Bella Kota Kinabalu - Moment with Lumix

Me and Liyi were invited by Teddy and CW to have lunch @ Bella Italia Restaurant situated at Jesselton Hotel, Gaya street. Me and Liyi were very excited and we have high expectation toward the food that gonna be serve.

                   Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.8 ISO160

The restaurant is quiet, and relaxing. When we arrived, there were not many customers beside us. Jesselton hotel is a historical building. It is Kota Kinabalu’s city’s first post WWII modern hotel built at 69 Bond Street (now Gaya Street).  The name Jesselton Hotel referred to the town’s quaint timber and tin roofed Government Rest House, located on a bluff behind the city’s present Kota Kinabalu Police Station.

         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.2 ISO100

                   Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.8 ISO100

This is little bit explanation and acknowledgement about the deal. We bought groupon for the meal and it cost around RM40/ Person for 4-Course Meal included Main course ( Chicken RM50/Lamb Shoulder RM76), Appetizer (Greek Salad RM36), Soup (Creamy Lentil Soup RM24), Dessert ( Mango Crepe RM16), and Drink (Iced Lemon Tea RM13).

Sources: http://www.groupon.my/deals/sabah/Bella-Restaurant/716362208

After everyone have arrived, Creamy Lentil Soup were served. It doesn't taste like mushroom soup or cream soup, it has a distinct texture as there were blended tea leaf in the soup. Frankly, we don't enjoy the soup, neither of us do.

          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.2 ISO400

Later, the greek salad was serve to us, the main course and salad is shared among 2 person, and i weren't satisfy with this because it never stated it only come in 1 set, instead of 2. If you have time, compare the picture provided by them on the salad, and the actual picture of Greek Salad taken by me.

http://www.groupon.my/deals/sabah/Bella-Restaurant/716362208

You can hardly find cheese on top of the salad when it serve. Pictures tell the story.

*This salad cost RM36? you judge.

          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.2 ISO400

Here comes the worst thing, some part of the lamb is not cooked, not even medium. It looked like raw meat when you see them in the fresh market. Red in color, and you notice blood in the meat. Worst of all, you chew them before you notice, and once you notice, you don't know whether to eat it or spit it out. Eww.. The taste, So so, i'd say "Satay Kambing" @ Tanjung Lipat taste much much better than this.

          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.8 ISO400

Interestingly, the chicken taste good, beyond my expectation after the experience with the lamb shoulder. Only the portion is too small for 2pax, as you might see the mashed potatoes filled up half of the plate and the proportion of chicken is so tiny.

          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.8 ISO400

                    Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.5 ISO400

Mango Crepe! Some says sweet, some says sour. I have no idea, i just want to finish them all and get out of the restaurant. Obviously, I'm dissatisfied with the deal, and i strongly not recommend any of my friends for this deal. Looking at the price, the quality of the food, totally no deal.

         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.5 ISO400

In Sum, Bella restaurant have good environment for dining experience, the staff were helpful as well, the only thing that bother me is the quality of the food doesn't match the price tag. I would not bother to pay more for good food and good service, but Bella restaurant is still not up to the expectation.