Swedish fare @ Ikea Cafe

During Ikea mad sales season, the complex is bound to be crowded with homemakers enthusiasts and those who are ready to give their existing homes a makeover.
The multi-level furniture complex is popular among shoppers from the whole of Malaysia, if not the whole world, and almost everything there is up for grabs during the sales season, and this, includes the food at their in-house Ikea Cafe.

This cafe was made famous for their Swedish meatballs, and a step into the cafe transported me back to Europe, as the style of the cafe's ordering and selecting your food is just similar to the practice in the continent itself.
You stand in a line and take your own tray, plates, cups, cutleries and napkins before making your way through the buffet line, making stop at every station and putting them onto your tray before finally heading to the cashier.

Set lunches and sweet treats are readily available at affordable prices to tempt your growling stomachs after long hours of shopping.

Salmon with lemon cream sauce costs RM15.90

Rich and not in an overwhelming manner, this was just right for a light and healthy lunch.



Fish lovers like me need not fret when stepping into this European-styled restaurant famous for their meat dishes as besides the salmon above, they have the good old English fish & chips as well; at only RM9.90

This was quite a steal, with the large portion of golden fried dory fish fillet which was quite thick in the serving portion.


Grilled chicken with sauce (RM10.90)


The meat was tender and the sauce which accompanied it was appetizing with its slightly sourish taste.


For a lighter bite, the Shrimp sandwich at RM7.90 was an interesting choice

Filled with small and fresh shrimps laced with sauce, there were also green lettuce leaves layering the base of the handmade roll.


For those with a sweet tooth, of course desserts are not excluded with such unresistable choices on display.
Choc pie (RM5.90)

This sinfully rich mud-like chocolate draped over the crispy crust was a delight to all chocolate lovers and just the perfect choice to end your meal (or your month-long diet! LOL)

For a lighter choice, you can get this Princess cake at RM3.90 as well.

(Alternatively, this comes complimentary when you order the Chicken set)

Decorated and placed on a colorful plate, this attracted children and adults alike to bite into the light cream and sugary external layer before tasting the sponge cake lined with a thin layer of cream with chocolate in the middle.



Well, with choices like this, it definitely prove that Swedish meals do not only revolve around meatballs =)

Dim Sum @ Le Dynastie

Recently there was a new addition to the chain of dim sum restaurants in Penang; located along the shophouses facing Sunshine Farlim; in Farlim (of course).

I used to go to the Red Tea Garden dim sum restaurant which was on the other side of the row of shophouses and I noticed this new existence of the restaurant.


It still looks so brand new; and the exterior and interior, were quite impressive as well with that clean and well-polished look.




Perhaps it was too new, as I did not even spot a huge crowd despite it being the rush hour for breakfast on a Sunday morning.
However, the service was speedy and the staff, friendly and attentive.

One thing which I did not really like was the fact that they serve the dim sum which were displayed on the tray and when you pick, they will need to re-heat it and then serve you in a few minutes time. It gave me the feeling that it was not really straight from the oven!


They serve a wide variety of dim sum; you name it, they have it and this is inclusive of chee cheong fun, steamed buns (pao), wantan mee, and basic fried noodles.

Siew Mai (pork dumplings)

I think it was priced about RM2.40 or something along that line.
Most of the dim sum were priced at that range, which was a plus as it was definitely and relatively lower than the others, or at least the one we used to go to.

This was not too bad.

Unlike other dim sum places, their yong tau foo based dim sum were actually made of pure fish paste (without mixture of meat) which is what I love the most.


Lady fingers with sauce


Steamed fishballs

I think this has officially become my favorite among all the other dim sum restaurants serving the same thing, as recently, most of the fishballs I have sampled were either soggy or just plain tasteless.


We did not try their Har Kao (Prawn dumpling), but instead we tried their highly recommended or their signature (or so they say) Prawn Dumpling King (Har kao Wong)

I guess it was really based purely on their own tastes or say, as this was really not as good as I expected.
Firstly, the prawns were not that fresh and somehow, it was too mushy for me. Secondly, it was rather oily and finally, I felt that the re-heating caused some uneven tastes; whereby you could taste some warmth in one part and in other parts, it was a little bit cold.

Egg tarts

Also another on the average as the egg pudding was not really as supple like the normal ones and the crust was just flaky.


I think to be fair, like most of the places, they do have their plus points and drawbacks, and I don't think I am about to rule this place just yet.

Give it some time, and it is actually a very nice place for dim sum; given the clean environment and the great service =)

This one is different, it actually has the base of fishy taste and I just loved how it tasted!

Tempting desserts @ G Hotel's Easter Brunch

Continuing from the previous post, after the main course, it was time to take a break and then tempt our palates with the sweet treats which is of course, part of the festive celebration.


Fruits are always a healthy option for desserts as it's healthy and kind to our bodies; but of course, when you are at a buffet, fruits are not the only option =)

Self-made honey sea coconut in light soup


The sea coconut lend the sweet taste to the otherwise ordinary and light tasting soup which came with barley, dried longans, snow fungus and good ol' gingko nuts.
I love this Oriental styled dessert to every bit! =D

For the rest of the desserts; credits to the creative and detailed chefs behind the lovely cakes on display
Pudding in a spoon




Mousse cakes






Pudding



Cakes





Easter cookies and chocolates





A lovely Easter celebration, and since I am still in the mood, it's only the 2nd week after Easter, Happy Easter everyone, and virtual chocs for you! =)