About breakfast, lunch and open house.

Last weekend was the last Hari Raya weekend. It was a long weekend for me cause we get a replacement holiday whenever a Public Holidays falls on a weekend. Since Deepavali fell on Saturday, Friday was the day off for me. I had a big breakfast with Jack at D'lish again that morning followed by a facial. This was the second time, Jack had the Big Brekkie at D'lish, the first time was on the 3rd day of Hari Raya with the kids. Hmmm since I didn't take any pictures last Friday let me update some pictures from our last visit. Oh by the way, my first time was with Pat, our usual morning breakfast before my facials. Ha!ha! love this routine.

Anyway, below are what we had the first time I was there.

Eggs Benedict - Pat's order

The Big Brekkie -Mine - you get to choose your choice preparation of 2 eggs plus all the other stuff you see on the plate plus any choice of Hot Beverage plus a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Another picture taken with Jack's phone, I remembered that he did take this picture to entice his mates. See, the orange juice, for the hot beverage he ordered the Flat White, and I ordered the Cafe Latte. I did hesitate before settling on the Big Brekkie, I thought of trying the Waffles, but I was afraid that I would get envious with his bigger spread... plus he did warn, "Don't even think of pinching from my plate!!!". In the end I got the Big Brekkie anyway, not so much because of the warning, more about being greedy!!! He!he!he! Hmmm must try the waffles next time, though!!!

When we were there with the kids, we ordered 3 of the Big Brekkie set, the kids share one. The portion was just perfect. For the hot beverage, they chose a cup of Hot Chocolate, which I thought was quite good. Sometime, restaurants make these Hot Chocolate really sweet, but I thought the ones they serve here is just nice.

Zaim loved it too. Though, we had to let him nibble on some biscuits that I brought along, while waiting for our order. You see, I have 3 children and 3 different eaters, the eldest, Nayli is a slow eater, she is adventurous enough to try spicy food and whatever new food that is in front of her, but she is such a Slow Eater. OMG! Is she one slow eater, plus she nibbles her food like a little mouse. She will bite into any food bit by bit just like a mouse, nibble nibble nibble and she just goes on forever if you let her. Zarif, he is such a Picky Eater. Other then Thosai, Roti Canai, Half Boiled Eggs, Scrambled Egg, Omelette, Pizza and McDs, we really have to be patient with him to coax him to eat something. My number 3, Zaim well he is a Happy Eater, willing to try and eat anything and everything even the menu if you let him!! Ha!ha!ha! Right, back to our D'lish breakfast.

Zarif and I with an almost empty plate.

They cleaned up theirs pretty well too.

Sitting outside, while the father takes a ciggy break at the other end. So that concludes my D'lish update. Well, after my facial, I went straight home and hung around with Zaim and Zarif since Nayli had Sekolah Agama in the afternoon.

On Saturday, the only planned itinerary for the day was to attend Azleen's Open House cum Yana's birthday party in Cheras. However, in the morning I got a surprise invite to eat roasted lamb at Fida's in-law's in Keramat. Since we are a big fan of her lamb, we just couldn't say no to the invite.

We were feasted with roasted lamb, complete with a choice of Brown, Black Pepper or Mint Sauce, Mash Potato, Salad and Garlic Bread. Yumm!!! Let me emphasis again, in other circumstances I don't eat lamb. It usually has this taste which I don't like. Somehow, not Fida's honestly!!!

A picture with the generous hostess, make that very generous hostess especially because we were even given take-aways. Loads of them!!!

Incidentally, for dessert we were served Tisha's Cheezy Choc's Birthday Cake. With a cake cutting, candle blowing ceremony that we were lucky enough to witness. It was Tisha's 3rd Birthday, Fida's youngest.

PPG!


Happy Birthday to you!


Overwhelmed by the commotion at the other end of the table.

Still overwhelmed.

Fida distributing the cake before Tisha takes matters into her own hands, literally!!!

Zaim getting along well with some new found friends.

He was totally cool to join the kids.

More roasting goodness for catering engagements that day. I was made to understand that just before we arrived, they we 24 lambs that was just taken to another Hari Raya event. Missed that lot.

Another one almost done.

A few more waiting for their turn, marinated and all.

After the yummy feast at Fida's we rushed over to Azleen's. Over here I did not take a lot pictures because I was too full, and I had Zaim on my lap the whole time. Now that I want to update here, I realised that I don't have much and not even a photo of Yana the birthday girl. If you wish to view more pictures especially the cute birthday girl and her Yummy Mummy plus the lovely balloon deco check out the birthday girl's aunt's blog.

Inspite of already stuffed with lamb and all, we managed to try out most of the dishes there. We started off with the birthday cake and the lovely cuppy cakes made by Mira herself, check out her cup cakes blog. There was also some self grown Ubi Kayu served with Sambal Ikan Bilis, how authentic is that? Had I not remembered that I have stuffed myself earlier I could have gone on.

Azleen taking a break from playing hostess and joining us for lunch.

Zaim happy that he managed to blow this party favour finally.

Wohooo!!!

Which restaurant would you pick?

It's time for our dept lunch again. Free food y'all!!! We have narrowed down our choices of restaurants to 3, so now we are supposed to cast our votes. The results are not out yet. I'm really ok with anyone of them.

The 3 restaurants are:

1) Ibunda - the fine dining Malays restaurant across Prince Court Medical Centre,KL.

I have never been to this place, checked out the website, the dishes look wonderful, though quite pricey, perfect choice when you are not paying right? ha!ha!

Good location? Check!

Beautiful food? Check!


Ambience? Check!

Food Samples? See below...

MAIN COURSE: IKAN SULTAN, UDANG GALAH SUNGAI GORENG HALIA KEKACANG {deep-fried wild river fish & river prawn, 7 organic beans, dried shrimp paste, ginger garlic sauce} RM88? Again, price is not an issue... at least not for me, have not checked with my boss though.

MAIN COURSE: RUSUK KAMBING BUAH SUKUN {grilled lamb rack, local herbs, bread fruit, mustard onion pink peppercorn sauce, papaya lime pickles} RM88 too?? Yes, there seems to be a theme here. RM88 for all main course. Don't take my word for it, all pictures and prices are from their website. Click Ibunda above and check it out.

2) Kampachi - the famous Japanese Restaurant at Equatorial Restaurant which I have never been to before. My foray into this cuisine is still at such an early stage its embarrassing! I know! I still stick to cooked food, thank you very much, I just had my full California Roll last week. How sad is that? I'm learning, thanks to the Jap Food Junkies in my dept.

3) Hard Rock Cafe - this one is easy, safe and rather predictable, but it was an easy choice to make to complete our choices of 3.

So whadya reckon, guess which one I voted for?

Asam Pedas Melaka (Sejati)

I have heard so much about this place from my colleagues. Finally, I went this afternoon. This place is in Ampang Area, apparently serving authentic delectable Assam Pedas, fresh and piping hot. You come in, choose your fish, and whammo they will cook the dish fresh for you in a claypot (or perhaps, cooked in a Wok but served in a claypot). You can order simple side dishes like, Fried chicken, and Telur Dadar, they also serve some Ulam (local Salad) and Sambal belacan. My verdict, nice, no make it, really nice!!! Worth the trip! Me and Azlan kept on sipping the gravy way after the fishes are all gone.

The Restaurant

We parked across the road.

Asam Pedas Melaka (Sejati)

The choices of fish, I tried Pari and Jenahak.

The cooking area, right there by the fish stall not "way at the back, don't know how it looks like" smelly dodgy kitchen, thank goodness.

Side dishes.(FYI the diamonds and Rolex aren't mine! Sigh!

They are original alright, but they aren't mine.)

Piece de resistance.

Ulam-ulam.

My plate, don't want to show you the "after" picture.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2009

Hari Raya this year was quite extra-ordinary. In a way that the morning of Hari Raya we were still in KL, and we prayed the Eidul-Fitri Solat at the mosque in our neighbourhood. Usually if we were supposed to celebrate hari raya in Negeri Sembilan, by the eve of Hari Raya we would be at Kuala Pilah (KP), my mom's side already. Well, at first I was quite dissapointed by this plan, but somehow, I realised it's quite a good idea. This means no rushing for the bathroom in the morning plus I had more time to pack the day before (packing is a major problem for me!). We were also hoping that the traffic would not be so bad on Hari Raya day.

After sembahyang raya, we all set off for Negeri Sembilan. First stop would be my granny's (dad's mom) in Rantau N.S. Oh, before that even, was of course Hari Raya photo shoot at the porch.

All in position, waiting for Uncle to set up his camera. Zaim was so patient and co-operative, thank goodness!!

Amusing himself, still waiting for Uncle Aizat.

I'm ready!

He is taking forrrevvver!!! Let me take a picture of him instead!

The Grandpms with the Grandkids.

The Incredibles!!! Ha!ha!ha! Check out little Jack Jack in teluk belanga.

With our Bibik.

On the way, good thing Zaim managed to fall asleep... finally!

Brought books to amuse themselves with.

The kids getting a taste of the Kampung life.

Off they went around the village.

Zaim and Papa.

Zaim and Mama.

Wohoo!!! Clearly they are enjoying themselves here.

Another round uncle puhleees!!!!

My grandma's home.

My dad and his mom.

Nyang and cicit.

Zaim and his "smile".

Then it was off to a couple of my grand-aunties and grand uncles houses.

At one particular house, it took us a while for us to bring Zaim in. He was transfixed.

By what???

Ha!ha! What else in the kampung other than cows!

Moooo!!! Something not so common in KL.

Once inside, he still went to the window to look.

Looking out.

My grand aunty with my uncle and dad.

Zaim trying out cookies.

By the time we arrived in KP it was already maghrib. The kids were all over us asking to start playing the fireworks. So the kids played fireworks, whilst some people were following what I thought was a footie match on tv.

Tok Uncle and Uncle Lutfi putting up fairy lights on the fence.

Zaim, wondering what's all the hoo hahs are all about, and why is he still up at that hour.By the way, he slept at 11 p.m that night, that too, we had to turn of 80% of the lights. Too much excitement all around him.

He loves the sparklers, but he was so scared of the fireworks. The booms and bangs were a bit much for him, guess his mom went a little overboard when choosing fireworks.

Sparklers for the rest too.

Zarif and Nayli lighted up some fireworks too.

Don't worry they ran off immediately after lighting up, we do keep them at a safe distance.

Trying to light up the tree trunk.

Not to be left out, the Tok Uncle.

Jack was in charge of the "adults" stuff.

Weeee!

The next morning Zarif was the last to wake up. Faris who's supposed to wake Zarif, joined him instead.

2nd Hari Raya morning was a pretty much relax and easy day, some even took turns trying out my uncle's wheel chair.

Zaim got friendly with the house cat.

He's curious to touch and yet a little apprehensive.

Look at this.

Zaim and his smile again, oh and papa of course.

Accidental similar pose! Hmmmm!

Nayli and Aunty Nora a.k.a Mak Lang but not Kakak.

The chiken coup next. So many things to explore in the kampung.

Zaim going, puk!puk!puk!

Playing at the field.

Others like this fella, went back to sleep.

Zaim.

The atuks (grandfathers) in a row.

Mak Tam and girls going off.

The wheelchair is being tested outside the house now. Almost everybody tried it, I swear. Even I did. Ha!ha! But I don't have any pictures.

Pak Ngah taking a cat nap, already fasting on the 2nd day.

My grandmother's house - she passed away Ramadhan last year, a full year since she left us.

694, Kuala Pilah.

Lepaking.

Politicking??

We are at another grand aunty's house that is adjacent to the mosque. Shortly after we arrived, the call for Zuhur prayers were heard. Zaim was estatic, he loved listening to the Azan. He is experiencing it live, out loud, whilst facing a mosque which he has always associated the Azan with.

Zaim and Zarif.

The 5 of us.

The 2 of us. Aisey!

Nayli and Atuk Abah.

Zaim had a feast trying the stuff served.

On the way to another house - a little too much for Nayli to take. Not for Zaim though.

Bubbling Time.

My poor poor uncle, who fell off the Rambutan tree a couple of months back, still not ok. We wince just looking at his leg, cannot imagine being in his shoes (mmm not that he could fit in them).

Ouch!

Sophia.

Just before we left kampung that night. We left early too, unlike Rayas before. Only 1 night at the kampung, very very extra-ordinary. Short but sweet. Once in the car Zaim fell asleep in a tick.