Purple Cane Tea Restaurant @ The Gardens MV

Purple Cane Tea Restaurant, I am sure this sounded familiar to you right? This is my first timer walked into this restaurant as being recommended by MJ. He briefly described that this restaurant served nice healthy foods. He suggested that we dine at Purple Cane. We agreed to it without a second thought. It was a delightful dinner although it's full house.

Purple Cane Tea Restaurant 紫藤茶原

The Menu

It was one of the Saturday weekend during last month, as usual dinner time need to queue for a seat. Slightly waited for 20min to get a seat. Service was quite good and I do see friendly waiter and waitress there. The classy decor and the easy access of a shopping centre said it all, unlike their outlet in the Chinese Assembly Hall which was a maze to find; hidden in an ugly white building. Purple Cane is here to do some serious business. Tea has been incorporated in many ways in their dishes, from being used in marination, the cooking process to just putting some in the sauce, the result were subtle and for some; faintly noticeable.

One for brewing 

while the other for serving

tea that came with two clay teapots

I had hot tea [cannot recall the name of the tea] that came with two clay teapots, one for brewing while the other for serving - this is to avoid over infusing the tea. You can get it topped up with hot water at no extra charges. I love the tea pots with the tea cups, classic in away. =)

Famous landmark

Green tea (Long Jing Green tea) rice RM1.00

The rice had a slight hint of tea and had an aroma that was unusually different, different in a good way that is. Soon the rest of the dishes were served promptly and first arriving dish was Stir Fried Chicken with Honey and Tea  Deep fried, crispy chicken prepared with honey, topped with sesame, Yummy, yummy.. Recommended for children who likes this dish. =D

Honey Chicken 密汁茶鸡 RM 18.00 

Mixed vegetables RM 12.00

The mixed vegetable again came laden with yau char kuey. Now i am seriously pondering whether there had a bit too many leftovers and they were using it generously as a decor item. The lotus roots were crunchy, the mushrooms were of quality and baby corn was a favourite among the little ones. Something new for me yau char kuey inside, that makes this dish special. =)

Homemade Braised Bean curd in Tea Sauce 

自制茶豆腐 RM 18.00 

Finishing off with their speciality tau fu that comes in one size. Whether you are a table of 2 or 10, this is only size you will get which slightly bigger then your shallow rice bowl. Tasted great and the gravy was gladly being slurped up with the tea infused rice. Soft tau fu just nice for me! xD

Kaki of friend enjoying dinner xD 

Inside shop

Slowly sipping my cup of  tea after couple of refills at the end of our meal - a high grade oolong tea typically yields 5-6 brews with the 3rd and 4th brews offering the best flavor and aroma. Service was blazing fast, our food was impressively served upon ordering.

Overall, the food is pretty decent but I must say the selling point of using tea in their dishes are almost non-evident, the taste was too subtle and plain for me. However, the vibe of the interior was excellent with great selections of high quality teas. A few branches below which is nearer to your place. Do check it's out at the below for more references. Have a a nice day ahead! =D

Purple Cane Tea Restaurant 紫藤茶原
Lot LG 206, Lower Ground Floor,
The Gardens, Mid Valley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 - 2283 6090
Fax: +603- 2283 6093

Purple Cane Tea Restaurant 紫藤茶原
The Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
No 1 Jalan Maharajalela
50150 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603- 2272 3090
Fax: +603- 2272 3281

Purple Cane Tea Restaurant 紫藤茶原
Shaw Parade
Lot LG-02, Ground Floor Shaw Parade,
Changkat Thamby Dollah Off Jalan Pudu
Tel: +603- 2145 3090
Fax: +603- 2145 3093

Las Vacas Meat & Steak Shop @ SS5, Kelana Jaya

One a upon time, I been invited by my friend of mine to this Las Vacas some where hidden in Section 5, Kelana Jaya for western food. He told me this shop 90% are beef sections. So if you're fan of beef, you might want to drop by here to check out at the restaurant for lovely beef meat.

The front restaurant

fresh beef meat here

The thing to note is that, Las Vacas is first and foremost a BUTCHERY, not a five-star classy restaurant that you’d otherwise expect from the much talked about, Las Vacas which stands for “The Cow” in Spanish. That’s right, the place original’s intention is to sell slabs of high quality meat, not to be another “The Ship”, Jake’s or Victoria Station replacement.The reason why they started the grilling experience from within the shop itself was so that customers could give the meat a go before making an actual purchase. Good marketing strategy indeed.

Beef it up

I have to say he wasn't wrong, first of all the choice of burgers was very good, offerings of beef, lamb, chicken and even salmon burgers at various weights. The friend of mine is a beef lover, once opening up menu, he ordered beef burger. The basic, no-frills 150gm version (couldn't afford the 500gm one, which would have been topped with beef bacon & fried egg, costly indeed)  This might not win any awards, but it should still satisfy anyone who loves biting into a juicy burger.

150gm version RM16.90

Closer view on beef burger

If you’re not a beef lover, fred not they have a variety of sandwiches for you to choose from, too. Large in portion, quality in their ham cuts, can’t really go wrong with these options. I took the safest option, the Sandwiches. There are famous for steak, you might want to give them a try too.

Chicken Ham Sandwiches RM14.90

Closer view on Chicken Ham

I would say chicken ham sandwiches were not bad. Delicious to go with BBQ Sauce and mustard sauce with affordable price range. The fries was freshly fried and crispy, it was of the frozen variety. They don’t serve water by the tap, so be prepared to fork out at least RM4 for a bottle of water.

BBQ sauce and Mustard

The Las Vacas experience, Don’t let the environment fool you, it’s the food that you want. Depending on your budget, worth to try it on the steak here. Come here try it yourself.

Las Vacas Meat Shop (Halal)
Kelana Jaya (near Wisma FAM)
No 23, Jalan SS5A/11, Kelana Jaya 47301
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
GPS Coordinates: N3 05.739 E101 36.313
Tel: +603 7874 0711

Operating Hours:
10am to 9.30pm (Tuesdays to Thursdays)
10am to 10.30pm (Fridays & Sundays)
10am to 6pm (Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays

Hon Kee Porridge @ Taipan USJ

I spotted this shop around my area in Taipan Subang Jaya while I'm on way for banking purposes, that the Hon Kee Porridge actually opening up branches here. Since is so near to my area, I drop by with my ji mui for lunch here. Now I don't need to drive all the way to Damansara Utama just  to look for porridge. Remember my previous post on Hon Kee Porridge? More details, read here.

Hall of fame

Inside shop

I came back for the second time to try out their signature dish, of raw fish to go with the porridge. Some might like the fish raw, some semi-cooked and some well-cooked. If you prefer yours to be well-cooked, just remember to dunk those raw fish pieces in the porridge as soon as they’re served, so that the steaming heat would be hot enough to cook the fish completely. The fish served to us was so fresh it was translucent!

It's rather cheap a bowl of fresh raw fish cost RM5.50. Worth for the money that you spent. Personally I'm fish lover, I love raw fish on my bowl of porridge. Love to dip inside hot porridge and eat with it together. Absolutely fresh without fishy odor.

Signature dish, of raw fish to go with the porridge

Fresh raw fish with ginger and bawang

Hot steam white porridge with sesame oil and bawang

Lovely sliced raw fish to accompany the porridge that will 
melt in your mouth leaving you with full of delight.

Of course, all the porridge wouldn’t feel complete without the Chinese crullers, it's my all time favorite. Every time I have porridge, I would never fail to order Chinese crullers. Two type of crullers the normal that it's salty, while the other was sweet coated with sesame seeds. Bite on it, wow~ the crullers at Hon Kee were fat and crispy, just the way I love it!

Chinese crullers/You tiao (RM1.50 pc)

Ji Mui ordered porridge with century eggs, salted eggs and raw eggs with minced meat. She always like a bowl of porridge with salted egg. Varieties mixed ingredients inside of the porridge, cost RM5.50. She like how the porridge is made with such smoothness and the portions are generous. It's yummy yummy to combine with crullers together. We both enjoying our lunch of the day =)

Porridge with century eggs, salted eggs and raw eggs with minced meat

If you're porridge lover, do drop by to this shop anytime for a bowl of nice porridge with reasonable price. A bowl of good porridge will melt your heart always! xD

Hon Kee Porridge (Taipan USJ)
No 59, Jalan USJ 10/1A, UEP Subang Jaya,
47620, Selangor D.E

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee @ Chao Yang SS2

Chow Yang Branch

Quite some time this post been standing in my DRAFT box, in the middle of cleaning it, I think I should share it out here. I like dried noodles rather than the soup want, despite never been stopping myself trying out dried noodles around Klang Valley area.

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

The famous Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee 辣椒板面 has been in the SS2 area of Chow Yang for a number of years now. It's at the same row as Kayu Nasi Kandar, Ang Kee Restaurant, Taiping Ho Chiak Nyonya Restaurant. If you're craving for this Malaysian specialty, never ever forget this. The traditional Pan Mee in soup but this particular one. Special on its own and just add a little of their dried chilies, spiciness kicking in your mouth.

I used to have this for my lunch during weekdays, large crowd till no place for seating. Advice: if you're coming for this branch the best time in between 12-12.30pm, for weekdays. After 1pm, it will be crowded and packed.

Normal Dried Pan Mee RM5.50

Add a little dry chilli, mixed them all up together,
it becomes a sensational new dish called Chilli Pan Mee.

To enjoy it, add a little dried chilies, mixed them all up together, it becomes a sensational new dish called Chilli Pan Mee. Awesome albeit spicy, but after a few more scoops, I was already breathing fire. It's all depends on your spiciness level, don't kill your taste bud, lolz. I love slurping up noodles coated with a dried chilies fakes that what are making Chili Pan Mee in a unique away. RM5.50 per bowl, cheap? =)

Sayur Manis [Sweet vegetables]

Every bowl of noodle comes with a side bowl of soup; suitably concentrated stock boiled from anchovies and whatnots, and let’s not neglect the delectably sweet ‘sayur manis’ with drops of egg whites. Scrumptiously done, so now you got a perfect foil to the otherwise one-sided spicy assault.

The new outlets are clean and well organized with proper chairs and tables. The servings a bit too small so most guys have to consume at least 2 bowls. I guess, this is a pretty good joint to add a little spice (so to speak) to your life once in a while, recommended if you like spicy  =)

Head Quarter :

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

33, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1,

off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman,

50300, Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-2697 0998

Branches :

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

18, Jalan Metro Perdana 8,

Taman Usahawan Kepong,

52100, Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-6258 0998

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

3-1, Jalan PJU 5/4, Dataran Sunway,

Kota Damansara, 47810, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tel : 03-6141 7398

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

47-1, Jalan USJ 9/5S, Taipan,

47630 Subang Jaya, Selangor.

Tel : 03-8023 0530

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

No.5 Ground Floor,

Jalan Puteri 2/3, Bandar Puteri,

47100 Puchong, Selangor.

Tel : 03-8063 7728

Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee

43, Jalan Radin Bagus,

Bandar Baru Sri Petaling,

57000, Kuala Lumpur

Day 2: Part III - Pacung Antapan @ Bali

After the temple visit, we hopped on the bus and headed straight for lunch at Pacung Restaurant Antapan, nestled on the hilly town of Bedugul, with panoramic view of the lush green rice terraces.

This is one of the most beautiful points in Central Bali as far as the view is concerned. We made our way up a fairly steep hill, and as we walked into the dining hall (and it is a hall), the entire facility were surrounded by cooling weather, so you have an unadulterated view of Bali below. It's an incredibly clever and strategic location for a restaurant, and there is a hotel facility as well.

 Pacung Restaurant Antapan

Dining hall

The lush green rice terraces

Beautiful balcony view

Good servicing

Inside the restaurant

The nice view of rice terraces and the mountain from balcony.

Family enjoying buffet lunch here

Me @ Pacung

 No need for air-con as Pacung is in highland with cooler temperature.

Beautiful plant with fruits

Main Entrance

Sis & Mama ^_^

The food was served buffet style, and it was mostly Indonesian with the usual satays, goreng noodles, rices, fruits, salads and desserts. Even though it was a self-serve situation, there were some waiters around who would bring us beverages or remove dirty plates so that you could fill up again, provided you could. We were the only ones in the place as we're always early, but sooner getting more tourist coming in for lunch.

On one side of the restaurants, you could see the terraced rice fields backed by moutains; on the other side, you could see lush vegetation, palm trees, flora as far as your eye would take you. The day was perfectly clear. We were about 800 meters above sea level here, I were eager to get through with the meal and check out the scenery outside.

Love the scenery view here, the naturally cold weather around 15oC, enjoying every single minute here, fresh air less pollution. Moving to higher level to visit mountains. Follow me on the next update.. See ya!! xD

Pacung Restaurant Antapan
jl.Raya Bedugul-Singaraja,
Antapan-Bali, Bali, Indonesia

Day 2: Part II - Tanah Lot @ Bali

Here we are the first itinerary, The Pura Tanah Lot. Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home of a pilgrimage temple, the Pura Tanah Lot (literally "Tanah Lot temple") and a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography and general exoticism.

The area leading to Tanah Lot is highly commercialized and people are required to pay to enter the area. To reach the temple, visitors must walk through a carefully planned set of Balinese market-format souvenir shops which cover each side of the path down to the sea. On the mainland cliff tops, restaurants have also been provided for tourists.

Tour guide showing the way

Along the way are souvenir shops

Lot's of tourist visiting

Going down for a better view

Nearer to Tanah Lot

Popular spots for photography

Family photo

Me @ Tanah Lot

Another view of the Tanah Lot area,
strong wind and nice to hear the wave splashing sound.

During high tide, not able to walk across to the Tanah Lot temple

It is home of a pilgrimage temple, a popular tourist and
cultural icon for photography and general exoticism.

Pretty mama ^_^

A glimpse of the prayers area

Family photo at candi bentar, or split gate.

Walking back to souvenir shop

Lot's of western tourists

Tanah Lot means "Land Sea" in Balinese language Located in Tabanan, about 20 km from Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.

Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 15th century priest Nirartha. During his travels along the south coast he saw the rock-island's beautiful setting and rested there. Some fishermen saw him, and bought him gifts. Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods.

The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Balinese mythology for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. Each of the sea temples were established within eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast. However, the temple had significant Hindu influence.
At the base of the rocky island, poisonous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. A giant snake purportedly protects the temple, which was created from Nirata’s scarf when he established the island.

Spending nearly about three hours here, visiting, photography and shopping for souvenirs. You can buy your souvenirs here, very cheap and reasonable price when you walked along the street before reaching the Tanah Lot.  This is a must place to visit if you are coming to visit Bali , memorable place to be with beautiful view. Sun burnt too, worth for everything. After hot sunny day, we're moving up to cooling place for lunch. Up next more on my blog post ^_^

The Pura Tanah Lot
Jalan Raya Tanah Lot
(Beraban - Kediri), Tabanan,
Bali, Indonesia