Steamboat with a 'twist'...

Sorry for not updating sooner…. Dunno why, but everything seem to slow down during Ramadan, particularly my blog updating pace. :P Anyway this is going to be another food post.. well simply cuz it’s the month of the best food of the year.. if that makes any sense to you.. hehee I was recommended by a colleague to a Taiwanese franchise restaurant called ‘Shabu-Shabu’ Icebar & Café – located in Kiulap Plaza. It’s an individual serving steamboat restaurant … which means you have the hot pot all to yourself and you can mix and make your own steamboat soup. Unike the ordinary steamboat feast where there's only one main hot pot shared among a dozen of people, rest assure whatever you put inside your own mini-hot pot will not get stolen heheee The individual hot pots are recessed into the tabletop and you can also adjust the heating level yourself, keep it warm, hot or fast boiling.. Im sure like most of you, the name selection ‘Shabu-Shabu’ is rather odd… so I got to find out from the Assistant Manager that Shabu-Shabu means swish-swish in Japanese or in Taiwanese, individual steamboat. That very well explains it... Swish-swish being that you take individual piece of the thinly sliced meat and swish it around in the broth. But knowing me, I chuck everything into the hot pot… :0 Dun we all love shortcuts. And the best part is also the selection of soups they have to offer apart from the usual chicken broth based such as the Tom Yum, Herbal Chicken, Fish Head among others. The order comes in a variety of set menus ranging from seafood, lamb, chicken, fish, and the set is designed for 2 – 3 people. Prices range from $13 - $22… Every set comes with a selection of rice or a ‘yee mee’; an individual platter of mixed veggies, egg, seaweed and also a desert of red bean soup. Another great thing is you get to flavor your own sauce/dip as there is a little station in the middle where the condiments are placed. You get to add whatever you want into the sauce : spring onions, coriander, chili powder, soya sauce, oil, vinegar, garlic, thai chilli sauce, chilli padi... etc We spend quite some time deciding which sauce to take and hubby always mix the best flavoured sauce.*jealous*. Overall, we were impressed with this place. Went there before puasa and took the family again for Sungkai treat last weekend. This restaurant gave eating steamboat a fresh new look. We love the contemporary ambience, really not your conventional style of steamboat restaurant. I really love the taste too... its more subtle as compared to sukiyaki. This restaurant is indefinitely a winning favorite among steamboat lovers. It is always packed, so book ahead. Anyway, Selamat berpuasa… :) Enjoy the photos.. This is the ultimate seafood mix set.... Family Sungkai outing last weekend... Our favourite hangout place now... :) The individual mini-hot pot are recessed into the tabletop. So its strictly YOURS!!!!! You 're able to control the heat levels.... Picture taken during our first dineout - the sliced chicken... The Japanese packet Ya-Mee.... tasty!! Love the ambience....... not your conventional style of steamboat restaurant. Every set comes with this combination platter of seaweed, veggie, fishball, egg, meat and seafood... Hubby is an expert when it comes to flavouring the sauce... :P That table on the right is the where the varieties of sauces and garnishes are placed and you can make your own sauce or dipping...

Kampong Fare @ Rampai Sari, BSRC

Rampai Sari Restaurant tucked in the Brunei Shell Recreational Club building is one of our favorite casual family hangout place. Food is good, the price is not overrated and it just has this lovely and intimate ambience.. which I so lurrveee. Seriously I have issues with noise, it just mars a good meal … Anyway, the reason why I didn’t mention this restaurant as much as I would love to is because its restricted to club members. But I just learn yesterday that it has recently opened its door to outsiders…. But of course the club facilities are still off-limits to outsiders… Since me and the Mister are watching our figures, this year we pledged to break our fast in moderation… Well maybe indulge a bit during weekend’s heheee Anyway, Rampai Sari in Panaga is one of the worth-to-go restaurant in town. For only $9.90, the Ramadan buffet offers a variety of local traditional dishes with ‘Beef Rendang’ being the restaurant’s signature dish. The dishes offered are traditionally inspired such as Nasi Minyak, Chicken Opor, Masak Lemak, Cili Padi, Sambal Petai, Rojak Singapore, Nasi Beriyani, Nasi Kandar, Soto, Bakso, Laksa Sarawak… so it’s practically a kampong fare.. :) There are five stations comprising Ulam-Ulaman; Main course; Live stall ; Drinks (coffee, tea, Bandung, orange cordial) and lastly dessert. Menus are rotated daily, so call ahead. After a day of fasting, even the simplest of food taste delicious, which is why I love Ramadan. So, Happy Fasting again… :D The Nasi Minyak is delicciousss.... Helluwwww... Long time no see. :) It was Rojak Singapore yesterday...

Stroll around KB Ramadan stalls...

Yesterday the Mister and yours truly stroll around the KB Ramadan stalls with the motive to take snapshots for my article and at the same time, experience the best part about Ramadan – hunting for food to break the fast. I dunno bout you, but during my childhood, the Gerai Ramadan is something I seriously look forward to… its like lively feast on the streets everyday. :P I spotted a smaller crowd compared to last year, prolly cuz its still not payday yet. But the atmosphere is still lively and vibrant. Anyway, food plays a significant role in our culture so these once-a-year stalls are always something to look forward to every festive celebration. Yesterday I was craving for Honey Grilled Chicken (Ayam Golek) and seriously…. I dunno why, but the chicken tastes better than the usual days heheee Selamat Berpuasa again… :D Mish Mish Mish all my readers..

Sorry for the long hiatus... Selamat BerPUASA

Salam readers, first of all … Happy Ramadan to all Muslims out there and thousand apologies for the long gap of silence. Been busy with work and caught up in the myriad of family activities, so my blog-updating pace has gone out of the window. I spend waaaayyy too much time on Facebook as well. Have to do my own intervention of FB and decided to limit my time there hehee … A lot has happened since I last blogged… the outbreak of swine flu in Brunei, the bad haze among others. Pray I keep up after this … Interestingly last week, the Town and Country Planning Development unveil major development plans and proposals for Belait District until 2025… The exhibition among others reveal plans and proposals in the area of housing; land uses and settlement; main economic activities in the district, industrial development, tourism potential; natural environment, Belait roads, traffic and transport; infrastructure and utilities; community services and facilities. Notably, there are proposal to carry out study for the construction of Brunei’s second international airport within the rural areas of Long Mayan/Merangking Ulu Mukim Bukit Sawat… hehee... Fingers cross, it will materialise. :) There is also plan unveil to build a Labi-Kuala Balai road network which leads to the proposed second airport. Wow… I hope I live to see this all happen. But of course these plans remain under feasible study. Mr Brunei Resourceful who graced the event also pointed out the large formation of coal deposits in Belait District, which means the district has other natural resources beyond oil and gas. In case you missed the exhibition, I took several snapshots of vital illustration and information encompassing the development plans and proposals to accommodate growth within the next 25 years in Belait district. Enjoy… Anyway do not let ‘me’ recent absence keep you from coming back here. I now return with full VENGEANCE heheee Selamat Berpuasa!!! Will attempt to keep KB Happening okay… :) The population’s demand for housing is expected to increase to 15,871 units by 2025. Our very own Mr Brunei Resourceful gracing the event... The proposed site for the second international airport... The large coal formation in the district...

Found my Happy Drink...

I have a strong suspicion that tomorrow is going to be hectic in KB town.. Why? Cuz... RMS Diner and Zaika has relocated to KB (alongside each other) and they start operations today .. How fortunate are we? hehee Im pshyced cuz at least there are more reliable choice in town for casual or fine dining ... Anyway, we were invited for the opening and food sampling this afternoon and I think I discovered my 'happy drink' - RMS Virgin Margerita, a sweet and sour cocktail with salt on the rim of the glass.. Interesting taste.. heheee More photos and reviews soon.... :) I shall call this my 'Happy drink' ... :) Update : I know... I know... sorry for the delay, just overwhelm with lazyness. By now, I bet most of you have tried the dishes there. I guess the drawbacks includes the limited number of menu choices and of course, space and some find both restaurants a tad pricey. But other than that, its a great addition to the modest number of fine restaurants and eateries in Belait district... So enjoy it while it lasts.. :) The cozy atmosphere... and their Mushroom Burger is the best! A must try - 'Stormato' (Spinach and Pumpkin appetizer) The interior deco of Zaika Restaurant... Seatings available at a separate room which splits both restaurants; for those who prefers a quiet dinner time ... :) Seriously... I could do this everyday.. :)

School holiday extended...

Helluuwwww......... Sorry for the long wait & silence. Blame it on the school holiday and most importantly, FACEBOOK! :P Anyway MOE just announced today that they are extending the school holiday for a week, which is the smartest move ever, considering the fact that many students would have return from their holiday. In view of the long holiday, best to remain home until the flu has subside... Here is 'A' photo of the BIBD At-Tamwil Berhad new colourful branch in Kampong Pandan KB. It started operations this week and will launch a major opening in August prior to the Ramadan month :) Hope to update again tomorrow. :P Taaaaaa........

Traditions evolve over time....

Did I lose you guys? :P heehee… It’s been a while & it’s the school holidays. So let’s just say I am taking my sweet-sweet time. .. sorry bout that :) As I expected, I suffer motion sickness during the one hour journey to Bang Taong Longhouse in Mukim Sukang this morning for the official Gawai celebration. The condition of the road surface is extremely bad. Everything after that was slightly fuzzy… so didn’t take many snapshots as I would want to.. But the Iban communities in the longhouse have been hospitable.. Seriously traditions evolve over time. My impression of a longhouse is a long stretch wooden house standing on stilts, but apparently not this one. The longhouse we visited this morning is a long stretch concrete house with 22 units with one family residing in the one two-bedrooms unit. Cool huh! How people lead just a simple life never cease to amaze me... :) This are just some of the photos... Will upload more tomorrow... :P

That 'Fun' FAIR...

Sunday was an exhausting day for us cuz a lot of events took place on the same day and one of it is the 'Energy Fair'... which turns out to be the most fun of all. The press people were the early birds and apparently, we hogged most of the prizes... hehe so we walked away with stuff toys, water pistols, chocolates, drinks... hehe We feel like a kid in a candy store... It was a 'FUN' fair.. :) Telling us we should start playing the game... cuz there's no one hehee Oh really?? I think he is one who uses the most energy cuz of his vain-ness hehee Took her three attempts to finally hit six cubes.. :P My first prize... I picked a Bunny Rabbit. BT reporter also joining in the fun... Mana mau kalah :P This is one game I skipped.. heehe Playing the Snakes & Ladder... Landed on 'Q-time' and I have no idea where the Champion oil rig is located in the Brunei map.. Shame on me :P

An Engineer for a day......

I recall it was four to five years when Brunei announced its plan to open the first petrochemical complex in Sungai Liang and it was a vast, open land since we last visited the site. And yesterday we were brought to tour the site and the methanol plant is almost near completion.... how time passes very fast. Whether the residents nearby are thrilled or not, at least the nation's attempt towards economic diversification is slowly materializing... The plant will start operating by Jan next year... Here are pics of the Minister's visit to the site... Photos are limited cuz we are not allowed to snap pictures of the whole methanol complex as it is still not complete .... or face legal trouble, so they say.. :P At the Super-Methanol Convertor area.... Clad in the heavy safety boots, over sized cover rolls & helmet... we were engineers for a day :D

That's Amazing...

YAWN.... I'm getting the hang of the long weekend.. Wish there's more... :P Anyway, here is an interesting event I covered this morning.. Launching of the 'Amazing Week' at Jefri Bolkiah College of Engineering. We particularly love the Javanese dance.. :P Additional write up tomorrow.. ZzzZzzzzzz Bro.. boleh sampai ke Seria kah? hehe :P