I am fond of 2 shops in the Air Itam area.One is at the crack of dawn next to a stream and the other at night from a pushcart.I won't be surprised if it was the morning fella that got booked.
The fact that we Penangites need our Nasi Kandar fix so bad it defies logic(maybe it acts as an anti depressant,pile on the poppy seeds,yea),that sometimes it makes me feel like a charmed snake in a basket that's more than willing to put up with the unhygienic,chaotic,messy situation of it all.
When I first read this I was a little disturbed.
But come to think of it,is there even one clean Nasi Kandar shop in Penang?Rare case.Well ok maybe I'll nominate Hameediyah's air conditioned restaurant
What about a clean Nasi kandar kitchen?Impossible,you might as well ask for the moon.
So let's start the drum roll and see what they made the news for.............
-unsatisfactory level of hygiene (to condition our guts to accept every available spectrum of bacterium)
-contaminated food and beverages (so we can get our money's worth from what we pay to Indah Water )
-workers with no typhoid jabs (so doctors and sinsehs get more lau sai cases)
-raw food on kitchen floor (just in case those on top don't work,this is where insurance benefits come in)
-fried chicken placed on newspapers (to absorb the extra oil while your brains die slowly)
Sigh....Yawn....again like I said before,this is nothing new.
Just in case you do come here and eat too,do read on for personal awareness.
This article was plucked from The Star newspaper.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caught In The Act
Dirty outlet slapped with RM800 fine for six offences
A TOTAL of 801 compounds amounting to more than RM20,000 were issued to 501 eateries on the island since Sept 2009 to Dec 23 this year.
Penang Municipal (MPPP) councillor Ong Ah Teong (pic) said the compounds were issued for various offences such as unhygienic conditions, restaurant workers who did not get proper inoculations (for typhoid) and mismanagement of food wastage and garbage.
After a random check in one of the nasi kandar restaurants in Air Itam, Ong told a press conference that the MPPP Health Enforcement Department would be collaborating with the state Health Department to conduct more monthly checks in eateries, starting from next month.
The outlet in Air Itam was slapped with six compounds amounting to about RM800 for offences such as unsatisfactory hygiene level, contaminated food and beverage items and failure to get typhoid jabs for its employees during the check on Thursday.
Enforcement officers found fried chicken placed on newspapers and raw items such as poultry placed on the floor in the kitchen.
“We decided to conduct a routine check at the eatery after receiving complaints from customers,” Ong said.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Master Choo Kitchen @ 1st Avenue Mall
We trawled the mall left and right,down and up(wasn't much to explore cos not many have opened for business)before settling on this place since it was something different,while the prices were quite unbelievably down to earth.
Dome?done that...
Kim and Gary?spare me....
Rotiboy?...heard that the managress was very LSLY and didn't want to find out the ugly truth just yet
Kenny Rogers....once too many
Old Town?....yawn
Considering that Kedah has some great hidden dining gems like that fantastic curry place relocated to a new bungalow a stone's throw away from the famous Alor Setar nasi lemak(haven't tried the nasi lemak,don't get me wrong),plus the fact this outlet had its roots in both Kulim and Sungai Petani,I didn't mind trying.
Upon entering you will naturally head for the partitioned seating with cloth lanterns hovering above.
Big mistake I tell you if you weigh above fifty kilos or are more than 5 foot tall.The longer you sit there,the more it feels like you are privy to a seedy kuomintang gathering.Space is so tight that claustrophobia could set in.
2 on the same side of the table makes it terribly crowded.This is worse than dining on a KTM train buffet coach.You have to sit with your rib cage upright and your elbows tucked in.
Angmos would become deformed xmas turkeys once they wriggle their way out.
Though this restaurant got a great interior designer to do the job,I think maximizing space and capturing potential customers attention,was on top of the cards instead of diners comfort.
Creative efforts went into the presentation of foods as well as drinks but the downside is most foods were way overflavoured.
The coffee was definitely 2 times stronger,2 times more fragrant and 2 times sweeter too.
Exactly what you get when you put 2 packets of instant coffee in a cup.
Ice blended fruit drinks are the same case too.Way too sharp,as well as way too sweet.
More does not make it better ok?
Hongkong Tea was NOT hongkong tea.
Noodles had lost its springiness and reeked of slimy alkaline water.Ugh!
Dimsum made a grand entrance but turned out to be a disaster(I can't believe they're affiliated to another dimsum restaurant,I've had better in that rundown shophouse in Gurun) with a floury substance swimming inside the casing and minced pork that tasted downright strange.
3 people across our table took turns in not wasting their stone dishes.One lady went to the loo so long (cos the loo has pleasing mosaics and a passageway that looks like the way out of a circus mirror maze)that by the time she returned,she still had to eat in slow motion,a small mouthful of whatever was left.
A pair of lovebirds embedded into a nearby partition,ordered the largest dish for two on the menu which came in a wooden barrel.Fat people never frown at good food but they most certainly did.
A child in the middle,only ate the meat from a burger,then proceeded to create finger art on his plate using a galaxy of sauces underneath.Tra lala lala...
I do believe that the operator of this place really does want to deliver value for money meals and is out to impress us Penangites.Somehow they don't understand that less is more.
It's like a child trying to impress his parent with a sandwich that has everything from the pantry in it;
or like Amy Beh's recipes....a long list of unnecessary ingredients to impress clueless cooks.
Presuming that they did the same to their ajinomoto,that'd explain how some of us developed Chinese Kitchen Syndrome afterwards.
Pluses?
Food here is very filling which is a good thing for some considering the reasonable price.Great value for money if you can cast aside the overzealous flavouring.And the Hongkong carrot cake that tasted more like a cross between dry koay kak and non oily ckt was a surprise.
When and if I ever do come back,I'll just have the warm water please...no more shocks thank you.
Dome?done that...
Kim and Gary?spare me....
Rotiboy?...heard that the managress was very LSLY and didn't want to find out the ugly truth just yet
Kenny Rogers....once too many
Old Town?....yawn
Considering that Kedah has some great hidden dining gems like that fantastic curry place relocated to a new bungalow a stone's throw away from the famous Alor Setar nasi lemak(haven't tried the nasi lemak,don't get me wrong),plus the fact this outlet had its roots in both Kulim and Sungai Petani,I didn't mind trying.
Upon entering you will naturally head for the partitioned seating with cloth lanterns hovering above.
Big mistake I tell you if you weigh above fifty kilos or are more than 5 foot tall.The longer you sit there,the more it feels like you are privy to a seedy kuomintang gathering.Space is so tight that claustrophobia could set in.
2 on the same side of the table makes it terribly crowded.This is worse than dining on a KTM train buffet coach.You have to sit with your rib cage upright and your elbows tucked in.
Angmos would become deformed xmas turkeys once they wriggle their way out.
Though this restaurant got a great interior designer to do the job,I think maximizing space and capturing potential customers attention,was on top of the cards instead of diners comfort.
Creative efforts went into the presentation of foods as well as drinks but the downside is most foods were way overflavoured.
The coffee was definitely 2 times stronger,2 times more fragrant and 2 times sweeter too.
Exactly what you get when you put 2 packets of instant coffee in a cup.
Ice blended fruit drinks are the same case too.Way too sharp,as well as way too sweet.
More does not make it better ok?
Hongkong Tea was NOT hongkong tea.
Noodles had lost its springiness and reeked of slimy alkaline water.Ugh!
Dimsum made a grand entrance but turned out to be a disaster(I can't believe they're affiliated to another dimsum restaurant,I've had better in that rundown shophouse in Gurun) with a floury substance swimming inside the casing and minced pork that tasted downright strange.
3 people across our table took turns in not wasting their stone dishes.One lady went to the loo so long (cos the loo has pleasing mosaics and a passageway that looks like the way out of a circus mirror maze)that by the time she returned,she still had to eat in slow motion,a small mouthful of whatever was left.
A pair of lovebirds embedded into a nearby partition,ordered the largest dish for two on the menu which came in a wooden barrel.Fat people never frown at good food but they most certainly did.
A child in the middle,only ate the meat from a burger,then proceeded to create finger art on his plate using a galaxy of sauces underneath.Tra lala lala...
I do believe that the operator of this place really does want to deliver value for money meals and is out to impress us Penangites.Somehow they don't understand that less is more.
It's like a child trying to impress his parent with a sandwich that has everything from the pantry in it;
or like Amy Beh's recipes....a long list of unnecessary ingredients to impress clueless cooks.
Presuming that they did the same to their ajinomoto,that'd explain how some of us developed Chinese Kitchen Syndrome afterwards.
Pluses?
Food here is very filling which is a good thing for some considering the reasonable price.Great value for money if you can cast aside the overzealous flavouring.And the Hongkong carrot cake that tasted more like a cross between dry koay kak and non oily ckt was a surprise.
When and if I ever do come back,I'll just have the warm water please...no more shocks thank you.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Fake Milo @ Seberang Prai Coffeeshops
The things these operators do.
Not that I like Milo,I find that lately the powder has gotten a tinge lighter while the price has skyrocketed.
Clever marketing ensured a firm foothold on Malaysian soil so much so that when we go to the mamak or kopitiam we order Milo instead of a cocoa drink and insist on Nescafe instead of any other instant coffee.
I do hope the people at Nestle sense the rustling on the ground and maintain their quality or else the same fate that has befallen Maggi might happen to Milo one day too.
In this latest expose' at least 5 operators were found to have substituted the powder in actual Milo tins with another cocoa powder which they obtained from one clandestine supplier.They did this to increase their profits by 30%.
Smart or stupid?Read on...
This article was taken from today's The Star
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Hot Water Over Milo Scam
GEORGE TOWN: Several unscrupulous coffeeshop operators in Seberang Prai have been found using a type of cocoa powder to pass off as ‘Milo’ to unsuspecting consumers.
At least five operators were caught when the state Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry enforcement divi- sion carried out raids at their premises last week.
State director Mohd Salleh Maamor said initial investigations showed each operator could obtain an extra 30% profit by using the powder.
A 3.2kg pack of Milo is said to be priced at RM40.70 at retail outlets.
Mohd Salleh said the raids were carried out following public tip-off, adding that they had seized several Milo tins containing the powder from the five operators.
He said preliminary findings showed the powder was not the popular chocolate beverage.
“We will send the powder to the chemistry department for analysis before wrapping up our investigation.
“The case is being investigated under Trade Description Act 1972,” he said after conducting price checks at the Cold Storage supermarket in Island Plaza here yesterday.
The ministry’s enforcement division chief M. Guna Selan said investigation papers would be forwarded to the Deputy Public Prosecutors office once the chemist report confirmed that the powders were not that of Milo.
He believed the operators aged between 40 and 63 had received the powders from the same supplier.
“The operators told us the supplier would come to them once in a while. There were no official receipts over the purchase.
“We are now investigating their claims,” he said, adding that the operators were still operating as usual.
In an unrelated development, Mohd Salleh said the ministry had put 14 items under price control for five days effective Dec 23 in conjunction with Christmas.
Not that I like Milo,I find that lately the powder has gotten a tinge lighter while the price has skyrocketed.
Clever marketing ensured a firm foothold on Malaysian soil so much so that when we go to the mamak or kopitiam we order Milo instead of a cocoa drink and insist on Nescafe instead of any other instant coffee.
I do hope the people at Nestle sense the rustling on the ground and maintain their quality or else the same fate that has befallen Maggi might happen to Milo one day too.
In this latest expose' at least 5 operators were found to have substituted the powder in actual Milo tins with another cocoa powder which they obtained from one clandestine supplier.They did this to increase their profits by 30%.
Smart or stupid?Read on...
This article was taken from today's The Star
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Hot Water Over Milo Scam
GEORGE TOWN: Several unscrupulous coffeeshop operators in Seberang Prai have been found using a type of cocoa powder to pass off as ‘Milo’ to unsuspecting consumers.
At least five operators were caught when the state Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry enforcement divi- sion carried out raids at their premises last week.
State director Mohd Salleh Maamor said initial investigations showed each operator could obtain an extra 30% profit by using the powder.
A 3.2kg pack of Milo is said to be priced at RM40.70 at retail outlets.
Mohd Salleh said the raids were carried out following public tip-off, adding that they had seized several Milo tins containing the powder from the five operators.
He said preliminary findings showed the powder was not the popular chocolate beverage.
“We will send the powder to the chemistry department for analysis before wrapping up our investigation.
“The case is being investigated under Trade Description Act 1972,” he said after conducting price checks at the Cold Storage supermarket in Island Plaza here yesterday.
The ministry’s enforcement division chief M. Guna Selan said investigation papers would be forwarded to the Deputy Public Prosecutors office once the chemist report confirmed that the powders were not that of Milo.
He believed the operators aged between 40 and 63 had received the powders from the same supplier.
“The operators told us the supplier would come to them once in a while. There were no official receipts over the purchase.
“We are now investigating their claims,” he said, adding that the operators were still operating as usual.
In an unrelated development, Mohd Salleh said the ministry had put 14 items under price control for five days effective Dec 23 in conjunction with Christmas.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Nasi Melayu @ UDA Flats,Tanjong Tokong (lunch)
This stall is one of those rare places where the number of chinese customers sometimes outnumber their malay ones.Their customers come from varied backgrounds....fishermen,office clerks,towkays,nurses to housewives and the nearby villagers from both sides of the main Tanjong Tokong road.
Price?Comparable to the Nasi Padang in Transfer Road which means it can be exorbitant if you pile on whatever you like without a care in the world.
The first time I ate here,I really hated it.Compared to the finesse of the local kampung housewives who are extremely great cooks at pepper flame laden dishes,I found the dishes to be rather on the bitterish side,not that hot and wondered what the fuss was all about.With time,it kind of grows on you and then you know why the count-every-sen lowkey towkays make a beeline here.For the comfort food.The taste though truly localised Penang Malay to the bone,takes some getting used to.
This place is not for the novice diner.
It is in a lowcost flat area with rats scampering about,Mat rempits,pushers,junkies and old men with one leg up on the chair, loitering in the vicinity so you can imagine.
When you arrive here,you'll probably be greeted by an old OKU or physically challenged person,that goes round collecting parking fees.The pong will greet you first to make you succumb to payment.If that doesn't work he will tell you things like you park here and pay once then enjoy ten times free parking.
Rubbish.
Next time you go,he says he needs a loan for a haircut.Another time he will tell you he needs money to buy food.Each time he has managed to come up with different excuses.Being the soft hearted wimp that I am,I parted with dollar after dollar until one day I saw him pestering young girls at the pasar malam for more money.Another time this young fella tried to collect money and he agressively chased him away while hopping on one leg.He's a pro,this much I can say.
So now back to the stall,if you never intend to return,you must never ever take a look at the old cook cos your heart will melt in an instant.Seeing that she is bent over double,so sweet and gentle looking,yet so tiny,you can't help but like her.Eventually,some part of your grey matter will start to reminisce that the tudung wearing grandmother's cooking must be something really special.That's exactly what happened to me and the part of the reason why I returned a second time.Drat.
The middle aged lady owner used to be the one to kira the total bill.I thought she was expensive.Then one day I whooped with joy when her ever smiling hubby took over cos she had to attend to the kitchen.I got slapped 20 percent higher than usual.Nowadays the Drift King( he's the owner of a horrible looking orange carnage of a DIY fibreglass set of wheels) bearded son of hers that looks like somewhere in the family line lies some Moghul or Pakistani bloodties,whom she so used to loath has taken over the till.This fella has done so well at simply charging as he likes that his mother has given him stripes even the other watermelon juice squeezing Shirley Temple haired brother of his has yet to acquire.
When the type of women he digs stand in front of him,his eyes start to wander,he loses focus,and that's when he'll simply tembak you with the bill.He likes to look at our chest,legs( maybe butts too but how to tell with your back turned?) and that's what causes him to get itchy for a smoke to calm his nerves and slow down his accelerating heart rate.At one point he will take a last puff before sitting down again,but not before exclaiming to all and sundry that he has to focus.This is hilarious only if you are not paying for the meal I can assure you.I guess this is the moment that cheat diners strike cos he's such a blur buaya.
Coming to the dishes,most times the gravies run out so fast,we are left scraping the pan for trickles of it.The fried chicken though of a good recipe,is sometimes undercooked.Also due to the fact that it comes from the Mount Erskine market abbatoir,biting into broken splinters from the wing part accompanied by a terrible texture due to the marrow seeping in to corrupt the meat, is guaranteed.Last of all the fish gulai nowadays isn't fresh like before,making the curry reek of a fisherman's overnight net.
Having said all that, if you still want to try,do remember the most important rule,one look,might cause a lifelong unspoken bond of inexplainable affection to develop between you and the old nenek .Don't say I didn't tell you then.
Price?Comparable to the Nasi Padang in Transfer Road which means it can be exorbitant if you pile on whatever you like without a care in the world.
The first time I ate here,I really hated it.Compared to the finesse of the local kampung housewives who are extremely great cooks at pepper flame laden dishes,I found the dishes to be rather on the bitterish side,not that hot and wondered what the fuss was all about.With time,it kind of grows on you and then you know why the count-every-sen lowkey towkays make a beeline here.For the comfort food.The taste though truly localised Penang Malay to the bone,takes some getting used to.
This place is not for the novice diner.
It is in a lowcost flat area with rats scampering about,Mat rempits,pushers,junkies and old men with one leg up on the chair, loitering in the vicinity so you can imagine.
When you arrive here,you'll probably be greeted by an old OKU or physically challenged person,that goes round collecting parking fees.The pong will greet you first to make you succumb to payment.If that doesn't work he will tell you things like you park here and pay once then enjoy ten times free parking.
Rubbish.
Next time you go,he says he needs a loan for a haircut.Another time he will tell you he needs money to buy food.Each time he has managed to come up with different excuses.Being the soft hearted wimp that I am,I parted with dollar after dollar until one day I saw him pestering young girls at the pasar malam for more money.Another time this young fella tried to collect money and he agressively chased him away while hopping on one leg.He's a pro,this much I can say.
So now back to the stall,if you never intend to return,you must never ever take a look at the old cook cos your heart will melt in an instant.Seeing that she is bent over double,so sweet and gentle looking,yet so tiny,you can't help but like her.Eventually,some part of your grey matter will start to reminisce that the tudung wearing grandmother's cooking must be something really special.That's exactly what happened to me and the part of the reason why I returned a second time.Drat.
The middle aged lady owner used to be the one to kira the total bill.I thought she was expensive.Then one day I whooped with joy when her ever smiling hubby took over cos she had to attend to the kitchen.I got slapped 20 percent higher than usual.Nowadays the Drift King( he's the owner of a horrible looking orange carnage of a DIY fibreglass set of wheels) bearded son of hers that looks like somewhere in the family line lies some Moghul or Pakistani bloodties,whom she so used to loath has taken over the till.This fella has done so well at simply charging as he likes that his mother has given him stripes even the other watermelon juice squeezing Shirley Temple haired brother of his has yet to acquire.
When the type of women he digs stand in front of him,his eyes start to wander,he loses focus,and that's when he'll simply tembak you with the bill.He likes to look at our chest,legs( maybe butts too but how to tell with your back turned?) and that's what causes him to get itchy for a smoke to calm his nerves and slow down his accelerating heart rate.At one point he will take a last puff before sitting down again,but not before exclaiming to all and sundry that he has to focus.This is hilarious only if you are not paying for the meal I can assure you.I guess this is the moment that cheat diners strike cos he's such a blur buaya.
Coming to the dishes,most times the gravies run out so fast,we are left scraping the pan for trickles of it.The fried chicken though of a good recipe,is sometimes undercooked.Also due to the fact that it comes from the Mount Erskine market abbatoir,biting into broken splinters from the wing part accompanied by a terrible texture due to the marrow seeping in to corrupt the meat, is guaranteed.Last of all the fish gulai nowadays isn't fresh like before,making the curry reek of a fisherman's overnight net.
Having said all that, if you still want to try,do remember the most important rule,one look,might cause a lifelong unspoken bond of inexplainable affection to develop between you and the old nenek .Don't say I didn't tell you then.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Hainanese Delights @ Hotel 1926
Update :
Avoided the crabs this time and I have to say that although still pricey,some dishes I complained about have undergone price adjustments.
Today,the substantial portions, justify the prices.
People in charge have scaled back on looking suspiciously at customers though can be still kinda busybody chatterboxes.There are many more young helpers now as well as indian/bangla staff in kitchen helping the mainly chinese chefs.
Food can be quite salty if you're not used to it,otherwise,a much better experience than the first visit.
And definitely authentic hilltop Hainanese cooking.
Good job.
---------------------------------------------------------
I always had a suspicious feeling that they would slaughter us here and this kept me away for a long,long time.Why?Because from the outside it looked like some typical chine dine in joint from the european continent,yet at the same time it was housed in a cheap restored hotel (i.e.similar to Salsa's on Penang road which is found inside a budget hotel)
Once I stepped in for the first time, however I was really,really surprised.It looked like a missionary school canteen,what with the chatter and din from various customers.Thank goodness for the good air conditioning,ventilation and very expensive insulation found on the outer wing's awning.
So,considering what it looked like on the inside,I presumed that I was wrong but when the menu came,I was kind of correct.Prices are between a 3 star coffeehouse and today's Tek Sen on Lebuh Chulia.Very expensive indeed for this kind of set up.I find it extremely hard to see how this place can justify their prices because compared to hilltop restaurants,they probably forgot that they are now on the lowlands,therefore transportation charges remain the same,ingredients are not hard to come by,various markets are just a short drive away,water and essentials are not hard pressed issues.
I must add though,that I did find the white marble Malaysian made coffee cups rather quirky and lovely at the same time.In no way though,can it replicate the colonial grandeur of the old days.
Part of it has to do with the waiters and overseers that comprise of an undernourished Serani looking old woman and younger girl(probably mom and daughter?),the rotound bespectacled and polo shirted overseer whose stomach appears in any doorway before his face,and a middle aged office clerk type cashier that keeps a hawk eye on you till you just have polished off your last plate before presenting you with the checque accompanied by a whole basket case of filmsy excuses for her intrusion.
To our utter surprise the spring roll was exceptional,coffee too and on first impression so too the lamb dish.But that's where the honeymoon ended.The food here though authentically hilltop colonial days style Hainanese kitchen,ranges from excellent to major flunk especially when it comes to the usage of cheeses.No,you absolutely do not use the same Italian spices to flavour every cheese dish.It will end up tasting like a strange pizza pudding.
We tried the western soup,it was as bad as James Foo's at Fettes Park.The crab baked in shell was terrible.Not once did it taste of crab.Instead,due to over reliance on mayonnaise,one could not tell it apart from a chunky tuna sandwich.
At first bite,the lamb tasted absolutely delicious,but once it cooled down,I could smell the freezer and later lamb fur.I reason that either the freezer needs a good clean out,or there are less customers that eat lamb,hence the lamb hibernated in there till we came along.Oh yuck.
Portions for the local dishes are very generous.but the western ones are too tiny in comparison.
The thing that I hate the most here is the fact that the staff constantly pops in to check on you and your table.At first,I thought they were there to watch out for plates to clear.But no.
They are lookouts just in case you decide to abscond from paying for your meal since there are 3 exits.
Now,I found that plain rude.Why don't they allay their worst fears and just close 2 exits?
Then again come to think of it,it made me wonder,just how many rat diners like these do we have in our midst?
I once saw two young and nicely dressed ladies pull a fast one on Xian tea outlet at Queensbay.We were sitting next to them,they dilly dallied till most of the staff moved inwards and then made a quick getaway.I sincerely hope they weren't bloggers cos they did take a few pictures.The shell shocked waitress who was responsible for their table probably had to cough up their bill cos when she summoned her superior,he glared at her and pulled her to the back.
Another time two elderly men in their 60s.went to the nasi melayu at Uda flats,one lined up,saw the chaos,took his utensils and ate without paying.Even though the owner knew he didn't and asked him 3 times,he claimed he had paid.The other was sitting with his elderly mom who ate a whole fat fish,meat,tons of veges(boy could that old frail looking woman guzzle food faster than a python) etc,claimed his bill flew away,claimed her huge plate cost $4 and his $5(for your info the nasi melayu here is as cut throat as the nasi padang in town so $4/$5 is a big fat lie,unless they only limited themselves to only one meat and one vege,each).
Then near Sg Kelian,a customer wearing a motorbike helmet and dark glassses,mingled around,actually scooped dishes onto a plate,handed it back to the owner,and when she turned her back on him to pack it for him,he stole my packed lunch from under her nose and scooted off on his bike.Thank goodness I hadn't paid for it yet.
Where do these diners come from?Sheesh.
Cannot afford to eat,don't aim for free eats lah.
So in short,were the people running Hainanese Delights,right in doing so?
Plain rude to distrust honest,full paying,no free lunch customers like me,that's what I can tell you.
Also if you look at certain blogs and find that those bloggers ate a huge amount of dishes,they probably had a free lunch.
See,one spring roll costs $6.Yes just one,not a whole plate but just ONE single spring roll.
The lamb dish is $35..Mixed veges $10.Omelette around $8.
Do the math and the amount would have been a princely sum for this unpalatial place.
Now you know.
Avoided the crabs this time and I have to say that although still pricey,some dishes I complained about have undergone price adjustments.
Today,the substantial portions, justify the prices.
People in charge have scaled back on looking suspiciously at customers though can be still kinda busybody chatterboxes.There are many more young helpers now as well as indian/bangla staff in kitchen helping the mainly chinese chefs.
Food can be quite salty if you're not used to it,otherwise,a much better experience than the first visit.
And definitely authentic hilltop Hainanese cooking.
Good job.
---------------------------------------------------------
I always had a suspicious feeling that they would slaughter us here and this kept me away for a long,long time.Why?Because from the outside it looked like some typical chine dine in joint from the european continent,yet at the same time it was housed in a cheap restored hotel (i.e.similar to Salsa's on Penang road which is found inside a budget hotel)
Once I stepped in for the first time, however I was really,really surprised.It looked like a missionary school canteen,what with the chatter and din from various customers.Thank goodness for the good air conditioning,ventilation and very expensive insulation found on the outer wing's awning.
So,considering what it looked like on the inside,I presumed that I was wrong but when the menu came,I was kind of correct.Prices are between a 3 star coffeehouse and today's Tek Sen on Lebuh Chulia.Very expensive indeed for this kind of set up.I find it extremely hard to see how this place can justify their prices because compared to hilltop restaurants,they probably forgot that they are now on the lowlands,therefore transportation charges remain the same,ingredients are not hard to come by,various markets are just a short drive away,water and essentials are not hard pressed issues.
I must add though,that I did find the white marble Malaysian made coffee cups rather quirky and lovely at the same time.In no way though,can it replicate the colonial grandeur of the old days.
Part of it has to do with the waiters and overseers that comprise of an undernourished Serani looking old woman and younger girl(probably mom and daughter?),the rotound bespectacled and polo shirted overseer whose stomach appears in any doorway before his face,and a middle aged office clerk type cashier that keeps a hawk eye on you till you just have polished off your last plate before presenting you with the checque accompanied by a whole basket case of filmsy excuses for her intrusion.
To our utter surprise the spring roll was exceptional,coffee too and on first impression so too the lamb dish.But that's where the honeymoon ended.The food here though authentically hilltop colonial days style Hainanese kitchen,ranges from excellent to major flunk especially when it comes to the usage of cheeses.No,you absolutely do not use the same Italian spices to flavour every cheese dish.It will end up tasting like a strange pizza pudding.
We tried the western soup,it was as bad as James Foo's at Fettes Park.The crab baked in shell was terrible.Not once did it taste of crab.Instead,due to over reliance on mayonnaise,one could not tell it apart from a chunky tuna sandwich.
At first bite,the lamb tasted absolutely delicious,but once it cooled down,I could smell the freezer and later lamb fur.I reason that either the freezer needs a good clean out,or there are less customers that eat lamb,hence the lamb hibernated in there till we came along.Oh yuck.
Portions for the local dishes are very generous.but the western ones are too tiny in comparison.
The thing that I hate the most here is the fact that the staff constantly pops in to check on you and your table.At first,I thought they were there to watch out for plates to clear.But no.
They are lookouts just in case you decide to abscond from paying for your meal since there are 3 exits.
Now,I found that plain rude.Why don't they allay their worst fears and just close 2 exits?
Then again come to think of it,it made me wonder,just how many rat diners like these do we have in our midst?
I once saw two young and nicely dressed ladies pull a fast one on Xian tea outlet at Queensbay.We were sitting next to them,they dilly dallied till most of the staff moved inwards and then made a quick getaway.I sincerely hope they weren't bloggers cos they did take a few pictures.The shell shocked waitress who was responsible for their table probably had to cough up their bill cos when she summoned her superior,he glared at her and pulled her to the back.
Another time two elderly men in their 60s.went to the nasi melayu at Uda flats,one lined up,saw the chaos,took his utensils and ate without paying.Even though the owner knew he didn't and asked him 3 times,he claimed he had paid.The other was sitting with his elderly mom who ate a whole fat fish,meat,tons of veges(boy could that old frail looking woman guzzle food faster than a python) etc,claimed his bill flew away,claimed her huge plate cost $4 and his $5(for your info the nasi melayu here is as cut throat as the nasi padang in town so $4/$5 is a big fat lie,unless they only limited themselves to only one meat and one vege,each).
Then near Sg Kelian,a customer wearing a motorbike helmet and dark glassses,mingled around,actually scooped dishes onto a plate,handed it back to the owner,and when she turned her back on him to pack it for him,he stole my packed lunch from under her nose and scooted off on his bike.Thank goodness I hadn't paid for it yet.
Where do these diners come from?Sheesh.
Cannot afford to eat,don't aim for free eats lah.
So in short,were the people running Hainanese Delights,right in doing so?
Plain rude to distrust honest,full paying,no free lunch customers like me,that's what I can tell you.
Also if you look at certain blogs and find that those bloggers ate a huge amount of dishes,they probably had a free lunch.
See,one spring roll costs $6.Yes just one,not a whole plate but just ONE single spring roll.
The lamb dish is $35..Mixed veges $10.Omelette around $8.
Do the math and the amount would have been a princely sum for this unpalatial place.
Now you know.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Secret Recipe @ Penang island
First of all this outlet used to be reknowned for cakes rather than their food menu.Of course that was wayyyy back when the couple personally handmade the offerings one found at their tiny cake counter in The Central Market and there were less players in the market.It is a way different scenario today what with them concentrating on franchise expansion rather than be stringent on quality and hygiene.
This is an example of what I mean when I say that most KL based outlets cannot cook western style foods especially batters.Their chops are awful and hard,sauces irrelevant.Most items on the menu exude a tv dinner after taste to it.Cold and uninspiring due to the fact that it has been probably mass produced in some factory and unlovingly put together on a plate by staff so bored that they never once consider the german cockroaches that crawl around the Gurney outlet to be pests.
Don't be swayed by their Filipino award.The food in the Phillipines is mostly bechiak wan.Give Pinoy chefs canned food and they can also screw it up can you imagine?These people are more known for their expertise in cakes but I prefer the rich American types so it's a no go for me.
Pointless to jabber too much on this place.Their outlet in Bellisa Row has closed down,the one at Gurney is supposedly under reno or expansion(update:the gurney outlet is back to normal already) and horror of horrors,there is another outlet opening soon at Straits Quay.
This is an example of what I mean when I say that most KL based outlets cannot cook western style foods especially batters.Their chops are awful and hard,sauces irrelevant.Most items on the menu exude a tv dinner after taste to it.Cold and uninspiring due to the fact that it has been probably mass produced in some factory and unlovingly put together on a plate by staff so bored that they never once consider the german cockroaches that crawl around the Gurney outlet to be pests.
Don't be swayed by their Filipino award.The food in the Phillipines is mostly bechiak wan.Give Pinoy chefs canned food and they can also screw it up can you imagine?These people are more known for their expertise in cakes but I prefer the rich American types so it's a no go for me.
Pointless to jabber too much on this place.Their outlet in Bellisa Row has closed down,the one at Gurney is supposedly under reno or expansion(update:the gurney outlet is back to normal already) and horror of horrors,there is another outlet opening soon at Straits Quay.
Dining @ Straits Quay
Update: Due to the fact that it is a smaller sized restaurant compared to the other outlets,up till today the most packed outlet is still Blue Reef.Beware that the former Azuma type window sluts have taken to this outlet.Have yet to try the food here even once cos I notice that not many diners seem to be eating.This I presume is caused by extremely slow service.
Small and packed with no breathing space while strangled by window sluts is not my cup of tea.Thanks but no thanks.
On the brighter side most places(not Blue Reef) now display their prices for set lunches and dinners
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you had listened to rumours like I did,and believed the rascals that spread word around the whole of Penang and got us Penangites so excited that lots and lots of shops had opened for business here,then you would have seen what I saw.
Maybe if I had come from a nearby kongsi and have never ventured further than the nearest neighbourhood grocer,I would be impressed.Other than KL based businesses making their first foray up north,the Sydney old quarter inspired interior cum dining piazza aiming to be an upscale Bangsar cum Clarke Quay and the stunning views,this place fell way below expectations.The place is still undergoing renovations at certain sections and most of the tenants have not moved in.Along the way you see plenty of wooden construction plank walls bearing promised names of various not yet opened outlets.
The doors are an ankle breaking trap for older folks,a stilleto destroyer and a deterrent for the disabled because when you push open the rather heavy glass doors,you'd least expect to step 3 inches down,right?Which bright spark thought of this inconvenience?
I have been had.
Either us Penangites love listening to untrue rumours and spreading them to their contacts without first checking them out ,or, for the sake of conversation they like to appear more informed and just blabber out without a single inkling or clue.
The 2 speciality shops have owners that look both anxious and wary of new customers.I don't know why.
Chew aquarium looks so sad and half heartedly filled with staff that suddenly spring up and give you a heart attack because they weren't expecting you to pop in.The 2 children's activity centres looks like a low cost outlet with bad ventilation and is so dusty looking .
Other than the very nice xmas tree,the so called Candyland advertised in countless banners,is nothing more than a few painted wooden planks for crying out loud.
Most of the dining outlets do not display their menu nor price lists.
Casting aside the spectacular view from the restaurants,the overall feel you get is truly unwelcoming and cold unless you arrive drunk and are tripping tipsy around for the next bottle of moet,chivas or stout.
As such after having taken a long walk from one end to another,from my observation,most first time local visitors (not me)will end up in the Blue Reef partly because
1.they don't have customers that stare window shoppers down
2.it doesn't look as if it will punch a hole in your wallet.
3.perhaps they travelled all the way from Nibong Tebal with their kids in tow.When the Candyland turned out to be a Scantyland,tired,defeated and hungry,they decided to dine here hoping it would cheer everyone up(you should have seen the sour faces,I didn't hang around to find out)
From the way the open air dining area is planned,I expect this joint to turn into a watering hole or an expats den filled with angmos(the rude types who have stayed here for some years already,the type you find in Cold Storage) who aren't local friendly.
The German joint had a very unsettled looking angmo lady customer,whose face and choice of menu (just a cold beer) spoke volumes to all passers by.Finnegans had foreigners and locals sitting like the same sides of a magnet,apart from one another and the Japanese inspired Four Seasons bakery has Singaporean ties if I am not mistaken.If I am right then it will mean you get nice looking breads bloated with minimum usage of flour.This is like a more upscale Gama four leaves bakery,you get my drift?
In Japan,the bakeries have evolved to equal Parisian ones,yet here in Malaysia and Singapore the owners still want us to think that the Japanese people still consume these kinds of breads.Then we come to Cheeky Duck a chinaman restaurant which is from England again( how come these people keep coming here?).Enough said.
I certainly won't come here for Christmas when it's still pathetically empty and still undergoing touch ups unless it's for a morning or evening stroll outside the promenade.This is the reason why even though hotels give huge discounts when they are undergoing renovations,the rooms still remain empty.
Not many like the idea of dining amidst unfinished business.
Perhaps it will pick up by next year.But if the place is gonna be filled with angmos like those you find in Soho's,Penang Road who are expecting SPG's for a good time and nothing else,or the type that emits bad vibes,would you like it?The only solution then would be to swamp the place with locals which will send them fleeing,yes?
Small and packed with no breathing space while strangled by window sluts is not my cup of tea.Thanks but no thanks.
On the brighter side most places(not Blue Reef) now display their prices for set lunches and dinners
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you had listened to rumours like I did,and believed the rascals that spread word around the whole of Penang and got us Penangites so excited that lots and lots of shops had opened for business here,then you would have seen what I saw.
Maybe if I had come from a nearby kongsi and have never ventured further than the nearest neighbourhood grocer,I would be impressed.Other than KL based businesses making their first foray up north,the Sydney old quarter inspired interior cum dining piazza aiming to be an upscale Bangsar cum Clarke Quay and the stunning views,this place fell way below expectations.The place is still undergoing renovations at certain sections and most of the tenants have not moved in.Along the way you see plenty of wooden construction plank walls bearing promised names of various not yet opened outlets.
The doors are an ankle breaking trap for older folks,a stilleto destroyer and a deterrent for the disabled because when you push open the rather heavy glass doors,you'd least expect to step 3 inches down,right?Which bright spark thought of this inconvenience?
I have been had.
Either us Penangites love listening to untrue rumours and spreading them to their contacts without first checking them out ,or, for the sake of conversation they like to appear more informed and just blabber out without a single inkling or clue.
The 2 speciality shops have owners that look both anxious and wary of new customers.I don't know why.
Chew aquarium looks so sad and half heartedly filled with staff that suddenly spring up and give you a heart attack because they weren't expecting you to pop in.The 2 children's activity centres looks like a low cost outlet with bad ventilation and is so dusty looking .
Other than the very nice xmas tree,the so called Candyland advertised in countless banners,is nothing more than a few painted wooden planks for crying out loud.
Most of the dining outlets do not display their menu nor price lists.
Casting aside the spectacular view from the restaurants,the overall feel you get is truly unwelcoming and cold unless you arrive drunk and are tripping tipsy around for the next bottle of moet,chivas or stout.
As such after having taken a long walk from one end to another,from my observation,most first time local visitors (not me)will end up in the Blue Reef partly because
1.they don't have customers that stare window shoppers down
2.it doesn't look as if it will punch a hole in your wallet.
3.perhaps they travelled all the way from Nibong Tebal with their kids in tow.When the Candyland turned out to be a Scantyland,tired,defeated and hungry,they decided to dine here hoping it would cheer everyone up(you should have seen the sour faces,I didn't hang around to find out)
From the way the open air dining area is planned,I expect this joint to turn into a watering hole or an expats den filled with angmos(the rude types who have stayed here for some years already,the type you find in Cold Storage) who aren't local friendly.
The German joint had a very unsettled looking angmo lady customer,whose face and choice of menu (just a cold beer) spoke volumes to all passers by.Finnegans had foreigners and locals sitting like the same sides of a magnet,apart from one another and the Japanese inspired Four Seasons bakery has Singaporean ties if I am not mistaken.If I am right then it will mean you get nice looking breads bloated with minimum usage of flour.This is like a more upscale Gama four leaves bakery,you get my drift?
In Japan,the bakeries have evolved to equal Parisian ones,yet here in Malaysia and Singapore the owners still want us to think that the Japanese people still consume these kinds of breads.Then we come to Cheeky Duck a chinaman restaurant which is from England again( how come these people keep coming here?).Enough said.
I certainly won't come here for Christmas when it's still pathetically empty and still undergoing touch ups unless it's for a morning or evening stroll outside the promenade.This is the reason why even though hotels give huge discounts when they are undergoing renovations,the rooms still remain empty.
Not many like the idea of dining amidst unfinished business.
Perhaps it will pick up by next year.But if the place is gonna be filled with angmos like those you find in Soho's,Penang Road who are expecting SPG's for a good time and nothing else,or the type that emits bad vibes,would you like it?The only solution then would be to swamp the place with locals which will send them fleeing,yes?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Beware of Fake Habhal's (Kicap Kipas Udang)
Our Malay friends love this brand the most.You can spot them happily shaking out liberal dashes of this sauce if the stall they patronise provides this on the table.They don't consume the ones produced by the chinese community but trust this brand because of it's halal certification.
This report comes in from Seremban but as we all know,if whatever is banned in hongkong(from luncheon meats to biscuits to baby milk to candies) can be dumped here through a chain of stores and pharmacies,what more considering the short distance between seremban and georgetown?Closer to home when the pig farms here were accused of feeding pigs with dangerous slimming substances,which could cause heart palpitations and a host of other health problems to humans that consumed them(never insist on pigs with less fat ok?)they bundled the pigs onto lorries and took them on a joyride interstate before the authorities could act.
One after another these bloody traders resort to all sorts of tricks to increase their profits.
1.Traders still use toxic dyes in Chilli Boh but we have grown so immune to reports on more errant ones.Talking about dyes has any health officer tested the red dyes the nasi kandar operators use on tandooris and fried chicken?
2.Remember the maggot infested belacan factory on the mainland which caused one of the health officers to actually throw up?
3.Next an innovative ketupat maker insists that it is safe for customers to boil the entire plastic casing containing ground rice in hot water.
4.A curry powder maker who supplies Tesco in Johor is quoted in the newspapers stating that he doesn't use banned items in his spice and curry mixes because his wife constantly reminds him that they consume the powders and mixes too.You mean to say that there are other makers that do that?Damn...
5.This is common knowledge amongst pasar malam goers who were initially shocked then couldn't resist for long.Rumour has it that plastic raffia string and bags are being intentionally fried together with food in the wok of hot oil,in order to maintain the crispness of chicken,fries and nuggets.So if your fries or fried chicken skin don't get limp after you get home,you now know why.
6. Before I forget,do try to avoid santan based desserts or curry/gulai dishes after Thaipusam or any major festival involving the smashing of coconuts on the streets of georgetown.Reason is the santan traders (from mount erskine market to cecil street,they are all guilty ok?)actually buy the smashed coconuts from the road sweepers,to turn them into compressed coconut milk and sell them to the unsuspecting public.
How to spot the fake Habhal's?
At the moment (I say at the moment because in the future those rogue traders might invest in laser labellers,in the same manner that dvd pirates have holographic stickers and untested electrical appliances can possess sirim ones)look for the expiry date printed on the bottle away from the main label.Look closely at the numerals.If they are formed by a cluster of dots,meaning laser printed,it means it is the real deal.If it is not then it's a fake.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEREMBAN — Sebanyak 3,360 botol kicap manis tiruan yang menggunakan jenama ”Kipas Udang” bernilai hampir RM10,000 dirampas dalam operasi Pejabat Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (PPDNKK) Negeri Sembilan, hari ini.
Rampasan itu dibuat hasil pemeriksaan di sebuah syarikat pemborong di Jalan Tuanku Antah di sini, kata Ketua Pengerusi PPDNKK Mohd Nor Musa.
"Kami mendapat aduan dari orang ramai menyebabkan kita membuat pemeriksaan di setor syarikat pemborong terbabit.
Pemilik syarikat itu yang berusia 50-an bagaimanapun tidak mengetahui kicap itu adalah tiruan,” katanya ketika ditemui di tempat kejadian.
Beliau berkata sampel daripada kicap tiruan itu akan dihantar ke makmal untuk melihat sama ada ia menggunakan bahan merbahaya atau tidak.
Terdapat perbezaan yang agak ketara di antara kicap tiruan itu dengan yang asli iaitu tulisan tamat tempoh penggunaan kicap tiruan itu tidak dicetak dengan laser sebaliknya menggunakan pencetak komputer biasa, katanya.
Beliau berkata pihaknya kini mengesan pembekal kicap itu dan mereka boleh didakwa mengikut Seksyen 3 (1)(b) Akta Perihal Dagangan 1972 dan jika sabit kesalahan boleh didenda sehingga RM250,000. - Bernama
This report comes in from Seremban but as we all know,if whatever is banned in hongkong(from luncheon meats to biscuits to baby milk to candies) can be dumped here through a chain of stores and pharmacies,what more considering the short distance between seremban and georgetown?Closer to home when the pig farms here were accused of feeding pigs with dangerous slimming substances,which could cause heart palpitations and a host of other health problems to humans that consumed them(never insist on pigs with less fat ok?)they bundled the pigs onto lorries and took them on a joyride interstate before the authorities could act.
One after another these bloody traders resort to all sorts of tricks to increase their profits.
1.Traders still use toxic dyes in Chilli Boh but we have grown so immune to reports on more errant ones.Talking about dyes has any health officer tested the red dyes the nasi kandar operators use on tandooris and fried chicken?
2.Remember the maggot infested belacan factory on the mainland which caused one of the health officers to actually throw up?
3.Next an innovative ketupat maker insists that it is safe for customers to boil the entire plastic casing containing ground rice in hot water.
4.A curry powder maker who supplies Tesco in Johor is quoted in the newspapers stating that he doesn't use banned items in his spice and curry mixes because his wife constantly reminds him that they consume the powders and mixes too.You mean to say that there are other makers that do that?Damn...
5.This is common knowledge amongst pasar malam goers who were initially shocked then couldn't resist for long.Rumour has it that plastic raffia string and bags are being intentionally fried together with food in the wok of hot oil,in order to maintain the crispness of chicken,fries and nuggets.So if your fries or fried chicken skin don't get limp after you get home,you now know why.
6. Before I forget,do try to avoid santan based desserts or curry/gulai dishes after Thaipusam or any major festival involving the smashing of coconuts on the streets of georgetown.Reason is the santan traders (from mount erskine market to cecil street,they are all guilty ok?)actually buy the smashed coconuts from the road sweepers,to turn them into compressed coconut milk and sell them to the unsuspecting public.
How to spot the fake Habhal's?
At the moment (I say at the moment because in the future those rogue traders might invest in laser labellers,in the same manner that dvd pirates have holographic stickers and untested electrical appliances can possess sirim ones)look for the expiry date printed on the bottle away from the main label.Look closely at the numerals.If they are formed by a cluster of dots,meaning laser printed,it means it is the real deal.If it is not then it's a fake.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEREMBAN — Sebanyak 3,360 botol kicap manis tiruan yang menggunakan jenama ”Kipas Udang” bernilai hampir RM10,000 dirampas dalam operasi Pejabat Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (PPDNKK) Negeri Sembilan, hari ini.
Rampasan itu dibuat hasil pemeriksaan di sebuah syarikat pemborong di Jalan Tuanku Antah di sini, kata Ketua Pengerusi PPDNKK Mohd Nor Musa.
"Kami mendapat aduan dari orang ramai menyebabkan kita membuat pemeriksaan di setor syarikat pemborong terbabit.
Pemilik syarikat itu yang berusia 50-an bagaimanapun tidak mengetahui kicap itu adalah tiruan,” katanya ketika ditemui di tempat kejadian.
Beliau berkata sampel daripada kicap tiruan itu akan dihantar ke makmal untuk melihat sama ada ia menggunakan bahan merbahaya atau tidak.
Terdapat perbezaan yang agak ketara di antara kicap tiruan itu dengan yang asli iaitu tulisan tamat tempoh penggunaan kicap tiruan itu tidak dicetak dengan laser sebaliknya menggunakan pencetak komputer biasa, katanya.
Beliau berkata pihaknya kini mengesan pembekal kicap itu dan mereka boleh didakwa mengikut Seksyen 3 (1)(b) Akta Perihal Dagangan 1972 dan jika sabit kesalahan boleh didenda sehingga RM250,000. - Bernama
Sunday, December 12, 2010
James Foo Western,Fettes Park @ School/Special/Public Holidays,Sports Events
September 2011 Update :
Shocked members of the public have reported seeing an assortment of luxury vehicles compromising of an Alphard and a VW Passat parked outside their outlet before business hours.Because of this some feel that it is time they gave other western outlets a chance as James Foo n co have made more than a fortune.
Plus I pinched these customers feedback off their fb page.
The most shocking revelation is in regards to irrate residents who have to put up with haphazard and inconsiderate diners.They retaliated by puncturing car tyres.
The boss is a stubborn individual who never compromises his wallet,takes advantage of others,sponges off and bullies the weaker so long he can make another buck.This probably explains why the residents did this.To teach him a lesson.The feud is a longstanding one.You may be innocent but you represent their resentment towards his inconsiderate,stingy and selfish attitude.
You have been warned.
Pinny Low Xin Pin (1st Sept)
I did review all ur wall seem like u all r having long term service prob..n havent been cure..speechless...all da best..ya 1 more ting last time u all use to hv a uncle serving..he is gud..da best ever service provided
Jia Lin Tye (25th June)
yes i agree. everytime i went thr the supervisor's and employee attitudes are fucking bad like they are having menstruation. :( a crap service!
Raymond Ooi (24th June)
This fella is one that can make Yut Kee in KL bite the dust.He sells Hainanese style western food which outsiders like angmos won't touch with a ten foot pole but which us malaysians so love to death.His grills and batters are great,so too his sauces and limited edition(cos he only makes like five bowls or so at one time can you believe it?) potato salad.The salmon is not bad but I think his pork dishes are better.
He's one of the few that can actually tackle lamb well,plus he also serves a Malaysian homemade style version of the all day breakfast set (complete with bacon)at approximately 3 times less the price of Starbucks and Segafredo.I don't really like his steaks though but still can eat lah.However,his soups are a horrible,almost tasteless flour filled affair.
Of late,the portions of the various dishes seems to be decreasing in size while increasing in price.
Starting off small in the then Seahorse Foodcourt in Tanjong Tokong,he accumulated a following before relocating to Fettes Park.Since they were a roaring success there,he got ambitious and opened up another outlet at the Chinese Swimming Club,but maybe cos the fengshui there not so good,that outlet has never enjoyed the crowds like the one at Fettes.
Before shifting from the corner lot open space next to Fatty Loh, at the most you had to wait during mother's day or christmas was 45 mins.
They now have 2 shoplots but didn't think of increasing the kitchen space nor the amount of cooks,which still remains at the grand total of 2.
The bearded cook,finds any spare time to checkout leng luis or fiddle with his phone while the rounder capped one at the back(not a cook) pounds and dusts meats like a Viking.One of the female order takers looks like a chinese painting of a concubine,while another looks like popeyes girlfriend and the last looks like Awie's (the Malay singer)wife a bit.Both(with the exception of awie's wife lookalike) have no sense of humour and remain stone faced most times.
Sometime back,they pasted up a "waitress wanted" sign and some smart alec who tried to pick up miss concubine scribbled the word "sexy"on a piece of paper.He attempted to humour her by forming the word"sexy waitress wanted" as he giggled.I saw her give him the Cliff face.
Of their 2 male waiters,the older one is more cheeky while the young one already caught the rock face disease.The matron,when she makes her appearance looks like she really,really needs a good long holiday as with the head chef.
This weekend,because of Starwalk and the Dragon Boat Race,for 2days in a row,the waiting time was 1 and a half hours.Yeah,really.
Anyone that walks in with a smile,cannot smile anymore after this.They will look like they are about to be admitted into the ICU for starvation.Babies will bawl,aunties will frown,botox will fall out of faces onto the table and dating couples might split after this harrowing experience.
So what to do and just how do you while your time away?You may do the following...
1.order a giant cup of juice
2.stare at the wall or outstare other diners or each other
3.bring your monopoly set.
4.bring a big bag of kuaci/ kacang
5.buy the evening newspapers from the savvy vendor that pops in
6.bring a knitting set
7.play psp
8.take turns jogging up and down fettes park to E&O properties down tanjung bungah and back
9.choose one sucker to sit at the table,to represent your family while the rest of you go home to Sungai Ara and bring back items 3,4,6 and 7.
Halfway through the above activity,if you spot the waitress heading your way armed with a menu under her armpit,then you are doomed.She's probably gonna tell you that they've run out of pork/chicken/even fries for goodness sakes.
In this case,make sure you provide your sucker rep with a phone to inform one of yall.The reason why she is at your table is to get the green light from you to omit those items,replace them with whatever she tells you or change your order.
When your meal appears it feels like so tiny cos you still hungry after that.By the time you go home everyone will ask for a plate of maggi mee each.
Shocked members of the public have reported seeing an assortment of luxury vehicles compromising of an Alphard and a VW Passat parked outside their outlet before business hours.Because of this some feel that it is time they gave other western outlets a chance as James Foo n co have made more than a fortune.
Plus I pinched these customers feedback off their fb page.
The most shocking revelation is in regards to irrate residents who have to put up with haphazard and inconsiderate diners.They retaliated by puncturing car tyres.
The boss is a stubborn individual who never compromises his wallet,takes advantage of others,sponges off and bullies the weaker so long he can make another buck.This probably explains why the residents did this.To teach him a lesson.The feud is a longstanding one.You may be innocent but you represent their resentment towards his inconsiderate,stingy and selfish attitude.
You have been warned.
Pinny Low Xin Pin (1st Sept)
I did review all ur wall seem like u all r having long term service prob..n havent been cure..speechless...all da best..ya 1 more ting last time u all use to hv a uncle serving..he is gud..da best ever service provided
Jia Lin Tye (25th June)
yes i agree. everytime i went thr the supervisor's and employee attitudes are fucking bad like they are having menstruation. :( a crap service!
Raymond Ooi (24th June)
This fella is one that can make Yut Kee in KL bite the dust.He sells Hainanese style western food which outsiders like angmos won't touch with a ten foot pole but which us malaysians so love to death.His grills and batters are great,so too his sauces and limited edition(cos he only makes like five bowls or so at one time can you believe it?) potato salad.The salmon is not bad but I think his pork dishes are better.
He's one of the few that can actually tackle lamb well,plus he also serves a Malaysian homemade style version of the all day breakfast set (complete with bacon)at approximately 3 times less the price of Starbucks and Segafredo.I don't really like his steaks though but still can eat lah.However,his soups are a horrible,almost tasteless flour filled affair.
Of late,the portions of the various dishes seems to be decreasing in size while increasing in price.
Starting off small in the then Seahorse Foodcourt in Tanjong Tokong,he accumulated a following before relocating to Fettes Park.Since they were a roaring success there,he got ambitious and opened up another outlet at the Chinese Swimming Club,but maybe cos the fengshui there not so good,that outlet has never enjoyed the crowds like the one at Fettes.
Before shifting from the corner lot open space next to Fatty Loh, at the most you had to wait during mother's day or christmas was 45 mins.
They now have 2 shoplots but didn't think of increasing the kitchen space nor the amount of cooks,which still remains at the grand total of 2.
The bearded cook,finds any spare time to checkout leng luis or fiddle with his phone while the rounder capped one at the back(not a cook) pounds and dusts meats like a Viking.One of the female order takers looks like a chinese painting of a concubine,while another looks like popeyes girlfriend and the last looks like Awie's (the Malay singer)wife a bit.Both(with the exception of awie's wife lookalike) have no sense of humour and remain stone faced most times.
Sometime back,they pasted up a "waitress wanted" sign and some smart alec who tried to pick up miss concubine scribbled the word "sexy"on a piece of paper.He attempted to humour her by forming the word"sexy waitress wanted" as he giggled.I saw her give him the Cliff face.
Of their 2 male waiters,the older one is more cheeky while the young one already caught the rock face disease.The matron,when she makes her appearance looks like she really,really needs a good long holiday as with the head chef.
This weekend,because of Starwalk and the Dragon Boat Race,for 2days in a row,the waiting time was 1 and a half hours.Yeah,really.
Anyone that walks in with a smile,cannot smile anymore after this.They will look like they are about to be admitted into the ICU for starvation.Babies will bawl,aunties will frown,botox will fall out of faces onto the table and dating couples might split after this harrowing experience.
So what to do and just how do you while your time away?You may do the following...
1.order a giant cup of juice
2.stare at the wall or outstare other diners or each other
3.bring your monopoly set.
4.bring a big bag of kuaci/ kacang
5.buy the evening newspapers from the savvy vendor that pops in
6.bring a knitting set
7.play psp
8.take turns jogging up and down fettes park to E&O properties down tanjung bungah and back
9.choose one sucker to sit at the table,to represent your family while the rest of you go home to Sungai Ara and bring back items 3,4,6 and 7.
Halfway through the above activity,if you spot the waitress heading your way armed with a menu under her armpit,then you are doomed.She's probably gonna tell you that they've run out of pork/chicken/even fries for goodness sakes.
In this case,make sure you provide your sucker rep with a phone to inform one of yall.The reason why she is at your table is to get the green light from you to omit those items,replace them with whatever she tells you or change your order.
When your meal appears it feels like so tiny cos you still hungry after that.By the time you go home everyone will ask for a plate of maggi mee each.
Nyonya Laksa @ Mt Erskine Roadside Hawker (daytime)
Update 1.3.2011
Either I must be on to something or everyone is highly connected.The blogger lookalike is gone.In her place are two old slow motion ladies.The older always smiling,the younger scowling.The noodles are different now,it's moist and no more hard,with a tiny portion of fish included.Somehow the soup doesn't cut it for me even though the oldest server looks like she puts a lot of time trying to make out the real target from her cataract blurred image.The vegetables have been left to slowly rot cos they've been placed too near heat
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You come here because it's one of those places that's still open at 4pm.You then sit and notice quite a lot of people ordering this dish.The evidence is in the bowl on the table.Almost every table is graced by one.Yours truly cannot resist being a follower and proceeds to make her order.
She makes a mean soup,it's got sting,it's got fire but the noodles are too hard.Pretty unusual for Penang laksa but nothing out of ordinary if you go to a kenduri.Dissapointed because it is such a waste,you get up and prepare to leave,all the while wondering if you could probably ask her for a bowl of soup minus the noodles next time without offending this harried looking lady.
Then as you are wading your way past the muck this place is known for and walk towards your car you can't help but peer into everyone's bowls.
It is then that you will find that you are not alone and most people too don't eat the noodles cos it's like eating half cooked spaghetti.
Btw she looks like one of the famous but messy looking middle aged female blogger from Penang who's not residing in Penang currently(no more clues,this is the final one,don't ask anymore).The curly haired 70s perm one.
Either I must be on to something or everyone is highly connected.The blogger lookalike is gone.In her place are two old slow motion ladies.The older always smiling,the younger scowling.The noodles are different now,it's moist and no more hard,with a tiny portion of fish included.Somehow the soup doesn't cut it for me even though the oldest server looks like she puts a lot of time trying to make out the real target from her cataract blurred image.The vegetables have been left to slowly rot cos they've been placed too near heat
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You come here because it's one of those places that's still open at 4pm.You then sit and notice quite a lot of people ordering this dish.The evidence is in the bowl on the table.Almost every table is graced by one.Yours truly cannot resist being a follower and proceeds to make her order.
She makes a mean soup,it's got sting,it's got fire but the noodles are too hard.Pretty unusual for Penang laksa but nothing out of ordinary if you go to a kenduri.Dissapointed because it is such a waste,you get up and prepare to leave,all the while wondering if you could probably ask her for a bowl of soup minus the noodles next time without offending this harried looking lady.
Then as you are wading your way past the muck this place is known for and walk towards your car you can't help but peer into everyone's bowls.
It is then that you will find that you are not alone and most people too don't eat the noodles cos it's like eating half cooked spaghetti.
Btw she looks like one of the famous but messy looking middle aged female blogger from Penang who's not residing in Penang currently(no more clues,this is the final one,don't ask anymore).The curly haired 70s perm one.
Chin's Stylish Cuisine @ QEII, Weld Quay
I'll be brief.Not worth too much mention unless you wanna impress someone..........badly.
First they want to be luxurious then they want to be affordable.Seems like they're trying to get both segments of diners just in case one of them gives up.The rich in Penang mostly kiamsap and would prefer people to belanja them so they already did their research and know it's the middle class that they could probably(I said could and probably too) count on to keep the business going.
So they rattle off one after another corporate account,ada nama,ada gaya, that turn up and state that they are fully booked bla bla bla(cos you got no space mah).
And they expect the middle class to go like "Waaaah!So waaahnderfool !" or the kiamsap rich to excitedly shriek "Let's go try it.Quick call the water fish that's been bugging us to buy something like insurance,investments etc etc or our accountant or our staff and get them to belanja us"
Luxury is luxury,you don't compromise on it and make luxury affordable.That's plain ridiculous.It's like living in an attap house with versace fittings or having a butler tail you around with a silver platter as you take a stroll at the Esplanade.
Now if you look beyond the grandeur,and use common sense deduction you will find that
1. They are from London(chinese food in London bechiak wan)
2. They were there in 1987(so why come here ah?)
3. Their overseas awards got no year attached
4. Penang got no Starhill for the royalty,rich and famous.This is like Starhill in a shoebox,a place where hoipois hope to entertain without middle class scumbag diners in their midst
First they want to be luxurious then they want to be affordable.Seems like they're trying to get both segments of diners just in case one of them gives up.The rich in Penang mostly kiamsap and would prefer people to belanja them so they already did their research and know it's the middle class that they could probably(I said could and probably too) count on to keep the business going.
So they rattle off one after another corporate account,ada nama,ada gaya, that turn up and state that they are fully booked bla bla bla(cos you got no space mah).
And they expect the middle class to go like "Waaaah!So waaahnderfool !" or the kiamsap rich to excitedly shriek "Let's go try it.Quick call the water fish that's been bugging us to buy something like insurance,investments etc etc or our accountant or our staff and get them to belanja us"
Luxury is luxury,you don't compromise on it and make luxury affordable.That's plain ridiculous.It's like living in an attap house with versace fittings or having a butler tail you around with a silver platter as you take a stroll at the Esplanade.
Now if you look beyond the grandeur,and use common sense deduction you will find that
1. They are from London(chinese food in London bechiak wan)
2. They were there in 1987(so why come here ah?)
3. Their overseas awards got no year attached
4. Penang got no Starhill for the royalty,rich and famous.This is like Starhill in a shoebox,a place where hoipois hope to entertain without middle class scumbag diners in their midst
Not Just China Oranges But Carrots Too?
If you have ever cut carrots,you will notice that the variety from China sold in Penang bleeds and stains our chopping board as well as fingers.Same case scenario?
This article was taken from Channel News Asia.Since the ban was implemented,most Malaysian online portals don't want to or won't divulge or have half reported the full details for reasons best known to them.
SHANGHAI: Shanghai authorities have ordered fruit vendors to stop selling oranges that have allegedly been dyed with a toxic wax, Chinese media said Friday, in the country's latest food safety scare.
The Shanghai government has ordered tests on the oranges after consumers complained their skin was turning red after coming in contact with oranges sold in local markets, the Oriental Morning Post reported.
Industrial dyes can damage people's memory, immune systems and cause
respiratory problems, the newspaper said.
"Tissue (paper) turns red when you wipe them and if you hold the oranges in your palm, it will turn red," a consumer surnamed Hu told the newspaper.
An unnamed seller at a wholesale agricultural products market told the newspaper that some oranges had been dyed with a toxic industrial wax so "they look fresher and sell at higher prices".
Shanghai authorities have ordered sellers to pull the oranges off their shelves and are conducting tests, the report said.
It was unclear whether the oranges were dyed by sellers in the city or producers in Jiangxi province in eastern China, the report said.
The Chinese government has come under increasing pressure from its citizens as well as countries such as the United States and Japan to improve the standard of its food and medicines.
In a scandal in 2008, at least six children died and around 300,000 fell sick after consuming milk powder laced with the industrial chemical melamine, which was added to make products appear higher in protein.
This article was taken from Channel News Asia.Since the ban was implemented,most Malaysian online portals don't want to or won't divulge or have half reported the full details for reasons best known to them.
SHANGHAI: Shanghai authorities have ordered fruit vendors to stop selling oranges that have allegedly been dyed with a toxic wax, Chinese media said Friday, in the country's latest food safety scare.
The Shanghai government has ordered tests on the oranges after consumers complained their skin was turning red after coming in contact with oranges sold in local markets, the Oriental Morning Post reported.
Industrial dyes can damage people's memory, immune systems and cause
respiratory problems, the newspaper said.
"Tissue (paper) turns red when you wipe them and if you hold the oranges in your palm, it will turn red," a consumer surnamed Hu told the newspaper.
An unnamed seller at a wholesale agricultural products market told the newspaper that some oranges had been dyed with a toxic industrial wax so "they look fresher and sell at higher prices".
Shanghai authorities have ordered sellers to pull the oranges off their shelves and are conducting tests, the report said.
It was unclear whether the oranges were dyed by sellers in the city or producers in Jiangxi province in eastern China, the report said.
The Chinese government has come under increasing pressure from its citizens as well as countries such as the United States and Japan to improve the standard of its food and medicines.
In a scandal in 2008, at least six children died and around 300,000 fell sick after consuming milk powder laced with the industrial chemical melamine, which was added to make products appear higher in protein.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Green Profiteers
Update : 12th december
State Health,Welfare,Caring Society and Environment Committee Chairman Phee Boon Poh has just been voted out of the DAP in Penang
quote excerpts from The Star :
GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP saw some upsets Sunday with veteran DAP leader and state assemblyman Phee Boon Poh among six incumbents, including three assemblymen, losing their committee seats in the Penang DAP election here.
Phee, 60, was the sole DAP assemblyman in Penang after the 2004 general election, winning in the Sungai Puyu state seat but he was voted out this year.
Earlier, Phee seemed to sense that he would lose, saying that he was busy with his state executive councillor duties and had lost touch with the grassroots.....................
Phee, in an immediate reaction through a short messaging system (SMS) reply, apologised for losing.
“Sorry I lost. Too naive to survive in this cruel world of politics.”
Later, Phee said: “I am a soldier and I would die in the battlefield with my boots on. When the delegates make such a decision, it shows that I am not good enough for them. This inspires me to work harder.”
unquote.
my take: any rise in unpopularity credited to this no brainer recycling move?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current state government is forcing the green message down our throats.Let me put it this way,however you may twist,spin and beat around the bush with various green statements to save the world,the message to most people is,somebody's gonna make a killing selling biodegradable boxes.
In the end it is again we the consumers who are on the loosing end as we have to cough up extra for these damn boxes.
Don't worry though,the state under the Malaccan,has already thought of the hawkers first.Hawkers will be able to make a profit of 10 sen cos on top of subsidies,they are given the green light to charge us an extra 10 sen per box too.
Dear Lim family,boxes and plastic bags aren't the only things clogging up our drains.Leaves,twigs,tons of wastes from the construction industry,and hawkers soup pots everyday,every hour,every minute do the same job too.Why don't you send enforcement officers to nab them at night when they empty their wastes into the sea and drains?Or when those builders leave a trail of debris anywhere they like?
Oh,yes of course,you are understaffed,ever thought of fixing up cctvs to catch them in the act?Oh what's that?You lack resources,well why not get advertisers to print more billboards as a reward for sponsoring cctvs?No,you want me to look at advertisements each time I tapau CKT.
On the same note when they held an event in Queensbay and only five supporters turned up,they delude themselves with visions of 'Penang people will get it soon'.
Oh pulezz.Eh you make the initiative,then you credit yourself for whatever we do.We know you very well already by now ok?That explains why the usually loud mouthed NGOs are holding back.
Here are 2 articles from todays The Star
1st Article :State Serious About Ban
------------------------------------------------
Hawkers operating in premises owned by the local councils on the island and mainland are reminded that the ban on polystyrene utensils and packaging will take effect from Jan 1
The ban will run alongside the state's "No Free Plastic Bags"ruling which will also begin on jan 1.
It covers shopping centres,hypermarkets,departmental stores,pharmacies,fast food restaurants,nasi kandar outlets and convenience stores at petrol kiosks.
State Health,Welfare,Caring Society and Environment Committee Chairman Phee Boon Poh said while the hawkers had less than a month to conform,many of them were generally prepared for it.
'Many hawkers in our councils' hawker centres have started using washable plasticware and biodegradable fibre-based utensils.Some are also converting to using food boxes and microwave-friendly containers for takeways'he said.
He was speaking after opening the North Seberang Prai-level Green Citizen registration exercise at the Tow Boo Kong Temple in Raja Uda in Butterworth recently.
The ban will cover some 5000 hawkers in 73 hawker centres in georgetown as well as about 4000 in 50 centres in Seberang Prai.
Hawkers who do not adhere to the ruling will not have their licences renewed.Phee said all state and federal departments as well as agencies had been told to adhere to the ruling.
'We must lead by example.We do not want our departments to hold events where food and drinks are served in polystyrene containers'he said.
Phee said a few private companies had also taken up the state's suggestion to have their advertisements printed on biodegadable food boxes to help subsidise the costs borne by the hawkers.
He said each box cost 27sen to produce,of which the hawker pays 10 sen while the advertiser pays the remaining 17sen.
'The hawkers can charge their customers 20 sen per box and make a 10sen profit'he said adding that some hawkers could buy the boxes at lower prices depending on their orders.
Phee said private companies were also encouraged to sponsor a minimum of 20,000 boxes to be used in state-organised charity events in exchange for having their advertisements printed on the boxes and carried on the state government's official website portal for a year.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee Chairman Chow Kon Yeow,when contacted said the local councils were directed to remind the hawkers about the ban when they renewed their annual licences later this month.
'The state had made a decision,so it is up to the local councils to enforce it.Since the hawkers licences for 2011 will be renewed this month,those who do not comply to the ban may not have their 2012 licences renewed'he said
2nd article :Green Citizen Drive Postponed Due To Poor Response
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only five people turned up for the launch of the Green Citizen campaign at the southwest district level at Queensbay mall,prompting the organisers to postpone it.
Campaign chairman Ng Wei Aik who is also Komtar assemblyman admitted the lack of publicity resulted in the poor turnout.
'Besides that our guest of honour Speaker datuk Abdul Halim Hussain who was supposed to officiate at the launch could not make it because of another engagement'he told reporters.
'The event was supposed to be see the launch of Green Drink,a table'talk programme coordinated by Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin.
'Maybe people are still not receptive to this concept of pledging to be a Green Citizen which is probably the reason for the poor turnout'he said
Ng added that the launch would be postponed to another date this month which he would announce later.He said the next district level launch would be at the Autocity in Juru tomorrow.The campaign was launched at the state level on Nov 13.
Sim urged non-governmental organisations(NGOs) to step up efforts in supporting the campaign.
'The state is the initiator,the organiser and is even getting the publicity done.We hope the NGOs can do their part in helping out'he said.
The Green Citizen Campaign is an initiative undertaken by the Penang Government under its green campaign to register Penangites as 'Green Citizens'
State Health,Welfare,Caring Society and Environment Committee Chairman Phee Boon Poh has just been voted out of the DAP in Penang
quote excerpts from The Star :
GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP saw some upsets Sunday with veteran DAP leader and state assemblyman Phee Boon Poh among six incumbents, including three assemblymen, losing their committee seats in the Penang DAP election here.
Phee, 60, was the sole DAP assemblyman in Penang after the 2004 general election, winning in the Sungai Puyu state seat but he was voted out this year.
Earlier, Phee seemed to sense that he would lose, saying that he was busy with his state executive councillor duties and had lost touch with the grassroots.....................
Phee, in an immediate reaction through a short messaging system (SMS) reply, apologised for losing.
“Sorry I lost. Too naive to survive in this cruel world of politics.”
Later, Phee said: “I am a soldier and I would die in the battlefield with my boots on. When the delegates make such a decision, it shows that I am not good enough for them. This inspires me to work harder.”
unquote.
my take: any rise in unpopularity credited to this no brainer recycling move?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current state government is forcing the green message down our throats.Let me put it this way,however you may twist,spin and beat around the bush with various green statements to save the world,the message to most people is,somebody's gonna make a killing selling biodegradable boxes.
In the end it is again we the consumers who are on the loosing end as we have to cough up extra for these damn boxes.
Don't worry though,the state under the Malaccan,has already thought of the hawkers first.Hawkers will be able to make a profit of 10 sen cos on top of subsidies,they are given the green light to charge us an extra 10 sen per box too.
Dear Lim family,boxes and plastic bags aren't the only things clogging up our drains.Leaves,twigs,tons of wastes from the construction industry,and hawkers soup pots everyday,every hour,every minute do the same job too.Why don't you send enforcement officers to nab them at night when they empty their wastes into the sea and drains?Or when those builders leave a trail of debris anywhere they like?
Oh,yes of course,you are understaffed,ever thought of fixing up cctvs to catch them in the act?Oh what's that?You lack resources,well why not get advertisers to print more billboards as a reward for sponsoring cctvs?No,you want me to look at advertisements each time I tapau CKT.
On the same note when they held an event in Queensbay and only five supporters turned up,they delude themselves with visions of 'Penang people will get it soon'.
Oh pulezz.Eh you make the initiative,then you credit yourself for whatever we do.We know you very well already by now ok?That explains why the usually loud mouthed NGOs are holding back.
Here are 2 articles from todays The Star
1st Article :State Serious About Ban
------------------------------------------------
Hawkers operating in premises owned by the local councils on the island and mainland are reminded that the ban on polystyrene utensils and packaging will take effect from Jan 1
The ban will run alongside the state's "No Free Plastic Bags"ruling which will also begin on jan 1.
It covers shopping centres,hypermarkets,departmental stores,pharmacies,fast food restaurants,nasi kandar outlets and convenience stores at petrol kiosks.
State Health,Welfare,Caring Society and Environment Committee Chairman Phee Boon Poh said while the hawkers had less than a month to conform,many of them were generally prepared for it.
'Many hawkers in our councils' hawker centres have started using washable plasticware and biodegradable fibre-based utensils.Some are also converting to using food boxes and microwave-friendly containers for takeways'he said.
He was speaking after opening the North Seberang Prai-level Green Citizen registration exercise at the Tow Boo Kong Temple in Raja Uda in Butterworth recently.
The ban will cover some 5000 hawkers in 73 hawker centres in georgetown as well as about 4000 in 50 centres in Seberang Prai.
Hawkers who do not adhere to the ruling will not have their licences renewed.Phee said all state and federal departments as well as agencies had been told to adhere to the ruling.
'We must lead by example.We do not want our departments to hold events where food and drinks are served in polystyrene containers'he said.
Phee said a few private companies had also taken up the state's suggestion to have their advertisements printed on biodegadable food boxes to help subsidise the costs borne by the hawkers.
He said each box cost 27sen to produce,of which the hawker pays 10 sen while the advertiser pays the remaining 17sen.
'The hawkers can charge their customers 20 sen per box and make a 10sen profit'he said adding that some hawkers could buy the boxes at lower prices depending on their orders.
Phee said private companies were also encouraged to sponsor a minimum of 20,000 boxes to be used in state-organised charity events in exchange for having their advertisements printed on the boxes and carried on the state government's official website portal for a year.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee Chairman Chow Kon Yeow,when contacted said the local councils were directed to remind the hawkers about the ban when they renewed their annual licences later this month.
'The state had made a decision,so it is up to the local councils to enforce it.Since the hawkers licences for 2011 will be renewed this month,those who do not comply to the ban may not have their 2012 licences renewed'he said
2nd article :Green Citizen Drive Postponed Due To Poor Response
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only five people turned up for the launch of the Green Citizen campaign at the southwest district level at Queensbay mall,prompting the organisers to postpone it.
Campaign chairman Ng Wei Aik who is also Komtar assemblyman admitted the lack of publicity resulted in the poor turnout.
'Besides that our guest of honour Speaker datuk Abdul Halim Hussain who was supposed to officiate at the launch could not make it because of another engagement'he told reporters.
'The event was supposed to be see the launch of Green Drink,a table'talk programme coordinated by Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin.
'Maybe people are still not receptive to this concept of pledging to be a Green Citizen which is probably the reason for the poor turnout'he said
Ng added that the launch would be postponed to another date this month which he would announce later.He said the next district level launch would be at the Autocity in Juru tomorrow.The campaign was launched at the state level on Nov 13.
Sim urged non-governmental organisations(NGOs) to step up efforts in supporting the campaign.
'The state is the initiator,the organiser and is even getting the publicity done.We hope the NGOs can do their part in helping out'he said.
The Green Citizen Campaign is an initiative undertaken by the Penang Government under its green campaign to register Penangites as 'Green Citizens'
Lorong Selamat CKT :Unanswered Questions
This piece is for the benefit of visitors who got me grating my teeth as the mental diarrhea poured out from the shallow depths of their craniums into a 35 minute verbal onslaught at the table we shared.
1. What is the waiting time before you receive your order?
Anything between 5 minutes when the local boycott is in full swing to 45 minutes when outstation visitors curious for a taste of what is supposedly Penang's best CKT stall pour in
2. Is it really that good/the best?
This is extremely oily by Penang standards.It would delight KLites whose CKT version swims in a ton of oil.The thing that gets their customers super excited is the size of the prawn...that's all.The prawn is not the best quality kind ok,I would rate it the lowest possible which can absorb a sugar solution well.Her cockles are awful cos they've been prepeeled and prerefrigerated.
3. Do Penang people or outsiders eat here more?
On a weekend and public or school holiday the place is packed with outsiders looking for a freak show from as far as Kelantan to Brunei to Perth to Finland.On a normal day she has to sell till 6pm cos many of us are still boycotting her to teach her a lesson.If the Penangite is raving about her dish,they probably have been deprived of CKT since they mostly work overseas,of course anything(even a burnt CKT picture) would taste good.
4. Is she really as mean as she is cut out to be?
No she just has big lungs and menopause.She also has to stand on her feet as she fries one plate at a time so as not to compromise the quality.That explains her moodiness.Try standing for hours when you are 60plus.Also she is kind enough to allow other traders to ply her shop with their wares.
5. The portion is small or big?
Smaller during weekends.public and school holidays.Bigger on quiet days.
6.Can you tell her to tailor fry your order?
You may try it if you dare
7.Is it going to be spicy?
Yes on normal days,no when she senses an outstation crowd
8.Is she suffering from the boycott?
If you pass by her stall at 6pm,yes.Plus some other business operators that are near her nowadays like to torture her by burning things and doing other things to irritate her and raise her ire
9.Is it just hype?
Yes mostly
10.Can I get better CKT elsewhere?
Of course,but I am not gonna tell you where cos I like to eat in peace.
11. What is so special about her version?
The fact that she's notoriously moody and rude,her prawns are big because she undercooks them but no one seems to notice.
12.How much longer do we have to wait?
If you didn't come out of curiosity,you wouldn't have to wait at all or add to the crowd
13.Wonder how many people here are Penangites?
If they answer in Penang hokkein,they are.
14.What is that drink people are drinking?
It's called ampala .
15.I wonder if that drink is chookcheh?
No it's called ampala stupid.
16.How come people are eating other dishes like rojak,yam kuih,otak and oh chien?
Because she is the chai shen in red cap on this street to those traders and their dishes can entertain the customers stomach in case she takes too long to fry.Also she can offer all of Penang's best under one roof.Bear in mind the yam kuih sold by the poor looking lady is the most cut throat expensive you can ever find on this island.Hers costs 150 percent more than others.
17. There's no more space,where am I gonna sit?
Share table,don't place your jacket and bags on every available chair to prevent other customers from sharing table with you or the coffeeshop lady will tell you off loudly as you are leaving.
18.So how come Borhochiak was there?
Cos she was desperate for any CKT in town at 4pm.Plus borhochiak no want to get more saman,since the coffeeshop has a parking lot next door.
19.Eh not nice leh?These Penang people think this is great meh?
We,the other Penang people who actually live here(not spend most of our lives overseas)and eat healthy portions(not like a mouse) told you so but you don't want belif.
1. What is the waiting time before you receive your order?
Anything between 5 minutes when the local boycott is in full swing to 45 minutes when outstation visitors curious for a taste of what is supposedly Penang's best CKT stall pour in
2. Is it really that good/the best?
This is extremely oily by Penang standards.It would delight KLites whose CKT version swims in a ton of oil.The thing that gets their customers super excited is the size of the prawn...that's all.The prawn is not the best quality kind ok,I would rate it the lowest possible which can absorb a sugar solution well.Her cockles are awful cos they've been prepeeled and prerefrigerated.
3. Do Penang people or outsiders eat here more?
On a weekend and public or school holiday the place is packed with outsiders looking for a freak show from as far as Kelantan to Brunei to Perth to Finland.On a normal day she has to sell till 6pm cos many of us are still boycotting her to teach her a lesson.If the Penangite is raving about her dish,they probably have been deprived of CKT since they mostly work overseas,of course anything(even a burnt CKT picture) would taste good.
4. Is she really as mean as she is cut out to be?
No she just has big lungs and menopause.She also has to stand on her feet as she fries one plate at a time so as not to compromise the quality.That explains her moodiness.Try standing for hours when you are 60plus.Also she is kind enough to allow other traders to ply her shop with their wares.
5. The portion is small or big?
Smaller during weekends.public and school holidays.Bigger on quiet days.
6.Can you tell her to tailor fry your order?
You may try it if you dare
7.Is it going to be spicy?
Yes on normal days,no when she senses an outstation crowd
8.Is she suffering from the boycott?
If you pass by her stall at 6pm,yes.Plus some other business operators that are near her nowadays like to torture her by burning things and doing other things to irritate her and raise her ire
9.Is it just hype?
Yes mostly
10.Can I get better CKT elsewhere?
Of course,but I am not gonna tell you where cos I like to eat in peace.
11. What is so special about her version?
The fact that she's notoriously moody and rude,her prawns are big because she undercooks them but no one seems to notice.
12.How much longer do we have to wait?
If you didn't come out of curiosity,you wouldn't have to wait at all or add to the crowd
13.Wonder how many people here are Penangites?
If they answer in Penang hokkein,they are.
14.What is that drink people are drinking?
It's called ampala .
15.I wonder if that drink is chookcheh?
No it's called ampala stupid.
16.How come people are eating other dishes like rojak,yam kuih,otak and oh chien?
Because she is the chai shen in red cap on this street to those traders and their dishes can entertain the customers stomach in case she takes too long to fry.Also she can offer all of Penang's best under one roof.Bear in mind the yam kuih sold by the poor looking lady is the most cut throat expensive you can ever find on this island.Hers costs 150 percent more than others.
17. There's no more space,where am I gonna sit?
Share table,don't place your jacket and bags on every available chair to prevent other customers from sharing table with you or the coffeeshop lady will tell you off loudly as you are leaving.
18.So how come Borhochiak was there?
Cos she was desperate for any CKT in town at 4pm.Plus borhochiak no want to get more saman,since the coffeeshop has a parking lot next door.
19.Eh not nice leh?These Penang people think this is great meh?
We,the other Penang people who actually live here(not spend most of our lives overseas)and eat healthy portions(not like a mouse) told you so but you don't want belif.
Penangites @ Yut Kee Restaurant,KL
This is an open letter to Penangites who were spotted checking out Yut Kee,KL out of curiousity.Not meant for KLites.
Dear Penangites who intend to check Yut Kee out in the future,
You know what?Penang has better.You know why?Because this shop is actually known for it's cheap western chops which most shops in KL absolutely flop at.If KLites want to eat chops they look for hainanese run ones like these,or go to Coliseum(where almost everyone is dead oredy),L'Coq Deur (which is no more existent) or Mimaland(where some might be still alive),but we have so many lah,we can eat in macalister road,fettes park etc etc,throw one stone also good but in KL ah they just ain't good at the batter and sauce.The people come for butter cakes but they are of the oily moist variety which you won't like..The noodles are too salty and frankly ok only lah.Haiya the other dishes are just mediocre lah,Penang has better.Honestly lah.
Reason why KL people like to linger here is because....
One the crowd very up wan for coffeeshop standard,
Two the fact that this is real hainanese not like Penang ones which bluff people.
Three the chairs and tables are so nice and cool and old and well sat on,
Four because it's got an old upstairs eating area with nice old stairs and windows to look out at the road.
Five,cos Mimaland too far,Coliseum more stuck up and L' Coq Deur no more.
Six,here they can park in the backlane and when they actually break the law by parking on the road shoulder funnily most times the police and council seems to turn a blind eye to this area.
Then finally Seven,because last time,long long ago they had very old cooks but now they mostly residing in some urn or under some headstone already.
The taukay soh is so haughty,I suspect she thinks she is some Hongkong megastar and as such treats her customers to seeing her latest specs and painted toenails and big red fish lips.They are authentic by the way,not botoxed,that's why they're getting floppier due to gravitational pull.
Madame Megastar never glances at her hubby but likes to checkout and be extra smiley and chatty to good looking men because she stills thinks she is that hot broad from 30/40 years ago.
Her hubby mostly hangs out with other men at other tables cos they pay him more attention than his two storeys down from Tokio Hotel hairstyle 'hawt' old broad wife.
Penangites,why you wanna try out this shop for?It's gonna make your kids think you're weird for making the journey all the way down here for something they can get better at home and make your old folks smile upside down,not to mention allow the taukaysoh to go for hourly changes of steamy sexy pedicure colours.
Please lah,come back to Penang and eat lah.Our most ok only shop ah can be better than this lah.
Dear Penangites who intend to check Yut Kee out in the future,
You know what?Penang has better.You know why?Because this shop is actually known for it's cheap western chops which most shops in KL absolutely flop at.If KLites want to eat chops they look for hainanese run ones like these,or go to Coliseum(where almost everyone is dead oredy),L'Coq Deur (which is no more existent) or Mimaland(where some might be still alive),but we have so many lah,we can eat in macalister road,fettes park etc etc,throw one stone also good but in KL ah they just ain't good at the batter and sauce.The people come for butter cakes but they are of the oily moist variety which you won't like..The noodles are too salty and frankly ok only lah.Haiya the other dishes are just mediocre lah,Penang has better.Honestly lah.
Reason why KL people like to linger here is because....
One the crowd very up wan for coffeeshop standard,
Two the fact that this is real hainanese not like Penang ones which bluff people.
Three the chairs and tables are so nice and cool and old and well sat on,
Four because it's got an old upstairs eating area with nice old stairs and windows to look out at the road.
Five,cos Mimaland too far,Coliseum more stuck up and L' Coq Deur no more.
Six,here they can park in the backlane and when they actually break the law by parking on the road shoulder funnily most times the police and council seems to turn a blind eye to this area.
Then finally Seven,because last time,long long ago they had very old cooks but now they mostly residing in some urn or under some headstone already.
The taukay soh is so haughty,I suspect she thinks she is some Hongkong megastar and as such treats her customers to seeing her latest specs and painted toenails and big red fish lips.They are authentic by the way,not botoxed,that's why they're getting floppier due to gravitational pull.
Madame Megastar never glances at her hubby but likes to checkout and be extra smiley and chatty to good looking men because she stills thinks she is that hot broad from 30/40 years ago.
Her hubby mostly hangs out with other men at other tables cos they pay him more attention than his two storeys down from Tokio Hotel hairstyle 'hawt' old broad wife.
Penangites,why you wanna try out this shop for?It's gonna make your kids think you're weird for making the journey all the way down here for something they can get better at home and make your old folks smile upside down,not to mention allow the taukaysoh to go for hourly changes of steamy sexy pedicure colours.
Please lah,come back to Penang and eat lah.Our most ok only shop ah can be better than this lah.
Beef Wan Tan @ Sai Lam Coffeeshop,Chulia Street (lunch to dinner)
The owner thinks he is still a cute NKOTB with his cap swung to one side,except that he has forgotten that he is now pushing 45 and his cap and apron are so stained and filthy.He complements his look with a more rotound samurai cum sushi apprentice like sidekick who occupies one corner of the blocked up entrance sporting a japanese style bandana around his forehead while wrapping wantan dumplings.He also has a lady helper who thinks she is some buxom barmaid as she likes to lean over the table with her butt in the air as she goes down to establish eye contact to get closer to the optic level of single male customers as she clanks around in her trompah.
Most of his regulars come here for his wantan mee because they cannot eat beef.So don't be mistaken by the mountain of wantans being prepared by Mr OneTon Samurai because his boss' staple is still beef wantan.
Let's just say you arrive at 6pm do bear in mind that this is one of those stalls that will dare to serve you sauce with just plain noodles when every ingredient has run out while charging you the same price for the dish because he knows how desperate your are for his beef noodle version.No sawi,no meat,no remorse for charging you prices for pretend meat and vege either.
The style is unlike the family that monopolises all other beef noodle stalls in Penang.It is more towards a dried orange peel flavoured stew,in the Karak old town breaking of dawn stall in the middle of Pahang way after Genting Highlands.
That explains why there are customers so desperate for a fix of this fellas recipe,they would consume the dish with just the sauce alone.It is just like Penangites eating CKT in KL.Beggars can't be choosers.
A quick look at his customers would reveal that most of them are ageing and he finds it hard to attract new customers because the shop is very run down and dirty by Penang island standards.On top of that his beef stew is more light brown than black nowadays cos I assume that he stretches the black soya sauce very thinly.Also he uses frozen beef and that explains its tough and rough texture.
Most of his regulars come here for his wantan mee because they cannot eat beef.So don't be mistaken by the mountain of wantans being prepared by Mr OneTon Samurai because his boss' staple is still beef wantan.
Let's just say you arrive at 6pm do bear in mind that this is one of those stalls that will dare to serve you sauce with just plain noodles when every ingredient has run out while charging you the same price for the dish because he knows how desperate your are for his beef noodle version.No sawi,no meat,no remorse for charging you prices for pretend meat and vege either.
The style is unlike the family that monopolises all other beef noodle stalls in Penang.It is more towards a dried orange peel flavoured stew,in the Karak old town breaking of dawn stall in the middle of Pahang way after Genting Highlands.
That explains why there are customers so desperate for a fix of this fellas recipe,they would consume the dish with just the sauce alone.It is just like Penangites eating CKT in KL.Beggars can't be choosers.
A quick look at his customers would reveal that most of them are ageing and he finds it hard to attract new customers because the shop is very run down and dirty by Penang island standards.On top of that his beef stew is more light brown than black nowadays cos I assume that he stretches the black soya sauce very thinly.Also he uses frozen beef and that explains its tough and rough texture.
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