PART 2: Makan-makan.
As-salamu'alaikum.
Okay, it took me some time to post this - PART 2 of our Cameron Highlands (CH) 2015 blog entry, but better late than never right?
So..... anyway, CH is not really known for having varieties of decent eateries. We've been to CH 3 times in the past 5 years and have tried out quite a few eateries in CH especially in Tanah Rata and Brinchang area. Yes, there are an abundance of halal restaurants in CH, serving malay/tomyam, indian/mamak, chinese and western cuisines but the ones that could satisfy our taste buds are not many to choose from, really. Most of them are just mediocre yet overpriced. Of course there are few exceptions, and here they are the ones that made it into the list.
1) Singh Chapati Urban Restaurant, Lorong Perdah off Jalan Pahang, Tanah Rata (behind Planters Hotel)
This one is a hidden gem. Well the place is literally hidden behind Planters Hotel. Unless you've done a thorough research on places to eat at Tanah Rata, then most probably you wouldn't know of this place. We discovered this place by chance I'd say. The restaurant is located across the road from our hotel. From our hotel room we could smell the aroma of spiced curries straight from its kitchen. We were tempted to check the place out but had our doubts on whether the menu in the restaurant is HALAL or not. So we did some research on the internet and later on asked the owner directly and from the information that was given, basically they get their chicken and mutton meat supply from a Muslim company in Brinchang and they serve neither pork nor alcohol. The setting of the place is simple and not fancy at all. One could simply confuse this place with an average mamak place. But what makes this eatery a must-try is the delicious north Indian dishes that one would normally get at a fancy expensive north Indian restaurants. The price list on the menu itself is not that cheap, but at least it is not as expensive as the fancy restaurants. They pride themselves on the cook-upon-order concept and "home cooked food" tagline. The dishes are cooked fresh from the stove and the quality of the foods are superlative. Plus there is this certain pleasant feeling about eating north Indian dishes in a cold climate area.
the menu
Best Chicken Briyani in CH (served with dhal)
Chicken butter Masala & Jeera rice
Chapati & Butter chicken for takeaway
Mutton Briyani (served with dhal) - A must-have
Tips: Singh Chapati opens daily from 12:30pm until 10:00pm. Do come early for dinner as the place is usually jam-packed with customers at dinner time. And since they only cook-upon-order, it will take some time to get your food once the place gets crowded with patrons.
2) Restoran Al Raudah Arabian Food, Tanah Rata
By now you should already know of my gusto for Arabic lamb dishes. Do check out my ratings on Arabic rice dishes here. Located next to Century Pines resort near Tanah Rata town centre, Al Raudah is an absolute delight. Arabic foods and CH are a wonderful combination. One should not miss out on this eatery. A personal favourite, the taste of their Yemeni rice dishes are authentic. They also serve local foods here. We were here on our previous trip in 2014 and managed to eat here only once during this trip. Unfortunately for us the place was closed for 3 days during 'Eidul Adha celebration and we didn't get the chance to try out other menus. Nothing more to tell except that this is one of the best place to fill up your belly in Tanah Rata.
The menu
Meals for 2-3 persons.
We had this family set dish consists of delicious Kabsah lamb and roasted chicken cooked to perfection.
The end result
Next to Madani Hotel, Tanah Rata.
3) Restoran Ferm Nyonya, Persiaran Camellia, Tanah Rata (same row as Maybank)
This HALAL restaurant serves a wide variety of foods ranging from malay, chinese, nyonya, steamboat and western cuisines. A decent place to eat in Tanah Rata and the price is affordable. Worth checking out if you have the time and when you have no idea where to go eat. Not the best but better than most eateries in Tanah Rata.
Fried meehoon
Chinese fried rice
Mutton rendang with rice.
Will add more to the list on our next trip to CH whenever that is insha Allah. That's it for now.
Coming up next... Georgetown, December 2015.