Original Taiwanese Desserts at Ice Bowl

The trend of themed-tea/beverages/drinks and desserts seem to be in the air lately as one after another of these cafes pop up around the major cities and towns in Malaysia.
I have to admit, they do interest me; especially when they have creative stuffs to offer.

Focusing on the concept of healthy goodness and yet maintaining that yummy factor is the theme behind Ice Bowl; a new cafe spotted in Mahkota Cheras town (right opposite Aeon Mahkota Cheras).
Specializing in Taiwanese desserts, their menu is none like any other I have seen so far in their choices.



They have the sets which combine three ingredients; or you can opt for the regular types of dessert soups or even drinks.

We chose the bowl sets; priced at MYR6.50 each and thankfully we opted to share, for the portions were generous!

Set B: Green Bean + Lotus Seeds + Grass Jelly + Black Pearl toppings 




Served chilled with slightly sweet soup, this is my favorite combination and this bowl can be quite filling too!



Red Bean + Grass Jelly + Cream + Black pearl topping



Pour in the milk to make it richer in texture.



Finally, this is another of my favorite:

Aiyu Jelly + Bird's Nest + Lemon + Black pearls toppings



My family and I loved the desserts and I am glad I dragged everyone there to try out their desserts after the celebration lunch at Dragon-i.
This is not the first Ice Bowl outlet; as there is another outlet in SS2. I do hope they would launch an outlet in Penang soon as I do enjoy their healthy desserts.
Now I know where I am heading to when I am back in the city and looking for a place to chill, with good and healthy desserts too! :-)

Flower-shaped Kuih Rempah

My Mum was excited to discover this particular local kuih (light snacks/cakes) at the market and she was taken by how unique it looked.
It certainly captured one's attention when placed among other cakes in the stall.


She could not stop raving about this and how hard it was for her to find it every time she had a craving.

The kuih/cake was made of glutinous rice flour, which was really sticky and thick in texture and steamed before placing it atop banana leaf (I think)


The content?
It was actually the same type of ingredients as the local Kuih Rempah Udang, which contains grated and fried chili paste with dried shrimps.


Slightly spicy and tasty, it is bound to make you reach for one more!
Does anyone know about this or how to make it and where to get this in Klang Valley or Penang?

Fancy an afternoon YUM CHA @ Golden Sands Resort

The theme was catchy and enticing, and it made me drive all the way up to the famous coastal beach area in Batu Ferringhi to try it for myself and there I was, one Sunday afternoon, after mass in the morning, sitting in the lobby lounge of the Golden Sands Resort.

Being a beach hotel, the lobby and the lounge was not air-conditioned to allow the sea breeze to blow the natural and saltish air into the place.
On normal conditions, I would not mind it (if I were staying at a beach hotel on a vacation, because I would not stay long in the lobby anyway as I would be busy getting a cab to go to town).
However, on a hot Sunday afternoon, I think the diameter of my pupils dilated a few cm wide when I heard that this is the dining area; right smack in the central foyer upon entrance.


Introducing to you, the lobby lounge





I am telling you, even these big comfy cushioned seats did not appeal to me as I believe they added more to the sweating.

Oh ya, there was unbelievably a lot of ants near the edge of the seats too; so try not to sit too close to the edge or place your bags there.

The menu; where you can select dim sum of your choices and they will bring them to you.

There are several sheets to allow for your multiple orders.
Kinda like the sound of that, "My wish is their command". (I feel I ought to slap both of my hands on top of each other and nod and blink or twitch my nose or something, LOL!)

Shortly after the orders were placed, they came to set up the table and brought us a pot of hot tea


The sauces to dip the dim sum in later


Oh, we did have to wait really long for the dim sum to arrive after our ordering; I think it was approximately more than 30 minutes so my expectations of the food elevated a little.

Here comes the dim sum:

Funnily, I believe they placed 2 different dim sum within the same basket and since we ticked so many items, I am guessing these were the seafood roll and long shui prawn roll

Another basket arrived with the Golden Sugarcane Prawn, Crispy Fish Fillet Roll and Crispy Prawn Roll


From closer view:
The Crispy Prawn Roll


Golden Sugarcane Prawn

Ooooh, this one was good, must try! =)

Next, some steamed dim sum
Steamed prawn dumplings (Har Kao)


Siew Mai


I think these two were quite disappointing for a hotel's standard; as I have tasted much better versions of these in local dim sum stalls.

Parsley shark's fin dumpling


All the three of the steamed stuffs in the same basket (again)


Note: there is not much of a choice in the steamed items list compared to the fried stuffs

Golden Pear Dumpling

If I had to pick a star for the day, this would be it, it was a very unique taste.
I could not take much of it as the inner layer was made of glutinous paste but the blend of the fried outer layer with the second layer and the light dhal like paste inside is sure to make you want more than a bite =)
This is definitely one unique pastry!

Seafood roll with scallop


Almond flake shrimps toast


Crispy prawn roll


Jade Roll and Phoenix roll with black pepper


From closer shot; Phoenix roll with black pepper


Shanghai chicken bun (since when was Shanghai famous for this?)


The insides

Nothing much interesting.

For RM29 per person, I didn't really think it was that much of a value's (or money's) worth as there was not that many choices for a hotel dim sum.
Furthermore, I am really not that big of a fan of fried dim sum anyway, so, my opinion is, I've been there and done that, not going back.

Tea for two or a few at Winter Warmers

Winter Warmers is no stranger to most people; in fact, its lovely Victorian style settings and interior plants a vivid image in most of our minds; especially all who have visited the place.
I am not sure about you; but after my first visit, I do long to go back and enjoy their lovely tea in the equally soothing ambience accompanied by some soft music.

It sounds like a blissful vacation or some royal treatment, doesn't it, sipping your tea away and relaxing your mind?
Well, if you have not been to Winter Warmers, you should consider giving it at least a try.

This place serves lunch as well as dinner; besides their tea and light snacks.


I've fallen in love with their exquisite tea sets used to serve their specialty tea/drinks here!~ =)

Anyway, enough about the tea, I have to push the tea topic aside today and fill in on the types of food you can consider for a light meal when catching up with friends or for your tea/late lunch where it's not too heavy and yet not too light (you get what I mean?)

Ham and egg sandwiches



For something more filling, you can consider their medium-sized serving of chicken/seafood spaghetti/bolognaise


The pasta comes with a side serving of salad and fresh veggies





If you spotted their waffles, well, don't hesitate, you should go ahead and give it a try for their waffles are really good.
Egg and Vege Waffle (RM10.90)


It seriously tastes as good as it looks from the menu!

Tuna Waffle

For a more fishy and different topping to your usual waffle


If you don't want tea, you can also look at their other light cordial or fruit cocktails


Now, do you know why I love Winter Warmers?
Does it make you want to go for tea now?