Flogger

These days, there are floggers everywhere. I think anyone can do it because everyone has a point and shoot, broadband, and of course, filling their stomachs. My gripe however, is being impartial or a suitable judge.

This post isn't about anyone writing anything bad about my restaurant, but its about restaurants and eateries I tried out myself after reading favorable reviews. Though the saying 'One man's meat is another man's poison' rings true in relation to said topic but truthfully how can there be such a drastic difference of taste amongst us, Malaysians?

I visited each of these establishments with the minutest of expectations because we all know high expectations yield great disappointments. So recently I visited this ghetto-like Thai eatery (I'm not comparing in any way to my own but in a way proper Thai food should be) located along a jetty. I'm sure most of you know which I'm talking about.

I ordered what a famous flogger wrote as "the mouthwatering taste is just fabulous" for the clear soup Tom Yum Seafood. I had the exact same soup and after one sip I was asking myself how does one define Thailand's most famous soup as fabulous when lime isn't one of the main ingredient included? Now said person can make or break an establishment with their review, but how does one write so favorably of a dish when instead of lime, was vinegar? How could vinegar be a substitute for lime in Tom Yum?

(That is blasphemy in Thai culinary cooking!)

Other dishes didn't measure up to the hype it received, and I felt it was a real miss of said flogger with the glowing review. I will continue trying out places said flogger has patronized and compare taste buds. Makes me feel we need more Simon Cowell-type floggers and less of the Paula Abdul ones.

Was it any wonder why she got the chop?

Idiota

While last night was slow, the icing on a rather disappointing night was summed up with a rant from a very bald and gay Italian.

I have no qualms of one's sexuality, in fact many of my regulars are of the pink currency, but this was quite a different scenario completely.

So three of them came, Bald Italian, British and a local. They ordered their starters and wanted them out before the mains were served. No problem. So out came their starters and I proceeded to push out their mains. Their order was two mains(Pineapple Fried Rice & Pad Thai Prawns) to be shared. Fine, no problem.

So the first, Pad Thai came flying out. And while the chef was preparing their second main, the first was sent back to be reheated. It was still hot! About plus minus seven minutes, their second was done and both brought out to be served. Bald Italian was fuming. British said 'too late, take it back'. Bald Italian stood up and confronted me, saying 'I asked you to bring both mains out at the same time.'

'This is unacceptable, you should have the facilities to keep the food warm. I used to be a chef' Bald Italian retorted.

And he wouldn't allow me to explain. Every time I tried he kept cutting me off. Then he went on about how the food at my parent's restaurant next door is great but doesn't come out in the order he wanted it to. I held myself back. 'This isn't fine western dining, its Thai'. 'A chef? Where? At KFC? Were a few things I had at the back of my tongue.

Amy said I handled it well. She told me she would have manhandled Bald Italian and threw him out on his culo. I mean I was pissed. The night was already slow, coupled with an unreasonable person's demand without at least understanding the cultures of one's cuisine. And if you really were a chef, you'd know how to differentiate.

Still I kept my cool even with his last statement, 'Thank you for ruining my evening' before storming out. I would have lost the plot if he wasn't gonna stop. His partner, the petite local chap who paid the bill, told us this is how Bald Italian is, felt bad and was apologetic.

Well ladies and gentlemen, this is the service industry for you. Sometimes, ya just have to take it with a pinch of salt.....*inhales deeply*

I almost ran out to say 'There's a McDonald's down the road'

Twenty10

First up, I'd like to wish everyone a belated happy 2010. May each and everyone of you be blessed with great health, ascending career paths and a blissful love life.

I have earmarked a few things to achieve this year, though one of them already kicked off in December - to be healthier(which we will get to a little later). One of my resolutions is to be more active on my blog. I'm grateful for readers who've dropped mails expressing their pleasure in reading what I have to say on this off and on again blog. Thank you. I will try my utmost to write MORE often. So bear with me.

Looking back, I can say with justice that 2009 had been kind to me. Toward the end of '08, it was said the Goat would be having a difficult year in '09, but I begged to differ.

Here's why....

• Left my company to pursue a life of a restaurateur, while its been a 180 degree change, its been exciting and there are no regrets.
• I met Amy. The past ten months have been nothing but a blissful journey with her. My pillar of strength, who's supported me in my quest to be a success in my new found trade, and of course, to be a better person in life.
• The retail project, my last assignment I oversaw before leaving my company, was a success and took the company out of our slump.
• Being closer to family after being away a total of a decade. Took getting used to, but there has been more pros than cons.

Back in June of last year, I bought a book, 'Skinny Bastard'. Its basically a book about being a Vegan and talks about how unhygienic the slaughter houses are, how the human body isn't functioned to digest meat, that the animals we consume are fed with countless amounts of antibiotics and are sprayed with pesticides and insecticides.

How when alarmed, the animal releases stress related chemicals into their bloodstream before slaughter which compromises the quality etc.

Reading up on all that has made me aware how cancer is so common. How the food you and I are ingesting, are the causes of various types of cancer and heart diseases. So around late last year, I went on a 5 day vegetarian diet till today.

I allowed myself eggs, with fragrant brown rice and raw or sometimes lightly cooked vegetables. I get to eat what I want on my off day plus one day on the weekends with Amy. I feel better especially in terms of energy levels and have dropped 4kgs.

I'm working on some changes with regards to the restaurant. Stay tuned for what's in store. Meantime, wishing you the very best for twenty-ten. May this be a better year for you!

Over & out!