Blue Eden Restaurant

Review of Blue Eden Restaurant by AnakBrunei

Click here to read more.

And CONGRATULATIONS too for being the Best Photo Blog on the
Simpur Bloggies!

The Empire Hotel - Spaghettini's new menu

The Empire Hotel has done it again. Not to be complacent and rest on their laurels, Spaghettini and new Chef Thomas Walter has launched a new menu made up of sumptous, carb laden Italian dishes with a range of traditional antipasti, zuppa , insalata, primi and dolce.

Traditional Italian carpaccios, risottos, pizzas and pastas feature alongside creamy desserts like the cream filled cannoli, melt in your mouth tiramisu and to die for panna cotta. This is what was happily digested in my tummy earlier this week.

Pepata di Cozze
New Zealand mussels cooked in garlic-herb and butter broth - so rich and buttery I wolfed them down and refused to share.

Insalata Caprese
Tomato & mozarella with balsamic dressing - leaves a nice tangy aftertaste.

Penne Pasta with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, raisins, rocket and roasted pine seeds.
Beautifully light flavour with none of the heaviness of a cream sauce.

Risotto with mushrooms & duck - creamy comfort food.

Cannoli Siciliana.
Flaky pastry shell filled with sweetened ricotta cheese & chocolate chips, served with raspberry sauce - the pastry was a little heavy and sat in my tummy for a little longer than comfortable but that could just be because of the copious amounts of food consumed.

Panna Cotta.
Jellied cream with strawberry compote - nice and light tasting. The perfect hot day dessert.

More pictures here, here, here, here and here.

Shikai Restaurant

Undoubtedly, Shikai Restaurant is my top pick when I have the cravings for some duck rice. But that is not the only thing you can order, they have quite a thick menu that can simply wet your appetite just by looking at them. You will be spoilt for choices as the all of them looks good and the real taste of it does justify the price. Below is a review shared by Cookie Monster a.k.a. Thanis.

Read the full review here.

You can also read what other foodies had to say about Shikai here & here.

(click on image to visit their website)

Also known as Pondok Empat Laut or Four Sea Hut.
Location: Unit 1 & 2, Block E, Ground Floor, Sempurna Complex, Jalan Batu Bersurat, Gadong.
Tel: 245 6222

Salam Aidil Fitri

To all our Muslim visitors, we wish you
a happy & blessed Aidil Firtri.

A Costly Interview?

Talk about this issue is still buzzing. To clarify what really went down, she went with him to meet the owners for an interview to give them a chance to voice out their side of the story. Before the start of the interview, she had informed the owners that she will be recording the session on video, to which they said yes to.

But somehow, after a few hours of the video being posted, the owners text messaged Maurina to take it down as they said that they have reminded her not to record the interview on video!? Did they just realized the statements they made were rather more damaging rather than helping to clear their name?

Well whatever their reasons might be, it has ignited more speculations. To read some commentaries about the interview and initial reaction from the public, goto this thread. I think everyone has formed their own idea about the place, good or bad, only the restaurant owners will know in the next few months to come.

Absolutely Shocking!

So I assume most of you have been trying out various places for your Sungkai during this Ramadhan month. I would assume too that some places are really disappointing, maybe the food wasn't nice, the place is over-crowded or maybe service was slow.

But have you ever been kicked out and then told the food that you've eaten "inda di halalkan" by the owners of the establishment which is proving the Sungkai buffet? Sounds a lil bit too much right? But sad to say its a true story.

Maybe its best that stories like this don't go out to the public, in the interest of not jeopardizing the business of the restaurant. But then again, it is even a bigger injustice if behaviors like this is not exposed to the public. We as the consumers have the right to be treated fairly, instead of being bullied. No matter how exclusive the restaurant is, it should always respect its customers at all time. So here

Originally posted here but since we also receive an email from the group of people who actually experienced this appalling ordeal, we will also repost it again here. So read on...

Disappointed!!!

We felt so disappointed and unsatisfied with one of the restaurants at Gadong. The story began like this; we booked the sungkai’s buffet for 14 persons ($9 / person),but there were only 10 of us that could attend the buffet. The tables that was accommodating the remaining four people were given off to other customers.

After we had our sungkai, we asked for the bill from the waiter but then we were so shocked to see that the total amount for our buffet was $126 when in fact we were actually supposed to pay only $90.

One of us went to the waiter asking for the explanation. The waiter said that we booked for 14 persons sowe had to pay the $126 but it wasn’t fair. The waiter again said that it was their policy to do such thing and it is their system to be like that!! Come on… isn’t that called RIBA?? Who knows Brunei had such a restaurant!! We just had to pay for what we had eaten, no more and no less!! It was also not fair that we had to pay for other customers.

The only reason why those customers who took our table did not stay and eat was because there was not enough food. Is that justice on our part? We gave up our table to other customers and yet we had to pay for the seatings because the restaurant did not have enough food for them. We just cannot find the logic in this whole situation.

The very disappointing thing was the owners of that restaurant. We already tried talking to them in a nice, POLITE and sensible manner “Minta maafkami ah….” and that was replied with; “Apa lagi masalah kamu ani…??? Besedakah bah bulan puasa ani, tu pun kamu inda mau bayar untuk 14 orang”.

We did not mind paying for the place IF we did not give the tables up but we did. They asked us why we wanted to pick a fight during this holy month but we weren’t the ones who raised our voices and started throwing tantrums first.

Then the other owner came to us and said to one of us who actually gave a complaint on our behalf, saying “Kanyang dah parut atu..ahh?? Haram tu yang kamu makan ahh.. kuar kamu dari sini!! Haram kamu masuk kadaiku lagi!!” That was it?? Is that how our Bruneian people are?? There was no sense of politeness at all. They did not even let us explain! They just came and started yelling at us! Mana budi bahasa atu..??

All that we wanted is the ‘why?’ but they threw us out of the place as if we were ANIMALS!! Moreover, the male owner of the restaurant is very sexist. He did not even bother about what our female friends were saying. His exact words were “Kamu perempuan nda tau papa..” How are we supposed to talk to these sorts of people? This is the fasting month and we just wanted to come to some sort of agreement and yet we were treated this way.

We assure you that your business would not be going far IF you do such thing to your own customers. Without customers, your business will go down. Don’t you think that they will spread these things about your attitude being that restaurant’s owner?? Think twice!! We would like to thank the securities that were there to help us get our point across to those hard-headed owners!

Banyak lagi restoran di Brunei ani yang nyaman-nyaman dan membayar untuk orang yang hadir saja, sebab makanannya untuk semua orang dan lebih mencukupi. Sekali kami kena haramkan masuk, seratus kali lagi kami haram kan datang ke restoran atu. Orang Brunei terkenal dengan budi bahasa dan sopan santunnya tapi kenapa orang Brunei yang punya restoran ani nada langsungkan besopan bahasa?

So I bet you're wondering which restaurant is this? Well originally posted here where some readers has correctly identify the name of the place, so we see no reason why we shouldn't mention the name of the establishment here. Besides, on this blog, we tell you the truth, be it a good or bad experience.

The place is Wecan Elite Restaurant, located at Unit 3 & 4, Ground Floor, Wisma Siti Hamidah, Abdul Razak Complex (behind Pizza Hut). It certainly doesn't live up to its name huh?

You can also go here & here to read some reactions to this incident.

/edit 04/10/07
Of course there is two sides of the story, so we would like to request that the management/owners of Wecan to tell us their version of the incident. Please simply email us at whatiate2day@gmail.com.

Sungkai @ I-Lotus Restaurant

Had the chance to experience the sungkai scene at I-Lotus Restaurant over the weekend thanks to the invitation by Sai & Pat. Also at the table was Ranz, Reeds and 3 other photogs whom I didn't get a chance to be introduced to.

Anyway, one good thing to remember when going to a sungkai buffet venue is to come early. Otherwise you'd be having trouble finding parking, be in a queue to be seated and even a long queue to take the food. And I-Lotus is no exception, the place was simply packed.

I think its all because of the generous spread, on their leaflet (below) they claimed over 100 varieties to choose from. There was the normal asian dishes plus also stalls serving hot of the cooking stove. The hotplate section was probably the most visited, you can pick prawns, sting rays, fish amongst others to have it freshly cooked by these two guys below. Tip: Remember your table number, because you need to put a clip according to your table number. So put on a wrong number, some lucky table is gonna have your portion! Which is what happened to me hehe...

This is one above is definately my favourite. The Mee Rebus stall is always crowded, so you gotta have patience for this one. You can choose from 3 types of soup to go with your noodles, chicken, beef or the tom yam soup. I went for the Tom Yam and boy, it got my taste buds buzzing.

The Rojak stall is also not to be missed. They steam those squid bits fresh so its all very tasty.

And to top it all off, try this one for dessert. Its Ubi Kayu with some condensed milk and Gula Melaka. Its simply delish. There is two other station serving fried items and also some local kueh and cakes.

Overall it was a full filing sungkai. The buffet is available from $15.80 (adults) & $9.80 (child) and for Baiduri Bank Cardholders and I-Lotus Privillage Cardholders, for every 10 diners, you get one person to dine for free. They also serve Sahur (10:30pm - 01:00am) eat-all-you-can steamboat & hot plate grill buffet at $11.80 (adult) & $7.80 (child). One good thing is also that prayer rooms are also available.

(click to enlarge)

For bookings call 2422 466 or visit here to see where they are located.

Sungkai @ Deli Nutreesh

Yesterday we had sungkai at a restaurant with my office mates, except the bosses! Haha! I’m sure you all heard about this place which serves grilled food buffet for $10.90, don’t know the place? It’s just behind the QAF Plaza in Beribi. Now here’s my review and comments, or more to critic.

First of all, the food was good. I helped myself with the grilled lamb chop which made me kinda warm and restless this morning, but yea I love it! Now here’s the down part. Towards the course of the buffet, they did not refill some of the food especially the grilled items. Once all was grilled, then that’s it, you couldn’t ask for more, especially when you had to go through a big flock of hungry piranhas to get your share. I didn’t get to scoop the grilled prawn and when I asked for it, they were about to cool the coal already. And whats worst, they accepted customers’ reservations when they have a limited food preparation. Even before I could speak up, I heard some diners complained already.

But yea, I managed to eat what I wanted to eat, even though I had to share some of them with my friends, especially the grilled prawn. They didn’t even refill the tea and coffee, with that crowd, they just used a small pot for it!!! I’d say poor management on the buffet despite the good food.

Another thing, the place was cramped and packed. I found myself having to squeeze through my way amidst the crowd just to get around. I don’t know if I had to brush against breasts and butts with people in such crowd. The location of the restaurant was the biggest put-off to the experience, unless you’re early enough to secure a table indoors, like we did. Basically located on a sidewalk, the place did not provide a cozy environment to dine. Outdoors, it smell like drain water and they were lots of flies. Flies on food, that’s a major irritation for me, big time, especially for someone with weak immune system like me. Lucky us, we managed to get a table indoors, even that, they were one or two rogue flies flying around. Any health inspectors reading my blog? I think this place needs a spot check!

I guess that will be my last time visiting this restaurant. I don’t mean to destroy your reputation though nor I meant any harm. This is just my personal experience for your own improvement. Your food are delicious, it’s just that there are other factors you might need to look at.

Reviewed by Cintaislove.

Sungkai Buffet - Sheraton Utama Hotel

Ambience - Nicely lit food stations, the fairy lights and water trickle into the pool were nice touches.

Drinks - Free flow teh tarik & orange cordial & water

Food - Kambing bakar was blue rare and had to finished off in the bbq - thereby toughening the meat. Personally I think it should have been cooked earlier and longer with no raw parts (look at the legs). I am sure the meat will be more tender this way.

I can see why it was so popular as it was nicely marinated and very tasty and it was a shame about the texture of the meat. (Perhaps the tender parts have all been taken earlier.....)...

Rest of food was not bad -some good and some forgettable. Of particular mention would be the deep fried curry leaf battered prawns. They were of a good size and freshly fried, so was not hard (as all deep fried food left for long periods will become). The beef rendang was tasty and flavourful, but again the meat was tough. Shame. Perhaps longer cooking or a different cut of meat?

Desserts - Not a good idea to leave desserts (cream cakes, fruits - uncovered/unchilled) out for hours in the hot humid weather we are experiencing. I didn't have any.

Staff - Excellent as usual from Zul & Johannes and a big hello to Chef Nova. There were a number of new staff who appear enthusiastic and who were practicing the Sheraton 'touch'.

Value for money - At $22.00 + 10%, pretty good. The ambience and excellent service gather high points for me.

Worth a second visit? - Yes, but I will be go earlier (than 7.30 pm) to get the choice cuts of lamb and if the choice and display / storage of desserts is improved.

p.s The sambal belachan was excellent - very pedas with that delicious aromatic shrimpy smell/taste.

Andaman Sungkai Buffet

A couple of us bloggers got invited to try out the B$9.99 Sungkai Buffet recently. Overall we enjoyed the dishes and the choices offered are really value for money.

Click here for Maurina's review, here for Reeda's and here by Ranz.

Ramadhan Sungkai Guide

This guide has been making its rounds. Emailed, printed and photocopied nationwide I assume. Originally compiled by Maurina. Good job babe!

1. The Empire Hotel & Country Club (Atrium Cafe)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$25 per adult and BND$12.50 per child
- Prayer rooms available, $1 off every meal for charity
- Win Umrah packages as well
- For reservations: +673 2 418888

2. Charcoal Restaurant & Grill
- Skewer Buffet (whatever that means) @ BND$28.50 per person
- For reservations: 2221228

3. The Airport Restaurant
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$23.50 per adult and BND$12.50 per child
- Don’t forget extra cash for parking, especially if you tend to linger around after a meal.
- For reservations: 2331853

4. Seasons
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$20.90 per adult and BND$12.50 per child
- Gadong area: come early so you don’t need to fight for parking
- For reservations: 2422291/2/3

5. Dynasty Restaurant
- Set menu per table (Menu A: BND$140 per table, Menu B: BND$200)
- Sahur Dim Sum @ BND$13.90 per adult and BND$9.90 per child
- For Reservations: 2430185/6

6. Rizqun Coffee House
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$19.50 per adult and BND$10.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2423000 ext 7811

7. Orchid Garden Hotel
- Sungkai Buffet (Vanda Restaurant & Goldiana Cafe) @ BND$19.80 per adult
BND$12.80 per child
- Sahur Dim Sum Buffet @ $12.80 per adult and BND$6.80 per child
- For Reservations: 2335544

8. Misato
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$12.90 per adult and BND$7.90 per child
- For Reservations: 2239159

9. Zaika
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$17.00 per adult and BND$8.80 per child
- Bring extra cash for parking if you like to linger
- For Reservations: 2231133/2231155

10. Fratini’s
- 50% Discount on all Pastas & Pizzas
- For Reservations: 2451200/2451300 (Centrepoint), 2334520/2334530 (Piccolo)

11. RMS Diner
- 50% Discount on all Burgers
- For Reservations: 2423555/2452555

12. Restoran Nyonya
- Gadong: Nyonya Sungkai Buffet @ BND$9.80 per person
- Sahur Dimsum at Nyonya Restaurant @ 0.99cents per basket.
- Serusop: International & Halal Dim Sum Sungkai Buffet @ $12.80 per person
- Yayasan: Value Sungkai Buffet @ BND$6.80 per person
- For Reservations: 2231236 (Yayasan), 2447090 (Gadong), 2340038 (Serusop)

13. Pondok Sari Wangi
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$10.99 per adult and BND$5.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2445043 (Gadong), 2661893 (Sengkurong)

14. La Mee Restaurant
- Delima: Sungkai Buffet @ BND$6.00 per adult and $3.50 per child
- Gadong: Sungkai Set Meal @ BND$5.00
- For Reservations: 2430113 (Gadong), 2340112 (Delima)

15. Sheraton Utama Hotel (Poolside)
- Tamu Sungkai Buffet @ BND$22.00 per person
- For Reservations: 2244272

16. Swensen’s
- Exotic Seafood Kebabs @ BND$14.50
- Tropical Chicken Delight @ BND$14.20
- Texan Chicken & Lamb Kebab @ BND$18.90
- For Reservations: 2451864

17. Seafood Paradise
- Ramadhan Sungkai Seafood Buffet Promotion @ BND$14.50 per adult and $6.80 per child
- Free flow soft drink or air bandung and kurma
- For Reservations: 2231788, 8788934

18. Big Papa’s
- BP’s Buffet Sungkai @ BND$7.00 per adult and BND$4.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2233333

19. Millennium Restaurant
- Middle Eastern Sungkai Buffet @ BND$16.80 per adult and $10.80 per child
- For Reservations: 2424168

[added: 16/9/07 @ 11.09pm]

20. Tandoor.com (located behind The Arch building in Gadong)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$19.90
- For Reservations: 2450182

21. I-Lotus Restaurant
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$15.80 per adult and BND$9.80 per child
- For Reservations: 2422466

[added: 17/9/07 @ 5.11pm]

22. Deli Nutreesh
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$10.90 per adult
- For Reservations: 2651740

23. Jerudong Park Polo Club (Polo Restaurant)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$19.90 per person
- For Reservations: 2612500

24. The Holiday Lodge (Mills Coffee House)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$10.90 per person
- For Reservations: 2611618

[added: 17/9/07 @ 10.00pm]

25. Asma Hotel
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$12.90 per person
- For Reservations: 2612218

26. Mister Pizza
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$9.90 per person
- For Reservations: 2452277

27. Pizza Hut
- Promotion: Buy one, free one pizza for takeaway/pickup.
- You get a free large pan pizza when you buy one Cheesy Bites pizza (BND$24.90). Choices are either Honey Garlic, Tuna Delight or Hawaiian Lovers.
- Call 222-6111.

28. Arthini Cafe & Catering (Nasi Kandar Penang)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$12.00 per adult and BND$6.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2652699/8733397

29. D’anggerek Hotel (Aranda Cafe)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$10.00 per adult and BND$5.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2345222 ext 815

30. Saffron
- Ramadhan Sungkai @ BND$22.00 per adult and BND$12.00 per child
- Dessert Ramadhan Buffet @ BND$10.50 per adult and BND$6.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2235888

[added: 17/9/07 @ 10.47pm *maju eh*]

31. Capers
- Ramadhan Promotion: All You Can Eat @ BND$12.90 per person
- There will also be a buffet spread
- For Reservations: 2234000

[added: 18/9/07 @ 2.55pm]

32. Restoran Amanah Harith
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$6.90 per adult and BND$4.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2612140/8750292/8884546

[added: 18/9/07 @ 3.28pm]

33. Brunei Hotel (Mawar Coffee Garden)
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$9.90 per adult and BND$5.50 per child
- Guests in a group of 6 people will only have to pay for 5
- For Reservations: 2242372/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

[added: 19/9/07 @ 5.39pm]

34. Andaman Restaurant
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$9.99 per person
- For Reservations: 2653355
- Review by Turquoise and Roses

35. Coffee Zone Kiulap
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$12.90 per adult and BND$6.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2239333

[added: 20/9/07 @ 3.43pm]

36. Seri J.S Restaurant (Kg Kilanas)
- BBQ Sungkai Buffet @ BND$11.90 for adults and BND$6.90 for child
- For Reservations: 2670367, 8981322

37. KTM Thai Seafood Restaurant
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$6.00 per adult and BND$3.00 per child
- For Reservations: 2619140, 8875530

38. Takara
- 30% off on all Makis & items from the Ala Carte menu
- For Reservations: 2450180

39. Sushi Tei
- 30% off on all dishes
- For Reservations: 2447471

40. De Royalle Cafe
- Lontong Ramadhan @ BND$7.90
- Lontong: beef rendang, ketupat, papadam, sayur and salads wrapped in banana leaf
- For Reservations: 2220257

[added: 20/9/07 @4.15pm]

41. Fun Bread Cafe
- Ramadhan Special Set Meals @ BND$7.90
- Pick any rice dish and that will come with dessert and a choice of coffee or tea (hot or iced)
- For Reservations: 2451028

42. Seri Anjung Restaurant & Catering
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$8.00 per person
- For Reservations: 2222776, 8989766

[added: 20/9/07 @4.15pm]

43. TT Blues
- Sungkai Buffet @ BND$8.88 (nice!)
- For Reservations: 2424527

Sungkai Buffet @ Atrium Cafe, Empire Hotel

The kind folks at The Empire Hotel & Country Club have extended again an invite to the blogging team to experience their Sungkai Buffet at the Atrium Cafe. And boy, aren't we all delighted! Amongst us were the press people, all looking very happy to be there too.

I'll get to the prices later because I wanna talk about the food first! Oh, the Sungkai buffet line has daily-changing dishes which mostly focus on local delights, so varieties is ensured. I started with some belutak with pita bread, smoked salmon and pulut with some serunding on top. talk about east meet west huh? I forgot to try the lalap which I heard was yummy.

After that I had some Mee Rebus. It was simply da'bomb! The best meal of the evening for me and for most people too. I had mine with just prawns and mussels, no veggies as usual. The sauce is just rich with flavors. Ok I'm not good at this description thing like E, so I'll just say it again, its da'bomb! Hehe...

For the main course, I had the roast chicken, cinnamon sauce chicken, buttered fresh veggies, lamb something, that big fish.... man I should learn to write down those stuff I eat hehe... Well lets just say my plate was full. Oooh, I had some poppadoms too. I forgot to try the Sup Ekor which Reeda and Ranz said was really good. Btw boys, did it give some extra kick later in the eveing? Kekeke....

Last as usual was dessert, my favourite part of any meal. And at the Atrium, there is just a lot to choose from. Just look at the photos, you will be spoiled for choices. I had the yummy bread pudding and some local cakes. I also took one big plate of cucur (fried) tarap, pisang, ubi manis and nangka! All freshly fried on the spot. It was the first time for some of us to try the the cucur nangka and the overall verdict was good. Pity they didn't serve cucur durian, that would've been awesome!

To cool all of us down, we had some tea and coffee. I was so full and happy, alhamdulillah. I would very much recommend everyone to visit the Sungkai buffet at the Atrium Cafe. Its B$25 nett per adult and B12.50 nett per child inclusive of free flow Air Bandung, Soya Bean, Sugar Cane and Teh Tarik. More photos of the buffet can be found here. You cane read Reeda's review here.

Also every diner will have a chance of winning one of the 12 Umrah Pacjages or exquisitely hand crafted "Tasbih" - in Black Onyx & White Gold 18k finishings worth B780, in Pearls & White Gold 18k furnishings worth B$680 or in Jade & White Gold finishings worth B$880. All of these hand crafted Tasbih are sponsored by TAKA Jewellery.

The Sungkai buffet is open until 10:30pm. For convenience of all Muslim guest, a Surau and a special praying room are available from the Main Atrium of the Hotel. If Sahur is your cup of tea, the Sahur Buffet is served at the Lobby Lounge form 10pm to midnight-ish at B$15 nett per adult and B$7.50 nett per child.

They are also special discounts for Baiduri Bank cardholders, best call the Hotel at 2418888 for details. This year also, B$1 off every meal for Ramadhan dining at Atrium Cafe will be donated towards DANA Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah untuk Anak-Anak Yatim.

Oh one more thing, there is also a live performance of religious malay, english and arabic song as you dine. The guy did really well. I crack a lil smile though as we left the place, he was singing Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight. In his outfit, as you can see above, that song sounded kinda weird hehe...

A special thanks to Jen, Hafiza & Danny of The Empire's PR & Marketing Comms for being such a wonderful host again.

Fusion Restaurant

Tried Fusion at The Mall (located at Kura). Here’s my review…

Place : Décor and ambience reminds me of an indon restaurant kind of thing. Serving staff all in uniforms – waistcoats and kebayas. Not immediately attractive.

Service : Plates and glasses were sort of thumped on the table. Busboys were attentive though. Orders did get mixed up. We were a party of 10.

Menu : Wide range of choices under category of noodles & pasta, seafood & choice cuts. No vegetarian. All dishes accompanied with an explanation of what’s in it and a picture. Pictures were pretty flash so it gets you very excited about ordering. Beverage choices not so fantastic but then I’m the type who just opts for water cos I don’t like fizzy drinks, coffee or mocktails. I wouldn’t exactly say it was very “fusion”. Prices were tempting cos everything seemed reasonably priced.

Food : Nice presentation with nice chinaware. Seafood not fresh. I am very fussy about fishy smells and this was definitely fishy. Thank goodness I didn’t order the fish on its own. I had the seafood mix (fish slices, prawn, calamari & mussels) with rice. Rice was a bit mushy. Seafood was strangely marinated with a herb. I think it was thyme or fennel. Didn’t go very well but provided some flavour. Since the seafood was not at all fresh, I had to ask for chilli padi and soy sauce for cover up. There was not enough seafood portion to accompany the rice so I did not get to finish my rice. So I ended up still a bit hungry and not at all satiated. Generally, portions were small. Not very filling – but then I’m a big eater.

Dessert : No choices on the menu. You will have to check out the cake counter which had pretty looking tiramisu, oreo cheesecake, cherry cheesecake, cappuccino cheesecake and blueberry cheesecake. I tried a bite of each. Not worth the calories. I definitely make better tiramisu than what they were serving. Skip altogether - unless you don't know how real tiramisu should vaguely taste like and you can't be bothered.

Conclusion : Not going back no matter what. Not worth looking for parking and taking a gamble on which dish might turn out right.

This post is written by a friend of mine who went to the restaurant last month with her friends. If the owners are reading this, I hope you will accept this as constructive feedback and really look seriously into the source/storage of your ingredients. I can't think of anything worse than dubious ingredients - especially seafood - not only off-putting but downright dangerous. People do notice immediately and most will not tell you but just go away, tell their friends and never come back again.

And I have noticed in some restaurants, when you comment negatively on their food (even in the nicest possible way) to their service staff, they will look bewildered, bothered and give you that 'why are you telling me, I didn't cook it' look. It's really sad. So restaurant owners, if you're reading this, train your staff well, they are not there just to present the menu, take orders and serve. They are actually your restaurant ambassadors who play a very important part in a diner's experience in your establishment.

There are a few places I would not return to after just one awful experience with their food and service, and with the choice of restaurants we have in Brunei nowadays, you cannot afford to have anybody leaving your restaurant unhappy, dissatisfied and upset with their encounter.

Posted by Eleanor

Selamat Berpuasa

Ramadhan at The Empire

(click on image for a clearer view)

Savy's Restaurant

JKP and I had lunch at this newish restaurant in town. I think by now, everyone knows where this is located as they finally have a temporary signage put up. For those who don't, look out for the white tiled building opposite the Standard Chartered Bank. Just go up the stairs and it's located on the first floor.

When we walked in, who did we see, giving us big smiles and the warmest welcome? Oggy and Sam, two of our favourite service staff who used to work at the Sheraton Hotel. Both of them led us to our table by the windows, told us how nice we looked, pulled our chairs and sat us down, and neatly placed the napkins on our laps, presented the menu, recited the specials, took our drink orders and left us for a minute while we looked at the menu. (Doesn't that sound so professional? - excellent training from their ex-employer truly pays). A refreshing change from some restaurants where their service staff stare at you resentfully when you walk in.

This is their menu in a plastic folder which I'm sure is just a temporary measure.

Oggy came back with a leaf-shaped wooden boat heaped with warm homemade bread and a dip which is his Chef's special. By the way, he told us that his Chef hails from the Philippines where he was one of the chefs working in the Malacañang Palace for President Arroyo.

We detected some olives/peppers, herbs, and spices and something teeny bit sweet and spicy in the dip. It looks and tastes like harissa. Could it be? This was very nice - JKP and I ate 3 pieces of bread EACH.

Oggy made his recommendations and led us to the salad station so we could inspect the condiments/ingredients and to have a look at the soup of the day which was Potato and Leek Soup.

JKP chose a mixed green salad with vinagrette dressing. She said it was very good.

Here it my Chicken Caesar Salad - I was very pleased to learn and taste that the chicken was freshly grilled on order and NOT pre-grilled and heated up and sliced upon order. So it was still very tender, juicy with a mild marinade. And what a generous portion it was too, and yes, that's Cos and 'real' shaved parmesan.

Oggy told me their dressing is made without eggs yolks. It was very mild and 'dijony' but lacked the distinct taste of garlic and lemon juice. Now I love my Caesar Salad dressing oozing with TASTE so I asked Sam for a teensy bit more anchovies and dressing and heaps of black pepper. Those little touches made it perfect for me.

One thing I think they lacked was the sprinkling of bacon (beef bacon is fine of course to remain halal) on the salad and I think the croutons could be crispier and tastier. Roll the bread cubes in extra virgin olive oil and some garlic/rosemary before toasting and they would be absolute MAGIC!

For desserts, we shared a portion of crepes with apple (they also do pear or banana) which is served with vanilla ice-cream and chocolate sauce. Sounds good? My camera failed me at this point and the ice-cream was starting to melt so we had to start.

The apples were sweet and tender, but JKP and I, being the wonderful food critics we imagine ourselves to be, wished that they could have added a tiny sprinkling of cinnamon or mixed spice to cook the apples with and serve the apples and crepes warm instead of cold. (I had a fantasy of pouring calvados slowly over the crepes and igniting the whole concoction over a flame, creating a syrupy river of apple liqueur - *shivers with excitement*).

Got the camera working after a while. Sorry about the mess!

With 2 diet cokes, our meal came up to B$47 with a 10% service charge included. Slightly pricy for me so I don't think I can indulge everyday. However we were very happy with the quality of our food so it was worth paying the price.

The restaurant certainly is very cosy, with interesting nooks and corners.

Hi Sam, thanks for looking after us. And Oggy too of course. Thank you for introducing us to the owner, Mr Chua, I was quite amazed he did not bat an eyelid at me taking pictures of his restaurant, menu and food, seeing that his was a fairly new restaurant and I could have been a 'competitor' sent in to check his prices, staff, and menu out.

No worries, I am not, JKP and I are just two women who love to lunch together. She never fails to make me laugh and I her. We enjoyed your restaurant ambience, and the food and excellent service will see us back again.

Posted by Eleanor