Yorkshire Pudding

I really like the Soho section of Hong Kong Island. There is sort of organized chaos that creates a unique presence.
This is a fun little English pub right next to the escalator at the mid-​levels. I could always recognize this place because of the big fish tank inside but now it’s gone so I’ll have to come up with another internal landmark. You can get an uninterrupted view of humanity cruising by on the escalators depending upon where you sit.
This is a traditional English pub with draft beers and a selection of anything from bangers and mash to fish-​n-​chips to English shepherd pie.
I opted for the English shepherd pie which is made of real English sheperds — okay maybe that part isn’t true… The waitress warned me it may be a bit too much food. Heh, I’m 6’5″ and got his big eating pretty much anything and everything as a kid so I’m thinking «bring it». Challenge accepted. In a world of bite-​size kiddie portions this is a decent plate of food but child’s play for a big eater. As for taste it was okay but nothing too special. The pie itself comes with mashed potties on top and also a see of fries. Lots of spuds.
Beers. Good stuff. They have Carlsburg, Asahi, Guinness, and Blanc to name a few. They’ve also got some of the hard stuff if that’s what you prefer. Happy specials run here from 3 PM to 7 PM daily.
Wait staff here is cordial and attentive but you tend to have to flag them down if you need anything.
All in all this is a good spot for a beer and a view.

This is absolutely my go to place for SoHo people watching. The corner seat at the window puts you right at the point where pedestrians going up and down the walkways pass just meters from your seat.
I have only gotten apps and dessert here. Honestly nothing mind blowing, though they talk a lot about their recent renovations and menu changes. Honestly, I thought it looked better when they had the tube station graphics.
But, again– if I’m in the mood to have a couple of pints and watching people in SoHo, you’ll likely find me here.

There are so many good pubs in Hong Kong, I find it hard to imagine why you would want to go here.
Plus points. It’s pretty central, it has big open windows for some people watching.
Negative points. It’s got standard beers and nothing very different or interesting, it’s expensive, it’s styled on a traditional British pub (yes this is the worst point, why travel all this way — if your a tourist — to go to a British bar).
Not one I would rush back to, but did a decent pint of Ashai and we spent an hour dodging the rain storm, chatting to locals and watching the world go by.

It’s hard to miss this place when coming off the escalators. One night my friend dragged me in and said I must try their dessert. He wasn’t wrong.
I really like their apple cobbler followed by a pint of beer. They cobbler comes out hot with some cold vanilla ice cream so it’s very delicious.
I haven’t tried any of their actual food but the menu has a lot of British pub favorites.

Coming up the escalator at Staunton Street, it’s hard to miss the bright red «tube station» on the corner. No, this isn’t a the London Underground station of Yorkshire Pudding, but in fact a restaurant.
Part of the Staunton group, Yorkshire Pudding claims to be the Soho district’s first real British gastro pub. OK, first maybe, but gastro (which according to the original term should really imply high-​end food and drink)? I’m not so sure. Yes, Yorkshire Pudding does serve food and drink, but to me it is pub grub, and a good selection of drinks, at best.
The food is good, with a wide selection of British fare; shepherd’s pie, sunday roast for two, full English brekkie, Welsh rarebit, as well as British style curries (as we did invent the curry after all!). There is a large selection, with all the dishes well portioned and well prepared, but not the best I’ve seen in HK. For example, at HKD168 for a shepherd’s pie here, you can get a better tasting dish twice the size for less than HKD100 in Wan Chai. Obviously real estate in Soho is that much more expensive!
However, let me end on a positive and list some things I like. Their pre-​meal «bread», where rather than serving bread and butter, they serve a Yorkshire pudding with gravy. Nice touch, if you like Yorkshires. Their set Christmas dinner, which is one of the best I’ve had in HK. It’s really home style and reminds me of cold winters in Slough. It’s a shame that it only comes around once a year. Their Brussels sprouts and bacon bits. Who would have thought that adding bacon to your Brussels and sautéing them (rather than the school dinner boiled to death) would actually make them taste good?
The location is great, especially for meeting people, as it can’t be missed on Staunton Street. The interior of the bar side can get a little cramped of an evening, but it you manage to snag the booth by the fish tanks, it’s a little more comfortable.