Where the Reuben reigns

The Reuben sandwich comes with crisp fries. [Photo by Rebecca Lo / for China Daily]

I love Reubens. The spicy, savory sandwich haunts my dreams and not more than a few months go by before I am on the prowl for beef and sauerkraut. Sadly, Hong Kong is not exactly Manhattan's Upper West Side or Toronto's College Street. To satisfy my salted beef brisket cravings, I usually have to settle for overpriced deli sandwiches or boring processed corned beef.

Imagine my excitement in discovering Awakening Cafe, an easy 15-minute walk from home. The rapidly developing food scene in my neighborhood is seeing all sorts of organic food shops and diverse cuisines occupy premises that were formerly printers, garages or mom-and-pop shops.

Open since late last year, Awakening is tucked away on the podium of a high-rise residential complex. It is adjacent to the recently open escalators along Center Street, which makes it convenient for West Mid-levels and Western District dwellers and students attending the many prestigious schools nearby.

Though the privately owned podium itself doesn't allow al fresco dining - a real crime, as it would be a leafy place to enjoy a sandwich - the full height glass facade offers bar seating for a few to gaze out as they eat.

Inside, it's all rustic charm with industrial pendant bulbs, Americana memorabilia and fresh flowers in tin buckets suspended on railings. Columns are clad in chalkboard embellished with creative graffiti or specials of the day. There is even a big screen TV with a game on - American football on the afternoon we dropped by for lunch.

The menu is typical of the all-day-diner you would get in large North American cities. There are lots of brunch options, including pancakes, French toast and omelets for weekend lounging. There are 10 choices of burgers with practically any type of trimming you'd want on your 100-percent Californian Angus beef patty.

There's a Mexican section featuring burritos and quesadilla.