Singaporean/Malaysian in the GTA--ok lah!

Roti Canai with Beef Curry @ Restoran Malaysia

Hubby and I have not eaten Malaysian/Singaporean food in years! The girls have not tried it and Grandma has forgotten. So we decided to have dinner one time at Restoran Malaysia in Richmond Hill. It was packed when we got there at about 6pm on a Sunday and we saw a few come in pick up their to-go orders. This must be good! Some friends recommended this place as well so we no longer needed to be convinced further.

And there is a reason why there were so many people—it was great! In fact, in the middle of the first dish, we were already thinking about when we will come back! I wanted the girls to try the Roti Canai (traditional Malaysian flatbread) with Curry Beef. They loved it! Well, DD#2 did not care much for the curry but the rest of us enjoyed it. It was airy, not oily and had a hint of sweet and char. I would have been happy to just have that.

Ok, I lied. Of course I had to try the other dishes! We discovered a couple of dishes which we know will become staples! For DD#2, who is not fond of spicy food, we got some Malay Fried Chicken (Ayam Goring Kampung). Served with shrimp crackers, these boneless delights were crispy and so tasty!

Malay Fried Chicken @ Restoran Malaysia

Obviously, we had to try their Singapore Laksa, a popular spicy noodle soup. The Miki noodle was nicely cooked and immersed in a delicious curry broth. The bowl was packed with chicken, tofu, fish cake and shrimp with some bean sprouts. Hits the spot! It was the right amount of heat with the slightest amount of sweet. 

Singapore Laksa @ Restoran Malaysia

They also have Thai offerings. We ordered Pineapple Fried Rice but we all preferred the one at Thai Basil right across the street! Same with the Tom Yum soup. Well, that should teach us a lesson eh? Why order Thai in a Malaysian/Singaporean resto?! Duh!

Pineapple Fried Rice @ Restoran Malaysia

Tom Yum @ Restoran Malaysia

Service was also great! The host and servers were all smiles despite the busy hour and our orders came out at a reasonable amount of time. Prices were also not too bad at about $10 or so per dish. Definitely worth it. We will surely come back! Ok lah!

Definitely hot in here!—Hunan Restaurant at Bayview

After we ate all the chicken, this is how much chili was left! @Bayview Hunan

We have passed by this Hunan Chinese restaurant on Bayview a few times but have never gone in until recently. Intrigued with what Hunan cuisine is about, we decided to give it a try.

The décor upon entering the place should have screamed to us what sort of dishes they served. Bunches and bunches of peppers greeted us by the entrance. And, upon opening the menu, chilis for heat level marked most of the items. They had a pretty big menu which gives folks a lot of options--hot, hotter, hottest.

We ordered some stir fried rice noodles and stir fried rice for DD#2 who is not fond of spicy food. These were both pretty good, a bit standard for Chinese cuisine. For the rest of us (especially DD#1 and Hubby who are heat-lovers!), we got deep fried spicy chicken and tried their hot pot beef.

The dishes were very tasty and the spicy chicken became an instant favourite in our family. Half the dish was peppers, but it was delicious. The chicken was crispy outside and juicy inside. I even tried out some deep fried peppers and managed not to burn my tongue!

Spicy Chicken @ Hunan Bayview

The hot pot, however, was a fail. We couldn’t decide what flavours were attacking our mouths—salt or spice. It was just too salty! The spice was as what we expected for 2 chili levels but the salt was just too much for us to enjoy anything. Presentation is great, though! And again, the meat to pepper ratio was 50/50. 

Hot pot beef @ Bayview Hunan

The place definitely needs some updating. I can see how it could have been an elegant dining place some time ago. They also had gadgets in the tables to call the servers. These are a great way to call for service, which was fast and courteous.

All in all, Hunan Restaurant is worth trying, but not something we would go out of our way for. But I guess whenever Hubby and DD#1 crave some spicy chicken, here is where you will find us.

On Attacking Food: Boodle fight at Quiapo Quiapo

Growing up, when we went on picnics where seafood was served, it was a given that we would eat with our hands. What was the point of using plastic utensils when one cannot eat shrimp, fish, crab and mussels properly! Paper plates were often used, but once in a while, banana leaves would also make their way to the table. While my girls would sometimes eat using their hands, this was pretty much limited to chicken wings and pizza. So, we figured, we might as well expose them to this wonderful experience of sharing and enjoying food—kamayan style (using hands).

With some of our friends, we checked out the Boodle Fight (Budol fight to some) at Quiapo Quiapo. Boodle fight is a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food is set on top of the banana leaves--viands and rice ready to eat using your bare hands. As soon as the food is set, folks are ready to "fight" and "attack" the food. 

In an unassuming complex in Mississauga, we had booked our Seafood Budol days in advance. We arrived to a long table being set with banana leaves, just waiting for the food to be brought out. Once we were all ready,  our server heaped on steamed rice, a variety of yumminess—mixed Seafood, fried Tilapia, shrimp, grilled meat (Inihaw na Liempo), Pork Adobo, okra, and bowls of green mango salad (with shrimp paste!). The kids totally enjoyed the experience and dug right in along with the adults after washing hands!

Seafood Budol (Boodle fight)

The fried Tilapia was the main winner for me. It was crispy and not oily. Delish! Even the kids loved this. The others were just ok. In my opinion, there was too much rice in proportion to viands (and according to our server, they can bring out more rice—not viand—if we had wanted!). Still, we were not able to finish everything on our leaves, so maybe, the serving was just right. 

At $23 per person (half for kids), it was a bit pricey. But I guess you pay for the experience. This experience can be easily replicated at home if you have patience to prep everything that goes into this. It will be worth it, though, as everyone is sure to enjoy!  Happy Eating!

p.s. They also have Cebu style lechon (roasted pig) for ordering. Sources say it is really good! But be ready to come over early on the weekend (when it is available), as it tends to sell out.

Cebu-style lechon at Quiapo Quiapo

Trip to Macaron heaven: treats at Nadege

Macarons at Nadege

In one trip to downtown TO, I was happily surprised to see a Nadege outlet at the PATH. I no longer had to make a detour to Queen West to check out this famed dessert place! Coming into the store, Hubby and I were overwhelmed with trays and trays of multi-coloured delights! They had mini cakes and pastries as well, but I was drawn to the macarons, naturally. I didn’t know what to choose...Okay, well, of course, I knew what I wanted—to try them all! But at $2.30 a piece, I set myself a budget of $10 just to try a few. Otherwise, had I spent for a dozen or so, I will never trust myself to be exposed again to such temptation!

Oh and how delicious this temptation was! We got cappuccino, pistachio and sea salt caramel. They were just mmmmmmmm. When you bite into this lovely almond treat, it just simply melts in your mouth. The flavourful buttercream filling just gives the extra oomph for the party in your mouth. They were exquisite and truly one of the best, if not the best, macarons we have had in Toronto.

Am so glad it is now quite easy for Hubby to grab this treat for me (and the girls). Now to find an excuse to get him to bring home a dozen next time…

UPDATE: Nadege is now in Yorkdale Mall! woohoo. got some P'tit Choux and more macarons. Flavours were very distinct and texture was wonderful! So Yummy!

Nadege macarons and P'tit Choux