Dessert @ de Jouer 140313

[Fashion]
In November last year the MHB blogger and I attended the launch of de Jouer – https://timchew.net/2012/11/05/de-jouer-launch-011112/ at The Venue in Pavilion KL.
This time round de Jouer (which means ‘naughty’ in French) invited MHB to attend their exclusive Summer preview dessert party themed ‘Dessert & de Jouer’ at the Third Floor Gallery of JW Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 14 March 2013.
Before the launch of de Jouer Summer 2013 collection we stuffed our faces with loads of desserts and the girls even went to enjoy a special hand massage session by BMIC Salon.
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MHB’s Louise, Sarah, Linora, Mynn, Yvonne, Stephanie and Emma
Desserts galore!
Inspired by summer moments and the love of being playful, de Jouer Summer 2013 featured three collections namely Sensational, The Pure Collection, and Heart Breaker.

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If you want to see more of the show head over to https://www.facebook.com/myhotbloggers
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MHB’s Stephanie Lim
MHB’s Vivian Gan and Chenelle

A nice place to be – sandwiched in between Miss World Malaysia 2011 Chloe Chen (L) and Miss World Malaysia 2012 Lee Yvonne (R)
After the show we crossed over to Pavilion to attend another event and Andy Kho took the opportunity to shoot the girls ‘Sex and the City’ style

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These three new collections will be available in summer 2013 and comes with prices ranging from RM35 to RM88:
The Sensational balconette push-up bras give women a captivating lift and comfort with its underwire cups, thus providing a perfect shaping. Made of nylon and spandex, the range is a stunning fit with super-soft twinned straps. Its edging technology for a near invisible under clothes look is essential and simply irresistible. Pieces in this range are available in pink/nude dots with grey lace and leopard print with black lace.

The Pure Collection is the brand’s softest and most comfortable push-up bras available. The underwire cups give a moderate lift girls love, padding that contours to body curve, almost to a flawless fit, featuring a light-as-air moulding technology. The super-soft cup linings and lacewings provide comfortable but sensual feel and will not show under clothes. Made of nylon and spandex, the range comes in nude/pink dots with black lace, pink/white stripes with white lace and black/nude dots with black lace.

Heart Breaker now comes with the all-new plush padding for a more natural and softer feel. When the underwire cups give a moderate lift and thus a flawless cleavage, the range makes a great compliment to low neckline outfits. Made of imported nylon and spandex, the pieces also feature edging technology for a new invisible under clothes look. The satin straps are fully adjustable. Inspiring more sensual shapes, the pieces in Heart Breaker range is available in red cup with black lace and black cup with red lace.
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More info at http://www.dejouer.com/
More photos at https://www.facebook.com/myhotbloggers
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Valentine’s Day 2019 – Romantic Dinners, Promotions, Spa, Activities in Shanghai and Singapore

[Travel News – Valentine’s Day Special]
Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai
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This Valentine’s Day, the Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai presents special options for dining, room stay and deluxe spa treatments. The Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai is centrally located in the Pudong Lujiazui business district which provides a preferred address for both business and leisure travelers, and the highly personalized, anticipatory service that Four Seasons guests expect and value around the world.
The Hotel features 187 rooms and suites, and multiple options for dining and drinking, including Camelia for Italian cuisine and Shàng-Xí for premium Cantonese delicacies. The intimate FLARE spa partnered with prestigious French brand GUERLAIN offers exquisite facial and body treatments, while the indoor infinite swimming pool on level 41 ensures that guests have a stunning view of the Shanghai cityscape.

Stay in love together

A two-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, lets the two of you slip into a world of absolute sophistication and delight. The Bund Temptation package includes tickets for two for a dinner cruise with Crystal Cruise. Drift along the Huangpu River, with the Bund on one side, the dynamic Lujiazui skyline on the other, and the two of you enjoying a gourmet meal in the middle.

A course by course seduction

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Camelia brings the Italian spirit to a romantic meal, with a 6-course set menu of luscious dishes such as Sifonata Di Patate, which is made with Black Truffle, Potato Chiboust and Crispy Parma Ham Chips. There is also the Pan-Fried Scampi with Brandy, Caviar, Foie Gras Terrine and Port Wine Jelly, followed by Boston Lobster Bisque and the ultra-juicy and flavorful “M5” Beef Tenderloin Rossini. The sweetness of two desserts will let you both drift off into a world of seduction. The set is priced at CNY 988 + 15% service charge per person, including a glass of Pol Roger Champagne.
Bring your loved one for a romantic set dinner with the most spectacular views on 35th floor. With ‘1314’ representing a Chinese message for love, the set is priced at CNY 1314 + 15% service charge per person, including a bottle of Pol Roger Champagne for every two guests.

Authentic Cantonese Fine Dining to Set the Mood

The award-winning Chinese restaurant Shàng-Xí also presents a special set menu. ‘Love Journey’ has a full taste selection of sweet, sour, bitter and spicy, from carefully sourced ingredients and beautifully presented dishes: a dim sum selection, Double-Boiled Sea Cucumber Soup, Steamed Baby Lobster and more. The 7-course journey is priced at RMB 1,088 net per person.

Experience a ‘new you’, together

A delightful, deluxe and delicious spa experience renews, refreshes and rejuvenates. Have a romantic time together and feel like a celebrity couple with the luxurious atmosphere and treatment excellence of FLARE Spa. The Valentine’s Day special includes a 30 minutes TCM Bath Ritual, the Flare Signature Massage of 45 minutes for each, and then a 60 minutes Gel Polish Manicure for the lady and a 60-minute 007 Pedicure for the gentleman.
Reservations are required 48 hours in advance. For additional information, please call +86 21 2036 8888.
For more information on Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, visit fourseasons.com/pudong

在这个浪漫的情人节，于城市情侣的栖居地–上海浦东四季酒店享受极致奢华，让甜蜜时光驻足于此，浓浓爱意蔓延心间。
上海浦东四季酒店为您创造一个充满精致浪漫的“惊喜之夜”。入住四季酒店两晚，与爱侣一起登上全新奢华游览船“水晶公主号”，在外滩和陆家嘴的灯火下，尊享双人饕餮晚餐，拥揽黄浦江两岸美轮美奂的璀璨夜上海。
同时，酒店餐厅和水疗中心也精心准备了一系列情人节套餐，为您和爱人的特别时刻创造难忘记忆。
魅力四射的Camelia意大利餐厅为情侣们带来六道式馥郁的情人节晚宴，由黑松露土豆慕斯拉开序幕，包括嫩煎白兰地海鳌虾配至尊鲟鱼子酱，波士顿龙虾浓汤，扒M5肥肝牛里脊等顶级美味。而充满意式浪漫的餐后甜品，玫瑰冰淇淋配白葡萄气泡酒啫喱更是点睛之笔。每位人民币988元加15%服务费，含一杯宝禄爵珍藏天然型香槟。
位于酒店35楼的私密行政酒廊让您与爱人置身于灯火绚烂的都市夜景中，感受这浓情蜜意夜晚的浪漫情怀。情人节晚宴，每位人民币1314元加15%服务费，双人获赠一瓶宝禄爵珍藏天然型香槟。
尚席中餐厅主厨蔡师傅为这一浪漫之夜打造精致的粤式美馔，从餐前小点到海鲜主菜都用巧手打造，融汇百般滋味。奉上松茸鲜鲍鱼炖刺参，鸡油蛋白蒸龙虾球，翡翠浓鱼汤东星柳等美馔。每位人民币1,088元净价，含一杯宝禄爵珍藏天然型香槟。
FLARE SPA 在2月9日至2月18日期间为情侣带来一次非凡的舒缓之旅，从心灵到身体为您和爱人进行全方位的呵护。在专属的私密情侣理疗室体验135分钟的甜蜜时光，搭配法国娇兰的明星护理产品，享受30分钟的肾气汤浴，45分钟特色按摩，及60分钟美甲护理。经验丰富的理疗师运用专业手法，令您由内而外焕然一新。价格为人民币2,760元净价。.
以上套餐均须提前48小时预订，垂询电话：+86 21 2036 8888

Images courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Pudong.

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Grand Opening Celebration of Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur

[Hospitality News]

The Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur officially launch in style with their grand opening celebration on 18 November 2018 with the who’s who of Malaysian society, royalty, socialites, and celebrities in attendance.
The opening was officiated by His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj and the guest of honour, the Acting King His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah. Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah, Minister of Economic Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Azmin Ali, Minister of Federal Territories, YB Tuan Khalid Abdul Samad, Menteri Besar of Selangor, YB Tuan Amirudin Shari and Menteri Besar of Kedah, Dato Seri Muhkriz Mahathir were also present to witness the Grand Opening.
A sumptuous sit-down dinner was enjoyed by guests in the elaborately-decorated Grand Ballroom on Level 6A, where singer Syafinaz Selamat mesmerized guests with her performance. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks show at the Residence’s Pool Deck on Level 7B.

The VIPs officiating the launch
Songstress Syafinaz Selamat performing
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Photo courtesy of The Fame (http://thefame.my/) – The official event organiser for the launch of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur

Below are some photos of the hotel. (Click to enlarge.)

“The Louis XIII Experience” with Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur

LOUIS XIII in collaboration with Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur pays tribute to luxury dining with The LOUIS XIII Experience, a menu pairing between LOUIS XIII and Yun House by Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur – a highly-acclaimed restaurant with expansive views of the KLCC Park, exquisite private dining venues, and a modern take on timeless dining.
The culinary union made its debut at the exclusive LOUIS XIII Room at Yun House. Each unique menu pairing brings out the exceptional qualities of LOUIS XIII in its own special way, magnifying and illustrating the most sumptuous matches between the King of Cognac and exquisite Chinese cuisine by Yun House.
“Four Seasons hotels have been one of our coveted partners for many years globally. We are thrilled to further grow and develop our strong relationship with Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur and its patrons. Louis XIII Cognac is an icon of French art de vivre and excellence. Similarly, Four Seasons exemplifies a true luxury hospitality brand in its own right, an icon, an experience,” said Chris Kwek, LOUIS XIII Private Client Director Southeast Asia.
“At Yun House, we hope to bring our guests on a journey to experience, feel and sample the legend that is LOUIS XIII. The pairing menu is tailor-made to bring a new dimension to the world-famous LOUIS XIII experience, revealing different sensations of LOUIS XIII to both the palate and the eyes. For those craving the finer tastes, we welcome you to savour the timeless menu blend, masterfully curated by our award winning Executive Chinese Chef Jimmy Wong and the unique tasting profiles of LOUIS XIII cognac,” says Tom Roelens, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The six-course pairing menu highlights regional specialities with a focus on Cantonese cuisine adapted from local palates. The high level of authenticity along with commitment to fresh ingredients, prepared with meticulous technique and uniquely presented will create the ultimate Chinese dining experience in Kuala Lumpur. The menu pairing will start with the Four Seasons combination platter – foie gras roll, crispy silverfish and deep fried mushroom for contrast to bring out the smooth, rich and crisp notes of the LOUIS XIII cognac. The second course of double-boiled abalone and fish maw soup with morel mushrooms and sea whelks pairing is sumptuous, fragrant and elevates the combined flavours perfectly.
Following that, the next course features beautifully braised lobster with lily bulbs and truffle oil. This sophisticated and decadent dish isn’t too overwhelming, simple broiled lobster that has substantial mouthfeel of succulent-sweetish flesh and a textural match, paired with Italian truffle oil for its aroma.
The fourth course of steamed coral garoupa fillet with scallion oil is a presentation of fresh, garoupa fillet, renowned around the world as the highest-quality garoupa in its class. As it delicately steamed in aromatic scallion oil, this exquisite fish eagerly absorbs and enhances the flavours of any accompanying ingredient.
The last savoury course is wok-fried fish paste noodles with Canadian scallops. This signature dish prepared with seasonal Canadian scallops and homemade fish paste noodles is a re-creation of the humble Chinese invention; noodles. Finishing off the meal will be an indulgent pairing of Chef’s signature dessert duo of homemade pineapple pastry and bird’s nest with almond cream served in whole young coconut.
Yun House is located on the fifth floor of Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Reservations are recommended for The LOUIS XIII Experience. The pairing menu is priced at MYR 28,888 for a table of 10 persons, which comes with a LOUIS XIII decanter (70 cl). A single menu option is also available at MYR 3,000 for one person with two glasses of LOUIS XIII (60 ml). For reservations, call +603 2382 8888.

Images courtesy of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur.
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[Food & Beverage]
La Mian Promotion at Latest Recipe, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur
China’s Lanzhou city from Gansu province in China is famous for a noodle tradition that has been introduced to many countries around the world including Malaysia and that is none other than “La Mian”.
La Mian traces it’s origins back to the reign of Emperor Guangxu of Qing Dynasty, and is characterized for its clean yet flavourful taste and simple preparation and Le Meridien Hotel KL Sentral specially flew in guest chef Leo Zhang all the way from Beijing to showcase his skillful noodle making skillful techniques live at Latest Recipe, which is Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur’s all day dining restaurant.
I was honoured to be among the handful of media invited for the preview of this special promotion and so I headed over to the hotel with Estelle on 18 November to witness the noodle pulling and la mian making for myself.
According to Zhang, it took him 9 years to master the skill of hand pulled noodles and make the perfect beef stock and remarked (through a translator of course as I’m quite a banana), “The technique of preparing La Mian noodles dates back centuries and it is more about the arm movement”.
The dough is held between the hands, stretched, tossed, pulled and swung repeatedly until it is evenly divided into thinner strands and served fresh to diners. You can choose either green Spinach Noodle or red Tomato Noodle and choose a selection of toppings including Tomato Egg Sauce, Spicy Braised Beef Brisket, preserved Vegetables and Shredded Chicken, Beef Shank and White Radish among others. A hot beef broth is then poured over the noodles to complement the dish.
In 1999, Zhang moved to an independent restaurant in Beijing Xicheng district to become the specialist of a variety of noodle making, under the guidance of Jiang Bo, a nutrition master in China. In 2006, Zhang joined the Westin Beijing as Chef De Partie and has been there ever since.
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Estelle watching Chef Zhang in action
Chef Zhang made it look so easy but it’s not as we observed the local chefs trying to emulate his techniques. Guess it comes from years and years of experience!

Not many things are more heart warming than a steaming hot bowl of delicious noodles!

We tried 2 types – this one was with the Tomato Egg Sauce. I loved the tender and flavourful beef brisket! Go easy on the noodles as they can fill you up quickly! The chilli oil and the vinegar on the side adds a little extra dimension to the dish.
This one was with the clear broth which was light but certainly not tasteless. To our Malaysian tongues we might find it rather odd that it’s not bursting with flavour like our curry mee or laksa but after a while you will appreciate it’s subtle and clean flavours. Yet again if you’d like more flavours you can always eat the noodles with the chilli oil and vinegar.

We also got to try the buffet dinner spread at Latest Recipe and here are a couple of items that caught my eyes. I’m a bread person so I was happy to have the delicious breads that you can eat with butter, or a selection of cheeses or you can dip it into the soup of the day (which was pumpkin soup on our visit which was delightfully creamy!).
The restaurant takes pride in it’s Indian corner which offers a wide selection of Indian dishes! I like the chicken tandoori and the lamb masala!
Estelle went for most of the desserts
The chocolate cake was sinfully rich and chocolatey!
These are the toppings for the ice cream! I’ve never seen such a wide variety of toppings before!

Girls and chocolate fountains…
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The La Mian promotion is available for a limited time from 18-27 November 2013 for Buffet Dinner only between 6.30pm and 10.30pm at Latest Recipe, level 5 of Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur.
The promotion is priced at RM108++ per person from Monday to Thursday and RM118++ per person for Friday to Sunday.
For more info, head over to http://www.discoverlemeridien.com
E-mail: dining.lmkl@lemeridien.com
For Dining Reservations call +603 2263 7434

Photos shot with the Sony NEX-5T. More info at https://timchew.net/2013/10/01/sony-new-camera-2013-launch/ or http://www.sony.com.my
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Capped off the night with a double shot latte at Gastro Sentral on the ground floor of the hotel.
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KLIMS 2013 Update – Celebrities Visit the Show!
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The Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) recorded a total of 59,600 visitors over the first 3 days, and begun its fourth day with a royal visit from D.Y.M.M Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. His Royal Highness took time to tour the exhibitors’ booth and sat behind the wheels of some swanky cars on displayed at KLIMS13.
While KLIMS13 started its fourth day with a regal visit, it concluded the day with a bang as local celebrities dropped by to the delight of visitors. Crowds of visitors and flashes of cameras were abound as Altimet, Jehan Miskin, Nadine Ann Thomas, Thanuja Ananthan and Bon Zainal Harun lent their star power to the show.

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The celebrities were impressed with the concept cars, one-of-a-kind vehicles and classic cars on showcase at KLIMS13. Each celebrity had their favourite car at KLIMS13. Jehan Miskin who enthused that he is a happy man when he is surrounded by cars found his favourite with the Isuzu D-Max. Altimet is a fan of Honda cars especially the EV-Ster concept car and the one-of-a-kind CR-Z Mugen RR concept. Nadine’s favourite was the American Classic Cars showcase while Thanuja favourite is the Hyundai facelifted Tucson. The highlight of the day was when they excitedly jumped into the Ford Transit which has been transformed into an ambulance for display at KLIMS13 and commented that they had not sat in an ambulance.
Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of Malaysian Automotive Association said “We are pleased that KLIMS13 is receiving tremendous attention. Those who have visited the motor show have found cars and automotive products which thrilled them. We hope the public and car enthusiasts will take the opportunity to visit KLIMS13 before it closes its door as it may be another three years before KLIMS makes its appearance again.”
Peugeot capitalized on the crowd and celebrities’ visit to launch the Peugeot 2008 Urban Sports Uility Vehicle. Peugeot is aiming to conquer a market segment that is looking for a smaller SUV vehicle suitable for city and country driving. Peugeot 2008 comes with added features like Smart park assist and Smart One Touch foldable rear seats. The sporty vehicle will be available in January next year and visitors can make their bookings at KLIMS13. Peugeot booth has already sold 20 units of vehicles on the first 3 days of exhibition at KLIMS 2013!
For show and ticket info you can read my general info post on KLIMS 2013 – https://timchew.net/2013/11/15/kuala-lumpur-international-motor-show-klims-2013-preview/
Photo credits: KLIMS 2013
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Romantic Italian Restaurant near Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) – Tatto

[Dining]
The main dining area

Janet and I recently visited Tatto at 157 Hampshire along Jalan Mayang Sari in downtown Kuala Lumpur to try their upcoming Valentine’s Day 2020 menu. The 5-course set menu is available on 14 February 2020, priced at RM399+ per couple.
Walking into the establishment, you’ll be transported into a warm and elegant restaurant with dark wooden furniture befitting a venue that’s most suitable for romantic dates. The pizza oven in the corner, as well as the wine cellar and lounge add to the whole ambiance while the long L shaped bar is conducive for pre/ post-dinner drinks.
Tatto is a friendly Italian restaurant and bar which first began in 2009 along Jalan Damai, before moving to the current location some years back. Tatto prides itself as being a modern ItaIian restaurant with a Malaysian touch, with Chef Jue helming the kitchen. Tatto is a rather large restaurant with multiple sections, and is suitable for a host of different occasions, be it a business lunch, a romantic candlelit dinner, birthday/ anniversary celebration, or even a casual night of pizza & wine at the bar with friends.

The lounge
The bar
The (side) dining area

The Amuse Bouche of tuna and salmon ceviche, marinated for 24 hours, and served in a spinach “ice cream” cone was refreshing and provided a little preview of Chef Jue’s culinary skills!

Deep Fried Portobello Mushrooms with Poached Egg

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Cream of Asparagus Soup

Homemade Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

Mains (Choice of)
Pan Fried Barramundi

Grilled Australian Beef Medallion

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Meringue Sphere with Dark Valrhona Chocolate Mousse

I was incredibly impressed with the quality of the modern Italian food at Tatto! Incredible value for money and in a very romantic setting, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur off Jalan Ampang and near KLCC. Definitely a restaurant to consider if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day in Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Tatto is located at:
A-G-1 Hampshire Place Office,
157, Hampshire, No 1, Jalan Mayang Sari,
Off Jalan Tun Razak,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Telephone: 03-2166 5212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tattokualalumpur/

Thanks for having us over!
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BMW Introduces the 8 Series in Malaysia with the Debut of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe

[Automotive News]

BMW Group Malaysia introduced the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe in Malaysia on 12 March 2018 – marking the arrival of the 8 Series to BMW Malaysia’s portfolio of luxury vehicles. The 8 Series was developed on the race track to achieve supreme agility, precision, and poise, and combines a powerful engine with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system and BMW EfficientLightweight design measures.

 “At the BMW Group, we’ve always had our sights on the future, and the First Generation BMW 8 Series is testimony to that. First introduced in 1989, the luxurious sports coupe was bold and ahead of its time in terms of performance, innovation and luxury. It was the first BMW vehicle to introduce electronic drive-by-wire throttle, Dynamic Stability Control and Integral Active Steering with the use of multi-link rear axle technology. Three decades on, we have taken the future-looking legacy of the BMW 8 Series and we are bringing this luxurious sports coupe into the modern era to set standards for the future.” said Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia (on the right). On the left is Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications of BMW Group Malaysia.

The variant launched in Malaysia was the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe – which BMW proclaims has outstanding performance, emotion-stirring design, state-of-the-art luxury, exceptionally advanced equipment features when it comes to display and control technology, driver assistance and connectivity.
The exterior design of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe features a modern form of sporting appeal with a new styling language focusing on clarity, modernity and emotional engagement. The car’ is certainly very attention grabbing with its low-slung design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the rear with distinctive ‘double-bubble’ contouring, a long wheelbase and wide track widths.

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe is a luxury coupe into a sports car brimming with passion and character. The side view is dominated by a dramatic interplay of surfaces using sleek character lines to trace the flow of the air exiting the Air Breathers. Whilst the surfaces curve inwards of the far side of the front wheels, they flare outwards again above the rear wheels. This combines with the strikingly tapered glasshouse to create a muscular shoulder line. At the rear, the interplay of horizontal and diagonal lines emphasises the car’s width and low centre of gravity.

The BMW M performance model is instantly recognisable by its exclusive exterior appointments in Cerium Grey, an M rear spoiler and illuminated door sills bearing the model name. It comes standard with an additional front spoiler to minimise the lift that occurs at the front axle at high speeds.
The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe comes with superior 19” M Sport brakes along with blue painted M callipers. The standard specification for the BMW M850i xDrive coupe also includes 20” M light-alloy wheels in y-spoke style 728 M with mixed tyres. Specifically with the choice of the Sunset Orange exterior colour offering, the option for wheels in the Style 728 M in Jet Black are available.
BMW’s trademark Hofmeister kink has also been updated to a tightly-angled version.  Carried over from the concept car, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe features the ‘double-bubble’ which mimics the rush of air rearwards along the roof at high speeds. To reduce the aerodynamic drag of car’s streamlined body, it has an almost fully sealed underbody, active air flap control with adjustable kidney grille slats and Air Curtains including Air Breathers.

The interior of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe exudes a relaxingly luxurious ambiance. All lines point lengthways, automatically directing the gaze to the front and emphasising the focus on sporty driving. All control elements are clearly arranged, while a concise surface design lets the high-quality materials really stand out. The use of trim finishers, is restricted to the sports car-style transition between the centre console and the instrument panel.
In addition to multi-function seats and the M leather steering wheel, the M Sport package include an anthracite BMW Individual headliner, M pedals, M driver’s footrest and special floor mats to inject the cabin with distinctly sporty flair.

The newly developed sports seats are upholstered as standard in Merino leather. The fulled leather trim for the door shoulders and instrument panel is also standard. Thanks to the low seating position of both rear seats, it has been possible to design the head restraints as an integral part of the backrests. The rear backrest can be split 50:50 as standard and folded down to increase the capacity of the 420-litre luggage compartment.
For the first time ever, active seat ventilation is also made available where the cooled air is sucked in from the interior then guided along the body to the seats’ built-in fans for particularly effective temperature control of the seat cushions and backrests.

The introduction of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also marks the premiere of the latest generation of the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder unit that has been radically revised and optimised. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the BMW M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology which generates a top speed of 250 km/h.
The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe delivers a maximum output of 390kW/ 530hp which is on tap between 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 750Nm is available over a wide rev range from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm for prolonged forward thrust. It can do the century sprint in merely 3.7 seconds and posts a fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres.
The V8 engine is paired with the latest-generation 8-speed Steptronic Sports Transmission whose increased ratio spread, new transmission management and optimised hydraulic control produce sportier gear shifts while also enhancing its efficiency and smoothness. Shift paddles on the steering wheel are included as standard for manual gear selection.

The BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system operates more efficiently than ever before. With its rapid, precise and fully variable distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels, it maximises traction and handles stability even in highly dynamic driving situations. At the same time, the rear-biased set-up guarantees a driving experience for which BMW sports cars are renowned for. The electronically controlled rear differential lock fitted as standard on the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe gives the car an even sportier edge. The locking effect generated by an electric motor limits speed compensation between the inside and outside rear wheel when cornering, making it possible to power out of bends with eye-catching dynamic verve.

 The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe comes standard with the BMW Laserlight – the slimmest headlights of any BMW model to date.

The construction principle and tuning of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe’s chassis are designed to harness the dynamic potential of its powertrain technology. BMW’s designers maximised the sports performance of the car with a combination of optimised weight, a low centre of gravity, well-balanced axle load distribution, ideal wheelbase length and a wide track, plus a rigid body structure and favourable aerodynamic properties.
All standard light-alloy wheels are fitted with mixed-size tyres, whose traction-enhancing effect was factored into the tuning of the chassis. The suspension technology developed for the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe consists of a double-wishbone front axle and a shear panel fitted to the five-link rear axle which optimise stiffness and the chassis components’ connection to the body. The maximised camber settings on both axles, meanwhile, increase power transfer potential at high cornering speeds.
In addition to the Adaptive M Suspension, the car also comes standard with Integral Active Steering which reduces the turning circle when maneuvering, increases agility at moderate speeds and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds.
The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe comes with active cruise control with Stop & Go Function, with Driving Assistant Professional as a standard. The driver assistance includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Pedestrian Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning (front and rear), Emergency Stop Assistant, steering and lane control assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection and Evasion Aid which now reacts to pedestrians.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard with the latest-generation display and control concept consists of a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3” as well as a 10.25” Control Display which run on the new BMW Operating System 7.0. Further components of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional include an adaptive navigation system, a hard-drive based multimedia system with 20GB of memory, two USB ports, Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces.
Drivers can benefit from the car’s intelligent connectivity capabilities thanks to its built-in SIM card and the unlimited data volume, which allow them to use Intelligent Emergency Call to automatically summon swift assistance in an emergency and receive regular updates for the navigation system’s maps. Other services include Concierge Service and Remote Services.
Making its debut in the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe is the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant – an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant learns routines and habits, and is subsequently able to apply them in the appropriate context. In addition to ensuring there is always a genuine BMW professional on board, capable of explaining the different functions, the assistant awaits the driver’s every command, is always there to assist them and even provides casual conversation. One unique feature over other digital assistant is that drivers can give it a name, for example, “Hey Jamie”, to lend even greater individuality and personality.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will benefit from constant technical upgrades and be able to learn more preferences and favoured settings. Based on the driver’s favourite settings, it can even activate a combination of them to enhance well-being. For instance, “Hey BMW, I feel tired” triggers a vitality programme that adjusts the lighting mood, music and temperature, among other things, in order to make the driver feel more awake.
Also for the first time, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe features the BMW Digital Key. The Digital Key employs Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow the car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone. The smartphone simply has to be held up to the door handle to open the door. Once inside, the engine can be started as soon as the phone has been placed in the Wireless Charging or smartphone tray. Via the BMW Connected App, the Digital Key enables the driver to share the key with up to five people.

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe comes in Carbon Black metallic, Black Sapphire metallic, Sonic Speed Blue metallic, Barcelona Blue metallic, Sunset Orange metallic and Mineral White, matched with Black, Cognac or Ivory White BMW Individual Merino full leather trim sports seat. It will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from Friday, 15 March 2019, or you can visit www.bmwbethefirst.com.my to pre-book.
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe can be owned with monthly installment plans starting from RM 12,418.00 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
Owners of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe can also experience the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program
BMW 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty Program for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services
BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card
BMW Service Online

The retail price (on the road, without insurance, and with BMW Group Malaysia’s latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme) for the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe is RM 1,088,800.00

Photos courtesy of BMW Malaysia.
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vivo X90 Series Officially Launched in Malaysia

vivo officially launched the company’s latest X series flagship smartphones – vivo X90 Series on 3 February 2023 at Subang Skypark in Selangor. Available in two variants in Malaysia – X90 and X90 Pro, the series delivers a whole new set of advanced camera features and all-around performance upgrades powered by a state-of-the-art dual flagship chip technology featuring a 1-inch main camera sensor, vivo’s exclusive V2 chip, in addition to the company’s continuous collaboration with ZEISS in terms of imaging and camera system innovation, including optics, anti-reflective coating, software and system integrations. The vivo X90 Series also features powerful processing capabilities, a large battery, fast charging technology and a high-quality display.

“The new vivo X90 Series combines our in-house innovation with some of the industry’s leading imaging technologies to bring consumers a smartphone line-up equipped to tackle some of the most challenging scenarios, such as night photography and videography. I’m proud of our progress towards making the flagship X series the industry’s go-to flagship line for all-around superb performance.”
said Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of vivo Malaysia.
The new generation of the vivo ZEISS co-engineered imaging system brings a combination of hardware upgrades and software breakthroughs that provide improved light sensitivity, aperture, natural colour processing and stabilisation for an easy and intuitive point-and-shoot camera experience. The vivo X90 Series features a triple rear camera system, each with certified compliance with ZEISS T* Coating (Ed – vivo is very confident about this, even using one of my house keys in an attempt to scratch the lenses, and really impressed me when there were no scratches after vigorous attempts!).

vivo X90 Pro pushed the limits of smartphone imaging with a 50MP ZEISS 1-inch Main Camera, 50MP Portrait Camera with a Large Sensor and a 12MP Wide-Angle Camera. The main camera on the vivo X90 Pro uses a 1-inch (Ed – a 1-inch Sony sensor – those of you who have been reading my site for years know that I’m a big fan of Sony cameras and sensors) IMX989 sensor, the industry’s largest to date. The f/1.75 large aperture and 3.2 μm large pixel (4-in-1) size on the vivo X90 Pro’s sensor increases the light intake per pixel, allowing for brighter, purer night images. Compared to the GNV sensor used in the previous X generation (Ed – the vivo X80 Pro which I’m currently using), the new IMX989 sensor’s photosensitive area has increased by 77%, with its light intake capacity going up by 43%.
The 50MP Portrait Camera features an ultra-sensing portrait lens, with an IMX758 sensor that helps to achieve an aperture of f/1.6. With the support of the stabilisation system, an exclusive large-aperture lens and 4-in-1 sensor technology, the vivo X90 Pro can deliver subtly detailed portraits, even in low light. (Ed – I must say that vivo is really a smartphone portrait specialist, delivering natural-looking portraits that my female friends like tremendously.)
The vivo X90 Pro also introduces an independent optical image stabilisation (OIS) technology developed by vivo, allowing for more intelligent and precise stabilisation correction compared to standard OIS. It also supports Active Centring OIS System, significantly reducing smears between frames and motion blur.
The base-level vivo X90 is equipped with a 50MP VCS True Colour Main Camera, a 12MP Professional Portrait Camera and a 12MP Wide-Angle Camera. The VCS True Colour Main Camera optimises the sensor spectrum to achieve the target RGB colours better, improving native image colours, ensuring colour consistency and lowering the noise level.

The upgraded camera sensors, vivo’s exclusive V2 imaging chip, the in-house developed AI algorithms and ZEISS Optics with T* Coating work together to further enhance the capability of night photography and astrophotography, while new tools for unique and professional-grade content creation are also introduced.
4K Ultra-Sensing Night Video now comes with vivo’s Super Night Video 3.0 algorithm, supporting exceptional photosensitivity in extremely dark environments. The V2 chip ensures clarity even at high ISO settings with its noise reduction algorithm.
The vivo X90 Pro comes with an overhauled Handheld Astro mode to capture the starry sky with greater clarity without the need for a tripod. This feature is supported by the device’s enhanced light sensitivity, upgraded stabilisation technology and a new AI PD Extreme Night focus technology, that improves focus accuracy. Taking landscape moon photos is made possible with the Super Moon mode, available on both the vivo X90 and X90 Pro, which combines the hardware upgrades and the new Super Night 3.0 algorithm. At the blue hour, the period just before sunrise or after sunset when the sun dips below the horizon, vivo’s sky-segmentation technology optimises blue-tone colours while its Double Exposure algorithm integrates the landscape and the moon into one image. (Ed – the vivo X90 and X90 Pro do not have the tele or optical zoom lens that the vivo X80 Pro has.)
Powered by AI network learning, AI Night View can shoot up to 10 frames in RAW while maintaining a high dynamic range. It recognises elements such as the sky and human faces in night scenes and carries out segmentation to fine-tune the tone and colour of each segment. It processes HDR tones with a colour depth of up to 22 bits for more subtle colour transitions.
ZEISS Natural Color 2.0 in the new vivo X90 Series has been further calibrated to present colours with more authenticity and accuracy, bringing captured images closer to what is seen with the naked eye. For the first time, a new ZEISS Natural Color Display is now added to screen colour style settings, ensuring the captured colours are not affected by the display.
The Zero-Shutter-Lag Motion Snapshot makes capturing motion easier than ever before, even in low-light settings. In Sports mode and Night Sports mode, the combination of the high-speed shutter and motion detection algorithm helps to capture fast-moving subjects clearly.
The series also brings new creative effects jointly developed by vivo and ZEISS. The new ZEISS Cine-flare Portrait style simulates the flare effect seen in many classic films. Users can also capture unique miniature landscapes using the ZEISS Miniature Effect. This effect only keeps a small part of a landscape image sharp to generate the illusion of a miniature scene with no post-editing needed.

The dual-chip setup of the new vivo X90 Series includes MediaTek Dimensity 9200 and vivo V2 Chip. With the Dimensity 9200, both the vivo X90 Pro and vivo X90 have achieved high AnTuTu Benchmark scores of 1.26 million and 1.22 million respectively. The vivo X90 Series comes with LPDDR5X for vivo X90 Pro and Enhanced LPDDR5 for vivo X90, Extended RAM 3.0, which adds up to 8GB of extended memory, as well as UFS 4.0 + MCQ and UFS Deep Defragmentation.
The new vivo X90 Series supports 120W Dual-Cell FlashCharge technology, which improves the charging speed and battery life of the large 4,870mAh battery on vivo X90 Pro and the 4,810mAh on the vivo X90 large battery. Additionally, the vivo X90 Pro also supports 50W Wireless FlashCharge.
The new vivo X90 Series offers two charging modes: fast charging mode and balanced mode. In fast charging mode, the vivo X90 Pro can be charged up to 50% in 8 minutes and 10 seconds, while vivo X90 can be charged up to 50% in only 8 minutes. The balanced mode is ideal for everyday charging, requiring only 29 minutes for both vivo X90 and vivo X90 Pro to get the battery charged to 100%. Moreover, the devices have a 24-Dimension Security Protection and TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification for guaranteed charging safety.
vivo X90 Pro has an Ultra Large Vapor Chamber Liquid Cooling System made with a 24-layer cooling structure, and the largest vapour chamber among the X Pro models covering an area of 4,002 mm², for more efficient heat dissipation and insulation. Additionally, an innovative frame design reduces the heat transfer from the CPU to the frame, thus allowing for key areas where the users’ hands touch the phone when held horizontally to remain up to 2℃ cooler during heavy load usage.
Both the vivo X90 and vivo X90 Pro have a 6.78-inch Ultra Vision Eye Protection Screen. The 3D curved screen features a larger viewing area, with 1.07 billion colours, and a 100% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut which delivers rich and natural colours for a better viewing experience. The display also boasts HDR10+ and supports SGS low blue light, low motion blur, low flicker, AI low blue light certifications, as well as a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.
The vivo X90 Series smartphones offer chip-level Smart Eye Protection Mode, developed by vivo and MediaTek to intelligently monitor and control the proportion of blue light in real time while balancing the colours for added eye care. The display is made of a new Q9 luminescent material, which also effectively reduces blue light. High-frequency Pulse-width modulation (PWM) at a high frequency of up to 2,160Hz is used to reduce screen flickering, while 16,000-level smooth dimming helps adjust the screen brightness based on the light conditions, ensuring eye comfort.
The X90 Series smartphones come with Dual Stereo Speakers and an X-Axis Linear Motor for a more immersive audio-visual experience and rich tactile feedback. In the vivo X90 Pro, the Speaker Boost 4.0 algorithm expands the sound field and extends the low-frequency range, while the X-Axis Linear Motor provides vibration feedback for over 200 different scenarios. It also supports 4D Game Vibration.

The new vivo X90 Series features a distinctive new design inspired by the Fibonacci spiral for a balanced and striking appearance. On the rear cover, a horizontal strip, known as a Skyline, is incorporated to clearly differentiate the functional zones. The segmented design helps to balance the visual attention, making the camera module appear less obtrusive.
Taking inspiration from professional camera design, the new vivo X90 Series combines the three rear cameras into one “Big Eye” to create an integrated overall aesthetic. The overall hardness of the glass lens, which is coated with Corning’s Gorilla Glass and an ultra-hard, anti-reflective coating on the surface, measures 6 on the Mohs scale. It is more durable, resistant to drops and scratches, and transmits more light. Moreover, the Big Eye is protected by a surgical-grade stainless steel Halo Ring.
The vivo X90 Pro comes in a timeless Legend Black colour. The back is covered with luxurious pebbled vegan leather, which is environmentally friendly, stain-resistant, and durable. vivo X90 Pro has an IP rating of IP68 for water and dust resistance. As for the vivo X90, it comes in Breeze Blue and Asteroid Black, both featuring a fluorite AG glass back, which is smooth to the touch, and keeps fingerprints and dirt away.

The vivo X90 Pro is now available at RM4,999 and the vivo X90 is available at RM3,699. The latest vivo X90 Series line-up are available at all vivo concept stores, authorised dealers, vivo Malaysia’s official E-Store (X90) (X90 Pro), vivo Malaysia’s official flagship stores on Shopee (X90) (X90 Pro), Lazada (X90) (X90 Pro) and TikTok (X90) (X90 Pro).
From 4 February 2023, customers who purchase the vivo X90 series at vivo Concept Store will receive exclusive gifts worth up to RM1,300, including a 1+1 year warranty, 1 year screen protection and 1 year battery warranty. In addition, customers will receive a vivo TWS Air worth RM179 for purchasing the vivo X90, and a Joyoung Electric Baking Pan worth RM399 for purchasing the vivo X90 Pro.
For more info, head over to vivo X90 Pro – Pro Photography in Pocket | vivo Malaysia

Playing around with my vivo X80 Pro while waiting for the event to begin

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Photo credits: vivo Malaysia and author’s own using the vivo X80 Pro

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New Gastronomic Hub at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

[Travel/ Dining]
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Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi is all set to unveil Tokyo’s newest social and dining destination, pulsing with the intriguing energy of Japan’s capital, slated to open on 1 September 2020. Spread across the top floors of the landmark Otemachi One Tower, in the heart of the Tokyo’s key financial district, Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi has a view of the verdant Imperial Palace gardens as well as the mesmerizsng Tokyo skyline. Guests can sip, savour and celebrate at four distinct venues, all situated on the 39th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi.
“We want to take our guests on an exciting, multisensory journey,” says Executive Chef Marco Riva from Italy, who brings a dynamic approach to dining. “Each high-concept restaurant in our collection immerses you a different story – from the lively streets of Italy, to the timeless seduction of Paris, to the finesse of modern Japan. We can’t wait to share this vibrant world we’ve created.”

PIGNETO

At PIGNETO, diners can experience the joy of abbondanza (a life of plenty), with every meal a relaxed, family-style affair. Meet for aperitivi and boutique Italian wines at the panoramic terrace, with a breezy vibe reminiscent of 1980s Milan – fashionable yet lighthearted. It’s the kind of place one comes to unwind and people-watch, to see and be seen.
Indoors, enjoy close-up views of the action as Chef Marco’s team cooks up authentic Italian fare. Expert chefs recreate heritage pastas from scratch, while Pizzaiolo Alessandro de Leo crafts gourmet pizzas with his secret homemade dough. Nibble on cold cuts handpicked from the best salumerie in Italy, then feast on a sumptuous chianina Fiorentina, a Toscana favourite. The bohemian energy of Rome is in full flow at PIGNETO: hearty helpings, friendly service and market-style displays of colourful ingredients. As Chef Marco notes with a smile, “For us, it isn’t a good meal if you don’t have to loosen your pants at the end.”

Est

Next door at est, it is seasonality that sets the tone. Inspired by the Japanese terroir, Michelin-starred Chef Guillaume Bracaval crafts innovative French cuisine centred around native seasonal produce. Travelling extensively across Japan, Chef Guillaume has tracked down the finest ingredients for his kitchen – from fresh-caught fish supplied by a fisherman on Kyushu island, to more than fifty varieties of citrus grown on a farm in Wakayama prefecture.
Patrons can feast their eyes on the open kitchen as locally-harvested seafood and vegetables are transformed into a signature degustation menu. Each artfully-presented dish embodies a vibrant exchange between France and Japan: the soup stock, for instance, features dashi, while the Provence-style cheese selection includes tofu. Expect a warm and approachable ambience: “fine dining with a difference,” as Chef Guillaume remarks.
Chief Sommelier Yuta Yoshida curates an eclectic wine list, ranging from venerable French and Italian vineyards to unsung heroes from the New World. Share in his intimate knowledge of winemakers as he reveals the stories and legends behind the bottle. Framed by sweeping Tokyo views, est’s rooftop terrace is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks, as well as wine tastings.
The icing on the cake comes from Pastry Chef Michele Abbatemarco. With design playing a leading role in his patisserie, each dessert is composed like a work of art and plated with precision. “We are creating an exceptional table in Tokyo, where everything works in harmony from beginning to end,” says Chef Michele, whose recipes feature artisanal products such as wasanbon (Japanese sugar) and kanten (seaweed jelly), alongside a variety of fresh fruits, used creatively to reflect the 72 micro-seasons in Japan.

Virtu

Over at VIRTÙ destination bar, Paris meets Tokyo against a backdrop of glittering cityscapes. Pay homage to the art of drinking with Head Bartender Joshua Perez, who reinterpret classic French flavours with Japanese kodawari approach. Explore the country’s most eclectic curation of vintage spirits and rare French brandies, with a private Spirit Chamber for connoisseurs who want to deepen their experience.
The storied cocktail list, featuring VIRTÙ’s Seven Virtues, is layered with home-made blends and small-batch tonics. Moody and atmospheric, VIRTÙ celebrates a medley of drinking customs with daily rituals and tasting flights, framed by a museum-worthy array of artefacts. A small-group venue within the bar hosts private events, from omakase cocktail experiences to classes with award-winning bartenders. Or keep it simple and just unwind with a chilled Saison de Tokyo, a craft beer made specially for Four Seasons by an artisanal brewery in Shinjuku.

The Lounge

THE LOUNGE offers a welcoming sanctuary in the sky, gazing out at the Imperial Palace and Mount Fuji beyond. Rediscover high tea with a contemporary twist as award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Yusuke Aoki teams up with wagashi artists to tailor a beautiful ensemble of sweets and savouries, including seasonal parfaits, traditional Japanese desserts and Western high-tea classics. Diners can also sample an extra-special pastry inspired by Chef Yusuke’s famed Valrhona dessert, which won him the World #1 title at the Valrhona Chocolate Chef Competition (C3) 2018 in New York City.
The Resident Tea Sommelier curates a seasonal selection of blends from Japan, bringing the best of nature’s gifts to the tea experience. The teas are brewed in the traditional Japanese manner, allowing the leaves to express their truest flavours. Coffee aficionados, meanwhile, can savour locally-roasted single origin coffees. With breath-taking views and flawless service, THE LOUNGE provides a convivial setting for everything from a quick business breakfast to a leisurely sunset ritual featuring local musicians in Issey Miyake-inspired kimonos.
For more info, head over to https://www.fourseasons.com/otemachi/

Photo credits: Four Seasons Hotels
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Food Hunt – Jibby & Co at Empire Shopping Centre and Coffee Club at Subang Parade

[Food & Beverage]
The Coffee Club at Subang Parade

Shelyn wanted to try out the Coffee Club in Subang Parade so over we went with Yvonne and Charmaine to try out this new cafe. Now I must admit that I haven’t been to Subang Parade in like 20 years so I was rather curious to see how the mall has changed. When it first opened back in the early 90’s it was the longest mall in South East Asia but as newer malls came up, its popularity waned somewhat. However I was quite surprised that the parking lot was pretty full meaning that people still frequent this mall.
The Coffee Club originates from Brisbane, Australia and the one and only outlet in Malaysia is located in (or you could say outside) Subang Parade facing the SS15 mosque. With floor to ceiling glass panels enclosing the place, the sunlight streams in easily but good thing the aircons did a good job cooling the place. Can’t imagine their electricity bill though. There’s a little al-fresco dining area on the first floor for those who prefer some fresh air and as it was a very cloudy day, we decided to sit outside and enjoy the fumes from passing cars cool breeze.
 Long Latte – RM11.80++
The coffee was somewhat on the milder side. But fortunately the big glass somewhat justifies the RM11.80++ price tag. We ordered a couple of other drinks including the Cappuccino (RM10.80++), Mocha (RM12.80++) and Hot Chocolate (RM10.80++) to go along with our food. Not very outstanding but decent enough I guess.
 Caesar Salad – RM22.90++
The salad was topped with a poached egg, beef bacon, grated cheese and croutons. Not bad but the portion was not exactly very big. Perhaps meant for small eaters?
 Lifestyle Breakfast – RM22.90
Rather odd name for two (2) poached eggs atop a slice of toasted bread. Topped with some avocado and turkey ham slices. I thought that this really didn’t justify the price of RM22.90. Perhaps a salad or fries on the side would make it a little bit more worth ordering.
 Smoked Salmon Sandwich – RM24.90
OK my bad that the camera focused on the side salad instead of the sandwich itself. I was in quite the weekend mood and didn’t really check to see if it was in focus. As I was using the Superior Auto mode on the Sony Alpha 5100 and I had set the background defocus to maximum, the little side salad was in focus while the sandwich was not. Please pardon my bad photography skills!
Didn’t really taste much smoked salmon inside the sandwich. RM24.90 for this? Probably not…
 The Big Breakfast – RM29.90++
Good thing we ordered this as the portions of the other dishes were not exactly big. Actually I feel that this one didn’t really justify the price of RM29.90++ either. Sausages, toast, beef bacon, mushrooms, two  poached eggs, a hashbrown and half a tomato. I could get the same at La Bodega or Antipodean for a cheaper price.  The taste didn’t exactly wow me either although I don’t have any complaints.

I’ll probably not return unless I’m in Subang Parade which is rather unlikely with Empire Shopping Gallery just around the corner and Sunway Pyramid less than 10 minutes away. Nevertheless the cafe was pretty full so I guess there are customers willing to pay for their fare.

The Coffee Club is located at:
Lot No. LG 33 & G 32, Subang Parade, (outside the mall and facing the mosque)
No 5, Jalan SS 16/1,
47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia.

Tel: 03 – 56128117
Website: http://www.thecoffeeclub.com.my/

Operating Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 8.30am – 11.00pm
Friday – Saturday 8.30am – 12.00am

Jibby & Co at Empire Shopping Gallery

A lot of people have been talking about this restaurant, making both good and bad comments. There’s also the perpetual queue especially on weeknights and weekends and it sparked my curiosity  therefore I decided to try it out one fine afternoon. Now the building itself is in the open air carpark of Empire Shopping Gallery so you need to exit the main entrance near Tous Le Jour and walk over to it. As there is no covered walkway linking it to the mall, I’ll bet it will be rather inconvenient on rainy days.
Fortunately we didn’t need to queue as we were there during an off-peak hour and we were seated at a table upstairs within five (5) minutes. Immediately I didn’t really have a good impression of the ambiance as the tables are spaced way too close to each other for comfort. What is this? A school canteen for communal eating? Good thing it was a rather cloudy day too as the restaurant’s green house design accomplished exactly what a green house is supposed to do and the air conditioning was simply not up to the task of cooling the place sufficiently especially with the restaurant full of patrons! Hmmm…the food better make up for the lack of comfort.
I’ve read some reviews where the author’s complained about poor service from the staff and I think it must have gotten the attention of the management as the staff were quite polite to us and service was generally pretty fast.
 Mocha – RM12.00++ (L) and Cafe Latte – RM11.00++ (R)
The drinks were alright but the sizes were rather small for them to be charging over RM10.00 for them.
 Jibby’s Ultimate Burger – RM35.00++
This was pretty good. I enjoyed the juicy patty which was topped with beef bacon, onion, cheddar cheese, tomato, with thick cut fries, tomato jam, and English mustard on the side. Nice but RM35.00++  for this? Hmmm…
 Three (3) Layer Lasagna – RM32.00++
Lasagna with beef, mushrooms, and Roma tomatoes encircled with a basil pesto sauce. Now this was actually quite hearty and the creamy pesto sauce balanced out the tangy flavours of the lasagna. Nice but yet again I wasn’t too convinced that it should be priced at RM32.00++.

So although the food is pretty delicious. I don’t think I’ll be frequenting this outlet a lot as it’s rather overpriced and the ambience is just not there as you’re seated uncomfortably close to other patrons.

Jibby & Co is located at:
GK-11, Ground Floor, Empire Shopping Gallery (in the outdoor car park)
Jalan SS16/1,
47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia.

Telephone: 03-56137070

I was trying out the background defocus function of the Sony a5100. The background defocus function really helps to give macro/ close up photos a bit more artistic feel. Previously, achieving high background defocus or bokeh shots were only achievable using large aperture lens, but I managed to achieve the effect with the Sony Alpha 5100’s kit lens with the max aperture of f3.5.
More info on the Sony a5100 at http://www.sony.com.my/product/ilce-5100l

 Sony Alpha 5100

MHB’s official photographer Andy Kho (www.andykho.com) shot with the Sony Alpha 5100 at the media launch in Bangsar recently – http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.750427075003762.1073741959.123911204322022&type=3

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Editor’s Note – March 2020

[Editor’s Note]
Hennessy Concludes “Renewal Of Hope” Chinese New Year Campaign with RM38,888 Giveaway

MHB Digital’s Andy Kho and I headed over to Plaza Arkadia in Desa Parkcity on 8 February 2020 for the culmination of Hennessy’s Renewal of Hope campaign in conjunction with the brand’s Chinese New Year celebrations. The campaign finale was auspiciously held on Chap Goh Mei, the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, typically associated with the end of the festive celebrations.
The campaign finale saw Hennessy giving out kam, or mandarin oranges to members of the public, each for a donation of RM1, with which they could make a “wish” across any of eight categories – health, wealth, relationships, career, self, business, home and travel – in hopes that they would be granted.
As the festivities drew to a close, Hennessy rewarded eight lucky participants with a prize from each category. The prizes included a Eu Yan Sang voucher (health), jewellery / a voucher from Poh Kong jewelers (wealth), a dining voucher (relationships), admission into a career-building seminar (career), a clothing voucher (self), cash (business), an IKEA voucher (home) and a holiday package (travel).
Lending a symbolic touch, the prizes were collectively worth a total of RM38,888, considered in Chinese customs to be a prosperous number.
The initiative was a twist on the traditional Chap Goh Mei practice where young single women would write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges and toss them into the river, hoping that eligible men would eventually pick them and make contact.
Taking on a more noble and benevolent approach, Hennessy will channel all donations received in exchange for the kam to the Lost Food Project, Malaysia’s leading food bank towards their efforts in rescuing nutritious surplus food that would otherwise end up in a landfill, and redistributing this food to those who need it most. Meanwhile, the used oranges themselves will be given to GroundControl to promote sustainable energy efforts.
“This is one example of how Hennessy joyfully embraces the local cultures in the countries in which we operate and gives back to the local communities. In this regard, the Renewal of Hope campaign came as part of our commitment to our consumers who have made us the leading Cognac brand in the world, true to our deep heritage and rich tradition of pursuing passion, precision and perfection, which spans back more than 250 years,” said Thomas Bouleuc, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy Diageo (MHD) Malaysia.
“As we move forward into the New Year, our valued customers can be sure that we will continue to raise the bar, with so much more and greater times to look forward to in years to come,” he added.
The Renewal of Hope campaign was launched on 17 January 2020 to usher in Hennessy’s Chinese New Year festivities in conjunction with the year of the rat, which marks the dawn of a new 12-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac calendar.
True to its theme, the campaign saw the collaboration between Hennessy and renowned Chinese artist, Zhang Huan, to honour the beauty of nature’s perpetual cycles of renewal through distinctive artwork portraying the brand’s eaux-de-vie as a metaphor for the New Year. Titled “Spheres of Hope”, the artwork – which was featured throughout the campaign duration and on limited edition bottles specially designed for the festivities – took the form of a resonant dreamscape which exudes glittering radiance and a masterful interpretation of the infinite cycle of nature.
The artwork was also featured on a microsite specially developed by Hennessy for the festivities, where users could find out more about the ongoing events, create their own New Year greetings to share on social media with friends, and play games to collect kam points, with which users could redeem exclusive Hennessy bottles, free dinners and free drinks at participating restaurants and clubs.
The campaign also saw Hennessy collaborating with renowned Malaysian landscape designer, Lim In Chong, popularly known as Inch, to create the Garden of Hope. The tree installation, specially designed and built by Inch for Hennessy, is a realisation of twelve trees, holding individual coloured spheres inspired by shades of Zhang Huan’s artwork.
Visitors to Plaza Arkadia were able to experience first-hand both Zhang Huan’s artwork and the Garden of Hope throughout the campaign duration.
 Pic with Aiko, Senior Brand Manager of Hennessy X.O (Moet Hennessy Diageo Malaysia)

 Lighting up their sparklers as a symbolism of the renewal of a new cycle, hope and good fortune.
 Hennessy’s Mixologist team
 Hennessy Mandarin Highball with a fortune message hidden in the ice
 Entrance to Hennessy’s Pop Up
 Guests taking a shot in Hennessy’s Pop Up
 This is what the pop up looks like on the inside
 That’s me in red… I think I have a bald patch on my head! Darn!
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 With Instagrammer Reiiko
 Lighting up firecrackers to celebrate Chap Goh Meh

Photo Credits: Hennessy Malaysia and author’s own

SkyWorld Gives Sky Living a New Meaning

Headed over to the newly completed ‘SkyLuxe On The Park’ residence at Bukit Jalil on 13 February 2020 for a media tour of the property. The property was developed by SkyWorld Development Group and was handed over to its purchasers in February 2020.
SkyLuxe On The Park was completed ahead of schedule and will be certified with QLASSIC. This thoughtfully designed residence with impressive landscape concept has won numerous awards such as the Asia Pacific International Property Awards, iProperty People’s Choice Award and StarProperty Award.
Its nature-inspired ‘habitat’ concept takes inspiration from the ant colonies, spider webs, chrysalises, bird nests and bee hives—which are reflected in the designs and layouts within the property, such as the kid’s play web, sky garden, sky terrace and etc.
Mr Lee Chee Seng, Chief Operating Officer of SkyWorld shared, “Finally, our first home on the park is completed and we are very proud to showcase it to our business partners tonight! It requires a lot of attention to detailing especially on the façade as the balconies are of different sizes to create two dancing towers from afar. This final product is definitely a great result of strong dedication and teamwork from our staffs and consultants, and I am truly happy and proud. Kudos to the team! I can’t wait to show off this magnificent residence to our valued purchasers”.
SkyLuxe On The Park is one of the most luxurious upmarket development in Bukit Jalil. As its name suggested, SkyLuxe On The Park sits next to an 80-acre Bukit Jalil Recreational Park, opposite the 165-acre 18-hole Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort. To blend into the 80-acre park, SkyWorld even took the initiative to beautify the perimeter boundary with lush landscape. “We have invested RM6.5 million in the landscaping of SkyLuxe On The Park to ensure there are enough green spaces, not only within the development but also on the outside. SkyLuxe residents can have a stroll towards the park in a green setting and I believe this extra intitiave will also benefit the community” added Lee.
SkyLuxe On The Park residence is fully sold and with the good track record, SkyWorld expects to perform well in its future projects. Many of its future developments are location-centric – within the Kuala Lumpur region. With over 110 acres of quality land banks totaling more than RM11 billion in gross development value, SkyWorld looks to provide consumers with quality developments, one property at a time. Its future launches would be in locations like Taman Desa, Sentul and Setapak.
For more information, head over to http://www.skyworld.my
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