tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49794206089974690802023-08-08T07:00:32.268-07:00SelfishTemptations//Food diary of an obsessed foodie.VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-79565931930958806702011-06-15T08:11:00.000-07:002011-06-15T08:11:08.238-07:00Killiney - Pluit MasIt wasn't long ago that I tried the original Killiney Kopitiam on Killiney Rd, Singapore. If you stay around Orchard, go there at least once for breakfast. The atmosphere around isn't that comfortable, but the food is really good. On a weekday morning, you'll the see the tables full of office workers grabbing a bite and sipping warm coffee O. <br />
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I think it was only a few years ago these kopitiam franchises start penetrating to the Indonesian market. Oh well, whatever sells in Singapore doesn't mean it will sell well in Indonesia. Having a history of almost 100 years doesn't mean you'll sell well here. <br />
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Having a couple of friends living in the area of Pluit Mas, there is no way I could miss out on the not-so-recently-opened Killiney shop located near the entrance gate. The view from the outside seems like a typical neighborhood kopitiam but I was more interested in the food and coffee rather than the atmosphere. When I thought the food could at least be similar to the one I enjoyed very much in Singapore, my friend could give me a kick for introducing something not worth writing in the blog. But, but I try to be rational this time. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5835601765/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5835601765_53599beab4_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5835599551/" title="Menu"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5835599551_4d93f484b3_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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So we arrived at the shop around 7pm, the first floor is almost full, so we decided to go to the 2nd floor. Heck, the air-con wasn't turned on, and the windows and door were all closed, so there's a slight stuffy feeling you get when there isn't much air flowing through your head. You see, though I can understand that electricity bill isn't cheap here, but restaurants are service-operated businesses. You're not only selling your food, but service and atmosphere as well. The balcony was another option, but it's meant for smoking area. It was only after 10 minutes or so, the air on the 2nd floor started to freshen up. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5835599905/" title=""><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5153/5835599905_e9f60583e3_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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What do you have to order when you mentioned kopitiam? The Teh Tarik and the Kaya Toast of course! We ordered a hot and a warm tea, and the conclusion; cold is always better. I'm not sure how it tastes like in Singapore, but the one I had here is not bad at all, wasn't very sweet like in any other kopitiam, and the milk to tea ratio is just nicely propotioned. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5836150588/" title="Teh Tarik"><img height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/5836150588_8e90bec294_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Then everything started spiraling down. First was the Kaya Toast. If I were to compare the original with this one, it's like comparing a 2011 Honda Jazz to an 2004 Made-in-China Chery QQ with manual transmission and no power steering (No other insult intended, but you get my point). In the Killiney Indonesia website, they boast about having their kaya jam produced daily in their shop, then having the best butter, and bread that's heavier than the ones in the market and made in their own bakery. I don't believe in any of these. <br />
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The toast served to us was so thin and crispy I thought I was only munching on the break crusts when it's supposed to be crusty on the outside and tender on the inside. The kaya jam were OK, but it's spread very thinly like as if they were margarine. So no oozing whatsoever like mentioned in the website. Of course last is the butter; no need for more complaints needed. When you realized if the bread is at the same thickness as the butter, it's no longer a toast (lost for words to describe). <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5836151208/" title="Kaya Toast"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5317/5836151208_ce87348dd0_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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The Mee Rebus we ordered was far from the original, lacks the ingredients, taste and everything else. For a dish that's been decorating the tables on Killiney Singapore, it's so disappointing how it turned out here. The noodles used was cheewy, the sauce was too watery and warm (Not hot!), and the tofu is cold. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5835600677/" title="Mee Rebus"><img height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/5835600677_76745beb27_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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And when we thought the next dish is hopefully better, it wasn't going to be. The 30 minutes spent waiting for the Singapore Laksa Fried Rice isn't worth it. I'd go for the Nasi Goreng TekTek across the road. It's our mistake to order such unique dish in the first place. The fried rice is seasoned with laksa sauce, so there's this soury, salty fried rice that's just off-balanced. Accompanying the fried rice are few pieces of chicken, an egg, 3 prawn cracker, and some garnish. Whoever is stationed to decorate the dish must not have a sense of aesthetics. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5835601337/" title="Fried Rice"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5835601337_f37bf92973_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Though their prices are cheaper than other kopitiams, I really hope they could improve on the quality of food as well as the service. <br />
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Restaurant info;<br />
Killiney Kopitiam - Pluit Mas Ruko Blok EE no. 11<br />
Ph: 021 - 6681511<br />
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Prices as of 16 May 2011;<br />
Hot Teah Tarik - 18k<br />
Cold Teh Tarik - 20k<br />
Kaya Toast - 16k<br />
Mee Rebus - 28k<br />
Laksa Fried Rice - 27kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-37826448145303296032011-06-08T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-08T08:15:29.030-07:00Bangkok Jam - Emporium PluitIt was an unusually quiet Sunday when the 7 of us decided on a last minute to have dinner somewhere near. So hopping on the car and there I realized I remembered seeing a recently opened Thai restaurant in Emporium Pluit. It has, however, been opened for a few months now and don't blame me for not going to that part of the mall often. <br />
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I knew I was about to leave for the real Bangkok city soon, but there is this urge for a pad thai dinner. (Bangkok food adventure will be on the blog hopefully soon). Deciding on this restaurant simple, none of my friends seem to care of what to eat, so they just jumped board the boat with me. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5679914385/" title="Entrance"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5679914385_545826d8d0_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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The traditional Thai ice tea was super super sweet. Though the taste of pandan is very apparent, too much of this drink will make you diabetic. I'm not sure, but maybe we could ask for a separate sugar next time. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5680476052/" title="Thai Ice Tea"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5680476052_cd5525f44a_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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We ordered a couple of entrees; Spicy Papaya Salad and Prawn Cakes. The salad was ordinary, nothing special, though there is a nice touch on the extra floss and peanuts sprinkled on top. The Prawn Cake, on the other hand, was delicious. Definitely the winner among all the other dishes, the prawn cake is skewered with a stick of lemongrass. The idea wasn't that original, but compliments go to the cake. You can really taste the tender of prawn meat, covered in crispy breadcrumbs and the sweet and sour dip make the whole dish more than your usual prawn cake. The not-so-oily after taste makes you want to munch more. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5679917417/" title="Salad"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5679917417_7ed93a412b_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5679917919/" title="Prawn Cake"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5679917919_825a0a0ed9_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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What is a trip to a Thai restaurant without ordering the pad thai? This is the one dish that makes me wanna visit the restaurant, but but but, how disappointing. Pad thai has got to be one dish that define the ability of the Thai chef, I just kept reminding myself, don't get my hopes up. None of what I imagine a REAL pad thai should taste like appear in front of me. Even before tasting it, I knew the noddles must had been overcooked, and that was the biggest mistake someone cooking a pad thai could ever make. Then I thought please at least serve something tasty, how wrong could I be. The dish was completely tasteless! Even with the dried chilly added and a splash of that lemon wedge, the dish is bland. Like as if it's cooked for someone with all the health complications. Enough with the complain, I would just sum up; prawn was hard; spring onion was RAW; and the portion would feed at most 2 babies!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5680477590/" title="Padthai"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5680477590_4ebf3ff705_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Thanks to the donkey, the next dish we ordered were much better. The red curry chicken was nice, though if the spiciness level is to be increased to another level, it would be a perfect companion for my rice. First, it was very rich, the tinginess of that curry would make your tongue numb for a fraction of a second, then the distinct combination of spices and coconut milk makes the dish more complete. Inside, there were these green beans which I'm not sure what they were. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5680477062/" title="Curry"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5680477062_21c8638b0d_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Another Thai favorite is of course the TomYum Seafood. But, in case you're wondering, let your imagination of a perfect sour and spicy soup filled with an abundant of seafood run wild. I think I cooked a better TomYum soup than the fellas in the kitchen. The TomYum they served is too light, too sour, and inside were a piece of mantis prawn, another piece of smaller prawn, 5 pieces of mushrooms, 3 pieces of fish, and that's all. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5680476560/" title="TomYum"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5680476560_46e83492bb_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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A friend wanted to order a fish and we ordered this Gourami Chilly Sauce. It was simply just deep-fried pieces of gourami fish, with traditional Thai sweet and spicy chilly sauce. I just don't get how the chefs couldn't make a simple TomYum soup or Padthai, but able to make this fish dish such a treat. The fish was lightly battered and deep-fried to a certain wellness. While the outside batter is still smoking hot and crispy, the inner flesh was soft and tender. Unlike the usual deep-fried gourami fish. Then pieces of onions and capsicum are stir-fried along with garlic, pineapple and chilly. Overall, the fish was a very nice conclusion to our dinner. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5680479482/" title="Gourami"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5680479482_b6c3941201_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Restaurant info: <br />
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Bangkok Jam - Emporium Pluit Mall, 4th floor<br />
Tel: 021 - 6667 6827<br />
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Prices as of 1 May 2011;<br />
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Thai Ice Tea - 16.5k<br />
Spicy Papaya Salad - 22.5k<br />
Prawn Cake - 38.5k<br />
Seafood Padthai - 29.5k<br />
Red Curry Chicken - 35k<br />
TomYum Seafood - 42.5k<br />
Gourami Chilly Sauce - 75kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-61071332816648417602011-05-15T06:34:00.000-07:002011-05-16T10:59:30.197-07:00Pad Ka Prow - 13 May 2011Apologies fellas, it's been a while since the last update, been busy with work and stuffs. Anyway, this time, it's a classic Thai dish - Pad Ka Prow - or Stir-fried Pork with Thai Sweet Basil. Simple simple dish to make. <br />
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Had my Bangkok trip this week and brought home some ingredients back. The most important in this dish is of course the basil itself. Definitely different to the local ones here, the Thai sweet basil has larger leaves and the aroma is stronger and more pungent. Then, the fish sauce too, has got to be the Thai fish sauce. The Chinese and the local fish sauce is less salty and more fishy :P.<br />
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The ingredients;<br />
10 cloves of garlic (Yes, you do need heaps of these)<br />
3 bird-eye chilly (Depend on how spicy you want it to be, I like mine rather mild)<br />
300 gr mince pork (You can use chicken if pork's not halal for you)<br />
A handful Thai sweet basil (Tried to use the local once, not as good as the Thai's)<br />
2 tablespoon Thai fish sauce (Please use only Thai fish sauce - I use the Squid Brand Thai Fish Sauce)<br />
1 tablespoon Sweet Soy Sauce (READ: Kecap Manis)<br />
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (Stir-fry purpose)<br />
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No salt and pepper needed, trust me. First the fish sauce is already salty, then you wouldn't want the pepper smell and taste to overcome the basil. Then I like to use the sweet soy sauce because it adds a mild sweet taste to the whole dish as well as some colour. You can always use sugar, but please do use the sweet soy sauce if available. <br />
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Let's get cooking;<br />
1. Mince both garlic and chilly finely and stir-fry until the garlic releases its aroma. <br />
2. Once they are done, put in the pork and starts breaking up the meat. Sometimes, minced meat would just crumbed together to form meatballs. We don't want this. <br />
3. Dump in the wet ingredients and continue until the meat is done.<br />
4. I like my basil leaves not thoroughly cooked, so I put them just 10 seconds before the whole dish is done. <br />
5. Plate, garnish and serve with warm jasmine rice.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5722211356" title="Pad Ka Prow"><img height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/5722211356_e88aa5ba5c_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5722211846/" title="Pad Ka Praw"><img height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/5722211846_f961861eb7_b.jpg" width="300"/></a>VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-66581850127177207032011-04-28T11:12:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:12:42.477-07:00Old Town White Coffee - Living World Alam SutraI've been to this new mall quite often this past weeks or so. Much of my mates have never been there and why shouldn't I be a nice fella once in a while and take them there. Anyhoo, quite a few restaurants start opening up in the mall, there's a penyet restaurant, HanGang, and a couple more coffee shops. <br />
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But out of all places, we decided on this Asian coffee shop franchise from Malaysia - Old Town White Coffee (OTWC). They claimed that they are the largest kopitiam restaurant chain in Malaysia, and looking at the list of chain on their website, no one can deny. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664409727/" title="Entrance"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5664409727_961351b6de_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664936848/" title="Interior"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5664936848_4c9d7476fb_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Since I've tried My Kopi O!, might as well just try its direct competitor (More kopitiam-like reviews in the future). So how does OTWC different to others? I don't know. I've tried the OTWC during my trip to KL last year, and whoa the menu is so thick you'll think twice about stealing them. :P I think there's tens of different drink menu and you'll probably keep asking the waiter what are the differences between each one. <br />
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But the one here in Jakarta, there isn't much choices in both the drinks and food. I like to have options, and I'm not getting any in here. I think if you would bring a foreign franchise here, at least have a more variety menu. My image of last year's OTWC visit starts drifting away.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664371161/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5664371161_e157af5322_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Of course when you go to this type of restaurant, the first thing you need to order is their toasts! And this is what we ordered; 1. Their original Kaya Butter Toast and 2. Thick toast with blueberry jam. My original plan was to order their special white coffee, but since it's early afternoon and I don't feel like having coffee for lunch, we ordered Warm Honey Lemon Juice. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664372637/" title="Drinks"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5664372637_83a66bba6c_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Though we ordered the toasts early, the orders came quite late and we were already eating half-thru our mains. Now I'm not going to compare whose toast is better than whose, I'll stay as neutral as possible. The first toast - Kata Butter Toast, was just OK. The kaya spread is nicely overflowing the toasts, and the butter is still in 1 piece, not melted. My one only complain would be the size of the toasts. It's so thin that I think the butter is thicker! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664937208/" title="Kaya Toast"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5664937208_837a162586_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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The second toast menu is a much better option than the kaya. And when I meant by thick toast, it's actually really really thick! And I'm loving every part of it. The fat bread is toasted, spread margarine, and topped with blueberry jam. What makes it special is the jam. I don't know if it's home or factory made, but it's just to my liking. Some blueberry jam just can't make it because if they kept it for too long, the fruit's gonna break apart. Not this one, it's fresh and you can practically chew every piece blueberry and still juices oozing out from them. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664372277/" title="Blueberry Toast"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5664372277_c2a75a3a5e_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Each of us ordered a main each. My friend ordered the Superior Nasi Lemak, and I ordered the Superior Rojak Mee. Both dished turned out to be average. <br />
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There was a confusion when one waiter brought a plate of unknown order and left it on our table for 5 minutes and later brought it back to the kitchen. Turns out they gave a wrong chicken to us. They suppose to give a piece of Rendang chicken in the dish, but they served the BBQ chicken. To me this is quite unprofessional considering they left the food in the table for 5 minutes. What if we already start eating them? Not even a sincere apology being offered. Tsk!<br />
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I have to say, the rice is fragrant. It's been a while since the last time I ate nasi lemak, and this one turns out to be quite nice indeed, though not as good as those in Singapore or Malaysia. The rice is accompanied by a piece of rendang chicken, sambal sotong, fried anchovies, nuts, and egg. All not worth talking about. Except the sambal sotong which I think was a little bit chewy. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664372277/" title="Nasi Lemak"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5664962100_b0eb67aa7c_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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The Rojak Mee, which I thought should come close to the original Malaysian dish, turns out to be very home-made, not very "restauran-y". The dish is served with egg noodles in the center, surrounded by pieces of fried tofu, sambal sotong, fried potatoes, bean sprout, and egg. Then topped with fried shallots and sprinkled some curry sauce. Tofu was over-fried, sotong was chewy, and the curry sauce is just bland. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5664374987/" title="Rojak Mee"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5664374987_2f2c356bf7_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Hopefully they could improve on their service, as well as the non-toasts meals and food varieties. <br />
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Restaurant info:<br />
Old Town White Coffee<br />
Living World Mall - Alam Sutra<br />
Unit G19 - 19A, Alam Sutra Boulevard Kav.21<br />
Serpong - Tangerang<br />
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Ph: 021 - 532125502<br />
www.oldtown.co.id<br />
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Prices as of 24 April 2011<br />
Honey Lemon Juice - 17k<br />
Kaya Butter Toast (S) - 9k<br />
Blueberry thick - 20k<br />
Supreme Nasi Lemak - 38k<br />
Supreme Rojak Mee - 30kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-50036127552750468852011-04-26T10:03:00.000-07:002011-04-26T10:04:24.183-07:00Sushi Mori - Central ParkMy first Japanese review yeay! <br />
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But seriously, with so many new Japanese-fusion restaurant since 3 4 years ago, there's so many to choose from, and sadly, most of them taste the same to me. Can't really differentiate whose sushi is whose, most just try to make a little changes and try to be different. In the end, fusion is fusion, how much improvement and alteration can you do? <br />
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So while searching for a nice restaurant to spend a Friday evening with our alumni friends, I decided to try this new Japanese Fusion restaurant in Central Park - Sushi Mori. My bro recommended this place as he frequents the restaurant. A friend also recommended this as the price to portion ratio is worth a try. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657206563/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5657206563_0c45e8e477_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Not much talking needed, I booked the restaurant early and heck the staffs called me twice to confirm. Well I don't blame them as there were quite a few people already queuing when I showed up. And just when I thought they were going to seat us in a stretched 2 by 2 tables, they gave us the VIP room! A rounded table exclusively placed separately with other tables. The only I could complain probably is the plastic chair. Hope they're sensitive enough to change them to wooden chairs with mats on top. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657781648/" title="Seats"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5657781648_98194797d2_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Looking at their table mats, there's a find-the-difference-puzzle you could try solving while waiting for the food to arrive. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657782158/" title="Mats"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5657782158_bd7b411e08_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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What do you usually order in a Japanese fusion restaurant like this? I dare to bet 90% of you will order either cold or warm ocha. Shoot me if I'm wrong.<br />
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With so many types of fusion sushi being introduced by the waiter, I couldn't be bothered to focus on the name, but just see the menu picture and just point; this, that, this, that and this. Come on, people do get confused even when the food finally arrived and it's not easy to differentiate one sushi to the other. So to remember it, what I did was to ask the waiter when the food arrived, snap the food pictures, and snap the name of the food in the menu. This way, it gets less confusing. Though, in the end, taste wise, it's hard to remember which is which, and only some distinct one you could vividly remember in your brain. <br />
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Ninja Roll - Eel, Cheese, Crab Stick<br />
Can't exactly remember how they taste, but it's one of the better sushi. Recommended! Combination of grilled eel and the spicy mayonnaise sauce is really good.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657782610/" title="Ninja Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5657782610_06469bc120_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Hana Roll - Shrimp, Snow Crab, Tobiko, Spicy Tuna, Avocado<br />
What a sushi! Thought it reminds me of the Korean Kimbab, the taste is heck different. Because there's so much stuffings in there, my tongue is not sensitive enough to differentiate each ingredients inside. The sushi is just so-so, but if you were still hungry and don't know what to order, give this a try.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657208609/" title="Hana Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5657208609_fe8914522f_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Samurai Roll - Soft Shell Crab, Spicy Salmon<br />
The warm spicy salmon on top is such a tease, and the crunchy soft shell crab just makes it even better. Recommended!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657783542/" title="Samurai Roll"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5657783542_1aa0b0af94_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Volcano Roll - Shrimp, Fried batter, Jelly Fish<br />
One of the reason I came to this place. This is exceptionally good, not because of the fried crunchy batter, but the overall texture. Volcano Roll in other sushi places is different to this one, so this is a unique one. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657784350/" title="Volcano Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5657784350_d254c36f59_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Kazan Roll - Ginger Rice, Salmon<br />
The name and the ginger rice is actually my reason to order. Never tried ginger rice before, but disappointingly, it's just rice with ginger flavour. LOL. The rice is mixed with orange and green tobiko, then neatly stacked in two layers separated by a piece of nori, then topped with a few ingredients like salmon, jelly fish and more tobiko. Finally showered with a light mayo-like sauce. Despite the 'French-look', the taste just doesn't live up to its image. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657785116/" title="Kazan Roll"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5657785116_33c513a004_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Kawasaki Roll - Fried Chicken, Cheese<br />
Very ordinary dish, the sauce is nice though. Mixture of sweet and a wee but spiciness. Too bad the cheese is not melted as I would prefer. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657211197/" title="Kawasaki Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5657211197_137e8ea18f_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Yaki Sake<br />
It's three grilled balls of shredded crab stick. Very interesting dish, and taste good. I can't say it's amazing, but it's different so, recommended!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657211747/" title="Yaki Sake"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5657211747_d070e40b53_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Sake Enoki - Enoki circled in salmon<br />
Usually, my one of my favourite dish in Sushi Tei is the Beef Enoki. But here, we have Sake Enoki, similar concept, but the beef is replaced by salmon. Taste just so-so, though the salmon cooked perfectly. And the portion is satisfying. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657212437/" title="Sake Enoki"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5657212437_630f0e74eb_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Yuki Kani Roll - Crab Stick, Egg, Tobiko <br />
We ran out of ideas of what to order, and since we're still hungry, we just point to a page and there, we have the Yuki Kani Roll. A definite typical dish. Nothing special.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657787504/" title="Yuki Kani Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5657787504_05c8f4b570_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Spicy Tuna Roll - Spicy Tuna, Seaweed, Tobiko<br />
Nothing to be described here. Just another ordinary dish. Though the sauce is slurpy. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657213653/" title="Spicy Tuna Roll"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5657213653_eff9398340_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Sake Teriyaki - Salmon Teriyaki Set<br />
A pleasant dish, the salmon is grilled nicely, not too overdone. The skin is crispy and the inside meat is still moist. Not bad at all. The additional topping of sesame seed sprinkled makes it even better. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657788638/" title="Sake Teriyaki"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5657788638_eed88ff9a7_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Sake no Hifu Roll - Salmon Skin, seaweed, Cucumber<br />
This is one very nice sushi roll! It's my first time having salmon skin inside a roll, so it's quite special, and the very mild sauce making the salmon skin more tasty. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657214655/" title="Sake no Hifu Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5657214655_89dce25c51_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Oshin Roll - Fried Chicken, Apple<br />
Another great roll. The crispy fried chicken just shows it's not over-sauced, though the apple slices is doubtly visible, you can really taste the crisp apple texture. With the combination of sweet sauce, making the dish even more delightful. Again, my only complain would be the unmelted chees on top. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657789694/" title="Oshin Roll"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5657789694_86cd9f9e49_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Fujiyama Roll - Smoked Salmon, Crab Stick, Scallop<br />
I was too full to try this one, but heck! The smoked salmon inside is great, but with the over-flowing sauce, and so much cheese, the taste is just too complicated to be described in details. Can't taste the much anticipated scallops. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5657841922/" title="Fujiyama Roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5657841922_d05dc465d9_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Overall, there are some great sushi, as well as ordinary ones. Comparing the prices to other Sushi place, Sushi Nori might just sits comfortably in the middle. <br />
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Restaurant Info:<br />
Sushi Nori <br />
Lower Ground no 115<br />
Central Park<br />
Jl S.Parman Kav.28 - Jakarta Barat<br />
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Prices as of 22 April 2011<br />
Samurai Roll - 60k<br />
Ninja Roll - 60k<br />
Kawasaki Roll - 60k<br />
Volcano Roll - 50k<br />
Hana Roll - 45k<br />
Yaki Sake - 48k<br />
kazan Roll - 40k<br />
Sake Enoki - 55k<br />
Yuki Kani Roll - 28k<br />
Spicy Tuna Roll - 35k<br />
Sake Teriyaki - 50k<br />
Sake no Hifu Roll - 28k<br />
Oshin Roll - 55k<br />
Fujiyama Roll - 60kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-842284182681283042011-04-21T09:06:00.000-07:002011-04-21T09:27:21.550-07:00Spaghetti Aglio e Olio - 17 April 2011Sunday afternoon, waiting for the evening to come, how could I ever let the afternoon pass just lazying around in front of the computer watching some Korean variety shows? Then my growling baby stomach started complaining, it's time for some light lunch. Ransacking through the refrigerator, not much ingredients to make something worth eating. Then after 10 minutes of looking though the cupboard, I finally found the perfect meal for a Sunday brunch - Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. <br />
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Probably the simplest and quickest out of all the pasta recipes (Bolognaise Sauce in tin can is NOT counted), Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a must-try even for a newbie. Though this would my first attempt to make my own, a friend cooked and taught me once. A shout to NENEK RATNA!<br />
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Now, let's go to the ingredients; <br />
2 cloves garlic<br />
2 cloves shallot (READ: Bawang Merah)<br />
2 tablespoon of olive oil (I used Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil)<br />
A spoonful of diced bacon<br />
Half a teaspoon of dried chilly flake<br />
A pinch of mixed Italian herbs<br />
Spaghetti<br />
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Shall we start with the cooking process?<br />
1. Cook the spaghetti half-way through (You wouldn't want to cook it too well-done, since we're going to stir-fry the pasta later on)<br />
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2. Thinly Slice the garlic and shallots (Please do not mince them), then stir fried them in medium to low heat olive oil until the fragrance came out. Then dump in the italian herbs, chilly flake, and the bacon. (I put the bacon last because I didn't want crispy bacon)<br />
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3. Once all the ingredients are cooked, throw in the half-cooked pasta in the sauce and stir-fried until the pasta is cooked through. I prefer mine to be 90% cooked, so it might take around 2 minutes or so. <br />
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4. Serve on a plate and garnish with a wee bit of dried herbs on top. <br />
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Originally, the recipe needs cheese, but I'd skip that sin part. Also, many recipes on the net doesn't use shallots, but my mentor NENEK RATNA mentioned it brings the extra aroma and flavour to the overall dish. Very true. <br />
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A really simple pasta recipe, perfect for those who are too lazy to go out, but too hungry to have home-delivered food. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5640887510/" title="Entrance"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5640887510_d7b521cbbe_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5640888016/" title="Entrance"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5640888016_0f9c6063af_b.jpg" width="400"/></a>VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-60541464634096313922011-04-13T09:58:00.000-07:002011-04-21T09:29:29.448-07:00B' Steak Grill & Pancake - Muara KarangThis was my third visit to this restaurant branch in Muara Karang, and I have never been disappointed by the quality of food as well as the service. I knew what was good, but what's the point of ordering something you've eaten before? So this time rather than ordering my usual favourite, I opted for something a different. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5615717189/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5615717189_cff9a8c41b_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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I wanted to drink something less sinful, so we ordered the Evergreen. Basically just blended vegetable, with a bit of lime and some other vege. Not my fav, but just a typical blended vege drink. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5616298812/" title="Vege drink"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5616298812_158b77f845_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Since we had a late lunch, the three of us decided not to order much. For starters, I tried their Grilled Honey Buffalo BBQ Wings once and it's not bad, but it's time to order something else, so we ordered Country Baby Potatoes and the Chef Special Salad. The Baby potatoes are grilled with some herbs, then topped with some tomato sauce (NOT tomato ketchup), some bacon and sour cream. You can really taste the crisp skin of the potato when you first bite, then the inside is soft and the most enticing is the aroma of the herbs smoking through your nostrils. It's a good choice nonetheless. The salad, named "chef special salad", was just ordinary. You don't need to be a chef to make this, not that I'm looking down on the dish nor the chef, but it's really average. The vegetable ingredients are fresh, but they do need to work on the grilled chicken. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5616299200/" title="Baby Potato"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5616299200_668254f60e_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5616299488/" title="Salad"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5616299488_684bc52e5d_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Now, meat time! First is the Rib Eye Steak. It's the second time I tried this, and it keeps getting better. I remembered the first time was a little bit overdone, this time we requested medium well and the chef was spot on. You can choose the sauce from a few options; wild mushroom sauce, BBQ sauce, black pepper sauce, traditional gravy and another one I can't remember. And the side dish, the options were; chips, baby potatoes, mashed potatoes and potato wedges. Then we chose the premium size (200gr), rather than the regular (150gr). <br />
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Anyway, The outside is charred just the way I like it and you can really smell the burnt mark, then the meat is tender when chewed, just simply nicely grilled. The mushroom sauce, is just not that great. Without the sauce, the steak is already tasty enough. Since we already ordered the baby potatoes, we chose the mashed potato, which I think was a wise choice, considering no more fried stuffs for dinner for the week, and it tasted much better than the oh-so-usual-fries. The texture is not too creamy nor buttery, seasonings were nice, everything is just what I expect mashed potato should be. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5615718651/" title="Rib Eye"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5615718651_4d3bf95591_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5616300202/" title="Rib Eye"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5616300202_d04cfccc9e_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Lastly, we ordered the Smoky BBQ Ribs. I knew I had to try this once, just to satisfy the curiosity inside. How is it better than the other ribs houses, and it turns out to OK. For safety sake, we chose the single stack ribs. It takes half an hour to serve after the entree were served, and the ribs was too oily. Not oily in terms of they put lots of oil during grilling, but the ribs meat contains lots of fats. A dieter's hostile enemy. Though I have to admit, the ribs is very tender, you just have to pierce the meat with a fork, and it's easily fallen off it bone. Taste-wise, you got to add the BBQ sauce for extra flavour. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5615719621/" title="Ribs"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5615719621_e8bd557e18_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5615719301/" title="Ribs"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5615719301_17ae88d981_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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I heard their pancakes are not bad, but we're too full for desserts, so maybe next time. <br />
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Overall, it's nice place if you have a steak craving, but not wanting to over-spend. For taste it's alright, though not as good as those high-end steak houses, price still talks.<br />
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Restaurant Info:<br />
<br />
B'Steak Grill and Pancake<br />
<br />
Greenville Blok AS No. 32<br />
Jakarta Barat, Indonesia<br />
Greenville<br />
Tel: 021 - 560-3968<br />
<br />
Muara Karang Raya no.42<br />
Jakarta Utara, Indonesia<br />
Tel: 021 - 6603045<br />
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Prices as of 2 April 2011<br />
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Evergreen - 15k<br />
Country Baby Potatoes - 17.5k<br />
Chef Special Salad - 19.5k<br />
Rib Eye Steak Premium - 64k<br />
Smoky BBQ Ribs - 50.5kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-69269239502737739102011-04-10T10:04:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:15:19.698-07:00Crispy Crusty Potato Pancake - 10 April 2011I was craving for some rosti lately (Thanks to someone posting up Marche's rosti), and since the Marche in Jakarta is not as good as the one in Singapore, I got to at least try to make them. Searching in Youtube for a rosti recipe, I came across a recipe for crusty potato pancake by Food Wishes, and looking how simple the technique and ingredients are, I thought I at least got to try this. <br />
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So this afternoon was just the perfect timing for the pancake. Please go to this site for the full recipe and how-to-make video: <a href="http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2010/12/crispy-crusty-potato-pancakes-always.html">http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2010/12/crispy-crusty-potato-pancakes-always.html</a>. I altered the recipe a abit by adding some sausages and bacons. The main ingredients were prepared, and we have, potatoes, onions, egg, nurnberger sausage, bacons, and some green onions. Then for seasonings, we have salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and paprika powder. I skipped the sour cream shown in Chef John's recipe. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5606772880/" title="Ingredients"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5606772880_37bc592ea2_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Two things to keep in mind is to really really drain and squeeeeeeeeze the potatoes dry before adding the wet ingredients, and make sure to add it just before frying. Don't let it settle because it will turn watery and bye bye crispy crusty crunchy potato pancake. <br />
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So here's the end-results. Crispy Crusty Potato Pancake, accompanied by pork nurnberger sausages, topped with a spoonful of pan-fried diced bacon, and finished with a touch of spring onion for garnish.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5606187785/" title="Potato Pancake"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5606187785_a1538cefc0_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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What's better and more importantly healthy to go with this kind of dish? (No, I'm not paid by Three Leg Brand for helping them promote).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5606773448/" title="Cap Kaki Tiga"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5606773448_30006dfac9_b.jpg" width="300"/></a>VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-68386051237858551072011-04-07T08:27:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:15:13.529-07:00May Star - Central ParkChoosing this restaurant for a meeting with a friend whom I've not met since a couple of years ago was the easiest task I could ever remember. Not really foreign to a lot of the Chinese-Jakartans, May Star definitely has become one of the top-rated restaurants well-known for its BBQ duck, DimSum, and of course its Coconut Pudding. The restaurant chain is rumoured to have been established by a group of people of the Fujian-ethnicity. (READ: Orang Medan)<br />
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Probably the best location for the owners to decide to open their chain is this one in Central Park. Location-wise, it's quite 'central' Jakarta, though its location is really the North. Since Central Park is quite a new mall, to have at least May Star as one of its tenant is precious, as it's never run out of patrons, even on a weekday. Though there were many other High-end Chinese restaurant in the mall, May Star is a definite winner. The most recent chain is the one in Gandaria City and I heard is catered for non-pork eaters. A very good strategy considering more and more non-pork eaters are starting to dine in Chinese restaurants. <br />
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Prior to have booked the restaurant that afternoon, there is no wasting time in queuing. To have to say "excuse me" to all the people swarming the restaurant entrance is a sign of achievement, with just a phone call. A friend overheard another guest asking the manager when will they get a table for four, the manager just shook her head. So, please do book the restaurant (even on weekdays) before your grandma kicks you in the butt for making her queue. <br />
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A friend once gave me tips on what to order and what not. The first one he said was if you don't come with your parents / elderly, don't order fish and other luxurious Chinese delicacy (Sharks Fin Soup, Sea Cucumber, Lobsters, etc). Even your credit card will scream its lungs out. But even without ordering those, May Star is May Star and it is indeed expensive. The seven of us didn't bother to check out the prices before ordering, let's conclude it's a lesson learnt. (The menu pictures are just so tempting)<br />
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So each of us ordered a dish, and we concluded to exclude those dishes listed above. The first dish is the BBQ Combination. Perhaps, most families who came in numbers order this one. It's a combination of 5 mini dishes, BBQ Pork, BBQ Duck, Chicken in soy sauce, Stewed beef and jellyfish. All of them taste average, especially the beef and chicken. And there were 3 types of sauces served; Soy sauce, Chilly sauce and a type I don't know what sauce. They should have served the typical Hongkie sauces; Chilly oil, Duck Sauce, and Plum Sauce. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597337191/" title="BBQ Combi"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5597337191_a5b1a67887_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Then we ordered the Prawn in Salted Egg. I didn't like it that much. First it's still shelled and the salted is covering the prawn shell, so there isn't much salted egg after de-shelling the prawns. Nobody can blame me for eating the whole prawn, with its shell, minus the head and tail. The worse thing about this is actually it's quite greasy and you can't enjoy the crisp of fresh prawn meat. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597918646/" title="Prawn"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5597918646_4720fbd3d6_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Next is another seafood, Deep fried Squid XO Style. It's very appetizing! Just a few years ago I realized XO sauce doesn't involve the XO liquor as I thought before. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XO_sauce. It's just based on naming method. The squid is fried perfectly, doesn't get rubbery as it just snaps when bitten. Then the dry XO aroma is just so pleasantly flirting with your sense of smell. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597918864/" title="Squid"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5597918864_f2d18ee021_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Time for a meat dish, we ordered the ever-famous Beef in Black Pepper Sauce. It's served with blanched Kailan and a piece of fried papadum. I still have no idea on why they served a papadum, but who cares, the overall dish is without doubt, a winner. Starting with the chunks of beef, cooked to an inch perfect, they just breaks off in your mouth when chewed and the strong black pepper sauce seems to have penetrated to the core. Amazing! Though the Kailan is just average, I think this dish is a must-order. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597919456/" title="Beef"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5597919456_0b2a6077bf_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Then we ordered the Imported Broccoli. Again this is very ordinary, even homey I'd say. It's probably blanched for a while then showered with some oyster-sauce. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597337981/" title="Broccoli"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5597337981_69cd9d2376_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Lastly, a friend recommended this Sapo Tofu. It's a dish where the tofu is weirdly stewed in some thick sauce but taste surprisingly quite nice. The thick sauce taste very light and the additional mushroom matches the whole dish. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597919670/" title="Tofu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5597919670_417a2f521a_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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So one thing that makes people keep coming back to May Star is probably the complementary whole BBQ Duck when the order is more then Rp500k (or Panin Bank CC holder -> 25 - 30% discount). And we did forget the duck almost until the end. Honestly this is not the first time I had the duck, but the quality seems to have dropped by a little wee bit. The duck skin is still crisps, but the meat is not as tender as it was 2 years ago, and it's becoming more salty lately. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597919064/" title="Duck"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5597919064_359c588cf8_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Just when you think it's over, a trip to May Star is never complete without the Coconut Pudding. The pioneer of this dessert, there are many restaurants trying to imitate, but haven't so far found any that can match this masterpiece. The pudding is made from imported Thai coconut, and the sweetness and the jelly-like texture is just perfectly harmonized. A Thai friend whom had tried the pudding even praised it's better than the one in Thailand, he even went for a second serving. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5597919806/" title="Pudding"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5597919806_6db2178110_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Though I did complained about the prices in the beginning, and some people argue that there are other restaurants offering similar dishes at more affordable prices, May Star somehow managed to pull back customers with new creative dishes and more promotions (The most recent one is winning a car). <br />
<br />
Restaurant Info:<br />
Hotel LE GRANDEUR Lt.3<br />
Jl Mangga Dua Raya<br />
Jakarta <br />
Phone: +62 21 6127880<br />
<br />
Emporium Pluit Mall Lt.4<br />
Jl Pluit Selatan Raya<br />
Jakarta<br />
Phone: +62 21 66676280<br />
<br />
Central park mall LG Floor NO. 103-103A<br />
Jl. Letjend S Parman Kav.28 <br />
Jakarta<br />
Phone: +62 21 56985422<br />
<br />
Gandaria City GF-Main Street NO.M-G38 & M-G39<br />
Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda (Arteri Pondok Indah)<br />
Gandaria - Kebayoran Lama<br />
Jakarta<br />
Phone : +62 21 29052922<br />
<br />
Prices as of 5 February 2011 in Central Park:<br />
<br />
BBQ Combination - Rp148k<br />
Prawn in Salted Egg - Rp144k<br />
Fried Squid XO Style - Rp87k<br />
Beef in Black Pepper Sauce - Rp192k<br />
Broccoli - Rp87k<br />
Sapo Tofu - Rp78k<br />
BBQ Duck - Rp100 (Promo)<br />
Coconut Pudding - Rp42.8kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-20986755106760790892011-04-02T10:38:00.000-07:002011-04-02T10:38:54.428-07:00My Kopi O! - Living World Alam Sutra Visit 2 April 2011They say the ACE Hardware in the recently opened Living World is the biggest in South East Asia, and indeed it is. With the combi of ACE and Informa side by side, no wonder IKEA is still absent here in Indonesia. And I have to say, the quality of products here is still up to par to IKEA's. <br />
<br />
Though the mall is still 70% empty, there were quite a few places to consider for a quick light lunch. We decided on My Kopi O!, a typical 'kotipiamy' family restaurant. The owner, a Surabaya-based-Malang-Chinese fellow decided opened his/her first Jakarta shop here in Living World. The first was opened in Sutos Surabaya around 6 months ago. <br />
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There were 2 more similar restaurants like this one in the mall, KOPITIAM and The Old Town White Coffee. Comparing the 3, My Kopi O! seems to have more unique dishes and we're not disappointed at all. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5581807047/" title="Entrance"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5581807047_925f314536_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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The interior was very simple with not much accessories displayed. There were a few bottles with coffee beans displayed in the shelves and try to sit outside. There were quite a distance between each table so getting in and out of the table is no hustle. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5582390478/" title="Interior"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5582390478_c8b01f3a07_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
<br />
OK, it was hot and the most tempting drink in the menu is any iced drink. But since my throat is still in war with the flame inside, I have to pass on the ice drink and decided on a warm one. We ordered Ice Milky Chocolate, Teh Tarik and Teh Tarik Halia. The ice milky chocolate, according to my mom, is very milo-ey and ovaltine-ney. Though it has a much stronger flavour and not as sweet as those 2. She loved it! Dad ordered warm Teh Tarik, and it's just ordinary. Mine is the obvious winner, Teh Tarik Halia. It's just like any teh tarik, but with a glitch of ginger. The taste of ginger is so apparent that the light-stinging taste stays for a while. It's accompanied by a piece grilled (or fried) bread and it taste better to soak the bread in the drink before consuming. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5582390772/" title="ice milky chocolate"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5582390772_1bc77522e6_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5581806573/" title="Teh tarik halia"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5581806573_7627e7dd38_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Moving on to food, we decided not to order too much as we had planned for a nice dinner that night. Something strikes my eyes in the menu, chocolate and kaya toasts. Too bad they ran out. What's the point of going to such restaurant if we don't order the toast? So we settle for the Traditional Toast. I asked the waitress and she said it's the next best thing after the choc and kaya version. <br />
<br />
This version is just toasts with palm sugar spread. And I thought what the heck is palm sugar spread? Then it came, oh wow, the look itself is already so tempting, and when you take a bite, the over-flowing palm sugar spread just makes you want to have more. The grilled toasts is warm and soft, and sandwich-ed in between is this sensational sweet spread that will entice your sense of taste as well as your smell receptor. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5581806839/" title="Traditional toasts"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5581806839_0a8e03d8de_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
The next dish we ordered was the Curry Fish with Rice. I actually can't understand why on earth did my dad ordered this, but how wrong must I be. It's quite a delightful dish. It's white fragrant rice with Indian curry splashed on top, then slices of deep-fried fish fillets and steamed broccoli. The curry itself is just OK, not too salty, not too spicy and quite light. But the fish is great. Lightly battered, then deep-fried slices of dory fish is the YUM. The crisps of the batter, the softness of the fish, and the overall texture is prefect. The fish instantly breaks off the first time you put it in your mouth - No biting necessary. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5582392044/" title="Curry fish with rice"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5582392044_9a63a953a8_b.jpg" width="300"/></a> <br />
<br />
Then came my choice of order, Mamak Spaghetti. Just spaghetti stir-fried in mamak (Indian Muslim) style. The dish sounded weird, but surprisingly it's really good as well. Spag is boiled perfectly, and the sauce and other condiments in the dish is just well-accompanying each other. Taste-wise, not too salty, not too spicy, not too sour, it's just right. Then the beef is so tender. Usually in stir-fries, the meat is somehow over-cooked and become tough. This is a definite treat! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5581807269/" title="Teh tarik halia"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5581807269_cfc2d8954f_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
<br />
Restaurant info: <br />
My Kopi-O! - Living World GF Unit-35 Alam Sutra<br />
Telp: (021) 29239418<br />
<br />
Prices as of 2 April 2011:<br />
Ice Milky Chocolate - 24k<br />
Teh Tarik - 18k<br />
Teh tarik Halia - 20k<br />
Traditional TOasts - 18k<br />
Curry Fish with Rice - 26.8k<br />
Mamak Spaghetti - 32.8kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-46469391423227875162011-03-02T07:50:00.000-08:002011-03-02T07:50:06.455-08:00Lau's Kopitiam - Emporium PluitOne lonely lonely Saturday afternoon, nothing to do, no one asked me out, asked no one out, and there we have, sitting down alone in a four-chaired-table, among other couples, families, staring at me (and probably gossiping) for taking snaps at food. Anyway, Liu's kopitiam is well-known for YaKunKaya-kindoff-toast. Of course, being a fool sometimes, I got to try other things. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5491917382/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5491917382_4092d1960a_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
For a hot Saturday afternoon, what's better than chilled ice-milk-tea with jelly (Actually there are better drinks than this). It was very diluted, but sweet, not much tea flavour. And the jelly's too soft. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5491917570/" title="IceMilkTea"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5491917570_34af96350c_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
For entree, I tried the Fried shrimp-roll (READ: Lumpia goreng). Honestly, it's not bad at all. The chilly sauce accompanying is a must. The skin is crispy, not too oily, and you can taste the shrimp meat. And there isn't any fishy smell like the other shrimp rolls in cheap restaurants. In the picture below, the shrimp-roll seems to be neatly arranged, it was not like that initially! I got to arrange them nicely so it will look at least presentable in the blog. Of course it was followed by stares from aunts and uncles in front. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5491324587/" title="Lumpia"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5491324587_39ebedddfa_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
The waitress recommended the fried flat rice noodle with beef (READ:Kwetiaw Goreng Sapi). Seriously, I had considered asking for a refund after being served this kind of flat rice noodle. It was really bad. Considering they had printed the picture in the menu, they had to at least know how to cook properly. First, it was tasteless, not even a bit of saltiness. Then the rice noodle is so so soft (in a negative way). I expected the chef's trying to save his own arse by putting more flavour in the dish after messing up in boiling the noodle, but it was really bad. Then the beef was chewy. Yes, it's chewy, obviously from being over-cooked. In a usual Chinese dish, the beef is usually deep fried, then added to the half-cooked dish, but it's unlikely like this in here. The small portion is next. I know it's not expensive and all, but the serving is a real shame. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5491324427/" title="Kwetiaw"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5491324427_6deecf9ba5_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
<br />
Restaurant Info:<br />
Lau's Kopitiam - Emporium Pluit Mall Lv.4 - 07 <br />
<br />
Prices as of 12 FEb 2011<br />
Ice Milk Tea with Jelly - 12k<br />
Fried Shrimp Roll - 14k<br />
Fried Flat Noodle with Beef - 20kVonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-73951793013568649362011-02-21T07:51:00.000-08:002011-04-28T11:15:30.129-07:00Canton Bay - Puri Indah MallOur family was just hanging around in a mall we seldom go to a couple of weeks ago and we realized we were craving for some light simple Chinese food. And voila, here we were browsing at the Canton Bay restaurant menu and who knows it's so tempting looking at the pictures. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5465230824/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5465230824_bc0004db33_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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So without much consideration, we went in and ordered a few looking-great-in-the-menu food. <br />
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I had the most craving in porridge in ages and I HAD to order the well-recommended HongKong style porridge (with scallops) in here. It was very very hongkie, but a little too salty, though the scallops isn't as fresh, but the overall smooth texture of the over-cooked rice is pretty nice. The young ginger sprinkled on top just makes it more hongkie. Of course HongKong porridge is not complete without the deep-fried chinese doughnuts. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5465231046/" title="Porridge"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5465231046_9e0d867e03_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
Then we ordered the Seafood Ifu Mie. Just like a typical ifu mie sold in school canteen, this was definitely the most disappointing menu. It was too crispy, the choice of egg noodles was too thin, and thus making the noodles just to crispy when deep-fried. The seafood and vege condiments were over-cooked and the sauce is too thick. Bad bad choice. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5465231314/" title="Ifu Mie"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5465231314_49ab9126e5_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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For the soup, we ordered the duck (I forgot the name) soup. Also, doesn't live up to the expectations. It was like eating soup cooked with left-overs from yesterday. Don't bother trying. It just wasn't our day. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5464633669/" title="Soup"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5464633669_dd9513d9d1_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
Then we came across the so-tempting Beancurd hotplate Szechuan Style. Oh wow, this was very good. We opted for a change from Japanese silk tofu to just normal tofu. The mince pork (or chicken) coated in the Szechuan sauce was probably the best taste in all of the dishes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5464634117/" title="Tofu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5464634117_3f2e40ea06_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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For vege, we ordered cai miaw cooked in garlic. Surprisingly well-cooked. Not too over-done, the stem and the leaf is still crispy when you bite it, and the fried diced garlic make the dish less "vegi". <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5464633861/" title="Vege"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5464633861_bce6db6baf_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Though we ordered this last dish first, it came last. The 3 combination BBQ; BBQ Duck, Beef, and jellyfish. All I can say about the dish is, 4/10. Firstly, the jellyfish is not fresh, too spicy and too salty. The duck isn't tender as it looks, and the beef, was the worst. It's topped with some garlic-hoisin sauce and taste just as bad. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5465232422/" title="BBQ"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5465232422_b4ec63ea15_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
<br />
Overall, disappointing. <br />
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For more info, visit: <a href="http://cantonbay.com/index.php">http://cantonbay.com/index.php</a>VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-55781944731917140462011-02-08T07:02:00.000-08:002011-02-08T07:02:47.439-08:00Pho House - Muara KarangIt was actually my second time going to this restaurant, but the first experience was a few years ago and both the service and food were really disappointing. A few friends mentioned there were changes in the menu and renovations, so why not give it another try. There were definitely improvements on the service, and of course the food also. They vary from the original Vietnamese pho noodle, pork (or chicken) chops, broken rice, and some Thai food as well (Tomyum and padthai). <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5428275832/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5428275832_86d0a22a02_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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For the entree we ordered beef salad and prawn spring roll. The beef salad was refreshing, very different from the usual ones I had in Oz. Very thinly sliced beef with raw red onions, red chilly and a plash of vinegar. But a little too spicy for me. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5428276486/" title="Beef salad"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5428276486_2249c67a7d_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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We ordered the "wet" spring roll instead of the usual fried ones. Had too many oily food recently and not wanting to mess around with sore-throats during Lunar New year. Anyway, the spring rolls were just OK. Though the dipping sauce was nice, it's hoisin sauce and some crushed peanuts. The spring roll itself is served chilled and tasteless, but the sweetness of hoisin sauce and crunchiness of the peanuts give it more flavour. Fresh prawns nonetheless. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5427673689/" title="Spring roll"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5427673689_85b8c223fe_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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What is the point of going to a Vietnamese restaurant if you're not ordering PHO! So we ordered two portions of it. The first one is the pho special; inside were beef slices, beef balls, beef tendons, and other beef parts I can't remember of. The rice noodle is just average, but what was nice is the beef slices. Even the soup wasn't as good as I expected. It's was just beefy and tasty, but that was it, nothing special. The pho set came with a plate of raw bean sprouts, raw onions, basil leaves and a slice of lime - to add sourness. You can eat all of them raw, but I just dumped them inside the hot soup. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5427674703/" title="Menu"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5427674703_2bb155fff4_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5428276788/" title="Menu"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5428276788_2f732dd253_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
Prices as of 30 Jan 2011<br />
Beef salad - 26k<br />
Prawn springroll - 16k<br />
Pho Special 37k<br />
Pho (Beef slices + Beef balls) - 35k<br />
<br />
Restaurant Info:<br />
Pho House - Muara Karang Blok L9 no 5-6<br />
Telp : 021 33099648VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-45268140092350728612011-02-01T07:52:00.000-08:002011-02-08T07:04:13.372-08:00Bakmi Gajah Mada - Emporium PluitWent there last week for Saturday lunch after a few months absent and I promised myself not to order the same one as I usually did, the Chilly Beef noodle. <br />
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As usual, we've got to pay first, only then the order is put through to the kitchen. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407828264/" title="Menu"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5407828264_23274a4d89_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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For drinks we ordered some ice green tea and warm tea (since I've got a bad flu to conquer before the ultimate Chinese New Year feast the week after). <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407218853/" title="Drinks"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5407218853_0cd35642f5_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Anyway, the four of us ordered a few entrees and each ordered a noodle. Of course, we got to order the ever-famous fried dumplins. I'd say, this is probably their winning formula to grow from a small noodle shop along Gajah Mada Road to being a house-hold name in noodles in Jakarta. If one hadn't tried the "pangsit goreng", one had not had bakmi gajah mada. The sweet and sour sauce accompanying the fried dumplings, too, had not changed a bit since I first had it maybe some 20 years ago. <br />
<br />
Now, the dumpling is not oily at all. Nor is it crunchy like the usual oil-absorbing-dumpling-skin some other shops sell. Many noodle shops / Chinese restaurants tried to copy the dumpling, but of course to no vail. They just can't make the oil go away. In the past, My brother and I had a theory they might not fry the dumpling at all, but of course, baking them would not work either. And other theory include frying them in a very very high heat for seconds, then quickly scoop them up before the oil starts to get absorbed. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407219067/" title="Fried Dumplings"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5407219067_5f3c18b0a9_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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We also ordered the soup dumplings, which IMO, is crap. If only the standard of the soup ones is as good as the fried ones, they'll be more successful. We tried the chicken siomay as well. Another disappointment! Tasteless, oily, and super oily. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407828864/" title="Soup Dumplings"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5407828864_3a6dac4dba_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407219479/" title="Chicken siomay"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5407219479_24979bc8f7_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Let's move on the main course. I ordered the broccoli beef noodle, something different than the usual. It was just OK. The sauce was too thick and the noodles was a little bit over-cooked. But the broccoli and beef were complimenting the downsides. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407219953/" title="Broccoli beef noodle"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5407219953_b6fab8ba8d_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
<br />
Then we ordered one of the new menu, Thai chicken noodle. The chicken was grilled, not too oily and crispy. The sauce accompanying was also very Thai, sweet and sour. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407220277/" title="Thai chicken noodle"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5407220277_f1d75ea305_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Of course, as usual, one of us must order the chilly beef noodle. In the end, we ordered a couple portions. Anyway, to me this is the best noodle they have. The beef is very tender and the dish was not spicy at all considering the name itself. Ever since the price of chilly hiking up since the past months or so, it seems, they also cut down the quantity used. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5407220561/" title="Chilly beef noodle"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5407220561_827c883dd2_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Prices as of 29 Jan 2011<br />
Fried Dumpling (5 pieces) Rp10k<br />
Soup Dumpling (5 pieces) Rp9k<br />
Fried Chicken Siomay (2 pieces) Rp13k<br />
Broccoli Beef Noodle 30k<br />
Thai Chicken Noodle 22k<br />
Chilly Beef Noodle 30k<br />
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Restaurant Info:<br />
Bakmi Gajah Mada - Emporium Pluit Mall, Lt 2. Jakarta Utara <br />
Phone Number: 021-6667-6399<br />
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(Go to <a href= "http://www.bakmigm.com/outlets/jakarta">http://www.bakmigm.com/outlets/jakarta</a> for more info)VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-85087289008676084302011-01-27T09:35:00.000-08:002011-01-27T09:35:28.914-08:00Grandma's Birthday BashYesterday was grandma's 84th birthday. We had been celebrating her birthday since 2007, and it was always a different day in the year because she uses the lunar calendar to set the date. To her, there is nothing more more important than family gatherings. And any typical Chinese families, family gatherings without food is not considered one. <br />
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Our feast hadn't been changed since some donkey years ago. Maybe some dishes had been ditched to a new one, but mostly are just the same one every year. No matter how often our family had been munching the same dish every year, there is very little sign of monotony. For her grandchildren, we had been eating her food since we could ever remember, so our taste buds have been so accustomed to it. <br />
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So let's start introducing the feast with the "Tan family" cuisines. <br />
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Typically, we start the dinner with meatball. They are made of ground pork, ground shrimp, dried shrimp, plain flour and potato starch. Then they are made into balls and deep-fried. The good thing about these is they're always better the next day and even better the next. No re-frying needed, just put them in the oven. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5392763903/" title="Pork Meatballs"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5392763903_68e3f4cd5e_b.jpg" width="400"/></a> <br />
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Then, we have the seasoned jelly-fish. It's always made the day before, and the amount of vinegar, sugar and chilly is essential. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5392764351/" title="Seasoned Jellyfish"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5392764351_5d86d0c700_b.jpg" width="300"/></a> <br />
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The next dish is universally Chinese, it's the "Lap Cheong" or Chinese sausages. They simply steamed, and used some minced garlic, vinegar, and chilly for the dipping. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5393360310/" title="Lap Cheong"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5393360310_7779b6df50_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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A chicken dish is next. We had the boiled chicken, with stir-fried scallions and garlic as the seasonings (READ: Pak Cham Kee). In our family, we are very very strict about eating only free-range chicken. And there is no better way to cook them than this method (Not even KFC, or Ayam Bakar Babeh). Free-range chicken is less-fatty, less-chemically-enhanced, and the taste is incomparable than their cousins in the cages. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5393360682/" title="Pak Cham Kee"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5393360682_c6c76850d9_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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The next dish is kinda new to us. It's a combination of grilled sweet corn, some mixed nuts, ground pork and dried scallops. It's was really weird at first, but as you chew the corn and mixed nuts, the sweet corn juice makes the dish totally refreshing. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5392765069/" title="Corn combi"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5392765069_388789de1f_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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Then, next is stewed sea cucumbers with pork meat, shiitake mushrooms and cuttlefish. Very distinct Chinese dish, each Chinese ethnic groups have different cooking method, ours is a typical Hakka dish. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5393361958/" title="Sea cucumber"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5393361958_4215274675_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Not much seafood? wait for the next one. It's fried garoupa fish (I think). Very simple friend fish with sweet and sour sauce sprinkled on top. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5393362754/" title="Garoupa"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5393362754_63956806d4_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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For soup, we have the usual fish-ball soup. We didn't actually make the fish-ball ourselves, got them from a nearby market. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5393363074/" title="Garoupa"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5393363074_d3ab71f9a8_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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Of course this wouldn't be a a birthday bash if there weren't any noodle dish. This one very very messy dish is the highlight of the meal. Our noodle is stir-fried with ground pork, shrimps, cuttlefish, fish-ball, chicken gizzards, bean sprouts and garlic chives. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5393359924/" title="Fried Noodle"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5393359924_c5622b75b2_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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We had Tamarillo mocktail for desert, but I forgot to snap a picture. It's blended tamarillo fruits mixed with a wee bit of tamarillo syrup and Sprite. The perfect desert after such a hearty meal.VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-88995484034748487502011-01-25T07:58:00.000-08:002011-01-25T08:33:04.644-08:00Munchies - Gandaria CityJust last weekend, my first visit to the new Gandaria City Shopping Center in Kebayoran Lama. The last time I was tempted to go there was last year's Korean Indonesian Week, where there were kimchi tasting and BiBimBap competition, but never actually went there.<br />
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So finally, my friend and I went there to explore the new mall (It was more like what food are available there?). After a few round here and there, we finally decided on Munchies. Looking through heaps of restaurants menus with an empty stomach, but still can't decide where to eat, is unbearable.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5387317782/" title="Entrance"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5387317782_de22357e1b_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5386713827//" title="Interiors"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5386713827_9a78c81317_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5386713999/" title="Restaurant menu"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5386713999_69d6fbfbcf_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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We were recommended the "Combination of two meats and sauce" main. So how it works is you've got to choose two kind of meat (red and(or) white) and then there are varieties of sauces to combine with the meat. In the end, we didn't try those mains.<br />
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So after a quick glace through the iPad (I wanted to see the pictures of the menu), we decided to order 2 different type of mains (sandwich and pasta) and a salad (You know, to make you less guilty about eating too much meat).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5386715041/" title="Orders"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5386715041_e10caf0a37_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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For beverage, we ordered ice blackcurrant tea and ice jasmine tea. The thing I like about the beverage is the rock-sugar solution is in another shot glass, so we could adjust to our own preferences. Mine was a little bit less sweet even though I did put all the sugar. As usual, there's a mint leaf just for decoration.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5387318242/" title="Beverages"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5387318242_5a14104110_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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For the salad, we ordered Chicken Aioli. I definitely didn't expect the salad to be like this! Craftly built, the base was a piece of bread (or nan), then sliced lettuced-mixed-with-mayo in the middle, and topped with grilled chicken breasts. First impression; unique. Never in my life to have salad to be served like this. Taste-wise, it wasn't as good as I expected. The chicken was crispy, which was good, but too salty, really really salty for my liking. Then the lettuce was good, even though I think they could reduce the amount of mayo used. By the time we reached the bottom of the salad, the bread below is too soggy. (Anyone tried soggy bread before?)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5387318554/" title="Chicken Aioli"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5387318554_5940ac70c2_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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My main is the Chicken in the Middle Sandwich, which was recommended by the waitress. The highlight of the dish is definitely the soft white bread. Probably even the best single ingredient for that meal is the bread. It's super soft, not mushy, doesn't get stuck in your teeth, and smells like it's just came out of the oven, simply nothing ordinary. Inside those buns, is a piece of grilled chicken, caramelized onion, some mayo and melted cheese. Accompanying the sandwich is salads with balsamic vinegar dressing (I think), and a bowl of creamy mashed potato. I did request the chips to be changed to mashed potato, due to other 2011 resolutions. <br />
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My only complain about the dish is the over-cooked onion and over-used mayo. The onions literally smelled like instant noodles (READ: Indomie). Other than that, the mashed potato is very nice, not too creamy, and seasoned perfectly.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5387318754/" title="Chicken in the Middle"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5387318754_bab159f4b5_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5386714871/" title="Chicken in the Middle 2"><img height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5386714871_dd4a19bca2_b.jpg" width="400"/></a><br />
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My friend ordered Mushroom and Almond Fusilli. Basically just fusilli cooked in white-based sauce, topped with a couple fried mushroom, a bunch of stir-fried mushroom, sliced almonds, and cheese. Couldn't really taste any almond flavouring, aside from the sliced almonds scattered on top. The fusilli, on the other hand, was nicely cooked, there's still this "al-dente" feels to it. The sauce too, was not too thick nor creamy to make you sick. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23886576@N02/5386714349/" title="Mushroom and Almond Fusilli"><img height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5386714349_b01ab36ee0_b.jpg" width="300"/></a><br />
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We were too full to order desert, so got to ditch them. Overall, the experience was nice. Trying something different than I had always tried before surely makes one think so much food varieties in the world, you won't finish them even though you had one different ones in every meal for the rest of your live. <br />
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Prices as of 23 Jan 2011:<br />
Chicken in the Middle Sandwich Rp49k<br />
Mushroom & Almond Fusilli Rp48k<br />
Chicken Aioli Rp35k<br />
Ice Blackcurrant Tea Rp18k<br />
Ice Jasmine Tea Rp16k<br />
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Restaurant Info:<br />
Munchies - Gandaria City Mainstreet Ground Floor,<br />
Jl. KH. Syafi’i Hadzami No. 8, Kebayoran Lama<br />
Jakarta Selatan<br />
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Phone: 021 2905 3076VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979420608997469080.post-45528870834637699412011-01-25T03:20:00.000-08:002011-01-25T08:39:12.402-08:00First Entry - The DebutFinally, after years and years of consideration and reconsideration, my first food blog (diary)! Yay! Hopefully I'll spend more time in here updating than playing games in Facebook or waiting for my brother to complete his missions in Lord of the Rings games. One of my 2011 new year resolutions (Delayed from 2009 and 2010 resolutions) is this piece time-consuming-but-worth-every-effort food blog. Please do leave any messages, criticisms or any sort of notes that you think might improve this blog. (I promise I won't hunt you down). <br />
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So anyway, the blog is dedicated to anyone out there curious, adventurous and audacious enough to go around the city to have a their taste buds pampered. Most of the entry updates here will be any cuisine based in Jakarta. Yes, the old colonial town where mosquitos are your best friends and traffic jams (Not that bread jam - I know this is a food blog) are inevitable even on Sundays. Occasionally and infrequently, there will be food updates from close-by neighboring Asian countries.<br />
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Without further ado, let's start the year with more food to taste. <br />
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SelfishTemptations//VonBryanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18365560711949122366noreply@blogger.com0