Simple American classics @ Savoury's Restaurant, Mariposa (California)

After an amazing day at the awe-inspiring Yosemite, we headed back to the town we were staying at, and arrived in Mariposa in time for dinner. Our Airbnb hosts had given us a few dining recommendations in town, and although Savoury's wasn't the first place we tried (the first restaurant we arrived at was closed on Mondays!), it turned out to be a very good choice. We were warmly greeted upon arrival, and we were grateful for the warmth and comfort of the restaurant. The kids were given some toys and crayons, which entertained the 6-year-old for much longer than they did for the 1-year-old. Service was warm and friendly, and staff were patient with our kids, particularly the 1-year-old who had a penchant for throwing everything within reach (including said toys and crayons) onto the floor. The menu had a good range of appetisers, meats, seafood, poultry, pastas and salads that were reasonably priced. Portions were generous, the style was rustic and homely, and we all enjoyed the food.

Cosy and warm atmosphere:

Warm and crusty bread:

All the dinners were served with soup or salad. Soup that night was a tomato soup:

Salad:

The Chicken Strips from the kid's menu was homemade with actual chicken breast fillets, and quite delicious:

Lamb Shank braised with Casto Oaks Cabernet with creamy polenta:

Oven-roasted Duck Breast with cranberry chutney:

As usual, hubby couldn't go without dessert, and this chocolate tart was delicious:

Savoury's Restaurant
5034 CA-140
Mariposa, CA 95338
United States
Tel. +1 209 966 7677

ZUMA experience menu @ Zuma, Hong Kong

Last month, hubby had to go to New York for a work trip for two weeks, which was a long period of separation for us. The last time we were separated for a lengthy period was almost nine years ago, when we had to work in two different parts of Japan for two months. This particular trip would have meant three weekends without going out on a date as a couple without kids (weekly dates are very important for married couples with kids - take it from someone married for more than a decade!). On the Friday before his trip, we went out for a dinner date to Zuma, which had launched a new izakaya-style tasting menu called the ZUMA experience (HK$490 per person). Any excuse to return to Zuma again! Although we've been to Zuma twice before, this was our first time in the lounge upstairs from the restaurant dining area. The lounge had a different atmosphere to the dining area below, one that is decidedly more for grown-ups - great for after-work drinks, friends meet-ups and dates (i.e. no kids!). It was nice to connect with my husband after a long week, and before a long separation. And the food was delicious!

Zuma lounge:

Seared beef with yuzu kosho-ponzu. Quite nice with the zesty and slightly spicy citrus sauce:

Seared salmon with lime shiso and soy sauce - I loved the little crunchy balls that gave a lovely textural contrast to the creamy salmon flesh:

Tokusen nigiri sushi and hamachi (yellowtail) roll - sushi and sashimi are exceptional at Zuma, and these were of excellent quality:

Asparagus with wafu dressing and sesame:

Australian spicy beef tenderloin, sesame and sweet soy sauce:

Black cod wrapped in hoba leaf - this was no doubt hubby's favourite course (black cod is his favourite fish). Succulent and fresh cod with a lovely soy sauce-based marinade:

Matcha banana cake with coconut ice cream and peanut toffee sauce:

Vanilla pudding with Japanese clementine, pomelo and rice cracker:

Zuma has yet to disappoint. We'll no doubt be back!

[The price quoted above does not include the 10% service charge.]

Zuma
Level 5 & 6
The Landmark
15 Queen's Road
Central, Hong Kong
Tel. +852 3657 6388

Malaysian @ PappaRich [Chatswood], Sydney

In October, we went to Sydney to meet my younger sister's firstborn baby. It was really good to see my sisters and their respective families again, and for our first meet-up, we chose a reliable Malaysian restaurant chain, PappaRich. To date, we've only had three experiences with PappaRich, and each has been in a different city. Our first PappaRich experience a few years ago was in Melbourne, newly opened at the time as the brand's very first international franchise. We tried PappaRich again, this time in its homeland, Malaysia. It was expensive by Malaysia's standards, but still a lot more affordable than its Australian counterparts. PappaRich is popping up in more locations around Australia (including three branches in Perth!), and it is proving popular with Malaysian expats and the local population alike. After trying PappaRich in yet another city, I'm pleased to say that the food quality is rather consistent, even on different continents. Now I just want PappaRich to expand to Hong Kong so that we can enjoy reliable good Malaysian cuisine on a regular basis!

Nice clean interior at PappaRich Chatswood:

There is even an outdoor dining area:

And an indoor play room for the young ones to run amok as they please:

Pappa Wat Tan Hor (or what we know as Hor Fun) - wok-fried thick rice noodles with prawns, fish cakes, chicken slices, choy sum and fried shallots in egg gravy. This was delicious, but not the best hor fun we've had:

Pappa Char Kuey Teow - wok-fried flat noodles with prawns, fish cakes, egg, bean sprouts and chives. CKT is hubby's favourite Malaysian dish, and we almost always order it at Malaysian restaurants when available. This plate could do with more egg, but it was seasoned nicely and the fresh ingredients used made it a worthwhile order:

Younger sister ordered Curry Laksa - Hokkien noodles in spicy coconut curry soup with chicken slices, tofu puffs, foo chok (beancurd skin), bean sprouts, eggplants and fish cake. I had a little taste, and it was yum:

A combination of Chicken and Beef Satay - cannot go wrong with satay at PappaRich, especially with a large group:

Roti Canai with Beef Rendang - the PappaRich roti range are good, and roti canai with beef rendang a good choice:

We could not resist ordering Ais Kacang. A delicious ice treat:

All the young cousins playing in the play area:

I like the facilities at this PappaRich the best out of the three PappaRich restaurants I've been to. Very kid-friendly with delicious Malaysian food.

PappaRich [Chatswood]
63A Archer St
Chatswood NSW 2067
Australia
Tel. +61 2 9411 3207

Lancome afternoon tea @ LE SALON DE THÉ de Joël Robuchon (Elements), Hong Kong

This is going back a couple of months ago, when Lancome collaborated with Robuchon to celebrate the beauty brand's 80th anniversary. Hubby and I decided to go for an afternoon tea date as a change from our brunch dates, and LE SALON DE THÉ was an easy choice since we love Robuchon and it is so close by. We didn't know that there would be a special afternoon tea, but it didn't really bother us much. We'd tried the tea salon's afternoon tea a couple of years ago and had enjoyed it, so we knew that whatever was served would be delicious. We also received a box each containing sample-sizes of Lancome's Absolue skincare products and Tresor Midnight Rose perfume (bonus for me because hubby didn't care too much for the gift box). Photos are taken from phone camera, so quality is not the best, but it's better than nothing!

Coffee and tea is included with the afternoon tea set, but I opted for the delicious hot Chocolate made with Valrhona 66%. There are the Devonshire clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam (rose-flavoured) in the background to go with the delicious scones that was served later:

Presentation was beautiful, and each item was exquisitely made and very flavourful. The afternoon tea set for two (HK$498) had a pink theme, as inspired by the Lancome rose. The homemade scones took up the top tier, and though they are the simplest, they are my all-time favourites at afternoon tea. The second tier was filled with the savouries: from left - mini croissants, Scottish smoked salmon with caviar, French green bean with smoked duck breast, squid ink toasts with sardine tartare, foie gras and berries jelly, and crab meat rolls with piquillos. Hubby and I agreed that the most outstanding item was the crab meat rolls - I never thought that pepper could have such lovely flavours. The bottom tier contained the sweet pastries: from left - macaron apple, chocolate hazelnut brownie, white chocolate raspberry ball, raspberry lipstick, cassis mousse, orange chocolate sticks, and rose and almond madeleines.

The shiny gift box that we were presented with at the end of our afternoon tea:

Once again, an excellent afternoon tea by LE SALON DE THÉ.

[Price quoted above does not include the 10% service charge.]

LE SALON DE THÉ de Joël Robuchon
Shop 1020B,
1st Floor Elements
1 Austin Road West
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2351 6678

The grand Yosemite

Now that the winter school holiday is over, I can finally get back to regular blogging. Last April, we took an amazing road trip up the beautiful Californian coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Along the way, we stopped in Santa Barbara, San Simeon, Monterey and finally Yosemite as the grand finale of the trip. We stayed in Mariposa for two nights, which is about an hour's drive to Yosemite. Honestly, no words can fully describe just how beautiful Yosemite is, with its majestic tall trees, cascading water falls, and the serenity of everything. One day in Yosemite and we barely scratched the surface of the Yosemite experience. I would love more opportunities to go back there.

On the 140 to Yosemite:

The scenery got better and better as we approached Yosemite:

A short stop at the Swinging Bridge:

The ever-curious baby girl checking out what was under the bridge:

Facing south-west from the Swinging Bridge (click image for a larger view):

The view of Yosemite Falls north of the Swinging Bridge (click image for a larger view):

Close-up view of Yosemite Falls as seen from the Swinging Bridge:

The wooden Swinging Bridge, which doesn't actually swing. I read somewhere that the bridge is named so because it spans both sides of the river:

We hired bicycles to do a self-guided tour of the Yosemite Valley - the best way to get around and experience nature at the same time:

Tall, tall trees:

Another angle of the Yosemite Falls we'd seen earlier:

We went to the Ahwahnee Hotel for a children's program, held in the Great Lounge. While the kids were entertained for 45 minutes by a geologist, I took the opportunity to take photos:

Leaving the Ahwahnee Hotel:

Back on our bikes, we encountered some wildlife, a couple of mule deer, also known as black-tailed deer:

On our way out of the Valley on the Hwy 140, we followed directions to the Bridalveil Fall, parked the car in the parking area, and took a short walk to the waterfall. The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that inhaling the mist of Bridalveil Fall would improve one's chances of marriage:

The famed Tunnel View, which gives a panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley and all its icons: El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome (click on image for a larger view):

Closer-up shot of the three icons: