November 29, 2010

A Fine Dining Experience with a Good Student

It is not often that a visiting former student make an appointment to see an old teacher. Sometimes I do feel like an old newspaper waiting to be recycled or to be turned in papier mache!! Now I have to put that joke aside and lift my spirit and your spirit as well....

Since she had gone overseas for a Japanese meal (3 hours from Miri is Brunei which is a foreign country!) I thought we should go to India for our lunch.

As we have a good fine restaurant called Zaika I brought her there.

Christmas music welcomed us to the nicely decorated restaurant. And a Filipino captain sat us down at a window table to our delight.

pompadoms. I like the one with cumin.


Three types of sauces to go with the pompadoms.


Well laid table at the corner for six people.


Nice napkins which are colour coordinated.

My pretty lassi (with a little touch of spices)...excellent in taste and price too.
Chicken tikka




raita
paneer - a must have because the cottaage cheese is nice.


special roti (not the usual roti canai you get in the mamak shops)


Briyani rice (there are several styles to choose from) enough for four actually


\\an the decor of the season....



This is a nice place where the waiter can catch your eye and you get served almost immediately if they are not otherwise occupied.

The atmosphere is classy with soft music and people talking in low voices. You can even hear the rumbling of the cars below this first floor restaurant.

So paying slightly more than the normal fare you actully get good value for money. And conversation with a nice person of course enhances your afternoon "foreign meal".

In life we often need thse small touches...and life is more meaningful and richer!!

I hope to see more of my student in the future.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is a problem with our former teachers. We don't know where they are now, especially the temporary teachers.

Anonymous said...

Nice restaurant indeed! By the way, what is the greenish thing in the paneer cheese dish?

Ensurai said...

Hi Anonymous1
Yes often we lose touch with our former and especially the temporary teachers (who were young and inspiring)...we just need to try harder to get in touch with them. Facebook?

Ensurai said...

Dear Anonymous2
The paneer is cottage cheese with spinach...(the green stuff). That's a favourite dish of mine. Thanks for your nice comments.

Anonymous said...

Zaika is a nice place for four and you order small portions to be shared to make it a very rewarding and adequate lunch or dinner. Ordering too much would give you too big a bill...drinks are too expensif @ hotel prices.

Pretty photos.

Ensurai said...

Dear Anonymous
Thanks for the comments. Yes I agree with you. The items on the menu can be shared and four is a nice size. I found the drinks expensive too.

Ah Ngao said...

waa...i love papadom(some shop writes as papa and not pompa...).i always ask for another helping or extra papadom when i gasak my nasi briyani

Ensurai said...

Hi Ah Ngao...I love the ppd...too. Now I am not sure about the spelling of ppd...yes they do give nice ones...especially those with the special spices..I have a soft spot for cumins and cardamons..and chillies and peppers.

Cheers.

Ah Ngao said...

cheers to you too ..!

Ensurai said...

Ah Ngao...it is always nice to hear from you...My heart leaps and skips.

Anonymous said...

That's fresh puree of spinach

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