Review: Top View Restaurant at The Top Komtar

 Happy Birthday to me!!!

Not really excited about getting older but grateful I've made a circle around the sun safely figuratively speaking. Hubby made a reservation for Top View Restaurant through TableApp a week before my birthday on 19 Dec (Saturday). He made some requests directly with a WhatsApp number that has The Top logo so we assumed we were speaking directly with The Top management. Everything was smooth and we got email confirmation.

This isn't our God damn table even though we requested a week beforehand!

CuboPark @ Chusan Penang

One word: Horrible

Venue: Cubopark is an open air concept park with containers served as stalls and food outlets perceived as a very instagramable place.

Long story short: Photography not allowed. Anyone holding DSLR will get screwed. Person in charge (a bit tanned, short and plump lady) holding walkie talkie spied on us even after we had dinner. Scared us from behind when hubby took out camera again. She said she has been watching us. Surrounding people thought we are criminals.
Got humiliated af.
Bad management.
No signboard saying dos and don'ts.

The Long Story:

She said we should have written letter to the management but we kept telling her we are not here for commercial photography. We are just a couple taking pics of eachother like everyone else. C'mon la we are doing free publicity for you. Our friends have been asking about the place but now we can just tell them not to go. Waste time.

We never experienced such humiliation before. Even when we brought DSLR to Queensbay Mall, Gurney plaza, Gurney Paragon, premium outlet, KLCC cos u know there are events at concourse area to shoot but we were never questioned about our DSLR. We don't bring tripod or take photos in the shops or bring into cinema cos we know the rules well enough.

As you can see from our travel photos in this blog, famous malls like Harrods, Lafayette, Grand bazaar and several more did not chase us out either. We also entered without hassle into numerous museums, mosques, churches, temples, castles, palaces (without tripod of course).

We were always welcomed with open arms and friendly smiles and some caretakers/guards/management even gave tips for the best view. They told us they were happy we are promoting them. But Cubopark being open space PARK (obviously) ambushed and made us feel so unwelcomed we had to run to the doors. So immediate that I forgot to try the marshmallow dessert at Haru Hari cos we just had dinner at SYST and teabreak at Mango B. See, I'm not those kids who came just to take pics for their Ig. My purpose here was to try your food and take pics to review here....for FREE!

The reason why we brought a DSLR was we saw so many people taking pics with DSLR in Cubopark on Facebook and Instagram. My friend also brought her camera as well. So we thought since its a well decorated outdoor space that encourages phototaking there's nothing wrong with what I am doing. Why did I edit this post by putting the long version? Because I hope the management might one day stumble upon this lowly humble blog and see my clarification.


Contact me via Facebook: http://facebook.com/aliciaboey

Update: Around mid 2020 it has been closed down for good. It has been getting less and less patrons even without the pandemic and lockdown just acts as a catalyst to shut it down.

Review: Sa Rang Chae

Heya!

Just realised I haven't share my most fav Korean restaurant in Penang. I feel Sa Rang Chae is one of the most traditional and authentic Korean BBQ and cuisine I could find in my hometown. Located right opposite of Penang Chinese Girls High School, Sa Rang Chae is run by a Korean lady and her family for many years.

맛있어요

Penang International Food Festival 2017

Hello once again foodies!

Penang International Food Festival 2017 (PIFF) is held throughout the month of April in various locations. I only managed to go to the Street Food Fest on 15th April. Go to this link for calendar of events happening around this month.

As usual lah this kind of event very crowded with limited space to sit and dine.

Review: Italiannies

Hey folks!

Another restaurant I've been wanting to patronize again is Italiannies. The first time I tried was years ago with my parents at their Paragon branch. I miss their mushroom appetizer so much. This time is to celebrate 13th year anniversary as a couple with my husband. Yea we met at a tuition center when we were so young. I really forgot about our anniversary till hubby had to remind me due to so much going on in my family.

It's so easy to find on the ground floor. Located right next to TGI Fridays...in fact both are connected through a door lol.

Review: The Cruises Steakhouse

It's been a long time, foodies!

I have been MIA for a long time after my Iceland trip due to family and personal situations. Anyway, hubby had an off day I last Monday so he brought me to The Cruises Steakhouse at One World area to have lunch as they have this lunchtime promo on weekdays. They also have another branch if not mistaken at Lebuh Bishop.

Huge portion!

Valentine's Day 3 course couple set at Morganfield's

Hey dearies,

I know it's been a long time I posted something here. If you ever wana get my updates you are welcome to follow my Facebook. Every year hubby and I don't exactly celebrate Valentine's day. In fact he never bother to send flowers coz I hate them. Ok maybe a bunch of roses like 10 yrs ago. I am someone who would prefer a bouquet of nuggets.

Ordered an apple mojito coz the waitress said they were out of plain water so it's either pay for mineral water or their fancy drinks. Which restaurant would run out of drinking water?

Review: Din Tai Fung

Happy New Year!

Around New Year's Eve hubby, his fam and I went to try Din Tai Fung upon my suggestion coz it's like a very famous Chinese cuisine outlet in USA. Maybe I'm just influence by YouTubers idk.

When it's full, take number from the counter outside and wait for your number.

My birthday cakes for 2016

Hey everyone!

This might be my last post for 2016 coz it's less than 2 months from my epic trip and yet I haven't completed my planning. There are more events to come like Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year but I don't think I will blog on that.

Scroll down below to know where to get this lovely drip cake.

Review: 1885 at Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Happy birthday to me!!!

It's the event that I have to wait a whole year to arrive since I was a child. But as years go by I am reluctant to celebrate anymore. I just dislike the idea of growing up too soon. I might leave my 20s in coming years but my mind is still in teens. Now that time is running out I am hanging onto my precious 20s so might as well eat off my bucket list. I have always wanted to try real chunky foie gras (I had them creme form last year) and wagyu beef so hubby decided to treat me to 1885 at E&O hotel.

Thank you hubby for the wonderful luxurious dinner. I felt so blessed to have you.

Review: Yaw's Roast and Grill

Hello dear loyal readers again!

I didn't really plan for another review as I was busy with my trip but this place is worth a try. Yaw's Roast & Grill is dad's friend's brother's restaurant. The homely style is similar to 43 Cafe. It has a very cozy rain forest themed environment right in the gardens of the owner's home and everything is prepared in his own kitchen. How homecook can it get? Dad also says it used to be known as Top Top.

Located in a housing area behind Midlands, you can either park in the mall and walk across or you can park within the housing area but you need to pandai-pandai find parking lah.

Review: The Wine Shop

Hello again foodies!

It's been awhile since the last review. We just celebrated hubby's birthday last Thursday. Nothing fancy just wine and dine. The Wine Shop is the only place I know that serves big wheel pasta and Raclette. Do let me know if there are other restaurants. The big wheel cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano pasta) is only available at their Bayan Lepas branch while Raclette which is Swiss method of scraping melted cheese onto food is served at their Pulau Tikus main shop.

Great place to celebrate Christmas eve.

Recipe: Spaghetti Napolitan

Whenever I feel like having pasta or hungry at night I cook this. Spaghetti Napolitan is like the national fusion dish of Japan. Besides Japan, ketchup pasta is also commonly served in food court, western food stalls and cafes here in Malaysia. I know Italians might be triggered but no harm trying as long as its tasty. In fact some butt hurt Italians did reluctantly admit it tastes awesome. So don't kick it till you try it. Here's my version of Napolitan...

Type: Main
Servings: 1 or 2 depending on your appetite
Type: Halal

Ingredients
A handful spaghetti (Nope I don't measure when I'm hungry)
2 chicken sausages
1/2 julienned onion
2 cloves garlic
1 slice cheese
2 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 tablespoon sugar
Olive oil
Italian mixed herbs
Salt
Pepper

Preparation
1. Boil spaghetti in salt water according to package instruction.

2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in pan and fry minced garlic, onion and sausage slices in pan for 2 minutes.

3. Pour in ketchup and stir for about a minute.

4. Put in the sugar for sweetness.

5. When pasta is al dente, scoop them into the pan.

6. You can ladle in some pasta water if it's too dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. After it's well blended, turn off the heat.

8. I like to put any available cheese which is usually cheddar but you can scrape some Parmesan.

9. Voila! It's ready to serve. Don't forget to sprinkle on some mixed herbs.

Review: Morganfield's - Home of sticky bones

Hello again foodies!

If you are a big fan of juicy succulent BBQ ribs head on down to my all time fav Morganfield's. I can't remember how many times I had meals in this place. It's countless!

Halloween vibe donning on the entrance.

Review: J. L. Gourmet Café

Hey foodies,

I'm back again with another restaurant review. This time I will introduce a deliciously affordable western food cafe that I always patronise. J. L. Gourmet Café is conveniently located in Prangin Mall. I have always passed by this corner cafe but didn't try until my colleagues brought me for lunch here years ago. Now it has became one of my fav. I noticed their dishes are familiarly similar to Mizi Bistro and after some research discovered both of these brands are under the same group.

A quiet little corner with tasty secret.

Recipe: Alicia's cheese fondue

Do note this is not the original Swiss cheese fondue due to non-alcoholic. I'm also using whatever type of cheese convenient to me. Traditionally cheese is served in a fondue pot with lit candle beneath the bowl to maintain texture but I don't have one.

Type: Sides
Servings: 2
Category: Halal

Ingredients
1 cup chicken broth
200g shredded mozzarella
200g cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation
1. Mix flour with shredded cheese.

2. Pour chicken broth into pot and simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Pour all cheese into pot and stir till melted.

4. Season with ground nutmeg and salt.

5. Voila! It's done! You can serve with anything you like. I prepared broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, crabstick, fries, nuggets, sausages, cherry tomatoes and leftover cheese poured on pasta. And I hate roti so no bread here but traditionally served with French bread lah.

Review: 43 Cafe

Hi foodies,

This homely cafe is somewhere near my neighbourhood. I haven't visited 43 Cafe for quite a while since it's facelift. I also got to know my ex primary school mate is awesome at cooking pasta. He is one of the chef here but only part time. It must be his family business so he's only there during weekends I guess.

My goal is to try as much pasta as I could since I'm a huge fan of pasta and hopefully someone can sponsor me to Italy to try the real deal.

Review: Lunarich Pizza & Pasta Restaurant

Hey foodies!

I've been longing to try Lunarich for a long time since I heard from friends that their pasta is good. My all time favourite food has to be Italian besides Japanese.

Conveniently located on the 1st floor of Gurney Paragon just above the front courtyard.

Review: Cheng Hwa Seafood Porridge

Hello again!

After our short trip to Trong Leisure Farm 自农休闲农庄 we decided to head to Nibong Tebal for the famous crab porridge. There are several crab porridge restaurants in Nibong Tebal but the one we usually patronize hasn't opened yet till like 6:30pm so we circled around and came across Cheng Hwa Seafood Porridge. 

 Fresh and tasty seafood goodness.

Review: Summer Dessert Cafe

Hello dessert lovers!

I'm sure all of us are guilty of having a sweet tooth. Here's a new joint for you to indulge on fancy French-like desserts and pastries. Summer Dessert Bakery has been my all time fav. I can't get enough on how perfect their cream is and how soft and moist their cakes are. The cakes also don't have that strong synthetic essence that make you feel like you're eating medicine. I shall not mention the bakery that has that taste.

Tastefully furnished 2-storey outlet with Parisian touch caters for in-house dining could possibly be the largest of all their outlets.