Fresco

This little treasure tucked away inside Jaya Grocer, called Fresco. Located at Lot 6, LG-G1, Empire Shopping Gallery, Jln SS16/1, 47500 Subang Jaya. Tel - 03 5502 2031. I had on numerous occasions, passed the place either on my way to enjoy food at other eateries or shopping for groceries there. It was always packed, hence, I always conveniently skipped the joint.

However, on 11 January 2013, I thought I will give it a try. Will be back for more, without a doubt. Food was tasty and looked very appealing to the palate.  

The mistake I made, if you can call it that was, I had charged like a raging bull immediately to the ordering counter. What I should have done was drop by the grilled / roasted meat counter. I have posted a picture below. See what I mean.

Roaster Lamb / Striploin Beef

Roasted chicken

The side dishes and baked salmon confit

Grill lamb and 2 side dishes cost RM20.80. One of the most juiciest piece of lamb I had tasted in a long time. Better than most 5 star hotels. The meat was very juicy and tender and broke in my mouth. No effort was needed. Unlike some places where the lamb was dry and required effort to chew.

The dining area and straight ahead is the ordering counter. Below are pictures and remarks on items that we had devoured. 

Pizza Funghi Prosciutto RM21.00. Chicken Ham, sauce and cheese to summarize it. The pizza dough was very soft and this pizza sure get a thumbs from me. One of the best I have tasted.

Filleto Con Funghi RM31.00 beef stake in other words. Excellent.

Pesce Con Oliva RM19.00 fish. Ever seen a fish dish presented like this? Neither have I. But scrumptious needles to say.

Red Apple juice RM4.00 (somehow looked green),Watermelon juice RM6.90 and Rosehip tea RM4.00. Juices were ok but I would give the tea a skip next time.

Below is the itemized bill. If you can notice, there is no service charge. Great. When was the last time, other than a mamak stall, that you were not charged with service charge or government tax??? Point taken.

Best Goreng Pisang and Soya Bean

Goreng Pisang or Banana Fritters is a Malaysian delicacy loved and adoringly devoured on a daily basis during tea time. It is sold openly from roadside stalls to 5 star hotels. But where can the best goreng pisang be located???

I have tried many goreng pisang with various varieties, shapes, sizes and locations but the best I think is the one sold at Jalan Hujan Emas 4, Taman OUG (Overseas Union Garden), Kuala Lumpur. The banana is not only sweet but the outer layer is thickly coated with flour and very crispy.

RM0.80 a piece a bit pricey but wait until you try it. You will be back for more. 

Sharing is caring. Try it for a change. Who knows, you may become a regular.

 
Goreng pisang, keledek and yam.

A goreng pisang.

The goreng pisang stall. They have been in business more than 20 years at the same location.

This is the Aunty selling soya bean. It is not the best but good enough. Freshly made every day. She has been at the same spot for 20 years. She has known me since I was a small boy. RM1.00 a cup for soya bean.

Taufufa

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra (8 February 1903 - 6 December 1990) was the first Prime Minister of Malaysia from Independence in 31 August 1957 when he raised his right arm in Merdeka Stadium and hailed the thundering words, "Merdeka", "Merdeka", "Merdeka" before the National Anthem "Negaraku" was played. Tunku's reigh as premier ended in 22 September 1970. He is favorably known as "Father of Independence".

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial was build to highlight his life, times and achievements. It is like a time capsule of a bygone era. There is also the adjoining Regency Building which was his official residency during his premiership which is almost a 100 years old.

I made a visit on 23 July 2013 and found the place rich in history and information but sadly under visited. The whole place was about 4 acres or more but other than the 4 or 5 staff they had on the grounds, we were the only visitors. I find this very sad. Being a proud Malaysian and there was no one else there during that time made me ponder on the sacrifices made by this great man for the nation.

Anyhow, the Memorial is located at Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur. Below I have attached some of the pictures that I manage to capture during my visit which I hope will encourage or make bloggers curious enough to make a visit. 

Tunku's Keris collection. Keris collectors would definitely love this. Located in the corner of his living room.

The main living room. Notice the huge Ivory Elephant Task.

A different angle.

The adjacent living room.

A different angle. Notice the pencil cabinet leg.

Guest bedroom.

Different angle.

Closeup of the bedroom chandelier. Notice the furniture although being high in quality is not arrogantly extravagant like using gold plated furniture or crystal chandelier. 

Old electrical switch, wires and board. Indeed a bygone era as opposed to today's modern build in wiring which is all concealed. 

Prayer (Solat) room.

Some of the bedroom's dressing cabinet.

Old fan.

Notice how thick the walls are. One of the guards / curator informed me that the wall is 14 inches thick. Modern houses have a wall only 6 inches thick. The bricks used are solid red clay bricks not like the grey cement bricks used now days.

Tunku's official meeting room in his office.

   

Some antique stuff in my collection

Greetings. Although I am not an avid or ardent antique collector, I do however, have a fascination with antiquity. My collection may not be fancy or something to jump about but I would like to share what I have to other bloggers. All of the items I have collected have some personal interest or a story behind them. 

Kropp Shaving Blade. This is a gift to my beautiful wife. Made for A. S. Watson & Co Ltd Hong Kong by Kropp in Hamburg.  

Sita Wayang Kulit. Made of calf skin mounted on bamboo sticks and the person I bought it from claims that it was actually used for shows in Kelantan and Terengganu during its hay days. Don't know how far this is true. There is no way of verifying this. In the absence of TV and Movie Theaters back in the day, wayang kulit was a popular form of entertainment. Usually during the weekends at night everyone (young and old) would gather in the kampung at the town hall or designated area.  The wayang kulit, when held up behind a piece of white cloth, with an electric bulb or an oil lamp as the light source, would cast shadows the screen. The plays are invariably based on romantic tales, especially adaptations of the classic Indian epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. stories. It is up to the dalang or puppet master to decide on the story direction.   

Upclose.

Brass Tepak sirih. This set is from the 70's. It is used for the preparation of eating daun sirih. It is heavy and made of solid brass unlike the modern sets made during the 90's and 2000, whereby, the brass is rather flimsy and light. Tepak Sireh (betel leaf container) is an Malay handicraft that carries important values & meanings in Malay tradition where it has its found place in formal Malay ceremonies and social gatherings. The containers are utilized to store betel nut, lime (kapur), extract from the leaves of gambier plant, tobacco, betel leaves and nutcracker (kacip). 

Cannon ball used during the Portuguese conquest and occupation of Melaka from 1511 to 1641. Purchased this from an avid Portuguese / Nyonya collector in Melaka. Made of lead.  Brass Tibetan bell. Purchased by a collector in Amcorp Mall.   

Thermometer set made during the 70's, A. S. Watson Co Ltd. Also a gift to to wife.

Old wood badminton Aeroplane (made in China) and Yonex (made in Japan).

The Bell holder was purchased from Ikea RM9.90 and the string for ringing the bell was a DIY project. I just find it fascinating to having someone ring a bell with a more natural and earthy sound, before entering a home rather than the traditional or modern electric door bell with the standard "Ting Tong" sound. 

The FOOD Tree, (One World Group) Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie, Shah Alam

Lunch 28 December 2013. Let me put it this way, which Malaysian does not love to eat??? We always had a fond spot for this joint. The food is good, ambiance excellent, service good. What else can one ask for. 

It's all halal. The joint comprises of "Only Mee" (all types of mee), "Richdad" (kopitiam food) and "Shanghai 10" (dim sum). The place is owned and run by Genting Group.    

Below is the location map:-

 
This is what I mean by ambiance. This the main entrance.

This is their veranda dinning area.

As soon as you enter you are greeted by this wonderful view. This picture does not do justice to the exquisite marble used for the background of their corporate logo. 

Dining area.

There is even a CIMB ATM machine.

Lounge area.

If you think is that it??? Wait! There's more. This is the entertainment area for kids.

Blue based golden arowana (dragon fish). Awesome looking fish.

Ample area for the kids to run and explore.

Robots. No it's not R2D2 and C3PO.

During the day till evening this Pirate actually moves.

Merry go round. But it does not function, merely for display only.

Funny mirrors. The kids and adults alike will get a laugh out of this. From mirror to mirror your body shape will alter. One mirror I was a 7 footer and the next 3 feet midget (or more politically correct vertically challenged). 

Check out their bathroom. Simply awesome!.

And now what you have been waiting for, the scrumptious food. 

Char Kuey Teow (Not the best but good. Personally I prefer the Char Kuey Teow at the food court in Giant Kinrara Puchong. Trust me, that is really, really, really good).

Chicken Chop

BBQ Chicken Pow RM4.80

Durian Pan Cake RM6.00

Sizzling Lamp Chop RM18.90

Prawn Ball Dumpling La Mian RM10.80

Durian Fried Rice

Ribena Soda 

Durian Coffee RM5.50 and Watermellon RM6.50