hong Kong outpost focuses entirely on the legend's iconic Macarons to the tune of roughly $6USD each and a minimum of four in a small tin. Focused on all the classics plus a few seasonal specials suffice it to say the choice of Pierre Herme versus the competition is like choosing Vacheron Constatin over Rolex in that only the truly discerning will care, even though the difference in quality is evident.

As much as I appreciate the tradition and history that Laduree possesses, Pierre Herme is the best…read morein the world for macarons. Bar none. In general, the macarons here display the right amount of sweetness, so when you're eating them, you won't feel them cloying your mouth. The macaron biscuit is fresh and crispy on the outside, while soft on the inside. I've had stale macarons before when I didn't know better and the offerings at Pierre Herme weren't. The flavors of the macarons set themselves apart from all others. They're quite unique and inventive. The creativity, while adventuresome, isn't going to confuse your taste buds to the point of frustration. I can't tell you my favorite flavor but the friend whom I bought macarons for the last time I visited: her favorite was the signature rose. Service is polite and patient. Yeah, it's weird that you have to buy a minimum of 7, but you'd want to buy more anyway, despite being rather pricey. The only drawback shopping here is that sometimes you have to deal with smug people that take up space at the counter and don't give a crap about anyone else. p.s. - why the heck isn't there a Pierre Herme in the States???

Another Japan based chain bakery and just like other chain bakeries you won't be disappointed but…read moreno surprise either. Quality as always is consistent, shops are clean and service is prompt and the sales ladies are polite. Most of the baked goods are produced in their central kitchen, one or two types of loaf bread are baked (with ready made dough) on the premises. Smart marketing strategy in use here together with a semi-open kitchen - aroma and visual as tools to attract customers.