Monday, February 14, 2011

CNY @ the Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei by Sumantri

CNY @ the Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei by Sumantri
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You will experience “ Emperor Welcome “ the moment you step into the lobby, our doorman in Chinese Emperor costume will great you “ Gong Xie, Gong Xie “. You will also will immediately see a glorious display of gold and silver rabbit surrounding of pot gold Chinese coins at the lobby of the hotel.
In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration, The Empire Hotel has decorated its lobby area with a colorful festive decorations in ushering the new Lunar Year of the Rabbit. From 3rd February to 5th February all front line staffs in Rooms Division were dressed up in various styles of traditional Chinese costumes. CNY experience created from buggy experience where you can see red decoration on the buggy, mandarin orange display, flowers, CNY hospitality lounge provided, if you stay with us you will receive red packet with bookmark in rabbit year story. At The Empire Hotel's Chinese restaurant, Li Gong, has arranged a feast for all those who walk through their doors, offering sumptuous dishes including the prosperity symbolic Chinese salad dish Yee Sang, Braised Noble Man Soup with Shredded Fish Maw and Shark's Fin, Yee shang and more.....


About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Soup Kambing ala Chef Sumantri








Soup Kambing ala  Chef Sumantri
Soup kambing is a simple and delicious and also two in one dish served with rice when hot you will experience soup whilst enjoying the main course in the same menu. Here’s Soup kambing recipe ala Chef  Sumantri
Ingredients
Blend all the following ingredient

Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Ginger
Clove
Pepper
Garlic
Onion
Salt
--------------------------
Parsley leaf – cut into fine size
Carrot – cut into small size
Tomato – cut into small size
water
Oil
Shoulder lamb / lamb prefer with bone – cut in medium size
Method
Heat oil on in saucepan, add blended ingredients stirring constantly until fragrant add lamp stir and water, simmer for 30 minutes. When lamp tender add carrot and parsley,  salt to taste. Serve hot garnish with tomato.

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About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Monday, January 17, 2011

Chinese New Year fever 2011 by Sumantri

Chinese New Year fever 2011 by Sumantr

Me, my wife and Junior Deedat are one among million families in this world who celebrate three new years. Being a Muslim family we have Hijrah or New Year in Islam calendar, being international community we witness international New Year on 31 December and I support my wife to continue to keep a live a heritage of Chinese culture to celebrate Chinese New year. Chinese New year just right around the corner we begin to decorate our house with red decoration. CNY is one of the most significant festivals in the Chinese community; the Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout the world with equal fervor and enthusiasm. Traditions and age-old customary beliefs mark the celebration of this Chinese festival. Celebrations elsewhere in the world apart from China are also observed by the following of significant traditions. Celebrations include traditional dance and musical performances along with other cultural shows. The significant Chinese community observes Chinese New Year in Brunei like most of the countries in the world through the following of customs and rituals. 






About Chinese New Year in Brunei

Celebrations of Chinese New Year in Brunei are observed with reference to the dates of the lunar calendar. The festival for the year 2011 is scheduled from February 3 to February 17. Celebrated by the Chinese community residing in Brunei, the festival continues for the entire period of two weeks. Signifying family reunion and homecoming, the festival is observed by exchanging gifts and greetings among close family members and relatives. A grand dinner on the Chinese New Year eve is a major highlight of the celebration. The dinner represents abundance, prosperity, and good luck for the year ahead. 
Chinese New Year Traditions in Brunei

Traditions mark a significant part of the festival celebrated by the Chinese community of Brunei. Customary rituals like, house cleaning, offering money to the kids and using the color red throughout the celebration marks the traditional of the celebration. As per the Chinese belief, the color red signifies joy and represents truth, virtue, and sincerity while bringing in fortune and good luck to the household. Another customary traditions followed by the Chinese is offering red envelopes containing money to the kids, as they seek blessings form the elder members of the family. This symbolic gesture represents good luck and coming of wealth in the New Year. Cleaning of the house also forms a significant part of the customary following of traditions. Food is also highlighting as a symbol celebration we will cook Halal Chinese food only for this CNY…….
CNY fever will continue with CNY food we will cook………..





About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Sunday, January 09, 2011

The Empire Hotel and Country Club made a spectacular show leaving 2010

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2096994&id=1557172025

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Empire Hotel and Country Club made a spectacular show leaving 2010 to make way for 2011 on New Year's Eve.
The hotel nearly reach 90 per cent occupancy, serving the most customers in 2010 and held special dinners for the year's end. The Atrium held an international-themed night with soft music played live and balloons dropped half an hour before the final countdown.
The customers and occupants of The Empire Hotel and Country Club were given a special treat with a fireworks display at midnight. The hotel welcomed 2011 with a spectacular bang as everyone gazed in awe at the myriad of colourful fireworks.

About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Sunday, December 26, 2010

REDTOP Hotel Pecenongan Jakarta by Sumantri






REDTOP Hotel is an international four star hotel  located at Jalan Pecenongan, tourist place after 6 pm and also in heart of Jakarta's commercial business district, 500 meters from  Istana Negara /Presidential Palace and only minutes away from Sudirman CBD area the most interesting near Mangga Dua a Jakarta shopping paradase. 390 well appointed furnished rooms with modern amenities and the comforts of home away from home.Most rooms have panoramic city views each with separate efficient work area that have fiber optic telephone hook up capabilities, satellite & Cable TV, IDD & voice mail system, broadband internet access, mini bar.Apart of Superior and Deluxe rooms, the luxurious suite and Plaza club floors offers personalized service at the exclusive Plaza Club Lounge


About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Nasi Tumpeng by Sumantri

Nasi Tumpeng by Sumantri


Nasi Tumpeng is a cone-shaped rice dish like mountain with its side dishes (vegetables and meat) is 100 % Indonesia.Traditionally featured in the slamatan ceremony, the cone shape of rice is made by using cone-shaped weaved bamboo container. The rice itself could be plain steam rice, uduk rice (cooked with coconut milk), or yellow rice (uduk rice colored with kunyit (turmeric).
The cone shaped rice erected on tampah (rounded woven bamboo container) covered with banana leaf, and surrounded by assorted of Indonesian dishes.
People in Java,  usually make Tumpeng to celebrate important event. The feast served as somekind of thanks giving for the abundance of harvest or any other blessings.

In gratitude ceremony (syukuran or slametan), after the people pray, the top of tumpeng is cut and delivered to the most important person. He or she may be the group leader, the oldest person, or the beloved one. Then, all people in the ceremony enjoy the tumpeng together. With tumpeng, people express the gratitude to Allah swt and appreciate togetherness and harmony
Nasi Tumpeng cooked by My Ummi ( mother ) surrounded by assorted of Indonesian dishes, such as urap /Lalapan (vegetables ) tempe,kentang goreng petai, fried chicken, empal gepuk (sweet and spicy fried beef),  sambal goreng ati (liver in chilli sauce), and many other things. Photos shown Nasi Tumpeng cooked by my mother during my wife birthday celebration recently in Jakarta. Public is also can order or book this Nasi Tumpeng ala Ummi, for reservation please drop me an email or in box me in my facebook

About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Jalan Pecenongan – Jakarta by Sumantri

Jalan Pecenongan – Jakarta by Sumantri


Located in west part of the Jakarta city, near China town, Jalan Pecenongan is a street its heaven for culinary lover like me. Jalan Pecenongan offers best local culinary from drinks like ice coconut, avocado juice, to the best Chinese food. From halal to none halal from main course to desert. Must try barbeque seafood, guramee bakar (local fish) udang bakar (prawn) chap choy and kangkung. Must also try martabak Manis (Indonesia thick pancake with fillings of cheese, penuts, chocolate .Go after 6 pm 





About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Fatahillah Museum/The Jakarta History Museum



The Jakarta History Museum (also known as Fatahillah Museum) is housed in the former City Hall located in the old part of the city now known as Jakarta Kota,
Originally called the Stadhuis, this building was the administrative headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, and later of the Dutch Government. Built in 1710 by Governor General van Riebeeck, this solid building hides below it notorious dungeons and filthy water prisons. Most prisoners, both Dutch rebels and Indonesian “natives” were publicly flogged, barbarically impaled and executed on the square called the Stadhuisplein--now known as  Fatihillah Square--while the Dutch overlords looked down superciliously on the proceedings below from the portico and windows above.


Indonesia’s freedom fighter Javanese Prince Diponegoro, who was treacherously arrested, was imprisoned here in 1830 before being banished to Manado in North Sulawesi. Another freedom fighter earlier imprisoned here around 1670 was Untung Suropati from East Java.
In the center of the square is a fountain which served as water supply for the colonial capital, Batavia, while to its north is a Portuguese cannon, believed to be a font of fertility.
Today, the Jakarta  History Museum  displays the history of Jakarta from prehistoric days to the founding of the town of Jayakarta in1527 by Prince Fatahillah of Banten,  and through Dutch colonization from the 16th. century onwards until Indonesia’s Independence in 1945.
The collection includes a replica of the Tugu Inscription that dates back to the 5th century under the reign of the great King Purnawarman, evidence that the center of the Tarumanegara kingdom was located around the present day seaport of Tanjung Priok.
Further historical evidence of thriving Sunda Kelapa Harbour is a 16th. century map and replica of the 1522 Padrao monument, commemorating the friendship treaty between the Portuguese and the Sunda kingdom. Furthermore, maps and drawings show the establishment of the City of Jayakarta in 1527 by Prince Fatahillah. While the rich collection of Betawi and Colonial style furniture dating to the 17th, 18th and 19th century belongs to one of the most complete in the world. This collection reflects the influences of various cultural elements on the City of Batavia, namely from Europe, especially from the Netherlands, from China and India as well as from Indonesia itself.

About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email

Nasi Padang by Sumantri





Nasi Padang by Sumantri
One of my favorite food is nasi Padang, Nasi Padang which is Indonesian origin. Name of Padang is taken from Padang town in north of Sumatra, Sumatra also home for “rendang” the popular dish is south East Asia
Nasi padang dishes are prepared in a hot, dry style of cooking unique to Indonesian cuisine, and are rich in flavour and aroma. Nasi Padang consist of steam white rice with wide variety of meat, chicken, fish, vegetable and sambal. Rendang,gulai,balado are some cooking style few to mention from Nasi Padang
Nasi padang dishes are typically shared like a mini buffet with friends or family, each member helping himself to his personal favourites and placing a scoop of everything on his plate of rice. You can easely find Nasi Padang restaurant in every district, every area in Jakarta, Indonesia. Today Nasi Padang is going International you can also find in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Europe and Middle East. When enjoyed so much this Nasi Padang


About Sumantri, many faces of me, I am a hotelier, like to organize event, Think Thinker, like to sing, like to write, like to learn new thing, Photography enthusiasm, traveler, food lover, restaurant reviewer, hospitality and guest service evaluator, food and beverage entrepreneur, master chef at own kitchen, blogger lifeskill and lifestyle and more…… Want your restaurant, café, hotel, resort, food or yourself appear in this blog !!!! in box or drop me an email