What To Do This Week: Happening Events In Klang Valley From September 4-10

There are a ton of interesting events happening in KL everyday. Check these events out this coming week!
1. The Takeover
Source: The Takeover
The Takeover is a weekly series of Thursday night events that happen at Six, Bangsar and it’s presented by SaturdaySelects. Guests can expect a mixture of R&B, Hip-Hop, Dancehall and everything in between throughout the night to always keep you dancing! The lineup for September 7 includes Emir Hermono and Daaliah.
Where: SIX, Bangsar
When: September 7, 10pm-3am
Info: The Takeover

2. The Laughing Gas Ep 17
Source: The Laughing Gas Ep 17
It’s been an awesome time for standup comedy here in KL/Selangor for the past month. There has been plenty of newbies trying their hand in standup comedy and absolutely killing it. Well, there’ll be a standup comedy session at Morningwood and the cover charge is RM10. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8.30pm.
When: September 7, 8:30pm-10:30pm
Where: Morningwood, SS15
Info: The Laughing Gas Ep 17
3. Make Your Breakfast Count!
Source: Make Your Breakfast Count!
Something scrumptious and yummy to start off your day? Come and find out what’s in store for you at Make Your Breakfast Count! From nasi lemak, mee siam, coffee, poke salads, cereals to yogurts, bring your family and friends to enjoy the wholesome brekkie.
Here are some of the amazing vendors that will be joining in the fun:
1. Rawsome
2. Enak! local food
3. Picha Project
4. Fin KL
5. Emborg
6. Organic Valley
When: September 7-10, 9am-10pm
Where: BEN’S Independent Grocer, Publika
Info: Make Your Breakfast Count!
4. TREC Craft Army #5 x Sep
Source: TREC Craft Army #5 x Sep
TREC’s artisan market, known as the Craft Army, consists of 2 specific zones called the Rhapsody Square and the Quad. There’ll be live acts performing from 10.30pm onwards on all dates and you’ll get to shop and eat to your heart’s delight. There’ll also be free entry at this event.
When: September 8-10, 7pm-12.30am
Where: TREC
Info: TREC Craft Army #5 x Sep
5. House Of Vans Kuala Lumpur
Source: House Of Vans Kuala Lumpur
House of Vans KL is an event which will be marked with special live performances, from Hujan and Dirgahayu to Zamaera. There will be 2 art workshops going on during the event, including an embroidery and silk screen printing workshop. On top of that, the local skateboarding community will be taking on the Vans Stoop Series contest, which is a skateboarding competition.
When: September 9, 1pm-10.30pm
Where: APW Bangsar
Info: House Of Vans Kuala Lumpur
6. Publika Sama-Sama Bon Odori

Source: Publika Sama-Sama Bon Odori

In conjunction with Malaysia and Japan’s 60 Year Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, Publika is organising ‘Sama-Sama Bon Odori’. Happening at The Square, ‘Sama-Sama Bon Odori’ will be a fun-filled celebration of the two nations coming together with a plethora of activities planned such as a parade to kickstart the event, followed by a fusion of cultural performances, art and food stalls and fireworks at the end. Admission is free.

When: September 10, 5pm-9.30pm
Where: The Square, Publika
Info: Publika Sama-Sama Bon Odori
7. Sunday Soiree Pop Up Bazaar
Source: Sunday Soiree Pop Up Bazaar
In conjunction with Ol’deer Event Space, this bazaar is aimed to bring together premium vendors and products with 15 booths including clothing, jewelry and makeup. There will also be 4 guest influencers selling their preloved items at the event.
When: September 10, 12pm-6pm
Where: Ol’Deer Event Space @ Plaza Kelana Jaya
Info: Sunday Soiree Pop Up Bazaar
Feature Image Credit: The Trines, New Straits Time


ChubbeeCloud Review: Marshmallow Hot Chocolates That Are Made With REAL Choc!

Who would have thought that humble lil’ marshmallows would be an interesting and creative gift to surprise someone with?
From being the nation’s first bespoke marshmallow brand, ChubbeeCloud has now evolved into having their own gift experience store and mini café experience, which is located in Damansara Uptown.
Founders, Carmen and Edmund were able to create a niche for themselves in the gift market industry by selling edible marshmallows with your face printed on it.
During ChubbeeCloud’s early days, the DiscoverKL team had the opportunity to be hosted by them, allowing us the chance to get to know the brand better. And once again, the creative minds behind ChubbeeCloud invited us over during the launch week of their experiential-based store.

The store was officially launched on 20 August and is located along the bustling shop lot area of Damansara Utama. Certainly, the perfect place to hit the peak of consumers.

Besides being able to collect your package on the spot, you can also personally customise fluffy, printed marshmallows at the store itself. The ordering process is simple enough and the friendly bunch at ChubbeeCloud are able to guide first-timers from start to finish.
All you have to do is select how many pieces of marshmallow you want, then pick a flavour between vanilla and strawberry.
Sign in to your Instagram account if you want to upload your own pictures. You could even plug in your phone and transfer the pictures through it (the cable caters to iPhone users for now but a cable for Android users is in the works).
Next, assemble your marshmallows digitally and fill up your details on site (all details are private and confidential). Your orders will then be printed and the process will take up to 30 minutes, more or less.

That’s more than enough time for you to explore the place and try their cloudmoji dishes and marshmallow beverages.

If you can’t resist adorable animal videos, here’s a kitty taking a hot chocolate bubble bath. We tried the Signature Hot Mallow Bath of Charcoal Chocolate (RM15) and as a sucker for chocolates, it was probably the best hot chocolate beverage we have ever had. We’re not merely singing praises either as the hot chocolate is made with real chocolate and none of the cocoa powder nonsense. Plus, who could say no to the adorable cat marshmallow floating on the top. Combining activated charcoal with the purest chocolate, the team brings out a bold and rich spin on hot chocolates!
Next up was the Coconut Matcha (RM15) (on the left), an exquisite rich Japanese Matcha that brings the taste of Nippon right to us. Topped with coconut shavings that add their own signature aroma, this is one not to miss. Coconut and green tea? Who knew?
And don’t get me started on their adorable, one-of-a-kind dishes!

The first one was their Golden Hashbrown Lychee Cloudmoji (RM9.90). This particular combo would legit blow your mind because who would have thought that hash browns, chicken ham and lychee goes well together? A sandwich twist filled with a golden fried hash brown, slice of chicken ham and a couple of lychees to add a refreshing taste to your palate.
The Saigon Cloudmoji (RM9.90) is an indulgent combination of melty peanut butter, finely chopped coriander, oven roasted crushed peanuts, and crispy shallots sandwiched in a soft cloudmoji (that is actually a mantou bun). Tasted so good that I might actually come back to get more of it. As a peanut butter lover, I would never thought in a million years, that I would try it alongside some coriander and fried shallots.

The Signature Triple Cheese Cloudmoji (RM9.90) would no doubt satisfy every cheese lover out there with an Italian classic. A soft, fluffy mantou bun loaded with three types of cheese—Mozzarella, Parmesan and Cheddar topped with torched marshmallows. A real cry to the cheese god, Cheesus!
These creative sensation that brings your taste buds to food heaven, are all served with a side of their special Salted Egg Cracker Fries, that are to die for! Yes, I am exaggerating again, because we couldn’t stop eating them!
Trust us when we say this, they need to sell this at cinemas instead of popcorn, because this are way more addictive and delicious. The Salted Egg Cracker Fries (RM7.90) are also sold separately, topped with curry leaves and chilli flakes. This ain’t your regular cracker fries, ya’ll!  Simple irresistible, and we’re sure you won’t be able to stop munching from the first bite ?
Unicorn and rainbow vibes are quite overrated, but not the Magical Mericorn Milkshake (RM16)! This milkshake brings back good memories from when we were children—a bowl of fruit loops with some creamy milk. A vanilla flavoured milkshake that is topped with a carefully handcrafted Unicorn marshmallow, chocolate mermaid tail, and sprinkles of rainbow pebbles which is that good!
If you want to know a little secret though, the ChubbeeCloud team doesn’t use regular ingredients to make this drink a show-stopper. Instead, they import some good Australian ice cream to give you that punch of creamy, and thick texture that makes it melt in your mouth with every sip! I might just come back for round 2!

We also had the pleasure to try the their new Cold Brewed Apple Tea that is available in 4 flavours—Soothing Sencha, Elegant Earl Grey, Spiced Cinnamon Apple and Fragrant Rose Petals.
This premium imported tea is individually cold brewed for 12 hours giving you that strong, enriched aroma and taste of tea in every sip, that also gives you to savour the perfectly sweet apple bits on the bottom, giving you a surprise.
A personal favourite would be the Rose Petal, however the founders told us that they have plenty of customers coming back for the Spiced Cinnamon Apple. If you like spices, then this would be a great option. A both mix of sweet and spicy, perfect to spice up everyone’s day.

ChubbeeCloud has also launched a new product which is the A Letter For You.
Everyone could use a little coffee fix anytime of the day, and what’s better by starting it off on a happy note? From 10 different types of coffee beans, A Letter For You will definitely keep those positive vibes flowing throughout the day with these sleek motivational packaging with finely crafted drip coffee sourced from an artisanal coffee roaster in Malaysia.

If you’re not into marshmallows, or you have already tried them out and want something else, then THE BOX would tickle your fancy!
Available in 60 designs,  you can be creative by assembling words or mixing and matching the default designs for your loved ones. You can either choose between the milk chocolate or the dark chocolate, or you can just simply mix them together with the 6-piece or the 3-piece box.

Another idea you can draw up is a special customisable Mallow Bouquet (RM138) with 12 bespoke ChubbeeCloud Marshmallows.
If you’re after something small and simple, you can go for the Mallow Sticks (RM80) that are 10 sticks of the bespoke marshmallows.

Let’s not forget, the classic that got all of this started: the bespoke ChubbeeCloud gift box, that you can get in either a 9-piece (RM69) or a 2-piece that comes in a set of 5 boxes (RM75).

Also, this place is an ideal Instagram hangout spot! Don’t forget to take tonnes of photos at their photo corner with neon lights, a cotton candy bathtub ball pit, coupled with some soft pillows and a pastel pink rug to set the vibe.

Ending our visit, we had the chance to battle it out with the claw machine. Trust me, this machine would get you jumping on your feet, and the struggle was real (literally!).
To get a token to play, all you got to do is purchase one of their drinks or food, and you’ll be given one token. So if you’re down for a battle, get 10 or more friends to swing by, so you won’t just end the battle with just one chance only.
Overall, it was good way of ending the day, we can see this becoming a super cool hangout spot for many in the months to come.

ChubbeeCloud Gift Experience Store & Café
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays: 12pm-11pm, closed on Mondays
Address: 85-G, Jalan SS 21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website: ChubbeeCloud


Forget Classy And Go Rustic Instead When You Throw Your Parties At The Woods Villa

In the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, most of us would love to find tranquility and peace as there aren’t too many serene spots located here. If you’re looking to get away but you’re not up to driving all the way to the likes of Kuala Selangor and Malacca, you’d be glad to know that there’s a place in the city that feels just like a hidden retreat. Welcome to The Woods Villa.
Image Credit: Venuescape
The Woods Villa is located at Lorong Teluk Panglima Garang, and it is a 5 minutes drive from Mid Valley shopping mall.
Image Credit: @Fzzaa
The space was founded by a pilot and it is inspired by the nature. In fact, at The Woods Villa, it almost feels like you’ve stepped right into the middle of a jungle.
Image Credit: Joseph Germani
This event space is a great spot to celebrate birthdays, wedding parties and more. It was established 12 months ago and it is priced at RM2,500 per event where you would be able to rent the space for the day, starting from 10am to 11pm.
Image Credit: Hearthstone
The unique thing about this space is that it is also equipped with bedrooms, a pool, a kitchen and other amenities. However, staying overnight is subject to the owner’s approval and The Woods Villa is mostly strictly for day events only.
Image Credit: The Woods Villa
Image Credit: Venuescape
Image Credit: Venuescape
Image Credit: Venuescape
If you’re looking for an event space that is unlike the countless others available out there, you could consider The Woods Villa for its out-of-the-box outdoor appeal.
The Woods Villa
Address: Lorong Teluk Panglima Garang, Kuala Lumpur
Website: The Woods Villa
Tel:  016-608 8808 / 016-363 8888
Feature Image Credit: Venuescape


This Sunway Bakery Has The Coolest Coffee Vending Machine In Klang Valley!

Sunway Geo Residence is a new condominium lot in Sunway City, and right downstairs, is what would resemble a mini shopping mall, offering the residents conveniences just an elevator ride away. There are a lot of cafés, and even a Jaya Grocer—one of the cafés is Christine’s Bakery, where you can get coffee through a machine that is just as good as a barista.
A step into Christine’s Bakery and you will find an array of eye catching and vibrant pastries and cakes—just creative desserts, in short. And with good desserts, good coffee is a prerequisite as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbBLxYOhUph/?taken-at=1945439675729020
You’d probably expect a barista to serve you coffee but here at Christine’s Bakery, you get a CoffeeBot instead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaQ3enAAPkq/?taken-at=1945439675729020
This is the first ever CoffeeBot in Malaysia and it brews drinks like green tea latte and hazelnut coffee lattes, just like any other café. And the drinks they brew are just as satisfying, using New Zealand milk in its milky drinks.
Image Credit: Christine’s Bakery Facebook
Of course, Christine’s Bakery—given that it is a bakery—has some really unique foods that are pretty rare in the city. For example, there is the Breakfast Bowl, which is a hollowed out bread filled with a variety of vegetables mixed with meat like chicken ham and sausage. If you’re looking for something sweet, there is also the Chocolate Banofee, where you get chocolate and marshmallows together, and not in the form of hot chocolate.
Their concept is to mix French recipes with Japanese dessert-making methods. One of the more unique creations, which is not found in France or Japan and definitely only in Malaysia, is their Nasi Lemak toast.

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This is also their bestseller. You can clearly see that they have adopted the whole nasi lemak concept with this toast, what with the anchovies, the red hot sambal, the peanuts, and the cucumber chunks.
There are two kinds of people in Malaysia: the ones who like their nasi lemak as it is and the ones who like seeing mixes and twists in their nasi lemak. Why don’t you try it out and decide which one you prefer? 😛
Also, do remember to give the CoffeeBot a go while you’re here!
Christine’s Bakery
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday: 9am-10pm.
Address: B-02-01, Sunway Geo Avenue, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Sunway South Quay, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor
Website: Christine’s Bakery
Tel: 016-363 4183
Featured Image Credit: Instagram users @elbelbe, @jeremy_ong168


6 New Vendors To Hunt For At The Second Edition Of Tiffin Food Court

Attention to all foodies!
As you might already know, Tiffin Food Court has finally found its new home (you can read our previous review for Week 1.
But it’s not over yet, cause we want more. And we are pretty sure that you do too!
As you know, each week there will be a mix of new vendors and for Week 2, the team at DiscoverKL has got you covered to satisfy your food cravings.

1. NGOUU By Chef Liang
Image Credit: Tiffin
Chef Liang of WhupWhup will showcase his latest creation NGOUU that puts a spin to our local cuisine with a touch of love in it. Look out for Nasi Lejen, Klang-Tong Rice, and Mee StaBombastic.
He is certainly going to whip us some scrumptious comfort food to fill our tummies.
2. *NEW* LI Restaurant
Image Credit: Tiffin & LI Restaurant
A new vendor that would be showcasing this week – LI Restaurant, is set to feature its contemporary neighbourhood cuisine to bring back good ol’ memories from our childhood.
The last time we tried their food, we really enjoyed their minced pork sandwich and their house made spam, so we’re looking forward to see what they’re going to serve up this weekend!
3. Boozeat
Image Credit: Tiffin
If you have never tried oysters before, then this is your chance!
They have their famous shucked oysters shipped directly from the US, and you can pair it up with 4 options choices that fits your palate. Want to be that person walking around the food court with a glass of wine? It is your time!
4. Tanuki Raw
Image Credit: Tiffin & Tanuki Raw
Who doesn’t like Japanese food, am I right? Tanuki Raw is a bar and restaurant that serves us the cuisine in a food truck style. Looking at their gooey egg and freshly cut salmon is already making our tummies rumble!
5. *NEW* The Yard MY
Image Credit: The Yard MY
Craving for those British-style pies you’ve had on the last trip there? Then head on to The Yard’s booth this week, and snag some delicious pies, with a custom built milkshake for your liking!
6. *NEW* BB Deli
Image Credit: BB Deli
A deli concept store that puts up delicious pastrami sandwiches that is yet to be open to the public. Catch them at Tiffin Food Court to be the first to try their out what they have to offer!
7. Define:Burgers by Define:food
Image Credit: Tiffin
Using only 100% Australian grass fed beef, the guys from Define: Burger are serving up some mean looking burgers that would make you drool even before you’d have the chance to take a bite. With generous patty portions and fillings, savour each bite with a smile as it makes its way to your tummy!
8. *NEW* The Picha Project
Image Credit: The Picha Project
The Picha Project is a social enterprise that empowers refugees. With the food delivering service and catering business, it is known that each purchase made by us would be given out to help and impact the families involved in the enterprise. We’ve tried their food quite a few times, and we can only say: delicious!
Show some love and support, and visit their booth this at Tiffin Food Court.
9. Lucky Cuisine Restaurant 吉祥川味馆
Image Credit: Tiffin
You know how hot and spicy makes the right combo for every meal? Well, luckily – Lucky Cuisine Restaurant 吉祥料理 will still be around, and if you haven’t had the chance to try out their Szechuan delicacies, then it is about freaking time!
10. *NEW* Makirito
Image Credit: Makirito
Sushi? Burrito? Well, visit Makirito’s booth as they are able to solve that problem for you!
Try their famous Sushi Burrito that has your favourite sushi ingredients with your choice of meat or tofu! And for a Tiffin Food Court exclusive only, look out for their Deconstructed Sushi Burrito as with every bite, I am sure you’d taste all that flavours of Mexican and Japan, altogether!
11. PULP by Papa Palheta
Image Credit: Tiffin
Coffee, cakes and tarts are a must! PULP is still here for another round, and with their Carrot cakes, Raspberry Frangipane Tart, Dark Chocolate Tart and Lemon Brulee Tart, it’d make you want to snag them all!
12. Casa Latina & Cacao Lab
Image Credit: Casa Latina & Cacao Lab
We can’t say no to exotic flavours, so this quaint little store will be whipping up some South American delicacies and drinks to make you want to dance tango! Learn a culture, through their food is what I have always been taught.
13. Aunty Manju’s Banana Leaf Restaurant
Image Credit: Aunty Manju’s Banana Leaf Restaurant
Indian spicy food? You bet I’ll be there! Aunty Manju’s will be bringing the flavours of Southern India to you, and with every spice that hits your palate, you’re surely to be in for a treat with this Indian soul food!
14. Nachoslah
Image Credit: Tiffin
Nothing much to say, except that nachos is life! Stacked with plenty of nachos, and topped with rich flavours of local twist – this one-of-a-kind nachos is something you wouldn’t want to miss.
15. Softsrve
Image Credit: Tiffin
Tiffin Food Court brings the ice cream parlour to you! Enjoy some unusual soft ice cream flavours that would make your taste buds want to tingle! Like a quote at their store, “Go soft or go home!”
16. *NEW* The Locker & Loft
Image Credit: The Locker & Loft
Whipping up some cocktails and tidbits – The Locker & Loft would be around for Week 2 to show you what they can do!
And as we have a long weekend a head, Tiffin Food Court will be open from Thursday till Monday to satisfy those cravings. Although we are still going nuts for last week’s preview, we certainly can’t wait for round 2!
Tiffin Food Court
Date: August 30-October 21
Hours: 5pm-late, Thursdays-Sundays
Address: Lot 15, Jalan 13/6, Seksyen 13, Petaling Jaya. (behind The Gasket Alley)
Website: Tiffin Food Court


Is The Much Insta-ed Japanese Fusion Bistro With The Chubby Mona Lisa Picture Overhyped?

You’ve seen the huge Mona Lisa portrait adapted from Fernando Botero’s signature piece on your hip friend’s Insta-feed from Nippori Bistro. It’s iconic but is it worth travelling for?
Sample Of Public Reviews: “Nippori Bistro is unmissable!” “Masterpiece in Food.” “Best spot for photo and food !!” “Love these delicious foods, cakes and coffee so much !” “Nippori always never disappoint us!!”
Salmon Mentai (RM38)
Sample Of Public Reviews:“9/10!” “Noticeably amazing.” “Very good.” “Good but I think is overpriced.”

Verdict: Probably one of the most photographed dishes from Nippori Bistro, this tasted ok. For the price and size, we’d recommend going to Shin Zushi (in USJ 10/Bukit Jalil/Puchong) for a larger portion at a better price and arguably better taste. You just lose out on not having gold chopsticks to eat it with.
Foie Gras Heaven (RM58)
 Feedback from public reviews:“Flavours are so delicious.” ‘A must try!”

Verdict: Upgrade your sushi by slapping on foie gras. It DID taste a lot better than the RM38 salmon mentai. You can opt to splurge on this if you’re already there and you wanna live a little. Also matches the golden chopsticks better, makes you feel like a rich taitai teehee. Worth at least a try once.
Smoked Duck Pizza (RM38)
 Feedback from public reviews: “Pizza is really recommended here!” “Delightfully flakey and crisp.“ “Even if I rate 120 (over 100) it’s not too much..”

Verdict: Couldn’t bring ourselves to fork out money for the RM65 Expensive One pizza, so we took another highly rated one instead. Pizza snobs, close your eyes, this base was more like a crepe or puff pastry than the traditional neapolitan. The dough was salty and crispy, but for something with 3 types of cheese and smoked duck, the taste was very one-dimensional.
Sweet Corn Ribs (RM22)
Feedback from public reviews:“Highly addictive.”  “Won’t regret if you order!”

Verdict: Sarah felt very conned by this to realise that it’s literally corn cobs in tempura batter. It’s a good snack, but only for your corny buddies. It’s on our order-again list, but not very worth the price.
Deep Sea Konbu Pasta (RM39)
Feedback from public reviews: “So delicious!!” “Must order!” “So creamy and tasty.. definitely will order this again.”

Verdict: Coincidentally the first dish to arrive at our table, and the best one. The heavy cream sauce was umami-rich and tasty, pasta well-cooked, the seafood toppings are reasonable, fresh and good to eat. This one we WILL actually order again.
Potato Tower (RM22)
Potato Tower on the left; Premium Chocolate on the right
Feedback from public reviews: “A solid 10!” “Their ramen eggs were cooked to perfection.” “Looks really normal but it’s one of my fav here.”
Verdict: Although it had a nice wasabi kick, it’s a very ordinary potato salad with some rather dry and tasteless eggs for RM22. The portion isn’t as large as we’d thought it would be. We’ve had potato salad at Sunbather Coffee (at Bangsar South) for a slightly smaller serving, but it tastes great and it was only RM10.
Premium Chocolate (Iced/RM13)
Actually, not much feedback on this online, we got it because they weren’t serving matcha that day. Waiter’s recommendation.
Verdict: We underestimated this drink, expecting it to probably be diluted and not rich enough. However, this pleasantly surprised us! It’s thick and had enough chocolate taste, even after getting diluted as the ice melted. The waiter said it’s a regular order, and we’d get it again.
Victoria Sandwich (RM12)
Feedback from public reviews: “Heaven sent!” “THE best in the world.” “The texture is too dry and couldn’t really taste the buttery taste.”

Verdict: Heaven sent? We’d like to contend that heaven sent it back. Dry, dense and really needed a LOT more cream and jam. There is such a thing as too much cake (as you can tell from the picture), when it’s not supported by enough filling. It was really hard for us to finish eating it.
CONCLUSION: OVERHYPED?
Yes. The place looks new and the high ceilings are a plus, however we don’t think the decor is really that iconic. It has a few statement pieces, but that’s about it. We certainly don’t think it’s worth lining up for in the heat or rain. If you want to try it for yourself, do yourself a favour and make a booking in advance like we did to skip the waiting line outside.
Nippori Bistro

Address: B Land, Lot 2&3, B Land, lot 2, JALAN Seksyen, Jalan 51a/225, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nipporibistro/
Phone Number: 011-59920379


The Ultimate KL Guide Part 1 - How To Get Here & Where To Stay

This is Part 1 of The Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur series. For Part 2: 14 Must Try Food Places & Places To Go In KL!
Need an escape from work or planning a shopping trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL) but not too sure where to start from? Don’t worry cause our Ultimate KL Guide will help you manoeuvre around the capital city of Malaysia like a pro!
1. Getting there: Ways to travel to Kuala Lumpur

Plane & train

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The most common (and my personal favourite) way to get to KL is by flight. Upon arrival (KLIA and KLIA 2), you can hop on the KLIA Express Train (RM55) which will take you to the city in about 30 minutes.
If you’re travelling in a group of 3 or 4, taking a taxi into town from the airport (about an hour) might be more value for money.
Do note that there are 3 types of taxi services: Budget Taxi (buy a coupon from the counter), Metered Taxi (fare calculated by distance),and Premier Taxi (bigger vehicle, more expensive). Alternatively, you can also take the bus from the airport to KL Sentral.

*If you’re flying via FireFly, your plane will land at Subang Skypark Airport, which is about a 30 minutes ride to KL city centre.
2. Accommodation in KL
For the shopaholics and hip trendsetters:
 1. Ansa Kuala Lumpur
https://www.instagram.com/p/0sfOZeBXSl/
Smacked in the centre of several top malls and the most happening spots in KL is Ansa. With super chic and comfortable rooms, Ansa is perfect for those who are in town for a shopping spree.
Price starts from RM210++/night ($73++)
Parking facilities: Complimentary parking for in-house guests, limited lots
Website:  ANSA Kuala Lumpur
2. WOLO Bukit Bintang
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDA5XGpvL7B/
Just across the street from Ansa, WOLO is an artsy fartsy new kid on the block that has just recently joined the hotel game in Bukit Bintang. It is extremely hip and vibrant, making it a top choice among youngsters.
Price starts from RM 200++/night ($70++)
No parking facilities. Driving guests can park at HSBC Tower, which is opposite WOLO, at a rate of RM12/day.
Website: WOLO
For the couples who want to keep it private and intimate:
1. The Majestic KL

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Built in the 1930s, this iconic colonial heritage landmark is one of KL’s greatest hotels of all time (just like it’s name). The ambience of the hotel is intimate and the rooms are luxurious. While you’re at it, don’t forget to try their famed English Afternoon Tea too!
Price starts from RM375++/night ($130++)
Parking facilities: Self parking (RM10/day) and valet parking are available
Website: The Majestic KL
2. Villa Samadhi by Samadhi

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Villa Samadhi may be located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, but this dreamy and peaceful oasis is strategically hidden from the crowded street. Equipped with a high plush bed, huge bathroom with over-sized plunge tub, private balcony…perfect for a honeymoon trip!
Price starts from RM600++ /night ($206++)
Parking facilities: Available for free, limited lots
Website: Villa Samadhi KL
For the fun and loving family:
1. DoubleTree by Hilton KL

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Famed for their signature warm chocolate cookies, DoubleTree by Hilton has an amazing saltwater pool that screams ‘take a dip!’. They also have a lovely kids pool for the junior to have some fun under the sun. Also, check out the hotel’s signature restaurant – Makan Kitchen for some yummilicious local food.
Price starts from RM348++/night ($120++)
Parking facilities: Complimentary for in-house guests
Website: DoubleTree by Hilton
2. Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral
https://www.instagram.com/p/BESHiOymeW0/
If you want to stay in KL, but not right in the city centre, Aloft is the right place for you. This trendy hotel houses a spacious splash pool, fitness centre, lounge, and is fitted with free Wi-Fi access. Also, they’re really close to KL Sentral railway station.
Price starts from RM300++/night ($103++)
Parking facilities: Available at RM6/day
Website: Aloft KL Sentral
For the city explorers:
1. BackHome KL Hostel
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCMsJfISzKh/
BackHome is a boutique backpackers’ hostel located in the heart of KL’s financial and historical district. Described as a 5-star backpacking experience, they are always 80% booked. So make sure you chope your place in advance.
Price starts from RM60++/night ($21++)
No parking facilities.
Website: BackHome
Now that you’ve decided on your logistics, what’s fun to do there? Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Ultimate KL Guide on what to do in Kuala Lumpur and where to get the best food!
(Header image credit: mcgroup)
This is Part 1 of The Ultimate Guide to Kuala Lumpur series. For Part 2: 14 Must Try Food Places & Places To Go In KL!


10 Restaurants In Kota D'sara And The Signature Dishes You Should Order

Kota Damansara is known to be a food haven and eateries are aplenty here. Along with the host of restaurants and cafés, there are also a multitude of dishes to choose from. Sometimes, skimming through their menu alone would be enough to give one a headache because we would most certainly be spoilt for choice.
Trying out their signature dishes would then be a safe bet. Here are 10 eateries in Kota Damansara and their signature dishes as per what’s recommended by past guests.
1. Wood & Steel
Image Credit: Shannon Chow
Want a cup of coffee? Go to Wood & Steel. Looking for some furniture to make your home comfortable? Go to Wood & Steel. Feel like getting some art pieces to decorate your home? Go to Wood & Steel. That’s right – this is not just a café, but also a furniture and art store. Inside, the place is decorated with tables and chairs – all handcrafted – for the guests to have a seat and relax on. Motown music will play over the speakers. You can totally see the artsy vibe of the place from the industrial concept they have adopted – the red bricks, unfinished cement walls, and uncovered pipe.
Signature Dishes: Cinnamon Toast, Baked Cookie Cake with Ice Cream, Club Sandwich

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Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10am-11pm.
Address: 33, Jalan PJU 5/20e, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Website: Wood & Steel
Tel: 03-7731 5492
2. Dreamz Bakery & Café
Image Credit: Dreamz Bakery Facebook
Skepticism might have gotten you thinking that this is just another dessert house with a head-in-the-clouds name just to attract attention – that’s understandable. But Dreamz Bakery & Café does the unexpected and manages to produce desserts that are out of this world and mind boggling, most especially their tower toasts. They put together blocks of toasts to form a tower, and then decorate them with icing and cream. These are stuff of a sugar addict’s dreams.
Signature Dish: Tower Toast
Image Credit: Dreamz Bakery Facebook
Hours: Monday-Friday: 12pm-10pm, Saturday-Sunday: 12pm-11pm
Address: No. 32-1, The Strand, Jalan PJU 5/20d, Pusat Perdagangan Kota Damansara., 47810 Petaling Jaya
Website: Dreamz Bakery and Café
Tel: 012-200 3441
3. CookieNation
Image Credit: CookieNation Facebook
CookieNation is innovating the classic American soft baked cookie scene, coming up with more than fifteen flavours, like Crimson Love, Pumped Up Snickers, Nutcase, and Moonwalker. You can even upgrade it to get cookie ice cream! Cookie Monster would have a heck of a time here.
Signature Dish: Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
Image Credit: CookieNation Facebook
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 12pm-11pm.
Address: D-G-13, Sunway Nexis, 1, Jalan PJU 5/1, Kota Damansara
Website: Cookie Nation Malaysia
Tel: 03-6143 1248
4. Amaze K
Image Credit: Amaze K Facebook
Restaurateurs typically shy away from industrial areas to set up their restaurants, but that is not the case with Amaze K. Even though they’re established in an industrial area, business has been going pretty well for them; this is most likely due to the options available on their menu that consists of Western, Asian, and Japanese dishes, alongside caffeinated drinks specially from espressolab.
Signature Dishes: Fish-Head Noodle, Seafood Pasta
Image Credit: Amaze K Facebook
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10.30am-9.30pm, Saturday-Sunday: 9.30am-8.30pm.
Address: 23, Jalan PJU 3/44, Sunway Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Website: Amaze K
Tel: 03-7733 7657
5. The Uma Bali
Image Credit: The Uma Bali
Balinese food and The Uma Bali provides exactly that, offering an extensive menu of non-halal Balinese authentic dishes. You’ll even find that the surroundings in the restaurant are Balinese-esque as well, because the chef cum owner wants his customers to be able to acquire the best Balinese dining experience without having to go there themselves.
Signature Dishes: BBQ Pork Ribs, Peket 4 Orang
Image Credit: The Uma Bali Facebook
Hours: Wednesday-Monday: 12pm-3pm/6pm-10pm.
Address: 7-G & 7-1, Jalan PJU 5/21, The Strand, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: The Uma Bali
Tel: 03-6142 2771
6. Hakka Rang
Image Credit: Hakka Rang Facebook
It’s pretty obvious from the name that they mainly serve Hakka-oriented cuisines, such as the Hakka noodles, drunken egg, and Hakka-styled pork with black fungus. Hakka food places emphasis on original flavours and health instead. If you are a fan of classic Hakka dishes, you can be certain that Hakka Rang will not disappoint.
Signature Dishes: Hakka Noodles, Drunken Egg, Black Fungus Fried Meat
Image Credit: Hakka Rang Facebook
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 12pm-3pm/6pm-10pm, Sunday: 5.30pm-10pm.
Address: 47-1 Jalan PJU 5/11 Dataran Sunway Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: Hakka Rang
Tel: 018-388 8620
7. Olfactory Bulb
Image Credit: Olfactory Bulb Facebook
Nothing is more important to Olfactory Bulb than coffee, which is why it was conceptualised to be an all-in-one coffee mixology bar, allowing customers to have a shot at deciding their own drinks and they get to come up with their own mixes as well. The interior is pretty dark, illuminated by hanging bulbs, but that only adds to the mysterious vibe of a coffee mixology bar.
Signature Dishes: Tropical Island Waffle, Cool Quenchers
Image Credit: OpenRice
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 5pm-12am.
Address: 15-2, Jalan PJU 5/13, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: Olfactory Bulb
Tel: 03-6151 1108
8. Fifth Palate
Image Credit: Fifth Palate Facebook
A family-run restaurant, Fifth Palate has managed to become a household name in Kota Damansara. The father is tasked with preparing homemade yogurt, the daughter is responsible for customer service reassurance, and the son has to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen. Calling the place Fifth Palate is also a resonance of the family’s last name, Ng (which is phonetically similar to the word ‘5’ in Mandarin).
Signature Dishes: French Toast, Turkish Baked Eggs, Kimchi Bacon Fried Rice
Image Credit: Fifth Palate Facebook
Hours: Thursday-Tuesday: 8.30am-5pm.
Address: D-G-1, Encorp Strand Garden Office, Jalan PJU 5/1, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: Fifth Palate
Tel: 03-6144 0055
9. Stalkers
Image Credit: Stalkers Facebook
Stalkers is a retro concept café that is furnished and furbished with materials from the olden times. To modernise it a little bit, there are also graffitis sprayed across the walls, creating some sick art to complement the vintage vibe that the furniture gives off.
Signature Dishes: English Breakfast, Herb Butter Rice with Grilled Salmon, Grilled Chicken Salad
Image Credit: Stalkers Facebook
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 3pm-12am, Saturday-Sunday: 3pm-1am.
Address: No 3-1 Jalan PJU 5/3, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, 47810 PJ, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: Stalkers
Tel: 03-6144 6780
10. 3 Bags Full
Image Credit: 3 Bags Full Facebook
For the craziest milkshakes – humongous and monstrous – 3 Bags Full has it for you. Even their milkshakes are titled in a quirky way where you are reminded of childhood storybook characters like Frankenstein, Davy Jones, Gremlins, and Green Goblin.
Signature Dish: Pineapple Bacon Rolls
Image Credit: 3 Bags Full Facebook
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11.30am-3pm/7pm-11.45pm.
Address: 38A-1 Jalan PJU 5/10, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: 3 Bags Full
Tel: 03-6150 2831


We Find Out The Prices Of CNY Reunion Dinner Sets In 20 Klang Valley Restaurants

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and this year, it is the Year of the Dog. When you think about dogs, you’d think “man’s best friend”. They’re loyal, friendly, and always ready to help others, which are all traits that ought to be celebrated. This year, why don’t you celebrate the Year of the Dog with some yee sang and poon choy at these restaurants in Klang Valley for your reunion dinner?
1. Putien Restaurant
Image Credit: JasperArt
It is possible that no matter where you go, there is a Putien around, which comes to no one’s surprise, given that they actually serve delectable dishes. Further bolstering their reputation would be the amount of awards they have collected under their belt.
Image Credit: Putien
With their status, of course they would have several set menus for Chinese New Year, packed with all sorts of creative Chinese cuisines, for your choosing. They have the ‘Propitious’, ‘Plentiful’, and ‘Prosperous’ sets, all of them indicating towards the welcoming of success. You can choose the portion of your food according to the number of people you have, which are either two, four, eight, or ten people. The price range of a set meal is between RM128 and RM1128.
2. Tai Thong
Image Credit: Chasing Food Dreams
Tai Thong is a cuisine group with a fair amount of flagships under their belt, including Thai Thong Odeon Restaurant in Kepong Baru, Imperial City Restaurant in Cheras, Imperial China Restaurant in Subang, and Spring Garden Restaurant in KLCC and more. The awards they have won over the years include Superbrands Malaysia 2005, ‘The Largest Chain of Chinese Restaurants in Malaysia’ in the Malaysian Book of Records, and one of Malaysia Tatler’s Best Restaurants.

Image Credit: Tai Thong
While Tai Thong has three different menus for different flagships, you will find that there are menial differences between each one of them. To start with, two of their menus are pork-free while one consists of porky meals. Between the two pork- free menus itself, there are also some differences. The price range of a set meal is between RM398 and RM1998.

3. Unique Seafood
Image Credit: Unique Seafood Group of Restaurants
Unique Seafood Damansara specialises in live seafood selections, along with localised Cantonese dishes with Dim Sum options. And while it is a Chinese restaurant, they are predominantly pork-free. They also have a chain of restaurants in PJ23, Subang, Damansara, and Ipoh.
Image Credit: Unique Seafood Group of Restaurants
The main attractions of Unique Seafood’s 2018 CNY set menu is their poon choy. You can also add on the dishes you would like to include in your set. There’s the braised glutinous rice with wax meat, and there’s, of course, going to be shark fin soup. Not only that, you can also get yee sang, assorted seafood, and steamed chicken. The price range of a set meal is between RM48 and RM488.
4. Moon Palace
Image Credits: OpenRice
Also a Chinese restaurant franchise, the cuisines they serve here have a more modern twist. You will be dining in a sophisticated and classic environment in all three of their outlets, found in Cheras Commercial Centre, Bandar Puteri PFCC, and Cheras Sentral.

Image Credit: Moon Palace
In different Moon Palace outlets there will be different Chinese New Year set menus. While there are some similarities, their resident chefs have come up with their own twists to their own branches. The price range of a set meal is between RM528 and RM2888.

5. Tung Yuen Restaurant
Image Credit: Weekend Treat
Tung Yuen Restaurant is one of the dining establishments available in the Grand BlueWave Hotel in Shah Alam. Their main dishes are dim sum, and they serve them in rather big portions, surprisingly. In addition, if you are craving Cantonese or Szechuan dishes, you’ve come to the right place. Sometimes, they also have promotions that include claypot dishes. Plus, you will probably find it comforting to know that this is Southeast Asia’s first 5-star hotel accredited with the highest halal-friendly rating, according to CrescentRating.
Image Credit: Blue Wave Hotels
As expected, when you’re in a restaurant of which the main dishes are dim sum, their CNY set menu will include an assortment of dim sum dishes that are only exclusively available during Chinese New Year. However, they also have a poon choy set, only halal. You can also get yee sang, fried rice with yam and chicken meat, and soup—all of them are halal! The price range of a set meal is between RM988 and RM1888.
6. Hakka Restaurant
Image Credit: Hakka Restaurant Facebook
Established since 1956, this is one of the best places in Klang Valley for you to try out Hakka style food if you haven’t, or to go back to your childhood days if you are missing mom’s cooking. It holds a great position among the Chinese restaurants that have already existed for awhile and are still standing.
Image Credit: Hakka Restaurant Facebook
Their CNY set menus are also pretty renowned across Klang Valley. Every year when the date is near, die hard fans would be waiting for them to release their current year’s CNY menu set so they can start to place bookings. Well, their menu for 2018 is out now! The price range of a set meal is between RM598 and RM1998.

7. Dragon-i Restaurant
Image Credit: Dragon-i Restaurant
Inspired by the cooking scenes in Shanghai, Beijing, Szechuan, and Lanzhou, Dragon-i has made waves in Malaysia since their establishment in 2004. Always, their restaurants, especially the ones in Midvalley and Sunway Pyramid, are packed to the rims by people who are eager to try out their signature dishes: the xiao long bao and hand-pulled noodles.

Image Credit: Dragon-i Restaurant
Among their CNY set menu, poon choy is definitely worth it—I can personally attest to that. This year, with two different poon choys for your choosing, you don’t have to worry about not having options. As a matter of fact, you might have too many! The price range of a set meal is between RM468 and RM688.
8. Pullman
Image Credit: Accor Hotels
The Pullman Hotel is located in the heart of KL. If you are staying there and you don’t feel like being stuck in a traffic to hunt down other places within KL, you can easily take a walk to the restaurant. Despite the fact that it is quite a Western place, they are also joining in on the Chinese New Year hype.
Image Credit: Accor Hotels
You can have your reunion dinner at Pullman with their poon choy or yee sang, or even both, if you feel like it. The other dishes will be the foods that are available on Pullman’s menu. The price range of a set meal is within RM599.
9. Peninsula Chinese Cuisine
Image Credit: Peninsula Chinese Cuisine
Peninsula Chinese Cuisine specialises in banquet-style dining and they have a rather steep price, to be honest. However, the visitors often leave with praises and compliments, so there is value with money. They offer Chinese fusion dishes, using natural ingredients and for some privacy, you can also choose to dine in their VIP or VVIP rooms.
Image Credit: Peninsula Chinese Cuisine Facebook
When the yee sang comes with shark fin and the braised abalones are in size 10s, you have to forgive them for that steep price. However, just looking at the menu items alone can get you drooling, and after all, this is just a once in a year occasion, isn’t it? The price range of a set meal is within RM1388.

10. Sinchoiwah Restaurant
Image Credit: Sinchoiwah Restaurant Facebook
The exterior kind of reminds you of a Chinese primary school, right? Don’t let that deter you, because the interior will definitely not bring you back to the war flashbacks of your childhood. They are quite successful, considering that they started off as a little stall in 1983 and then became what it is today.

Image Credit: Sinchoiwah Restaurant
They have different menu sets for Chinese New Year’s Eve and the exact day of Chinese New Year. Dependings on how many people you have with you, you can opt for the set you want. The price range of a set meal is between RM668 and RM1888.

11. TPCKL
Image Credit: TPCKL
Located in Bukit Kiara and only 8km away from the heart of the city, TPCKL is the prime hub for the nearby residential suburbs, offering a number of facilities for business, entertainment, and pleasure in just one place. That, of course, includes dining.
Image Credit: TPCKL
Two different menus, and different portions for different prices. Of course, among all these different portions and menus, you can be sure that yee sang and poon choy is included. The other food items include braised abalones, braised glutinous rice, steamed prawn, and roasted pig. The price range of a set meal is between RM1188 and RM1888.
12. Eastin Hotel
Image Credit: Agoda
Eastin Hotel is an international hotel chain that offers such high quality services that they have maintained their 5-star status over the years. Their facilities are top notch, their rooms are comfortable and clean, their designs are classy and elegant, and the dining experience at this hotel has gotten nothing less than a compliment from visitors.

If you are travelling and staying at Eastin Hotel during Chinese New Year with your family, you can always have your reunion dinner here. Their menu consists of roasted duck, steamed marble goby fish, oven baked oyster with cheese, abalone, and a lot more. The price range of each meal is between RM688 and RM1988.

13. Celestial Court Restaurant
Image Credit: Celestial Court Restaurant
Sheraton Imperial KL is a very classy hotel to stay at, what with their comfort level and top tiered facilities. So it is only natural for them to provide comfortable and top tiered dining experiences for the residents and visitors as well, which is what Celestial Court has been doing.

Image Credit: Celestial Court Restaurant
Whether you’re there for their set menu or a la carte, they have both to offer. It is quite amazing how they created an ala carte menu, because they understand that it is possible that you can’t finish all the food in the set menu and it might be a waste. Chef Ho Boon has made sure that all the food items on the menu come with quality and will tantalise your taste buds like no other. The price range for each set menu is between RM2088 and RM2888, while the price range for the ala carte menu is between RM60 and RM418.
14. OUG Jade Restaurant
Image Credit: OUG Jade Restaurant
You would never have thought that in a place like OUG, such a restaurant exists. But nothing is impossible, and here you are. While it is not as long lived as a lot of other Chinese restaurants, past guests have been really impressed by their cooking, so that’s something.
Image Credit: OUG Jade Restaurant
As expected, they have different set menus for Chinese New Year’s Eve and the exact day of Chinese New Year. The price range for a set meal is between RM999 and RM3688.

15. Extra Super Tanker Restaurant
Image Credit: thule food quest
This organisation was established in 2004 with the idea of offering Cantonese cuisines with a Hakka twist. They call themselves Extra Super Tanker because, well, it’s pretty easy to remember. Chef Chin, or Ah Wah Gor, has over 30 years of experience in the culinary scene, hence why the restaurant was able to expand from one to two branches.
Image Credit: Extra Super Tanker Restaurant
Unlike other CNY set menus offered by other restaurants, Extra Super Tanker Restaurant’s does not have yee sang or poon choy. As a matter of fact, each and every one of their sets are distinctly different with little to no similarities. The price range for a set is between RM1138 and RM2598.

16. Sun Kar Hee Restaurant
Image Credit: Flickriver
This restaurant is the same age as Taylor Swift, and they carry a simple concept of a Chinese restaurant. However, perhaps it is because of their simplicity that until today they are still standing firm and their tables are almost always occupied by people.
Image Credit: Sun Kar Hee Restaurant Facebook
See, when a restaurant is simple, you’d expect their menus to be simple as well. However, even their yee sangs alone are different in each set, which serves to show that they put a lot of dedication into creating these menus for their customers. The price range for a set meal is between RM555 and RM1988.

17. Harmony Banquet
Image Credit: Barrel2U Merchant
As can be seen from their name, they are a banquet-style Chinese restaurant, easily accessible from the LDP highway. Their specialisations are inclusive of organic chicken, soft shell crab, and braised pork belly.
Image Credit: Harmony Banquet Facebook
Here at Harmony Banquet, you can get either a reunion lunch or dinner. They have the commonly seen yee sang, piping hot soup, roasted pig, abalone and scallops. You name it, they probably have it. The price range for a set meal is between RM698 and RM3888.

18. Green View Restaurant
Image Credit: Green View Restaurant Facebook
Green View Restaurant was established in 1983. Going from a typical signboard with a Carlsberg logo to what it is today is a pretty impressive progress. You can see how people love this place judging by how they have helped Green View Restaurant improve. Plus, the staff are friendly too, so it’s no wonder that people keep coming back.
Image Credit: Green View Restaurant Facebook
Green View Restaurant has two kinds of CNY set menus, one for the VIPs and one for non-VIPs. With the VIP menus, you will get two bottles of complimentary red wines. With the non-VIP ones, the menus end with dessert. The price range for a set meal is between RM788 and RM4888.

19. Sam You Restaurant
Image Credit: Nikel Khor
Image Credit: Sam You Restaurant Facebook
Sam You means ‘Three Friends’ in Chinese. Also a pretty old school Chinese Restaurant that seems to always be packed. Don’t just bring your two friends there though, bring your whole family here for Chinese New Year The price range for a set meal is between RM668 and RM1588.

20. Secret Garden
Image Credit: Secret Garden Facebook
Secret Garden has a classy vibe to it, surrounded by plants and whatnot. Also, it might bring to mind the Korean television series of the same name, but there’s nothing Korean about this place.

Image Credit: Secret Garden Facebook
You can get either a steamboat set or a usual eight-course set at Secret Garden. The price range of a set meal is between RM668 and RM1668.
Feature Image Credit: Hotel Amba


A huge waterpark by Gamuda Land is opening in Malaysia in January 2023, here’s what to expect

At the end of November, Gamuda Land invited us to have a sneak preview of SplashMania Waterpark opening in Malaysia early next year.
About 18 acres in size, the waterpark is situated in the heart of Gamuda Cove, about 15 minutes away from KLIA, and it’s accessible via the Elite Expressway.

Built with the mantra “Where Nature Meets Fun”, it’s between the Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands and the lush Kuala Langat Forest Reserves, where outdoor attractions like Goosebumps Rope Course and the Cove Aerobar can be found.
Elaborating on the waterpark further, it will have at least 39 activities which consist of 24 thrilling water rides, and 15 key attractions.
While they didn’t show us all the rides available, Gamuda Land did highlight a few interesting rides to keep in mind during our eventual visit.

One of them is the Shaka Waka, a 78-meter-long customisable waterslide that let riders set what LED and audio effects they would like to experience before plunging in.
If you’re looking for something a little more thrilling, there’s also the Wild Rush, which offers an exciting mix of back-to-back twists, drops, and vortex loops that will get your blood pumping before splashing you into a 3.35-meter-deep pool.

They also revealed a 250-meter-long virtual reality slide called Atlantis VR. Here, riders will be required to wear a virtual reality (VR) headset as they go down the waterslide.
They also introduced us to the official SplashMania Waterpark mascots, which include Omba’ King the Dugong, Zoomi the Orang Utan, Max the Otter, and Swaggy B the Sun Bear.

Besides the waterpark, Gamuda Land announced the GL Play mobile app, which can be used to pre-purchase tickets, navigate through the waterpark, and pre-order food from any participating F&B outlets to skip the queue.
Unfortunately, that’s all they revealed to us for now. When we poked Gamuda Land for a bit more information regarding the exact opening date, price, and opening promotions, they mentioned that they can’t give anything solid yet.

But they have assured us that more information will be revealed as we inch closer to the grand opening in mid-January next year.
SplashMania Waterpark
Location: Jalan Cove Sentral 4, Bandar Gamuda Cove, 42700 Banting, Selangor
Price: TBA
Operating hours: TBA
Website: https://gamudaland.com.my/gamudacove/splashmania/


As Tealive's Fate Hangs In The Balance, Here're 8 Alternative Bubble Tea Brands

In case you’ve missed it, Loob Holding is in the midst of filing for a leave to appeal to the Federal Court so as to remain operating in Malaysia. Whilst pending the verdict and uncertainty on whether Tealive will remain in Malaysia, you don’t have to do without your bubble tea fix.
There are several other bubble tea brands in KL and frankly, now is their time to shine, as the fate of one of the bubble tea giants in Malaysia hangs in the balance. Here’re 8 other bubble tea brands to try out and who knows? You might just find your new favourite amongst ’em. 😉
1. The Bubble Tea Shop
Image Credit: The Bubble Tea Shop
The Bubble Tea Shop is a fast food concept café similar to most bubble tea brands in Malaysia. Guests can opt to dine in or take away their drinks to enjoy at their own space and time. Their menu includes bubble teas, iced tea fusions and loose leaf cold tea blends. Other than that, they also have a variety of desserts on the menu and these are served daily at the café. Unlike the bubble tea chain outlets in Malaysia, The Bubble Tea Shop is a standalone brand with a single outlet in Taman Salak Selatan.
Address: F10, Jalan Gempita 9, Taman Salak Selatan, Kuala Lumpur
Website: The Bubble Tea Shop

Tel: 019-280 7525
2. Snowflake
Image Credit: Snowflake
Snowflake is a name which is synonymous with sweet treats in Malaysia, particularly their range of shaved ice desserts. But did you know that there’re also bubble tea drinks on the menu? The brand, which has been around since 2009, is a Taiwanese dessert concept store and has outlets in Paradigm Mall, Damansara Utama, IOI Boulevard Puchong, Mid Valley Megamall, Sungei Wang, Kuchai Lama, Kota Damansara, Pavilion KL and SS15 Subang Jaya.
Website: Snowflake
3. Each A Cup
Image Credit: Each A Cup Facebook page
Besides bubble tea drinks, well-known bubble tea store, Each A Cup serves up smoothies too. Each A Cup currently has 36 outlets in Klang Valley and their range of beverages include:

Taiwan Classic Bubble Tea / Milk Tea
Pingo Series
Taiwan Heavenly Kings
Taiwan Heavenly Queens
Flower Teas Series
Premium Ice Blended
Premium Coffee Frappe Series
Premium Chocolate Ice Blended series

Website: Each A Cup
4. Royaltea
Image Credit: Royaltea
What sets Royaltea apart from the other bubble tea brands in this list is that it is the first authentic cheese tea brand to hit KL shores. The cheese foam drink series includes fruity ones like Pineapple Cheese and indulgent ones like Oreo Cheese Milk Tea. The brand currently has 130 outlets in China and the tea used in the beverages are from Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan so you know that the drinks you’re getting are legit!
Website: Royaltea
Tel: 011-3422 9888
5. Regiustea
Image Credit: Regiustea
Regiustea is a brand which originated from Hong Kong. Similar to Royaltea, Regiustea focuses on their range of cold-brewed cheese teas. Regiustea has more than 100 outlets globally and you can find them in KL at Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity Mall, Pavilion, Berjaya Times Square and more.
Website: Regiustea
6. Koi
Image Credit: Koi
Another bubble tea option which is available in Malaysia is Koi and you can find their drinks at any of the 6 outlets in Klang Valley, including at 1 Utama, Suria KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, Bukit Bintang, Sunway Velocity mall and SkyAvenue Genting Highlands. The brand originated from Taiwan and they are available in 11 countries.
Website: Koi
7. Gong Cha
Image Credit: Gong Cha
Did you know that Gong Cha is actually the term used in the ancient act of offering tea to the royalty, such as the Emperor of China? When using the term Gong Cha as their brand name, they hope to offer only the best quality tea to their customers, much like how they would with the royalty. Best known for its pearl milk tea, perhaps Gong Cha’s drinks can beat out Tealive’s? 😛
Website: Gong Cha
8. The Alley Kuala Lumpur
Image Credit: The Alley
The Alley is a brand which is hard to miss. With the deer’s antlers as its logo, this brand sets itself apart from other bubble tea brands. The Alley is serious about their stuff and they create their own sugar cane syrup and pearls. In fact, you might just be able to watch the staff behind The Alley whipping up the pearls from scratch.
Address: 84G, Jalan SS15/4, Subang Jaya
Website: The Alley Kuala Lumpur
Feature Image Credit: Regiustea, Instagram user @joeycypphotography


This Humble Gerai In Ampang Sells Beef Bolognese Paos With An Italian Twist

The paos that most would be used to would be the traditional red bean and kaya ones. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with these yummy flavours, a humble gerai in Ampang has decided to one up all the other pao stalls out there with their version, complete with Italian flavours.

With flavours like Chicken Carbonara and Beef Bolognese, we get the same warm pao skin but encased within is some warm savoury protein coupled with its signature creamy sauce.
Only available at Gerai Pau Pak Ngah in Ampang, long queues are to be expected daily and at times, the folks manning the stall would even have to close up shop earlier because the paos would be sold off like hot cakes.

Italian-flavoured paos aren’t the only attraction at Gerai Pau Pak Ngah. You can get truly Malaysian flavours like Rendang Daging, Ayam Masak Merah, Kari Daging and Sardin Cili Api.

With such unique flavours, it is not uncommon to see customers ordering more than one flavour at a time. Which one are you hoping to try the next time you pay the stall a visit?
Gerai Pau Pak Ngah Ampang
Hours: Sunday-Friday: 2pm-10pm, Closed on Saturdays.
Address: Medan Bukit Indah 1, Taman Bukit Indah, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Website: Gerai Pau Pak Ngah Ampang
Tel: 016-287 5125
All Image Credit: Gerai Pau Pak Ngah


Bask In Greenery And Good Food At This Nature-Inspired Restaurant In KL

Move aside Alexis, and make way for your little sister, Isabel.
Where Alexis is a name which has been synonymous with the dining scene in KL, complete with the jazz music and feel good vibes, Isabel is more in tuned with nature.
Image Credit: Instagram users @__marzieh__, @aliaishk
That’s because Isabel Restaurant is divided into 2 areas: outdoors and indoors, and they both offer drastically different views.
Indoors, you’d find yourself surrounded by a typical café-style environment with feature walls. The only difference is that this “café” comes with a bar too. Opt to cosy up to the bar section and order a drink from the counter or find a seat closer to the wall, with its intricate black and white murals.
Image Credit: Instagram users @carol.eats, @samuelstann
Indoors is also where you’d find shelves after shelves lined with the finest aged liquor. This also doubles up as Isabel’s décor.
It’s cool that nature is incorporated into the seating as well, with a mix of wooden chairs and rattan ones used within the eatery.
Image Credit: Instagram users @casseysoo, @jasmine.chin
Outdoors is where you would find nature galore so go ahead and let the sun shine upon your face as you tuck into a feast of Kerabu Mango, Crab Curry, the iconic Ciku & Coconut Ice Cream, Otak Otak, Oxtail Assam Pedas and more.
Image Credit: Instagram users @natc10, @shelbybisou
Isabel, like its sister, is strategically located near the bustling night life area of KL, so do opt to drop by to fill your tummy with good food before you dance the night away.
Isabel Restaurant
Address: 21, Jalan Mesui, Kuala Lumpur
Website: Isabel Restaurant
Tel: 03-2110 6366
Featured Image Credit: Instagram users @vernice_junting, @crystalchajy


We Tried That Viral Blue Cheese Sambal Petai Burger, Here's What We "Stink" Of It

MyBurgerLab is officially calling it: petai and sambal are indeed Malaysian dishes.
Singapore can have their Yee Sang (or as they call it, the Singaporean Salad). But we will have our sambal and petai, thank you very much.
MyBurgerLab first introduced their blue cheese and sambal petai burger back in November 2017 and it’s now making a comeback for a limited time only.
Introducing an aromatic combination of sambal, petai and blue cheese, it is dangerously delicious. It’s the kind of meal that you would think twice about eating before going for a meeting after. 😉 But hey, perhaps we could safely say that this is for us Malaysians to keep. It’s perfect especially for all of you who love the buttery taste of cheese and the spicy kick from sambal petai.

Known for their adventurous burger combinations, the founders of myBurgerLab strive to integrate local recipes and ingredients with their burgers. After countless trials, fails and successes, they have decided to bring this stink of joy back onto their menu for the month of March.
Earmarked as one of myBurgerLab’s most creative and successful burger combinations, they take pride in this being super Malaysian and it has garnered a rather large cult following. It doesn’t matter that Singapore claimed Nasi Lemak from us, but Sambal Petai is, and will forever be, a Malaysian thing.

Smell It Like It Is
Presenting, The Stinkbomb (RM19.5)!
Masterfully combined between two fluffy, toasted-to-perfection charcoal buns is a slather of the X+ sauce (a mixture of ketchup and mustard with a little bit of garlic powder) beneath a generous serving of lettuce and oven roasted cherry tomatoes.
Creating the burger’s fullness is a juicy beef patty or a deep fried chicken thigh and a grilled pineapple ring. To give this mount of deliciousness its potent power, a heap of blue cheese dressing and sambal petai mince (made from minced chicken, sambal belacan, petai and dried shrimp) is added before it’s sealed with a top bun.
For The Hook, Line and Stinker (RM19.5), it’s the exact same ingredients, alongside a layer of sharp cheddar cheese, which is added on top of the deep fried chicken thigh.
On first smell, a big whiff of pungent petai and sambal belacan greets you at your nose. Then, comes the juicy goodness from the thick beef patty followed by a blue cheese kick. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of blue cheese, the sweet savoury caramelised pineapple and tangy roasted cherry tomatoes balances out the cheesiness.
It was as though the ingredients were doing a beautiful waltz, intertwining themselves and creating a beautiful mess.

I really love how they played with various taste profiles to create a balanced amalgamation of flavours. A tangy savoury base of X+ sauce with fresh leafy greens, a juicy and decadent beef patty combined with the sweet and savoury grilled pineapple, and tomatoes to balance out the pungent blue cheese, sambal belacan and petai.
Not too sweet, not too sour, not too salty, not too stinky, dare I say that this is the perfect Malaysian burger.

And they serve all of that with a side of curly fries. But it’s more than just a side because it’s a pretty large portion. Crisp and soft curly wurlies served with their famous and aptly named Red Sauce, it perfectly completes the meal. Apparently, customers call it the “sweet sweet spicy orange sauce” too!

These golden tendrils of deliciousness also make for a great palate break. Because you can’t really go wrong with curly fries can you? But they do also have nacho chips and boring, but equally as delicious, fries.
Smell Me Something I Don’t Know

Admittedly, I was skeptical on the outcome of this burger because it’s a combination of really extreme flavours. But all’s smell with my soul!
This burger has successfully imprinted itself onto my brain and I would recommend stinky food and regular food enthusiasts to try it. If you really can’t stomach it, the blue cheese is optional and can be ordered on the side.
Refreshing citrus drinks would also pair well with this burger as it is on the opposite end of the taste spectrum thus effectively cleansing your palate too!
The Stinkbomb (beef) and The Hook, Line & Stinker (chicken) will be available from the first Tuesday of March and will remain on the menu for 2 weeks (while stocks lasts). Also, their newly opened branch at Bangsar is offering a 10% discount on the entire bill! Find out more about that offer here.

myBurgerLab
Address: 3, Jalan PJS 11/9, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website: myBurgerLab


Introverts Who Shy Away From It's The Ship, THIS Is The Ship For You

Cruises are for rich retirees.
That thought stuck with me for the longest of time and perhaps that’s why I had never considered it as a means of travel.

Recently, the DiscoverKL team had the opportunity to be a part of Genting Superstar Gemini’s inaugural homeport deployment and I knew that it was a chance to either be proven very wrong or right all along.

Coincidentally, we set sail at the same time as party cruise, It’s The Ship. In comparison, Superstar Gemini was the introverted sibling with an entirely different idea of partying.

Nope, we didn’t have foam parties and music DJs on board our 4-day-3-night cruise to Phuket and Penang, but what we had instead suited our introverted personalities, plus the calm and peace that we really needed.

Performances were held at the Stardust Lounge, a theatre which can accommodate up to 630 guests at any given time—although actual seating spaces are far less. Besides dance classes, other activities are held here throughout the day as well, including game shows and movies.

Our tip would be to arrive early for highly anticipated performances such as Circus so you can score yourself a seat with a good view. There were a couple of times where we arrived slightly later and had to take our spot right at the back.
On board the Superstar Gemini, there is also a 24/7 KTV lounge. We gave this one a miss as there were frankly more interesting adventures on board to experience. Still, it’s cool how you can chill with a drink bought at the bar (located right next to it) and it’ll earn you one free song at the karaoke lounge.
What Did We Eat?

You’ll never go hungry on the ship as meals are served 5 times a day!
Though there are 11 eateries in total, we quickly found that the cruise fare only includes meals at 4 different restaurants: Oceana Barbecue, Bella Vista, Mariner’s and Dynasty. If you wish to head to the other restaurants or bars on board, do note that the bill will be charged to your cabin and you may settle the payment at the reception on your last day.

Meals are served buffet-style at these 4 restaurants and it includes mains, desserts and beverages. Our favourite was Oceana Barbecue for the selection of grilled proteins including prawn, lobster, crab and lamb. It’s such a shame that though there are umbrella shades, the restaurant is outdoors and subject to unpredictable weather. We even experienced heavy rain one evening and had to quickly run for shelter. We would have gone for seconds had it not rained!

Bella Vista and Mariner’s unfortunately fell short of our expectations as the meals, and desserts in particular, were average at best. Some of the standouts at both restaurants though, were the carbs, such as the noodles and rice.

We deduced that meals that were prepared fresh on board were tastier whilst those that unfortunately have to be pre-packaged for convenience (dumplings and paos) were not as appetising.

Dynasty, in particular was one that was difficult to gain entry to as there was always a long queue. We’d suggest waking up early to enjoy breakfast here as the queue is much shorter then. In fact, we got up early one morning to catch the sunrise (best views on Deck 10) and headed straight for Dynasty—there wasn’t a line in sight. Also, try asking the crew if a window seat is available so you could have an unobstructed view of the blue sea whilst you enjoy your meal.

All of the restaurants on board the Superstar Gemini have different opening hours but if you’re hungry in the middle of the night, the Blue Lagoon restaurant and bar is open 24/7. Guests are entitled to one meal a day at each of these 4 eateries and you would have to produce your cabin card for verification.
What Else Did We Do?
After all the feasting, it only felt right to head to the gym. It helped that it was open till 2am too, so if you prefer working out alone, you’ll likely be able to experience that at 1 in the morning.

The King Neptune Health Club comprises of a gym, salon and spa. There are no charges for the gym but you would have to sign in and out and follow the proper attire guideline (sportswear and sport shoes only). The salon and spa on the other hand, include separate charges. There are special deals for both and you’ll find it on your Star Navigator—the cruise ship’s newsletter that’s sent to your doorstep each morning.
We easily spent close to an hour at the gym because it’s equipped with the basics for a small space. There are treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and weight machines as well as free weights.

If you prefer chilling by the pool, there’s a jacuzzi and 2 swimming pools located on different decks.

The jacuzzi can easily accommodate 8-10 people at any given time and doesn’t require any pre-booking. As for the pool, we would recommend heading to the Topsider’s pool on deck 11, purely for the views and for the ‘gram.

Other facilities on board include the child care centre, medical centre, mahjong room and casino. There’s also a duty-free outlet where you can pick up watches, jewelry, cosmetics and even Superstar Gemini souvenirs. Most of the items are slightly pricier than retail stores but we’d have to say that some of the offerings are pretty unique: such as Korean beauty brand Papa Recipe.

For brands which are available in KL, such as SK-II and Laneige, they are pretty well-stocked too. We would imagine some guests running out of their favourite Lancôme facial toner or wanting to purchase some facial masks to pamper themselves back at their cabin. This is where the Duty Free outlet can come in handy.
Where Did We Sleep?

Speaking of cabins, there are 8 types on board the ship. Do note that while booking of rooms on the ship is not available (you will have to book your room prior to your trip), you can get an upgrade but of course, this is subject to availability.

We stayed at the “Oceanview Stateroom with Window” and boy, did it come with a view. The room is equipped with a sofa bed and curtains conveniently separating the beds from the lounge area. The TV came in handy too as we stayed in most nights, being the introverts that we are. The bathroom, though small, was surprisingly well-equipped with toiletries, including a body lotion and a hair dryer.
The Phuket Disembarkation
Though the cruise stopped for disembarkation twice, we only got off at Phuket. The entire on-ground trip is roughly 5 hours long, excluding the hour-long disembarkation process.

Shore excursions are priced separately but we had the opportunity to join the Phuket tour, organised by the Genting group. Our trip included stops at the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, a cashew nut factory and dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Due to time constraints, we had to give the Jungceylon Shopping Centre a miss. Still, we’d say it’s a pretty well-planned tour (kudos to our tour guide, Rainie) for the amount of time we had at each location, minus the travel time by bus and ferry.
And the meal we had in Phuket was easily worth the lengthy disembarkation process. The usual suspects were there, including dishes like the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken and Sweet and Sour Thai Chicken. In fact, all of us went back for seconds and thirds.

At the end of the cruise, I find that I’m proven wrong. No, the cruise is clearly not just for retirees and no, you don’t have to be filthy rich either. All you need is a sense of adventure and an open mind.
The Superstar Gemini may not be as premium as its sister ships like the Genting Dream and World Dream; but it has its fair share of fun and relaxation, particularly catering to families and young groups of millennials.

So Why Is It The Cruise For Us?
The Genting Dream, which played host to It’s The Ship, has its own appeal and there’d definitely be those who would appreciate the music and just the experience of being on a party cruise. But for introverts who would appreciate the peace and calm of the ocean and just enjoying the facilities such as the pool, gym and jacuzzi, the Superstar Gemini would be more up their alley.
Prices for twin sharing starts at RM999 (we got to experience the RM1,149 cabin) and it’s also slightly more affordable as compared to Genting Dream. The basic package for 2 on the Genting Dream is RM1,198 and it also has a shorter 2-night route of Singapore-Port Klang-Singapore.
For introverts like us, whose idea of a perfect day is curling up on a couch with a good book or being at one with nature, Superstar Gemini is how we cruise.
The Superstar Gemini departs from November 5-April 28, 2019 and there are 4 separate routes heading out of Port Klang:

Port Klang-Phuket-Langkawi-Port Klang
Port Klang-Phuket-Penang-Port Klang
Port Klang-Phuket-Krabi-Penang-Port Klang
Port Klang-Singapore-Port Klang

For more information, head over to Star Cruises SuperStar Gemini.


Review: Oversea’s curated CNY 2023 menu dishes that are abundant in premium ingredients

Since 1986, Oversea has been serving well-crafted classic Cantonese cuisine. For CNY 2023, they’ve rolled up their sleeves to curate set menus that will delight families of up to 10 pax.
The sets vary from outlet to outlet, and we visited the Jalan Imbi one to get a taste of what they have to offer.
Of course, we had to start with yee sang, because can you really have CNY without an abundance of blessings for wealth, health, progression, and happiness? (Answer: no!)

This was no regular Yee Sang though; instead of the traditional plum sauce, the Oversea Fabulous Fruity Yee Sang (RM78++) was drizzled with a red dragon fruit-based sauce, and there were strawberries, kiwi, pomelo, and mandarin oranges added.

These made it a rather refreshing dish and a great appetite kickstarter. The fresh salmon and crackers added a savouriness that was complemented by sweet and tarty fruits, not to mention, the sauce.
Oversea has a few other yee sang options for your CNY dinner, and you can opt for takeaway too.

After that came the Braised Dried Seafood Soup, which was rich and didn’t skimp on all the nutritious ingredients such as sea cucumber and sea abalone.

However, some of us diners found the soup to be a bit too thick and gelatinous.
The next two dishes, which were their Signature Honey Glazed BBQ Pork (char siew) and Roasted Pork Belly (siew yoke), looked deceptively simple, but were masterfully cooked and so good! *chef kiss*

The siew yoke’s skin was crispy, not tough, and the meat was tender, the fats adding juiciness to the already wonderful flavour.
Our favourite had to be the char siew though. Beautifully charred, it was slathered in a dark, delicious caramelised sauce and had a good balance of fatty and lean parts.

The Hong Kong Style Waxed Meat Claypot Rice wasn’t a very familiar dish to us; the glutinuous rice was well cooked while the waxed meats had quite a strong alcohol flavour. It can feed 6 pax (RM138++) up to 10 pax (RM168++).

Similar to the Yee Sang, this one pot meal was assembled before our eyes by Oversea staff, who poured a sweet and salty dark sauce over the rice with the variety of waxed meats following.

We weren’t fans of the waxed meats, but the rice was fragrantly delicious and had a nice mouthfeel.
Bubbling full of nutritious ingredients, the final dish for the night was the large and hearty Prosperity Treasure Pot.

Every morsel of 15 premium ingredients from sea abalone and large prawns to sea cucumber was cooked to perfection.
The Prosperity Treasure Pot is available for 6-8 pax at RM838++ and for a larger party of 8-10 pax at RM1,188++.
It can be enjoyed at home too, as Oversea will arrange the ingredients nicely for you in a clay pot, ready to be reheated.
We ended the meal with Oversea’s almond pudding. Served hot, it had a silky smooth texture, simply melting in your mouth. Its muted, natural sweetness was more of an endnote, the signature slight bitterness makes the dessert an acquired taste.

In the set menus, there will be more dessert options such as Chilled Peach Resin with American Ginseng, Chilled Citron Tea with Aloe Vera, Double Boiled Gond Katira in Coconut, and others.
Of course, there were more dishes that we didn’t get to try that day too, such as Steamed Halibut with Superior Soy Sauce, Pan-Fried Crystal Prawn with Oversea Signature Sauce, Braised Shark’s Fin Soup with Crab Meat, and more.
Priced between RM898++ to RM3,388 (6-10 pax), Oversea’s CNY set menus can be enjoyed at its Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, Genting, Jalan Imbi, and Ipoh outlets, as well as its newest 1 Utama outlet, which boasts 12 private dining rooms.
The Bandar Baru Sri Petaling outlet also has pre-CNY set menus for 6-10 pax (RM928++ to 2888++).
Oversea Restaurant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/overseamalaysia


Bored During Weekends? These Indoor Sports And Games Will Keep Your Adrenalin Running

We all fall into routines of what we do on a daily basis, and how we spend our weekends and free time. However, sometimes it’s good to break free of our cycles and try something new! Living in a city like KL, which is chock-full of fun indoor games and activities, gives you no excuse not to.
Check out the following indoor activities that you can do when you’re feeling adventurous in your spare time:
1. Lockdown KL
Image Credit: ExpatGo
Lockdown KL is an escape room game in real life, and utilizes your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in order for you to escape the specially-designed rooms. Originating from Singapore, Lockdown opened its doors in 2015 and is perfect for young and old alike to try out its challenging puzzles. This highly-rated game features a variety of differently themed rooms, great for you and your friends to band together and challenge yourselves to solve the mystery and get away!
Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Address: T19, Level 3, Lot 10 Shopping Centre, 50 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: +6011 1723 0151
Website: http://lockdownkl.com
2. District 21

When you want to have a fun, thrilling time with your family, District 21 is the place to go. This theme park, located within IOI City Mall, Putrajaya, boasts multiple attractions designed to challenge your physicality and get you sweating! Their climbing walls, roller glider, human-powered go-karts, and trampoline field, among others, all housed within their huge 70,000 sq ft. facility, is perfect for spending the day doing enjoyable activities with your loved ones.
Hours: 12pm-8pm on weekdays, 10am-8pm on weekends and public holidays
Address: District 21, AT 6, Level 1, IOI City Mall, Lebuh IRC, IOI Resort City, 62502 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Tel: +603 – 8328 8888
Website: http://district21.com.my
3. Boarders Tabletop Games Café
Image Credit: The Federalist
If you’re not up to exerting so much energy, why not try visiting a board game café, such as Boarders Tabletop Games Café? This cozy café boasts more than 150 board games available to be played by customers, featuring classic titles like Monopoly to more recent games such as Catan. Of course, they also have a selection of food and drinks for you to eat up while getting your game on against your opponents. They’re selling board games for you to bring home as well, and with such a diverse selection, you’ll always find something you’ll be interested to play!
Hours: 3pm-midnight on Sun-Thurs, 3pm-1am on Fri & Sat
Address: 6 Jalan 1/27B, Wangsa Maju, 53300 Setapak Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 – 4144 2387
Website: http://facebook.com/boarderscafe
Xero Gravity Rock Gym
Image Credit: Xero Gravity Malaysia
Ever dreamt of climbing Mount Everest? We all have to start somewhere, so what better way to live your dreams (sort of) by visiting Xero Gravity Rock Gym? Featuring both indoor and outdoor climbing walls, this is the perfect place to visit, whether you’re a beginner or a pro at rock-climbing. They provide classes teaching basic climbing techniques for the newbies among us, and also have special discounts for students. But they are not only limited to rock-climbing, for they also have a swimming pool, futsal court, fitness studio, and equipment store.
Hours: 12pm-11pm on weekdays, 10am-8pm on weekends and public holidays
Address: Level 9, PJX HM-SHAH Tower, No. 16A Persiaran Barat, Section 52, Petaling Jaya, 46050 Selangor
Tel: +603 – 7611 0381
Website: http://xerogravity.my
Jump Street
Image Credit: Lifestyle Asia
Another place to go to for the adventure junkies out there, this trampoline park is Malaysia’s first, and has three branches located in Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru, as well as Penang. Jump Street boasts hundreds of interconnected trampolines for your leaping pleasure, as well as other attractions like a foam pit, Jump Tower, Giant Air Bag, and dodgeball courts.
Besides that, they also hold Jump Aerobics classes, intended to challenge your fitness skills and improve your strength and endurance. Jumpers from any level are welcome, as they cater to the utmost beginners all the way to serious athletes. Be ready for a bouncing good time!
Hours: 10am-9pm on Sun-Thurs, 10am-10pm on Fri & Sat
Address: No 8A, Jalan 13/6, Seksyen 13, 46200, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603 – 7969 1051
Website: http://jumpstreetasia.com
Flight Experience Kuala Lumpur
Image Credit: ahmadalijetplane.wordpress.com
This one is for all you aviation enthusiasts out there to get your start in the pilot’s seat! This flight simulator located in Pavilion KL is a fully engaging experience, using real aviation equipment for actual pilot training! Budding pilots will go through all the steps real pilots do when flying an airplane, such as pre-flight briefing, communicating with Air Traffic Control, and of course, flying a plane. The beautifully realistic 180˚ scenery will awe anybody, and the high-tech equipment used will make you feel like you really are in the cockpit of a Boeing 737. Bon voyage!
Hours: 10am-10pm daily
Address: 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Level 2, Pavilion Mall, Kuala Lumpur 55100, Malaysia
Tel: +603 – 2110 1628
Website: http://kualalumpur.flightexperience.com
Stars Archery
Image Credit: blackwelladventure.co.uk
Last but not least, a visit to Stars Archery is long overdue for those of you wanting to channel your inner Katniss Everdeen. With seven branches all over Malaysia, including at Sunway Pyramid, Berjaya Times Square, and Aeon AU2 Setiawangsa, this popular archery range is perfect for wielding a bow and arrow for the first time and seeing if you can hit the bullseye! Stars Archery holds archery competitions, tournaments, and courses suitable for newbies, professionals, and everyone in between. Grab your friends and family and bring them along to have a great time trying your hand at shooting arrows!
Hours: 10am-10pm daily
Address: 05-95C, 05-95D, Berjaya Times Square, No.1, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 – 2144 1302
Website: http://starsarchery.com
What other cool places do you suggest to kill boredom? Write them in the comments below!


How Visually-Impaired Guides Are Trained To Become Your Eyes At Dining In The Dark

Being afraid of the dark, naturally I was antsy about my first Dining In The Dark experience.
As their name suggests, the experience has diners dining in a pitch black environment.
However, there is one integral role in the entire experience; a key person who helps ensure that things run according to plan: the trusty darkness expert.
The darkness experts at Dining In The Dark are visually-impaired but their lack of sight is what aids them in being naturals at their job.

We learnt that the role is an ideal fit for the visually-impaired as, with proper training, they are able to navigate seamlessly through the space. And they do this without facing disorientment—something that the fully-sighted typically experience within a period of time of being in a pitch black environment.
AK is one of the few darkness experts who has been with the company for the past 3.5 years.
Image Credit: Dining In The Dark (AK participating in the #10YearChallenge)
Born premature and with cataract, AK is partially-blind and describes his sight as roughly 5% of the general publics’.
A typical day would have him come in by 3pm where he will proceed with the set-up process.
The guides will have a one-hour break at 4pm and by 5pm, they will have an internal briefing where they will learn more about the guests of the day as well as their specific dietary requirements—for instance, AK would be informed of my egg allergy.
The guides will then receive their first few customers by 6pm and will remain in service for the duration of the 90-minute experience.
Our team arrived for the 6.30pm session and begun with 2 warm-up games.
Image Credit: Dining In The Dark KL (Past guests attempting the warm-up game with their darkness expert)
Without giving too much away, the games had us leave our sense of sight at the door and initially, it was unnerving as it’s definitely a sense that the fully-sighted would often times take for granted. There will be blindfolds involved and you would have to use your own sense of imagination in order to complete the task.
After the 10-15-minute warm-up, we left our personal belongings in the locker. AK then led us for our dining experience in an orderly fashion; choo-choo train style.
Having walked this path countless of times, the darkness experts are familiar with the placement of furniture and have the entire layout committed to memory. Think of it as having a permanent visual map etched across your mind.
“There are no stairs so don’t worry,” AK reminded us as we entered, his calming voice and confidence putting me at ease.
Hailing from Kedah where Bahasa Malaysia is the main language spoken, the anthropology major got to improve on his English at Dining In The Dark and he’s now fluent in it.
The job also helped him to develop his soft skills.
However, it’s definitely not something AK had developed overnight. Where he shared that he was nervous and even shaking on his first day, we sensed none of that during our Dining In The Dark experience.
On his first day on the job, AK relayed how he came in at 3.30pm and had 3 hours of training prior to receiving his first guest. “Guides need to be fast learners here,” he noted.
As we were led to our table, AK took the time to meticulously break down the order of our meals.

With each new menu, the darkness experts will have the chance to taste test the types of meals that are served to their guests. That way, they are better equipped to explain the dishes that they are serving, including the ingredients and components of the meals.
Besides that, AK also thoroughly explained the position of our platters as well as the placement of our drink and its coaster.

“Be careful not to move your coaster because I’ll be placing your drink there,” AK reminded us.
It took plenty of groping around at first but eventually we had a little mind map of the table’s structure in our heads.
As we indulged in our meal, we could hear other guests around us, conversing with one another; a typical scene in any other restaurant.
But not all guests are quite as chatty.
Where he serves an average of 80-90 pax on a busy weekend night, AK relayed how he has met his fair share of customers during his time here.
Once, AK served a lone female customer who had a fear of the dark and he was initially unaware of this.
She was particularly quiet and it was only at the end of the meal when she begun to open up. The customer explained how she was trying her best to conquer her fear of the dark and tonight’s dinner was a result of her therapist’s advice.
The soothing jazz music and AK’s guidance helped to soothe her nerves.
“Most of the guests are nervous and scared and do not know what to expect. Based on the reviews, they read that it’s a totally dark room but they won’t know what to expect until they are here,” AK shared.
At the end of the meal, the guest noted how she was able to somewhat overcome her fear of the dark.
AK shared how he also had one amusing experience where a first-timer showed up in a shirt that glowed in the dark.
When the guest panicked and asked if he should remove his shirt, AK laughed and reassured him that that need not be the case. “Don’t worry, I will cover your shirt,” AK told him instead, passing his guest a blanket to cover up with.
It’s these sort of experiences, both amusing and enlightening, that makes this job an interesting one for AK.
One thing’s for sure though, it has definitely helped him to gauge how different guests react to different situations.
And that’s how AK has developed the innate skill of knowing when his guest is finished with his or her meal and is ready for the next course.
It’s not rocket science, we learnt, but rather something that comes with experience and basic intuition.
Image Credit: Dining In The Dark KL
At the end of the day, the Dining In The Dark experience is meant to be a wholesome one.
What makes the restaurant different is the unpredictability of it all.
Meals are kept a surprise and you’re in the company of friends or loved ones without your gadgets as a distraction.
As AK puts it, “I want the customers to not look at us as a charity. It’s all about the food, the quality time together and the experience. Nowadays, people don’t really focus on the food and their time together because of their gadgets but here, it’s different. We want to bring that good value back into the restaurant.”
Dining In The Dark constantly revamps their menu and is currently in their 2nd week of a brand new lineup of dishes. Check out the link below to place your reservation:
Dining In The Dark
Address: 50A Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 50200, Malaysia
Website: Dining In The Dark
Tel: 03-2110 0431
Feature Image Credit: Dining In The Dark


Potterheads Rejoice, A “Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone” Concert Is Coming To KL

Potterheads, you have exactly 4 months to catch up on all eight Harry Potter movies, specifically Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone. Why? Well, a Harry Potter concert is coming to town in July and you’ll be able to experience a symphony orchestra playing tunes from the entire Philosopher’s Stone movie.
Come July 15th-16th, you’ll be able to enjoy a symphony orchestra featuring the tracks from composer John Williams’ score as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series. Audience will be able to watch the film in HD on a 40-foot screen while listening to the orchestra performing.
Even non-Potterheads would be able to enjoy the concert featuring the talented orchestra folks. Ticket prices begin at RM198 for the Upper Silver category, RM388 for the Silver category, RM428 for the Upper Platinum category, RM488 for the Gold category and RM588 for the Platinum category. No photo, video or audio recording is allowed.
Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone Concert
When: July 15-16, 2017, doors open at 7pm
Where: Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Info: Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone Concert
Feature Image Credit: blogTO & DutchHPfan1992


【劲爆铁板Cheese锅】Tokyo Kitchen新推出起司料理！起司竟然还可以拉丝！

小编相信大家对Tokyo Kitchen，东京厨房这家日式料理餐厅不感到陌生吧？可是大家又知不知道他们家最近推出了一道超火热的料理吗？
什么火热料理？锵！锵！就是『劲爆铁板Cheese锅』啦～没有想到吧？！一向是在韩国料理餐厅才能吃到的起司锅，现在也能在Tokyo Kitchen吃到了。在这里你也可以体验到将起司拉长的刺激感。
Image Credit: @ikonconnaughtmy & @eatpraylovemalaysia
而『劲爆铁板Cheese锅』里面的起司可是混了3种不同种类的起司！让你一口吃下，是三种不一样起司的味道，真的是太棒了～
当然Cheese锅里除了起司，还有日式炸鸡和三文鱼炸虾寿司卷。不止如此，他们还在『劲爆铁板Cheese锅』内加了韩式辣酱！光是想象就觉得好好吃了吧？！
Image Credit: my.openrice.com & @JennyWong
日式炸鸡配上起司和裹满起司的寿司，真的是两种极致的美味，全在同一锅内！而且这样2-4人份的才要价RM49.90++！是不是很值得吃啊？！
你是不是也想吃这么邪恶的起司锅呢？Tokyo Kitchen在雪隆区还蛮多家分店的！所以想吃就快点到临近的Tokyo Kitchen分店尝试这让人尖叫的『劲爆铁板起司锅』啦！
想知道更多详情，可以查询Tokyo Kitchen 的专页。
Feature Image Credit: Tokyo Kitchen & @tvivian92