GREAT VALUE BRITAIN...THE JOURNEY CONTINUES (Day 3)

 

 

 Sneak peek inside Ashmolean Museum

 

Our Great Value Britain discovery journey continued with our departure to Oxford - the city of dreaming spires (a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold). It is also home to the world's oldest university in the English speaking world - the renowned University of Oxford. 

We checked out from Premier Inn and took the tube from Bakerloo Underground station to PaddingtonStation to board the train to Oxford. The London Paddington Station is part of the city’s original railway; now modernised with the addition of the HeathrowExpress service.

Spoiled for choice...the wide range of tempting goodies at Pret

Before we boarded our train, we popped into Pret for brekkie. Pret (short for Pret A Manger) sells fresh, ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads for takeaways or dine-in. The informal ambiance is similar to a cafe where customers pop into choose and buy their food and drinks on self-service basis but the team on duty will warm up sandwiches on request in addition to dispensing hot beverages. Light snacks like veggie crisps, biscuits and confectionery are also sold here.

It doesn't cost a lot to eat at Pret and the food is wholesome, hand-made with natural ingredients. Milk and coffee are 100% organic too. I love the almond milk and hot toastie sandwich I ate for breakfast.

Once satiated, we caught the Great Western Railway train to Oxford – the journey took approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Upon arrival at the Oxford Station, you can buy the “Cotswolds Discoverer” pass. 

It is a great value, hassle-free way to travel around and explore scenic parts of the Cotswolds by bus and by train including gardens, historic buildings, picture-postcard villages and the pastoral English countryside.

From Oxford Station, it’d be easier to take a taxi (approximately £10 one way) for a quick transfer to your hotel. We stayed at the Marlborough House Hotel (321 Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 7NY. Tel: +44 1865 311321). If you prefer to take the bus, hop onto number 6, S2 from Magdalen Street (Stop C3) to Osberton Road. A Day Ticket by bus costs £4 per person per day. 

Located in a quiet, leafy North Oxford neighbourhood, The Marlborough House was built in 1990. The homely abode was extended in 1997 to offer comfortably furnished, ensuite bedrooms; each complete with a kitchenette, a refrigerator, microwave, mini-bar, kettle and crockery.

About 1.5 miles north of Oxford City centre, it is a short walking distance from Summertown shopping centre and easily accessible by bus and train. Cooked breakfast is served in-room while cereals, milk and shortbread are available alongside self-serving coffee/tea service in each boudoir.  

Since we had time to kill before lunch, we embarked on a University and Historic Sights Tour. We boarded the bus at Broad Street and once seated on the double-decked, open-topped bus, the hour-long ride gave us plenty of photo-taking opportunities.

Passengers can opt to hop on, hop off at designated stops and attractions along the way. There’s also running commentary in different languages – all you have to do is plug in the earphones and listen to it enroute. With so many breath-taking sights peppered throughout the old university city, we felt the tour ended far too soon.

By now we were famished and succumbed to Jamie’s Italian Super Lunch Deal which offered two courses at only £10.95. I was so ravenous, I scarfed down the hearty portion of Tagliatelle Blognese served with herby breadcrumbs & freshly grated Parmesan.

For once, I found ample tummy space to fit in the scrumptious Orange Blossom Polenta Cake with candied fruit, whipped crème fraîche & pomegranate. It was a superb lunch which left us happily satisfied.

After lunch, we visited Ashmolean Museum - University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology. Founded in 1683, the museum houses priceless, diverse collections from the world’s great civilisations. Walk through the different galleries to view Egyptian mummies, Raphael drawings and ancient sculptures to contemporary art.

Our mini walking tour of Oxford also took us to popular landmarks including Martyrs’ Memorial, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs and Said Business School among others.The best thing about these awe-inspiring sights and heritage buildings with ornate architecture is you don't have to fork out a single penny to admire and view them.

Radcliffe Camera

Bridge of Sighs

 

After a brief respite back at the hotel, we walked to Portabello Restaurant (7 S Parade, Oxford OX27LJ. Tel: +44 1865 559653) for dinner. Our private dining menu priced at £27 for a 3-course dinner comprised classic British cuisine using seasonal and local farm produce. 

I chose to go with beetroot cured salmon with pickled cucumber as the appetiser. For main, I opted for spinach & pine nut cakes with tomato & olive salsa. Jennifer went for a steak which I couldn't resist taking a photo of and a bite of it.

The refreshing mango-raspberry sorbet was good enough to fill us up; enough for the leisurely stroll back to our abode for the night.

Travelling from Malaysia to the UK on a budget? Book now via http://www.visitbritain.com/malaysia or visit CIT Malaysia http://cit.travel/europe/united-kingdom to plan your VisitBritain itinerary.

 

COMING SOON! GREAT VALUE BRITAIN Day 4...forays into Enid Blyton's country

10 TOP EATS AT GENJI

 

Do you know Genji Japanese Restaurant at Hilton Petaling Jaya was named in honour of a legendary Japanese nobleman? Known as ‘the shining Genji’, the feudal lord was a connoisseur of fine food, wine and living.

Likewise, Hilton PJ’s Japanese cuisine bastion has been serving country-style Japanese seasonal delicacies to a coterie of individual and corporate diners since 1988. A recent facelift ensures a tastefully designed and comfortable space to fit about 148 diners. Channelling the vibes of a contemporary yet rustic restaurant in the Land of the Rising Sun, you’d find fine objects d’art and lots of wood accents on premise.

The sectional layout includes a sushi bar, the main dining area, two spacious teppanyaki counters, five private dining rooms and one ‘tatami’ style dining room. Ample privacy and comfort are assured whether you’re entertaining business associates or hosting family and friends to a good meal.

Armed with 27 years of experience, Executive Japanese Chef Richard Teoh focuses on modernist traditional Japanese cuisine using distinct Japanese ingredients crafted with current techniques. Trained by masters of Japanese food in Tokyo and Osaka, he insists on adhering to certain Japanese cooking basics in spite of changing tastes and variety being the spice of life.

Choices are aplenty at Genji but a quick check with Chef Richard reveals 10 popular dishes that often get the thumbs up from regulars. First off the block is California Salad (RM 41), a deconstructed version of the famed California Roll.

Garnished with strips of deep-fried crabsticks and flying fish roe, the mound of garden greens is complemented by thinly sliced salmon, tuna and avocado. Zesty-creamy wasabi mayo dressing lends the light salad fresh, appetising appeal.

The Japanese equivalent to chicken soup for the soul here is Buri Miso (RM 33). Heartwarmingly nutritious, the yellow tail fish head in miso soup comes packed with protein, vitamins B2, B12, E and K as well as essential dietary fibre and beneficial bacteria.

 

Of course, no Japanese meal worth its salt can omit choice sushi and sashimi. The most sought-after air-flown raw fish items at Genji are salmon, tuna, kampachi and sea bream which are artistically presented into a visually and palate-pleasing plate of Sashimi Moriwase Hane (RM 233). Moist and succulent, the plump slices make for delightful mouthfuls after a light dip into shoyu.

Prefer some sushi instead? Then you can bank on the crowd-pleasing Jumbo Ebi Ura Maki (RM 76) - a reversed hand roll with tiger prawn tempura, fish roe, salad leaves and cucumber. Every piece packs in myriad textures thanks to chunks of tiger prawn sheathed in crisp, airy-light tempura batter, shredded lettuce, rich mayo and vinegared rice speckled with crunchy fish roe.

 

Fiery bird’s eye chilli adds stealthy bursts of fiery heat in the chef’s speciality of Kaki Chilli Mayo (RM17.00 per piece). Chopped up and mixed into the lush blanket of spiced up mayo, proceed with caution when you dig into the fleshy oyster baked in its half shell lest you get ‘fire bombed’.

If you prefer prawns, the Ebi Chilli Mayo (RM 70) or baked jumbo tiger prawn with the same spicy mayo should float your boat. The sizeable crustacean is delicately sweet on the palate; the zingy mayo giving it a robust ‘kick’.

For those who want it all, Genji’s Trio Combo (RM 140) is a heavyweight main to contend with. The three separate creations consist of luscious salmon, tuna & sea bass sashimi rolled with avocado, a piece of grilled cod with salt on potato salad & baked tiger prawn with spicy mayo on garlic fried rice.

Fish fans would fall hook, line and sinker for the perennial delight of Gindara (RM 82), black cod dish grilled with salt or teriyaki sauce. Velvety smooth on the palate, it is a failsafe option to bank on anytime.

Theatrical teppan-cooked seafood, meat and vegetable dishes constitute another key staple in the popularity stakes. Cooked with indulgent garlic-butter sauce, Tenderloin Teppanyaki (RM84) emerges as the dominant choice among meat enthusiasts. Imagine a premium tenderloin cut rendered to juicy perfection with droolworthy smoky overtone. To ensure the beef doneness is to your liking, do inform the staff upon ordering.

 

Bring the curtains down on your meal with a hot and cold dessert platter featuring Banana Spring Roll (RM33) at the core. Wrapped in deep-fried spring roll skin, the sweet banana and red bean paste filling is a scorcher. Paired with the slightly chewy mocha and a scoop of matcha ice cream, it’s the perfect finale to the Genji’s top 10 countdown.

Hearty eaters will be happy to know Genji lays out a scrumptious Weekend Japanese Buffet on Saturday, priced at RM 139 nett per adult from 8pm to 10.30pm. Early birds dining between 6pm to 7:45pm will enjoy the special price of RM127 nett per adult. Buffet lunch is also available on Sundays from 11.30am till 2.30pm at RM139 nett per adult.

For reservations or inquiries, please contact Genji Japanese Restaurant at 03-7955 9122 extn. 4071/4072 or visit Hilton Petaling Jaya’s F&B blog, www.ZestPJ.com