Binge Hong Kong - The Best Of Britain in Hong Kong

I clearly remember my student days backpacking Britain, where and when a pound went a long way and the cheapest takeaway was a sandwich at the local Marks and Sparks foodhall. The store has come a long way since those days, graduating from best selling bras and undies, to serious fashion and then onto nutritious and premium foods and I say its high time that it brought its raidable larder of good eats to Hong Kong. Long overdue, especially since sandwich and coffee takeaway kings (and also a fellow Brit brand) Pret A Manger made their debut here in the fragrant harbour, about four years ago.   

Suffice to say, if you happen to be in Wanchai, do make your way to the M&S foodstore where you can now takeaway delicious deli items including hot and tasty paininis, a variety of melts, toasties, pro-biotic yoghurts and even a bottle of an award winning wine or a selection of hard,semi-soft and creamy cheese, savoury gourmet crackers and an extensive selection of sliced meats like Parma Ham, Spanish Chorizo even Roast Beef to go. 

You can even buy a more than decent spread of Italian anti-pasti and a variety of hearty British pies. For the sugar fairies amongst us, the bakery  offers more than just biscuits and tea and there are also new sections such as a "Chilled food range" and a "Hot Food to Go" selection offering authentic Indian, Italian and the Best of British ready meals that offer from  palatable to premium eats that you can take back to the office for lunch or 'da pao' when you are too lazy to light the stove when you get home. In their "Coffee To Go" section expect tea, coffee' juices and even refreshingly fancy drinky poos such as their Summer Fruit Smoothies and Frappes. I say thats progress from the simple sandwich-to-go concept, don't you agree? 

Where: 

Marks & Spencer Food Store 

Shop B, G/F 88 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai (near the Wan Chai MTR station Exit A1) 

Tel: +852 29228061

Open from Monday to Sat (7.30am to 9pm) / Sun and Public Holidays (9am to 8pm) 

If you are still lusting for British grub then look no further than SoHo as the Staunton Group that operates a number of wine bars and restaurants there run two very yummy eateries that are perfect if you are craving for what I call British comfort food.  

When in SoHo, check out Yorkshire Pudding. I had the nicest Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, drizzled generously with HP sauce and Lee  and Perrings which is served at your table. Along with that a delightful order of Fish and Chips. The restaurant apparently serves the 'Best of British' with dishes like the Welsh Cawl, Welsh Rarebit, Chicken Bonnie Prince Charlie, Irish Beef Stew a variety of sausages, Bangers and Mash, a nice selection of drinks and desserts like Sherry Trifle and Bread and Butter Pudding.    

Next to it is SoHo8 which serves good burgers made with 6 ozs of Australian Beef. Have it classic or with blue cheese served with English chips and salad. 

Where: 

SoHo8 is at G/FF. 8 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central. Tel: +852 2536 9068

Yorkshire Pudding is at G/F Staunton Street, SoHo, Central. Tel: +852 2536 9968

- Elaine