Due to an unfavorable business environment Guo Fu Lou at The Murray hotel has closed its doors despite having had a sizable clientele, which just goes to show how unpredictable things can be.

But a new Chinese restaurant, Mian, has opened in the same location, and I had the opportunity to try it recently.

It was especially pleasurable that while visiting a new eating place we got to appreciate the flowers of a blooming cassia javanica right next to the the premises. The tree has been on the building's terrace for many years and has acquired fame.

I saw many photography buffs snapping away at it that day.

Cassia javanica, also known as pink shower or rainbow shower, has flowers on its slender branches. Some of them drift to the ground as branches sway in the wind.

The flowers are more stylish when viewed as a whole on a branch instead of singularly, as each branch has its unique charm.

Stooping to pick up the fallen flowers under the tree while having a outdoor meal made me feel like an intellectual youth during the New Literature Movement time.

I noticed the branches of the tree are growing toward nearby Hong Kong Park, and someone pointed out that's due to the direction of the sunlight.

The flowering period lasts until May when it should be at its most spectacular.

The eatery's chef is said to have come from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chinese restaurant. The food is of a good standard, and one of the signature dishes is a Western-style baked pork chop with fried rice.

A foodie suggested we order the san cong ji - three onion chicken - which is made with a secret recipe. But it uses fresh green onion, green onion oil and onion.

Smoked with preserved vegetable in olive oil, the chicken meat is especially delicious.

Siu Sai-wo is publisher of Sing Tao Daily

Dining out in full bloom