Smorgasbord of menus sure to satisfy a woman's hungry heart
CHOICE IS NEVER a problem when dining out in Hong Kong, but deciding on a restaurant can be. Here are a few suggestions to help you plan a perfect Mother's Day.
Morning: The rest of the day's programme might have to be cancelled after this, but who wouldn't want a champagne brunch? ToTT's Asian Grill & Bar (The Excelsior Hong Kong, 2894 8888) offers unlimited good food and Moet for $508 a head (or $398 for unlimited Wolf Blass Pinot Chardonnay Brut, 11.30am-3pm). Alternatively, you can have a three-course meal for $388.
Brunch is also the name of the programme at Harbourside (Intercontinental Hong Kong, 2721 1211), where unlimited Moet & Chandon champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks and freshly squeezed juices are poured from 11.30am to 3pm to go with a scrumptious buffet of seafood and sushi, made-to-order noodles, salads, freshly baked pizzas and desserts. The price: $538 for an adult and $348 for a child (under 12). A special Mother's Day tea set with sandwiches, pastries, cakes and scones with clotted cream is $320 for two people (3.30pm to 6pm).
Dim sum is an eternally popular Sunday programme, and Mother's Day is no different. Loong Yuen Cantonese Restaurant (Holiday Inn Golden Mile, 2315 1006) has always been a reliable place for tasty victuals. The Mother's Day dim sum set lunch is $180 (child $90) per person from 10.30am (first seating). There will be three set dinner menus that night, with prices starting from $368.
Afternoon: One Bar (Exchange Square, 2522 2246) is famous for its long lunch buffet ($175), stretching from noon to 5.30pm. The various stations serve up roast beef, ham and turkey, sushi, sashimi and noodles, Chinese steamed fish and dim sum, as well as Middle Eastern, Indian and Thai goodies. Cakes, fresh fruit and fruit juices are also on offer. Children under 12 ($90) can enjoy marshmallows, cotton candies, jellies, Smarties, Rice Crispies and chocolate chips.
Abalone, especially the dry-preserved variety that becomes glutinous when braised, can cost a fortune (sometimes thousands each), but more affordable fresh abalone has been coming on the market in recent years. Cooked well, these can taste just as good as the costly item, and possess unique flavours.
At Dong Restaurant (Hotel Miramar, 2315 5166), you can have Cantonese braised whole premier abalone with oyster sauce for $298-$580 a serving, depending on the size of the abalone. Japanese dishes are also on offer. Highly recommended is the grilled salty baby abalone ($138).
