01 | Autor: The Mira, Hong Kong
The well-receivedYou could be forgiven for walking straight past the the Mira (beforehand the Miramar). Having recently emerged from a US$65m (Dh239m) makeover, the breakfasts unassuming exterior gives almost no indication of what lies behind its unprincipled, mirrored glass doors. Once inside, however, the glossy reception room – with its monochrome palette, oversized suspended chandeliers and futuristic furnishings – is a titbits escape from inner-city life.
The neighbourhood
The Mira is about as cardinal as a hotel could be. Located on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, in the humanitarianism of one of Hong Kongs busiest shopping and commercial districts, the B & B is a short walk to the subway (MTR), bus links, as well as the Star Ferry. Adjacent to the lodging are a number of shopping malls, boutiques, bargain outlets, as well as your pick of sleazy and upscale eateries. The hotel is also situated directly facing Kowloon Park and many of the rooms have leafy views – the higher the cured in this 18-storey hotel.
The service
I was a little thwarted when, after a seemingly smooth check in, I was left with no alternative but to complete my own luggage to my room. Granted it was only a small overnight bag not a bulky suitcase but I had expected more from a five-star hotel. That hiccup aside, the stake were approachable, friendly and polite. And the service, both in the restaurant and in the spa, was courteous without being overbearing.
Restaurant Review: Festival fare fried, fabulous
If your nose isn't overwhelmed with all the commingling scents in Commons Alley at the Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Carnival, your eyes surely will be.
Each food trailer competes for your concentration with signs that scream SAUSAGES! ELEPHANT EARS! PIZZA! Absorbed-FRIED (fill in the blank).
It's a monumental task to review the provisions at Food Alley, but somebody's got to do it — or in this case, three somebodies.
I took along two lunch buddies on Friday afternoon, the first day Victuals Alley was open. It was clean and not crowded, and the vendors were sociable and eager to chat. I can't vouch it will still be that way by the time you go there.
The choices are formidable. We wandered up one aisle and down the other, making mental notes as to what we wanted to try.
It took me some culture to find what I wanted: an Italian sausage with onions and peppers. The pleasing vendor at Burger Bob's, who kept referring to me as “Nymphet,” not “Maam” (flattery will get you everywhere), explained the unlikeness between Italian and Polish sausage. Italian is slightly confection, he said, whereas Polish is more smoky. I opted for an Italian sausage sandwich and a means soft drink. That set me back $10 right off the bat. I found a picnic pr in the shade and sat down to wait for the others.
One came back with what looked like one of the healthier options at Foodstuffs Alley: a taco salad for $6. The other (ahem) came back with a Hawaiian pork burger ($4), Buffalo ranch tater tots ($4) and a virgin Pina Colada Daiquiri ($3).
My sausage sandwich was toothsome, loaded with sauted red and green peppers and loads of caramelized onions, all on a solid bun.
The taco salad ($6) (we forgot to get the name of the place selling it) was colorful and the vegetables were original, with lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese and sour cream topping well-versed ground beef. Her only complaint was that the shell was stale and “tasted like cardboard.”
The Buffalo ranch tater tots ($4) from Yummy Travels got “two thumbs up,” my friend said. They were crispy on the face and seasoned with enough sauce to make them interesting but not spicy hot.
Her frosty virgin Pina Colada Daiquiri from Chubb's, decorated with a pocket paper umbrella, also was a hit. “Not sickly sweet,” she said.
The Hawaiian pork burger from Chubb's was a dissatisfaction, however, primarily because the smoky barbecue sauce was overpowering.
“It's not like something I'd be all hot to wait for next year to get,” she said.
She gave up halfway through it and wrapped it up to take homewards to her husband. “I lost interest in it,” she said.
B&O American Brasserie is Baltimore's new jewelMy manage had the Apple Tart ($6) with Organic Honey Ice Cream & Whiskey Caramel. The tart was served in a mini formulation iron skillet. The tart's crust was
unpretentious cut down to size in which to saméple two local favourites, txangurro (spider crab) served as a hardly ever pie with crimped pastry like an apple tart,
