City Garden, Male, Maldives

Now here is a lovely spot I have until now, not discovered yet. I just cannot understand how this happened. City Garden is just about the finest location on this island to sit and eat or have a coffe while watching the ongoings in the Marina.

It always amazes me how so many boats can manoeuvre around each other with such graceful ease. Being a boat owner myself, it makes me want to spend more time sailing it, rather then just being moored up in our Marina.

So the view is perfect, of course, given you get a seat on the terrace balcony, like I have today.

The food and choice of dishes on the menu are also really tempting. I have had a recommendation that the Chiili Prawns are to die for. But I chose a fish dish from the Thai Menu and some Water Spinach as a side today. 

Both were lovely as was the Lavazza Coffee afterwards. A wonderful thing in a place where no alcohol is served is that everyone drinks Tea or Coffee, so it's bound to be the finest.

I must also mention that as soon as I walked in I was warmly welcomed by the waiter, who had a friendly smile throughout. As a woman in a Muslim country, eating out alone, this was very comforting sight. City Garden is definitely top of list of restaurants in Male from now on.

Sichuan Palace Male, Maldives

This fine Chinese restaurant has an interesting menu and great service. The price does reflect this, as main dishes are around 120-850 MVR, that's about $8 and upwards. But let's see if the food is worth it. 

The service is definitely great. As soon as I revealed my iPhone, the waiter appeared with a little note containing the wifi code. I liked that.

This is the second time I am here. At first it seems very quiet but it can suddenly fill up with large groups sitting on the round tables with the fantastic spinning plate called 'Lazy Susan'.

I always find myself a little envious as I can only choose 2 dishes from the menu while they can share 10 different delights. This is of course a downside of a lone traveller.

Tonight I'm drinking a Chinese green tea and I am pleasantly surprised by the loose tea leaves in the pot. It's a delicate flavour with a subtle earthiness that you'd expect from a good chinese tea.

The dishes I chose are Kang Kung with Shrimp Sauce, that's water spinach to you and me.

And also Steamed Noodles with minced Chicken on Sichuan Sauce. 

It's all very good. But as suspected I realise a chinese meal should be eaten in a group. Just 2 dishes leave me wanting more. Not in quantity as there is plenty on my plates, but variety. I just love the whole sharing many dishes kind of eating. Don't you?

Poppadoms Restaurant Male

Why so many restaurant posts in Male? Well, there isn't really that much to do on this island and exploring restaurants is one of my favorite things to do!

I have heard many good things about this place, like the food is proper spicy (which I love) and the curry's are authentic, but one thing put me off coming here. There is only one chef according to 'legend' and he doesn't cope well with bigger groups. So today I have come all by myself to experience his full attention to detail. 

I was surprised to find the usual Maldivian 'mish mash' menu of all manner of Asian dishes. From what I'd heard, I thought it was just Indian, so I ask the waiter for a recommendation of a spicy Fish Curry. He chose a curry I already had my eye on. Malabar Fish Curry. I have never seen the name before and am looking forward to hopefully discovering a new delicacy. There are a few other unusual names on the menu, so if this one is good I'll be back to check the others out! I am particularly intrigued about the Manchurian Curry...

After all the anticipation I was a little disappointed when my food arrived. None of it looked very appetizing at all. The Vegetable Pilau looked very plain with a lonely piece of Cauliflower resting on top. The Spinach in the Paneer was clearly from a tin and the Fish Curry had all but 2 pieces of Fish in it.

Still it is the taste that matters isn't it? Or am I trying to convince myself that this place must be good. Everyone said so...

Actually it wasn't bad. Not as spicy as I had hoped and definitely not as pretty as could be. But hey, I paid a very small price, so this is very good for what you expect to get.

It would be great if they would serve a Thali, so it's possible to have a variety of tastes to tantalize one's taste buds.

When I come here again I will check out some other Currys. The Mutton section looks pretty interesting. It's something we don't see often in the UK.

Poppadoms doesn't have a website, but it is located in Ameer Ahmed Magu on Male Island, not far from the Traders Hotel.

Sala Thai Restaurant Male

Since the old and very well liked Sala Thai Restaurant had to close, due to smoke damage from next door neighbors fire, the owner Thomas has reopened another one in a nearby location. Not only that, but a very nice boutique hotel and spa are also now part of it. 

I remember coming here a while ago when it first reemerged and not liking it too much. I thought it was too expensive compared to other Thai restaurants on Male island. I also really used to love sitting on the Thai style leaning cushions at the old place, which the new one no longer has.

But something changed. The atmosphere here is suddenly much more serene and calmly confident. I cannot describe what exactly makes it better, but I like it.

Sala Thai is from now on topping my former favorite Lemongrass Fifth, which has gone down hill badly. The price I pay at Sala Thai is worth my every penny. Consistent quality of food and service will always prevail. Naturally.

Today I had a meal that made me feel happy and satisfied. My beloved Tom Yum Soup with Seafood, a little rice and a fresh Pineapple Celery and Ginger Drink. All at just 10 delightful Weightwatchers points. So, considering my New Year resolutions, it also rated very highly.

The only problem is, I still haven't found an easy way to get the meat out of these crab claws... even with all the paraphernalia they give me to use...such a kerfuffle... any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Here a link to the Sala Thai Website: http://salafamilymaldives.com/index_salaThai.php

Sala Thai, Male, Buruneege
Republic of Maldives For Reservation: +(960) 334 5959 

Opening hours: Saturday-Thursday 12 noon until 12 midnight
Friday 18 - midnight