Cameron Highlands Highlights

I've been swamped. Am off to Yogyakarta tomorrow, to visit the famous ruins of the Chandi Borobodur....I was surprised that some people had never heard of it, wasn't it in our Sejarah syllabus, under South East Asian kingdoms or Sri Vijaya and what have you?

So this'll be a quickie post. Camerons was great. My initial fears about how to entertain the kids were unfounded, as there's lots to do. There's the playground in Tanah Rata, there's the Tea Plantations, Strawberry Picking, Butterfly Farm, Rose Farm, Cactus Farm, Vegetable Farm, a thriving agrarian society lives atop those mountains.

The Cameron Highlands Resort. What can I say?

Our 2 bedroom suite, comprising of 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 toilets, a Four Poster Bed in the master bedroom, and two single beds in the other room.





The Living Room in the Suite


The Main Lounge Area of the Hotel. I love the feeling of being in a different world, especially after contending with the school holiday induced traffic jam all the way from Brinchang.


The Dining Room. So proper, one feels compelled to speak in hushed tones, except when YELLING at the kids to HUSH!


The crisp clear mountain air, and foggy backdrop. Day 2 was even foggier in the afternoon. Look at the mist enveloping this dessiduous tree.





The Cameron Highlands Resort was the old Merlin, and is perched on a hillock overlooking the golf course. Gorgeous. I wonder why the old proprietors didn't have the vision and foresight to capitalise on this.



The Food. Sorry, guys, I didn't join the rest of the tourists for steamboat in Brinchang, as the hotel package comes with full board. In any case, Camerons isn't renowned for good food, so I was quite happy not to have to worry about meals.



Baked Crab Gratin, the starter for the Western dinner.


A very excellent mushroom soup, probably made from the fresh mushrooms produced in the mountain.


My Ribeye Steak


Fresh Strawberries from Raju's farm. That's what it says on the menu. Raju's farm is opposite the Equatorial hotel in Brinchang. Accompanied by a vanilla sauce, chocolate sauce and almond cream.


Can you see the pulp in that orange juice? Yummy!!! Fresh bottomless orange juice at breakfast.


Poached Eggs with Beef Bacon and Sausages. By this time, I am beginning to feel that I should be draping myself in a Union Jack.


A lovely array of homemade jams to complement the one of the most delicious croissant I ever bit into.

The curry tiffin lunch, which is a set lunch, comprising of soup, curry tiffin, (ie, various curries and vegetables served in a tiffin carrier...which I forgot to take).

One of my favourite produce of Camerons, the pearl corn. Prices vary incredibly. It's cheapest to get them from the further out farms. In pasar malams, and Kea Farm, they're about 3 for RM10, which is the same price as buying them from the Flea Market at the Curve. In the further farms, they're about 6 for RM10.

More photos with kids etc on my Facebook, so if you know me personally, do check it out.

Tinkering With Toy Of the Year

Last year it was the Magimix Food Processor, and two years ago, it was the Kenwood Cake Mixer, which have all more than paid for themselves by virtue of the indispensable service they have provided.

This year, well, ironically, many would think would have been an obvious choice, but as I was telling Lyrical Lemongrass, I only had my revelation after attending our church camp this year in Port Dickson. Amidst the spiritual retreat, and searching deep into my soul, I realised, I had to get one. Not because food bloggers like Nipples, Lemongrass, Nic, etc all have one, but because, my Evil Twin, who doesn't even read this blog, and couldn't care two hoots about taking food pics, GOT one, and his normally vapid shots on the ixus were suddenly transformed. Pics of his wife carrying his kid in the sea looked like a Pantene cum Pampers ad. Twas at that moment, I knew I HAD TO GET A DSLR.

But, as I am off to Cameron Highlands tomorrow, I haven't had time to blog, or to really sift through and picasa the pics, nor do I have time to write any review. So I'm just putting up the maiden efforts of this DSLR virgin, as I continue to tinker with the new toy of the year.

Breakfast on a Saturday Morning





Heart clotting cream, cherry jam and butter, on a freshly baked scone


Freshly brewed Laotian Mountain Coffee


Pear and Ginger Upside Down Pudding, ordered by faithful compadre, Lyrical Lemongrass


Petai, Brinjal, Long Bean and Four Angle Bean at Siu Siu on the Runway


Claypot Braised Fatty Pork With Potatos, Siu Siu


Their trademark charsiu


Claypot Curry Butter Prawns With Deep Fried Buns


Wat Tan Ngau Yoke Hor


Salted Egg Crab

This ain't a food review. Of course, I aspire to be in that league of photofloggers than can inspire people...touch their lives, blah blah and all that crap..... baby steps, baby steps....

Meanwhile, I'm off to Cameron Highlands, at the new YTL Cameron Highlands Resort, so yeah, feel free to envy me. Nyeeeeahahahahhaahaha. See you all on Friday.

Oriental Spoon At Sooka Sentral

Godma instructed me one morning over breakfast, "get your food blogger friends over to Sooka Sentral to try out Ming Lee's new restaurant". Note, "instructed".

Anyway, being the obedient, filial unofficial godson that I am, who's hoping to get into a wealthy woman's will, I meekly and mildly proceed to carry out that with which I am instructed. After checking with the Empress of the Food Blogging Realm, Lyrical Lemongrass, (who is only less influential than the OTHER Empress, Masak Masak, but she's perpetually busy, unlike Lyrical who doesn't have much of a social life to brag about), and getting a date where she could grace us with her regal presence, I send out an invite to a few others.

The place, Oriental Spoon At Sooka Sentral, but I already said that in the title. Sooka Sentral is a kinda annex to all the office buildings which houses several restaurants, including Zen, Centro, Chilli Expresso, etc etc... and is popular with the office crowds. Owned by the same owners as Bangsar Seafood Village, the cuisine is HALAL, and for lunch, they offer a wide array of dim sum.




Finally, a date is set, and we were even supposed to be graced with some imports, as some Aussie food blogger was to join us, thanks to Lemongrass, along with two other guests. In the process, the inimitable Jackson Kah, whom I invited, had to be disinvited, as I didn't want the table to be too full, as the old adage goes, less men more share. Alas, it was a no show by the imported blogger, due to some infection or something. Three extra seats..... hmm, a lot more food.

After apologising profusely to the very amiable Boss for the last minute absentees, we start munching on the steamed peanuts, while waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. Nipple Joe and Lemongrass were there, and Unkaleong and I walked in at the same time, me bearing two bottles of the nectar of the gods. Nothing like some plonk to break the ice. Not that there was any ice that needed breaking, we were among familiar company. Godma and daughter, (organiser of the event) showed up shortly after, and for the finale, the grand entrance by the master bakers, Allan and Nigel.

Feeling ravenous, after a recently introduced 10 minute workout, by Unkaleong, I wanted to dig into these gorgeous yam puffs immediately, but I forgot about the shooters with their heavy equipment. In contrast to Organiser's camera, which battery died after one shot. I should mention that the place doesn't usually serve dim sum for dinner, but the Boss made special arrangement for the Dim Sum chef to stay back and give us a generous sampling.

Of course, Mr Put Foot In Mouth, Nipple Joe, said, "Oh, restaurants probably dont serve dim sum at night because not fresh". Boss picked up on it, and smiled sweetly and assured him these were fresh. GUFFAW.



Gorgeous Yam Puffs


The interior of the yam puff. The yam was light and fluffy, and the filling was delicious as well.


The chicken charsiu paus
These were alright. I found it too have too much bread, not enough filling.


Succulent luscious prawn dumplings, fresh springy prawns.


Aren't these the cutest black sesame dumplings you have ever met?


Isn't Henry the Hedgeohog simply adorable!!! How can a person in clear conscience gobble this up?


The art of eating life forms.




Glutinous Rice Balls.
I thought these were quite nice, but I was also getting full on all the other stuff, and the rice seemed to take up unnecessary stomach space, especially when we knew there was more to come.


Fried Radish Cake
Very flavourful, containing something inside that I can't quite put my finger on, but gave it that extra body and texture.


Lamb Pai Kuat On A Steamed Radish Soup
This was a great hit. Lots of oohing and aahing. A worthy substitute for its porky cousin.


Prawn Cheong Fun
Silken smooth rice noodle, I thought this dish was excellent. The sauce was perfect, not too salty, and the chilli paste complemented the dish. Again, so smooth it could just slide down your throat.


Lotus Root Shaped Pastries
This HAS to be MY personal favourite of the night. Light, flaky buttery pastry, that crumbles and melt in your mouth, with a savoury meat filling. Absolutely divine. Just looking at it makes me want to catch the LRT to Sentral right now and take away some. Apparently it's a new creation by the chef, so it might not be on the menu as yet. Saliva dripping.





Braised Beef Brisket
I love beef brisket, and the flavour of this one was superb, but the brisket could have done with a bit more braising. It was unanimously agreed that this would taste even better the next day.

We thought the dim sum would cause us to explode, when along came the A la Carte food. Their signature starter, Bamboo Fungus Roll, Sotong Ball and Chicken Floss and Venison In Bird's Nest. The bird's nest was also lovely and flaky.

Fish: Arrrrgh, I can't breathe!!!!
Us: Tough luck!
Deep Fried Garoupa With Flavoured Meat Sauce


Two Combination Prawns, Lychee Prawns and Prawn Salad
The pairing of lychee and prawn is rather nice. The prawns were fresh and succulent.


Stir Fried Lotus Root With Celery and Almond Flakes
You can't really go wrong with this dish. I love the glorious array of colors, and the different textures of the vegetables. The rubbery wood ears, the crunch of the lotus root, and the crispiness of the almonds.


Food Bloggers With Their Large Equipment


Crab in Salted Egg Yolk
This dish should come with a health warning. The wonderfully rich sauce married with the sweet flesh of the mud crab.....its like romances made in heaven. Eat too much of this, and you might actually end up there. (in heaven....or hell, depending on who you are)


Durian Puffs, or whatever these are called, purchased by Lemongrass from that Gardens place everyone's been blogging about. In there somewhere, like a booby trap, were one or two that were laced with cempedak instead of durian. It was then I found out what a banana Unkaleong is, he doesn't eat EITHER of our local king and queen of fruits.


My Homemade Pear and Ginger Upside Down Pudding

This is now my 4th time making this. In my haste, I forgot to add in my glaced ginger, which is a tweaking of the recipe. It's always stressful bringing cake when the baker boys are around, but they were polite with their verdict. Actually made it for godma.

Anyway, it was an enjoyable relaxing night. Faces were a bit sanguine from the Savignon Blancs, and stomachs were full to the brim. Thanks so much to Boss of Oriental Spoon, for having us, and for making Dim Sum chef stay back, and thanks to Jade for organising and putting this together.

Note: Car Parking is also very easy. Although they currently close at 8pm, if you came for dinner at 7.30pm, or make prior reservations, they will stay open for you....apparently.