A healthy harvest
BY combining a wholesome menu with a relaxed ambiance, we have created SOW, a place where one can plant their seeds towards a healthier mind, body and soul' reads the message on the back of SOW's business card. While we cannot vouch for seed-planting, SOW does live up to the promise of a wholesome menu and relaxed atmosphere.
Opened about six months ago, SOW has been drawing a steady stream of customers - if not for its food, then certainly for the ambience and the coffee, smoothies and milkshakes. Its discreet front is easy to miss if one is not on a specific mission to find it.
Perhaps because of its huge sofas at the front of the shop, SOW can be mistaken for one of the many furniture shops that dot the Happy Valley landscape. On muggy summer afternoons, the sofas are in high demand as visitors take the opportunity to lounge, have a cold drink and read the magazines provided. The inner sanctum of the restaurant comprises about seven or eight tables for dining and snacks, plus a small bar area. For the most part, SOW serves salads, pastry and sandwiches for lunch. Full meals are only available at dinner, which is when we visited.
The menu is not extensive, but does provide sufficient choice. My guest and I decided to share the SOW signature Caesar salad ($75) and take a main course each: the pan-fried salmon ($95) and SOW's pepper steak ($168).
The Caesar salad came with the usual romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and croutons but was topped with some fresh boiled prawn slices. The other difference came in the dressing which, although it looked similar, had a tinge of lemon to whet the appetite.
The pan-fried salmon came with pesto, risotto and sun-dried tomato cream sauce. The salmon could have done with a crustier texture but the risotto was excellent, complemented admirably by the light cream sauce.
The pepper steak was also delicious, served with a black and green peppercorn sauce and vegetables. The well-seared exterior gave the tenderloin a slightly crusty texture, which made the meat even more appetising.
We finished with an individual blueberry cheese cake. It was light and mouthwatering, with a generous layer of blueberries.
Although the meal was substantial, the cooking methods and the lightness of the ingredients left us feeling full, but not stuffed.
Our meal for two came up to less than $400 which was healthier on our wallets than we expected.
SOW, 16 King Kwong Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Tel: 2803 5811. Open: 10.30am-11pm.
Graphic: feastglo
