Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Burger and Lobster in Genting

Genting - We went this restaurant Burger and Lobster and as the name implies the specialises in 2 key products -providing a good burger and all types of Lobsters.  

The service was not good as we had so many dishes coming in onto our small table.   I asked to change to a bigger table and the waiter was reluctant and had to ask for the manager.   After questioning us whether we are ordering more, only then he changed our tables...and it was not full at that time.




Chili Lobster
The Lobster set
Charcoal burger 
This Charcoal burger had tiny bits of lobster meat on top of the beef patty.

The Lobster Roll


Cable car up to Genting

Genting - From the factory outlet I need to take the cable car up to the Genting Highland summit.  This new cable car was recently opened, the older cable car ride is on the other side of the mountain.   Genting Highlands is owned and managed by the Genting Group - everything built up on this mountain was developed by this company.


Cold mist on the horizon
Into the clouds of mist
20th Century Fox World
This is the new theme park under construction and will open in 2018.  Construction started in 2013 and here what's happening.



Seafood & BBQ restaurant near Genting

Genting - After arriving at KLIA Express station it was a short walk to Sentral Loft Hotel.   This was  my first time staying here and unfortunately it was full occupancy.   The Hotel lobby had work desks with conveniently located power sockets.

On this trip, Donny and Edward decided to drive me up to Genting Highlands.  I think the last time I was up this mountain was more than 20 years ago.   Much has changed when I reach the half way point, lots of development and a newly opened factory outlet.   The design of the factory outlet is so similar to USA factory outlets.

steam seafood
Vegetable soup
The specialty of this restaurant is the soup which is made from the essence of the steam seafood with fresh vegetables.

Edward, Lesley and Donny
Salt Baked Tilapia fish
BBQ Lamb ribs
A good lunch and definitely worth trying the seafood and BBQ lambs again - very delicious.  

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Ministry of Crabs restaurant - One of Asia Top 50 restaurants

Colombo - We made reservations otherwise it is difficult to get a seating for this restaurant.  It was fully booked by mostly tourists and foreigners.  This restaurant was ranked the Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka and one of Asia's top restaurants.



Jumbo sized crab
The founders of this restaurant took their cue from Singapore and even praised us for making Sri Lanka crabs worldwide famous.   The crab is very fresh but tasted below such a hefty price at this restaurant.

Their other dishes was even worse.

Bread and Vegetable
We only ate 2 slices from this pile of bread because it tasted like yesterday's bread.   They should have toasted it add butter and garlic.

The Kang kong vegetable tasted old and tough.   Not worth coming back again to this restaurant.

Lunch @ around Galle Fort

Galle - Lunch around Galle was a disaster.   We walked to this restaurant called 'Coconut Sambol' it was such a small restaurant that had only about 3 tables and it was buffet for about SGD8 per person. Very cheap but unfortunately the lunch buffet was not ready and we had to wait for 15 minutes.  I decided to wait since the reviews were good.




very small restaurant 

I wanted to use the toilet and had to walk into their house through their kitchen.   The lunch was left un covered  and was not appetising to me anymore.

We walked and found a row of restaurants and decided to try 'The Hammock Restaurant'.  

The Hammock Restaurant
We ordered Grilled Fish and Grill jumbo prawns since Sri Lanka is famous for their seafood.

Grilled Jumbo Prawns
We ate the 4 Jumbo prawns it was ok..

Grilled Fish
Why add sauce on a grilled fish? a red flag to me.   I cut open and tasted and the fish was bad as it was  frozen thawed for a long time and they used the sauce to masked the rotting smell.   I told the waiter and he apologise and quickly took away the fish.   He does not seem surprise and offered a replacement with Jumbo prawns and a 10% discount.

The 2nd jumbo prawns was bad and rotten as I could not pick the meat up from the shell, the flesh just broke off into bits.   I was disgusted, just paid and left hungry.





Galle Fort - UNESCO Heritage Site

Colombo - The journey started at 9am and took 3hrs via the highway to reach Galle Fort situated around the Bay of Galle - Southern coast of Sri Lanka.

The Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 before being extensively fortified by the Dutch in the mid 1600s. Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural heritage value, the Fort was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.  This fort looks out onto the Indian Ocean.

iconic Galle Fort clock tower
Top of the fort looking down

Fort's prison

Looking to the India Ocean
Base of the huge cannon

Fort's Lighthouse
I walked for about 30 minutes in the hot sun from the Clock Tower to the Fort's Lighthouse.  Known also as Pointe de Galle Light, this on shore lighthouse is Sri Lanka's oldest, dating back 1848. Located at the southern end of the promontory within the Galle Fort.  

Jumping spot for the crazy jumpers
For US$ 30 crazy jumpers will dive from this spot into that narrow gap avoiding all the rocks.  I told him 'you are crazy' and his reply was 'life here is cheap'.


Wednesday, September 13, 2017

The London Grill

Colombo - It was raining heavily and we decided to eat at the Hotel but many of their restaurants were fully booked and had to settle for The London Grill.   The unpleasant part of this restaurant was their dress code of wearing pants - Lesley had to change from his running shorts to pants.    The servers were attentive and food was served professionally.   From this point it was all uphill good service and food.

3 types of butter
3 types of bread rolls
complimentary apetitiser
Smoked salmon roll with crab sticks..

Scallops
The scallops was fresh but only 3 for this serving

Salmon Tartar
Beef Wellington
Nice pink beef within
The Beef Wellington had a nice pink colour and it was deliciously cook.    I enjoyed it very much.

Lesley's seafood platter
complimentary chocolates
Bailey's and Pistachio ice cream
A good dinner at this Hotel restaurant..

Seminar @ Queen's Cafe restaurant

Colombo - Technical training in the morning and lunch at the Queen's cafe restaurant which serves Sri Lanka curry rice.   A buffet spread of curries, chicken, fish, dahl, etc for a price of S$4 per person.   I like the lunch it was simple, clean  and good.

My plate 
There was a choice of red or white rice and I chose red rice.  I scoop up some vegetable curries and add Dahl, peas, chicken curries, fried fish, crackers and some fried coconut shavings.   I went for a second helping of the buffet.

The seminar was held on the 3rd floor of the restaurant for about 25 attendees.

Lesley speaking



Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Lagoon seafood restaurant

Colombo -  For lunch we went to Lagoon restaurant which is a seafood restaurant which was one of the 14 restaurants in our hotel.   Heard rave reviews and so decided to eat here but it is far from it.   The service was very slow, waited close to 35 minutes for the first dish to appear.   The waiters are not attentive and had to hail them to serve us water.   The restaurant managers seems pre-occupied with paper work and tending to 'known' customers.

Nice garden outside the restaurant

Seafood Galore to be cooked

Lobster with cheese
The lobster tasted fresh and very delicious with the cheese but the meat is so little.

Grilled Paraw fish
Paraw fish is a Sri Lanka local fish and grilled.  The lemon juice give a tangy taste to the dish but the meat is dry and not juicy.  

Stir fried vegetables
With this service and food, it is not worth a return to this restaurant.