Reading Roars!

It was Taste of Malaysia time at the London Street-based Global Cafe again a few days ago, and this time I was a happy participant, rather than observer. Picking a table in the middle of the cafe, I very quickly made my way to the paper plates, my stomach growling as the buffet smells hit my nostrils, while my partner patiently waited for her turn.

Scooping a little something of each, a bit of this rice, a bit of that rice, a bit of chilli chicken, a bit of Beef Redang, I was beginning to wonder whether I was perhaps overdoing it a little. My near-buckling plate was feeling heavy and I really didn’t want to lose control. A dropped a few prawn crackers on top.

Back at the table, I piggily attacked the beef first, partly because I was so very hungry but also because it seemed the most “Malaysian” to me, if that makes sense. The first mouthful took me back to Georgetown (though not literally, of course). The warm and sticky afternoon (it was the hottest day of the year) made it feel more authentic, as I imagined myself to be once more in Malaysia, eating bits and bobs for breakfast with some very interesting flavours.

Something - a very important thing - was missing, however: liquid refreshment. There were no Malaysian drinks available, but the cafe bar did offer a strong range of fruit juices. I chose a very tropical Passion Fruit drink to take the heat out of the meal a little (in Malaysia, I had beverages like fresh Starfruit juice - stunningly delicious).

A chap with an acoustic guitar, meanwhile, kept us entertained with smooth sounding Malaysian songs, making the event a cultural, rather than simply gastronomic experience.

Still hungry, I filled and finished another plate. Bloated, I sat back against the chair and tried to concentrate on my partner’s words. I really had to get moving. Before we left, we stopped to buy some goodies: 3 jars, containing Nasi Goreng, Satay and Sweet Chilli sauces, all for a super £2!

Taste of Malaysia will be returning on 13 May 2007. I’m told that the live entertainment will be more lively then, so worth checking out.