Lunch At Sin Kee Restaurant @ Little India, Brickfields

On a recent public holiday, the hubs and I decided to make the most of our free time and treat our family to a delicious lunch. We headed to Sin Kee restaurant, a renowned establishment in Little India, Brickfields, known for its delectable Hainanese dishes. Despite a brief hiccup in the service, our overall experience was delightful, with an array of mouthwatering dishes that left us satisfied and content.  Sin Kee has been around for at least 3 decades.

As we arrived at Sin Kee restaurant, the bustling crowd immediately caught our attention. It was Hari Raya Haji, a public holiday, and many people had flocked to the restaurant to savor the famous Hainanese cuisine. 

However, upon entering the restaurant, we noticed that almost all the tables were occupied, and none of them had food served yet. Our stomachs grumbled with hunger as we eagerly awaited our turn. Unfortunately, the wait proved to be longer than expected, lasting more than half an hour. Patience wearing thin, we couldn't help but wish for a faster service.

Once our dishes finally arrived, the long wait became a distant memory as the enticing aromas wafted from the table. We had ordered a variety of Hainanese specialties, each with its own unique flavors and textures.

Hainanese Chicken Chop: The Hainanese Chicken Chop stole the show with its tender, succulent chicken smothered in a savory brown sauce. The accompanying fries and vegetables added a delightful crunch, making it a satisfying dish.

Hainanese Pork Chop: Next up was the Hainanese Pork Chop, made from minced pork. While it had a strong porky smell that didn't quite suit my taste, it was nonetheless a favorite among some diners who enjoy richer flavors.

Deep Fried Black Pomfret Fish: One dish that truly stood out was the Deep Fried Black Pomfret Fish. Its perfectly crispy exterior concealed delicate and flavorful flesh. Each bite was a treat, leaving us craving for more.

Stir-Fried Kailan with Garlic: The Stir-Fried Kailan with Garlic offered a refreshing and nutritious addition to the meal. The vibrant green vegetables were cooked to perfection, retaining their crunchiness and complementing the other dishes well.

Koo Lo Yoke: The Koo Lo Yoke, a sweet and sour fried pork dish, added a delightful balance of flavors to the table. The crispy pork coated in a tangy sauce was a hit among all of us.

Chinese Omelette (Foo Yoong Tarn): The Chinese Omelette, or Foo Yoong Tarn, was a crowd-pleaser. Packed with generous amounts of prawns, spam meat, waxed sausage, and vegetables, it offered a delightful medley of textures and flavors.

Tofu with Minced Pork: Lastly, the Tofu with Minced Pork provided a comforting addition to the meal. The silky tofu combined with the savory minced pork created a comforting and satisfying dish.

As we savored each dish, the reasonable bill came as a pleasant surprise. The total cost for the seven dishes amounted to RM149.50, which we found to be quite affordable considering the variety and quality of the food.

Despite the initial wait, our lunch experience at Sin Kee restaurant in Brickfields was a memorable one. The flavorsome Hainanese cuisine and the vibrant atmosphere of Little India made it a delightful outing. 

While we were waiting for our food to arrive, we segued a few doors away to a vegetarian Indian restaurant to order takeaway Naan bread and Palak Paneer for dinner.  I didn't take note of the name of the restaurant but all of us loved their assortment of Naan bread (cheese Naan, garlic Naan and stuffed Naan).  Our next trip to Little India would be to this establishment to savor authentic Northern and Southern Indian food.

A Tale of Unexpected Culprits

Have you ever been caught in a whirlwind of mysterious disappearances, leading you to suspect those closest to you? Such was the case when my eyebrow pencil went missing for an entire week. In my quest for answers, suspicions arose, and poor Maria, my part-time helper, became the prime suspect. However, as the truth unfolded, it became clear that our mischievous feline friend, Haru, held the key to the puzzle.

The vanishing acts began a year ago when Cass lost her expensive ear pods. The search for these prized possessions proved fruitless, and the ear pods remained missing for many months. 

The mystery deepened when my mother-in-law discovered that two of her favorite knives with teeth had vanished from the kitchen. The sudden disappearance left us perplexed, and our suspicions turned toward Maria, who had been present during these incidents. 

The situation escalated further when a relative who lives below our unit and used to employ Maria for part-time service lost one of her two mobile phones and suspected foul play. The blame seemed to fall squarely on Maria's shoulders, yet the truth had a different story to tell.

After months of anguish over the missing mobile phone, our relative finally found it lying on the floor of her car recently. It was an unexpected turn of events that shed light on a hidden truth. 

And Sherilyn recently found Cass’ missing ear pods behind the piano!

The revelation put an end to the clouds of suspicion surrounding Maria.

Just when we thought the mystery was solved, my long-lost eyebrow liner suddenly resurfaced from beneath my bed today. The relief was palpable, but our curiosity remained. How could all these items have gone missing without a trace, only to be discovered in such unexpected places?

In a surprising twist, our mischievous cat, Haru, emerged as the true culprit behind the disappearing act.  I suspect that Haru, with her playful nature, had apparently climbed onto the piano and played with the ear pods until they fell behind the piano.  I also believe that she had climbed up my dressing table to play with my eyebrow pencil, swiped it, and caused it to roll under my bed.

Our furry friend had unknowingly caused all the commotion and turmoil, leaving us feeling both relieved and slightly amused by her antics.

The revelation of Haru's mischief filled us with mixed emotions. We felt relieved for Maria who had been wrongly accused and suspected. And as for Haru, our playful cat, we can't help but love her even more for adding a touch of unexpected adventure to our lives.

This experience served as a valuable lesson, teaching us the importance of refraining from hasty judgments and cultivating trust in our relationships.

Mischievous kitty but love her to bits.

Friday, 16 June 2023 - Meeting with Education Counselor @ Taylor's University

Embarking on a new educational journey is always an exciting and critical decision, especially when it involves pursuing a professional course like architecture. Today, I accompanied Sherilyn to Taylor's University, where we met with an education counselor to gather insights about the architecture course offered there. This visit proved to be an eye-opening experience, shedding light on the long and challenging road that lies ahead for Sherilyn to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered architect. 

Our meeting with the education counselor at Taylor's University was insightful and comprehensive. We were given detailed information about the architecture program, including the duration of each phase of study – the Foundation, Bachelor's, and Master's courses. It was evident that this course demands a considerable investment of time, effort, and money. The counselor also provided us with an overview of the costs involved, emphasizing the significance of planning for the financial aspects of higher education.

At Taylor's University today.  

Following our visit to the university, I reached out to a friend of mine who is a registered architect to gain further perspective on the architectural profession. My friend candidly shared that an architecture course is widely regarded as one of the most demanding academic pursuits, second only to medicine. She highlighted the rigorous and meticulous nature of the course, involving numerous requirements and examinations before one can become a registered architect. This conversation reinforced the idea that Sherilyn's path would not be easy, but it also served to underline the immense value and satisfaction that comes with achieving this professional milestone.

Recognizing the importance of gathering insights from those already established in the field, I arranged for Sherilyn to meet my architect friend for a face-to-face discussion next week.  This meeting will allow her to gain valuable advice, firsthand experiences, and a realistic understanding of the challenges and rewards that lie ahead. I firmly believe that hearing from someone who has walked the path Sherilyn aspires to tread will greatly assist her in making an informed decision about her future.

Friday, 9 June 2023 ~ Random Updates

In the past couple of weeks, my world has been a whirlwind of responsibilities, health issues, and the absence of my part-time helper, Maria. It's been quite a ride, to say the least. 

Maria, my part-time helper, recently went back to Indonesia for a two-week break. With her absence, the burden of managing all the housework fell on my shoulders. From cooking and cleaning to chauffeuring, it has been a constant juggling act. Balancing work, parenting, and household chores has tested my multitasking skills and pushed me to my limits.

On top of this, I was hit by a stubborn and irritating cough that has plagued me for the past seven nights. Sleepless nights, a ticklish throat, and a congested chest have become my constant companions. Despite trying three different types of cough syrup, none have provided relief. If this persists, I have decided to see a doctor on Monday. 

The lack of or rather the absence of deep and uninterrupted sleep has taken its toll on my overall well-being. The persistent cough and lack of shuteye have left me with a nagging headache, constant fatigue, bouts of dizziness and aches in my ribs (from the constant coughing). I'm physically and mentally drained. This feels so much worse than getting Covid!  However, I remain hopeful that tomorrow will bring a better day and that I'll find the energy to tackle life's hurdles head-on.

The best piece of news I got this week is Sherilyn’s SPM results.  I didn’t set high expectations for Sherilyn to excel in her SPM. She had spent too much time dancing, baking, cooking, participating in endless competitions in and out of school, and on other stuff, thus didn’t put 100% effort into preparation for her exam. Thus, I didn’t expect much from her.  I thought to myself that as long as she passes the SPM and is eligible to get into college and uni, I’ll be happy.  But this girl surprised me with her results.  She did score several As, and even an A for Math, the subject that I thought was her weakest. And she got a B for Physics, the subject that she once failed in school.  

All glory to God. 

This Miss Ambitious has now decided to pursue A-Levels at MCKL and then a BA of Science in Architecture, followed by a Master's of Architecture.  I kept telling her to reconsider her decision as it's going to take at least 7 years of studies and several years of experience as an architect including fulfilling specific requirements and qualifications governed by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) before she becomes a registered architect and gets a prefix, "Ar" before her name.  This will entail a lot of hard work, not to mention money to fund her tertiary education.  Our Miss Ambitious has remained steadfast in her decision and told me that she will continue working part-time to partially fund her uni fees. 😮

Sherilyn made a big batch of blueberry pie and tarts as blueberries are in season and on sale now.  She made so many that we've been savoring the luscious blueberry tarts and pie every day for the past week.

Yummiest blueberry tart ever with the perfect pie crust and a generous filling of fresh blueberries and blueberry compote. She made the compote herself and it's pretty easy and fast to prep it.

Blueberry tarts for her colleagues in Front Room Cafe.

The eldest SIL from England came to visit and stayed with us for 5 days.  She commissioned Sherilyn to bake a blueberry tart for her to bring to a friends' meetup.

With a part-time job from Monday through Saturday, Sherilyn didn't have much time to bake the tart. She spaced out the baking steps over several days and managed to complete the tart in the morning on the day of my SIL's meetup with her friends, just before leaving for work.

Friday, 2 June 2023

Fridays are usually exciting and filled with plans for the weekend, but sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs. Since yesterday I have been feeling under the weather, battling a cough, slight nasal congestion, and a pounding headache. Today it got worse and I started to have a scratchy throat. With the worry of COVID looming, I decided to take precautions and took a self-test, which thankfully turned out negative. Though feeling unwell, I didn't want to spoil the plans for Cass to attend her figure skating class at Pavillion Bukit Jalil.  Fortunately, Alycia came home from uni early and told me that she could accompany Cass to Pavillion.  Later, Sherilyn texted me to tell me that her dance class was canceled and she could also bring Cass to Pavillion.  Now Cass has two chaperones to bring her to Pavillion by Grab while I stayed home to rest.

To reward Alycia and Sherilyn, I treated them to dinner of sushi, and to a movie. While Cass had a delightful time at the skating rink, Alycia and Sherilyn enjoyed the new Spiderman animated movie at the cinema, which they said was good.  Everyone had an enjoyable day despite the hiccup in my health.

After fetching Cass back from school, I brought her to the sundae truck and this time luck was on her side. It was opened! 

Saturday Night Dinner At Restaurant Bak Kut Teh Fatty Chun

There's something special about exploring new restaurants and indulging in a delightful dining experience. Last Saturday night our family visited Bak Kut Teh Fatty Chun restaurant, driven by hubby’s previous exceptional dining experience there. 

As we entered Fatty Chun, we were greeted by friendly and helpful staff, and a cozy ambiance that immediately put us at ease, even though the restaurant wasn’t air-conditioned. The restaurant boasted an extensive menu, featuring a variety of tai chow specialties. After some careful consideration, we settled on seven dishes that sounded enticing and promised to be a feast for our taste buds.

1. Steamed Village Chicken with Ginger Sauce: Our meal commenced with a classic and timeless dish – steamed village chicken served with ginger sauce. The tender, succulent chicken, paired with the aromatic ginger sauce, was a match made in culinary heaven. The chicken was cooked to perfection, retaining its juiciness and natural flavors.

2. Flavorful Fried Fish Head: Next on our culinary journey was the fried fish head, and we were pleasantly surprised by its delightful taste. The dish was expertly prepared, with the fish head cooked to perfection. Every bite was a medley of flavors, and what impressed us most was the absence of any overpowering fishy smell. It was a true testament to the chef's skill and the restaurant's commitment to quality.

3. Stir-Fried Lettuce: To balance out the richness of our meal, we opted for the refreshing stir-fried lettuce. The greens were lightly stir-fried to retain their crunchiness, and the subtle seasoning added a delightful flavor. This dish served as a refreshing palate cleanser, complementing the other dishes perfectly.

4. Clay Pot Ba Kut Teh: The aroma of the herbal broth filled the air as the dish arrived at our table. The pork ribs were tender and succulent, but unfortunately, the soup itself fell a bit short. We found it to be slightly bland and diluted, lacking the robust flavors we were expecting.

5. Scrumptious Yam Basket: The yam basket was a delightful surprise and quickly became one of our favorite dishes of the evening. The golden, crispy yam shell encased a medley of stir-fried vegetables and tender chicken meat, creating a harmonious combination of textures and flavors. This dish was both visually appealing and satisfying to the palate.

6. Irresistible Fried Noodles with Egg Sauce: The crispy deep-fried noodles with egg sauce added a touch of comfort to our dinner.  Tossed in a luscious egg sauce with a variety of ingredients, this dish was a hit with everyone at the table.

7. Delectable Deep-Fried Mantis Prawns: Last but not least, we savored the deep-fried mantis prawns. These succulent prawns were coated in a light, crispy batter, resulting in a tantalizing combination of flavors and textures. The prawns were a true indulgence, and we relished each bite.

Our Saturday night dinner at Fatty Chun Ba Kut Teh restaurant was a satisfying experience. From the warm welcome to the delightful array of dishes, everything exceeded our expectations. Each plate was crafted with care and precision, showcasing the culinary expertise of the restaurant's talented chefs.

We left the restaurant with satisfied taste buds and full stomachs.

Restaurant Bak Kut Teh Fatty Chun

253, Jln Klang Lama

58000 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: 012-303 2340