Lian, Indochinese chic at the IFC

So, I finally managed to get a table at the ever-popular Indochinese bistro Lian on the second floor of the International Finance Centre in Central. I had just flown into Hong Kong just hours before, and was fortunate to get a slot for an early dinner, and although it was a Monday night, we were requested to vacate our place by 8:00pm for the next seating. I guess in these tough economic times, people still need to eat well.

Walking past the curvaceous foyer and into the main dining hall, we were greeted by an amazing water feature that was the centerpiece of the dining area - a lily pond with counter seats encircling it, bathed in glowing light in the water and adorned with hanging lilies from the ceiling. The decor was what you'd expect of a very hip, modern Indochinese bistro, with dark wood furniture, shades of rich fabric in brown and beige hues, and Asian accents embellishing the dimly lit room and dining booths.

We opted for a the counter seats in front of the lilly pond centerpiece, and ordered our usual Indochinese favorites. First up was the fresh tom yum goong with a large prawn that was so amazingly flavorful it almost didn't qualify as a traditional Thai soup. It reminded me of a blend between tom yum goong and a Vietnamese sweet and sour fish soup. But this is what Lian did best, deftly mixing the best of Indochinese cuisine into a unique, blended potpourri of exotic flavors.

Next we had the grilled beef with garlic, a typical Vietnamese restaurant staple that was done perfectly with tender beef strips and crispy garlic slivers. Then there was the jumbo prawn fresh roll that reminded me of a Japanese tempura roll, except the dip was made from prawn roe and coconut cream and tasted absolutely decadent. Not your typical Vietnamese 'goi cuon', but very tasty nonetheless.

Our last appetizer was the pomelo salad, and unlike your regular fare, the dish was served with just pomelo slices and a spicy sweet and sour dressing. This was the most refreshing dish for me, simple yet mouth-watering delicious. Our main course was 'pho', the traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup, which we shared a bowl between the two of us. The broth was one of the best I've had since my hunt for the best 'pho' started in earnest two months ago - rich, flavorful and just the right amount of spice, accompanied by thin, smooth flat rice noodles reminiscent of the best 'hor fun' from Ipoh, Malaysia. But I'd have to say the sliced beef was the best part for me, they were so melt-in-your-mouth tender they could have been wagyu grade.

We ended the meal, too full for a go at the dessert selection. I'm glad I was able to give Lian a try this trip, it's been on my To Do list for the longest time, and will remain there for some time to come.

Fuel - Nice name for an espresso bar

While walking around IFC this morning, I came across Fuel, a coffee bar on the 3rd level. Friend of mine was raving about the Chai latte they served here, but I'm not much of a Chai drinker, so I ordered an espresso to go. Not too bad. But I've had better. But definitely a notch above the usual coffee chains. The next day, I was at the IFC again around lunch time, so I swung by to grab a latte and one of the freshly made sandwiches. The roast beef, horseradish and caramelized onion sandwich on a multigrain bread was wonderfully tasty, and the latte was a great accompaniment to wash down my quick lunch. at HKG$25 for an espresso and HKG$34 for a latte, it's pretty steep by local standards, but for the same price, I'd have my caffeine fix at Cova any day. It's just a question of taste. Pity that they have a tiny seating area in the rear though, four single bar stools against the wall. More like a longer hangout than the sort of cafe that nurtures conversation over hot drinks.

Isola, Modern Italian With A Stunning View

The moment I walked into Isola I was mesmerized by the stark white tapestry pattern of the wallpaper in this modern minimalist restaurant at the International Financial Center in Hong Kong. Perched on top of the 4th floor of the IFC, diners are treated to the spectacular view of the Hong Kong skyline and harbor while dining alfresco on the patio.

My friend had reserved a table a week in advance fortunately, and we managed to secure a waterfront view by the window in a quiet corner of this very busy restaurant. It was Monday, and yet the restaurant was filled to capacity. Big, bold and beautiful, I was told this was still the place to see and be seen in Hong Kong.


Lately, I've been on a gastronomic quest to find the best squid ink pasta dish around, and so tonight I was pleasantly surprised to find a squid ink linguine vongole accompanied by baby asparagus. Naturally, that was my selection for the main course, and I also ordered an arugula and mushroom salad with grapes and shaved Parmigiano.

I have to say both dishes were executed with perfection, it was clear the scenic waterfront views were not just the main attractions at this popular Hong Kong restaurant, the food certainly stands up to a lot of accolades as well. Not to mention the excellent, top-notch service fitting for such a dining experience.

This entry marked the start of a 30 day, 4 country culinary journey that included Hong Kong, Mexico, San Francisco and Melbourne. Stay tuned for more delicious photos to come.