The Tiffin

I do notice that I tend to hang out at the Kubota Sentral commercial area more often than any other places, probably because it is currently the 'it place' for up & coming eateries to established themselves. And even though I might not be dining in anywhere recently (I'm still giving my hard earned money to Foodpanda, Grabfood etc - which did a fabulous job by the way) I still have a few more places that I've been to before the CMCO started that I would like to continue to share (and coincidentally within the said area). 

So the local social media scene has been buzzing about this (then) soon-to-be open concept eatery (they're located on one of the corner lots; easily spotted if you're driving around the not-so-big area) probably a week or so before its actual opening. Obviously that made little old me curious, especially when they are presenting the unique 'mangkuk tingkat' concept. It's a very creative idea, I do give them that but I was somewhat let down by the actual food that I've tasted. Me and my partner tried out their lunch sets (the Sweet & Sour Fish and Curry Chicken plus your choice of a side vegetables and some fruits) and although it was still tasty, I think I let myself have this high expectation of their food judging by the very pretty designer tiffin carriers that comes with the set (and no, you're not allowed to take them back home with you). So err... Don't judge the food by its tiffin (heh, sorry... just can't resist that lame joke)? But they also have other non set meals that I might try in the future so the jury's still out on this one.

**Current status - Still in operation (as of Nov 2020)

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Kam Ling Seafood Restaurant

With the CMCO extended and the very recent announcement of the government's decision to lax some of the current SOPs for local dine ins, things should be back to almost (new) normal in no time (though I don't think that I'm ready just yet to dine in anywhere especially with the ever increasing Covid numbers)  

So in the meantime, here's another place that I've been to several times before the CMCO. Located on a separate stretch of land within the Kubota Square commercial area (they're directly facing the Tawau.fm station), the seafood restaurant was a favourite amongst tourists and had formerly started their business at the open aired, seaside food stall area within the main Sabindo town. We've been to their current restaurant a couple of times during special occasions (I mean... I would've gone there more often if they're not draining my wallet like water, as the place was on the expensive side) and other than its impressively huge dining areas (both for public and private usage) the food were pretty commendable as well. For example, we ordered their Spring Onion & Ginger Fillet Fish, Dry Butter Prawns, Bean Sprouts with Salted Fish and Yam Ring with Chicken for my mom's birthday and all of the dishes were delicious, with the latter being my top faves. But don't worry as they also have an affordable line of tapau lunch sets that were equally satisfying for you guys to try especially during this stay-at-home season.

**Current status - Still in operation (as of Nov 2020)

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Acteasan

Another eatery within the Kubota Sentral commercial area that I've frequented is this place (you'll spot them faster if you enter through the main junction from its sisterly area the Kubota Square). 

Formerly known as Arteasan, the eatery had largely revamped their menu and now serves delicious fusion food. During our visits, my mom and I had tried their 3 Cups Chicken Rice set & Japanese Curry Chicken Rice set (our repeated faves respectively) and both were simply delicious and satisfying. They were also one of the more popular ones within the area so prior booking might be necessary especially if you come with a large group of people (as they do provide a curtained space specifically for small gatherings).

**Current status - Still in operation (as of Oct 2020)

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Sushi House

Hi guys, I'm still using my smartphone to post for the time being so I apologise beforehand for the very straightforward (aka somewhat short) entries from here onwards okay (because I have the 'my-fingers-are-larger-than-the-keyboard' problem).

I have been to this eatery a couple of times already (before and after the CMCO - they're located within the Kubota Sentral commercial area) and let me just say that this primarily Japanese food joint is extremely popular amongst locals. It was probably because of the variety and high quality taste of their food. My personal favourites has got to be their Tori Katsu Curry Rice, Chicken Katsu Don and the Chicken Teriyaki set rice (the latter was my mom's go-to dish actually). But personally I'm not into their sushi as much though since I thought that the sushi that I've had we just so-so in taste. There are better places to get sushi in town and some of the prices were slightly higher than those other places as well. But they do made those sushi fresh upon order so that's a plus at least.

**Current status - Still in operation (as of Oct 2020)

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Wukka Cafe 2.0

Laptop malfunction as well as the current CMCO got me feeling way too lazy to update my blog (just so you guys know, I'm currently writing my post via the hipster way, by using my smartphone so my post onwards might be shorter than usual - do bear with me ya). But alas here we are and although I'm working from home (again) right now & all of the eateries in town were either open for take aways only or simply closed for the time being, I do have several places that I've been to before the CMCO started to post about.

And here's one of such places. I have actually been here a couple of times before but the recent one was because of my partner's birthday. Their Chocolate Caramel cake was still decadent but melted way too easily (so swift eating is a must). Also they have condense their previous menu and now focused solely on a slew of western & local dishes. My partner had their Nasi Goreng Kampung and it was good (he said) while I've eaten their Grilled Chicken Salad because I need to keep more spaces inside my tummy for the cakes. And I do noticed that the overall look of the place has been upgraded a bit so now it feels more homely than before; a great place to hang out indeed. 

**Current status - Has been closed (as of April 2024)

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