Shrimpz Prawn Farm @ Langkawi

The Langkawi archipelago is a cluster of 99 islands just off the coast of Kedah, close to Perlis and just south of Thailand.


Pulau Langkawi, noted for its legends and beautiful views, is the most developed in the group. It has good beaches, abundant marine life and offers an idyllic retreat from the urban jungle. A duty-free port, this island of scenic, tranquil landscapes, has become a favorite destination for local and international visitors alike. For locals, Langkawi is a haven for cheap liquors, cigarettes and of course ... not forgetting chocolates. And this ... brings me to my favourite topic, good food. Most traveller resign themself to hotel food which is very unfortunate indeed. With very little effort, you can rent a car and drive around the island which in actual fact, is dotted with really good cuisine, both local and international ... and not to mention, lot's of fun !

During my recent trip to Langkawi Island, I was lucky enough to locate a good spot, Shrimpz Prawn Farm - which I must insist that you visit ... on your next trip to Langkawi Island. Shrimpz, is located less than a kilometre from Underwater World, about 5 kilometres away or 10 minutes drive from Kuah town.


Shrimpz is not difficult to find, but of course you will need to find the signage as you drive along the road. Once you've spotted the bright green signage, you proceed to drive down the slope towards the farm and almost instantly noticing the acres of wetland, almost similar to a padi farm. - which I think is probably swarmed with live prawns.


As the name suggests, it serves fresh prawns, hand-picked from some 300 acres of prawn farm and cooked to your liking! The restaurant features 10 wooden pondok (gazebos), all aptly named after legendary places on the island. These overlook the glistening waters of the sprawling prawn farm. Shrimpz serve a great variety of food ranging from local, chinese, fusion and BBQ. Guests can sit on the floor in the pondok with gentle sea breeze blowing while having their meal Malay style, on wooden furniture underneath an attap roof. For foreign tourists in particular, it's a unique dining experience.


The most popular dish in Shrimpz is the Nestum Prawn but unfortunately it's not available so we had to order other dishes but they are equally good ! Since Shrimpz is a prawn farm after all, majority of the dishes ordered were .... prawns. We started with the Steamed Prawns, then proceeded with the Buttered Prawns and then with Tom Yam Prawns. As you can see from the 'photographic evidence' below .. the prawns were HUGE and FRESH. Do note the capitalized words ... they really are ! Of course, to cover our guilt of "over-cholestrolling" ourselves, we ordered some vegetable and toufu dishes.

Just a mental note ... it took them quite a while to prepared those dishes, despite us being their only customer that afternoon (customers usually comes in the evening). But all of us agree that the wait was worth it, so prepare your camera ... the sceneries are breathtaking.

Shrimpz Restaurant and Sea Breeze
Mukim Ulu Melaka
Jalan Bukit Malut,
07000 Langkawi
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-9663211/9663210
Fax: 9663220

Operating Hours:
12pm - 2.30pm
6pm - 10.30 pm
Closed on Tuesdays.

Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino

Fine dining restaurants are easy to come by these days, drive around Bangsar, Sri Hartamas, TTDI, Damansara ... and they are dotted all over the place. Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino is such a place and that's where we will be discussing today. Their tagline says "So Much, So Good, So Share" .... means the food portion is HUGE ... so share your food. I couldn't really imagine how big the portion was until the food was served. And, yes .. it was enormous !!! Ok, enormous means really big, enough to feed 2 persons or more... not 15, so please don't quote me if your Fettuccine with Shrimp in Carbonara sauce can't feed your whole family.

Italiannies is very well decorated ... very Italian, I would say. Ok, I've never been to Italy ... but the setup in Italiannies reminded me of something out of The Godfather movie ... complete with plaster walls etched with wise words such as "Eat Well, Live Long ... and wooden panels, dimmed lightings and whispering waiters. Suddenly, you heard a gunshot and some men in black suit rushes out from kitchen chasing ... ok, ok ... I was hallucinating a little, my imagination ran wild.

To cut the story short, it's very Italian.


Anyway, the place was crowded ... just check out the queue. The ambience is nice ... if it's a little more quiet. You could bring your partner there for a quiet dinner for two, dimmed lighted .. some fine Italian music ... yeah, you could do that. But, please, please .. make your appointment on a weekday. Trust me.

Let's switch the scene to the food. To begin with, your will be served fresh bread or Ciabatta with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Ciabatta is an Italian white bread made with wheat flour and yeast. In Italian, ciabatta means ‘slipper’ hence the loaf is somewhat elongated, broad and flattish: of course cut when served. I can't remember if I am hungry then, but the ciabatta tasted deeeelicious! when dippied in the olive oil with balsa vinegar. As I stuffed myself with the italian bread, I almost choked ... fortunately my Strawberry Colada arrived. Ahh .... the most feminine beverage I've ever ordered... complete with a little strawberry and a slight piece of banana, perched on the rim of the glass ... don't ask ... I just need to get in touch with my sensitive side and hoping the Strawberry Colada might help.





As I was 'unchocking' myself, the waiter served the Spaghetti Meatball ... admittedly some of the 'huge'st meatballs I've even seen ... not to say I've 'seen' many. They were pretty much the size of a tennis ball ... so, go swallow on that ! Despite the 'monstrosity' .. the meatball was actually very good, meaty and juicy .. as some would comment ... and the spaghetti ... perfetto, perfectly boiled.

We continue to 'down' the balls and proceeded to the next course which was the Lasagna. Yeah, Garfield would kill to get near this next course. What better way to have your Lasagna, than to take it with seafood .... Yummy !!! The thick, smooth and creamy top is irresistable and of course ... we we all ready with our fork and knives as the waiter serve the course. And gosh ... it was quite a record time for us to relieve the Seafood Lasagna.

As we watch the waiter clear the empty Lasagna platter ... we were already quite stuffed ... not to mention some of us had this bottomless Ice Lemon Tea .. you know, the ones where you're allowed to refill your drink.


Marsala Mushroom Soup, from what I found out ... is mushroom soup with Marsala wine. Marsala is the name for a wine produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily. You may have heard of Chicken Marsala and Mushroom Soup with Marsala .. hey, that's my first experience ... and may I say, a very good one too.


The last course for the day ... is Spaghetti & Artichoke Fomrmaggio which is Parmesan cheese blended with spinach, artichokes and mushrooms. Served with toasted homemade garlic bread. Although this course is listed under the Starters section, it's quite a serving ... considering the 7 pieces of garlic bread.

Finally, from a dear friend's blog ... I read about this special dish which is not orderable from the menu. Apprently, look for KC ... and ask for Insalata ala Ringo & Jasiminne. Sounds delicious, don't you think ? Read more here ... Cheeserland on Italiannies

Anyway ... I'd say, generally the place is cool for ambience, nice food and decently priced.

Here's what we had to pay for our last visit.

Bottomless soft drink (RM6.80)
Strawberry Colada (RM7.90)
S & R Formag\D (RM28.90)
Seafood Lasagna (RM25.90)
Spaghetti Meatball (RM29.90)
Marsala Mushroom Soup (RM11.90)

Total Bill for 6 person (RM143.70 tax inclusive)

And here's my review ....

Contact Details
Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino
F355/356/357, 1st Floor, Rainforest,
1 Utama, Lebuh Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya.
Tel : 603-77271399
Fax : 603-77103411



Ratings
OVERALL RATINGs : * * * * (Good balance of food, value and ambience)
Environment Ratings : * * * * * (Italiano ... Ciao)
Food Ratings : * * * * * (Excellente ..)
Service Ratings : * * (food may take a little while to get prepared if crowded)
Value Ratings : * * * * (Share the portion, share the bill)

Operation Details
Average Price : Slightly below RM30
Business Hrs : 11am - 12pm daily 7 days a week, kitchen closes at 10:30pm
Accepted Cards: All major credit cards

Miscellaneous Details
Halal : Yes
Dining Method : Dine-In . Takeaway
Food/Cuisine :
Ambience/Features : Italian Restaurant ala cottage
Reservations : Yes