Hong Kong with family

[crawfish]

I have visited Hong Kong and China many times for business but this time my husband and 11 year old son will be joining me for 5 days at the end. My husband and I are pretty adventorous eaters (for Canadians) but my son is less so. He loves har gow, char sui, squid and plain white rice. We will be eating primarily Chinese food but I don't want hm to feel too hard done by. We're staying at the Holiday inn in TST. We like to just wander around and explore neighbourhoods so I'd like to have a list of food possibilities scattered around the city with a few destination restaurants that we'll plan a day around. I don't want anything too fancy because we don't dress up or make reservations. If you could indicate the addresses and nearest MTR stop it would be very helpful. I have tried to do my own research before coming to you, oh China & Southeast Asia Chowhounds, but you all know the terrain so well it is hard to follow your conversations. Here's what I've got so far:

Tim Ho Wan - I know there are line ups so we'll plan a bit for this.
seafood, Lamma Island or Sai Kun? - I have done the pick your live seafood type restaurants in China but always with a Chinese national to negotiate the deal with fantastic results but can a non-Chinese speaker order something delicious with just pointing?
Won ton soup - there's a place I've been before on Middle Road across the street from the Sheraton Hotel in TST but if you have other suggestions that would be great
Dim sum - I've been to Maxim's and I know it is not your favorite but it is great theatre. It would be good to have another option though in case we don't have time/patience to wait in another line.
Sichuan - San Xi Lou?
Shenzhen - we'll go for a day. I had an pretty good meal in Luohu once but I have never been able to find the same place again. Any ideas for easy to find casual restaurants near Luohu or Dong Men?
Street food market - Temple Street Market?
Brew pub - The Pawn?

Also we will be there the week of the May 1st holiday, is the city going to be a mad house? Will restaurants be open? Definitely not a good day to go to Shenzhen but would the border have calmed down by the 3rd?

I really appreciate your help!

[Charles Yu]

For Won Won Soup. Take the MTR to Jordan and eat at ' Mak Man Kee ' instead! Try out the melt-in-the-mouth tender braised beef brisket and tendons as well as the 'Penny hot sauce shredded pork lo-mien'. Sweet and a little bit spicy!! Yummmm!

For Dim Sum. Celestial Court inside the Sheraton down the road is pretty good. Otherwise, if you folks would like to splurge a bit, head across to the Intercontinental and try the Michelin 1* Yan Toh Heen. Reserve a window table and enjoy the food and great view!!

Both Lamma and Sai Kung will be a great experience for you all! Nowadays, most places have staff that speak English. For sure, Rainbow in Lamma and Loaf on in Sai Kung have bilingual staffs since they have tons of tourist patrons!!

For Canadians, Temple Street Market at night should be FUN!!! In addition to the street food. Try shopping for a 'remote control toy helicopter'!! About 1/3 Canadian price!! Your son will love it!!

BTW, I'm also a fellow Canadian, lives in Richmond Hill and spend about a month in HK every year!

[crawfish]

Thank you, Charles! I know you well through your frequent posts on this board and the Ontario board.

Any suggestions for a pub? I'm always pretty tired of Tsing Tao by the end of my trip and craving something a little more flavourful. And my husband is a bit of a beer hound. :)

[PhilD]

Look up Hong Kong Brew House which is part of a chain, the brewhouse itself is in Lan Kwai Fong but thy ave other outlets. My preference though is The Globe in Graham Street in Soho, i like the feel of the place better, as it feels more pubby and probably more family friendly. Both do HK brewed beers.

[crawfish]

Thanks, PhilD, that looks perfect!