Try my Brest

What: Paris-Brest

Where: Paul Lafayet, K11, TST

Cost: $30-40?

Yumminess: ***/*****

Around a week before trying this, I've had the so-called Paris Brest from coco frans at the TST MTR station. I know what they sell is nothing like the real Paris-Brest, but it was satisfying nevertheless (like a giant cream puff with more custard to choux pastry ratio than normal). A week later, I bought a Paris-Brest from Paul Lafayet. The pastry was quite hefty, which was evidence of the density of the hazelnut buttercream which filled up the centre of the 2-ring-sandwich. Its diameter was around the same as the coco frans Paris Brest (4-5 inches-ish), but their satisfaction level was worlds apart. After finishing the one from coco frans, I was left wanting more (or just satisfied...my sweet tooth is insatiable lol). On the other hand, only HALF of this one from Paul Lafayet was starting to feel enough. For someone with an insatiable sweet tooth...that's amazing (for your reference, I can finish an entire 6" cake on my own). 

Look at how thick the buttercream is!! In fact, I ate this with a FORK. No spoon needed. There was some point when I just ate the buttercream alone, without the pastry, with a FORK. It was that thick. As should be the case, the buttercream had an oily mouthfeel, especially towards the end as it started to get melty. And as it was hazelnut flavoured, it kind of tasted like the stuff in Kinder Buenos, except much much thicker, way more nutty, and way less sweet (although still very sweet). 

I was amazed that I managed to finish the whole thing in one sitting. Needless to say, I skipped dinner that night.

My next target was Saveur de France's Paris-Brest...but I heard they closed down. :( What a shame, as it was the only place I knew which sold authentic homey French pastries (like tarte au flan!).

New McFlurry

What: Mango Oreo McFlurry

Where: McDonald's 

Cost: $9.80

Yumminess: *****/*****

So they've begun to give the option of mixing in some of their swirl cone flavours (raspberry and mocha, other not available with McFlurries [yet, I hope] include grape, chocolate...I think that's it) or their new sundae flavour, Mango, into Oreo McFlurries. McFlurry + hot summer day....what else can I say?

Liquid Diet

Day 2 post-hangover all I wanted was liquids...and REALLY COLD SWEET non-caffeinated/alcoholic thick liquids. (Must be the rebound from all that salty McDelivery I had day 1 post-hangover?)

What: Tall No-whip Raspberry Vanilla Creme Frappucino

Where: Starbucks

Cost: $33

Yumminess: **/*****

Note to self: next time ask them to double the amount of syrup if you want something sweet. The color was pretty though. And it satisfied the cold, thick cravings. The colour was pretty too lol. But tastewise it was bland.

What: Matcha White Chocolate Chocolixir with no whip

Where: Godiva

Cost: $39

Yumminess: ****/*****

This was surprisingly good! The matcha flavour was OK strong and the bits of white chocolate that was blended in was satisfying (normally I'm not one for white chocolate, but like I said...I wanted something REALLY SWEET.) And it melted surprisingly well too...not like Starbucks frappes which melt all watery. This actually melted into a milky liquid. I saw them blending it with some whitish creamy substance the consistency of coolwhip (which defeats the purpose of no-whip? lol), which might have allowed it to melt creamily. This drink really hit the spot.

Blah...I need to remind myself not to drink like the boys...no matter how much I try to be one of them, reality is we're different. Thank god for selfless friends.

And I think I've had enough Mcdonald's for the whole year in a day. Ugh. Need to start collecting takeout menus from restaurants instead of relying on 23382338.

Today's Eats

You'll soon figure out that this blog will feature lots of snacks. I'm a HUGE snackeater...unfortunate to my waistline. If I could have my way, I'd probably eat junkfood for all my meals (DISCLAIMER: Kids, don't try this at home. It could be detrimental to your health, BMI, sanity, reputation...etc....:P)


What: Albert Menes Garlic and Olive Oil Croutons
Where: city'super
Cost: $60ish?
Yumminess: ***/*****

Why did I pay $60 for dried bits of bread in a bag that was half empty (or half full I guess)? I don't know. It was on the special display counters and I have no self-control when walking past those types of counters. Albert Menes seems to be a really reputable company who makes French snacks and tea-time goodies (judging by the price city'super sold their products at...lol). I bought a box of petit-beurres by the same company a week ago (gone in 2 days...no pic) and it was divine, with the use of excellent salted butter evident in the flavour. These croutons had the same proof that premium ingredients were used. Just a whiff of the opened bag was proof enough. The garlic and olive oil flavours were well balanced, and the olive oil even seemed to have a little sweetness to it. The crunchiness was satisfying while not being too hard. I'm usually one to avoid garlic (again, why did I pick this bag up in the first place then??), but somehow it was really good on these croutons. I really appreciated the all natural ingredients used...there was no post-snack thirstiness at ALL (no MSG), and the garlic aftertaste was minimal. If you're expecting an American-style garlic bread flavour, you'd be disappointed; these are much more delicate).

What: Halva Kulfi
Where: i-scream
Cost: $22 (yay for being a student)
Yumminess: *****/*****

I never understood Hongkonger's (or as we Vancouverites call them, hongers) passion for Haagen-Dazs. Sure, I enjoy a scoop of HD too, but their flavours are SO BORING. The only thing I LOVE about them is their sorbets...they are appropriately icy. Gelato stores' sorbets seem to be a lot creamier, which I guess is their own style, but I prefer icy sorbets. However, I'm glad that gelato is on the rise in HK, as I much prefer the flavour variety and texture of gelato. My favourite store has got to be I-Scream. Found by 3 Italians and a Canadian (YAY!), they provide an everchanging variety of flavours. And most importantly, I pass by it everyday on the way home, so it's hard to resist temptation >< I've tried ALL their basic flavours already lol...I'm such a loser. Last week I saw they had 2 new flavours: Halva Kulfi and Pernod. Today, when I finally had quota for gelato, I found out they already ran out of the Pernod flavour T_T Oh well there's still Halva I needed to try. Kulfi is the Indian version of ice cream. It's usually made from cream instead of nonfat milk like gelato...but I really hope (for my waistline's sake) that what I had was made in the gelato style.

I don't think this is very popular among the Hongers as the tub was still quite full. Also, when I asked for a scoop of this flavour, the salesgirl raised an eyebrow and asked me if I have tried it before and if I was sure I wanted it. Lol. Geez, it's not any weirder than their Wa Mui flavour! The texture was suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper creamy (which is why I think it's possible that it was made from cream) and melted really slowly. Even the melty bits were heavenly. It tasted kind of like chai...I think it's the cardamom in it? I'm not sure. There were black specks (a bit spicy...maybe cloves?) and some crushed almonds mixed inside.

I was spooning the melted liquefied gelato into my mouth at the end. Damn. Writing about it makes me want more.