Q&A: Deborah Simms: A Hong Kong icon of health and fitness

Deborah Simms, 37, body beautician, sculpts some answers for P.Ramakrishnan

Q: Favourite bar/club?
Deborah Simms: I don't go clubbing that much, I love to dance but I'm not going to bars. My regular hang outs in the evening are either the office or my home.

Q: Favourite drink?
DS: Right now, I drink a lot of cranberry juice Alcoholic dink? I like my champagne.

Q: What are you listening to?
DS: I'm into New Age music - Ton O'Connor, Enigma, that sort of stuff. I like pop music and I like tunes I can dance to.

Q: Favourite restaurant?
DS: Right now it's Thai Basil in Pacific Place. It's not just Thai food, it's pan-Asian.

Q: Can you cook?
DS: I'm sure if I tried I'd be able to do it - I just don't have time to cook.

Q: What's your fantasy night out?
DS: Lots of dancing. From the time I go out to the time I get home, loads of dancing.

Q: How much does a night out cost you?
DS: It depends where I go. If I go out for dinner and drinks, it can be anywhere from HK$3000-$5000.

Q: Is Hong Kong a 24-hour city?
DS: Definitely. At 2am, if I feel like dancing, I can head out to Lan Kwai Fong or, if I want to eat, I'd head out to Causeway Bay. There are so many places open in Causeway Bay late at night.

Q: Favourite movie?
DS: Recently, the Mel Gibson movie What Women Want. I thought it was really good. Bascally I don't have time to watch movies, but when I do, it's usually a Hollywood movie. I saw Rush Hour 2 and I thought Jackie Chan did a really good job with Chris whatshisname. [Tucker!].

Q: Favourite movie stars?
DS: I like to watch Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves. They haven't done anything recently that's been good but I like watching them all the same.

Q: Where do you like to shop in Hong Kong?
DS: Pacific Plae - D&G, Dior, Celine... all my favourites are there.

Q: Favourite outfit?
DS: Any of my D&G clothes fit the bill. I don't sully wear jeans but recently I got a pair from D&G and I wear them a lot more than usual.

Q: What can't you say no to?
DS: My kids. Also, I can't say no to Haagen-Dazs.

Q: Who are your heroes?
DS: Mother Teresa and Princess Diana. They believed in what they did and went for it. They didn't hesitate. They didn't let obstacles get in the way of their vision. I follow that philosophy as well. I believe in what I can do and I go for it. My company was launched in 1996 and I'm very happy with my decision. So far, so good.

Eating Out: TGI Friday's: Restaurant Review:

2.5 out of 5 stars. 

At TGI Friday's there's more to be said about the atmosphere than the food but on a Friday night, perhaps that's just what you're looking for. Music, lights, sports, beer and uncomplicated meals that require no explanation. The formula has worked - ever since opening its first store in New York in 1965, it has expanded to 650 branches in 52 countries. It was launched as a singles' bar for the partying 20-somethings from the swinging 60s, but times have clearly changed, even if the furnshings have not.

With balloons, multicoloured fake Tiffany lamps over red-and-white striped tablecloths, walls festooned with relics (some might view them as varnished trash, others, interesting curios) and brightly attired waiters - with suspenders holding big pins - Friday's screeches "theme restaurant", a humble ode for nostalgic Americans yearning for the golden days. \

The menu is huge, but there's nothing that's not available elsewhere - usually at a fraction of the cost. Grilled steaks, seafood, burgers of all kind, fajitas, pastas... it's the place to go to when you don't want any surprises. 

For our starter, my friend and I chose to share the vegetable fajitas ($88), which turned out to be the best dish of the evening. It might sound healthy, but it really wasn't - the fried, mixed chunky veggies (carrots, zucchini, peppers, onions etc) tasted amazing once in the fresh tortillas and smothered with guacamole, sour cream, cheddar cheese, tomatoes and salsa. 

For the main course, my friend chose the Jack Daniel's salmon steak ($168). The ample steak was surprisingly sweet and seemed to have been dippd in mild sugar water rather than Tennessee bourbon. My chicken alfredo ($128), a tasty, sliced grilled-chicken breast on a bed of creamy pasta, was pretty good - definitely more chicken than pasta, although the massive portion bordered on the ridiculous. 

We bypassed their famed Oreo-cookie delight and decided to share the mocha mud pie ($78) - a decadent serving of coffee ice-ream crusted with chocolate crumbs, almond slices and hot fudge. 

Dinner for two came to $620 (10 per cent service charge included). 

4-5 Floor, Oterprise Square, 26 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 

Tel: 2368 2800 Open: Sunday-Thursday, 11:20am-midnight; friday and Saturday, 11.30am-1am. 

$$$ 

Published in South China Morning Post's short-lived weekly magazine;24/7. This was obviously written when TGIF first opened in Hong Kong. 

All prices in HKD - not to alarm the reader!

Q&A: Vivian Lau: Interview with Miss Hong Kong 2000: South China Morning Post

Miss Hong Kong 2000 Vivian Lau gives a model set of answers to P.Ramakrishnan.

Q: Favourite bar/club?
I don't go to bars or clubs.

Q: What is your poison?
Liars.

Q: What are you listening to?
R&B and Canto-pop.

Q: Is there a song that always makes you dance?
Sowing The Seeds Of Love.

Q: What song tells you that it's time to go home?
Where Did Your Heart Go? by Wham.

Q: What is your favourite film and why?
The Negotiator - it was so cool.

Q: What is your favourite item of clothing?
Jeans. I am crazy about jeans. I like to get them in North America.

Q: Worst fashion decision?
I bought a pair of five-inch heals once.

Q: Who is your hero?
My parents and my piano teacher.

Q: How do you like to relax?
Going to a really nice cafe and having dessert.

Q: What's the most exciting thing you have ever done?
Joining the Miss Hong Kong Pageant and winning.

Q: Who would you most like to be trapped in a lift with?
A humorous guy.

Q: How do you contribute to society?
I treat people very nicely and hopefully they will do the same to others. Also, I am quite environmentally friendly.

Q: What is your motto?
Seize the day.

Eating Out: Cat Street Cafe: Dino's: Jhankar: Restaurant reviews for 24/7: South China Morning Post

Cat Street Cafe

Cat Street Cafe is split into two sections, the karaoke bar and restaurant. Unluckily, we arrived at 9.15pm - just after the karaoke kicked off and just before happy hour ended. Warbling wannabes screeched Canto-pop at the top of their voices while we sipped pre-dinner drinks that failed to pack a punch ($25 during happy hour, $40 at other times).

After that our waitress couldn't find a wine list, so we looked over laminated strips of paper that constituted the main menu and the waitress indicated which items were "sold out" - most of them.

Our starters arrived, soaked in grease, with shrivelled, shredded onion slices lurking at the bottom of my onion soup ($38). For the main course, we ordered a 10-inch pizza capricciosa ($98), which surprisingly came with pineapple (not listed in the ingredients ), which I am allergic to.

Our grand finale was the steak, with a side order of borderline sauce. The large slab of meat was rubbery, while the accompanying heavily oiled fries and florets of broccoli weren't worth wasting calories on.

Our bill came to $530 for two - a lot of money, considering the quality. At the end of the day, this is more karaoke bar than restaurant.

14-18 Laura Road, Wan Chai.
Tel: 2865 1008. Open:11.30am-3.30pm, 6pm-11pm, karaoke 9pm-late.
$$$

May 18 - May 24, 2001



Dino's

As it's part of the Harbour Plaza Hotel, you might expect this Italian eatery to be an impressive suit-and-tie affair. It's not. The convivial restaurant has two painted circus tents for the ceiling that shade just a few tables, while others are left victim to local weather conditions.

We started off with warm "Mama's minestrone" ($45) while sipping a well-priced red Montepulcianod' Abruzzo ($185 bottle). Olive oil lovers might relish the greasy bruschetta ($45) - warm bread topped with tomato, basil and garlic flavour.

My friend had a creamy roast cod steak ($110), delicious and perfectly cooked, but it came with a few bland potatoes and vegetables devoid of flavour. My Verdure pizza with a topping of grilled seasonal vegetables ($70) was also a disappointment, a textbook creation that tasted too plain. We skipped the deserts on offer 0 tiramisu, panna cotta and frozen sabayon (all $50).

Still, the marquee restaurant is popular - the fantastic view of Victoria Harbour is reason enough to keep Dino's busy. The bill for two came to $594, including service charge.

Address: Harbour Plaza Hotel, 20 Tak Fung Street, Hunghom.
Tel: 2621 3188.
Open: Sun-Thur noon-1am; Fri-Sat noon-2am.
$$$

Jhankar

Jhankar is yet another eatery in the overcrowded streets between Jordon and Yau Ma Tei. Serving mostly south Indian food with a few Thai dishes as well, it's easy to miss as it occupies the second floor of Double Set Commercial Centre, but even on a rain-lashed week night, the restaurant had a good turnout.

It's surprising because the interior isn't impressive; the stained and decrepit carpet, cheesy postcard-plastered walls, garish pink tablecloths and the Christmas-light festooned windows had my friend wanting to head for the exit. But by the end, we were glad we stayed.

We stuck with Indian dishes. A plain naan bread ($10), followed by a buttered one ($12) while we sipped our beers ($18), was a great way to start what became a feast. Our helpful waitress suggested a simple vegetable curry ($35) with the bread. We were glad she did, as it was the perfect accompaniment.

Patience is called for because as the menu indicated, each item is individually made and there's a time lag between dishes. Another serving of bread was in order so we tried the fantastic khurmi naan ($12). Warm and slightly charred, it was filled with garlic, tomato, chilli and served with a spinach yoghurt dipping sauce. It was a finger-licking delight and the highlight of the meal.

The main course - chicken biryani in basmati rice ($35) - was, unfortunately, a bit of an anti-climax. The rice and chicken were dry and bland, so we spiced it up with a delightful chicken korma - boneless meat marinated in seasoned yoghurt and curry ($48).

This is a backpacker's paradise. With generous portions at cheap prices, it's a winner when strapped for cash, starving and craving curry. The total with two beers and two soft drinks came to $149.

Address: 2/f Double Set Commercial Centre, 37a-37b Jordan road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.
Tel; 9206 4134. 

Open: Monday-Friday 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-midnight.
Saturday and Sunday 12.30am-midnight.
$

Q&A Denise Ho: Interview with Hong Kong Pop Star Denise Ho in South China Morning Post: 2010

Singer and guitarist Denise Ho strings along P.Ramakrishnan.

Q: Favourite bar/club in Hong Kong?
I don’t have a favourite bar or club. I don’t like noisy places and I don’t really drink. When I go out with my friends, any place that has nice music is good for me.

Q” What’s your poison?
Coca-Cola. I’m not into heavy drinks.

Q: What do you only do for pleasure?
Sing and play my guitar.

Q: What are you listening to?
I’m listening to a lot of Japanese albums and Riato’s Night on Earth.

Q: Is there a song that always makes you dance?
Any song with a good beat.

Q: What can’t you say no to?
Music.

Q: Worst fashion decision?
I don’t’ really like wearing dresses. I’m a jeans and T-shirt girl. I had to wear a brown and beige checkered dress for a dinner once and it was awful.

Q: What is your favourite outfit?
For formal occasions, I like tailor made suits. Otherwise, jeans and a T-shirt. I keep it simple.

Q: How do you relax?
I actually like to go to my ‘office’, the company I work for. I go there to jam with my friends. If I get any free time, I'm there playing. At home, I get on to ICQ on the Internet and I can chat with friends over the Web.

Q: How much does a normal night out cost you?
I don’t go out and spend money partying. I spend all my money on guitars. I have eight of them.

Q: Is Hong Kong a 24-hour city?
Yes, I like knowing there’s a always a 7-Eleven shop open!

Q Describe your fantasy night out.
Anywhere by the beach, or doing anything I can’t do right now.

Q: What do you contribute o society?
My music.

Q: What is the most outrageous thing you've ever done?
I haven’t really done anything wild. I’m a plain and simple girl.

Q: What is your motto?
Just to be myself. Whatever I’m doing, it’s good and I’m being myself when I do it.

Eating out: Next River: Restaurant Review published in 24/7 by South China Morning Post

Next River
***

Good Japanese food is a delight, affordable Japanese an event greater one. With Japanese food, you need value for money, not just décor. Next River is surprisingly satisfactory and as “River Salmon Pro-shop” (the other name on the sign) indicates, this is the place for salmon lovers. With about two dozen seats, the tiny sushi bar is easy-to-miss at the World Trade Centre. Without a room or walls there was absolutely no privacy.

As we mulled over the lengthy menu (a degree of repetition of salmon-based options withstanding), a waitress placed two glasses of steaming green tea, in earthenware cups and two small dishes of complimentary appetizers. We dipped our chopsticks into the sumptuous slices of aubergine marinated in a sweet soy and vegetable sauce and covered in bonito flakes. It was love at first bite and we were ready for the main affair.

Not only did the menu describe what was in the food, there were corresponding pictures that made decisions easier. From a long list of standard Japanese delicacies, we opted for the salmon sushi platter. Aesthetically decorated, it offered a few novel twists. There was a buttery avocado slice pasted between the rice and fish, another one of the fresh rolls had a tiny dab of caviar crowning it and yet another was topped with green herbs. We devoured them within minutes, abandoning our chopsticks as we went for seconds with our hands.

For the main course, the “salmon sushi pizza” caught our eye immediately. Expecting a large, crusty pizza base covered in cheese and slabs of salmon, we awaited an east-meets-west horror. However, a long tray with a large, circular heap of orange mush was placed on our table.

We hesitantly bit into what we discovered was a crispy rice cake base topped with bright orange salmon eggs. Scrumptious. We were fooled by the size and thought we should order more, but we couldn’t’ finish the rich pizza.

There wasn’t a large variety of meat (there were one or two beef alternatives and more seafood) or drinks available, but popular Japanese beers Kirin and Asahi were available for $27. Soft drinks were only &17.

Our meal, 10 per cent service charge included, came to $186. For a quick bite of affordable, modern Japanese cuisine, this is a winner.

Shops 421-423, World Trade Centre,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Open: 11am – 11pm
$

UPDATE: The place shut a few years ago. } You'll find this note a lot. Legend has it 80% of restaurants in Hong Kong barely make it over a decade. 

Eating out: Restaurant Reviews of Wolf, Jah and others in 24/7 by South China Morning Post

WOLF
****
The arteries behind Mitsukoshi are always teeming as the fashionable and famished spill out of minibuses, taxis and the MTR to shop and dine it the heart of Causeway Bay.

Among the clutter of shops and restaurants, Wolf stands head and shoulders above the riff-raff and kitsch-cuisine. The shutters go up before noon and don’t come down till well after 2am, but the kitchen door closes at 10 when the bar/restaurant drops the suffix and the music turns up a notch… or two.

Mirrored walls give it a “big” look, but this little join seats 20 people at most and this has forced the establishment to provide quality service and attention to loyal clientele. Although I hadn’t been back to the Wolf for a while (the restaurant provides an excellent set lunch for $58), the staff remembered me well enough to quickly give us a table.

For appetizers, my friend Kristin chose the smoked salmon salad with avocado and crab meat ($88), while I opted for the Parma ham and spinach salad ($78). While the fine slivers of ham were quality and the spinach fresh, it was no match for my companion’s salmon salad. We bore no grudges for the extra minute it took to prepare as we wolfed down slices of salmon wrapped around clumps of crab meat and avocado.

For main course, the grilled duck-breast with orange glaze and pesto risotto ($120) was as mouth-watering as it sounds.

My friend had the grilled rare tuna with tomato and mushroom risotto that included two huge chunks of perfectly cooked tuna. It was wonderfully seared, peppery outside and was beautifully red and rare inside. The risotto was an excellent earthy accompaniment.

The small dessert menu was shortened when the waiter mentioned they were out of the blueberry cheesecake ($42), which I was hoping to try. Artfully presented, every dish we had was a delight. Don’t let the slick look, music and lighting of the place fool you into thinking its just a bar, when its so much more.

With a bottle of Penfolds 128 Shiraz ($328) and the obligatory 10 per cent service charge, the bill for two came to $911.

G/f 1 Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay.
Open: noon – 2am (last orders for dinner 10pm)
$$$

JAH
**

Walking into Jah, the funky new restaurant opposite what was the Yellow Frog on Peel Street, we noticed how small the tables were - a sure sign this place is more about atmosphere than the food. We were told it was a cyber cafe, but with just two terminals in front of the toilets, it's not the most obvious Internet stop.

As the restaurant was promoting its imported Spanish beer, Sol, we tried the two-for-one bottle deal which was pleasing enough, and started our meal with a chicken Caesar salad ($85).

To my mind, a simple dish made well is the mark of a great chef. Clearly we were testing ours. What we got was lettuce leaves completely soaked in dressing, croutons replaced with two large slabs of garlic bread and four little tomatoes.

For the main course we chose a crispy-base pizza with our choice of topping ($85), and a Jah special - sweet and sour sauce on steamed rice, with a choice of pork, chicken or shrimp ($75-$85).

The base on the pizza was great, but the cheese topping smothered the smoked salmon, olives and pepper. The sweet and sour chicken was mediocre.

Dessert was a complete disaster. Chosen from a display case, the chocolate fudge cake had dried out and the apple pie seemed to be straight out of a box. Both proved unpalatable, but the waitress, after seeing the extent of the leftovers, decided not to charge us.

The bill came to $412 including 10 per cent service charge. Tasteful, if not tasty. Wet your lips at Jah, but skip the meals.


G/f, 20-26 Peel Street, Central.
Tel: 2581 1025.
Open: Monday-Thursday noon-1am; Friday and Saturday noon-2am.
$$

UPDATE: Since publishing in the early 2000s, both places have since shut.