[Levi]

Cheers everyone,

This is part 2 of my quest to plan the perfect evening to propose to my gf, provided I don't do it on the beach (for those that might have happened upon my earlier, proposal-related thread... you'll know what I'm talking about. For the rest, don't worry about it... I'm just babbling).

I'm hoping there are some of you out there that can help me out with my current ideas for restaurants, either with your opinions, recommendations, warnings, etc, etc.

I've already checked out the geoexpat recommendations for the 6 listed romantic restaurants. Here's sort of what I am thinking, plus my questions for all of you kind-hearted souls that can provide some advice for this pathetic boyfriend who can't decide for himself:

--The Verandah (although it is pushing the limit of my budget and travel required from my house). But, I've been there to look around, and it's a beautiful setting.

--M on the Fringe: seems to be highly regarded among restaurant reviews.

--Vong: also has good reviews, plus I read that the chef will help future husbands plant the ring somewhere in the food. Cool. BUT, from what I've read, it's a LOUD place. And also pushing my budget.

--Zahra: I found this place when I was looking for different ethnic places to take her. It seems it's quite small and thus also intimate and a good place for popping the question on her.

Here are some places that I was considering taking her just to try different foods but I have no idea about the ambiance:

1968 (Indonesian): the one on Observatory Ct. in TST

Song (Vietnamese): N. Hollywood Road, SOHO?

La Taverna (Italian): Ashley Rd, TST

Empire Bar (coffee, aperitiffs): SOHO

Can anyone tell me if any of these 8 that I've mentioned are really worth it, in terms of both food quality and ESPECIALLY ambiance and romance "quotient"?

Although I would prefer not to sacrifice the quality of the meal, I do want someplace quiet. Since I'll be on holiday, I do also have the time to have this dinner on a weekday too, if, for example, I absolutely shouldn't miss out on going to a over-popular place like Vong.

Thanks very much.
L

[discobay]

Ruth Chris's in TST East is quiet, exclusive and classy.

[Sazzy]

Ruth Chris' is very very expensive.

What about TOTT's - top floor of the Excelsoir Hotel - great food, quiet ambiance but it is a hotel restaurant.

What about eating somewhere and then popping the question on the star ferry?

[PDLM]

I know M, Vong, Song & the Empire Bar. I have to say I wouldn't say any of them are quiet and romantic. The first two can be loud, the third is quiet and nice, but not as dark & cosy as I would like for romantic. Empire bar is just a bar - not special enough.

Cinecitta would be good.

Less classy, but a great setting would be Cococabana on Lamma assuming the weather is good enough to sit on the terrace.

[Levi]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think I'll save Ruth's Chris for another night out with friends. I love steak, but she isn't crazy about it.

I have no problems with hotel restaurants, as they provide some of the nicest views. But I know very often the food may not be so great. Vong (in the Mandarin Oriental) may be an exception. Anyone eaten at Totts before?

On that note, I've heard the views from the restaurant at the top of the Conrad are great too, but once again... heard the food was mediocre, at best.

PDLM: thanks for the DL on M, Vong, Song, and Empire. I definitely want to avoid noise and crowds. If the food at Song is good (read: excellent), I wouldn't mind going there even if it isn't super dark and cozy. Any comments on the menu? Also, I wasn't going to ask the question in Empire, but thought it might be another nice, romantic, "chill" place to have a few drinks after dinner.

Hmm, yeah. Lamma is a bit far for me to trek. If I wanted outdoor dining, I'd probably just... I don't know, go to El Cid in Stanley. Heck, I could even go to any number of places on Knutsford Steps in TST (minus the sea view though).

Speaking of which... anyone have anything good to say about the food/romantic ambiance of any of the places at Knutsford Steps?

Some previous suggestions have been for Aqua in TST (although there is also another in Central or Causeway Bay...?). Great views, pricey and small portions, I've been told. How about overall romantic atmosphere?

Thanks again, everybody.

Cheers,
L

[hbrand]

My hubby took me and a friend to Aqua last Thursday and I thought it was beautiful, really really impressive. Ithink it would be romantic, just looking back at the city with the view is romantic.

I think it's really sweet you are putting in so much effort by the way!

[barryinchina]

Er, excuse my iggorance here, but the object of the exercise is to propose to your girlfriend and you are bitching and whining about expense? surely this is the last thing on your mind as you are about to unload all your worldly goods to this woman anyway... speaking as a bitter and twisted divorcee I say don't do it

[Levi]

hbrand,
Thanks. I'll have to stop by Aqua this weekend and take a look. You're the 3rd or 4th person that's mentioned it already.

Oh, I suppose most guys would say this but... if you knew the way I felt about her... she's worth the effort, even on her worst day.

Thanks again,
L

[mrcheese321]

Okay, this is on the (really) expensive side, but you did ask for suggestions...

Anyways, I think this would provide the perfect evening to propse on: http://www.heliservices.com.hk/promo...tions-pen.html

I'm sure being proposed to in a helicopter while on tour of the city would be something totally different and unexpected. And with this package, you get to chose any of the restaurants inside of the Peninsula that you want to eat at.

I personally would stay away from Felix though - it has a great reputation, but I personally didn't find it that special or unique.

I haven't tried any of the other places in the Penninsula yet, so I can't comment on them.

As for other restaurants, I too have heard that Aqua was great. And Caprice in the 4 seasons comes highy recommended by my father and he is harder to satisfy in a restaurant than the Zagat Survey people, so if he recommendeds it, it is probably pretty good. I haven't been there myself - I wasn't invited to that business dinner - but you might want to check that out too.

Let us know how the evening pans out,
c

[discobay]

Hey cheese, great sounding idea but what if she says NO - gonna be a little cramped in that cabin with no exit!