Kau Sau Chau Public Golf Course Clubhouse (Sai Kung)

I asked Dad what he wanted to do for Fathers' Day.

He said, 'How about Kau Sau Chau?'

Where?! I had to Google it. It is the island on which the Jockey Club has built HK's only public golf course. My Dad doesn't even golf.

Not a bad view from the clubhouse though! Ferry tickets alone from Sai Kung are normally HK$70 return but their Fathers' Day special was a bargain - around HK$160 inclusive of ferry ticket and a full buffet lunch with roast.

May have to convince Dad to take up golf ...

Kau Sau Chau Golf Course, catch a ferry from the designated Jockey Club KSCGC pier on Sai Kung town waterfront

Lai Yip Street Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar (Kwun Tong)

Two shacks on the side of the road next to a public toilet. Seating is outdoors, and chances are, you will end up eating directly in front of the toilet (see below). 

It doesn't sound like the most appealing place to eat but anything they cook up in their massive wok in the shack kitchen is hearty and full of flavour. Well worth a visit if you are on your way to Hidden Agenda.

Satay Beef Stir Fry Rice Noodles

How long will places like this last before the Kwun Tong redevelopment takes over? 

Lai Yip Street Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar, 3 Lai Yip Street, Kwun Tong (A bit of random film trivia, this location apparently featured in the HK flick Infernal Affairs 2. Check it out.)

Danish Bakery 丹麥餅店 (CWB)

Amid recent high-profile closures of several HK food institutions, reports that Danish Bakery had been sold to new owners caused a sudden spike of customers to visit the store in March earlier this year.

Such a reaction turned out to be premature however, as the owners of the shop (a couple who have run this place for over 40 years) confirmed that their lease was still current for 3 years. Nonetheless, property experts are expecting the current monthly rent of HK$52,000 to triple (!!!) to reflect current market value.

Despite its name, this little corner shop is actually well-known for its fried chicken legs and burgers. I used to work nearby and bought my hot milk tea and fresh pineapple bun from this shop everyday. For their frying, I am convinced they are using the same vat of oil that they have used for the last 40 years. Some people say it's too greasy but I say it just adds to the flavour!

We stopped off here recently for a fish burger and a pork chop burger on our way to the Lions vs Barbarians rugby match. Together the 2 burgers cost in total around $30. Now imagine how many of these they have to sell per month just to cover their rent ...

Pork burger

Fish burger

 Danish Bakery (丹麥餅店), G/F, Leishun Court, 106 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Ph: 2576 7353

Bistro Du Vin (Kennedy Town)

Kennedy Town. 

My grandma lived here when I was growing up and I don't remember ever seeing any Westerners out here, let alone Western restaurants. With the growing development in the area however, there is an increasing demand for upmarket restaurants like Bistro Du Vin. 

This small French bistro does not sit many people and it took a number of attempts before I managed to secure a booking. We ended up going on a Wednesday night, and the place was still packed. Not only that, but the tables were so awkwardly close to each other that getting in and out of your seat essentially required you to wave your arse in your neighbour's face. 

Notwithstanding, this home salted egg brandade alone makes this place well worth a visit. Just watch out for your neighbour's bum in your face. 

The classic Coq au Vin

 Bistro Du Vin, Shop 1D, G/F, Davis Street, Kennedy Town, Ph: 2824 3010

Vietnam Station (Tai Hang)

The chicken wings and 火車頭 (mixed beef pho) were decent but nothing special.

I walked past the kitchen on the way to the bathroom and the entire path out the back area was completely wet. I have eaten in dai pai dongs and cooked food markets which were more concerned about their cleanliness and appearance.   

 Vietnam Station, 136 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, Ph: 2895 0788

合利酒家 (Kwun Tong)

On a street lined with industrial buildings, we climbed upstairs and found this old-school yum cha joint early on a Saturday morning.

The old-timer staff were relaxed and chatted with the familiar clientele, who looked like they had visited this same place every week for decades. Piles of bamboo steamers were stacked high next to the kitchen, and guests were invited to help themselves to whatever looked good that day. The best part? Not only was each dim sum delicious, every bamboo steamer was only HK$12. Bargain!  

合利酒家, 2/F-3/F, 90 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Ph: 3580 0818

Cannyman (Wan Chai)

This pub in Wan Chai is where I had my first haggis, and also where I fell in love with the Belhaven Scottish stout. On this night - homemade chilli con carne.

Cannyman, B/1 Wharney Guang Dong Hotel, 57-73 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
Ph: 2861 1935

Tonikaku 兔角 (TST)

We had originally wandered into Toyo Mall (Intercontinental Plaza) for Indian food and live music. Rather fortuitously they were booked up, and we ended up at this Japanese restaurant upstairs.

Beyond the rather foreboding entrance, we were greeted by a busy jolly Japanese man in a traditional kimono and clogs. Looking around after we sat down, we saw that we were surrounded by Japanese expats and businessmen. We ordered a beer and knew then that we were onto a good thing ...

Tonikaku, 108-109, Intercontinental Plaza, 94 Granville Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Ph: 3422 8885