No Milkshake No Life Morning Queue (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★★☆

With the new school year just getting underway, little nugget has been working hard to get back into shape for better academic results. Understandably, we haven’t had much time, or appetite, for food adventures lately, as we've mostly stayed home and studied through the weekends. To my surprise, the little boy finally spoke up today and asked if we could go somewhere nice for dinner. His choice? No Milkshake No Life – Morning Queue.

Needless to say, I was all too happy to oblige. I’ve always been a fan of No Milkshake No Life’s over-the-top milkshakes and those indulgent pancake burgers.

Oreo milkshake ($59) – It was a pretty hot day out there today so we all got ourselves a frosty drink to start off the meal. To no one's surprise, little one and his old man got off to a fast start with an Oreo shake.

Wagyu cheese and egg burger with cajun fries ($138) – This burger came stacked with a juicy wagyu beef patty (Australian, I assume?), caramelized onions, fried egg, melted cheese, and a house-made secret sauce.

It's been a while since we last visited NMNL so maybe it was nostalgia, but this really hit the spot (except for the fries which were a little too heavy-handed with seasoning).

Signature pancake burger ($112) – My teammates each went for the pancake burger, one of the most popular and unique items on the menu.

Two fluffy buttermilk pancakes sandwiched with crispy bacon, fried eggs, and juicy portobello mushrooms in between. As usual, it was finished off with their savory-sweet syrup.

Safe to say, this guy was thrilled to be reunited with his favorite burger again.

Nagoya wings ($52) – These single-bone chicken wings were coated in a slightly-thick and crunchy batter and drizzled with a teriyaki-style sauce that was savory, sweet and spicy at the same time.

It was great to be back after more than a year. With everyone leaving full and happy, maybe we should really do this a little more often.

Food Rating: 6.5/10

Price: $$$

Address: Shop G01, G/F, Mei Kwai House, 13 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Shek Kip Mei

Tel: +852 9816-3818

Website: www.nomilkshakenolife.com

Opening Hours: 11:00am - 7:00pm (Tue - Sun)

Café Sausalito (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

After spending nearly two weeks in the Kansai region of Japan, I finally settled back home. I had promised myself to support our local F&B scene more upon returning, so despite being swamped with work, I ended up going to Sham Shui Po for a very late lunch at 4:30pm.

I've heard a lot about the evolving café scene in Sham Shui Po, especially how it’s been rapidly transforming since the pandemic. My destination this time was Café Sausalito, a café, micro-roaster, and bean supplier all under one roof. Like many cafés in the area, they also offer a small selection of comfort food, including all-day breakfast, pasta dishes, and burgers.

Interestingly, many of these cafés are housed in former auto shops, so they’ve retained an industrial aesthetic that gives the space a unique character.

Matcha latte ($42) – After spending time in Kyoto, I’ve developed a bit of an addiction to matcha beverages, so this was right up my alley. That said, the flavors here weren’t as pronounced or complex as those I had in Japan, but still a comforting drink to start off the meal with.

Bloody Mary Shrimp Pasta ($112) – This pasta dish came with a twist, a secret Bloody Mary-inspired tomato sauce, along with shrimps, mushrooms, and onions. Since I have a couple of presentations coming up next week, I've asked for a non-spicy version.

I thought the pasta was well-cooked and nicely tossed in a rich, tangy tomato sauce. The shrimps were slightly bland (except for the seasoning of black pepper), but for the most part, it was an enjoyable and satisfying dish.

Didn’t get the chance to try their dessert menu this afternoon. The space was a bit cramped, so it’s not exactly the ideal spot to chill out especially for a solo diner like myself. Still, it’s easy to see why Café Sausalito is part of the growing café scene in Sham Shui Po. Great coffee, decent food, and an atmosphere that reflects the area’s industrial roots. 👍👍

Food Rating: 5.9/10

Price: $$$

Address: G/F, 201 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Sham Shui Po

Website: https://www.cafesausalitohk.com/

Opening Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm daily

Lady M New Town Plaza (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★★☆

Work has brought me to Tai Po this afternoon but I ended up at New Town Plaza in Shatin just for a short stopover. Instead of leaving empty-handed, I decided to swing by the Lady M Boutique for a sweet treat this evening.

Pandan Kaya Mille Crêpes ($78) – This exquisite cake featured layers of delicate crêpes, each generously filled with a smooth kaya cream and a rich pandan kaya custard. It was elegantly topped with a glossy pandan-infused glaze and finished with a light dusting of coconut flakes, the perfect tropical touch to complete this indulgent creation.

As usual, soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth!

Food Rating: 7/10

Price: $$$$

Address: Shop 309A, 3/F, New Town Plaza Phase I, 18-19 Sha Tin Centre Street, Shatin, Hong Kong

Closest Train Station: Shatin

Tel: +852 2866-1210

Opening Hours: 11:00am - 9:00pm (Mon - Thu), 11:00am - 10:00pm (Fri - Sun)