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!!

Food & Tea Hong Kong, Berjaya Times Square

Hrrmmpphhh! *Imagine smoke rising from head*

The visit was sometime back but todate I still feel a bit upset whenever I recall the incident there. Foodwise, nothing we tried stood out neither did any made us run to the toilet. It was the music-chair-roundabout service that was most memorable.

There we were. 4 of us straight out of the GSC cinema happily chatting and exchanging views about the movie (cannot recall what it was) while looking for a place to placate our rumbling tummies. Saw this place and decided to try since it had quite a crowd in it.

Only available table was outside. Sat down and menus were promptly provided. We had:-

Cheese Baked Rice

Honey Roasted Pork Ribs Rice

Fried Spagetti with Pork Fillet

Hot & Spicy Nissin NoodlesOrdered drinks (1 iced Milo and 2 glasses of plain water) arrived except my hot Ying Yong tea (ie tea mixed with coffee). Reminded a passing waitress. Waited, no tea. Reminded another who somehow was convinced that it's a new order which a new order chit is required. Spend a few precious minutes explaining that the old order did not arrive. Cleared things when caught hold of the girl who took our order. My drink came - iced. No, no, no, I told her. She said will check and revert. Not sure whether she checked as she did not return. Stopped another who needs to go check too. Ice was melting. Probably due to my rising temper. She came back and said that it is not the policy of the company to exchange. Asked her whether is was their policy not to be bothered with customer's order. Gave us a sour look and walked off. I stopped another young 'ciku' who again left in a hurry to check. This time, a tomboyish girl came who asked us to repeat our (more of mine as by this time, friends had finished their respective meals and find my predictament entertaining) dissatisfaction all over again. Finally she took the diluted drink away and got another girl (yes, yes plenty of young petite skippity-hop girls waiting tables) to send over my Ying Yong.

Taste? That victory was too exhaustive to enjoy.

Our bill which friends happily split my share:-

They claimed 'my scene' was better than the movie!

Location: Inside Berjaya Times Square. Don't remember which floor and don't care.

By the way, pictures are blurry. It was tough juggling with focusing the camera, stopping hungry companions from attacking the dishes and explaining to the ever-changing waitresses about my MIA (missing in action) cup of tea.