Can you say 'DOH' Nut

One of the highlights of my trip to HK this time was a visit to that renown American brand institution, Krispy Kreme. Today was Visit #3 and I think I have just about topped out on sugared doughnuts (although quite how they are managing to absolutely make a foul mockery of their Lattes, using Illy coffee is quite beyond me, hence I just order the straight regular coffee)

At HKD10 a pop (or DOH), it's not cheap. 2 doughnuts and a cup of regular coffee sets you back RM15 (around HKD38). And I seem to be on a waistline expanding suicide mission to try all of them - pity they don't have a Krispy Kreme checklist at the website.

So far I've tried Original Glazed (me likee), Powdered Strawberry (me sucker for jelly doughnuts), Glazed Raspberry (nice!), Chocolate Iced Kreme filled (sickly sweet and all 380 calories mean I'm never eating that one again but if you're a creme-eggs person, probably might be your thing), Chocolate Iced Custard Filled (grew on me)...as you can see from the checklist, at least a few more to try out although I think I've DOH-ed out. (or maybe my pocket has). Also, eating it prompts terrible guilt and then the need to sweat it out somehow to compensate for the huge quantity of calories consumed.

Why are Americans fat? Ask uncle Krispy Kreme.

And in case you're wondering what in heaven's name is the appeal - they're soft, fluffy, just the right bite, sugary without being messy and frankly, brilliant with coffee - if only they'd get the god-damned Illy right!

Return of the Supermarket Addict

Found a new supermarket in HK to trawl although I must admit, 360 is not as fun as Olivers. They apparently belong to the same owner but I think my taste runs more in the direction of Olivers and CitySuper - 360 is the brand new as organic as it gets supermarket at Landmark in Central, HK.

Okay, I admit, it would be nice to be able to go totally organik but I'm not sure how many wallets would be able to tolerate that. There is in my most humble gastronomic opinion, a line to be drawn - fresh produce being organik is great but do I want to go as far as say, going organik right down to my car wash, washing up liquid and chocolate chip cookies? (although alledgedly they taste better - the cookies!)

Still I suppose one shouldn't poo-pooh the organic revolution - it is a worthy cause, a good cause and a healthier option food wise. And no doubt the people behind 360 did their market research before committed to the gigantic venture (rent in that place notwithstanding)...

Perhaps another trawl would be merited...

I am a Supermarket Addict

In 36 hours since landing in HK, I've been to my favourite supermarket, City Super in the IFC no less than 4 times. Never buying much but simply gawking at the aisles and contemplating HKD72 dollar puddings and HKD36 dollar Mueller's Yoghurt Corners (outrageous really but...)

Admittedly it is very sad for someone to be spending at least 45 minutes of their time in a supermarket not buying anything but simply gawking at the umpteen different types of butter and the availability of every kind of chocolate under the planet - for those who are wondering what I'm looking at, it's deciding if gourmet chocolate like Michael Cuizel (mentioned in this book called Temptation, a book best described as a 'scholarly look into the world of Chocolate' - you may have heard of wine grand cru - but chocolate grand cru?) is really worth buying or should one go with the now very Establishment-unhip Green and Black (organic but owned by Cadbury - some contradictions there) or perhaps the tried and very very tested Valrhona. Or maybe just save the bucks for something else.

Two items caught my attention:


The Bagels - I have a weakness for bagels. They cost the stupid earth and beyond in KL (seen the price at BSC? - perhaps it is time to learn how to make the little buggers) and are foul and frozen. Fresh ones necessitate a visit to Bagel Station in Avenue K - far too far for a bagel.

Then there was this!

My branding fascination reached new heights with this. Who said Brits are stodgy? THey certainly aren't when it comes to food and food packaging (Innocent smoothies get my vote for starting this trend). The name of course, invokes all manner of the right feelings and sensations, when it comes to deep, dark, sinful, straight of the Menu in Satan's Kitchen chocolate pudding - GU. What a name. Goo. Perfect when you think of chocolate pud, dripping with thick chocolate sauce. And of course, black packaging. Perfect to create that illusion of something exclusive, refined and totally classy. (black clearly, is still the new black, is still the new black) - it's a pity black's conventional association as a clothing colour ("slimming") has zero application when it's used to wrap the mother of all calorific sins....

HKD76 - but damn, can't well have it without some cream poured over it now can you? Memo to self - check out price of microwavable chocolate pud at Marks and Sparks...

Tomorrow - Krispy Kreme and Why Americans are Understandably Obese...

The Language Snob...

Poor signage never ceases to amaze me and is quite frankly inexcusable in an upmarket establishment like oh say, 2Utama.
















No doubt the use of the double M is to make sure that customers REALLY KNOW it's REALLY COMING.

This next one was spotted on the MidLevels Escalator in Hong Kong where I'm presently encsconced, doing nothing much, save walking around with my virtual red pen to correct grammatical and spelling errors.















Particularly like the "Intelligence Home System", the "Maid Service Apartment" and I had to do a double take on the 'best chocie in Central' - wondering if it had been a typo that meant the best choccie (chocolate) in town.