So surprise a High quality restaurant in Yuen Long

Review: Gem Restaurant in Yuen Long - A delightful and reliable choice for lunch set meals** **Date:** August 9, 2025 (Saturday) afternoon **Location:** Shops 7-9, G/F, Ming Zhu Building, 1-11 On Lok Road, Yuen Long **Average spending per person:** About HKD 200+ (including service charge) After strolling through the Yuen Long market on Saturday afternoon, I wanted to find a place to sit down and have a good meal away from the crowds, so I walked into "Gem Restaurant" located on the ground floor of Ming Zhu Building. The shop isn’t very big but is well-lit, simply and comfortably decorated, with a cozy vibe like a British community café, making it very comfortable to sit in. This time I mainly tried their **lunch set menu**, and the overall experience exceeded expectations, making it one of the better Western dining options in the Yuen Long area. **🥣 Starter: Borscht (Russian Soup)** The set includes a classic Hong Kong-style borscht. As soon as it arrived, the rich aroma of vegetables was noticeable. The soup had a moderate thickness and generous ingredients, with tender carrots, onions, cabbage, and a small amount of minced beef. The flavor was a balanced sweet and sour, appetizing and warming—perfect as a starter with just the right portion. **🍝 Main Course 1: D. Chicken Chop with Pesto Fettuccine (+HKD 98 for set main course price)** This was the highlight of the day! The chicken chop was pan-fried to a golden crisp, with crispy skin and tender meat, juicy with every bite, perfectly cooked. The key was the **“pesto”**—not the traditional basil pesto, but more like a homemade sauce blending herbs, garlic, and olive oil. It was a light green color, fresh and not greasy, with a subtle herbal aroma that perfectly coated every strand of fettuccine. The pasta was cooked al dente, with just the right amount of sauce—not watery nor too dry. This dish was refreshing yet satisfying, highly recommended. The portion was generous and definitely filling. **🥩 Main Course 2: J. Charcoal-Grilled Ribeye Steak (+HKD 148)** I chose **medium-well**; it arrived with beautiful charred grill marks, very appealing. When cut open, the inside was evenly pink, showing precise doneness. The meat itself was medium quality, not the melt-in-your-mouth premium wagyu, but the charcoal grilling gave it a strong aroma and rich flavor. The juices were fairly abundant, and it was delicious with just simple black pepper sauce or sea salt. For the price of a lunch steak, the value was reasonable, and the charcoal flavor was a plus. The texture was tender, not tough. **☕ Drink: Iced Spanish Coffee (+HKD 25)** Out of curiosity, I ordered this special drink. It had a layer of creamy milk foam on top and iced coffee underneath, which needed stirring before drinking. The texture was smooth, sweetness moderate, and the coffee wasn’t too acidic. It’s suitable for those who like sweet coffee and worth trying! **🍹 Drink: (Lunch) Gem Fruit Tea (+HKD 28)** As the restaurant’s signature drink, I had high expectations. It did not disappoint! Served in a tall glass, colorful with visible fresh fruit slices (like apple, orange, lemon, etc.). The tea base was lightly sweetened, naturally blending the fruit’s sweet and sour flavors without being overly sweet or artificial. Refreshing and thirst-quenching, it paired very well with the main courses. Highly recommended! **🍮 Dessert: Milk Pudding (+HKD 27)** A perfect ending to the set meal. The milk pudding was very smooth and silky, melting in the mouth with a rich but not heavy milky flavor. The sweetness was just right, making it a light and pleasant finish after the main courses. Simple but skillfully made. Recommended! Very tasty. **💁 Service and Environment:** The staff were friendly, proactive in taking orders, and the pace of service and food delivery was reasonable. The environment was clean and tidy, seating comfortable, and air conditioning sufficient. Note there is a **10% service charge**. **💰 Summary:** Gem Restaurant’s lunch set offers pleasant surprises. Especially the “Chicken Chop with Pesto Fettuccine,” which is uniquely flavorful and excellent; the charcoal-grilled ribeye steak is well-cooked with enticing smoky aroma; the fruit tea and milk pudding are also high quality. Overall, the food quality is solid and sincere, not typical of a regular cha chaan teng, leaning more towards refined Western casual dining. Prices are mid-to-high range for Yuen Long, but considering the food quality, environment, and service, it’s good value for money. Suitable for friends gathering, couples dining, or anyone wanting to quietly enjoy a quality Western meal. Next time in Yuen Long, I’d like to try their other dishes! **Recommended dishes:** Chicken Chop with Pesto Fettuccine, Gem Fruit Tea, Milk Pudding, Charcoal-Grilled Ribeye Steak (medium-well recommended)