Whampoa
The day started with a trip over to see Ali and Rene. I had to deliver the book Ali helped to make happen. Half the book was written on his couch, my stay during the mini sabbatical I had in 2008. Rene also got a copy, but we mainly met to talk business. This may be what I need to start off on my own business venture. We’ll see. In the meantime, writing and film will be my dream.
We had lunch over in Soho, another area in Hong Kong known for it’s international bars, restaurants, and shops. I hardly come here mainly because it’s up on the mid levels. That is, up above Central and even Lan Kwai Fong. Sure there are escalators that take you up here but that’s time consuming. I could settle for French, Spanish, or Italian around Central. But that defeats the purpose of Soho. Tucked away in its own little area, they have a crowd to all to their own. Definitely a light lunch compared to the western breakfast I had in the morning.
Later I finally got some writing at my old go to cafe, Cafe O. Odd that I’m still behind on my writing. Oh wells.
That night I was suppose to meet Kelly and her family out in Whampoa. Not the greatest idea trying to wait for someone at a bus stop. Very kind of her, but I’ve never been to this area and I’m spoiled by the MTR. Not to mention, I had no means of communication. Needless to say, I couldn’t find them. Yeah, if I had the restaurant name I could have just met them there. Anyways, I eventually wandered around this area. You can tell the developers were high on their own smug. The district is divided up into several sections with their own names like Home World or Fashion World and catered to private housing above the shops. A one stop area for people to live and place. No need to head out of the neighborhood, you’ll have everything here. Everything! There’s even a yacht in the middle. Well, a building shaped like one. You want to go sightseeing? Look no further because it’s in your own backyard. No need to hop on a crowded MTR, not that there is one. No need, the crowds will be flocking here to see this. Oh, and we’ll put a Mos Burger in it too. Talk about novelty! Okay, I’m going over board here. This area has potential. Add a few more nice restaurants and some better shopping and this will be perfect. Come to think of it, maybe that’s not what they want. *ding*
It looks more crowded than it actually was. There’s construction on the corners forcing everyone to get bunched up to cross the street. A bit chaotic, but far less than Causeway Bay.
Happy to see they serve this rare, but alas the broth was very bland. I had to ask for Hoisin sauce, but they had no idea what that was. Figures. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to this place. $40HKD
It looks good but that hint of orange isn’t shrimp, it’s carrots. I never had carrots in these before. But the hint of shrimp is actually in the dipping sauce. Not bad but I actually didn’t finish this. $32HKD
It’s amazing that there will always be new construction happening in Hong Kong. The place where ideas turn to business and turn into a lifestyle. It’s great to see at least in this city, progress will always be progress.
Up in Soho you can find a wide range of foods. For lunch we decided on French. These crepes are well made and you can go with the lunch sets to give you the whole range from savory to sweet crepes. $120HKD set
Only in Hong Kong can you get scrambled eggs and toast with something you expect for lunch or dinner, a pork chop. This oddity only results in one thing, yum. However, not all are yum. It’s really hit or miss with the local breakfast places. This one here is from your friendly neighborhood Cafe de Coral. $24HKD
This used to be my favorite pizza place in Hong Kong. Not that it got worse, it was just a victim of competition. There are so many good pizza places around town nowadays that I only come here for the nostalgic pizza. Nostalgia in the form of ham, onion and arugula over a nice thinly toasted crust. I’ve written at this cafe so many times back in the past. The food and drinks were plenty for me to haul in 4 hour days of writing. $99HKD with a drink