Author: Daisy


Feb
2014

Chilli Vanilla (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) $$ 17/20

categories: Eating Out, Restaurant Reviews
A homey little cafe with pleasant staff!
A homey little cafe with pleasant staff!
Gluten-free or gluten-free possible items actually noted on the menu! Yay!
Gluten-free or gluten-free possible items actually noted on the menu! Yay!

Hi all!

So here’s that post I promised you on the best chocolate cake ever! Chilli Vanilla was a wonderful find on one the main streets of Kota Kinabalu — Jalan Tun Razak. Run by a Hungarian woman, the little cafe serves Hungarian and Middle Eastern (and some Western dishes). We were astonished to see that items on the menu were actually marked as “gluten-free.” Only one other place I have seen this in Malaysia at a regular restaurant (not health food cafe)–a hotel in Melaka on the Melaka river walk.

The food is authentic and has a home-cooked feel. The goulash–the house specialty–was delicious. The salads were simple and nutritious, and the sweet potato fries made my heart jump! I have not eaten fries in so long. These were safe and delicious!

And the icing on the cake–the best chocolate cake you’ll ever have! Wonderfully moist with just the right amount of sweetness. Served warm. Fluffy yet subtly rich. We went for seconds (and we never do that). (P.S: Skip the ice-cream scoop–I checked the container and it is unclear whether it is gluten-free.)

Here is a link to Chilli Vanilla’s Facebook page.

  • Allergy friendly: *****
  • Taste: *****
  • Atmosphere: *** Casual and laid back. Relaxed.
  • Service: ****
  • Cost: $$ – Mains range between RM15-30

Peace,

Daisy


Feb
2014

Update: Daisy’s Staple Hummus

categories: Eating In, Gluten-Free Products

On 14 May last year, I posted my hummus recipe. Now, I’ll give you this much: it’s some work, especially when it’s a staple! (And in my house, it really is.)

So, I always look out for store bought versions that are budget- and tastebud-friendly. I have finally settled on the best one: Cedar’s Hummus. It’s not organic, which is a bummer, but it is “all natural.” I’m hoping that this means it actually is organic but the company didn’t want to bother with certification. However, if you look at the ingredient list, all their hummus products, aside from the sundried tomato and basil flavored hummus (which seems to have some junk in it), are pretty wholesome.

Cedar's Hummus is tasty, smooth, and authentic. All flavors have wholesome ingredients, except for the Sundried Tomato and Basil.
Cedar’s Hummus is tasty, smooth, and authentic. All flavors have wholesome ingredients, except for the Sundried Tomato and Basil.

At RM16.00, it’s pretty affordable. There’s a fully organic hummus available at Village Grocer in Bangsar, but at RM30.00, it’s really not budget-friendly. There’s another local company called Hummus Co. that makes a hummus priced at RM16.00 also, but it’s nowhere as good as Cedar’s. Hummus Co.’s hummus is not smooth (the way good hummus should be) and doesn’t taste very good at all! (It’s also available at Village Grocer.)

Cedar’s is tasty! I especially love the roasted red pepper flavor. Goes great with cut up veggies, used as dipping crackers. My only gripe against them is that they use sunflower oil as the primary oil ingredient. I wish they’d use a good quality olive oil! Oh well. Rather than complain, I should just get crackin’ on making my own hummus. ;P

Peace,

Daisy