Sandwiches @ Chilli Vanilla - Downtown

I had high hopes for our lunch today at Chilli Vanilla, on a previous visit we had an absolutely fantastic dinner here. I have to say that as far as the sandwiches themselves were concerned there were no problems, absolutely delicious. It was the sides that let them, and me down today.
I ordered the Cheesy Chicken Sandwich, grilled chicken with tatar sauce, melted cheese and topped with a sunny side up, fantastic with great taste and wonderful bread, which is often hard to find in KK! Unfortunately the Chunky Fries (which looked, well cooked and delicious) were on the hard side and almost raw in the middle, also there was no dressing on the salad, which it really needed.

The Little Nibbler ordered the Vegetarian Delight Sandwich, tomatoes, grilled aubergine, spicy salsa and melted cheese, absolutely yummy! I know this because we swapped half a sandwich, sharing's caring! Don't you know, Haha. But again the Sweet Potato Fries were a little hard, though not to the extent of the Chunky Fries and again no dressing on the salad.

For drinks I had a Happy Hour White Wine and the Nibbler had a refreshing Elderflower Cooler.

Chilli Vanilla is located Downtown along the road from El Centro, open daily except for Sundays.

The Bill = 1x Chicken Sandwich 17.90+ MYR, 1x Vegetarian Sandwich 16.90+ MYR, 1x White Wine 11.50++ MYR, 1x Cooler 7.50+ MYR

Even though there's a couple of grumbles in this blog this shouldn't deter you from trying Chilli Vanilla, I for one will definitely be back!

Penang Asam Laksa @ Kedai Kopi Friendly - Damai

The sign says 'Wow! Famous Penang Asam Laksa' and I couldn't agree more! It's a few years since I've been to Penang but foolishly, I don't think I tried this dish! I won't be making that mistake if I get to go to the mainlands food capital again! The soup was unbelievably tasty with sweet, sour and spicy flavours coming through. Thick rice noodles came in this delicious, hot, tamarind infused, steaming broth with flaked fish (mackerel I think), sliced and shredded pineapple, cucumber, red onion and topped with fresh mint. A truly awesome dish that I can't believe I've missed before! And totally different from the Sabah, Sarawak Laksa and Curry Mees around town. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Kedai Kopi Daily is located between the shoplots that lead to the Hawker Centre in Damai, it's about halfway along.

The Bill : Penang Asam Laksa, Chinese Teh Ping = 5.50 MYR

Whatever you do don't miss out on this Penang Asam Laksa at Kedai Kopi Friendly it's a taste sensation!

Mee Goreng Mamak @ Tigris Cafe - Api - Api Centre

Another first for me, this time at the Tigris Cafe. A very popular lunchtime and evening eatery in the Api - Api Centre, so today, it was my turn to sample their wares. There's quite a large menu to choose from, but I had a taste for noodles so I opted for Mee Goreng Mamak style. The noodles arrived hot and spicy with generous ingredients. Chicken, prawn, squid, peppers,tomato,  onion, cucumber and egg, stir fried with yellow mee and curry spices. Simple and delicious.

Tigris Cafe locates a corner unit in the Api - Api Centre.

The Bill : 1x Mee Goreng Mamak, 1x Ice Lemon Teh =

There's a good reason for the crowds at Tigris, the food, simple as that!

Baked Buns @ Keng Wan Hing - Jalan Gaya

I fancied something sweet today after my lunch so seen as though I was on Jalan Gaya I thought I'd treat myself to a Baked Pineapple Bun from the hugely popular vendor in Keng  Wan Hing coffee shop. There's always a steady stream of customers to this shop buying up their sweet baked and steamed buns. The Pineapple Bun is probably my favourite, though I do have a soft spot for the coconut variety too! I'm yet to try their steamed buns.

The bun is filled with pineapple jam and topped with a sweet crumbly pastry.

Keng Wan Hing is located on Jalan Gaya, there's also Nasi Campur available.

The Bill : Pineapple Baked Bun = 1 MYR

Sweet tasty treats from Keng Wan Hing. Don't tell the Nibler! I only bought one!!!

Nasi Campur @ Fong IP Cafe - Jalan Gaya

I've decided that i should eat more vegetables recently, so todays lunch was meat free (well apart from the sauce from the chicken curry!). This was the first time I'd eaten at Fong IP Cafe, previously coming in only for drinks. Have to say I really enjoyed my meal today, rice covered in said curry sauce, stir fried green beans with chilli, carrot and egg and what I'm going to describe as Thai Fried Tofu, basically deep fried tofu topped with shredded cucumber, thai chilli sauce and ground peanuts. I was so happy with my pick, as you know Nasi Campur can go horribly wrong for me!!! But today it was sedap! Yum Yum !!!

My meal today was washed down with a nice cold 3 Layered Teh.

Fong IP Cafe is located along Jalan Gaya occupying a large corner lot.

The Bill : Nasi Campur, 3 Layered Teh = 7 MYR

Large spotless Cafe with great people watching location on Jalan Gaya and to top this off only 3.50 MYR for the tasty campur!!!

Pre Theatre Dinner @ Marlowe's Restaurant - Stratford Upon Avon

Marlowe's is a very old, newly built (well it was in 1595) restaurant in Sratford Upon Avon. Catering to the luchtime crowd and the pre theatre crowd, as many restaurants do, here. Pre Theatre Dinner starts at £12.95 for 2 courses and £14.95 for 3 courses. This is very good value for such a tourist hot-spot.

For my first course I ordered the Farmhouse Pate, this came with toasted Granary Bread and a Tomato Chutney. The dish as a whole was really tasty, though unfortunately neither the Tomato Relish or the Pate was homemade, this being said the quality of ingredients were really good and worked well together. As always when I have Pate there never seems to be enough bread for me! A small dressed salad also accompanied the very well presented dish.

For main I ordered Fillet Of Salmon. The salmon was perfectly griddled and arrived on top of a warm red onion, spinach and new potato salad. Being a fish lover I really enjoyed this dish, very tasty indeed. Seasonal buttered vegetables were also served in the form of broccoli, carrots and courgette, a perfect accompaniment. 

Marlowe's is located in the center of town on the High Street, look out for it's doorway by the side of Black's Outdoor Shop.

Marlowe's interior has period features and most definitely the 'feel' of 'Olde England'.

The Dining Room.

The Bill : 2 Course Pre Theatre Dinner = £12.95

For great tasting food at very reasonable prices, Marlowe's restaurant ticks all the right boxes for your pre theatre dinner!

Booze @ Trocadero - Birmingham

After a few hours trawling the shops of Birmingham I was in need of some liquid refreshment! It's hard work shopping!!!
So when this fantastic example of a traditional English pub caught my eye there was nothing to do but poke my head through it's doors and take a look inside. Oh yes and order a couple of beers too of course!

The Pub is located in Temple Street. The building was originally a fire engine house in 1846, then converted to a wine bar called Bodega in 1883, then changed it's name to Trocadero in 1902 when it was given the ornate frontage.

The Bill : 2x Peroni Lager = £7.50


A lovely example of an old English pub, come in for a pint!

Booze @ The Dirty Duck - Stratford Upon Avon

The great British boozer is one thing that I definitely miss about England. The industry has taken a real hammering over the years with continually increased prices and the smoking ban, get in one soon because quite possibly they wont be around forever! Pubs sadly are closing their doors daily the length and breadth of Britain. Stella Artois is my favourite tipple and after a few hours of walking around Shakespear's birthplace you can't beat it!

The Black Swan better known as The Dirty Duck!

The Dirty Duck is located just up the road from the RSC theatre. It's a favourite hang out of the actors and actresses that perform there, as you can see from the photos adorning the walls of the interior.

Food is also available though today I was having a liquid lunch!

The Bill : 2x Stella Artois = £6.50


There's lots of pubs in lovely old buildings in Stratford Upon Avon The Dirty Duck is just one, my advice is give them all a try - support the Great British Boozer!