Dinner @ Gamelan Restaurant, Oasis Ara Damansara

Never been to the Oasis, Ara Damansara since the opening of this place. The Oasis consists of the main office building, the apartments/Condos and row of shops/restaurants which some situated in front of the amazing pool with fountain. 

We had a farewell dinner for one of our colleague a few months back. The restaurant is just open and recommended by a friend of us. It's a local, Malay and Kelantanese restaurant, serving local dishes like Nasi Kerabu to western meal. 

The interior

For my first visit, i tastes the grilled lamb chop at RM18.90 per serving.

They had plenty of western choices and some of my friends had a generous portions for their meal. which end up, i am eating on their behalf

This is my Grilled Lamb Chop. Taste was really2 good. but the portion was sooo sooo smal.. I was so hungry at that time, and this serving was not enough at all. I end up eating other people's portion.

The restaurant, however, is not located in front of this scenery. Several high end restaurant including the Old Kopitiam resite this area. The view was really2 mesmerising at night especially when they light-on the multi colour bulbs. 

Took some pics before heading to the exit gate. At that time, parking was sort of free or maybe my stay is less than an hour.

Behind the fountain is the row of Condos/SOHO.

Location: Love the quite and less hectic location. It is near Chitta Mall. Heading to Sg Buluh/Subang Airport.
Pricewise: Quite expensive.
Verdict: i went here twice. So, i guess, it's ok for revisit.

Ikea Meatballs @ Ikea

We never had the famous IKEA meatball when visiting IKEA. Coz dad did not feel comfortable eating at places without genuine HALAL certificate issued by JAKIM. so, this time, dad was not coming with us to IKEA. hence, we included the eating meatball session in our schedule.

Below, some snapshots of the meatballs, muffin, chicken chop and 2 cups of cappuccino. 

Since, we were 3 and expected to eat a lot, we ordered the jumbo set. Cant remember the price but this set served 24 pieces of the meatball accompanied with the Sweden flag and the chips.

Tastewise, ok la.. not that salty. The meat tasted like it did not mixed well with the ingredient or perhaps that the taste of Scandinavia food.  

Fried chicken, also avergae. nothing to brag about. just a usual deep fried chicken with chips. i like the chips better.

The muffin counter

That's the price. RM17 for 24 pieces.

Mineral waters freezer

Several other selections

Cappuccino is not refillable. Coffee - yes.

Row of IKEA trolley. I like the trolley the most. It was really2x convenient for the customers who ordered more than what both of our hands can handled. =)

Pretzel by Chilla Cup, Ikano Power Centre

This was actually, an old event. Just manage to write a review about this and post it today. Me, my mom and my sis went for a window shopping at IKEA a few months back and suddenly mom feel like having a pretzel. eventually, we discovered this coffee shop, Chilla Cup. 

The ambiance of the cafe was decent, cozy and seems comfortable. Plenty of dining table and spacey area. Less crowded at that time. Straightly ordered this pretzel. 

The deco, view from outside the cafe

Expensive. RM5.50 per piece. Aunty Anne is cheaper and nicer and tastier. 

Tastewise: Less salty, less tastier. I prefer Aunty Anne

Location: Accessible if you are visiting the nearby area, the curve, ikea, harvey norman. but, as stated in their website, they have several outlets in Mount Kiara, Subang, Puchong and Mines.

Price: Nay... pricey for not so well known brand.

Ayam Penyet Ria @ Seksyen 7, Shah Alam

My favourite meal, ayam penyet at my favourite ayam penyet restaurant, Ayam Penyet Ria. I'm a big fan of ayam penyek ria since many2 years ago. i used to have their dish at Cyberjaya (the best branch) and sometime in KLCC, the worst one. 

Despite so many dishes in their menu, i always go for the smashed chicken with rice, sometime with a complimentary soup. Finish it with 3 layers tea. Love the tea.

A good ayam penyek @ smashed chicken for me must be cooked crispy and crunchy. Add with super spicy sambal (chili paste). must be spicy. that the score point. The set usually come with kangkung/spinach, tempe (fried soy bean), fried tofu, cucumber and salad. Sometimes, with soup.

3 layers tea to reduce the heat from the sambal. 

What i love about 3 layers drink is the pandan use to replace the sugar. it tastes natural rather than sweet taste from the sugar. it gives the drink a natural pandan sweetness flavor.

Ayam Penyet menu

Selection of drinks

Mom tried the bakso. Tastewise, ok and acceptable. m not a fan of soup. so, to me, it was ok.

Penyet/Smashed menu

Location: Ayam Penyek Ria, Seksyen 7 Shah Alam

Near, Bata shop, Alya Mysara boutique, Raffiey Nassir Boutique, Saidatul Nisa Boutique. 

The restaurant cannot be seen from the main road since is located rows behind JAKEL. 

Just drive pass the Jakel and than turn left at the 3 junction (near expo). Ayam Penyet is at the corner lot.

Overall, the taste is still acceptable (6/10) but not as good as their branch in Cyberjaya neither another outlet at the Curve or even the aother ayam penyek outlet by the brand Ayam Penyek Nusantara located nearby, front row. Pricewise, it's getting expensive each day. RM8.90 for the set without rice.

For those Ayam Penyet lover, the choice is yours.

Iftar @ Holiday Inn Glenmarie

During the previous Ramadhan, me and several friends were invited for breaking fast buffet at the Holiday Inn Glenmarie, Shah Alam. These was my first experience having break fast event at this hotel. I rarely visit this hotel except for office/work event and some invitation by the stakeholders. 

Some pics snapped that day. 

Generally, the interior around lobby area is decent and towards islamic culture design. Wood based deco overwhelming the lobby area.

Since, it was a Ramadhan buffet, the hotel presented Malay based/P.Ramlee theme.

The outdoor dessert counter. The presentation was a real disappointment. The ice cream box was not being refilled and the remaining ice creams were melting.

 Below, the fruits counter

Appertisers/salads

Some of the decent food, fried food

Guest were given a very small portion of these roasted lamb. disappointed also

Briyani for briyani lovers

BBQ counter

Sticky Rice and Rendang

Yong Tau Fu was the best option we had so far. 

2 options of gravy, soup or spicy tom yam

Guest were entertained with classical musical from P.Ramlee's movie

I love the spacey and calm ambiance during this hour.  

Coffee house available here with plenty of dessert selection

Yup, got prayer room here. clean, comfortable and spacious.

In short:

Foodwise: Average, nothing to wow

Pricewise: Standard buffet price 

Location: Close to our office, yes, convenience to us and whoever drive (no public transport except taxi)

Parking: Limited

Special Attribute to Visit Malaysia Y2014

Hello readers and Happy New Year.. 2014, a year ahead and a year shorter to our final journey. Despite of that, life must go on and embrace the journey bravely and gracefully.

This year remark another biggest event in Malaysia Calendar, the Visit Malaysia Year. So, this post is a special attribution from travelista to the readers out there to come and visit our beloved country, Malaysia. 

Logo, pictures and links provided here are credit to visit malaysia 2014 website . Feel free to browse all the features and promotions. Lots lots of info can be used as our reference for our next adventures. 

Contest organised by Tourism Malaysia

linked: contest

Extracted from the VMY2014 website, the welcome address by our Prime Minister, Minister of TACM and Sec. General of TACM

Among activities that awaiting me and my buddy are as follows:

1- rock climbing

2- caves exploration - mulu, niah, taman negara etc

3- sepilok rehabilition centre

4- water rafting

5- hot spring

6- island hopping - sabah

7- ATV ride

8- paddy field

9- boathouse kenyir

key point to be remember here is planning, planning, planning. Good planning, sufficient fund, open mind, half empty-self and some precaution plan.

Enjoy exploring Malaysia and welcome to 2014.