January 17, 2007
Prima Taste Restaurant Food Review - Part 2 of 2
I finally got to eat my Crispy Baby Squids at Prima Taste Restaurant last weekend because I specifically called in to ask if they have that “in stock”. The waitress might even recognize my voice since J and I frequent that restaurant and usually ask for the same “tried and tested” dishes.
This time round, I wanted to eat something other than Hainanese Chicken Rice (since I can make that at home anyway right?) So I went through a process of selection by elimination on what would pair up well with Crispy Baby Squids.
Curry Chicken - Not so nice. Chicken was tough. Curry gravy was thin and wimpy.
Prawn Dishes - Mom said not to eat too much prawns so this was out.
Sambal Kang Kong - There wasn’t enough sambal in this Kang Kong dish.
Beef Rendang - Don’t feel like it.
We finally decided on plain white Rice, Crispy Baby Squids and Fish Head Curry!
Crispy Baby Squid: $8.75
The Crispy Baby Squid served here is somewhat different from the ones I have eaten in Long Beach Seafood Restaurant in Singapore. The ones in Prima are actually nicer! The Baby Squids are bigger, slightly thinner, crispy and not too sweet. The ones at Long Beach sometimes end up overcooked and chewy instead of crispy.
Next up …
Fish Head Curry: $11.95 for half a fish head
The sharp, lemony aroma of the gravy was very appetizing. The piquancy quotient of the Curry Fish Head was lifted with the assam, the ’souring’ ingredient that provides the tang.
The picture above was how the Curry Fish Head was served - in a claypot, with slices of eggplant, a few long beans, pieces of tomato and pineapple and of course the fish (hiding below)!
The fish that Prima Taste Restaurant used was Salmon Fish Head. I love eating the cheeks and top of the head. These are the smoothest part, in my opinion. (I don’t dare to eat the fish eyes. Do you?)
This picture was showing the “wrong side” of the fish, hence it looked like a picture out of Aliens.
The assam gravy drizzled over rice was delicious. We had asked for the lightest heat (chilli / spiciness) intensity so that the heat was manageable for us. The light sweetness of the Crispy Baby Squids helped to counter the heat.
We finished up all the ingredients in pot and even asked for the gravy “to-go” so that we can dip our Roti Prata into this spicy tangy Fish Head Curry gravy. Oh so yummy!
Prima Taste USA
1701 Lundy Ave. #100
San Jose, CA 95131
Tel (408) 392-9268
Hours
M-F: 10-3 pm & 5-9 pm
Sat: 11 am to 10:30 pm
Sun: 11 am to 10 pm
Bite This!
More recipes:
Prima Taste Restaurant Food Review - Part 1
Prima Taste Premixes - For The Homesick Singaporean
Indian Mee Goreng In Penang Village
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January 17th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
All those mouth watering pictures, they look so delicious indeed. You took them really well. It is very hard to take pictures at a restaurant in general (their lights are usually dimer, but you did a good job here.)
I’ve never tried any of the food you mentioned here, but I think I might like crispy baby squid. Do you know how to cook them as well?
January 17th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Hi Sue, Thanks! I was sitting by the window and it was in the afternoon, so I got lots of light (no flash required). You are right. It’s difficult to take good pictures in a restaurant with dim lighting. Usually the flash spoils the picture, unless I get a softbox. But then I will look so weird in the restaurant with a big camera, a big flash and a softbox!
I don’t know how to cook Crispy Baby Squid :( *sob*
January 17th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Eat the fish eyes? I don’t eat the rest of the fish. I don’t know why, but I hate fish. Except maybe tuna sandwiches. Still don’t know why.
January 17th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Check out my new post…I am doing something fun pimpin you. ;)
January 18th, 2007 at 12:14 am
sim sim, I made some squids too haha, but not the baby kind like yours, tumeric and garam masala. That’s alot of food there man, glad you enjoyed it :)
January 18th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Wah, with the availability of these food in US of A, won’t get homesick liao :)
January 18th, 2007 at 7:04 am
DF - I was wondering what’s your favorite food?
RM - “pimpin” LOL
MW - Wah… I learn a lot of new spice mixes from you. “quickly checks wiki what is ‘garam masala’*
PP - Still need the simple stuff like breakfast Fried Bee Hoon, Ngor Hiang, Chwee Kueh etc.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Hmm the prima taste place in Singapore dont have so many varieties leh. only that few things.
curry fish head. droolsome!
January 18th, 2007 at 8:14 am
oh yes, simple food like economic bee hoon, etc just makes our day right?
chwee kueh and chee cheong fun is simple. you know we used to make them in the microwave oven while studying in Aust. oven goes ‘ting’, we wallop it, make another batch. hahaha…
January 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I can try the bb squid the next time I go. Must call first arh ?
January 18th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
KeropokMan - But but.. I want Tiong Bahru Chwee Kueh.
Tiga! Not necessary. Just that I was very pissed with them the previous time so I called first to make sure it’s not a wasted trip. Also, maybe because the previous time we went on New Year’s eve, so they did not replenish their stock.
January 18th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Pizza. I have made it in the past (when I was wooing my wife). I should make in the near future. That’s something the kids can help with. I just need to plan ahead and buy the toppings.
January 18th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Oh, chow fun too. But I find it a real pain to separate the noodles before stir frying.
January 18th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I’ve been wanting to make pizza, but not sure what type of dough to buy. Can you find time to make this then post it in your daddy blog? Make sure you dab the kids faces with flour before you take pictures :)
Talking about separating fresh noodles - yeah I had the same problem too!