The Bakery @ Genting Highlands, Pahang

After having spent some time in the casino, we decided to do some rounds outdoors and enjoy the cool weather. As always, our favourite hang out spot is at the peak, where the 'older' Genting was which is where the two most expensive hotels are located.

A Fairly Cold Evening

It Was 17 Degree Celsius

Feeling Chilly

Although it was the school holiday season, the place was not too crowded which was good. I guess it must be due to the Hari Raya Haji season and most people would have gone back to their 'Kampungs'. I as always love the cold weather here but my brother was feeling too cold and we were forced to head back indoors. Since it was around 5 pm, we decided to head to our favourite cafe in Genting for some snacks and hot drinks. The Bakery is a bakery cum cafe that is located on the Lobby Level of Genting Grand Hotel. This cafe has always been my favourtie not only for their food but also because of the locality and their outdoor seating area which gives us the only cafe to have an outdoor seating area in the entire Genting Highlands thus enabling us to enjoy the cool weather of this hill station while sipping some hot drinks.

Entrance To The Bakery

Side Entrance

Pastries

Buns, Pastries and Pies

Cakes

Salads & Sandwiches

There isn't much of a service element at this restaurant as it follows the self service concept. You would have to pick up a tray, select your pastries from the counter and head to the cashier where you would order your drinks and pay for them. There is no such thing as a menu on each table. The only menu and price list is the one that is displayed on the wall. Once you are done with the paying at the cashier, you would then have to wait for the drinks to be prepared and then carry them to the table yourself. 

Outdoors...Just Love This Place

Tea Time

Their outdoor seating area is a small area with limited tables and mostly it is the first choice of seating for customers. As a result, the place is usually taken up and on some days, I have had to wait for 40 minutes just to get a table outside. I don't quite like the inside seating area as it is slightly warm and tends to be noisy. Fortunately, the place was quite deserted this evening. Probably because the weather was a little cold and most people opted sitting indoors. After having settled the payment, we enjoyed the lovely pastries amidst the cool weather of Gentings.

Hot Chocolate @ RM 15.00

Hot Milk

Chocolate Rolls

The Hot Chocolate drink here is not the regular hot chocolate that we get. You would be served with a glass of hot milk with chocolate on the sides and you would then add the required amount of chocolate in the milk based on your preference and then stir it up. Definitely a very traditional way of preparing this drink and it was good. I would rate this at 9.5/10 .

Local Coffee @ RM 10.00

Aik Cheong Coffee Bags

Fresh Creamer

We all know that the prices in Genting Highlands is expensive especially when it comes to food and hence I can't really complain about it since it is an accepted fact. As for the local coffee, I was provided with the Aik Cheong brand coffee bags and some hot water. And this was priced at RM 8.50 . The coffee was good and all credit goes to the Aik Cheong company and not this cafe. I would rate this coffee at 8.5/10 .

Turkey Quiche @ RM 9.00

Turkey Quiche @ RM 9.00

Delicious!

The Turkey Quiche was simply awesome! It was so perfect that leaves me no space to complain. Fresh, juicy and so tasty. One of the best one's that I have tasted! I would rate this at 10/10 .

Curry Puff @ RM 9.00

Potato Fillings

Their Curry Puff was very much the Western style Curry Puff and it was nowhere like the usual Asian ones that we are used to. The Puff was soft and nice and came with some spicy curried potato filling. The filling was nice and complemented the puffs so well. Delicious is the word to describe this. I would rate this at 9/10 .

Turkey & Cheese Croissant @ RM 9.00

Turkey & Cheese Croissant @ RM 9.00

Another excellent preparation. Turkey Ham bits were all over the croissant and they were quite generous with them. The amount of cheese used too were lavish and the bread was amazingly soft and tasty. Another highly recommended one here. I would rate this at 9.5/10 .

Though it is slightly pricey because it's in Genting Highlands, this bakery still serves some excellent breads and pastries and they have never failed to keep up their quality. Another plus point that this cafe has is the outdoor seating area which gives diners an opportunity to enjoy the cool outdoor weather while enjoying their coffee. Still is my favourite cafe in all of Genting Highlands. Lovely food and fantastic ambiance.

Address: Lobby Level, Genting Grand Hotel, Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.

Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 0700 - 0000

                            Saturday & Eve of Public Holiday 0700 - 0200

Telephone: +603 6101 1118 

Asam Laksa Stall In China Town Foodcourt @ Tanjung Malim, Perak

In my quest to try out another new food outlet, I returned to China Town Foodcourt this evening. My mission is to try out a Asam Laksa stall here. For those who have not been following me, China Town Foodcourt is located in Taman Wangsa Setia in Tanjung Malim.

China Town Foodcourt In Taman Wangsa Setia, Tanjung Malim

Quite Empty As I Was Here Early

The Stall Selling Asam Laksa

I was here at around 5 pm and that was in between meal hours and so there were not many people there. The place was quite empty. Crowd usually builds up here come 6.30 pm and that lasts till around midnight. Having wanted to have some Asam Laksa, I went over to this stall shown in the above above photograph. I have previously posted about the best Chinese Style Asam Laksa in town and was hoping that these guys would be able to deliver at least somewhere close to that. With my orders done, I walked over to the seating area and grabbed a table that was at the far end. Just didn't want to attract people's attention who may feel that it's odd to photograph food.

Asam Laksa @ RM 5.50

Odd Looking Fish Pieces

Served In A Very Light Coloured Broth

Volume Of Laksa Was Decent

Came With The Usual Sauces

It was a matter of minutes and the dish was sent over and I paid her the price of RM 5.50 for the above. One look at it and I knew that it was off. Usually the Chinese Style Asam Laksa comes with a slice of fish but here, they were all broken up and the fish itself didn't look appetising. The broth was too light as well and didn't have the usual colour to it. Sour it was but it just wasn't hitting the right notes on my palate. All the right ingredients were there but with the broth slacking, the dish was a disaster. What a waste. Just a little more work on the broth and this dish could be easily perfected. Perhaps it takes the hand of a specialist to get that kind of perfection. Being one who never wastes food, I ended up finishing the dish although I did not quite like it. Money it is after all and that's one that is not to be wasted. In short, I would rate this at 4/10 .

This food court does have some excellent food as well as some mediocre ones. Sad that it was the latter today. Do check my previous posts on this place and you would be able to see some excellent preparations too.

Address: Chinatown Food Court, Jalan Setia 1, Taman Wangsa Setia, 

                35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

Opening Hours: 1600 - 0200 Daily

Hou Sek @ Genting Highlands, Pahang

He we are in Genting Highlands for a short holiday. It's lunch time and we were looking for a place to have lunch.We have tried many of the restaurants here which I have blogged in the past and this time, wanted to try out a new place. After much walking around in the First World Plaza that is attached to the First World Hotel (which is also the hotel with the most number of rooms in the world), we decided to try this place called Restaurant Hou Sek which is located on the second floor of First World Plaza.

Checking Out The Menu

Located Next To This Artificial Moat

Not Far From Big Ben

Not Too Crowded

View From Our Table

Roasted Meats

Before entering, we checked out their menu and it was an all Chinese restaurant. The variety seemed good for a quick lunch and we were okay with the selection. The place wasn't too big, with just about 15 tables but fortunately, we were here slightly past lunch hour and the place was not too crowded. I did read the Foursquare reviews about this place and there were quite a number of recommendations as well as complaints. Seems like the food quality isn't consistent but we were willing to take the gamble. At the entrance, we were greeted by the staffs and they were kind enough to allow us to go through the menu before making a decision to dine here. I must say that the waiters were very efficient and quick to respond. A few locals but the majority of them seemed to be from mainland China. The place had a beautiful view of the artificial moat and it's surroundings were simply pleasant. This restaurant is located opposite the Big Ben on Level 2 of First World Plaza. Just behind the moat. May be a little hidden but if you locate the Chee Cheong Fun stall, then you should be able to find this place. 

The Menu

The Menu

The Menu

The Menu

The Menu

The Menu

For Those With Vouchers

Their menu had a spread of Cheese Baked Rice, Roasted Meats, Congee's, Noodles and Pasta and not forgetting the Vegetarians, they also had a handful of dishes for them. As expected, prices were quite high but we all know that that's the norms here. Usually the food in Genting is good and we were hoping that for the prices paid, we would be getting at least a decent meal. After having gone through the menu, we then placed our orders with the waiter. All of us opted for the noodles, a different variety each along with some Chinese Tea. As with all the restaurants here, they have both members price as well as non members price. Being Genting cardholders, we were able to enjoy the members price that came with a slight discount. 

Cutlery

Sauces and Spices

My Dad

My Brother

Chinese Tea @ RM 3.00

Each table came supplied with sufficient cutlery and sauces and this is an excellent practice. Within minutes, our drinks arrived and this glass of Chinese Tea was priced at RM 3.00 . Expensive yes, but surely one shouldn't be complaining as we are in Genting Highlands and not any common restaurant down there. The Tea however wasn't anything to shout about. Just a common grade Chinese Tea. 

Luncheon Meat, Fried Egg, Vegetable and Noodles in Hong Kong Style Broth @ RM 14.50

Luncheon Meat, Fried Egg, Vegetable and Noodles in Hong Kong Style Broth @ RM 14.50

Wan Ton Noodles

Two Thin Cuts of Luncheon Meat

Clear Broth

This dish was the Hong Kong style noodles that came with two thin cuts of Luncheon Meat, an Egg, some vegetables and served in a clear soup and was priced at RM 14.50 . This is the Member's price. Portion was decent, not huge and I could perhaps do two of this. Well to be honest, it was nothing great. Pre prepared items were just chucked in and they had just poured the Hong Kong style soup into the bowl. Even the noodles were not that tasty. The noodles tasted very much like some instant noodles though it was supposed to be Wan Ton Noodles and the soup was nothing much. And I am very certain that they had added a lot of MSG into this dish as I was very thirsty after this dish. To me, it was neither great nor bad. Just an average dish to feed the hungry tummy. I would rate this at 5/10 .

Noodles with Fish Slices @ RM 14.50

Fish Slices

Wan Ton Noodles

Clear Soup

This again was a bowl of noodles that came with some vegetable, Fish Slices and was served in the same Hong Kong Style broth and it was priced at RM 14.50 . Once again, the noodles and the broth were just the same as above. The Fish Slices were however quite okay. Nothing much actually and I would rate this at 5/10 . Just another dish to kill your hunger. Not one for the taste. 

Hot & Spicy Pork and Szechuan Vegetable Noodles @ RM 14.50

Hot & Spicy Pork and Szechuan Vegetable Noodles @ RM 14.50

Vegetables

Pork Cubes

Pickled Cucumbers

Wan Ton Noodles

In A Not So Hot & Spicy Soup

This dish was a disgrace to Szechuan Noodles. The broth was lousy, nowhere near hot and spicy and even those pork cubes as well as the Pickled Cucumbers seemed stale. Not to mention the noodles itself. This was perhaps the worst Szechuan Noodles that I have tasted till date. I would only rate this at 3/10. Even to bring the broth to this colour, I had to add at least six scoops of chili paste and only then, it had some taste. Definitely not recommended!

Overall, the place was a let down. The service was excellent but sadly the food was average to bad. Definitely did not expect this kind of quality from a restaurant in Genting Highlands. And another thing that I would like to mention here. One of the helpers was going around table to table collecting all the spices and sauces even when customers were having their meal. I guess she wanted to top them up but this you should wait for the customers to finish their meal first and then go ahead and collect them. Even at our table, we were midway having our meal and she just abruptly collected them and never returned. This is not an acceptable practice. I did leave a comment in their comment box and hope they would address this issue. Food wise, it's a no for me. I truly felt that it was a waste of money dining here. Of course, there may be times when their food was good but my dining experience on this day was simply this.

Address: Level 2, First World Plaza, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.

Opening Hours: 1100 - 2300 Daily