Loving your Laksa

Laksa lovers look no further. I've checked out Pasar, both in Wanchai and in Central, and am happy to report that they serve up a superlative bowl of this spicy, aromatic comfort food.

The Laksa Supreme (with prawn, fish cakes, squid balls, tofu and egg) costs $68, and you can also opt for Laksa Special (shrimp, cockles, fish cakes, squid balls and tofu) at $48 and Laksa with Singaporean Chicken for the same price. If you're a veggie don't despair, the staff at this friendly joint are happy to omit the meat and fish and prepare a morning glory, tofu and beansprout stuffed version to make sure you don't miss out on this creamy delight.

If Laksa isn't your thing there are plenty of other Singaporean dishes on the menu, from beef rendang to fried carrot cake with shrimp to grilled sambal stingray (much recommended by a friend). They also do lunch and afternoon tea sets if you're on a budget.

Central location - 2/F, Yu Wing Building, 64 - 66 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 3693 4448

Wanchai Location - 97 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: 3168 2057

A deli-icious slice of home life

As insignificant as it sounds, one of the things that I really miss about living in Europe is popping into the local cheesemonger and stocking up on delicious treats at the tiny Italian deli just around the corner from my old flat. To my mind there's nothing finer than a warm, crispy baguette, a crumbling hunk of Montgomery cheddar, a couple of slices of delicious wafer thin ham and a glass of red wine. I can happily spend half an hour in the cheesemonger breathing in the comforting aromas of extra mature stilton and gently oozing brie, and I love the deli for the lingering smells of Spanish legs of ham and really good olive oil.

I've been missing that in Hong Kong, and although I'm a big fan of Cantonese cuisine there's nothing quite like the therapeutic whiffs of ham and cheese to make me feel comforted and at home. I was delighted, therefore, to stumble across Olala in Wanchai. It's a rare find in this crazy city: a small, wood furnished, simple French deli / brasserie tucked away just off Star Street.

For the princely sum of $72 (£4.50) you get two simple, but hearty courses from the set menu and $98 (£6.30) gets you three. The set menu is excellent value and offers bistro staples like steak frites, a plat du jour and a good, but straightforward lamb dish. None of that for me though, I sprinted straight towards the display of hams, salamis and cheeses stacked under the deli counter. As soon as you walk through the small door the smell of them hits you, and although they cost more at about $120 a plate each it's well worth it. There's a good selection of cheeses and cold meats to choose from and they can all be accompanied by decent French wine. I was extra nice to the staff there; I’m going to need them on my side when I end up at the door happily sniffing the air and completely oblivious to anything else that’s happening around me.

Olala – 1 Electric Steet, G/F, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2294 0450.