Congratulations to…
*Archive photo*
…on winning the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award 2013/2014 for being the outstanding food outlet in the kopitiam category.
Why kopitiam (coffee shop), many may wonder? I did hear this being discussed by the judges when they were here and it seemed that the organisers (ministry) had laid down as one of their conditions that if the place is not air-conditioned, then it cannot be a cafe and is a kopitiam like or unlike all these places here,Β hereΒ and here that have been thus named. never mind whether there is air-conditioning or not. Payung is indeed non-air-conditioned…
*Archive photo*
…and I actually prefer it that way especially when it is always nice and airy but aren’t there many cafes and restaurants overseas that are not air-conditioned but they are categorised as such – cafes and restaurants? The last time I was in Singapore, they had their Kopitiams all over but no, they were not coffee shops, just food courts which I do think were actually hawker centres of a higher class, air-conditioned and all.
Well, rules are rules and all concerned would have to abide by them and as in all competitions, the judges’ decision is final. For one thing, this place had its humble beginnings way back in 2008 and probably started off as such, something more or less like a kopitiam, maybe a little bit nicer than a regular one, and was registered as such. If you browse through the reviews and photographs in some blogs way back then, you would find that it did not look anything like what it is today and the same applies to what they served then – they have retained some of the more well-received items and done away with what was not all that popular in general…and have grown by leaps and bounds to become what it is today.
To me, as in the words of William Shakespeare, Β a rose by any other name would smell as sweet but for one thing, I do feel that the ministry could probably give out the awards sooner so for 2013/2014, they probably could have it at the end of 2014. Don’t you think it is kind of awkward coming at the end of 2015 to judge and give an award for 2013 and 2014? Things could have been a lot different then. If they continue with this event, the next round would be for this year and the next but it would be in 2017 instead of 2016 for 2015/2016. Another bone to pick would be the cash incentive promised – this was mentioned in all the local newspapers around that time when they made the announcement but I did hear that what was given in the end was very much less. Of course, they have the prerogative as to how much they would want to give but it certainly would be a good idea not to make known the amount at an early stage and just give what they can and want when the time comes.
Still an award…
*Payung Cafe photo on Facebook*
…is an award and that is what matters most – being awarded in recognition of their unfailing effort…
*Payung Cafe photo on Facebook*
…in their running of this very unique and really special dining venue and that is truly without doubt, most deserving. A big pat on the backs of the two guys and their staff…and to all of them, cheers!!!
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
oooo … congrats to the payung guys! their hard work and creativity and genuine commitment to keeping their faithful customers (like you) satisfied has received recognition, deservedly! π
Thanks. Yes, they sure do deserve it.
Almost like a tropical feel! I love this! π
Yes, the decor and ambiance gets everybody’s thumbs up everytime…and the food served here is great, none like it anywhere.
Yes. Well done to Payung. They are very unique, innovative and truly an outstanding kopitiam. Glad I tasted the food before I left.
Make sure you drop by again whenever you head this way! Too good to miss!
Congratulations of Payung Cafe π Automatically, I’m thinking of the rojak and mushroom rolls, and ooooo jelly pisang too..
Yes, among their main attractions. Not to be missed, anyone coming to town!
Congratulations & cheers to Payung Cafe. I always love their decor & ambiance. First thing came to my mind, their desserts & rojak with generous amount of paste & crushed peanuts. Yumzzz!!!
Thank you. Lots more here to enjoy, really…and everything is msg free.
LOL! True what you say. Itelyu.. now with all them hipster cafes, modern kopitiams etc.. it’s all a lil confusing. For us, when we aren’t in restaurants we prefer the original, coffee shop, sweaty version;) How does Payung fare otherwise? Do u like it? π
Of course, been blogging about it again and again – will always bring anyone dropping by Sibu here, not to be missed and all that have been here loved it…A LOT!
Ya, like the one that won the cafe/bistro category – I have never been there but looking at some photographs of the place, it brings to mind Hard Rock Cafe – now, can we call the place a cafe? Maybe by day – when it is just food…but by night, it is more like a club or a fun pub especially after 9…with live acts, deejays and all. Definitely not the place for old dinosaurs like me. Hehehehehe!!!!
Congratulations to Payung Cafe…
TQ.
it was airy, the best ice water in Sibu…. and love love the Plumerias….not to mention other normal/superdelicious stuff…
Water not free wor…except for me! Hehehehe!!! But if you order dessert after makan, they may give you on the house – one of their little extras that put them a cut above the rest.
we got them for free, free topup lagi… of course, we used your Name!… and got extra free pomelo salad…
Hebat betul nama saya di Sibu hor? Taikor! π π π
tua kor… tua lai kor… tua pat tor… jangan main main…
You missed out tua pui… π
congratulations to them for the award. π you must really like Payung Cafe a lot, to be dedicating one post just to congratulate them π
Thanks. Yes, I would say it’s my favourite in town…and yes, that’s what friends are for, right or not?
Congratulations to Payung Cafe. They must be really good as I’ve seen you blog about them repeatedly with every guest you host in Sibu. If I were to make my way to Sibu one day, please bring me here too π
Thank you. Of course, must not miss, and I am sure it will be an experience you will not forget.
next time whoever wanna eat at Payung must use your name…lol
So far, the boss told me there were people telling him they were my friends…and others who told him that they read about the place in my blog. Dunno if they got anything special or not.
But business is business – when I go, I will also want to pay and will not expect anything free – if the boss gives, of course, I say thank you lor…but I always make noise about having to pay for the water, not that I just order that and sit there without ordering anything to eat! Now, he doesn’t charge me for that anymore. π
My friend just came back from Sibu, before she went I recommended Payung to her and she showed me what she ate there… Very satisfied with everything she ordered for 11 people… Kind of special esp,the herbs salad, she said… And the boss was not around cos he went to receive award she was mentioning…
What? Your friends came? 11 of them? Some church event or what? So very nice of you to tell them to go and try Payung. Of course, they loved it, I’m not surprised. Different from what one can get anywhere else. The boss is very proud of his herb salad – very popular but I prefer their special rojak. You did not ask her to contact me? I could have shown them around…and passed her some things to take back to you. Did you tell them about Noodle House? And Ruby?
Yes, the staff members are very good, able to work independently, no need for the boss to be around all the time. I like it when the boss is not around – can bully them. Hehehehehe!!!!
Payung sure deserves the win!
I couldn’t agree more.