BLACK SHEEP 452 Shek O Village, Shek O Tel: 2809-2021 Open: Tuesday-Friday 6pm-11pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-11pm If you are in the mood for a romantic candlelit dinner for two, but have no idea where to go, the Black Sheep Cafe might be the answer. Located in Shek O Village on the south side of the island, the Black Sheep is always packed at weekends. The interior is cosy and dim, with just a few small tables and comfortable folding chairs (outside seating is better, especially in the summer). The menu - written on a paper plate - is extensive and changes daily. On a recent visit, we were offered a choice of chilled pumpkin or avocado soup, which came in small portions. We enjoyed the Black Sheep marinated eggplant as a starter. The homemade wheat bread is fresh and soft, and also available for takeaway ($15 per loaf). The main courses - roast rack of lamb (which didn't have a strong smell), chicken steak with cranberry and red wine sauce, and sole fillet with pesto sauce - all came with the same accompaniments of roast potatoes and green beans. Desserts are homemade, the espresso coffee cheesecake and lemon parfait with fresh passion fruit sauce are delicious and definitely worth the calories. A recent dinner for four, without coffee, tea or alcohol, was $525. A word of warning: it takes cash only. The Black Sheep offers good quality at a fair price, and other people seem to be aware of this, so book early. If you are visiting Shek O but are tired of Cantonese, Vietnamese or Thai food, have a meal at the Black Sheep, where you can relax in a comfortable setting, and then amble along the beach to walk off those calories. GREEN WILLOW VILLAGE RESTAURANT Podium 4, World Trade Centre Shopping Arcade 280 Gloucester Road Causeway Bay Tel: 2881-6669 Open: 11.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-11.30pm We tried this place on the recommendation of some Shanghainese friends - picky eaters if there ever were. This place does not always honour bookings promptly, and sometimes mixes up orders, but it remains popular because of its great food served up in comfortable surroundings. As with most Shanghainese restaurants, Green Willow has an extensive variety of cold dishes - shredded chicken with mung bean noodles in sesame sauce, mashed broad beans with preserved vegetables, tender sauteed bamboo shoots and cold jellyfish. It might be tempting to make a meal of all these cold starters because they are so refreshing, but that would mean missing out on the hot dishes. The minced pork balls in casserole are served with fresh vegetables and a rich sauce that is wonderful over rice. A great contrast to the heaviness of this dish is shredded beancurd skin with broad beans and tiny bits of ham. Try a dish of garlicky sauteed vegetables to round out the meal. This place usually has a crowd waiting outside for tables, despite having booked in advance. The main dining area is a large, split-level affair. If you come in a large party try to book one of the private dining rooms. Service is sometimes a bit haphazard, with the dishes coming out all at once or delivered to the wrong table. POST 97 1/F, 9 Lan Kwai Fong, Central Tel: 2810-9333 Open: Sunday-Thursday 8am-1am, Friday 8am-4am, Saturday 8am through toSunday We like to come here when we have a late-night craving for chicken wings, but aren't in the mood for the fluorescent lights and grubby surroundings of a dai pai dong. The chicken wings are great any time - a bowl piled high with brown, salty wings, with whole cloves of garlic. Pastas are also delicious and hearty, as are most of the dishes served here. The salads are wonderful and make a light meal, leaving enough room for dessert. The cheesecake and sticky toffee puddings are rich, decadent and fattening. Post 97 is usually packed with late-night crowds (it stays open all night on Saturdays), and every other diner seems to be gobbling up the eggs benedict.
