Sky Lounge, Felix & Dada - A rather boozy evening in Hong Kong

So as you might have guessed by now, here at the Empty Fridge we happen to enjoy having a drink or two. You can even say that our second persona is that of the Empty Liquor Cabinet. No we don't have drinking problems despite evidence to the contrary. It's purely coincidental that our drinks bill always costs more than food. All jokes aside though going out to bars for a drink and some snacks is a very enjoyable past time and what better place to go and indulge in that past time than Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a truly remarkable place. Everything is open until late and there is a constant hustle & bustle even in the late hours of the morning when you are stumbling around looking for the next drinking spot. One of the great things is that there lots of very nice hotel bars. We decided to start one such evening at the Sky Lounge at the top of the Sheraton Hotel. Arriving early at 8 we got a good table with panoramic view of Victoria Harbour and decided to have some Bollinger to kick things off. What better way to start our first night in Hong Kong with a bottle of champers - doing 'Strayas Bogans proud. Don't worry, we got some tapas too. Don't call AA yet. Thanks. 

People enjoying the panoramic views and Asia's biggest light show while listening to the Sheraton's 80's inspired sound track and voice over narration. All that jaw dropping neon splendour.

Some of the small fare we ate to take the bite out the champers and prepare our stomach for the onslaught ahead. Croquettes and some Wagyu beef.

Sky lounge has a very interesting take on the traditional dim sum menu - but instead of dumplings and spring rolls, they serve a more mediterranean tapas selection. They also have a fun cocktail list with customised drinks that relate to your chinese zodiac sign. This was a perfect venue to experience the iconic and electrifying lightshow that lit up the Hong Kong Skyline and Victoria Harbour.

Laduree Macarons & a morning in 'Paris'

Okay, the title is misleading. Technically speaking - I didnt exactly spend a morning in Paris, but the Laduree Macaron pop up shop was close enough for this francophile. I was over the moon when I found out that during our trip to Hong Kong, there would be a Laduree pop up shop in town - with Macarons flown in from the motherland. Seeing as a European holiday was not on the cards, my inner Blair Waldorf (for non gossip girl viewing readers, think prissy little socialite) was let loose on our second day in Hong Kong.

I was immediately weak at the knees when Demos and I arrived to the Joyce Department Store in Queens Road, Central. As we walked into the store I couldn't help but think - have we walked into a giant pistachio? The area by the entrance to the store was transformed into a little parisian escape - from the light green walls, the very chic macaron cart in the same shade. Although there were pastel coloured displays all around and a shoe department ahead in the corridor - my eyes were drawn to one area only - the macaron counter.

     

Tim Ho Wan, Michelin Star Dining in Mong Kok - Our first stop in Hong Kong

Our first trip to Hong Kong in 2009 was somewhat memorable - the better half (Gianna :) ) had chipped a molar tooth and leaving a nerve exposed. From first hand accounts this was excruciating to say the least. The inability to eat was replaced by excessive shopping and sightseeing, of course. We have been back in Sydney for at least a week and looking back - it has been the total opposite of our somewhat foodless first trip to Hong Kong. After a quick early morning nap (our flight landed at 5am - and if anything was open we would have headed there..) our first mission in HK was to have a meal at the famed Michelin Star Dim-Sum restaurant - Tim Ho Wan.

Unfortunately for us, the beds at our Hotel were far too comfortable and we overslept - starting the day just before lunchtime.. There was panic in both our faces. "We are going to hit the lunchtime rush". We both wanted Tim Ho Wan to be our first meal stop in Hong Kong to kick off the holiday, so although we were warned about the long wait for a seat - we headed to our destination. We found the small, unassuming restaurant easier than expected - after all the crowds were already gathered en masse outside. Our tummies already grumbling at this stage, we tried to curb our hunger pains with some canned coffee from the 7-11 across the road. It was going to be a long morning....

So this is how the waiting game goes - First, you have to hustle your way through the anxiously waiting crowd and get assigned a number by the host, or as we like to call her - our new friend the dragon lady. Although she doesn't seem very friendly at all - she is very efficient in getting the crowd moving and yelling at people who are blocking the neighbouring businesses. Dragon Lady hands us the english dimsum menu and writes the number '91' on our copy. We guard this piece of paper with our lives, as we stood outside until we were game enough to speak to Dragon Lady. "What number are you up to?" She points to her sheet of paper - "25" A friendly fellow hungry patron translates what was being said to us : "Come back in 2 hours". As expected from the world's most affordable Michelin star restaurant right?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

What a year 2010 has been! First of all a big thank you to YOU for visiting us here in our little corner of the internet. Here at the Empty Fridge, we started our blog thinking that only our Mums and maybe a handful of our friends would be the only readers we would ever have. But through the last couple of months we have made many awesome new friends and have heard from  lovely readers - all for the love of food and fun!  

Tonight we are flying off to Hong Kong and then also heading to Manila (our first trip!) This our second time to Hong Kong, and it should be fun and food-filled!

Here are some Happy Snaps from our last trip to HK an Macau - until next time!