Brekkie moment . Pit Stop Cafe

I'm so inspired to blog this week, maybe I just don't feel to do anything else from my lappie; on the same time I always told myself I need to start reading on my new books (I have more than 5 books now) and it's not good to face lappie that often after all. The moment I flip on my book, I started to dozed off sometimes or switch my mind to play some easy game on iPad, what happen to me? I just couldn't get it right sometimes, the thing that I feel I'm totally all right doing it is to EAT. This is how I gain weight, yesiambutidontcare! 

Been to Pit Stop Cafe twice in a month, I went there for the second time before I have time to blog on my first attempt; I'll join both days into one post since we ordered different food, easier mah. It was Saturday on my first time and Friday on the second time, I prefer the latter as it was a total disaster to go there during weekend unless you are there early in the morning; it was crowded. I did not have time to take photo in the cafe (I should say I did not have space to squeeze around). The table arrangement seems okay if there are not much people but you will find it's quite difficult to walk around if the cafe is full of people. 

The cafe is quaint with wall paintings, antiques, prints and even chairs hanging on the walls; it would be a good laid-back moment over there. The shelf that place magazine make me think of Levain Boulangerie Patisserie, didn't much related actually just a similar feel.

Cappuccino . RM8

My friend's drink with snoopy chocolate painting on top, can't really recall what is the price for that, hope that I share the correct information over here, more or less around that range. Didn't try on it but my friend said she had the thing on previous visit and they served exactly the same thing, taste didn't vary much and with snoopy as well (guess she expecting another coffee art). Like most of the coffee, it only taste good if it's still warm, started to taste weird once the coffee become cold and she didn't finished it tho.

Macha Latte (RM9) . Orange Juice (RM2.90 with any All Day Breakfast)

If you order one of their all day breakfast, just add on another RM2.90 for a cup of Freshly Brewed Coffee, Tea or Orange Juice, well I expected a bigger glass of orange juice, lol. It will not enough, I can just finish it while waiting my breakfast to serve, so just request another cup of ice water from them (refillable). While ordering the macha latte, I did not expect any coffee art on top (since it's not coffee) and I saw the Donald Duck chocolate painting, I was so surprised and try to get a good shot on it, cute no? When I had my first sip on it, I realized that the chocolate didn't even match the macha latte at all, not to my liking, I used the teaspoon to clear the foam and chocolate before I had my second sip. This macha latte will be better with lesser milk, good but not the best I had. 

Mushy Mushy (RM10) . 3 Little Pigs (RM10)

Pit Stop Cafe offers all day breakfast set from 9am to 6pm, as well as pasta dishes and rice set; since we went there for breakfast, I didn't look at other dishes than the breakfast set. We had mushy mushy and 3 little pigs, the side for these breakfast sets are the same, come together with a piece of wholewheat bread, hash brown and side greens. The most important food in this set would be the omelet, one stuffed with fresh Shitake Mushrooms & Cheese, another one stuffed with Bacon & Cheese. The Mushy Mushy one is quite special but it seems to be a little bit tasteless if compare to 3 Little Pigs, all I can tasted was the cheese. You may request chili sauce or ketchup from waiter; yet you'll notice there is a handmade paste come together in the breakfast set, couldn't tell what it is but it really taste good. 

Big Breakfast . RM16

If you are the big eater, you can try their Big Breakfast which cost only RM16, is is not too expensive after all, all their price range is quite affordable. Compare to the earlier breakfast set, it come together with more sides such as wholewheat bread, hash brown, side greens, bacon, smoked salmon and 2 eggs (you can choose sunny side or scramble egg). I like their bacon, not too oily and of course their smoked salmons are really fresh. Thumb up. Other than breakfast set, I saw people also ordered pancake and the most famous would be their Berry Banana Pancake, I save it for my next visit. Wahaha. 

Location

12, Lorong Chulia, 10200 Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours

9am - 6pm (Daily)

Contact Number

04-2611306

Facebook

Pit Stop no.12

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Countdown - 3 weeks. Happening month.

First attempt at Isaribi Tei Japanese Restaurant

Always passed by Burmah Road and I know the existing of Isaribi Tei Japanese Restaurant but I never been there before until this time. Same with some of my friends, I thought it's quite hard to find a parking lot around the Chow Thye Road; they do provide a free car park at their back entrance, click here to find the map where I found from net, it teaches you on how to turn into their free parking area. I do not have a photo on the exterior of the restaurant, just google it and you will find it's familiar to Penangites. Not really into shutterbug mood that night, just simply take some photos and thought to share to you who love fine food. 

The owner of the restaurant (I think he is a Japanese) blending Western and Japanese element into his interior decorations. 

You can see everything they serve to you are simple yet nice; no printed napkins, no fancy chopsticks but it gives you a feel, home. 

Rainbow Maki . RM25

Talk no more, let's start with their food. I'm kind of suffering myself now by posting the food photos here, I'm really hungry as I only had porridge for my brunch and my tummy is playing drums rapidly now. Awwh. Back to the topic, the rainbow maki came first; the sashimi rolls are laid on top with variety of fishes which give it a colorful look (that's why they named it Rainbow). I really like these sushi as the sushi here is unlike those you can find elsewhere, it's full with plenty of ingredients with less rice. You can really taste the freshness from the raw fishes and you can see how my salmon shine on the top! 

Grilled Mackerel, Yakitori, Kimuchi & Potato Salad . RM22

I had a difficulty to choose what to have for my main course, they provide a lot of bento and I end up choosing this with a lot of ingredients. Let's talk about the kimuchi first, this is the Japanese style kimchi, more or less the same like the Korean kimchi but less spicy and sour, it's quite a good starter together with the potato salad. I chose the grilled mackerel instead of salmon (if not mistaken the grilled salmon is more expensive and I thought to have something else that night), the portion isn't big for the mackerel maybe because this bento already come with yakitori and skewered squid. For your information yakitori is grilled chicken, and these skewered chicken and squid are up to my liking, it's so juicy!

Garlic Rice (RM4) . Teriyaki Chicken (RM16)

If you do not like bento, you can order a garlic rice like this and add-pn another side dishes, I highly recommended the teriyaki chicken to you. I realized that the way they grilled chicken (or squid, fishes and etc) is really up to standard; this teriyaki chicken is grilled and with a little bit of char (but not too much) on the chicken, perfect match with the teriyaki sauce. The dish is come along with a scoop of potato salad too. The garlic rice is really cheap which cost only RM4 and it come together with a miso soup, they didn't do a slipshod cooking either, the garlic rice is not greasy at all.

Lastly, the complimentary watermelon slices is provided once you had done your main course. Even the price of this restaurant is a little bit higher than those outlets you can find in a mall, but I saw lots of people still coming here to have their fine Japanese food, I don't mind spending more to have good food either. 

Location

60 & 62 Chow Thye Road, 10050 Penang.

Business Hours

12pm - 3pm and 6pm - 10pm (Daily)

Contact Number

04-2298684

Facebook

Isaribi Tei Japanese Restaurant

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I wish everyday is Saturday.

Family outing . Brown Pocket

Finally it's raining these days even it was just awhile and the weather become hotter after the rain; but I kinda like today's weather, not so hot even the sun is hanging up high. Just came back from my annual family trip (hopefully we can make it every year) to Hatyai and who say there have nothing to visit or play, I'll show some on my next Hatyai post. The weather is quite alike ours but with strong wind which is better than here. Back to this topic; it is been awhile we family didn't go out to have hi-tea (normally is lunch or dinner), this round my dad was joining us, most probably he don't feel to stay at home alone.

We went to Brown Pocket which located at Gurney Paragon Mall, thinking that we can have some shopping done after the tea session. 

The interior here is pretty simple with the center area that build like a tree, dine-under-the-tree-concept, and the table arrangement is quite spacious, you need no worry you couldn't find a seat to dine here. You need to place your order at the counter area and tell them your seat number, they will serve your order once it's ready. 

I saw some people spending their noon time in Brown Pocket with their laptop (they provide numerous of socket in the cafe) doing assignment I guess; if you wish to spend your day over there, try to pick your book or magazine from the colorful rack and read on. I bet it will be a good day for you spending the way like this.

You will see this gunny sack upon you walk in the cafe; the routine should be like this: take one of the menu from gunny sack, place your order at counter and put the menu back in the gunny sack. We were so funny as we skipped the first step, we didn't noticed the existence of menu in the gunny sack, glad that the waiter brought the menu to our table.

Americano (RM7.90) . Apple Orange Smoothie (RM13.90) . Mocha (RM11.90)

The wooden table has become a good background for us to take a top down photo on our beverages and food, do you agree? My dad's style to have his coffee addiction fix wherever he go, so the Americano just suit him much. He always couldn't figure out why we girls can spend so much of time in the same place, he finished the Americano and hint us it's time to leave Brown Pocket and do some shopping. Laugh. Again, my sister order Mocha wherever she go, she just don't feel to try other beverages than her favorite. As for me, the Salted Caramel Latte (without coffee) in the menu kind of caught my sight and I ordered that, too bad it's out of order with some reason. Dislike the feeling where I need to re-pick another beverages/food. I ended up with the Apple Orange Smoothie which turn out surprise me much with the refreshing taste! Glad that I pick the cold beverage to chill myself in the hot day.

Triple Chocolate . RM14.50

It's all about waffle and pancake when you come to Brown Pocket and the Triple Chocolate is their signature waffle where I can see most of the people order this during their visit. Triple Chocolate is served with fresh strawberries, chocolate ice cream (it's depend on the availability of ice cream flavor in fridge) topped with oreo crunch and not to forget their 3 type of chocolate sauces (milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate). Drip those chocolate sauces on the top of waffle and ice cream so that it wouldn't taste so dry, if you do not prefer sweet thing like me, drip some will do. One thing to pinpoint, if you want to take photos on it and posted them in your social platform, please act fast as the chocolate sauces will be harden fast, you wouldn't want this happen isn't it?

Grilled Banana . RM13.90

This is my style of dessert which is up to my liking as I really couldn't bear only chocolate for my hi-tea, I will get diabetes if it does happen. Nah, just kidding. It's a 3 layer pancakes topped with ice cream (not banana flavor tho) served with grilled banana and walnut. I strongly recommend this to you even it might not be their signature, their grilled banana is just too awesome until I couldn't find a word to describe it. My parents also prefer this than Triple Chocolate, not too sweet and it's healthier I guess. 

Brown Pocket already opened for almost 6 months but we noticed that their operation is still under a mess, most probably they do not have enough waitress/waiter to serve all. All of our orders were served yet they keep bringing more beverages, food to our table, like 3-4 times. Other than that, we kind of like their services and they didn't let us wait too long for our food to serve.

Location

No. 163D-6-11, Gurney Paragon Mall, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang.

Business Hours

10am - 11.30pm (Daily)

Contact Number

04-2189668

Facebook

Brown Pocket

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Big Bad Wolf Penang ended today, luckily I manage to get some books.

The Family Style Dining . Italiannies

Sometimes it's quite hard to figure where should I dine for my dinner if don't want to go for Penang local style, sometimes you will have other craving after so many local food, at least it happens on me. Some restaurants are too fine to dine (I'm okay with this on special occasion), some cafes do not serve main course that can fulfill me for dinner; when I come to this contradiction, the best choice will fall on restaurants in shopping mall, we get to eat after some shopping spree although I didn't get anything that day.

I once tried Italiannies at Kuala Lumpur few years back where I merely have any impress now, but I still remember they served large portion with reasonable price, we do not know on the first time and we ordered a lot till we can't even finish, I will not did the same on my next try lol. Lucky us now Italiannies open in Gurney Paragon Mall, you need not travel to Kuala Lumpur for this next time.

Some shots on the interior. There were not much diners when we went inside where we can have more selective where to get our seat, sofa seats always make me surrender. If you want to have some sip only, not that proper meal, you might consider the outdoor seats.

Like usual Italian restaurant, they will served the complimentary bread once you place your order, together with the mixture of vinegar and olive oil for dipping purpose. Too bad they didn't refill for us once we finished that 4 pieces of bread, most of the places wouldn't refill I guess except Via Pre. Quite regret to order the bottomless Orange Fruit Juice (RM9.50), it's actually from Tropicana Twister unless you order their Fresh Fruit Juice; moreover I can actually get their wine if I add few more tokens. 

Clams - Fra Diavolo . RM28.90

Wanted to try their starter also other that the main course, but it seems like the starters listed in their menu is quite heavy; either fried, meat or cheese, we go for the Mussels/Clams In A Pot session and I like clams more. They have 2 signature under this session, Fra Diavolo and Creme Fraiche, at first we went for the latter but they said it's not available that time so ended up we have Fra Diavolo. They served the clams simmered in a tomato chili broth, squeeze some lemon in this pot and the broth become tastier with the bit of sourness. Garlic bread were served together with this pot of clams, just dip them in the broth and let them tickle your taste-buds. 

Seafood Risotto . RM36.90

The portion of their pasta really shocked me on the first time, I was so glad to find out that risotto is available in their menu (2 choices - mushrooms or seafood). You have no idea how much I love risotto, it's rice you know, it's not the normal rice we eat at home but the Arborio rice which contain higher amylopectin starch content, means it will make the rice chewy and creamy, best for risotto! A medley of seafood (mussels, clams, prawns and squids) sauteed in white wine topped on the Arborio rice which up-front simmered in mussels and clams broth, you will have mouthful taste even you only eat their rice without any seafood.

We didn't thought much before order the food, we only realized we have too much of clams when they served the dishes, quite guilty on this lol. I surely will come here again, for their food and of course their service is quite good as well. 

Location

Lot 1-31, Level 1, Gurney Paragon Mall, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang.

Business Hours

11am till midnight (Daily)

Contact Number

04-2289761

Website

www.italiannies.com.my

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I'm really torturing myself posting the risotto's photo.

Laid-back . The Alley

Woke up early in the morning and I just realize I didn't have any post up for this week, it's like a norm for me to have at least one post weekly, hope I can persist this and share new thing to my readers. When I said my sister has become my partner in crime hunting new cafe, this round, my mum joined us as she simply feel to have some sweet tooth to cure her dessert addiction.

It's easily to know a newly open cafe from social network where you can see people starting to post delicious food and great ambient to dine-in; it caught my eyes with no failure everytimes. It's pretty hard to choose a cafe out of a long list (my sister actually list down a number of cafes she feel to go, and some of it I never been before either), we decided to go The Alley where the parking is a total pain at Stewart Lane. The Alley is actually located next to the Goddess of Mercy Temple, if you couldn't find the metal signboard of the cafe, try to look for Kedai Gaharu Keat Seang, it's former name of this shop.

My first thought when I open the entrance door, wah the cafe is quite small huh until I saw a sign written they have more space behind, with sofa chair! We picked our seat there since there was no on occupied yet and we will have total freedom to talk and take photos. But it's just next to their washroom if you don't mind, you may need to move your chair a bit so that they will have a small path for people who go to washroom. Other than this, you can start to have your selfie with wooden signboard provided or doodle on the wall. 

It's not the end after your have your seat settle, you need to get your order place at their counter. It's quite easy to decide what to try, only 2 snacks were available that day as their refrigerator was spoiled a week back and they couldn't have cake done on time. 

They have a small range of Malaysian-designed Pestle & Mortar tees and shorts; it's quite good you can have shopping done in a cafe. 

Caramel Latte (RM11) . Choc Mint Frappe (RM13)

I'm back to coffee now, not really unless I got someone to share with me. Have no idea why I had caramel latte, I think the rest contain more caffeine compare with this one and I couldn't have cold beverages. The caramel latte surprise me with not-that-sweet nor not-that-bitter, up to my liking, I can really finish it by my own. I once heard a good latte art wouldn't change it's design/pattern when you drink it, I try to sip here and there and I still have the heart shape until I finished it off. As for the chocolate mint frappe, I didn't try it but my sister and mum seem to like it as the mint really chilling during this hot weather. 

Churros with Dip . RM9 (for big one)

They will ask you what you prefer for the dip, you can choose two and we had salted caramel and nutella, for my sister whatever dip with nutella is a heaven, it's too sweet for me. Have my first try on churros and it's quite good (I haven't try churros from other cafes, so let's say it's the best until I found another), taste like English You Tiao. Googled it and it's a fried doughnut serve as a snack / breakfast which usually dipped in hot chocolate by Spanish. It's quite good to eat like this without any dip, my thought. 

Cronut . RM8

This is the highlight of the day, cronut is actually a cross between croissant and doughnut, it is drenched generously with the topping of your choice (we went for chocolate). They serve this up with a thumb size of fried doughnut placed under the cronut, looks like an art piece where we have number of photos before eat. My mum sit there and show the when-only-I-can-eat-those-face, she was so relief when we finally keep our camera / phone away from the table. It's really good because I have more bites on it eventho it drench with a lot of chocolate; crispy outside but fluffy inside and it's served warm upon ordering. Must try!

Well well, I have my selfie up for this post as I really like these photos, looks good isn't it? Laugh. We had a lot of fun with their wooden signboard and one of it is: fatdieme or fattybombom; frankly you need to say goodbye with your waist line if you come over to have their churros and cronut, heavenly good! 

Location

5, Stewart Lane, 10200 Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours

12pm - 12am (Daily)

Contact Number

04-2613879

Facebook

The Alley, 5 Stewart Lane

Email

thealleypenang@gmail.com

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