2025年6月2日 星期一

Wineshark Mystery Restaurant - Uma Nota


This restaurant cannot be missed on Peel Street, with its green-coloured walls, the stadium seats at the entrance all giving a big contrast to the old neighbourhood in the Soho area. I have been trying to come for a while but has not found the occasion. Knowing they are going to close in June, I come on this Friday evening to Uma Nota.


Seated at a table beside the entrance, there is a nice vibe here, with strong music, many ‘greens’ decorating the ceiling and windowfronts, offering a fun, casual and vibrant energy for customers. Very soon the restaurant is all packed, testimony to the popularity. It is also nice to see a good mix of locals and overseas customers within the clientele.


We order the Chef’s Menu for 7 courses ($458 each), including five starters, one main course from a list of four, and one dessert. First it is Crudo Amazonico. The sliced salmon sashimi is very fresh, seasoned with some acai ponzu for acidity, together with cashew nuts cream dressed with a bit of garlic chili oil. Flavourful and appetizing. Good.


The second one is Uma Nota Caesar Salad. Using some charcoal grilled gem lettuce as the base, which has a good smokiness added to the crunchy bite, the salad is dressed with katsuobushi mayonnaise with a nice umami taste. On top there are plenty of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for additional texture and flavours. Very good.


The third one is Truffle Cheese Buns. Freshly baked and with a wonderful chewy bite, I like its texture, with substance and filling. The truffle cheese is not too powerful or dominating in flavours, and even my wife who is not a fan on both truffle and cheese has good feedback on this one. Very good.


The fourth one is Roasted Cauliflower. The large piece of cauliflower is seasoned with Amazonian rub and then roasted, fragrant and nicely done. With a vegan herb mayonnaise to provide creamy texture and some herbal notes, the chef further drizzles kombu oil to increase the umami flavours to good effect. Very good.


The fifth and last starter is Chicken Okonomiyaki. Inspired by Japanese fried chicken, the chef has added tonkatsu sauce to the tender chicken pieces to give further flavours from the signature Worcestershire-type sauce. Together with mayonnaise and katsuobushi, it is a great dish to go with icy beer.


Coming to the main course, we have chosen Roasted Salmon. Marinated in saikyo miso in a traditional Japanese manner, the salmon has rich umami and sweet taste that is delicious, though a bit salty. Roasted well to retain the moisture, there are some broccolini on the side, paired with a miso cream sauce. Quite good.


For the other main course, we pick Grilled Grass Fed Tenderloin. The charcoal grilled tenderloin is not fat, with good flavours after minimal seasoning, allowing one to enjoy the authentic original taste. With potato foam underneath and yakiniku sauce on top, we both love this beef more than salmon. Very good.


Finally, it comes to the dessert. The Uma Nota Dessert is essentially a dark chocolate mousse, with some chocolate nibbles on top for additional texture. Sandwiched between the two is passionfruit sorbet, and further on top is the marshmallow that has been torched to give some caramelized notes. Good balance of acidity and sweetness.


Along with two mocktails, the bill on the night is $1,217. Food quality is good, service is nice, and the overall ambience is fun and lively. A good spot to enjoy Brazilian cuisine and with such good business on the night I do not understand why they have to close but perhaps there are many other reasons behind. Anyway, it is a pity.


Wineshark Home Cooking - Mentaiko Cream Spaghetti 明太子奶油義大利麵

 


Ingredients (for 2):

  • Spaghetti - 160g
  • Mentaiko - 2 pieces
  • Nori - 2 pinch
  • White dashi - 1.5 tbsp
  • Olive oil - 4 tbsp
  • Milk - 200ml
Procedures:

1. Boil a pot of water to boiling.

2. Add in the spaghetti and boil for 2 minutes less than the recommended time on the package.

3. Remove the spaghetti to the frying pan.

4. Add in white dashi, olive oil and milk.

5. Turn up the heat and continue to stir. When the sauce boils, keep cooking for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Turn off the heat and let it cool for one minute.

7. Add in mentaiko and mix well. 

8. Serve with sprinkling some nori on top.

2025年5月29日 星期四

Wineshark Japan Trip - Mie 2025 Day 1

Day 1   

HK to Nagoya / Dinner at Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa / Stay at Prince Hotel Nagoya Sky Tower

Finished moving to my temporary home and getting my apartment's renovation underway, we can finally find time to relax and decide to go to our ‘home’ country Japan for a vacation, picking Mie as our destination this time.


On this Sunday morning, we come to the HKIA and after a speedy check-in decide to go to the newly re-opened CX lounge The Bridge neat Gate 35. The lounge is divided into two halves, and we decide to go to the left section, The Nook.


The classic Noodle Bar is busy. Not only all the booth banquettes are occupied, even at the communal tables there are not that many empty seats available. Fortunately, we manage to find ours and I order my favourite Dan Dan Noodles.


Apart from the noodles, there are some dim sums on self-service, including Siu Mai, Veggie Dumplings, and Rice Rolls. These familiar Chinese foods always give me a sense of comfort and joy before traveling.


Finishing breakfast, we decide to go further into the lounge to take a rest before boarding and discover that beyond the sofa area there is another space, with more dining tables and chairs, serving some regional Chinese small plates, as well as dim sums.


I cannot resist the temptation and order two items. The Lamb Roujiamo is very good, with appetizing, spiced shredded lamb stuffed in the toasted flatbread. The Sesame Balls are also nice, with glutinous skin and rich sesame fillings that are not too sweet.  


With the windows looking out at the apron, this space is also quieter than the Noodle Bar, allowing us to spend the time to enjoy the food and chill before proceeding to the gate to board our flight, CX536, heading to Nagoya. One thing happened beforehand though which I want to share.


Flying Business Class, I originally booked our seats on the window side in the 1-2-1 setting. However, a week prior to departure, I found the aircraft had changed to the 2-3-2 model. While the seat numbers remain the same, we were both sitting with another passenger!

Fortunately, the flight was not that full, and I changed to the vacant seats in the middle section. Checking on the return flight, it has the same issue, and I made the changes as well.  

I called CX customer service to understand why we were assigned to sit separately. The staff did apologize, but mentioned he could do nothing to move us to sit back together, citing that they cannot change seats for other passengers.

Feeling ridiculous, I filed a complaint to CX afterwards, but the feedback was not satisfactorily. Although Cathay has provided me 4,000 mileages as compensation, there were no specific actions mentioned to avoid similar from happening again.

The flight was smooth and uneventful, landing at Chubu Centrair Airport earlier than schedule. The airport is relatively quiet and efficient, and in no time, we have completed the immigration and customs, to proceed to collect the rental car.

Toyota Rent-A-Car’s office and pickup spot is conveniently located right inside the terminal. I have booked a car of C3 Class, which turns out to be a brand-new Corolla. With full insurance coverage and ETC, it costs 83,990 yen for 7 days of rental.

The car is comfortable and easy to navigate, as well as very fuel-efficient. The only challenge for me is that the trunk could not hold our two luggage. Unlike Prius where we usually pull down the rear seats to make room it is not possible for this vehicle.

As a result, one of our luggage must be put on the rear seats, making it difficult to load and unload. It is particularly annoying as we are changing hotel daily. Something to bear in mind when selecting the vehicle within the C3 Class.


On the first day we decide to take it easy and not drive for long hours, so staying at Prince Hotel Nagoya Sky Tower, located adjacent to Sasashima-Raibu Station. Opened since 2017, it has maintained a new and premium vibe.


The hotel is on 31-36th floor of Global Gate, with parking on the basement floors of the complex. There is a lift at the basement which can go straight to the reception lobby on the 31st floor. Parking fee per day is 2,500 yen.


Room 3415 is the Premium Corner Twin Room. It is very spacious, almost 80 sqm in size, largest in the hotel. In the middle there is a long sofa, with also a chaise longue in front of the L-shaped full-length windows looking out to Nagoya Station.


On the left are the twin beds which individually can easily serve as a double-bed in budget hotels. The windowsill provides the area to work, while at the same time able to enjoy the view of Nagoya skylines.


On the right side of the room is the minibar with the usual supplies of water, coffee and tea. An interesting provision is the mini wine fridge, keeping several bottles of red and white wine in store for those who want to enjoy a few glasses.


Further in is the spacious bathroom. In the middle is the double basins with its large mirror, while on the left the windowsill serves as a make-up table too. On the right is the shower room with also a bathtub.


After a quick freshen up, we go back down to the lobby, as our room entitles access to Club Lounge. Available only to a limited number of guests, it is a comfortable space with high ceiling, offering complimentary beverages and snacks.


Having enjoyed a short break and couple of bottles of beer, some smoked salmon and cold cuts, we decide to walk around the neighborhood before dinner. In the Global Gate, there are a few home décor shops selling beautiful furniture and window blinds.


Apart from two cafes with many young customers, the shopping mall is generally very quiet. Going out from Global Gate and opposite is another complex with 109 Cinemas, together with some restaurants and an entertainment centre. Again, mostly young people here.


We then return to the hotel and discover its interesting cruise ship design theme at the entrance, having a strip of blue carpet which looks like the ocean, with a few wooden bench seats like boats floating on top, plus also a luggage sculpture.


Taking a brief rest, we go to Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa. This restaurant is well known for unagi, or eel, with the family in the eel wholesale business since 1932. The current owner, Kikukawa Yuhei, is the fourth generation of this family business.


With the success the restaurant has now expanded to 35 outlets, in Japan and abroad, with one in HK as well. This outlet in Global Gate was also recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2019. While they entertain walk-in, I have made reservation online beforehand.


We are seated at the counter, looking through the window into the kitchen where the chef is busy handling the eels. It might not be for the faith-hearted, but we can witness the live eels, which is one of the keys why they are so delicious, and the cooking techniques.


Besides the counter, there are also tables and private seating in the restaurant to cater for different needs. The use of brighter colours in the design, the cleanliness and comfortable spaces, strive to be different from other traditional specialty restaurants.


We order the Banquet Menu Ohgiku at 13,000 yen per person, and soon are served the first course, including five appetizers: Grilled Eel Liver, Uzaku, Fried Bone Cracker, Kabayaki Eel Liver, and Eel Intestines. Good in taste, the livers are my favourites.


The staff then tells us we are going to eat Eel Heart. I thought I misunderstood it originally, but when seeing the chef cutting the eels and removing a tiny piece from its body and put that carefully in a bowl, I know this is a special treat only available in this menu.

While it is scary and not for everyone, the eel heart is just a small piece of raw meat but still popping. To avoid the bitter taste, the staff advises us not to bite it but to swallow whole. Frankly I do not feel much taste. But it is a unique experience not many will get.


The next course features Grilled Eel Skin and Blanched Eel with Ponzu. The chef has used essentially all the eel in this menu, with the skin crispy with smoky taste, and to enjoy eel with ponzu for its delicate flavours.


The Grilled Eel Omelette features a fluffy, thick omelette in Japanese style, with pieces of grilled eel inside. The slight sweetness from the omelette combines well with the savoury flavours of the eel for a delicious treat.


The White Grilled Eel is another signature. The eel is prepared without the traditional sweet sauce glazing to highlight the inherent umami flavours. On the side the chef has provided salt, wasabi, and grated ginger as condiments. Really fantastic.


Following are grills of different parts of the eel, including Head, Fins, and Tail. The chef has cut up the different parts and then put them on skewers to grill. I like the fins most as there is a nice crispness, while the heads and tails have more small bones.


Next comes the Deep-Fried Eel Spring Roll. Wrapped inside the crispy spring roll skin are the eel, with plenty of mushroom, some carrots, and a thick sauce which are delicious. Very nicely done on the frying, it does not feel greasy at all.


Coming to the main dish it is the signature Hitsumabushi, the pride of Nagoya. The nicely grilled and glazed eel is cut into pieces and put on top of the bowl of rice, together with condiments of nori, wasabi, and scallions.

There is a certain way to eat this. First dividing it into four portions, it is enjoyed first with the original flavours as is. The second portion is then added with the condiments for extra flavours, followed by the third portion in pouring in hot dashi as ochazuke.

The remaining portion is then enjoyed according to the individual preference. The eel skin is very nicely done with crispy and great fragrance. The meat is soft, thick, and fatty, which did not shrink after grilling. I like the original style most and so finish the rest in that manner.


Together with the Liver Soup and Pickles, Hitsumabushi offers a complete meal on its own, with many customers just ordering that. The meal concludes with a simple dessert of Strawberry Ice-Cream. It is a bit too simple though in the context of the menu.

Along with some beverages, the bill on the night is 29,920 yen. The eels are truly wonderful, as all of them are only processed and grilled upon order. The freshly cut eels are fluffy and odourless, bringing out the natural flavours to the fullest.

Before processing, the eels are also put in a storage tank to rest, with the water coming from a well 200m underground. The mud on the eels are removed which also avoid the distinctive odour in the eels.

And because the family is a long-established wholesaler, they can select the best eels, including size and thickness, picking those a bit larger than commonly used to ensure the meat is sufficiently thick and does not shrink after grilling.

The chef can grill the eels over charcoal in a short amount of time to crisp up the skin and lock in the flavours, while keeping the meat soft and thick. Together with the secret sauce that has been preserved since it first opened, the delicious fat of the eels is exceptional.


With a full stomach we go back to the hotel, to enjoy the spectacular view of Nagoya skylines before retiring for the night, to look forward to the visit to our destination prefecture for this trip: Mie.


2025年5月26日 星期一

Wineshark Mystery Restaurant - Skye Roofbar & Brasserie


On this Friday evening, we came to the rooftop of The Park Lane Hong Kong, to have dinner at Skye Roofbar & Brasserie. It brought back some memories as I used to come here often during childhood to enjoy the buffet. Its huge, slanted windows looking out to the gorgeous Victoria Harbour and Victoria Park has not changed.


After the reception we were led through the central walkway, to our table on the window side. It was early evening, with still plenty of daylight. Further down the walkway was the open-air bar, directly facing Victoria Harbour. While the restaurant was quite quiet, there were many customers at the bar.


I started with a glass of Granbazan Albarino Etiqueta Verde ($160). This white wine is from Rias Baixas in Spain, with nice fragrance of apple and white peach, lemon zest and fresh herbs. On the palate there is a touch of saline minerality with good acidity. An easy-drinking wine to pair with different seafood.


We ordered two starters to share. The first was Norwegian Smoked Salmon ($220), with the thinly sliced salmon having a nice touch of smokiness but not excessive, paired with some homemade shallot cream, with buckwheat crepes served on the side to complement. A good appetizer.


The other starter we had was Grilled Spanish Octopus Tentacles ($280). The large tentacle was delicious, tender and could be cut easily. Paired with smoked bell pepper sauce and some flamed local cherry tomatoes, the acidity helped to freshen up the palate. Personally, I preferred this one more than the smoked salmon.


Next was soup, with my wife going for French Onion Soup ($120). The onion was sufficiently stir-fried to bring forward the sweetness while not burning to make them bitter, with the soup tasty and rich. Originally there was also Comte cheese in the soup, but my wife had requested to skip that. On the side was sourdough toast too.


I had Lobster Bisque ($140) instead. The soup was creamy and full of flavours from the crustaceans, with a touch of cognac for fragrance. Drizzled with a few drops of Piqual olive oil, some crispy toasts were provided on the side too. Very rich and bursting with flavours, I would suggest adding some lobster meat to the soup to make it more premium.


Then I had another glass of wine, this time going for Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley ($240), to match the wagyu beef. Having concentrated flavours of blackberry and cassis, plenty of cocoa, vanilla oak and spices, the rich tannin combines with the fat of the beef for a nice mellow and soft texture.


For the main course, we had Australian Stockyard Beef Wagyu M6 Ribeye Cube Roll ($940) to share. It was a sizable portion, weighing 400g. The surface was caramelized nicely, while the flesh was medium per our preference. With simple seasoning it was already very delicious. The side dish of sauteed local mixed mushroom ($80) was equally wonderful.


As we were full, we just had one dessert to share, and decided to pick Colonel Lime Sorbet ($120), with some yuzu peels on the sorbet, it was refreshing and not too sweet, having good acidity to balance. A light, crispy tuile in the shape of a roll was placed on top to give contrast in texture.


Service was good, with the staff helpful in explaining the menu and recommended us not to over-order. The bill on the night is $2,607. The view was simply amazing, and the whole ambience made it a good place to enjoy a cozy dinner. Perhaps next time we could enjoy a drink at the bar beforehand as well?