Hida beef, Takayama Japan

Went to Takayama for a short break. Takayama is famous for the local Hida beef. Found a small restaurant for Hida beef.

A closer shot.....

The whole set was only 2500 Yen (12.5 pounds) and it was really really nice!

Will definitly go back to Takayama to have Hida beef again!

Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, Japan

Did not have chance to visit Gordon's restaurant while I was in London. So decided to book Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo for my birthday this year.

We didn't go for set menu cos none of like what we see on the set menu (rather boring). I had the roast duck, quite nice. But I wouldn't say it's the best roast duck I have ever had.


The waiter kind of pushing us for the set menu, which was quite annoying. Also righ after we decided our orders, he even pushed us to order dessert. According to him, there is one dessert (Apple tart) on the menu which takes 1 hour to prepare. So I thought I had to order it, to see how amazing it is!!!!

And here you are.......it looks a bit like...hmmm.....


We also ordered some cheese from the trolly. The collection is rather good, esp. the local cheese.

We did had a good time there. However, if you as me whether or not the food is good enough for me to re-visit it again. I would tell you - NO!

Weblink: http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/dining.do?ctyhocn=tyocici&id=DIN2

Tiger Cafe, Nagoya Japan

This restaurant is v close to where I work and it reminds me a lot about London, due to its decor and ambiance.

They serve French good, which is rather nice for me to have a break with Japanese food. The price is quite ok. My usual meal at this restaurant are French onion soup (700y yen) with salad Nicoise (750 yen).

The service is ok. The good news is that they have English menu, however their waiting staff cannot really understand English (niether French).

Add: 1-8-26 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya

Chez Shibata, Nagoya Japan

Randomly walked pass by this shop and went in with a friend.

I fig pie...it's rather nice, not too sweet!

Weblink: http://www.chez-shibata.com/

八代, Nagoya Japan

My very first 'okonomiyaki' experience. It's savoury pancake and have to be made by yourself i.e. DIY.

It was soooo much fun! This is the picture 'before'

This is the 'after' picture.

And we also have another kind of savour pancake called 'monjayaki'. This is the picture before again....

And this is the picture 'after'

With monjayaki you have to each with the little 'shovel'. It was so muh fun!!!

3 person, plus 4 beers and 2 glass of plum wine the bill was only about 2000 Yen (10 pounds) .

website: r.gnavi.co.jp/n233400

せ ん りゅう旬彩, Nagoya Japan

My HR manager took us (Saturday worker) to this lovely little restaurant. The chief was one of our previous chiefs. He just opened his first restaurant.

To start with, we had sea urchin on top of tofu. Urchin is really sweet and the tofu is so smooth, v fresh taste

Second starter....

3rd course is salad. The source has sesame flavour - v nice

4th course is tuna and sea bream sashimi, v beautifully done.

A closer shot -

5th course is backed small lobster with miso souce - delicious

6th course is radish with roast duck - soooo nice! (forgot to take a picutre before eating...so it looks a bit messy)

Then it's sushi time....freshly made by the chief. I think this one is sea bream with plum source.

Then it's tuna (maguri).

Then it's mackerel (saba) with little bit miso on top

Then it's shrimp (ebi)

Then some strange seafood.

Then the last one.....sea urchin(uni), soooooo sweet!!!

To finish with, we had red bean with mochi - hmmmmm yummmmm......

Don't know how much it was, cos my manager paid for the bill - in return I had to work the whole afternoon.

Tel:052 6273418

Add: Nagoya Naka-ku 1-12-23 460002

Bleeding Heart Bristro, London

Friends highly recommanded this place. Finally got chance to visit. Apparently it is said to be the most romatic place to din in London.

Oh yes, the decor is rather cute and nice.

However, was rather full and tired when I arrive. So I ordered the special of the day - tuna ( can't remember the exact name). It's cooked with tomato souce and peppers, really really nice. And the best thing, the price is decent - 11.95 pounds.


Website: http://www.bleedingheart.co.uk/bistro/index.php

The Parlour, London

Was shopping around the area and dying for something refresh. The only place I could think of was the cafe at the 1st floor of Fortun & Mason.

It's rather quiet for the busy area in London - exactly what I needed.


We had smooth (4 pounds) first. Then we saw someone had huge ice cream sundae so we followed. This is what we had....Dusty Road (9 pounds)

We finished it and felt so guilty afterwords!

Nice place to chill out! and good service.

Randall & Aubin, London UK

My parents came to London for a week. My father told me that he would like to try the most famous British dish - fish and chips. I had a bit difficulty to think of a nice one in central London. This seafood restaurant suddently popped into my mind.

I have walked pass this restaurant thousand times and had always wanted to visit.

It's got rather charming interior design and v frech looking seafood lay out next to the window. The only setback is, the seats are not for people who want to stay in the restaurant for long.

Of course, we all had fish and chips. The fish is rather small but it's really good - good quality and fresh fried. However, it's a bit expensive - 10.50 pounds.

Oh, one more thing, their home-made tartar souce is soooo good!

The restaurant is situated right in the heart of Soho.

Address: 16 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 0SQ

Website: http://www.randallandaubin.com/soho/default.asp

Smooth Sensations, Bath UK

Had a day tour to Windsor castle, Bath and Stonehenge with my parents.

Had a bit time to woder in Bath city centre and came across this little shop in the coverted market. It has all kinds of smooth and milk shake. I had milk shake that is mixed with chocolate cookies etc. It was seriously good!

They also do so many different kinds of mixed e.g. Aeor mint, Kit Kat, Cream Egg etc.

Here is there menu http://www.smoothsensations.co.uk/menu/

Add: Avon BA1 5AP Bath

Busaba Eathai Thai restaurant, London

Last lunch in London, went to this restaurant with a friend of mine. Both of us were super hungry. Thanks god the service is quite quick and there is no queue.

We ordered our favourit - Phad thai (6.80 poudns). It's nice!

We also had coconut king prawn (7 pounds). It's rather sweet.

We thought we needed some health food hence ordered Tofu & spinach (6.80 pounds). I'm not too keen on this one, but really need some veg.

Then we had Lemograss tea which came with biscuit and honey (to add in the tea). Love it!

The bill was 27.10 pounds for two and they don't charge for service charge. I must say, it's not the best thai food I havd ever had, but it's rather nice and quick. The serivce is quite nice. The only thing is you have to share a table with others. However, we found it was ok. Will probably re-visit it again if happen to be around the area and there is no queue.

Add: 8-13 Birth Street W1U 1BU

Pearl Liang, London

The restaurant locate in a rather bizarre place. Although it's right next to Paddington station but really it's not that easy to find. If not because a friend of mine live around there and brought me to the restaurant, I'd never find it.

I love this chinese restaurant for a number of reasons;

- the environment is v nice unlike most of the chinese restaurants in town.

- they won't kick you out as soon as you finish your meal

- the service is really friendly in contrast to the horrify service you would get in most of the chinese restaurants in town.

And the most important thing, the food is v nice here.

They do dim sum for lunch hour and I think it's as good as Royal China (if not better) and it's cheaper!! and you don't have to queue.

I returned to this restaurant for the 3rd time within 3 weeks (I think the manager knows to be by now). This time we had the lobster noodle. The lobster is really good but the noodle is a bit soggy. However, we were told that we can change to crispy noodle next time if we like.

The lobster noodle is 28 pounds but it's enough for 3 people, a rather reasonable price!


Add: 8 Sheldon Square Paddingdon Centre, London W2 6EZ


Phone:020 7289 7000

Website: http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/

Afternoon tea at The Grand Cafe, Oxford

Escapted to Oxford for the weekend. Arrived just for the right time for afternoon tea. Lisa brought me to this cafe - The Grand Cafe.

It's looks lovely outsite and the decor inside is also quite lovely.

According to the print around the tea cup, this cafe was the side of the first coffee house in England!
We ordered cream tea which came with 2 rather big scons (still warm) - yammy!

We also ordered our favourite cake - carrots cakes. The icing on the top is sensational!!!

All together (plus another extra tea) it was only around 16 pounds! Rather cheap considering the quality of the food, the place and the service. Oh ya...the service was really good. The same waiter who first received us at the door also followed us to the door in the end and said goodbye to us.

Will definely re-visit this place again.

Add: 84 Hight Street Oxford, OX1 4BG

Telephone: 01865204463

Afternoon tea AT Castle Hotel Windsor

My flatmate's birthday, arranged to visit Windsor Castle for and then afternoon - a rather classy day trip. We were super lucky that weather was sunny after a very wet week. The castle is beautiful and rather big. We spent a decent 2 hsr wondering around the castle.

Booked this hotel for afternoon tea simply it is recommended on the website which sales package tours.

It's oook. Not v impressed. I think I'm spoiled by the afternoon tea at the Doncester Hotel.




Price: 12 pounds per person (min 2 person)

Castel Hotel Windsor: 18 High Street http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/gb/mer/6618/fiche_hotel.shtml

Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason

Have never actually dine at Fortnum & Mason. Had a afternoon free and proposed to a friend that we can pop in to F&M and have afteroon tea. How classy is that!

We choose the ground floor restaurant. The service is rather nice. The tea is ok.

The scones are rather nice but rather small. The cream and jam are v nice!

Tea is 4 pounds I think.

Scones are 5 something I think.

Ayoush, London

Met girls for dinner since only - a small reunion for us. Booked this restuarant.

To be honest I really don't keen on Morrocan, Turkish, Greek etc. food. Not a big fan of their style. Got there, the music is sooo loud that you can't talk properly.

And then we were told that they only have x'mas manu for now...er....rather expansive. Worst, champagne was horrible!!! probably some cheap stuff. Excuse me, if your restaurant is located in prime location in London, please at least serve some okish chmpagne!!! Didn't touch that glass fo chanpagne at all.

The food is soso. One of the water can't understand English...er......

Sigh....anyway, will never visit this restaurant AGAIN! They really have to sort their small and 'ill' toilet out soon as well! OMG!


Address 58 James Street London WAU 1HG