My first dining experience in Steak Kitchen with the Queen of Wishful Shrinking wasn’t exactly a very impressive experience, so I was really surprised that I gave the place several more chances. It could be that there are only a few places you can eat in Sovanna Mall that isn’t so crowded and maybe because my daughter became a huge fan of their Seafood Crumbed Platter (huge platter for less than $5!).

Now Steak Kitchen has become a family favorite. And luckily the first time lackluster dining experience was not repeated and all subsequent meals we had there has been really good. They have an extensive menu and very very affordable prices.

Here’s what I had last time.. Grilled Chicken Breast with Pepper Sauce and Grilled Pork Chop.

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Steak Kitchen is located at 5th Level, Sovanna Shopping Center, Phnom Penh Cambodia

I was browsing my blog last night and it suddenly occurred to me, I had been posting mostly photos the past few months and writing less and less. Sigh. So much for trying to use this blog to practice writing. One of the main reasons I post a whole load of photos is that I’m obsessed with taking snapshots and I have this little belief that my photos share a better story than I do.

But this isn’t exactly how I envisioned my blog to be. And I have to slowly steer myself to writing more, at least alternate the photos with some articles and stories about living in Cambodia.

Right now I wanna get on with my weeky random ramblings..

• Cambodia is now getting sooo hot. It’s scorching hot that I rarely venture out because I always get migraines because of the heat. And were just in mid-March, my husband reckons it’ll be hotter in April. And that just scares me.

• I’m doing a bit of window shopping for some jewelry. My mom fancies some gold chains and we figured we’d gift her with some, if the quality and the price is right. Has anyone of you had any experience buying gold from those shops near Central Market? I also checked out some shops in Russian Market for made-to-order jewelry, but I’m scared about making a mistake and buying some fakes. I don’t know much about jewelry and I doubt I ever will know much. It’s just not an interest with me. But I want to have some nice ones for my mom so..

• I’ve been receiving a lot of emails from readers and I love interacting with them, and answering questions that I can.  Majority of them are very nice folks and its just makes me doubly passionate about blogging knowing that there are indeed a few people who reads this blog.

• Among those who email me, there are also those I find very rude. Some demand information from me  (usually about traveling to Cambodia) without so much as a please. I am NOT a travel agency and while I take pleasure in answering emails or tweets with tips on traveling, please be mindful of your manners too. I find it disgruntling when I receive an email demanding me to book a hotel or send them a hotel address.I would gladly help out with recommendations but please ask nicely. And it’ll be nice too if you learn how to use Google.

• I’m getting busy planning trips. April is my daughter’s birthday and it falls on a holiday. So we are planning going somewhere. She and (both me and hubby too) are not big on parties and during birthdays, we usually travel to someplace where we could enjoy being together and have some relaxation time. I’m looking up some hotels and let’s see where we end up.

• Were also going to the Philippines in June for my father’s 1st death anniversary (how time flies..) and as of now we have plans to also spend a few days in Malaysia. My daughter is itching to go up Petronas. I wonder why when it really just makes me feel queasy. Last time I went there, I went running to the bathroom the moment the ‘tour’ was over. Lol. But since she seems really interested, we’ll brave it again. Then after a few days we’ll fly to Manila. Going back we’ll be trying the Manila-Siem Reap, Cebu Pacific direct flight.

• And uh, its my birthday this weekend. Yay! I’m getting older and yes, more fabulous. Choz! Hahaha. My plans? Hubby wanted to go somewhere to celebrate, but moi? I want to stay here in Phnom Penh, eat a lot of steak, have a total spa pampering (scrub, wrap, massage, sauna–the works!). And my birthday wish is not to do any chores for two whole days. I’ll miss scrubbing the bathroom if its more than 2 days, noh?

Opulent Koh Kong Resort in Koh Kong Cambodia. Located right next to Koh Kong Safari World and very near the Cambodia-Thai  Had Lek Border. Aside from the usual hotel amenities, this complex also houses a casino primarily for Thai casino lovers.

This is one gem of a restaurant find among the huge number of restaurants in Siem Reap. My sister and I were just looking for a cup of coffee after a leisurely stroll in Old Market when we came across a cozy little cafe along the riverside called River View Cafe.

We sat down on one of their comfy wicker chairs and ordered coffee. It was good, so my sister checked out their menu and ordered a serving of ‘River View Sandwich’ – bacon, grilled chicken sandwich. She thought it would be something light and small, but what we got we could barely finish between the two of us and it only cost $4. It was really really good. Served with coleslaw salad and fries.

Further scanning of the menu revealed that they had some Filipino food, so we asked the friendly waitress why is that so. Turns out the wife of the owner is a Filipina. We got introduced, they were both friendly and we promised to come back for breakfast. Their breakfast was just WoW! Huge servings. And to think we ordered the ‘smallest’ breakfast in the menu but we can’t even finish half of it. Breakfast prices range from $3 (for pancake set – 2 big pancakes, 2 eggs cooked any way you want it, potatoes ‘n onions, fruit bowl and orange juice) to $5 for the BIG breakfast. And its worth every penny.

And oh, the breakfast in photo is served with a bowl of sliced fresh fruits and orange juice I just forgot to take photos coz..well I was overwhelmed. Lol. Our small table was overloaded with plates and it was enough to feed a small army.

I would recommend this little restaurant and I would be going back there whenever I’m in Siem Reap. I think their breakfast has me hooked. It’s right along the riverside (beside Body Tune Massage and Kampuccino Cafe), a block after Old Market, central but away from noisy Pub/Alley Street. Just the right place if you want some quiet.

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Bayon Temple, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap Cambodia

Let me start off by saying this is a semi-ranting post. I feel like ranting because I’ve had a distasteful experience with some people who were playing travelers and whom I have hosted here in Cambodia. I feel like I should really just write it down and hopefully some people with similar mind frame as them would find this helpful and just cancel their trips if they won’t bother giving the place a chance. I have seriously thought that traveling is to see something different, not look for the same things as what you have in your place?

First thing first, I know people travel for a variety of reasons. Some travel for enjoyment, relaxation, some to educate themselves, some for a totally new experiences, some simply because they want to have photos of a different place to post on their Facebook accounts and show off to their friends. I don’t have any problem really about anybody’s reason to travel. Different strokes for different folks right?

What I have a strong beef about is when a ‘pseudo-traveller’ just goes to a place with not even an inkling about that place. I’m not saying you should swallow a whole guidebook about the place, but it really does help things if you do a bit of background check about where you are going. For example, if you are going to Angkor Wat, at least have an idea about what temple’s history and the location etc etc. It doesn’t need to be an in depth knowledge just an overview. And the internet is one of the best places to do a bit of research. There are lots of forums one can visit if you are really interested. And I do wonder why would one go to a place if you don’t really have any interest in it?