Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Unwind @ Hollys Coffee

Was introduced to this cafe by few friends of mine who loves everything from Korea. Hollys Coffee originated from Korea, no I don't mean their coffee beans are from Korea, but the shop is from Korea. They first open in Korea bringing in Arabica coffee beans. I guess they do pretty well there thus opening an outlet over here. Honestly, it's a competitive business locally doing the coffee business, but hmm, I guess typical Malaysian culture lah, everything 'imported' is good. WoOt!

Was in The Curve last weekend and since we had nothing to do while waiting for another friend, my this friend suggested Hollys for a drink to kill time. Went to 'sesame green bean' but they didn't have the tong-sui that I feel like eating, so, why not.





Being a first timer here, I didn't know what to order. Hmm, I can't drink coffee or tea, so I was left with only hot choc, and ice blended to choose from. The menu list is long, various sorts of latte, cappucino, tea, ice blended etc. They also offer snacks and food for diners. Looking looking, I spotted something special...

Sweet Potato Latte (RM11)!

Basically I think it's sweet potato syrup with frothy milk with bits of almond on the top. But it's good!! Not too sweet, suitable for 'caffeine intolerance' people like me.

My friend ordered the hot chocolate (RM9). Pretty okay but too sweet. And somehow not hot enough. I like my hot beverage really, really hot.

This was taken via the mirror

The interior of Hollys were pretty good. Comfy chairs to sit, free wifi, typical cafe style. There's indoor and also outdoor for smoking guests. The place is big, easily fit about 80.



Christmas Tree!

They have ready cut notes for you to write messages and hang on the tree. I tried reading some of it, but quite a lot were in Korean. Tak tau bacalah!


The next time you're there, spot mine! :D

PS: Their price is nett price without tax/surcharge. And you get a stamp for every beverage you purchase. At 5 stamps you get a free cookie OR at 10 stamps you get a free drink!

IMHO: Kinda pricey, but if you're the type of person who can go to Starbucks, or Coffee Bean often, why not try this? They also have another outlet at NZX.

Hollys Coffee
Lot G-06,
Cineleisure Damansara,
Petaling Jaya.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Hokkien Mee @ Ming Hoe

The first time I came to this place, I fell in love with the food, more towards the Thai-style deep fried tofu actually rather than their famous hokkien mee :p I don't really fancy Hokkien mee but it's one of the best I've tried.

There are versions of Hokkien mee in preference. Some people like it a bit wet, some people prefer dry ones. Dad said that the actual is the dry ones, where the chef really keep tossing the thick noodles in the wok over a big flame, creating a rhythmic beat of the clinking sound between the wok and the frying spatula (is that what you call it?!?), until the black sauce sips its way into the noodles, creating the ultimate flavour.



Just look at the big flame. That's important for Hokkien mee frying.

There are two versions of the name 'Hokkien mee', in Penang, Hokkien mee is actually prawn mee (noodles in prawn broth), but in KL, hokkien mee is this stir fried thick noodles in dark soy sauce. It is usually stir fried together with pork pieces or chicken, shrimps or squid, choy sum and the tastiest thing on earth - deep fried pork lard, it gives fragrance and flavour to this dish, though erm, pretty fattening *chuckles*.


It was the tastiest thai style tofu I've eaten the first time I came, although it's pretty simple to prepare it at home. But the second time I came, it was so so. Too much 'liquidized' sauce poured over it, still crunchy but slightly soggy.


Another recommended dish here, the steamed red tilapia with cheong cheng sauce. The fresh tilapias are supplied from Sungai Lembing. A la minute steamed goodie and served to your table bubbling hot. Pieces of pork lard were found in the sauce too. Oooh la la. I heart pork lard. *sinful*


They also serve other noodle dishes such as vermicelli, or tang hoon or loh mee etc. One of my favorite restaurant in my list :p

We ordered the noodles for 3 person, with the tofu (small) and steamed fish, and my parents added 2 pax portion of noodles again. But end up have to take away cuz couldn't finish it. Total bill was RM59 including a pot of tea.

Kedai Makanan Ming Hoe 民和茶餐室
Jalan Ipoh
(Closed on Mondays and Chinese festivals)
Operating hours: Tues - Sat 11.30am - 12am; Sun 1.30pm - 12am

(It is on Jalan Ipoh itself, pass Dynasty Hotel on your left, then pass an Indian temple on your left, then you will see the shop. It is few doors away from this Alfo lighting shop. Opposite Sentul West)