Monday, June 8, 2009

Food Loft / Ko-Fu-Loft 口福樓

I think I am too out-dated in blogging Food Loft as it has now changed to Ko-Fu-Loft (口福樓) since few days ago. Before I start with Ko-Fu-Loft, Food Loft used to have it’s conveniences to its customers’, as it’s a multi-racial of cuisine under one roof. You’ll have a choice to have Japanese cuisine, Italian cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, Indonesia cuisine, Thai cuisine, Vietnamese cuisine and so on.

I find it weird to show you what Food Loft had offered, but seriously food for a start wasn’t impressing, but after months and weeks of doing it, I supposed practice make perfect, the food honestly has improved a lot.

For example the Fried Hand Noodle that was once promoted in Food Loft and was told they hired somebody from China and make those noodles with the chef’s bare hand. It was tantalizing, and the food serving was reasonable too.
Even figure food like Pie Tee also quite tasty.

And now, 2 to 3 years later, from Food Loft to now Ko-Fu-Loft (口福樓), serving Dim Sum, some Chinese food like Jingdo Pork Ribs (京都排骨), Sweet & Sour Pork, Pork Ribs King (排骨王), etc.

For a start we tried a few of ordinary Dim Sum, and I personally believe we’ll have to come back for another try.

Simple Dim Sum as, Fresh Shrimp Dumplings or Har Kau (鮮明蝦餃) RM5-50.

Siew Mai (魚子燒賣皇) RM5-00.

Fried Carrot Cake (口福臘味蘿蔔糕) RM5-00. Crispy outside, spongy inside; absolutely different from others restaurant which they normally fried it with bean sprouts and other ingredients.

Deep Fried Prawn & Vegetable Spring Rolls (越南炸春卷) RM5-50.

Hong Kong Char Siew Roll (港式叉燒腸粉) RM4-50.

And, a pot of Chinese (菊堡茶, RM6-00, RM3-00 per pax, min 2 pax) for both of us, that helps to wash away the oily food.

Anyway, there will be a group of Penang Bloggers visiting them soon, please look out for their reviews.

Penang Blogger Community (Ko-Fu-Loft)
Criz Lai
Jian
Gourmet Garden
Food Paradise

thenomadgourmand
Steven Goh
BuzzingBee

Cariso Delicacies Corner
Now Eating
Food Promotions

Allie Food Talk
Yummy Station
Food-4Tots
Penang Tuapui

Best of Penang Food!
Nutty Eve #9


Other Review (Food Loft)
BM Kia
Malaysia Best
Diana Tan
Shiok or Not?

Address & Contact Number
170-04-59 Gurney Plaza
Penang
Tel: +604-229 5011
Fax: +604-229 4011

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Home Cook Tai Lok Mein & Yee Mein

For the first time, mom cooked KL Hokkien Mee aka Tai Lok Mein. And, she fried lots of lots of lard oil just for this big plate of noodles.

What’s the different is others will fry with cabbage, where as mom will just use some green vegetables.

Apart from that, normally the stall will be giving you a bit of sambal belachan for the noodles, but mom’s style is she makes her own chili to accommodate the noodle. Which she has lots of garlics, red chilies and chilies padi and blend all together. Seasoned that with a pinch of salt and sugar and added lime or lemon and blend well.

That will give you a boost up!

Ingredients for the Tai Lok Mein –
1. egg noodles (use tap water to wash off the alkaline)
2. pork meat, cut into thin slices
3. prawns
4. squid, cut into bite size
5. green vegetables, wash and cut into 1 inch pieces
6. 100g pork fat, cut into cubes and fried till crispy (keep the oil)
7. 2 cups stock/water


First marinate the pork meat, squid & prawns with salt, pepper, sugar & sesame oil for half an hour. Heat up the work with a cup of oil, deep fry the pork fat that had cut into cube size. Once cooked, separate the lard and the oil, keep about 3 table spoons of oil in the wok, briefly stir the marinated meat & prawns and dish out leave aside.

Then after add garlic into the hot wok and stir till fragrant, add the yellow thick noodle and season with dark soya sauce, light soya sauce, sugar and oyster sauce. Add the meat, squid and prawns that earlier had cooked, add 2 cups of stock/water, cover with lid and bring it to boil for couple of minutes.

Last is to put the green vegetables and cook for awhile and dish out once done. You can add extra lard onto the noodle to have a special taste on it.

As for mom’s other specialty, that’s Yee Mein. Same method (except you don’t need to wash the noodle with tap water) and same ingredients, the only thing that mom did was she will pan fried the egg till it cooked and cut into thin slices and put it on top of the Yee Mein.

Both noodles best served with hot red chili!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Feringgi Grill

- I apologize for all blur photos, the light was too dim, and am a new user to a SLR, as such not able to capture any nice shots on this memorable dinner -


How do you all spend your wedding anniversary with your love one??
I know some of my friends will ask the husband to give them a surprise by observing their wives what they like and what they hint.

Remember I did talk about it, hubby and I have a special place where he and I love this place and we made it a point to spend our wedding anniversary there.

Yes, this is the place …. Feringgi Grill in Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa.

We both would like to thank them for giving us a fond memory, not to mention an excellent services and great food.

We never make any reservation in fact, it was merely walk in to find out whether the place is full or still have a few tables for people like us. The staff there were polite and attentive, straight away they told us, the kitchen is open and they can reserve a nice view for us.

We took our sweet time walked around the resort, and of course took some photos too…. Not that we both had stayed here before, well… Rasa Sayang has its international reputation which also attracted former British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair came here for his vacation too.

When we were guided to our table, the staff immediately hand us the menu. The menu which has the Chef’s specialty and also the set dinner for the night too. Apart from that, a dessert menu is presented after the dinner and of course a wine menu will be pairing with the food menu.

While we were flipping thru the menu, a basket of bread was served, bread that has grilled with charcoal, and even as thin as a paper is served. This is something different which they served with butter or tomato sauce. I supposed that’s for the grilled bread.
Apart from that, or rather before the starter, we were given a small piece of lamb with some herbs. It was tantalizing.

While we were debating what to have for our dinner… the staff was kind and recommended a few for us to choose. Hubby chose Chef Adam’s choice – Wood Plank Monkfish (RM110++) which pairing with a glass of wine that costs RM27++, it’s something sweet and not too dry. And I have Quack Quack (RM105++)for myself.

Know what, I’ve tried many tomato soup in town, no other could beat their Feringgi Grill Classic Tomato Soup (RM32++), which they will show you how they make it on the spot for their guests. And I am in love with this soup for so many years.

The soup is simple; first they will heat up the herb butter, then pour in the fine chop shallots, mushrooms and stir until it fragrant. Then they will put the freeze concentrated tomato puree (which is their home made) slowly heat it up in the hot pan. Add on some wine that burst out the flame (which I didn’t manage to capture that), then pour it on to the soup bowl, added the finely chopped chives and pour the cream on to the soup.

I truly enjoyed every sip of this soup… it’s just too good to write it out.

Next, another classic from Feringgi Grill is their Caesar Salad (WR Jacob Greek Garden – RM30++). Egg York, Anchovies, Mustard, Shallots, Garlic, Cheese and others, the staff will mix well all the mentioned ingredients and place it nicely on a plate for the guest.

After our starter, a Lemon & Lime Sorbet that serves on a Martini glass were given to wash off the flavour that we had earlier.

Few minutes later, we were served with our main entrée.

Wood Plank Monkfish was his choice. Couple of years ago, I’d tried Monkfish before, but that time I was having it baked, this time, hubby have it in an adventure way. It was something different and it was awesome to him.

Well, mine was Quack Quack… which animal sounds quack quack quack?? Well, of course any kids will answer you that - duck la! Yup, I have Duck on my plate for the night. A solid duck meat lightly roasted, and duck liver roasted and rested on the dried fruits. It was stunningly delicious.

After my meal, I took a few minutes away, and they came forward to inform my husband that do not order any extra dessert as they are giving one for us. When I came back, hubby shared this surprise with me, and I was so shy to receive this piece of surprise from Feringgi Grill.

From the set dinner that hubby ordered, it’s already come with an Apple Crumble Pie for him, and added another complimentary dessert, am afraid we both gotta carry our full tummy out from here.

Before the surprise, I was thinking to have their classic dessert, The Crepe Dessert. But that give me another reason to go back again. Right?

Here comes the Apple Crumble Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. It isn’t that sweet, but it’s something that will take your mind away. Cuz, it’s good, nice and great!

And these 2 lovely cake that is complimentary from Feringgi Grill.

Last… each one of us was given 2 chocolates to end the dinner at this wonderful, elegant fine dining restaurant.




Address & Contact Number
Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa
Batu Feringgi Beach
11100 Penang
Malaysia
Tel: +604-888 8888
Fax: +604-881 1800
Note: Located at Rasa Wing Lobby, Mezzanine Floor

Breakfast: 7am to 10.30am (for Rasa Wing Guests)
Dinner: 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Dress Code: Smart & Casual
Smoking Policy: Non-Smoking Restaurant

Note: Awards
1. "Malaysia's Best Restaurants", Illustrated Magazine Publishing, 2002-2004
2. Travel & Leisure's Best New Restaurants In Asia, 2007
3. Best Six New Restaurants In Asia, Travel + Leisure's (US), June 2007