The beef-shank lollipop is meltingly tender and cooked with a rich sauce. Photo provided to China Daily

Savoring a Central 'outdoor oasis': A summer treat

Sweet taste of health

There were also a number of signature cocktails. One of my friends chose a Butcher's Bleeding Mary, which looked delicious with its slice of crispy bacon and fresh rosemary garnish.

We started with quesadillas, which came with chicken or beef fillings and were served with guacamole, sour cream and salsa pico de gallo. I have been disappointed by many quesadillas in town, as they tend to be under stuffed and underwhelming. The Chop House's version was oozing with a tangy combination of melted Monterrey jack, cheddar and mozzarella inside a crispy tortilla. It was seriously addictive.

Soft-shell crab club sandwiches were a lovely seafood take on the traditional deli offering. The crabs were plump and chock-full of roe, served with crunchy tater tots on the side. They were satisfyingly lined with apple-wood smoked bacon and featured a lemony aioli kick.

My jaw dropped when the beef-shank lollipop was hoisted onto our table. Although the menu cautioned that it was meant for four to six people to share, I was not prepared for the size of the dish nor a bone that was bigger than my forearm. The beef was meltingly tender and cooked with a rich sauce made from its own juices, making it perfect for the mashed potatoes underneath it.

After attempting a few bites from a mixed seafood grill platter featuring shrimp, squid rings and salmon, I began drifting off into a pleasant carb coma. Luckily, we were saved by the arrival of The Chop House Bailey's cheesecake, a must for anyone who loves the creamy liqueur.

It gave me just the sugar rush I needed to make the trip home before a nap.

Contact the writer at sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go:

The Chop House

Level 3, Soundwill Plaza II­Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay.

852-2771-3177.

Average cost per person: HK$500 ($65)

Recommended: Chicken Quesadillas, Soft-shell Crab Club Sandwiches, "Let's Get Shanked" Beef-Shank Lollipop.