The Good Customer

~Classified~

After my visit to this cute eatery – an off shoot of it’s parent restaurant The Press Room, I am disappointed in myself. How did I not know about this place???

Due to it’s location on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, there is definitely less traffic here than Central. Thus the several tables outside has a perfect “sidewalk cafe” feel. When you enter the restaurant you are confronted with the large deli counter encasing their charcuterie meats, sandwiches, salads, and even desserts. You will notice the daily specials on the chalkboard which usually consist of soups, pastas, and sandwiches.

My visit on a weekend night found the patio area full and “happening”,  despite the heat and humidity. We took a seat inside at the large square communal table. Menu was tres cute being that it was in the form of a newspaper. I noticed that there was a staircase that lead to what looked a like a loft area. Most notably, I saw a glass room overlooking from above – full of cheese!

Not being able to find the cheese selections from the menu we asked one the servers. She informed us that there were platters that could be put together. Prices depended on how many types of cheese you chose. A small platter with 3 selections (approx 100 grams each) served with quince paste and a basket of bread – $155 HKD.

The real experience was when our server brought us upstairs to Asia’s first walk-in temperature and humidity controlled cheese room. Instead of choosing your selection from a menu or a deli counter, you are invited to personally taste and choose your cheese. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and are eager to offer suggestions. A wonderful experience and lesson!

After exiting the cheese room, we decided to seat ourselves at the enormous communal table upstairs in the wine room. Surrounded by 3 walls of wines and the cheese room, it is indeed a cozy atmosphere. Love the idea that you can make your drink selection by picking a bottle of wine off the shelf.

All of the staff and extremely friendly and very attentive. They don’t usually stay around upstairs but check back quite often to make sure you are doing alright. In the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong city, it’s a treasure to find a place to enjoy a casual but intimate meal with personable service.

I was most impressed with this way of consuming. A hands on approach that is user friendly for all – especially for those who are not all that familiar with the products.

~The Cheese Room~

~The Wine Room~

Popularity: 11% [?]

~My Favourite Appliance~

~Exquisite Capsules Of Caffeine~

HOW MUCH? : Machine – $279;  Capsules -  0.55 USD/0.63 CDN each

Popularity: 1% [?]

~SML Hong Kong~

Concept: Customize your dining experience by choosing your portion size for anything on the menu. I was immediately intrigued by this novel approach to dining. Taking a friend as a test partner, we embarked on a mission to test the feasibility of this concept.

Located in the Times Square Food Forum of Causeway Bay, Hong Kong is SML. Where are the vowels? No it’s not a spelling mistake. It’s an acronym for Small Medium Large. Some would consider this as a tapas type of restaurant, but I beg to differ. Upon opening the menu, you will find it resembles a classic menu. There are clearly defined sections – appetizers, mains, desserts, drinks. However, after each menu item there are 3 different prices under the 3 columns of small, medium, large. This was the theme throughout the whole menu. You could even order drinks in 3 different sizes.  Great way to try different cocktails or sample different wines without becoming utterly “sloshed”.

A truly fabulous and diverse dining experience. We must have ordered 4-5 different mains (small, of course); ordered 2-3 different “carbs”; and even some large portions of appetizers. Why? Because we could! A perfect place for the “indecisive one”, the “picky one”, the “peckish one” or the “hungry one”.

The possibilities are limitless. A truly customizable dining experience. The Good Customer likes this!

Bonus feature: There are a LOT of personnel working at this establishment. The ratio of server to patron was unbelievable! Thus, customer service was remarkable! Quick, efficient, and friendly staff. Can’t ask for anything more.

Popularity: 1% [?]

~Essential Face Wash~

What? : Trisan antibacterial skin cleanser.

Why? : Recommended to me many years ago by my dermatologist. This product is soap free, oil free, perfume free and alcohol free. Only suds mildly and does not dry out your skin. Excellent product if you have combination, oily or acne-prone skin. Also great as an “after workout” wash – to clear out those sweat-blocked pores! Can be used for your face as well as whole body. Contains “triclosan” – the ingredient that kills germs. Yucky!

How much? : $12 – $16 CDN – depending on where you purchase.

Where? : Canada – Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Great Canadian Superstore. This product is only available “behind the counter” at the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist.  Also available at www.allabouthealthyskin.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

WHAT? : Bloomingdales Friends & Family Event. Save 20% off!

WHY? : Because you can save money, silly!

WHEN? : November 11 – 15, 2009

WHERE? : Valid for in-store OR online shopping

HOW? : Print off the above coupon to use in-store or use the code MERRY upon checkout for online shopping

Popularity: 62% [?]

~Tombodama Bead Necklace~

What? : Japanese glass bead known as “Tombodama” threaded through a silver chain – wearable art! My particular piece is a pink bead with gold flecks blown into the glass. Love the way it picks up colours from my wardrobe!

Why? : Every Tombodama is handcrafted individually and therefore unique. Great to have as an accessory or even as a collectible. Designed by Vancouver based glass artist Minori Takagi. These colourful glass beads feature floral and other patterns. The artist uses “Satake” glass rather than Moretti glass as it is softer and has a higher refractive index.

Where? : Currently the artist only sells on certain dates at Granville Island Public Market, Portobello Market, and various events throughout the Lower Mainland. Check out her website for her schedule.

www.mylampwork.com

Popularity: 3% [?]

What? : Friends and Family Event – 30% off all purchases PLUS 5% of the amount spent will be donated to:  Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Canadian AIDS Society, CARE Canada, Humane Society of Canada and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.

Where? : Only in Canada – Gap, Gap Generation, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Outlet, Old Navy

When? : November 12 -15, 2009

How? : Present coupon (link below) to cashier at time of purchase. Only valid for in-store purchases.

http://gapcanada.p.delivery.net/m/p/gap/gcan/gpjump_can_v2.asp?P=11092009_GG5_can_eng_invitation3.html&mid=1916954171&cid=780858

Popularity: 5% [?]

L'Occitane Ho Chi Minh~

It is dark. I am lying face down. Feeling a bit chilly. Perhaps it’s because I only have a towel draped over me. I am held hostage with my head planted in the “hole”. I am not able to see the activity around me but I am not unaware. Relying on my super-duper hearing I am able to piece together the scene in my head. The door opened a few seconds ago… letting all the outside noise infiltrate the room. I don’t think the door has been closed properly because I can still hear people talking, laughing, and walking. Walking??? Are they walking by my room? Can they see me in my state of undress? This worries me and I start to feel panicky. One should not be feeling stressed when they are at the spa.

My masseuse continues to walk in and out of room a number of times during my session. This confuses me, because I am left in the dark, literally. I am not informed as to what is happening around me. A couple of times, the door opens and someone begins to carry on a conversation with my masseuse. Really??? What happened to “my time”? Focus here!

After my namby-pamby massage, I am left alone again. Did they forget about my facial? Somebody enters the room. Finally! The final step of my facial was a peel off face mask. The mask was applied. I am not informed as to how long I need to wait. Instead, she leaves the room. Alone again. After some time, I found myself trying to figure out how much time had passed. My mind begins to wander and I think of movies involving inmates – and how they lose track of time thus resorting to making marks on the walls. I wish I could see a clock. I wish I could just see. My anxiety builds. I think about counting sheep. Maybe I can figure out how much time passes or maybe just pass out. Either way, it may alleviate my anxiety. At this point, I am certain that the staff have forgotten about me. I am cold again.

An eternity later, the spa personnel returns to attend to me. My session is over. I am invited to rinse off in the private shower inside my treatment room. However, I am not left alone this time. She begins to clean up the room. I am confused. Am I supposed to take a shower in the stall with the clear glass doors with her in the room? Seemingly, this was what was expected of me. Just wanting to get out of there, I quickly rinsed off. I wished that I was in the dark again. Awkward.

I am at counter, waiting to pay my bill. Bill paid. Had to request for a receipt as none was offered to me. Of the 5 employees cluttered around the counter, not one thanked me for my business.

Quite unfortunate for L’Occitane En Provence in Ho Chi Minh. I have frequented this spa numerous times over the past several years. During earlier visits the service has been wonderful. But with each subsequent visit, I’ve observed a marked decline in customer service. This last visit will literally be my last.

Popularity: 17% [?]

~Deconstructing The Crabs~

~Hairy Crab Deconstructed~

~Xiefen (crabmeat+crab roe sauce) Over Peashoots~

What? : Hairy Crab ( Da Zha Xie) aka “Chinese Mitten Crab”. Referred as such because of its dense patch of dark hair on it’s claws. Can be found in lakes across Jiangsu province which borders on Shanghai, China.

Why? : Between the months of September to November – the season to sample this delicacy coined “asian foie gras”. Can be prepared various ways, but the most popular and simplest is steamed with ginger to preserve it’s “fresh” taste.  Not a “meaty” crab, it is prized for it’s “roe” and “sweet tasting flesh” which can be enhanced by dipping into malt vinegar. Doesn’t sound appetizing? Dining on hairy crabs is an experience in itself! Who doesn’t want to use utensils specifically manufactured for these these tasty crustaceans?

Where? : These photos were taken from our dining escapade at Wu Kong Shanghai Restaurant. Alpha House Basement, 27-33 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong   2366-7244

Popularity: 1% [?]

~BCBG Friends & Family Sale~

What? : BCBG’s Friends & Family Event.     November 05/09 – November08/09.

Why? : Because you can save 30% off your purchase of any regularly priced merchandise.

How? : For online shopping – use code FRIENDS09 at checkout page.  For in-store shopping – click the link below to print off the event page;  present to cashier at time of purchase.

http://view.ed4.net/v/AA1ISJ/OUTU/ZBODA33/VRI43/MAILACTION=1&FORMAT=H

Where? :    www.bcbg.com or any BCBG Maxazria retail store.

Popularity: 4% [?]