Somtum Thai Restaurant

[Serve No Pork]

I know it has been a long time since the last time I've blogged. I do have a lot of backlog waiting to be posted but I have decided to write about this place first because it is simply delicious and the best in my collection so far.

Somtum is a new Thai restaurant located at Cyber Square Commercial Centre; it's a little difficult to locate as it is out of the regular way and not visible from the main road. But once you find it, it is definitely worth the trip.

 

The dining area is not huge, I would recommend reservations to avoid disappointment, it does tend to get cozy.

Creative drinks as well as local favourites.

Gai Baiteoi ~ chicken wrapped in pandan leaves.

 

Khai Yad Sai ~ chicken and vegetable wrapped in omelette.

Yum Voonsen ~ spicy vermicelli salad.

Kheng Kiaw Whan ~ green curry chicken.

 

Tomyum Nam Khon ~ red tomyum soup.

Phad Kra Pao ~ stir fried basil chicken.

Phad Nam Pik Phow ~ stir fried squid with roasted curry paste.

Khaw Phad Saparot ~ special pineapple fried rice.

 

Khaw Kuk Kapi ~ Thai belacan fried rice.

Daily vegetable ~ stir fried kailan with garlic.

Most of the dishes on the menu will have a selection of Regular (Medium) or Large portion. Portion and price-wise, it is reasonable.

Taste is quite authentic. Friends know that I am on the mild side when it comes to the "cili-padi scale". To me, the dishes are a bit on the hot side, but I absolute love the herbs and spices used, authentic and tasty. Delish!

Wait staff are informative and attentive. Dining hall is cozy thus it is recommended to make reservations.

As mentioned by the staff, the menu will slowly expand as the chef explores. Can't wait to go back! Who wants to join me?

See you in my next post! Toodles!

Davidz Bar & Grill

[Non-Halal]

This post is long overdue. I was going through my photographs and realized these were not blogged about. My apologies. But better late than never, eh?

Our supper club went to this place because we had a coupon for it. The coupon was good for lamb chop or steak for each person plus a bowl of soup for each. We had also ordered the Summer Salad which was fresh and love the touch of walnuts, and their home made meat balls which was so yummy, one of us practically licked the plate!

Tasty summer salad.

 

Mushroom soup.

Tangy lamb chop.

Steak with mash and brown sauce.

Yummy home made meat balls.

 

 

See you in my next post! Toodles!

A'Roma Ristorante

[Serves No Pork]

One fine Saturday, my mother-in-law wanted me to go shopping with her. It's not a common activity in this household, but it was a nice session.

After a trip to the shopping mall, mother-in-law wanted to have Italian food but we did not want to drive all the way down town and challenge the traffic. So off we went to a quaint Italian restaurant in Damai Plaza.

I've heard plenty of good reviews about this place, been there a couple of times, and I must say, they serve pretty good food. Prices are acceptable, if you feel that the one in town is charging exorbitantly. Even mother-in-law said it was delicious.

Salad; fresh and crisp!

 

Tomato seafood soup.

 

Pasta in marinara sauce.

Lasagna

The owner's proud toy.

I'll definitely be back :)

See you in my next post! Toodles!

Kedai Kopi Xing Wan

[Non-Halal]

This is a shop that Hub and I have been going for years. Their menu is very simple; Pan Mien and Clay Pot Yee Mien.

Pan Mien (loosely translates to plank noodles) which refers to flat noodles used to prepare this dish. Noodles in this dish is normally hand made and cooked immediately, then served in a stock broth with meat (usually pork), fried anchovies, slivered mushroom and wood ear (muk yee), as well as vegetables (mostly Su Zai Chai, loosely translates to little tree vegetable) and sometimes with an added egg.

We like to have their Pan Mien kon lau (cooked noodles tossed in special sauce) served with minced meat and meat balls in soup.

"Kon lau pan mien" with meat balls.

"Kon lau pan mien" with minced meat.

 

 

See you in my next post! Toodles!

Kung Fu La Mian

[Halal]

This came as a surprise to us.

I was visiting clients in Karamunsing Complex with my colleague one day. It was lunch time but we have no idea what to have for lunch. Then one of the client informed us there is a new stall in the food court serving authentic "la mian"; Chinese pulled noodles. Off we went on a jiffy!

When we found and arrived at the stall, the master was about to pull his noodles:

Ready?

Pull!!!

 

The noodle master is from China, along with another of his countryman in the kitchen. However, they speak quite fluent Bahasa Malaysia and are Muslim, thus communication is not a problem.



The different dimensions of noodles that you can order from; from the thinnest to the broadest.

Beef soup la mian.

Braised beef la mian.

 

*2nd visit* Fried la mian. I do not know the name of this because it is specially ordered by my friend.

 

There are 43 items on their menu, mostly consist of beef, some are with egg, some are with chicken, served together with the la mian or is also available. Price wise, it is quite reasonable.

 

I will be back again to try other dishes in the menu.

 

See you in my next post! Toodles!

The Chinese Restaurant @ Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

[Halal]

Dim Sum Delights

For years, we liked to go to this place, once in a while, especially for their porridge.

Thick, gooey porridge with "hair moss" (fatt choy), dried oyster (hou see), salted duck egg (ham dan) are the only few ingredients that I can recognize. Overall, it is yummy!

They have an assorted of dim sums, fried noodles, roasted ducks and chicken, soup and noodle station which will cook up as per your request, as well as the dessert station.

Assorted vegetable and tofu stuffed in chicken, fish and prawn meat.

 Siew mai made of chicken and prawn.

 

I love the soup station because they have a variety of mushroom to go with the soup. I love mushroom!

Beef balls.

Shrimp dumplings (Har gao).

Herbed chicken wings.

Spicy lamb tendons.

 

 

And the most important part is, it is a buffet! Eat all you can :P

 

 

See you in my next post! Toodles!

K.K's Fusion Grill & Bar

[Serve No Pork]

Quite a number of eateries have opened its' doors in Metro Town, a new cluster of shops along Jalan Lintas.

I've been to a few, just to try it out, but have yet to blog about it because I've always got too excited and started eating once the food arrive, and totally forgotten to take pictures :P

Anyways, today my colleague and I went to this place for lunch. They have set lunches and a simple menu; mostly consists of finger food and drinks, they serve alcohol towards the evening.

There were 4 selections for set lunches and we ordered 2 varieties, which came with soup of the day and a drink; coffee, tea or iced lemon tea.

Roasted Chicken Rice

 Baked Salted Chicken Rice

Iced Lemon Tea

See you in my next post! Toodles!

Santola Bar Cafe

I © Coffee!

Yup, I am an avid coffee drinker. I have been drinking coffee since... umm... since long, long time ago :)

I can remember coffee being a staple in our household, there will definitely be a bottomless pot of brewed coffee from the moment my mom wakes up till about dinner time (my mom must have a magic wand somewhere). Coffee to me is hot, strong aroma, black, and a little hint of sweetness. It was only a few years back that I started to have my coffee sans sugar. It is only by then one can taste the real coffee and it's aroma. I know many people still despise the bitter coffee, but to me that is the best way to savor.

I got to know about Santola few years back. It is a coffee bar tucked in a coffee factory/warehouse in Kolombong; definitely not easy to spot if you are not familiar with the area. Though I love coffee, but I didn't like the distance, thus I seldom visit Santola.

However, they have very recently opened a branch in Damai Point, much more convenient for me. So without further ado, off we go for a coffee fix, post Sunday brunch.

Once you step in, a shot of aqua is served to welcome you while going through their menu.

 

Their menu comprises of coffee served in many ways; white, black, espresso-based variations, tea and chocolate served in various ways, as well as a collection of enzyme drinks, simple meals and desserts.

Definitely a cool place to be, either for a coffee fix or catching up with buds over a lunch.

I'll be back :)

See you in my next post! Toodles!

The Chubs Grill

[Non-Halal]

Some friends have been asking, "Why no updates on your blog?". Firstly, I am flattered that many friends are so supportive of my blog. Secondly, apologies for the silence as I was kind-of all-over-the-place @.@'''

Anyway...

This is not a new restaurant in KK. It is in Karamunsing Capital for a couple of years now, and it has recently been renovated and reopened for business.

Off I went with my Supper Club "kaki"s.

On their menu, there are starters like wedges, calamari, sausages, and salads. For mains, they have fish, chicken, pork and beef, done in numerous ways, accompanied by sides such as chips, mash potatoes, rice, mac & cheese, etc... They also have a selection of pastas and kids' menu.

Not forgetting of course, their "virgin" and adult drinks, as well as yummy desserts.

This day, we were all into chicken thigh; Spicy Chicken Thigh and Pandan Chicken Thigh.

*with garlic bread and mac & cheese

*with wedges and mac & cheese

*with signature rice

 

See you in my next post! Toodles!

 

 

Kedai Kopi & Makan Fui Lau

[Non-Halal]

This simple looking coffee shop is located in Buhavan Square in Donggongon, Penampang. If it wasn't for my colleague, I would have never ventured to this shop.

Simple menu on the wall. Apparently the Asam Pedas was famous so that's what I ordered :)

 

Like any noodles dishes, you can have either noodles, vermicelli or flat rice noodles (koay tiaw). Then you can have it either dry tossed in soya sauce mix (kon lau) or included in the soup.

 

The soup is not as thick but still yellowish like curry. As the name of the dish suggest, "Asam" means sour, and "Pedas" means hot, or spicy. There is sour and heat, just nice for me. For people who like more heat, can put in a special request to the cook ;)

You can have your bowl of soup with either pork slices or fish slices. I would highly recommend it with fish because fish goes well with Asam Pedas. There will also be the odd tomato chunks and French bean in the soup.

 

See you in my next post! Toodles!

The Retro Club

[Serve No Pork]

Authentic American Cuisine in Authentic American Portions.

That is the tag line on their menu. And they are not kidding about it. In general, they serve hearty meals; from finger food, soups, salads, mains that are categorized into beef, chicken, lamb and seafood, homey sides, sandwiches, pasta, desserts, and as well as a menu for the kiddos.

Located in KK Times Square, I like the cozy environment of the restaurant, plus their staff were well trained in terms of their menu knowledge as well as wine selections.



Fair selection of beverages

Framed pictures and memorabilia on the wall gives a very cozy and homey feeling.

Jambalaya, potato wedges, garden salad and V.O.D; vegetable of the day which is seasonal vegetables sautéed in butter. Nothing fancy, just plain hearty.

Fresh salad, sautéed vegetables and crispy wedges.

Jambalaya, sautéed vegetables, fat fries and dirty rice.

Skynyrd's Southern Fried Chicken with wedges, sautéed vegetables and dirty rice. YUM!

Overall, food was delish, portion was good and service was commendable. I will be back.

See you in my next post! Toodles!