Umai and other local delights @ Fisherman Restaurant

claypot tom yam prawns

I’ve been craving for umai lately and had the chance to eat it again for dinner with Arthur last night. Fisherman Restaurant is a popular local restaurant to bring visitors coz it has a lot of Melanau native delights like lokan, umai and ikan terubok. These are all Sarawakian dishes – they even have dabai (a local type of olive) when it’s in season.

umai

Umai is a local version of ceviche. Fisherman Restaurant does it in a style that’s similar to umai jeb in Mukah. I’ve had it when I went to Mukah in 2008 – it’s very fresh fish (in this case white pomfret or ikan bawal putih) that’s been cured with lime and mixed with chopped onions and chillies.

sarawak prawn crackers

It’s delicious when you eat it with the prawn crackers they serve as an appetizer.

prawn crackers umai

(although it’s traditionally eaten with sago pearls)

individual prawn claypot

We also ordered an individual serving of large prawn in a mini claypot. These prawns are huge and used in big head prawn noodles. The prawn is cooked in an assam tom yam broth soup and it costs RM 20 per prawn. It’s worth it though coz they do it very well – the broth is flavorful and spicy and the prawn meat is firm and juicy and sweet.

paku santan

The fibre quota was fulfilled by paku santan. It’s a local fern cooked Melanau style in santan (coconut milk) and shrimp. I really liked this dish too, everything the cook sent out really hit the mark.

fisherman restaurant

That’s why Fisherman Restaurant is so popular despite being relatively decrepit – peeling paint on the walls, dated single-unit wall air conditioners, and a musty interior. There were a lot of people who came after us coz we went really early – the place was quite full. I do wish that they put some money into renovation though – it looks the same (except a bit more worn) as when I went in 2008!

fisherman restaurant sibu

This isn’t even the original restaurant – they were located at a different part of town at first and shifted to this place.

fisherman restaurant us

I have to say that the best dish of the night is the roast lamb with mint sauce. This is a newer dish that came to pass with the current generation (the son came back from New Zealand where he had his own restaurant and brought some recipes home) and it’s cooked really well. I have to say that it’s even slightly better than my late mom’s famous lamb (sorry ma). smirk

roast lamb mint

The roast lamb here is sliced generously thick and the meat is juicy. You’ll love this if you’re fond of the slightly gamey taste of lamb, and they don’t overcook it unlike other places. They have two sauces – the mint sauce and a garlic inspired Asian dip, the former is the one you want since the latter is uninspiring. It costs RM 50 for the dish with two large slabs of lamb, definitely a must-order if you visit.

thick lamb slabs

The bill for the two of us came up to RM 126.40 but the roasted lamb (RM 25 per slice) and the tom yam prawns (RM 20 per prawn) accounts for RM 90 so the dishes aren’t really that expensive if you don’t order the premium stuff. Thanks for dinner Arthur! It’s always good to catch up when I’m back home. 🙂

One Tree Hill Restaurant review

one tree hill

One Tree Hill Restaurant is located at the ex-campus of Lim Kok Wing college. It was converted into an eating establishment recently and there was some debate to the actual name of the said eating establishment (One Hill Tree, One Branch on a Tree and so forth were evocated, mostly by me) until we got there. My dining companion told me I’m dyslectic.

one tree hill restaurant

One Tree Hill restaurant is nestled nicely on top of a hill and there is ample parking space. It is one of the new Magenta styled themed eating establishments except One Tree Hill has one hell of a menu. “Diverse” was the word my dining companion called it. There was Asian cuisine, Italian food, as well as more general dining fare people here associate with “Western Food”.

one tree hill al fresco

One Tree Hill has a shaded al fresco dining area out in the front. It’s nice but perhaps a little impractical for the Malaysian climate. It may be good at night though, and it’s shaded under tent-like structures at least.

one tree hill bricks

The bulk of the One Hill Tree dining experience is stage left. There are nice brick textures to the structure of the restaurant and it imparts a general feeling of coziness. The interior of One Hill Tree is completely air-conditioned and reservations are recommended.

one tree hill interior

One Hill Tree has a full bar and serves alcohol as well as a variety of wines and has seating accommodations to cater for just about any number of people. The tables for two are nicely done, it’s not too small like most dining establishments but it’s cozy enough to allow for meaningful conversation at the same time.

one tree hill painting

There is an oil canvas in featured in the dining area of One Tree Hill and I thought it looked very much like the mansion where One Tree Hill is currently now based. The restaurant is perhaps better described as being a mansion converted into an eating establishment.

one tree hill natural lighting

One Tree Hill has one wall that has see-though glass for sunlight to come in. The area is curved so it allows what little light that filters in is able to permeate the entire dining area. It has a nice view of the car park and surrounding areas.

one tree hill view

This is the view from the window at One Tree Hill restaurant. The lush gardens and trees featured is quite pleasing to the eye (lots of green ;)) and that’s probably where the name of this restaurant came from – there is a huge single tree that stands out from the rest of the trees.

one tree hill shrimp salad

Shrimp Salad (RM 15)
Delicious shrimps, apples and potatoes tossed in our special cocktail dressing served on a bed of crispy lettuce.

It’s good. It’s a little over-dressed (too much 1k Island Sauce) but at least it’s cold. 😉

one tree hill chicken kiev

Chicken Kiev (RM 25)
This is what my dining companion had. It’s good, I had a bite of it and it contains ham (?) in between the chicken fillet.

one tree hill chicken kiev inside

I cannot name my dining companion due to certain issues of circumstance so don’t ask. :p

one tree hill burger

One Tree Hill Beef Burger (RM 23)
Mouth watering grounded patties of lean sirloin with crispy lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, chilli and tomato sauce, dill pickle and a touch of creamy mayo. Comes in a sesame seed bun.

It also contains a note that all One Tree Hill burgers are accompanied by their home-made coleslaw and French fries.

one tree hill roasted lamb

Roasted Lamb (RM 32)
This came recommended from our waitress and it did not disappoint. Its good roasted lamb in slices and the presentation is great, with baby corn and other miscellaneous items adding color to the dish. We shared this one and this is the best item on One Tree Hill’s menu to date.

One Tree Hill restaurant comes highly recommended from me – the service is good, the ambience is great, and the company is immaculate. 😉

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