Rainbow on Lamma Island HK
Feb 25th, 2004, 01:06 PM
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Rainbow on Lamma Island HK
I will be in HK in a few weeks with some colleagues and wanted to take everyone out to a unique and relaxing dinner. I have heard about restaurants on the outlying islands, mainly Lamma, that have tanks of live seafood that you can choose your meal from.
After researching restaurants on Lamma island, Rainbow keeps coming up as a wonderful and popular restaurant. I looked at their website and their menu does indeed look fabulous, but it does not appear that they have this "choose your live seafood dinner" option. Can anyone tell me if Rainbow does in fact provide this service?
If not, can anyone recommend another restaurant on Lamma that does this? I am looking for a restaurant that is moderately priced with very quality food and hopefully a good view. We will be going on a Wednesday evening and I would not mind making a reservation.
I know this is a very specific queston/request for info, but this will be a very special dinner and I want to plan it out as much as possible.
Also, on a separate note, what is the best "day trip" to China from HK? We want to cross the boarder (mostly so we can say that we crossed the border) and do some minimal shopping for cheap touristy things.
Thanks!
After researching restaurants on Lamma island, Rainbow keeps coming up as a wonderful and popular restaurant. I looked at their website and their menu does indeed look fabulous, but it does not appear that they have this "choose your live seafood dinner" option. Can anyone tell me if Rainbow does in fact provide this service?
If not, can anyone recommend another restaurant on Lamma that does this? I am looking for a restaurant that is moderately priced with very quality food and hopefully a good view. We will be going on a Wednesday evening and I would not mind making a reservation.
I know this is a very specific queston/request for info, but this will be a very special dinner and I want to plan it out as much as possible.
Also, on a separate note, what is the best "day trip" to China from HK? We want to cross the boarder (mostly so we can say that we crossed the border) and do some minimal shopping for cheap touristy things.
Thanks!
Feb 25th, 2004, 04:25 PM
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All of those restaurants have their live seafood tanks along the main walkway in Sok Ku Wan, Lamma; between the dining tables by the sea, and the kitchen. In fact, if you go to this page, you'll see all the tanks, and a customer picking up a spiny lobster: http://www.rainbowrest.com.hk/english/intro/default.asp
As far as day trips to China, the closest is Shenzhen. You can get there by regular KCR trains to the last station (Lo Wu), or by various buses from Kowloon. There's not much to see there, except cheap stuff to shop. Lots of pickpockets, panhandlers, drifters; so beware. A better idea may be to go to Guangzhou (Canton), which is a more typical large Chinese city, and has some actual sites to see. You can go there by various coaches, or by the more expensive "through-train" from Hung Hom KCR station.
Another possibility is to take the ferry to Macau, the ex-Portugese colony, about 40 miles from HK. You don't need a visa to go there, if you're American. From there, you can also go to Zhuhai in China by various buses or coach service.
Keep in mind that if you're American, you'll need a visa to go to China, even for just a day. I think visa fee is about US$50, which is quite a bit for just a daytrip.
As far as day trips to China, the closest is Shenzhen. You can get there by regular KCR trains to the last station (Lo Wu), or by various buses from Kowloon. There's not much to see there, except cheap stuff to shop. Lots of pickpockets, panhandlers, drifters; so beware. A better idea may be to go to Guangzhou (Canton), which is a more typical large Chinese city, and has some actual sites to see. You can go there by various coaches, or by the more expensive "through-train" from Hung Hom KCR station.
Another possibility is to take the ferry to Macau, the ex-Portugese colony, about 40 miles from HK. You don't need a visa to go there, if you're American. From there, you can also go to Zhuhai in China by various buses or coach service.
Keep in mind that if you're American, you'll need a visa to go to China, even for just a day. I think visa fee is about US$50, which is quite a bit for just a daytrip.
Feb 25th, 2004, 05:48 PM
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i have been to lanna twic for dinner and it is fun...aside---the last time on the way back to HK, the QEII sailed right by us...it was a thrill...it is a lovely trip on a nice evening....it is not fancy and you eat right on the pier or the quai...there is a walkway through the back side of each restaurant so you can see each one up close and personal...almost each one has a tout trying to get you to come in...we were struck with one as it was a young man who claimed that their place was family run, the only one still left that way...we walked the whole way and returned to them and were pleased that we had...it was simple but good.. the tanks are there but most of that stuff is very expensive...we had one rock lobster, which cost as much as the rest of the meal...we liked the other things better...i will dig out the name for you...found it...it is Tai Yuen Restaurant....our notes say it is about 3/4 of the way down the sidewalk, but i don't remember it being that far...we paid 400 HK for our meal...2 of us...the rainbow is the big place in town and even has its own boat to get you in hk, but that is not what we wanted...i would vote for the smaller personal place...if you call ahead i think you would get even better service...
Feb 25th, 2004, 07:46 PM
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I haven't eaten at Lamma for years, so I can't recommend a restaurant. But besides Rainbow, another popular one is the Lamma Hilton, aka Shun Kee (I believe). It's been in business for decades.
I doubt you'll need reservations for any of those restaurants on a Wednesday night, so you can just walk through all the restaurants there, and then decide. Like rhkkmk says, it's not cheap. And be careful about prices. Some of the seafood being sold in all of Hong Kong (not just on Lamma) can cost a fortune. At most restaurants, seafood are priced per tael ("liang"
, which is about 37grams, or 1.3oz.
1 catty (jin) = 16 tael (liang) = 596g = 1.3lb
1 tael = 37g = 1.3oz
Have them tell you exactly how much a fish weighs (and total price) before agreeing to it. If the one they catch is too heavy for your party, have them catch a smaller one. Same with other seafood.
Of course, you can just order those set meals from the menu, and you know exactly how much those cost. But somehow I'm not too impressed at those set menus. If you want the best seafood, the way all the locals have it, avoid all the fried stuff, all the stuff with "heavy" sauce like sweet & sour, or honey, etc...
Instead, try eat the way the locals do. For example, for shrimp, have them just boil in plain water, and then dip it in soy sauce when you eat it. Steam the fish with just scallions and ginger. No nasty sauces. Maybe some stuff with garlic. But that's about it. People in HK don't eat fried seafood.
I doubt you'll need reservations for any of those restaurants on a Wednesday night, so you can just walk through all the restaurants there, and then decide. Like rhkkmk says, it's not cheap. And be careful about prices. Some of the seafood being sold in all of Hong Kong (not just on Lamma) can cost a fortune. At most restaurants, seafood are priced per tael ("liang"
, which is about 37grams, or 1.3oz.1 catty (jin) = 16 tael (liang) = 596g = 1.3lb
1 tael = 37g = 1.3oz
Have them tell you exactly how much a fish weighs (and total price) before agreeing to it. If the one they catch is too heavy for your party, have them catch a smaller one. Same with other seafood.
Of course, you can just order those set meals from the menu, and you know exactly how much those cost. But somehow I'm not too impressed at those set menus. If you want the best seafood, the way all the locals have it, avoid all the fried stuff, all the stuff with "heavy" sauce like sweet & sour, or honey, etc...
Instead, try eat the way the locals do. For example, for shrimp, have them just boil in plain water, and then dip it in soy sauce when you eat it. Steam the fish with just scallions and ginger. No nasty sauces. Maybe some stuff with garlic. But that's about it. People in HK don't eat fried seafood.
Feb 26th, 2004, 12:54 AM
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I also like the Lamma Hilton, but the Rainbow or really any restaurant along that waterfront strip is fine. Just so you are not surprised, these restaurants are extremely, extremely casual, so if you are looking for ambience or an elegant dining experience, this would not be it. They are all outdoors under covered awnings and have either concrete or wooden floors (most are over the water), plastic chairs, napkins come rolled up in plastic, etc. Generally noisy with other diners, and somewhat brusque wait staff. No real view of Hong Kong, but some views of the little harbour and fishing boats. None of these are bad things, but you should know what to expect, and tell your guests to dress very casually. They are a lot of fun with a big group, and the beer is cold and cheap. . .good food as well. Seafood is served in the Asian way, which means shrimps come with their heads on, and the fish do too (my Mother could never get over this in 10 years of my living in Asia). You will not need a reservation esp on weeknight, but if you have a really large group, say more than 8 or 10, your might want to call to make sure they put together a big table for you and ask if you could be close to the water.
Another option you might consider is staying on Hong Kong Island and going over to the beaches of Shek O on the southside. This is a tiny little village on quite a pretty beach, you will definitely feel like you have left the city behind. You can take a bus in about 30 minutes or divide up into taxis, the taxi fare would be about $35. There are some good (also quite casual) restaurants here, including a very popular Thai/Chinese restaurant:
Shek O Chinese and Thai Seafood Restaurant
303 Shek O Village
(main intersection, next to the bus stop)
Phone: 2809-4426
If there are women in your group, they might enjoy going to Stanley Market for early evening shopping and then have dinner along the waterfront. (Shops close between 5 and 6 pm). The bus ride over is a roller coaster of a ride up and over the mountains. The buses are double decker, so sit up top as close to the front as you dare. (Take bus #6 or #6A from the main bus terminal at Exchange Square.) There are many good restaurants here, a few moderate priced ones to consider are :
Al Fresco's
G/F, 30A Stanley Main Street
Phone: 2813 2520
Italian, including a choose your own pasta and sauce option. Very casual. The restaurant is small, so you would need a reservation for a large group.
Stanley's Thai
4/F, 90B Stanley Main Street
Phone: 2813 9988
Thai food. Also a small restaurant, so you would need a reservation. Casual
The Boathouse
86?88 Stanley Main Street, Stanley
Tel: 2813 4467.
Seafood-focused but offers other dishes. Nice sea views from the upper floors, there are outside terraces. Food and ambience are so good and views are lovely. This would be a bit more expensive than the others mentioned above.
At the other end of Stanley Market is the re-built Murray House, which is an early British-era colonial structure which was moved literally brick by brick from Central and rebuilt in Stanley. It has some shopping and some restaurants, there is a Spanish restaurant one with a nice terrace over the water where you can have tapas as well as meals:
El Cid Caramar Spanish Restaurant
Shop 102, Murray House, Stanley Plaza
Phone: 2899 0858
A truly memorable experience would be dinner on the Peak to see the incomparable view of the city and harbour and night. I would recommend the Café Deco, and you would definitely need reservations with such a large group. Try to get a window seat upstairs. This is smart casual, you don't need to be dressed up, but it has a nice ambience and fantastic views. The menu is a mix of East and West, and is moderate to expensive:
CAFE DECO BAR AND GRILL
Peak Galleria
118 Peak Rd., the Peak
Phone: 2849-5111
Website: www.cafedeco.com
If you don't have dinner here, come up for drinks one evening and you can sit on their very small outdoor terrace and admire the view.
I personally would not bother with a "day" trip to China. First of all, you are already IN China. Second, there is really not that much to see within day trip distance. There are canned "the land beyond" tours which are more about taking you to fake jade factories and lunch then seeing anything over the border. Guangzhou to me is a long waste of a day, it is a city which was farmers' fields 15 years ago, and is mostly concrete and very uncharming. People go there to buy fake Prada bags and have some cheap and not very good quality tailoring done. You will find better souvenirs in Stanley or elsewhere in Hong Kong like Hollywood Road or the China Arts and Craft Department Store near the Star Ferry pier on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. There are so many more interesting things to in Hong Kong. Here is a partial list:
1. Talk a walk or more strenuous hike on one of the many walking trials on Hong Kong Island. The Dragon's Back is challenging, the Mt Butler trail is easier, and Bowen Road is totally flat. All have great views. March is still cool weather in Hong Kong and great for walking.
2. Go the Lantau Island to see the giant Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery and have lunch at the vegetarian restaurant run by the monastery.
3. Go to Stanley Market for souvenir and other shopping and lunch or dinner.
4. Go to Repulse Bay and take a walk on the long sandy beach down to the temple of the sea goddess at the far end. Have lunch, dinner or drinks at one of the little cafes on the beach, or splurge on a nice meal at the Verandah Restaurant.
5. Take the Luggard Road circuit walk around the top of the Peak, it is flat, takes about an hour and great views of both sides of Hong Kong.
6. Go to Aberdeen and take a tour by boat of the junks and fishing boats in the harbour and typhoon shelter. Have lunch or dinner at the Jumbo or other floating restaurant.
Macau would be doable, but it is a lot to fit into one day.
Another option you might consider is staying on Hong Kong Island and going over to the beaches of Shek O on the southside. This is a tiny little village on quite a pretty beach, you will definitely feel like you have left the city behind. You can take a bus in about 30 minutes or divide up into taxis, the taxi fare would be about $35. There are some good (also quite casual) restaurants here, including a very popular Thai/Chinese restaurant:
Shek O Chinese and Thai Seafood Restaurant
303 Shek O Village
(main intersection, next to the bus stop)
Phone: 2809-4426
If there are women in your group, they might enjoy going to Stanley Market for early evening shopping and then have dinner along the waterfront. (Shops close between 5 and 6 pm). The bus ride over is a roller coaster of a ride up and over the mountains. The buses are double decker, so sit up top as close to the front as you dare. (Take bus #6 or #6A from the main bus terminal at Exchange Square.) There are many good restaurants here, a few moderate priced ones to consider are :
Al Fresco's
G/F, 30A Stanley Main Street
Phone: 2813 2520
Italian, including a choose your own pasta and sauce option. Very casual. The restaurant is small, so you would need a reservation for a large group.
Stanley's Thai
4/F, 90B Stanley Main Street
Phone: 2813 9988
Thai food. Also a small restaurant, so you would need a reservation. Casual
The Boathouse
86?88 Stanley Main Street, Stanley
Tel: 2813 4467.
Seafood-focused but offers other dishes. Nice sea views from the upper floors, there are outside terraces. Food and ambience are so good and views are lovely. This would be a bit more expensive than the others mentioned above.
At the other end of Stanley Market is the re-built Murray House, which is an early British-era colonial structure which was moved literally brick by brick from Central and rebuilt in Stanley. It has some shopping and some restaurants, there is a Spanish restaurant one with a nice terrace over the water where you can have tapas as well as meals:
El Cid Caramar Spanish Restaurant
Shop 102, Murray House, Stanley Plaza
Phone: 2899 0858
A truly memorable experience would be dinner on the Peak to see the incomparable view of the city and harbour and night. I would recommend the Café Deco, and you would definitely need reservations with such a large group. Try to get a window seat upstairs. This is smart casual, you don't need to be dressed up, but it has a nice ambience and fantastic views. The menu is a mix of East and West, and is moderate to expensive:
CAFE DECO BAR AND GRILL
Peak Galleria
118 Peak Rd., the Peak
Phone: 2849-5111
Website: www.cafedeco.com
If you don't have dinner here, come up for drinks one evening and you can sit on their very small outdoor terrace and admire the view.
I personally would not bother with a "day" trip to China. First of all, you are already IN China. Second, there is really not that much to see within day trip distance. There are canned "the land beyond" tours which are more about taking you to fake jade factories and lunch then seeing anything over the border. Guangzhou to me is a long waste of a day, it is a city which was farmers' fields 15 years ago, and is mostly concrete and very uncharming. People go there to buy fake Prada bags and have some cheap and not very good quality tailoring done. You will find better souvenirs in Stanley or elsewhere in Hong Kong like Hollywood Road or the China Arts and Craft Department Store near the Star Ferry pier on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. There are so many more interesting things to in Hong Kong. Here is a partial list:
1. Talk a walk or more strenuous hike on one of the many walking trials on Hong Kong Island. The Dragon's Back is challenging, the Mt Butler trail is easier, and Bowen Road is totally flat. All have great views. March is still cool weather in Hong Kong and great for walking.
2. Go the Lantau Island to see the giant Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery and have lunch at the vegetarian restaurant run by the monastery.
3. Go to Stanley Market for souvenir and other shopping and lunch or dinner.
4. Go to Repulse Bay and take a walk on the long sandy beach down to the temple of the sea goddess at the far end. Have lunch, dinner or drinks at one of the little cafes on the beach, or splurge on a nice meal at the Verandah Restaurant.
5. Take the Luggard Road circuit walk around the top of the Peak, it is flat, takes about an hour and great views of both sides of Hong Kong.
6. Go to Aberdeen and take a tour by boat of the junks and fishing boats in the harbour and typhoon shelter. Have lunch or dinner at the Jumbo or other floating restaurant.
Macau would be doable, but it is a lot to fit into one day.
Feb 26th, 2004, 06:26 AM
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There are other areas in Hong Kong with the type of by-the-sea, pick-your-own-seafood restaurants. Like Lo Shue Chau (Mouse Island) near Tuen Mun, the village of Sai Kung, etc... [Not sure if there's still any at Lei Yue Mun.] But Lamma is kind of fun, as you have to take a ferry to get there. You can enjoy the view of the harbor, get some sea breeze to and fro Lamma.
I think Cicerone means Shenzhen was rice fields 15 years ago, which is absolutely true. But Guangzhou (Canton) has been a major city for hundreds of years.
I love going to Macau. It's best to do a overnight trip, but daytripping is still possible, because ferry (jetfoils or jet-propelled catamarans) only takes about 55 minutes from Central, and they run every 15-30 minutes. Whenever you're done, just hop on the ferry (~US$15 each way). It's much more relaxing than going up to China.
I think Cicerone means Shenzhen was rice fields 15 years ago, which is absolutely true. But Guangzhou (Canton) has been a major city for hundreds of years.
I love going to Macau. It's best to do a overnight trip, but daytripping is still possible, because ferry (jetfoils or jet-propelled catamarans) only takes about 55 minutes from Central, and they run every 15-30 minutes. Whenever you're done, just hop on the ferry (~US$15 each way). It's much more relaxing than going up to China.
