Old Town Restaurant

Finally, it's Friday.  It's a long week after many late nights in office and a presentation over the phone at night.  I hate speaking to myself, not seeing any facial expression, having any eye contact.  Worse was disturbance of echo and technical noise.  We had to drop off the phone twice and all dial in again.  There were over 20 participants.  Oh my God!  Luckily the next evening can be a break.  I picked Old Town Restaurant to meet Seow Ping, a very nice Malaysian lady grew up in Australia.

We started with barley drink, aiming to drain away the heat inside the body.   Yes, we need it.  We both were very tired, caused by workload and stress.  It's mild, not sweet, a little bit starchy and nutty.

We ordered its signature dish: carrot cake (chai tow kway).  It has no carrot inside but shredded daikon or radish.  Other ingredients include rice flour, water, garlic.  It is fried together with egg, garlic, sprouts and sprinkled on top spring onion.   Our dish: very yum!  The morning glory with Malaysia shrimp paste was served with a hot pan.  The smell was so appealing, attracting appetite and soon it was totally empty.

 

Our next one: Sambal Stingray.  Sabmal is a paste made of spices, walnuts and shallots.  One can add garlic, raw peanuts, sugar and Chinese parley.  It is quite spicy but tasty.   Stingray is simply barbecued fish.  Our fish was devil rays, at least it seemed to be.

Three dishes already but we still have room and eager for more.  Oh yeah, oyster omelet.  It was nice and complemented well with spicy sauce.   It's a bit starchy but still nice.  I would have preferred the Taiwan version or Chiu Chau one.  They are more crispy.



All food was good.  The little cock on the spoon and plate is enticing.  It's cute and not sure if it adds credit to the good impression.   Guests kept on pouring in.  Imagine, night time in Central, a desert place at night but this restaurant still attracts gourmet seekers. 

It's not big.  Reservation is recommended.  I called many times but no one picked the phone until my last attempt a day prior to the appointment.  

11/F The Loop, 33 Wellington Street, Central
2522 2009