bc magazine

Megabites: McWilliam’s Family Winemakers

There’s an amazing variety of vine growing regions spread across Australia and the McWilliam’s family owned winery, which planted its first vines in 1877, operates in most of them. They aim to produce good quality wine at specific price points for the Australian market.

Among these are the Hanwood Estate range A$10-12 (HK$50-60) and the Appellation Series A$20-25 (HK$110-130) and it does a pretty good job. The wines we sampled were nice to good and far better than most of the often barely drinkable wines by the glass offered in many local bars. The Evans & Tate 2014 Metricup Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and the Evans & Tate Redbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 are both very drinkable and worth exploring.

Sadly local retail prices are triple those in Australia (remember we have no tax) and despite the increase in volume of local wine sales the price gouging of the Hong Kong consumer continues.

Megabites: Prego

Newly open in Soho is Italian restaurant Prego the latest outlet in Dining Concepts expanding portfolio. Head Chef Enrico Maritan cites his Mama’s cooking as the inspiration for the 50s-60s-70s ‘home style’ menu. At a recent media tasting we weren’t offered a ‘taste’ of the more interesting sounding ‘Chef’s specials’ of which Il Polpettone (beef and pork meatloaf with mash potato), La Sfoglia (baked pastry with eggplant, tomato and mozzarella) and profiterol (baked beignet stuffed with tiramisu cream and topped with dark chocolate) appealed.

Of the dishes sampled none were bad, but none were great. The Risotto Funghi Porcini e Tartufo was over cooked, watery and bland. The pizza thin and surprisingly flavourless with little cheese. The Salame di Cioccolato could have been good but lacked any memorable flavour or texture and was covered with that horrible artificial whipped cream from a can. There’s nothing bad about the food, just nothing that inspires a return or a recommendation to friends to give it a try. As for value, we were served tasting portions, so regrettably we can’t comment on portion size /price.

Prego: 43 Elgin Street, Central, Tel: 2651 5700

Megabites: Restaurant & Bar 2015

The third big food Expo of the year, Restaurant & Bar, again saw the HKCEC thronged with food and wine producers and distributors from across the globe. Amidst the plethora of coffee and craft beer distributors some of the more interesting products we saw and tasted were Vasterbottensosn cheese from Sweden made with cow’s milk of herds grazing close to the Arctic circle. Yak meat from Finland. Sweet Potato Butter from the United States, washed down with ‘moonshine’. Lovely Belgian macaroons in a range of wonderful flavours including fig goat cheese thyme, camembert raspberry from Multizen Asia – sadly only available commercially. Add pure blueberry and lingonberry juices fashioned into some lovely cocktails by Swedish bartender Emil Areng and the future’s looking tasty.

Netflix to Launch in Hong Kong in Early 2016

Netflix press release 8 September 2015 – Netflix, Inc. announced today it will expand into South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan in early 2016 as it moves to complete its global rollout by the end of next year.

Once launched, Internet users will be able to subscribe to Netflix and instantly watch a curated selection of popular TV shows and movies in high-definition or even Ultra HD 4K on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Netflix first became available in Asia earlier this month with the start of service in Japan.

“The combination of increasing Internet speeds and ubiquity of connected devices provides consumers with the anytime, anywhere ability to enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies on the Netflix service,” said Reed Hastings, chief executive officer of Netflix. “These four markets well represent those trends.”

With a constantly improving user experience, advanced personalization technology and a curated selection of TV shows and films, Netflix members are able to create their own viewing experience and can easily discover new favorites, while reconnecting with popular characters and stories.

Netflix members connected to the Internet can watch whenever, wherever they like, and on any device they choose. Members can start watching on one device, pause, and then pick up where they left off on another, at home or on the go.

Netflix will be available at launch on smart TVs, tablets and smartphones, computers and a range of Internet-capable game consoles and set-top boxes. Additional details on pricing, programming and supported devices will be available at a later date. Consumers can sign up to be alerted when Netflix is available on www.netflix.com.

We can only hope the full range of shows and films will be available!!!

Police Look to Buy Hearts + Minds With ‘Free’ Gift

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Police-Hearts/51867446_HhshFM#!i=4339839177&k=rZSj3VM

With their reputation, integrity and ‘public trust’ at levels too low to accurately measure, the Hong Kong police instead of investigating crimes are blocking the street and looking to buy ‘hearts and minds’ with ‘free’ gifts!

Outside Wanchai MTR exit A4, at around 5:30pm on the 8 September, 2015, there’s a police van illegally parked blocking one westbound lane of Hennessy Road. Why’s the van there? To act as a poster billboard! That area of road is clear of bus stops and is used for car and taxi drop-offs to the MTR. The van’s location also forced members of the public to stand dangerously out in the middle of Hennessy Road to hail a taxi.

Unlike most illegally parked police vans, this one actually had turned off it’s engine – much to the obvious displeasure of the driver.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Police-Hearts/51867446_HhshFM#!i=4339839099&k=BvZ2Grf

Cup Final Video as Hong Kong beat China to Win the China Sevens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lypniCVnRr4

51 HKG v CHN Women Cup Final (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lypniCVnRr4)

Watch the Cup Final as Hong Kong beat China to win the China Sevens. The Asia Rugby youtube channel has videos of all the matches at the recent tournament. The semi-final victory over Japan is if anything the more impressive match result.

A fantastic result, congratulations ladies!!!

Hong Kong Win the Women’s Seven Series – China Sevens

Hong Kong Win the Women’s Seven Series 26-15 over China
It’s the first ever Cup win for the Hong Kong women in the Asia Seven Series
Absolutely brilliant rugby from Hong Kong including a hat-trick from Aggie Poon in the final

HK Streetathon @ Central – 6 September, 2015

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331461204&k=BgVgTDn

HK Streetathon @ Central – 6 September, 2015
Click on any photo to see the full gallery

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331461607&k=85bBfZS

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331461370&k=dHgtJbM

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331459388&k=3JD8S8J

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331459248&k=VKrCJGB

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331457781&k=S4wjQRM

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331449354&k=4dR23k5

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/HK-Streetathon-2015/51798472_QccSD5#!i=4331447904&k=gjKPWRZ