Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Friday, June 29, 2007

More cafe than chocolate

More cafe than chocolate

How much chocolate should one eat? More than a little, but less than a lot. These words, posted inside Whisk, Shanghai's renowned chocolate cafe, may be difficult to agree with for some; can there ever be too much chocolate?

However, the cafe may have a slight point, especially once you have sampled the other savory delights from its menu.
"Whisk is oriented as a chocolate cafe but has lots of other items to offer," said Alex Maze, one of the restaurant's owners.
"Many people have only heard of us because of the chocolate. So they are quite surprised when they come here and see lots of alternatives on the menu.
"It has always been chocolate and Italian food. We introduced the savory food because it is not the right time for just a chocolate shop here."
Whisk, opened last November, is not an easy place to find with its location set back from Huaihai Road. But it is certainly a place to seek out.
Looking at the menu, you are first struck by an impressive selection of coffee, ranging from the classics, cappuccino, latte and espresso, among others. But there is also truffle, iced or frozen chocolate, iced coffee cocktails and the Whisk Chococello. And that's before you even start on the Italian-inspired fare.
With a cappuccino at 15 yuan (US$1.96) and the rest of the menu at reasonable prices for large portions, it puts most standard coffee houses and restaurants to shame.
Its Italian menu is typical of any similar themed establishment, offering the usual pasta, paninis, pizza, risottos, salads and coffees. It is the attention to detail, however, that make this cafe stand out from the pack.
With its modern decor, it is designed enough to be pleasant without looking like it is trying too hard.
Whisk is a casual cafe cum restaurant said Maze, who also serves as the chef. "It is a place to be relaxed and enjoy good food at reasonable prices."
Recommendations for the savory choices start at the antipasto plate. At 60 yuan for two people it is great value and does not skimp on the trimmings.
Then there is the risotto. With five choices to select from Maze said they are a favorite of the cafe and do very well, especially at lunch time. "The chicken and mushroom is very earthy and although it is more of a winter dish it remains on the menu through popular demand. The seafood and tomato is a lighter choice for summer."
Indeed the risotto is a very satisfying choice, proving that Whisk does offer good food for a place thats specialty is not even making savory dishes.
Maze, a trained pastry chef, puts his passion for dessert to good use here with an abundance of choices available. Each dessert uses different chocolates to offer alternative flavors.
"Every dish I have developed over a period of time to cater to individual taste and preferences," said the Australian. "I am very proud of the new summer selection especially the lemon tart. However, people rarely try it as they all come for the chocolate."
Desserts range from indulgent sticky brownies to pana cotta and tiramisu. Lighter summer options include Greek yogurt, orange peel dipped in chocolate and wild blueberry ricotta.
But one thing to watch out for is that the generous portions in all the dishes may mean no room for dessert, not good considering this is the main reason to go to Whisk in the first place.
Upon exiting you can take one last look at the decadent chocolate treats displayed on thick slabs of chocolate itself. As the old saying goes, "strength is breaking a block of chocolate in many pieces and eating only one."
So perhaps that is the best way to describe Whisk, where the choice with the desserts may have to be in picking two or three. Its just a pity they don't deliver.
 


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Friday, June 15, 2007

Fei Teng fish

Fei Teng Fish

Imported from the capital:Fei Teng Yu Xiang has carved a niche for itself since it opened its first outlet in Beijing in 1999 and followed it up by setting up branches across the capital.

It has just opened its first Shanghai establishment, bringing its authentic spicy Sichuan flavors closer to us. Little wonder that the place is packed with diners. Try out its exclusive specialties, the Fei Teng fish and spicy yellow catfish.

The chef who cooks the Fei Teng fish has his own kitchen which no one else can goes in so that no one can copy their flavor.
 
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Cool in summer

Cool in summer
It can be difficult to get through hot summers. The high temperatures can easily get on our nerves. There are many ways to seek a temporary relief, like eating cold food, staying in air conditioning, wearing relaxed clothing, and spending time in the water. But too much of these cool things can also bring discomfort.The following are some tips to keep healthy and cool in the summer: TRING THE ICE CREAM. cool in summer-ice cream
TRING THE cool drink:
cool in summer cool drink
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Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Modern and elaborate

Modern and elaborate
Owner Wang Yong's splendid restaurant is located in Ritan Park, where Chinese emperors paid homage to the God of the Sun. Service is expat-friendly, and the decor is modern and elaborate. Those who prefer to sit outdoors can perch on one of the four tables in front of the porch or on the roof of the 2nd floor and 3rd floor. Both floors have a good view of the park.

The cuisine is hand-picked homestyle cooking, but don't expect rough and ready street cooking. The ingredients appear to be the same, but the cooking, preparation and presentation are a cut above. Recommended dishes include the roast duck,braised diced eggplant with assorted nuts,pan-fried chicken slices with Hawaiian nuts and deep-fried crispy bean curd with mild chilli sauce.


Average spending is 100 yuan per person. Park entry is free.
Xiao Wang's Home Restaurant Opening hours: 11am-10pm. It is a teahouse from 2-4pm. Address:Inside Ritan Park, 100 metres from the North Gate, Chaoyang District. Tel; 010-8561-7859.


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Tuesday, June 5, 2007

龙眼樱桃映白雪

龙眼樱桃映白雪

主料:龙眼50克、樱桃50克、蟹柳50克、鸡蛋4个;盐、鸡精各适量。

做法: 1.龙眼去皮取肉,一分两半;

2.蟹柳用开水焯一下;

3.鸡蛋4个取蛋白,加龙眼肉、樱桃和盐打几分钟直至蛋白呈起泡状;

4.锅内放油烧热,放入蛋白和蟹柳爆炒3分钟即可。


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雪碧的N种饮法

雪碧的N种饮法

初恋感觉:雪碧加一两粒话梅——酸酸甜甜的味觉里混杂着一丝咸味,有种心如鹿撞的感觉。

情意绵绵:雪碧加甜醋——心里有种百感交杂的感觉,见面时甜蜜蜜的,不见面时又时刻想念着对方。

人到中年:雪碧加陈醋(一定要山西陈醋,1比1勾兑)——没事偷着喝。

意乱情迷:雪碧加啤酒——所谓的酒不醉人,人自醉。

红颜知己:雪碧加红酒——知己与红颜两相得。

创意时代:雪碧加二锅头——北京式鸡尾酒!

执子之手:雪碧加酸奶——情意浓浓。

两小无猜:雪碧加雪糕——如胶似漆地沉醉在甜蜜之中。

第七感觉:雪碧加柠檬——一种超越味觉的享受。

持家有道:雪碧加鸡汤——既时尚又大补。

健康第一:雪碧加绿茶——肯定是“绿伞”饮品。

多姿多彩:雪碧加红茶——冒充可乐。

多重疗效:雪碧加止咳露——不爱吃药的小孩不知不觉就上当了。

动力十足:雪碧加可乐——嫌气儿不够大!

挥汗如雨:雪碧加盐——解渴又补充体力。

午夜心情:雪碧加咖啡——因为没有糖了。

天长地久:雪碧加年代——来杯1973的雪碧。

验明正身:雪碧加雪碧——越喝越像雪碧!

百无聊赖:1毫升雪碧加1升白开水——怎么喝都像白开水!

别出心裁:雪碧加味精——想喝就试试!

大家不妨一试啊~~~~


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A diet date with ice cream

A diet date with ice cream
No one can resist the temptation of ice cream in the summer. Yet many young women dare not eat the refreshing dessert for fear of putting on too much weight. But the options are better now with the emergence of low-fat ice creams, which can satisfy your cravings for ice creams, but can taste a bit bland. Here is a list of ice cream shops where you can find these low-fat ice creams.
Gelato
The Italian ice cream shop Gelato sells low-fat milk ice cream and many foreigners come here for a cool treat . Coconuts flavor is most popular among customers, while hazel is also worth a try.
At Gelato diners can have a taste of each ice cream flavor before deciding which one to buy. And Gelato also posts its information on discounts on a small board hung at its front door.
Location: Aoland International Shopping Center, No. 692, Hankoulu, Huangpu District.

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Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery
This ice cream is very popular in the United States. Cold Stone Creamery has both original ice cream and low fat cream. The signature dish is called Nutcracker with vanilla flavor.
When you enter Cold Stone Creamery, you can be easily overwhelmed by its happy atmosphere. Not only do you watch how the chefs prepared each ice cream, but also try all flavors of ice creams for free.
Here you can make their own ice creams by picking your favorite flavors of ice creams and then mixing them with seasonings like chocolate sauce and candies. Isn't it cool to be an ice cream chef?
Location: B1, Raffles City, 268 Xiyang Zhong Lu

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Saturday, June 2, 2007

The magic of strawberries

The magic of strawberries

As finding naturally-grown strawberries is a hot issue.Citylife has located some places where you can not only find tasteful strawberries, but also enjoy picking them.

strawberries


In early summer, one of the most popular fruit is strawberry. It is said strawberry is the "Queen of fruit" as it has many nutritious elements. But many people feel that the strawberry in the current market tastes different as many strawberries are grown in greenhouses and some even have a scent of pesticides. So finding naturally-grown strawberries is a hot issue. Citylife has located some places where you can not only find tasteful strawberries, but also enjoy picking them.


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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

This IS Restaurant

This IS Restaurant

As the local dining scene burgeons, patterns begin to emerge. Restaurateurs have the option of starting small, luring a targeted group of patrons with their mid-range fare; another option would be to go the whole hog and splash out on a multi-million yuan space in a swanky location with prices to match.
A concept is another tool often employed, sometimes in tandem with the two strategies above. These joints brainstorm for ages and come up with a premise they hope is so irresistible it pulls in the crowds in droves.
IS Restaurant is hoping they have latched on to a winning formula.
Bordering on the ultra-pretentious, the New Factories establishment is decidedly focused on putting the "experience" in "dining experience." Part art concept, part fine-diner, there are moments when it is not exactly apparent what it is trying to be.
There are restaurants that immediately appeal to the visual senses, wowing you as soon as you walk in; sometimes with palatial decor, sometimes with sheer size. IS has gone for the cold, minimalist approach that exudes art-crowd cool.
It is no wonder, as the restaurant is the brainchild of General Manager Weng Yinlan and her husband, who is in the art business. Having started the concept in her native Guilin two years ago, the former advertising executive is confident that the concept will be a hit locally as well. "We do creative, fusion dishes that are appealing to the eye as much as they taste good," she said. "None of our serving ware is mass produced. Besides custom-made plates, we also use a lot of natural products, like pine needles for decorative plating."
"Some things, like acorns, are things that I've picked up myself from the countryside back in Guilin. You could never find stuff like this in Shanghai."
The design lives up to its billing. Words do little justice to the creative use of space on the top floor of this refurbished factory. Dried roots and branches form non-imposing barriers that partition the dining area; the centerpiece is a long, mirrored table with imposing, tall-backed chairs forming booths without being sealed off.
Neo-classical teapots and dings (an ancient Chinese tri-legged vessel) are displayed prominently with the similar furniture. Weng said that plans are afoot to hold art exhibitions and performances in the restaurant.



Whether she realized it or not, she was already right. Each dish was a show in itself albeit with some decidedly over the top. The opening act of mushroom soup came served on different plates for each guest. While the bed of rose petals was sweet, the flaming plate was a bit much. The soup itself was not creamy enough and weak.

The emphasis, however, is on healthier dishes, and the sliced cucumbers with walnuts, caviar and wasabi was delightfully refreshing and a stimulant at the same time. The same went for the simple garden salad.

The tasty pork cordon bleu (48 yuan/US$6.30) was not oily and came with a mild pepper sauce, although the addictive spiced beef served in a bubbling bowl of oil smacked of tenderizer. The steamed chicken dumplings came served hanging from a small tree, making you wonder what the point was. The meat was passable although the portions were just not enough.

Another flaming dish was served, this time seven kinds of fungi in a creamy sauce served in aluminum foil (98 yuan). It was a spectacle really, nearly eclipsing the mushrooms within.

The fried rice dish was somewhat odd. Intended to resurrect a dying recipe, it kind of halted the forward thinking nature of the meal preceding it.

It was great - a simple, rustic flavor - but jarring due to the lack of extravagance.

Dessert was truer to form, with pear slices coated in muesli. An excellent snack, the roughage aids digestion and exactly what was needed to end the meal.

IS is interesting to say the least. There is no denying the cool factor, which is what dining experiences should be about. The food is better than average, and the "show" is constantly updated to keep things fresh.

As it stands, the restaurant is a novel luxury, not intended to merely fill the stomach and satisfy the palate but more to introduce an avant-garde culture and immerse appreciative diners.

IS RestaurantLocation: 4/F, Building 7, 537 Haifang RoadTel: 021-52135399
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

A juicy variety

A juicy variety


(Beijing weekend)
A juicy variety of Australian steaks in a contemporary and minimalist setting. Come with a Oz-sized appetite as the well hung rib eyes could feed a family of four and the cheesecake comes in a slab as big as your head (well nearly).
They only have a few tables so be sure to book. The 30cm high cheesecake is also to-die-for. Perfect for well hung and extra-large slabs of steak.

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Monday, May 21, 2007

Falafel Wraps

Falafel Wraps Falafel Wraps
Ingredients
200g packet falafel mix
3/4 cup water
1 orange, peeled, finely chopped
225g can sliced beetroot,
drained, finely chopped
1 tblsp chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup hummus
1 tsp finely grated orange rind
1 tblsp orange juice
Olive oil spray
6 pieces mountain bread
1 and a 1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce, to serve
METHOD
1. Combine falafel mix and water in a large bowl. Stand for 20 minutes, or until set.
2. Combine chopped orange, beetroot and mint in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, combine hummus, orange rind and orange juice, until smooth.
3. Using wet hands, shape heaped tblsps of falafel mixture into oval patties. You will need 12 patties. Place patties on a lightly oiled oven tray. Lightly spray with cooking oil.
4. Cook in a very hot oven (240C) for 5 minutes. Turn over and cook for 5 minutes, or until golden.
5. Spread 1 tblsp of hummus mixture onto each piece of mountain bread. Top with lettuce, beetroot mixture and falafels. Roll up mountain breads, folding in sides, to enclose filling.

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Tuna, Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Dip

Tuna, Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Dip

Tuna, Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Dip:

Ingredients
250g tub light cream cheese
2 x 100g cans John West Light Tuna
Tempters Oven-Dried Tomato & Basil
1 tblsp chopped fresh basil
2 green spring onions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Extra green spring onion strips, to garnish
Rice crackers or vegetable sticks, to serve

METHOD
1. Place cream cheese in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. 2. Add tuna tempters, basil and spring onions. Stir until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Cover mixture.? Refrigerate for about 1 hour before serving.3. Garnish dip with spring onion strips. Serve with rice crackers or vegetable sticks.
TIP: Dip can be made up to one day ahead. Keep covered in the refrigerator.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Delicious food

Delicious food is everybody like it.

You look this snack ,attraction is very large. Make you want to try.

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Friday, April 27, 2007

Enjoy the lobster buffet

Enjoy the lobster buffet

Feast on a menu that changes faster than the seasons. Lobster and oysters abound all month, but the cuisines change by the day.

You never know when it's going to be pasta, grill, skewer, curry or spot crab day. Meanwhile, brace your stomachs for fresh sushi and sashimi, Lanzhou noodles and carvery stations. Buffet, RMB178; children 6-12 RMB89; children under six free.
Mayfair Hotel's Seafood Plaza
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Friday, April 20, 2007

Fresh as a pomelo

The restaurant's Chinese name is "jinxiangyou," which is a kind of a delicious but rare pomelo growing only in western Hunan.
It is revered as a heavenly gift from nature and highly sought after.

This is a especial pomelo,the appearance is very magnetic. I think it is very delicious.


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