Meals @ Swiss-Garden Beach Resort Damai Laut, Lumut

Our recent 3 days/2 nights treasure hunt took us from KL to Swiss-Garden Beach Resort Damai Laut in Lumut, Perak.  We ended up taking a lot of our meals at the hotel as four meals (2 breakfasts + 2 dinners) were already provided for in our entry fees to the treasure hunt.

But the very first meal we took here wasn't included as part of our meal itinerary.  By the time we got here (after 3pm) to submit our treasure hunt questionnaire, we were too tired and too famished to drive out anywhere to look for a place to eat (plus the nearest place in Sitiawan town was half an hour away).  

We actually wanted to eat at Thai Taste Cuisine Restaurant but that was closed for lunch (12pm - 3pm & 6.30pm - 11pm) by the time we got there.  So, we settled for a late lunch at the hotel's coffee house, The Garden Terrace, which is open daily from 7am to 11pm (with a la carte menu all day long).

Since it was rather late in the day for lunch already and dinner was just 3 hours away, the three of us just ordered two dishes to share.  The first of which was the Kampung Fried Rice @ RM26.

It came with 3 fresh and good-sized prawns that were tasty and a nicely flavoured fried chicken wing.

The fried rice, topped with a well executed fried egg with a runny yolk, was fragrant and decent in taste.

Our other dish was the Che Mat Fried Yellow Noodles also @ RM26 that was very much like a version of Mamak Mee Goreng.  The noodle dish was laden with sufficient amounts of prawns, squid and hard-boiled egg.

I was pleasantly surprised with the rather large portion size and the delicious and well fried noodles.  I'd consider both dishes as decent for a hotel meal (unless hunger played a big part...kekeke) at usual 'hotel' prices that are slightly above the norm.

Our first night's dinner was a buffet dinner at the Damai Ballroom.  It was a simple buffet with no more than 10 dishes (I think) on the buffet line.  There was a dish each of chicken, prawn, mutton, fish and vegetables (to be eaten with rice) and a pasta dish (if I remember correctly).  Also available was tom yum soup and a salad and dessert bar.

Sweet and sour fish fillet

Desserts....basically local kuih and fresh fruits

We weren't expecting much from the meals anyway to begin with since the organisers were aiming to raise funds from the event.  As long as we can fill our tummies, it's perfectly fine :)

Breakfast for both mornings was at the hotel's coffee house, The Garden Terrace.  The breakfast was certainly much better than the buffet dinner we had the previous night, both in terms of taste and variety. Here are some of what my friends and I had over the two mornings.....they were mostly sharing plates.

Breakfast platter with omelette, ham, sausage, baked beans, pancakes and toast.  The egg station offers 3 types of eggs (but my friend's half-boiled eggs were way overcooked, so I stayed clear of it).  I liked their omelette cooked with button mushrooms and onions.

I like how the toast is made 'old school' style here...over a charcoal fire....haven't seen one in a hotel setting before! ;)  But there was also a moron who put some (already cooked) sausages to grill...and I saw bits of it sticking to the grill when they were lifted >_< (some people just have a blatant disregard for others....ish!).

Nasi lemak platter with eggs, chicken rendang, sambal (salty!), fried ikan bilis and peanuts.

Croissants & Pastries (red bean paste)

Plain Porridge (with fried shallots, spring onions and soy)

Roti Canai with dhal (which they forgot to salt?)

Another breakfast platter with sausage, waffles with honey, fried potato wedges (nice and crisp!), baked beans and sauteed mushrooms with mini corn and onions.

Another nasi lemak platter with mutton curry and sambal...and some fried kway teow.

I enjoyed the omelette the most, so I had it again the next morning! ;)

Overall, I think the buffet breakfast has quite a good selection (there were more choices than we could stomach) making it a value and good option for breakfast (so make sure you include it in your room package).

To round up our meals at the hotel, we had the Prize Presentation Dinner @ Damai Ballroom on the second night.  When I got to the ballroom, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it would be a sit-down dinner of 8 courses.

Dim the lights....and the first course is served!  Since we had to share a table with other treasure hunters (whom we didn't know though we chatted during the course of the dinner), I wasn't going to infringe on their dinner by clicking away.

So, what you see below were my individual plates of food (accompanied by the menu)....not very attractive, I'm afraid! :(

My favourites were the Deep-Fried Sweet & Sour Red Snapper and Seafood Fried Rice :)

Well, the above were the savoury parts.....and now for some unsavoury bits....hehe...though it's no laughing matter!  Throughout all our meals here, we had to contend with lots (and I mean lots) of uninvited guests.....flies!! >.<  Some say it's due to the chicken farms nearby but I don't really know the true cause. Even with candles on the tables and bug zappers, it didn't deter the flies one bit...they still came in droves! O_o Luckily we didn't have any untoward tummy incidents.  

My Personal Opinion

I was quite surprised to find the food at an acceptable taste level and found myself enjoying the a la carte dishes and buffet breakfast (some items) at The Garden Terrace plus the sit-down 8-course dinner.

What I didn't enjoy were the flies hovering over my food and the constant need to shoo away the flies.  I don't think it's because we came during "fly season" coz I've seen these "fly" comments on Agoda.com (I googled upon my return) in different months of the year (some as far back as 2012 but more frequently in the past 2 years). Funny that other blogs that reviewed this place failed to mention this "problem"!

So come only if you're a "fly lover", have an "iron stomach" or you feel the need to constantly exercise your hands.  Which is a shame really....coz the food isn't half bad!

Luckily this was in the name of charity.....otherwise I'd be really pissed!! >_<

The Garden Terrace & Damai Ballroom

@ Swiss-Garden Beach Resort

Jalan Damai Laut

Off Jalan Teluk Senangin

32200 Lumut

Perak

Tel: 05-684 3333

Just One Food - Bak Chang.....Take 2!

I know I've blogged about one of my favourite festivals favourite things to eat during my favourite Chinese Festival...which is the "Chung" or Rice Dumpling Festival....and that's bak chang, of course.  With the Dumpling Festival just round the corner (oh, that's tomorrow), it's a no-brainer that I'd be preoccupied with "Chung (not Georgia) on my mind"! ;D

My previous blog post mentioned that I get my usual loot from either the Pandan Indah (not sure if the lady is still selling as I've not seen her for quite a while already) or Pandan Perdana markets.  But that was before I discovered an equally good glutinous rice meat dumpling in Paramount Garden...which is now my current favourite.

So, I felt the need to share with you...once again....about this splendid bak chang (just in case you missed my other blog post as well).  The only 'unsavoury news' is that the rice dumpling has gone up in price (yet again) from RM5.50 (last year) to RM6 for one now :'(

The chap who runs this dumpling stall (inside O & S Restaurant) is very friendly and he sells a few types of chung (including nyonya chung).  There's also a road side stall, just in front of O & S, selling bak chang too. I've tried that one but the taste pales in comparison to the one inside the restaurant.

My ultimate favourite is the "kong fu chung" (Cantonese bak chang) for its lighter colour (visually) and cleaner taste.

It's filled with all the prerequisites a bak chang should have and that is....tender pork belly, "luk tau" (mung or green beans), "foong lut" (chestnut), dried Chinese mushroom and salted egg yolk.

The pork belly had both lean and fatty parts (to satisfy all preferences) and it was absolutely tender, the luk tau soft and mashed...and I actually found two chestnuts in one of the dumplings (bonus!) when most bak chang these days don't even have foong lut.

The usual chung would be the one that is in a darker shade of brown (from the glutinous rice being fried with dark soy) which is just as delicious too.  I like how they always get the consistency just right in their bak chang....soft, flavourful, not too oily, not too salty....ah, perfect! ;)

My family prefers a bak chang that doesn't have any type of beans.....and if you prefer those, they have that too but I certainly like mine with luk tau (not "mei tau" or black eyed peas).

So, which or where is your favourite bak chang?  Pray tell.  Happy Dumpling Festival everyone!

Motor Treasure Hunt by Kiwanis

Two of my friends (who have never been on a motor treasure hunt) were eager for the experience and so we signed up for the 33rd Kiwanis Treasure Hunt.  Organised by The Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur (KCKL), this 3 days/2 nights treasure hunt from Kuala Lumpur to Lumut, Perak, was held recently from 28 - 30 May 2016.

KCKL (founded in 1976) organises this treasure hunt on a yearly basis since its inaugural hunt back in 1984. The purpose is to raise funds for the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Centre and other charities that KCKL supports or manages...which they've done so for the past 33 years consecutively.

It has been a long and unending journey for KCKL...and that's why the theme for this year was 'Never Ending Story'!  This year, they aim to raise RM400,000 to fund the operation and maintenance of the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation's National Centre.

This year's hunt took us from KL to Swiss-Garden Beach Resort Damai Laut in Lumut, Perak.  The Entry Fees was RM430 per participant which included two nights accommodation (twin sharing), two breakfasts and two dinners (with third person sharing room @ RM240 and children 4 - 11 years @ RM100 per child excluding extra bed). Since there were just us three gals, we requested for an extra bed @ RM90 per night.

We were required to attend a Registration & Briefing Session about a week before the actual hunt day.

The purpose is to distribute the car stickers (of the sponsors), goody bags, petrol vouchers and T-shirts (that we had to wear on hunt day) and to relay instructions and details for the hunt.

Stickers of the various sponsors that we have to adorn on our car.

The registration and briefing session also gave them the opportunity to sell Raffle (or Lucky) Draw Tickets (we did our small part for charity and bought a few).

Waiting for the briefing to begin :)

The briefing took us through some of the (past years) sample questions for the benefit of the treasure hunters especially those who are joining for the first time.

A session on tulip readings (ie. course direction) was also held for the first-timers.  An understanding on how to read tulips is important, otherwise you might end up in Timbuktu! @_@

Finally, the eagerly awaited hunt day has arrived.  Dragging ourselves out of bed in the early hours of the morning, we reached our Start Control (flag off point) in KDU University College, Glenmarie, at around 6+ am.

Final briefing @ 6.45 am before flag off

Flag off @ 7 am!

Finish Control (submission of questions and answers script + treasures) at Swiss-Garden Beach Resort Damai Laut's Ballroom....phew, arrived in the nick of time before regulation hunt cut-off time of 8 hours 30 minutes (otherwise penalty points will be deducted) and that's because we were over confident (at first) that it wouldn't take so long and stopped for breakfast along the way! >.<

The hunt culminated with the Prize Presentation Dinner on Day 2 where the champions were announced and prizes awarded to at least the top 15 positions.  Many lucky draw prizes were given out as well.  Answers to the treasure hunt questions were revealed and discussed during the course of the dinner (and you'll soon realise just how many answers you got wrong!) :D  You need to know a bit of general knowledge and current happenings around the world to decipher the questions and connect them to the signboards (or just about any signs) along the route...and also some "brain power" to unlock the clues to the treasures.

All in all, it was a fun and engaging event...and tiring too!  Though some of the questions were tricky (and tough), it's not winning that counts but the enjoyment of the journey (with family or friends) that matters...after all, life's a journey, not a destination.  Overall, I think my friends thoroughly enjoyed this new experience of their very first treasure hunt.

And that was pretty much our Day 1.  Games and activities were organised on Day 2...which we didn't participate....coz we went food hunting (but that will be another story for another day)!

For those who have not experienced a motor treasure hunt (organised by Kiwanis), it's a fun (and charitable) activity you could do with your family or friends...and, for those who have gone on their first one, they'll be 'itching' to go for more.  But, more importantly, your participation means support for this noble and worthy cause....so I say, let's do what we can to help! :-) 

Superthai @ Damansara Uptown

My friends and I recently signed up for a motor treasure hunt and we had to attend a briefing (a week earlier before the hunt proper) at the Kiwanis Down Syndrome centre in Taman Sea.

As soon as the briefing ended, we made our way to our lunch destination of choice, Superthai @ Damansara Uptown, specifically selected since there weren't any kids with us this time.  Plus, I needed no further convincing once I heard these words...'monumentally succulent flame grilled pork neck'....from eatdrinkkl. By then it was almost 1pm already and we were famished (plus I didn't have time to take breakfast earlier on).

The restaurant's signage may not be that easy to spot from the road as they're located on the first floor (and the signage on the ground floor is pretty small), so park the car and hunt on foot.  They boast of serving appethaizing cuisine.....well, I hope they do as it's proudly displayed on their signboard and imprinted on their walls! ;D

Although most of the tables were filled, we didn't have to wait long for the food to arrive, the first of which was the Flame Grilled Pork Neck @ RM27.  The service staff recommended Flame Grilled Pork Belly but we wanted a less fatty cut.

The thinly sliced grilled pork neck (pork scotch fillet or pork collar) had just the right amount of lean meat and fat to keep the meat juicy when cooked.  Tender and caramelised with a nice grilled flavour, I loved the charred bits on the outside.

It was good eaten on its own but the accompanying dip made it even more awesome.  The dip didn't look nor taste like the usual ones...this one was fresh, zesty, zingy, spicy and fragrant...all in one!  It was so good we finished the dip in a jiffy and they were attentive enough to ask if we needed another...of course we needed another! ;)

Our next dish was the irresistible Crispy Thai Omelette @ RM12...it's absolutely irresistible when you see the pic in the menu and even more irresistible if you've tasted one before.  It had a filling of shredded cabbage + some green veggie which I think is green beans (I asked the server but she wasn't quite sure either).

This Thai-styled omelette, puffy and fluffy on the inside and fragrant and crispy on the outside (especially around the edges), may be a little oily for some (coz it's essentially deep-fried on both sides) but very delicious if you can see pass that.  You need smoking hot oil and lots of it to make this omelette completely and utterly crispy (so I'm going to be forgiving if it's a tad oily)!

We also ordered the Dancing Fish in Sweet & Sour Gravy @ RM45 (which happens to be one of the two most expensive items on the menu, the other being the Pork Knuckle in Sweet & Sour Sauce @ RM50 but, since I don't like pork knuckle, it wasn't an option).

The sea bass was deep-fried before being drenched in a sticky sweet and sour sauce with cubes of the usual vegetables (commonly found in such sweet and sour dishes) and topped with some crispy fried curry leaves for added fragrance.

The best part was that the flesh of the fish was taken off the bone before the pieces were fried making it super easy to eat with no bones to contend with.  I only wished they had been a tad less heavy-handed with the cornflour in the coating of the fish before deep-frying (as it made the sauce a little bit more gummier).  The sauce is well balanced between sweet and sour (for most though I'd prefer a tad less sweet) and the pieces of fish were fresh, flaky and soft...and (overall) still a very respectable dish.

We completed our meal with a vegetable dish of Kai Lan with Tom Yum Paste @ RM12 (the only other vegetable dish was the very common Fried Kangkong).  I found the combination of kai lan (Chinese broccoli) and tom yum to be rather unique.  The sour and spicy tom yum gravy with the crunchy kai lan was appetising although I detected a hint of basil which I'm not very fond of.

We ate everything with Steamed White Rice @ RM9 (for 3 pax) and it came in a big bowl that's good enough for at least 5 servings (we couldn't finish the rice).

We ended our lunch with the popular Thai dessert of Red Ruby & Jack Fruit @ RM10.  The one here is made with the usual red rubies (tapioca flour covered water chestnuts), strips of jackfruit (or nangka) and lychee (not so usual) in concoction of thick coconut milk, ice cubes and a drizzle of some pink syrup.

The coconut milk was generously rich and thick...and oh-so-fragrant (before the ice cubes, not shaved ice, melted), so it was a little sweet at first but the sweetness mellowed out later.  Overall, it was still a very decent red ruby dessert but I wasn't on board with the unusual addition of lychee.  I would have liked more red rubies! ;)

The drink choices here are very limited....there's only three!  This was my cold Lemongrass Drink @ RM2 (you can have it hot too).  The other two are Thai Ice Milk Tea at RM5 and Pandan Drink at RM2.

#Side Story

The place was pretty packed (when we were there for lunch) which bodes well for a restaurant that has been opened for barely a month when we visited (opened since 1 May 2016).

Do not be fooled by the pics of the empty looking place coz the photos were taken when we left.  The restaurant is open for lunch (12 - 2.30pm) and dinner (6 - 10pm) and the kitchen is closed between those hours of after lunch and before dinner.  

We were made aware of this when the cashier brought us the bill at around 3pm coz she had to close the till but said we were more than welcome to stay on (to chat) if we liked...and we did!  I noticed one service staff stayed behind until we left the place after 4pm (that's service for you) and followed us as we exited, probably to close the doors behind us (until dinner service resumes), as I did see walk-in customers who had to be turned away because the kitchen was closed.

My Personal Opinion

Although their a la carte menu may not be that extensive and limited to just 25 items (22 dishes, 2 soups, 1 dessert and 3 drinks), I think it offers just enough choices to patrons with pork, chicken, fish, squid, salads, soups and fried rice on the menu...and at reasonable prices too.

All five dishes that we tried, we were more than happy with the flavours.  I loved everything but the flame grilled pork neck and Thai crispy omelette would be my top choices (if I had to choose).

Superthai not only goes down as a 'must visit'.....but also a 'must revisit' place in my books.  Why?  Because they serve super appethaizing Thai food at affordable prices, that's why! ;)

Superthai Restaurant

No 29-M Jalan SS21/1A

Damansara Utama

47400 Petaling Jaya

Selangor

Tel: 03-7710 5888

Waki Bak Kut Teh @ Pandan Indah

There are quite a few bak kut teh (pork bone tea soup) shops in my housing area but I only get to indulge in it occasionally since my family aren't huge fans of bak kut teh.  In fact, they aren't fans of anything in soup.....period! >_<

This one, Waki Bak Kut Teh @ Pandan Indah, is not the most well-known one in the area but, if I had to choose one, this would be the one I prefer coz the broth is much lighter than some of the versions out there.

So, like any bak kut teh shop, I should start with their Bak Kut Teh with the usual suspects of pork ribs, pork meat, bean curd sheets, pig stomach, pig intestines, dried shiitake, button and enoki mushrooms making up the claypot.  

I'm not sure what variety BKT this is but I prefer the versions that are lighter (both in taste and colour) that are not too strong in herbal flavour although I did get a hint of a slight bitterness from the "dong quai" (angelica root or female ginseng).  I find those darkly coloured (Klang) Hokkien-style BKTs too strong in herbs for my liking.

"Yau Char Kwai" (or Chinese crullers) is a standard must-have condiment with bak kut teh.  Great eaten dunked in soup to absorb some of the flavours of the broth.

Next, we had the Braised Pork Knuckle in Black Vinegar otherwise known as "Chu Kiok Chou" in Cantonese.  I love to drink the sweet and sour gravy of the black vinegar with hints of garlic, first and foremost...followed by eating the tender lean meat but not the fatty pork trotters (natural collagen or not), thank you.  I remember eating this during my confinement (made with lots of ginger) and if there's one confinement dish I like, this is it...confinement or not!  Just the gravy with rice is all I need.  There's also a version with addition of dried chillies (with more spicy than sour flavours) but I don't like it as much.

As with any meal, we should finish off with a plate of greens.  This was the crunchy-to-the-bite Stir-Fried Yau Mak (Romaine Lettuce) with oyster sauce and fried garlic bits.

The total bill came to RM37 inclusive of two bowls of rice and two Chinese teas (I didn't ask for a price breakdown of the individual dishes).

On other days, we might have the Fried (Whole) Tilapia in soy sauce and oil which is good too.  The tilapia is fresh with flaky meat and super crispy sides.

Their braised Hakka Char Yoke (Braised Pork Belly with Wood-Ear Fungus) that's super tender is also a usual order of ours.  They also do a decent stewed pork leg or fatty pork knuckle (but this dish is quite large in portion size, so you'd need a few more mouths before you can order this).

The Blanched Sang Choy (Iceberg Lettuce) drizzled with oyster sauce, garlic oil and fried garlic is equally delicious.

My Personal Opinion

A simple neighbourhood bak kut teh joint that satisfy our needs when we need a bak kut teh meal.  The black vinegar pork knuckle is first on my list followed by their light but aromatic bak kut teh.

Restoran Waki Bak Kut Teh
No M2A/5 Jalan Pandan Indah 4/6
Pandan Indah
55100 Kuala Lumpur