Sunday, June 26, 2011

Lunch - Ginger and Spice

Back to one of our favourites on Saturday.  We took two friends.  He was born in Malaysia and just loves Malaysian food.  We've been telling him for ages about Ginger and Spice.



As you walk into the restaurant, you can see through to the kitchen.  The Chef always has a friendly wave.  This time when we arrived the very friendly and courteous young waitress, who has made some delicious suggestions previously,  quietly said that the Chef thought we should try something new this time.  Obviously he was worried that we only ever order our favourites.  So - we agreed to try.

Firstly - Ngoh Hiang - deep fried 'Five Spice' rolls of minced pork, prawns and water chestnuts in beancurd skin.  Why haven't we tried these before?  Really lovely, and the water chestnuts gave them a refreshing crunch.  Then the Roti Prata - crispy pan-friend Indian wheat bread with curry dipping sauce.  We had ordered this before, but our guests wanted to try.  Heavenly as usual.   For main we ordered Beef Rendang - melt in your mouth beef and just the perfect chilli temperature.  Then Assam Curry Fish - cutlet of Cod simmered with eggplant, okra and tomato in a curry and tamarind sauce.  The skin of the fish was a little off-putting, as was the Okra (not my favourite), but the sauce was very flavourful.



Our guests were thrilled to see the Nasi Lemak on the menu, so of course we ordered that - Coconut rice with Beef Rendang, Sambal Prawn, Egg, Ikan Bilis and Acar (pickled vegetables), served with a mound of steamed rice with a perfectly fried egg on top.  One essential was the Chow Fan (what I refer to as the best Fried Rice in Australia) - Street Hawker Fried Rice with BBQ Pork, Prawns, eggs and peas.  And as if that wasn't enough, we had to let them try the Prawns in Black Pepper Sauce which were amazing, as usual.  






And to top it all off, we each took home takeaway dishes.  We chose Char Kway Teo and Chow Fan, they chose  Fish wrapped in Banana Leaf with Coconut Rice and another Beef Rendang.


This restaurant is cash only, and I have previously mentioned that it wasn't cheap.  But it really is value for money and very good food.  Mains average around $20.

9/10

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