The Four Points by Sheraton Kuching is no stranger to visitors, local and visitors alike. For the locals, it is the place to escape the busy buzz of Kuching town, and to visitors, it offers a splendid location for business trips, meetings and even a city getaway. I was so happy to be here once again to The Eatery All Day Dining Restaurant, and this time it is more special as the invitation was extended in conjunction with a special event by the Four Points to appreciate the true essence of the joyful season – the “Christmas Love Treats”. Fellow blogger Garner, Aliey and Irene were also there to add to the merry making!

With Christmas in the air, holiday cheer spread around, and merry making everywhere, the culinary team cooked up a storm of delicious Christmas comfort food and feel good treats for its visitors. I was so very excited to be there, because from past experience dining with my colleague, I left with a welcomed sensation and most importantly a belly full of good food. The Eatery’s spread of buffet left very little to be desired as it serves up a slew of Western, Asian and local Malaysian cuisine; and if you still have room for dessert, the spread boasts a festive of sweet temptation, each waiting for you to savour and taste. 

Those who knows me personally would agree that I have a sizable appetite for a small guy. I’d like to disagree, but then I’d be lying! Dining at Four Points by Sheraton this time also meant that this is my first experience in enjoying a wide assortment of Christmas cuisines! Upon arrival, we were greeted personally by Ivan, the Online & Field Marketing Manager and were introduced to the different stations along the buffet spread – the Seafood on Ice, Create Your Own Salad counter, Soup from Kettle counter, Main Course Station, Carvery Station, Asian Station and Festive Sweet Temptation. 

I began with a couple of buns and a selection of items from the Seafood on Ice. On my plate there was Tuna and Salmon fillet, salami, a few sushi and California rolls sans wasabi (I decided to not to have any condiments), Prawn Salad and my new favourite – Christmas Venison Pâté. For first timers, myself included, a pate is made from finely minced or mashed ingredients, in this case it is a venison meat. So delish!

Next, while Aliey was busy making herself a Caesar Salad from the Create Your Own Salad counter, I decided to try out something from the Soup from Kettle counter – the Lobster Bisque with Truffle Oil and Crab Meat. It was my first time trying it out – what a wonderful surprise it was! The taste, coupled with an Herb Stick Bread or probably any bread rolls or loaves was just scrumptious! The texture was smooth and delightful, the taste creamy and satisfying!  

I decided to try out the main courses after finishing my soup – the Chicken Schnitzel (a thin slice of a piece of chicken, coated with breadcrumbs and egg and then fried) with lemon and caper, helped myself to some Roasted Turkey with Raisins, Roasted Potatoes and some Calamari Rings prepared with a local flavour. I also took a couple of Half Shelled Scallop and a few slices of fruits to cleanse my palette. Owh, did I tell you about the Herb Stick Bread? They are amazing on their own, and even better with the Lobster Bisque!

Thanks to the large portion of the Venison Pâté and the sheer number of main courses, I found myself full despite still wanting to savour the rest of the dishes in the other stations. The Asian Station offers Steamed White Pomfret Fish Teochew Style, Braised Chicken Meat Ball in Superior Sauce, Vietnamese Prawns and KL Curry Noodles! Alas, I settled and made way to the dessert station instead and fret about what to have for dessert! There were cookies of various kinds, an assortment of Macaroon Sandwiches, Christmas Fruit Cakes and Stollen (it’s basically fruit cake), Christmas Hazelnut Dome, Cinnamon Crème Brulee, Lemon Lime Meringue Tartlets, Christmas Yule Log and the signature dessert that Four Points by Sheraton is well known for – the Cotton Cheese Cake. 

I wish I have the capacity (and sweetness tolerance) to handle all of the desserts, I really do! On the other hand, they all looked so divine that eating them is a crime to the eyes who have yet to see them. I have, in my plate, 3 cookies – a buttermilk, icing topped and chocolate, Christmas Mince Fruit Pie and the Lemon Lime Pie. It was most unfortunate that the Cotton Cheese Cake was gone by the time I was ready for my dessert - I am definitely coming back for it sometime soon. Anyone wants to join me? Just gimme a holler in the comments. 

All in all it was a great experience for me - sharing and mingling with new friends. We are, after all, one big family regardless of race and religion. I would like to personally thank Ivan and Myla and all of the staffs at Four Points by Sheraton for your generous hospitality, and especially to the Executive Chef Liou Chong Yaw for cooking up a storm. 

Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com

Don't they look delish? These are just some of the dishes that you can try at Han's Dim Sum. At affordable prices and guaranteed freshness (the dim sums are steamed upon ordering, not pre-steamed and kept heated) you'll be pleasantly surprised by how full-filling these dishes are. Looking for a quick lunch that is light on the tummy and pocket, but heavy on flavours and satisfaction, add Han's Dim Sum to your existing list. If you don't have a list yet, why not start with this?

Located at the Third Mile area, Han's Dim Sum occupies the corner lot of shophouses across Timberland Medical Center just next to Jolibee. Other landmarks to hep you spot the right location is Siang Siang Corner and Maxis. Here's the foursquare location. No pork, no lard, no alcohol served here. According to my host, Han's Dim Sum is trying to attract the younger generations to enjoy dim sums as a meal in general, and I have to agree, this place has all the perks that we all could enjoy (personally tho, if it comes to food, I'm game >.<)/

Let's start with the house specials - Chicken Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leaf. Choose your preferences be it roasted or steamed. As the name suggests, the chicken rice topped with chicken of your choice is wrapped with lotus leaf before being steamed, giving the pleasant aroma as you enjoy it. The portion is also good for a full lunch meal.

Next is another house specials - the Sifu Pau. This is another lunch-appropriate meal, and suitably made to enjoy dine-in or to go. It is a essentially a bundle of joy - a hot, steamed bun with glutinous rice, herbs, chicken and salted egg yolk (a Chinese friend told me it is essentially lo mai kai in a bun >.<)/  OMG I cannot get over the taste of it. I only had a quarter, but I kid you not, the bun was soft and supple (erk, that's a weird adjective to use on buns.. pun intended) the sticky rice and chicken was savoury, and the salted egg yolk was the surprise center. yummeeeehhh!!!! 

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

The writer would like to stress that it is now 12.30 on a Saturday morning, and he hasn't had lunch and skipped breakfast and is now droooling at his own post >.<

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

When it comes to choices of dim sum, there are many to choose from the menu. If you're a little lost at what to get, came with a couple of friends or simply have a big appetite, try Han's Yamcha Starter Set. This is the house favourite, serving the following dim sums:

Chicken Ham Roll

Seaweed Roll

Braised Chicken Wing

Century Egg Siew Mai

Chicken and Mushroom Siew Mai

and the chef's pick of the day.

Of course, you still have a choice to mix and match the individually priced dim sums from the menu.  Various condiments and dips are also available to dip the dim sums - I'm inclined to think that some dips complements a certain dim sum and do not work as well with others, but the only rule I follow is that if it taste good, it taste good. If not, try a different one. >.<  

Common kopitiam drinks are also available to wash down all those good food, or just order a pot of Chinese tea and shoot the breeze with your friends. 

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

The writer would like to point out that he just realised Han's Dim Sum is less than 5 minutes drive from where he is currently at. There can be no doubt that he is going there for lunch >.<

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

So my blog recently got featured in Sarawak bloggers for the month of September. In a mood for celebration I headed to the Sarawak Regatta Fair. I’ll have another entry for that later, but right now I am fully content with my own company having a bite of Steak Beef Pie at John’s Pie. I’ve heard of John’s Pie from someone, I don’t recall whom though. Also came across the name while covering for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2013.

The entrance

I gotta there was a small misunderstanding about John’s Pie. Though the name was familiar, I was never able to find it. Instead, I came across John’s Place. Boy they are worlds apart. Where John’s Pie serves pie and pastries (as the name implies), John’s Place is a kopitiam which also offers a bed & breakfast on the first floor. I have a feeling that they are related - perhaps of the same business owners. If you know dow put it into the comments below! Thanks!

Inside - rather cozy albeit small

John’s Pie is a small quaint little cafe on the street of Song Thian Cheok. Common landmark is the 360’s Hotel, Liwah Hotel and Wisma Pheonix across Secret Recipe Padungan. I have to say after spending a whole day at the Regatta Festival with a bunch of awesome friends (a couple of which I just met) this quiet little place with its mellow jazz music in the background is all I needed while my other half is doing her own thing, if I may be to bold to point out.

Well anyways I I tried the Steak Beef Pie and boy was I pleasantly surprised. It was delish. The crust was thin but not too thin –it simply crumbles away revealing the scrumptious fillings inside. I have to point out that this is not a good place if you have large numbers in your party. Solo coffee time, couple’s date, that’s just the right number. Three, four or more would be a crowd. As it stands, I will definitely bring my better half here.

The receipt - not expensive at all!

John’s Pie also serve Shepherd’s Pie among other things ~ for those who fancy juices with their pies, there is bottled orange juice, but I like my pie with a cup of plain old coffee. They also serve a few types of quiches - a type of baked flan or tart with savory filling thickened with eggs (or to me it's a much larger version of egg tart - except instead of just egg, you get chicken or meat on it as well >.<) 

There is also a new pie on their menu - a locally inspired Laksa Pie! I might head over there to try it out soon! Who's coming with me?   \(^_^)/

Laksa Pie