'Foreign fare is something to chew on'

Presenters and emcees come and go as TV stations change their schedules, but Muhammad Farhan, more popularly known as Farhan, is among those who has stayed around on the small screen. The 34- year-old's popularity, forged during his days as the jovial host of the Pesta variety show, is growing, thanks to his new talk show Lepas Malam on Trans TV. Farhan, who is also host of the station's Tebak Harga, the local version of the U.S. show The Price is Right, talked to us about his favorite food.

Next best thing to mom's home cooking?

Definitely sop kaki kambing (goat's feet soup) Betawi in Tebet, in front of Tebet market. It's called Warung Haji Nik.

Sweet treats?

The one I like most is cendol (a dessert drink mixing kidney beans, jelly, coconut milk and brown sugar, topped with shavings of ice) Elizabeth in Bandung, it's superb.

Coffee and conversation?

Coffee to drink? I like the one at a coffee shop (Coffee Club) in front of the ATMs at Plaza Senayan. But I don't drink much coffee, only about two cups a day.

Fast food fix?

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)! My favorites are Original Recipe and Hot and Crispy. I buy it from any KFC, no special outlet.

Pet peeve about service?

I am a kind of person who prioritizes taste. So if the service is bad but the food is good, I'll come back, although sometimes I don't have to buy it myself. Like Hoka-Hoka Bento, the service is not so good but I like the food, so I'll have someone from the office get it for me....

Best atmosphere?

Mana House in Taman Ria Senayan, if I go with friends. It's fun there, I know most of the people... but if I want privacy, I usually go to La Na Thai near Thamrin. There, the privacy is really good.

Most promising new place in town?

Sederhana Padang Restaurant. All of them, no special one. Where it comes to real food, for me, I go to local food. Foreign food is like something to chew on ... while having a friendly chat. The real food is local food, that's why I'm this big... So, when I am really starved, don't take me to a foreign restaurant, take me to a Padang restaurant, I eat everything!

-- Stevie Emilia