Ipoh Food Frenzy In 4.5 Hours, JJ Cakes - Part 2

After having the earlier much needed meal (we were famish at that time!) at Dai Shu Geok aka Big Tree Foot, we went off in search of JJ Cakes, in particular the swiss rolls that Motormouth had blogged about. With Motormouth directing us, we found out it was nearby Pasir Pinji. Reaching the place, the "shop" was actually a counter with a chiller located at the back corner of De' Mouth, a Chinese restaurant.

Though I had read about the many varieties available, I was still pretty much stumped when I was faced with the decision of picking out what I wanted. Just how many are there to choose from (just the swiss rolls alone)? Let me run it by you ...

(RM15/roll)
Carrot Cream Cheese
Banana Cream Cheese
Pumpkin Cream Cheese
Spinach Cream Cheese
Green Tea Cream Cheese
Chestnut Puree

(RM12/roll)
Chocolate Hazelnut
Coffee Walnut
Fresh Chempedak
Fresh Durian
Fresh Strawberry
Fresh Mango
Fresh Yam
Fresh Sweet Potato
Juicy Corn
Chocolate Mint
Dragon Fruit
Wolfberry
Black Sesame
Green Bean
Prune

(RM10/roll)
Pandan Custard
Blueberry Filling

(RM8/roll)
Butter Cream (Pandan/Vanilla)

You see what I mean? Decisions, decisions, decisions! Luckily bro was with me and together we picked out 5. And when one buys 5, you get one FREE! Yay!

Another Family Member ...

Meet Bobby, the latest addition to the family...

The family adopted Bobby, a 4 year old Miniature Schnauzer while I was away. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see him. He's a sweetie, loving and gentle. He loves putting his head on your lap while he sits right next to you!

Weekends are even better now ;o)

Have A Great Weekend Everyone!

Ipoh Food Frenzy In 4.5 Hours, Dai Shu Geok - Part 1

When bro picked me up from the airport last Friday noon, he asked me to join him and Spare Change for a day trip to Ipoh on Monday. I wasn't too sure whether I would be coping well with the change of the hot climate and hours after being away for two months and told him that I'll let him know later.

Fast forward to Monday early morning....there I was, hopping into bro's car for a day trip. So, straight from San Francisco, I now bring you Ipoh food! We clocked in 7 food stops (there would have been more if not for some of the places being closed!) in total within 4.5 hours in Ipoh - no, we didn't eat at all of them, there were some stops for take away goodies. It will take me longer to blog on all the stops we made than the actual time spent in Ipoh that day! Hahaha...

First Stop - Dai Shu Geok (Big Tree Foot)

Having called Motormouth just the night before, he told me that he'll meet up with us for lunch but since we arrived during brunch time at around 11, he joined us at our intended first stop in Ipoh...curry noodles at Yee Fatt...which was closed (not open on Mondays). We then adjourned to the next venue suggested by Motormouth, Big Tree Foot - Dai Shu Geok.

Well, I have been to Dai Shu Geok during one of my earlier Ipoh visit but had gone to the newer extension rather than to the original spot. This time round, we chose the original as I've not eaten at this place yet. Well, we knew the most of the famous eating places in Ipoh would be packed since it was a public holiday but we had no idea how packed it would be till we arrived at this place.

It was a really busy, busy place - almost a madhouse (or mad shack!). There was an endless stream of customers lining up jostling for pole position to get to the goodies that were placed before them. I left the task of picking the Yong Tow Foo/Yong Liew to the over 6 foot tall Spare Change as he definitely had the advantage and could reach out with his longer hands too! Hey, whatever it takes to get 'em (I stood behind him, assisting in carrying the goodies laden bowls whenever we filled one up). It was a case of "you snooze, you lose"! On the side, one staff would be frying up batch after batch of Yong Liew while another would be busy cooking noodles, plate after plate, bowl after bowl.

Then proceed to the left if you're doing take away or to the right if you're eating there. A staff took our noodle orders and table number and placed the paper onto one of the three filled bowls we had, using one of the Yong Liew as a paperweight :o)

A closer look at the fried goodies - Yong Liew as those locals in Ipoh would call them

I Left My Heart In San Francisco ...

At the time this post is published, I'm on a flight heading back to Malaysia. It's been two months since I arrived and the time has come for me to go back. I'm not done posting on San Francisco yet as I've taken plenty of photos. So, do expect more on San Francisco from me. Then there's my trip to Toronto, Ontario, Quebec & Montreal and that mini Vegas trip too!

Of course, once I'm back in Malaysia, there'll be posts on Malaysian food as usual! So, what's the first thing I wanna eat when I get back? I'm torn between two loves, Nasi Lemak and Char Kway Teow! Hahaha....So, if you're away from home (where ever your country is) what is the first thing you crave for?

I've definitely left my heart in San Francisco (a beautiful city) and left with sadness. Most importantly I left my sis, Mrs Pitt, back there. Well, hopefully she can make a trip to Malaysia soon. Oops! That means that I'll have to clean up my home ... MAJOR spring cleaning! :p

Mrs Pitt & Mr Pitt, thanks for everything!
Zahara, continue to fill me with your high school adventures and thanks for being our tour guide during your school break.
Holymookie and Mr Holymookie thanks for the hospitality.
Melina & Cindy & Geri & Vilma, thanks for the food &
Ruina, thanks for the books!

Mom & I had a wonderful time, thanks again!

It's bittersweet for me...cos I'm leaving but I'm heading back home. Pray for safe journey & see you all soon!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!
(while I recover from jet lag!)

Sans Rival - Goldilocks

Remember the post I did on Mamon cakes and the Cassava Bibingka from Goldilocks that Cindy gave me? Well, Cindy gave me another treat from Goldilocks, something new that I've not tried before. Sans Rival cake. Err...when Mrs Pitt told me that she was bringing back the cake for me, she said "Sans Suval". I went, "Huh? Sans Suval?" Then she said "Sans Rival" and I still went "Huh? Sans Rival? Cindy has just told me that Sans Rival means No Rival. Hahaha....I haven't heard of a Sans Rival cake before but I guess I was going to find out how one looks and tastes like that night, thanks to Cindy again :o)

So, exactly what is a Sans Rival? It's made of layers of cashew wafers, frosted with buttercream and topped with ground cashew nuts. So sinful, yet so good (as it usually is with such things!). I can hear the health conscious folks recoil in horror, hahaha! If buttercream and nuts are your kinda thing, then THIS IS IT! My only gripe is that one can't seem to cut a perfect slice without breaking the wafers into several parts! But I think somehow that turn out to be better in the end, as several of us shared a slice, eating it bit by bit with our hands - thus dividing the sin(e). Well, pardon me now - I think I need to go for confession :p

Goldilocks
4516 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94112

Tel : (415) 333 6963

Check out Goldilocks website for other locations

Viva Las Vegas ... Be Right Back!

As you're reading this, I would have gone on a mini trip in Las Vegas and now on my way back to San Francisco ... Meanwhile folks, here's a shot of my fortune cookie reading of today ;o)

I hope it means more travel!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

Strawberry Smoothie!

While I've been in San Francisco, I've been eating lots of my favourite strawberries as there is an abundant supply of strawberries here (big and sweet ones!). Mr Pitt will buy loads of them, more than we can chew! Hahaha....so before they turn soft and mushy on us, Mrs Pitt will usually whip up some Strawberry Smoothie for us.

Well, I must say, I have had Strawberry Smoothie before but have not made any myself. So, I lent a hand and cut up the strawberries after I've rinsed them well. These fellas contain quite a lot of unidentified sediments I tell ya!

Mrs Pitt then prepares the rest ...

As much as you like - Trader Joe's French Vanilla Super Premium Ice Cream

170 g of Trader Joes' NonFat Strawberry Yogurt

Throw them all into her recently bought Oster blender...

Crank it up and within minutes...WHALLAH! Lovely rich & thick strawberry smoothie!

I didn't know that it was so easy till I saw Mrs Pitt make it (made it a couple of times now). You put in however much ice cream and strawberries (after all, strawberries are cheap here though it might not be the case back in Malaysia) you want. As you can see, Mrs Pitt a big fan of Trader Joe's too! There's no measurement to it! Mmm...I think I'll ask Mrs Pitt to make me another batch of strawberry smoothie before I head back home :o)

Day Out at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco

A quick post this Saturday :o). Was told by sis that Farmers Market is now at Ferry Plaza on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I decided to take a walk there to see how much it has changed since the last time I went to one.

Ferry Building along The Embarcadero

Before I went straight to the farmers stalls, I decided to hang around opposite the Ferry Plaza where there were art and handicraft stalls and a few of them caught my attention.

Flattened Glass Bottles (USD15) - used for cheese platter or decorative purposes

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, Peruvian Cuisine @ Pier 1 1/2, San Francisco

Today's Mrs Pitt birthday! Well, according to San Francisco's time that is, as it's Sept 2 in Malaysia. Mr Pitt sent out an email yesterday, "Reservation at 6:30pm today to celebrate my charming and loving wife's birthday"- La Mar Cebicheria Peruana.

Apart from San Francisco, USA, there are also La Mar restaurants elsewhere - Lima, Mexico DF, Santiago De Chile, Sao Paulo and Panama. Peruvian cuisine has turn sophisticated through the years, much different from its humble beginning as some of us would have probably thought. Known for their specialties in fish and shellfish - mostly seafood, La Mar offers quite a variety in this large restaurant.

Boys drink earlier in the day, girls drink later at night (as the photo shows!)

When one enters, you'll find a full bar area on the right serving Peruvian cocktails like the Pisco Sour, USD10 (pisco, lime, syrup, egg white and bitters). It's good stuff & rather potent ;o).

I was glad that we were going to have an early dinner as the place wasn't that packed yet. This meant that I could take some photos of the area (the place started filling up shortly after I took photos-Phew!). Filled with vibrance in the air and the colours from the chairs to the menus, right down to the table placemats and the lightings, one can definitely feel the Peruvian ambiance and I must say the energy in the air is infectious! It must be as I looked around and saw most patrons happily engaging in conversation while eating or waiting for their food to be served. Even the staff had happy faces while going about their work, thus delivering great service.