Childhood favourites: Nabisco Chickin in a biskit

I grew up with snacking being a main part of my life which explains the biscuit-chocolate-cookie aisles being the favourite in a supermart. At some point, I could have attempted all that was available. Chicken in a biskit holds fond memories for me and having undergone a major rebranding - from design to cookie shape and finally recipe. It was once the saltiest biscuit around but as a kid with boundless energy, it was all delicious.



It was a biscuit with jagged edges, reminding me of an oblong stamp with a crumbly texture which I always wish could have more bite. Years later, it is firmer and comes in chicken drumstick shapes! I actually mistook it for a fish though.



Cheese, however packs more bite and punch. It can pass off as a potato chip replacement anytime and I am completely loving the generous flavouring of nacho cheese!

Does anyone love them like I do? What is your favourite childhood snack then! I'm not sure how far this trail can bring me but I'm looking forward to reconnecting with the edible past.

Malaysian Food Street Eats @ RW Sentosa

Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World is the cheapest option available for some tummy filling before taking on rides at Universal Studios or venturing to the other parts of this manmade revelry. Friends have raved about hawker food in Penang and KL but my travels usually elude such culinary discoveries hence I was interested to give this a go - yet, maintaining some form of neutrality about the standard since they are "imported". 



Taking in the street sights.



Complete with real props.



Where to go?



Down memory lane.



A pastry shop even!

Penang Assam Laksa

Queues for these are manageable, at least the preparation process was simple and I got my food in no time.  



Assam Laksa ($5)



I've known Nonya Laksa all my life when travelogues have sworn the best to be Penang's. Second to none indeed, this watery classic is "DA BOMB". Powered with spices and a tangy finish, pineapples serve as a wonderful ingredient - fruity flavours turned spicy. Chunks of tuna made this a delicious number, and I loved the thicker than usual laksa noodles too. 

Sold, sold...sold! Ticket to Penang on its way.  

KL Jalan Alor Hokkien Mee

This however, sported a longer and more permanent queue with some giving up midway. At least a 7 minute wait for the dish upon ordering, it better be dropdeadgorgeous kind of good.  



Hokkien Mee ($6)

Unlike the local ones, these are fried in black sauce and dished up looking more menacing than squid ink. I found it too saucy and somewhat salty though it was a different take on our local favourite. Plumped with seafood, it was actually a really good deal. 

Penang Lim Brothers' Char Koay Teow

I first tasted Penang Char Koay Teow in KL, infact, from a food festival that was randomly going on. I remember having it in the hotel room and finding it so good heading back for seconds.  



Char Koay Teow ($5)

Thinner oodles of flat noodles, these pack enough wok hei without being drippingly doused in oil. Nothing to hate, I embrace this with much love and stomach space!

Roti Canai and Nasi Briyani



Roti Canai and Curry Chicken ($6.80)

Malaysia's answer to roti prata. I found the original better than egg and chicken curry really hearty. 



Yum!



Drinks are the most expensive deal in this food court, a surprise find given that the rest of the dishes are considerably affordable. $2 Iced Teh-C Kosong or $2.20 for Jia Jia Liang Teh is pricey business. With most of the food up several spicy notches, paying through your nose for beverages is unfortunately unavoidable. 

Pleasantly surprised at the number of food gems uncovered, the parking fee or bus fare could be a dampener but definitely worth the while!

Malaysian Food Street
RW Sentosa

Jewel Cafe + Bar @ Rangoon Road

Jewel has been creating waves for brunch and brunch-hungry me joined the rest in this hype. Housed in a row of shophouses, it is hard to miss this outlet but parking can be quite a pain.



Jewel here, jewel there, jewel everywhere.



No entry!



Clipboards of tatty paper.



Order at the counter but call for the bill.



Portland ($7)

This acidic number was unfriendly on first taste but accompanied the fried items pretty well! A swell number for coffee pairing!



Smoked Salmon Salad ($12)
Mixed salad with smoked salmon, capers, onion, radish, orange vinaigrette

We had it at orange vinaigrette. The tangy sauce was fundamental for this dish. Rolls of savoury smoked salmon with the garden of greens, I could turn pescetarian for this. 



Umami Prawn Capellini ($22)
Capellini with grilled prawns, crustacean oil topped with Umami "magic" dust

I usually do not get floored by prawn pastas and I did. A pretty dish to begin with and then the flavours put together set off a gastronomical display of fireworks. Prawns are fresh and pasta executed well - satisfied!



Nom therapy.



Truffle Fries ($7)

For sure, the greatest deception in the eyes of gourmet cooks. Truffle oil does the trick yet Jewel does it awesome! Thick cut fries with a generous drizzle of truffle oil, does rival Clifford for my best truffle fries around.



OMG Burger ($20)
2 slices of crispy bacon, luncheon meat, cheddar, lettuce, onion, tomato, topped with sunny side egg

Infact, this was the deal that made it a must to check out Jewel. Bacon, beef and luncheon meat all in a burger has to be every meat lover's dream come through. I was surprised that the savouriness of the luncheon meat went well with all the other meaty delights.



While it was not the best cafe burger, it was a hearty one.

To think I set my mind on trying out the brunch menu, we ended up eating lunch items. I suppose that calls for another visit!

Jewel Cafe + Bar
129 Rangoon Road

Artichoke Revisited @ Sculpture Square

Good restaurants do not need publicity, or so we all think. Rather, there is a misconception that food tastings are mostly issued for flailing businesses that need a jolt of support. I have to be upfront that sometimes these tastings are an inflated experience of the real deal and some do not live up to expectations thereafter.



Artichoke left me choking for more. Apologies for the pun but even before I could pen the last entry I had my heart and mind set on a return. Please make reservations to get a seat indoors else face the wrath of our dear scorching sun being baked outdoors.



Grabbing snatches of herbs for brunch!



Artichoke, oh artichoke.



The interior murals.



Sunny disposition.



Lemonade ($4.50)

A must order in this sweltering temperatures! I am head over heels in love with this refreshing thirst quencher.



Mezze Platter ($24)

An appetizer platter of their house specialties. The pals who have been to the Mediterraneans have nothing but praise for this, authentic or not I know not but their colourful tasty showcases did not fail.



Bacon and Sweet Potato

A new kiddo on the menu, infact one of my friends contributed to its creation in this Artichoke Challenge. This is how it works, customers throw ingredient ideas and the team decides what goes into the next feature! I've thought of mine and shall participate in the next one!



Comprising of bacon chop in chunks, sweet potato and eggs, I hope they keep this substantial number on the menu! Who would think this combination would be this delicious? The pita bread with that butter chunk, sublimal!



Lamb Shashouka ($25)

A tantalizing stew of lamb, tomatoes and eggs sprinkled with chopped pistachios. Wild Honey brought the doldrums to tomato stew and I thought the mexicans loved all things bland. We ended up scrapping the metal plate for more simply because the flavours that were presented were simply amazing - tangy, sinewy and eggy all in one!



Date Pudding ($12)

I know that the guys behind Artichoke do not believe in going for run of the mill or following every other restaurant that has jumped onto the bandwagon for THE dish of the moment and still I was surprised that date pudding was presented in a moat of caramel sauce and coffee jelly. The pudding was no different from the Roasted Banana Muffin that I am a major fan of, infact dates were missing. I'd have to pass on loving this one.



Roasted Banana Muffin ($4.50)

Banana in THE muffin. Still wowed by this and made fans of the companions. 1000 calorie muffin? Bring it on.



And then there was the sweet surprise. .

I completed brunch wishing for another return, maybe dinner next! Hidden gem this may be but the steady following that has developed is amazing. Queues form so tirelessly for a bite of their Mediterranean adventures.

Artichoke
Sculpture Square

Nadaman @ Shangrila

Since 1830 Nadaman has been creating culinary waves all over. They are found in Shangrila hotel chains and I was looking forward to this visit for a long time now - even way before Tatsuya caused an impression actually.



With touches like these and a decent number of Japanese diners, it truly felt like Japan. 



The busy chef. 



Ittadakimasu!



Spinach and bonito flakes to kick start the meal - only the Japanese can present something so pedestrian yet taste so good.



Chawanmushi fan I am definitely not, infact, I have only been wowed on a select number of occasions and mostly in the land of the rising sun.



California Roll ($15)

The most expensive california roll eaten. When it arrived, I did a double take on the bland looking sushi. I suppose Sushi Tei and Sakae Sushi has built such a colourful image of it that anything less is different. It was just avocado and crabmeat that made all the difference - it dawned on me, that's the way california rolls should taste like, not just crunchy cucumbers and artificial crabmeat.



Their bento sets are a steal - presented in little plates.



So fresh, it would have been a flashback to Japan.



A first time ordering fish voluntarily. Cod teriyaki was tastefully done and really fresh.



The mackerel was hardly fishy - a major plus point and it kept us belly happy.



I particularly loved the beancurd skin that had a foamy and light texture.



I am probably so used to fried rice with wok hei that these Japanese equivalents seem to lack flavour.  Nonetheless, it was still tasty with a dash of soya.



Not a miso soup fan and this was pretty wholesome.



Pickles make any meal appetizing.



The icecream had to be the greatest letdown, somewhere between Wall's and King's, icicles included.

Quality food that definitely piqued the interest for seconds. Even at 1-for-1, the quality was not compromised. It always tickles the interest when I see Japanese patronizing the restaurant, one for sure, it also resonates well with them.

$38++

Nadaman
Shangrila