Father's Day Celebration - Teppanyaki at Hanayoshi Kristal Point

Whenever we craze Teppanyaki, Hanayoshi is where we will go, firstly because it's quite close to home and more importantly because we simply just like the Teppanyaki there. To top it off, the chef is also very friendly and will give in to our requests for some special Teppanyaki 'stunts' etc. :)

See my previous post on Hanayoshi here.

We decided to take dad to a Teppanyaki meal at Hanayoshi for an early Father's Day celebration. As usual, the meal was satisying. We ordered a few Teppanyaki sets to share with a combination of oysters, beef rolls, fish (salmon and cod), chicken, prawns, cuttlefish, vegetables etc. The sets come with an appetizer, salad, miso soup, chawan mushi, fruits and rice. We also ordered our favourite garlic rice and cold soba from the ala-carte menu. The total bill came to around RM310 for 8 pax.

Cold Soba

Chawan Mushi

Chef in action

Garlic Rice

Fish, Squid and Prawn

Fish, Prawn and Oyster

Beef Rolls

Vegetables

************************************

A Dad is...

A Dad is respected because he gives his children leadership.

A Dad is appreciated because he gives his children care.

A Dad is valued because he gives his children time.

A Dad is loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure most – “Himself”.

~ Author Unknown ~

Happy Father's Day dad! We love you heaps!!!

Soba Yoshi / Hanayoshi
303-01-16, Kristal Point
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah
Bayan Baru, 11900 Penang
Tel: 04-6468650

Going Tex Mex at T.G.I. Friday's

T.G.I Friday's is running a Tex Mex (Texas Mexican) promotion until end of June with the addition of one Tex Mex appetizer, four entrees and a Gold Mango Margarita to its menu (check out their website at the end of this post for the detailed menu).

We ordered the Queso Fundido appetizer which is melted Monterey Jack cheese, crispy bacon, jalapeno, roasted peppers, onions and pico de gallo served with crisp corn tortilla chips.

I found the appetizer a bit too 'cheezy' but hubs who is a cheese lover loved it to bits.

Queso Fundido (RM14.90)

We were about to order one of the Tex Mex entrees but changed our mind when we saw the Garlic Marinated Grilled Lamb Chop on the menu.

The lamb chops were marinated with garlic, seared and served with demi glace beef bits, seasonal vegetables and cheddar cheese mashed potatoes. The texture of the lamb was tender and succulent. I found the cheddar cheese a bit owerpowering but hubs begged to differ. He simply just loved the cheezy gravy. :)

Garlic Marinated Grilled Lamb Chop (RM44.90)

Check out Ken's detailed post on the T.G.I Friday's Tex Mex promotion at here.

T.G.I Friday's is currently also running another promotion in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup 2010. Dine at Friday's during a game from June 11 to July 11 and you will be entitled to a lucky draw. Free appetizers up for grabs.

This Father's Day, they are giving Dad free buffalo wings or a bottle of Heineken beer with purchase of any entree when you bring him to dine at T.G.I Fridays on June 20.

T.G.I Friday's Queensbay Mall

Lot GF 131 & 139, Ground Floor,
Queensbay Mall,
100, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Lepas,
11900 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Tel: 04 - 641 3363
http://www.fridays.com.my/

Caffe Strada Krystal Point

*** Updates as at 26 October 2011: Caffe Strada has since ceased operation ***

Caffe Strada is newly opened on Friday 11 June 2010 at Krystal Point. It serves primarily simple buffet fares for lunch and dinner, some ala carte items, coffee and drinks on the menu.

Open Air Section

According to co-owner Wan, who was an engineer by profession before leaving his job to open the cafe, 'strada' is an Italian word which means 'street'. Caffe Strada tries to create the street or al-fresco feel by having an open air section, complete with street lamps etc.

Macadamia and Caramel Flavoured Cafe Latte (RM7.90)

World Cup matches projected on wall

Lunch buffet is priced at RM19.90+ with a complimentary drink from the menu and dinner is RM23.90+ with a complimentary drink from the menu. Caffe Strada has a rather elaborate drinks menu ranging from espresso drinks made from Italian coffee beans, milk shakes, chocolate drinks, frappes, floats etc. Though they also serve alcohol, their main draw is their extensive list of non-alcoholic beverages.

Salad and Sushi

We went for dinner on the second day of their opening. The buffet dinner spread was quite limited with about 8 dishes i.e. spaghetti, fried rice, steamed pak choy, deep fried samosa, steamed fish fillet, kam heong chicken, deep fried spring rolls, stir fried vermicelli, deep fried wings, two types of soup and some cakes, ice cream, salad, sushi and fruits.

Tom Yam Soup and Mushroom Soup

Kam Heong Chicken and Deep Fried Spring Rolls

Cakes

The cafe is cozy, clean and well ventilated with fan and air-cond. I liked the water fountain on its windows and the white walls and interior. They are capitalizing on the FIFA World Cup for their opening so you can see mini flags of the participating countries adorning the buffet counter. The games are shown live on LCD TVs and also projected on to the wall.

Buffet Counter

Strawberry Milk Shake (RM7.90)

Mango Frappes (RM8.90) - Barista's Recommendation

Mocha Frappe (RM8.90) - Barista's Recommendation

Orang Jewel Milk Shake (RM7.90)

Strawberry Lemonade Float (RM7.90)

Caffe Strada entrance

So, what do I think of Caffe Strada? Well, it was just the second day so I think it's too soon to make judgements. The buffet spread was rather limited but I am conscious of the fact that it's quite impossible to find a RM23.90+ buffet dinner elsewhere. It's actually value-for-money if you factor in the complimentary drink which can cost up to RM8.90 per cup.

The good thing is the owner and staff were very receptive to feedbacks and are passionate about what their customers' experience are. I got asked at least twice for feedbacks about their food etc. the whole time I was there.

Why don't you try it for yourself and let me know what you think? :)

P/S: Do note that Caffe Strada is not related to Strada Restaurant & Patisserie in Pulau Tikus

Caffe Strada
Block 1-01-12, 13 & 14
Krystal Point Corp Park
Lebuh Bukit Kecil 6, Krystal Point II
11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Tel: 04-643 6643

Cool Bananas Children's Party Package

Our niece Abigail turned four in May and her daddy and mommy threw a birthday party for her at the Cool Bananas Parkroyal Hotel Penang and invited her friends from nursery.

The Cool Bananas Children's Party Package includes free flow of chilled soft drinks, a choice of 9 snacks, two fun games organised by the resort's activities staff, a complimentary cake, use of swimming pool and 70-foot long waterslide.

Abigail and her friends played in the swimming pool to their hearts' content and were later treated to a buffet which consisted of fish fingers, fruits, two types of pizza, pasta, fried rice, chicken bites, potato wedges and mini burgers.

I am quite sure Abigail had a blast at her 4th birthday party. Happy Birthday, Abby!

The price is RM35.00++ per person for a minimum of 15 children (RM32.00++ per person for PARKROYAL Prestige members). Advance reservation is required.
Time : 3.00 pm - 7.00 pm daily

PARKROYAL Penang, Malaysia
Batu Ferringhi Beach
11100 Penang
+60 4 881 2233