Mango Garden Restaurant @ Rumah Terbalik, Tamparuli, Sabah

HALAL | TRADITIONAL SABAHAN'S FOOD | TAMPARULI | 10AM - 10PM

Mango Garden Restaurant is a restaurant serving traditional Sabahan's food located next to the renowned Rumah Terbalik (UpsideDown House) near Kampung Telibong, Tamparuli. Mango Garden is approximately 45 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, depends on which location you start the count, and it is on the main road to the Kinabalu Park and Sandakan.

It is quite difficult to find Sabahan's traditional food under one same roof here in KK, most of the time I only managed to get Hinava (marinated fish) but not with others. Quite a number of time when my friends or suppliers who came from KL requested for some traditional food but I couldn't think of one! Luckily Mango Garden answered my wish (unfortunately it is quite a distance from KK!), they offered a good choice of authentic dishes that let non-Sabahan or tourists sample out our tradition! I bring a group of friend to had some light meal here and trust me, we all enjoyed the discovery journey here!

The Mango Garden, Tamparuli (45min drive from KK)

Next to Rumah Terbalik, everything here are inverted except you XD

Even for Kancil ...
Forgot to mention, diners of Mango Garden got "free preview" of Rumah Terbalik from far,
you still need to purchase a ticket to visit the UpsideDown House :) 

Freshly Brewed Rumah Terbalik Coffee (RM6) and Watermelon Juice (RM6.50)

Not bad for the drinks

Tenom Coffee Tiramisu with Strawberry Jelly (RM6.50)
The upper decks were good but not the jelly --- it was too hard!

Tiramisu

Sweet Mango Sago (RM6.50)

Hinava Sada (RM7.50)
Fish fillet marinated in lime juice, ginger, shallots, chillies and Badu (a kind of wild mango seed)

Tuhau Miampai Daging Salai (RM10.50)

The whole presentation was very nice! Tuhau is Sabahan's traditional ginger stem pickles which can be found in all markets around Sabah! Eat together with Daging Salai (BBQ Meat) and thats the best side dishes during a chat or drinking session!

Menu

FOODIOT'S POINT: 80%

BUSINESS HOUR:
10AM - 10PM

CONTACT:
088-783911

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/MangoGardenRestaurant

ADDRESS:

Kampung Telibong, Batu 21, Jalan Telibong, 

Tamparuli, Sabah, MALAYSIA

MAP:

View Tamparuli in a larger map

Pasta Pasta @ Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu

SERVE NO PORK | 11AM-10PM | ONLY PASTA | GAYA STREET

Pasta Pasta maybe the cheapest pasta meal in Malaysia, located right here in the heart Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Priced at only RM6.50 per bowl, diners can choose from incredibly 168 types of pastas! The question is: how they make it?

Interior

The stories of Pasta Cooking

The signboard explain how they offer so many selections of pasta! 

This is how it works:

1. First choose a type of pasta from the following:
   Spaghetti, penne rigate, rotini, macaroni, linguine and farfalle (choice of 6)
2. Then choose a sauce for your pasta:
   Tomato, carbonara, pesto and curry (choice of 4)
3. Finally make a choice from the following as the topping:
   Sliced chicken, minced beef, beef bacon & mushroom, meatball, Italian sausage, seafood and vegetarian (choice of 7)

So, with "Spaghetti + Tomato Sauce + Sliced Chicken" being the first choice, "Spaghetti + Tomato + Minced Beef" being the second and so on, do the math youself and that is how Pasta Pasta managed to offer a total of 168 types of pasta!

Spaghetti + Tomato Sauce + Sliced Chicken (RM6.50)

Utilized fast food concept, Pasta Pasta is using disposable paper bowl here

Penne Rigate + Pesto Sauce + Beef Bacon & Mushroom (RM6.50)
The penne was perfectly cooked and I liked the pesto very much, its full of garlic and herbs!

Strategically located at Gaya Street

FOODIOT'S POINT: 83%

BUSINESS HOUR:
11AM - 10PM

CONTACT:
088-280790

ADDRESS:
No. 108, Gaya Street,
80000 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia

MAP:

View Kota Kinabalu Town Centre (CBD) in a larger map

Chef Tan's @ The Peak Vista, Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu

NON-HALAL | BRUNCH, LUNCH & DINNER | 012-8157937 | THE PEAK VISTA

Renowned Executive Chinese Chef from Shangri-La Tg. Aru Resort Kota Kinabalu who retired after serving for 25 years, continue to pursue his dream in a cozy little cafe at The Peak Vista, Kota Kinabalu. Started in July, Chef Tan's is offering both chinese food and steak, and some good coffee. I managed to sampled the Signature Hokkien Pork Chop with Rice and Vintage "Kopi Botol" (bottled dark coffee) and really like it, will definitely come back again to try other food!

Menu & Address

Interior

A series of decoration with homey feel

Organic Iced Soya (RM3)

Vintage "Kopi Botol" (RM3)

Very very dark coffee

They have some cakes too!

Iced Latte (RM5.80)

Signature BBQ Pork (RM10.80)

Signature Hokkien Pork Chop (RM10.80)

Chinese "Wat Tan Ho" (RM10.80)

FOODIOT'S POINT: 87%

BUSINESS HOUR:
10AM - 10PM (MONDAY TO SATURDAY EXCEPT ON TUESDAY - OFFDAY)
5PM - 10PM (SUNDAY)

CONTACTS:
012-8157937

ADDRESS:
S2, Ground Floor, The Peak Vista,
Lorong Puncak 1, Jalan Signal Hill,
88400 Tanjung Lipat,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
(10min drive from KK CBD)

MAP:

October Cafe @ The Peak Vista, Tg. Lipat, Kota Kinabalu

SERVE NO PORK | COFFEE | 11AM - 6PM | THE PEAK VISTA

*CHANGES: NEW BUSINESS HOUR 11AM - 6PM*

Finally there is another beautifully-crafted cafe which serve great coffee in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah here. The October Cafe is owned by a Korean who decided to live in KK. I fall in love with the pretty coffee cup and their food which is only available from the opening hour until 2pm. We ordered a Caffe Latte, a glass of Ice Blended Caramel, Korean Street Sandwich and Bruschetta. The portion was just right to finish it within lunch break (or during the break time in between the kids came back from school and on the way to tuition or music class...) while keeping the stomach happy!

I want to put lots of cups and mugs on my wall too!!!

The Hand Drip

Delicious!

The Caramel not overly sweet, just nice!

Bruschetta with minced meat, tomato and cheese

Korean Street Sandwich - The filling is omelet 

October Cafe

FOODIOT'S POINT：86%

BUSINESS HOUR:
11AM - 10PM (Close on the last Wednesday of every month)

CONTACTS: 
088-346954 / 016-8101274  (Daniel)

ADDRESS:
The Peak Vista
Lorong Puncak 1, Tanjung Lipat,
88400 Kota Kinabalu,
SABAH

MAP:
 

Le Safran @ The Peak Vista, Kota Kinabalu

SERVE NO PORK | FRENCH & SPANISH | LUNCH & DINNER | 088-266489

Serving modern French and Spanish cuisine, Le Safran which was formerly opened at Suria Sabah then relocated to The Peak Vista since January this year. Chef Gerald a.k.a The Boss who's past experience with an international hotel, is specialised in French cooking, desserts and food presentation. I visited one afternoon to try their latest Lunch Set Promotion priced at RM18+ for a 3-course meal. The portion was perfect as an afternoon meal!

San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water -- not from France, but Italy

Le Safran serves Coffex Coffee here, from Australia

Caffe Latte

Soup of the Moment -  The vege soup, very creamy and delicious!

Chicken Roulade with Honey Mustard
Chicken was boiled and rolled in sweet mustard sauce, served with vegetables and fries 

Cajun Chicken with Pineapple Sauce
Perfectly grilled chicken meat with a hints of cajun and spices, finished with sweat pineapple sauce

Fish with Root Beer Batler
Deep fried fish fillet with great taste

Dessert of The Day: Apple Crumbles with Vanilla Ice Cream
Mouth watering crisps which completes the meal with sweetness. LIKE!

The Peak Vista a small commercial area just next to the luxury condominium at Signal Hill, along Tanjung Lipat (Likas Bay) here. Do find out other available shops from this area from the Google Map at the end of this blog.

FOODIOT'S POINT: 83%

BUSINESS HOUR:
Tue - Thu: 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Fri: 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 6:30 pm - 12:00 am
Sat: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am
Sun: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

CONTACTS:
088-266489

ADDRESS:
Le Safran
Unit S5, Ground Floor,
The Peak Vista Block B,
Lorong Puncak 1, Tanjung Lipat,
88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

MAP:

Yee Fung Laksa @ Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu

SERVE NO PORK | BREAKFAST & LUNCH | GAYA STREET, KOTA KINABALU

Yee Fung Laksa is one of the MUST EAT delicacies when you are visiting Kota Kinabalu Centre Business District -- the Gaya Street (Jalan Gaya). Located near Gaya Street's big arch and next to Bata Shoe Store, this laksa restaurant always occupied with diners especially working class around this area and tourists.

Yee Fung is selling 3 types of food here: Laksa, Ngiu Chap (Beef Noodle) and Chicken Rice

The condiments added to laksa: dried tofu, omelet and shredded chicken meat, and some shrimps

Look at the crowd! I took this photo during weekday...

Yee Fung Laksa (RM5.50)

Meehun Laksa

FOODIOT'S POINT: 80%

BUSINESS HOUR:

7am - 4pm

ADDRESS:
Kedai Kopi Yee Fung (怡丰茶室 )

No. 127, Jalan Gaya,
80000 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia.
（Near Bata Shoe Store）

MAP：
View Kota Kinabalu Town Centre (CBD) in a larger map