Disappointing.
It was a slow day when we stopped by Kopitiam for a late lunch. Only 1 table was occupied. After reading so many good reviews from the web and the Washingtonian, we were very excited to try it out. However, by the end of our meal, we felt cheated.

We tried the deluxe sampler as a starter and were given 4 chicken skewers, 1 po piah, 2 curry puffs, 2 otak-otak, 1 lo bak, and some crispy and spicy vermicelli. The chicken skewers had a light bland (satay) sauce over it. The satay sauce lacked spice and chunky peanuts. The otak-otak; which should have a smooth fish paste with egg texture and herbs mixed into it, felt like being left on the kitchen counter for hours, and was crumbling dry. The po piah and curry puffs were average but the lo bak tasted sour. . And the vermicelli was neither crispy nor spicy at all.

We also ordered some char kuih teow (stir fry flat noodle) and Hainanese Chicken Rice. The noodles were too oily and lifeless; whereas the fragrant aroma from the chicken rice was absent. The steamed chicken was dry and tasteless as well, and the garlic chili sauce that accompanied the Hainanese Chicken Rice tasted like the Thai Sweet and Spicy sauce from the bottle.

For dessert, we had ABC ais kachang. Although the ice was not shaved properly (chunks in the bowl), at least it had some palm sugar in it.

Overall, as "Penangnites" (natives of the Penang Island), we dare say that these dishes here were an embarrassment to us. They do not represent the authenticity and liveliness of real Malaysian food.
   [06 Sep 2005 11:40:38]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: None

     ­gck, malaysia