Hot Platter Restaurant & Catering

This relatively new place somewhere within the Fajar Commercial Complex has caught my eyes for a few reasons, and one of those was the fact that it’s right below my dad’s office. I have been visiting the place for a couple of times now and I must say that I’m pretty impressed with the food at the restaurant. For example, during our very recent visit with a family friend, we decided to tried out their Vegetable Soup (very nice fragrance), with individual choices such as their Nasi Ayam Penyet (I personally recommend you guys to try this dish), Nasi Goreng USA (my dad loved it), Nasi Sayur Campur (an obvious choice for my mom) and Nasi Udang Sambal (I think that’s what it’s called – which according to the friend tasted pretty smashing). I also loved the fact that the restaurant also provided a place to sit ‘bersila’ style at a corner but it does made the place looked slightly smaller.

** Current status - Has been closed (as of June 2017)

Updated on 02/11/2016 - During our recent visit, we tried out their Mee Kari (recommended to those that loved spicy food), Nasi Lalap Udang, Mee Goreng Ayam Krispi (so-so in taste, with the noodles being on the oily side) and Chicken Chop 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Restoran Daily Q Steamboat

Now that I’m back to reality (aka lots and lots of work to be done) my reviews are also going to be focused more on my hometown and one of the first restaurants that I wanted to review is a steamboat parlour called Daily Q Steamboat. If you are a local steamboat fanatic, than you probably already know that this establishment was previously located at a different area (at the old Perdana Club premises if I’m not mistaken) but has since moved to this more spacious area almost right after the recreational club has also moved elsewhere. For first time patrons (such as myself unfortunately because steamboat is definitely not my forte) you can visit them at Jalan Sin Onn, right beside the Unijaya Commercial area.

Like I’ve mention before, I’m not much of a steamboat fan so when my parents (whom are steamboat enthusiasts) brought me to the place, I was more than a bit sceptical. But after seeing their vast variety of potential food to be steamed/fried, I come to enjoy their selection of food. Other than the usual array of seafood, sausages, nuggets and vegetables, they also provide pre-cooked food (such as fried rice, fried mee and fried kuew teow) to go with your steamboat food which I absolutely loved since it’s also delicious. And if you’re one of those fussy people that wanted to eat your food while they’re still hot, than don’t fret since they also had a cook willing to take by-order dishes. And obviously all those hot stuff going into your body can be washed off with a free-flow of cold tea and a very satisfying scoop-them-yourself ice-cream.

** Current status - Has now change its name to Tjuana restaurant & sells cook-to-order food only (as of April 2021)

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Desa Cattle Dairy Farm (KK FoodieVenture #41)

I’m not too sure whether this qualifies as a foodie review, but heck I’m going to include this just for fun. On our way back from KK recently (wayyy before the quake fortunately), my partner suggested that we stopped by the popular Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, somewhere on top of Kundasang. Now if you’re like me that never got the chance to go abroad (sob sob) then you can experience the breezy, cold mountain air ala the Alpine mountains via the cattle ranch instead. But do take note that the smell might a bit err... ‘unpleasant’ at times (due to the cows of course) as well as the road leading towards the vicinity might be a bit ‘challenging’ for those that are bringing ordinary automobiles. Other than sight-seeing the beautiful mountain scenery and visiting those New Zealand originated cows, one can also indulged in their fresh produces via the main tourist centre, at the middle of the ranch. They sell everything from freshly made ice-creams (it was so awesome that I totally forgot to take some pictures of them), fresh milk (can't beat the freshly packed ones) as well as other munchies such as waffles, hotdogs and jellies. Souvenirs are also available so do take some home with you.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

First Beach Tanjung Aru Food Stalls (KK FoodieVenture #40)

The hawker like food court in the First Beach Tanjung Aru, KK has been known for its wide range of stalls, particularly grilled food, light snacks (such as pickled products) as well as a full on choices of local meals. And it is also a good place to relax while watching the sunset right at the beach. And if you’re one that values some peace and quiet, than I do not recommend you to go there during the weekends since it will be packed with people. I initially forgot to take some pictures of the place when we were there the last time but luckily this time around I’m all prepared. We were there during the weekdays and since it was also raining a bit, there aren’t as many people there as we’ve expected it to be. We picked out a stall nearest to the entrance and ordered a Nasi Goreng Kampung (which tasted very nice) as well as some grilled chicken wings and sates from another stall (the sauces was just lovely). Bare in mind though that the seating area was not as ‘free seating’ as it was suppose to be, since the nearest stall to your seat will pretty much ‘lay claim’ on you as soon as you’re seated within their area (with the exception of the grilled food stalls).

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Anjung Senja Waterfront Food Stalls (KK FoodieVenture #39)

Now I know that I’ve reviewed a seafood stall from the same area during my previous visit to KK, so here I have some more new reviews of other stalls that are also available within the area. The food area was just right in front of our hotel at that time (while we’re staying at the Promenade Hotel KK) so it’s a given that me and my partner had frequented the place. Mind you, there’re also other food joints at the other side of the esplanade which caters more towards those that preferred something a tad pricey so do keep that in mind okay.

One of the stall that we’ve tried was called the One Western Café (which was a little misleading since they actually sold both local and Western food) and their Nasi Goreng were pretty delicious. They also provide fresh seafood for you to choose and had them prepared it according to your preferences. On another day, we’d also stopped by the Senja Nan Merah stall (yup, they’re getting creative with names here) which also provides local dishes. Although taste wise, the food here might be better than the previous one, but in terms of service, they might need to take some cues from the latter, since the waitress was initially too lazy to take up our orders. Another stall I had my eyes on for quite sometime was the Sate Kajang Station stall. I mean, by right ‘sate kajang’ was pretty famous, even here in Sabah so I was eager to try them. It might not be as spectacular as I’ve hoped it would be (I don’t know, maybe the peanut sauce was not up to par?) but it’s still pretty good.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Nyonya House Warisan Square (KK FoodieVenture #38)

We’d also stopped by the Nyonya House restaurant on our (not so) recent KK trip, a frequent stop over whenever me and my partner were in town. As far as I know, there are only 2 branches of the Baba and Nyonya themed restaurant that are available around the KK area (but I stand corrected of course). We’d frequented their Warisan Square branch and this time around we’re having their Nasi Goreng Nyonya (I think) and my partner’s Blackpepper Chicken with Rice dish (again, not too sure about this), both were very satisfying and still as tasty as before. I also loved the somewhat hawker styled seating outside of the restaurant, even though their ‘outside’ was still indoors to the mall. Pretty unique atmosphere I must say!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Lyndora Cakes & Cookies (KK FoodieVenture #37)

Again, I apologize for my absence all throughout the month due to my (very) busy scheduling, as well as an almost non existing wifi (I feel as if I’m running out of oxygen mind you). But anyways, I’m here now and on with my ever pending reviews.

To satisfy my ever growing sweet tooth, I have accidentally stumbled upon a cupcake paradise while walking around aimlessly on the ground floor of Wisma Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu. Obviously after seeing a variety of cupcakes being prettily displayed, I just got to have some. Now I can’t be certain of the exact names of the cupcakes that I’ve bought (since it’s been a while) but I’m pretty sure it’s a combination of Red Velvet, Butter Cheese, Milo and err.. Chocolate Chip (I guess?). Although the cupcakes themselves were a bit dry but the toppings were pretty good and tasty, particularly the Milo variety.

Updated on 24/01/2016: We'd stopped by their booth during our 2015 KK visit and tried out their Double Chocolate & Nutella Coated Chocolate cupcakes. The Nutella one was delicious although a bit stale (again) in taste

• 
• 
• 
• 
•