Penang Food Trail - Joo Hooi Cafe

This is my favourite coffee shop as it serves my favourite Asaam Laksa.
Joo Hooi is located at 475 Jalan Penang Road and it is opened from 12pm to 5.30pm.
Finding the coffeeshop isnt easy and one can easily pass it without noticing it as it has a small obscured entrance.

My very first encounter with Assam Laksa was at Old Town in Kuala Lumpur last year. 

Ever since, I loved Asaam Laksa and can't wait to try the authentic version in Penang!

Assam laksa is thick rice vermicelli in fish broth. 

The texture of the vermicelli is soft and springy. 

Despite the abundance of garnishes served(i.e. cucumbers, onions, mint etc. ), I love this dish even though I am not a veg person. 

Assam Laksa (RM 3.50) approximately SGD 1.40 - 2 bowls

Popiah (RM 3.20) approximately SGD 1.30

Rojak (RM 4)  approximately SGD 1.60

Char Kway Tei (RM4) approximately SGD 1.60

Chendol (RM2.50) approximately SGD 1 - 2 bowls

Perfect for a ultra hot day

We also ordered a Barley drink at RM 1.30  approximately SGD 0.50 - 3 glasses

Total Cost : SGD 10.80

Penang Food Trail - Ho Ping

Recently, we went to Penang for a short getaway. 

I do not have much recollections on Penang as my last visit was when I was a little girl, say 10 years old. 

However, I still remember some attractions that I have been, such as snake temple etc. 

We happened to grab a guidebook on the good food in Penang and we embarked on a food expedition to sample as many food as we can, up to the point of having 6 meals a day! 

We stayed in Traders Penang, located in Georgetown. Being at the centre of town, it provides us easy access to eateries. The next few posts will provide some insights on the food that we have had during our 4 days in Penang.

The first place that I would like to introduce to you is Ho Ping.  We came here on two occasions - our first day lunch and second day dinner. 

Ho Ping is located at Jalan Penang. They are open from 8.30am to 9.30pm.

One practice in Penang is that it is a must to order drinks coffee shops. Otherwise, you will be subjected to a surcharge of RM0.30 per person. Practice may varies across coffeeshops. 

This was taken on our 1st day's lunch. 

Mee Goreng (RM3) approximately SGD 1.20

Kopi O (RM1 each) approximately SGD 0.40

Char Kway Teow (RM4) approximately SGD 1.60

These were taken on our 2nd day's dinner.

Fried Rice (RM4) approximately SGD 1.60

Lobak (RM6) approximately SGD 2.40

Pork noodle (RM7) approximately SGD 2.80 - Yes, we ordered brains. This was my first time tasting it. It is like very soft intestine. Had to really close my eyes to eat it and not feel too squeamish. 

Total cost  - SGD 10.40

Fiesta - Festive Hotel

Fiesta

Festive Hotel (Level 3)

Resorts World Sentota

Tel: 6577 8888

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This was my second visit to Fiesta. My first visit was to sample their breakfast buffet, Fiesta - Breakfast Buffet.

We decided to try their BBQ buffet dinner, which is available from Friday to Sunday.

The buffet spread is not as wide as the other buffets that we have been.
The spread is simple, for cold dishes, they have prawns, sashimi, mussels etc.

Fiesta is a family oriented restaurant. This is the first time that we see a special corner dedicated to children, where they can pick and choose their own snacks.

Rating

Yummy-ness of food: 2/5
Pricy-ness of food: 3/5 (typical pricing for a buffet that serves no lobsters, i.e. $58++ per person)
Overall Experience: 2/5 (I would opt for another buffet instead as I would prefer a quiet ambience for buffet)

 

Il Lido

Il Lido

Sentosa Golf Club

27 Bukit Manis Road

Singapore 099892

Tel: 6866 9197

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Was invited to a private dinner at Il Lido. 

The view at Il Lido was awesome! There is a magnificent view of the golf course.
There are a variety of rooms available for private dining events.

We have a 6 course meal where we have a choice of two main courses, i.e. pan roasted cod or wagyu beef cheek. I was quite disappointed with the wagyu beef cheek as it has braised till the meat felt like it is falling off the bone.

I liked all the dishes served as it very intricately prepared.
My favourites were the amuse bouche and smoked trout.

Rating

Yummy-ness of food : 4/5

Pricy-ness of food : 5/5 (The appetizer cost at least $25 while the wagyu beef cheek is at $45. The whole set would cost at least $150 per person)

Overall Experience : 4/5 (I would definitely come again but may give other dishes a try instead. Their prime beef tenderloin with goose liver and truffle sauce looks yummy!)

Amuse bouche 

Salmon trout with asparagus, smoked caviar and yogurt sauce

Garganelli with crab, white wine and basil foam

Wagyu beef cheek with creamy sweet peas and chanterelle mushrooms

Pan roasted cod with smoked caviar sauce and whipped potatoes

Tiramisu

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar

36 Purvis Street
+65 6837 1468

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This was the second restaurant that I have been to for this year Restaurant Week. 

This year, the Restaurant Week was held on 19 to 25 March 2012. 

What is so special about Restaurant Week is that award winning restaurants will serve set lunch and set dinner at very discounted prices. 

The set lunch is priced at $25 ++  while the set dinner is priced at $35++.

After hearing many reviews about Garibaldi, we decided to give it a try. 

As this restaurant is marked with a Dining City star, there is additional cost of $15 per person. 

This adds up to $40++ per person. 

I liked the ambience of the restaurant. A perfect place for dates. 

Although it is very crowded during the Restaurant Week,  I believe it should be quieter on normal days.

One of my favourite dish was the antipasti. I like the beetroot salad as the beetroot tasted sweet, unlike the typical beetroot taste. 

As for the main course, I would prefer the potato dumpling as it is good for people who liked the strong lamb flavour. This dish was definitely better than those found at other restaurants. 

The service was good as the staff was very attentive. Also, they make it a point to remember the items ordered by each patron so as to make your experience memorable. 

I am definitely looking forward to the next Restaurant Week, which will be held on October 2012.

Rating

Yummy-ness of food : 4/5

Pricy-ness of food : 3/5 (Pretty reasonable as it amounts to $40++/pax for a set lunch. On a typical day, this would cost more than that.)

Overall Experience : 3/5 (This restaurant is good but Italian food is not my preference.)

Dried tomato focaccia bread

Orange and beetroot salad with steam prwn in cocktail sauce

Homemade potato dumpling with lamb and thyme vegetable ragout

Seabass in mediterranean sauce with basil and black pepper cornmeal polenta

Tiramisu with almond flavour

Coffee

Le Tonkin

Le Tonkin

28 Ann Siang Road
+65 6808 2182

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Le Tonkin is a Vietnamese French restaurant. 

It is located at The Club Hotel, which is just beside Scarlet Hotel. 

One of my colleague bought us a meal at Le Tonkin during Restaurant Week period. 

This is the very first time I have tried the Restaurant week. 

The layout of the restaurant is very weird, I must say. 

It is embedded within the architecture of the hotel. 

There are both indoor and outdoor seating for the restaurant. 

There is just 1 room for the indoor seating and within the room, there are three tables located at each corner. As for the outdoor seating, it is located just beside the indoor seating and you will have to climb up a flight of stairs. 

The food was interesting as it has both French and Vietnamese cuisine. 

My favourite dish was the beef noodles because the beef was tender and cooked just right. 

Rating

Yummy-ness of food : 5/5

Pricy-ness of food : 3/5 (Pretty reasonable as this was a special promotion for restaurant week at $25++/pax. However, for other days, the price will be approximately $56, i.e. $18 for appetizer; $20 for beef noodles and $18 for fruit salad)

Overall Experience : 4/5 (May come back again just for the Beef Noodles!)

A common item served in French cuisine - bread with olive oil. 

Unlike the typical balsamic vinegar, the dark sauce used was sweet instead of sour. 

If you look at the stalks on the right hand side, this is edible and it taste something like spring onion. 

Not a big fan of greens to appreciate it. 

This dish was complimentary from the restaurant - wan ton wrapped with cheese. 

It was very delicious and this was paired with a sweet fruity sauce at the bottom. 

This is the appetizer - Le Tonkin fresh rolls. 

This is traditional vietnamese rice paper rolled with prawns, roast duck, fresh vermicelli, shredded vegetables and herbs. 

The top rolls were filled with prawns while the bottom rolls were filled with duck. 

Despite being a veggie hater, I managed to enjoy this dish, I must say. 

There were two options for the main dish. 

This is the Lime Leaves Chicken ordered by some of my colleagues.  

This is what the majority ordered - Beef Noodle Soup. 

This is very good. 

The picture below is before the soup base is poured in. 

This picture is after the soup base is poured in. 

You can see the nice pink beef colour. 

The meat was very tender. 

The last dish was desserts. Two choices were provided - ice cream or mixed fruit salad. 

This is the ice cream

Mixed Fruit Salad

Barossa

BAROSSA

22 Lorong Mambong

227681 Singapore

Tel: 6468 4688

http://www.barossa.com.sg/

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ALL YOU CAN EAT AUSTRALIAN STEAK!!!

What more could you ask for? We had the opportunity to visit this place over the weekend. 

Buffet is only available on Wed and Sun. Which leaves us not many free days to try it. 

Free flow of Wagyu, Black Angus and T bone steak. Sorry I don't remember the types of cuts.

The place is a nice quiet area around Holland Village. 

Quite reasonably priced @SGD43.90++/pax

They have steaks, sides, salad. Not really much to rave about. But not bad. Just that I usually would enjoy better prepared steaks although I'll probably not be able to find really good quality and quantity at this price. 

I'm not saying it's not a good place to go. Actually, it's quite a nice place, just that it's not really my style. 

Price wise, its fine for an all you can eat steak buffet with some good cuts. 

Quality wise, its also some fine meats you're getting. 

Quantity, you can order all you want. The cuts are pretty thin though so you should be able to try them all without much of a problem.

Service, really quite good, the staff are attentive, keep asking you if you'd like more meats when you're done with your existing serving. 

Not really sure why I'm not too hot about this place. 

Just didn't seem like my kinda place. 

Archipelago beer not part of the buffet. But I've tried the beer previously, it's pretty good. 

Rating

Yummy-ness of food : 4/5

Pricy-ness of food : 4/5

Overall Experience : 4/5 (Overall rating is good. Although not my style but I'd recommend you to try.)