Sunday, August 11, 2013

Newly Toast Box Cafe at Dedap area of Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru.

The newly open Toast Box Cafe (N1 32.368 E103 48.263on 1st Aug 2013 is located at the corner of Jalan Dedap 13 & Dedap 8, Tmn Johor Jaya. We were invited by media for the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Cafe.

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The Toast Box Cafe at Dedap area, Tmn Johor Jaya

"The neighbourhood of Johor Jaya is greeted by the charm of Traditional Nanyang Coffee (Kopi in colloquial terms), and Kaya Toast in a modern rustic setting with the opening of the brand new Toast Box store at Johor Jaya. Being the second store to open in Johor Bahru other than the one at KSL City Mall, it is currently the largest Toast Box in South East Asia.
 

This new store is a significant milestone in Toast Box’s plans to bringing its distinctive Traditional Nanyang culture to different parts of Asia, providing the vibrant neighbourhood a hearty and unique dining experience with a hint of nostalgia. 

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Established in December 2005, the first Toast Box outlet was located in Food Republic Wisma Atria and has grown steadily with its unique concept. To date, Toast Box has 57 outlets in Singapore and 34 outlets in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand."

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"Breeze into Toast Box at Johor Jaya and be charmed by the joy of old style, casual dining experience in a simplistic yet endearing ambience. Sharing the charm of Traditional Nanyang Kopi and Toast culture with customers, Toast Box strives to deliver the best kopi and toast, making every visit a delicious stroll down memory lane."

We like the atmosphere and the rustic decoration very much. Felt like a English setting...especially all in white color...

Among all the  dining area, I like this part the most...

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The Grand Opening speech by Mr Vincent Lim (林青材), Senior Vice President of Toast Box (Global), Mr James Quek (郭成华), Chief Executive Officer of Bakery Division (Global), BreadTalk Pte Ltd and followed by the Guest Of Honor - YB Liow Cai Tung (廖彩彤), State Assembly Woman for Johor Jaya.

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Speech by Mr Vincent Lim

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Guest of Honor - Liow Cai Tung

The demonstration of Nanyang Coffee brewing came after the speech.

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Demonstration of brewing the Nanyang Coffee

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Demonstration of brewing the Nanyang Coffee

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Each of us have a chance to taste the coffee after it...taste nice!

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Nanyang Coffee from Toast Box Cafe

Beside the coffee, the cafe do serve others like Peanuts Butter Thick Toast, Otah Baguette, Laksa Mee Tai Mak, Homemade Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken Rendang, Curry Chicken with rice or Baguette. Their Thick Toast all are cut with the thickness of exact 2cm, said by Mr Vincent Lim - Senior Vice President of Toast Box.

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Peanuts Butter Thick Toast

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Otah Baguette

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Laksa Mee Tai Mak

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Homemade Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken Rendang

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Curry Chicken with rice or Baguette

Toast Box is offering a special promotion of 10% off with a minimum of RM5 spent from now until 31st August 2013. This promotion is only valid at Toast Box Johor Jaya.

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The parent company of Toast Box is Breadtalk from Singapore, here is some write up about Breadtalk...

"Founded as an F&B operator in Singapore in 2000 and listed on the SGX in 2003, BreadTalk Group Limited has rapidly expanded to become a distinctive household brand owner that has established its mark on the world stage with its bakery, restaurant and food atrium footprints. Its brand portfolio comprises BreadTalk, Toast Box, Food Republic, Din Tai Fung, The Icing Room, RamenPlay, Thye Moh Chan and Carl’s Jr China. With global staff strength of 7,000 employees, the Group has a network of 700 F&B outlets in 15 countries such as Singapore, China, Hong Kong and the Middle East. It also operates Michelin Star awardee, Din Tai Fung, with close to 20 restaurants in Singapore and Thailand, as well as over 50 award-winning Food Republic food atriums in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand."

Do try out the new concept of cafe at Taman Johor Jaya, you may like the foods and the deco which is unique at the Dedap area...

Toast Box Johor Jaya
2 & 4, Jalan Dedap 13,
Taman Johor Jaya.

Location map of Toast Box Cafe at Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru.


Friday, August 2, 2013

Popular Steam Fish (淡杯烫鱼) at Hin Hock Bak Kut Teh Restaurant (兴福) at Tampoi, Johor Bahru.

The Restaurant Hin Hock Bak Kut Teh (N1.49716 E103.70261) is located along Jalan Dato Toh Ah Boon, Tampoi. The street is just beside the Cycle & Carriage Johor Bahru and it's simple to locate. Many peoples thought that the Bak Kit Teh should be the signature dish but the true is their Fresh Steam Fish is the Popular and Famous dish in Tampoi area.

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Restoran Hin Hock Bak Kut Teh

The Hin Hock Bak Kut Teh Restaurant is operating in an old wooden shop, and the place usually humid, hot and poor ventilation during day time...unless it's rain just like the good timing we had on our visit. Their speciality is the Steam Fish, wiht the different cooking method compare with others...they prepare the fresh fish in the hot boiling water, Not exactly steam it...unitl the fish is ready to serve. Interesting!

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Indoor dining area

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Outdoor dining area

We chose the outdoor area for better ventilation even on the raining day...

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The cooking and foods preparation area is situated outside the restaurant, I felt they make more transperant to their customers is a good idea.

Their service was fast and good, and they only have few common dishes to serve which made the order process much more easier.

Our order :-

*  Steam Tiplapia (fish)
*  Minced pork oyster sauce bean curd (tou-fu)
*  Claypot braised vinegar pork knuckle
*  Minced pork bean sprout

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Tampoi Hin Hock Steam Fish (淡杯兴福烫鱼)

The fish was fresh and nice! They boiled and served the fish on the perfect timing, and I like my every bite with the chopped spring onions and fried garlic very much! And don't forget with the onion and garlic sauce that served together with the fish...
I can't really tell the different between their cooking method and common steaming method, anyway...it taste Good!

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The sauce served together with the fish

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Minced pork oyster sauce bean curd (tou-fu)

 The bean curd was soft and went well with the oysterf sauce and minced pork, the portion was big!

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Claypot braised vinegar pork knuckle

The pork was tender and flavorful, the vinegar level was just nice which made the dish more tasty!

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Minced pork bean sprout

The way the prepared it was special to me, hardly can see so much of topping of minced pork on the juicy bean sprout. Not bad!

They started the business since 20 years ago and become one of the 'Must Try' food if you visit Tampoi area. It's advise to visit the restaurant during the non-peak hour, that's why we stepped in about 11am...just to avoid the lunch hour crowd.

The photo I took of the outlook was the old shop, they had swifted to the new location on the same street about 200 meter away, just notice their signage for easy locate.

The Damage for the above dishes included drinks was RM71.00 for 4 adults. I will visit it again whenever I pass by, but...only during raining day...:)

Restoran Hin Hock Bak Kut Teh
淡杯兴福烫鱼, 肉骨茶
25, Lorong 2,
Tampoi, 81200 Johor Bahru.
Business hour : 7.30am - 3.30pm (close on Monday)

Location map of Restoran Bak Kut Teh Hin Hock at Tampoi, Johor Bahru


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Menu Please Bistro along Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya - Johor Bahru.

Menu Please Bistro (N1.48083 E103.76612) is located along Jalan Maju of Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru. The Bistro is easy to locate because not far away from the Plaza Pelangi, but vehicle parking can be quite challenge over here due to Jalan Maju is one of the busiest street in Johor Bahru.

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Menu Please Bistro at Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru

The environment is warm, cozy and relax, with some creative recycle decoration, I like it very much! You can slowly view through some of their creative deco photos below...

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The dining area of Menu Please Bistro

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Follow by the Creative decoration...

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Creative decoration of Menu Please Bistro

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The first dish we had was the Sesame Duck Salad as a appetizer.

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Sesame Duck Salad from Menu Please Bistro

The salad served in the unique way which was in the glass jar. That was creative! The Sesame Duck Salad was mixed with 'char siew' sauce and tasted good! Beside the Saseme Duck Salad, they do serve Crispy Tofu Salad and Glass Noodle Salad with Prawn...in the glass jar too...

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Sesame Duck Salad

Next : Wasabi Prawn Handmade Pizza (thin crush)

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Wasabi Prawn Handmade Pizza from Menu Please Bistro

The taste of the Pizza was Special! It was my First time I tried pizza with wasabi, it made a total new taste for the Pizza, well...it's hard to describe by words, you have to try yourself. :)
The types of Handmade Thin Crush Pizza they have :-
*  Ham & Cheese
*  Tomato & Cheese
*  Mushroom & Capsicum
*  Beef Pepperoni
* Oriental Duck
* Wasabi Prawn

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Wasabi prawn thin crush handmade pizza

Salmon Coulibiac - Russian cuisine consist of a creamy melange of fresh salmon, rice, eggs and mushrooms enclosed in a hot pastry envelope.
Salmon Coulibiac in Wikipedia.

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Salmon Coulibiac - Russian cuisine from Menu Please Bistro

The bite was surprising! The mixed with the rice, eggs, fresh salmon, mushrooms and spinach was excellent! The dish provided of different type of satisfation compare with other main course I had before, it become one of the reason to visit Menu Please Bistro because this special and rare dish in Johor Bahru.
We catergorized this as A Must Try dish!
They serve 10 types of main course with the affordable price from RM14.80 to RM29.80.

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Inside the Salmon Coulibiac

The next dish was the Asian Delights - Menu Please's Laksa.

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Menu Please's Laksa

The taste of the laksa was slightly different from the JB local laksa, it more close to Singapore taste. I like the laksa leafs on the laksa and it's difficult to find it around the JB area nowadays...
They have 4 types of Asian Delights to try out if you choose to have the local foods...

Braised Beef Cheek with homemade Focaccia bread (another main course)

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Braised Beef Cheek with homemade Focaccia bread

Another Must Try dish if you are a beef lover. The beef cheek preparation took few hours before it can serve on the table. It was tasty and tender, the gravy was yummy too! It's advise to having the Focaccia bread with the gravy. Delicious!

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Braised Beef Cheek with homemade Focaccia bread

Coming next was one of thier side dish : Oriental Potato Cake with Tamarind Dip.

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Oriental Potato Cake with Tamarind Dip

Crispy on the outside and soft at the inside, it was hot! The Tamarind Dip went well the flavorful potato and carrot. The bite was interesting! This dish will not be serve by the Bistro start from August 2013, due to the long preparation. If you want to try out the nice crispy potato, you have to act fast!
The Bistro has 7 types of side dish for guests to select.

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The potato and carrot in the Oriental Potato Cake

Dessert time! Warm Chocolate Cake

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Warm Chocolate Cake

It looked similar to Chocolate Volcano in some other cafe,  the warm choclate cake well presented and not too sweet, nice to enjoy after the sumptuous meal...

The second dessert was Creme Brulee also known as burnt cream, crema catalana, or Trinity cream.

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The dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel. Mr Jayson (the chef also the owner of Menu Please Bistro) advise to try it with the top layer and the custard together. I like it very much!
There are total of 5 types of dessert in the Bistro, I believe definitely one of it will suit you.

We had a chat with Mr Jayson Ang who is A freindly and humble guy, smile most of the time. He was the Chef from Four Season Hotel and Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore few years back, and now he decided to come back to his hometown (Johor Bahru) to start his own business and present all the delicious and creative foods to his customer. It's also a good opportunity for the local who no need to travel to Singapore but still be able to try the nice Western and Asian delicacy from the bistro.

The prices are affordable, all from RM4.80 - RM29.80.
We like the environment and especially the creative deco of the Bistro. I will patronize this bistro more often in the future, to explore more on their foods.

*  The Menu Please Bistro is having a promotion on their Set Lunch (11.30am - 2.30pm), Tuesday - Friday (excluding public holiday), all set come with a complimentary drink with a choice of Hot Tea, Coke/A&W/Sprite. You will get a 50% off on One Pizza if you come in with a group of 4 persons.

Menu Please Bistro
25, Jalan Maju,
Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru.
Tel : +6016-7388963 / +607-3360748
Business hour : 11am -10pm (close on Monday)

Location map of Menu Please Cafe along Jalan Maju, Taman Maju Jaya - Johor Bahru.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

Frist in the World LEGO STAR WARS Miniland DEATH STAR model display at LEGOLAND MALAYSIA

"Miniland at LEGOLAND® Malaysia today geared up for its new role as gateway to a parallel universe today. The family theme park unveiled the LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star model display that will open to public on Friday 26th July 2013. 

Star Wars Costumers and members from the Force Action Stunt Team (FAST ) were also present. They performed a Light Saber display. They are the only Star Wars Light Saber display performers in Malaysia.

Master Model Builders from LEGOLAND built the LEGO model display using more than 750,000 LEGO bricks and ten thousand special glow-in-the dark tiles. It is the first time that a LEGO Death Star model of this scale has been constructed, making it the largest in the world.
"

We were invited for the Media Preview on the 26th July 2013 to witness the Largest LEGO Death Star model in Miniland LEGOLAND Malaysia today. Before we proceed to the Miniland, the short speech by Obiwan-Kenobi the Jedi Master - Mr Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of LEGOLAND Malaysia, follow by the video presentation by Mr Nikolaus Ehm, Model Builder for design concepts and execution of LEGO Star Wars Miniland Death Star model display. And the performance by Force Action Stunt Team (FAST).

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The opening speech by Mr Siegfried Boerst

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The Media team...

After performance, we proceeded to Miniland...

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Star Wars Costumers and members from the Force Action Stunt Team

Once we reached the Miniland, Mr Siegfried Boerst, General Manager pressed the button for the Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star model display immediatelly, officially open for the Star Wars display model in Miniland.

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The opening of the Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star

The photography session started ...

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The Star Wars costumers and Mr Siegfried Boerst

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This was my First time I stand so close to The Darth Wader and Storm Tropper!
I heard him said : "The force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet."

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And the fight started...

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Then we proceeded into the Death Star area...all the LEGO models are motorized and once you press the 'button', they will speak, move and with some action between...

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The LEGO Star Wars model dispaly

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The X-Wing Fighter by Luke Skywalker while attacking in Death Star

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The LEGO X-Wing Fighter

When you look up there...The DEATH STAR!

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The Death Star at miniland, LEGOLAND MALYSIA

Where the X-Wing Fighter being chase by 2 TIE Fighters...

The 'white dots' on the Death Star will glow when the night fall, you can see the whole Death Star will light up during the evening, Mr Siegfried had showed us the small tiny piece of LEGO that will 'Glow in the dark'. So don't just visit the Star Wars LEGO area on day time, the night time will be very much different!

After the short tour in the Star Wars display area, the media started thier interview about the Largest LEGO Death Star in LEGOLAND Malaysia...

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The interview between Mr Siegfried and RTM

Among all the Star Wars charactors, I like the Obiwan-Kenobi - The Jedi Master the most!

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Obiwan-Kenobi by Mr Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of LEGOLAND
"Your eyes can deceive you, don’t trust them."

And the guests in the park were grab the oppotunity to photograph with their idols...are you a Star Wars fan too?! ....I am...

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This little boy was so happy to take photo with his famous charactors...

The 'Death Star' will not be permanently station in LEGOLAND Malaysia, it will go for the World Tour in another 6-9 months, so no wait! Please visit the Miniland tomorrow to catch the Death Star! And if you are lucky, you might meet my Idol - The Yoda Master.

"May The Force Be With You."

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The Death Star from Star Wars

LEGOLAND® Malaysia
GPS Coordinates : N1.42483 E103.62676

Location map of LEGOLAND Malaysia at Nusajaya, Johor.