Dining at Genting Highlands: The Eatery

Right after our Batu Cave experience, we headed straight to one of the highest theme parks around the world, the beautiful Genting Highlands. The place offered a very cool temperature and a number of high end Asian  restaurants. Someone from the group who've been to Genting recommended The Eatery which she said offers both quality and affordability. From our room in First World Hotel, we went back to the drop off area of Genting Skyway (cable car) where the said restaurant is located to have our dinner.

The Eatery

I forgot the names of the other dishes that were ordered except of course for the one I personally chose, the RM 14.50 Nasi Lemak. Click here to read my take on this Malaysia's famous dish. 

Nasi Lemak

Check out The Eatery's Menu

Ampang Homeland Yong Tau Foo Sdn Bhd

Yong Tau Foo

After a quick stop at Petronas Twin Towers, we took our lunch at Ampang Homeland Yong Tau Foo Sdn Bhd (whew, that was long!) to taste Ampang's famous dish, Yong Tau Foo.

Yong Tau Foo is a plateful of vegetables such as ampalaya, okra, red chili, tofu, fish balls etc. We started off with a soya drink. In my 5 days in Malaysia, I wasn't able to drink any brand of soda, geez no wonder they're healthier. After a long battle with my chopsticks (I hate to admit, I'm really poor at using chopsticks!), I finally succumb and asked for a spoon and fork. We were presented with a number of plates with the fried dumplings as my favorite especially when dipped into their homemade sauce.

fried dumplings

stuffed red chilies in yong tau foo

happy customers inside

If you're a Filipino, you'll probably find this restaurant a little more, well, noisy than the usual. Not sure if the staff are angry but it somehow feels like a pretty normal scenario. Can't get over with the noise, just saying...

Ampang Homeland Yong Tau Foo is located 622-C, Jalan Merdeka, Kampung Baru Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A Cantonese Dinner at Sek Yuen Restoran

Continuing on my Malaysia food series, we had our very first dinner at Sek Yuen Restoran for an authentic Cantonese cuisine. Located at Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, this restaurant which has two buildings (air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned) that stands side by side feels like home. It looks old, yes,  but it's something a tourist like me did appreciate. Later on, I realized we had dined into what seems to share a piece of history, the oldest Chinese restaurant which started back in the 50's!

roasted duck 'Pei Pa Duck'

Facade-Sek Yuen Restaurants

I couldn't imagine a better way to start my Malaysia tour than having a great dinner like this. I highly recommend Sek Yuen's old style restaurant to fellow Filipino travelers who'd loved to know more and taste a bit of Malaysia's history. Once you get here, you're in for a gastronomic treat with dishes that are still cooked in a wood fired kitchen. And hey, don't forget to order their famous signature dish, the Pei Pa Duck.

Seafood Dinner at Restoran Makanan Laut Cia Xiang

Claypot Crab Rice

During our first night in Penang, Malaysia, we were treated to an irresistible seafood buffet for dinner at the Restoran Makanan Laut Cia Xiang. The place had a simple outdoor vibe. Earlier that day, all the Gano iTouch staff from the Philippines as well as the group of Ms. Sin Yee from Malaysia has consistently been telling us to not eat much for we will sure be stuffed with so much food on our dinner. We needed to provide some more extra space in our tummy. Penang, after all is most famous for its buffet serving seafood. Indeed, later that night, Penang did not disappoint.

I love seafood (I get too excited whenever i see-food). Lol! Here are some of those delectable dishes we had. Feast on!

Mang Inasal's Spicy Paa

Mang Inasal's Spicy Paa

I have a big confession to make, this is the very first time I actually got to dine in Mang Inasal. I've passed by so many of its branches but never gotten too curious to just try it out. And because of the latest promo from my BDO credit card (BDO Credit Card single transaction of at least P2,000 from October 1, 2011 to November 15, 2011 entitles the cardholder to one (1) free Mang Inasal Spicy Paa Paborito Meal), of course I opt to redeem the said freebie.

sister Hannah with Pork Inasal

True enough, it's so SPICY! It's probably just me as I'm not into spicy foods, but the chicken is just too spicy for me, even spicier than our homemade Buffalo Wings. Good thing my sister ordered Pork Inasal so we ate sharing each other's meal to bear the spiciness of the chicken. On the lighter note, I'm loving my BDO credit card even more as I've been reaping freebies from them almost every month. The very first food treat I got was last year's free box of brownies from Brownies Unlimited. As Christmas drawing closer, I can't wait to find out what's next foodie treat BDO has been cooking up for its dear credit card holders.

Bistro Ravioli: A Dining Experience Before the Big Concert

Salmon Ravioli in Saffron Cream Sauce 

Before the big Black Eyed Peas Concert in Manila, my friend Ava and I decided to have an early dinner and started scouting for an Italian resto, somewhere we've never tried before. We came across some chefs working on the pasta at the store's front window, so we've decided to dine in at Bistro Ravioli. 

I've already tried and cooked a lot of pasta dishes but have never eaten an authentic Italian ravioli before, so I'm quite excited to get a taste of it. We asked what's the best seller among their list of ravioli dishes and she pointed out Italian sausage ravioli in romesco sauce but then I got more interested in trying the salmon ravioli in saffron cream sauce for P210. Aside from the pasta, we also ordered the Diablo wings simply because of its catchy name. It is a 3 piece sweet and spicy chicken wings cut into 6 slices with a flavorful sauce served with mayo dip worth P270. Interestingly, this Diablo wings sure tastes heavenly. It was down home goodness with the spicy kick. The sauce reminds me of a certain taste from a fast food chain I think). Anyway, the restaurant serves no rice and there were no ample photos of the dishes on their menu, so it's best to ask for details of the food you like.

Diablo Wings



Bistro Ravioli Menu

Bistro Ravioli also serves salads, chicken and bbq, a variety of pasta dishes like pesto, spaghetti meatballs and carbonara. Add to that is a list of brick oven baked pizzas and sumptuous desserts. You can check out Bistro Ravioli at the 2nd floor, South Wing of SM Mall of Asia. Don't forget to watch those chefs spin out a mean pizza dough at the side entrance!

Palawan Pasalubong: Baker's Hill Deli

Baker's Hill pastries

My brother toured Palawan recently along with his High School friends. Also excited for my first Palawan visit  early next year, I have searched the web for some things to do, sites to see, and must bring pasalubong. Other than being one of the most visited tourist spots, pastries from Baker's Hill has been consistently earning some good reviews for their baked products. So I requested my brother to give it a try and bring home some of their goodies. He bought a box of Hopia Baboy, his all time favorite crinkles, a box of brownies and pieces of chocolate minicakes. I just wished he bought a set of some real local delicacies from Palawan. Anyway, I for sure will share more Baker's Hill goodies after my trip :)

Inasal Joe's Batchoy

I have always been a certified La Paz Batchoy fan ever since I tasted that of Ilonggo Grill. Probably because both parents are Ilonggo's that my palate just quickly fell in love with the dish. I could finish the biggest bowl in one sitting and have tried a lot of other versions from different restaurants. So when my aunt who came to visit from Mindanao wanted to eat batchoy, I quickly ordered one from Inasal Joe (the closest food stall in Shangri-la that serves batchoy). This will be our first try eating at Inasal Joe and their batchoy.

Inasal Joe's Batchoy

Quite frankly it wasn't as satisfying as I would have hoped it to be. Too little stuffing and a little too salty. I hope it's not like that in all f their branches. But so far, Ilonggo Grill's Batchoy tops my list. 

A Country-styled Lunch at Holy Cow

The place reminded me of a restaurant I frequented come lunch time when I still a student in La Salle. Also a country themed diner with all sorts of intertesting wall hangings, Holy Cow Steak Ranch and American Grill located in SM Megamall can be spotted a few feet from the newly opened shop of Paris Hilton selling her signature bag collection. Below are photos of our set meals :)

Beer Battered Rodeo Fish Fillet

Country’s Pride Parmesan Chicken

Award Winning Angel Hair ala Pesto

Holy Cow Steak Ranch and American Grill is located at 3/F Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas Ave. Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Chowking Orange Chicken

Another yummy chicken dish from Chowking...

Chowking Orange Chicken

This dish inspired me to try making my own Orange Chicken. Will be posting the recipe soon :)

Sarangani Highlands: Stuffed with Good Food and Good View

Facade: Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant 

Sarangani Highlands is located on a hilltop overlooking Sarangani Bay. It has an awesome view of both the sea, downtown Gensan and majestic Mt. Parker and Mt. Matutum on a clear day and a few minutes drive from GenSan Airport and few meters away from General Santos Fish Port.

Overlooking Sarangani Bay

ready to order

a hearty brunch

Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant is open daily from 7am to 10pm. It is located near the fishport at Purok Wal, Tambler, General Santos City. Tel: (083) 304-0752 / Mobile: 09228590043.

More Sarangani Highlands photos at The Walking Tripod