f i n d i n g // f a t s

I know I'm a little late to the Poke-fiesta, but this truly is the first Pokebowl ever. Now, since it's my first, I can't really compare it to the rest but overall, I was quite pleased with what I had.

Located in Sunway Pyramid, Poke Bear offers the people of Sunway a chance to enjoy what I personally call "Guai Lou Zhap Fan", or translated into "Western Economy Rice". Sure, it's not all that cheap as it's priced above RM15, but it certainly is worth the money.

You get to choose from a variety of ingredients prepped each morning - fresh. Seafood items such as Salmon, Tuna, Octopus, Shrimp & Crabstick are available, and I'd recommend going for both the salmon and octopus because they're incredibly fresh and juicy.

Aside from that, you'll also get a selection of toppings and veggies such as lettuce, egg, edamame, onions, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and many more. Sauces were amazing and you can put as much as you like.

I went for just the Mentai as I believed that would give it enough flavour, which it did.

Mine is on the left, I had a combination of tuna, octopus, salmon roe, lettice, brown rice, tamago, spring onions, mentai sauce and cherry tomatoes! Lovely~

It's hard to say which is the best as I went for my own build, leveraging on what I liked most - which came out really well.

Overall, if you're looking for a change of pace, something different, something fresh and something unique, Poke Bear is definitely one worth going for.

Address:

LG1.110A, Lower Ground One, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, 3, Jalan PJS 11/15, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Operating hours: Daily 10am - 10pm

Tel: 03 7494 0257

FB: https://www.facebook.com/MYpokebear/

Mid-autumn festival is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate it if it isn't a selection of delicious mooncakes?

Here we have Donute's version of the Taiwanese-style mooncake. Unlike the traditional method of using a slightly dough-ier skin, the Taiwanese's variant is done in a pastry style.

As you can see, there are layers upon layers, creating a flaky yet crusty bite. Each box comes with 7 different flavours in a set of 9pcs (there will be repeat of flavours).

Red Bean Yolk
Matcha Yolk
Red Bean Mochi Yolk
Sweet Potato Yolk
Mung Bean Fried Onion
White Lotus Yolk
Taro Yolk

Personally, I enjoyed the Matcha & Taro Yolk the most. They weren't very sweet and had a nice fragrance in them. The size is just right and the variety of flavours really allowed me to try more than one flavour at once.

Fillings were really rich, and flavours were well balanced across the mooncakes. The price is set at RM58.50 per box, which comes with 9pcs of Taiwanese-Styled Mooncakes.

Just look at how pretty they are!

Overall, I was really pleased with Donutes' Taiwanese-style mooncakes. Not only are they really cheap in comparison with what's available today, they're also great for gifts!

They are available from 11th of September 2017 onwards, at any Donutes outlet in Puchong, Kota Damansara & Subang SS15!

I'm pretty sure most of you already know what Breadstory is - and what it is they sell (bread, if you're wondering).

*Promo details below*

A short history on Breadstory - it's founded in September 2002 with the first ever outlet in Mid Valley Mega Mall, KL. Today, there are about 20 outlets within Malaysia and still growing, offering Malaysians a selection of creative & designer boutique breads.

Onto the selection of breads, there are plenty to choose from. Though it's not the most that I've seen, there certainly were more than enough for the average consumer.

However, these are what made Breadstory really popular - they called it, the Flossy series. On the left, you'll get a Flossy Hottie, and all the way right, is their Flossy Signature with special cream sauce & chicken floss.

Plenty of delicious buns - some of my favourites are the Spicy Anchovy, Musang Durian & Garlic Bread (trust me, the garlic bread was definitely one of the better ones that I've had).

The Salted Egg Croissant is something simple, but done really well. Crusty, flaky and packed with a creamy filling of salted-egg custard.

So, something that all of you have been waiting for - the RM2.50 FOR ALL BREAD ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!

BreadStory Anniversary Sales storewide

Date: 14 & 15 October 2017 (Saturday & Sunday)

Time: All day long

Promo items:
1) RM2.50 on all buns
2) 25% discount on cakes
3) RM 1 mineral water with any item purchased

Participating outlets:

1. Breadstory - 1 Utama Shopping Center
2. Breadstory - Plaza OUG
3. Breadstory - Sunway Pyramid
4. Breadstory - The Gardens Mall
5. Breadstory - Leisure Mall
6. Breadstory - The Mines
7. Breadstory - Institut Jantung Negara
8. Breadstory - Sunway Putra Mall
9. Breadstory - Sungei Wang Plaza
10. Breadstory - Plaza Shah Alam
11. Breadstory - Subang Parade
12. Breadstory - IOI Mall
13. Breadstory - Sunway Velocity Mall
14. Breadstory - MyTOWN
15. Breadstory - Empire City
16. Breadstory - IPC Shopping Centre

So what are you waiting for? Book your calendars today and enjoy this 15 Year Anniversary Special!

Lavo has been around for a year now, and it's still 1 of the hottest place to chill for the night. With that, here was Lavo's 1st anniversary celebration!

Located in Menara Lien Hoe, Lavo, along with Chaze and Maze, has been a true hit amongst Malaysian who just wants to have a good time. The ambiance is set really nicely, and each of the 3 available restaurant/bar/lounge is great.

Like always, their celebration and events have always been packed with people.

Of course, performances were orchestrated throughout the night, with electric violin, 'recycled-drumming'? Regardless of what it was, they were pretty fun to watch.

And like any fancy party, there has to be alcohol! Here we are, with some white and red wine, as well as beer.

Lucky fellar, he won himself a bottle of wine.

Overall, the party was simply great - it had a fantastic vibe, nice music and of course, the people were partying really hard. One way or another, Lavo definitely is one of the best restaurant & bar in PJ!

If you're fans of crayfish, then you're in luck as YXX BBQ Buffet is the only (I think) place that offers FREE FLOW CRAYFISH! Of course, we're not just talking about crayfish as seafood is their forte.

Here's a teaser on the HUGE XXL CRAB they offer! We'll be there in a moment.

In any steamboat or buffet, or at least for me, I'll definitely go for their seafood isle first. Here, I was pleased to find a wide variety of shellfish, as well as squid, prawns, crabs and fishes. So, don't have to worry about their selection of seafood, just whack anything that you like.

Here we are, my favourite crayfish. It's the first time that I've found crayfish in any steamboat buffet. They're normally available at high-end-ish hotel buffets but not in regular steamboat places.

My first choice was to grill them, absolutely delightful. You could also throw them in soup but personally, I prefer grilling. I also love how they change colour when they're cooked.

Of course, steamboat & grill wouldn't be complete without all these other fillers. I love veggies so spinach and Chinese cabbage are my go-to steamboat veggies. Not too found of fish balls because they're usually flour, but packs a good bite for most people.

For snacks, fried chicken and fried crab. Loved the crab, crispy and crunchy. Chicken was alright but I personally find it odd to have fried chicken with steamboat. Though I know the rest loved it.

For our soup, we had their signature wintermelon soup. It's light but flavourful enough, after all, putting in seafood as well as other stuff will make it sweeter.

Now, the crab - it's FREE! Yes, you've heard that right! Totally free!

YXX BBQ Buffet Steamboat is currently having a promo on this, just come in a group of 8 and enjoy 2 XXL Spicy Chilli Crab FOR FREE! It's that simple! However, do note that they'd prefer a booking AT LEAST 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE! This is so they can prepare the crab fresh, specially for you!

The pricing!

Overall, YXX BBQ Buffet Steamboat isn't the prettiest place to dine, but they do serve what every steamboat and BBQ enthusiast love! It's simple, affordable and most importantly, delicious! So if you're craving for some seafood, steamboat or even BBQ, just head on down today.

Address:

D, 50G, Jalan 2/101c, Cheras Business Centre, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours: Daily 5.30pm - 11.30pm

Tel: 016-523 2132

FB: https://www.facebook.com/%E9%B1%BC%E8%99%BE%E8%9F%B9-Yxx-BBQ-Buffet-Steamboat-2086077081627733/

There has been a number of Thai restaurant blossoming around Klang Valley, and pretty much majority of them are quite similar. Until recently, I've found Kanom Jean Thai Cafe at Empire Damansara. Apparently, they're serving 'Thai Village' food, instead of the standard Thai restaurant offerings.

Check that out, definitely a beauty!

Kanom Jean Large Set - RM45.90

There are 2 version to this - a Single set or a Large set. As you'll expect, the Single set serves only 1 of 4 available gravy, while the set, you'll be able to taste all 4.

The 4 options of gravy are Red Namya, Chicken Yellow Namya, Namphrik, and Green Chicken Curry. I personally love the Green Chicken Curry as I found it to be the most flavourful. I also loved the Namphrik as it was the most spicy one available!

It's a very DIY dish, and I like how you could just mix in what you like. For example, noodles, chicken grinds, anchovies, full boiled egg, and green chicken curry, or stir it up with a mix of gravy too! It's entirely up to you.

If that isn't enough, you could also add-on extra!

Thai Grilled Beef - RM19.90

Next up is one of my favourites - Thai Grilled Beef! It's marinated overnight for that extra flavour, grilled to tender and smoky perfection and served with a lime wedge as well as chilli on the side. Absolutely flavourful and juicy! Highly recommended.

Thai Fried Chicken - RM10.90

Crispy, juicy and highly addictive. Kanom Jean's version of the fried chicken was an absolute delight. Especially when paired with sauce on the side - spicy!

Green Curry Fried Rice - RM16.90

It's simple but incredibly fragrant. You could smell the curry even before it's served onto your table. It's also quite flavourful, though I do not fancy fried fish as much. Overall, not too bad.

Signature Thai Iced Muddy Tea / Signature Thai Iced Dirty Tea - RM9

Let's not forget the drinks! I really really like Thai milk tea, and it's even better when it's mixed correctly. Here, you have 2 different options, both of which I'd highly recommend.

Mango Sticky Rice - RM9.90

To finish, a graceful serving of Mango Sticky Rice, topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh cut mangoes on the side.

Overall, I would say that Kanom Jean Thai Cafe is definitely one of my top 5 favourite Thai restaurants in Malaysia. For one, they're serving something different and 2, flavours and pricing are great.

Address:

Empire Damansara, F07, G11, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Operating hours: Daily 11.30am - 9.30pm

Tel: 03-7611 4557

FB: https://www.facebook.com/baankanomjeenmy/

I've always been a fan of Japanese food, and finding one that is both delicious and affordable is fairly difficult. I tend to go to Rakuzen quite a bit due to its consistency across most of the outlets in Malaysia, but now, I think I might have found something new.

Matsu Sashimi Moriawase

Kicking things off with the most amazing selection of Sashimi Moriawase. Definitely my favourite in any Japanese restaurant, with its selection of air-flown Salmon, Maguro, White Tuna, Ikura, Scallops, Yellowtail and of course, your choice of a freshly pressed wasabi (horseradish).

Fresh as hell, highly recommended for anyone who loves sashimi and definitely well worth the price.

Soft Shell Crab Salad

Next up, their Soft Shell Crab Salad, topped with Crispy Fried Fish skin. A fairly simple salad with generous amount of fish skin, as well as a whole soft shell crab, garnished with tobiko, and finished with their homemade sesame dressing.

Otoro

Now this my friends, is the star of the day. The most exquisite, luxurious part of a Bluefin Tuna - it's belly! Only 1% of an entire fish can be considered as the belly, and it's the most popular part of a tuna. It's smooth, it's creamy and the underlying sweetness was superb - it's a must-try for any sashimi lovers, at least once!

Extremely rare in Malaysia, also incredibly pricey. However, I guess Kimi-Ya's version ain't too bad - only RM48 for 3 slices - which I have to say, is really affordable.

Bara Chirashi Don

Now, as much as I love Sashimi, I love my rice too. And this bowl is definitely something that I look forward to in any Japanese restaurant, if I don't plan on having anything heavy. It's fresh and delicate, making it really easy on the stomach.

Mentai Tama Don

Anyone who loves egg or even Mentai-ko sauce will definitely like this dish. A creamy finish to something simple, a dish that can be eaten from day to day without feeling overpowered - a fantastic dish indeed.

Toro Salmon Pirikara Miso Nabe

I love soup, and I love it even it's savoury. Without a doubt, this is my top 5 picks in Kimi-Ya, and I'd highly recommend! The body, the aroma, the textures and the quality in general, was great. Loved the salmon belly, and pretty much everything within this dish. Oh, they also provide a side of chilli paste to make your soup spicy!

Zaru Inaniwa Udon

This is one of Kimi-Ya's specialty. Though I'm not too fond of Soba noodles, I found this to be fairly interesting. The portion of noodles will be used to dip in a clear soyu-based broth (the cup). To the broth, you can add in quail eggs, spring onion and wasabi - as much or as little as you like to tweak its flavour.

Wagyu Fried Rice

Now who've thought to use Wagyu beef in a fried rice. Regardless, I would say that this plate of fried rice was well packed with Umami. It's richness can be tasted throughout each grain of rice, and having just half of this was satisfying enough. I'd recommend to share if you're not the type to indulge in heavy-tasting foods, but to most, it's not a problem.

Unagi Cheese Roll

Like in every Japanese restaurant, Unagi Cheese Roll seems to be quite a popular choice. I mean I'm not too fond of it, but I guess it's okay. The unagi was tender and well-seasoned, and the cheese in the middle added a layer of creaminess. Overall, pretty good.

Cawanmushi

Oh, before I forget, I'd highly recommend you to try the Cawanmushi - absolutely divine!

Abekawa Mochi

For dessert, I had a serving of mochi dusted in soy powder, served with red beans on the side.

So there you have it, a neighborhood Japanese restaurant with a fantastic selection of dishes, some of which are even air-flown weekly! They also tend to have monthly-promos to entice their customers to come back, like the Otoro (Tuna Belly) and many more.

Free Valet Parking is provided, so don't worry about the parking. Just come on down and enjoy yourself with your friends and family!

Address:

G-2, Avantas Residences, 162, Jalan Klang Lama, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Operating hours: Daily 11.30am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Tel: 013-239 3406

FB: https://www.facebook.com/KimiYa.Malaysia/

It is without a doubt that there are quite a number of cafes, bars and even restaurant around Bangsar - Jalan Telawi. In fact, it's filled with it, and everyone knows that Bangsar is the place to drink and have a great time.

Similarly, here at The Briqs, you can enjoy Imported Craft Beer from ONLY RM11.90 per glass - that is definitely one of the most attractive points. After all, there aren't many Craft Beer Bars around KL and it's great to be able to find one here at Bangsar.

Imported Craft Beers - from RM11.90

They currently offer 6 different types of craft beer from Bavara (Next to Germany & Austria). Wieninger Guidobald Gold, Wieninger Weissbier Dunkel, Camra Pale Ale, Steiner,Gusswerk Das Schwarze Schaf Stout, Gusswerk Nicobar Ipa & Hofbrauhaus Traunstein Pilsner.

Lager, Wheat, Pilsner, Ale, Stout - they have it all.

I've personally tried 3, and I can say for certain that I absolutely adore the Gusswerk Das Schwarze Schaf Stout. It's smooth, it has a rich chocolatey taste, and it really well balanced. That's one that I would highly recommened. If you love Guiness or Connors, you'll definitely enjoy this.

The Camra Pale Ale too was really good. It has a slight fruity flavour, it's also quite rich but ultimately, it's quite refreshing.

Cheesy Nachos - RM15

Kicking things off with the Cheesy Nachos, a generous portion of crispy tortilla chips topped with olives, jalapeno, cheese, mayo and of course, minced beef bolognese! A fantastic snack to pair with some really good craft beers.

Caesar Salad - RM14

Nothing beats a simple yet flavoursome caesar salad, topped with poached egg, shredded cheese and turkey bacon!

Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab - RM25

Apparently, I was told that this was one of the best-sellers for pasta, and after tasting it, I could see why. The pasta was creamy yet light, coated nicely with their own homemade salted egg sauce. To finish, a light yet crispy soft shell crab that just adds on depth and flavour to the dish. It's simple, but delicious.

Lamb Burger - RM30

Briqs other specialty is their lamb burger. Though it doesn't look like much, the patty is well packed with flavour, served alongside fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and a mint-yogurt sauce finished with a buttery brioche bun and sweet potato fries on the side. It's also pretty huge and definitely well worth the price.

Angus BBQ Back Ribs - RM43

A balance of sweet & savoury, marinated deep within its bones. The Angus BBQ Back Ribs is a fantastic choice for any meat lovers in need of a juicy bite, served on a bed of mashed potatoes and grilled pumpkin, with a side of salad. The richness goes really well with a glass of Gusswerk Das Schwarze Schaf Stout.

Spring Chicken - RM27

Beautifully roasted with a rich marinate, succulent and packed full of flavour. The Briqs' roasted spring chicken is definitely top of the list for anyone who's craving chicken. Heck, this works even better when it's shared amongst friends over a glass of beer. Roasted chicken with Lager? Awesome.

Salmon Steak - RM36

A chunky portion of salmon pan-seared to crispy perfection on its skin, while maintaining a good amount of moisture on the flesh. It's also flaky, which makes it really easy to cut. The side of lemon butter sauce also complimented well with the salmon, and overall, it's a pretty good dish worthy of a praise.

Homemade Carrot Cake & Cheesecake

Quite surprisingly, The Briqs' dessert selection was absolutely delightful. Who would've thought that a bar could have such good cakes? The ambiance may not fit well with the 'dessert vibe', but their cakes are killing it.

As much as I hate carrot cake, this was really moist and fluffy. It's not as dense and the flavour is well balanced. A good amount of carrot with hints of nuts, finished with a cream cheese icing - delicious!

The Cheesecake as well was sinful. It's rich, creamy but incredibly light as well. I could keep going on for more without stopping. Truthfully, it's easily one of the top 10 best cheesecake that I've had in KL.

Overall, The Briqs offered more than what I'd expected. This simply grill-bar has an extensive range of food across its menu, with most of what I had being really good. The specialty craft beers are also a must-try here at The Briqs as they are not only the cheapest in town, they're also the only one selling it.

Address:

42, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours: Daily 11am - 11pm

Tel:03-2202 2999

FB: https://www.facebook.com/thebriqs/

There are an abundance of Japanese restaurants here in KL, and there certainly are several that are good. For fans of Unagi (eel), I'd definitely recommend this, KL's best and only Unagi-specialised restaurant - Makoto Japanese Cuisine, here in Desa Sri Hartamas.

Fans of Unagi will definitely enjoy what Makoto has to offer - apart from its obvious Unagi-glory, they too have a variety of other interesting and unique dishes to offer.

Kicking things off with some palette cleanser - Oshinko Moriawase - a concoction of homemade Japanese pickles that is light, slightly sour and packed with natural sweetness. Personally, I love pickles, especially pickled radish, and this is definitely one of the top 5 pickled radish that I've had so far.

Hone Senbei - RM18

Next up on the appetiser menu - Unagi Bones! Yep, deep fried to crispy perfection and seasoned lightly with salt, these little twigs of joy are a great pair to some icy cold beer!

Sashimi Platter - RM138

Now this is what I'd look forward to in every Japanese restaurant - fresh air-flown sahimi, straight from Japan. The choice of fish will differ from day to day, depending on what's available that season, as well as what's fresh for the day. It's a great way to try out something new, and I was more than pleased with it.

Japanese Umaki - RM48

A blend of Unagi & omelette, what else could you wish for? The omelette was light, fluffy and seasoned beautifully, and the Unagi itself was moist and savoury. A fantastic mix of flavour and texture, and definitely worth ordering.

Shirako - RM52 per order (comes in 2)

Though many might tell you to give it ago, I won't say that I'm do the same. To those that are unsure of what Shirako is - it's Milt, otherwise known as Cod Sperm. It's considered as a delicacy in Japan, and is usually available during Winter season.

To me, that texture was really weird. It had that soft tofu-like texture, yet it stuck together with connective tissue like fats. It's rather unbreakable, and is recommended to swallow whole. Some of them said that it is fairly tasteless, but personally, I found the taste to be rather distinct. It wasn't awful, but it certainlt was one of a kind.

Those who wanna give it a shot, definitely do! After all, it's not everyday that you'll get to try out something this bizarre.

Tempura Moriawase - RM27/RM17 (mixed/vege)

A concoction of seafood and veggies fried with a light & thin batter till crispy perfection. One of the better tempura's I've had in KL, and the price too is fairly affordable. Do recommend for those who enjoys tempura.

Unaju - RM100

Now, for the star of the show - Unaju. For what it is, it's eel with rice. But its not just any Unagi, it's live Unagi - and probably the only one that does in here in KL. Each eel is kept swimming in tanks (like what you'll find in most Chinese seafood places), and is only prepped to order.

Makoto's in-house Japanese chef, Chef Hayashi, a trained & experienced chef, does all the work. First by filleting the eel, followed by a charcoal grill for 10 minutes, before being marinated once, and grilled again. The entire process will take roughly 30 minutes, so do wait patiently for your fresh Unagi.

Taste-wise, definitely something to shout about. It's fragrant, savoury and well-balanced. The sauce wasn't overly sweet, and the Unagi was free from that 'fishy' scent. The rice was nice and fluffy, and it just wraps the Unagi real nicely.

Served with a side of soup to wash it all down, Makoto Japanese Cuisine's Unaju is undeniably the helm of the restaurant.

Oh, don't forget to add a little of this to your Unaji. It tastes a little like those sichuan peppercorns, and it does give it a slightly numb-ish feeling. Don't add too much, just a sprinkle would do, and that'll change the taste of the dish!

Warabimochi - RM15

Finally, dessert. To end the meal with a sweet concoction of homemade mochi & jelly, dusted with soybean powder. A good bittersweet balance, and a great finish to say the least.

Overall, Makoto Japanese Cuisine is without a doubt, one of the top Japanese restaurants in town. Apart from their Unagi, they too offer seasonal items on their menu, written each day with a trusty blue marker.

Makoto Japanese Cuisine also offers private dining rooms for businesses & executives, as well as a decent range of alcoholic beverages to compliment the night. So, if you're in the mood for some fancy Japanese food, or just want to give their Unaju a try, do come on down! Parking is a little difficult, but it'll be well worth the effort.

Address:

54, Jalan 27/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours: Daily 12 - 2.30pm, 6pm - 11.30pm

Tel: 03-6211 1409

FB: https://www.facebook.com/makoto.hartamas/?ref=br_rs

Over the years, Somersby had launched a series of flavours from pear to blackcurrant, but their latest take on Rose is definitely my favourite.

Launched in a ever-so grand venue at Roofino, this Somersby night an unparalleled success.

Now aside from the fantastic events and what not, what we're truly here for is this - The Sparkling Rose flavour. Personally, it felt a lot like a champagne to me. It's zesty, midly sweet, bubbly and undeniably refreshing. The complexity and depth of the beverages, accompanied by its aroma, were absolutely delightful.

A refined and elegant approach for an apple cider that pairs well with both light and heavy meals. It's also a great alternative to standard sparkling water, sparkling wine, champagne or even cocktails.

This was by far the best flavour Somersby had launched over the years - surpassing the pear and blackcurrant, as well as being comparable to the original taste of the Apple. What's even better is that Malaysia is the first country to receive this new product outside of Europe!

As the night was filled with music, fun and cheers, a bottle (if not several) was a great way to spend the night.

The title here is truly accurate. Without thinking, I've already celebrated Christmas and New Years with a few bottles of Somersby Sparkling Rose. Highly recommended, definitely do try it!

Pricing will be similar to what the flavours during their introductory period! You can get them now in over 100 leading restaurants and concept bars in Malaysia, as well as 7-11 and various hypermarkets!

If you're looking for a quiet, classy and relaxing place to dine around KL; Pavilion, Lot 10, Sungei Wang etc, then Greyhound Cafe might just be the next best place. Situated in between Lot 10 and Fahrenheit 88. Greyhound Cafe is a Thai branded that was brought in by Berjaya Group, serving a fusion of western and Thai delights in modern and contemporary setting.

I'll have to say that the interior is absolutely gorgeous.

Fresh Coconut Shake & Apple Shake - RM16/RM12

Loved the design of the Fresh Coconut Shake as that shade of blue really makes it pretty. The drink too was smooth, creamy and mildly sweet. As for the green apple, anyone who loves sour fruits will definitely enjoy this.

Italian Style Clam & Mussel Soup - RM27

Followed by our first starter, a flavourful Italian Style Clam & Mussel Soup served with 2 bricks of toast. The broth itself was well packed with a good depth of flavour, as well as a generous amount of clams and mussels. The richness does translate well with the toast as it soaks up all that goodness. Overall, this was definitely well worth ordering.

Prawn Bisque with Fresh Cream - RM27++

For those who are in love with the taste of prawns, I'd recommend going for this. The soup is slightly thicker, and it tasted a lot like pureed prawn shells in a soup. Super flavoursome, highly recommended.

Fried Rice with Dried Salty Fish - RM27++

Back to basics with something simple, fried rice with salted fish. To be fair, it's really tasty because it's salty and the dried fish gives it a nice bite. The rice however, wasn't as smoky as I'd like it to be, but overall, its good.

Grilled Salmon Steak on Greed Bed - RM36

Something a little on the western side - a slab of deliciously grilled salmon steak topped with a pesto-like sauce, served on a bed of greens. It's chunky, flaky and grilled to tender perfection. The sauce also adds a little depth to the salmon. Overall, this dish is perfect for anyone looking for something light and easy.

Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Clams & Squid

A simple serving of aglio olio topped with a generous amount of clams and squid. The dish is really light, and personally, lacking in flavour. It's slightly spicy as well.

Tenderloin Steak with Green Curry Sauce and Rice - RM38

A juicy slab of tenderloin steak cooked medium, douse in green curry sauce which gives it a really rich and creamy finish. Personally, the combination is a little odd, but the flavours were balanced. It also mixes well with rice, which is an additional plus for me.

Young Coconut Crepe Cake - RM22

One of Greyhound Cafe's signature cakes, and definitely something worth trying. Layers of crepe stacked upon one another, filled with a light cream and stuffed with coconut flesh. The entire cake is mildly sweet yet flavoursome, and the added coconut flesh gave it texture and a squirt of refreshing coconut taste.

Blueberry Cheesecake - RM16

A rich, decadent and tarty blueberry cheesecake. Without a doubt, this cake was indeed pretty good. However, I do recommend letting it chill a little before digging in as mine was a little hard and dense. Flavourwise - spot on.

Overall, Greyhound Cafe poses as a really beautiful looking cafe with its fancy interior and service. However, the food sits quite closely to home, where most of what they offer is simple yet delicious. Definitely a place for dinner, highly recommend for tea-time as well.

Address:

Lot No. 02, Ground Floor, ANSA Kuala Lumpur, 101, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours:

Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 11pm

Friday & Saturday: 11am - 12am

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Greyhoundcafemalaysia/

I've never been much of a Mille Crepe fan until I found Vanille Mille Crepe. It's not exactly something that would wow anyone, but once you've tried it, I'm pretty sure you'd be as hooked as I did.

IOI City Mall marks Vanilla Mille Crepe's 3rd outlet after Sunway Pyramid & Paradigm Mall. The launch itself was a tremendous success, with queues starting from 9.30am all the way till closing! If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, here are some reasons why!

Uji Matcha Green Tea Mille Crepe

Midnight Choc Mille Crepe

Oreo Crunch Mille Crepe

Salted Caramel Mille Crepe

Of course, there's the Lemon Cheese on the left and Tiramisu on the right!

To summarize, each and every flavour was unique. They all had a great depth of flavour, with the Salted Caramel & Uji Matcha Green Tea being my favourite. Over 30 layers of finely done crepes stacked on one another, creating a uniquely smooth yet chewy texture.

To be honest, it's probably the best Mille Crepe that I've had in Malaysia. These French-style Mille Crepes are made in-house by their own bakery, and the stocks are being replenish quite frequently.

Aside from Mille Crepes, they also have a series of drinks made by a barista. Quite surprisingly, the Mocha I've ordered was pretty good, and it went really well with tarty cakes like the Lemon Cheese, or even something salty like the Salted Caramel.

All and all, if you're looking for cakes, any cakes for that matter; be it for a birthday, company event or even just something to nom by the afternoon, Vanilla Mille Crepe is definitely one worth considering.

Address:

IOI City Mall, Sunway Pyramid & Paradigm Mall.

Operating hours: Daily 10am - 10pm

FB: https://www.facebook.com/vanillamillecrepe

Believe it or not, my first project when I was interning at a Architecture firm was designing toilets. Back then, it felt a lot like a 'shitty job' (no pun intended), but I soon realised the importance of a great toilet or bathroom.

Much like searching for a hotel, I'll always look for the cleanest if not prettiest bathroom I can find. It's pretty much 50% of my decision making right there. Which is why when it comes to bathrooms or toilets, I myself am pretty particular.

Most of you might agree that the bathroom is possibly one of the most overlooked ares in your home, but one of the most commonly used and underappreciated areas. It's also considered as the most important room in the entire home - as you can live without a kitchen, but not without a bathroom.

It is also more prone to general wear-and-tear as compared to others. Moisture, steam and humidity generated in the bathroom is one of the main contributors.

Now imagine finding your dream home on johor land, but the bathroom looks like it's still stuck in the 1980s. That wouldn't be very nice now would it? And after spending a fortune, I'm pretty sure you'll want your bathroom to look modern and sleek, if not classy and beautiful. So here are some tips that you might need, in order to refurbish your bathroom the more economical way.

Replace the tiles

One of the easiest way to give your bathroom a complete makeover is by replacing the tiles. I'd recommend a 2x2ft or a 1x2ft tiles in order to make it look more spacious. This is probably the most expensive part of the refurbishment but it does make a huge difference!

The key is to keep the bright and simple, with monotonous color-scheme. Black, grey and white, with hints of brown or timber would elevate the look of the bathroom. I'd also recommend some mosaic tiles to play around with patterns or colors if you're the fun type of person.

The refurbishment of the bathroom will not only make you enjoy showering, it'll also help increase the value of your property. To any new home buyers, chances are, they'll be looking closely to your toilet.

Install a glass shower screen

Another great way to make your bathroom look spacious is by installing a glass shower screen. Not only does it take away the need for old-looking shower curtains, it also blends in 2 different space in one - the toilet and shower, without compromising aesthetics. If anything, it helps elevate it.

Incorporate a bathroom vanity

Instead of just a boring sink, think of a complete vanity set with the sink installed. Also, pay attention to your mirrors as to whether it matches the counter top. With a touch of luxury, your property value will definitely increase.

Refinish instead of replacing

Instead of replacing bathroom fixtures outright when they are still working well, you can opt to refinish them instead. For example, you can save a bundle by having your larger fixtures such as the bathtub resurfaced or having your faucets and hardware reglazed.

Paint the walls

One of the cheapest ways to upgrade any room is to simply just give it a new paint job. Unlike other upgrades which might require professional help, painting is a job that you can do it yourself. A change in colour can refresh the look of any room and give it a new personality. However, do remember to select a paint that is suitable to the moist conditions of the bathroom. Select anti-fungal paint to save you trouble of constantly cleaning your bathroom walls.

Update the smaller fixtures

If you're not looking to change anything huge, you could start by changing smaller fixtures within your bathroom. Start with the sink, if not the faucets or even the mirror. A slight upgrade will change the aesthetic and feel of the place. Call it a quick visual facelift. Even changing something as small as the door handles, or even the choice of soap dispenser will help!

Play around with lighting

Lighting is key to setting the mood of your bathroom. If you're planning on dipping in your bathtub, or even taking a long shower, then a dim illuminating ambience would be the best fit. If your bathroom lacks natural light, then placing the right fixture will solve that.

Accessorize with accents

Small details such as adding an interesting frame around your mirror or coordinating the materials of your fixtures and your furniture can go a long way in improving the aesthetics in your bathroom. You can also add decorative elements such as sconces on the walls or ceiling medallions around your hanging light fixtures to give your bathroom more decorative depth.

Consider professional cleaning

Though it may sound a little weird, hiring a professional cleaning service is actually quite common overseas. You don't want your bathroom to look or smell dirty, so why not get a cleaner (or have your cleaners) wash it up? Not only will it make you feel better when you enter, it'll be a lot more comforting to know that unwanted germs & bacterias thoroughly washed out.

All and all, remember, the bathroom is just as important, if not more important than the other spaces in your home. Give it some love and I guarantee that it'll repay the favour

Today's latest headlines comes directly from Japan, and it states that if you're going bald, the remedy to that is rubbing Wasabi on your head. A common condiment to sushi and a wide array of Japanese cuisine, wasabi has its own health benefits. But recent reports from Japanese Wasabi company - Kinin, stated that chemicals found within the wasabi plant help regrow hair faster than current hair-loss remedies such as Rogaine (minoxidil).

The chemical isosaponarin, which Kinin claims helps stimulate hair regrowth, was previously noted to aid in human collagen production. The second chemical of note in wasabi, 6-MSITC, has been shown to inhibit breast cancer cell growth.

Do note that they meant real Wasabi and not Wasabi you can find in tubes or can, laying around in the supermarket. Don't be alarmed, but fresh Wasabi here in Malaysia can be extremely expensive. Even in the U.S, it's priced roughly around the $80 mark.

Now, if you're looking for another way to regrow your hair naturally - onions can be frapped and put on the head for an accelerated growth. A study from 2002, claims that onion juice is actually effective in treating alopecia areata, a less common form of hair loss.

One last atrocious way is by eating plenty of Japanese curry. According to RocketNews24, Nakagawa feels the mixture of aromatic spices generally found within curry have the added benefit of increasing blood flow, which in turn makes men's hair grow. In particular, Nakagawa says, the active ingredient in chili peppers—capsaicin—promotes circulation, which can make for long, luxurious locks. Nakagawa also believes turmeric, saffron, and nutmeg help the hair-growth process.

It simply doesn't get any dirtier than this. The current craze right now revolving a bun that's deemed 'dirty', is appearing everywhere, and it's fairly easy to see why.

The bun itself is packed with chocolatey goodness. At the very core, it's a croissant-like effect with 16 layers of Danish pastry is made with 84% French Butter and imported Japan flour. This creates a light, fluffy yet creamy taste, that binds really well with the chocolate.

You'll also get bits of French chocolate nuggets rated at 52% cocoa! It's quite bitter but it does give it that nice balance.

The whole idea of this bun is to stuff your face onto it, making it seem like you're having poop around your face/mouth. The additional 100% French dark cocoa powder on top really does help in that sense. It's also a great way to counter all the sweetness from within.

Currently, it's priced at RM6.90/pc, with limited stocks everyday. So if you'd like to try one of the more authentic Dirty Bun, do visit any Donutes Store today!

You can now purchase any of the Somersby 4-can pack (4x320ml) at only RM19.90! That's merely RM5 per can! This promo is available throughout most Hypermarkets & Supermarkets in Malaysia. For added promo, you could also purchase a Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught 6-can pack (6x320ml) and receive 1 free can (320ml) of Somersby Blackberry.

The Somertime VW Kombi vans and nationwide promotions will enable cider lovers to enjoy Somertime, Anytime and reinforces Somersby’s position as the best-selling cider in Malaysia. You'll be able to find these VW Kombi vans in random pop-up places, so do look out for them!

You'll also be able to receive Free Buy 1-free-1 Vouchers from them!

CONVENIENT STORES

Purchase a second can of Somersby at 50% off

Date: 14 & 15 April 2018

A 2-day special where consumers can enjoy their second can (320ml) of Somersby cider at half price!

Participating Outlets: KK Mart & myNEWS.com outlets in Peninsular Malaysia only excluding Langkawi. 7-Eleven outlets nationwide including East Malaysia.

BARS & RESTAURANTS

Enjoy a Somersby at RM10 during early happy hour daily

Pair your weekend brunch set menu with Somersby for only RM10

Date: 1 April to 30 April 2018

Consumers can enjoy early happy hour promotion before 8:00pm and weekend-only brunch pairing from 11:00am to 3:00pm at participating outlet(s).

Participating Outlets: Find the full participating list and promotions www.facebook.com/Somersbymy

As always, the Somersby event launch was a total hit. Plenty of Somersby to try out, especially my personal favourite Sparkling Rose.

SOMERTIME ‘SNAP, SHARE & WIN’ CONTEST

Snap a photo with the Somertime Kombi vans and stand a chance to win exciting prizes!

Date: 30 March to 29 April 2018

Snap & share your photos on social media when you catch the Somertime,Anytime Kombi van rovers nationwide with hashtags #SomersbyMy and #SomertimeAnytime to be in the running to win. 10 x Somersby bottle cartons (24 X 330ml) and 30 x Somersby 4-can pack (4 x 320ml) are up for grabs!

Roving locations: Find the full location list and schedules at www.facebook.com/Somersbymy

For more info on #SomertimeAnytime, follow Somersby Malaysia on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/SomersbyMY.

The Eight Avenue has been a pretty popular place in Publika - especially when it comes to their selection of cocktails. They're also famed for having pretty girls on most nights - if that's what you're looking for. Now, they've just launched a variety of dishes, crafted specially by Chef Pedro. Here's what they have to offer.

Garlic Gambas

Starting strong with a prawns cooked with garlic, herbs, and olive oil with a side of toasted baguette.The tiger prawns were fresh and cooked to juicy perfection. Each bite is packed with the natural juices of the prawns, as well as a really nice & fragrant garlic scent.

Angels & Demons

The Eight Avenue's signature item that has been around since the beginning. A unique mix of smoked salmon & honeydew, as well as bacaon & prunes. I personally enjoyed the smoked salmon variant as I felt that balance between sweet & salty works marvelously here.

Charcoal Pork Sliders

Those looking for something heartier, but not too heavy should definitely try out their Charcoal Pork Sliders. Juicy pork patty served on a bed of sauteed mushrooms and lettuce, encased in a homemade charcoal bun. It's simple, easy and quite tasty.

Patatas Tres Salsas

This dish was surprisingly unique - it's potatoes with 3 different sauces within. They're cooked nice and soft, without being too mushy nor dense. The core has been filled with Aioli, Pomodoro & Brava. Cutting through them is similar to cutting through butter, and they do taste like posh baked potatoes.

Picantes Chicken Wings Con Raita Y Verduritas

This is The Eight Avenue's take on the traditional buffalo wings, using a blend of marinate they've came up with themselves. The result is a slightly sweet and herb-ish taste, with an optional dip on the side. I personally prefer something spicier, but I can see non-spicy eaters enjoying this.

Pork Albondigas En Salsa De Tomate

If you're a fan of Ikea meatballs, then you might like their version of the pork balls. Hand-crafted and baked to juicy perfection, these little (but surprisingly huge) niblets of pork are well packed with flavour, and the additional salsa on top gives it truly helps out with its acidity. In the center, you'll find a refreshing mint-pea puree that just helps cut through those fatty flavours.

Pork Tenderloin Roulade

I personally enjoyed this very much as I find the roulade to be done quite perfectly. The bacon that's wrapping the tenderloin really infuses that salty finish within, while the mixed greens on the inside gave it a vibrantly-fresh zing. The combination was simple, but delicious. On the side, you'll find something similar to the Patatas Tres Salsas, but done with a different sauce.

Honey Glazed BBQ Ribs

Another one of the Eight Avenue's Signature item - the honey glazed BBQ ribs. Served in a generous portion, and grilled to tender perfection. The meat was fork-tender as it falls off the bone very easily. The BBQ sauce was also a little sweet, perhaps due to the honey, but it was pretty good.

What I do love however, was the side of baked sweet potato. That was godly. Loved that.

Spicy Prawn Fettucine

Like most places, pasta is a pretty common dish. Their Spicy Prawn Fettuccine was alright, as I do not enjoy pastas as much. The portion is quite generous though.

Now The Eighth Avenue is definitely a place where you can indulge in their drinks, and I'd highly recommend it. Some of my personal favourite of the night was; Birds of Paradise, Painkiller (this was awesome), Suit & Tie, and one last one which I've forgotten the name.

So if you're looking for a place where both the drinks and food are fantastic, I think The Eighth Avenue at Publika would be a good choice. They have a fairly dark and cozy ambiance, limited & more intimate seating, as well as a variety of foods & customized cocktails you'll love.

Do check out their FB page - https://www.facebook.com/theeighthavenuekl/ as well as they often do promos and product launches there.

Korea's most popular casual Toast brand has finally went beyond just being in KLIA2. Famous for their custom-toast and coffee, Isaac Toast is the leading brand in Korea with over 800 outlets nationwide. So if you're looking for some of the best toasts in town, you might want to give them a try.

Everything is made fresh to order, where you can watch them grill your toast right in front of you. With over 9 items to choose from, you're sure to find one that you'll like.

Grilling on the egg patty - which is shaped perfectly square to fit their toast. Everything is made to order, with the freshest ingredients possible here in Malaysia. Custom-made white bread, cheddar cheese and fluffy eggs. What's really unique is the special secret sauce that comes directly from Korea, that gives it that added depth of flavour.

On the other side, there's where all the meats are grilled - mainly beef bacon and chicken ham.

Some of their most popular choices.

I went for their newest item - Kimchi Toast. Sure it may sound weird, but I do enjoy the added acidic flavour that cuts through all that richness. The perfectly crispy toast with creamy soft egg, cheese and ham works well in balancing the taste of kimchi.

To be fair, it really is quite full.

For added value, their RM20 Combo Set comes with a selection of Signature Toasts with a side of coffee, tea or soda.

Oh, be sure to try out some of their coffee as well. I liked my Iced Americano, which I found had a pretty strong body and depth. Overall, if you're looking for a quick snack around 1 Utama, either before a movie or something, Isaac Toast may just offer that balance of not being too full, nor too empty.

They're also offering a great deal for breakfast - RM10 for a toast and a drink.

If you're still in the mood for some toast after breakfast, their RM20 Combo Set is definitely a great choice. It comes with a selection of Isaac Toast's Signature toast with a side of coffee, tea or soda.

Address:

LGK 113a, 1Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Operating hours:

7.30am- 10pm (Sun - Thurs)

7.30am- 10.30pm (Fri - Sat)

FB: https://www.facebook.com/IsaacToastCoffeeMalaysia/

Web: www.isaac-toast.co.kr

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/isaac_malaysia/

I love buffets, especially when it's at some fancy hotel where they have a widespread of selection to choose from. Here at Double Tree by Hilton, the fare of food available is nothing less than exceptional. They have 4 different stations, each with its own unique choices.

I like to start with the centerstage, where all the fresh foods are placed such as Sushi, Sashimi, Oysters, Prawns, salads and many more. There aren't much choices for sashimi, but for what's worth, they're pretty decent. Fairly fresh and cut by a chef on the spot. Served with some soy sauce and wasabi - all is well on my first round.

Followed by some fresh salad, grilled oysters and of course, my favourite prawns. Selections were fresh and enjoyable. Plenty of mix-&-match options for the salad, as well as a variety of dressings too.

My next stop is the Chinese section - where they have my favourite double-boiled soup. Each serving was well packed with flavour, and the essence of chicken & seafood was eminent. Loved the soup. As for the other offerings such as roasted duck, chicken, dumplings and several others were pretty flavoursome.

Followed by a tour towards the Indian side of things where they do freshly baked naan breads, alongside a fantastic selection of curries and varuval. The lamb varuval is definitely something worth trying out as it was some of the most flavourful dishes available. The crab nasi briyani too was great!

And of course, like any other buffets, the desserts are extremely important. Here, we were given a huge variety where it ranges from local to asian, and even international desserts such as cakes, pastries and puffs. They also offer homemade ice cream every day, which to me is an added bonus.

All and all, what Makan by Double Tree by Hilton has to offer was absolutely delicious. Everything from the variety to the quality of each and every product, most of them were enjoyable. There were some hit and miss with some of their offerings, but overall, definitely well worth the money.

Makan Kitchen @ Double Tree by Hilton Buffet Price: RM135++ Per Pax | Available Daily

Address:

The Intermark, 348, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Location Level 11

Seating Capacity 350 pax

Daily Operation Hours

6:00am to 11:00pm

Breakfast 6:00am to 10:30am

Lunch 12:00pm to 2:30pm (Mon till Fri)

Hi-Tea 12:30pm to 4:00pm

(Sat & Sun)

Dinner 6:30pm to 10:30pm

Tel: 603-2172 7272

Web: http://flavoursbydoubletreekl.com/makan-kitchen/makan-kitchen/

Poke Bear @ Sunway Pyramid, PJ

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Somersby Sparkling Rose - Somersby's Latest Champagne-like Cider!

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Vanilla Mille Crepe Express Cafe @ IOI City Mall, Cyberjaya

The Complete Homeowners Guide to Bathroom Upgrades!

Rubbing Wasabi on Your Head to Prevent Baldness? Seriously?

Donute's Dirty Bun - Launch

Somersby Anytime Promotions!

Eight Avenue New Spanish Menu 2018 @ Publika, KL

Isaac Toast New Opening 2018 @ 1 Utama, PJ

Makan Kitchen @ Double Tree by Hilton, KL