Mahesh Lunch Home, Mumbai…Overrated, overhyped and overpriced

For all its name and reputation, Mahesh certainly doesn’t live up to expectations. How this place get it’s mojo is a mystery. There are definitely better options which are more tasty and lighter on your wallet when it comes to sea food.

Don’t get me wrong, not that the food is not good.  The food is nice but not quite authentic. It is cooked to suit western palettes and cost far too much. Like I said before, you get similar dishes with this kind of quality for a fraction of the price (at least 30% less) elsewhere.

The ceiling is too low and the tables are too close together.

Venting can be fun. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Manna, Bangkok…..heaven on a shrimp cake

Manna, with its charming retro-ish decor and neutral colours and funky bent-wire chandeliers, is located within the gourmet food zone at the G floor of the classy Siam Paragon Shopping Center.

Majority of the food available at Manna is Thai food that is slightly reworked with a focus on Sukhothai cooking style. Overall, the food at Manna is delicious to super delicious. And like its setting, Manna’s food is relatively sweet. The stir fried noodles with shrimps, bean curd and vegetables was undeniably good! And the shrimps cakes….man oh man the shrimp cakes!!! IT TASTED AMAZING. Wow! Such a great find. Mouthwatering fried shrimp cakes with sweet and sour plum dips. It’s the real deal!

But the drink, I’d prefered the small thai coconut  instead of the big green one they serve

My verdict is that Manna, with its farang-friendly food is a pleasant spot to unwind and dine. This is the true truth as i say it as it is…..

The Cheesecake Factory, Glendale, Los Angeles…Classically American

The Cheesecake Factory is a major chain that’s always packed and with an absurdly large menu. It is a great place if you want delicious food and a grandiose atmosphere with high ceilings and dim lighting.  There’s pretty much something for everyone here. The food is mostly good.  Not $$$$ fine-dining good, but well, for what it is, it’s good….and the service was spot on.

Located at the Americana at Brand in Glendale, this is one of the nicer Cheesecake Factory that I’ve been to. The place was super packed. There was a line just to put your name on the list, and even then you had to wait about 15 minutes just to get the pager thingy, with an expected total wait time of over an hour. Luckily I stood outside because I had a chance to see The Americana, which was really nice at night with perfectly manicured lawn resembling astro-turf, a local “train”, and picturesque stores.

Their slice of cheesecake is massive! Don’t be a pig and be prepared to share this collossal piece of yumminess. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Kedai Makanan May King, Kuala Lumpur…Slurpilycious lam mee and meat balls are life-changing

Lam Mee is yellow noodle mixed with starchy brown gravy/broth. The specialty Lam Mee here is filled with lots of condiments such as chicken shreds, prawns, minced meat, nga choi (bean sprouts) and chinese cabbage. The key lies in the perfect blend of  the thick,  flavourful and rich gravy drenching each strand of noodles which is just so alluring.

The 3 in 1 meat ball is made from fresh mackerel, pork and squid. The bits of squids gave the extra kick to the meat ball.

May Keng Cafe is a is a no-frills shop but you do eat in air-conditioned comfort. The lam mee and meat balls are life-changing. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…