Christmas isn’t Christmas…if it is not spent together with one’s loved ones and I sure am glad that my daughter decided to come home for the holidays as it is at such times that we would miss them most of all.
We did not have a grand celebration – no open house, like in my childhood and younger days, nor did we drop by to visit anybody who was holding one. We went to the service on the night of Christmas Eve and after that, on our way home, we stopped by the Red Carrot, located quite near our house, for dinner cum supper.
My daughter had the lamb chop…
…and was delighted that they were very generous and gave her such huge slabs. Most importantly, they were very nice.
My missus had their chicken chop (RM13.90)…
…and she liked it too.
Mine was a bit of a disappointment. I had their roasted chicken with barbecue sauce (RM11.90)…
…and only got a tiny drumstick. The one in the promotional photo was so big – occupying at least half to three-quarters of the plate. It tasted really good though…and I loved those potatoes (with bits of bacon and green peppers) by the side – really nice!
Actually, my daughter wanted the fish and chips that night but I had that before and did not think it was really anything to shout about. I think the fish fillet plus something like bryani rice or the fish burger at their affiliated Sarawak’s own fast food chain, the Sugar Bun, is a lot nicer. So the next day – Christmas Day, we headed to the Garden Hotel for lunch so that Melissa could have their fish and chips (RM12.00)…
…which, in our opinion, is the best in town. As a matter of fact, Melissa thinks it is better than what she can get in Wellington, New Zealand with its breadcrumb coating…instead of the flour batter, plus she thought the Chinese couple at the fish and chips place near her apartment are not very friendly, to put it mildly.
I had the nasi goreng istimewa (special fried rice) – RM10.00…
…and frankly, I’ve yet to find a place where their fried rice is nicer than mine. Hehehehehe!!!!
My missus had something from their set lunch menu for December (RM8.00) – the sotong curry…
…and it was o.k. though the complimentary soup that came with it tasted a bit burnt.
We went to church again on Christmas night…for the sunset mass as we would be busy the next day and after that, we went to one of the nicer restaurants in town for dinner/supper – the Y2K Cafe. Of course, we had the sweet and sour fish fillet that Melissa loves a lot…
…and their lemon chicken…
The fried green veg was done perfectly…
…and the tofu soup, Foochow-style was as good as ever…
The bill came up to RM46.00 which was more or less what I paid at the other two places (inclusive of drinks). Which one do you think you would opt for…if you could only choose one of the three?
So, that was Christmas for me – all centred around the family and I wouldn’t have it any other way. How was yours?
Comments on: "Christmas isn’t Christmas (1)…" (26)
This Christmas is definitely better than last year… last year I was miserable and surrounded by miserable people…but this year… I get to spend it with my parents, and there’s wonderful friends around me too. Yes… definitely a better Christmas this year, cuz I’m blessed with people who loves me…not people who resent me.
Glad you had a great Christmas with your loved ones – that certainly would make a world of difference and Christmas would be a lot more like Christmas.
Just being with those that I love is enough to make me happy. LOL! Din do much… just makan abit, chat alot… laugh alot… kekeke!
Same here. Over-commercialised – expensive presents, expensive dinners (Over RM100 per head buffet! Good grief!)…. It’s all so materialistic these days – lost its true meaning of love and joy, peace and goodwill – just money, money,money!
i would choose chinese food anytime!
not a fan of steak. and i always found that fried rice is too oily:|
yum! the veggie and the soup and the fish fillet and lemon chicken is heaven.
i cook pretty decent lemon chicken too. hahah
my bf love it. LOL!
Oh? Hope to get to try it sometime. I would go for other cuisines sometimes…for a change.
Daughter had lamb chop, missus opt for chicken chop and STP goes for karate chop oops a disappointing teeny weeny chicken drumstick izzit? Most importantly like you said it tasted good. Think all the three are so much cheaper and better than what you had at KLIA right?
More or less, but at KLIA, we just had nasi lemak and mee goreng…
On Xmas nite attended a wedding dinner in 1 Utama, food wise is OK cant expect too much from hotel. Got lots of shows like dances, magic show and one famous Chinese singer with a non stop entertainment.
I also attended a dinner like that…but a few days before Christmas. Watch out for the posts – after New Year.
You had it all.. eastern western food.. is it called Fusion? the east and the west mixed..
As for me and my kids, we had western food for dinner… costly but well spent with my loved ones..
No lah…fusion is western plus asian all mixed up e.g. steak cooked with curry gravy…or spaghetti fried mamak style. My Christmas get together this year is also Asian=themed – missus cooking since she was on leave. See my post tomorrow…
christmas is all about eating and relaxing
…and spending time meaningfully with one’s loved ones too!
Christmas is all about makan, makan and makan!
Nothing fancy here…but well I am sure your enjoy the time you had with your family, right?
Sure…and I am thankful for that. Had a small gathering on 26th – that will be in tomorrow’s post.
The lamb chop looks good, how much was it? The spread of food you all had in Y2k cafe really alluring!^-^
Happy New Year Arthur!
Y2K”s one of the better places here to go too for meals…when one’s too lazy to cook. Dunno how much the lamb chop is, can’t remember… Checked the cashier’s receipt when writing this post – it seems she forgot to charge me for that. Shhhhhhhh……don’t tell anyone. Muahahahaha!!!
i thought you would have personally cooked for xmas!
That’s in tomorrow’s post…for my annual Christmas get-together.
Anytime for me still Chinese food the best. With lots of veggies and other dishes with plenty of sauces to go by.
Western? Once in a while, it’s okay, cos they only served mostly meat courses.
I don’t mind anything that is nice…and frankly, I prefer Asean cuisine to Chinese or north Asian. Western’s ok…sometimes for a change.
lol!! the drumstick too tiny ler! but it looks gud! yums!
It was very good. I guess for that price, I shouldn’t expect too much.
ok ok i want to be different, no comment whatsoever on the food because when Arthur talks food, no one talks food.hahhahahaah.
seriously, i am here wishing you and on behalf of my family to your family a great 2011, loads of joy and love.. wishing you great health too.
thank you for your support rendered to my blog all the years, truly appreciate it..
thank you once again…
Thanks to you too for your unfailing support and the same to you and your family. Watch out for my New Year post on New Year’s Day!
Wow wow.. so much food for Christmas! To me, no matter what food I have, most importantly is that the company is great! So I don’t mind any of the three places!
True, true…it’s always the company that matters most in order that one may have a good time. So much food? Wait till you see tomorrow’s post. Hehehehehehe!
food…glorious food…tomorrow is New Year Eve…what’s next?
Drop by tomorrow and see. Hehehehehe!!! But the New Year post will only be on 1st January…0005 hours. LOL!!!
I think your roasted chicken is the best lor..LOL. especially the side dish. aiks…dont see any drinks?
Got lah… Didn’t take any photo of them – but no liquor, of course. We all very “kwai” one…
I had a fab christmas this year as my sisters and niece from Malaysia visited me.We had the ‘works’..turkey etc and of course pavlova as dessert although we had the dessert first…tak boleh tahan…hahahaha.
Never a fan of Chinese food but I would opt for the Y2K cafe’s meal.Reasons are the food actually look so yummy sampai meleleh my air liur,value for money…so cheap la considering got meat,I can prepare better western meal than the other 2 makan places..and cheaper too and lastly,I do believe your nasi goreng is way better than shop bought ones.
…but if you are belanja-ing me,wouldn’t mind eating any of those meals..lol!
Come…come to Sibu and I’ll make sure you will eat to your heart’s content – sampai you’re the same shape and size as me. Muahahahahahaha!!!! We had a Malaysian Christmas dinner…except maybe for the dessert. Drop by tomorrow and see – not as elaborate as last year’s though…
Chicken sure high demand on Christmas day, since cannot find any turkey. hahahha…ok ok..i know it’s not funny at all.
Fried rice on Christmas day? Hmmmm..We are having porridge and fried noodles on christmas eve. LOL!
Y2K food yummy, not sure is it the one i went before? It is Y2K or Millennium?
Y2K…the one near Methodist School. Food very nice, slightly more expensive than others of the same class…but worth it. Turkey this year – over RM200…last time RM100 plus can get already and cheaper if roast one’s own, but we’re not really crazy about turkey so we did not bother getting one for Christmas. My father dislikes it, says like “hu-mo-nik” (breast meat)…
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you. I know why your drumstick appeared smaller … they use a larger plate for your serving. Otherwise, they think that you shouldn’t need so much food liao… hahaha.
My daughters had a great time in UK. They know how to treat themselves.
Same to you and your family. Ya…I guess so – they must have thought I have been eating too much already throughout this whole holiday and growing way too fat. LOL!!!
Ya…lucky girls, enjoying a real White Christmas.
you are right…. I was in Ipoh last Xmas and had a good time in church with my parents, cousins, nephews, nieces…etc. This year was so quiet…. though spent with family. It was much warmer with all your loved ones around though.
At least you have your family with you, though quiet. Many don’t – a sad and lonely Christmas
ha ha ha, drumstick so small, not enough for STP lerr!
Yalor…so kesian, not really kenyang.
Will remember the Garden Hotel for fish & chips next time I’m in Sibu!
Thanks, Arthur!
Very near your hotel – just round the corner.
The third one definitely, anytime. Can’t go wrong with foochow style. But it all looks delicious anyhow. Makes me miss Malaysia, and of course all the wonderful food there! That lemon chicken is making my mouth water.
I guess you live overseas – sure to miss the food back home. Happened everytime when my daughter dropped by my blog when in NZ. To her, nothing seems as good over there… Btw, welcome…your first time here, I see. Will link you in my blogroll… Do come again.
yes you are right and i totally agree with you.. it’s always a bless to spend time together with your loved ones during festives.. this make the day more meaningful..
I’ve had sad and lonely Christmases before…and it can get so depressing especially when you hear the songs and carols and you start to miss your loved ones.
i love lemon chicken
glad that your daughter came home for christmas 
So am I…VERY glad!
Wow food! Glorious food! Yeah lah.. the lamb looks good!
This year, Christmas was a quiet affair between the 3 of us only.. we spent in watching movies!
Sama-sama… Quiet on the actual day but I had a gathering the following evening.