After relaxing for a couple of days in Langkawi, we returned to the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur. We arrived in the early evening, but had arranged dinner on the way back with a couple of Louis’ friends, Nick and Kelvin.

They picked us up from the hotel about 9pm. We’d let them decide where to take us for dinner, and we soon arrived at a place called the Purple Cane Tea Restaurant.

Nick explained that every dish on the menu has somehow been prepared with tea as a prominent ingredient. It sounded quite an interesting concept.

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After all our mad shopping in Kuala Lumpur, we relaxed for a couple of days at The Andaman, in Langkawi. While we were there, the well proportioned concierge recommended a restaurant called Lobster Palace, if we were ever in the mood for seafood. This was a man who looked like he knew his food, so we needed no further invitation.

The Andaman was quite a distance from Kuah, so by the time we arrived at Lobster Palace we were quite hungry. The menu was relatively simple, but when you have fresh seafood on offer, you don’t really need much else!

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We’re on holiday! Greetings from Kuala Lumpur. More specifically, Midvalley Megamall, in a restaurant called Madam Kwan’s.

Madam Kwan’s started out in a single shop along Jalan Imbi (one of the busiest main streets in KL), originally named ‘Sakura Restaurant’. They became famous for their Nasi Lemak, Curry & Assam Fish Head. Then they rebranded and opened new outlets (with an upmarket modern decor) under the name of ‘Madam Kwan’s’ which offered the favourites from the old Sakura menu plus new ones like the super yummy ‘Nasi Bojari’, aka ‘3 Colour Rice’.

We met up with Jin, one of Louis’ uni friends who was back in KL for the holidays, as well as another friend (and part time personal tour guide), Clayton. After a day of trawling through shops we’d certainly worked up a decent appetite, so there were no complaints when I suggested MK.

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Last night we took a trip up to Satay Inn (opposite the Vic Market) in Victoria St, for dinner.

From looking at their website, it looked like we would finally find some of the authentic Malaysian dishes we’d been searching for since we started this blog. Especially when I saw this claim - “…our cooking is done by a Malaysian chef who knows his craft well. Not a non-Malaysian who is doubtful about what the taste should be…”

Their website isn’t flash, but I hoped they put the real effort in where it counted - into the food. The pictures on the site had the feel of the kinds of dishes you’d be served at a Malaysian Mamak, so fingers crossed.

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Last week we were in the City around dinner time, so we wandered upto Red Silks, in Bourke St, for dinner. Well known amongst Melbournes’ student population for its large menu and fairly cheap pricing, it’s always busy.

Red Silks is situated upstairs in the Mid City arcade (above BreadTalk), so it’s pretty easy to find.

Upon entering we were shown to a table in the sunken ‘lounge’ area inside, (outside on the balcony is the smokers’ area) and were given a menu each. I noticed they’d just introduced a new menu, and were offering 10% off for their birthday special until the 7th. Bargain!

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A couple of weeks ago, a friend of Louis’, David, took us to dinner at Loi Loi, in Richmond.

David is a self-confessed foodie, and describes Loi Loi as one of his regular haunts - so we had some reasonable expectations that we’d have a good meal.

Being a Friday night, getting from one side of the city over to Richmond was no easy feat. We were to meet at 7.00, but by the time I got through the traffic, it was about 7.15.

Parking wasn’t hard to find as Loi Loi is situated sort of down the ‘forgotten end’ of Victoria St (forgotten by me anyway, as i’d never ventured beyond Church St for food).

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Recently, we took a trip to Sydney and I insisted on taking Louis to this restaurant my friends took me to last time I visited - Ichiban Boshi.

Situated nextdoor to Kinokuniya in The Galeries Victoria (opposite the massive Queen Victoria Building), Ichiban Boshi commands an exceptionally brisk trade. In peak times, you take a number, and wait. And listen carefully for your number to be called, which can take anything upto half an hour - but it’s worth the wait.

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At work, our team had its monthly Luncheon yesterday. Instead of going somewhere for the usual Chicken Parmagiana or Steak and Chips, someone suggested we should try an Indian restaurant for a change. Especially considering half our team are Indian.

The place recommended to us was Jaipur Curry Bar, a narrow fronted place at the top of Bourke St, opposite the Hard Rock Cafe. It’s easy to spot though, with the brightly coloured beads dangling in the window - and the other two curry places right beside it.

We had a booking for 12:15, and were told to be prompt. Two of the guys went ahead early, to secure our seats.

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Being Mother’s Day today, I took a quick trip up to see my parents, in Ballarat.

I was a bit late leaving, so it was lunchtime when I arrived. I was hungry. I had a craving. Poonie’s Takeaway! I thought.

I’m not sure of their opening hours, but they never seem to be closed.

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Nestled in the heart of Footscray, the recently refurbished Hao Phong does a brisk trade.

For many Vietnamese, Sunday lunch means one thing: Phở (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup).

To give you an idea of its popularity, there are at least 5 or 6 other restaurants within close proximity that just serve this one dish. If Yum-Cha (Dim-Sum) could be classed as an unofficial Chinese pastime, Pho would be the Vietnamese equivalent.

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