Cake Indulgence at China House

The silver lining about moving to a new town is every outing is a new experience, and being in Penang, every outing for a meal is like a vacation. There are so many choices here. You want street food, food court, fine dining and franchise (although I do hold some grudge for them having only one McDonald's outlet in Seberang Jaya, and then there is no Burger King around here).

In conclusion, you want to eat, you have it. No questions asked!

Like a few months ago, Mr Hubby visited this cafe that served impressive array of menu, with thousand types of cakes. When he gloated to me about it, I thought to myself it is virtually impossible. And then he goes on and on how it takes from the front part through the back alley right into the row at the back. Again I was thinking, is Penang even that big to have something that sounds so well spread? And then I was told it is actually is a cafe, bar, wine bar, art gallery, has live bands, and like 101 other things.

Curiosity killed the cat, so although I ain't no cat, we had to visit the place right the next weekend, like pronto!

My, oh my! Was I in for a surprise, shock, amazement, whatever you call it, it is not enough to explain the feelings, especially when you love everything cakes. Yes, cake'S'. Here's how:

This is one section, another chilled section on the left, not in pic. And get this, they keep topping up the different cakes and goodies. It's like diabetes galore, diabetes that I want to embrace.

If that this point you are not amazed enough, feel free to leave this space. 

Ok no, please wait, the fun does not stop here.

Their best cake is the tiramisu, and you have the option to take alcoholic and non alcoholic. No prize for guessing which one I jumped upon. It is absolutely a must try! Soft cheesy layer in between soft spongy cakes, topped with icing and what tastes like granola.  

Second best is the espresso walnut cake, the square shaped on the right.

Then there's moist buttermilk chocolate cake, again yummy!

On the top right corner is the salted caramel cheesecake. Too salty for my taste. On the top left is the gourmet hotdog with fries. Things we do to satisfy kids.

Some close ups, from top to bottom is salted caramel cheesecake, espresso walnut and moist buttermilk chocolate cake.

Hope you did not expect me to list out all their cakes, because no I am not doing it, but just mentioning my favourites. As we all are quick to jump onto our food when it arrives, you will notice I have very few candid shots. The more artistic ones are by My Hubby who takes pride in the Iphone6 skills.

Also thanks to my non-photographic skills, the accounts and photos here are actually compiled from our multiple visits there. 

If you noticed, our table came with square white papers, sophisticatedly known as 'mahjong papers', and every table is equipped with good amount of crayons. Basically they tap into your creativity as you see heaven in every bite of their God-sent cakes.

Thanks to our gastronomically superior experiences we've produced quite a few masterpieces while indulging, especially the kids, and oh, notice the red velvet cake as you immerse yourself into the art.

Tiramisu, chocolate decadent and red velvet cakes, at your service!

Art too.

See how all the hands get into producing art.

And the best art award has to go to the portrait My Hubby created, full credits to him, Iphone only took the picture. So that's me, as conceived by Mr Hubby.

The selected artworks will be displayed at their cafe and also the art gallery, and seeing the collection they have there, people are pretty creative and arty after their cakexperiences. The last time we went there I tried to spot my portrait but couldn't find it. Looks like we need another trip to China House to indulge and submit another artwork!

Here's Mr Hubby pulling more Iphone6 tricks, an ariel view from the art gallery on the second floor. I am sitting on one side and there are cakes on the other side.

Taking a walk from the front to the back is really an interesting experience because the deco, the setting, and the graffiti brings you into different moods, ambience, and that vintage feel that you forget for a short while that you are in the 21st century.

And here's some of our pics. My Hubby was doing the beard trend, till the cakes got into them. Not bad if you want to have some cakes to-go!

The boys and me, right before we leave the place. I can't tell if my eyes are opened or not, regardless, awesome cakes, I was probably high on cakes!

So now you know, if you are in Penang where are the best cakes. In fact, once you've had China House cakes, everything else just pales in comparison. One might feel the pricing in on the higher side, but the pieces are oh-my-big-enough-to-drown.

China House is addictive like that. Try it, if you dare!

Happy New Year!

Here's wishing a very Happy New Year to everyone!

What is New Year without celebration over good food ?

We had a simple barbeque with family on the new year eve. Hubby and I got an opportunity to test our marination skills. As our BBQ set was rotting away, we got an excuse to take it out and make sure it works well within its warranty period.

We were so excited, we were determined not to use the same old BBQ recipes and searched around for something new. By chance I found this Jamie Oliver recipe that boosts of non conventional ingredients such as oranges and dried chilli, and off we went!! This recipe zest-fully brings the celebration of flavours in our taste buds.

And then also some tandoori style marination. Turned out so tender and yummy! Luckily I had made some brown gravy for meatballs the same day, and it was so useful to sauce-up the grills! More on that sauce next time, I promise!

Since our BBQ set is not that huge to support our demand, we used the soup bowl to grill the vegetables and subsequently the chicken too. The best part is I got the orange slices from the marination, and grilled them together with the vegetables, it was so well caramelised, its hard to even explain the taste!

While us parents were busy sizzling meat away, the kids were practicing their Ninja skills.

The next day, on new year's day we were not cooking, instead, we were out dining. Hubby had repeatedly mentioned Beer Factory at Setia Walk before, and so it was like, why not, indulge?!

Once there, we got an awesome surprise. There was a new year promo, 50% off everything, it is definitely going to be a good good New Year 2016!

Who can resist this piece of knuckle with buttery melting away mashed potatoes?!

Definitely not us!

The best part about Setia Walk is while us parents eat, chill and be merry, the kids can play and walk about.

From dawn.

Till dusk.

True Story.

Happy New Year people!

Living BIG

Remember our field trip to Morganfield's in KL, and eventually losing our way back, we were these country mice trying to find food in the city. Fast forward 2 years later, and there is a Morganfield's outlet closer to us, well ok not THAT close but relatively closer, at Empire Subang. So what? We HAD to go there and eat BIG!

We experienced something new this time, bibs for all, and love the caption! The kids put in on for a few minutes, and then it was all gone!

The genius in ourselves had us purchasing sweet nothings (read imitation Lego men) for the kids to stay entertained while Mummy and Daddy (and the kids, of course) binge, I mean, eat.

Can you feel the serenity? We did too! Until the food arrived! Then the Daddy got the kids to dig in, only Sanju obliged though, while Jeev pretended to sleep. Told you, Jeev can do anything to escape from food!

To cut the long story short, Sanju tried to wrestle with it for a while and later settled for the corn muffins and sausages. Well, no one complained!

This is the full view of the set. And please do not judge, we order big because we know if we can't finish it we will bring it back and have it for breakfast the next day. We love our ribs that much. 

By the way, don't you just love the piggy nose mugs?

We also had some refreshing apple mo-ji-to. True story.

And before I forget, Morganfield's ribs are still the best ever in Asia (Malaysia and Singapore at least), this time we had so much of it we got temporarily sick but hey we can still have more next time!

And on another occasion I was feeling like some tomyam at Khunthai, and someone wanted to have it BIG. So we got this:

Kick@$$ lobster Thai style! Needless to say there was more shell than meat. However I am still at awe at the size of it! The good thing about Khuntai is they also have a simple play area and a large pond with fishes and tortoise, so the kids are occupied till the food comes.

And when the kids are not juggling and tackling their foodie parents, they moonlight as Hulk & Ironman. Don't take my word for it, the pic here says it all.

Till the next time.. eat and live BIG!

Family Time @ Juicy Grill & Bar

Remember the dating parents who go out for nice sinful food, leaving the kids home with their grandparents? It is sometimes hard to bring the kids dining out at places they are not familiar with. It's either a certain venue is not suitable for kids, or the kids are not crazy about the menu.

Juicy Grill & Bar has been in Bandar Bukit Tinggi for more than a year now. We did visit them a while ago, we had some western dishes which were really good. Not to mention friendly staff and prompt service. But one thing that caught our eyes was the pork knuckle in the menu, which we found out, had to be booked 2 days in advance.

On one fine Saturday when we were pressed for energy, but needed some fun/time/dine out with the kids, we wanted to try the pork knuckle. At 5.30pm I called them up asking if we could get the pork knuckle at 7pm and as luck had it, it was available!

We were so excited that we left home at 6.30pm itself. We tried to drive the slowest possible, walk up the stairs the longest possible, so that we wouldn't reach there too early. But, we did.

The kids were so excited (more than hungry) that they were acting like hooligans banging the table and looking like predators, somehow we caught the best we-fie of our lives.

Once the pork knuckle arrived. We went crazy. And so did Sanju. Suddenly he turned out to be this huge pork knuckle fan! While it was a lovely moment seeing him enjoy our favourite food, and it felt a tad bit sad knowing our portion became smaller. Note to self: Order 2 sets next visit!

See their happy-shappy faces once the food arrived!

A closer look at the pork knuckle.

Thankfully the place was relatively empty, so the kids had ample of space to play once they were done eating, leaving us parents to continue on our happy hours. Pure bliss! Except the fact that the restaurant had ceiling to floor windows overlooking a funfair opposite the building. The kids kept asking to go there, to which we had to make numerous excuses such as 'it is under maintenance', 'no one is playing', 'oh, that dude is a worker there', 'you don't see any kids, do you?' (secretly hoping they don't look further!

It was definitely a good experience and a wholesome dinner having pork knuckle in Klang. That is the good thing about eating out in Klang, it never fails to surprise you!

For now it definitely appears in our top list of best pork knuckles ever, the best being from Bier Haus in JB. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this picture is worth a million words after tickling and appeasing thousand taste buds. *swooning* I think we need a trip there soon!

Happy Days With BurgerLand

I have been meaning to post some pictures of the kids' new little (literally) groove. They are so into these imitation Lego figurines that we got them recently. It was not easy allowing the kids to play with little parts because they tend to throw it around and later expect to Google it up with me. We had strict strategy that we only introduced one new figurine a kid at every given time. And after a week another new figurine, provided the previous ones were intact. It was not an easy exercise, very often search teams were sent out all over the house to find so and so's helmet, body or even hands.

The bright side of these little figurines is that since they are made the size and built, most parts are interchangeable, and this is how the boys get into playing dress-up or slumber party with well known super heroes.

Let me warn you that following pictures might be too graphic for those die-hard fans who might not find this amusing. For the others, its a laughter party. An innocent one, of course!

The best buddies, Tony Stark exchange suit with Clark Kent. Don't you love the Clark Kent's evergreen hairstyle?

Hulk and Ironman. Standing behind is a jealous Raphael.

 Captain America, Ironman and random while shirt dude.

As the list goes on, the figurines mix up tops and bottoms so its hard to 'identify' them.

Other happy days are when the boys get to sweat and max it out at the indoor playground. Instead of climbing up and sliding down, they climb the slide, and jump down. Being a kid totally rocks!

At least that was a rather short in height slide, look at what happens at the taller ones.

Sometimes I just sigh and say 'Shanjeev, Shanjeev', and he goes 'Amma, amma'. They always have the last say.

This boy has been down viral infection, gave me a solemn pose after gulping down his milk. This picture is perfect for the Got Milk? campaign. Casting agents anyone?

Just yesterday he showed a great improvement in his appetite, and so it was time to max out happy day! Being surrounded by burgers here, hubby's wildest dream, and the boys got to live it.

Happy just got happier having the super duper humongous burger at BurgerLand at Bandar Botanic Klang. Their specialties are their homemade charcoal buns, mysteriously delicious patty, special BurgerLand mayo and the great service! Do check it out if you are in the area. 

For someone who can never get enough of good and large burgers, I think hubby's search just stopped here. In the background is the satisfying shot of my baby gaining his appetite back. Priceless!