The Blossom Chinese Restaurant at Swiss Garden Hotel Kuantan

We stayed at the Swiss Garden Hotel Kuantan in April 2013. As it was a long weekend and school holiday too, the hotel was packed to the brim. Many restaurants outside was also full.

Some how, we had a dim sum lunch at the hotel's Chinese restaurant, The Blossom. Well, we all enjoyed it very much although there is no pork and the bill was also very reasonable, Kuantan prices. Unfortunately, I did not take any photos during the dim sum lunch.

Restaurant entrance

A view of the interior

Due to the good experience, we came back for dinner the following day. They had a all you can eat promotion and we could choose from about 50 dishes.

Appertisers of deep fried cruellers. Good.

Sharkfin soup.

Another appertiser of deep fried foo chok.

Butter prawns. Good size too!

Fried fish

Fried squid

Beef...all gone.

Noodles....gone also.

Fried rice....

First things first, the food was good. My hat off to the chef. He has the wok hei skills and the taste is just right. I would go back to eat again anytime. Apparently lots of Kuantan folks, not hotel guests, would come here for their meals. Good job. Prices are also very reasonable.

One observation however, is that due to the full house in the hotel service is stretched due to the lack of staff. Even with the available staff, most are just part time and not properly trained. This is sad as it will lower the standards of the hotel. However, this is not just this hotel's problem but for all. It seems the problem is much worse in Kuantan than elsewhere.

The hotel's website is at http://www.swissgardenkuantan.com/index.html. The hotel's contact details :

Swiss-Garden Resort & Spa Kuantan
2656-2657, Mukim Sungai Karang,
Balok Beach, 26100 Berserah, Kuantan,
Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.

Until the next time, cheers.

Pak Su Seafood Restaurant Kuantan

During our April 2013 trip to Kuantan, we were recommended to this very popular restaurant and the various reviews on the internet confirms this as well. So, I was quite looking forward to eat there. We arrived on week day for lunch and found the place deserted which was rather disturbing. I thought to myself that their clientele is probably the weekend and night crowds.

The restaurant entrance

Nice view of the sea

A mural on the wall outside

Empty 

Although the place empty when we arrived, the lunch crowds started to arrive later including some tour groups. The restaurants had live seafood tanks and although they were not as extensive like some of the restaurants in KL, it was not bad with quite a good variety. It is not common to have such a variety here in this area and based on the internet reviews, they have quite a good Singaporean following.

Live seafood

Seafood tank

While choosing our dishes, 2 guys came in with a live shark that was just caught. They were trying to sell it to the restaurant. However, the restaurant was not interested in this. I was not sure what specie it was.

The shark for sale

The 2 guys bringing back the shark

We did want to eat what was common in this part restaurant and so ordered a few dishes that we felt like eating.

Steamed kampong chicken

Deep fried squids

Fried kangkong

Curry fish head

Another fried vegetable

 

Steamed French crab

 

 

We saw that they sold crabs from France and wanted to try it. So, we asked them their recommendation and they said, steamed. However, it was a disappointment. They did not have to skill to do it well and it was a waste for such a nice crab.

Overall the other food was also not great. The fish head curry was a big disappointment. We should have stucked with their normal dishes.

Anyhow, I suppose if we were around here again, I will visit them again and hopefully, the next experience will be much better.

Their website address is http://www.paksu-seafood.com.my/. The contact details are as follows :


No.4/1417, Batu 6, Lot 922,
Kg. Bahagia Beserah,
26100 Kuantan, Pahang.
Phone: 609-544 8025
Mobile: 019-987 8403
Mobile: 017-989 6666
Open Daily Mon-Sun 11:30 am-2:30pm | 5:30pm-12am

Until the next time, cheers.

Four Seasons London Restaurant at Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang Jaya (what an experience)!!

I don't normally go to Empire Shopping Gallery but since we were in the vicinity one Saturday in May 2013, we stopped for lunch. We did not know what to eat and fianlly settled for this restaurant since it is the same name as the famous restaurant in London (not sure whether there is a connection though apart from the name).

View of the restaurant

Part of the deco

 The service was not bad actually and the lady who took our order was quite efficient. But then again, that's when the problem started. I was there with my wife and 8 year old daughter and since it was our first time, we did not their portion sizes. After taking our order, I asked again whether we ordered too much and she said it is OK.

So, please see for your self.

A quarter of a goose at RM 60.

Spicy fried rice with roast pork

Fried kailan

Fried long beans

Meehoon braised with pork belly

Aromatic duck

Well, when one of their pancake had a hole, I asked for some additional and they actually charged me RM 8 for 4 pieces of pancake.

When we found out the food was too much, we tried to cancel the aromatic duck but they would not allow us.

We finally had to pack about half the food but the experience spoilt our appetite and mood. When we asked for the manager or boss, there was no response.

The restaurant seemed on pushing orders and not actually pleasing customers. The prices are also not cheap. The bill came to slightly below RM 200.

I have also checked some of the reviews on food blog and quite a number have also negative responses and experience.

Well, this would probably be my first and last trip here. So, I will not even provide contact details of this restaurant.

Until the next time, cheers.

KIm Lian Kee Hokkien Mee at Aeon Cheras Selatan

This is another of the landmark old food establishment in Kuala Lumpur. I was in Aeon Cheras Selatan in Balakong in May 2013 when I saw this restaurant. Although I haven't to this mall recently, this restaurant have probably taken over from another establishment not too long ago.

Apart from their main shop in Petaling Street, they have an outlet at the Hutong Food Court in Lot 10 (not sure whether they are still open or not). Anyhow, I was happy to see the shop.

So, we had to order the hokkien mee. We also tried the fried rice, pork soup and some fried wantan.

The hokkien mee was not dissapointing. In fact, I expected less. However, the fried rice was OK but lacked ommph somehow. The soup was OK but the pork was not too good as the coating was out.

If you wish to know more, their facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/KimLianKee. Contact details of their main shop is :

Restoran Kim Lian Kee

49 Jalan Petaling, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-2032 4984 

Until the next time, cheers.

Kedai Kopi Tong Sing, Jalan Mendaling Kajang

This traditional kopitiam has been around for more than 40 years and it currently being run by the second generation made up of 2 sisters and a brother. We come here for breakfast almost weekly during the weekend or public holidays. 

The place is popular and it is better to be here early ie before 8 am or else it would be difficult to get a place.

Entrance to the kopitiam

Simple kopitiam

The food here is simple and great, the kopitiam sells a good packed nasi lemak. They will also have some other kuehs or mee siam on certain days. The coffee, bread (steamed or toasted) is good and so it the half boiled egg.

The only stall in the shop is run by a lady whose father also sold noodles from the Kajang bazaar many years ago. Her noodles with fried hakka pork is good whether in black sauce or curry. She also sells porridge.

Some times, it is the simple food that hits the spot and I am always satisfied whenever I come here for breakfast.

Funny that we saw a monkey at the shophouse across. I am not sure how the monkey got to the middle of town. Probably it is from the park near the stadium.

The kopitiam opens daily except for Mondays. They are open only in the mornings. The kopitiam is located on Jalan Mendaling in Kajang town.

Until the next time, cheers.