Hongkie Kopitiam, Auto City Penang

Belated rant in writing:-

To my utter disgust, the climbing crime rate in our country has robbed me of a languid CNY (Chinese New Year) holiday ritual. For the past years, we would happily do the rounds at the temples on CNY’s eve from midnight until the small hours in the morning. This is rewarded by getting to laze into late mornings at home on the 1st day of CNY, avoiding traffic and most importantly no "baking". Sadly, now my mother is afraid to be out after dark and even before daybreak. Very upsetting for one who was used to exercising outdoors at the break of dawn.

First day of Chinese New Year (CNY). Very sunny, egg sizzling on pavement hot. While most would be soaking in a cool homey surroundings savouring home cooked sumptuous vegetarian breakfast or nibbling on specially made delicacies, I was out "baking".

5 in an economical car whizzing around housing areas, town, new villages you get the picture. 10 temples in 4 hours spanning Berapit (a town in Penang state territory) to Kulim (town in Kedah state). With ash in hair and sticky sweaty new clothes (luckily the dye did not run), we were adamant to lunch in an air-conditioned eatery. Choice was limited as most shops were closed on first day of CNY holiday. We tried our luck at Auto City and ended up here.

Bad news for us, the restaurant boasted of high ceiling glass windows. The air-conditioners had a hard time competing with the heat emanating from them. *sigh* But still it was better than further "baking" outside.

Drinks and fancy named food were average. We shared:-

1 Jade Garden (Menu claimed: Fizzing lemon with Soda), 2 Iced Milk Teas and 1 Iced Yin Yang (Coffee + Tea)

Red Riding Hood (Don't ask, I did not see the relevance either)

The Future of Banking (Menu claimed: Roasted Honey Baby Back Ribs and Vegetables with Rice).Father had this. Can't recall its name. It was rice topped with spicy minced beef and creamy corn sauce. We concurred we'll avoid this if we eat here again.

Oink Oink There (Menu claimed: Black Pepper Pork Fried with Udon in Black Pepper)

Pork Fillet in Cheese Baked Rice (Corn sauce)

Our bill (Names differs from the dishes but the itemised price is the same so I did not make a fuss) :-A view of the restaurant's al-fresco area. Should be quite cosy when the day's "baking" is done.

Mom, hope against hope that we’ll be able to revert back to your ritual of visiting temples after midnight on the eve coming year.

New government, get to work!!