A Hip Katsu Place in Hong Kong

I love japanese food and one of my favorite dish would be katsudon. There is a wide variety of katsu, but I have a specific fave. Mine would be a bowl of steaming hot japanese rice, topped with very tender pork or chicken covered with panko breadcrumbs, then deep fried 'til it's golden brown, drizzled with toknatsu sauce and covered with onions and eggs. Aaah, it certainly makes your mouth water and it's a really good comfort food.

Looking for a hip and new Katsu place in Hong Kong?

Well, you should go and check out HIP Katsu!

Other than Tonkitchi, it's one of the best katsu places in Hong Kong.

There's not much pictures, okay. After going to Sky 100 and walking around Elements we were really hungry. It was past lunch time and we were looking for a place to eat. We went to Harbour City and I saw this like modern japanese restaurant, so we thought of giving this place a try.

My Tita (aunt) had the Shrimp Tempura set with a melange of vegetables and I'm not sure what that dish in the middle is called, but it's some sort of tofu haha.

Shrimp Tempura

My tita said this was really good daw.

Of course, a bowl of rice.

The tempura set didn't come with rice so she ordered an extra bowl of rice.
I love japanese rice. It's different than our usual rice. It's much more rounder, softer, a little bit sticky too. I like the texture of it and I feel it compliments the other food, but lawd it makes me eat more haha.

Tita Mymy's order

I forgot what this one was called. Basically, it's chicken kimchi with curry on the side. Again it was a set, it had salad, that tofu, pretty much all kinds of veggies again. She said it was really good as well. The chicken was flavourful.

This was the tofu that I'm not even sure if it really was tofu. It was served cold and when I tried it, it did taste a little bit like tofu but it also tasted like bland flan, a little eggy. Don't get me wrong, it tasted okay, it was light and had texture like jello/flan. This had us guessing what it really was, so if you know what this is, please tell me.

Strawberry Lemonade <3

On to mine. I love their strawberry lemonade garnished with mint sprigs! You can tell it's freshly squeezed and that they used real strawberries. Refreshing! It was perfect, specially for that hot day. A perfect balance of sweet and sour, the classic lemonade taste that with a lovely strawberry flavor. My Tita had the classic lemonade and it had the perfect tangy-sweet taste too. HIP Katsu has a wide variety of lemonade, from lychee to grapefruit lemonade. But strawberry lemonade will always be my favorite. :)

My Katsu set

My katsudon set with canadian pork tonkatsu on top of japanese rice with egg. I had high expectations and this definitely did not disappoint! I tried the vegetables, okay. I just don't eat vegetables.

The pork was tender and easy to chew (it's important cause I have braces). It was evenly coated with panko coating, not like those cheap katsu places that has more breading than pork. It will not make you "umay". I finished the whole thing in no time! It was over all flavorful, the sauce was good, the egg and the onions gave it a really good texture and added flavor. I'm telling you, this is not your ordinary katsudon because I tried the katsudon at City Super and it was not the same!

HIP Katsu has won over my katsu loving heart, it's definitely one of the best katsu I've had. The food and drinks are really good. One of the places I'll be coming back to in Hong Kong. It's cheaper than Tonkitchi, too!

HIP Katsu

Shop 2608-10, Level 2, Gateway Arcade

Harbour City, Kowloon.

Check out their website and menu, here.

XXXOOO,

   Les. :)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter '11

Are you a Harry Potter junkie? If you are, then I can already tell we'll be best friends. :) I grew up watching the movies and reading the books (okay, still trying to finish all the books), and it felt like I grew up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione too. I was spellbound by the magical world of Harry Potter. 

So, when we went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, I must say that it was one of the best days of my life! I got to experience the magic and live in the wizard world for a day. This was Summer of 2011, quite old but I really miss this place and I thought of reliving the magic with you guys. :)

We were in Florida for 4 days, our main purpose was to visit the parks. We went to Disneyland, Magic Kingdom on the first day, Epcot on our second day and then Universal Orlando Resort. There are quite a lot of theme parks in Orlando, Disney alone has 4 different themed parks, Polla even wanted to go to Gatorland. :)) 4 days in Florida is simply not enough!

Universal Orlando Resort has two world-class theme parks, Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. And Universal certainly takes "theme park" to a whole new level, each "island" will take you to a whole new different world. Their attention to detail is impeccable! Every part of it, every corner, even the little things, specially at Islands of Adventure.

Polla, Tito Dennis, Tatay and Nanay's legs hihi. Going to the entrance from the car park. We love riding those walk ways, but we call them "walk-a-lators". :))

The Harry Potter World was located in the far end of the Islands of Adventure. We had to walk through the half of the park, we planned on going back for the other rides but we never got the chance to. :( That's why you should really go through the map and pick the ones you wanna go to. I found out that the fastest way to WWoHP is through Seuss Landing.

Be prepared for cheesy touristy poses. :))

with Cyclops. 

First up, we passed through the Marvel Superhero Island. We didn't get to see this part much as we were really in a hurry to go to the WWoHP. You can spot Spider Man and all your other favorite Marvel superheroes here.

Next is Toon Lagoon! A really cute island where you can feel like you're a toon inside a comic book. We enjoyed those comic bubbles with silly ramblings.

My favorite, "I feel like there is a cloud over my head"

haha that face! I was going for the 'Hmmm'

"Don't have the mushroom pizza before you ride Ripsaw Falls"

The pictures are extra bright! It was spring but summer was starting to take over. It was extremely hot, but unlike here in the Philippines, it's not humid. You won't feel sticky and no head aches because of the heat. When they say it's 90°, it's 90!

This part is obvie, now over to the Jurassic Park. It felt like walking through a forest during the old days when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth.

And now, what we really came for, welcome to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

You enter through Hogsmeade.

I was in awe, I felt giddy and happy like a little kid inside haha. You'll immediately see a wagon selling Butterbeer! So, of course we jump at the first chance of tasting that legendary beverage. There is lots of Butterbeer wagons all over the WWoHP and people are really lining up for it.

You can have your butterbeer regular or frozen. Comes in a disposable cup or a hard plastic souvenir cup. It is the most popular food item in the entire park. What's butterbeer you ask? Well, it's one of the most heavenly drinks in the world. It was made up by J.K. Rowling and brought to life by Universal's top chefs, it was approved by J.K. Rowling herself. Although it has that amber color like beer and is drawn from the tap, it is a non-alcoholic drink, so people of all ages can enjoy it.

I had the regular one, ice cold and perfect for cooling off under the hot Florida sun. It was like creamy, buttery, caramel heaven! Yes, it did taste like cream soda and mild sweet butterscotch. It did remind me of this candy, Peter's Butter Ball haha. The foamy whipped topping was magical on its own.

We went through Hogsmeade to get to the rides.

Looks like Hogsmeade straight out of the movies. It was weird cause there was snow on top of those cottages and it was actually scorching hot that day. 

Hogsmeade Shops

Dervish and Banges

Filch's Emporium

Honeydukes

Zonko's

Owl Post

They also have Olivanders, originally it can be found in Diagon Alley, but they of course, had to include the famous wand shop.

Honey Dukes, where you'll find all the wizarding sweets!

From famous Chocolate Frogs, cauldron cakes, fizzing whizbees, exploding bonbons, pink coconut ice, to the fun but infamous Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. You definitely must try their wide assortments of fudge!

Chocolate Frogs

We had to give away ours. But yes, it comes with a famous witch or wizard card inside!

This was inside the Owl Post or Flinch's Emporium, I'm not sure. It looks lovely though.

Monster Book of Monsters. Be careful, it bites!

I went inside all the shops, most are just souvenir shops. But Honeydukes, Zonko's, and Olivanders was definitely not your ordinary souvenir shop. Honeydukes is filled with sweets, Zonko's tricks and jokes are for those Fred and George Weasleys of the world, and Olivanders isn't just a wand shop. At Olivanders you can actually experience being choosing your wand or should I say, your wand choosing you. It's complete with winds and sounds, just like Harry did. You can also purchase your favorite character's wand.

Polla at the store front of the Owl Post, too bad you can't see that cool display inside the window.

We wanted to have that magical wand moment at Olivanders, but the shop can only accomodate 30 people at a time and the line was just too long. Besides, out of the 30, only one will be chosen. How am I supposed to compete with little kids huh? :))

A baby mandrake. Saw this while walking around Hogsmeade.

Again, their attention to detail is amazing. Even the loo will make you feel like you're at Hogwarts, while inside the bathrooms you'll get to hear crazy Moaning Myrtle.

Looks like a student left behind their luggage.

You don't need to ride the Hogwarts Express to get to Hogwarts. ;)

With our butterbeer in hand.

Outside the Hogwarts Castle.

This part is where all the rides are. We rode the Forbidden Journey where the waiting in line is an attraction itself, it takes you around the castle before the ride. You go through rooms like the potions classroom, Dumbledore's office, it was just amazing! With holograms of your favorite characters or the moving/talking paintings all over the walls. If you listen closely, the Hogwarts founders are arguing about something with Salazar Slytherine. No pictures inside as we left our things in the lockers, and I understood why haha! It was amazing! and that's coming from someone who had their eyes closed most of the time. 

We also rode the Flight of The Hippogriff, it's a family-friendly roller coaster that goes around Hagrid's hut. Even that small kid coaster made me scream, I am terribly afraid of heights, okay. Swoop and soar like you're riding Buckbeak. :)

Polla rode the Dragon Challenge, but I don't think my heart could handle that one anymore. One of the more extreme rides in the par, there's actually two coasters that look like they'll crash in to each other. You can choose to ride the Hungarian Horntail or the Chinese Fireball, each is a completely different ride. This was in reference to the Goblet of Fire where you'll need the courage of a triwizard champion.

Lunch time at Three Broomsticks.

After all the rides and the walking, we were starving. It really looks like an old english tavern, but the food was great! All meals are served with veggies and a corn on the cob with butter. They also serve butterbeer and pumpkin juice in cute bottles as well. Here they serve traditional English meals.

Across the Three Broomsticks is the Hog's Head Pub that's more for the adults, it gives an authentic dirty grimy pub look, don't worry, it just looks that way. They serve different types of alcoholic beverages, with a large selection of drafts and a full bar. Owned by Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth.

After the WWoHP, we went to the Lost Continent
By this time, my feet were already killing me, good thing they sold slippers, so I bought pink Sanuk slippers. :) Please, wear comfortable footwear, not even flats will save you, wear sturdy footwear with support!

If I could, I would live at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and stay there forever. But alas, I must bid adieu. I didn't get to take that much photos, but I promised myself that I would must go back and just take my time.

We went to Seuss Landing

This was my second favorite island. Where you'll enter the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss and green eggs & ham. We ate at the ice cream parlor here, sadly no green eggs or ham in sight.

Polla trying on the Cat in The Hat's hat. :))

My grandma. :) People say that I'm a carbon copy of her, I especially got her cheeks. 

Recognize that car?

It's Doc Emmett Brown's DeLorean from Back To The Future

Our last stop was the Universal Studios part.

We traveled through all the different sets and periods, not much people. There are also lots of rides and attractions here. We didn't spend much time here because we had to go home before it rained. But one of my favorite moments happened here, my grandma experienced her 15 minutes of fame when she starred in the Disaster Movie with The Rock. The crowd favorite too!

After the Jaws attraction. :)

My uncle, Tito Dennis. 

I just wanna say thank you again for making my dreams come true! :)

I had the most wonderful time, it was surreal  It was so awesome! I will be back. Everything was just spectacular, breath taking, literally! I am really in awe of every part of the park. Every little detail was just remarkable, it makes it feel more authentic. This is definitely one of those things that will stay with me forever. :)

Universal Orlando Resort

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Wizarding World of Harry Potter

XXXOOO,

   Les :)

Cupcakes Fit For A Princess. Pastry Princess Cupcakes

Let me live up to my blog name with this sweet, sweet post. :) 

After my baking classes near Camp Crame. My mum and I went to Greenhills Town Center to check out this lovely cupcake shop that is being hyped around the blogsphere.

I was so hungry after making cakes and cupcakes all day. We went to the McDonald's at the foremost part of Greenhills Town Center. I know there's like lots of new places with really good food around here, I wanted to try those too, but I was so hungry that I just wanna eat something fast and familiar. I promise, I will go back and try those new spots there.

Yay! Twister fries! :)

A good ol' plain Quarter Pounder
I don't like condiments and veggies on my burgers. Only the bun, patty, cheese and I'm good to go. I finished my burger and fries, then we head on to the back most line up of restos.

TA-DA!

PASTRY PRINCESS, where all your cupcake cravings are fulfilled. It started as a home based business like most cupcake shops and only opened their store earlier this year. Pastry Princess is a fairly new cupcakery in town, but is already garnering a lot of raves. Can you believe that the owner started this business when she was only 16! How awesome is that!

A dainty little cupcake shop. The small shop gives a homey feel to it and has all those cute pink accents and decorations all over the store. The place really is small but cozy, with only a few seating arrangements inside. 

The Menu

Their cupcake flavors are by schedule. The best sellers are, of course, sold everyday. The more unique flavors are scheduled through out the week. All home made and baked from scratch. Ahhh, home made cupcakes! :3

Decisions, decisions. Can I just buy them all?

Red Velvet

Red Velvet cupcake with Philadelphia cream cheese frosting. Like most of their cupcakes, it is topped with a mini fondant heart. Which reminds me of DC Cupcakes.

Salted Caramel
Caramel cake with salted caramel frosting

Banoffee

Banana with whipped cream frosting

Nutella

To all you Nutella lovers out there! Need I say more?

Choc-Nut

Made with the pinoy favorite, Choc-Nut!

Lemon Blossom

Sorry, I don't know much about this cake, but it's obvie that it's lemon flavored.

They also have other baked goodies like cookies. I was curious about the crinkles, they kinda didn't look like the normal chocolate crinkles.

How cute are these tea cans/tins? They're one of the many decorations and knick-knacks around the store. I am loving that traditional british red phone box can.

Of course, I love this pink one as well. :)

These things just give that homey personalized touch to the shop.

There's a long couch that goes all along the wall. Which are filled with cupcakes, I took a closer look and those cupcakes all over the walls are hand painted. Check out the photo clothesline. :)

Cork board filled with doodles and praises about the cupcakes or the fans' message to Pastry Princess herself.

I was still kinda full from my mirienda at McDonald's so we had the cupcakes to go. Can you guess what flavors I chose?

The place is so cozy that it's a perfect spot to hang out with friends. Like these people. There are also lots of people who drop by the store to grab a cupcake or two and go.

Hindi naman masyadong relaxed si kuya?

I was surprised when my mum ordered lasagna since we were both very full from our snack. But then again, lasagna and pasta dishes are her favorite.

The lasagna was okay. It was a little bit like left-over lasagna though. Some of the lasagna parts were dry, I'm not sure if it dried up or it was uncooked. But I guess if it was made fresh, it would've been a little better. And I really hope they improve the plastic cups and straws that they use, it just doen't go with the whole look of the store, it gave a sort of carinderia feel. The meat sauce was average. It's okay though, I came for the cupcakes!

More seating outside, alfresco!

We went home anxious to try the cupcakes.

Their packaging is cute plus it's pink! <3

My goodies!

Salted Caramel, Nutella, Tiramisu, and of course, Red Velvet!

Don't they just look delightful? 

The mounds of frosting look like sweet little hills.

Up first is the not so red, Red Velvet.

It was more on the brown/copper-ish side than red. But hey, it's all about the taste.

You can tell just by looking at it that it's a really moist cupcake.

Yes, it was! Moist and soft, oh one bite and you will immediately know that it's a good cupcake. It has the perfect Red Velvet flavour! I have a specific taste that I want in Red Velvet and this just won me over. The cream cheese frosting was a little bit tangy, smooth and creamy. There's a good cake and frosting ratio, the frosting did not over power the cake. I love it! More on the vanilla side, but with the right hint of cocoa.

I was excited to try their salted Caramel. Caramel/ Salted Caramel is one of my favorite flvors.

This one is more dense, not as moist as the Red Velvet.

This was my least favorite among the cupcakes. It was too salty if you ask me. I know, Salted Caramel, but it is just plain salty and not really much caramel flavor. The saltiness of the frosting was way too overpowering. The cake was just okay. A little too much salt that day? I could not finish the whole thing. But I'm willing to give it another try next time.

Nutella, I like you, but I'm just not that in to you.

This was great! The cake was moist and its quite good. The frosting was really sweet and you can really taste the Nutella. I liked it enough to finish the whole thing. A pretty good Nutella cupcake, but I'm just not that in to Nutella and chocolate makes me "umay" faster. But this is definitely for all you Nutella lovers!

Tiramisu

Vanilla cupcake drizzled with rum/coffee liqueur opped with cream cheese frosting and dusted with cocoa on top. 

As you can see, it looks like a really good vanilla cupcake and generously drizzled with the flavored liqueur.

Surprisingly, I loved this one! I hate coffee, but this is really good. The coffee flavor is not strong at all. Everything just comes together, all the flavors are well balanced. I'm really surprised that this ended up as my favorite along with the Red Velvet. There is a coffee flavor but doesn't give a bitter taste.

Here is their new cupcake schedule. Click!

I love the cupcakes at Pastry Princess! The cupcakes are really delightful, a great sweet fix, though not too sweet, just perfect! I'm coming back for the Vanilla and other flavors. The prices are fair and you can definitely afford to have a cupcake fix everyday! If only I lived near the place haha! If you love cupcakes, you must try Pastry Princess, must! Really good cupcakes with a home made taste and you can tell these are made with love.

click to enlarge the map

Another thing, you really have to give other flavors a try, you'll never know it might end up your favorite haha. And the owner, so inspiring! There is really no restrictions when it comes to your dreams that is fueled with passion.

Pastry Princess

#2 Granada St.

Greenhills Towncenter, Quezon City.

P.S It's not on the Greenhills/Promenade area. Behind the McDonald's and Sumo Sam line of restos at the GH Towncenter.

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XXXOOO,

   Les :)