There’s one particular restaurant inside Hong Kong Disneyland park that I’ve always wanted to try— Corner Cafe. It’s the first restaurant you see in Main Street, U.S.A. and it’s usually packed!
During our first few trips to the park, we did get to try the other restaurants like Plaza Inn (also in Mainstreet U.S.A), and Riverview Cafe near the Jungle River Cruise (Adventureland)— both of which also offer delicious Asian cuisine. But it’s been one of my goals to try out Corner Cafe, just because it’s the busiest restaurant in the park. Now I know why it is so.
Crystal Lotus Restaurant was our first stop during our Hong Kong Disneyland stay. I felt like I was in a Mulan film.
This is the entrance to the restaurant.
Oh, this bar/seating area is situated right before that entrance I just showed you.
And they have this “digital fish pond” too! Cool, huh?
This is the dining area upon entering. And then when you walk further and turn right/left….
This is what you see.
The place was bigger than what I expected, and with a much grander feel because of the very high ceiling and the chandeliers (they’re bigger than how they look in this photo!).
Spacious and cozy!
Hee-hee! It says, “lunch”!
Braised Seafood Soup with Crab Roe
I don’t normally finish soup that’s served to save space in my tummy for the rest of the food. BUT for this one, I couldn’t stop myself— I just had to finish it and pray that I won’t get full that easily!
Roasted Suckling Pig with Cucumber and Sweetened Paste in Steamed Piggy Mask Buns
….I found this particularly cute. It’s the Three Little Pigs about to be eaten by one hungry wolf! Look, there are the two little pigs….
….and the other little pig that’s already cooked. hehe (This is just my interpretation)
Disney Dim sum Platter
Three Little Pigs Barbecue Pork Bun and Little Green Men Pork and Vegetable Bun
Cute noh??
Mickey’s Seafood Glutinous Pancake
I’m so happy the kids didn’t have the heart to eat Mickey! I took the burden off them! *wink*
Wok-fried Chicken and Longan with Sweet Sour Sauce
This was perfect! The chicken was still crispy on the outside, yet oh so juicy and tasty inside. And how the sauce coated the chicken…..like I said, perfect!
Wok-fried Shrimps and Disney Root Vegetables
Oh, by “Disney root vegetables” they meant full of not-so-hidden Mickeys and Mickey gloves!
And the most delicious fried rice I’ve had ever…
Baked Tasmanian Crab Meat Fried-Rice in Whole Crab Shell!
Chilled “Mickey’s” Red Bean Honey Pudding and Chilled Mickey’s Green Tea Jelly
The Green Tea Jelly was a personal favorite of mine. Good thing I convinced the kids that green tea is for grown-ups.
Refreshing Jasmine Tea
I hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures as much as I did eating the real thing…but nah, I highly doubt it! It’s really goooood…. The next time you are in Hong Kong Disneyland, have lunch here!
Crystal Lotus Restaurant is located inside the Disneyland Resort Hotel.
The days really do go by so fast! I feel like it has only been a few days since I last updated all of you…and then boom! –It’s almost the middle of the month already. Which means next month will be the month before December….which also means that next, next month will be the month before a whole new year begins. Ayayay!
Let me be completely honest with all of you. I am feeling a wee bit guilty, yet at the same time tremendously grateful for how I have spent the past few days (or has it been weeks?). You see, Dennis and I just got back from a very short yet refreshing mommy-and-daddy-only trip out of the country. This was our first trip out of the country without the kids, and I must say that though I initially had separation anxiety, it was a good thing there were far too many clothes and way too much food to keep my mind preoccupied. Hehe Wait, before any of you think that I actually splurged on the many, many clothes, I will tell you upfront that I didn’t. I behaved relatively well, given that the temptation to shop was all around me. Why, I even stayed below the set budget! (*patting myself on the back*)
Now, why did I say I was feeling a bit guilty again?….Oh! Yes. Right….It’s not really the trip away from the kids. I know all of us need to have that kind of break every once in a while. My guilt (and gratefulness at the same time) mainly stems from the thought of how I spent most of the past few days eating to my heart’s content. *siiighhh….* It seems like even before we left for Bangkok, while we were there, and after we got back, the days have been full of celebration and food trips with friends! Here are some pictures to show you what I mean…
Dimsum feast!
Roast pork…how I hate pork…but how I loved this. hehe
Roti
Garlic and peppercorn squid
Cottage cheese marinated in yogurt and herbs
PAD THAIIII!!!!
Tausi prawns
Roast chicken
Beef hofan
THE BEST laksa in town!!!
Chili prawns
Chewy on the sides, crispy in the middle….gimme some Row-tee!
THAT much food…gone in 60 seconds. I mean, minutes.
FEATURING: Italianni’s Towering Flavors of Lunch
(Side note: you might want to try this while the promo lasts…served for lunch, good for two, pay P995)
Quattro Staggioni: Pepperoni, Hawaiian, Four Cheeses, and Shrimp with Black Olives
Ah, may salad naman pala. HEALTHY!
Chicken Parmigiana
Mussels cooked in wine
Classic lasagna
Tenderly yours, Porkchop.
Look at the size of that momma chicken!
So far, the best Panna Cotta I’ve tasted
There! Just by looking at the pictures, I have already taken you to a tour around half of the globe! I must make a note here: I forgot to take pictures of the eat-all-you-can shabu-shabu we had before leaving, the two-day buffet we had in Bangkok, and the buffet we had the other day with salmon, lobster, and lamb, and the three birthday cakes I’ve been trying to finish here at home! (I’m sure you’d understand. It’s quite hard to think of taking pictures of food when all you want to do is devour them.)
I don’t know…I think that subconsciously, my main purpose for this post is not really to update you but one, to release my guilt (and I’m hoping that some fat is released along with the guilt)…and two, to make you want to eat too. Hehe
This post doesn’t even add value to your lives, I know….but didn’t you at least enjoy looking at the pictures and letting them tickle your palate???
PS: Thank you, Atsi Arlene and Larry for taking pictures!
There are two things I absolutely cannot live without and cannot seem to get enough of when cooking: Garlic and Onion. I usually use up one to two cloves of garlic per dish that I make. Not only do they make every dish taste great, they are great for our health, too!
To my excitement (an understatement), my husband and I got invited to this newly-opened restaurant called Krazy Garlik– and on our date night, too! Of course you would agree with me when I say free food is always a good way to start your date night, right?
The restaurant’s name is a dead give-away of their entire concept. Obviously, the owners are crazy about garlic! All the dishes are infused with garlic; and take note– they even use garlic in their smoothies, cocktails and dessert!
Curious yet?
What I like about their food is that though you can definitely tell that they use a lot of garlic, the taste is not so overpowering, so even those who are more conscious of their breaths and who are not so fond of this very healthy and tasty crop (*wink*) will actually enjoy their food. I seriously cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this restaurant’s food.
Just to close my case, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:
Garlic and Anchovy Affection
Haayyy…Oh-so-creamy Creamy Garlic Fondue
Gambas Al Ajillo…Majijilo ka sa sarap! (Toink. =p)
Hara Kiri Rice, for those who love some spice! (Yehess….it rhymes!)
Oxtail and Chorizo Stew
One of my favorites: Garlic Snowflake Pizza. =9
It’s sad that I wasn’t able to take pictures of the rest of the food like the Garlicky Crispy Pata, Pork Rib Adobo, Pasta…or the refreshing drinks, or the yummy dessert… I was too preoccupied, you see. O:)
This was a conversation that took place this afternoon while Alyanna and I were baking:
ALYANNA: (while mixing the ingredients, smiles and says…) “Mommy, I’m happy.”
ME: “You are? Why are you happy?” *big smile*
ALYANNA: “Because you gave me a chance.”
ME: “A chance?”
ALYANNA: “Um-hm..A chance to mix. Thank you mommy!”
Now, I’m sure most of you can relate when I say that everytime we let our kids in on what we’re doing, it would surely take more time and more mess…but compared to the joy it brings us (and them), we just end up with a sigh and we say, “oh, well!”
Anyway, here is a “recipe” (I’m not even sure you can call it that! The amounts I would place here are all based on my hands and eyes) of what we whipped up earlier:
HOMEMADE “HEALTH” BARS
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup bran flakes
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup sesame seeds
4 tbsp wheatgerm
4 tbsp honey
a tiny amount of fructose (just to add some flavor)
a pinch or two of cinnamon
1/2 cup to 1 cup wheat flour (this, together with the water, is basically just to hold all the other ingredients together)
1/2 cup to 1 cup warm water
* Just mix all the dry ingredients (except flour), add the honey and fructose according to taste (not so much or it won’t be as “healthy” anymore), and mix in the flour and water last (I added this last so I can first make sure I liked the taste already).
* Mix everything well and spread out on a baking pan (the ones we use for brownies would be perfect). I greased the pan with a little olive oil.
* Bake at 180 degrees for around 15 minutes.
* Let it stand and cool, then slice away!
This is super fast and fun to do. Mika enjoyed it because it had so much texture. And it was actually impromptu. Those were the only ingredients I had that I felt might be of use and good thing it worked… somehow.
