THE PRINCIPAL

New eateries are openning up like wild fire, it is just not possible to stay in touch with 'the scene' regardless of how one tries. We were at The Principal recently, a member of the Press Room Group, and without any doubt it stands out amidst that minefield of competitors.  Located at the old Cina Citta site at the western end of Star Street across PP3 the decor is spacious, modern, clean, unobstructive and matches the elements of conductive fine dining.

Spanish Chef Jonay Armas hails from Tenerife and at the tender age of 31 he can look in the eyes of some tired chefs in town and eat not only their lunches, but breakfasts and dinners as well. He has further defined creativity, with an Iberico slant. Bored by big-wick chefs and Michelin stars galore these days we welcome Chef Jonay's cuisine and this is why ....

*  amuse bouche of truffled runny egg
*  minced crab, pickles, pear & ginger chutney
*  smoked Dutch eel, herring roe, pineapple ice cream, tomato textures
*  foie micuit, rhubarb compote, apple cru, buckwheat brioche
*  tomato tartare, dates, ajoblanco
*  suckling pig with lemon puree, sauteed red endives & pomergranate reduction
*  violet sponge, berries, yoghurt sorbet, pistachio puree & honeycomb

Adding to this delicious Degustation Menu we also had Martinis, house snacks of popcorn & Wasabi dusted Macademians, a nice Bodega, plus petit fours and potent Espressos ... at $1200 per head ... I can almost call it a steal!

The Principal @ 9 Star Street Wanchai ... Manager Joanne Sutherland (852) 2563 3444 

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

I was Honorary Aide-de-Camp from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force at Government House, on Her Majesty's last visit to the Colony. I was posted with the crew to accompany her to Shatin for the Queen's Cup Race, and I was able to watch her in close quarters.  I was awed by her regal presence, my first and most likely last encounter with a reigning monarch.  Did you watch the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, especially the Flotilla of Thousand Boats on The Thames?  Did you notice she was on her feet for 3-4 hours, in typical London elements?  How did she manage, at 86?  

God Save the Queen .... the National Anthem.  I always wonder why it is not God Save(s) the Queen but I guess the one upstairs has to be 1st person singular, always.  I was in 3 different official occasions when it was played, or sung.  First; when I was at St. Paul's when a member of the royal family paid a visit, I was singing it with the chorale.  Second; when Prince Charles presented a new Military Standard to the RHKAAF, I was the Uncasing Officer ie I removed the Standard aka flag in laymen terms, from its case, for the first time, before the Prince. Third; at the Queen's visit.  We were taught to stand at attention, and salute if in uniform.  I wanted to do exactly that throughout the weekend, whenever the National Anthem was played.    

God Save Our Gracious Queen, Long Live Our Noble Queen
God Save the Queen
Send Her Victorious, Happy and Glorious, Long to Reign Over Us
God Save the Queen

Indeed, may she live a long life, and may she continue to reign ....