Gosh!!! This place is so absolutely stunning….
…that it will surely take your breath away.
I’ve read about it somewhere – maybe in travel magazines or in some blogs but had never had the chance to drop by so when my cousins suggested going there for dinner on my 2nd night in Kuching, I jumped at the opportunity without any second thoughts.
I wouldn’t say I was impressed when I saw it on the outside…
This looked like some processing shed in a rubber plantation or something and the main entrance…
…seemed quite unassuming despite the presence of some pretty decor here…
…and there in every nook and cranny…
Even the main dining hall…
…did not present an impression of it being any kind of an ethnic or tribal place even with this orang utan around…
…and some very nice decor here and there including this –
– the ethnic people here use this very laboriously-handmade beadwork cradle to carry their babies on their backs like a backpack.
However, if you venture into the other sections of the place, you will definitely be impressed by what lies in store…
This certainly is a much nicer section…
…and if you think that is all there is to it, wait till you see this part…
…or this…
…and here’s another shot of this section…
Unfortunately, never mind how nice it looks, I wouldn’t be able to have my dinner here as once I get down on the floor, I would need a forklift to get me back on my feet again. LOL!!!
Ah!!! Here’s another orang utan, and a cuter one at that…
…and here’s another one. Oops!!!…
Oh no! This isn’t another one of those apes even though Darwin did insist that we humans actually evolved from monkeys; this is Gerald – the very handsome and very friendly young man who owns and manages the place.
In my honest opinion, just the place alone is already worth a visit but of course, the food is what matters most so do come back tomorrow for the continuing episode of…Absolute Tribal! LOL!!!
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
wah…. this place i like… good sturdy chairs… hahaha… dun mind the ones on the floor though…
Sure you can get up after eating? π
Are the serving staff dressed (or undressed) like tribal people? Lol
Hmmmm…now that you’ve mentioned it, I would think Gerald would certainly look good in a loin cloth. LOL!!! How about it, Gerald?
As for the rest of the staff, I did not even notice them – so engrossed with the place and the food… I think there was an old lady, dark and dressed in white – a la Aung San Suu Kyi and maybe there was a guy or perhaps two. Seeing that they were all so “invisible”, I don’t think it would matter one bit whether they were semi- or completely naked.
wow… the place looks nice. Sure can attract a lot of tourists! π
I know it’s pretty popular among the locals as well – great place for hosting annual functions and events.
Where is this place? Yeah can’t wait to see the tribal dishes. ahaha
Look at the sign beside the main entrance… That may give you a clue as to what’s to come.
Decor and ambiance wise, I think this place is much better than that no class place you featured yesterday. Saying that, perhaps the owner, Gerald should do away with the rotating fan, stand fan and even the very visible air condition unit that somehow mars the whole look. The little things matters! Oh, the cute orang utan has to go too…!
I suppose with careful planning the aircon units may be camouflaged e.g. hide them under some side tables or cabinets…or behind those decor wooden windows – don’t think much can be done about the fans though. The orang utans too? Why? They’re so cute…but frankly, I do find some kind of confusion in the decor – between ethnic and peranakan…but wait till we get to the food – that’s fusion for you, true and true! LOL!!!
Sorry can’t recognise any of the orang utans but i spotted and know the customers in the very nice classy restaurant. π
Oh? Familiar shapes and sizes, eh? Muahahahahaha!!!!!
U didn’t take picture with the handsome guy, kakaka….
No lah – I must take pictures with ugly guys…so I will not look so bad. Muahahahahaha!!!!
The owner must be so thrilled with the good reviews of his restaurant. He must have been on tenterhooks wondering what you would be writing about his restaurant. Phew! Must have been a relief that not only did you rave about his restaurant but his good looks as well.
No lah…I always tell it as it is so if everything’s ok, sure the review will be ok one. Nothing to get overly worried about.
hey, this place looks great… very different from what we have over here… so how about the food? Must be yummy too…
That, you have to wait till tomorrow to find out. Must have some excitement lah…like you watching your tv series. Hehehehehehe!!!!
That’s the place I mentioned yesterday. Situated not far from the d’yak. So foodwise, any better?. If I am not wrong, Gerald is an artist too. Nice deco indeed.
Yes, he is. Very nice, the place. Food-wise, come back tomorrow and see. Hehehehehehe!!!!
Wah, outside and inside such a contrast! Very tasteful decor, I like. Will come back tomorrow and check out the food π
Please do. You will not be disappointed…hint…hint! LOL!!!
The interior sure is interesting π
It is. One of a kind…
it was indeed pretty cool!
i love the theme used on the interior!
it was such lovely to eat in places with that ambiance
Ya, it gets one in the mood – at places where it is hot and stuffy…and dirty plus crowded and noisy, I really have no appetite anymore to eat.
well looking at the whole place
it seems like a set on survivor tv show haha
Ya? I never watched the show… I guess it has some kind of jungle setting, hence the similarity?
Beautiful!! Love the interior design. I am sure the food taste as good as the deco.
Come back tomorrow to see what we had… π
oh yeah, a lot of beautiful details worth admiring and capturing in photographs! heh, i like the orangutan dolls, very cute. wouldn’t mind having one for my home (even though my home doesn’t look particularly borneo-ish) π
Ya, they’re cute all right…and representative of the jungles of Borneo.
Next time I’ll make sure to come with a forklift so you’ll get a chance to dine here Arthur π
I still can…without a forklift just that I can’t get on the floor…
The decor is quite good, lots of effort has been put in. Photo 10 – I love those long Chinese benches.
Ya, pretty impressive and nicely maintained.
The interior is nice!
It most certainly is…
Woooow….what a nice and cozy ambiance to enjoy the food.
Ya, I love it too!!!
place looks cozy inside! A far cry from the exterior.
Ya, I was pleasantly surprised. Seems they have homestay and workshops here too – just been told about this:
http://www.sarakraf.com.my/tl_intro.php
The ambiance of this place looks lot like Payung!
Yes, an extended version. Payung’s very small…while this one’s sprawling all over the place. Both are nice. π
Test comment…
Hehehehehe!!! Akismet seems to have blacklisted you – all your comments went to spam! I wonder why… π
I hope you had fun in Kuching and sorry for the long spell of silence as I was away for holiday too/!
Nice restaurant by the way. I love the decor!
I sure did…but it was just a flying visit. Wish I could go some place for a loooooooong holiday – relax, idle the hours away. Must get down to it soon.
What a beautiful ambience! Love the concept.. saw the food in the next post and seemed to be a winning combination of gorgeous decor & great food!
Yes, and they do not charge for requests for extra plates and bowls. Would definitely wanna come here again…
This is so nice. I love the design and decoration. I’d love to have this kinda of design and deco for my little cafe someday π
Yes, I must say that I was very impressed. Very tastefully done…
Hopping to your next post for the food review!
Hah!!! The main attraction! LOL!!! π
outside doesn’t look like much but inside i love the decoration
Yup – something like Payung here but bigger, classier, more grand…
I am so looking forward to visiting this establishment! Thanks for the recommendation Arthur!
Welcome. Tell Gerald you’re my friend. He’s a nice guy!