Manolas Brothers Delicatessens, Gold Coast, Australia

Biggest lamingtons I've ever seen - size them up to the panettone to the right. 

A sensory overload, Manolas Brothers Delicatessens is packed floor to ceiling with temptations that will leave any foodie with a puddle of saliva at their feet. House made salads, risottos, pastas and a whole bundle of sweets are ready for take away or to be eaten either at the long coffee bar running down the middle or al fresco under umbrellas on the street. Enter at your own risk and beware of the mesmerizing oversized dessert section at the front.

Manolas Brothers Delicatessens
17 a/19 Albert Ave
Aria Building
Broadbeach, 4218
QLD, Australia
+61 07 5538 8223
into@m-b-d.com.au
www.m-b-d.com.au

Kampung Malay, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Australia

What a delightful surprise to find Kampung Malay in the quite suburb of Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast. Just when we thought we had reached the top of food heaven with the high quality produce and excellent wine in Australia we were directed to this local hot spot. Packed with locals most evenings, with a line up for takeaway too, this restaurant has done a fine job of making Malay cuisine accessible to Aussie taste buds. The chef has adapted the spices (reduced the heat), uses quality cuts of meat (no grissle or bones) and taken advantage of top grade local ingredients to enable virgin Aussie taste buds to be gently initiated into the joys of Malaysian cuisine. Every dish on our table was devoured in moments, but a special mention goes to the rainbow beef which was so popular that seconds were ordered with some begging to also take a third batch home. I'm interested to know what a native Malaysian might think of these adaptations and if they would find the food equally enjoyable. My guess is yes!

Kampung Malay

16 & 17/ 2 Bell Central

Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast

Queensland, Australia, 4213

+61 07 5569 0085

www.kampungmalay.com.au

Soo Kee, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Going from my healthiest meal for 2012 at Living Food posted yesterday right on to the unhealthiest but equally tasty at Soo Kee today. Well known by locals as one of the best char siew places in KL the evening we visited we saw this dish on every table. My local buddies and a number of foreigners in the know had advised that char siew is really the only dish to order as it is so good that anything else pales in comparison. It comes with rice and a plate of peanuts to nibble while you wait but we had to at least add some greens to balance out the heavily tipped scales - which were fresh and a welcome conscious saving side dish. So... the char siew - basically caramelized pork fat - so sinfully sapid that I wrestled hubby for the last piece and will need to run everyday for the next week to work it off. I later found out that you can ask for a portion with a higher or smaller meat to fat ratio. I don't know that I would choose differently though - I'm a pretty good runner :-) 

Soo Kee
373 Jalan Ampang
(near the junction with Ulu Klang by the overpass)
Ampang
Malaysia
+603 4257 0767

Aussie Pubs for Hearty Food, Australia

 Eagle Heights pub, family and dog friendly. :-)

Spectacular views included.

Benowa Tavern - also bringing nature into the dining room.

As mentioned in previous posts, Australia is not the cheapest place to eat out. Aussie pubs though often offer big meals at not so big prices. If you're willing to go with the daily specials you could easily get a hearty budget meal everyday of the week. For example, on the days we dined the two hotels pictured above had $10 deals - one for steak and dessert and the other for roast pork and veges. Pubs are generally family friendly, with indoor and outdoor eating sections. Kids are taken care of with simple child pleasers such as the burger and chips or spaghetti shown above. Often included for the little ones are juice, an ice cream and even an activities bag with colouring pages and games. Many pubs are in prime locations with attractive views such as Eagle Heights (first photos) overlooking the Gold Coast, and the Benowa Tavern (last photos) with fresh river breezes and a water vista. Every suburb has their own watering hole. The best way to decide on which one to head to is to ask a local.

Eagle Heights Hotel

1683 Tamborine Oxenford Rd

Eagle Heights

QLD 4271

Australia

+ 61 07 5545 3388

www.eagleheightshotel.com.au

Benowa Tavern

117 Ashmore Rd

Benoa

QLD 4217

Australia

+61 07 5557 9090

wwwbenowatavern.com.au

Bistro 42, Bangsar Village II, Malaysia

This is a very quick post on Bistro 42 as I'm yet to eat an entire meal here, just desserts. As with the rest of the Big Group restaurants the setting is well designed and a delight to wile away a few hours. This post though is principally about the passionfruit cheesecake (white rounds in the middle of the above pic). They are just heavenly. I can't imagine a better combination of flavours and texture - smooth, perfectly blended cream cheese with sweet but slightly tangy passionfruit. Yum!

Bistro 42
1F28 First Floor
Bangsar Village 2
Jalan Telawi 1
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
+6 03 2287 6566

Nonna's, Harbour Town, Gold Coast, Australia

Nonna's at Harbour Town (outlet mall) on the Gold Coast offers uncomplicated fare for refuelling for an industrious day of shopping. The indoor/ outdoor setting with large fans and potted plants is ideal for recharging and taking a break to plan your afternoon's acquisition strategy. This Italian, Steak and Seafood restaurant serves generous portions so do consider sharing. Meals are well cooked and hearty and there are enough options for everyone to be happy (actually it might take you a while to sort through the four! menus - one for Italian, one for steak, one for seafood and one for drinks and desserts). Service was fast and friendly on the day we dined and all six of us were satisfied with what we ordered - pastas, pizza, toasties and a salad.

Nonna's

Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood

Shops B10, 11, 12 Harbour Town

Gold Coast, Australia

+61 07 5529 2000

nonnarestaurants.com.au

Makan Kitchen, Double Tree Hilton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Makan Kitchen, in the Double Tree Hilton, is an ideal place to take guests who are only in town for a short time. You can experience Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisine all in one spot and not worry about unaccustomed guests' tummies adjusting to the local bugs they might be exposed to with street food. The buffet is spread over three huge dining areas with each section taking on the feel of the cuisine that is served in that area. The dinner buffet generally costs around 79++ RM but can vary depending on the season and other special promotions.

Makan Kitchen
Double Tree by Hilton
The Intermark
182 Jalan Tun Razak
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia 50400
+60-3-21727272