CW's Food & Travel

Got Issues

2009-11-14T12:21:00.007+08:00

I can't help interrupting my Phuket posts for this little aside. Have you heard the song "Issues" by British girl band The Saturdays ? Lately I've been hearing it on the radio everyday on the way to work. It's one of those songs which sound catchy at first, but gets annoying really fast. When it gets to the chorus, I always can't help making up my own lyrics for it. The original lyrics are :

Me and my heart we got Issues

Don’t know if I should hate your or miss you

Damn I wish that I could resist you

Cant decide if I should slap you or kiss you

Me and my heart we got issues (Issues, Issues)

We got issues (Issues, Issues)

Here's my version:

Here in my car I got tissues

If you sneeze I’m not gonna kiss you

Get yourself one of those tissues

And wipe that silly grin off or I’ll hit you

Here in my car I’ve got tissues (tissues, tissues)

We got tissues (tissues, tissues)

What do you think ? What's your version ?

Eating in Phuket - Floyd's Brasserie at Burasari

2009-11-14T07:43:00.012+08:00

After visiting Phrom Thep Cape I made my way to Patong Beach where I had booked my accommodation. There are several ways to get to Patong Beach from Phuket Town. There is a shorter way which cuts across the island, or you can take the longer drive around the island. I decided to take the longer route as I wanted to enjoy the views.

The drive to Patong Beach is nice and scenic, though the road can get a bit small at some places. Good thing there wasn't much traffic. You pass through several small towns, and get glimpses of beaches along the way. It takes around half an hour to get to Patong Beach from Phrom Thep Cape. By the time I arrived it was late evening. Time for dinner !

I decided to go to Floyd's at Burasari, Celebrity Chef Keith Floyd's first outpost in Thailand. Keith Floyd is one of my favourite TV chefs, his colourful character and tongue-in-cheek approach always make very entertaining viewing. As he had passed away in September, about a week after my visit, this meal was like my personal last tribute to him.

Floyd's Brasserie is located in the Burasari Resort.

The man himself beckons at the entrance.

Inside the restaurant.

Keith Floyd always claimed he could cook Thai food better then the Thais, so I decided to try the Thai dishes. Having had quite a heavy lunch earlier, I just ordered 2 dishes - Thai Fish Cakes for appetizer and Whole Grilled Sea Bass with Thai Chili Sauce for main course.

The meal started with some bread, olive oil and sun-dried tomato spread. The spread was really good - packed full of flavours.

The Fish Cakes were really nice - crunchy, savoury, spicy. You can taste chunks of prawns and squid inside the fish cakes, beside the fish paste.

The Grilled See Bass was quite big for one person. The crispy golden brown fish was topped with a generous serving of Thai chili sauce and garnish The fish was a bit overcooked, with the meat slightly dried out. The sauce however, was very good - a nice balance of sweet, spicy and sour.

The restaurant itself is quite nice and cosy. I could imagine if Floyd was around, he would be floating around from table to table, a wine glass in one hand and cigar in the other. The food is not spectacular, but flavourful. I would go back to try some of their other dishes.

Phuket - Phrom Thep Cape

2009-11-14T07:03:00.005+08:00

After leaving the Evason Resort, I made my way to Phrom Thep Cape - reputedly the most scenic spot in Phuket to watch the sunset. The Cape is at the southern-most tip of Phuket island, and takes around 20 minutes drive time from Phuket Town.

When I arrived there were not too many people around, this being the low season. I like visiting during low season to avoid the large crowds which can sometimes spoil a travel experience.

The Cape is definitely scenic, but I am not sure about the "most scenic" moniker. I think there are other spots in Phuket with nicer views. There is a lighthouse at a plaza which is the main viewing platform. There is also a monument of Prince Jumborn, who was the 28th son of King Rama IV. He became a naval cadet in England at the age of 13, and later returned to Thailand and built the first naval base in Phuket.

The lighthouse at the main viewing platform.

The Monument of Prince Jumborn.

At the plaza there is also this interesting elephant shrine. Many devotees had left offerings of elephant statues at the shrine.

There are some small shops selling souvenirs near the car park. Prices are quite reasonable.

Phuket - Evasan Resort and Spa

2009-11-13T20:24:00.007+08:00

I have read so much about the Evason Phuket Resort and Spa that it was right on the top of my must-go list. It houses the famous SixSenses Spa, is in a 60-over acres tropical garden setting, and even has its own island !

Like many high end resorts, the location is deliberately obscure. It took me a few rounds to find the right turning. The road leading to the resort is quite tiny.

I must say I was a little bit disappointed when I first arrived at the Evason. The design looks a bit dated now. The reception which is housed in individual pavilions inside a large reflecting pond is a novel concept, but the structures and wooden finishes looks a bit run-down. The place could use a bit of sprucing up.

You go through this tunnel to reach the reception area.

These pavilions are where guests are received.

There are many types of rooms including standard hotel accommodation and individual chalets. The signature design seem to be based on a rustic Mediterranean villa concept. The ceiling of the rooms are actually finished in untreated timber strips.

The club house.

Although the Evason wasn't what I had expected it to be, it is still a few notches above many of the resorts in Malaysia. A visit is recommended, especially if you are prepared to pay for a spa treatment. I am still waiting for my winning lottery ticket !

Phuket - Vijitt Resort

2009-11-11T23:49:00.006+08:00

Being a popular International tourist destination, Phuket has its share of great resorts. Some of them are truly breath-taking. Like this all villa resort on the south-eastern side of the island called The Vijitt.

In keeping with most high end resorts nowadays, the entrance is decidedly understated. The main reception is in a separate pavillion facing a circular garden. On one side is the spa entrance, and next to it is the entry point to the villas.

The villa design is based on quite a common concept of vernacular pitched roof design with lots of sliding glass partitions. The roofs are finished with wooden slates, and each villa has it's own plunge pool. The resort is on a hilly site which slopes toward the sea. This provides an interesting undulation in the landscape, giving it a nice village-like atmosphere.

The view looking down towards the restaurant which is in an old Colonial residence.

The multi-tiered swimming pool.

Wish I could stay here, but the rates are about USD 500 a night. A bit beyond my budget.

Phuket - HomePro and Plaza Dracaena

2009-11-11T23:11:00.008+08:00

While Phuket Town seem to be caught in a time warp - albeit in a nice way, as you drive out of town you begin to see some new developments. The good thing is Phuket is still not over-built, unlike many other tourist destinations which are ravaged by unchecked developments. There is a certain relaxed low-key vibe about the island which is really attractive.

As I was driving from Phuket Town to my next destination, I came across this interesting shopping centre called HomePro Village. It looks brand new - probably open for only a few months. There wasn't much of a crowd when I was there, mostly expats and yuppies. The shopping centre is actually anchored by HomePro - a huge home improvement shop. You can get everything inside - TVs, furniture, lighting, tiles, linens, curtains, etc. It is really nice, and I could have spent a whole day there. Unfortunately I was in a bit of a hurry. At the front of HomePro are some food outlets, art galleries, and a premium supermarket on one side.

The road out of Phuket Town.

HomePro Village.

Opposite HomePro Village is another brand new development called Plaza Dracaena. It is so new that most of the shop lots are still unoccupied. The design is very modern and minimalist - something which I really like. In the middle is a landscaped courtyard and parking space. There is a shop at the front which sells designer outdoor furniture - KenKoon. The furniture designs are really cool !

The KenKoon shop.

Phuket Town - Colonial Architecture

2009-11-05T23:00:00.006+08:00

There are some really nice Colonial buildings in Phuket, some of which are very well preserved. Take this Phuket Thai Hua School Museum. It was a private Chinese school built in the 1930s, in a European-Sino-Thai style. A very handsome building, the details are really intriguing with it's blend of Western and Eastern elements. I was especially captivated by the detail on the pediments which uses a bat motif. Today the school has been converted into a museum for the Chinese immigrants in Phuket.

As is typical of old Colonial mansions, there is a courtyard in the centre which allows natural light and ventilation into the building.

This other handsome Colonial building now houses the Phuket office of Thai Airways. Both the exterior and interiors have been beautifully restored.

Another old mansion which is currently being restored. I think it will be converted into a restaurant and entertainment complex.

This building is another nice example of functional Colonial architecture. The play of shades of green on the facade is really delightful.

This clock tower is a famous landmark in Phuket. You will not miss it as you enter Phuket Town.

The care with which many of the old buildings have been restored bodes well for the heritage of Phuket Town. I hope to go back and see Phuket Town again in it's full glory after all the major restoration works have been done.

Eating in Phuket - Lunch at China Inn Cafe

2009-11-04T21:07:00.005+08:00

I've read so much about China Inn Cafe & Restaurant before I went to Phuket that it was right on the top of my "must-go" list. I went there for lunch on my first day, not long after I touched down. The cafe is located on Thalang Road, one of the most popular old streets in Phuket Town. Naturally it is in an old shophouse.

The old building has been very nicely restored. I read that the restaurant is run by a husband and wife team, but didn't get to meet them. At the front just after you enter is a gallery selling Asian artifacts. There are some nice collections here. In the middle there is a light-well like in typical old shophouses, and next to it is the cafe. The dining area is at the back, just before the kitchen which is in a separate out-building. The al fresco dining area faces a small garden. It is really nice and cozy.

The menu offers traditional Thai dishes and some eclectic Western dishes. Since I was in Thailand, I decided to go for Thai. I ordered a Prawn and Green Mango Salad, Green Curry and Tom Yum Soup - you could say these are the triumvirate of Thai cuisine.

The Tom Yum Soup came first. It was very good - a nice balance of sour, hot and saltiness. The seafood was extremely fresh.

Next came the Prawn and Green Mango Salad. Again, very nicely done. The prawns were sweet and crunchy - cooked just right. The dressing was a near perfect combination of sweet, salty and sour - it was also very light and did not overwhelm the taste of the fresh ingredients.

The Green Curry - one of my favourite Thai dishes, did not disappoint. It was a bit mild, probably tuned more to a tourist palate, but still very flavourful. you could taste the freshness of the ingredients, like they were probably just picked in the morning.

The food at China Inn Cafe is very good. Pricing is on the high side, but you do have to pay for quality. I would highly recommend that you give it a try.

Phuket - Street Food

2009-11-02T21:47:00.005+08:00

Phuket street food is not as varied as in Bangkok. I only came across some road side stalls near Ranong Road. Unlike in Bangkok where grilling seems to be the preferred method of preparation, here in Phuket they prefer deep frying. Almost everything is deep fried and covered in a thick batter. Under the hot sun, it was a bit too much for me to try them out.

I did try some of these grilled bananas slathered in a thick caramel sauce. Very sweet and quite delicious, though sinfully full of calories.

I also couldn't resist trying these sausages. As this was a Muslim stall, the sausage was made of beef. It had a nice smoky taste, but a bit too salty. It would have been better grilled rather then deep fried.

A typical coffee shop. Not unlike those in Kuching. This one sells noodles with seafood. There is a large Chinese Hokkien population in Phuket, so Hokkien noodle is common here.

This shop sells conveniently packed lunch take outs. They all look quite delicious.

Just like in other parts of Thailand, food is plentiful in Phuket. If you have a few bucks in your pocket, you wouldn't starve here.

Phuket - Market at Ranong Road

2009-11-02T21:26:00.005+08:00

Regular readers of my blog would know that I like to check out the local markets where ever I visit. I like to see what the locals buy at the markets to get an insight into their food culture.

While walking around Phuket Town I bumped into this wet market at Ranong Road. I later found out that this is one of the most frequented wet markets in Phuket, though it is not very big. What they sell here is not very different from Malaysia. Lots of fresh vegetables, meat is mainly pork and chicken, lots of chili, herbs and spices, and lots of fish since Phuket is an island surrounded by the bountiful sea.

Just like in other parts of Asia, in Phuket they love their durians.

Lots of herbs, spices and anything you need for the kitchen.

You can also get cooked food at the market. This stall looked like one of the most popular here.

Phuket - Old Town

2009-11-01T08:40:00.007+08:00

Phuket Town itself is quite low key. There are not many big buildings here - mainly shophouses. The most interesting part of town are the old steets around Thalang Road, Debuk Road and Rasada Road. They are all connected and not far from each other. It is quite nice spending half a morning just wondering around, and then stop at one of the many restaurants or cafes for lunch.

Due to the Chinese, Portuguese and European influence in the early days, the Old Town here is populated mainly with Sino-Portuguese/ Sino-Colonial shophouses. These are the same as the ones you find in Penang, Malacca, Singapore and Kuching. There are many variations in the architectural details, but the basic design is a two-storey shophouse with a "five-footway" - essentially a multi-functional verandah serving as a covered pedestrian thoroughfare. On the ground floor is usually a shop, though in some of the units it is actually the living area. On the 1st floor is usually the living quarters. If you want to know more about Phuket heritage, go to this excellent web site - Phuket Heritage.

Old shophouses along Thalang Road.

Shophouse facades - quite similar to those in Penang, Malacca or Kuching. The variation is in the details. I think the old contractors or builders probably moved from place to place, bringing the designs with them.

These shops wouldn't look out of place in Kuching or Penang.

An interesting cafe on Thalang Road.

Evidence of Chinese and Muslim culture.

A must-have in any Asian home - a gas stove. Don't forget the rice cooker as well.

One thing I noticed in Phuket which is quite different are these gold shops. They are usually decked out to the nines in garish red and gold decors.

Phuket - Phuket Town

2009-11-01T07:43:00.007+08:00

Phuket is a small island towards the Western side of Thailand. It used to have a burgeoning tin mining industry, so the Europeans had long made their presence felt in this part of the World. Much of the tin mining was carried out by Hokkien Chinese immigrants, and you can see their legacy in the older parts of town. Today the main business in Phuket is tourism.

I hired a car, which is the best way to get around Phuket and it is very affordable. You can hire a Toyota Vios for around THB 1,000 per day. The landscape from the airport to Phuket town is very familiar to someone coming from Malaysia.

Phuket Airport is around 30 km from Phuket Town - about 40 min driving time. There are only a few major roads so driving around is not a big problem. All you need is a good map, and I had GPS on my phone which was a great help.

As I entered Phuket Town, I got a strange feeling of deja vu. The 2 and 3-storey buildings are very similar to the ones in smaller towns back in Malaysia. As you enter the older parts of town, you could be in Penang or Malacca. The old shophouses look exactly the same - with their Sino-Portuguese/ Sino-Colonial architecture which is common in many South-East Asian towns.

Entering into Phuket Town.

Phuket has a large Chinese and Muslim population. You see many Chinese temples around, as well as mosques - often on the same street.

The monument at Phuket Town Centre.

These buses converted from trucks are quite common in Phuket. They come in small, medium and large sizes. It is difficult to imagine enduring a long trip on these "buses", but the locals don't seem to mind.

Special school delivery.

One thing really great about Phuket traffic system is the traffic light. They actually have count-down meters which show you exactly how many seconds left before change of light. I think this great idea should be adopted everywhere.

Phuket

2009-10-31T12:53:00.002+08:00

Starting tomorrow I will be posting on my recent trip to Phuket. It was a short trip, but I managed to pack in a lot as usual. Phuket has amazing resorts, and the food scene is as exciting and diverse as any resort destination. So stay tuned !

Eatin in Kuala Lumpur - Prego's at The Westin

2009-10-25T08:10:00.007+08:00

I have saved the best of this segment of posts on KL for last. Prego's at The Westin Hotel is reputed to be one of the best Italian Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. I have eaten there a few times and always come away quite happy. Our recent visit was another satisfying experience.

The restaurant is located at the lobby level of the hotel, directly off the sidewalk. There is an al fresco area outside which is now more of a sisha corner, catering to the many Middle-Eastern tourists who flock to KL between June to August to escape the unbearable Summer heat back home.

The interior of the restaurant is modern and contemporary, with a lot of timber and earth tones giving it a warm and cozy touch. There is an open kitchen, and a wood-fired oven takes it's pride of place in one corner. The look is very similar to many of the modern restaurants around KL, but the food is what we came here for.

The test of a good restaurant is often in the bread. If they take the time and trouble to make good bread, you can be sure that the rest of the kitchen would have similar high standards. The bread here is really good. With a crispy crust and a spongy soft centre, it goes really well with the tomato dip. I also asked for some olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which was even better with the bread. We asked for more and they gladly obliged.

For starters we ordered the Caesar Salad and Crab and Arborio Rice Cakes with Almond Aioli. The salad, with a poached egg and beef bacon, was really good. The Crab Cake was crispy on the outside and creamy smooth on the inside. It was basically a crab risotto which is breaded and deep fried. The crab filling was sweet and subtly perfumed with herb and spices. Very yummy !

For soup we had a Caciucco alla Livornese - a freshly cooked seafood soup. This was the best seafood soup I've ever had in KL. Sweet, rich and well-rounded flavours - perfectly balanced. Definitely my favourite on the menu.

With a wood-fired oven, you can bet that the pizza would be good, and they are. We ordered the Quottro Stagioni as I like to have lots of different flavours. This came with artichoke, turkey ham, mushrooms and olives. The pizza crust is thin and crispy and had the burnt bits which I love. Even though this is a Halal restaurant and they can't use the usual pork produce like salami and prosciutto, the chefs managed to coax some wonderful flavours from the ingredients.

A bit over-ambitious, we also ordered a pasta Frutti de Mare. It was really delicious, but we were so stuffed after the pizza that we could hardly eat the pasta.

There was absolutely no more room for dessert, so we decided to call it a night after the pasta. After so many years, it is good to see that Prego's has managed to maintain it's high standards. This place is highly recommended if you are looking for great Italian food in KL.

Kuala Lumpur - Nonya Colours at One Utama

2009-10-25T07:18:00.006+08:00

While wondering around the One Utama Shopping Centre recently I came across this really attractive stall called Nonya Colours. I'm a sucker for attractive colours in food and couldn't resist checking it out. They specialize in "Nonya Kuehs", and they have a huge array of these delightful sweet and savoury cakes. I totally regret the big breakfast I just had at the hotel. Otherwise I would have gladly sampled most of what they had on offer.

"Nonya Kuehs" are very popular all around Malaysia. The "Nonyas" are females descended from Chinese migrants intermarrying local Malays. Therefore "Nonya" or "Peranakan" culture is a mixture of Malay and Chinese traditions, and the Nonya cuisine benefits from this cross-pollination. Today you will find the Nonyas mostly in Malacca and Penang. Due to the popularity of Nonya food, nowadays you can enjoy this unique and delicious cuisine all over Malaysia.

One of the most popular Nonya Kuehs is this savoury yam cake. Fresh yam is cooked with some flour, usually mixed in with some minced pork to keep it moist give it extra tastiness. This is then steamed and topped with a mixture of dried pickled radish, chili and dried shrimps. Really delicious !

These are another popular kueh called Putri Ayu or Kueh Nonya. It actually originated from Indonesia, and is a steamed cake flavoured with "pandan" extract, topped with grated coconut. The texture is like a sponge cake.

The huge selection of other kuehs.

Besides the cakes, this stall also serve other hot and cold dessert such as Pulut Hitam (Black Rice Pudding), Hong Tou Soi (Sweet Red Bean Soup), Bubur Cha Cha (a sweet dessert soup with cubes of sweet potato, yam and sago pearls - one of my favourites), Ice Kacang, etc. I must return to this stall on my next visit to KL !

Kuala Lumpur - Bukit Bintang Street Performers

2009-10-20T20:32:00.006+08:00

The streets around Bukit Binting really only come alive after 10.00 p.m., when the shops and shopping centres are closed. This is when the street performers come out to entertain the crowds, and there are usually several groups of them in the area. One of the most consistent and entertaining is a group of percussionists who perform in front of the Maybank at the junction. The size of the group seem to shrink and grow from time to time, and there are always new "members" joining the group. They never fail to rouse up the crowd, and some of the more enthusiastic ones would even join in the fun.

On a recent visit I came across this bald men with a python and a tiny monkey. I have never seen him before, he seems to be new in town. The kids were really taken with the monkey, and it was a wonder that the python never swallow the monkey when the man wasn't looking. The monkey was always bugging the python behind the man's back !

If you are looking for more sedate entertainment, there are many masseur offering a relaxing foot massage on the street. They are really cheap too !

Kuala Lumpur - Bukit Bintang at Night

2009-10-20T20:05:00.005+08:00

I'm not really a night bird. When I'm back in Kuching, we are usually in bed by 10. But when you are in KL, it would seem kind of weird to go to bed early. The place is still buzzing at midnight, especially around the Bukit Bintang area. It is not unusual for KLites to go clubbing till 3.00 a.m., go "supper" at 4.00 a.m. and go to work at 8.00 a.m. the next morning. Or so that's what some of my KL friends tell me, if they are not pulling my leg. I wouldn't try it myself !

Walking around Bukit Bintang at night is kind of interesting. There's always lots of things going on, lots of people seemingly wondering around endlessly, and lots of colourful lights. Of course there's also the Jalan Alor nearby where everyone goes for supper, and a few mysterious men hanging around offering special "service". There are also lots of vendors offering "first grade" fake watches. It's all part of the KL experience really. Despite all the hustle and bustle, I always feel quite safe going around, and the men in uniform are usually not far away.

The boys in uniform keeping the order.

If you are looking to do some last minute midnight shopping, this is the place to go.

When in Kl, do what the KLites do. Go walk-about a bit at night. You're bound to bump into something interesting somewhere.

Kuala Lumpur - Taman Tasik Perdana

2009-10-18T14:08:00.007+08:00

The concrete jungle, traffic jams and millions of people in Kuala Lumpur can get to you after a while. Sometimes you just want to get away from it all. One great and convenient place for a quick escape is the Taman Tasik Perdana (KL Lake Gardens).

The Lake Gardens is the oldest and one of the biggest parks in Kuala Lumpur - with a total area of around 230 acres. It is practically right in the centre of the city, being located around the Old Parliament Complex. It is quite near the KL Sentral Transport Interchange, and if you are staying in the Hilton or Le Meridien it is just a short walk away.

Getting there can be a problem if you don't have your own transport, and getting back can be even worse as this is not an area commonly served by taxis. Your best bet is to take trains or MRT to KL Sentral and walk over to the park.

Lake Gardens is very popular with the locals who use it a a place to relax and exercise. Besides the large lake which is the main attraction here, there is also a Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Deer Park and Orchid Garden.

I like the many old trees in the park which must have been there for more then 100 years.

The next time you feel like getting away from the giddy KL traffic and overcrowded shopping centres, head to the Lake Gardens. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Kuala Lumpur - Graffiti

2009-10-17T12:46:00.005+08:00

Behind the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is Sungai Kelang, one of the many streams criss-crossing the city. These are an important part of the KL storm water system. Across the stream is a small pedestrian lane which connects to the rapid transit station nearby. Here you will find some interesting old buildings and shophouses in the Colonial style. It was also here that I discovered some of the most interesting graffiti in KL.

Like most big cities, graffiti are not an uncommon sight in KL. Usually they are just quick scribbles to let off some steam. However there are also some who wield it more as a means of expression and an art form. I am glad to see that even in KL, we have some great graffiti artists waiting to be discovered.

The next time you visit Dataran Merdeka, turn to the back of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building to admire some free street art.

Kuala Lumpur - Dataran Merdeka

2009-10-17T08:19:00.009+08:00

Every time I visit Dataran Merdeka, images of Malaysian history flash through my mind. For it was here - on 31st August 1957, that the Independence of Malaysia from Colonial rule was declared by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. 1957 was a long time ago, in fact even before I was born. But for a country it is just an instant - Malaysia is still a very young nation by all measures. I think we have come a long way in the past 52 years, but there is still much which needs to be done. Every Malaysian should visit Dataran Merdeka once in a while to relive our history, to reflect on what it means to be a nation.

"Dataran" means a public square, and "Merdeka" independence. So this is our Independence Square. It is without a doubt the most significant landmark in Malaysia. Surrounding it are some of the most interesting architectural heritage you'll find any where in the country.

Directly facing the square is the famous Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It once housed the administrative office of the British Colonial Government. Later on it became the Selangor State Secretariat and then the Supreme Court building. Now it houses the office of the Ministry of Heritage, Culture and Arts. Built in a Colonial-Mughal Style, it's unique blend of East and West produced a building which is beautifully detailed, handsome and majestic.

On the other side of the square is another historic building - the Royal Selangor Club. This was once the social club for the Colonial elite, now it is more of a venue for VIP events.

Another interesting building nearby is the Panggung Bandaraya - Old City Hall. As the name denotes, this used to be the old Kuala Lumpur City Hall. It is now used to accommodate various courts under the judicial system. This is another Colonial building in the Mughal style, but is is even more elaborate with lots of domes and pinnacles on the roof line.

This church building to the north of the square is the Cathedral of St Mary. It was designed by the same architect of the Abdul Samad Building - AC Norman, in the English gothic style.

If you are visiting KL for the first time, don't miss the Dataran Merdeka. It is here where Malaysia the nation was born, and a place where you can soak up some of the history of this young country.

Eating in Kuala Lumpur - Food Republic at The Pavilion

2009-10-11T18:49:00.007+08:00

Food courts are great. During those times when you don't really know where to go, or can't agree on what to eat - they can be a real life saver. I'm not surprised if 1 or 2 marriages have been saved by a food court. Every shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur has one. The only difference is the ambiance and quality of the stalls. One of the best is Food Republic at the basement of The Pavilion Shopping Centre.

Food Republic is a part of the popular Singapore chain of premium food courts. The concept is the same as other food courts, but the decor and stalls are more high end. There are so many stalls to choose from, it warrants several visits. Most of of the stalls I've tried are pretty good - highlights are the oyster omelette, Hokkien prawn noodles, kaya toasts and the iced desserts.

During a recent visit we decided to try the Vietnamese and Taiwanese food. We ordered the beef pho set - which came with a big bowl of pho, a rice vermicelli salad and deep fried spring rolls. The Taiwanese chicken noodle set came with a bowl of noodles, dumplings and deep fried chicken nuggets.

The pho was surprisingly good. The broth was rich and flavourful, and the generous garnish of basil served to enhance the beefy taste. The vermicelli salad was also nice - slightly sweet and spicy, and even the crunchy shell container was edible.

The Taiwanese noodle was a disappointment - it tasted like instant noodles. Good thing the chicken nuggets and dumplings were good. The nuggets were salty and spicy, with the added perfume of curry leaves. The dumplings had a sweet meaty filling of chicken and chives - always a great combination with the ginger vinegar dipping sauce.

The Vietnamese outlet - Vietnam Kitchen.

The Taiwanese stall - Little Taiwan.

The next time you are in the Bukit Bintang area and can't make up your mind where to go - head for the Food Republic. You are bound to find something you'll like.

Eating in Kuala Lumpur - Jalan Alor

2009-10-11T14:25:00.004+08:00

Jalan Alor must be the most famous food street in Kuala Lumpur. It has been written and blogged about to death, and even appeared on TV a few times. And yet it has retained it's appeal to both locals and visitors alike.

Running parallel to Jalan Bukit Bintang - the most famous address in Kuala Lumpur, the street is around 300m long. It is packed with restaurants and kopitiams from end to end. During the day it is a bit quiet. It is at night that the street really comes alive.

Here are some of the places to try:

Dragon View Restaurant
Located at the corner of Jalan Alor and Changkat Bukit Bintang, this is the most prominent restaurant at Jalan Alor. The various types of porridge are especially good.

Wong Ah Wah Restaurant
Famous for the barbecued chicken wings - really delicious. Also try the steamed clams or clams stir fried with ginger and scallions.

Meng Kee Grill Fish Restaurant
The grilled stingray is a must try. Chili fried squid also very good.

Other things to try:

The famous durians - there are several stalls here.
Lok Loks - basically skewers of various small bites cooked by dipping into a hot water bath and eaten with sweet or spicy sauce. A truly Malaysian experience.
Satays and Ramly burgers at any of the road side stalls.

Jalan Alor at night.

There are lots of pictures showing the dishes offered by the restaurant. For first timers this is a very convenient way to order. Just don't expect the food to look the same as the pictures when they come out !

The popular Dragon View Restaurant.

A view of the chefs at work. They basically go non-stop for hours and hours - amazing !

The durian stalls. They will open the durians for you to eat at the stall - or you can take them back. Just be aware that most hotels have a "no durians in the room" policy.

The Lok Lok Man. Choose what you want and he will heat them up for you. Kind of like Tapas on the road side.

If you have very limited time, Jalan Alor is a really convenient place to get a taste of the great varieties of Malaysian food. It is definitely worth a visit.

Eating in Kuala Lumpur - Lunch at EEST at The Westin

2009-10-10T13:07:00.007+08:00

EEST at The Westin is one of the most stylish restaurants in KL. The interior is really amazing. The dining areas are lavishly decorated and furnished, and the stylish open kitchen gives you a full view of what the chefs are doing. If you like you can even sit at the kitchen counter, where you can see how all your dishes are prepared.

Touted as a Pan-Asian fusion restaurant, it serves food from several Asian cuisines - Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian and Japanese. It's a great concept, as there's something for everyone.

We went for the "Hurry Slowly Pan Asian Bento" lunch - a set lunch based on the Japanese bento concept. There are 5 different sets to choose from, depending on the cuisine that you like. I would have liked to mix and match a bit, but this was not possible. It would have been a great improvement to the concept.

We ordered the Japanese and Vietnamese Set. Both sets came with a soup. For the Japanese it was a simple miso soup. For the Vietnamese it was beef pho with a prawn dumpling. The pho broth didn't have the deep and rich umami flavour of a good pho, but it was quite good. The dumpling made it a bit more substantial.

The Japanese Set came with garlic fried rice, tempura prawns, terriyaki salmon and age dashi tofu. All the items were good, especially the tofu which is quite unusual - it was jade green in colour and garnished with some garlic chips on top. The tofu was flavoured with some kind of fresh vegie, I couldn't quite figure out what it was.

The Vietnamese Set came with rice paper crab rolls, the classic sugar cane prawn stick, stir fried choy sum and some grilled meat on a steamed minced meat with egg. I liked everything except the choy sum which reminded me of too many home-cooked dinners. The most interesting was the grilled meat and the steamed egg and mince custard. As this is a halal restaurant they can't use pork. But it looked like pork, and tasted like pork. Kudos to the chef for pulling this neat trick off !

Dessert was mochi ice cream and banana with sage coconut cream. Again the Vietnamese dessert wins over with a more complex taste and mix of textures. The bananas had been caramelized, topped with coconut cream mixed with sago pearls, and sweetened with palm sugar. I'll bet just listening to that list of ingredients is enough to make any foodie salivate. And it was sensational - I wish there was more !

The Bento Lunch at EEST is an interesting experience, and very good value for money. The sets are all priced at RM 42.00 ++. You can't beat that in such a nice restaurant.

Kuala Lumpur Happenings - A Carnival Parade

2009-10-10T12:38:00.006+08:00

While hanging around The Pavilion Shopping Centre about 2 months back, I suddenly came across this parade of attractive people in strange costumes. At first I thought they were promoting a new Japanese anime or some kind of Cosplay convention. They looked like they just came out of the pages of a Japanese fantasy comic ! I found out later that they were actually promoting "The Great Malaysia Sale".

The costumes were really colourful and attractive, and the cast were all very professional - they really made the costumes and characters come alive.

The crowd were all very pleasantly surprised.

It's a pity that they are not part of a real theatre show.

Eating in Kuala Lumpur - Illy Expressamente

2009-10-08T19:43:00.004+08:00

I love coffee, and when it comes to Italian coffee I've been hooked on Lavazza for a very long time. Then Illy came along and took the world by storm, but I have remained true to my first love - Lavazza. I like it's dark, strong and rich flavour - compared to it Illy is downright lame. And then I saw this bright and shiny thing right at the entrance to The Pavilion Shopping Centre - it's Illy Expressamente - an Illy signature cafe. I couldn't resist giving it a try.

The cafe is quite small, only a few tables inside. The main seating area is actually outside. There's lots of glass, mirrors and stainless steel, and the big red and white Illy logo. The expresso machine takes it's pride of place right under the Illy shrine, and guess what ? They have a real live Italian barista !

As it was a hot day, I decided to order an iced latte. It was good - not as good as a Lavazza of course. I also ordered a slice of Pecan Pie - which was really nutty, moist and delicious. Still feeling a little peckish, I ordered the tuna salad. It was really great! Chunks of fresh tuna, eggs, and toasted eggplants on cherry tomatoes and crunchy greens. The dressing is simply very good olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a bit of pepper. Classic !

Expressamente Illy is a stylish, trendy and convenient place for a coffee fix. They also have excellent desserts and nice light snacks. I just wish they would serve Lavazza instead !