I was taken aback that day when I heard a rumour circulating all over town that one of our favourite Chinese restaurants here was going to close down by the end of the month.
Business had always been good, with customers spilling onto the road outside – those without prior reservations had to be turned away so there was no possibility of it closing down because they were not doing well. We made our way there the very next day for some of our favourite dishes.
This sizzling beef on a hot plate…
…had always been my girl’s favourite but we did not order it as often as we would have wanted to because by some sheer coincidence, most of the time when we dropped by here, it was on a Friday and we usually abstained from meat on that day in the week.
We loved their own-made braised tofu…
…too and we would usually ask them not to add the chunks of chicken on Fridays. They were very nice here, very obliging and they would do what you requested. The tofu would rank among the best in town, so soft, so smooth and very much to everybody’s liking.
These honey prawn balls…
…were our favourite too, a nice change from the butter prawns, creamy or otherwise, that we would order elsewhere.
My girl had a soft spot for their butter baby kai lan (Chinese broccoli)…
…that we would always order here. I do not recall any other place in town that serves this same dish. If I am not wrong, it is very popular among the other customers as well, one of the signature dishes of this restaurant.
I wanted steamed ikan lajong, that very nice freshwater river fish…
…but they did not have it that day and I did not want their steamed ikan tapah…
In the end, I ordered their sweet and sour or chio (ikan bawal hitam/black pomfret)…
…which was actually quite big for the three of us. According to the lady who took our orders, it had to be more than half a kilo because if it had been smaller, it would be quite impossible to fillet it and deep fry the slices before putting them back together with the rest of the fish and serve with its very nice sauce. There certainly was a lot more than what we could handle but we just enjoyed it slowly and yes, we did finish all of it in the end.
The total, inclusive of rice and drinks, came up to RM119.00 – I think the fish alone was RM39.00 already but it did not matter. After all, if there was any truth in the rumour, we would not have the opportunity to drop by here and enjoy all these favourite dishes of ours again.
NICE HOUSE RESTAURANT (2.29201,111.82739)…
…is located in the vicinity of the Tunku Osman shops, opposite Rejang Bookstore.
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
Hopefully what you heard is just rumour. Though I have never been here but just follow from your blog about this place, I felt the sadness too. Their dishes are very home-cooked kind and very much to my liking.
I heard it’s not a rumour but the lady boss is open to negotiations. If she can find someone to take over, she will let them carry on her business. Usually it will not be the same anymore, not so nice.
Oh dear. They close for good or move to other place?? Business is good, shouldn’t be true, I hope. I have chance to try it once when I was in Sibu. Food was nice and not expensive.
Yes, one of the best. If it had been one of the rest, I wouldn’t bother at all. Eventually when all the good ones have closed down, there won’t be any nice place to go and eat. So sad.
Well, since the rumour is unfounded, you can keep enjoying the food there. There is really no reason for them to close shop judging from their popularity.
The lady boss didn’t deny it – she just grumbled that it was spreading like wild fire. Well, Sibu is a small town, what did she expect?
Since the lady boss is open for negotiation, then there must be some truth in it. If she gets a good offer, I am sure she will let go. It will be sad for all their faithful customers.
Yes, money speaks the loudest. I am sure whatever decision she makes in the end will be one that will reap the most profit…for her!
They have reopened, if you google them on Facebook
Yes, so I’ve heard. The lady and her hubby have migrated to Australia and the other partner decided to take over the restaurant. Different chefs, different menu. Heard only one chef atm, they are still waiting for some more. Will wait till they are in full swing before we will drop by.