Divino - Wine, Dine & Music

Yesterday found a place where is nice to have wine while listening soft songs and sitting comfortable - "Divino". I believe Divino is opened by owner of Denise Wine since the logo of Divino same like Denise Wine.

Besides wine, they serve tapas, spaghetti, steak, etc. I reached there around 10pm to have my late dinner (shall I call it supper instead of dinner?). I and my partner tried baked dory fillet and spaghetti roasted duck (both are chef recommended). Not bad the food!
If you are wine drinker, I suggest you should try this place out. Some more, they are running promotion whereby red or white wine (wine of the day) only sold at RM12 per class during happy hours.

Food Rating: 7/10
Environment Rating: 8/10
Location: 6-1, Block M, Palm Square, Jaya One, 72A, Jalan Universiti PJ, 46200 Selangor.
Contact: 79559968

Affogato

According to the above picture, Affogato refers to Espresso and Ice-Cream. Do you know how to drink Affogato? Drink espresso 1st and take ice-cream or vice versa?

Both ways also wrong. The correct way is top the ice-cream with espresso. Haha...

Basically, Affogato is a coffee-based beverage or dessert. Affogato style which is refer to the act of topping a drink or dessert with espresso, sometimes may incorporate with caramel or chocolate sauce.

Interested to try it? You may get it at RM9.00 at Marmalade Cafe in Bangsar Village.

Soya Pan Mee 豆浆板面

Understand some people have tried Soya Steamboat before, but how about Soya Pan Mee?

At Noodle Village, you can find variety of Pan Mee includes Soya Pan Mee which sold at RM7.80. ideal for your lunch or dinner. You may feel weird to use soya as a soup, same as what I thought before I tried it. Actually, the taste of soya soup is not same like soya bean drink, with less taste of soya.

Food Rating: 7/10

Location: 8G, Jalan Puteru 1/1, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor (Near Citibank Bandar Puteri)

Full House @ NZX

Fullhouse Lifestyle Store and Cafe is the latest cafe located at NZX, Ara Damansara with romantic environment. I believe this cafe is the dream cafe to most of the ladies. With white color interior design, you can dine here with comfortable and relax feel.

The environment is the major selling point of this cafe but not the food. Besides dining, ladies also can find some favorite dress, accessories, home decor, etc. which also sold here. People chit chat more than shopping here.

Food Rating: 6 /10
Environment Rating: 9 /10
Location: Niuzexui@Ara Damansara, No.2 Jln PJU 1A/41B, 47301 Petaling Jaya.

Pearl Milk Tea of Yoyo Cafe

Nothing I can say much, its pearl milk tea is really good, can say the best of pearl milk tea I ever tried in the country. Of course the best one I tried before is from a famous pearl milk tea cafe in Taiwan. Now can't recall the name of the cafe, is a few years back story. The good thing of cafe in Taiwan is the quality of service, really ICHIBAN! Hope Malaysian cafe should benchmark them.

RECOMMENDED!

Food Rating: 8 /10
Location: Lintas / Damai of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Kwong Tong Chai Roast House (广东仔烧腊馆)

I was brought to have my brunch in Kwong Tong Chai Roast House which is very famous in KK with its roast chicken and duck. Saw some articles about this restaurant (newspaper cuts) sticked on the wall. Sorry that forgot to note down the address, just remember it is located inside industrial park. Anyway, the roast chicken and roast duck are served with nice appearance but you bite it, the meat bit hard. Thus, the restaurant can't be listed in my recommendation list. Anyway, is no harm to try. Price? Shame that I didn't settle the bill!

Food Rating: 6 /10
Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Stop by at Telupid from the way back to KK from Sandakan

Is advised to drink lot of water especially during traveling but is not recommended during traveling in Sabah because is not easy to get rest room. Not like PLUS highway in penisular of Malaysia, "Kawasan Rehat" with FREE access rest room can be found along the highway.

Remember I stopped by this restaurant (笼笼茶室) for twice, first time is on the way to Tawau and second time is way back to KK from Sandakan. Just stopped by to take a rest, eat and pee (this is only chance, haha!) The rest room here is not free access, charging RM0.30 per entry (KL shopping complex also no charge ler~). Understand many restaurant in penisular will charge when you use their rest room if you are not their customer. Believe this practice is to avoid their rest room become public toilet. But, this restaurant still charge me even I dine there! Haiz...........no choice la, if not have to pee everywhere :P

Btw, does this restaurant look like a restaurant in ancient China? 龙门客盏?

Samjaya Natural Park

Accidently found a mini zoo called Samjaya Natural Park when departed from Sandakan to KK. Just pay RM3 per entry, you can see some animals, birds and fish.

Little cute beaver is sleeping

Believe monkey brother is thinking something very important. Better don't disturb him.

Many people threw coin on its back, can bring luck? Really don't know, I just follow and maneged to put one coin on its back too! :P

Mr.Fox also sleeping, haiz..............

Fish feeding allowed here..............if fishing is allowed here, then YUMMY!

Little Hong Kong in the country

If you been to Hong Kong, definitely the attached photo seem familiar to you but actually the photo is not taken in Hong Kong, these are the photo of Sandakan town street taken recently. Just look at the building and you will believe the photo taken in Hong Kong. But, please don't see the signage lar~sure know is in Malaysia.

For those not been to Hong Kong before, I will share some photo taken during my trip to Hong Kong few months ago in later posts, just let me finish all the posts about Sabah trip 1st.

Little Hong Kong is a nickname to Sandakan and you will hear most the chinese here speaking Cantonese (not like Kota Kinabalu, majority chinese speak hakka). Heard that quite of numbers of Hongkie staying here.

Sight seeing in Sandakan

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sandakan

When you are in Sandakan, you also must visit Proboscis monkeys, one of the specialties in Sabah. Proboscis monkeys (or "Dutchman Monkey") have large prominent noses. They have large, extended bellies, giving them the appearance of being permanently pregnant.

To see this big nose monkey, just look for sign board which can guide you to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is precious home of the last wild Orang-Utans of Northern Borneo. The orangutans are two species of great apes known for their intelligence, long arms and reddish-brown hair.

Please remember 10am and 2pm, these are the time of the trip to visit orangutan in Sepilok. If you miss the trip, then you can't see the great apes in Malaysia.

Batu Sapi, Sandakan

Batu Sapi is one of the landmark in Sandakan. Batu Sapi is a giant rock formation by the coast resembling a cow with a crocodile at its feet. Now, you can visit it at Batu Sapi Heritage Park.

Funny Crocodile in Sandakan

I found that Majlis Perbandaran Sandakan very creative. Can you see the crocodile statue in the picture? Let's check the picture and you will know what I said so. Besides crocodile, you also can see other statue in other roundabout, such as lobster, orang utan, batu sapi, turtle, big nose monkey, etc.

Seafood in Sandakan

Everywhere in Sandakan also can find seafood to eat but the seafood in Sandakan is more expensive than seafood in Tawau. Therefore, Tawau still the best choice for seafood dining.

Famous Yau Char Kuey in Sandakan

When you enter the market of Bandar Kim Fung in Sandakan, you will see one stall with long queue. This stall is selling the famous Yau Char Kuey in Sandakan. The Yau Char Kuey served with kaya and very crunchy. You must try it when you have a chance to visit Sandakan.

Food Rating: 7 /10
Location: Pasar of Bandar Kim Fung, Sandakan

RECOMMENDED!

Sheng Ji Seafood Noodle (生记海鲜面）

Usually we will get squid, prawn, oyster, fish and fish ball in seafood noodle sold in Klang Valley. Sheng Ji Seafood Noodle will be served with standard seafood as mentioned ablove plus additional seafood such as sea cucumber, scallop and many funny types of seafood. Some more, the prcie is very cheap, suddenly can't recall the price but sure is cheaper than RM10. You can't get this price in KL. May be it is because of seafood in Tawau is very cheap. Besides this seafood noodle, got another selling Mongolian Chicken Rice which I heard is very delicious but unfortunately when I visited this restaurant, the chicken rice stall was closed. A bad day!

Food Rating: 8 /10
Location: In Kedai Kopi Len Sheng, Tawau Town Center, Sabah

RECOMMENDED!

Green Power Juice Drink (绿力果汁) only RM2.50!

Visited one shop in Tawau that selling various type of imported drinks (either in can or bottle). But I was attracted by Green Power Juice Drink (绿力果汁) and bought 5 cans with different flavor. The smaller can (480ml) only sold at RM2.50. Feel cheap? The drink is imported from Taiwan. So far I can't see it in KL. Anyone can tell me if you able to find it here? I prefer drink this rather than drink other soft drink. Fruit juice definitely better for health!

Mini Ceiling Fan Sold in Pasar Sin On, Tawau

For doggies & kitties?

Famous Mee Soto in Tawau

Karmel Cafe (侨群茶室) is selling the most famous Mee Soto in Tawau. But, very surprise that the chef is Chinese, not Malay. The Mee Soto served with different toppings for customer to choose, such as seafood, beef, etc. I tried Mee Soto with beef. The taste is good and totally different from what sold by Malay style Mee Soto.

Besides, the cream tart sold here (the one looks like UFO) also very nice. Noticed that most of the chinese restaurant will sell bread, tart, etc. during tea time hours. Not like KL, only manage to get it from bakery shops. I believe Sabah like to enjoy tea time break, don't they?

Food Rating: 7 /10

RECOMMENDED!

Lime on my dining table

From restaurant A to restaurant B sure can find some green lime served on the dining table. I really curious about it, so try to find the reason from my friend. They explained that the local culture is affected by Indonesian. Indonesian is practicing this in their country, confirm? I really no idea.

Anyway, serious to say that you can see a lot of Indonesian in Tawau especially in Town centre. Most of them are from Kalimantan, I believe.

Tawau Town Street (New vs Old)

Shuai Shi Xiang Cafe (帅仕相茶楼) @ Tawau

What so special about Tawau? I can say two things: Seafood and Islands (such as Sipadan Island). When come to Tawau, must take seafood because is very cheap, fresh and bigger size. Most of the seafood caught from the deep sea. I take seafood in all my meal when staying in Tawau include breakfast.

The following was my breakfast on my 2nd day in Tawau - dry noodle (干捞面）served with cooked fish head (焖鱼头). I noticed that ppl in Tawau like to order dry noodle (no toppings) with dishes, may be is the local culture. Anyway, the cooked fish served by Shuai Shi Xiang Cafe is very nice especially the dark gravy, suit to take together with the dry noodle. But, not recommended to eat without any rice or noodle because bit salty.

RECOMMENDED!

Food Rating: 7 /10
Location: Tawau Town, Sabah (sorry couldn't get the address but is easier to find it in Tawau since the town is not big)

Seaweed Noodle (紫菜汤面) @ Lahad Datu, Sabah

Found a special noodle called Seaweed Noodle at a restaurant in Lahad Datu. Therefore i tried it but no big deal. Anyway it worth to try since i never see this noodle here. By the way, the biscuit called Niu Se Bing (牛舌饼) sold here very nice, better than those sold at baker shops in KL.

Mount Kinabalu View from Kundasang

Pekan Kundasang is one of the places near to Kinabalu National Park with cold weather. Will pass through this place when you travel from KK to Ranau / Tawau / Sandakan. There are two tourism spots: Kundasang War Memorial (I didn't visit because not interested on it) and Kundasang Vegetables Wholesale Stalls. where you can get cheap vegetable. From here, you can see the mount kinabalu very clearly (luckily no cloud covering the peak when I took this picture). From here, the mountain seem gorgeous. Definitely I will conquer this mountain one day!

Introduction of Mount Kinabalu (Gunung Kinabalu 神山)

Mount Kinabalu is a prominent mountain in Southeast Asia. It located in Kinabalu National Park (a World Heritage Site)in the east Malaysian state of Sabah. It is the tallest mountain in Malaysia and also the 20th highest peak in the world in terms of prominence. The main peak of the mountain (Low’s Peak) can be climbed easily by a person with a good physical condition and requires no mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills.

Early Busy Market in Lido Square, Kota Kinabalu

Do you know that I took this picture at 5am in the morning? You may find foods here as your daily breakfast.

Yen Ai 仁爱

Yen Ai is one of famous dessert shop in Kota Kinabalu that selling various types of herbal drinks and desserts, even you can find Ku Cha (苦茶) / Wang Lao Ji (王老吉) / Wu Hua Cha (五花茶) and Gui Ling Gao (龟零膏) there. I don't think can find this type of shop in KL. If yes, then you should leave a comment here and tell me where about. Definitely I will try it to compare with Yen Ai.

I tried Yen Ai Special ABC and Blueberry ABC, both also nice especially the first mentioned dessert.

RECOMMENDED!

Food Rating: 7 /10

Environment: Clean

Halal: I believe Yes (I saw Muslim also visited this shop)

Location:
(1) Lot 6, Ground Floor, Bornion Centre, 88300 Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Tel: 088-252450
(2) Lot No. 15-00, Ground Floor, Lorong Lintas Plaza, Jalan Lintas, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Tel: 088-244450

Trip to Sabah Malaysian Borneo

My last 7 days were spent to explore Sabah via car driving. I took more than 25 hours in this travel, includes 5 hours return flight (from KL to Kota Kinabalu takes 2 1/2 hours) and car (Brand new Toyata Hilux). Frankly speaking, sitting in Hilux is not so fun, just like taking roller coaster on the road, upside down. Luckily didn't vomit inside the car. :P

My exploration was as follow:

DAY 1: Arrived Kota Kinabalu (KK) in the evening

DAY 2: Woke up early in the morning to travel from KK to Tawau which tooks about 8 hours for travelling (BLUE LINE)

DAY 3: In Tawau

DAY 4: Travelled to Sandakan from Tawau and stopped by Lahad Datu, about 5 hours. (RED LINE)

DAY 5: Went to KK from Sandakan, about 5 hours. (YELLOW LINE)

DAY 6: In KK

Day 7: Came back to KL

So, Can I considered have visited half Sabah?

The New Changes

Recently only posted few posts due to busy with my brand new Play Station Portable (PSP). Nowaday, PSP sold at very comfortable price. I only spent RM850 on the console with the following package:
1. PSP Console x1
2. Original Battery x1
3. Adapter x1
4. Backup Battery x1
5. 8GB memory stick x1
6. Screen Protector x1
7. Crsytal Case x1
8. Free games (Can download until your memory card full)
9. 1 year warranty

Until now still haven't finish play all the games insides my PSP. May be I am not Pro-gamer and needs some time to enjoy it. :P

The title of this post is "The New Changes" because I would like share more things with everyone who read my blog instead of only talk about dining places. I would say travelling and dining can be grouped together. Generally, there are two major objectives when you travel:
1. Visit the tourism spots
2. Try the special and famous local food.

Aren't you?

Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Cake for your love one

Haagen Dazs is one of the famous ice cream in town. Have you ever tried it Ice-Cream? No to me as well as my lover. Therefore I bought the ice-cream cake for my love one this year for birthday celebration.

:)

This cake topped with pleny of flowers shape white and dark chocolate but the taste is too sweet. Can say hard to eat also. Decided void the topping and just enjoy the nice ice-cream. The price is around RM150 for 1/2 kg.

Haagen Dazs also selling ice-cream moon cake for celebration of Tanglung Festival. Planning to try it but the price bit expensive, so still prefer just buy ice-cream scoop (either in cone or cup) and enjoy it.

Food Rating: 7 /10

Tau Sar Pneah from Penang

Tau Sar Pneah is one of the specialties in Penang. It also called as dragon ball biscuit or Tambun Biscuit. Regardless the purpose of trip to Penang, sure will buy some for friends / colleagues and myself. The price of 1 box (32pcs) will sold from RM7.00 - RM11.00, just depends on the brand.

Food Rating: 7 /10

Home Made Fish Head Noodle

The soup served very nice. This is one of the delicious Fish Head Noodle found beside Win Soon Cafe located at Kuchai Lama.

The fish head noodle sold Rm8.50 per bowl here. The price sure more expensive due to the dining environment. RECOMMENDED!

Food Rating: 7 /10
Cuisine: Local
Halal: No
Environment: Clean, Cold and not so noisy.
Location: No. 8-1 & 10-1, Jln Pju 5/5, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya (Same row with Restaurant Mee Papan)
Tel: 03-61417978