Husband's Birthday Lunch at Café Chef Wan @ Shorea, Melaka

11:47 AM

 



It was my husband’s birthday, and I wanted to celebrate it somewhere a little more elevated—not just another casual meal, but something memorable. Since we were in Melaka, I decided to bring the whole family along—my mom and my nieces—for a proper treat at Café Chef Wan at Shorea. The place looked promising: classy ambiance, beautiful setting, and of course, a big name behind it.

I had high expectations.

We ordered generously (as one does when celebrating). Two kids’ sets for the little ones, a spread of their “signature” dishes like satay and cucur udang, and a few other mains to share.

Unfortunately, that’s where things started to fall apart.

The first red flag was the kids’ meals. We ordered two identical sets, expecting them to come out together. Instead, one arrived shortly after the entrée… and the second came much, much later. By then, both kids were already hungry and impatient, and we had to split one plate between them while waiting. Not exactly the smooth, family-friendly experience we were hoping for.

Then came the food.

This it the only dish tastes good (above average). Everything else =  mehhhh


We made it a point to try their star dishes—especially the satay, which should have been a highlight. But honestly, it was underwhelming. It lacked that freshly grilled aroma and depth of flavor you’d expect. In fact, it tasted suspiciously like pre-packed, frozen satay. For a restaurant of this caliber and price point, that was disappointing. You expect fresh, made-from-scratch food—not something that feels mass-produced.

The cucur udang was another miss—but not because of taste alone. It simply never came… until we asked. By the time it finally arrived, we were already full. Instead of enjoying it fresh and hot at the table, we had to pack it up (tapau) and bring it home. Not quite the experience you envision when ordering a signature appetizer.

mehhh


To be fair, the service wasn’t entirely bad. I had arranged in advance for the birthday cake to be brought out later as dessert, and they executed that part perfectly. That moment—simple as it was—saved a bit of the celebration.

Happy Birthday my Husband! Sorry for the experience..


But overall, the dining experience didn’t match the setting, the reputation, or the price tag.

It’s always a little disappointing when a place with so much potential doesn’t deliver—especially when it’s meant to mark a special occasion. Sadly, this is one visit that doesn’t make it onto our “repeat” list.

Would I return?

Probably not.

Some experiences are better left as a one-time memory.


Rating : 1/5


Until next post!








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