Dining With Jewelle

When Sushi Tei opened last year, friends quickly checked it out and reported that the standard of the food is nowhere as good as Excapade, the other Japanese Restaurant. But despite this, we decided to see for ourselves if it was as “lousy” as they claimed.

It was lunchtime but the place was vacant and I thought that was not such a good sign.

But the decor was really nice. The conveyor belt that carries the plates of sushi passes through every table and there were small Japanese dolls everywhere. There was also a staircase going upstairs to more seating areas, cleverly hidden with thick patch of plastic plants.

What we had for lunch today :

I have to admit that this was the first Japanese set meal that I really enjoyed. Perhaps because the chicken was yummy (it’s actually stir-fry Chinese style I think) but this set comes with a lovely lovely …

In fact, this was perhaps the best mashed potato salad I have ever had. It looks dubious at first. I was even thinking that it looked like ice cream as I never expected a Japanese place to offer mashed potatoes. I’m glad they did because this was really good and this was really the highlight of this set meal. This set meal cost $9.90. Definitely worth every cent (except I wasn’t sure about the beans, which looks suspiciously like “petai” to me)

Hubby also liked the fact that their reward program is more “rewarding” as compared to others and according to him, the prices are also cheaper than our “favorite” Japanese joint. Needless to say, that was a big plus point for him.

When we went to cashier to pay, I noticed a small water fountain, Zen like with black stones and bamboo, in front of the cashier. I know that “feng shui” wise, this was a symbolic thing to have to attract more money into the business. But perhaps, the owner need to increase the flow of the water as it was a pathetic trickle and symbolically speaking, if water means money, no wonder not much money is coming in. This was judging from the number of tables that were occupied when we were there today.

Service was excellent.

Overall verdict : We will definitely be back.

One of the unusual thing that I noticed when I first celebrated Chinese New Year in Brunei was that “Keropok” a common snack, was eaten with “Acar“, which is a kind of pickled vegetable with a sweet, sour and spicy taste.

But according to my mother in law, it has been the standard Chinese New Year snacks in Brunei since she was a little girl. I wonder why it never gain popularity among the Chinese in Sabah. As far as I know, that is.

I myself never really fancy the taste of any “jeruk” or pickle and “Acar” was never in my eating list. But this year, I decided try taking my “Keropok” with some “Acar” given by hubby’s aunt, as mother in law claimed that it’s the best.

She was right. I have been eating it quite non-stop.

I have no idea how it is made except that it’s a mixture of dried cucumber, chili, garlic, onion, ginger, dried prawns among others. This “Acar”, courtesy of hubby’s aunt is really the best.

When we’re out with the kids, having lunch or dinner is usually limited to places where the service is quick with Chinese dishes (Eu takes after the father and dislike spicy food so Indian food is out).

One of them in Kiulap is Teo Poi Hoon.

I’m not sure if this place is halal but I do know that they don’t serve that meat and they get a lot of Malay patrons. In fact, on the day that we went there for lunch, the place was soon packed and 70% of the patrons were Malays.

Menu-wise, it was extensive with most being Chinese dishes. Eu asked for fried noodle and hubby got himself a seafood claypot. Food were okay, nothing spectacular but definitely dishes that you are satisfied with and when it comes to eating, that’s all they need to be!

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One of our favorite and is also the best place for western food in Kuala Belait is of course, The Buccaneer. This place which was originally called The Barrel, is one of the old established eatery here and was a favorite among expats when the BYO drinks were still allowed in the old days.

** Correction : I was told that actually in the old days, this place serves alcoholic drinks hence its popularity with expats.  

This place was recently re-done and it feels a lot better than the first time I came here years ago, with its musty smell from the old carpeted floor and the too dim lightings. They still retain the dark wood interior but changed the flooring and the place is actually very nice now. They also have daily lunch set meals which I was told was popular among the office workers during weekdays.

This particular trip, hubby had the escargots as appetizers. Having never had them before, I was a bit apprehensive with Eu proclaiming loudly that “I am NOT into snails!“. But I was tremendously surprised because they were really delicious. Sorry the pictures I took of them were too blurry to show but I’ll put one the next time we order this dish again.

For main dish, we had these …

And talking of the girls, unlike some kids who just love being photographed, this was what I got from my own beautiful kids…

We were headed to Seri Q-Lap and I wanted to have some no-fuss and super quick Chinese food, since it was past noon and the kids should be starving.

The only place for this in Kiulap is of course the Hua Hua Restaurant.

When we arrived, downstairs was nearly full and we were indeed lucky. 10 minutes later, despite having some more tables upstairs, there were already a few families turned down as the place were filled to the brink. However I was disappointed as they ran out of their chicken rice (imagine, it was only 12.30 pm!) and had to settle for these …

This place also serves dim sum but since we were having lunch, only called the “har kau“, prawn in soft translucent wrap (hubby said the skin was too thick - I didn’t try as I think I am also allergic to prawn!) and “pai kut” (spare ribs) which was ok.

The place is fine, normal Chinese restaurant with quick efficient service and attentive enough staffs, nothing to overtly praise but the type of place you will always go back to.

I love taking pictures of the food that I eat. Yes, I’m one of those weird patron who is always snapping away at anything on my table. 

So here I will share with you all those dishes that I had in all those places that serve them. If you know of a better dish at that particular place, do let me know so I know what to try on my next trip.

In the meantime, enjoy the pictures!