Month: December 2017

Arabica, Arashiyama

Arabica has been dubbed one of the best coffee shops in Kyoto. I visited their Arashiyama store. This is a hipster coffee shop on the banks of the Hozu-gawa River. The only available seating in the store is a cubicle which can accommodate 4 adults but with a charge of 1000yen/ 30mins. There are seats outside the store where you can enjoy the view of the river. It’s a great place to get a pick-me-up while exploring the area. I would recommend going early in the morning as there are fewer people. I got there around 9am.

I got myself a medium-sized cappuccino for 500 yen. There are 3 sizes available – small, medium, and large. The coffee was smooth, creamy, and milky, different from the ones bought at more popular chain stores such as Starbucks, Tully’s, and Costa. I really liked it!

 


Open from 8AM to 6PM

*On a side note, I recommend that anyone visiting Kyoto visit Arashiyama. It’s a really beautiful and serene place. Do go early to avoid crowds of tourists. I also recommend exploring sites that are further away from the more popular destinations, such as the bamboo forest and the Tenryu ji temple.  My brother and I visited the Gio-ji temple, which was a 30min walk from the randen arashiyama station. We took the richshaw from the bamboo forest to the temple and then returned to the station. There was hardly anyone there. It was perfect! I was able to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the temple without the interference of a crowd. The walk back to the station was peaceful also.

Here are some pictures that were taken during my trip 🙂

Italiannies @ The Gardens (permanently closed)

On our last day in the city (Kuala Lumpur), after shopping at The Gardens Mall, my siblings and I wanted to have a good western lunch. So we looked at the directory and decided on the Italian restaurant – Italiannies. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor, on the same side as Robinsons. At first glance, the restaurant has a modern rustic yet inviting atmosphere.

There were only two waiters, and we had to wait quite some time for someone to take our orders. One was more professional and friendlier than the other.  As we were hungry, it seemed like an eternity for our food to be served.

Sicilian Chicken RM 34.85

We ordered the Sicilian Chicken salad, which was marinated diced chicken breast, mango, red grapes, and walnuts, tossed in a Sicilian dressing on crisp romaine lettuce. The croutons could be more buttery and crispy; however, I liked that it had a light dressing as it allowed me to savor the sweetness of the fruits and lettuce. A refreshing salad dish.

Baked Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage

The baked orecchiette with chicken sausage was amazing. The first mouthful I took instantly made me wanting more. The taste reminded me of Carbonara except less thick and more savory. And the baked cheese on top, mmm, love it!

Herb Rice with Fish RM 24.90

What I liked about this dish was the fish. It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I did not fancy the cioppino sauce; it tasted like store-bought pasta sauce. The rice had a nice Italian seasoning flavor to it.

Salmon with Zucchini Cream RM 58.20

The salmon took a really long time to be served. The mashed potatoes were palatable, it had a thicker and chewier consistency with a lovely coating of some kind of chicken gravy.  I was disappointed to find that the salmon was overcooked, so I requested another. When I went over to the counter to pay, the “friendlier” waiter apologized again for the overcooked salmon.

All in all, this was not a great dining experience. The food was mediocre except for the baked orecchiette. The service was poor and there was even a 10 percent service charge. The food did not justify the price.

I don’t think I will dine at this restaurant again, neither would I recommend it.