Dining out with a 7-year-old-kid who absolutely knows what his palate wants and a wife who can whip almost everything in the kitchen with her disciminating taste, in Malaysian states where predominant dishes are richly flavored with herbs & spices (read : ultra hot, hot, hot!) may be a little challenge. Because of this and due to limited budget, we don’t really go out to eat on a weekly basis nor as frequent as others might think.
For someone whose family’s gustatory sense was not accustomed to spicy cuisine, I often bring them to something we’re familiar with. Our priority has always been Gabby’s preferences or something that he would agree where he can also eat and enjoy dining. Luckily, there are those food places that we all favor that usually reminds of our eating-out-moments back home. One of those restaurants we used to go to in Glorietta in Makati City and Trinoma in Quezon City that has a branch here in Penang and in Kuala Lumpur is T.G.I. Friday’s. ;)
Gabby’s favorites include that Cheesy Macaroni with tomato dip (5th photo above) and Cajun Chicken Fingers with fries and honey mustard dip. He also likes TGIF’s Caesar’s Salad. While Tina’s choices aren’t constant, I am otherwise. My default option if it’s TGIF has been Jack Daniel’s Chicken that’s fire-grilled and basted with that sweet Jack Daniel’s glaze. Sarap!!! 
*Photos were taken randomly from TGI Friday’s branches in Paragon Mall in Gurney Drive, Penang and in Pavilion Mall, Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur.
CAFE ADRIATICO’S CHICKEN A LA KIEV.
TGIF’s JACK DANIEL’S CHICKEN. I like that it’s grilled to perfection and that Jack Daniel sauce is unforgettable.
PANCAKE HOUSE’S PAN FRIED CHICKEN. What’s unique with Pancake House’s version of fried chicken? Nothing but the crunchiness of its skin (which is God-forbid, cholesterol-rich!) and perfect frying of the meat plus that smokey flavored gravy.
SAVORY’S FRIED CHICKEN CLASSIC. That oriental-tasting gravy separates Savory’s from the rest.
WORLD CHICKEN’S GRILLED CHICKEN FILLET with RANCH SAUCE + PESTO PASTA & POTATO SALAD.
BALIWAG’S LECHON MANOK + ATCHARA/PICKLED PAPAYA. = emergency food ! This has been a part of our home meals whenever we ran out of time to go to the grocery or my wife or our house help failed to cook for whatever reason. I like it with pickled papaya on plain rice, garlic, or java plus extra gravy please… 
CONTI’S CHICKEN BALLOTINE. Conti’s menu consists of simple dishes with extraordinary tastes. And this Chicken Ballotine is no exception. It’s similar to Chicken Cordon Bleu with fillings & stuffings rolled with the chicken and served with cream sauce. Yummy! 
KIMONO KEN’S CHICKEN CHEESE ROLL. One of the must-try in their menu.
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN’S CHICKEN STRIPS =goodness.
MCDONALD’S CHICKEN MCDO = love.
JOLLIBEE’S CHICKEN JOY =happiness.
OPINION COUNTS…