Buzzing with FOOD :: October

Daily drool, FoodOctober 27, 2008 10:03 am

This Indian restaurant, famous for its banana leaf rice and naan has a beautiful branch in Tanjung Bungah, just directly opposite Paradise Sandy Beach Resort. To reach there, make a left turn right after you see the hotel, park behind this restaurant and walk in through their back door. There’s ample parking behind, by the road side since it is a housing area.

The place is nicely set-up, nothing like any normal indian or mamak shop you can find around in Penang. It gives the customers a relaxing place to hang out with family or friends for a dinner or ‘yum cha’ session.

Banana lassi and Mango lassi. Although it was really sour, but the smoothness was really pleasing.

Chicken Tandori Naan set. The chicken had a nice smokey flavour and a strong sense of spices. It was good to go with the plain naan plus slices of onions and carrots. The curries given also blends well with this dish.

Masala Chicken. Recommended in the menu and also by those who have eaten before. And it really didn’t disappoint! Thick and spicy curry with chicken cubes and lots of onions and spices.

Of course…how can we not order a banana leaf dish. We picked a vegetarian set since we have the masala chicken above to eat with. It came with 3 types of vegetables, 2 types of curries (1 more was requested by us) and a basket of papadum. There is a choice of nasi briyani or just plain white rice.

The array of sweet desserts placed near the payment counter. We didn’t try any of it since we were really full after the meal.

They do have a main branch at Penang Street, but this branch has a better environment for friends gathering or just to hang out for a chat.

for more reviews:

What2See

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And a greeting to all Indian friends and readers,

To all celebrating Deepavali, may the festival of lights bring happiness and peace to you and your family! Happy Diwali.

(the hut’s light bulb, taken from the Sri Ananda Bahwan, Tanjung Bungah)

Daily drool, FoodOctober 23, 2008 6:50 pm

Habana Coffee, Wine and Bistro

Recently a lot of cafes are ’sprouting’ up like mushrooms.

I believe for a food business to last, a chef with good skills to come out with unique, interesting and not forgetting delicious food is essential.

One of a new cafe opened in Krystal Point is Habana Coffee, Wine and Bistro. This cafe occupies the ground floor and the first floor (consisting of the bistro)

Cappuccino (RM 4.50) was a let-down, according to the friend who ordered this.

Linguine Vongole (RM 18.90) came out to be normal only, although ingredients came in a generous portion.

Fettuccine Carbonara (RM 19.90) is not creamy and cheesy enough.

Chicken Chop Oriental (RM 17.90) was alright. Hidden bottom were fries and steamed cauliflower and carrots. The piece of chicken was quite huge but it was a little on the oily side. The sauce gives a compliment to the other-wise dry dish but it would taste much better if the ‘oriental’ flavour is a little stronger.

At the end when we paid for the bill, we were charged 5% government tax…which I don’t think is correct since this cafe is not listed in the list of restaurants which are allowed to charge this tax. I asked the waiter but he was totally blur and unsure and he said he will try to check with the management. I was asked to come back another day to get the answer because the management is not around!!

How do we verify whether a certain cafe/restaurant is allowed to charge the tax?? Have you ever asked the management?

Ermm…from my writing, I believe you can guess whether this cafe has good or unsatisfactory food. If you have tried it, please share your views.

Daily drool, Food, EventOctober 16, 2008 10:03 pm

Korean Food and Cultural Festival 2008

The recently concluded Korean Food and Cultural Festival 2008 was held from 9th to 13th Oct, in Gurney Plaza

I went over on a Friday night, and although I didn’t see any cultural part (as in the performance or such), I walked around the food fair area, where Korean made products are displayed and sold.

Korea Palace, the only restaurant with a stall there to let shoppers sample a few Korean dish such as Korean pancake, kimchi and some ’sushi-like’ rice.

Korean pancake. Looks plain but it’s quite flavourful and soft.

Kimchi on sale

Things sold are not cheap as it is all imported Korean food.

Korean pear selling for RM 18 each and a box of grapes is RM 75.

Salesgirls were dressed up in Korean traditional clothing to attract customers. None of them are Korean though

Korean wa-wa (dolls) are placed at strategic locations near the products. Cute eh!!

I did not buy anything from there. Were you there during the 5-day event???

Daily drool, Food, Gathering, EventOctober 2, 2008 4:17 pm

Another night of fun - 2nd Floggers Gathering

I know this is a much delayed post…but trying to change my blog outlook and also designing a new watermark for the photos took up quite some time….my apologies!

Compared to the first floggers gathering I attended, this one was much better and well attended…by almost 20 floggers!!

This gathering was held in Edelweiss Cafe, 38 Lebuh Armenian, 10300 Penang.

Shop entrance (left) and a temple/association nearby (right)

Last Saturday was a gathering of like-minded people…all who have keen interest in blogging, particularly about food. From strangers, we became friends, from virtually known, we finally had the chance to meet up the faces behind those blogs. From a simple hello, we ended up with long conversations, jokes, laughter and fun.

And all of this is thanks to our dear organizing chairman (which we have decided that she STAYS a chairman for as long as she can ), CK, Gill Gill, PenangTuaPui and Criz.

Interior Deco…

Cheese fondue pot. Edelweiss Cafe serves this cheese fondue for RM75+ (for 2-3 pax)

Shown below:

"Sorry this toilet is taken. Pull string gently until the end to verify the above. More toilets around the corner"

In case you were wondering….NO, I did not pull the string to verify!!!

Bloggers arriving…

Just at the right timing….snapped this when another camera flashes while some bloggers get together for a picture. There’s 5xmom with her famous red t-shirt.

Gill Gill arranged with the cafe management to prepare for us a set dinner menu (RM38nett):

Drinks
Iced Lemon Tea

Starter
Toasted Roti Benggali with cheese and onions

Soup
Pumpkin Orange Soup (served with garlic bread)

Main course - A choice of:

1) BBQ Pork Ribs (served with french fries and salad)
2) Curry Pork Sausage (served with French fries and salad) - has tomato sauce and curry powder sprinkled on top
3) Roast Leg of Lamb (served with mashed potatoes, gravy and mint sauce)
4) Gammon Ham (served with mashed potatoes, onion gravy and salad)
5) Smoked Pork Belly (served with mashed potatoes and salad)

BBQ Pork Ribs

Smoked Pork Belly

The pork belly tasted very good…although it’s a little oily (which is the special part according to some). I sort of surprised myself that I managed to finish it except for the top quarter part of the oily skin. The smokey flavour gives a fine taste to the tender pork meat.

Gammon Ham

Roast Leg of Lamb

Big smoked pork sausage with Roesti and mustard

Big smoked pork sausage (curry sausage german style)

Dessert
Apple Flan / Ice cream

The apple flan was nice. Not too sweet, large slices of apple and very smooth vanilla ice-cream to go with it.

Drink
Coffee/ Tea

Some other desserts available:

This pineapple+barley and jam tarts is given by CK while the chocolate brownies were specially made by Ah Shui. Thanks so much!!! The sweetness from these goodies is enough to keep my mouth "sweet" till the next gathering!!