$100 and under: Demon Chef shows how salads should be made
Beautifood, Bo Innovation chef-owner Alvin Leung's latest venture, is a great place to grab a quick, tasty bite. Its made-to-order sushi burritos (HK$55, or half for HK$30) and salads (HK$50) prove that if you put enough thought into it, healthier fare does not necessarily mean bland rabbit food.
I ordered a combo (HK$78) - half a burrito, salad and a drink. I picked the "S3 diabetic special burrito", mainly because it's available for a limited time. The soft wrap, red rice, chicken breast, green beans and asparagus made one nicely textured roll. The chicken breast was juicy and tender, but the highlight was the flavourful miso ranch spiced up with blue cheese.
The "iconic true 8" salad features the Demon Chef's special dressing infused with Pat Chun vinaigrette. Details such as crunchy sweetcorn fritters were a welcome surprise.
If you eat in - although seats are limited - you will see the staff make salads right in front of you at the open kitchen. The sight of the chef cooking rows of salmon makes me want to return to try the seared salmon salad with preserved lemon vinaigrette. Leung recently opened a second branch in Lan Kwai Fong, with a few more seats.
Beautifood, shop 3, J Senses, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2860 0012. Open: Monday-Saturday noon-9pm. The Plaza LKF, 21 D'Aguilar Street, Central. Open: Monday-Wednesday noon-9pm, Thursday-Saturday noon-1am