PM Raya Open House 2013

I never missed a chance to visit the Prime Minister's Raya open house since been based in Putrajaya in 2010.

 

 

As usual, the main gate was open roughly around 10am on the first day of Raya.

The eating place is as usual at the large open space just beside the lake. Many large tents are set up and the initial expectation is 80, 000 - 100, 000 visitors will throng this place this year.

 

Frankly speaking, I notice the number of visitors had dropped this year compare to last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year's menu consist of nasi briyani, curry mee, soto ayam, asam laksa, chicken rendang, mee goreng mamak, rojak pasembor, char kuey teow, roti john, satay, nasi impit, roti canai, tosai and local desserts such as cendol and kuih.

 

 

 

I am a bit disappointed as there are lack of fresh ideas and innovation been put into organizing the open house. Everything looks exactly the same as the previous years right down to the food.

After the customary shaking hands with the cabinet ministers, visitors were given some goodies. The items given are exactly the same as last year although I found the mug design this year more appropriate.

Ramadan Buffet @ Marriott Putrajaya

Almost all major hotels now offer sumptuous buffet during the fasting month. Marriott Putrajaya somehow manage to attract a lot of patrons every single year to its buffet.

This year, the buffet is held at the ballroom which is spacious and comfortable. I can't estimate its real capacity but all the outside parking bays are full.

The lamb roast is a popular choice in every buffet and it is no different here. There is always a long queue and left with bones in just less than an hour after breaking the fast.

The hotel also offers durian to my surprise. Now, this is one of the favourite section for those who enjoy the king of fruits.

This is probably one of the biggest fish I come across been served in a restaurant.

 

They even have banana fritters as a snack, fresh from the frying pan.

Sushi is also available and been snapped up pretty fast. There is almost nothing left in less than an hour.

 

 

 

Here are the other food on offer here.  The highlights include seven Kawah of Kari Kepala Ikan, Ayam Kerutup, Daging Gulai Kawah, Ikan Assam Pedas, Perut Lembu Masak Cili Padi, Kambing Kuzi and Dalca Tulang Rawan.

The varieties are good but the waiting time for the refill can be somewhat challenging.

There are also specialized live cooking stalls and sections serving Mee Kari, Assam Laksa, Prawn Mee, Mee Siam, Mee Goreng Mamak, Chicken and Beef Satay, Nasi Briyani and Nasi Kerabu.

I wish I could able to sample all the food (the buffet is priced at RM 110++ per adult and RM 66++ per child) it got to offer but this belly of mine has a limit as I am not that young anymore.

Soong Kee Beef Noodle @ Lot 10 Hutong

Soong Kee has a long history when it comes to beef noodle in KL. Besides the original shop located near Jalan Pudu, one can dine in comfortably in one of their branch in Lot 10 Hutong.

 

One can read its history from newspaper articles which are on display at the stall. It tells the story of how the founder started the business and how the brand become successful today.

 

 

Everything here is self service and one will need to carry the tray of what they ordered, just like any food court in the malls. Definitely one of the best place to enjoy beef noodle in an air conditioned surrounding.

 

The egg noodle actually tastes like wanton noodle. It is topped with finely minced meat (it could either be beef or pork) cooked with dark soya sauce paste. It is not the taste of the beef noodle I am used to but this one will still do.

The price had definitely went up in the recent year. The combo cost a total of RM 10.80 (subtotal: RM 10.20 and government tax : RM0.60). It used to cost less than RM10. I like the beef balls soup better though. It comes with thin beef slices and beef intestine.

Sinki Restaurant, Dengkil

When it comes to food, Dengkil has a lot to offer and one of the best place to eat here is at Sinki Restaurant. It is at a row of old shop houses just beside the police station.

 

This restaurant is now seems to run by the second and third generation of the original founder. Due to its proximity to Putrajaya, some of the ex-ministers used to dine here.

 

The Chilli Fish (RM 20) is a must try fish here. No visit will be complete without trying this dish. The fish is fresh and fried crispy. The spicy and sweet gravy is the best part. It goes really well with the fish and rice.

Pork Knuckle (RM 25) is quite a decent dish which comes with thai sauce. I still prefer the German pork knuckle though.

Paku (RM 10) is nicely stir fried  with some dried shrimp, chillies and garlic.

I really like the food here. Cheap and cheerful. Some of the other worthy dishes here are the prawn in dark soya sauce, simple boiled chicken & steam tofu and fish balls

Raya Decoration 2013 @ The Curve

The Curve is probably the earliest shopping mall to set up their Raya decoration this year around the Klang Valley.

Their concept this year is to rewind back to the sixties and create the ambience of shopping at KL's famed Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

 

 

Shoppers can bring back those good old memories with the colourful 1960-era facades with their distinctive colonial style architecture.

 

The Coliseum Theater replica also act as the main stage where performances will be held at certain intervals.