A Night Out
Along with the usual shopping, the day had a night of drinks in store for it. But first, the shopping. Around Yau Ma Tei, there are some surprising shops. Along with your usual G2000 and Giordano’s, you got specialty shops like your anime and action figure shops at In’s Point. Okay, so specialties to my liking. I can’t help it, that little anime nerd in me still screams when he see’s mecha, girls with guns, and anything wielding a sword. Unfortunately, the stores were closed when I swung by. These shops open at noon. Might be a good thing, though, I don’t have room in my luggage any more.
So of course, that meant, time to eat. This time I took to the local shops. Even though the area was known for the night market, there are some shops that appear to be open days on end. I noticed the ones around the corner of my hotel and decided to try it out. Bingo. Supreme Beef Brisket Soup. A corner shop with sun aged signs aligning the walls, small folding tables and plastic stools. Things that don’t make me go “that looks local, let’s try it.” No, it was more about the amount of people that was there before noon compared to the other shops. Not bad stuff. I would definitely come back if I stopped trying out local restaurants. But I do have to say, of all the places I tried in this area, this has to be my favorite.
At night, I met up with Ali and his crew for drinks. We ate at a tapas place under the escalators in Central, Bacar. Since he knew the owner, we also ordered from their place next door, Cicada. Food was good. Definitely like the Peri Peri chicken. Don’t have a good picture of it, sorry. We met up to eat before heading to a club opening. Kinda different being this age. We were going to a club for a totally different reason. No, I don’t want to be the 30 year old that shouldn’t be there at a club. Nope, we were going because one of the people in our group was an investor for the place. Very different indeed. The place was way too crowded as you can expect after the bouncers made a line up fiasco outside. The LA fiasco, where the venue could be completely empty, but they keep the lines long on the outside. Fun times. I come half way around the world for this. Well, not really. We bounced and went to a terrace bar then ended up at Post 97. And as a Hong Kong night would have it, we ran into one person we knew and dragged them along and then another. Next thing you know I’ve met a fan of my company (like truly a fan) and a stand up comedian, here in Hong Kong. Interesting night.
Oh have I mentioned how I love the local food shops. This one specializes in beef brisket soups. So simple but so tasty. It doesn’t look like much, but you got to try it. Clean flavors and the turnips have soaked in the beef broth for hours. A great play in savory countered with sweet and bitter. Great and fattening stuff.
$35HKD
Here is another store with an assortment of figurines. It was after this photo did I see the photo that said no photography. I guess I’m lucky it was before any of stores opened.
Before checking out a new club opening, we stopped off at a bar across the street. Some quick drinks and a little conversation before the start of the night. Surprisingly enough, they had Kettle One here.
$80HKD
Not what I expected. The typical rice you would expect from a roll was in the form of rice skin. Very different texture and very neutral to taste. I kinda like it after all the other dishes.
$70HKD
Tapas in Central. My favorite here was the Peri Peri Chicken which isn’t pictured. The photo didn’t come out so well. Second up was the fried risotto which is pictured. The seared tuna was good, but the other stuff was just that much better.
$78HKD Wild Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto Balls
$72HKD Black and White Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna
A hidden gem in Yau Ma Tei. This would be where I’d go shopping for my next Halloween outfit. This is one among many anime/comic book shops that line this mall.