Diana's Oyster Bar & Grill

Calamari / Clockwise: Cherrystone Clam, Kumamoto, Shigoku oysters (I think? ><) / Swordfish / Tuna tartare

I don't always celebrate my birthday, but when I do, I eat eat eat all week. After Moxie's dinner with K & M on the Tuesday, I had Dinner #2 at Diana's 'cause I wanted to try raw Cherrystone clams. They were pretty large and chewy, not bad but I prefer my at-home BBQ version which brings out the sea water flavor. 

For oysters, we got Kumamoto, Shigoku (small yet meaty with a bite, not salty) and Lucky Lime (salty, flat). (Actually I have a suspicion that they may have mixed up the kumamoto and shigoku 'cause kumamoto are the really tiny ones..) The server was really nice and explained all the different types of oysters (East vs. West coast.. too bad I forgot everything!)

The calamari was soft inside and perfectly cooked with a really light, crisp coating. We even asked what they used and the server told us it's just flour... Tuna tartare wasn't that great. 

For the main, I had a bit of Swordfish which is a thick white fish. The salty coating really added flavor and it was nicely cooked. I also liked the cold rice pilaf with a mix of quinoa, lentils and other healthy seeds/grains.  Tempted by my friend's main, I added a side of three shrimp and three scallops 'cause they looked really big, but looking back def way overpriced at $24.

The Works

Three Ring Binder - 3 onion rings, gouda, mushrooms

love the die cut chips

Burgers & biking day for my last half day of the summer :)  I pretty much wanted to try this place because of the glass measuring cup cups and the onion ring tower. Burgers were thick which I like, but not much flavor.. I like the grilled charred juicy burgers like Harvey's back in the day. Also not much cheese or mushrooms taste, but the onion rings on its own were good - crispy and hot. The best thing was the die cut chips!

Raijin Ramen

love the menu design~

Kakuni Ramen

Tried Raijin a while back in the summer.. overall it was not bad. Tonkotsu broth was buttery.  The pork was overcooked and tough and had an interesting sour/Chinese vingear flavor.. not bad in itself but didn't quite fit the tonkotsu ramen. The standout item was the Gyoza! - thin skin, perfectly fried, juicy inside.

Richmond Station



details in the glassware/plating / decor / can't go wrong w raw oysters & raw beef

I’ve been wanting to try Richmond Station ever since I saw polenta fries on the menu.. too bad it was no longer on the menu when I went a few weeks ago but nonetheless it was a great dining experience.

 

I had imagined a very dim lit place but when I walked in it was brighter than expected (natural light from the glass entrance), yet still cozy. White walls, dark tables and chairs, with more seating at the back. We sat at the bar with a view of the wine selection. Absolutely love the style of this restaurant – simple, trendy, sophisticated. I adore the glass water bottles, the beautiful wood serving plates and small white plates which the servers change after each dish. Service was excellent. The two servers were so friendly and attentive, always filled our water and introduced the dishes, not pretentious and not always pestering.

 

We started with oysters, pretty good, forgot the name. Didn’t really like the deep fried scallop, couldn’t taste the scallop. I’m a fan of raw beef and usually order carpaccio but beef tartar was the special that night. It was good, mixed with egg, arugula and homemade hickory sticks. Halibut was thick white fish, a bit overcooked.

 

Overall food was okay but definitely love the ambiance and service!



Hong Kong | 新斗記 ~ 米芝蓮1星

The first Michelin I tried in HK was 新斗記 - Cantonese cuisine, one star - and it was actually pretty good!

My must-eat in Hong Kong - 聖子. with garlic, vermicelli and soy sauce...