I have been looking for Halal Hainanese chicken rice in JB, and so was glad to be invited by Faizal, F & B Manager at Olla Restaurant in Hotel Granada to try their popular local dishes.
Olla Restaurant is spacious, bright, neatly laid out, very clean and comfortable.
The key man behind Olla Restaurant is Executive Chef Peter Lim. After a lifetime in kitchens around the world, Peter retired contented in Kuala Lumpur. But, it was not long before Peter's wealth of experience was called upon. He was head hunted to help set up Olla Restaurant which took him out of retirement to Johor Bahru. Peter agreed only because he couldn't stay too long away from his passion.
A true blue Hainanese, Peter is proud to share his Hainanese chicken rice with guests.
The large chicken is hung on hooks to air cool after poaching, in true Hainanese tradition.
Good Hainanese chicken rice requires a lot of skill in cutting the bird correctly - along the right grain, correct size and parts to present the chicken's best flavours and texture.
Hainanese Chicken Rice RM18++
The chicken meat was tender, juicy, smooth and had that subtle natural chicken flavour that I liked.
The aromatic rice was fluffy. The chili and ginger were freshly blended.
So, if you are looking for a good Halal Hainanese chicken rice, you know where to get it now :D
Oxtail Asam Pedas RM28++
Chef Peter suggested that we try their Oxtail Asam Pedas. As I am a big fan of oxtail and asam pedas, I was eager to try this dish.
Chef Peter said that this dish was created in Sabah. The oxtail was stewed with local herbs and spices till tender. It was served in a claypot "dry" with additional asam pedas sauce provided in a gravy boat. The gravy was a blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy.
Olla Restaurant is the only place that I know of in JB to enjoy this unique Sabahan dish.
Ayam Percik RM28++
We also tried the traditional ayam percik made with spring chicken and aromatic spices.
The flavourful mildly spicy grilled chicken was caramelised and crisp outside while still juicy inside.
Udang Sambal Petai RM25++
Udang Sambal Petai uses fresh prawns which are cooked with crunchy wild petai beans and local fragrant spices. This popular dish is a blend of sweet, bitter (from the petai), savoury and mildly spicy.
The good sized prawns were cooked just right, keeping them succulent.
Olla Restaurant is a good and convenient place to enjoy delicious authentic local dishes in comfort.
Restaurant name: Olla Restaurant (at Hotel Granada)
Address: 55, Jalan Bukit Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/oTRDo
GPS: 1.482688,103.659197
Hours: 7:00am to 11.00pm
Halal
Date visited: 17 Mar 2014
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