The area around Star Street in Wan Chai has been booming and evolving, and each visit has resulted in numerous quaint restaurant discoveries. Instrumental in driving up the gourmet-meter is the Olala empire, which started with its original French restaurant on Electric Street, and has since then spawned into the Olala Charcuterie on Star Street and the Olala noodle restaurant on St. Francis Street.

Don't be fooled into thinking that these are small little neighborhood restaurants, as these are gourmet neighbourhood restaurants for the sophisticated tastebuds of residents living in the nearby area. At first glance, the Olala noodle restaurant looks like an unassuming diner, with its simple interior and lazy weekend vibe. A glance at the menu and prices may give you a better hint of what's to come.

There are around 10 Shanghai-nese side dishes to choose from, with choices ranging from Braised Ribs to Marinated Shanghai bamboo shoots, perfect companions to the main focus here, the noodles. It may seem like a simple noodle joint but the homemade noodles here come at a price. The chewy Dan Dan noodles, packed in the thick soup base will set you back HK$98 and their signature Beef noodle costs a potent HK$150. Other noodle entrees include Preserved Cabbage with Shredded Pork noodles, or Mushrooms with Gluten noodles.

Service here is quick and efficient, but don't expect anything fancy, except for its dessert menu, nothing Shanghainese here. A look at the dessert choices is a reminder of this empire's roots, with French dessert choices ranging from Mango cake, Crme Brulee and Apple Tart.

Even with the hefty price tag, Olala noodles must have their following as they have moved from their earlier location further up the road to this current larger premise at the intersection of St. Francis Street and Star Street. Proof that the Olala empire is the big brother of this area, Olala Charcuterie is just a step further down the block. This small delicatessen turned brasserie, serves up French homestyle dishes, such as Pork Rillette, linguine and lots of top quality Iberico Bellota ham. Same as its Chinese noodle counterpart, the dcor is simple, with large open windows. The message here is, without a doubt, simple gourmet food without pretensions.

It would seem that Olala's formula is working and is setting the tone for other establishments springing up around this area. The Star street restaurant scene has grown into a small haven offering up top quality sophisticated food in small neighborhood settings. A few steps down from Olala Chacuterie is the Mingcha Tea Bar and Salon. Elegant, sleek and classy, the shop not only sells fine Chinese tea leaves but also on offer are innovative tea leaf-inspired snacks and "tapas chinoiserie", including Rose Honey or Fu Yu Toast.

And of course, the now famous Star Street Shake 'Em Buns, the first shop of this quality burger joint, small but fantastic! Not your run of the mill shakes and burger, this place serves up quality HK$60 juicy burgers, with fun names such as the Missionary, Cushin for the Pushin', and the Guitar Shop Special. Non-burger temptations here include hot onion rings, popcorn chicken and serious milkshakes, such as the Blue Temptation.

Last but not least, the casual version of Hong Kong celebrity chef Jacky Yu's Xi Yan restaurant, Xi Yan Sweets, is just around the corner of Star Street. A fushion of Asian flavors, a modern combination of Thai, Chinese and Asian ingredients, this well-designed "contemporary art gallery" looking restaurant serves up good simple food at great prices!

So if you're a gourmet who is looking for a relaxed simple meal, then head to Star Street, as you're bound to be satisfied one way or another.

(HK Edition 06/11/2008 page4)