LUXURIOUSLY KOBE available from 13 – 26 OCTOBER

While waiting for another great food review session at Le Meridien, I have tried the illy Coffee for the first time. Suggested by the lovely waitress, Cappuccino is one of the best on the menu. Look how cute! The coffee taste is strong and the most important is that the coffee texture is smooth. It is unique and delicious.

There is a taste, a feel, an aroma that is all illy’s own. Velvety, immediately sweet, delicately balancing floral and fruity notes with caramel, toast and chocolate, naturally fragrant with aromas of almond and honey.  You just might hold the sugar, for the very first time.

Now, let us back to the main character for tonight.

The Master Kobe Beef is Flames Steak Restaurant’s current special. 

So this is how it looks like when its raw. Photo courtesy of the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Kobe beef is certainly one of the must try for anyone visiting Japan, along with the Matsusaka and the Ohmi beef. These three are indeed the best in the world. But now, grab this chance to try out the Master Kobe Beef here at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu before it’s too late! Last day of offers is 26^th October 2014. 

We started our food review by having a light starter. Bread with butter, tuna, and balsamic vinegar. The bread is so soft and it goes well with the tuna. This trio is a sinful spread! 

Also, we have tried the Flames Steak Restaurant's Wild Mushroom Soup. The first sip was delightful. Well, I am a soup person and not everywhere in KK that you can find mouth watering soup. It was smooth and there's no chucks; my plate was squeaky clean!

Le Meridien also offers the Pink Mocktail till 31 October

In conjunction with the Breast Cancer month, enjoy the delicious Pinktober Pleasures, a vibrant concoction of pink guava, key lime and raspberry at Sante Hour or as a refreshing drink throughout this month of October!

Now, here comes the real deal.

Lava Stone Grilled Kobe Sirloin Beef 

with Classic Yorkshire Pudding, Oven Roasted Vege and Light Herb Jus 

Oh yes. I am still thinking about that huge piece of Kobe Beef. Remembering from the moment that I gently cut it into pieces and put it into my mouth. As you chew, the Kobe beef melts within 5 bites. Priced at MYR 300++ per serving of 200grams with a marble score of 6, and meat quality score of 5. Available daily from 13 October – 26 October for lunch and dinner at Flames Steak Restaurant, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu.

Care to try?

SPG members get a complimentary glass of wine, beer or juice with every serving of this steak.

Flames Steak Restaurant is located at the Lobby Level of Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Opens daily from 12PM - 2.30PM for lunch, and 6PM - 10PM for dinner. Expect quality food from the grill as well as creatively-crafted desserts and mocktails.

Check-In Dining at Market 88, Kepayan

People always find fun things to spend their time. At least for me, I would drive around town and see what I can do or the furthest I can drive is to Tuaran or Tamparuli (I love to be on the road). Now, when it comes to remembering a restaurant, how would you actually remember them all? I bet it’s going to be either by food, or by the name of the restaurant.

Recently opened in this end of the month, Check-In Dining is the first aviation themed restaurant here in Sabah. Baby blur in colour, located at Market 88 (some say food city), the restaurant is easy to spot! With a few airplane windows, you can try to have a peek what’s inside. That’s what I did.

Caeser Salad + Smoked Salmon = RM 7.90 + RM6.00
If you like Salmon (like me), then this is a must try. Mixed with Japanese Sauce (I'm a fan and you should be a fan too) and big slices of Salmon. It would go wrong for having this as the appetizer! 

Caesar Salad + Chicken Ham = RM7.90 + RM2.00
Affordable as it is but I fancy the Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon more. It's worth it and delicious because the sauce that they are using to taste the salad.

Soup of the Day: Mushroom Soup = RM 6.90

I like how they use wild mushroom, but I like it to be more... rich. But you can try, it's not bad. Really.

Shrimp Paste Chicken Wing (4 pieces) = RM9.90

I like how they make use of Shrimp paste in all kind of dishes. Not too much, just nice. Because too much can be salty, and not everyone can handle it.

Cheese Meat Ball (6 pieces) = RM13.90  *MUST TRY

I love how they invented this dish. Cheese melts in your mouth as you chew the meat balls. Don't worry if it's still rare inside as it will affect the moist of the meat ball. Trust your chef in this. I like how it taste. Some people might feel this dish can be a little salty for them too because of the sauce, but I'm okay with the taste and texture.

Beef Burger = RM14.90

Carbonara Chicken =RM13.90

Sirloin Steak = RM25.90

Chicken Chop Fried Rice = RM 12.90

 Chicken Cutlet = RM16.90

Fish & Chips = RM16.90

Fish Fillet Cheese Baked Rice = RM 13.90

And here comes the Hot Chocolate for only RM7.90!

Panna Cotta - RM6.90

Despite of the economy nowadays, especially here in Kota Kinabalu, our expenses are higher than in the west Malaysia. Anyway, the price for the food here is reasonable and affordable for people like me and you who just wanted to fill our tummy. 

Eating at Pasar Besar Kota Kinabalu @ Central Market

Besides buying groceries at the market, what else can you do?

I remember I used to go to the market with my dad when I was still a kid. I love to go to the dry area, but not the wet – which is the fish market. Normally, one of my tasks is to buy the most delicious Tau Foo Fah in town and to look at the vegetables; poultry is still fine, but definitely not the fish market because – you know it. I would cry.

This is the first time for me to try out the food stalls at the market. We called it Pasar Besar in Malay or just Pasar – Sabahan style. If you want to know how the local Chinese call it? PA-SA. It’s the same anyway. Haha.

The food stalls are located on the second floor. There are about 4 to 6 stalls there (if I’m not mistaken – need to check it out again) and they separated it into Chinese and Malay section, which is good. This is because people like us; we might want to have non-halal or halal food.

We went to the Chinese stall.

Picture below: The view overlooking KK Plaza (taken from the side of the staircase)

See those baskets? Choose your preferable vegetable and meat by pointing them to the person who is serving you. Tell them if you want them to cook it with rice or noodle after he or she took note of your choice. That simple.

I have ordered Kon Lau Mihun with vegetable, chicken, and char-siew (pork). While waiting, I actually worried that it might be oily but it wasn’t. It was simply delicious yet affordable to have a simple lunch here. There’s only one thing I would like to highlight – the char siew have some unwanted fats because I don’t take that since young. So, I just have to remove it. For certain people, I know you like that.

Don’t forget to buzz me when you are there. I'm just nearby! ;)

Ultimate Buka Puasa Feasts at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Ready to eat?

More than 200 varieties of traditional breaking-fast fare and international favourites to suit every taste bud, all here at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu. A few Chef’s specialities and unique items are being featured in the buffet such as Serunding Tuhau, Kerabu Mangga Sotong Kering and Kerabu Daging Cincang Berjeruk. Innovative beverages like Kurma Juice and Pegaga Juice are also available to complete and satiate the thirsts.

There are also 12 extended show stations along the Shenanigan’s Terrace offering live cooking stalls including western cuisines like roast lamb flap, beef, and grilled vegetables as well as chinese cuisine like roasted chicken and duck, dim sum, ngiu chap, and yong tau foo. For me, I like the indian cuisine which they are famous for its cheese naan and tandoori.

Look at these stations!

Now let’s check out the Chinese Corner. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is famous for their roast duck and chicken. This juicy and tender meat is a must try when you dine in!

To outfit the kampong ambience in this year’s theme, Hyatt is hosting their Bazaar Ramadhan in the Kimanis Ballroom where it can accommodate up to 300 diners at one time. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is also the first hotel that reserved a ballroom space, especially for the season throughout the buka puasa month.

Bazaar Ramadhan
Available Dates: from 29 June 2014 onwards (during fasting month)
Time: 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Rates: RM120nett per adult | RM60nett per child (between 6 - 12 years old)

*For Group bookings, enjoy complimentary meal for the 11th person for every 10 paying guests

*Club at The Hyatt exclusive 15% discount

Planning a private buka puasa gathering?
It’s the Buka Puasa Banquet! Chefs at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu are more than happy to tailor delectable, tantalising buka puasa menus for your special events. Be the perfect host and let Hyatt’s professional event service personnel take away the stress of organising for your events.
Call Hyatt Regency Kinabalu at +6088-221234 or +6088-295335 for bookings or more information.

Thanks to the two chefs in Hyatt, Chef Tunku and DJohan for making a wonderful and delicious menu for another year of Ramadhan!