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https://timchew.net/2016/01/10/burberry-celebrates-lunar-new-year-2016/

Burberry Celebrates Lunar New Year 2016

[Fashion]   Burberry celebrates the Lunar New Year holiday season with a dedicated experience on Chinese social messaging platform WeChat, and a gifting assortment of iconic products for men and women. Building on its long-standing partnership with the platform, the Burberry WeChat account has launched ‘A Lunar New Year Gift’, a dedicated interactive messaging service for its followers. The experience invites users to use native app functionality – tapping, swiping and shaking – to unwrap some of the brand’s iconic gifts. At the end of the experience, users can also create and personalise digital Lunar New Year envelopes to send to friends and family to celebrate the holiday through the platform. WeChat users in China will also be given the chance to win limited edition physical Burberry Lunar New Year envelopes. Burberry first partnered with WeChat in February 2014 with the launch of personalised platform activity during the brand’s womenswear show in London, followed by a platform-exclusive experience for Burberry’s event in Shanghai in April 2014. Through a parallel social event experience, followers were able to interact with a series of London and Shanghai skylines by shaking, swiping or tapping their devices before the event. After the event, interactive event panoramas could be brought to life, allowing users to immerse themselves in dynamic, 360° views of the London and Shanghai set.     The Burberry gift assortment for the season highlights the brand’s iconic products in a special colour palette of blues and pinks, together with Burberry’s iconic Parade Red and flashes of gold, and includes Scottish-woven cashmere scarves which can be personalised with up to three letters, in two font sizes, and made-in-England trench coats for men and women. Burberry’s signature tote, The Banner, is also available as part of the offering alongside men’s backpacks, leather wallets and cashmere Thomas Bear key charms. Burberry Lunar New Year gifts will be available in-store and on Burberry.com from 6 January 2016. A Collect-in-Store service allows customers to shop online at Burberry.com globally and collect the order at a Burberry store of their choice as early as the next day. For those of you who want an extra special Lunar New Year envelope to send to your friends, the Burberry Lunar New Year envelopes are currently available in their stores. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2017/07/07/ford-expands-ranger-lineup-with-the-launch-of-the-new-ranger-fx4-in-malaysia/

Ford Expands Ranger Lineup with the Launch of the New Ranger FX4 in Malaysia

[Automotive News]   The Ford Ranger is renowned globally as one of the toughest and most capable pickup trucks in the market, with its distinctive looks, and a platform that combines smart technology and sheer capability. Its iconic designs make it instantly recognisable on the roads, and many roam the rural states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia as well as urban jungles in the Peninsula, used for its functionality and reliability. Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the official distributor of Ford automobiles in Malaysia, launched the new Ford Ranger FX4 on 20 April 2017, bringing a tough and sporty new look and premium features to the Ford pickup. “The Ford Ranger FX4 takes its inspiration from the enthusiast community with an updated grille and striking technical graphics. These emphasize the Ranger’s impressive performance and make a strong visual impression,” said Nick Eterovic, design manager, Ford Asia Pacific. The Ranger FX4 features an exclusive new grille with a mesh pattern that complements its strong trapezoidal shape, and a bold matte decal design drawing attention to the muscular bonnet, housing a powerful and proven 2.2-liter Duratorq diesel engine. Blacked out fog light bezels add to the sporty new look. Along the sides, additional technical graphics identify the truck as a unique FX4 variant, while 18-inch Stark Grey painted wheels and a black sports bar were chosen for a cohesive, unified design. On the tailgate, a blacked-out decal features the word RANGER in negative space, allowing the body color to show through. The Ranger FX4’s cabin, is consistent with the exterior with darker finishes for a bold, technical look while leather seats complement the dark interior and offer a unique level of refinement within the Ranger lineup.     The Ranger FX4 also features advanced technologies such as the SYNC in-car connectivity system that allows drivers to keep their focus on the road. Advanced driver assistance technologies include Rear Park Assist with reverse camera, Electric Power Assisted Steering, and Electronic Stability Program. The Ford Ranger FX4 has a class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800 mm deep, 230 mm of ground clearance, towing capability of up to 3,500 kg and a large payload capacity. For those off-road adventures, the robust electronically controlled transfer case on 4×4 models, electronic locking rear differential and Hill Descent Control helps drivers deal with challenging terrains with confidence. “Our customers in Malaysia already know the Ranger for its raw capability, advanced technologies and rugged, tough appearance,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “The Ranger FX4 builds on this foundation with a bold new look and premium features that we think they will love.” The Ford Ranger FX4 is available in Aluminum Metallic, Meteor Grey at dealerships nationwide. Official on the road pricing for New Ranger FX4 in Peninsular Malaysia is RM121,888.00 including GST. For more info, head over to http://www.sdacford.com.my/ Visuals courtesy of Sime Darby Auto Connexion.   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/05/01/editors-note-may-2016/

Editor’s Note – May 2016

[Editor’s Note] Preview of Naughty Nuri’s Life Centre Kuala Lumpur   The nice folks behind Naughty Nuri’s Desa Sri Hartamas and SS15 Subang Jaya invited me and my Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers girls over for the preview of their newest outlet at the Life Centre in downtown Kuala Lumpur last week.   The new outlet is big and well ventilated Naughty Nuri’s world famous ribs! There’s also a full bar which serves draught beers, liquor, wine and cocktails! Order a mojito and you’ll get a special presentation dance with it! Me with the girls Also at the event is outgoing Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia Henrik Andersen Am sure gonna miss him and his lovely wife! Yukisan with her friend With pretty Michelle from Tong Woh Enterprise With cute Erin With sexy Evian and Evonne Each night there will also be a dance presentation by the staff of Naughty Nuri’s   Naughty Nuri’s Life Centre is located at: Lot G-05, Ground Floor, KL Life Centre, 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: 019-300 7221 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Naughty-Nuris-KL-Life-Centre-1505020086473502/   A Shocking Tale I don’t normally write about religion as I prefer to keep this site secular. Therefore kindly note that I’m just sharing the passages from the Bible below as it relates to my system of beliefs and morals and not for any other reason. The Bible tells us believers not to judge others and I try to keep to that as much as possible for it says (rather frighteningly too) that you will be judged (by God) the same way as you judge others. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not spend my afterlife in hell. Mathew chapter 7 verses 1 and 2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” I try my best as a Christian to follow the 10 commandments, though sometimes it’s really easier said than done. “You shall have no other gods before me.” “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” “Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” “You shall not murder.” “You shall not commit adultery.” “You shall not steal.” “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.” “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.”   OK in this modern age, it is REALLY REALLY hard to follow all ten of the commandments. I mean “You shall not murder” is relatively easy to follow (although there are times when I do get the urge to kill some people especially when faced with stupid drivers on our infamous KL roads). Anyway on to the point of this story. After eight (8) years in the media and being in close affiliation with its related industries, I thought I’d seen it all (how naive of me). From relationship/ business scandals to unethical practices by competitors, or suppliers, it’s gotten to a point that I’ve pretty much lost faith in humanity (the Bible asks us to put our faith in God and not people anyway). Sure I’ve always had a positive outlook on life, I want to believe that there are still good people out there, and I have encountered good people (many of whom are not Christians just in case you were wondering, I’m not promoting Christianity in this post). There are good people from all walks of life and from different religions and races. Don’t let corrupt politicians who are trying to keep themselves in power use religion/ race/ ethnicity to divide us. Just that with the way the local and international situation is – massive corruption, a weakening economy, religious extremism/ bigotry, to wars and terrorism, there’s just not enough good news around. So lately I’ve become rather numb… and even apathetic at times because it’s simply easier than caring. In fact I think that caring too much can make you go stark raving mad. But every now and then, along comes an incident that shocks you to the core. Just when you thought you know a person well, they do something so totally unexpected that it leaves you speechless. OK I’m trying very very hard not to judge as I’m certainly nowhere near perfect so who am I to judge. However some actions, really conflict with my value and moral systems so badly that I can’t help but wonder what drove the individual to make such a choice and its subsequent actions. Now I’m sure many of you would have faced a similar situation, if not once, probably many times. But my issue is – how do you deal with it when it’s someone rather close to you? If the action is socially, morally and religiously wrong (but not against the laws of the land), trying not to be judgemental is a real challenge in itself. Every time I try to address the issue or even analyse it I get rather depressed and have to keep reminding myself not to be judgemental. So what should I do? Ignore it? It’s a big issue although it doesn’t involve me, the close association of that person to me affects the perception of the people around me regarding that person, and to some extent even me. I cannot say anything…it’s not that I didn’t try during the lead up to the (shocking) event. I tried many times only to be faced by an ice cold wall. And ultimately it’s that person’s decision and it involves their life. Not mine… But deep down inside, from experience, I know how the story will end. And there’s no fairytale ending for these types of situations. So I’ve decided not to take any action. Apathy? No…I feel very strongly about the issue. Just that sometimes, the best action is not to take any action. Just be prepared for the inevitable outcome, and try to deal with it then, as horrible as it may be. Trying to change someone who is dead set on their decision will only lead to a lot of conflict, so intervention might just cause you the relationship entirely. Some of you might say – but perhaps that relationship is not worth it. Yes you may be right. But I’m not someone to quit on people, no matter how bad the situation appears to be. (Disclaimer – if the person is toxic to you, you need to distance yourself from that person, even if it’s a family member. Pray that that person will change one day.) Oh BTW…don’t be like me being apathetic and all. I’ve learned to care about the things I can change (and try to take actions that affect change) and pray for the things that I can’t. Perhaps that’s the lesson God is trying to teach me from this situation – to have faith and leave it in His hands. A lesson to us arrogant humans who think we can control everything…   So May didn’t start too well for me this year but hey Mother’s Day is coming up this month! I wrote a review of the special Mother’s Day brunch menu at Soleil a couple of weeks ago – https://timchew.net/2016/04/26/mothers-day-family-brunch-set-menu-at-soleil/ It’s really pretty good but of course quality doesn’t come cheap. The seafood platter was simply awesome!   However, that being said, you don’t need to spend tons of money for a special meal on Mother’s Day. Sometimes, just the action of you taking the time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with mom or bring her out for lunch/ dinner to somewhere decent is good enough. Here’s a nice TV ad that I found on YouTube (and no this is NOT a sponsored post, I just thought it’s a nice TVC).     Make sure you make time to go see your mother, or if you’re not in the same country, do give her a call. You only have one (1) mom ok! Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there! Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/11/28/finance-news-november-2020/

Finance News – November 2020

Hong Leong Bank Q1FY21 Results Announcement Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Bank Berhad Hong Leong Bank Berhad announced its results for the first quarter ended 30 September 2020 (“Q1FY21”). “The environment which we operate in remains challenging, affected by the ongoing pandemic and cautious consumer and business sentiment. Nonetheless, our strategic and tactical plans provided us a strong foundation to start the financial year on a positive note, delivering net profit of RM729 million for the quarter, up 5.9% y-o-y underpinned by reasonable topline performance, prudent cost control and robust contributions from our associates. Gross loans and financing sustained its growth momentum, with a 6.8% y-o-y expansion buoyed by signs of economic recovery during the quarter, coupled with funding disbursed to support SMEs and corporate businesses. We continue to closely monitor our asset quality during this period of uncertainty, ending the quarter with a healthy GIL ratio of 0.48%. In view of the prolonged recovery situation, to err on the side of caution, we have continued to proactively build up pre-emptive credit loss buffers during the quarter.”Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLB Recovery in Business Performance Total income for Q1FY21 increased 11.0% y-o-y or 12.7% quarter-on-quarter (“q-o-q”) to RM1,349 million, attributable to loan/financing expansion, prudent asset-liability management and sustained non-interest income contribution. Net interest income was higher by 12.5% y-o-y at RM992 million, as a result of asset growth and lower funding cost from repricing of fixed deposits post OPR cuts. Consequently, net interest margin (“NIM”) for Q1FY21 recovered to 2.00%.Non-interest income for Q1FY21 rose 7.0% y-o-y to RM357 million with a stable non-interest income ratio of 26.5%. This was attributable to solid Markets/Treasury performance and pick up in wealth management and cards activities.Expenses continue to be prudently managed, with overall expenses relatively flat quarter on quarter.Consequently, operating profit before allowances for Q1FY21 increased 19.5% y-o-y or 22.5% q-o-q to RM828 million. Maintained Loan/Financing Growth Momentum Gross loans, advances and financing maintained its growth trajectory into the new financial year with a 6.8% y-o-y expansion to RM148.1 billion, led by key segments of mortgages, SME and commercial banking, as well as overseas operations. Domestic loans/financing continues to outperform the industry growth rate, at 6.8% y-o-y.Residential mortgages increased 8.0% y-o-y to RM74.5 billion, supported by a healthy loan/financing pipeline while transport vehicle loans/financing growth remains muted with overall portfolio at RM17.2 billion.Domestic loans/financing to business enterprises expanded 8.4% y-o-y to RM43.3 billion, whilst loans and financing to SME increased by 9.4% y-o-y to RM23.8 billion. The Bank’s community banking initiative continues to see strong growth of 37.9% y-o-y or 10.8% q-o-q, partially aided by disbursement of Special Relief Facility (“SRF”) to support SMEs.Loans and financing from overseas operations recorded a 7.0% y-o-y growth, led by expansion in Cambodia and Vietnam by 19.2% and 21.0% y-o-y respectively. Healthy Funding and Liquidity Position Maintaining a strong funding and liquidity positions during these unprecedented times is paramount. LDR remain prudent at 84.1% while LCR improved further to 157%, compared to 126% for the same period last year, well exceeding regulatory requirements. Customer deposits for Q1FY21 was higher by 6.8% y-o-y at RM174.7 billion, whilst CASA grew at a stronger pace of 21.0% y-o-y to RM50.6 billion, leading to an improved CASA mix of 29.0%. The Bank’s stable funding base continues to be backed by strong individual deposit base which expanded 7.7% y-o-y to RM93.5 billion, represented by an industry leading mix of 53.5%. Strong Asset Quality and Capital Position The Bank continues to focus on maintaining solid asset quality in preparation for unexpected headwinds ahead. GIL ratio ended lower at 0.48% as at 30 September 2020, down from 0.81% the prior year.With the pre-emptive credit loss buffer built up during the quarter, the Bank’s loan/financing impairment coverage (“LIC”) ratio improved to 190% as at 30 September 2020. Inclusive of regulatory reserve, the Bank’s LIC ratio stood at a comfortable 295%.The Bank ensures that capital position remains robust to withstand shocks from the ongoing pandemic, with solid CET 1, Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios at 13.5%, 14.1% and 16.3% respectively as at 30 September 2020. Regional Contribution International operations contributed 21.3% to the Bank’s pre-tax profit in Q1FY21, mainly contributed by Bank of Chengdu (“BOCD”). In line with the encouraging rebound of China’s GDP growth, profit contribution from BOCD remains robust, improving 17.1% y-o-y to RM165 million in Q1FY21, representing 18.6% of the Bank’s pre-tax profit. Helping Customers Recover with ResilienceFor as long as the situation requires, the Bank is committed to providing targeted HLB Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“HLB PRAP”) to help customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes customers who have started making their regular payments, but could face challenges down the road where they will still be able to apply for HLB PRAP before 30 June 2021. As at 16 November 2020, the Bank has helped more than 44,000 customers under HLB PRAP, comprising 8% of total gross loans/financing base.   Fuda said, “Since the start of COVID-19, HLB has been focused on helping affected customers recover with resilience from the socio-economic repercussions which have been keenly felt by businesses and individuals alike. While the industry-wide loan/financing payments deferment period has been important in providing relief to all Malaysians during the MCO and RMCO periods, the Bank is fully committed to providing further assistance to those who needed it by proactively reaching out to customers since early on in February to engage in conversation as to their financial stability and to extend assistance where needed and will continue to do so to ensure our customers can focus on the recovery efforts with the knowledge that we are here to help.” Acceleration of Digital InnovationsDespite the pandemic, HLB continued to accelerate product innovation and push digital offerings to enable greater business efficiency and cost optimisation for its customers while contributing towards building a cashless society. In fact, COVID-19 has accelerated the rapid shift to a digital and contactless way of life – from buying essentials to working online.  In an effort to further assist SMEs, especially the micro and smaller businesses and traders to be more digital and embrace cashless as a way to improve resiliency, recover and eventually grow their businesses, the Bank introduced the Hong Leong Bank Tap on Phone POS terminal to help them adapt to the new way of payment transactions. This new contactless mobile payment acceptance service is a simple, seamless and secure payment solution that is low-cost and accessible to all types of businesses targeted at increasing sales as it allows consumers to have more cost-effective payment options. To serve both young savers and their parents, the Bank launched HLB Pocket Connect which is the first in-market interactive digital banking platform for school going children and teenagers. It enables young savers to take charge of their own pocket money and savings and for parents to cultivate a responsible and healthy financial lifestyle in their children from a young age in a fun and interactive way. HLB Pocket Connect is the manifestation of a fit-for-purpose digital banking experience for customers who are raising a family consisting of young digital natives who are exposed to hyper personalisation, real-time gratification and highly interactive content and experiences. Additionally, following the publication of Bank Negara Malaysia’s guidelines on Electronic Know-Your-Customer (“e-KYC”) on 30 June 2020, the Bank made history by becoming the first bank in Malaysia to offer a truly digital onboarding experience for Malaysians looking to open a bank account. The experience is fully digital, eliminating the need to visit a physical branch or Self-Service Terminal where customers only need to download the ‘Apply@HLB’ mobile app to open an account anytime, anywhere and their Debit Card will be delivered to them wherever they are in Malaysia. This simple, hassle-free and convenient way of banking is timely given the ongoing COVID-19 health concerns and corresponding shift to digital ‘everything’. In addition to account opening, a fully digital credit card and personal loan application, without requiring customers to meet face-to-face or visit any physical branches, will be introduced soon.   According to Fuda, “We are pleased to be able to help Malaysians bank safely amidst the on-going pandemic and we are proud to be doing our part in pushing for greater digital innovation in the financial sector which would further stimulate the growth of the country’s digital economy, while meeting the needs and expectations of an increasingly digital and mobile-first generation of consumers. We also hope that this will deliver a significantly higher value-added customer experience which will set a new benchmark for the industry.” Building a Vibrant and Sustainable CommunityWith over 110 years of deeply rooted history in Malaysia, HLB has truly embraced the value of being here for the long term, long before sustainability became a common business practice. From innovating banking products to talent management, the Bank always maintains a long-term mindset which includes the essential role it has in creating and sustaining a vibrant ecosystem of communities and the environment. To further drive this, the Bank introduced its ESG Framework which incorporates Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations in the credit evaluation of SME and Corporate Customers. This framework not only underlines HLB’s commitments towards building a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem in the communities it operates in, but also promotes adoption of sustainable business strategies and practices amongst customers and business partners. The COVID-19 crisis is a prime example of disruptive change exposing the vulnerabilities in old structures and practices. However, it has also prompted acceptance, and hence further investments, into areas that will enhance the prospects of a more sustainable and resilient recovery. With the introduction of the ESG Framework, the Bank looks forward to working with customers to transform business operations, encouraging sustainability and promoting that we all play a part in building a better legacy to leave for future generations. To take care of the less fortunate, we also enhanced a few ATMs to cater for the blind, underlining our commitment to ensuring inclusivity in providing services to all segments of society. Business OutlookFuda commented, “We continue to see recovering signs in the global as well as domestic economy, although growth momentum appears to have lost some steam in recent weeks because of the CMCO and increased number of infections in some other countries. Lingering weaknesses in the labour market and still soft sentiments would dampen consumer spending, while resurging new cases could pose further risks to overall economic activities. Nevertheless, we remain focused in our vision to build a highly digital and innovative ASEAN financial services institution. Emphasis continues to be on building products and services propositions that ring true to our brand promise of “Built Around You” where clients are at the centre of everything we do. We will ensure that we continue to provide targeted assistance to clients that are and might experience financial difficulties emanating from the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The new normal operating environment will no doubt present us with new growth opportunities which we will endeavour to capture by being agile and responsive to the changing landscape. Concurrently, we continue to revamp our cost structure, enabling us to invest in growth opportunities and deliver sustainable results to our stakeholders.” Hong Leong Bank Announces its Simplified Application Process for B40, Microenterprise & M40 Customers Following the recent Budget 2021 and Bank Negara Malaysia’s announcement, Hong Leong Bank and Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad (“HLB” or the “Bank”) announced on 23 November 20202 that the Bank will continue to make its Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“PRAP”) available with a simplified application process for customers affected by COVID-19 and the Conditional Movement Control Order (“CMCO”) especially the B40 and M40 customer category as well as Microenterprises customers. Already approving more than 98% of applications received since the end of the moratorium, HLB is confident the simplified application process will further speed up the response to customers that apply for further assistance. Under the dedicated B40 Category Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“B40PRAP”), individual customers or their spouses categorised as B40 and registered on Bantuan Sara Hidup (“BSH”) or Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (“BPR”), can now apply for relief without submission of documents starting 23 November until 30 June 2021. Under this simplified application process, customers can choose either a 3-month loan deferment plan or 50% reduction in monthly instalments for 6 months. Additionally, the Bank is also offering a 25% reduction in monthly instalments for 6 months for customers who wish to manage their repayment whilst reducing the additional interest/profit accrued. For Microenterprises, including businesses across all sectors with an annual sales turnover of less than RM300,000 or have less than 5 full-time employees as defined by SME Corporation Malaysia, the Bank is extending additional relief facilities through Microenterprise Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“MPRAP”). Eligible microenterprises can apply for either a 3-month loan deferment or a 50% reduction in monthly instalments for 6 months, with just a declaration that their businesses have seen reduced income due COVID-19 and CMCO. M40 category customers do not have to submit any documentation at the point of application for the Bank’s PRAP as validation of documents can be done after the application has been received and processed by the Bank. Application starts from 23 November 2020 until 30 June 2021. Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLB said “Since February 2020 at the start of the pandemic in our community, we realised that we needed to be very quick and efficient in responding to and processing our customers’ requests for payment relief assistance as it was crucial to ensure that they not only received the necessary cashflow to support their families and keep their business operations going, but it also provided them with the relief of knowing that financial assistance is promptly being made available for them so that they are able to better plan their finances during this difficult period. With these simplified processes, we reassure customers that getting the help they need will be simple and fast.” Fuda continued, “On top of payment relief, the Bank also has a dedicated plan to help customers managing their credit card debt through the ‘Credit Card Conversion Relief Plan’ under HLB PRAP. This plan allows customers to convert their outstanding credit card balance into a term loan with the option to opt-in for a 36-month instalment plan at an effective interest rate of 13%p.a. (Flat interest rate 7.1%p.a.). Applications for this are open until 30 June 2021.” For more info or to apply for HLB/ HLISB PRAP, head over to http://www.hlb.com.my/relief or visit any HLB/ HLISB branches. Alternatively, customers can also call the dedicated HLB/HLISB Payment Relief Assistance Plan hotline: 03-7959 1888 (Monday – Thursday from 8:45am – 5:45am.; Friday from 8:45am – 4:45pm) or HLB/HLISB Contact Centre: 03-7626 8899 (Monday-Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/06/14/huawei-ascend-p7-launch/

Huawei Ascend P7 Launch

[Tech & Gadgets]   Headed over to the Grand Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur on 10 June 2014 for the launch of Huawei’s latest flagship smartphone – the Ascent P7 which replaces the P6. Huawei Ascend P7 launch in Malaysia comes hot on the heels of its international launch barely a few weeks ago. The Ascend P7 has a 5-inch FHD touchscreen display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, and is protected by the strong Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 in both front and rear covers. Aesthetics wise, the Ascend P7 exudes a metallic appearance thanks to the seven-layered rear surface treatment with a refined “spin effect” micro-pattern design, while the phone is 6.5mm thin, making it one of the slimmest 4G LTE smartphones in the world. The Ascend P7 is powered by a 1.8GHz HiSilicon Kirin 910 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and Android’s latest Kit Kat 4.4.2 with Emotion UI 2.3. You can also access the smartphone’s management software to customize the permission, network and notification manager, among others to best suit your needs. Powering the device running is a 2,500mAh lithium polymer battery which is equipped with an advanced power-saving mode, making it possible for remaining 10 per cent battery life to last 24 hours on standby.     The phone comes equipped with a 13MP non-spherical lens Back-illuminated sensor (BSI) rear-facing camera, with the Image Signal Processor (ISP), giving users functions that mimic those found in professional digital SLRs, including autofocus, white balance and noise reduction. To access the camera quickly, the rear camera can be activated within 1.2 seconds of double-clicking the down volume button while the device is locked. For those who love taking selfies, the front camera is a 8MP non-spherical lens equipped with IMAGESmart 2.0 software that has 10 level auto-facial enhancements in beauty mode. The Ascend P7 is equipped with Huawei’s unique dual antenna designed to improve signal receptions and enabling unlimited media viewing with 4G LTE speeds. The Ascend P7 also uses smart network switching technology that stabilizes the connection even during weak signal reception to minimize battery drainage. Apart from the A7, Huawei also introduced a line-up of LTE-enabled (and normal 3G) devices – Huawei MediaPad X1 7.0, Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0, Ascend G6, and the wearable B1 TalkBand.   (click on the individual photos above to open a larger version)   The Ascend P7 is available in black and white and is priced at RM 1,499 while the other devices are priced at: Huawei X1 7.0 LTE – RM1,399.00 or 3G – RM1,299.00 Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0 LTE – RM1,099.00 or 3G – RM899.00 Ascend G6 LTE (RM899.00 or 3G – RM749.00 TalkBand B1 at RM499.00 The devices are available immediately at all Huawei authorized stores. For more information, head over to www.Vmall.my   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/07/14/sharp-electronics-malaysia-introduces-sharps-remote-life-concept-at-the-sharp-virtual-dealer-convention-2020/

Sharp Electronics (Malaysia) Introduces SHARP’s “Remote Life” Concept at the SHARP Virtual Dealer Convention 2020

[Technology] Launching Sharp’s Remote Life Solutions. (sixth from left) SHARP Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Ting Yang Chung, (fifth from left) Deputy Managing Director (Sales Division), Tok Sang Man, and (third from left) Assistant General Manager (Sales) and Head of Smart Solution Division, Clement Ng, trying out Remote Fitness, one of SHARP’s Remote Life Solutions.   Headed down to Sharp Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (SHARP) facility this morning for the debut of their new products and ecosystem of solutions, at their SHARP Virtual Dealer Convention. The convention was held online (with a press conference attended by us media) this year due to the Covid-19 situation and featured the use of mixed reality technology for the press briefing and launch. “SHARP continues to be a leading provider of innovative solutions with a legacy in Malaysia spanning 35 years. We constantly innovate solutions to help consumers address the challenges of today. Over the past few months, the whole world has been driven to adopt digital solutions faster than we’ve ever seen before. Given the current emphasis on seamless communication and safety of consumers as we embrace the ‘new normal’, the introduction of SHARP’s Remote Life concept this year is intentional and timely for smarter and connected environments in classrooms and offices,” explained Executive Managing Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, ASEAN Business and Chairman, SHARP Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd, Robert Wu. SHARP shared its plans to strengthen its brand position and grow market share through its dynamic business strategy, even in the face of the challenges posed by Covid-19. SHARP remained among the top brands preferred by consumers according to global market research group. The insights of the market survey, for the period of June 2019 to May 2020, found that SHARP dominated the number one position in the refrigerator and washing machine product segment in comparison to its competitors, holding a majority market share of approximately 20% in Malaysia. SHARP is also in listed among the top three preferred brands in the television and air conditioning product segment. SHARP unveiled its new “Remote Life” concept as a highlight of the virtual convention, focusing on seamless communication and safety of users. The concept comprises three solutions for three key areas namely, Remote Meeting for businesses, SHARP Remote Education Systems for classrooms and Remote Lifestyle for the general user or household to operate effectively and safely in the new normal.   Remote Meeting for businesses SHARP Remote Education Systems for classrooms SHARP Remote Education Systems for classrooms. Brickfields Asia College is one of the first institutions of higher learning to be equipped with the SHARP Sharp Smartboard which is available in different sizes, has a built-in interactive launcher for all-in-one interactive whiteboard functions, 4K Ultra-HD Quality, and Video conferencing system for remote presentation. (From left) SHARP Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Ting Yang Chung, and Deputy Managing Director (Sales Division), Tok Sang Man, and Assistant General Manager (Sales) and Head of Smart Solution Division, Clement Ng, introducing eSHARP, SHARP Malaysia’s new e-commerce platform   To support the recovery of businesses within its dealer network, SHARP also took to opportunity to introduce its new e-commerce platform, eSHARP (https://www.esharp.com.my/), at the virtual convention. The new eSHARP platform aims to drive revenue back to dealers. “Amid safety and health concerns, we understand our customers want better access to their favourite SHARP products. Our eSHARP platform represents a ‘second floor’ retail business concept for our customers to shop at and extend our authorised dealers’ physical store presence and compliment their business. Customers are assured of a secure online shopping experience and peace of mind knowing the quality of genuine SHARP products from authorised dealers. This new business strategy will help our dealers gain online revenue and enhance customer engagement,” explained Wu. In view of the current social economic environment, SHARP understands the consumer’s need for affordability alongside quality solutions. As such, SHARP announced its plans to debut its new product line-up (at various price-points) including its signature BIG AQUOS TV range and home appliances this year. SHARP also previewed its partnership with BACFREE® to introduce water products that will complement SHARP’s ‘Air of Confidence’ Solutions comprising of Air Purifiers, Air Conditioners and Air Cooler products fitted with Plasmacluster technology. For more info, head over to https://my.sharp/   Photo credits: SHARP Malaysia and author’s own . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2021/11/23/tech-news-november-2021/

Tech News – November 2021

[Tech News] vivo Malaysia Debuts the vivo Y76 5G vivo Malaysia unveiled the new vivo Y76 5G in Malaysia on 23 November 2021, debuting their new mid-range tier device that aims to deliver an immersive mobile experience for users. The new smartphone comes equipped with a large screen display, a sophisticated sleek design. “Living in a digital age where most mobile users seek entertainment content and subscribe to a mobile gaming lifestyle, an undisrupted and immersive experience for them has become a must. We are excited to introduce the vivo Y76 5G in Malaysia as we believe that it would be a perfect mid-range device that suits these users’ everyday lifestyle. In line with our philosophy ‘Joy of Humanity’, it is also part of our endeavour to redefine our users’ daily content consumption experience.”Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of vivo Malaysia The newly-released That’s Y series device features a 6.58″ FHD+ Incell screen with FHD+ resolution (2408*1080) that supports high colour saturation and delivers a vivid visual experience without straining users’ eyes from blue light, thanks to its Eye Protection Mode. The vivo Y76 5G reaffirms vivo’s craftsmanship by sporting an ultra-slender and sleek design, measuring 7.79mm thin (excluding camera) and weighing only 175g. The phone with its 2.8mm narrow frame to the 3D back cover, was carefully designed to offer an ultimate on-hand experience for mobile users. The vivo Y76 5G features a sparkling AG frosted back cover surface that also prevents fingerprint smudges. The vivo Y76 5G is available in two eye-popping colours – Midnight Space and Cosmic Aurora. Midnight Space, a glitter-enhanced frosted surface, illustrates the twinkling stars in the mesmerising midnight sky to the vast space, while Cosmic Aurora portrays an aurora-illuminated horizon by perfectly blending shades of blue and orange together. The vivo Y76 5G was designed to be a mid-range tier device for gaming, and comes with the upgraded Ultra Game Mode 2.0 and Multi-Turbo, which reduces lag. Users can instantly shift between multiple modes, including “Power Saving”, “Balanced”, and “Performance” with an optimised sidebar and dynamic dashboard that displays performance parameters. The gaming experience is backed by 4D Game Vibration, which mimics the recoil sensation. With the Game Picture-in-Picture feature on standby, users can now play games while exchanging texts with friends and families. To push for a fuller experience, switch on Do Not Disturb to silence unwanted distractions by blocking notifications. Switching between multiple apps without lags is made possible with vivo’s outstanding Extended RAM technology, which is now upgraded with version 2.0. It draws an extra 4GB from ROM to add to the generous 8GB of RAM, and by doing so vivo Y76 5G users can instantly enjoy a seamless 12GB RAM experience. It can now support more apps (keeping up to 25 apps) running in the background without compromising speed performance. To provide a seamless experience, the vivo Y76 5G is packed with a 7nm 5G chip and a CPU speed as high as 2.2GHz. Along with a 128GB memory, users can savour a smoother 5G experience with a faster connection and multiple app downloads. The vivo Y76 5G comes equipped with a 50MP AI triple camera system, innovative sensor, and image processing system. The 50MP AI triple camera system consists of three lenses – 50MP main camera, 2MP bokeh camera and 2MP macro camera. The Bokeh camera can create artistic depth and quality effortlessly, while the macro camera can focus on objects as close as 4cm. Complementing the imaging capabilities of the phone, a suite of vivo’s multi-modal photography and videography features – including 16MP AI Extreme Night Selfie, Super Night Mode, and Ultra Stable Video – are available on the vivo Y76 5G. The upgraded AI Extreme Night algorithms and Super Night Mode empower users to capture wonderful night selfies with more details, richer contrasts, and lesser noise. Its AI Face Beauty algorithm and Smart Softlight Band work to optimise night mode portraits. The Ultra-Stable Video smartly senses phone motion and makes dynamic adjustments for clear and vivid images, and the camera also comes with Fun Shot features such as Double-View Video and Double exposure. The vivo Y76 5G features 44W FlashCharge – a leading charging tech in the mid-range phones – which can power the 4,100 mAh (TYP) battery efficiently and quickly, while its VEG technology helps to preserve battery usage. The vivo Y76 5G comes with a brand-new Funtouch OS 12, which sports a neat design and simple touch controls which was designed with a natural and eye-friendly layout. The vivo Y76 5G has a pre-order price of RM1,299 and is now available at all vivo concept stores, authorized dealers, vivo Malaysia’s official E-store, and flagship store on Shopee and Lazada, until 26 November 2021. Free gifts worth RM587 upon pre-order include RM50 instant rebate, Y76 5G customised Vanzo Fragrance Gift Set worth RM138, 1 Year Extended Warranty and 1 Year Screen Crack Protection worth RM399. The vivo Y76 5G will also be available for purchase on 27 November 2021 onwards (on the aforementioned channels) and comes with a customized Vanzo Fragrance Gift Set worth RM138, 1 Year Extended Warranty and 1 Year Screen Crack Protection worth RM399, a total of RM537 worth of free gifts upon purchasing the device. vivo Y76 5G collaborates with Mobile Legends to offer customers a random limited Mobile Legends skin worth RM55 upon purchasing the Y76 5G smartphone. In addition, vivo will be hosting a “Super V Championship” Mobile Legends tournament at Central i-City on 27 and 28 November 2021, with a cash prize worth up to RM5,000. OPPO Debuts the OPPO A95 Smartphone in Malaysia OPPO recently launched its latest A series smartphone – OPPO A95 – in Malaysia. Continuing the characteristic features of the OPPO A series, the OPPO A95 features powerful hardware for a practical and long-lasting experience, finished with a stylish OPPO Glow design. OPPO A95 comes equipped with a large 5000mAh battery and 33W Flash Charge to ensure longer battery life and usage time. It also features OPPO’s self-developed RAM Expansion technology, is 7.95 mm thin, and weighs only 175 grams. “From work to play, OPPO A95 offers an all-round smartphone experience that allows you to take on each day with confidence,” said Garry Gong, Vice-President, OPPO Malaysia. Powered by the Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 662 platform, OPPO A95 delivers a smooth and efficient user experience that is further enhanced by System Booster, a suit of system-level optimizations that ensure the phone runs seamlessly. The OPPO A95 also comes with a RAM 8GB+5GB and ROM 128GB configuration, and RAM Expansion technology, allowing it to convert unused ROM storage into RAM when manually enabled. OPPO A95 helps solve users’ anxiety around battery life and capacity with its large 5000mAh battery and 33W Flash Charge, which can reach a full charge in 72 minutes. With a 5-minute charge, users can enjoy 1.8 hours of YouTube video viewing and 5.7 hours of voice calls. OPPO has also added a series of charging features to OPPO A95 that makes charging the device safer and more convenient: Battery Guard helps personalize overnight charging intelligently, tailored to fit personal user habits; Charging Heat Control monitors heat dissipation and controls the phone’s temperature while charging to alleviate any charging-related safety concerns; and Super Power Saving Mode and Super Nighttime Standby both maximize that last leg of battery life when it is most needed. For photos and videos, OPPO A95 features triple camera setup on the back of the device, including a 48MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor camera, and a 2MP macro lens, together with a series of AI-supported features to capture high quality images. These include 15 different image-enhancing filter presets; AI Scene Enhancement, which can intelligently recognize scenes such as food, flowers, sunsets and more, to optimize colors, saturation and brightness; and Night Mode, for taking bright and clear photos with rich details in the evenings or in low lighting settings. On the front of the OPPO A95 is a 16MP front camera with OPPO’s AI Beautification and Front Night Mode features. The OPPO A95 also is equipped with a series of features such as Steady Video, SLO-MO and SoLoop. The entire phone is manufactured to be both dustproof and waterproof, with an IPX4 rating. It has also been tested for durability by being put through a series of rubbing tests against a range of common household materials designed to simulate everyday wear. The OPPO A95 is available in two colours: Glowing Rainbow Silver and Glowing Starry Black. Both models feature OPPO’s exclusive OPPO Glow design, which gives the back cover of the phone a subtle shimmering appearance, creating a dual matte finish with glittery details. The phone’s cover feels ultra-fine and smooth to hold, and it is also fingerprint-resistant, scratch-resistant, wear-resistant, and fire-resistant. OPPO A95 features a 6.43-inch display with a 90.8% ultra-high screen-to-body ratio and a high 2400×1080 resolution. The display is fitted with All-day AI Eye Care – a series of features comprising AI Smart Backlight and DC Dimming. ColorOS 11.1 on OPPO A95 provides the foundation for an efficient and convenient user experience, helping to improve everyday productivity for all kinds of tasks. FlexDrop, for example, ensures smooth multi-task among different apps through resized windows. Meanwhile, saving private images, videos, audio, documents, and other files in the Private Safe can help prevent other people from accessing them. ColorOS 11.1 protects user safety and privacy with several customized features included as standard, such as All-scenarios SOS. OPPO A95 includes a number of customized features for mobile gaming including OPPO’s patented Hyper Boost technology that privides a more stable gaming experience, with less power consumption and better temperature control. Additionally, features like Game Space, Game Assistant, Game Focus Mode and Bullet Notifications all contribute to creating a fully-immersive and interruption-free gaming experience. The OPPO A95 is priced at RM1,099. Customers can purchase the device a My OPPO Space, OPPO Brand Stores, OPPO Official Online Store, OPPO Authorized Dealers, OPPO Authorised Online Store, Chain Store Partners and E-commerce partners such as including Shopee and Lazada. For more information, head over to https://www.oppo.com/my/event/oppo-a95-launch/ Photo credits: Respective brands . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2023/03/06/tech-news-march-2023/

Tech News – March 2023

vivo Malaysia Unveils the vivo V27e vivo launched its latest addition to the vivo V series – the V27e on 1 March 2023 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. vivo V27e is a light-weight, stylish phone which combines functionality and style for users looking for a lower mid-range smartphone that offers an all-round photography experience. “With its eye-catching appearance and outstanding image capabilities, vivo V27e allows users the power to capture special, aesthetically pleasing moments. To achieve this, vivo constantly strives to develop leading technology in its smartphones to improve performance in a slim design. The V series smartphones are also well-known for their aesthetic beauty and vivo has continued this strong tradition with an amazing range of colours for vivo V27e. Looking ahead, vivo will continue to push the boundaries with its smartphones to ensure users enjoy the best experience.”      Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer at vivo Malaysia With vivo being the portrait specialist, it was not surprising that the v27e places an emphasis on portrait photography with the Aura Light Portrait feature that vivo claims to provide natural night portraits, thanks to its ultra-sensing rear main camera, studio-level soft lighting effect and portrait-enhancing capabilities. The Aura Light and Portrait Mode work in tandem to help the camera light up faces for better portraits at night (more light usually results in less noise in photos). ​  The 64MP OIS Ultra-Sensing Camera on the back of vivo V27e offers a longer exposure and increases light intake by six times, producing more stable snapshots, boosting the quality and success rate of images taken in low-light conditions. vivo claims that the 32MP front camera takes clearer selfies, and being a vivo user myself (I use the vivo X80 Pro) I can attest to the fact that vivo’s selfie capabilities are usually pretty good while being natural so much so that it amazes most of my female friends. The V27e also comes with the multi-style portrait system which offers different templates ​to personalise images taken on the front and rear cameras. Vivo also claims that the V27e can shoot brighter, more dynamic, detailed videos thanks to the Hybrid Image Stabilisation (OIS + EIS) which can perform stabilisation computations and movements up to 10,000 times per second. (I cannot substantiate these claims as I have not had the opportunity to test the phone in the field/ real-life scenarios). The Vlog Movie Creator feature offers a new one-stop video creation experience, providing 26 templates with rich video effects to show users how to shoot objects, people, or landscapes, along with real-time guidance for camera movement. The Vlog Movie Creator also enables users to edit videos efficiently with a built-in time slider, allowing users to easily crop and delete redundant segments of videos. It also comes with portrait optimisation to enhance skin texture, focus, lighting and stabilisation, a feature I’m sure most females will undoubtedly appreciate. The vivo V27e’s design pays tribute to the vibrant colours of nature with a design flow which gives it a dynamic, artistic, simple and elegant look. Both the colour variants offers a different visual experience. The Lavender Purple edition uses the nano-scale photoetching technique and features a glowing peacock feather pattern, giving it an eye-catching look. The phone is also carefully designed to exude an airy, lively and elegant feel. Meanwhile, the Glory Black edition features a silky, glittery pattern which was designed to exude a sense of glamour and refined luxury. The vivo V27e has a large 6.62′′ 2.5D screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and ultra-high brightness and contrast. The 120Hz Sunlight AMOLED Display also features self-developed ambient light sensors combined with luminescent materials which intelligently adjust the screen’s brightness and deliver vivid authentic colours. The flat frame, slim body of 7.7mm thickness and a weight of 185g provides an ultra-thin grip that gives the phone a slender and elegant look which is accentuated by the stunning flat screen.   The new vivo V27e is equipped with a 4600 mAh (TYP) battery. Coupled with vivo’s in-house developed FlashCharge technology, it supports up to 66W of charging power (the V27e comes with a vivo standard charger that supports up to 66W charging) and a peak energy conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%. Further supported with an advanced cooling system, the phone can be charged to 50% in only 19 minutes while the screen is off. The vivo V27e battery has twice the lifespan compared to the industry standard and supports up to 1,600 charging cycles compared to the industry standard of 800 charging cycles. The vivo V27e is equipped with MediaTek’s Helio G99 platform, which features a 6nm advanced process. It combines graphite sheets of ultra-high thermal conductivity with high-efficiency heat dissipation materials to create an efficient cooling system to boost performance. The vivo V27e is equipped with Extended RAM technology, which supports up to 8GB of virtual RAM. The Extended RAM works in tandem with the 6nm chip to seamlessly switch between apps and store data. The vivo V27e is priced at RM1,299 and is currently available at all vivo concept stores, authorised dealers, vivo Malaysia’s official E-Store and vivo Malaysia’s official flagship stores on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok. From 4 March 2023 onwards for a month, customers who purchase the vivo V27e will receive free gifts worth RM666, which includes a smart tag worth RM69, Bluetooth speaker worth RM99, 1-year extended warranty and 1-year screen protection. With Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer at vivo Malaysia . Photo credits: vivo Malaysia and author’s own Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/02/27/mitsubishi-asx-cbu-launched-in-malaysia/

Mitsubishi ASX (CBU) Launched in Malaysia

[Automotive News]   Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia, officially launched the first locally-assembled Mitsubishi ASX on 12 February 2014 at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA) plant. The mid-size SUV is contract assembled at the Segambut plant of Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd (TCMA) with the initial production volume expected to be 5,000 units per annum.  “All cars produced by Mitsubishi Motors worldwide are governed by high quality standard set by Mitsubishi Motors which ensures consistent quality level of all Mitsubishi cars. This means the cars that are locally assembled will have the same quality level with models assembled in Japan,” said Tetsuya Oda, Chief Executive Officer of MMM. The ASX was developed to combine the utility and practicality of an SUV with the comfort of a sedan. This has resulted in a mid-sized SUV which not too big or small, with high ride point, easy maneuvering, good handling and comfort. The ASX is powered by a 2.0-litre MIVEC engine with 150 PS of power and 197 Nm of torque. There are two (2) variants are available – 2WD and 4WD – and both are mated to an INVECS-III CVT (continuous variable transmission) with Sports Mode. The ASX comes with three (3) airbags, ABS and EBD standard across the range, while the 4WD variant comes with Traction Control, Active Stability Control (ASC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). MMM claims that the ASX has a class leading turning radius of 5.3 meters. Meanwhile the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) ASX variants are equipped with automatic lights and wipers (auto rain and light sensors), leather seats, GPS navigation, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera, automatic air conditioning and a high contrast instrument panel. Additional equipment for the 4WD variant includes a panoramic roof, steering paddle shifters, push start button and solar/security window tint. Since 2005, MMM has sold more than 70,000 units in Malaysia. To date, Mitsubishi Motors operates 57 showrooms (out of which 40 are 3S Centres) and 50 service outlets throughout Malaysia. Current line-up of vehicles include the Mirage compact hatchback, Lancer GT sedan, ASX mid-sized SUV, Triton pick-up trucks, Pajero Sport and Pajero Exceed SUVs, 100% electric car i-MiEV and the newly launched Attrage compact sedan. The Mitsubishi ASX (CBU) is now available at all Mitsubishi showrooms nationwide in 2WD and 4WD variants. Prices start from RM114,743.50 for the 2WD variant, while the 4WD is priced at RM128,879.50, both on the road without insurance. The first 300 customers who have successfully registered their 2014 ASX vehicle will also be rewarded with a Special Leather case (terms and conditions apply).  The ASX comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and is available in four colours – Black Mica, Titanium Grey, Cool Silver and Solid White.  For more information, visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my or http://www.facebook.com/MitsubishiMotorsMalaysia  Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/11/20/dior-homme-spring-2016-les-essentials-1-sportswear/

Dior Homme Spring 2016: Les Essentials #1 – Sportswear.

[Fashion]   For the Spring 2016 collection, Dior Homme revisits sportswear essentials with pieces featuring tailored construction that provides a sartorial allure. The blouson is a key anchor piece of the collection, whether in navy blue, crimson and stone-coloured nylon, or in a hooded version in yellow and beige bonded cotton canvas. It corresponds equally with the tradition of a straight pant in cool wool and the modernity of a virgin wool jersey knit or a stone-coloured cotton poplin shirt.    Khaki basketweave parka with techno membrane, contrast beige interior, and drawstring Navy blue, crimson and stone nylon blouson, metal “cd” Yellow and stone bonded cotton blouson with detachable hood, adjuster tabs, horn buttons engraved “Dior homme” in white   The DIOR boutique in Kuala Lumpur is located at: G20,21,22,25, 26,27 &28, Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: 603 21431886 More info at www.dior.com   Images courtesy of Dior Malaysia. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/09/06/sony-alpha-5100-launch-ilce-5100/

Sony Alpha 5100 Launch (ILCE-5100)

[Tech & Gadgets]   You might remember that earlier this year MHB attended the bloggers preview for the Sony Alpha 5000 camera (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2014/05/12/sony-alpha-5000-bloggers-preview-2/) and barely half a year later, Sony Malaysia launched another new inter-changeable lens camera. As MHB’s official photographer Andy Kho and I both were very familiar with the a5000 and its capabilities, we eagerly headed over to Pulp cafe in Bangsar on 26 August 2014 for the launch of the new Sony a5100 in Malaysia. The new Sony Alpha 5100 or a5100 is more like the replacement model for the out-going Sony NEX 5T camera whereas the a5000 was the replacement for the NEX 3 series of inter-changeable lens cameras. The new a5100 is a marriage of sorts between the somewhat more basic a5000, and very capable and more professional a6000. The α5100 is a small, lightweight and highly portable inter-changeable E-mount lens camera equipped with the latest 24.3 megapixels Exmor™ CMOS sensor and integrated editing functions. Sony claims that the α5100 is the world’s smallest interchangeable-lens digital camera (currently in the market) that comes with a big APS-C sensor plus a built-in flash and Wi-Fi.     The Fast Hybrid AF system of the α5100, the same that can be found in the α6000, has 179 phase detection points that freezes rapid action, and accurately tracks fast-paced targets – like blistering penalty shots or lively pets – for blur-free results. The camera comes with the very useful Touch Focus and Touch Shutter, which adjusts the focus on whatever you touch on the LCD screen and immediately fires the shutter giving you the added chance to capture that all important shot in clear focus. The large APS-C sized sensor is Sony’s latest-generation Exmor™ CMOS with 24.3 effective megapixels which is paired with the BIONZ X image processor featured in the α7 Series. This makes all the difference with refinement and low-light sensitivity, whether shooting stills or movies.     Video recording includes support for the increasingly popular pro-focused XAVC S format at 50 Mbps which gives Full HD footage with high quality sound to match. The Fast Hybrid AF provides accurate focus that tracks your subject, and there’s also the option of using the Touch Focus while capturing videos.     For those of you who love taking selfies, simply flip the large 3-inch LCD screen 180° and snap away! The in-camera soft-skin effect enhances skin tone, producing even better looking selfies automatically.     The camera comes with one-touch NFC and Wi-Fi Direct which allows easy wireless transfer to compatible Android and iOS phones, tablets and TVs. The one-touch linkage also activates Smart Remote Control, letting you frame shots and fire the camera shutter right from your smartphone or tablet’s screen.     New accessories include the style-matching LCS-EBD body case – available in three colour variations – and the compact, easy-to-carry RM-SPR1 remote for shake-free tripod-mounted selfies. The Sony α5100 interchangeable lens camera is currently available in three (3) colours – black, white and brown, in local camera outlets, Sony Stores and Sony Centres nationwide at the RRP of RM2,399.00       Technical Specifications  Lens compatibility Sony E-mount lenses Image sensor APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), Exmor CMOS sensor Number of pixels (effective) Approx. 24.3 megapixels Recording format Still JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format) Movie XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4 Media Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory StickPRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant) Focus system type  Fast Hybrid AF(phase-detection AF/contrast-detection AF) Focus point 179 points (phase-detection AF) / 25 points (contrast-detection AF) Sensitivity range EV-1 to EV20 (ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached) Exposure control Metering type 1200-zone evaluative metering ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) Still images: ISO 100-25600 (1/3 EV step),AUTO (ISO 100-25600, selectable lower limit and upper limit)Movies: ISO 100-12800 equivalent (1/3 EV step) / AUTO (ISO 100-12800 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit) Shutter Shutter speed Still images:1/4000 to 30 sec, Bulb,Movies: 1/4000 to 1/4(1/3 steps) Electronic Front Curtain Shutter Yes Drive Speed (approx., max.)[1] Continuous shooting: Hi: max. 6 fps,Lo: max. 3 fps No. of frame recordable(approx.)[2] JPEG Fine L: 56 frames, JPEG Standard L:75 frames, RAW: 23 frames, RAW&JPG:22 frames LCD Type 7.5cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT electrostatictouch screen Number of dots (total) 921,600 dots Adjustable angle Up by approx. 180 degrees Audio Microphone Built-in stereo microphone Speaker Built-in, monaural Interface HDMI micro connector (Type-D), Multi /Micro USB Terminal Wireless LAN (built-in) Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11b/g/n(2.4GHz band) NFC NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible PlayMemories Camera Apps Yes6 Flash Built-in / Guide No. 4 (in meters at ISO 100,Flash coverage 16mm） Battery One rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50 Weight With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duoincluded: Approx. 283 g　(approx. 10oz),Body only: Approx. 224 g  (approx. 7.9oz) Dimensions W x H x D (excluding protrusions) approx. 109.6 x 62.8 (H) x 35.7 (D) mm(approx. 4 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 7/16 in.) Operating temperature 32 – 104 degrees F /  0 – 40 degrees C     The best thing is that I was loaned a unit of the Sony a5100 so do look out for posts on this site and on my social media using it. More info at http://www.sony.com.my/ Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography (www.andykho.com) using the Sony Alpha 5100 and author’s own also using the a5100. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/01/06/honor-7-smartphone-latest-flagship-by-honor/

Honor 7 Smartphone – Latest Flagship by Honor

[Tech News]   Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, recently launched its latest Huawei honor 7 smartphone in Kuala Lumpur. Honor is a sub-brand of Huawei and has been in the Malaysian market since April 2014. While Huawei smartphones target the more premium market, honor was introduced to meet the needs of Huawei’s younger consumers namely the ‘always on’ digital natives, a group that lives on the internet, spending one third of their time online for social and entertainment, shopping, studying or simply staying connected. With that in mind, honor has a no-stores, no-gurus, no-contracts approach which is something very different in the mobile device marketplace, enabling customers to get the best technology at a great value price which holds quite to its tagline “Your unfair advantage”. The new honor 7 is a fully metallic flagship smartphone that comes equipped with a host of innovative smart functions and multimedia capabilities that can be unlocked by using smart buttons and a gesture-enabled fingerprint reader. Speaking at the launch, Allen An, Director of E-Commerce Malaysia, said: “Developed to make operating it as simple as possible, the honor 7’s solid performance will be a true reflection of user’s identity. Its multi-functionality enables digital natives – especially young working adults – to outperform their peers no matter if it is at work or leisure. Its smart and multimedia capabilities will also inspire action and creativity that will surprises everybody in their circles.” “The device’s precise dimensions and metallic finish offer an optimal form-factor and premium feel, making it a highly reliable smartphone. All of these will allow digital natives to keep their competitive edge in today’s fast paced society,” An added.       The honor 7’s fully metallic body is air-brushed with a ceramic coating, offering a very premium look, while the device’s 5.2-inch encasing and well positioned buttons and sensors allows for ergonomic single-handed operation. The honor 7’s frame-free metallic fingerprint reader allows for rapid 360-degree fingerprint authentication from various angles and even has a self-learning capability that allows scanning accuracy to be enhanced through the subtle re-recording of registered fingerprints during use. The reader also supports intuitive gesture control that enables you to answer calls to take photos. The smartphone is powered by the HiSilicon octa-core Kirin 935 processor with its A53, 3GB RAM and 16GB ROM memory, ensuring that you can run the most resource intensive apps without a hitch. Its L-shaped circuit board keeps the device cool while Huawei’s Signal+ technology and a smart dual-antenna design allows for the networks with stronger signals to be found at 80-times the average speed of similar devices. The smartphone comes with a long-lasting 3,100mAh battery, which offers good standby and use times, and the device also has quick-charging* capabilities. The honor 7’s rear camera is a monster 20MP camera, which is powered by a Sony IMX 230 sensor and honor’s PDAF fast-focusing technology that allows its f/2.0-aperture lens to capture vivid low-light-condition images. The 8MP front-facing camera comes with a wide-angle f/2.4 aperture lens and built-in LED flash which has an image enhancement capabilities and panorama feature, helping you to take selfies or groufies.     For those of you who love snapping photos of your food, the honor 7 has a Good Food mode that adjusts the colour to help you to take nice food shots. The device is also equipped with various filters and has the Huawei P8’s revolutionary light-painting capability through which users can construct vibrant artistic images. The honor 7 was designed to redefine mobile Internet experiences, and thus offers smart capabilities aided in part by its smart key, an additional button placed on the left-side of the device that can be used for quick Google searches on-the-go. A really useful feature is the fingerprint reader on the back of the device which also functions as a camera trigger, enabling you to take selfies by just tapping their index finger on the fingerprint scanner in camera mode. The honor 7 also comes with voice capabilities, such as the ability to be woken up with a designated command, like “Dear honor”. Follow that up with a “where are you” and the device will call the user to find out its location. Taking screenshots is also much easier with its knuckle-tap feature that allow you to tap the screen twice with your knuckles for an instant full-screen capture. The honor 7 is also available in Mystery Gray.   My first thoughts is that this is one sleek and sexy flagship smartphone with its metal body and a great camera! There’s just no equivalent for the 20MP camera at this pricepoint at the moment so the honor 7 rules supreme in that department. There’s also the fingerprint scanner which is pretty useful and convenient for unlocking your phone. I have an honor 7 with me so look out for my product review in coming weeks. The honor 7 is currently available in two colours, Mystery Gray and Fantasy Silver for RM1,399.00  at Vmall.my (*quick-charging charger sold separately). For more info, head over to www.facebook.com/HuaweiHonorMY or vmall.my Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/05/01/a-very-scotch-affair-souled-out-220413/

A Very Scotch Affair @ Souled Out 220413

[Event] Got caught in a crazy crazy rainy Klang Valley rush hour jam trying to head over to Souled Out in Desa Sri Hartamas from Sunway on Monday 22 April 2013 for the “A Very Scotch Affair” whisky pairing organised by Asiaeuro Wines & Spirits. By the time we arrived it was close to 8.00pm and the place was rather full but the organisers found us some spots with two professionals who turned out to be lawyers. Very friendly lawyers though probably made so by the copious amounts of whisky that was going around. Nevertheless we made new friends and it’s always good to know some good lawyers in case you ever wanted to take legal action against slanderous liars or get a divorce. Didn’t know which whisky they were serving though but it tasted pretty good so we just kept ourselves nicely watered and since my partner and I were rather hungry we opted to order the delicious “Butter Chicken and Naan” from Souled Out kitchen (Souled Out has been one of my favourite restaurants since before they moved to their current location in Desa Sri Hartamas). We were kept entertained by a jazz band and it wasn’t long before the launch ceremony was under way and concluded and the whisky pairing started. The first whisky served was the Auchentoshan 12 Years Old Whisky (we had some trouble pronouncing this as it’s really quite a tongue twister, don’t believe me? Try saying it quickly 5 times!) paired with grilled lamb; Auchentoshan is the only Scottish distillery to insist on triple-distilling its whisky, resulting in a smooth, pure taste targeted at the modern man, as well as the whisky-loving woman. Very easy to drink and very smooth. The ladies at my table seemed to agree as well. On to the second whisky which was the Glen Garioch 12 Years Old Whisky served and paired with grilled strip chicken with orange whisky sauce. For over 200 years Glen Garioch has kept true to the tradition of handcrafting a beautiful range of natural, non chill-filtered single malt whiskies, keeping more of the flavours that erect in the casks in the final bottle. Each member of the Glen Garioch family stands out as an individual that is unique in spirit, yet all united by a distinct house character of honey sweetness, hints of heather and the perfect touch of spice, close to cask strength at 48%. Woah! This was quite a powerful one nevertheless my palate could still handle it. Pretty spicy though. Lastly, brand ambassador Gordon Dundus came over to our table and introduced the Bowmore 12 Years Old Whisky accompanied with fresh shucked oyster. Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, Scotland’s oldest maturation warehouse and the only one below sea level, contributing to the smoky peatiness of Bowmore making it a fine and balanced whisky that is a good complement to oysters and other seafood. We poured a couple of drops of the whisky onto the oyster before eating it and drinking down the juice leftover on the shell! Delicious! I’ve just discovered a new way to eat oysters! . A very interesting sight at the entrance…pretty girls with “moustaches” haha! We were also given one each upon registration to use while we had our photo taken at the photowall. MC of the night was MHB’s own Miss World Malaysia 2012 Lee Yvonne! Gordon Dundas – Brand Ambassador from Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd Don’t forget to “nose” your whisky. Adding a few drops of water will also help to bring out some of the aromas. Yvonne came by my table after she finished her work . Here’s a little info on the three (3) brands: Auchentoshan Auchentoshan (pronounced ‘Ock-un-tosh-un’) Gaelic for ‘corner of the field’, is one of Scotland’s finest triple-distilled single malt whiskies that owes its smooth, unadulterated flavour to the quality of its ingredients, the skill of the men who oversee the distilling process, and the insistence on time-honoured methods such as wooden washbacks and triple distillation for every drop. “No other Scottish distillery insists on triple distillation for every drop,” said Mr. Gordon Dundas, Brand Ambassador for Asia and Europe, Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd. “while this process is more time consuming and expensive, it is also absolutely unique in distilling away impurities to release the gentle, complex flavour of Auchentoshan.” Triple distillation ensures that only the lightest spirit is used at each point of distillation, from the wash still, to the intermediate still, all the way to the spirit still. This labour of love takes Auchentoshan to its signature strength of 81% ABV (Alcohol by volume). This high alcohol content liberates a complex compliment of congeners from the still, dramatically affecting the character of the spirit which when transferred to barrels (at a strength of 63.6% ABV) results in a subtle whisky that matures beautifully in oak. Founded in 1823 in the Scottish Lowlands, the Auchentoshan Distillery resides on the outskirts of Glasgow and prides itself on producing the most delicate tasting single malt whiskies, revealing strong notes of fruit and citrus which entice the taste buds of both fledgling whisky lovers as well as those well-versed in the appreciation of this golden spirit. Auchentoshan Distillery is the only distillery in Glasgow, and produces 1.65million litres of alcohol every year. . Bowmore Founded over two hundred years ago in 1779 by local Scottish merchant David Simson, Bowmore is the first recorded distillery on Islay (pronounced ‘eye-la’) and one of the oldest in all of Scotland. Bowmore Single Malt is nurtured in the distillery’s legendary No.1 Vaults, and is widely acknowledged to be one of the finest and most perfectly balanced whiskies in the world. The Distillery is the first of Islay’s eight distilleries and its close proximity to the sea plays an important role in shaping the final character of the spirit. “What is special about Bowmore is that our whiskies are created using the same time-honoured techniques that have been passed down one generation to the next,” says Mr Gordon Dundas, Brand Ambassador for Asia and Europe, Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd. “Our No.1 Vaults are now legendary status, not only for being the oldest maturation warehouse in Scotland but also for being the only one below sea level.” The whisky’s distinctive combination of the purest water from the Laggan River, its own floor-malted barley that has been carefully smoked in its peat-fired kiln, the finest oak casks left to mature in the No. 1 Vaults, Islay’s natural environment and a dedicated team of craftsmen together create the perfect balance for which Bowmore is known and loved. One sip and you taste the unmistakable smoky peatiness of the first Islay malt. The Distillery is dedicated to producing the finest flavours for its whiskies and this attention to detail starts at the very beginning of the process – with the production of its own floor malted barley which is laboriously hand-turned by Bowmore Maltmen using traditional tools, just as how it has always been. . Glen Garioch Established in 1797 by Manson brothers John and Alexander, Glen Garioch, (pronounced ‘Geery’) is Scotland’s most Easterly and one of the oldest and most endeared operating distilleries. Situated in the historic Valley of the Garioch, the Distillery’s location was also named the ‘Granary of Aberdeenshire’, traditionally the finest barley growing area in all of Scotland boasting rich fertile land bounded on every side of rolling hills. Being built in a small valley (Glen is the Scottish term for a deep valley in the Highlands), Glen Garioch came to prove the saying, “from small beginnings, come great things”. Glen Garioch Distillery is steep in history and for over 200 years has kept true to the tradition of handcrafting a beautiful range of natural, non chill-filtered single malt whiskies, keeping more of the flavours that are created in the casks in the final bottle. Each member of the Glen Garioch family stands out as an individual that is unique in spirit, yet all united by a distinct house character of honey sweetness, hints of heather and the perfect touch of spice, close to cask strength at 48%. The maturation process is a key focus at Glen Garioch, and the Distillery places great emphasis on the quality of their casks as an essential ingredient playing a vital role in the production of the finest drop of single malt whisky. The sides of the outer packaging also feature an iconic tartan design which is a respectful hat-tip to the beautiful tartans that have historically been created in this Aberdeenshire area. . More info available at: www.beamglobal.com www.auchentoshan.com www.bowmore.com www.glengarioch.com . Paradigm Mall’s Fashion Week 2013 Paradigm Mall hosted its very first Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week which kicked off on Friday, 26th April 2013 with a fashion showcase by the Amber Chia Academy, featuring Amber herself, in the event hosted by Hitz FM djs, Jin and Natalie. To my surprise the bar featured Grey Goose vodka (which to my knowledge is not quite so popular in Malaysia although it’s a pretty good vodka) mixed with orange juice to create a “screwdriver” which is quite easy to drink. My partner though being the wine-lover that she is opted to go for red wine. There were canapes going around but we had our dinner at Chilli’s earlier in the mall so just picked up one or two desserts. Eventually the show started with the first segment of the fashion presentation featuring the Spring/Summer 2013 collections of Springfield, ELLE, MOG, Kitschen, Skechers, Tooba, Walk In, Adidas and Bossini. Dayang Nurfaizah trotted up on stage and entertained us with her powerful yet soulful voice performing three songs and this was soon followed by the second segment featuring Red’s Revenge, US Polo, Payless Shoes, Elements, Padini, Squareroom, Brat Pack, Nichii, Sun Paradise and Voir. . Spotted FHM Malaysia’s Most Wanted Women in the World 2009 Vanessa and Pamela Chong aka the “Chong sisters” An energetic dance performance to kick-off the show Dayang Nurfaizah impressed the crowd by performing three (3) numbers – one Malay, one Chinese and one English giving a wonderful display of her versatility and vocal prowess. Malaysian supermodel Amber Chia . The Paradigm Mall Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week takes place between 26th April to 3rd May 2013 at Upper Atrium, Level UG. . More photos at https://www.facebook.com/myhotbloggers Subscribe to my public updates at https://www.facebook.com/timchewkc or follow me on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/timchew1311 Photo credits: Asiaeuro Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd, Paradigm Mall, and author’s own . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/03/04/mitsubishi-motors-malaysia-previews-the-all-new-mitsubishi-outlander-suv-2016/

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Previews the All-New Mitsubishi Outlander SUV (2016)

[Automobiles]   Headed over to the Glass House at Seputeh on 26 February 2016 for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s (MMM) media preview of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander SUV ahead of its official launch in April 2016. “I am optimistic that the all-new Outlander SUV will win the hearts of many Malaysian car buyers. Competitively priced with stylish outlook, generous 7-seater space, best premium and safety features, the all-new Outlander SUV offers an outstanding SUV for any Malaysian family,” said Mr. Yang Won-Chul, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia. Available only in 4WD, the Complete Built-Up (CBU) vehicle from Japan is powered by a 2.4-litre Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) engine boasting a maximum output of 167 PS at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 222Nm at 4,100 rpm. The Outlander SUV comes with premium features such as Sunroof, Electric Tailgate, and LED Headlamps with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Inside the cabin, the Outlander SUV comes with a versatile 7-seater Leather Seats and Auto Light and Rain Sensor.   The Outlander SUV comes with the ‘Dynamic Shield’ front face, a concept in which the dynamic face expresses powerful performance and reassuring sense of protection shared by generations of Mitsubishi vehicles. LED daytime running lights 18” Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels   Mitsubishi places a lot of emphasis on high safety performance with the Outlander coming with standard safety features offered including 7-Airbags, Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Anti-lock braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Mitsubishi’s Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE body) and Collapsible Steering Column. For performance, the Outlander SUV comes with a multi-select 4WD system offering three different modes – 4WD ECO, 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock. The 4WD ECO emphasizes on fuel economy where torque is distributed to the front wheels during normal driving conditions and automatically splits to all wheels for better traction and stability during slippery road conditions. This enables the Outlander SUV to deliver one of the best-in-class fuel efficiency of 12.8km/l*. (*Based on Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia in-house driving data.) 4WD Auto automatically distributes the right amount of torque to all wheels to provide smoother cornering performance and maintains high-speed stability while 4WD Lock permanently feeds torque to all wheels during a hill climb, muddy trails or rough roads.   Best-in-class features of the Outlander SUV include a spacious cargo which can fit up to 4 golf bags or a single-bed mattress (1,608-litre) or the beautiful Carey Ng and Amber Chia (who do not come with purchase of the vehicle sadly), and a turning radius of 5.3 metres. The pretty Sarah Lian was the MC for the event Sarah with pretty twins Roen with girlfriend and Miss Universe Malaysia Carey Ng who will be driving the Outlander SUV around for a while   The new Outlander SUV is scheduled to arrive at all Mitsubishi showrooms nationwide by April 2016, however customers may already place their bookings of the Outlander SUV starting from 26 February 2016. The Outlander SUV is offered in three colours – Red Metallic, White Pearl and Grey Metallic, with an exclusive introductory on-the-road price of RM 166,720.00 for cars booked and registered before 31 May 2016 (on-the-road in Peninsular Malaysia without insurance but inclusive of GST). The Outlander SUV also comes with a warranty package of five years or 100,000km, whichever comes first. You can also view the Outlander SUV up close at selected preview locations below: No State Preview Venues Dates Time Start End   1 Klang Valley Bangsar Shopping Centre, Centre Court 24-Feb 28-Feb 10am-10pm 2 Penang Queensbay Mall, Centre Court 3-Mar 6-Mar 10am-10pm 3 Klang Valley One Utama Shopping Centre, GF Rainforest Concourse 16-Mar 20-Mar 10am-10pm 4 Johor Bahru Komtar, Centre Court 24-Mar 27-Mar 10am-10pm   For more info, head over to http://mitsubishi-motors.com.my/   . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2023/01/26/hyundai-sime-darby-motors-launches-the-hyundai-palisade-in-malaysia/

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Launches the Hyundai Palisade in Malaysia

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors recently unveiled the refreshed Palisade, bringing Hyundai’s luxury SUV with an upgraded premium look and a more luxurious and comfortable interior to the Malaysian market. The improved version also boasts technology upgrades and a generous suite of advanced driver assistance systems featuring innovative technologies. “The refreshed version offers a sharper and more rugged look as well as an upgraded interior that makes it a top choice when it comes to owning a large luxurious SUV. The Palisade is a practical all-purpose built E-segment SUV that is great for off-roading, road trips and even for daily use.” Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) According to Jeffrey Gan, Sime Darby Motors’ Managing Director of Retail and Distribution for Malaysia, the Palisade, Hyundai’s premium-segment flagship SUV, has received favourable response from both corporate clients and private buyers who are interested in high-end SUVs with advanced features. “We have been receiving enquiries and bookings for the Palisade after its debut last year so we are a positive of the take-up for this facelifted version. As demand for SUVs continues to grow, there seem to be a growing demand for large SUVs as well.” Jeffrey Gan, Sime Darby Motors Managing Director of Retail and Distribution for Malaysia A broader cascading grille and a rugged parametric shield feature have been added to the Palisade’s exterior for a more elegant aesthetic. A new forward lighting signature with vertically linked LED composite lights is also present. The lower fascia skid plate elements and vertical LED taillamps in the rear image highlight the vehicle’s broad, sturdy posture. 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and strake details on the lower front skid plate complete the updated new style while enhancing its tough appearance. The car’s design incorporates aerodynamic advantages such a fast A-pillar angle, rear spoiler side garnish, an optimised front cooling area with an extended internal air route, aero underneath panels, and rear wheel aero deflectors. With seven or eight passenger seats as standard for family excursions, the interior blends a sense of relaxation and comfort to establish a tranquil setting. The second-row seat’s One-Touch feature makes it simple to pull the seat forward for simple entry and exit from the third-row seats. With the second and third row seats are folded, the Palisade’s overall load capacity is 1,297 litres, and when all seats are upright, it is 509 litres. A sophisticated new visual user interface has been added to the 12.3-inch LCD screen that displays the infotainment system. Moreover, new slender horizontal air vents provide a feeling of space and luxury. For quicker device charging, the wireless charging capacity has been increased from 5 watts to 15 watts. Also, the driver, front passenger, second and third row passengers all have access to USB-C connectors for quicker charging. Priced at *RM399,888 for the Luxury 7-seater and RM378,888 for the Executive 8-seater – the petrol variant is powered by a 3.8-litre V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine. The powerplant produces an estimated 295 PS of power at 6,000 rpm and an estimated 355Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm. The diesel variant, priced at *RM389,888 for the Luxury 7-seater and RM368,888 for the Executive 8-seater, is powered by a R2.2 CRDi inline 4 engine that produces an estimated 200 PS of power at 3,800 rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1,750-2,750 rpm. It delivers power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter and HTRAC® four-wheel-drive configurations. With more enhanced features and advanced driver assistance systems introduced, the refreshed Palisade is priced only approximately 12% higher than its predecessor. Other factors that contributed to the price increase include a price hike in raw materials and foreign exchange rates. The Palisade comes with a two-year or 50,000km (whichever comes first) warranty. An optional extended warranty of 5-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) as well as 3 years of free service is also available at RM11,000 for the petrol variant and RM12,000 for the diesel variant. The Palisade is now open for booking at all Hyundai authorised showrooms. *Price indicated is only applicable to Peninsula Malaysia, on-the-road excluding insurance . Photos courtesy of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/11/06/triumph-forever-young-collection-launch/

Triumph “Forever Young” Collection Launch

[Fashion]   Brought Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers (MHB) bloggers Daphne Chuah, Emma Soh, Angelica Tan and Jenny Ma as well as our official photographer Andy Kho over to Black Box in Publika Kuala Lumpur for the Triumph “Forever Young” collection launch and fashion show. The new collection was designed specifically for a timeless, youthful look with perfect shape and support at every stage of a woman’s life. The show featured a “talk show” format with the host Daphne Iking interviewing several persons including a doctor and Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 Carey Ng. A woman’s breasts age much faster than the rest of her body according to a study done by Steve Horvath from UCLA. The study confirms that breasts sagging can even start at the age of 25 making women look much older than they are.   A pic with the gorgeous Carey Ng – Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 Spotted popular blogger Joyce the Fairy   Daphne Iking was the MC for the event The Triumph Breast Meter Triumph introduced a “bust meter” that helps women identify their current “bust age” and was derived from a study done by Laurence Kirwan. Laurence categorised the ptosis (drooping) of a woman’s breast into 6 different stages – from the position of your nipple being more than 2cm below the inframammary crease (IMC) to 2cm above it. Thus, this bust meter by Triumph acts as a predictor, as it becomes a productive tool in terms of evaluating and measuring the result of each woman’s bust age.   The Forever Young Collection combines innovative shaping fabrics with lace or mesh combinations and advanced design features, resulting in an alluring ‘fashion-meets-function’ range instantly lifts and contours for a fuller, more voluptuous bust shape and a younger profile. The collection is available in a palette of Autumn shades, and offers a variety of styles, each individually tailored with its own unique pattern for different levels of support including Natural, Shape and Super. Across each of the three styles, qualities such as extreme comfort, superb fit, non-slip straps and lasting support provides extra assurance and all-day confidence. The Natural Support features elegant mesh cup edges that blends in with bust contours for instant enhancement. Shape Support has an advanced diamond cup design for a rounder bust shape and a French cleavage. The new innovative soft U-bone at the side panel provides comfortable and extra stable support. For those with larger busts, there is the Super Support series, delivering shaping power, smoothing high side panels, additional layers of crescent fabric, and a ‘stay-in-place’ back design with non-slip straps. The Forever Young Collection also includes a series of shapewear that is made with advanced Novarel Firming fabric a nylon micro-fibre which contains active principles that facilitates skin shaping, firming and toning. It has also been scientifically proven that in the span of 28 days, 95% of women have been able to experience a firming effect on their skin, while 98% and 96% of women respectively, have been able to achieve softer skin and a lifting effect was experienced. Alongside the Novarel Firming fabric, the shapewear series also consists of liberating fabric from Lycra Beauty that has an amazing stretch and recovery ability, ensuring strong shaping and support while giving freedom to move.   The Forever Young collection retails at RM229.00 onwards from 1 October 2014 at Triumph boutiques and counters at all major department stores. For more info, head over to www.triumph.com/my Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Andy Kho – www.andykho.com   . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/01/24/huawei-launches-the-huawei-g8-in-malaysia/

Huawei Launches the Huawei G8 in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets]   Huawei recently launched their new G8 smartphone which features a sturdy, full metal body that is processed with ceramic sand blasting that gives a classy feel. The 5.5-inch Full-HD display creates a natural colour effect with sharper reds and greens. The 2.5-D curved edges create a 3D-like visual that provides enhanced, life-like images that sharply enhances multimedia viewing experience for users. Fitted in with 3,000mAh battery, the Huawei G8 is capable of full day usage. The Huawei G8 is equipped with a 28mm wide-angle lens, anti-vibration, RGBW sensors and Huawei G8 Beautification technology, where it allows users to take clear and vivid pictures even in inconsistent lighting conditions. The smartphone also comes with personalized filters and high-motion flashlight, and similar to Huawei Mate S, the Huawei G8 also incorporates Fingerprint 2.0 technology. Here are some visuals of the Space Grey variant. Click on the photos below to open a larger version.   While here are some photos of the Mystic Champagne variant. Click on the photos below to open a larger version.   We took the G8 to Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur (http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders/) for a little shoot with MHB blogger Stephanie Lim (www.stephanielim.net) shot by MHB’s official photographer Andy Kho (www.andykho.com) at their steakhouse Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill, their hotel room as well as at SkyBar on Level 33. We shot Traders Hotel’s new Memory Makers menu which features some new twists on classic items as well as some refreshing cocktails and a very photogenic dessert! The photos below are direct from the phone and are completely unedited. Some photos feature Stephanie using the Huawei latest tablet – the Mediapad M2 8.0. Click on the photos below to open a larger version.   TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Size Height: 152.5mm, Width: 76.5mm, Depth: 7.5mm, Weight: About 167 g (including the battery) Color Space Gray, Mystic Champagne Display Size: 5.5 inches Type: TFT display Color: 16M colors Resolution: 1920×1080 (FHD) CPU Qualcomm® MSM8939™, 1.5GHz+1.2GHz 8-core processor Operating System Android 5.1 + EMUI 3.1 Memory ROM: 32.0GB RAM: 3.0GB Network l LTE FDD Band 1, Band 3, Band 7, Band 8, Band 20 l WCDMA Band 1,Band 8 l GSM (GSM 850) l EGSM (GSM 900) l DCS (GSM 1800) l PCS (GSM 1900) GPS GPS/AGPS/Glonass Connectivity Bluetooth 4.0 Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, 2.4G USB2.0 high speed Sensors Accelerometer Proximity sensor Ambient light sensor Camera Main camera: 13.0 MP AF camera Secondary camera: 5.0 MP FF camera Audio Codec format: Audio codec: MP3, MIDI, AMR-NB, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, PCM Video codec: H.263, H.264, MPEG-4 Image codec: PNG, GIF (Static only), JPEG, BMP, WEBP, WBMP File format: Audio file format: mp3, mid, amr, awb, 3gp, mp4, m4a, aac, wav, ogg, flac Video file format: 3gp, mp4, webm Image file format: png, gif (Static only), jpg, bmp, webp, wbmp Video Codec format: Audio codec: AMR-NB, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ Video codec: H.263, H.264, MPEG-4 File format: mp4, 3gp Emotion IU EMUI 3.1 Battery 3000 mAh   The Huawei G8 is available in stores from today in Space Grey and Mystic Champagne, with the recommended retail price of RM 1,499.00 For more information, head over to www.facebook.com/HuaweiDeviceMY Photo credits (lifestyle photos): Andy Kho Photography (www.andykho.com) . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/10/26/christmas-2019-dining-promotions-and-new-years-eve-dinners-in-kuala-lumpur-and-selangor/

Christmas 2019 Dining Promotions and New Year’s Eve Dinners & Countdown Parties in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

[Special Feature] This feature will be updated periodically as more info comes in so do check back often!    My annual Christmas 2019 dining and New Year’s Eve 2020 party/ promotions feature is back and features the following restaurants and hotels: Saint Pierre at W Kuala Lumpur Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur St. Regis Kuala Lumpur Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur The Ruma Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur Hilton Kuala Lumpur at KL Sentral Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Pullman KLCC Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur Aloft Kuala Lumpur at KL Sentral Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hilton Petaling Jaya (coming soon!) The Saujana Hotel One World Hotel Bandar Utama 2OX Chez Gaston Bangsar Envi Skydining Kuala Lumpur     This feature is presented by MHB Digital This slideshow requires JavaScript. MHB Digital provides credible, engaging, informative, attractive, cost-effective and highly affordable digital, content, social media, and influencer marketing solutions! For more info, head over to http://mhbdigital.com      Kuala Lumpur Saint Pierre Kuala Lumpur   The mood is merry and in the air there’s a distinct feeling of Christmas at Saint Pierre KL, located in W Kuala Lumpur. Celebrity Chef Emmanuel Stroobant is preparing for the festive season with four joyous menus: 1) Festive Set Lunch Menu, 2) Festive Corporate Dinner Menu, 3) Christmas Eve Dinner, and 4) New Year’s Eve Dinner. The Saint Pierre KL Festive Set Lunch and Festive Corporate Dinner menus will be available for through the month of December 2019, while the Christmas Eve Dinner is an eight-course affair and the New Year’s Eve Dinner a nine-course celebration.    This slideshow requires JavaScript.    Festive Set Lunch Menu  The Festive Set Lunch Menu is available from 4 to 30 December 2019, from Wednesdays to Sundays, with the 3-course lunch priced at RM188 per person, while the 4-course lunch is priced at RM258 per person. Start with Buri or Black Truffle or Foie Gras (RM48 supplement) or Scallop, followed by a main course of Beef (RM28 supplement) or Snapper or Squash or Duck. For dessert, choose from Fruit Cake or Pineapple or Yule Log.   Festive Corporate Dinner Menu The Festive Corporate Dinner menu is available from Tuesdays to Sundays between December 3 and December 30.  Choose either 5 courses at RM388 per person, or 7 courses at RM588 per person. Dinner begins with Amuse Bouche featuring a series appetizing canapes, followed by a first starter of Uni – with an optional 5g of Osietra caviar (RM88 supplement) – and a second starter of Scallop or Foie Gras (RM48 supplement) or Monkfish. For the main course, let your palate be tickled by Chicken or Barramundi or Beef. And the sweet finale is either Fruit Cake or Pineapple.   Christmas Eve Dinner On Tuesday, 24 December 2019 from 7pm onwards, celebrate with Chef Stroobant’s cheerfully modern French fare that only can create so perfectly festively. The 8-course dinner at RM668 starts with Canapés, and continues with Oyster and Uni and Lobster and Chicken. For the main course, choose from either Lamb or Wagyu (RM190 supplement). Since it is Christmas, Spiced Wine is appropriately the first dessert, followed by Cinnamon.   New Year’s Eve Dinner Mark the end of the year and the beginning of a new one at Saint Pierre KL, with its magical nightscape of the Twin Towers and the Golden Triangle. On Tuesday, December 31 from 7pm onwards, the 9-course dinner at RM698 starts with Canapés and Caviar and King Crab, followed by Scallop and Snapper and Quail. The main course is a choice of Venison or Wagyu (RM190 supplement), and the two desserts are Cherry and Thyme – to ring in the new year in that sweet and very special way that only Saint Pierre can create.   Saint Pierre is located at: Level 8, W Kuala Lumpur, 121 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   The restaurant regular operating hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm (lunch – last seating 1:30pm) and Tuesday to Sunday from 6:30pm to 11pm (dinner – last seating 9:00pm); closed on Mondays.  For more info, telephone +603 2732 5008 or email info@saintpierre.com.my Website: http://www.saintpierre.com.my      Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur Christmas Dining at Curate    This holiday season, Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur has everything you need for a special celebrations, be it a romantic dinner for two, a stylish afternoon tea with friends or a gala gathering for loved ones and colleagues. Enjoy Christmas dining at Curate, with an extravagant Christmas feast created by Chef Junious Dickerson and his troupe of merry culinarians. A welcome glass of mulled wine sets the tone for celebration, while a choir of local carollers adds festive cheer. The Christmas Buffet offers holiday specialties from across the globe, made with beloved ingredients such as chestnuts, truffles, turkey and brussels sprouts. Sample satisfying classics such as minced meat pies and orange and gingerbread Yule logs, along with Four Seasons delights such as Chef Junious’ roasted turkey and black truffles, and baked flounder stuffed with Ccrab Imperial. “My work as a chef has taken me all over the world, giving me the opportunity to enjoy Christmas delicacies in many different cultures. Now, I’m recreating these recipes to share them with our guests in Kuala Lumpur,” says Chef Junious, his eyes twinkling with holiday spirit. Young guests are sure to love the Kids’ Corner, with Christmas candy and colouring activities. Christmas Eve Dinner: December 24, 2019, 6:00-10:30 pm. Priced at MYR 298 nett Christmas Day Brunch: December 25, 2019, 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm. Priced at MYR 268 nett Kids aged 5-12 eat at half price Christmas Day Afternoon Tea at The Lounge The Christmas Day Afternoon Tea at The Lounge stars goodies such as chestnuts, gingerbread and eggnog. Sweet treats and savoury nibbles come together at this creative Christmas-themed feast, scoring equally high on glamour and flavour. Sample an array of teatime treats reimagined by Chef Junious Dickerson, including beetroot cured salmon, chestnut turkey salad, foie gras mousse, eggnog crème brûlée, Yule logs and fine de claire oysters, not to mention freshly baked scones with clotted crème and jam, perfectly complemented by The Lounge’s signature tea. The Christmas Day Afternoon Tea is available on 25 December 2019, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, priced at MYR 198 nett. New Year’s Eve Celebrations. Ring in 2020 at the most celebrated restaurants and bar at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Gastronomes, head to Yun House for a high-end Cantonese feast and coveted views of midnight fireworks. The signature menu for the final night of the year puts premium ingredients centre stage, elevated by the artistry of Chef Jimmy Wong and his team. Savour tantalising creations such as braised five head abalone with fish maw, made with abalone flown in from South Africa and braised in Chef Jimmy’s secret sauce for seven hours. For intimate celebrations, book a private dining room at this prestigious manor-style restaurant.   At Curate, a spectacular international spread awaits, along with magical views of fireworks. The night’s special menu is curated by Chef Junious and his team, bringing together their favourite recipes from throughout the year. Embark on a flavour-infused journey around the world, from classic roasted crown of turkey and barramundi ikan bakar in banana leaf, to lamb lal-maas simmered with red Kashmiri chilies and Lebkuchen German gingerbread. Epicures can also snack on a bevy of fine foods: T’Lur local caviar, foie gras, fine de claire oysters, chilled Boston lobster, artisanal cheeses and premium chocolates. Count down to 2020 with family and friends while dancing the night away at Bar Trigona, one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019. Sip bespoke cocktails crafted by award-winning mixologists, served alongside sweeping views of Kuala Lumpur’s glittering skyline. With a live band in the house and front-row seats to the extravagant midnight fireworks show, this has to be the most strategic and luxurious location in Kuala Lumpur to welcome in 2020. New Year’s Eve Set Dinner at Yun House: December 31, 2019, 6:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. Priced at MYR 688 nett and MYR 1088 nett. New Year’s Eve Dinner at Curate: December 31, 2019, 6:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. Priced at MYR 388 nett Countdown Party at Bar Trigona: December 31, 2019, 10:00 pm – 1:00 am. Priced at MYR 388 nett (unlimited pouring of wine, beer, crafted cocktails and snacks) and MYR 688 nett (add champagne). Enjoy festive selections throughout December 2019 all December long at The Lounge, Yun House, and Curate: Christmas-Themed Afternoon Tea at The Lounge: all through December (except December 25), 2:30-5:30 pm. Priced at MYR 148 nett. Set Lunch/ Dinner at Yun House: all through December (except December 31), 12:00 noon – 2:30 pm and 6:00-10:30 pm. Priced at MYR 368 nett. Festive Buffet at Curate: all through December (except December 24 and 31), 6:00-10:30 pm. Priced at MYR 198 nett. Kids aged 5-12 eat at half price. Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur also has festive takeaway all through December, with a selection of mouth-watering holiday treats, including roasted turkey, salt-crusted prime rib, Yule log cake and gingerbread house. The hotel kicks off the first day of 2020 (New Year’s Day) with the inaugural brunch of the year at Curate which will feature a tantalising spread with fresh coconuts and eggnog. Enjoy an array of international delicacies – from the US, Spain and Australia, to India, China and of course Malaysia.  For those who prefer a later, lighter start to the year, The Lounge presents a luxurious afternoon tea with a selection of finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted crème and marmalade, and exquisite pastries. Sip signature tea or Champagne and sample Chef’s special creations symbolising prosperity and joy in the New Year, including Boston lobster, sturgeon caviar, foie gras, duck prosciutto and cassis crème brûlée. New Year’s Day Brunch at Curate: January 1, 2020, 12:00 noon -3:00 pm. MYR 210 nett New Year’s Day Afternoon Tea at The Lounge: January 1, 2020, 2:30-5:30 pm, MYR 198 nett For more info, head over to https://www.fourseasons.com/content/fourseasons/en/properties/kualalumpur/      St. Regis Kuala Lumpur Celebrate the magic of Christmas with your dearest during Christmas Eve buffet dinner or Christmas Day brunch at The Brasserie, over a dazzling spread of traditional roasts, live cooking stations like foie gras and risotto, an assortment of cheese, an oyster bar, a Christmas dessert corner and more. The buffet is priced from MYR368.00+ onwards. Santa’s Kitchen in the hotel’s lobby has a variety of bespoke Christmas log cakes and Christmas cakes, stollens and more to complete your Christmas celebration! The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s signature Holiday Trunk comes wrapped in finely crafted faux leather with brass locks and studs, including the hotel’s signature homemade traditional Christmas Stollen, Christmas Pudding and many more. The Holiday Trunk is priced from MYR518.00+ onwards. The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur also offers festive roasts for takeaway such as the roasted Christmas turkey served with apple stuffing, caramelized chestnuts, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce and turkey jus, or The Brasserie’s signature roasted lamb rack with apple stuffing, caramelised chestnuts, brussel sprouts and mint jus. For more info or to make a reservation, call +60327276696 or email dining.kualalumpur@stregis.com     Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Lafite Lafite in Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur has specially curated French-inspired menus this holiday season. On Christmas Eve, the Deluxe Dinner buffet happens from 7:00PM – 10:30PM priced at RM410 nett per person, while on New Year’s Eve, the 6-course set Dinner menu happens from 7:00PM – 10:30PM priced at RM680 nett per person (there’s an “EARLY BIRD OFFER” of RM620 nett per person). On Christmas Day. Lafite will be hosting a Deluxe Lunch buffet (with complimentary wine & beer!) from 12:00PM – 2:30PM priced at RM410 nett per person. At night, the A la carte set Dinner menu (Seasonal set menu) is available from 7:00PM – 10:30PM priced at RM410 nett per person. (Early Bird Offer: RM350 nett per person)    Arthur’s Bar & Grill Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s Manhattan-style Bar and Grill will be hosting a 4-course Dinner with traditional roasted turkey carving trolley on Christmas Eve from 7:00PM – 10:30PM priced at RM330 nett per person. On Christmas Day, look out for the 4-course Lunch with traditional roasted turkey carving trolley from 12:00PM – 3:00pm priced at RM340 nett per person. At night, there will be the 4-course Dinner with traditional roasted turkey carving trolley from 7:00PM – 10:30PM priced at RM340 nett per person. On New Year’s Eve, there will be a Countdown Party with plated starter, dessert and main buffet from 7:00PM – 10:30PM priced at RM250 nett per person.   Zipangu On Christmas Eve, Zipangu (Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s Japanese restaurant) will be offering their Izakaya Specials Dinner from 6:30PM – 10:30PM priced at RM268 nett per person. On Christmas Day, look out for the Izakaya Specials Lunch from 12:00PM – 2:30PM priced at RM268 nett per person. In the evening, there will be the Izakaya Specials Dinner from 6:30PM – 10:30PM priced at RM268 nett per person (with an early bird offer of RM228 nett per person). On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will be offering a 8-course Japanese Dinner set menu from 6:30PM – 10:30PM priced at RM490 nett per person (Look out for the early bird offer of RM418 nett per person) Celebrate the New Year from 1 to 4 January 2020 with the special Osechi Set which is available for both lunch and dinner, priced at RM318 nett per person.   Lobby Lounge The Lobby Lounge which overlooks the Koi Pond and urban greenery will be having a Christmas Afternoon Tea from 1st – 30th December 2019 from 3:00PM – 6:00PM priced at RM190 nett for 2 persons, or RM320 nett for 2 persons with 2 glasses of prosecco. There’s also a special price of RM175 nett for 2 persons with digital voucher (digital vouchers can be purchased at http://www.shangri-la-specials.com) Dance into the New Year at the Countdown Party which will have lively music, delicate champagnes and fun-filled party packs for everyone! The party starts from 8:00PM till late night with a table for 2 priced at RM690 nett and includes one (1) bottle of champagne, table for 4 at RM1,200 nett (includes 2 bottles of champagne), table for 6 at RM1,700 nett (includes 3 bottles of champagne). There’s a minimum spending of RM345 per person, and you can add on 1 seat for RM200    Lemon Garden Lemon Garden (the hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant) will be having a special Festive Lunch Buffet from 1st – 30th December 2019 from Monday – Friday (12:00PM – 2:30PM) priced at RM140 nett per person, on Saturdays (12:00PM – 3:00PM) priced RM160 nett per person, and on Sundays (12:00PM – 3:00PM) priced at RM180 nett per person. There’s also a Festive Season Dinner Buffet running from 1st – 30th December 2019 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm), priced at RM226 nett per person for Friday & Saturday, and RM170 nett per person for Sundays to Thursdays. On Christmas Eve, there’s a Lunch Buffet from 12:00PM – 3:00PM priced at RM198 nett per person, and a Dinner Buffet from 6:30PM – 10:30PM priced at RM298 nett per person. On Christmas Day, there’s a Lunch Buffet from 12:00PM – 3:00PM priced at RM298 nett per person, and a Dinner Buffet from 6:30PM – 10:30PM priced at RM298 nett per person. The NEW YEAR’S EVE Lunch Buffet (from 12:00PM – 3:00PM) is priced at RM198 nett per person, while the Dinner Buffet with party packs (6:30PM – 10:30PM) is priced at RM298 nett per person. User in the new year on 1 January 2020 with a Lunch Buffet (12:00PM – 3:00PM) priced at RM220 nett per person, and the Dinner Buffet (6:30PM – 10:30PM) priced at RM220 nett per person. * There will be a dedicated Children corner filled with fun activities, clown appearance, DIY Christmas ornament, ginger bread decoration and Christmas caroling.       Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Christmas Afternoon Tea at Altitude Altitude The festivities this December begin over a sky-high Christmas Afternoon Tea at Altitude with a selection of premium coffee, tea or champagne complemented by a dazzling array of welcome treats, savouries, pass-arounds and sweets. Relish in Duck Foie Gras, Cinnamon Tuile, Lobster Toast with Yuzu and Mayo, Cured Organic Duck and Mango with Sourdough, Buche De Noel, Scones and more as you take in stunning views of Kuala Lumpur’s cityscape for an experience like no other. For a casual yet cosy Christmas Eve Dinner, embark on a culinary journey with Altitude’s 3-course gourmet menu, which includes an appetiser of Duck Leg Consommé, followed by a choice of Roasted Lobster Risotto or Traditional Roast Turkey and a delightful Christmas Pudding for a sweet ending. This slideshow requires JavaScript. Welcome the new year at Altitude and gather for a night to remember with mouth-watering food, drinks and fun, specially designed to deliver that much-needed first class experience. Enjoy a glass of Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge Champagne, Beefeater, Ballantine’s or Absolut as you count down to 2020 and toast to a splendid start. Fancy a poolside view? Special table packages are available for groups of 4 to 6 persons and 6 to 8 persons, inclusive of a sharing snack platter and a bottle of champagne, whisky, gin or vodka. Horizon Grill Horizon Grill – New Year’s Eve Set Menu For a gastronomic feast on Christmas Eve, Horizon Grill’s Chef De Cuisine Daniel Wong, a former master chef of a 3-star Michelin restaurant in Hong Kong, has specially curated a 5-course menu for a truly epicurean experience. Delight in Fine De Claire Oysters, Warm Foie Gras Mousse, Boston Lobster Teppanyaki or Santa Maria Grilled Kyushu Tenderloin and Buche Chocolate Grand Marnier with a side of soulful live Jazz performances as you soak up unparalleled views of downtown Kuala Lumpur. End the year with an equally chic experience at Horizon Grill and set voyage to a 5-course New Year’s Eve set menu crafted with premium, seasonal ingredients. Treat yourself to Boston Lobster Salad, Citrus House Cured Organic Duck Breast, Charred Brown Snapper or Santa Maria Grilled Kyushu Meat Selection and more while you create unforgettable holiday memories with a string of wonderfully talented Jazz artists and breath-taking views. *An extended New Year ’s Day breakfast is available from 6:30am to 2:00pm on 1 January 2020 Vertigo Embrace a glamorous cosmopolitan year-end party against the vibrant backdrop of Malaysia’s sultry capital and be spellbound by the highest rooftop bar in town, Vertigo. Dance the night away to the hottest hits by the DJ and revel in the magnificent display of fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Indulge in a tempting selection of cocktails and bar snacks to celebrate long into the night. Table Packages are available for groups of 6 and 8 persons, inclusive of a sharing snack platter and a bottle of champagne, whisky, gin or vodka. Bake by Banyan Tree This slideshow requires JavaScript. Get into the mood with a host of specialty treats inspired by the season and spread the holiday cheer with a selection of fine takeaway offerings from Bake by Banyan Tree. Choose from a spectacle of gourmet treats handcrafted by our Head Pastry Chef Fodil Baghal and his team of Pâtissiers, and impress family, friends, business partners or party guests with customised festive hampers of classic favourites such as Gingerbread Man Cookies, Frosted Walnuts, Stollen Bites, Marzipan Stollen Loaf, Confit Orange Dip in Chocolate, Panettone and more. Banyan Tree Spa Amidst the revelry, the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa makes for a holistic wellness experience for complete physical, mental and spiritual renewal. Escape the stress of the holiday bustle and pamper your senses with the essence of ancient remedies. Treat yourself and your dearest for some precious me-time moments and enjoy 50% off all facials, body scrubs and wraps with any purchase of a full body massage that is 60 minutes or longer. 25th Anniversary Offer Plan the ultimate festive vacation or family retreat and take advantage of the 25th anniversary offer. Enjoy 25% savings on rooms (Best Available Rate), food and beverage services and spa when you stay for a minimum of 2 nights in Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur. Receive 1 complimentary Exceptional Experience with a choice of a DIY Spa Foot Scrub Workshop, an Afternoon Tea or learn the art of Batik Painting to celebrate the local community. Book by 31 December 2019 for stays until 30 June 2020. The Gift of Giving In the true spirit of the season, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur has launched its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative aimed at raising funds for the less fortunate. This year, the beneficiary of its programme is Rumah Charis, a home for underprivileged children. Guests are invited to share the gift of giving with a minimum donation of RM20 and a heartfelt message to show how much they care. The most touching message will stand a chance to win a stay at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur. Proceeds gained from this campaign will be channeled to support the necessities needed of the children as they begin their academic year in 2020. Children from Rumah Charis will also be performing live Christmas carols at Horizon Grill and Altitude from 8:30pm to 9:00pm on Christmas Eve and 1:30pm to 2:00pm on Christmas Day. For more information or reservations, head over to https://www.banyantree.com/en/malaysia/kuala-lumpur/     The RuMa Hotel and Residences To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, The RuMa Hotel and Residences presents a range of distinct offerings for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve featuring limited edition menus, special rates and stay packages.    A Festive Afternoon High Tea – 1st December 2019 – 5th January 2020 Start the end of year holiday season right with a decadent afternoon tea nestled in The LIBRARI of The RuMa Hotel. Available every afternoon from 3pm on 1 December 2019 until 5 January 2020, guests can delight their palates with an array of specially crafted Christmas themed pastries, such as Smoked Turkey with cranberry and rye; Sweet Potato and Camembert tartlet; the Christollen canelé and Cinnamon Apple éclair. The Festive Afternoon High Tea Set is accompanied by a selection of Voyage Teas with all the trimmings, including freshly baked plain and fruit scones served with homemade preserves and clotted cream. Prices range from RM250 nett per set (2 persons) with two glasses of Pol Roger champagne or RM488 nett per set with an entire bottle.    The Christmas Dinner – 24th and 25th December 2019  ATAS Modern Malaysian Eatery presents a 5-course dinner menu specially curated by Executive Chef, Tyson Gee and priced at RM288 nett per person. The menu showcases classic Christmas dishes infused with the restaurant’s signature twist on local provenance and heirloom ingredients. Indulge in a selection of tantalizing dishes, such as Warm Foie Gras with caramelized figs and bitter herbs; Roasted Lobster with calamari, clam, long coriander and coconut broth; and Roasted Turkey with savory bread pudding, brussel sprouts and natural reduction. End the evening on a sweet note with a decadent Warm Christmas pudding and honey comb ice cream. A wine pairing for the menu is also available, priced at RM458 nett per person.    Christmas Brunch – 25th December 2019 The special Christmas Brunch at ATAS will include a selection of reinvented festive and local favorites such as Kerala Coconut Curry, Slow Roasted Turkey with burnt bread pudding, Rendang Spiced Black Angus, Percik Chicken, Strawberry Angel Gateaux Buche de Noel, and Ginger Mango Panna Cotta. Priced at RM395 nett per person or RM515 nett per person inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.   New Year’s Eve at ATAS and Santai – 31st December 2019 Ring in 2020 with a curated New Year’s Eve dining experience at ATAS and Santai. A 6-course menu is available on 31 December 2019, priced at RM595 nett per person. Guests will be able to indulge in dishes such as Charred Lobster with cocoa fruit reduction and samphire; Slow Roasted Wagyu with buah keluak and caramelized shallot; and the refreshing Jack Fruit with coconut, calamansi and basil dessert. The menu is also available with wine pairing, priced at RM795 nett per person. Watch the countdown and admire the New Year fireworks at Santai which is offering a series of celebratory packages from 9pm until late on 31 December 2019. Starting from RM650 nett up to RM3,000 nett, guests can enjoy a selection of beverages such as Pol Roger champagne, Carlsberg draft, house wines or house spirits of choice with mixers; as well as free flow sliders and a canapé buffet.      Stay Over and Make Room for the Holidays – 30  November – 29 December 2019 In celebration of The RuMa’s first year anniversary, the hotel is offering special rates for stays between 30 November and 29 December 2019, with rates beginning at RM588+. Guests can enjoy inclusions and benefits such as 24-hour check-in and check-out, 35% off all treatments at UR SPA and breakfast at ATAS or in-room dining.  The RuMa is also offering a special rate to celebrate the end of a decade for bookings on 30 December and 31 December 2019. With rates starting from RM1,048+, guests can usher in 2020 with views of the iconic Petronas Towers and be treated to RM300 F&B credit or RM500 for all suites. For further inquiries and bookings, call +603 2778 0888 or email info@theruma.com       Hilton Kuala Lumpur (Sentral) Hilton hotels in Malaysia presents the greatest gift – togetherness, by making the world a smaller and closer place with the Festive Table. Each Hilton hotel in Malaysia offers festive menus and promotions that are made for sharing, in hopes to reunite loved ones, create new friendships and strengthen each unique relationship.   Vasco’s Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet 24 December 2019 | 6pm – 10:30pm priced at RM228 nett per person | RM98 nett per child Christmas Lunch Buffet 25 December 2019 | 12pm – 2:30pm priced at RM200 nett per person | RM98 nett per child Christmas Dinner Buffet 25 December 2019 | 6pm – 10:30pm priced at RM228 nett per person | RM98 nett per child New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet 31 December 2019 | 6pm – 10:30pm priced at RM228 nett per person | RM98 nett per child New Year’s Lunch Buffet 1 January 2020 | 12:30pm – 3pm priced at RM148 nett per person | RM68 nett per child New Year’s Dinner Buffet 1 January 2020 | 6pm – 10:30pm priced at RM188 nett per person | RM68 nett per child This slideshow requires JavaScript.   Aviary Bar The Jungle Bird Series from 1 – 31 December 2019 from RM150 nett Cocktail of the Month from 1 – 31 December 2019 from RM50 nett   Chambers Grill Wagyu & Tomahawk Specials 1 – 31 December 2019 | 12pm – 2:30pm & 6:30pm – 10:30pm priced from RM550 nett Graze Festive Lunch & Dinner 1 December – 1 January 2020 | 12pm – 2:30pm & 6:30pm – 10:30pm From RM128 nett per person Christmas Eve Dinner 24 December 2019 | 6pm – 10:30pm RM228 nett per person (6 Course) Christmas Brunch 25 December 2019 | 11am – 2:30pm RM268 nett per person (4 Course) Christmas Dinner 25 December 2019 | 6pm – 10:30pm From RM128 nett per person New Year’s Eve Dinner 31 December 2019 | 6pm – 10:30pm RM288 nett per person (6 Course) New Year’s Lunch & Dinner 1 January 2020 | 12pm – 2:30pm & 6:30pm – 10:30pm From RM128 nett per person Festive Wines 1 – 31 December 2019 | 12pm – 2:30pm & 6:30pm – 10:30pm From RM260 nett per bottle The Lounge Special Festive High Tea 1 – 31 December 2019 | Weekdays 2:30pm-5:30pm | Weekends 12pm-6pm RM236 nett for 2 persons Oro Café Christmas Turkey & Goodies 1 – 31 December 2019 Turkey from RM499 nett | Goodies from RM15 nett Zeta Bar Red Party The Red Party will feature DJ J One & Souljah, with live band Sound Phoria from 9pm onwards on 24 December 2019, priced at RM80.00 nett with one drink. Chivas Gold Party on 31st December 2019 from 9.00pm onwards RM100.00 nett inclusive of one drink & party pack with LED dance performance, Sound Phoria. Countdown to 2020 with DJ J One & Souljah.   Christmas Caroling on 24 & 25 December 2019 and Catch Santa as he makes an appearance on 25 December 2019   From 1 – 20 December 2019, each Hilton hotel in Malaysia will be giving away a 2-day 3-night stay inclusive of breakfast buffet to one lucky winner. To stand a chance to win, participants have to like the hotel’s Facebook page, share the post and leave a comment with their most memorable dining experience with loved ones during the holiday season. For more information and reservations, call Hilton Kuala Lumpur at +60 3 2264 2264 or head over to http://www.life.hiltonkl.com     Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Inspired by the world of “Haute Couture”, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara transforms into a fashion maison to ‘Live the French way’ this Christmas. Recreating timeless French elegance and glitz joie de vivre, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara becomes the designer of a glamorous Christmas. Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Kwee Zeen This slideshow requires JavaScript. For a gastronomic feast, indulge in lavish Christmas feasts with traditional festive favourites and delightful gourmet presentations at Kwee Zeen. Featuring a decadent spread of local and international dishes including fresh seafood, a cheese selection, an extensive choice of entrées, an elaborated mouth-watering Christmas delights, Christmas turkey with traditional stuffing and more that would even impress Santa. Sweeten the celebration with a wonderful selection of French pastries and traditional Christmas desserts. Date: 24 December 2019 from 6.30pm to 10.00pm Prices: RM228.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices)/ RM368.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer and wine) I RM468.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer, wine & sparkling wine) Date: 25 December 2019 from 12.00noon to 4.00pm Prices: RM228.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices)/ RM368.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer and wine)/ RM468.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer, wine & sparkling wine) Date: 25 December 2019 from 6.30pm to 10.00pm Prices: RM168.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices)/ RM308.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer and wine)/ RM408.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer, wine & sparkling wine)   Nizza Partake in a tailored 5-course menu that will include a journey of flavours inspired by the fine French-Mediterranean cuisine. Date: 24 & 25 December 2019 from 6.00pm to 11.00pm Price: RM268.00nett per adult/ RM368.00nett per person inclusive of a glass of Mumm Champagne   Chrismas Eve Carolling On 24 December, carollers will be performing those well-loved Christmas carols at the lobby and restaurants. Santa Claus will be there to wish you all a happy Christmas. Performance times: 24 December 2019 – 8.45pm to 9.00pm, 9.00pm to 9.15pm   Couture Afternoon Tea at Le Bar Cocktail & Stories (2 December 2019 – 2 January 2020) Christmas Spritz cocktail The Couture Afternoon Tea showcases a selection of delicate delights, and is served alongside an extensive range of teas from TWG and Nespresso coffee. Those looking to fully embrace the festive spirit can also enjoy the festive cocktail, tailored to reflect the season’s best. Time: 3.00pm to 6.00pm Price: RM120.00nett for two persons (Festive cocktail priced at RM40.00nett per glass)   Festive Goodies – 26 November – 26 December 2019 Le Bar Cocktail & Stories has a selection of goodies including the ‘Teh Tarik’ Bûche de Noël’ in a handbag shape with patterns that exemplify French chic inspired by famous French fashion designers. The Teh Tarik’ Bûche de Noël’ brings the crowd favourite flavours of ‘Teh Tarik’ with rich Valrhona Jivara Chocolate layered in between chiffon sponge cake. Other specials you can take away to add to your festive cheer are Traditional Fruit Cake, Christmas Pudding, Panettone, Almond and Hazelnut Financier and more.   New Year’s Eve – 31 December 2019 Kwee Zeen – 6.30pm to 10.00pm Celebrate the last day of 2019 the French way with a Moulin Rouge-themed party as you savour flavours that will surprise and delight your palate with specially curated dishes by the kitchen brigade. Price: RM258.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices)/ RM398.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer and wine)/ RM498.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer, wine & sparkling wine)   Nizza Indulge in a festive five-course celebratory dinner in Nizza, after which, make your way to the poolside and start the countdown party with the best selection of music from the DJ. Date: 31 December 2019 & 1 January 2020 Time: 6.00pm to 11.00pm Price: RM268.00nett per adult/ RM368.00nett per person inclusive of a glass of Mumm Champagne   New Year’s Eve Countdown Party Time: 10.30pm to 1.00am Price: RM150.00nett per adult inclusive of a glass of Mumm Champagne   New Year’s Day Brunch at Kwee Zeen Enjoy a festive brunch on the first day of the New Year at Kwee Zeen from 12noon to 4.00pm, with a stunning selection of lobsters, prawns, crabs, scallops and more the cold seafood bar an extravagant dessert station, overflowing with sweets. Price: RM188.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow soft drinks and juices)/ RM328.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer and wine)/ RM428.00nett per adult (inclusive of free flow beer, wine & sparkling wine)   Festive So Sparkle Package (1 December 2019 to 5 January 2020) RM1, 350.00nett for two persons inclusive of 150-minutes ‘Just the Two of Us’ which includes Lavender relaxing steam bath followed by So Exhilarating massage and conclude with So Rejuvenating Facial, 2 glasses of champagne and light refreshment. For enquiries and reservations, email HA123-FB2@SOFITEL.COM or call (03) 2720 6688     Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur     Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur      Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. It’s Vive La Fête (French for ‘Long Live the Party’) at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur this festive season. There will be special performances as well as Christmas carolling at each of the hotel’s F&B outlets on Christmas Eve and Day.  Gastro Sentral presents a 3-course Christmas Eve Dinner priced at RM 188 nett per person. Look forward to dishes such as Warm Apple-Yuzu Smoked Duck Magret and Citrus Confit Duck Leg Roulade complete with Foie de Canard Gyoza or the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Seared Kingfish and Filo-Wrapped Tiger Prawns served with Ragu of Kiefler Potato and Artichoke, and warm Shallot-Caper Vinaigrette. Gastro Sentral’s 4-course New Year’s Eve Dinner is priced at RM 218 nett per person and includes a complimentary entry to the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at Pool Bar & Grill@8.  Diners with a penchant for variety will delight in Latest Recipe’s Indian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese and Western cuisines. Celebrate this holiday season with a lavish festive-themed buffet with authentic specialties including all your Christmas favourites. Enter Latest Recipe for an opulent Christmas spread and smell the aroma of chocolate croissants and the signature Christmas fruit loaf freshly baked for this holiday season. The award-winning chefs have crafted out appetisers which include Beef Cheek in Au Juice Jelly, Foie Gras Mousse with Smoked Duck Terrine, Stuffed Turkey, Grilled Scallop, Prawn Tail with Peach Salsa tapas and Assorted Sashimi to Live Carvings of PRIME Ribs, Roasted Turkey Ballotine as well as Whole Roasted Turkey, Dry-Spice Roasted Lamb, Veal and many more, complete your gastronomic adventure with irresistible desserts such as Christmas Puddings, ‘Christmas Present’ shaped Fondant Cake, Traditional Stolen with Candied Fruit and Nuts, Classic Panettone, Yule Logs, Christmas Tree tartlets, Mont Blanc in Filo Pastry, Spiced Eggnog Pumpkin Pies, Ginger Cookies with Raspberry Jam and colourful candies to name a few. There are also waffle live stations as well as warm Panettone Bread Pudding with Amareno Cherry Sauce. The Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner is priced at RM 218 nett per person, Christmas Day Brunch at RM 198 nett per person, and Christmas Day Buffet Dinner at RM 178 nett per person. Toast to the good times and countdown the year with an extravagant menu of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western favourites which rivals even the most renowned restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, freshly imported oysters, Black Mussels, Rock Lobsters, Crab Claw, a selection of Caviar on ice, international cheese platter, soft serve ice-cream station and so much more. New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner is available at RM 228 nett per person, New Year’s Day Brunch at RM 168 nett per person and New Year’s Day Buffet Dinner at RM 178 nett per person. Unlimited consumption on beer and wine is available for both Christmas and New Year offerings at Latest Recipe at an additional RM 100 nett per person. For steak enthusiasts, PRIME serves an exquisite dinner menu crafted by Chef de Cuisine Ramiro Moya. The Christmas Eve 4-course Dinner is priced at RM 388 nett per person (RM 428 nett per person with a glass of champagne) and the New Year’s Eve 5-course Dinner is priced at RM 488 nett per person (RM 528 nett per person with a glass of champagne). The 21-Days Dry-Aged Australian Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Fig, Foie Gras Mousse, Copper Onion and Celeriac Arrancini, Swordfish with Aubergine Mousse, Blood Orange and Jicama Salad with Salsa Notena, Pan Seared Foie Gras with Citrus Meringue and Grape Fruit Coulis, Sous Vide Turkey Breast, Stuffed Morel Mushrooms and Bread Pudding with Cranberry Sauce, and Traditional Pumpkin Pie served with Hazelnut Butter Milk and Vanilla Ice-Cream are just amongst some of the few highlights for a stimulating culinary experience. Regulars will be pleased to know that limited items from the a la carte menu are still available during the festive period. Live your stories of this Yuletide season with a Renaissance Christmas Fairy Tale at Favola. Tantalize your taste buds with Italian Chef Domenico Piraz’s delectable creations. The journey begins as the diner walks through the open galleries into a rustic Italian setting reminiscent of the renaissance era. The peeling paint on the walls reflects the glories of the past that has unearthed Venice for many centuries. Indulge in Italian fare such as Astice All’algherese (Gently Poached Boston Lobster with Red Onion Rings, Amoroso Tomatoes, Baby Potatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Cubetto Di Manzo, Salsa Di Formaggio E Mostarda (Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek Cube served with Light Parmesan Cheese Fondue and Mustard Fruit), Classico Ma Moderno (Classic Baked Turkey Roulade), Tortellini Natalizi (Chicken and Black Truffle Tortellini), signature Risotto with Italian Gorgonzola Cheese, Smoked Walnuts and Black Truffle Shaves, and Pappa et Cittiri (Pan-Roasted Cod Fish Fillet with Foie Gras Escalope, Braised Baby Leeks, Shimeji Mushrooms and Lobster Bisque) to name a few. The Christmas Eve 4-course Dinner is priced at RM 318 nett per person (RM 348 nett per person with a glass of prosecco) and New Year’s Eve 4-course Dinner is priced at RM 358 nett per person (RM 398 nett per person with a glass of prosecco).  Party-goers are invited to boogie the night away under the stars with eclectic music by the guest DJ at Pool Bar & Grill@8 on New Year’s Eve from 10pm onwards. Priced at RM 50 nett per person, it is inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine or beer. All diners of the hotel on the evening of 31 December 2019 will enjoy complimentary entry to the Countdown Party.  On top of the above, a line-up of special activities and also performances has been lined up for the festivities.  24 December 2019 7.00pm to 10.00pm  Santa’s Surprise! 8.00pm to 8.30pm Special Performances by the Strolling Trio at Favola 8.30pm to 9.30pm  Christmas Carolling at Latest Recipe 8.45pm to 9.15pm Special Performances by the Strolling Trio at PRIME 9.30pm to 10.00pm 25 December 2019 Special Performances by the Strolling Trio at Gastro Sentral 12.30pm to 2.30pm Fun Activities for the Kids at Latest Recipe  Balloon Sculpting, Face Painting and Gingerbread Decorating 12.30pm to 3.30pm Santa’s Surprise! 1.45pm to 2.45pm Christmas Carolling at Latest Recipe From 2 till 31 December 2019, visit ArtCacao at lobby level for quintessential Festive Goodies by Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur. From Christmas Stollen to Ginger Bread Houses, Yule Logs to the Classic Panettone, Festive Eclairs and Christmas Puddings. For more info, call Dining Reservations at +603 2263 7434, e-mail dining.lmkl@lemeridien.com or visit www.lemeridienkualalumpur.com      Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATION 2019 at the Hotel Lobby Pullman KLCC will celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in a “glistening” way with its Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on 2 December 2019 at 7.00pm. To mark the commencement of this season, the Hotel General Manager, Mr Wolfgang Kiesel will light the hotel’s 20-foot tall Christmas tree lights! The ceremony will feature a dance performance by the children from The Salvation Army, a non-profit organisation that provides care for the needy in Malaysia, and carolers singing Christmas carols. Lauren Yeo, a multi-award winning classical opera youth singer who has performed in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Wales and US respectively, since she was 8 will deliver the finale performance.    Turkey Delivery with Lalamove This year, Pullman KLCC is offering delivery for the roast turkey, Christmas goodies or hampers in partnership with Lalamove. Opt for the Christmas Party Turkey Menu which is priced at RM750 (serves 8 – 10 persons) or the a la carte roast turkey priced at RM380 (serves 6 – 8 persons). A 24-hour advance notice required for orders of turkey and the party treats. Order at Sedap Restaurant, Lobby Level of the hotel or online at http://www.lalamove.com    Building a Nation of Hope with the Salvation Army In the season of giving, Pullman KLCC collaborates with The Salvation Army to raise funds for their residential homes and centres that reach out to vulnerable communities across all ages, to help them find renewed hope in life. The public may join the effort by purchasing a specially printed Christmas Elf wishing card, priced at RM25 to write your wish. You can either hang it on the 20-foot high Christmas tree or place it in the life-sized north pole mailbox. All proceeds from the sale of the wishing cards will be donated to The Salvation Army.      Christmas Menu at Sedap Restaurant Sedap Restaurant offers a buffet spread of both local and international delicacies including Roast Turkey and Lamb.    Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet 24 December 2019, from 6:30pm until 10:30pm, priced at RM178 per person (free-flow of juices and soft drinks) or RM198 per person (free-flow of juices, soft drinks, beer and wine). Complimentary party hats and festive novelties for restaurant guests and special appearance by Santa Claus.   Christmas Day Lunch Buffet 25 December 2019, from 12:00 noon until 3:00pm, priced at RM138 per person (free-flow of juices and soft drinks) or RM158 per person (free-flow of juices, soft drinks, mulled wine and beer)    Christmas Day Dinner Buffet  25 December 2019, from 6:30pm until 10:30pm, priced at RM158 per person (free-flow of juices and soft drinks) or RM178 per person (free-flow of juices, soft drinks, mulled wine and beer)               New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet 31 December 2019, from 6:30pm until 10:30pm, priced at RM178 per person (free-flow of juices and soft drinks, an additional 1 drink voucher at Blu Bar) or RM198 per person (free-flow of juices, soft drinks, beer and wine, an additional 1 drink voucher at Blu Bar). Complimentary party hats and festive novelties for restaurant guests!   New Year’s Day Lunch Buffet 1 January 2020, from 12:00 noon until 3:00pm, priced at RM138 per person (free-flow of juices and soft drinks) or RM158 per person (free-flow of juices, soft drinks and beer)   New Year’s Eve Party at Blu Bar – 31 December 2019 Countdown starts from 10:00pm until 1:00am and includes a live performance.    For more info, head over to https://www.pullman-kualalumpur-citycentre.com or call +603 2170 8888 or e-mail restaurants@pullman-klcc.com or enquiry@pullman-klcc.com        Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur The Mill Cafe Expect nothing less than a holiday feast of generous festive favourites at The Mill Café and enjoy a sophisticated melange Of tastes and flavours this December. 24th December 2019 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm priced at RM 168 nett per person Enjoy a special celebratory festive spread including the traditional whole oven-roasted turkey, Norwegian salmon fillet topped with lemon herb crust, Australian chilled beef rib eye, braised black pepper lamb shank, chicken cordon bleu, homemade Cumberland sausages with caremlised onions, flower crabs, slipper lobsters, and a Christmas dessert counter for the big and little ones. 25th December 2019 from 12:00noon to 3:00pm priced at RM 128 nett per person Highlight include authentic holiday dishes such as home-smoked Norwegian salmon, fresh oysters, duck confit, chicken and mushroom terrine, traditional roasted whole turkey, chestnuts, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, mince pies and chocolate truffle yule log cake. 31st December 2019 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm priced at RM 168 nett per person Indulge in salmon gravlax, seafood terrine, carpaccio bar, a section of seafood on ice, whole baked salmon in puff pastry, nutmeg mash potato, oven roasted quail with red currant and shallot jus, whole roasted lamb, prime beef rib eye, shawarma and a delectable selection of desserts before the clock strikes twelve. 1st January 2020 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm priced at RM 128.00 nett per person Usher in the new year with a wonderful fare across theatre kitchens featuring chilled gazpacho with oyster, sushi and sashimi, whole poached cold salmon, coconut tom yam, bangers and mash, braised beef carving, pasta bar and a healthy sugarless dessert section.   Handcrafted Takeaways Share the holiday spirit with a selection of fine takeaway offerings such as gingerbread house, Yule log cake, traditional mince pie, Christmas stolen, glazed fruit cake, assorted cookies and more. Festive roasts and bakes are also available for a hassle-free gathering. The handcrafted takeaways are available at Bistro 160 from 27th November 2019 onwards with a minimum three (3) days’ pre-order notice. For bookings or enquiries, call +60 3 2117 4160 or email bistro@millenniumhotels.com Relax, Indulge & Celebrate Priced at RM 2,020.00 nett per couple, the package includes: 3D2Ns Stay in a Deluxe Room With breakfast for 2 New Year’s Eve buffet dinner at The Mill Café with party packs and unlimited Wine or beer New Year’s countdown celebration package with a choice of either I bottle of champagne or 1 bottle of wine and 2 snacks New Year’s Eve Party at Pulse on 31st December 2019 from 7:00 pm Onwards Raise a toast to 2019 and countdown to the New Year with explosive party tunes, live DJ sets and raving performances by Explicit Lo. in the pulsing heart of Bukit Bintang. COVER CHARGE at RM128 nett per person with I glass of standard festive drink TABLE PACKAGES RM888 nett for 5 persons inclusive of 1 bottle of Chandon Brut. I bottle Of selected spirits, 6 mixers of your choice and 2 signature snacks RM588 nett for 3 persons inclusive of 1 bottle of La Vie En Rose/ Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon/ Wolf Blass Sauvignon Blanc and 2 signature snacks RM388 nett for 3 persons inclusive of 1 beer tower and 1 signature snack     Aloft Kuala Lumpur   Nook, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral’s all-day dining restaurant will be having a Christmas spread available from 6 to 30 December 2019. The buffet will feature a variety of traditional and western Christmas classics with Nook’s speciality dishes of local favourites to complement the festive spread, prepared by the Hotel’s jolly new Chef de Cuisine, Mohd. Rais Effandi Zakaria. The highlight of the holiday feast at Nook is its carving station featuring meaty dishes on a rotational menu, including Prime Rib with Thyme Sauce, Yorkshire Pudding and Garden Vegetables, Roasted Beef with Garlic Sauce, Roasted Lamb Leg with Home-baked Cocktail Potato, Mint and Black Pepper Sauce and Seabass En Papillote with Vegetables and Potato. Nook’s Roasted Brine Turkey with Bread Chestnut Stuffing, Cranberry Jam and Giblet Sauce will be available daily at the carving station. As a special for dinner on Christmas Eve, the Roasted Turkey will be complemented with Brussel Sprouts with Smoked Duck Lardon. Look out for traditional western favourites such as the Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Pot Pie, Lamb and Mushroom Ragout, Seafood Lasagna, Black Mussel Aglio Olia, Shepherd’s Pie and Osso Buco, a traditional Italian dish of veal shanks braised with vegetables and broth. The festive spread will also feature a section of appetisers, cold cuts, salads, soups, cheese platter, antipasto corner, noodles counter, pizza specials, Malay, Chinese and Indian hot dishes, and a specially dressed up dessert selection. This slideshow requires JavaScript.    For dessert, look out for the Chocolate Yule Log Cake, Vanilla Yule Log Cake, Minced Pie, Mixed Berry Pavlova, Pecan Nuts Tart, Salted Caramel Profiteroles, Cherry Pumpkin Clafoutis, Black Forest Shooter, Fruit Triffle, Christmas Pudding, Cranberry and Apple Pie, Chocolate Fountain with condiments and more, all available on rotational basis for dinner. Nook’s Christmas dinner buffet is available from 6 to 30 December 2019 from 6:30pm till 10.30pm priced at RM118 nett per adult, the Christmas Eve’s Buffet Dinner is priced at RM128 nett, while the Christmas Day’s lunch spread is priced at RM100 nett per adult. For dining reservations at Nook, telephone +603 2723 1154 or visit http://www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral will also be offering special rates for the festive season with room rates start from RM250+ per room per night for stay during the festive period. For reservations and more information, call +(60) 3 2723 1188       Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS Gobo Chit Chat on Level 5 Bucked Out Seafood Festive Edition from 1 – 31 December (Every Friday & Saturday) from 6.30pm – 11.00pm priced at RM 159 nett per person. Christmas Eve Seafood Buffet Dinner on Tuesday, 24 December 2019 from 6.30pm – 11.00pm priced at RM 178 nett per person/ RM 298 nett per person inclusive of free flow wine & bubbly. Early Bird priced of RM 298 nett for 2 persons/ RM 538 nett for two persons inclusive of free flow wine and bubbly. Christmas Day Brunch on Wednesday, 25 December 2019 from 12.00pm – 3.30pm priced at RM 158 nett per person/ RM 278 nett per person inclusive of free flow wine & bubbly There will be roaming clowns and activities for the little ones, while carollers will perform on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day GOBO UPSTAIRS LOUNGE & GRILL (Level 6) Festive Set Dinner (1 – 31 December) from 6.30pm – 11.00pm priced at RM 198 nett per person/ RM 478 nett person for inclusive of free flow wine & Veuve Clicquot champagne. Christmas Eve Dinner 4-course menu on Tuesday, 24 December 2019 from 6.30pm – 11.00pm priced at RM 328 nett per person/ RM 588 nett per person inclusive of free flow wine & Veuve Clicquot champagne. *Carollers will perform on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day* NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW YEAR Gobo Chit Chat (Level 5) New Year’s Eve Seafood Buffet Dinner on Tuesday, 31 December from 6.30pm – 11.00pm priced at RM248 nett per person/ RM 398 nett per person (inclusive of free flow wine & bubbly). Early Bird price of RM 418 nett for two persons, or RM 668 nett for two persons inclusive of free flow wine & bubbly. Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill (Level 6) New Year’s Eve Dinner with a 5-course menu on Tuesday, 31 December 2019 from 7.30pm onwards, priced at RM 478 nett per person/ RM 758 nett per person inclusive of free flow wine & Veuve Clicquot champagne (with access to SkyBar for fireworks) New Year’s Eve Exclusive Dinner on Tuesday, 31 December at Gobo Upstairs Lounge Area with KLCC View, priced at RM 1,888 nett per couple for 5-course menu inclusive of free flow wine & Veuve Clicquot champagne. SKYBAR Kuala Lumpur On the decks will be Da Candy, Duudaa, Yoyo Sanchez, KC and Richard. Special Packages for New Year’s Eve: Gold Package I Level 34 Table for 2 persons RM 1,950 nett inclusive of 2 bottles (1 bottle Moët Chandon and choice of 1 bottle Glenlivet 12 Years or Belvedere Pure or Monkey Shoulder) Inclusive of 1 standard pizza Jade Package I Level 33 Table for 4 persons RM 2,800 nett inclusive of 2 bottles (1 bottle Moët Chandon and choice of 1 Monkey Shoulder or Glenlivet 12 Years or Belvedere Pure or Tanqueray London Dry) Emerald Package I Level 33 Table for 4 persons (near dance floor) RM 3,900 nett inclusive of 3 bottles (1 bottle Moët Chandon and choice of 2 bottles Monkey Shoulder or Glenlivet 12 Years or Belvedere Pure or Tanqueray London Dry) Inclusive of 2 standard pizza Diamond Package I Level 33 Table for 4 persons RM 4,300 nett inclusive of 4 bottles (1 bottle of Moët Chandon and choice of 3 bottles Monkey Shoulder or Glenlivet 12 Years or Belvedere Pure or Tanqueray London Dry) Inclusive of 2 standard pizza Crystal Package I Level 33 Table for 6 persons (cabana seating with KLCC view) RM 7,200 with a choice of 5 bottles Moët Chandon or Monkey Shoulder or Glenlivet 12 Years or Belvedere Pure or Tanqueray London Dry Inclusive of bar food (choose 1): 3 Standard pizza or 2 SkyBar combo bucket or 2 standard pizza & 1 SkyBar combo bucket Platinum Package I Level 33 Table for 8-10 persons (cabana seating with KLCC view) RM 7,600 with a choice 5 bottles Moët Chandon or Monkey Shoulder or Glenlivet 12 Years or Belvedere Pure or Tanqueray London Dry Inclusive of bar food (choose your combination):1 pizza for every 2 guests or 1 SkyBar combo bucket for every 3 guests Titanium Package I Level 33 Table for 8-10 persons RM 10,000 inclusive of 5 bottles of Dom Perignin Inclusive of bar food (choose your combination): 1 pizza for every 2 guests or 1 SkyBar combo bucket for every 3 guests Cover Charge = RM 175 nett per person inclusive of 1 glass of Moët Chandon For reservations or enquiries, please contact (603) 2332 9818 or email fbreservation.thkl@shangri-la.com Christmas Turkey Takeaway The culinary team has created their own version of Sensational Asian which is the Traders Fully Loaded Asian Style Satay Marinated Roasted Turkey with Percik Sauce Aromatic blend of fresh lemongrass, turmeric, galangal, cumin & coriander. Marinated overnight for the flavours to set in. It comes accompanied with choice of 3 condiments :- Nasi briyani with quail eggs 800g • Roasted potatoes 700g • Slow braised Brussels sprouts 700g • Braised red cabbage 700g • Seasonal vegetables with garlic butter 700g • Kerabu prawn mango, peanuts and chili 300g • Maple glazed chestnuts 250g • Yang chow fried rice with crispy shredded dry scallops, green peas and scallions 800g Priced at RM95/kg – Minimum weight is 5.5 kg If one would prefer to stick to the traditional, the team has prepared their Traders Super Loaded Truffle Flavoured Whole Turkey, accompanied with giblet truffle sauce & cranberry sauce and choice of 3 condiments:- Apple & chestnut stuffing 500g • Roasted potatoes 700g • Slow braised Brussels sprouts 700g • Braised red cabbage 700g • Seasonal vegetables with garlic butter 700g • Maple glazed chestnuts 250g • Roasted sweet potatoes 700g • Sauteed green beans 500g Priced at RM100/kg – Minimum weight is 5.5 kg For orders more than RM2,000.00, the turkeys will be delivered! For bookings, call +603 2332 9818 or email at fbreservation.thkl@shangri-la.com       Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel This Christmas marks a new beginning for the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel with a newly renovated lobby, restaurant and public areas. The refreshed lobby reignites the wonders of the season with sights, scents and flavors that warms the heart. Ringing with peals of delightful Christmas carols, mouth-watering aroma of a live-size Gingerbread House and traditional Christmas decoration throughout the lobby. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was officiated on the evening of 20 November 2019 by General Manager, Bipan Kapur Christmas Eve Dinner Relish in a sumptuous buffet spread featuring Executive Chef Edmund Ng’s festive creations from whole roasted turkey with home-made stuffing, 6-hour slow-roast Australian prime rib eye, Atlantic salmon sashimi and local favorites from freshly baked tandoori chicken to gulai pedas. End your extravagant dinner on a sweet note with homemade Yule log, Paris Brest, Christmas pudding, chocolate fondue and more. 24 December 2019, Tuesday at Evolution Café from 6:30pm to 10:30pm RM188nett per adult RM94nett per child between 6 to12 years RM248nett per adult with free-flow of wine and beer   Christmas Day Brunch The Asian and Western-inspired brunch includes highlights such as the luscious roast turkey with home-made stuffing, grilled lobster, Australian Black Angus beef as well as a selection of Christmas goodies and traditional Christmas pudding.   25 December, Wednesday at Evolution Café from 12:30pm to 4:00pm RM168nett per adult RM84nett per child between 6 to12 years RM228nett per adult with free-flow of wine and beer Christmas carols will be available on Christmas Eve at the hotel’s grand staircase and Santa Clause will be making a special appearance for the little ones.     Festive Specials from 1 – 30 December, 6:30pm to 10:30pm at Evolution Café The Evolution Café will be having a month-long festive special a la carte menu with seasonal favorites from creamy chestnut soup, poached asparagus with home-cured salmon, roasted turkey roulade with foie gras, pan fried Atlantic black cod with gnocchi to warm Christmas pudding with berries and mini-pandan Yule log with shredded coconut and chocolate sauce.    New Year’s Eve Dinner Ring in the New Year at the hotel’s poolside party which will feature a feast of international and local delights at the outdoor poolside deck on level 4. Enjoy unlimited servings of barbecued New Zealand whole lamb, oysters from Europe, slow-roasted Australian striploin and local favorites of 8-hour slow-braised rendang tok, freshly grilled Kajang satay, traditional ice-cream potong and more. The evening continues with a New Year Eve Countdown Party by the poolside and will feature a DJ and live entertainment that is sure to light up the evening with fun and merriment. 31 December, Tuesday at Gazebo Poolside from 6:30pm onwards RM248nett per person exclusive of beverages RM124nett per child between 6 to 12 years Beverage packages available The poolside party is subjected to weather conditions. In the event of an unfavorable weather, the party will be moved to an indoor venue.   Handcrafted Festive Takeaways Enjoy gourmet takeaway treats like succulent roasts, handcrafted Yule logs and fruitcakes, as well as a medley of confectionaries and a Yuletide Hamper. These festive takeaway items will be available at the festive desk, lobby level of Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel at 10:00am to 6:00pm daily from 20 November 2019 onwards. An advanced order of one days is required for roast and hampers. The traditional whole roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing, slow-roasted leg of lamb, oven-roasted beef striploin and home-cured salmon, make for a hassle free celebration at home. End your meal on a sweet note with traditional Christmas pudding, Yule log, gingerbread house, fruit cake, Christmas stolen, Christmas cookies, panettone and more.   Christmas Staycation (24 December – 26 December 2019) The Christmas staycation package includes a stay in the hotel’s Deluxe Room, delicious Christmas buffet for two, breakfast for two while a choice of Christmas Eve Dinner or Christmas Day Brunch can be made. Priced at RM688+    New Year’s Eve Getaway Escape to the heart of the city and usher in the New Year in the hotel’s spacious Deluxe Room  with a New Year’s Eve staycation for two. The all-inclusive package includes New Year’s Eve Dinner and countdown party for two, breakfast for two and a magical beginning into 2020. The package includes stay on 31 December to 1 January 2020, priced at RM988+ For room bookings and reservations, call +603 2162 2233 or email rhi.kulrn.reservations@renaissancehotels.com Early bird discount of 10% off for reservations before 7 December 2019, advance pre-payment is required and rooms are non-refundable.    This slideshow requires JavaScript.     DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur Photo by Hilton Malaysia This December, Hilton hotels in Malaysia presents festive menus and promotions that are made for sharing, in hopes to reunite loved ones, create new friendships and strengthen each unique relationship. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur has prepared a whole host of experiences this holiday season: Makan Kitchen Christmas Day Dinner Buffet 21 & 22 December 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm priced at RM158 nett per adult | RM79 nett per child 24 December 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm priced at RM168 nett per adult | RM84 nett per child (*Fun activities available for kids) Super Weekend Christmas Buffet High-Tea 21 & 22 December 2019 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm priced at RM118 nett per adult | RM59 nett per child 25 December 2019 from 12:30pm – 4:30pm priced at RM128 nett per adult | RM64 nett per child (*Fun activities available for kids) Tosca Christmas Eve 5-Course Set Dinner 24 December 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm priced from RM180 nett per adult | RM90 nett per child New Year’s Eve BBQ Set Dinner 31 December 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm priced from RM220 nett per adult | RM90 nett per child The Food Store Christmas turkey and goodies are available from 25 November to 31 December 2019. Dine Around NYE Party 31 December 2019 from 5:30pm – 1:00am priced at RM250 nett per adult or RM110 nett per child (add RM130 nett for unlimited free flow of beer, wine & cocktails in Cellar Door & Axis Lounge). Enjoy an early bird discount of 25% for all festive promotions when you book by 15 December 2019. For more information and reservations, call +60 3 2172 7272 or email KULDT_FB@hilton.com       Selangor The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur  This season of giving, The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur shares the joy of Christmas with a slew of festive goodies and merry feasts at Charcoal restaurant. Primed to bring a touch of conviviality to the year-end celebrations, expect a medley of theatrical delights starting with a curated selection of sumptuous repast, takeaways and celebrations prepared by the hotel’s very own master chefs – led by Chef Alex. The hotel invites guests to share the ceremonial Delight in merry Christmas feasts featuring lavish choices of seafood on ice, sashimi, Asian and Western mains, roasts, cheese, festive desserts and more. Highlights include country fresh oysters, Roast of Christmas Whole Lamb, Slipper Lobster, a Christmas Strawberry Tree, Fig holiday Rolls, Christmas Pudding with Custard and more. Traditional Christmas Eve Feast On 24 December 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm priced at RM 152++ per person with Live Music, Door Gift, Lucky Draws, Santa Clause and Santarina’s visit. Christmas Day Joyous Brunch Buffet On 25 December 2019 from 12.00pm to 3.00pm priced at RM 142++ per person with ‘Jaja’ the Clown, Door Gift, Lucky Draws, Santa Clause and Santarina’s visit. New Year’s Eve Countdown Feast On 31 December 2019 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm priced at RM 170++ per person with Live Music, Door Gift, Lucky Draws, and Fireworks by the lakeside. This slideshow requires JavaScript. There will also be a handcrafted selection of Christmas goodies which will be the perfect accompaniments for year-end parties and gatherings with loved ones.  For more info, head over to http://www.saujanahotels.com or call (603) 7843 1234 ext. 6122, or email dine@thesaujana.com.       One World Hotel Petaling Jaya Cinnamon Coffee House Christmas Buffets This Christmas, Cinnamon Coffee House will be serving a full spread of Christmassy dishes alongside the restaurant’s mainstay dishes. Some notable dishes include the Chicken Cordon Bleu, Seafood Au Gratin to Baked Sea Bass with Garlic Paste and Mushroom Vinaigrette and Seared Beef and Oxtail Marmalade with Natural Jus, and more. The Christmas offerings include the Roasted Turkey with Honey, Herb and Chestnut Stuffing, and the carvery offering of the Crusted Roasted Strip Loin. The dessert section will include seasonal delights such as Chocolate and Raspberry Yule Log, Gingerbread, Mince Pie, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Fruit Cake, Churros with Christollen Spiced Caramel Sauce, Mont Blanc Petite Gateau, Cinnamon Mango Entremets and Assorted Nuts, Berries Crumble and more. Christmas Day Eve & Christmas Day Buffet Dinner on 24 & 25 Dec (6.30 pm – 10.30 pm) priced at RM168.00 per adult & RM89.00 per child aged 6 – 12 years Christmas Day Hi Tea on 25 Dec (12.00 pm – 4.00 pm) priced at RM118.00 per adult & RM64.00 per child aged 6 – 12 years A Ritzy New Year Bid farewell to another year/ welcome the New Year with family and friends at Cinnamon Coffee House of One World Hotel Petaling Jaya. Enjoy mains like the Cheese Baked Oyster with Coriander, Tiger Prawn with Basil Pesto and Pine Nuts, Baked Chicken Ballotine, Stir Fried Black Mussel with Salted Egg Yolk and Sweet Corn, Braised Sliced Abalone with Black Mushroom, Oxtail Rendang, Prawn Biryani Rice, Goa Fish Curry, Turkey Varuval and many more! The dessert station includes sweet creations like Baked Lava Cheese Tart, Berries Tiramisu, Green Tea and Strawberry Entremets, Black Forest Eclairs, Chocolate Hazelnut Orange Bar, Treacle Tart, Mango Cinnamon Petite Gateau, Lemon Breton and more. For more info or reservations, call 603 – 7681 1157 or email cinnamon@oneworldhotel.com.my New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner on 31 December (6.30 pm – 10.30 pm) priced at RM168.00nett per adult & RM89.00nett per child aged 6 – 12 years (inclusive of a glass of wine or mocktail and a party pack) New Year’s Day Hi Tea on 01 January (12.00 pm – 4.00 pm) priced at RM118.00nett per adult & RM64.00nett per child aged 6 – 12 years This slideshow requires JavaScript.    Hand-Crafted Traditional Festive Confectioneries Enthral your senses with a lovely array of whimsical cookies (RM22.00nett), delectable chocolates (RM61.00nett), Yule log cake (RM112.00nett), gingerbread (from RM9.00nett), mince pie (RM9.00nett), stollen (RM25.50nett), English fruitcake (RM32.00nett) and pudding (RM62.00nett). The hotel is also acclaimed for its succulent roasts – the traditional Roast Turkey (RM480.00nett) and Roasted Leg of Lamb (RM380.00nett). The roasted bird is accompanied with a preferred stuffing of Chestnut, Chicken, Sage and Bread or Mushroom, Apple, Beef Brisket and Bread; Roasted Potatoes and Buttered Brussels Sprout as well as Vegetables and flavoursome Giblet and Cranberry sauce. The succulent lamb is complemented with Buttered Seasonal Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes and Herb Jus. To purchase, visit the special counter located on the concourse level of One World Hotel from 1st till 25th of December, 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. daily. For bulk orders and further enquiries, call 603 – 7681 1157 or email cinnamon@oneworldhotel.com.my     Marimbar Petaling Jaya     The Square by Jaya One Petaling Jaya     2OX (Jalan Doraisamy)     Chez Gaston (Bangsar)     Roofino     Envi Skydining Kuala Lumpur   For more info or to make a reservation, head over to https://www.facebook.com/enviskydining/ or call 019-771 7170     Photo Credits: Respective hotels/ restaurants, Andy Kho Photography (http://andykho.com), and author’s own Cover Photo: Lemon Garden at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/02/24/oppo-n1-launch-180214/

Oppo N1 Launch 180214

[Tech] . I generally dislike going to KL city close to rush hours however as I was feeling particularly curious this time round I decided to head over to the KL Convention Centre on 18 February 2014 for the OPPO Electronics Corp launch of the OPPO N1 smartphone. OPPO originates from Guangdong, China but has grown and how has it’s presence in several countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Mexico, while the brand is also in the United States, marketing its Blu-ray range of products. More than 1,500 engineers were involved in the research and development process of the OPPO N1 over a period of 18 months (as opposed to the normal 12 months or less it normally takes to come up with a smartphone). OPPO manufactured some parts of the phone in-house, and the units underwent several tests including temperature, humidity, and weather conditions before the final product was release to the market. OPPO N1 is positioned as OPPO’s flagship smartphone and features a 5.9-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 600, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and the signature swivelling 13MP camera with dual LED flash, which can rotate up to 206 degrees and can lock at any angle. The camera allows users to take high-quality selfies instead of normally relying on the lower quality front camera found in most smartphones. The O-touch panel on the back of the N1 can switch on the picture mode without touching the screen, and take pictures with it. There is also a keychain-friendly O-Click remote that connects to the phone via Bluetooth for off-device operation and control, including remote camera operation. The OPPO N1 come with their own custom Color OS which uses Android 4.2, which allows users to draw on the screen with one finger to turn on the phone/flash, two fingers to control volume, and three fingers to screen shoot, or draw certain letters to activate apps such as the camera. The OPPO N1 is priced at RM1,798.00 At the launch, OPPO also debuted the Find 5 Mini, R1, and OPPO Neo to the Malaysian media. . (Hint – click on the pics below to open to a larger version)     . Here are the product specs: Size 170.7 x 82.6 x 9 mm Weight 213g Processor Quad-core 1.7GHz Network GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz   WCDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz 3G Data Rate HSDPA 42Mbps, HSUPAs Display 5.9’’   1920 x 1080 FHD, 16M color Operating System ColorOS (based on Android 4.2) Camera 13MP Rotating Camera RAM 2GB ROM 16GB Battery 3610mAh Connectivity Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 . I don’t usually like to include ads in my posts but I thought that what they did which was pretty nice and not so hard-sell – telling the story from two (2) perspectives while actually showing off some of the phone’s key features. And the girl is pretty… Enough said! So here’s her perspective first. . And here’s his perspective. . More info at https://www.facebook.com/malaysiaoppo Photo credits: Oppo Malaysia and author’s own . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2021/06/03/luminox-bear-grylls-survival-master-sea-3745/

Luminox Bear Grylls Survival MASTER SEA ‘3745’

[Watches] Luminox and Bear Grylls have been synonymous with the outdoors, where encountering wildlife is part of the experience. Building on this association, the brand has decided to incorporate the ‘panda face’ into its latest Luminox Bear Grylls MASTER SEA ‘3745’. While the ‘panda’ dial is not new in the watch industry, Luminox has added its own ‘outdoor and modern’ spin to a classic design synonymous with chronograph timepieces. Proven to be the best-selling Bear Grylls watch, the watch now comes in an appealing yellow dial with two black sub-dials that forms the ‘eyes’ of the panda. The refreshing colours also match well with the natural grey of the CARBONOX™+ (carbon compound) material used for the watch case. The Luminox Bear Grylls Survival MASTER SEA ‘3745’ is built as a tool for the outdoors or for survival in remote places.  The watch features a quartz chronograph in a 45mm CARBONOX™+ case with a sapphire crystal glass and anti-reflective coating. CARBONOX™+ is a carbon long bar compound that performs better in extreme environments than the regular CARBONOX™. It is stronger, has improved tensile strength, 3 times less water absorption and a very modern and distinctive grey colour imparted onto the Luminox watches. Together with the screw-in caseback and screw-down crown, the watch has an excellent water resistance at 300metres which is suitable for diving or wet harsh conditions. The watch is matched aptly with a uni-directional turning dive bezel with North-South-EastWest compass indicator and a removable strap compass, both features that are essential in life and death situations when experiencing adventures in the sea or on land. A minor detail added to the minute tracker is the S.O.S in Morse code that can come handy in rescue missions. Lastly, the pushers of the chronograph are in solid stainless steel, while the stainless-steel crown has an orange rubber crown ring for an improved grip. Found in the Luminox Bear Grylls MASTER SEA ‘3745’ are also the Luminox Light Technology (LLT), a self-powered illumination system that utilizes tiny micro gas light tubes to create ultimate visibility in complete darkness. These light tubes ensure a constant glow for up to 25 years, 24 hours 7 days a week. Aligned with the adventure theme, the light tubes are also arranged in different angles, giving the watch a playful and cool appearance in the dark.  The Luminox Bear Grylls MASTER SEA ‘3745’ is a contemporary twist to the ‘panda’ watch that has been built for outdoor adventurers. Luminox has walked away from the conventional black and white interpretation to design an outgoing timepiece in striking yellow to contrast with the black ‘panda eyes’. It is no surprise that Bear Grylls has chosen Luminox as his wrist companion to break boundaries and overcome challenges together.  Luminox watches are available at the following departmental stores and other leading watch retailers.  Parkson at Pavilion  Level 3, Pavilion, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Parkson at One Utama  Lot G 320, F 320, S 320, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Lebuh Bandar Utama 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Daruh Ehsan, Malaysia. SOGO Kompleks SOGO, 3D Fashion Arena, 190, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. SOGO  Central i-City, Unit G-01, No 1, i-City, Persiaran Multimedia, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. For further information and the full list of authorised watch retailers, call Crystal Time (M) Sdn Bhd at +603 2938 3938 or head over to http://www.crystaltime.com.sg Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/01/22/hermes-pavilion-store-re-opening-celebration/

Hermès Pavilion Store Re-Opening Celebration

[Luxury Fashion]    Mei Sze and I headed over to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur on 16 January 2018 for the Hermès Pavilion Store Re-Opening Celebration with invited guests, top customers and members of the media. This celebration comes a month after the media preview cocktail which you can read about here – https://timchew.net/2017/12/28/hermes-re-opens-its-store-at-pavilion-kuala-lumpur/ (You can also find photos of the store’s interior as well as many of the products available there.)    Mei Sze and Lez admiring the products The rear staircase is a very Insta-friendly spot Fashion influencers Duogigs – Cherrie and Evangeline Socialites Franklene and Crissty Chiang Lots of delicious canapes and desserts for us to savour There were also games on hand where we could win ourselves some collectible Hermes badges This game pitted guest against guest and the girls got pretty playing it!      The Hermes boutique in Pavilion KL is located at: Lot 2.17.00, Level 2, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.    Telephone: +603-2142 0048 For more info, head over to http://www.hermes.com . Thanks for having us! Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/08/15/honor-play-launched-in-malaysia/

Honor Play Launched in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets]    honor officially launched the honor Play on 7 August 2018 at Sunway Pyramid, adding another innovative model that was designed specifically to satisfy every casual and hardcore mobile gamers’ needs, by delivering an optimum, high-end performance at an affordable price point. The launch took place at the honor Play Fair, which was organized in conjunction with the introduction of the latest gaming smartphone. honor Fans and event-goers were pleasantly surprised with special guest appearances by E-sports professionals and popular figures in the gaming industry, as they shared their thoughts on mobile gaming through an engaging gaming dialogue session. During the launch, honor Malaysia also announced an exciting partnership with PUBG MOBILE, one of the most popular mobile games in the world. The two brands have been rapidly rising in their respective industries, and they will be working together to bring fans of both honor Play and PUBG MOBILE, as well as all game fanatics alike more exciting partnership activities in the future.    “The launch of honor Play brings major ground-breaking and industry leading smartphone technologies to mobile gamers. The support from our fans and consumers motivates us to consistently deliver and cater the best to the market. The honor Play aims to enable exceptional user experience at the best value as it delivers top-end quality and performance at a highly competitive price point that you cannot find elsewhere. It is every gamer’s ideal device to support their daily gaming needs,” said Zhao ZhiWei, Head of honor Malaysia. Zhao Zhiwei, Head of honor Malaysia, with Zheng Shubao, President of honor Southern Pacific    With the GPU Turbo technology and the powerful Kirin 970 flagship chipset, the honor Play dramatically increases graphics processing, providing a smoother, faster gaming experience. The GPU Turbo is a groundbreaking graphic-processing technology for an unprecedented mobile gaming experience. It is an integrated hardware-software graphics processing acceleration technology that reconstructs the traditional graphics processing framework at the lower layer system, greatly improving the efficiency of GPU graphics processing and user gaming experience. honor has achieved a key technological breakthrough with the GPU Turbo, improving graphics processing efficiency by 60% and reducing SoC (System on Chip) energy consumption by 30%, setting new records in smartphone performance and energy consumption balance. In addition to its competitive internal software and hardware, the honor Play is a “Game On” device that gives you the edge to win. Its large 6.3” FullView Display, enormous battery life and other beneficial functions make this a phenomenally fun entertainment device for all users.   To excite fans, specially invited guests consisting of popular gaming personalities, took part in a “live” gaming session on PUBG Mobile at the honor Play launch. Le Josette, Tiffani “Babyoling” Lim, Hanxiiaoaii, Xiaoting Miaomiao (L-R)   This fast gaming device is AI-enabled for total immersion. The 4D gaming experience includes not only graphics and 3D audio effects, but AI vibration that has been smartly driven by the AI capability, customized for the most popular games and matched to gameplay modes and scenarios, to deliver the truly immersive mobile gaming experience to gamers. AI 4D Smart Shock o    The AI real-time image and audio recognition will vibrate in 30 different scenarios according to the direction of approaching enemies and gunfire in selected games, and you will feel the kickback as you pull the trigger. 4D AI vibration and in-game notification mute can be switch on in gaming assistant and covers 30 different gameplay scenarios and 10 modes and weaponry options. AI 3D surround sound o    Histen 3D audio technology offers an ultra-wide 3D sound field for gamers. This virtual surround sound offers a cinematic experience with three modes: near, front and wide. This is supported by both wire earphones and headphones with 3D stereo effect.       The honor Play has more features (apart from gaming) that are suitable for those looking for value in the mid-range market. The AI-enabled dual rear camera boasts a 16MP+2MP camera, acting as a professional photographer that auto-identifies scene types and thus adjusts the camera settings accordingly, even regulating exposure and the color after the shot was taken to ensure the perfect image. Being able to recognize 22 objects and 500+ scenarios in real-time the AI Motion Detection and Image Stabilization function enables a stable and sharp photo every time. honor Smart Gallery is another innovation of the honor Play to intelligently identify the characters and scenes in each photo, and create a tag for each group. You can also search for photos in the gallery using keywords like a search engine. Through a range of pre-installed applications, photos in the smart gallery can also be grouped and generated into music videos while adding AR gestures, make-up and backgrounds.      For more information, head over to http://hihonor.com/my, or https://www.facebook.com/HonorMY/  . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/07/20/oneplus-introduces-the-oneplus-nord-2t-5g-and-oneplus-nord-ce-2-lite-5g-in-malaysia/

OnePlus Introduces the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets] Chenxi Zhou, Chief Business Officer of Lazada Malaysia; Alan Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Malaysia & Chief Risk Officer of Lazada Group; Andy Shi, APAC President for OPPO and OnePlus brand; Jonathan Yeung, Senior Product Marketing Lead of OnePlus Global (L – R) OnePlus introduced two newest additions to OnePlus Nord, the company’s affordable smartphone line, to the Malaysian market – the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. The launch on 14 July 2022 in Kuala Lumpur marked OnePlus’ first-ever official launch in Malaysia, reiterating the brand’s commitment to the Malaysian market. As this was my first ever exposure to the brand and I was quite curious to see their new offerings as (if you follow me on social media) I often try various new smartphones out in the field. Jonathan Yeung, Senior Product Marketing Lead of OnePlus Global gives a product presentation on the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G “OnePlus has always stood for delivering the best possible technology to our users across the globe. As such, we owe it to our Malaysian community as well, to deliver only the very best in performance, software and user experience in various price categories, whether in our cutting-edge premium flagships; or the affordable yet uncompromising OnePlus Nord line of midrange flagship smartphones. The introduction of the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G to our Malaysian customers and enthusiasts brings to life the promise that ‘Fast and Smooth has arrived’ – both devices are uncompromising in their performance, features, and user experience. Beyond that, it is a significant milestone for us as a brand, as it embodies our belief that the OnePlus experience should be made more accessible for everyone. This is only the beginning, however, as we plan to introduce more products that will bring OnePlus closer to our Malaysian community, and along the way, inspire all Malaysians to Never Settle.” – Andy Shi, APAC President for OPPO and OnePlus The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G includes the flagship essentials, with the motto “Everything You Could Ask For” packing the same flagship 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging (that debuted on the OnePlus 10 Pro), an upgraded MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset, an AI-enhanced flagship camera from the OnePlus 10R, along with OxygenOS 12.1 The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, on the other hand, includes the core features at the brand’s most accessible price. Offering “A Little More Than You’d Expect”, the device offers a fast, energy-efficient chipset, a large battery with fast charging, and a 120 Hz display. The device also comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 12.1, has 5G connectivity, and retains popular features from the Nord CE series – like a 3.5 mm headphone jack and expandable storage via a microSD card. OnePlus Nord 2T 5G The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G comes with the same flagship 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging as the OnePlus 10 Pro, which powers the device’s 4,500-mAh dual-cell battery from 1-100% in 27 minutes. It takes just 15 minutes to provide a day’s power – 120% faster than the original OnePlus Nord. It is also TÜV Rheinland certified for safe fast charging and usage. Moreover, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G has 9 built-in temperature sensors to monitor the charging temperature in real-time, ensuring that the phone stays safe and cool during the charging process. At the same time, an independent integrated circuit (IC) manages the charging system to ensure charging safety and stability. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G stacks a powerful camera unit on its rear comprised of the same flagship 50 MP Sony IMX766 sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) as the OnePlus 10R, a 120° ultra-wide camera, and a 2 MP mono lens. The 50 MP Sony IMX766 was handpicked for its 1/1.56-inch large sensor size, 1.0-μm pixel size, and its support for OIS that, combined with its ability to let in 56% more light, allows the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G to capture brighter and more detailed photos in dimly lit environments. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G also features an 8 MP ultra-wide camera with a 120° field of view. Additionally, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G supports Nightscape mode, which can shoot photos with high levels of detail and natural colours in low light (thanks to the the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset with AI computational photography). Harnessing the power of Sony’s DOL-HDR image processing technology, (OnePlus claims that) the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G’s AI Highlight Video mode improves the brightness, colour, and contrast of video clips when shooting in backlit environments, uneven lighting, or at nighttime. The AI Highlight Video mode also reduces short and overexposure in the video to deliver more balanced, natural-looking footage. Thanks to the improved computational power of the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G can record high frame rate slow-motion videos at up to 960 fps. On the front, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G is fitted with the same 32 MP front-facing sensor as the OnePlus 10 Pro. The selfie camera supports electronic image stabilisation (EIS) and an AI-deblurring algorithm, which improves the clarity and sharpness of photos and videos. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset that offers an octa-core CPU with speeds up to 3 GHz. The MediaTek Dimensity 1300 is manufactured using a 6 nm process, which provides better gaming performance, more efficient power consumption, and better temperature control with HyperEngine 5.0. The MediaTek Dimensity 1300 is accompanied by up to 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Additionally, the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G supports Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Hybrid 2.0 technology, which not only allows for more consistent data speeds when connected to Wi-Fi networks, but also lowers audio latency when the phone is connected to both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices simultaneously. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G features a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90-Hz refresh rate. With HDR10+ support, users can watch videos from popular streaming applications such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video with richer and more vivid colours. The dual ambient light sensors on the front and back of the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G automatically adjust the brightness of its display in an accurate and subtle way to best suit your environment for a better, more comfortable visual experience. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android™ 12, allowing for better multitasking, improved power consumption, and smoother gallery viewing. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G will receive 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates. The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G measures 8.2 mm in thickness and 190 g in weight, and comes in two colourways – Gray Shadow and Jade Fog. Gray Shadow has a dark sandstone finish with an anti-glare treatment that offers a textured, sanded look with micro-beads that increase the colourway’s resistance to sweat and fingerprints. The Jade Fog variant, on the other hand, has a glossy jade green finish and misty undertones, offering a flashy and elegant aesthetic. OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is powered by the Snapdragon® 695 5G Mobile Platform that offers an octa-core CPU with speeds up to 2.2 GHz. The chipset is manufactured using a 6 nm fabrication process which helps to deliver energy-efficient performance and is supported by a Qualcomm® Adreno™ 619 GPU that improves performance by up to 30% from the previous generation. Accompanying the chipset is up to 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128 GB of storage. A large 5,000-mAh battery is fitted inside the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G which should be more than sufficient to last common users for a day. Based on internal OnePlus testing, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G can stream YouTube videos for approximately 21 hours or play 23 consecutive 30-minute rounds of PUBG Mobile on a single charge. Charging the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is quick and easy with 33W SUPERVOOC that can refill its battery from 1-50% in just 30 minutes. 33W SUPERVOOC also supports hardware-assisted temperature monitoring, thanks to 9 different sensors on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G that ensure the device stays cool and runs smooth during the charging process. On the front of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G sits a 6.59-inch FHD+ display with a 120-Hz refresh rate and LCD technology that delivers a smooth and power-efficient viewing experience. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s display uses an AI dynamic refresh rate management system that adjusts its refresh rate depending on the type of content being consumed to improve power consumption further. Besides that, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G supports the HyperBoost Gaming Engine which powers features like General Performance Adapter (GPA) Frame Stabilizer that work to deliver a more stable and responsive gaming experience. GPA Frame Stabilizer aims to reduce frame rate fluctuation when gaming on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G and works to ensure that, if frame rate drops do occur, they do so gradually rather than quickly and dramatically. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G also comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 12.1 and will be receiving 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G has a triple camera system on its rear headlined by a 64 MP main sensor, offering a large pixel size that allows it to capture sharper, more detailed photos with less blur and noise, particularly in low-light environments. The 64 MP main sensor works in tandem with a 2 MP depth-assist camera to ensure Portrait Mode shots have excellent depth and clarity, with subjects outlined accurately. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G also supports Nightscape, which works with the device’s 64 MP main camera to capture up to eight shots at varying exposures in an instant and intelligently weaves them together to produce clearer, brighter, and more dramatic photos. A 16 MP camera with electronic image stabilisation (EIS) is present on the front of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. EIS helps to reduce blurriness caused by external factors like moving vehicles and shaky hands to take clearer and more stable photos and videos. With Dual-View Video, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G allows users to record with both its front and rear cameras at the same time (Ed – this is a feature that I really like!). The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G comes in two eye-catching fingerprint and smudge-resistant colourways – Blue Tide and Black Dusk. Blue Tide offers a rolling gradient of blue and yellow, while Black Dusk has a dark and stormy matte black finish. The edges of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G are flatter which, combined with its slim 8.5 mm build, ensures it is comfortable to hold for long periods, both horizontally and vertically. The retail pricing of the OnePlus Nord 2T 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G start at RM1,899 and RM1,199 respectively.   OnePlus Nord 2T 5GRAMStorageColoursPrice12GB256GBGray ShadowRM2,0998GB128GBJade FogRM1,899 OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5GRAMStorageColoursPrice8GB128Blue Tide, Black DuskRM1,199 OnePlus Buds Pro and OnePlus Nord Buds Bringing industry-leading noise cancellation technologies and premium audio to consumers in Malaysia, OnePlus also introduced two OnePlus audio devices at two different price points – the OnePlus Buds Pro (pictured above) and the OnePlus Nord Buds (pictured below). The OnePlus Buds Pro is the brand’s first smart adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds. The new, premium, true wireless earbuds feature an industry-leading smart noise reduction system, superior call quality, extended battery performance, and a more personalised sound to create an immersive and premium audio experience. The OnePlus Nord Buds, on the other hand, expands the Nord product portfolio and philosophy to hearables, at a competitive and accessible price point. Building on community-favourite features, the Nord Buds features 12.4 mm titanium dynamic drivers, supports Dolby Atmos, and offers 30 hours of combined playback on a single charge. The retail pricing of the OnePlus Buds Pro and the OnePlus Nord Buds start at RM799 and RM299 respectively. OnePlus Buds ProColoursPriceGlossy WhiteRM799 OnePlus Nord BudsColoursPriceBlack Slate, Blue AgateRM299 The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, OnePlus Nord Buds, and OnePlus Buds Pro will be available for purchase from 19 July 2022 at OnePlus retail stores, OnePlus authorized dealers and the OnePlus official website, as well as OnePlus flagship stores on Shopee and Lazada. For more information, head over to http://www.oneplus.com/my Photo credits: . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/04/22/marlboro-m-scape-experience-of-a-lifetime-at-the-malaysian-formula-one-grand-prix-2014/

Marlboro M.Scape – Experience of a Lifetime at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix 2014

[Special Feature] I’ve been a fan of Formula One for over 10 years so I was very delighted to be invited to the M.Scape – Experience of a Lifetime VIP lounge at the Malaysian F1 GP 2014. This year was the first year that the cars would be using the new powertrain and energy recovery systems so I was really curious to hear what they would sound like. Also an invite from M.Scape is always to something that’s luxurious and exclusive so I was definitely excited to see what was in store this time round! We gathered at the meeting point in KL city on race day then boarded some coaches which brought us over to the Sepang International Circuit. I took the opportunity to catch up some sleep as I was out the previous two (2) nights attending events (F1 week is always pretty happening). Eventually we made our way there and entered the special M-Scape VIP lounge in the Paddock Club. Inside the VIP lounge there were lots of activities awaiting us like games and contests where we could win prizes and even a photobooth where we could take a photo with a virtual reality Fernando Alonso! Ferrari merchandise for all guests including caps and bags! Lots of drinks to go around! Henry Golding was the host for the event and girls were queuing up to take pics with him Lots of pretty M-Scape brand ambassadors to look after us There were games including a multiple choice question quiz and being a F1 and Ferrari fan I managed to get second runner-up winning myself a pair of racing gloves autographed by Kimi Raikonnen! Kimi Raikonnen dropped by to visit us and answer some questions about Formula One and take some pics with some lucky fans After which a delicious lunch was served! Great food and everyone was tucking in happily! After lunch we headed down to the pits for the pit walk and to visit the Ferrari garage   A closeup look at the front wing. The wing can be adjusted to generate less or more downforce depending on the circuit’s requirements and this little piece of the car spends a lot of time in the wind tunnel for testing to ensure it delivers the best possible performance on track! The mechanics and pit crew getting the car ready for the race Then it was back up to watch the race in the comfy and cool M-Scape lounge We even had additional screens like this one showing where the drivers were on track As I had the Sony Alpha 5000 with me that day, I decided to test out its Shutter Priority Mode and as we were right above the Ferrari garage I managed to shoot a pit stop. The race was won by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes followed by his team mate Nico Rosberg, with Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel in third place. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso came in fourth while Kimi Raikonnen came home in 12th position. With the pretty brand ambassadors And the two very hard-working bartenders that kept us well watered the whole day A great and most unforgettable experience by M-Scape! This has to be the best ever way to watch Formula One! Photos taken with the Sony Alpha 5000. More info on the Alpha 5000 at http://bit.ly/1eLboU1 Below are some photos courtesy of M.Scape. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/09/17/weekend-champagne-brunch-at-chateau-dionne-kuala-lumpur/

Weekend Champagne Brunch at Chateau Dionne Kuala Lumpur

[Premium Dining]   We recently headed back to Chateau Dionne Kuala Lumpur, to try their newly launched Weekend Champagne Brunch Menu. If you haven’t yet read my previous feature on Chateau Dionne Kuala Lumpur, you can read it here – https://timchew.net/2020/09/09/chateau-dionne-kuala-lumpur-french-fine-dining-restaurant-in-damansara-heights/ The weekend brunch is priced at RM168++ per pax for 3 courses (choose one dish per category) together with freshly baked sourdough, French baguette and croissant served with French butter and jam, and seasonal canapes.  You can also add-on RM200++ per pax for free flow of selected champagne between 12pm till 3pm, or open a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal (Chateau Dionne KL has an impressive selection of wines as one of the owners is a huge wine enthusiast).   OEUF – Organic Egg with Spinach, Mushrooms, Red Wine Jus. This dish comes with the set and is on top of the 3 courses below.     SELECTION OF STARTER SAUMON SAUMONBeetroot Smoked Salmon Gravlax, Dill Sponge, Sour Cream This was a very elegant and pretty little starter and showcased Chef Andy’s skills playing with different flavours and textures! The richness of the salmon was balanced by flavours of the infused beetroot, and the sour cream, while the dill “sponge” provided an interesting contrast of texture. SAUMON   FOIE GRAS FOIE GRAS“Rougié” Foie Gras Au Torchon, Figs Chutney, Mique Bread I absolutely love foie gras and this one was perfectly executed! The figs and strawberries added balance to the very rich foie gras, while the crusty French bread provided some nice textures.   SALADE NIÇOISENiçoise Salad, Grilled Tuna, Balsamic Vinaigrette   CHAMPIGNON ET ARTICHAUTSMushroom & Artichoke Velouté, Black Truffle, Parmesan   SELECTION OF MAIN COURSE MAGRET DE CANARD MAGRET DE CANARDDuck Breast, Lentil du Puy, Duck Jus This was delicious, tender and flavourful! I know some people don’t like to eat duck due to the “duck smell”. However, this one really didn’t have that unpleasant smell, and was right up my alley as I do enjoy the earthy flavours of a well-cooked duck.   POISSON DU JOURDaily Market Fish, Saffron Potato, Bouillabaisse   BŒUFBeef Wellington, Glazed Vegetables, Red Wine Sauce   PĀTES PĀTESLinguine, Squid, Prawn, Crustacean Reduction A plateful of umami with lots of seafood! The pasta was beautifully cooked and coated with a flavourful reduction which provided a burst of umami. Being a pasta lover, I really enjoyed this dish!   SELECTION OF DESSERT SOUFFLE SOUFFLEGrand Marnier Souffle, Orange, Vanilla Ice Cream The staff will show you how to eat this dessert by cutting into the souffle then pouring in the orange and vanilla ice cream. The combination of flavours were a delightful end to a very decadent brunch!   AGRUMESLemon Curd, Yuzu Jelly, Citrus Granita, Sable   CHOCOLATChocolate Texture, Raspberry Sorbet, Tuile   Petit Four   Oh wow! I love French cuisine and I really enjoyed the Weekend Brunch at Chateau Dionne Kuala Lumpur. I was so full that I only had something light (and a few drinks) for dinner. This Weekend Brunch provides an option for a luxe meal, so instead of going for another fine-dining dinner, you can switch things around and try have the brunch here instead. There are not many champagne brunches in Kuala Lumpur currently, but this one really sets the bar. I’m excited though to see how the industry reacts to this superb addition to the exciting dining scene in the Klang Valley.   Chateau Dionne Kuala Lumpur is located at: 24 (Ground and Mezzanine), Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays (12pm till 3pm, and 6pm to 10pm), Mondays (6pm till 10pm) Telephone: +603 2011 2333 . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/05/31/logitech-launches-the-g900-chaos-spectrum-gaming-mouse/

Logitech® Launches the G900 Chaos Spectrum™ Gaming Mouse

[Tech & Gadgets]   Gone are the days when we used to have the old ball mouse to use with our PCs which constantly got clogged with dust. I remember when I was back in school, I had to remove the ball to clean it of all the dust and muck every now and then. The mouse would also not work on some surfaces and you’d pretty much need a mouse pad for it to work properly. Well thank God technology has evolved the computer mouse and here are some of the latest offerings from Logitech. Like this new Logitech M535 BT mouse which can work on almost every flat surface out there. I tried it on wood, metal and glass and it worked just as it should! Especially convenient when you’re out and about and you don’t have a mousepad (or something to use as a mousepad). Or perhaps a little something for you gamers out there. The Logitech® G900 Chaos Spectrum™ Professional Grade Wired/Wireless Gaming Mouse is what Logitech claims as the most responsive gaming mouse with its one-millisecond report rate, and highly optimized 2.4GHz wireless connection, purportedly outperforms even wired gaming mouse. It features professional grade wireless technology which includes Logitech’s most accurate optical gaming sensor, a flexible ambidextrous design, customizable lighting, a mechanical pivot button design and lightweight construction, for maximum performance and comfort over long gameplay sessions. Key features of the product include: ·        Professional Grade Wireless Technology: With a one millisecond report rate, and highly optimized 2.4GHz wireless connection, the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum is the longest lasting wireless gaming mouse under 110g. New, exclusive clock-tuning technology significantly reduces sensor power consumption, so you can play continuously for 32 hours – an entire competition weekend – on a single charge (24 hours with default lighting). When you’re running low on power, the Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) Battery Assistant will notify you. There’s no need to stop playing to recharge as the mouse seamlessly switches between wireless and wired modes when plugged in. Since a full charge from empty only takes about two hours, you’re never attached to the cord for long. ·        Most Accurate Optical Gaming Sensor: The PMW3366 is Logitech’s state-of-the-art optical gaming sensor with exclusive clock-tuning technology. Widely accepted by enthusiasts and professionals as the best gaming mouse sensor on the market, the PMW3366 precisely interprets every hand movement onto the screen for smooth, responsive performance, even at high sensitivity. It has zero smoothing or filtering across the entire DPI range (200-12,000 DPI), delivering exceptional tracking accuracy and consistent responsiveness at any speed. ·        Fully Customizable to Fit Your Hand and Style: Going beyond ambidextrous, the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum can be transformed into a truly left- or right-handed mouse, using the included magnetic button covers. The mouse is constructed for a non-prescriptive grip that accommodates a variety of palm, claw and fingertip holds. Using LGS, lighting color and brightness can be programmed to match your style, system and environment from a palette of up to 16.8 million colors. Bring your mouse to life with “breathing” light patterns, or set your lighting to sleep when you aren’t using your system. And for optimal performance, you can calibrate the sensor against a gaming surface’s physical and reflective characteristics. ·        Mechanical Pivot Button Design: The buttons have been engineered to deliver a crisp, clean click feel with rapid click feedback. A metal spring tensioning system and exclusive mechanical pivoting hinges are built into the main left and right keys. This system reduces the pre-travel distance between the buttons and switches, while also minimizing the force required to click, enabling faster recovery after each click. The result is a heightened response and a consistently fast, accurate and reliable click performance. ·        Precisely Engineered Lightweight Construction: Every component of the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum has been optimized to reduce weight while maintaining stability. All elements of the construction have been meticulously analyzed and adjusted to remove fractions of grams, from the thin wall molding to the hollow “spoked” hyper-fast scroll wheel design. The result is a wireless gaming mouse that weighs in at 107g, making it comfortable to use over long periods and delivering quicker response to motion.     Technical Specifications System Requirements ·        Optional software download works with Windows® 7 and higher ·        Powered USB port ·        Internet connection and 100MB hard drive space (for optional software download)   Physical Specifications ·        Dimensions (L x W x D): 130 mm x 67 mm x 40 mm ·        Weight: 107 g   Tracking ·        Resolution: 200 – 12,000 dpi ·        Maximum acceleration: >40G* ·        Maximum speed: >300 ips*   Responsiveness ·        USB data format: 16 bits/axis ·        USB report rate: 1000Hz (1ms) ·        Wireless report rate: 1000Hz (1ms) ·        Wireless technology: Custom 2.4GHz ·        Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM   Glide ·        Dynamic coefficient of friction**: .11 μ (k) ·        Static coefficient of friction**: .17 μ (s)   Durability ·        Buttons (Left / Right): 20 million clicks ·        Feet: 250 kilometers   Battery Life and Wireless ·        Battery Life: 30 hours*** ·        Wireless Range: 10 meters   * Tested on Logitech G240 Gaming Mouse Pad ** Tested on wood-veneer desktop *** Battery life and range may vary based on use, settings and computing conditions Warranty ·         2-year limited hardware warranty Recommended Retail Price: RM699.00   Logitech M337 Bluetooth Mouse The Logitech M337 Bluetooth Mouse lets you create on virtually any computing device, whenever and wherever you choose. Its programmable navigation button puts smart control in the palm of your hand. It allows you to switch between applications, change between desktops, do frequent actions such as dragging-and-dropping files and images, replicate the three-finger swipe gesture that brings up mission control on a Mac computer or bring up Task View on Windows 10. Its laser-grade optical sensor tracks with precision on most surfaces. It’s portable, has a curved shape, a tilt wheel and textured rubber grips that provide lasting comfort, and it can keep going for up to 10 months on just one AA battery.* Key features of the product include: ·        Bluetooth wireless technology: The Logitech M337 Bluetooth Mouse can connect to virtually any device ·        Compact, portable design: Makes work anywhere with a laptop easier. ·        Navigation button and tilt wheel: Smarter control thanks to the navigation button and tilt wheel. ·        Comfortable, curved shape: The curved shape with textured rubber grips provides lasting comfort during extended use. ·        Laser-grade optical sensor: Smooth and precise, the Logitech M337 Bluetooth Mouse works on just about any surface – from metal café tables to tile countertops to a study desk – thanks to the laser-grade optical sensor.   System Requirements: Bluetooth-enabled computer or tablet   Platform Compatibility: ·        Windows 7, 8, and 10 ·        Mac OS X 10.8 or later ·        Chrome OS ·        Android 3.2 or later     Product Specifications ·        Dimensions (L x W x H): 100.5 mm x 61.1 mm  x 33 mm ·        Weight: 82g   Warranty: 1-year limited hardware warranty Recommended Retail Price: RM109.00   Logitech® MX Anywhere 2 Logitech® MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse is a portable, high-productivity wireless mouse that features an advanced Darkfield™ Laser Sensor that tracks on any surface, including glass, and has a compact, contoured shape. With dual-connectivity, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse connects to Windows® or Mac® computers with the included Pico Unifying™ Receiver or through Bluetooth® Smart technology. You can also pair the MX Anywhere 2 with up to three devices at once, and with a touch of the Logitech Easy-SwitchTM button you can switch between each device allowing you to work freely from your desktop, laptop or tablet, whether at home or on the go. The scroll wheel on the MX Anywhere 2 mouse is equipped with hyper-fast scrolling, so you can quickly read through long documents or Web pages and then shift to click-­to-­click mode for more precise navigation.   Similar to the Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse can be customized by using Logitech OptionsTM software to replicate touch gesture controls on Mac® computers so you can accomplish more with precise control. The rechargeable battery lasts up to two months replacing the need for spare batteries, and one minute of USB-cord charging gives you up to two hours of usage. Key features of the product include: ·        Tracks virtually anywhere: The mouse’s Logitech DarkfieldTM Laser Sensor flawlessly tracks anywhere, even on glass and high-gloss surfaces.* ·        Dual connectivity and Easy-SwitchTM between 3 devices: Connect through the included Logitech Pico Unifying™ receiver or Bluetooth® Smart technology to pair the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 with up to three devices. The Logitech Easy-SwitchTM technology lets you seamlessly switch between each device with the touch of a button. ·        Hyper-fast scrolling: With the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse, scrolling through long documents or Web pages is fast and easy. Or, shift to click-to-click mode for precise navigation. ·        Advanced power management: The Anywhere 2 mouse has a rechargeable battery. A full charge can last up to two months** depending on usage. To charge, simply plug the mouse into your computer using the micro-USB charging cable. One minute of charge gives you up to two hours of usage, with no down time while recharging as you can continue using the mouse. ·        Unlock customization options: Logitech Options™ software lets you tailor the functions and features of the Anywhere MX 2. Adjust the scroll wheel and cursor speed, enable gestures to reproduce either Windows® or Mac® OS touch gestures, reassign button functions, and much more with the easy-to-use Logitech Options software.   System Requirements ·        USB port or Bluetooth® Smart ready computer or Windows tablet ·        Internet connection for software download ·        Connection through USB port requires Windows® 8 or later, Windows® 7 or Mac OS X 10.8 or later ·        Connection through Bluetooth® Smart requires Windows® 8 or later, or Mac OS X 10.10 or later   Product Specifications ·         Mouse Dimensions: – Height: 34.4 mm (or 1.4 inches) – Width: 61.6 mm (or 2.4 inches) – Length: 100.3 mm (or 3.9 inches) – Weight: 106 g   ·        Pico Unifying Receiver Dimensions: – Height: 14.3 mm (or 0.6 inches) – Width: 14.9 mm (or 0.6 inches) – Length: 6.5 mm (or 0.3 inches) – Weight: 0.06 oz (or 1.63 g) Warranty: 1-year limited hardware warranty Recommended Retail Price: RM329.00   For more info, head over to http://www.logitech.com/en-my/home . 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https://timchew.net/2022/03/23/samsung-debuts-the-galaxy-a73-5g-galaxy-a53-5g-and-galaxy-a33-5g-in-malaysia/

Samsung Debuts the Galaxy A73 5G, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G in Malaysia

[Tech News] Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Samsung Electronics recently announced the new 5G enabled Galaxy A73 5G, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G which are aimed at offering a holistic mobile experience at a great value. Powered by a brand-new processor, coupled with Galaxy’s signature AI camera, expansive and smooth display, and 5,000mAh battery, the new Galaxy A series features 5G connectivity, defence-grade security, an eco-conscious, stylish and slim design, and advanced connected experiences. “We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the positive impact mobile technology can have on their lives. With the latest Galaxy A series release, we’re making it easier than ever to enjoy Galaxy’s advanced, innovative mobile experience at a great value.”   TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ MX (Mobile eXperience) Business Samsung Galaxy A53 5G There’s a quad-camera system on the Galaxy A53 5G, which includes the 64MP OIS Camera (or a 108MP OIS camera with Galaxy A73 5G!) with VDIS technology that takes crisp and steady shots every time, and a high-resolution 32MP front camera for great selfies. The Galaxy A33 5G also features a quad-camera system with a 48MP OIS main camera, as well as a 13MP front camera. The Galaxy A series’ improved Night mode makes photos taken under dim lighting look brighter with less noise, and automatically adjusts the video framerate for clear and vibrant videos even at night. The Galaxy A series also comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded to 1TB via a microSD (sold separately), Samsung Galaxy A33 5G The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy A53 5G with a 120Hz refresh rate, and the 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate on the Galaxy A33 5G. The (top of the line of the series) Galaxy A73 5G comes with a 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED+ Infinity-O Display. The Galaxy A series is equipped with a 5nm Octa-core processor, 8GB of RAM, 5,000mAh battery, and 25W Super Fast Charging (wall charger sold separately). Do note that there is NO charger included in the box. The Galaxy A series comes with the Private Share app that lets users securely share and keep files within the family, while also giving users the flexibility to control who can access these files and for how long. The Galaxy A73 5G, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G come with the tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and are also rated IP67 for water and dust-resistance. The devices guarantee up to four generations of Android OS upgrades, and up to five years of security updates. Both the Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G models are available in Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Peach. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A73 5G is available in Awesome Gray, Awesome White and Awesome Mint. Samsung Malaysia passed me a Galaxy A33 5G to try. Follow my Facebook page to view the photos and videos that I will be taking with the phone – https://www.facebook.com/timchew1311/ Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Samsung Galaxy A33 5G Tech Specs Galaxy A73 5GGalaxy A53 5GGalaxy A33 5GBest forPhotography Enthusiast, StreamersStudents, GamersStudents, First Smartphone OwnersDisplay6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED+ Infinity-O Display6.5″ FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O Display6.4″ FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-U DisplayRefresh rate120Hz120Hz90HzRear CameraMain108MP OIS F1.864MP OIS F1.848MP OIS F1.8Ultra Wide12MP F2.212MP F2.28MP F2.2Depth5MP F2.45MP F2.42MP F2.4Macro5MP F2.45MP F2.45MP F2.4Selfie Camera32MP F2.232MP F2.213MP F2.2ProcessorSnapdragon 778GExynos 1280Exynos 1280RAM & Storage8GB + 256GB8GB + 256GB8GB + 128GBColourAwesome Gray,Awesome White,Awesome MintAwesome Black,Awesome Blue,Awesome White,Awesome PeachAwesome Black,Awesome Blue,Awesome White,Awesome PeachPriceRM2,099RM1,849RM1,499 Visuals courtesy of Samsung Malaysia. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2012/12/01/test-drive-honda-stream-rsz/

Test Drive – Honda Stream RSZ

[Automotive] Now you might be wondering why I’m reviewing another  7-seater MPV. Well in my family we only have sedans and a hatch and I had to bring my bloggers up to Penang for Carlsberg’s Where’s The Party? 2012 which you can read about here – https://timchew.net/2012/11/24/adv-carlsbergs-wheres-the-party-2012/ As I needed extra seats the nice folks at Honda Malaysia were kind enough to lend me the Honda Stream RSZ for the trip. And no in case you were wondering there was no drink driving as I parked the car safely at the party location which was the Hard Rock Hotel Penang, partied then stayed over at the hotel. Always drink responsibly and never drink and drive! . The Honda Stream RSZ – first impression? Is this an MPV? Stylish front bumper and grille design with embedded fog lights Side skirting gives it a lowered look Smoked tail lights embedded into the D pillars Aerodynamic tailgate spoiler for stability at high speeds, and a rear diffuser. Stylish headlights Multi-spoke alloy rims with low-profile tyres for a sporty look! 205/55 R17 to be exact. . Powerplant & Transmission The Stream RSZ is powered by a 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine which I believe (looking at the power output) is the same as the last generation Civic (not the current generation). The 4 cylinders, 16 valve SOH i-VTEC engine which generates 140PS and 174 nM of torque is mated to a Drive-By-Wire (DBW) system to deliver adequate power with good fuel economy. The DBW system ensures minimum lag of the 5-speed automatic transmission, ensuring a smooth and instant acceleration. Now I thought this was ok along level roads however along hilly stretches especially the Ipoh to the Jelapang tunnel I used the paddle shifters to manually downshift to lower gears to provide more acceleration. . How does the above benefit the average consumer? Reduced fuel consumption! I made it up to Penang with 4 passengers on just half a tank of petrol! FYI the fuel tank holds 55 litres of fuel. ### Suspension & Handling Front – MacPherson Strut Rear – Double Wishbone Front MacPherson Strut suspension with a side cancellation spring for driving comfort and the double wishbone suspension system coupled with the low centre of gravity provides ride comfort while handling like a large sedan (tomcat does not condone driving the Stream as one would drive a sedan. Remember the vehicles limitations and keep to it!). ### Safety Increased rigidity In the Stream RSZ, high-tensile steel has been applied to more areas of the body to improve structural rigidity. The chassis incorporates fused steel plates of different thickness and materials which enable the Stream RSZ to encase passengers in a safety cell in the event of an accident. . Improved G-Force Control Technology The G-Force Control effectively absorbs and disperses collision impact through crumple zones while maintaining a survival zone for occupants. In addition, consideration of the Stream RSZ’s “crash compatibility” with other vehicles seeks to enhance selfprotective performance while reducing the extent of car-to-car collision damage. . VSA and ABS with EBD VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), and ABS (Anti-Lock braking system) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution) work together to help you keep control of the vehicle to get out of hairy situations. . Dual front SRS airbags and seat belt pretensioners . Reinforced connection points Strengthened pillar joints to improve the rigidity of the body door frames. Front sub-pillar is eliminated to secure increased visibility and a cleaner outer appearance. ### Now to the interior. . Very spacious front row and excellent seating position ensured that I arrived in Penang after a 5 hour drive (we made some stops along the way) not feeling tired at all. Plenty of leg room in the 2nd row. The third row is less roomy though although the 2nd row seats can be moved forward to give more room behind but I highly recommend anyone above 165cm tall to sit in either the first or 2nd rows. Need extra room? You can put the seats down by just pulling a strap. And you’ll have lots of room for luggage! The Stream has many seating/ luggage options available to suit your lifestyle. There’s even a tyre repair kit at the back (out of sight though). Sporty allow pedals! A very useful arm-rest, centre console where you can keep your stuff out of sight and most importantly cup holders! So so useful during my trip! The centre console had simple controls and had a 2 DIN slot for the CD player Steering wheel audio control and paddle shift controls so that you can keep your hands on the wheel at all times Simple dashboard that displays the info you need to know . The Stream is everything you can expect (and more) for a MPV by Honda and can be yours for RM158,995.30 (OTR) with insurance. More in depth specs on the Honda Stream RSZ head over to http://www.honda.com.my Subscribe to my public updates at https://www.facebook.com/timchewkc ‘Like’ my Facebook page to view loads of content – https://www.facebook.com/timchew1311 Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/01/10/fashion-news-celebrities-in-versace-at-the-76th-annual-golden-globe-awards/

Fashion News – Celebrities in Versace at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards

[Fashion News] This slideshow requires JavaScript.    The stars were out in force for the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards on 6 January 2019 in Beverly Hills, California, with the following celebrities spotted wearing Atelier Versace.     Taylor Swift was stunning in a custom-made, curve hugging, nude illusion Atelier Versace gown with off-the-shoulder neckline and daring thigh-high slit, fully beaded with delicate Swarovski crystals. She finished her look perfectly with black Versace sandals.     Sandra Oh was breathtaking in a white Atelier Versace gown with delicate Swarovski crystal embellishments and dramatic sculptural accent at the shoulder.   Later, to open the show, Sandra changed into another custom-made, Atelier Versace long sleeved vibrant red gown with plunging neckline and daring thigh-high slit.     Irina Shayk was gorgeous in a custom-made, fully beaded Atelier Versace gilded gown with Swarovski Crystal adornments throughout, and sexy sheer accents. She paired her look perfectly with gold Versace sandals.     Chadwick Boseman of Marvel’s The Black Panther fame was fresh and stylish in a custom-made, Atelier Versace silver tuxedo, fully encrusted with Swarovski crystal beadwork and subtle Medusa accents throughout the jacket.     Spike Lee was bold and dapper in a custom-made, Atelier Versace purple tuxedo, with coordinating silk purple shirt.    The Versace boutiques in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are located at: Lot G29 & G30, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur Telephone: +603 2162 0109   Lot 2.25 & 3.2, Level 2 & 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur Telephone: +603 2141 0677   More info at http://www.versace.com/   Images courtesy of Versace Malaysia. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/08/04/harman-international-launches-a-new-range-of-infinity-audio-products-in-malaysia/

HARMAN International Launches a New Range of Infinity Audio Products in Malaysia

[Tech/ Audio]   Infinity TRANZ 700   HARMAN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd launched an all new lifestyle audio brand “Infinity by HARMAN” on 28 July 2020 in Malaysia. The company unveiled 10 new and exciting audio products including six Infinity headphones and four portable Bluetooth speakers. Infinity is a new addition to consumer audio brand line-ups including JBL®, AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Revel® and Mark Levinson® from the house of HARMAN. HARMAN designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. more than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The Infinity®  brand was founded in 1968 with a unique blend of technology, performance and design. Over the years, the Infinity®  engineers have applied this philosophy and pushed the envelope to deliver many industry firsts that received NUMEROUS accolades. Since 1983, Infinity® has been part of HARMAN International (which is a wholely-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co, LTD.). Infinity® offers a wide range of audio applications, including multichannel surround sound, home theater packages, in-wall home speakers, marine audio applications, leading car audio amplifiers and subwoofers, and extensive range of audio products such as dynamic earphones and headphones, to its portable speakers for consumers. Infinity® products are also installed as an option on Hyundai and Kia vehicles, some Mitsubishi vehicles from the 1990s to 2006, and many Chrysler vehicles. The Infinity line-up comes with stylish form, smart designs and an enhanced bass mode. With one click, consumers can enjoy bass-filled beats of the song, and with another click, seamlessly return to the original sound. “For many years, Infinity is known as the one that enthusiasts inspire to own and the best choice for discerning listeners around the world,” said Mr. Mitchell Wong, Business Development Manager of HARMAN International. “We always try to do our best to understand the needs of our consumers – to meet their needs, and to serve them enthusiastically and freely in our stores, while creating new possibilities for people and always pushing the boundaries of technology to the next-level of modernity and advancement.”     Since its first inception in 1968, the Infinity brand has created a unique blend of technology, performance and design catered to a diversified audience globally. The brand offers a wide range of audio applications including multichannel surround sound, home theatre packages, in-wall home speakers, marine audio amplifiers and subwoofers, and an extensive range of audio products such as dynamic earphones and headphones, to its portable speakers for consumers. “As Malaysians are getting more particular to listening to more high-quality sound, Harman wants to ensure that we are bringing harmony to the consumer’s space yet surpasses people’s expectations to what a top-end audio should exude. Infinity is doing that and more, complete with a refreshed experience boasting Harman’s signature sound and a stunning look,” added Mitchell. Infiniti Wynd 220   Infinity Clubz Mini   The new Infinity line-up includes: Headphones – Wynd, Tranz Series, starting at RM 59.00 Bluetooth speakers – Clubz Series, starting at RM 89.00 The products are available through selected online and retail stores including SenQ, Urban Republic, Mac City, Vivid Marketing, All IT, Lazada Tech Mall, and Shopee from 6 August 2020 onwards. For more information and latest updates on Infinity products, head over to http://www.brightstarcorp.com.my.   Photos courtesy of Infinity. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/07/13/july-happenings-at-sheraton-imperial-kuala-lumpur-hotel/

July Happenings at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel

Updated on 15 July 2016 with the review of my visit to Villa Danieli to try out the “Chanterelle Affair” menu. [Hotel Happenings] A Chanterelle Affair at Villa Danieli Visual courtesy of Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel   Villa Danieli in the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel is one of my favourite Italian restaurants thanks to its combination of a very romantic ambience and good food. Villa Danieli is a cozy free standing trattoria-style Italian restaurant housed on level 5 of the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel. I’ve been there quite a number of times over the past few years however some of the moments with my partner in crime there do stick in my mind: https://timchew.net/2013/10/10/romantic-dining-spots-villa-danieli-sheraton-imperial-kl/ https://timchew.net/2014/11/12/allegrini-wine-dinner-at-villa-danieli-2/ This July, Villa Danieli has a rare Italian dining experience using the exquisite ingredient of the culinary industry, chanterelle or better known as finferli in Italy. Chanterelles are fairly bright yellowish orange wild mushrooms. They’re about 2 inches tall at the most, and their caps expand out of their stalks, rather like trumpet bells. Chanterelles are relatively high in vitamin C, very high in potassium and are among the richest sources of vitamin D. The Villa Danieli team headed by Italian Chef Gaetano di Stefano have created a special chanterelle menu with flavourful and unique creations such as Coda di rospo (Pan fried Monk fish fillet with green peas puree, sauté chanterelle & dill lemon sauce), Petto D’anatra (Duck breast, with truffle barley risotto style, chanterelle, and berries jus), Risotto ai finferli e albicocca (Chanterelle risotto with dry apricots and sage) and more. This chanterelle promotion is available for lunch and dinner for the month of July and is priced at RM40 nett per dish onwards.    We arrived early so we decided to chill at the poolside while enjoying some fresh fruit juices first before the meal This photo and the one above were shot using the Huawei P8. It might be last year’s flagship model but it can still hold its own against this year’s models. Looking forward to the P9 which has dual lenses with Leica tech. Bruschetta di polenta con finferli e ricotta Rosemary grill polenta bruschetta with sauté chanterelle and ricotta basil mousse – RM62.00 This was the first of our two antipasto (appetisers) for the night and it was definitely the prettiest dish of the night! The polenta was grilled to form a “bruschetta” on which the rest of the ingredients sat on. Now as this was the first time I was eating chanterelles (of perhaps more like eating such an amount of chanterelles), I was quite intrigued by the flavours. The chanterelles in this dish were lightly sauteed (Chef Gaetano mentioned that if you overcooked chanterelles they become rubbery and lose their unique taste, thereby tasting like ordinary cheap mushrooms) and imparted a very earthy taste with a bitter aftertaste that followed. As I can drink stout and peated whiskies, this was surprisingly pleasant for me, and to my surprise, my partner in crime liked it too! Balancing the dish was a creamy ricotta cheese and basil mouse which went absolutely perfectly with the chanterelles! The polenta “bruschetta” was quite unusual as well, not boring like a piece of French loaf, but was tasty and had that wonderful polenta texture, allowing you to actually feel the grains on your tongue. This dish was quite a good example of a showcase of taste, texture and presentation making it a great start to the meal!   Insalata di spinaci e finferliBaby spinach salad with chanterelle, crispy beef bacon, poached egg and balsamic vinaigrette – RM62.00 My partner in crime loves salad so this one was mostly for her. The egg was perfectly poached with a lovely runny yoke coating the salad and complementing the balsamic vinaigrette. In this dish as well as the previous one, the earthy and bitter aftertaste of the chanterelles really balanced out the flavours.   Zuppa di finferliChanterelle soup, basil crouton and truffle oil – RM58.00 This was a nice and heartwarming soup and I so wanted to dip the basil coated crouton and even the complimentary house breads in this however this being a semi-fine dining restaurant, I decided to maintain my table manners and spooned the soup into my mouth, swallowed it, then took a bite of the bread. The consistency was not too thick so we guessed that there wasn’t much thickening agent like flour added to it which meant more chanterelle taste! My partner in crime really liked the fact that it wasn’t a super creamy soup either, just a touch of cream to add a hint of richness, with a splash of truffle oil adding that extra luxury and dimension to the dish. I know Gordon Ramsay really doesn’t like his chefs using truffle oil and overdoing it can totally mask the taste of the dish but it’s an ingredient that I really like (added in correct quantities of course).   Not overly rich and creamy to the point where it drowns out the taste of the chanterelles! With this soup, you actually taste the full flavours of the mushrooms! Waiting for the mains Coda di rospoPan fried Monk fish fillet with green peas puree, sauté chanterelle, dill lemon sauce – RM115.00 Monkfish is really ugly looking fish that’s mostly available off the coasts of Europe. Now we chose this dish because monkfish is also known as the “poor man’s lobster”  with the tail meat very similar in taste and texture to lobster. As the chanterelles impart quite an earthy flavour with a bitter aftertaste, using a more delicate fish like cod, or a strong flavoured one like salmon just wouldn’t do. Hence the need for the monkfish with its firm and sweet flesh that went wonderfully well with the dill  lemon sauce. In fact I liked the sauce so much I pretty much wiped the plate clean and actually contemplated for a moment about asking for extras however my partner in crime was saying that we’ll lose the original flavours of the dish if we smother it in sauce so I relented. The sauteed chanterelles were served on a bed of green peas puree which really complemented the exquisite mushrooms. I’m so not a fan of green peas but somehow this tasted so good that I didn’t leave even the tiniest morsel left on the plate. My partner in crime though, was more interested in the dish below.   Tortelloni di finferliChanterelle tortellini with pumpkin cream, confit half lobster and sauté artichoke – RM170.00 This one was definitely the star of the night. Beautiful cooked tortellinis filled with a pumpkin cream, with flavours bursting into you mouth when you bit into one. In the centre of the dish, surrounded by the tortellinis, were large pieces of lobster – perfectly cooked and with that lovely sweetness that only a lobster can impart (sorry monkfish!). The chanterelles were incorporated into the tortellinis, lending just enough of their flavours to balance the dish which also had some sweet and piquant flavours from the cherry tomatoes and that distinct artichoke taste (artichoke is something that I cannot decide if I like or not), keeping it from getting too overwhelming rich.   Actual large pieces of lobster!    By the time we finished the mains we were totally stuffed so we decided to skip dessert. Also because my partner in crime and I are not really dessert people and I really hate seeing food go to waste. There are two (2) chanterelle desserts available in the special menu though: Budino finferli e frutti di bosco – Chanterelle and berries bread pudding with vanilla ice cream priced at RM42.00 and Tiramisu e finferli croccanti – Tiramisu with chanterelle crumble priced at RM40.00   New pianist at Villa Danieli? Us with Chef Gaetano di Stefano   We thought it was a really interesting dinner (and we’ve been to our fair share of interesting dinners over the past few years) and of course as we are mushroom lovers hence we appreciated it even more. It was a great showcase of the chef’s imagination and skills and we look forward to more seasonal special menus from Chef Gaetano! If the prospect of every dish having chanterelles is too much for you, you can mix and match the dishes in the special chanterelle menu with the dishes in the normal menu.   Villa Danieli opens for lunch from 12 noon to 2.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays & Public Holidays, Prosecco Brunch from 11 am to 2.30pm on every Sunday and serves dinner from Mondays to Sundays from 6.30pm to 10 pm. For table reservations at Villa Danieli, call 03-2717 9922 or email villa.danieli@sheraton.com. For more info, head over to http://www.villadanielirestaurant.com   Fujifilm X-A2 Photos of the food review (with the exception of the two that were shot with the Huawei P8) were shot with the Fujifilm X-A2. More info at http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_a2/   Mid Autumn Mooncakes at Celestial Court   Chinese believe the full moon is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and family reunion. On Mid-Autumn night the harvest moon is supposed to be the brightest and fullest of the year, so the festival is also known as the “Day of Reunion” and the “Moon Festival”. This year, Celestial Court at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel has prepared eight (8) different home-made mooncakes to mark the festival. The mooncakes are presented in authentic boxes and make perfect gifts for family, friends and clients. Look out for four (4) new mini snow skin flavours of mooncakes, besides the classic, traditional baked mooncakes. They are Gold dust Premium Musang King Durian, Salted Caramel Golden Custard and Azuki Bean, Strawberry White Lotus Paste with Chocolate Berries Truffle and Teh Tarik Flavoured Yam Paste with Macadamia Nuts. Traditional baked mooncakes consists of all-time favourite Pure Lotus Paste Single Yolk with Dried Longan and Melon Seed, Pandan Lotus and Mung Bean Single Yolk with Pumpkin Seed and healthier choices of Low-Sugar Osmanthus Wolfberry White Lotus and Black Sesame with Melon Seed and Assorted Fruit & Nuts. The mooncakes are available from 15 July to 15 September. There is an Early Bird Offer of 20% discount on all mooncakes purchased between 15 July and 7 August 2016. The prices of the mooncakes start from RM20 nett each. There will be a Mooncake Counter will be set up at Toastina Café and Bar on the ground floor of the hotel, where you can select the mooncakes and have them packed in beautiful gift boxes. Alternative, you can also purchase directly from Celestial Court during your dine-in at the restaurant. The mooncake gift boxes can also be customised with a corporate logo or company’s name for a minimum purchase of 50 boxes. The mooncakes themselves can be engraved with the company logo if 300 boxes or more are purchased. For orders, call +603 – 2717 9988 or email celestialcourt.imperial@sheraton.com For more info, head over to http://www.celestialcourtrestaurant.com . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2011/11/28/malaysia-international-fashion-week-2011/

Malaysia International Fashion Week 2011

[Event] Attended the Malaysia International Fashion Week 2011 (MIFW 2011) with the Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers’ girls on Thursday, 24 November. MIFW 2011 was helf at Zebra Square off the Kg. Pandan roundabout Peugeot was the main sponsor and displayed their RCZ But this was what really caught my attention - Kronenbourg 1664 MHB's Michelle with her Kronenbourg 1664 lager Spotted my FHM Girl Next Door 2008 Angie Ng there! With the MHB girls and Siao Ling from Carlsberg . . More photos on my Facebook page (click here). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/12/10/travel-news-december-2018-2/

Travel News – December 2018 – Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, Hotel George V, Paris, Jimbaran Bay, & Private Jet Itineraries

[Travel & Hospitality News] New Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens Scheduled to Open in Spring 2019      Just minutes from the historic city centre of Athens is a pine-clad peninsula jutting into the Aegean Sea, where the new Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is located, and now accepting reservations for arrivals beginning 29 March 2019. “Nowhere in the world do ancient culture and modern lifestyle come together so beautifully than in Greece,” says Sam Ioannidis, the Hotel’s General Manager.  “With our close proximity to the city – just 30 minutes from both the Acropolis and the airport – the ideal Greek vacation has never been more accessible.  Whether taking a quick break or staying a few weeks to take in all the sights and immerse yourself in the glamour and fun of the Athenian Riviera, Four Seasons can help you customise your perfect beach holiday.” Long a favoured playground of Athenians and international celebrities, the Astir Palace Hotel is now being transformed into the first Four Seasons experience in Greece with a significant renovation and reinvention of the property. On the property, there will be three (3) private beaches and three swimming pools; a tennis academy, basketball court and non-motorised water sports; a fully supervised kids club; and an all-new spa and hydrotherapy house inspired by time-honoured Greek traditions.  Dining and drinking options abound at seven restaurants and lounges, including Italian trattoria Mercato, Greek seafood restaurant Pelagos, authentic beachfront Taverna 37, Latin American-inspired Helios Grill at poolside, Aristotle’s Cigar Bar and more. Accommodations include three (3) options – the mid-century modern Nafsika building with azure sea views from every room as well as lively scene through several of the Hotel’s restaurants, pool, fitness centre and boutiques; chic, laidback relaxation in the Bauhaus-esque Arion, which in addition to well-appointed rooms also houses several of the Hotel’s restaurants, as well as the Hippocrates-inspired spa with indoor pool; and the ultimate in beachside luxury in one of 61 renovated Bungalows nestled among the trees at the water’s edge.       In celebration of its grand opening, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens presents three (3) room offers to choose from: ·        Grand Opening Offer featuring 20 percent savings off the standard room rate and daily breakfast for two ·        Bed and Breakfast, a popular option for those who want to start a day of exploring in style ·        Stay Longer – Sixth Night Free including a complimentary sixth night with each five paid nights in a Suite or Bungalow as well as daily breakfast To make a reservation, call +1-800-819-5053 or book online. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens can also accommodate meetings, social occasions and weddings for groups from 12 to 560 in 2,119 square metres (22,813 square feet) of flexible event space.  For MICE related matters, contact the Four Seasons catering and conference experts at +30 210 8901074.          Christmas Pop-Up at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris For this year’s festive season, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris unveils a Christmas Pop-Up with signature creations and unique gourmet delights by Pastry Chef Maxime Frederic. Chef Maxime will showcase a selection of his creations, including his iconic caramelised chocolate croissant, his exquisitely scented vanilla brioche and a selection of other sweet treats with a twist including the Annecien, a traditional cake originally created in the French Alps. Chef Maxime gives a delightful nod to Artistic Director of Four Seasons Hotel George V Jeff Leatham and his seasonal decorations with the creation of a dark chocolate multi-faceted bear and fir tree, both created exclusively for the boutique. For those looking out for the perfect way to surprise loved ones this Christmas, Four Seasons offers a selection of gift vouchers at its Christmas Pop-Up for relaxing interludes at Le Spa, gourmet tea-time or a Michelin starred experience in the Hotel’s restaurants Le Cinq, Le George or L’Orangerie. To fully explore the George V universe of talents, shoppers will discover Simone Zanoni’s book Mon Italie, Eric Beaumard’s The Wines of My Life and Visionary Floral Art and Design by Jeff Leatham. Open every day from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm, the Christmas Pop-Up by Maxime Frederic welcomes guests through to January 7, 2019.      2020 Four Seasons Private Jet Itineraries      Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, announced a curated collection of three Four Seasons Private Jet itineraries set to take flight in 2020. Featuring the trip of a lifetime to Rwanda and the Galápagos as part of the fastest selling itinerary to date, World of Adventures, the trio of international expeditions gives travellers the opportunity to discover the rare, wild and beautiful in the comfort and care of Four Seasons, aboard the brand’s Boeing 757. “The feedback we’ve received since launching our fully branded and customised Four Seasons Private Jet Experience in 2015 has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Peter Nowlan, Chief Marketing Officer at Four Seasons. “Guests are beyond thrilled they can now cross destinations off their bucket lists in the comfort and care of Four Seasons, resulting in record-pace bookings and subsequent wait lists for each of our 2019 itineraries. Travellers are clearly responding to the dedicated team and renowned high touch service that we offer both on the ground, and when cruising at 40,000 feet.”    THE FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET PHOTOGRAPHED IN PISA ITALY JUNE 9TH 2017 BY NEALE HAYNES    The all-encompassing itineraries feature air travel aboard the Four Seasons Private Jet, ground transportation, planned excursions, all meals and beverages, and luxurious accommodations at Four Seasons hotels and resorts.  International Intrigue (February 15 – March 9, 2020) Seattle – Kyoto – Hoi An – Maldives – Serengeti – Marrakech – Budapest – St. Petersburg – Paris Kicking off the 2020 line-up, travellers will take flight across four continents to visit thrilling cities and remote islands in celebration of vibrant cultures around the world. Adventurers will explore old Japan in Kyoto, discover the ancient temples of Hoi An in Vietnam, relax on pristine Maldives beaches, and taste the exotic flavours of Morocco. Jetsetters will also be witness to Serengeti sunsets and can enjoy a soak or two when visiting Budapest’s historic baths. A behind-the-scenes ballet experience awaits travellers in St. Petersburg before a final stop in the City of Light for a three-Michelin-starred farewell.    Timeless Encounters (March 12 – April 4, 2020) Kona – Bora Bora – Sydney – Bali – Chiang Mai – Taj Mahal – Dubai – Prague – London Over 24 days, travellers will relax on tranquil islands and celebrate one of the world’s most iconic architectural wonders. Beginning in Hawaii, Four Seasons Private Jet guests will then jet off to picture perfect Bora Bora, before making their way to Australia for a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House. Bali’s jungles are next on the roster, ahead of a private Thai cooking lesson in Chiang Mai. On the way to Dubai, a quick stop in Agra for the day gives guests the chance to explore the legendary Taj Mahal. A private concert at the only remaining theatre where Mozart performed is on offer in Prague, and a final stop in London has new friends sailing down the Thames by twilight.    World of Adventures (June 3 – June 26, 2020) Seattle – Kyoto – Bali – Seychelles – Rwanda – Marrakech – Bogotá – Galápagos Islands – Miami With the 2018 journey sold out, and the 2019 journey also sold out within a record-breaking two months, the trip of a lifetime returns for another run in 2020. In Seychelles, guests will stroll among cinnamon and takamaka trees with a local artist, sketching the panoramic vista atop a granite plateau. Mules will take guests through the Atlas Mountains of Marrakech to sit down with a local family over tea and traditional cuisine. In the forest-covered mountains of Rwanda, guests will come face-to-face with a family of mountain gorillas in the company of a naturalist guide for up-close observation. When visiting the Galápagos Islands, guests will cruise through the crystal-clear waters of the remote archipelago, spending three nights aboard an exclusively chartered ship. The journey concludes in Miami, giving guests ample opportunity to explore the Magic City’s diverse arts scene. From the 52 handcrafted flatbed leather seats to the exclusive in-flight amenities, the dedicated Four Seasons Private Jet team takes care of every need to ensure an unforgettable journey from take-off to landing. Designed to eliminate the added stress of planning while allowing guests to uncover what makes each destination truly unique, the newly announced itineraries for 2020 are predicted to sellout once again.    International Intrigue and Timeless Encounters itineraries begin at USD 147,000 per person based on double occupancy. World of Adventures begins at USD 155,000 per person based on double occupancy. While visiting the Galápagos Islands and Rwanda, guests will stay at accommodations carefully selected by the Four Seasons team. For more info, head over to https://www.fourseasons.com/privatejet/          Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay Year-End Festive Program 2018    The riverside retreat of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (just voted #1 World’s Best Hotel by Travel + Leisure readers) and the beachfront Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay are offering unique experiences to encourage guests to connect with each other and refresh their spirit. “The festive season is a time for decadent dining and fireworks, but it’s also a time to make a new beginning. Our festive programs offer the perfect balance between the two,” says Uday Rao, General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali. “In Jimbaran, we have the new Taman Wantilan restaurant’s live action dinner concept, a vibrant Arabian Nights countdown party and the sophisticated lifestyle of Sundara beach-club, balanced against ocean-edge yoga, a blessing with our Balinese-Hindu priest, and a renowned psychic. While in Sayan, guests can enjoy traditional Balinese cuisine with our Sokasi Chef’s Table dinner under the banyan tree, and exquisite French tasting menus at Riverside Café from our new Michelin-profile chef. Drawing on the healing traditions of Ubud, Sacred River Spa offers chakra rebalancing, New Year’s Eve meditation and a letter burning ritual. It’s not a matter of indulgence or inner peace; guests can have both.” Highlights of the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay festive program: December 25 and 31, 2018: Chefs take centre stage at the new Taman Wantilan, renovated and relaunched in time for the festive season. Watch them in action at the spectacular show kitchens, preparing a sumptuous selection of Western festive fare and Asian cuisine. December 22, 2018 – January 10, 2019: An unforgettable Christmas awaits the little ones as they catch waves with Santa, sing carols with children from a local church, learn to cook with Chef Kris at Jala Cooking Academy, and play Balinese dress-ups and cultural activities. An extra special treat is a visit to the gelato and crepe station, inside the Patisserie at Taman Wantilan. December 27, 2018 – January 9, 2019: While the festive season is joyful, it can also sharpen that sense of loss if someone is missing. Guests can connect with a loved one on the other side or find out what 2019 has in store for them with a Sixth Sense reading by psychic Marco Della Valle, the visiting wellness practitioner. December 31, 2018: As the sun sets for the last time in 2018, guests can join an ocean-front Yoga Suci Ritual with a blessing by a Balinese-Hindu priest to cleanse away any negative energy, before an evening of indulgence at the Resort’s restaurants. A red carpet entrance leads to the Arabian Nights beach party with Shamadan dancers, fortune teller, henna tattoo artist, midnight fireworks and DJ until the early hours. Highlights of the Four Seasons Sayan festive program: December 24-31, 2018: With over a decade of experience at Michelin-star restaurants in France and Norway, new Executive Sous Chef Jean-Philippe Guiard brings the traditions of a European Christmas to Bali, presenting exquisite French tasting menus by the river. Meanwhile, guests can observe the rituals and techniques behind famous Balinese dishes such as suckling pig and roast duck at the Sokasi Chef’s Table dinner, a nine-course menu served personally by Senior Sous Chef Wayan Sutariawan. December 31, 2018: Resident wellness mentor and former Buddhist nun Ibu Fera leads relaxation meditation with crystal sound healing and a burning letter ritual to let go of past negativities. Then at night the sky will light up with fireworks from the Jati Bar countdown party. Daily: The Sacred River Spa has designed seven very special Chakra Ceremonies to restore harmony to the flow of energy through our body. Each full body spa treatment has a corresponding Chakra Yoga class available for guests to join at Dharma Shanti Bale, to maximize the benefits of their chakra rebalancing therapy. Special Accommodation Offers Valid Over the Festive Season: At Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay guests will enjoy a bonus 4th night free with the Stay Longer promotion, while the Family Vacation Package offers a 30 percent savings and exclusive family benefits. At Four Seasons Sayan, guests can save 20 percent on the Best Available Rates with the Advance Purchase Offer, for bookings made at least 7 days before the check-in date.    Images courtesy of Four Seasons. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2017/07/07/hm-studio-x-colette-2017-collection/

H&M Studio x Colette (2017) Collection

[Fashion]   H&M has teamed up with the iconic Parisian concept store Colette for an exclusive edition of H&M Studio AW17. The nine-piece collection is rooted in the main AW17 designs, and features a special colour palette based on Colette’s signature blue, plus two completely unique designs which includes distinctive details such as hand-painted graffiti and jacquards with frayed edges. The street-meets-sophistication of AW17 was inspired by the creativity and energy of New York City, with strong tailoring combined with feminine silhouettes and punk influences for a hard-edged yet chic look. “We really thought about the modern woman’s wardrobe and what she needs in it – sharp outerwear, soft dresses, flattering knits and statement accessories. For the H&M Studio x Colette collection in particular, we not only combined contrasting fabrics in a garment, but also brought in more colour contrast with the signature Colette blue, which created a more graphic structure and a new, fearless attitude,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design and Creative Director. “There is a real arty yet urban vibe to the H&M Studio x Colette pieces, which not only feels right for the store, but also for like-minded women all around the world. They want that combination of striking yet wearable and, of course, be completely au courant,” says Sarah Andelman, founder and Creative Director of Colette. The nine pieces in the exclusive edition for Colette includes garments such as a navy and vibrant blue Aline anorak-poncho hybrid in a wool-nylon mix (unique design), a vibrant blue high-neck chiffon minidress with ruffled cuffs, ruffled hem, pin-tucks and fagotting (unique design), a fit-and-flare knee-length yarn-dyed checked dress with long sleeves, round neck, pleating from the waist and hand-painted graffiti overtop and a sleeveless round-neck mini-dress with fishtail hem, wide trim at arm holes and seams to accentuate the female form in either strong blue satin or black and white hairy jacquard. The H&M Studio x Colette edition launches 21 August 2017 and will be available in-store and online at Colette for two weeks, along with selected pieces from the main H&M Studio AW17 collection in advance of its global release date. The main H&M Studio AW17 collection will be available in Malaysia from 14 September at H&M Lot 10 Kuala Lumpur store.     Images courtesy of H&M. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/02/07/romantic-italian-restaurant-in-damansara-heights-pietro-ristorante-italiano/

Romantic Italian Restaurant in Damansara Heights – Pietro Ristorante Italiano

[Dining]   Joanne and I recently visited Pietro Ristorante Italiano in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur to try their upcoming Valentine’s Day 2020 dinner menu. The restaurant also has a Valentine’s lunch menu and both menus are available from 13 February to 16 February 2020. Tucked away at the corner of Bangunan ECM Libra in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur is Pietro Ristorante Italiano, a modern fine dining Italian restaurant that has a very stylish interior and relaxed ambience. If you fancy a more private meal, Pietro has not one, not two but three private dining rooms of different sizes on the first floor. There’s also an al-fresco area outside while the main dining room is punctuated with the well-stocked bar and art pieces on the walls.   Foie Gras Pumpkin & Garlic Soup Seafood Risotto Foie Gras is one of my favourite ingredients and the one at Pietro certainly didn’t disappoint! Fully suggest that you add on a glass of house red wine (an additional RM20++) to go along with it.  The heartwarming pumpkin and garlic soup was interesting, and fortunately the garlic wasn’t noticeable otherwise it’ll be hard to kiss your partner after dinner with the garlic breath! The crostini on the side with the smoked salmon was an added dimension to the dish and complemented it well! The seafood risotto topped with cognac crab bisque was interesting and hearty! I love a good risotto and this one which was creamy and had lots of umami flavours from the bisque was well-executed!   Mains (choice of) Roast Lamb The roast lamb was an elegant dish, beautifully plated and delicious! Request for this to be cooked nothing above medium to really enjoy it properly. Yet again, add on a glass of house red wine to accompany the dish.   Seabass Fillet Beef Fillet Steak The seabass fillet was a decent non-red meat option, with delicate hints of Pernod. More suitable for her. I was awaiting the beef fillet steak which was a really hearty and masculine dish! Order your beef to be cooked medium rare or at the most medium to fully enjoy this dish. The creamy mash on the side meant that this was a really filling dish. I was pretty full by the time I was done with this one.    White Chocolate Mousse No Valentine’s Day meal is complete without something sweet. The white chocolate mousse was a very pretty dessert that was rich, but well-balanced by the sweet and piquant coulis and the savoury crumble.        The Valentine’s Day dinner menu at Pietro Ristorante Italiano is priced at a RM260++ per pax. We fully recommend adding on a bottle of house (or premium if you’re in the mood to splurge) red wine to accompany it.    Pietro Ristorante Italiano is located at: Bangunan ECM Libra, 8, Jln Damansara Endah. Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: 03-2093 6433 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pietrodamansara   Thanks for having us over! . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/05/22/news-super-gt-2013-heineken-green-room-epic-relaunch-of-laundry/

News – Super GT 2013, Heineken Green Room, Epic, & Relaunch of Laundry

[News] 2013 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series (Malaysia)   . The 2013 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series returns to the Sepang International Circuit on 15-16 June 2013 with the GT500 and GT300 classes, featuring Japanese sports cars with manufacturers the likes of Lexus, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru, as well as continental marques that include Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, BMW, Mosler, Chevrolet, Audi, Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz. This year’s event will also witness the very first Asia Cup race organized by Meritus. Off the race tracks, grass root racing activities in the form of the Ultra Racing Gymkhana & Drifting, will encourage enthusiasts to compete. Super GT fans will also be able to catch the action of the 2013 Malaysian SUPER GT Queen Search Pageant. The pageant is being held for the third consecutive year, and the crowned winner will stand the chance of joining a line-up of Japanese GT Queens in Japan with objective of promoting the sharing of knowledge, expertise and talent between Malaysian and Japanese GT queens. Tickets for the Malaysian round of the AUTOBACS Super GT Series are priced at RM100.00, and fans can obtain it online via www.supergt.com.my or tune in to the entire season’s updates on www.facebook.com.my/supergt.my Aspiring candidates for the 2013 Malaysian SUPER GT Queen Search Pageant can log on to the SUPER GT’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/supergt.my to obtain updates about the pageant. BTW I attended the Super GT back in 2011 and you can read about that here – https://timchew.net/2011/06/20/super-gt-2011/ . Movie Review – Epic .   . Official Synopsis EPIC is a 3D animated fantasy adventure that reveals a hidden world unlike any other. From the creators of ICE AGE and RIO, EPIC tells the story of an ongoing battle deep in the forest between the forces of good who keep the natural world alive and the forces of evil who wish to destroy it. When a teen age girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters in order to save their world…and ours. My verdict – I actually kinda expected something like FernGully: The Last Rainforest which was released back in 1992 and had conservationist theme to it. I as quite suprised though that it’s more of a fantasy good versus evil movie that’s good for kids and perhaps adults who just want to watch something not too serious. Look out for the talking snails which provide the comedic element to the movie. Epic opens in Malaysian cinemas on 23 May 2013. More info at http://www.epicthemovie.com/ . Relaunch of Laundry Bar (The Curve) . New look Laundry . After a month of renovations, Laundry reopened with a special invite only party on 21 May 2013. The changes are not just cosmetic, as Laundry is set to reinvent itself with a fresh new concept in entertainment and music variety. For the next few months, Laundry will be bringing in an additional line-up of happening acts for its customers. New highlights of Laundry include a designated entrance walkway, with a Hollywood style marquee, a permanent DJ console, a more focused stage with more than 30 mirror balls of varying sizes above it, a spanking new marble top bar, private booths with leather seats, 2 classic barber chairs, 2 VIP lounge areas, light fixtures from Spain and a visually engaging RGB wall designed by Carnovsky, a Milan based artist/designer duo comprising of Francesco Rugi and Silvia Quintanilla. More info at https://www.facebook.com/LAUNDRYBAR . Heineken Green Room (June 2013) . . Heineken Green Room returns to bring you an electric dose of the latest leading edge music and visual art with headliners The Drums and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) on Saturday June 15 at KL Live. .   . Making their Malaysian debut at Heineken Green Room, Brooklyn New York’s The Drums fall somewhere between classic British indie and classic 1950s surf pop fusing elements as wide as The Smiths, Joy Division and 60s girl group The Shangri-Las. Disciples of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, their reverb drenched pop led them to sign with Moshi Moshi, one of the hippest record labels in the UK. Their sophomore album, Portamento, saw them build on the critical and commercial success of their eponymous debut with tours and festival appearances across the globe. 2013 sees them preparing for a new chapter of The Drums, as well as solo outings for founders Jonny Pierce and Jacob Graham. Also arriving in Malaysia for first time, for an incendiary Heineken Green Room DJ set is 27-year old Orlando Higginbottom, better known as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED). TEED seemingly soared out of nowhere last year to become one of the most talked about names on the electronic circuit. Already a critical darling after blogosphere hit Household Goods in 2010, which has amassed over 2 million views on YouTube (http://bit.ly/LWt9Z8) last year’s debut album Trouble saw him on numerous best of the year list alongside a developing reputation as a performer, with some of the most stunning stage visuals on the live circuit. Returning to Heineken Green Room, this year Twilight Actiongirl (TAG) the quartet of DJ Bunga, ChaseyLain, Ribut 10:59 and DJ XU celebrates its tenth anniversary. Their signature brew of indie anthems and electro edged remixes – alongside a healthy dose of retro and esoteric Malaysiana – has seen them double as mentors and role models to a new generation of music obsessed fans. Joining them on this Heineken Green Room line up will be the celebrated party outfit Deer Society, who have built a reputation for staging some of the fiercest and most musically eclectic events in Malaysia, as well as one of the country’s rising talents, Darren Ashley, with a solo electronic set. . . At this year’s Heineken Green Room, TAG’s involvement doesn’t stop at the dancefloor. Along with visual artists and long-time Heineken collaborator Callen Tham (themancalleduncle), they will also be heavily involved in curating some of the arts and collaboration content that is a Green Room signature. While those collaborations are still under wraps, we can tell you that we will pushing our own limits of experimentation as our artists and collaborators create a sensory blowing experience that plays on the very idea of what a Green Room can be. More info at www.facebook.com/Heineken . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2017/01/10/soleil-modern-european-restaurant-opens-in-damansara-city-mall-kuala-lumpur/

Soleil Modern European Restaurant Opens in Damansara City Mall Kuala Lumpur

[Review]   I recently attended the media preview of the new Soleil Restaurant & Bar which moved from its previous premises in Section 17, Petaling Jaya. I previously tried their Malaysia International Gourmet Festival which you can read about here – https://timchew.net/2015/10/09/migf-review-soleil-modern-european-restaurant/ thus I was really looking forward to see what Chef Evert and his culinary team had to offer this time! The new premises occupies 4,000 sq feet in the newly opened and still rather unoccupied Damansara City Mall (DC Mall) in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. It brings over the familiarity of the old premises by having two (2) private dining rooms, however new additions include a new contemporary dining section, an al fresco dining area, and the Chef’s Table comprising 5-seat dining area which allows a bird eye view of Chef Evert preparing his creations. There’s also a casual dining menu at the bar section which offers some light bites to go along with the drinks and draught beers.   The al fresco dining area outside The bar Soleil serves three (3) different types of Belgian beer on tap Soleil even has their own draught beer which is imported from Belgium! The wine cellar The wine cellar can hold up to a few hundred bottles and even keep bottles purchased by diners at the restaurant. Soleil is under the same group of companies as SW Wine Depot and thus has a large selection of 300 old world and new world wines readily available. A notable addition to the restaurant is the Wine Emotions Machine which allows diners to drink by the glass instead of by the bottle. The main benefit is that this allows diners to discover more wines including those that are premium without having to purchase the whole bottle. You get to choose from three (3) volumes with their corresponding price displayed above the bottle. To use, simply purchase a debit card from the counter then use it with the vending machine! The restaurant is divided into a few dining areas. This is the high table/ chair area. The low table/ chair dining area One of the private rooms which is decorated to the Louis XIII cognac theme, and comfortably fits 10 to a dozen pax Chef Evert Onderbeke BARAMUNDI CEVICHE – RM35.00 Pequillo Pepper, Tomato Salsa, Coconut, Pineapple Crystals SEARED HOKKAIDO SCALLOPS – RM48.00 Green Pea Custard, Snow Pea, Mint, Green Pea Soup CHARRED ARTICHOKE FRITTATA – RM30.00 DUCK LEG CONFIT – RM30.00 PAN FRIED WHOLE DOVERSOLE – RM150.00 Brown Butter, Heirloom Tomato, Avocado GRILLED FREMANTEL OCTOPUS – RM135.00 Sweet and spicy red pepper relish, homemade pickles. PAELLA (for 2 persons) – RM160.00 Tiger Prawn, Calamari, Turkey Chorizo SLOW COOKED LAMB RUMP – RM75.00   BRAISED BEEF CHEEK – RM60.00 Miso Butter Sauce, Kimchi Pancake, Beetroot Ketchup Lovely! Simply lovely! Super tender beef cheek that melts in the mouth! The miso butter sauce was tasty and unique and I used the kimchi pancake to mop up the remaining sauce! The beetroot “ketchup” was a very interesting component in this dish however I’m not much a fan of beetroot. BOMBE ALASKA (for 4 persons) – RM120.00 Flambe With Orange Brandy, Fresh Berries PLANET SOLEIL (minimum 3 persons) – RM50.00 per person Sharing Dessert Plated On Your Table By The Chefs CROQUEMBOUCHE (for 4 persons) – RM80.00 Profiteroles Soleil is a pretty premium place to dine so it’s only fitting that it’s located in the very upmarket neighbourhood of Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. The food is fresh and unique – thanks to Chef Evert’s skills and creativity which sees him successfully update traditional European flavours and fuse them with some Asian ingredients resulting in some really stunning dishes indeed! Soleil is located at: Lot 7 & 8, 2nd Floor, DC Mall, Plaza DC, Damasara City, 6 Jalan Damanlela, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Telephone: 03-2011 8261 Website: www.soleil.my/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soleilrestaurant/ Panasonic Lumix G85K Photos were shot with the Panasonic Lumix G85K. For more info, head over to http://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-g-mirrorless-dslm-cameras/dmc-g85k.html Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/06/24/xiaomi-launches-the-mi-9t-in-malaysia/

Xiaomi Launches the Mi 9T in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets] This slideshow requires JavaScript.     Xiaomi launched the new Mi 9T – the latest smartphone in its highly popular flagship Mi 9 family, on 20 June 2019 at the EQ Kuala Lumpur. The Mi 9T will be available from 25 June 2019 priced from RM 1199. The device sports the latest QualcommTM​ 730 Mobile Platform, a 6.39-inch Full Screen Display, a 20MP pop-up front Snapdragon​ camera and a rear 48MP triple camera setup. The smartphone comes with a​ ​SnapdragonTM ​​730 mobile platform, offering an increase of 35 percent for CPU performance, and of 10 percent for GPU, as well as twice the AI performance, compared to its predecessor SnapdragonTM​ 710– all enabled an octa-core KryoTM 470 chip processor based on the 8nm process for extreme power efficiency, along with the 4th generation AI smart engine for delivering powerful AI performance. There’s also the new Game Turbo 2.0 for enhanced gaming experience by optimizing touch response, display, sound quality, network and in-game calls. Touch response rate goes up to 180Hz, while click and touch response times are reduced to about 70 milliseconds.   Xiaomi Country Manager of Malaysia and Singapore, Mr. Allen An, introducing the new Mi 9T. “We can say with confidence that Mi 9T has set a new benchmark for smartphones in its price range. Mi 9T addition to the Mi 9 series brings key features such as a massive 4000mAh battery, true full screen display and the best-in-class Qualcomm® ​ ​SnapdragonTM ​730 mobile platform. We are demonstrating our philosophy of bringing innovation to every Malaysian consumer at honest prices.” said Allen An, Xiaomi Country Manager of Malaysia and Singapore. “We are also proud to announce that Malaysia is the very first market in Southeast Asia to introduce the Mi 9T. We are always thankful for the great support we have been getting from Malaysian Mi fans and customers. As a token of our appreciation, we want them to experience the Mi 9T first.”   Featuring a 6.39-inch AMOLED notchless screen, the display of Mi 9T supports Reading and Sunlight mode 2.0, low-brightness color grayscale optimization, and 256-scale eye protection technology, delivering an incredible immersive viewing experience. It has also received low-blue-light eye protection certification by Germany’s VDE Testing and Certification Institute. The Mi 9T applies a nano-holographic technology to produce a unique flame design on its four-sided curved glass back. Xiaomi claims that the combination of 3D-glass and extremely narrow frame gives the phone a comfortable hand-feel. The device is equipped with the 7th-generation in-screen fingerprint technology. The dual optimization of hardware and software significantly improves the fingerprint recognition rate and speed.     (L-R) Xiaomi Country Manager of Malaysia and Singapore, Mr. Allen An and Head of Mobile Lazada Malaysia, Mr. Kenneth Khor   The Mi 9T features an AI triple camera setup that includes a main 48MP camera with a 1/2″ Sony flagship IMX 582 sensor that can produce ultra-high resolution photos. For night portraits, the camera sensor supports merging four pixels to form large 1.6μm pixels to capture more details in low-light conditions. In addition to the 48MP main camera, the Mi 9T also features a 13MP ultra wide-angle lens with a 124.8 degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto lens. On the front is a 20MP pop-up front-facing camera with a sapphire glass cover. When the front camera is raised, it will display lighting effects and is accompanied by one of six sound effects. The light ring on top acts as a notification light for incoming messages and charging status. Group selfies taken with the panorama feature allows the user to get more persons into the photo by panning the 20MP selfie camera. Featuring a large 4000mAh battery and an AI energy saving mode to automatically adjust screen brightness and for activating sleep mode at night, Mi 9T has power to last through a day of heavy use. Mi 9T supports up to 18W charging. Mi 9T offers multi-function NFC, with payment transaction speeds increased by up to 30 percent. It also offers improved audio quality, featuring 1217SLS speakers and Smart PA as well as a 0.9cc large sound chamber for powerful playback. The device retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, and has received Hi-Res Audio certification.      Mi 9T will be available in two versions. Starting from 25 June 2019, The 6GB+64GB version will retail for RM 1199 and will be available exclusively on Lazada. As an exclusive online deal with Lazada, customers who pre-book from 20 June to 24 June 2019 are entitled to purchase the phone at RM 1099 The 6GB+128GB version will be available on 29 June 2019 and will retail for RM 1399. The 6GB+128GB version will be available exclusively at Mi stores. Mi 9T will be available in Carbon Black, Glacier Blue and Flame Red for both versions.   This slideshow requires JavaScript.   Photo credits: Xiaomi Malaysia . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/05/11/mercedes-benz-cls-400-launch/

Mercedes-Benz CLS 400 Launch

[Automotive News] Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched their new generation CLS 400 on 1 April 2015, in a ceremony featuring Louis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg from the Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 team. The new CLS 400 is a redesigned coupe featuring a new and powerful six-cylinder petrol engine, assistance systems, and futuristic MULTIBEAM LED headlamps. “Mercedes-Benz has its history deeply rooted in innovation. Launched 10 years ago, the CLS was a critical element in our ambition to lead as two distinct genres, the coupe and sedan has been combined to make the world’s first 4-door coupe. The CLS today is redesigned to bring fascinating details and style to all new heights. It will continue to represent an exceptional development in the four-door coupe not just today but also in the future,” said Mark Raine, Vice President, Passenger Cars Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. When Mercedes-Benz launched the CLS ten years ago it was somewhat of a paradigm shift, but they eventually won over many fans with their four door coupé – a vehicle that combined the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon. It was also the first vehicle to offer dynamic LED High Performance headlamps as an option, and together with its bold design, became something of a style icon in the industry. The new CLS 400 is equipped with the new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps which were designed and developed by Mercedes-Benz. This MULTIBEAM LED headlamp utilises the latest lighting technologies and can optionally adjust the light distribution instantly and automatically to virtually any road and traffic conditions. This gives the driver greater illumination of the road surface and edge of the roadway for a better view without dazzling other car drivers. This new lighting system uses four (4) control units per vehicle in addition to the camera on the windscreen. These function to calculate the ideal light pattern 100 times per second and control all 24 high-performance LEDs in each precision LED module quickly and individually. Each LED is dimmable in 255 stages. Each MULTIBEAM LED headlamp also contains a module for the low-beam headlamp, which can be swivelled upwards up to 12 degrees. This provides an active light function, which is also camera-controlled. This works by pre-emptively swivelling the active light function before the driver even turns into the bend, and returns the lights back to the straight-on position before the corner ends, giving the driver the light where it’s needed. The anticipatory control allows an additional range of between 30 and 60 metres, depending on the traffic situation, and another interesting feature is that before the driver enters onto a roundabout, the cornering light function is activated to the left and right to provide the best visibility at an early stage. The new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps provide daytime running lamps, side lights and turn signal lamps via multifunctional fibre-optic cable, and also cast a blue light when the vehicle is unlocked.   Under the hood of the CLS 400 is a new 3.0 litre, V6 bi-turbo petrol engine which delivers 333 hp and 480 Nm torque, providing high output potential and extremely high torque at low engine speeds, setting a new benchmark in its segment. Safety wise, the CLS 400 is equipped with a host of new and enhanced assistance systems. The standard fit features include COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which can help to avoid rear-end collisions through autonomous brake application if necessary. The latest assistance systems from the S-Class are also available as standard. These include DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC including parking in end-on spaces. The new CLS has a new, free-standing colour display in the head unit with a 20.3 cm screen diagonal (8″), while a redesigned three-spoke sports steering wheel also contributes to the interior’s high quality look and feel. The new AMG Line Plus supplements the AMG Line design and equipment lines comes as a standard package in the CLS 400. Audiophiles will appreciate the carefully matched technical components and Logic 7® technology from Harman Kardon, which ensure that passengers in all seats enjoy a 360-degree sound experience for both stereo and 5.1 multi-channel recordings. The sound system with its 14 high-performance speakers is specially matched to the particular acoustic conditions in the vehicle. The powerful high-performance DSP amplifier is equipped with a digital signal processor (DSP) which uses its high computing power to control the frequency response and to guarantee a harmonious acoustic sound. In addition, speed-sensitive volume control helps to ensure a uniform audio experience by continuously matching the volume to the vehicle’s speed. The COMAND Online system is available as a standard package in the new CLS 400, in conjunction with the new 8-inch, free-standing display in the head unit. Both enable you to make calls featuring HD voice which improves voice quality, and surf the internet (without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary) when paired with a Bluetooth®-capable mobile phone with mobile data (LTE compatible). COMAND Online additionally comes with the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system; digital TV/radio reception is a further option. It also comes with topographical map display, photo-realistic 3D buildings and 3D map rotations, as well as display of NASA satellite images. System features include an animated compass and Google Maps displayed on the head unit. There’s also a Media Interface for connecting an iPod® or iPhone®.     Model CLS 400 Combustion engine V6 Displacement (cc) 2996 Rated output (kW/hp) 245 kW (333 hp)/5250 – 6000 Torque (Nm) 480 Transmission 7G-TRONIC PLUS Maximum speed (km/h) 250 0-100 km/h (s) 5.3 Fuel consumption (l/100 km) 7.2-7.1 CO2 emissions (g/km) 167-164 Price (OTR w/o Insurance) RM 598, 888   For more information, kindly log on to www.mercedes-benz.com.my         Visuals courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/10/06/montblanc-for-bmw-collection/

Montblanc for BMW Collection

[Fashion] Montblanc for BMW Leather & Writing Instrument Collection   In conjunction with the launch of the 6th generation (2015) BMW 7 Series, Montblanc created a collection of customized leather goods and writing instruments inspired by the spirit of innovation and the heritage of sophistication that is shared by both the brands. BMW brings the future of the luxury automotive experience to life with its latest sedan, while Montblanc brings their passion for great craftsmanship, and its flair for fine contemporary design to this partnership. The result is a line of sophisticated pieces blending some of its most iconic designs with details inspired by BMW. The new BMW 7 Series comes with standout innovations in technology and a contemporary, pioneering approach to design. Ground-breaking technologies in the areas of lightweight design, powertrains, chassis, operating systems, intelligent connectivity and interior ambience are combined to achieve BMW’s commitment of delivering sheer driving pleasure to the customers. The harmonious proportions and precise lines point to the assured dynamics and exclusive elegance of this new generation of BMW’s flagship series model line-up that includes a range of unrivalled innovations.     Each piece from the leather collection handcrafted in the Montblanc Pelletteria, the leather goods manufacture, in Florence, exemplifies BMW and Montblanc’s shared pursuit of refinement, quality and performance, and with that masterfully balances form and function. The classic and elegant aesthetics of the Meisterstück leather collection are enhanced with the unique BMW 7 Series pattern embossed on each piece, and feature the Montblanc emblem at the centre of a palladium coated ring. The leather pieces are crafted from soft Italian calf leather in a shiny black, and are enhanced with Jacquard lining for that added touch of sophistication.   Montblanc for BMW Meisterstück Key Sleeve   Montblanc celebrates the pursuit of style, performance and innovation with a collection of leather goods, writing instruments and a special car key sleeve handcrafted in Montblanc Pelletteria specially designed for the new BMW 7 Series digital Display Key. The bespoke Meisterstück Car Key Sleeve has been specially moulded to fit the uniquely informative and innovative BMW Display Key. This new generation car key has a touch display which delivers important information on the car’s status to the driver, from fuel in the tank to battery charge level, and can be used to remotely park the car forwards and backwards while the driver is outside of the vehicle. The sleeve protects BMW’s ground-breaking key, and enhances the owner’s relationship with the car by providing a refined accessory for the car key.   Montblanc Meisterstück Passport Holder & Business Card Holder   The Meisterstück Business Card Holder, Meisterstück Pen Pouch, and Meisterstück Passport Holder have been designed as perfect fine lifetime companions for the business executive or world traveller.   Montblanc Meisterstück Pen Pouch & Montblanc Meisterstück Platinum Line LeGrand Fountain Pen     Montblanc’s icon, the Montblanc Meisterstück with its distinctive barrel and cap in black precious resin and contrasting platinum-plated fittings has been given a unique BMW treatment. The clip of the Platinum Line LeGrand Fountain Pen and Meisterstück Platinum Line LeGrand Rollerball are laser-engraved with the BMW “7” pattern. Montblanc brings one of its latest innovations to the fountain pen to enhance the writing experience of the user with the handcrafted Au585 gold Montblanc M nib with rhodium-plated inlay for a writing experience as smooth as the sensation of driving a BMW.   Montblanc Meisterstück Platinum Line LeGrand Fountain Pen Montblanc Nightflight Document Case Montblanc Nightflight Duffel Bag   Performance, comfort and functionality come together in the design of the Montblanc Nightflight Document Case and the Nightflight Duffel Bag, pieces built to meet the needs of today’s urban explorers, who live a fast-paced life on-the-go. Both are made of nylon with leather trimmings, and are resistant to stains, water and scratches, the Document Case and Duffle Bag feature special compartments for smart storage and comfortable leather straps, Jacquard lining with Montblanc and a luggage tag embossed with both the Maisons’ names.   Montblanc BMW Special Edition is available at both BMW dealerships and Montblanc boutiques worldwide from March 2016. For more information, head over to www.montblanc.com . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/03/18/hms-2016-conscious-exclusive-collection/

H&M’s 2016 Conscious Exclusive Collection

[Fashion]   These days, it’s important to conserve the environment while conducting business and it’s good to see companies like H&M making an initiative towards conservation. Their 2016 Conscious Exclusive Collection merges a sense of history with modernity, and was launched to coincide with the opening of the exhibition Fashion Forward – 300 years of Fashion at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, to which it pays homage, and of which H&M is the exclusive sponsor. The collection conveys an idea of painterly and sophisticated elegance. The H&M design team has delved into the museum’s collections of archival fashions in order to pick up key pieces from the last three centuries of haute couture. The result is a contemporary and artistic collection that is soulful, progressive, conscious and truly unique. The collection will be available in approximately 180 stores worldwide and online at http://www.hm.com/ from 7 April 2016. “Working with innovative sustainable materials and ornate embellishment, the collection is a layering of references, shapes and textures topped off by intensely decorative accessories and deco-inspired bijoux,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M. The fluid and easy silhouette revolves around languid dresses, arty kaftans and sculpted skirts. Prints add a dash of surprise, turning dresses into trompe l’oeil paintings or sculptures. A long ball gown with a deep neckline features a marble draping print; a liquid dress is adorned with a slice of Botticelli’s Three Graces. Short dresses and painter blouses ooze nonchalant sophistication, creating an electric and eclectic short-circuit between present and past. “One of my favourite pieces from the collection is the mini asymmetric dress that was inspired by a painting by Gustave Moreau. I love the mix of a conscious, sustainable fabric and an old painting. It’s great to be able to have sustainable clothes that still look red carpet-ready,” says Julia Restoin Roitfeld, the face of the campaign. Materials include organic silk, hemp, recycled linen and Tencel® blends as well as new innovative materials such as beads and rhinestones made from recycled glass and Denimite − a material made out of recycled worn-out denim, which H&M is the first fashion company to use. Also new for this season’s launch of Conscious Exclusive are three wedding dresses − a feast of lightness and embellishment materialised in dreamy, draped lines, for the bride wanting to be as beautifully dressed as she is conscious.   Click on the individual photos below to open a larger version.   More info available at http://www.hm.com/ Images courtesy of H&M. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/07/21/guess-fall-2016-womens-ready-to-wear-collection/

GUESS Fall 2016 – Women’s Ready to Wear Collection

[Fashion] This fall, GUESS has American model Hailey Baldwin in her first-ever GUESS campaign alongside returning faces, Emma Stern and Matt Trethe. The campaign was photographed against California’s stunning Malibu landscape, with the sequence of images capturing the sunshine glistening off the models’ bronzed skin and wind-swept hair. The campaign was directed by Paul Marciano, Chief Creative Officer for GUESS?, Inc., shot by international fashion photographer, Rayan Ayash and styled by Marie Claire Italy Fashion Editor, Elisabetta Massari. Hailey, Emma and Matt are photographed in a field filled with clusters of cherry blossoms that add some colour and contrast to the scenes.       For the GUESS Guy, there’s the inclusion of a modern military and biker vibe into the outerwear collection with an array of structured knee-length overcoats with oversized button detailing and multi-zipper moto jackets in sleek black hues. Modern bombers are the stand-outs of the season and are offered in various colours and patterns including monochromatic marble in woven mesh, rose petal pink in high-shine satin construction as well as lightweight woven treatments in subtle, ivory tones. The denim jackets and jeans in light-to-dark silicone washes are iconic GUESS styles that can be carried over from season to season.   The fall women’s collection features a selection of sleek, fashion-forward styles rendered in luxe fabrics including buttery suede, delicate lace, soft sherpa and luscious faux-leather. Dresses include ankle-length maxis, long-sleeve fit-and-flares as well as stylish jumpers that can be layered with classic staple button-downs to create different ensembles. Denim offerings include cut-off shorts, jackets, button-front mini-skirts, jumpsuits and jeans with distress detailing in true blue denim tones and winter whites. Faux-fur drop shoulder overcoats in super-chic multi-colour and iconic leopard prints are head-turning statement pieces in the crisper, cooler weather. This season’s colour palette is dominated by the distinctive tones of oxblood and autumn reds intertwined with deep navy blues and browns including camel, cognac and honey.   More info at www.guess.com Images courtesy of GUESS Malaysia (FJ Benjamin). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/07/13/travel-news-july-2022/

Travel News – July 2022

[Travel News] Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa Debuts in the Maldives The award-winning Hilton flagship brand has now expanded to the Maldives with the official opening of Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. The all-villa resort sets a new standard in hospitality and offers a variety of thoughtful facilities that are unique to the archipelago. The hotel is owned by Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd and managed by Hilton. Hilton Maldives Amingiri is the company’s fourth resort in the country, joining Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton in reinforcing Hilton’s capacity to cater to diverse travellers and their various preferences in one of the world’s most sought-after island holiday destinations. “The Maldives is one of the most desired vacation destinations for travellers around the world – seeing a continued pace of bookings even throughout the last two years when it was the first country to open its borders to international travellers during the pandemic. The expansion of our flagship brand here underscores our commitment to bringing our world-class brands to key locations, and we are confident Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa will build on our legacy of delivering an exceptional stay to delight and inspire our guests.” Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton “Today’s milestone launch is a celebration of our shared vision with Hilton to deliver the most exceptional levels of service and hospitality in the Maldives. At Amingiri Holdings, we are committed to continuously contribute to the Maldivian economy and further strengthening its tourism industry, and Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa will enable us to continue with this mission.” Daniel Welk, Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd The Hilton Maldives Amingiri, located on Amingiri Island in the North Malé Atoll, is just a scenic 20-minute premium speedboat ride away from Velana International Airport. The resort offers 109 roomy beach and overwater villas, each with a private pool and captivating views of the blue lagoon nearby. The villas, which embody a harmony of modern and traditional Maldivian elements, allow an abundance of natural light via their floor to ceiling windows, complementing a bright colour scheme that reflects the warm tones of the sea and sky. The overwater pool villas are equipped with stairs that lead directly to the island’s lagoon and a hammock by the pool for guests to enjoy the sound of waves; whereas the beach villas have direct access to sparkling white sand, a deck swing, and a gazebo on the shore. All of these amenities were designed to immerse guests in the wonders of nature. All villas have spacious bathrooms with bathtubs that face the ocean and both indoor and outdoor rain showers. The six-bedroom Amingiri Residence, a standout feature of Hilton Maldives Amingiri, is the ideal retreat for larger groups of travellers seeking absolute privacy. When it opens in November 2022, the residence, which is set away on a landscaped cove, will welcome guests with its own arrival pier and a dedicated sundeck with 360-degree views of the Maldivian horizon. “Hilton Maldives Amingiri represents what we continually strive for in our brand portfolio – innovative offerings and exceptional stays complemented by our signature hospitality. Introducing several new concepts to the Maldives, such as a rooftop lounge exclusive to teenage guests, a cocktail lab and the six-bedroom residence, Hilton Maldives Amingiri is set to capture guests of all ages looking to reconnect during their stay with their selves, nature or close ones.” Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton Hilton Maldives Amingiri will immerse visitors on a gourmet journey with its six unique dining options. The resort’s dining outlets are carefully selected to delight every palate, from Origin, a dining experience that celebrates sustainable seafood sourcing, ageing techniques, and a food-upcycling approach, to all-day dining restaurant Habitat, to rustic beach restaurant Beach Shack with its feet-in-the-sand dining experience. Sip Tea Lounge is a contemporary teahouse that celebrates tea traditions from throughout the world. Its broad tea collection enables visitors to rejuvenate and unwind while enjoying both exotic flavours and time-honoured favourites. The adults-only overwater bar Eden offers champagne and gin, while the cocktail lab at poolside bar Aura is devoted to the craft of mixology. Both experienced travellers and novice explorers can look forward to a variety of interesting experiences: the rooftop bar Re:Fuel provides teenagers with a tranquil haven and a hidden entrance just for them, while the Krakengiri Kids’ Club has an outdoor children’s play pool and a mini splash park. Amingiri Spa, which was intentionally created to resemble a sanctuary, offers a wide selection of reviving therapies and purifying hammam rituals that promote an elevated state of well-being. For more information or to make reservations, call +960 664 63 64 or head over to https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mleaihi-hilton-maldives-amingiri-resort-and-spa/ Photo credits: Hilton Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2011/04/07/roxy-quiksilver-fashion-show-060411/

Roxy/ Quiksilver Fashion Show 060411

Wednesday, 6 April 2011 – Rozy and Quiksilver kicked off the Mid Valley Fashion Week 2011 with a delicious and tantalizing fashion show! The stage setup was pretty unique! Quite refreshing for a change! I was standing quite far back so had to use almost maximum zoom, hold my breath, steady my hands and click! My G12 is quite a forgiving camera. Good thing too as my hands were shaky from the coffee (and beer) ingested during the day. Beer for the night was sponsored by Corona! One of my favs! Pity there wasn't a lemon/ lime slice to go with it. Chic Stephanie from Mid Valley is among the team that organised the Mid Valley Fashion Week 2011. Good job Steph! Malaysia's Hottest Bloggers babes Mei Sze, Brigette and Claudia were all present but I only managed to get a shot of Claudia with her friend. I don't like standing next to Claudia when she's wearing high heels.   Check out the videos on my Facebook page (click here). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2011/07/26/wanderlust-co-rebellz-tea-party-ss1011/

Wanderlust + Co & Rebellz – Tea Party SS10/11

[Special Event] I don’t often like attending female fashion shows especially if it’s on a Saturday (I love to sleep on Sat afternoons!) but as the host were friends of mine I sacrificed my sleep and went over to The Hill in Damansara Heights with Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers Cai Jin, Stephanie Lim, Chrystal Yap, Ashley Khoo, Isabella Wong and Erica Ting. It was the start of 4 event marathon that day as you may have noticed in my previous post. Well here’s what went down… The owners of Rebellz - Sonia, Ju Nn and Jean (L-R) Malaysia's Hottest Bloggers Erica, Bell, Cai Jin, Ashley and Chrystal with the Wanderlust accessories. Steph was still sleeping... Fashion show begins! Check out those legs! Mabel was helping out as a model. The crowd loved her! Attitude! She's the famous April Yap who's a fav model for many a local photographer... MHB + Rebellz + Wanderlust We spotted a Kronenbourg 1664 painting there so couldn't resist taking a pic with it. Does this photo look somewhat familiar? Here’s why it looks familiar. Check out MHB’s food review at The Hill, Damansara Heights (click here). More info on Rebellz at www.rebellz.com More info on Wanderlust at www.wanderlustandco.com More photos on the Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers Facebook page (click here). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/06/06/glenmorangie-orange-party-2014-huawei-honor-3c-launch/

Glenmorangie Orange Party 2014 & Huawei Honor 3C Launch

Glenmorangie Orange Party at Zouk Club KL (2014) [Event]   Glenmorangie celebrated all things ‘Unnecessarily Well Made’ at its first Glenmorangie Orange Party of 2014 at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur on 22 May 2014 in a party where guests, celebrities and fans of Glenmorangie experienced a creative impression of “Unnecessarily Well Made” as they took a 3-D artistic journey throughout the Glenmorangie Distillery, accompanied by a walkabout cask (see the pic of the guy in the cask in the event photos below). The 3D artistic experience was a collaboration with Haze Long, a 3-D illustration specialist, who created three art pieces depicting the Glenmorangie Distillery in Scotland. Each 3-D art piece also displayed a unique ADA code which revealed interesting bits of information of the iconic Glenmorangie Distillery item represented in the art piece. There were three lucky guests that walked away with a bottle of Glenmorangie The Original each, by dialling the ADA code the most amount of times in three different time slots during the night. Guests who captured their favourite Glenmorangie moments at the Flipet booth were given an animated flip-book of themselves as a keepsake from the party.   Guests also got to enjoy the Glenmorangie Zest Serve – a drink that infuses zesty tangerine to complement the notes of vanilla and citrus zest of Glenmorangie The Original. Glenmorangie’s believes in delivering the best at their bespoke parties, testament to their driving spirit which stems from Glenmorangie’s tried and tested decree of being “Unnecessarily Well Made”; from using the tallest distillery stills in Scotland, to sourcing the finest white oaks for maturation casks that are only ever used twice. More info at https://www.facebook.com/GlenmorangieMalaysia   3-D illustration specialist Haze Long created three art pieces that transported guests of the night to the Glenmorangie Distillery in Scotland Imma*bleep* YouUp provided the tunes for the night   Huawei Honor 3C and Vmall.my Launch [Tech & Gadgets]   Huawei recently launched its new Honor 3C in Kuala Lumpur, a refined smartphone which has been customized for frequent social media users, and comes with a quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU, 5-inch LTPS HD display powered by Android 4.2. Malaysia is the first country in South East Asia to launch the Huawei Honor 3C and the Huawei official online store vmall.my outside China. Vmall.my is Huawei’s new e-commerce platform exclusively for Malaysians, and is an online point of sale in addition to the Huawei’s plan to bring 100 concept stores to consumers across Malaysia this year.  Vmall.my is designed to provide consumers with a simple and uncomplicated interface to browse, select and purchase Huawei products at their convenience. Product delivery is within 3 to 5 working days after the order is placed. Honor 3C buyers are also entitled to a six month “1-to-1” swap policy provided the product is purchased via Vmall.my.        The Honor 3C is lighter, shorter and narrower by 5 grams, 4.5mm and 2.2mm respectively compared to its predecessor. Its round edge design and straight-forward aeronautical magnesium alloy chassis architecture was designed to provide users with a comfortable grip on the device. The Honor 3C comes equipped with a 5MP front-facing camera, allowing its users to take high quality “selfies”, adjustable via its auto facial-enhancing capabilities. The camera is fitted with a F2.4 aperture and has a wide angle lens, making selfies with multiple persons possible. At the rear, the technology behind the 8MP camera is based on the back-illuminated sensor (BSI), a digital image sensor which enables production of significantly improved low-light images. The software is enhanced with IMAGESmart, a Huawei proprietary feature, and enables automatic adjustment of contrast and colour enhancement, auto scene recognition, object tracing focus, and instant facial beauty support. You can also take shots from a 4cm macro view, voice shots, panorama shots and shots while recording. The phone runs 30% more efficiently than its predecessor via “Smart Power”, has 2GB of RAM and Capacitative Touch, and comes with Huawei’s trademark Emotional UI 2.0 and Phone Manager functions, with the latter enabling users to have full control of their device including notifications, network applications, startup applications, among others. Users have the choice of six colours to choose from including Lamborghini Yellow, Titanium Gray, Rococo Pink, Tiffany Green, Pearl White and Champagne Gold. Battery covers which come in the aforementioned six colors are also sold separately. The Honor 3C is priced at RM499.00 and is now available on Huawei’s e-commerce platform – http://www.vmall.my For more info, head over to http://www.facebook.com/HuaweiDeviceMY or http://www.vmall.my    . Photos courtesy of the respective brands. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/11/11/katy-perrys-holiday-print-campaign-for-hm/

Katy Perry’s Holiday Print Campaign for H&M

[Fashion News] H&M gets merry this holiday season with the debut of Katy Perry’s Holiday print campaign for the brand. The campaign features images of Katy wearing pieces from the H&M Holiday collection, which coincides with the H&M Holiday commercial she has filmed for cinemas, TV and online. The full-length commercial will debut worldwide on 23 November 2015 at hm.com/life H&M’s Holiday 2015 commercial sees Katy first appearing as a fairy before conjuring to life an unbelievable cast of characters, from life-sized gingerbread men, to oversized presents on roller skates and giant teddy bears. The action is fast-paced and ever-changing, with Katy giving every scene her own twist. The soundtrack to the commercial is “Every Day is a Holiday,” a new song written by Katy and produced by Duke Dumont specially for the Holiday commercial. “I had such a festive time shooting this larger-than-life holiday commercial with Jonas Åkerlund, and all of the fun clothes, especially my favourite, the Elfie Selfie sweater. H&M has been a part of the evolution of my personal style since I was 13, when I would start to incorporate fun, affordable H&M pieces into my vintage wardrobe. I can’t wait for you to give your wardrobe some sparkle with this magical holiday collection,” says Katy Perry. In this latest campaign, Katy appears in looks from the H&M Holiday collection that mix festive glamour, style and fun. It includes pieces such as lipstick-red dresses, tuxedos with open sleeves and a T-shirt embroidered with sequined red bows. There are special details everywhere, from the fringing on a black mini skirt to the perfect Christmas jumper. H&M’s Holiday collection will be available in H&M stores worldwide from mid-November 2015.     “I love the mix of style and updated traditions in this year’s Holiday collection. These are pieces for pure pleasure, whether it’s the perfect party dress for the best night out, or the cosiest fun jumper for relaxing with friends and family,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design.   H&M Gift Card   This holiday season, H&M is committed to supporting the children in Myanmar with specially-designed gift cards. For each card bought, the H&M Conscious Foundation will donate 5% of the price to UNICEF. UNICEF will then use the money to provide quality education for vulnerable children in Myanmar, where there is urgent need to improve access to basic education. Through the gift card campaign, UNICEF and the H&M Conscious Foundation aim to directly reach more than 350,000 children with quality primary and lower secondary school education in the Rakhine State. Shoppers will get to enjoy special Holiday deals of up to 50% off at all H&M stores in Malaysia starting 17 November 2015. In addition to that, with any purchase from 23 to 30 November 2015, shoppers will receive a special Holiday voucher and get to enjoy different discounts each week in December. Now here’s a look at the collection. Women’s Apparel Women’s Accessories and Bags   Menswear and Footwear    Kids   More info at http://www.hm.com/ Visuals courtesy of H&M.   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/01/02/tech-jabra-solemate-portable-speakers/

Tech – Jabra Solemate Portable Speakers

[Sponsored Review] So I recently got a new toy to play with. At first when I heard it was a Jabra I was like, “Cool! A new Bluetooth headset!”. I mean that’s what Jabra is famous for right? Then I heard it was a set of portable speakers. Really? From Jabra? Yes indeed! Here’s a little info on Jabra: Jabra is the brand of GN Netcom, a subsidiary of GN Store Nord A/S (GN) – listed on NASDAQ OMX. Jabra employs approximately 850 people worldwide and in 2011 produced an annual revenue which amounted to DKK 2,106 million. Jabra is a world leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of a broad range of hands-free communications solutions. With a reputation for innovation, reliability, and ease of use that goes back more than two decades, Jabra’s consumer and business divisions produce corded and wireless headsets, plus mobile and in-office speakerphones that empower individuals and businesses through increased freedom of movement, comfort, and functionality. The Jabra Solemate is the company’s first wireless portable speaker! As more and more consumers are using smartphones these days (I read recently that our Malaysian telcos estimate that 20 to 30% of their subscribers are using smartphones), music lovers can now enjoy the freedom of big sound with the Jabra SOLEMATE™. Now on to my review.   The Jabra Solemate – no it’s not a shoe Dimensions: 172 mm (L) x 64 mm x 70 mm (H) What comes with the Solemate – 3.5mm jack, charger, micro USB cable, water-resistant bag, manual and waranty card A cross-section shot of the Solemate The vibration-damping non-slip rubber sole also houses the 3.5mm cable. Why a rubber sole? So you can play on almost any surface without those anoying vibration sounds to disturb your music! Dust and water-resistant bag to protect your Solemate Water resistant bag not water-proof so please don’t drown it in water This nifty multifunctional portable Bluetooth® speaker that enables sharing and streaming of entertainment with anyone, anytime and anywhere and is equipped with strong, deep bass from an integrated subwoofer (yes a subwoofer inside this compact little package!) and rich, vibrant acoustics from dual tweeters. Now I decided to test the Solemate indoors and outdoors. In my brother’s 200 square feet room I connected it to my brother’s S2 and the Solemate threatened to wake up my neighbours on max volume setting. Next I tried it in a 300 square foot room and it was sufficiently powerful. Outdoors it was not bad as I thought the sound quality was pretty good up to 10+ feet away on maximum setting. I also tried connecting it via the 3.5mm cable and the micro USB cable to test it’s plug and play capabilities and my PC and laptop had no trouble detecting and immediately switching to using it to play. Useful gadget to have when making presentations using my laptop at client’s offices as I won’t have to rely on the puny laptop speakers when showing videos. You can play music while lying at the beach, having a picnic in a park, hosting a little get-together, or chilling out at home. Amplify the volume up to an impressive 120 dB SPL* while streaming YouTube videos or watching movies. The Jabra SOLEMATE™ connects to any multimedia device using Bluetooth® technology, a 3.5mm audio cable or USB cable and caters to different consumer preference, making it a very cool looking speaker for indoors or outdoors. You can connect the Solemate a mobile phone, tablet, iPad®, iPod® or laptop. I even tried making a call with the speakers connected via Bluetooth to my S3 and it works like a charm although I did look a bit stupid talking to a speaker hahaha!     Take it outdoors! It’s powerful enough that you can still hear the music clearly up to 10 feet away (speakers facing you of course)   Technical specs: • Powerful sound with 3 front facing speakers (2 acoustic tweeters and 1 subwoofer) and a proprietary passive bass radiator • Sweat, dust and splash resistant • Speakerphone capability • Voice Guidance • StatusDisplay™ • Wireless connectivity – play multimedia on Bluetooth® enabled device within 10m • Connection via Bluetooth®, 3.5mm audio cable and USB cable • Built-in rechargeable lithiumion battery, AC wall charger included • Durable sound bag • Up to 8 hours wireless music time* • Up to 40 days standby time • Weight: 610 grams • Dimensions: 172 mm (L) x 64 mm x 70 mm (H) . I think the Jabra Solemate is a cool accessory to have with your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Sure beats carrying around cumbersome/ ugly speakers with wires trailing everywhere. The Jabra SOLEMATE™ has a recommended retail price of RM699.00 and retails at Apple premium resellers: Machines, selected Challenger stores, I-Tec@MV and other authorised Jabra resellers. For more info visit www.Jabra.com or their (Singaporean) Facebook page http://facebook.com/jabrasg Subscribe to my public updates at https://www.facebook.com/timchewkc ‘Like’ my Facebook page to view loads of content – https://www.facebook.com/timchew1311 . Jabra Solemate – tough and powerful little bugger! Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/12/19/montblanc-figurado-creation-privee/

Montblanc Figurado Creation Privée & 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100

[Luxury]   Because standard is just too common. Sometimes you just want to have something special. Something you are passionate about. Something that says a lot about who you are. And standard items just won’t cut it. Enter the world of Montblanc Creation Privee which offers bespoke personalisation for discerning individuals. The Montblanc Figurado Creation Privée piece is a one-of-a-kind writing instrument crafted from tobacco leaves, inspired by its owner’s passion for cigars. This piece was the result of the creative collaboration between Montblanc and its owner, the Figurado Creation Privée, and is custom-designed to mirror the shape and look of an exceptional cigar with the cap and barrel of the writing instrument covered in the finest cigar leaves. For every Montblanc Creation Privée, designers and artisans work closely with the owner throughout the manufacturing process, interacting regularly on the most minute design details and offering progress updates via webcam. New techniques were explored to bring this dream to reality: from extracting the oil from the leaves before masterfully wrapping them around the metal body of the fountain pen, to protecting them with a cellulose coating similar to the one used for the restoration of old paintings, and covering them with an emulsion of several lacquers. The Artisan Atelier designers have re-imagined a custom-designed banderol wrapped around the fountain pen. The instrument was crafted like a writing jewel using the finest materials and features a retractable Au 750 gold nib, a precious tourmaline in the cone, white gold fittings set with tourmaline stones and a Montblanc diamond on the cap top. The Montblanc diamond in this Creation Privée is unique, and takes its unusual shape from the brand emblem created over 100 years ago as a symbol of the highest standard of craftsmanship inspired by Europe’s highest mountain. With this creation, the Mont Blanc massif, with its six snow-white glaciers, has now been captured in diamond, crowning a one of a kind writing instrument.     Because this precious writing instrument is best stored under constant climate conditions due to its organic nature, a special humidor-style presentation box was crafted from the finest wood with a glass viewing panel so the fountain pen can be admired without having to open the box. The writing instrument is safely stored inside a dedicated compartment alongside the owner’s collection of rare cigars, and an assortment of handcrafted accessories designed to accompany the cigar-shaped writing instrument including a traditional cigar holder, a tobacco leaf lighter and an ashtray. Montblanc Creation Privée focuses as much on the process as it does on the finished product. Because being able to watch one’s own vision transformed into an outstanding writing instrument is very fascinating indeed, future owners of exclusive personal edition writing instruments crafter by Montblanc are invited to follow selected fascinating steps of the creative process via webcam witnessing in real-time the most experienced artisans, jewellers, diamond setters, engravers and nib finishers devoting all their passion and skill to creating a true masterpiece.      Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100     Montblanc pays tribute to the legendary Minerva chronographs with a brand new 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100, combining the reference in chronographs with the innovations of the present. This exquisite timepiece pays tribute to the heritage of its manufacture in Villeret, founded under the name Minerva and acquired in 2007 by Montblanc. The prestigious Minerva manufacture was the reference in the field of chronographs and stopwatches during the 1920s and ‘30s. These legendary timekeepers were able to measure fractions of a second with the utmost precision — a feat of horological manufacturing for the time. Calibres such as the reference 13.20, launched in the 1920s, were among the very first to be conceived specifically for wristwatches, while the Calibre 19.14, unveiled in 1936, could measure the hundredth of a second. Montblanc’s split-second stopwatches also gained international recognition when they were used for timing the 1936 Winter Olympics, which reinforced the Maison’s reputation. Most watchmakers outsourced their watch components throughout those two decades, whereas Minerva mastered the majority of its fabrication in-house, including its balance wheels and springs…and the same remains true today. This year, Montblanc continues this passion for fine watchmaking by honoring Minerva’s emblematic chronographs of yesteryear with a new manufacture 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100. Inspired by a monopusher chronograph from the 1930s, this new limited edition of 100 pieces captures the innovative spirit of the decade by uniting a number of the original design features with one of Villeret’s most elegant manufacture, hand-wound chronographs— the Calibre MB M16.29 — featuring a column wheel and a horizontal disc clutch.     On the historical side, a fluted crown with a coaxial push-piece is reminiscent of the early crowns that were designed for easy grasp, while the elegant dial, with its large white luminescent Arabic numerals and a railway track, is also typical of the period. The small seconds at nine o’clock, the chronograph 30-minutes counter at three o’clock, the retro Montblanc logo, used from the beginning of the 21st century, and the large “cathedral” hands, with their cloisonné design filled with white Super-LumiNova®, all stay faithful to the original design. Montblanc’s 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100 celebrates both traditional Swiss artisanal watchmaking and the rich heritage of Montblanc’s Villeret Manufacture, but offers a contemporary twist to the past with a large 44 mm stainless steel case with slightly enlarged lugs, to keep the proportions of the case the same. The addition of a deep blue dial with a tachymetric scale for measuring speeds over distance, along with a matching blue alligator strap, also contribute to reinforcing the vintage look of this historical timepiece. Under the dial, Montblanc has equipped the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100 with its monopusher chronograph with column wheel and horizontal disc clutch that fills the whole 44 mm case. This movement shares the same architecture as its predecessor — the Minerva pocket watch Calibre 17.29 from 1929 — although it has been re-designed extensively with hand-finishings, including Côtes de Genève motifs, extensive bevelling, angling and snailing, all respecting the finest codes of Haute Horlogerie. Looking through the caseback, it is possible to see the iconic engraved “V” chronograph bridge, which has been a feature of Minerva chronographs since 1912, as well as the Minerva arrow-shaped chronograph hammer that can be found in almost all the modern Montblanc/Minerva movements. Other features include a large screw-regulated balance wheel and a swan-neck regulator. The calibre is comprised of 252 components and beats at a frequency of 2.5 Hertz with a power reserve of 50 hours.   Montblanc timepieces, writing instruments and other products are available at the Montblanc boutique at Level 2, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. For more information or to find out how you can have your own Montblanc Creation Privée, head over to www.montblanc.com   Image credits: Montblanc Malaysia Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/05/27/omega-sunglasses-for-summer-2020/

OMEGA Sunglasses for Summer 2020

[Luxury Eyewear]   As the golden days of summer 2020 beckon after the events of the past few months, being out in the sun (in temperate countries) will likely garner a whole new appreciation. OMEGA has raised the style game with a unique collection of eyewear for the season, with designs that borrow from the brand’s iconic universe, while also projecting an image of contemporary cool. The first bright idea has been to pair a retro feminine look with features from OMEGA’s watchmaking past – as seen in the women’s square style. Like the warm goodbye of a setting sun, the metallic frames shine in pink gold, and deliver classically fluted rims as well as the famous Seamaster wave pattern on the temple tips. It’s a design that certainly echoes the film-star years of the French Riviera, while still remaining up-to-date with touches of modern luxury. Sticking with timeless sophistication, OMEGA has also given the popular men’s pilot style its own sharp twist. Whether you’re driving with the top down, or commanding a deck chair by the pool, the pale gold design has a true jet-setter spirit, thanks to the Italian-made construction, Dark Havana inserts, and the typically Swiss addition of OMEGA’s watch crown logo on the temple tips. Finally, the vintage inspiration is complete with a round unisex style featuring smoky lenses and an innovative blend of acetate and metal in shiny palladium and black. Although that may appear to be rather futuristic, there’s no mistaking the flashback design with blinkers and a double bridge, perfect for wearing on the hottest days of summer.     For more info, head over to https://www.omegawatches.com/accessories/sunglasses/ Photo Credits: OMEGA . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2017/02/02/valentines-day-2017-menu-at-babe-japas-fun-dining/

Valentine’s Day 2017 Menu at BABE – Japas Fun Dining

[Valentine’s Day]   I’ve been very blessed throughout the years to have had the opportunity to dine at dinners prepared by Michelin starred chefs in the past and those dinners were so awesome that they remain in my mind to this day (even though I’ve done hundreds of reviews throughout the years). However nothing quite prepared me for the Valentine’s Day dinner menu at BABE – Japas Fun Dining which is located in Work@Clearwater in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. BABE – Japas Fun Dining has a most remarkable and impressive 10 course menu for the upcoming Valentine’s Day this year and Wei Leng and I headed over recently to try it out. BABE at Work@Clearwater which is helmed by Michelin starred Chef Jeff Ramsey, has been around for over a year and has created waves in the upmarket F&B scene in Kuala Lumpur with its quirky and convivial dishes that you would have probably seen many girls posting about on Instagram. Looking at their Instagram tag, the restaurant is a very popular place among couples celebrating occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, and also among groups of friends celebrating birthdays.   The lounge area Indoor dining area (I got there quite early around 6pm hence it was still pretty bright) The “balcony” dining area which is air-conditioned and has a lovely view of the KL skyline On a clear day the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower are visible and you can even see Genting’s lights later at night if it’s very clear. When night falls the view becomes more romantic   Valentine’s Day 2017 Menu at BABE Priced at RM999++ per couple Includes 1 glass of Sparkling Rose for Ladies & 1 glass of Sparkling Wine for Gentlemen Some bubbly to get the juices flowing Caprese Salad Explosion Mozzarella Cheese Spheres and Japanese Amela Fruit Tomato with Basil  You absolutely must get the cheese sphere entirely in your mouth and make sure your mouth is shut tight before you bite into it or risk this one bursting out of your mouth and all over your date table thereby showing what an uncultured person you are! That aside, the sphere was a truly wonderful little explosion of flavours in your mouth – a little party in fact especially for a cheese lover like myself.   O-Toro Tartare and Wasabi Shio Koji Chopped Bluefin Tuna Belly in Crispy Shell O-toro is pretty much the most expensive part of the tuna and this one was presented on a crispy little “boat” and made to be eaten with your hands. The o-toro was simply gorgeous, while the wasabi shio koji added another dimension – the slight spicyness of wasabi with umami. Together…this was one dish I couldn’t stop eating and I sincerely wished for more but had to remind myself that this was a 10 course dinner. OK on to the next course…   Mini Crispy Uni Tacos  Nori Tempura Taco Shell, Sushi Rice and Dashi Soy Gelee The ingredients just keep getting more premium and this course took it up another notch with the introduction of “uni” or sea urchin which was gloriously rich . Served on a bed of rice which in turn was wrapped in a seaweed taco shell (testament to Chef Ramseys upbringing in the States no doubt) which provided a mixture of flavours and textures in the mouth. I’m generally not a big fan of uni, but after tasting this dish I definitely am now! Part of the “fun dining” and not fine dining concept at BABE is to have dishes that evoke the senses and make for an interesting discussion between diners as to the flavours and textures.    1000 Year Old Cedar Smoked Young Yellowtail This one is great for an Insta video post – the smoke from the tiny smouldering piece of 1,000 year old cedar rises out of the “dim sum” basket revealing two (2) picture perfect pieces of yellowtail sushi inside. Full marks for presentation! You can actually taste the smoky flavours from the cedar while you partake of the delicate yellowtail sushi.   Seared Wagyu Beef with Sansho Tsukudani (left) Fret not if you (or your date) don’t eat beef. Just inform the restaurant beforehand and they will give you a (non-beef) replacement that is just as delicious! Seared Wagyu Beef with Sansho Tsukudani Next was a half seared and half raw wagyu beef sushi for me and a non-beef substitute for Wei Leng who doesn’t eat beef. Oh my – the wagyu sushi with the tiny dollops of simmered Japanese pepper in soy sauce was simply amazing.   Black Truffle and Alaskan King Crab Chawanmushi  Ankake Sauce with Perigord Truffles and Ginger This one has to be the king of all chawanmushis! The generous pieces of king crab combined with the luxurious black truffle paired with a slight zing from the ginger made this a dish of multiple dimensions indeed! Savour it with your eyes closed and taste the various elements that come together to make this one incredibly extravagant chawanmushi!    Grilled Hiroshima Oyster Yuzu Kosho Tama Miso Most of the baked oysters I’ve had are usually smothered in cheese and we were pretty surprised by the yellow sauce atop these oysters until we double checked the menu and saw the word “tama” which means “egg” in Japanese. The egg was combined with yuzu kosho and miso making a rich savoury sauce with hints of citrus. I can’t eat normal baked oysters (granted that these oysters were grilled and not baked) with cheese any more without thinking of this awesome version. Creamy, rich, briny, umami all in one bite – simply marvellous!    Marble Grade 9+ Wagyu Steak with Kurozato Jus Crispy Kale and Lily Buds This was the dish that I was waiting for and it totally blew me away! Now I’ve eating wagyu with grade 10 marbling before but it definitely couldn’t compare to this. The most incredible steak I’ve ever eaten, drizzled with a delectable Japanese black sugar sauce which I actually ate more with the mashed potatoes and everything else (besides the wagyu) on the plate as I love my beef as is…without sauce which is the way to really taste the meat. The meat was tender and flavourful, and I savoured every single bite, secretly wishing there was more. (A fish dish is available to replace this main if you don’t eat beef but do inform the restaurant beforehand when you make your booking.)    Rose Nitro Puffs Take my breath away Nitro Puffs is the signature dessert at BABE and you can see many posts of them on social media. Given a little modification with the inclusion of rose for the Valentine’s Day menu, make sure you get your camera ready to capture the stunning effect when your partner exhales after biting into one of the puffs.     First Love  Everyone knows that your first love is sweet and sour Cherry Chocolate, Almond Crumble, Genmaicha Ice Cream, Genmaicha Meringue, Mochi Panna Cotta,  Rose Orange Blossom Sauce   Petit Fours Happy Ending I have never seen such a pretty petit fours before!    The edible terrariums had us marvelling over them for a good minute!   Price: RM999++ per couple Optional add ons: Sake Flight of three (3) glasses priced at RM160++ Wine Flight of three (3) glasses priced at RM130++ (Sparkling, White, Red) Wine Flight of four (4) glass priced at RM170++ (Sparkling, White, Red, Sweet)     My partner in crime with Chef Jeff Ramsey A little on the background of Chef Jeff Ramsey – he earned his first Michelin star at the age of 32 during his tenure as head of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo’s Tapas Molecular Bar. Chef Ramsey was trained under Masayoshi Kazato, the official Sushi Ambassador of Japan and chef José Andrés, protégé of the legendary Catalonian chef Ferran Adrià of elBullí. Now 41 years of age, he still makes all the girls swoon with his charming boyish and part American/ Japanese looks (look at Wei Leng’s blushing and shy face ha ha ha!).    The dinner was truly exquisite and incredibly memorable. The stand out dish for me was the wagyu steak which so totally blew my mind while Wei Leng really liked the chawanmushi. To be entirely honest, I actually liked pretty much every single savoury dish (I’m not much of a dessert person but I thought the dessert was pretty good while the petit fours had really amazing presentation) in the 10 course Valentine’s Day menu. I almost entirely certain that bringing your date for Valentine’s Day dinner at BABE will score you lots of brownie points with your partner as she’ll have the chance to upload post after post on social media. While I believe that celebrating Valentine’s Day is primarily about creating special memories shared by you and your partner, a fringe benefit of bringing your partner to a truly remarkable and tantalising Valentine’s Day dinner like this one at BABE will allow her to “show off” what a great boyfriend you are and I’m sure you’ll get a nice “reward” after dinner. So go one, if you think your babe is worth it, bring her to BABE! The Valentine’s Day menu is available from 10 to 14 February 2017 only.    BABE – Japas Fun Dining is located at: 11th Floor, Work@Clearwater, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: +603.2095 8599 Email: hello@babe.com.my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babejapas/ Website: http://babe.com.my/ Operation Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 7pm & 8.30pm seatings (CLOSED on Mondays)   Thanks for having us BABE!   Panasonic Lumix G85K Photos shot with the Panasonic Lumix G85K For more info, head over to http://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-g-mirrorless-dslm-cameras/dmc-g85k.html Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/11/19/leica-c-launch-with-malaysias-hottest-bloggers/

Leica C Launch with Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers

[Special Event] Mention that you have a Leica and photography enthusiasts would instantly be awed as the brand carries a long heritage of over 162 years in quality German engineering, and hand-crafts the world’s finest cameras, the world’s most brilliant lenses, and sport optic tools. Leica Camera has been in the frontline of photography and photojournalism with many renowned international photographers using a Leica for indoor or outdoor photography. In fact many of those stunning photographs that grace magazines such as National Geographic or high-end fashion magazines were probably shot using a Leica. This time round Leica makes a departure from it’s usual range of high-performance cameras with the compact and affordable but by no means any less capable Leica C. The Leica C is a high-performance compact camera weighing in at only 192 grams but equipped with a whole host of advanced features including Wi-Fi connectivity with smartphones. Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers were very honoured to be invited for an exclusive afternoon with Leica and Elaine Daly at the Leica boutique in Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. . The girls getting their makeup done. Spot Andy Kho shooting with the Leica C. The team from Diva Productions were on hand to do the makeup for the girls. Girls doing what they do best and the Leica C is great for just that – selfies! The Leica C comes with a built in Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication) module which allows it to pair and be controlled by a smartphone! After a quick welcome address by the Leica representatives, the photoshoot got underway with Andy Kho using a Leica S to shoot the girls individually. Model and actress and Miss Malaysia Universe 2003 Elaine Daly was on hand to mentor the girls imparting some of her knowledge on posing techniques for fashion photography. The girls’ outfits were provided by Missoni which has a boutique in Starhill Gallery MHB’s Careen Tan was very comfortable in front of the camera and impressed Elaine with her poses. MHB’s Bell Wong reaching for the sky! It was certainly a very exclusive experience for the girls to be shot by Andy Kho using such a professional camera while being guided by Elaine who will also be mentoring the finalists in the upcoming Miss Universe Malaysia pageant. MHB’s Esther Ng, Bell Wong, Careen Tan, Stephanie Lim and Karen Kho with Elaine Daly. A closer shot with the Leica S. This photo was not edited and you can see the quality of the image even though it’s been resized. After the photoshoot, we proceeded upstairs to the Starhill Culinary Studio for high tea and a little photo workshop led by Andy Kho to demonstrate the capabilities of the Leica while allowing the girls to get some hands on experience with the new camera. Andy taught the girls a couple of simple techniques such as playing with different angles, depth of field, and the two-thirds rule. With its maximum aperture of F2.0, the Leica C didn’t even need any additional light to capture beautiful photos of the food. Easy enough for amateurs to use, yet powerful enough to satisfy more advanced photographers. . As I didn’t have a cam to shoot the food, I basically assisted the girls but here are some photos that I shot with the Leica C when Andy and I first got the cam to play with try out. . A view of the lake at the Saujana Club and Hotel. It was almost night but the camera’s large aperture managed to capture the remaining light. Likewise with this photo, in reality it was already very dark. It was a real joy to shoot food with the Leica C! Look at the brilliant colours! No additional lighting except what was already in the restaurant yet it looks like there was additional lighting to assist with this pic. Portraits are awesome and the Leica C accurately captures the subject’s skin tone. . The Leica C is the first model of a new line of Leica digital compact cameras and features a high-performance Leica DC Vario-Summicron 6–42.8 mm f/2–5.9 ASPH. zoom lens with a range equivalent to 28 to 200 mm in 35 mm format, and an exceptionally large 1/1.7″ MOS sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels. Equipped with fast autofocus and a continuous-shooting mode with up to ten frames per second, it captures even the tiniest details and is ideal for all types of photography from portraits to wide-coverage shots and capturing the beauty of landscapes. What this means is that the Leica C virtually guarantees outstanding imaging performance and crystal-clear photos with brilliant, natural colours, clarity and contrast even in unfavourable lighting conditions. The Leica C is the first Leica compact camera to feature an integrated Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication) module for the wireless transmission of image data to smartphones and tablet PCs via the Leica C Image Shuttle app available for free on either iOS or Android platforms. The WLAN and the app even enables users to remote control the Leica C from a smartphone or tablet PC – very handy for remote-release photography and shooting with the self-timer or simply to amaze your friends! The camera’s full-HD video function allows you to capture high quality video while the 3″ camera monitor offers a large enough view to see what you’re shooting. Videos and still pictures can both be creatively processed either in the camera or with the Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® professional imaging software that comes bundled with the camera. . Audi Design are responsible for the compact yet elegant looks of this camera, and they were also responsible for the development of the unique range of camera accessories. The Leica C is available in two finishes, light gold and dark red. The camera’s integrated viewfinder (in the upper left hand side) is a useful aid for composition and assessment of scenes especially in brightly lit situations. The freely programmable ring on the lens is very useful and convenient indeed! The mode dial on the top provides fast and easy switching between modes! To complement the Leica C’s is a range of five (5) specially designed, perfectly finished, premium matching accessories. Each of these bags and cases is a unique and fashionable accessory – for example, the Leica C-Clutch (pictured here) is an elegant clutch handbag with carrying strap, available in light gold or dark red Alcantara with a sandblasted metal closer, and offers two separate compartments with ample space for the camera and other personal belongings. . Technical data of the LEICA C (as of August 2013) Camera type: Leica C (type 112) Sensor: 1/1.7″ MOS sensor with12.8 MP (effective 12.1 MP) Minimum light level: ~ 6 lux With model nos. 18 484/-487/-488/-491: (assuming use of i-low light and a shutter speed of 1/25 s) With model nos. 18 485/-486/-489/-490: (assuming use of i-low light and a shutter speed of 1/30 s) Lens: Leica DC Vario-Summicron 6–42.8 mm f/2–5.9 ASPH. (equivalent to 28–200 mm in 35 mm format) Focusing ranges: P/A/S/M: 50 cm (wide-angle) / 80 cm (telephoto) – infinity Macro/snapshot/video: 3 cm (wide-angle) / 80 cm (telephoto) –infinity Scene modes: May differ from the details stated above Digital zoom: max. 4× Image stabilising system: Optical Shutter system: Electronic and mechanical Shutter speed range: 250 to 1/4000 s [Starry Sky] mode: 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds Exposure modes: Programme (P), aperture priority (A), shutter priority (S), manual (M) Exposure compensation: (Increments: 1/3 EV steps, range: ±2 EV) Exposure metering modes: Multi-segment, centre-weighted, spot Flash modes: Built-in – AUTO, AUTO with red-eye reduction, slow sync with red-eye reduction, ON, OFF Effective flash distance: (with AUTO ISO ): ~ 0.6–7 m (at maximum wide-angle setting), ~ 0.8–2.3 m (at maximum telephoto setting) Monitor: 3.0″ TFT LCD, ~ 921,600 dots, aspect ratio 3:2, shows ~ 100% of the image field Viewfinder: Colour LCD viewfinder (~ 200,000 dots.) with dioptre compensation of +/–4 dioptres Microphone/speaker: Stereo/mono File storage (still/video): Internal memory (~ 87 MB), SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards Image formats Still pictures: RAW / JPEG (based on Exif 2.3 standard), DPOF-compatible, MPO Videos (with audio): AVCHD with Dolby® Digital (2-channel)/ MP4 with AAC (2-channel) Operating temperature/ humidity range: 0–40°C / 10–80% Interfaces: Digital: USB 2.0 (high speed) With model nos. 18 484/-488: The USB cable cannot be used to transfer data to the camera from a computer or other devices. Analogue video/audio: NTSC/PAL composite with model nos. 18 484/-487/-488/-491 (menu setting option), NTSC composite with model nos. 18 485/-486/-489/-490, audio line-out socket (mono) Connections: HDMI: for micro-HDMI cable (type D) AV OUT/DIGITAL: special socket (8-pin) Wi-Fi Compliance standard: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (Standard WLAN Protocol) Frequency band: 2,412–2,462 MHz (1–11 channels) Encryption: Wi-Fi-compatible WPA™ / WPA2™ Access: Infrastructure mode NFC Compliance standard: ISO / IEC 18092 NFC-F (passive mode) Dimensions (W × H × D; lens retracted): approx. 103 × 63 × 28 mm Weight (with/without memory card and battery): approx. 195 g / 173 g Battery (lithium-ion): BP-DC14 E/U Voltage / capacity: 3.7 V / 950 mAh Battery charger / mains power unit: ACA-DC11-A/B/C/E/U/K Input: 110–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 0.2 A Output: 5 V DC, 800 mA . The Leica C is available at a RRP of RM2,475.00 at authorised Leica dealers starting in October 2013. The Leica C-Pouch and C-Snap accessories will be available from December. Leica outlets in Malaysia: Leica Store @ Avenue K | info@leica-store-malaysia.com | +603 2163 1818 Leica @ Starhill Gallery | info@leica-starhill.com | +603 2142 9633 Leica Boutique @ Suria Sabah | +6088 487 807 . For more info head over to http://uk.leica-camera.com/home/ and follow Leica on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LeicaCamera More photos at https://www.facebook.com/myhotbloggers . Photo credits: Calven Lim, Andy Kho and author’s own . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/06/20/hm-for-every-victory-sports-collection/

H&M For Every Victory Sports Collection

[Fashion] While H&M is widely known for their collaborations with designers, resulting in affordable designer wear for many, the brand also has a wide range of sportwear which retail at affordable prices. Taking a step further, H&M launches their “For Every Victory” collection which is a line of high-fashion performance sportswear made to inspire and celebrate the power of personal victories. The collection has been developed in collaboration with the Swedish Olympic team, and the campaign is fronted by inspirational personalities who have all achieved their own victories, whether in sport or through life experiences.  “This is a collection about performance with great style and the input of the Swedish Olympic team has been invaluable in the creation process. The result is high fashion technical sports pieces for everyone to wear,” says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, Design and Creative Director at H&M. The collection combines high-fashion styles with the help of technical expert knowledge, focusing on core sports and training pieces that have all been tested by the Swedish Olympic team. The athletes advised on design, performance and wearability. H&M also designed outfits for the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic team for Rio 2016, including the opening ceremony uniform, selected competition pieces and the prize ceremony outfits. The For Every Victory collection has a similar aesthetic to the Swedish Olympic team collection, with its own colour palette in black, grey, dusty pink and gold. It is centred on performance T-shirts, running shorts and leggings, as well as sports bras for women. The technical benefits include quick-drying, breathable materials that help to optimise performance, while recycled polyesters prove that high-function sportswear can also be conscious and more sustainable. The collection was made as not to compromise on either fashion or performance. The For Every Victory campaign celebrates the power of sport and self-belief to transform people’s lives. Among many, the campaign features Caitlyn Jenner with her Olympic gold medal in the decathlon, who dared to stand up for her true identity; Chelsea Werner, a gymnast who has never let Down Syndrome halt her progress; surfer Mike Coots who still takes to his board even though he lost his leg in a shark attack and boxer Namibia Flores who has fought against prejudice to pursue her dreams. The collection will launch together with the campaign in stores and online at hm.com on 21 July 2016. And since we’re on the subject of sports, here’s a commercial David Beckham shot for H&M bodywear back in 2013. I’m sure you ladies will enjoy this while guys (including myself) will be most envious!   More info at http://www.hm.com/ . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/11/08/gift-ideas-for-her-loewe-christmas-2015/

Gift Ideas for Her: Loewe Christmas 2015

[Fashion] Animal Shaped Bags   Bags   Accessories   The Loewe boutique in Malaysia is located at: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Lot. 2.35.01, Level 2, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, No. 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: +603-2141 0262   More info at http://www.loewe.com/   Images courtesy of FJ Benjamin (Malaysia). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/07/28/upcoming-events-tchaikovskys-swan-lake-by-ballet-west-uk-live-in-malaysia-and-shucked-oyster-festival-2018/

Upcoming Events – Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by Ballet West UK Live in Genting, Malaysia and Shucked Oyster Festival 2018

[Upcoming Events] Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by Ballet West UK Live in Genting, Malaysia Fans of ballet, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by Ballet West UK which will be showcased to Malaysian audiences for the very first time in Asia! A widespread and highly technical form of dance, ballet is believed to have originated during the Italian Renaissance and made popular by the King Louis XIV’s court throughout history. Ballet is an artistic dance form performed to music, using precise and highly formalized set steps and gestures. Classical ballet, which originated in Renaissance Italy and established its present form during the 19th century, is characterized by light, graceful movements and the use of pointe shoes with reinforced toes. Today, the dance form has evolved into a globally influential force and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other dance genres and cultures. It is precisely this reason why it is so beloved by audiences all over the world and why ballerinas earn respect and awe for their dedication to the prestigious art form. In 1875, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed Swan Lake, a masterpiece that would be synonymous with his name alongside The Nutcracker. Featuring some of the most beloved pieces in the classical canon, Swan Lake is a spellbinding riveting tale of love, magic and tragedy, chronicling the tale of how Prince Siegfried fell in love with the beautiful Odette while he was hunting by a lake during his birthday. Unfortunately, Odette’s curse by the evil sorcerer Van Rothbart stood in the way of their growing love. In 1877, the first Swan Lake ballet premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and it has continued to win the hearts of its audience all over the world for over two centuries. The secret to Swan Lake’s popularity is not just in Tchaikovsky’s genius—it is also attributed to the beauty of ballet as an art form to effectively bring the compelling story of Odette and Prince Siegfried to life. SWAN LAKE BY BALLET WEST UK – ASIA PREMIERE For the first time in Malaysia as well as being an Asian premiere, a professional full-UK ballet cast is bringing Tchaikovsky’s iconic and mesmerizing Swan Lake to life in a full-length performance at the Genting International Showroom at Resorts World Genting. With six spectacular shows set to be staged from 24 to 26 August 2018, and from 31 August to 2 September 2018, Malaysian audiences will get to witness the graceful moves and pirouettes executed by the masterful dancers from Ballet West UK, as led by soloists Jonathan Barton, Natasha Wilson and Uyu Hiromoto. A pioneer in the world of dance, Ballet West UK has been responsible for building numerous success stories in the ballet world for over 28 years. They have a track record of sold out performances in more than 40 cities in UK, Europe and China, including Swan Lake in Scotland, Romeo & Juliet in China and Nutcracker in China. Behind this production is a team of dedicated, passionate and talented team of 40 people with top ballet master Daniel Jobs; one of the few ballet masters left in the world who has worked with legends like George Balanchine, Margot Fonteyn and John Cranko , and the creame de la creame of the ballet world to come together to produce this show in a span of 6 months. The dancers of Swan Lake by Ballet West UK go through a series of auditions whereby they were tested in the areas of versatility, strong technique, creative improvisation skills and powerful-presence. “We want to see how the dancers use their movement vocabulary to move and express in the respective roles. Out of 113 that auditioned, we’ve selected 11, to join our existing company, for Malaysia.”, said Daniel Job. Aside from observing a strict diet, the dancers are required to adhere to vigorous training programs to prepare them both physically and mentally for each of the role they played; and that would means back to back daily full rehearsals throughout training periods that could lasted up to five months. The other most important elements in a ballet production are the very fine details to costumes. Showcasing only the very best for this production, the costumes in Swan Lake by Ballet West UK are all individually hand sewn pieces. The very best fabrics from Scotland and the US were specially flown to the UK where they were individually hand sewn by the wardrobe mistress; with each tutu costing up to 2000 pounds and will require up to 90 hours to make using around 100 meters of material. A ballerina’s pointe shoes are yet another important aspect to the production’s costume. As dancers have different type of feet and toe length, arch flexibility and strength, all pointe shoes in this production were customized and handmade in the UK. The shoes are wrapped in beautiful satin and each shoe has a life-span of about 12-15 hours each. The entire Swan Lake Production in Malaysia may go through around 500 pair of shoes. “Danced in Swan Lake many times, including with the English National Ballet. However being in the Swan Lake by Ballet West UK production is very emotional. Its beautifully choreographed by Daniel Job; a legend, amongst the Scottish Highlands. There are beautiful lochs (lakes in Scottish) surrounding where we rehearse… the character feels real & comes alive. It feels like home. And for us to bring this production to Malaysia, we are truly honoured.” – Natasha Watson; lead cast in Swan Lake by Ballet West UK Choreographer extraordinaire Daniel Job who also serves as artistic adviser and ballet master for this production, has won awards like the Maya Plisetskaya Competition Russia and his amazing body of work can be found with George Balanchine, Dame Margot Fonteyn, American Ballet Theatre, Geneva Opera, Deutche Opera Berlin, Les Ballets de Marseille and the Royal Danish Ballet. Rounding up the all-star cast are talents from The Dance Company & Ballet West International Touring Company like ballet master Jonathan Barton and Natasha Watson. The former is a Genee medalist coach while the latter is an actress, a budding choreographer, a Genee medallist and the only British dancer to compete at the Prix de Lausanne in 2015. They will be joined by Uyu Hiromoto, principal dancer, medalist at the South Africa International Ballet Competition, BBC Young Dancer Finalist, Genee Finalist and recipient of the prestigious Solo Seal Award The 150 minutes show (including intermission) will be an incredible showcase of the beauty and grace of ballet accompanied by beloved pieces of musical work. Tickets start from RM388 and are available for purchase at http://www.rwgenting.com In addition to the show, there will also be an exclusive Ballet West International Masterclass, conducted by Fenton—a versatile dancer of many disciplines that range from contemporary, ballet and jazz. Fenton, together with ballet mistress and professor of applied gymnastics for ballet – Sonia Fajardo, will be at hand to tutor aspiring ballerinas longing to turn this art into a lifelong vocation—with helpful tips and techniques. Priced at RM585 per masterclass, the masterclasses are available on 22 August, 23 August, 24 August and 30th August at the Arena of Stars, Genting. Shucked Oyster Festival 2018 Earlier this year, my partner in crime and I attended the Shucked Oyster Festival at Southern Rock Seafood in Bangsar (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2018/05/08/events-may-2018/) which featured the semi-finals of the Malaysian Oyster Shucking Championships. We had a really good time indulging in lots of oysters and seafood, along with wine and Guinness draught. Hence I was pretty excited to attend the media preview of the upcoming (grand) SHUCKED Oyster Festival which will be happening on Sunday, 2 September 2018. The festival is a family-friendly affair, with a wide range of seafood and other premium foods, a well-stocked bar and several bands as well as the finals of the Malaysian Oyster Shucking Championships. Stanley the Clown and a bouncy castle will keep the kids entertained, live jazz music will keep the adults entertained, while graffiti artist Iam May will complete her mega oyster doodle in real time. Some of the other F&B outlets along Jalan Kemuja will also be participating, adding to the carnival atmosphere! The festival will have on offer some of the world’s finest oysters and smoked salmon, fish & chips, seafood paella, and Southern Rock Seafood’s famous mussels laksa. The healthy omega-3 oils, iron and minerals in the seafood are some notable benefits, while fresh oysters start from RM6 a piece. Fizly Bin Norazlan – 2017 Malaysian National SHUCKING champion, will be defending his title against a strong field. Fizly represented Malaysia at the World Oyster Championships in Galway, Ireland and the Shuck Off China World Cup in Beijing, China during his championship year. Renowned Irish oyster grower, Edward Gallagher, will be on hand to judge the shucking (oyster opening) competition and proclaim the 2018 Malaysian National SHUCKING champion. The winner will take home RM1,000 and the chance to compete on the world stage in Ireland and China. The SHUCKED Oyster Festival is Southern Rock Seafood’s trademark event with the world’s best oysters and seafood in a friendly, bold and cheeky atmosphere. It also builds world-class expertise in the Malaysian food industry by selecting the Malaysian Shucker for the World Oyster Championships in Galway, Ireland and the Shuck Off China World Cup. Buy your tickets online at https://shop.southernrockseafood.com.my/products/Oyster-Festival/67 for a 35 percent discount on festival tickets – only RM35 each compared to RM55 on the door. Each ticket entitles you to a flight of three oysters and (1) Guinness or (1) glass of white wine to get the party started. Evonne and I are big fans of oysters paired with white wine! We got to try a few types of oysters including Creuses No.3 from Holland, Cloudy Bay from New Zealand, Tragheanna Bay from Ireland, Irish Premium (also from Ireland of course) and Gallagher Specials which are also from Ireland. Our favourite would have to be the Gallagher Specials which are grown by Edward Gallagher over four (4) yes FOUR years in wild and beautiful Donegal, where a pristine peaty stream flows into the tidal Tragheanna estuary. which gives the oysters a smooth, mellow and distinct flavour. The oysters are clean with open sea breeze on the nose, and are juicy and plump, bursting with umami flavour, with a sweet finish with hints of minerals. Goes wonderfully with Guinness draught or white wine. Can’t wait to have more during the festival! Event Details: Date: Sunday, 2 September 2018 Time: 12pm – 8pm Venue: The open air carpark in front of Southern Rock Seafood Kitchen, 32 Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. For more info, head over to http://www.southernrockseafood.com Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/09/01/volkswagen-beetle-club-launch/

Volkswagen Beetle Club Launch

[Automotive]   Headed over to the Volkswagen centre in Glenmarie on 18 August 2015 for the launch of the Beetle Club at an exclusive ‘Welcome to the Club’ party. If you saw my KL Fashion Week 2015 posts, you’d probably have seen a photo of the models with the limited edition Beetle Club which was on display for a little sneak peak to the public. The Beetle Club has stylish new looks with its 17″ Ravenna alloy wheels, text decal with ‘Club’ lettering and side sill with chrome strip. Inside the car is stylish orange stitching, ‘Club’ exclusive ‘Vienna’ leather sport seats and a steering wheel with ‘Club’ lettering.       The Beetle Club is fully imported from Mexico, and comes in Habanero Orange (only). The car is priced from RM152,888 and there are only 50 units in Malaysia. You can book a Beetle Club at selected Volkswagen authorised dealerships, but make sure you book it fast as its only available while stock lasts. “Since its arrival on Malaysian shores 60 years ago, the Volkswagen Beetle has preserved its reputation of being an iconic car. We seek to constantly excite our fans by bringing these limited editions to them,” said Mr. Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia. Also on display was the Jetta Club which was launched in May earlier this year. The Jetta Club features a multimedia head unit with navigation and window tint, and is available from RM122,888. For more information, head over to www.volkswagen.com.my   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2021/10/29/bmw-malaysia-introduces-the-first-ever-bmw-ix3-in-malaysia/

BMW Malaysia Introduces the First-Ever BMW iX3 in Malaysia.

[Automotive News] BMW Malaysia announced on 25 October 2021 the arrival of two unique variants of the BMW iX3 – a mid-sized all-electric sports activity vehicle, both of which are available for pre-booking at selected authorised BMW dealerships in Malaysia. “The arrival of the First-Ever BMW iX3 is made especially significant with these distinct variants that provide our loyal customers and fans of electric mobility in Malaysia the Power of Choice – without compromising on power, performance or safety. Alongside our upcoming fleet of new BMW i vehicles, the First-Ever BMW iX3 is set to spur a new generation of Electric Vehicle (EV) owners in Malaysia, as the all-electric SAV presents a wealth of possibilities with its all-rounded qualities in innovation and design language to make the Electric Premium Ownership Experience even more enjoyable.”Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia Available in the Inspiring and Impressive variants, both variants are equipped with the M Sport package as standard, providing an expressive and attention-grabbing exterior design. Powering the BMW iX3 is an efficient electric motor with an 80-kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a range of up to 461 kilometres (WLTP). The BMW iX3 supports DC fast charging at rates of up to 150 kW for 80% charge in 32 minutes, while AC charging at up to 11 kW is supported via a Type 2 connection for 100% in approximately seven and a half hours. The BMW iX3 in Peninsular Malaysia is priced at RM 335,800.00 for the Inspiring variant, and RM 354,800.00 for the Impressive variant – both of which include the BMW Service & Repair Inclusive: 5-Year Extended Warranty and 6-Year Service Package, as well as the Power Package which comes with the BMW i Wallbox and BMW Standard Charging Cable. Owners of the First-Ever BMW iX3 will also receive an 8-Year, 160,000 km battery warranty. Models and Variants of the First-Ever BMW iX3 will be available at these dealer locations nationwide: Auto Bavaria Auto Bavaria will offer a wide range of exterior colours for the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport in the Impressive variant, including M Carbon Black Metallic, Mineral White, Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect and Cashmere Silver – all complete with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching. Seong Hoe Premium Motors The Malacca-based dealership will offer the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White and Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect, both with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching. Quill Automobiles Quill Automobiles will offer the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching and Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching. Lee Motors The flagship dealership in Alor Setar will carry the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching Ingress Auto One of the four dealerships to make available the Inspiring variant, Ingress Auto will carry the First-Ever BMW iX3 Inspiring in Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching and the First-Ever BMW iX3 Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching. Wheelcorp Premium Wheelcorp Premium will make available the First-Ever BMW iX3 Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching as well as the First-Ever BMW iX3 Impressive will be made available in Cashmere Silver with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching. Millennium Welt Millennium Welt Seremban will also carry the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Inspiring, available in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue & Black Contrast Stitching, and M Carbon Black Metallic in Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching. Millennium Welt Batu Pahat will also make available the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Inspiring in Cashmere Silver with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching. Millennium Welt Kuantan will carry the Impressive variant with the Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect and M Carbon Black Metallic, both with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue and Black Contrast Stitching. Tian Siang Premium Auto Tian Siang Premium Auto Ipoh will make available the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue & Black Contrast Stitching, while Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth will carry the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive in M Carbon Black Metallic with Mocha with Black Décor Stitching. Regas Premium Group Regas Premium Sabah, Kota Kinabalu will carry the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive in Mineral White with Leather Vernasca in Black with Blue & Black Contrast Stitching, while the Impressive variant at Regas Premium Auto, Kuching will come with Leather Vernasca in Mocha with Black Décor Stitching. Dynamic Financial Programme With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Inspiring and the First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM 3,518.00 and RM 3,728.00 respectively (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure). The retail pricing (on the road, without insurance) for the First-Ever BMW iX3 are: ModelRecommended Retail Pricing*The First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport InspiringRM 317,360.00             with Extended Warranty & Service PackageRM 330,800.00             with Power PackageRM 322,360.00             with Extended Warranty & Service Package and Power PackageRM 335,800.00  The First-Ever BMW iX3 M Sport ImpressiveRM 336,360.00             with Extended Warranty & Service PackageRM 349,800.00             with Power PackageRM 341,360.00             with Extended Warranty & Service Package and Power PackageRM 354,800.00 * Prices stated are for Peninsular Malaysia For more info on the BMW iX3, visit https://www.bmw.com.my/en/all-models/x-series/iX3/2021/bmw-ix3-highlights.html Photo credits: BMW Malaysia . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/07/16/new-honda-hr-v-2018-now-opens-for-bookings-in-malaysia/

New Honda HR-V (2018) Now Opens For Bookings in Malaysia

[Automotive News]   Honda Malaysia announced on 12 July 2018 that the New Honda HR-V is available now for Malaysians to place a booking beginning 12 July 2018 at all 95 Honda authorised dealers nationwide. Honda Malaysia also announced a new RS variant for the HR-V. The Honda HR-V was a compact SUV that was first introduced in Malaysia back in 2015. Since its introduction, this Honda model has received overwhelming interest and response from customers. It retained its No. 1 position for three (3) consecutive years in the compact SUV segment and has sold more than 72,000 units in Malaysia as at June 2018. The HR-V is also Honda’s current second best-selling model, contributing 16% of overall sales as at June 2018. Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said, “On behalf of Honda Malaysia, I would like to thank Malaysians for their continuous trust and support towards Honda. We have received overwhelming bookings during the zero-rated GST period of June 2018. Due to the surge in bookings, waiting period for certain Honda models is between 3 to 4 months. Rest assured, Honda Malaysia is working hard to deliver the new vehicle to all the owners.” Mr. Ishiyama further added, “We believe that the New HR-V can attract customers who desire for a sportier appearance. The enhancement in terms of exterior, features and also safety has resulted this model to be a complete package for customers”. The New HR-V is powered by a 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC engine combined with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. The New HR-V has also has a new variant into its family – the RS variant which exudes a bold and powerful expression made possible by the overall exterior design. The RS variant appears sportier and more attractive with an exciting new exterior featuring Honda’s Signature design, the ‘Solid Wing Face’ concept and sporting a new set of headlights including the newly designed LED Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED fog lights and Rear Combi LED guide lights. Further enhancing its sportiness, the RS variant comes with a New Sporty 18-inch Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels, Sport Design Front Grille, New Front and Rear Bumper. New detailing such as a dark chrome outer handle, black chrome license garnish, sport black side sill and even mesh fog garnish add to the new aesthetics of the RS variant. Honda Malaysia has introduced a new colour for the New HR-V, the Passion Red Pearl, which is the first in Honda Malaysia’s colour line-up. The New HR-V maintains the Multi-Utility Cargo Space by keeping maximum space utilisation in mind. The large trunk space can be adjusted through versatile rear seat configuration modes known as the Utility Mode, Tall Mode and Long Mode. These modes allow the New HR-V users to obtain their desired space for their daily and long distance travel usage. To further enhance safety in New HR-V, the RS variant is fitted with the Honda LaneWatch, a camera system mounted on the passenger side mirror. The passenger side view of the adjacent lanes next to the vehicle including blind spots will be displayed on a display system in the car. This allows a better viewpoint and provides safer driving condition for the driver. The New HR-V comes with standard safety features such as Six Airbags, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Additionally, the New HR-V also offers Multi-Angle Rear-View Camera for the convenience of the driver. The New HR-V is targeted to be launched in Q3 of 2018. To appreciate Malaysian customers for their continuous support, Honda Malaysia will be rewarding all customers who place a booking for the New HR-V with a Petronas Gift Card worth RM1,000*. Customers can visit any of Honda’s 95 authorised dealers to place a booking for the New HR-V from 12 July 2018 onwards. For more information, call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or head over to www.honda.com.my *Customers need to register their New HR-V no later than 31st October 2018 to be entitled for Petronas Gift Card. Terms and conditions apply. Photo credit: Honda Malaysia . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/06/27/naza-italia-showroom-relaunch/

Naza Italia Showroom Relaunch

[Automotive]   Veron and I headed over to the newly refurbished Naza Italia showroom which is located along Jalan 221 in Petaling Jaya on 15 June 2015 for their relaunch party. Now earlier that morning, there was the official media/ press launch which I didn’t attend (but I’ve included coverage of that and the photos of the interior of the showroom in the second half of this post). Now I’ve actually been to the Naza Italia showroom (before the refurbishment) a few times since it was launched, mostly for Ferrari or Maserati car launches but there was a very memorable Ferrari dinner in conjunction with the Ferrari Formula One team’s visit to Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian F1 GP in SIC, where then Ferrari F1 driver Felipe Massa made a surprise (well to the guests that is) appearance at the dinner much to the amazement and delight of us guests! However one must always constantly grow and upgrade one’s self, and with that Naza Italia decided to refit the old showroom to conform to the new global corporate identities of both Ferrari and Maserati.   We decided to take some pics with the gorgeous Ferraris and Maseratis parked outside before entering the showroom Some pics during the cocktail before the showroom was officially launched Once inside the newly renovated showroom, we were ushered upstairs for dinner. Popular TV personality and model Julie Woon was the MC for the evening. We were treated to a speed painting display accompanied by a violin performance while we enjoyed the delicious food and drinks   Earlier in the day there was the official media launch. Mr. Dieter Knechtel, Managing Director of Ferrari Far East, Datuk Wira Hj. SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NAZA World Group of Companies, Mr David Hector Ratnaike, Senior Vice President 2 of 4-Wheels Division of NAZA World Group of Companies, and Mr. Fabrizio Cazzoli, Regional Director of Maserati Asia (left to right)   NAZA Italia, the sole authorised importer and distributor for Ferrari and Maserati in Malaysia, relaunched its newly refurbished Ferrari and Maserati flagship centre cum showroom to the public on 15 June 2015. This refurbishment ensures that the showroom is now in line with the new global corporate identities of both Ferrari and Maserati. Present at the event were Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NAZA World Group of Companies, Datuk Wira Hj. SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Managing Director of Ferrari Far East, Mr. Dieter Knechtel, Regional Director of Maserati Asia, Mr. Fabrizio Cazzoli, Senior Vice President 2 of 4-Wheels Division of NAZA World Group of Companies, Mr David Hector Ratnaike and Vice President 1 of NAZA Italia Sdn Bhd Mr Wan Ahmad.       The newly refurbished centre is highly visible from the Federal Highway and is located next to the large NAZA Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya. The centre is one of the largest of its kind outside of Italy, and is a one stop luxury lifestyle experience which includea point of sales, high quality merchandising and after-sales. Datuk Wira Hj. SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO, NAZA World Group of Companies said “As we commemorate NAZA’s 40th anniversary this year, we reflect on the NAZA World Group’s remarkable journey and rich history thus far. I have a deep sense of pride when I consider its steady growth from a modest used car dealership to a highly recognised national conglomerate that represents many of the top marques in the automotive world – an achievement that was made possible by our devoted team; the driving force behind the scenes.” “With growth comes change. In celebration of such growth and to share our gratitude with our customers, we are reinvesting in the Group and rewarding our customers – starting with the refurbishing of the NAZA Italia showroom, a place that allows freedom of expression and the realisation of dreams, that echoes all that the exclusive Ferrari and Maserati brands stand for,” he added. Datuk Wira Hj. SM Faisal and his team at NAZA Italia were guided by the principal teams at Ferrari and Maserati, and redesigned the existing showroom to best reflect the signature touches of both marques. The centre has been NAZA Italia’s testament to the company which was appointed as the sole importer and distributor for Ferrari back in March 2008 as well as for Maserati in February 2009.     The new centre features a spacious, well-appointed and equipped showroom with dedicated sales areas, a comfortable and luxurious lounge area, a merchandise area, a configuration area and delivery bays which will provide the best luxurious experience to be had for both marques. The atelier (workshop) and state-of-the-art 4 ‘S’ (sales, service, systems and spare parts) centre makes up part of the complex while there’s even a dedicated fully equipped business centre and boardroom facility, which Ferrari and Maserati owners can utilise. Both the lounges have various books which provide owners and fans an insight into the rich history and heritage of both these iconic Italian brands, while plush and comfortable sofas make for a relaxing wait for owners while their cars are being serviced. NAZA Italia has brought in some of the latest models of each marque, including the Ferrari 458, the FF, the California T, the F12berlinetta, and the new Ferrari 488 GTB, as well as Maserati’s Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Ghibli models. NAZA Italia will continue to bring in more new models from both the Ferrari and Maserati stables in years to come, and newer models become available.     Ferrari and Maserati buyers get to select the ride of their choice in complete comfort and luxury, while the availability of a designated atelier presents them with an opportunity to further customize their car through the Personalization Program. The program offers owners of the two makes different variations to choose from, from designating the exterior colour to the type of internal trim and even selecting the choice of electronic gadgetry in the car – a chance for buyers to express their own unique individuality. NAZA Italia will also be looking to upgrade its Aftersales Workshop to better serve its customers and to accommodate the brand’s future expansion in Malaysia. At present, servicing and maintaining of these luxury marques is carried out at its 4 ‘S’ centre which features high-tech servicing bays, advanced tooling, and a complete diagnostic system for troubleshooting, and tuning with the latest engine management software updates. The NAZA Italia technical personnel are highly-trained and experienced in caring for and maintaining both Ferrari and Maserati cars. All cars bought through NAZA Italia and new-comers to the 4 ‘S’ centre will be registered in an authorised global database that will give owners a full history of their car service and maintenance records. If you’re looking for some merchandise by both the brands; the Naza Italia showroom also carries a range of apparel, premium gifts, detailed scaled models and contemporary lifestyle accessories – some of which are highly sought after limited editions.       The Ferrari lounge The Maserati lounge   For private viewing and appointment, please contact NAZA Italia at 03-7956 8599. For more info on Ferrari and Maserati, head over to www.kualalumpur.ferraridealers.com and www.maseratidealers.com/naza-italia or www.facebook.com/nazaitalia Photo credits: Naza Italia and author’s own . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/05/25/luminox-ice-sar-arctic-1200-series/

Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series

[Timepieces]   As the official partner of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICESAR), Luminox is committed to creating watches that meet the needs of these intrepid public servants as they go about their daily duties – which can mean dealing with volcanic eruptions, avalanches, shipwrecks, mega storms and even more. The ICE-SAR teams need a timepiece that they can rely on, which is why they chose Luminox as their official timepiece. With its rugged, shock resistant construction, robust water resistance and luminosity, Luminox certainly fits the bill. In addition to icy environment, heavy rains and strong winds, ICE-SAR also has to deal with limited daylight visibility as Iceland remains in partial or total darkness during several months in winter. In such conditions, Luminox watches and their unique self-powered illumination system – providing constant glow for up to 25 years – truly become an essential gear to ICE-SAR teams in order to conduct their missions.     Following last year’s releases, Luminox is introducing the new Arctic 1200 Series stainless steel models in the ICE-SAR line, complete with interesting details and new colors. The most eye-catching piece is the ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 with the blue case on a textile strap, however the collection also comes in four other variations: black on textile strap, black on steel bracelet, white on textile strap, and white on a steel bracelet. The textile strap has reflective material imbedded in the textile for additional safety at night, mimicking the clothing that ICE-SAR teams wear.     Due to the case’s screw down case back and crown, the watches are capable of water resistant up to 200 meters (20 ATM). The hands are inspired by the carabiners the teams use, while the red graphic around the date window is the ICE-SAR logo. The dial, on which is printed a map of the world, with the coordinates of the ICE-SAR headquarters in Reykjavik in the middle, is protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and framed by a bi-directional turning bezel. With this bezel, wearers can navigate using your Arctic 1200 Series timepiece as a sun compass. In the Northern Hemisphere, point the hour hand at the sun and imagine an angle formed by the hour hand and a line drawn from the 12 o’clock position to the center of the watch. Bisect that angle and that is true south. Put the turning bezel’s S on that point and you will know the cardinal directions. In the Southern Hemisphere, point the 12 o’clock position at the sun; imagine the angle between the hour and the line from the 12 to the center of watch. Bisect that angle and it will give you the true north. Luminox continues to work and support the ICE-SAR, a historic Search and Rescue operation, and to be equipping them with ICE-SAR Arctic Series watches. To celebrate this unique partnership, each ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series watch will come with a special booklet on the partnership.     Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series – Main product features Case Diameter: 46mm Time/ Date: Ronda 715 Lithium Swiss quartz movement 20ATM water resistance Sapphire crystal with AR-coating Stainless Steel case with bi-directional turning bezel Stainless Steel screwed in case back Stainless Steel screw down crown Hydraulic stamped dial with map of the world and the ICE-SAR HQ headquarters Metal band or reflecting textile strap Continuation of the ICE-SAR partnership Special Booklet     Luminox watches can be purchased online at: https://www.luminox.com.sg/ Luminox watches are also available at the following departmental stores and other leading watch retailers: Parkson at Pavilion – Level 3, Pavilion, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur Parkson at Sunway Velocity – G-16, Ground Floor, Sunway Velocity Mall, 55100 Kuala Lumpur Isetan at KLCC – 3rd Floor Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur Isetan at 1 Utama – Level 1, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor SOGO – Kompleks SOGO, 3D Fashion Arena, 190, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman 50100 Kuala Lumpur SOGO Central i-City, Unit G-01,  No 1, i-City, Persiaran Multimedia, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam.   For more information, head over to www.crystaltime.com.sg Photo Credits: Crystal Time       Create your own WordPress website. Get started at https://wordpress.com/alp/     Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/01/19/7-restaurants-for-valentines-day-dinner-2015/

12 Restaurants for Valentine’s Day Dinner (2015)

[Special Feature] If you’re looking for the 2017 list of restaurants for Valentine’s Day, head over here – https://timchew.net/2017/01/14/valentines-day-2017-romantic-dinners-in-kuala-lumpur-klang-valley-langkawi-and-penang/   As 14 February is fast approaching, I decided to compile a couple of romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor where you can bring your date to for a nice Valentine’s Day dinner. This is quite a long feature as I’ve compiled the special menus/ promotions that 17 restaurants are offering for Valentine’s Day this year as well as some offerings from florists (which are right at the bottom of this post). In previous years, I have spent a lot of time searching online for nice restaurants where I could bring my date and as I’ve done some reviews at a couple of restaurants which I believe are quite suitable for a Valentine’s Day dinner, I’ve decided to compile this list to help you out. Below are some options with different price ranges to suit different budgets and I have also included a link to my review if I’ve dined there before.   1. Pietro Ristorante Italiano at Damansara Heights Chic and classy interior with nice Italian food which doesn’t cost and arm and a leg even though it’s located in the upmarket Damansara Heights. Parking is a breeze too in the evenings. Hint: Do book early and request for one of their private rooms! Do note that the prices above are PER PAX. For info or reservations call 03-2093 6433 or visit their website at http://www.pietro.com.my/ Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/10/02/review-pietro-ristorante-italiano-at-damansara-heights-hoofed-at-ttdi/ https://timchew.net/2013/10/20/mhb-visits-pietro-ristorante-italiano-october-2013/   2. Villa Danieli at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur This restaurant has a very romantic ambience indeed and the Italian food is pretty good too. The hotel informs me that the restaurant is fully booked every Valentine’s Day so do book EARLY! Now here’s a look at their special Valentine’s Day menu: Starter Garoupa and smoked salmon terrine with olive tapenade, arugula jelly, cherry tomato and extra virgin olive oil Entree Raspberry risotto with shredded duck leg confit Strawberry lychee sorbet Main Sous vide veal tenderloin with spinach-asparagus puree, orange glazed baby carrot, rosemary bread crumble and Pomegranate foam “OR” Seared tuna with truffle potato mousse, fine bean, poached quail egg, orange relish and red pepper coulis Dessert Rich ricotta cream and berries compote in white chocolate shell   This 5-course dinner is priced at RM488.00++ per couple and is only on 14 February 2014 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. If you’d like to have a wine pairing with your food, just top up an extra RM200++ (per couple). For more info or reservations, call 03-27179900 or email reservations.imperial@sheraton.com or head over to their website at www.sheratonimperialkualalumpur.com Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2013/10/10/romantic-dining-spots-villa-danieli-sheraton-imperial-kl/   3. Marini’s on 57 Now I’ve never actually had a sit down meal at Marini’s on 57 although I’ve been there for many events and I must say that their buffet spread or canapés during events is the best I’ve had in Kuala Lumpur so I’d imagine that their normal menu should be just as good.   Marble 8   M Marini Caffe   For more info or to make reservations, call: Marini’s on 57: +603 2386 6030 Marble 8: +603 2386 6030 M Marini Caffe: +603 2386 6030 Website: http://marinisgroup.com/ Read about my previous visit to M Marini Caffe here – https://timchew.net/2014/05/22/launch-of-m-marini-caffe-klcc/   4. Grill 582 at Plaza Ramada Dua Sentral (formerly known as Best Western Premier Dua Sentral) Grill 582 is another hidden gem that’s located at the Plaza Ramada Dua Sentral Hotel in Brickfields down the road from KL Sentral. A bit tricky if you’re not too familiar with the roads but I’d suggest you use the Federal Highway or Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (where the old KL Railway Station is) to access Jalan Tun Sambanthan. Here’s their Valentine’s Day menu: Starter Gratin of Irish Oysters Braised Leeks with Mustard Cream, Golden Roe and Daikon Cress   Soup ‘Love Apple’ Soup Sweet Roma Tomatoes Puree and Crème Fraîche   Palate Cleanser Virgin Margarita Sorbet, Strawberry and Basil, Magic PopSugar   Main Course Australian Lamb ‘Sous Vide’ Buckwheat Salad with Mint, Carpaccio of Asparagus and Caramelized Lemon OR Pan-Fried Atlantic Cod Mango and Avocado Salsa, Buttered Cocktail Potatoes and Violet Leaves   Dessert Red Velvet Cheese Soufflé, Crystal Edible Flowers Coffee/ Tea   The set menu is priced at RM398.00++ per couple without wine pairing and RM598.00++ per couple with wine pairing and is available on 14 February from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Ladies will receive a stalk or rose and heart-shaped chocolate pralines. The first couple who makes a booking and payment for the wine pairing menu will receive a complimentary night stay in the One Bedroom Suite inclusive of buffet breakfast. For enquiries and reservations, call +603 2272 8888 or email fb2sentral@duasentral.com Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2013/12/18/food-review-christmas-menu-at-grill-582-best-western-premier-dua-sentral/   5. THIRTY8 at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur THIRTY8 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur has always been one of those romantic spots for couples. This Valentine’s Day they have a special five (5) course menu which comes with two (2) glasses of champagne which you can sip on while enjoying the romantic ambience and the view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. SHARING SET MENU FOR TWO Tomato petal confit Goat cheese powder, tomato consommé droplets, micro leaves, extra virgin olive oil   Green pea soup Seared scallop, smoked turkey, seafood foam   Boston lobster medallion Shrimp mousse, portobello mushroom, supreme stock, ginger, spring onion   Wagyu beef cheek Braised in Vincotto, charred endive, salsify   Valentine’s Day dessert platter Deep fried truffles, passion soda, espresso bombe, panna cotta, caramelised milk chocolate, crisp croissant crouton   THIRTY8’s  Valentine’s Day Sharing Set Menu is inclusive of two glasses of champagne and is priced at RM688.00++ per couple.   The hotel also has a special ‘Romantic Sanctuary’ package at the Essa Spa, featuring a deep, calming massage treatment with natural blends of jasmine, ylang ylang and bergamot. The package is priced at RM950.00++ per couple, and includes a 60-minute Essa Dream State Massage, a 30- minute Jasmine Smooth Body Scrub, a 30-minute Aroma Flower Bath, a glass of champagne with strawberries for two, and a box of chocolates.     For reservations or enquiries: THIRTY8 at +603 2182 1234 ext 2340 or email thirty8.kuagh@hyatt.com Essa Spa at +603 2182 1234 ext 2140 or email essaspa.my@hyatt.com   Website: www.kualalumpur.grand.hyatt.com   6. Nook at Aloft KL Sentral Nook is Aloft KL Sentral’s all day dining restaurant and has a really chic and modern design but as they have demonstrated during last year’s MIGF, their kitchen team is capable of coming out with some really cool menus too! The special Valentine’s Day menu at Nook is RM228.00 nett per couple or RM338.00 nett per couple with beverage pairing. Pretty reasonable if you ask me and I’ll be headed over soon to try this out for myself so do look out for a full review of their Valentine’s Day menu coming soon! Now here’s a look at the menu:   Starter Seductive Seared Scallop with Scrumptious Salmon Pan seared scallop accompanied with salmon gravlax & pickled shallot served with mango salsa, citrus bite & ginger scallion pesto (Paired with the a-mour Martini @ Lust Essence)   Soup Passionate Prawn bisque Creamy jumbo shrimp in highly seasoned soup with seafood tower   Raspberry + rose petal sorbet Mains  Baked Breathtaking Barramundi Fillet Oven-baked spicy crusted barramundi enriched with herbs, butter & a twist of squid ink ‘Alfredo’ style (Paired with the Gerard Bertrand Viognier 2011)   Stuffed Rack of Love Grilled lamb chop served with Haricot vert, puree of pomme & truffle essence enhanced with fricassee Chanterelle sauce (Paired with the Gerard Bertrand cabernet sauvignon 2011) Dessert Ginger white chocolate trifle with strawberry ‘desire’ (Paired with Sparkling Tahuna Rose) For enquiries and reservations, call +603 2723 1154 or email nook.03758@alofthotels.com or visit their website at www.alofhotels.com/kualalumpursentral Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/10/06/migf-2014-review-nook-at-aloft-kuala-lumpur-sentral/   7. Chatz Brasserie at PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur Now if your girlfriend is a big eater and loves seafood, you could try out the special Valentine’s Day Seafood Buffet Dinner at Chatz Brasserie in PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur  where you and your girlfriend can indulge in a variety of marine harvest namely, clam, black mussel, grilled seafood ranging from stingray, fish fillet, and salmon head, jacket fish, as well as shellfish such as slipper lobster and oyster. The Crab Tartar with Potato Floss and Jellied Tomato Jus, Seared Crusted Tuna and Smoked Mackerel Platter and Japanese Mini Octopus and Mussel Salad on Carrot and Cucumber Pickle are among the appetisers and salads that are available. At the a la minute counter, the chefs will be serving made to order Crab and Oyster Omelette. You can also expect main dishes such as Pan-seared Cod Fillet with Creamy White Part Leek Stew, Oyster Thermidor, Latche Squid, Sichuan Prawn Peppercorn, Oxtail Asam Pedas and Siput Lemak Keladi. The ‘Valentine’s Day Seafood Buffet Dinner’ is available on 14 February 2015 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm, priced at RM258 nett per couple. Included in this buffet is a Cupid’s Mocktail or Cocktail and a stalk of rose for the lady. For reservations and enquiries, call 03 2147 0088 or email chatz.prkul@parkroyalhotels.com Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/09/12/parkroyal-kuala-lumpurs-nyonya-cuisine-buffet-dinner-by-chef-debbie-teoh/   8. Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill is located on the 6th floor of Traders Hotel KL and offers a scenic view of the Petronas Twin Towers which is right across the park from the hotel. Here’s a look at their special 5-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu:      2 cocktails per couple   The special menu at Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill goes for RM398.00++ per couple and is only available on 14 February 2014 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Or if you and your date are bigger eaters, you could try the Gobo Chit Chat: Valentine’s Day Buffet Dinner with Seafood, priced at RM118.00++ per person, which is also available from 6:30pm to 10:00pm. For reservations or more info, call 03-23329888 or email goboupstairs.thkl@shangri-la.com or head over to http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders/   9.  Tuscany at Putrajaya Marriot Hotel I’ve never been to Tuscany so I can’t tell you much about it however you might want to consider it if you don’t want to go to an establishment in KL/ PJ and bump into another 293,781 other couples out for their Valentine’s Day dinner. For more info or reservations, call 03-89498888 ext. 1366/1361 or head over to http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/kulpg-putrajaya-marriott-hotel/   10. Monte’s by Lyn at Bangsar Shopping Centre Another option that won’t burst your budget or tear a hole in your pocket, and is centrally located in Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). The mainstay Western restaurant of BSC for over 10 years now has just been taken over by a new management who’s looking to bring some exciting changes to the menu. If you like rustic and unpretentious food in a comfortable setting then Monte’s by Lyn is the place to go this Valentine’s Day. For more info or to make reservations, call 03-20941112 or head over to http://www.montesrestaurant.com.my/ Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/12/20/food-review-montes-by-lyn-in-bangsar-shopping-centre/   11. The Roof Garden at Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur The Roof Garden at The MaJestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur has an unrivalled package for lovebirds this Valentine’s Day – A Romance Under The Stars. Couples will get to experience a special five-course dinner paired with fine wine at The Roof Garden specially prepared by the Executive Chef. The package includes a bottle of pink rose champagne, a bottle of Opus One wine, a two days one night stay in a Governor Suite at The Majestic Wing, and a couple’s spa treatment at The Majestic Spa. This special package is priced at RM6,888++ per couple.  If you’re looking to pop the question, this might just be the place to do it… And the hotel also has special menus in the Smoke House, the Orchid Conservatory as well as Colonial Cafe.   The Smoke House at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur Colonial Cafe at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur The Orchid Conservatory at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur Dinner in the Orchid Conservatory is priced at RM1,000.00++ per couple and is limited to only three (3) couples.   For more info or to make a reservation, call 03-27858000 or head over to http://www.majestickl.com/ Read about my previous visit dining at The Smoke House: https://timchew.net/2013/08/14/glenrothes-media-dinner-with-ronnie-cox/   12. Signature by The Hill at The Roof, First Avenue Bandar Utama Dine with a spectacular view of PJ and Damansara 28 storeys above ground. I fully suggest that you book early and get a window seat (alcohol beverage surcharge applies to secure one of the very limited window tables) as it had a very high romantic factor (read my review here – https://timchew.net/2013/11/13/dining-with-a-view-signature-by-the-hill-at-the-roof-first-avenue-bandar-utama/). This year’s Valentine’s Day package at Signature by The Hill features dinner with a choice of one (1) main that comes with an entrée, dessert buffet, and a champagne cocktail. Be entertained by Nana Lee who is Super Idol Taiwan 2013 in Signature or head up to Stratosphere (the helipad) where you get a complimentary lovers cocktail and 20% discount off Veuve Clicquot champagne.     You could also elevate your dining experience by having your Valentine’s Day dinner up at Stratosphere which is the helipad. The special 4 course dinner is priced at RM988.00 nett per couple with complimentary one (1) Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle. There are only 20 tables available so do book early! For inquiries and table booking (at Stratosphere), call 03-7724 1627 (Mon-Fri, 10am – 6pm) or 019 7353 241 (everyday 6-10pm). For more info or to make a reservation (at Signature), call 012-3304629 or 016-2291505 Website: http://www.theroof.com.my/ Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/08/04/food-review-signature-by-the-hill-the-roof-first-avenue-bandar-utama-may-2014/   13. Mezze at Medan Damansara Mezze has a special 3-course “aphrodisiac” dinner this Valentine’s Day featuring dishes from past visiting Michelin star chefs, Baptiste Fournier and Marco Cavallucci, re-created by their resident head chef, Yves Renou and his team. For more info, call 03-2095 0122 or email reservations@mezze.my Website: http://www.mezze.my/   14. Madisons at Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar Madisons is my favourite modern Western restaurant along Jalan Bangkung in Bangsar and serves up some really delicious food. Their three (3) course Valentine’s Day menu is only RM120.00++ per person making Madisons a very viable option indeed! More info at http://www.madisonskl.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/madisonskl Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/03/17/romantic-dining-spots-madisons-jalan-bangkung/   15. Cedar on 15, Impiana KLCC Hotel Dine 15 storeys above ground with a really romantic ambience. The bar where you can have before/ after dinner drinks offers a great view of the Petronas Twin Towers. There’s also a special Valentine’s Day buffet dinner at Tonka Bean which is the hotel’s all day dining restaurant but I’d really recommend dining at Cedar on 15!    Pre – Dinner Drink upon arrival – Love Portion #9   Entree Seared Salmon ‘Tataki’ Potato-apple salad, grated daikon, ponzu dressing Nicolas Feuillate Brut Reserved (20 cl – sharing basis)   Soup Beauty and the Beast Cream of spinach and beetroot soup topped with chives Deakin Estate Artisan’s Blend Chardonnay Pinot Grigio   In Between Palm Sugar and ‘Ciku’ Granita   Main Course Grilled Loin of Beef Served with potato brandade, braised baby greens and stone ground peppercorn-mustard sauce Deakin Estate Artisan’s Blend Shiraz Viognier   Dessert Mini Cherry Clafoutis Traditional French cherry tartlet served with berry compote, fresh berry and vanilla ice cream Nicolas Feuillate Brut Rose (20 cl – sharing basis)   Coffee or Tea Chocolate Pralines for Romance    The is also a Vegetarian Menu available: VEGETARIAN MENU ENTRÉE Mixed Greens and Chick Peas Salad With cucumber, crispy papadom, and pineapple chutney   SOUP Roasted tomato soup Chili crostini, and shaved pecorino In Between Palm Sugar and ‘Ciku’ Granita   MAIN COURSE Spinach and Cheese Cannelloni Cannelloni pasta stuffed with cream cheese, baby spinach and mushroom with gratinated mozzarella and tomato cream sauce   DESSERT Mini Cherry Clafoutis Traditional French cherry tartlet served with berry compote, fresh berry and vanilla ice cream   Coffee or Tea Chocolate Pralines for Romance   The menus above are only available on 14th February 2015 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm and are priced at: RM488.00++ per couple (with wine pairing) RM388.00++ per couple (without wine pairing) More info at http://kualalumpurhotels.impiana.com.my/ Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/02/06/romantic-dining-spots-cedar-on-15/   16. La Cucina and the Executive Lounge at Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar will be having a special “Love Is In The Air” 4-course romantic western dinner at the Executive Lounge. The Executive Lounge on the 26th floor which offers a view of the city skyline is normally only accessible to executive guests however the hotel has opened it up to outside guests just for this romantic occasion.  The culinary team has prepared three (3) options for each course to cater to each individual’s taste buds and dinner is also complemented with a glass of champagne both for each of you. The “Love Is In The Air” Valentine’s dinner package is priced at RM250.00 nett per person and is limited to 35 tables. Meanwhile, the La Cucina Mediterranean Restaurant which is located at the hotel’s main lobby offers a 4-course candlelight dinner that comes with a glass of red wine each, priced at RM160.00 nett per person.   4 Course Romantic Dinner Set Appetizer Foie Gras Terrine Tomato Comfit, Apple Celery Timbale, Aged Balsamic Reduction, Raspberry Vinaigrette and Petit Mesclun or Salmon and Barramundi Carpaccio With Salmon Roe, Micro Cress Salad, Trio of Bruno Capsicum, Homemade Citrus Green Oil, Maldon Salt and Pine nut Or Caprese Roma Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarrela, Parmigiano Tuile, Micro Green Salad and Pesto Shephere   Soup Cauliflower with Scallops Ceviche and Puff Pastry or Crab Bisque – Parsnip Flan, Crab Meat and Julienne Vegetables or Tomato Gazpacho – Pine Nut, Blue Cheese Foam and Cruton   Main Course Black Angus Beef Tenderloin Roasted Vegetables and Pan-fried Polenta Served With Béarnaise and Port Wine Jus or Caramelized Crispy Roasted Duck Breast Orange-mixed Lentil Stew, Carrot and Celeriac Mash, Apple Mango Salsa with Green Peppercorn Cream and Crisp Rocket Leaves or Pan-Seared White Cod Fish Sauté Shimeji, Boletus Capes Mushroom, Fish Roe, Fava Bean, Lobster Oil And Spinach Risotto    Dessert Raspberry Mousse with Salted Fennel-infused Caramel and Mystic Bubble or Triple Chocolate Pleasure with Dark Soil and Raspberry Coulis or Chocolate Tart and Vanilla Creme Brulee served with Mango Mint Salsa Couples dining at the Executive Lounge or La Cucina are also entitled to complimentary gifts as well as a special price of RM290.00 nett for a 2D/1N stay in a Deluxe room (on 14 February 2015) inclusive of in-room dining breakfasts for two (2) persons. For bookings and inquiries, call +6 03 2298 1857 or email H7962@Accor.com  More info at http://pullmankualalumpur.com/specialoffers/love-air-pullman-valentines-packages/   17. Estilo Spanish Tapas & Bar at Publika KL If you’re on a smaller budget, you could opt for Estilo Spanish Restaurant & Bar in Publika KL which also has a nice ambience and delicious Spanish food. Do book ahead as I’m sure Publika will be a very hot destination for couples this Valentine’s Day. Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2014/10/22/food-review-estilo-spanish-tapas-bar-charcoal-grill-at-publika-kuala-lumpur/   18. La Scala More info at http://lascala.my/   19. La Bodega One of the mainstays of Spanish cuisine in Kuala Lumpur is offering a three (3) course menu with wine at only RM280.00++ making this another very affordable option! More info on La Bodega and where you can find their outlets at http://www.bodega.com.my/labodega/ Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2015/01/07/food-review-new-menu-at-la-bodega/     Despite numerous emails to the PR department at Saujana Resort, they have not responded but my last review at The Restaurant was one of the most memorable ever so I’ve included it in anyway:   20. The Restaurant at The Club Saujana Resort The Restaurant is tucked away at The Club Saujana Resort and is one of the little gems in this side of town (which incidentally happens to be where I stay so yay!). There are also a couple more dining options at Saujana Resort including Italian restaurant Senja and Japanese restaurant Kogetsu which both overlook the lake and are very suitable for a Valentine’s Day dinner! After dinner, take a romantic stroll along the lake if the weather permits. Do remember to book early as you can bet that loads of couples who stay/ work in the PJ/ Subang area will be celebrating there. More info at http://shr.my/the-club-saujana-resort/dining/ Read about my previous visit here: https://timchew.net/2013/10/22/romantic-dining-spots-the-restaurant-the-club-saujana-resort/   Now what’s Valentine’s Day without some flowers for her? Well here are some promotions that some florists are having:   Warm Wishes Florist My Valentine – RM200.00 This best seller features a heart-shaped bouquet of flowers with Polaroid photo in a box. It will be a surprise when she opens the box!   Sweetest Valentine – RM250.00 A box filled with flowers, macarons and Ferrero Rocher!    Hugs and Kisses Basket with flowers, a soft toy, and Hershey’s Kisses inside! You get a choice of either the Le Sucre Bunny for RM270.00 or a teddy bear/ Line Brown for RM230.00   Assorted Flower Bouquets Warm Wishes Florist also has other types of bouquets and prices depends on the type and quantity of flowers desired. Call Warm Wishes Florist to get a quotation for your desired bouquet.   99 Roses – RM780.00 Or just go all out and get her this bouquet of 99 roses!     Pick up the flowers from Puchong Jaya or arrange to have them delivered to your sweetheart for an additional charge of RM15.00 to RM30.00 depending on area. Telephone: 017-8233266 Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/warmwishesflorist/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/warmwishesflorist   Cest la vie Florist Hand Bouquet 1 Side arrangement – Flower bouquet with roses, baby’s breath and leafs 3 stalks – RM58.00 6 stalks – RM108.00 12 stalks – RM178.00 18 stalks – RM228.00 24 stalks – RM288.00 36 stalks – RM358.00   Hand Bouquet 2 Flower bouquet with hydrangeas and roses with baby’s breath and leafs Hydrangeas, 3 stalks – RM108.00 Hydrangeas, 6 stalks – RM168.00 Hydrangeas, 12 stalks – RM228.00 Hydrangeas, 18 stalks – RM278.00 Hydrangeas, 24 stalks – RM338.00 Hydrangeas, 36 stalks – RM408.00   Hand Bouquet 3 Round arrangement – flower bouquet with roses and sweet william and leafs 3 stalks – RM58.00 6 stalks – RM108.00 12 stalks – RM178.00 18 stalks – RM228.00 24 stalks – RM288.00 36 stalks – RM358.00   Round Potsie L (360”) Round flowers arrangement Eustomas, 12 stalks rose, side flowers and leafs (size L vintage metal pot) – RM248.00 18 stalks of rose with side flowers and leafs (size L vintage metal pot) – RM248.00   Potsie M (180”) Eustoma, 6 stalks rose, side flowers and leafs (size M vintage metal pot) – RM198.00 12 stalks rose, side flowers and leafs (size vintage metal pot) – RM198.00     Potsie S (360”) Eustoma, 6 stalks rose, side flowers and leafs (size S vintage metal pot) – RM178.00 12 stalks rose, side flowers and leafs (size S vintage metal pot) – RM178.00   Flower Box with Cherry 50g cherry with 3 stalks of rose with side flowers in a heart shape box – RM128.00 6 stalks of rose with side flower in a heart shape box – RM118.00   Cest la vie Florist is currently running a special promotion whereby if you order before 7th February 2015, you will get a 5% discount! * Prices do not include delivery (which will cost around RM10.00 – RM30.00 in the Klang Valley depending on the area). * All flowers are subject to availability. * Cest la vie Florist reserves the right to substitute unavailable products with similar products of equal or greater value.   Address: 1-1, Jalan USJ Sentral 1, USJ Sentral, Persiaran Subang, 47620 Subang Jaya,  Selangor, Malaysia. Telephone: 03-80110202 or 012-9103555 (Aivee) Email: Aivee.cestlavie@gmail.com Website: http://www.cestlavie.com.my/ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/cestlavieflorist   And if you’re looking for some presents that are presentable yet won’t burn a hole in your pocket, here are some of Victoria’s Secret’s latest offerings: (Click on the individual visual to open the full size version)   Do remember to book your table early, book your flowers early, and buy a present early. You still have around three (3) weeks to prepare so you still have some time to ensure that it will be a memorable occasion for you and your loved one. Good luck! Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2017/07/21/romantic-dinner-with-a-view-of-klcc-thirty8-grand-hyatt-kuala-lumpur/

Romantic Dinner with a View of KLCC – THIRTY8, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

[Romantic Dining Spots]   Some years ago, my partner in crime and I visited the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur for a review for their incredible buffet breakfast (read more about it here – https://timchew.net/2015/02/03/buffet-breakfast-review-at-thirty8-grand-hyatt-kuala-lumpur/) and we were so impressed by it that we were very excited to visit THIRTY8 again – this time for a dinner review of their new menu which was curated by Chef Stefan Beck, THIRTY8’s new Executive Sous Chef. Executive Sous Chef Stefan Beck was born and raised in Germany, and specialises in classic European and Western fine-dining cuisine, which he prepares with a creative modern twist and the use of fresh ingredients. From young, Stefan had a keen interest in harvesting fresh fruit and vegetables from his home-garden and creating dishes from them. Recognizing his enthusiasm for food, his family encouraged him to pursue a career in cooking. Prior to joining the Hyatt family, Stefan worked in several well-known hotels and restaurants within Germany as well as in the United Kingdom. His experience within the Hyatt family began with Hyatt Regency Mainz, Germany in 2008. Two years later, Stefan joined Park Hyatt Canberra, Australia and in 2011, he was part of the re-opening team for Park Hyatt Sydney, and, later on, led kitchen operations as the Chef de Cuisine. Today, Chef Stefan is the culinary expert who helms the kitchen at THIRTY8, bringing his creativity and experience to heighten Kuala Lumpur’s culinary scene.    Take the lift up to the Sky Lobby on the 39th floor, then walk down a floor to THIRTY8 and you’ll be greeted by the bar section THIRTY8 occupies three (3) sides of the floor hence you get a magnificent view of the Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur skyline Whenever possible, do request for a table facing the Petronas Twin Towers As it makes a lovely backdrop for photos! The sides not facing the Twin Towers also have a nice view of the KL skyline   THIRTY8 has an open kitchen concept and you can watch the culinary team in action Executive Sous Chef Stefan Beck. Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Pastry Chef Ashutosh Kumar. Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Since November 2016, Chef Ashutosh has been to be part of Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur’s culinary team as the new Pastry Chef, in charge of all bakery and pastry operations in the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, THIRTY8 and JP teres. Chef Ashutosh Kumar was born in India, where his passion for pastry began at the age of ten when his mother taught him how to make gajar halwa, or Indian carrot pudding. His interest in pastry grew during an internship at a five-star hotel in Bangalore, where he realised that pastry was a unique marriage of science and art. Bringing with him plenty of valuable experience from some of the finest luxury hotels in India, Chef Ashutosh joined the Hyatt™ family in November 2013 as an assistant pastry chef at Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, India. He was soon promoted to pastry chef, in charge of the bakery and pastry kitchen, as well as assisting the executive chef in running the hotel’s restaurants. His rich experience also includes being part of the preopening teams for a few five-star hotels in India. Throughout his career, Chef Ashutosh has been featured in magazines thanks to his specialisation in contemporary French pastry combined with traditional Indian flavours using modern techniques. He draws inspiration from renowned pastry chefs such as Pierre Hermé, Paco Torreblanca and Christophe Michalak. He also constantly updates his skills and knowledge, combining his classic background with ideas from the new generation of pastry wizards.      Having an ice-cold pint of Stella Artois while waiting for my partner in crime to arrive. The bar at THIRTY8 is one of the few places in town which serves Stella Artois on tap! Finally my partner in crime arrived! OK let’s get to the food! Tuna tartar, mango condiment, crunchy vegetables – RM74.00 We started off with the Tuna Tartar  which was a really elegant dish with flavours of fresh mangoes and vegetables complementing the lovely tuna! This appetiser looked really beautiful thanks to the bright and natural colours of the ingredients, and tasted even better than it looked! A really impressive start to the meal.    Roasted cauliflower soup, lobster tortellini, sumac – RM42.00 We went for the most exquisite soup on the menu, which turned out so good we finished every drop! I’m not a big fan of cauliflower, but this soup was well-balanced and not too creamy while the lobster tortellini with its sweet and flavourful lobster filling added a touch of extravagance. The addition of sumac was interesting, providing subtle hints of Middle Eastern and South Asian flavours.    Grilled scallops, capers, pomegranate, lemon – RM120.00 Both my partner in crime and I love scallops so ordering this dish was a no-brainer. It turned out to be an excellent choice as the scallops were beautifully cooked with lovely grill lines and all while maintaining the juiciness on the inside. She didn’t quite like pomegranate however I was fine with it and I do understand what the chef was trying to achieve with the mix of different textures and flavours on the plate. The capers provided some extra saltiness while the lemon juice (and to a certain extent the pomegranate too) added some tartness and piquant freshness to the dish. A MUST ORDER if you like scallops!    Slow cooked beef short ribs, crushed sweet potato, gremolata – RM105.00 The short ribs were slow cooked for many hours, then finished on the grill giving it a lovely crust. It was melt in the mouth tender, while still having the texture of meat (and not baby food!) and just incredibly flavourful! The surprise ingredient was parsley gremolata, an Italian condiment usually found accompanying Italian dishes. Not bad, added a herby dimension to the dish but to me the beef was so good it really didn’t need any other ingredients accompanying it besides the jus. Speaking of the jus, it had loads of flavour as well and the crushed sweet potato went well with it.    Pan-fried sustainable Alaskan black cod, tomato & corn salsa – RM120.00 Being an environmentalist, I was very happy to see that Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur obtained their fish from sustainable sources. My partner in crime had this one and she loved it (she’s more into fish whereas I’m more into red meat). The cod was fresh, flaky and cooked to perfection, while the tomato and corn salsa added a nice touch of acidity.    THIRTY8 Signature Cake – RM48.00 This is the famous cake that appears in so many posts in Instagram! Rich and decadent, the presentation was also impressive and we saw pretty much every table order one! I am not really into desserts, however I really liked the dark chocolate cake with the creamy ice cream. This might just be my dessert “Kryptonite”.     Lavender cheesecake, marinated rhubarb and strawberries – RM40.00 THIRTY8 also specially prepared their Lavender Cheesecake with a candle, happy birthday sign and a birthday card signed by the staff! We noticed that THIRTY8 is a very popular spot to celebrate birthdays as we witnessed five (5) other couples celebrating birthdays, most with the THIRTY8 Signature Cake, however we wanted ours to be different and the staff was only too happy to assist! It was a nice sweet (and creamy!) end to a lovely and most memorable meal!    If you did not manage to get a table facing the Twin Towers, the lift landing on the 39th floor is also a good spot for photos.    Since its opening some years back, THIRTY8 has remained a popular spot for couples to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and even wedding proposals and we could certainly see why! The service was fantastic, the food delicious and the ambience romantic! What more could you ask for?    THIRTY8 is located at: 38th Floor, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, 12, Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: +60 3 2182 1234 extension 2340 Website: https://kualalumpur.grand.hyatt.com Dresscode: Smart Casual – Daily from 6:00PM onwards, strictly no bermudas, slippers, sandals and singlet or sleeveless for gentlemen. Operating Hours: Breakfast: Weekdays, 6:00 AM – 10:30 AM Weekends & Public Holidays, 6:00AM – 11:00AM Lunch: 12:00 Noon – 3:00 PM Afternoon Tea: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Dinner: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM    Thanks for having us!    Photos (except the two of the chefs) were shot using the Panasonic Lumix LX10. Panasonic Lumix LX10 To find out more about the camera, head over to http://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras/advanced-creative/dmc-lx10.html . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/07/22/vivo-x50-series-launched-in-malaysia/

Vivo X50 Series Launched in Malaysia

[Tech/ Smartphones]   vivo Malaysia introduced its latest in X Series, the X50 and X50 Pro in Malaysia on 21 July 2020 via a live stream on vivo Malaysia’s Facebook page. The series which comprises of the X50 and X50 Pro features professional-grade camera technologies such as superior stabilization, night mode, zoom feature, and portrait mode, to enable users to capture stable and high-quality images and videos in a wide range of scenarios. The design of vivo X50 series draws from natural elements to futuristic aesthetics – aiming to complement the active lifestyles of consumers. “X50 series is a professional photography flagship smartphone for consumers to record and share the best moments of their lives in a simple way,” said Mr. Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of vivo Malaysia. “With stable shooting capabilities, outstanding lenses and sensors, and an overall advanced camera system, the X50 series flagship devices allow users to capture all of life’s stories with professional quality.” With 5G developing rapidly and soon available in Malaysia, more consumers will be able to enjoy the benefits 5G can bring given its much faster speed, low latency and massive interconnectivity capabilities. Through the X50 series, vivo hopes to bring the next generation mobile experience closer and more accessible to users, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of the latest technology, enabling more creativity and productivity.   Mr. Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of vivo Malaysia with models and the new vivo X50 series   The X50 series integrates professional photography technologies such as the Gimbal Camera System in the main camera of X50 Pro which reduces shaking, in turn allowing users to take clear photos and videos while in motion, even at night. Modelled after a full-size professional gimbal, the X50 Pro’s built-in miniature gimbal module moves in the opposite direction of shaking motions, providing increased stability for the main camera. This system also widens the rotation angle and anti-shake area compared to popular stabilization methods, resulting in super clear images. The Gimbal Radar, an on-screen animated ball that reflects the gimbal’s movement, lets users know when the frame is stable. vivo’s motion-deblur algorithm, customized sensors, and continuous focus tracking further enhance image and video clarity. The X50 Pro has a versatile camera setup with one 32MP front camera, and four cameras on the rear (48MP Main, 8MP Super Wide-Angle, 13MP Professional Portrait, and 8MP 5x Telescopic). The X50 Pro’s 5x Telescopic lens also supports 60x Hyper Zoom. X50 and X50 Pro feature Extreme Night Vision (Super Night Mode) and Starry Sky Mode which together enables users to capture superior photographs of both city and country scenes at night, while the 120° Super Wide-Angle (108° after distortion correction) and Super Macro functions provide users with more options in a wide range of scenarios. vivo’s Portrait Mode, powered by a 4-layer masking algorithm, allows users to separate the subject from the background and apply separate effects for a more refined result.     The X50 series supports 5G connectivity, and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, which provides fast computing speed and smooth multitasking capabilities. The series features a high screen refresh rate of 90Hz, displaying crisp images, movies, and games without smears or blurs. The X50 series smartphones are built with flexible screens, which are slimmer, lighter, and more durable than traditional screens. X50 is one of the slimmest 5G phones ever with HDR 10+ technology that delivers a bright and vivid display, while the AG Matte Glass offers a soft and delicate touch. The Gimbal Camera System is also designed in the shape of an eye, serving as a unique design element on the rear of X50 Pro. The vivo X50 comes in Frost Blue and Glaze Black, while the vivo X50 Pro is only available in Alpha Gre. The Vivo X50 series is priced at: X50 (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) – RM2,399 X50 Pro (8GB RAM + 256GB storage) – RM3,199     vivo TWS Earphone Neo Complement the X50 Series with Ultimate Audio vivo also launched the TWS Earphone Neo which is built to provide a wireless and high-quality audio experience thanks to the customized 14.2mm Moving-Coil Unit, delivering a more powerful and full-bodied sound, as well as a bio-fiber composite diaphragm to enhance audio details. The TWS Earphone Neo also features AI Noise Cancelling for clearer phone calls and several voice-activated smart controls. The earphones are powered by Qualcomm’s 4th-Generation TWS platform, the QCC3046, which offers low latency, high precision, and a stable listening experience, as well as the latest Bluetooth 5.2 technology with a maximum range of 10m. TWS Neo’s advanced features, along with its classic design and compact body, are a realization of vivo’s investments in Internet of Things devices. Like the X50 series, TWS Earphone Neo showcase vivo’s commitment to building design-centric devices that improve consumers’ lives. vivo TWS Earphone Neo is currently available in Malaysia, priced at RM359, and is available at all vivo concept stores, authorised dealers, collaboration partners and e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, and vivo Store (http://www.vivostore.com.my). The earphones are available in two colours – Starry Blue and Moonlight White. For more information, head over to http://www.vivostore.com.my   Photo credits: Vivo Malaysia. . 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https://timchew.net/2012/08/11/dc-shoes-launch-vans-no-room-for-rockstars/

DC Shoes Launch & Van’s No Room For Rockstars

[Event] Headed over to the ‘magical’ Paradigm Mall with MHB’s Ashley Mah on 6 July 2012 for the launch of DC Shoes. Not to be mistaken for DC Comics, DC Shoes was co-founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993 and quickly became a worldwide leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. FYI Ken Block is a professional rally driver with the Monster World Rally Team and drives a rally version of the Ford Fiesta. Ken Block and Damon Way decided to create a line of shoes specifically for skateboarders with a mission to make a significant change in skateboard shoe style and elevate skateboarding performance to the highest level. Already avid skateboarders themselves, they sat down together with Way’s brother, professional skateboarder Danny Way, to create the very first DC shoe model. Check out Ken’s awesome driving skills in this video. . Ashley and Pearl Early happy hours for me! Lots of ice-cold Carlsberg! Yay! Check out the shoes! Skateboarding performance by DC Shoes Malaysian ambassadors And a BMW performance as well Champion of Astro Battleground 2010, Soul Krazy also put on a dance performance Ashley with me at the photo wall. Check out the DC Shoes and apparel below . Besides launching DC Shoes in Malaysia, DC’s team of skateboarders and BMX riders were also officially introduced. Since the interjection of the brand in Malaysia in December 2011, DC Shoes has successful recruited nine athletes – seven skateboarders and two BMX riders. They are Mohd Fuad Saifullah, Shahnizam Shahrom, Nizar Hashim, Adam Faisal, Adam Zari, Arina Rahman and Alif Hadi of the skateboarder’s team while Mohd Shahrulnizam Ahmad and Zafrin Shah Sabikin are DC’s prides in BMX. DC Shoes currently has 4 outlets in Malaysia located at: Sunway Pyramid Suria KLCC Paradigm Mall Setia City Mall . For you petrolheads who want to see more of Ken Block’s awesome driving here’s another cut of the video with less ‘Hollywood’ scenes and more of the car! . . A couple of days later I attended the Vans No Room For Rockstars screening party at ecoba, Damansara Perdana. Vans like DC Shoes is also distributed by RSH Malaysia. I actually used to wear Vans shoes when I was (much) younger though I was never played with skateboards or BMX bikes but they were comfortable and had nice designs. Glad to see the brand is still around. Here’s a little info on Vans. Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel company, is a brand of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC). Vans® collections include authentic footwear, apparel and accessories, snowboard boots and the Pro-tec line of protective gear and are available in approximately 70 countries worldwide.  Vans promotes action sports lifestyle and youth culture through support of athletes on boards and bikes all over the globe and through progressive events such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans Downtown Showdown, the Pro-tec Pool Party and the Vans Warped Tour®. Where can you buy Vans shoes and apparel? Vans has 3 concept stores in Malaysia – 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid and Pahlawan Mall and is also available in various multibrand lifestyle and action sports stores nationwide (such as Royal Sporting House). . If you’re into American rock then you might want to check this out Bunkface rocking the crowd at ecoba With cute Pearl . Sadly after a couple of ice-cold bottles of Carlsberg I had to rush off to another event so I couldn’t stay to watch the whole movie but they did give us a DVD of it which my younger brother (the rocker that he is as he plays the electric guitar) is now the owner of. Here’s the synopsis of the movie: For 17 years, the Vans Warped Tour has been a punk rock juggernaut, a misfit circus criss-crossing North America every summer as a wondering minstrel show for youth culture. Embracing a powerful, unifying ethic created by its founder Kevin Lyman, the Vans Warped Tour has grown and prospered as the music industry itself imploded and continues to sift through the rubble in search of a new way forward. Along the way, Warped has provided a launching pad for a dizzying array of talent, from Green Day and Blink 182 to Ice-T, Eminem and No Doubt, along with perennial punk legends such as Pennywise, All, Bouncing Souls and Bad Religion. With more than 300 hours of film shot during the 2012 tour, No Room For Rockstars documents the true stories of modern era rock and roll from every possible angle. From the kids in the van playing at parking lots to gain notice, to the veteran stage manager whose life was saved by the tour, to the musician who crosses over to mainstream success while on the road, No Room For Rockstars is a meaningful insight into the current state of rock and roll and the zeitgeist of youth culture. . Photo credits: RSH Malaysia and auhor’s own Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/12/18/food-review-christmas-menu-at-grill-582-best-western-premier-dua-sentral/

Food Review – Christmas Menu at Grill 582, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral

[Food & Beverage – Christmas Special] Not many people actually know where the slightly more than a year old Best Western Premier Dua Sentral Hotel actually is and even fewer knows that it contains a hidden culinary gem that is Grill 582. You cannot access the hotel from the Mahameru Highway although it looks like it’s just off the highway on Google maps. The best route is to use either Jalan Syed Putra or Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin near the old KL Railway Station then turn onto Jalan Sultan Sulaiman then down to Jalan Tun Sambanthan, pass the Holy Rosary Church and you’re there! . Grill 582 is well-known for its steaks but this time round Yee Ying and I headed over to try out their special Christmas eve set menu I love the rather romantic ambience of Grill 582. Perfect to bring your date for an intimate night out. For those of you who prefer more privacy, there’s a private room which seats up to a dozen people If you order a steak at Grill 582 you’ll get to use one of these beautiful steak knives which are imported. We were seated at a table with a great view of the open kitchen You have a choice of still or sparkling water Cured Duck Breast, Pomegranate and Orange Vinaigrette – Ying who’s not a fan of duck rated this dish as her favourtie of the night! Tender and juicy duck breast balanced out with a sweet and sour vinaigrette and with the pomegranate to give a burst of flavour and texture when you bite it. This was a little dish that was just bursting with flavour! Great start to the meal! Puree of Red Lentil, Feta Cheese and Smoked Olive Oil – I’m quite glad that this dish was not the normal pumpkin soup as I’ve had pumpkin soup at almost every Christmas menu tasting this year. This was a most heartwarming soup that combined the earthy flavours from the lentils, some creaminess from the feta cheese and a little olive oil to balance it out. There was not a drop left in the bowl after I was done with it. The puree was paired with the De Bortoli Semillon Chardonnay 2011 which was quite easy to drink and not too dry. This helped to cut through the rich taste of the puree and was a good match. Cranberry Sorbet – a seasonal sorbet to cleanse the palate before the main course. Squeeze the lime over it to add a little sourness to balance the slight sweetness of the sorbet. If you do not want to order a bottle of wine, fret not as Grill 582 has a wine cart where the sommelier will push the cart over to your table and you get to choose the glass of wine you want Ying enjoying her wine. I don’t quite understand why girls are so crazy about wine and champagne but I guess it’s one of those inexplicable facts of life. Grill 582’s sous chef Arini Darsom making sure every last detail of the dish is perfect Pan Seared Barramundi, Togarashi Crust and Fennel Emulsion – a little East meets West here. The fish was fresh and the crust absolutely delicious from the Japanese spice mixture! I couldn’t stop eating the creamy mashed potatoes while the fennel emulsion lent a slightly green taste to balance out the flavours. 2011 Torresella Pinot Grigio from Italy lent its fresh, crisp, slightly floral and sweet flavours to complement the fish. Another easy wine that’s easy to drink. Slow Roasted Turkey Breast, Brussels Sprout, Chestnut and Pumpkin, Morel Jus – What’s Christmas without turkey eh? The turkey was a roulade surrounding the chestnut and pumpkin stuffing and was prepared sous vide style to seal in the juices and prevent the meat from drying out. Generally not a big fan of Brussels sprouts though but it’s important to eat your greens and these went nicely with the morel jus. The turkey was paired with the 2009 Trout Valley Pinot Noir from New Zealand. I can drink really smoky single malts or spicy cognac but I’m such a baby when it comes to wines so I was really happy that the turkey was paired with this Pinot Noir which was easy to drink and had a subtle hint of spice. Bread and Raisin Pudding, Stewed Berries and Eggnog – what a Christmasy dessert! It was not too sweet while the eggnog lent a nice creaminess while the berries balanced out the dish with some sour flavours. In fact the sweetness actually came from the port which was accompanying this dessert! Cockburn’s Port from Portugal – this was rather sweet and had hints of dried plums and fruit. Went remarkably well with the dessert and lent another dimension to the dish Chef Arini Darsom is the same age as me but she’s got 8 years of professional culinary experience under her belt! Turrón and Christmas Cookies – turron is a traditional Spanish almond candy and is made from honey, sugar, egg white and nuts. Coffee or tea was served with this little dessert and I must say that the sweetish turron went so well with my unsweetened coffee! The candy canes were a nice touch and we took them home as we were too full to eat them. Grill 582 has been opened for slightly more than a year but it bagged two (2) awards at the recently concluded Malaysian International Gourmet Festival 2013! . The Christmas Eve set menu is priced at RM150.00++ per set inclusive of one (1) glass of wine or RM250.00++ per set with wine pairing, available only on 24 December 2013, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. To add to the Christmas mood, carollers will be performing some well-loved Christmas carols at the hobby and restaurants of our hotel on 24 and 25 December 2013. Santa Claus will be making an appearance and we hear that he’ll be giving out presents to the children. . tomcat says – If you’re a wine lover, I suggest you go for the full wine pairing as one glass won’t be enough. If you’re planning to visit the restaurant on Christmas eve make sure you call ahead to make a booking to avoid disappointment. Romantic Ambiance: 8.5/10 Parking: Ample parking in the hotel’s basement after working hours . Grill 582 is located in: BEST WESTERN PREMIER Dua Sentral 8, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. . Phone : +603 2272 8888 Email : duasentral@bestwestern.com.my or fb2sentral@bestwestern.com.my More info at https://www.facebook.com/bwp2sentral or http://www.bestwesternmalaysia.com/hotels/dua-sentral-2 . 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 . Relaxing at Punch Bar & Lounge after dinner Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/06/01/editors-note-june-2019-featuring-miss-cosmoworld-2019-press-launch-cum-malaysia-final/

Editor’s Note – June 2019 – Featuring Miss Cosmoworld 2019 Press Launch Cum Malaysia Final

[Editor’s Note] Miss Cosmoworld 2019 Press Launch Cum Malaysia Final    We recently attended the Miss CosmoWorld 2019 press launch and Malaysia finals on 25 May 2019 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The pageant is organised by a team of veteran beauty pageant organisers with 15 years of experience led by Miss Carrie Lee, Miss Chinese Cosmos International 2004. In addition to the press launch, the event was also to select the top three (Malaysian) finalists that will represent Malaysia at the Grand Finals of Miss CosmoWorld International 2019 which will be happening from 19 October until 4 November 2019. During the event, the Malaysian finalists wore outfits from new Malaysian brand fashion, Luxx Grand Couture by Datin Sri Boey. The objective of Miss CosmoWorld is to groom international beauty queens who are well disciplined, independent, ambitious, passionate about lives and with great personality. International Image Brand Builder and Groomer, Mr. CT Chin will personally groom the international contestants by teaching them the science and art of image and appearance management techniques. Miss June Yap will be the finalists’ Life & Pageant Coach alongside Miss Carrie Lee. The pageant aims to provide a platform to all young ladies out there to improve and groom themselves to a better person with excellent personalities. Miss CosmoWorld bills itself as the first international beauty pageant which promotes and encourages no cruelty and no killing towards the animals and to that end will be serving only vegetarian meals on Miss CosmoWorld’s grand final night. A variety of activities and challenges will be given to the contestants throughout the 2 weeks beauty camp. These include grooming classes, charitable visits of CSR project, outdoor activities such as team building and sports games. The prizes that will be given away to the winners of Miss CosmoWorld 2019 will comprise of a total value of RM 50,000 cash prizes and an education scholarship, luxury trip, beauty treatment, car, condo and other lucrative prizes. In addition to the top 3 winner’s award, there will also be 10 subtitles each RM1,000 or more to be won by the contestants.    The top three (3) winners: Helen Ching Gloria Jane Fernandez Honeey Kui Best Catwalk: Gloria Jane Fernandez Luxx Grand Couture Influence: Vsun Cheong and Helen Ching This slideshow requires JavaScript.    For more info, head over to www.facebook.com/MissCosmoWorld Photo credits: Miss CosmoWorld and author’s own       PETRONAS Coffee Break in Conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan and Gawai Festivals    In conjunction with the festive season, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) is offering motorists complimentary coffee and snacks at over 150 PETRONAS stations nationwide with its annual Coffee Break campaign. The PETRONAS Coffee Break campaign is one of PDB’s flagship road safety campaign which aims to remind motorists to stay safe on the road especially during festive seasons, which typically records a higher volume of road travellers. The campaign will commence in Sabah and Sarawak from 30 May to 2 June 2019, and resume from 8 to 9 June 2019, for the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan and Gawai festivals. For Peninsular Malaysia, the campaign for Hari Raya Aidilfitri will commence from 1 to 2 June 2019, and resume from 8 to 9 June 2019. PDB’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin said, “Road safety is one of our highest priorities and through this campaign, we hope to continuously remind our customers to travel safe and take mandatory breaks in between their long journey. We are pleased to be able to play a role in easing the journey of our customers through our offerings of coffee and refreshments before they reach their destinations.” In addition to Nescafé coffee, motorists will get to also enjoy other offerings from other campaign’s partners including Julie’s Butter Crackers, Munchworld’s 7Days croissant, Cadbury 5 Star chocolate, Tong Garden’s sunflower seed, Kopiko candies as well as vouchers from Shopee and Dunkin’ Donuts. To inculcate a safety-first mindset, the Road Safety Department will carry out advocacy programme to educate the public on road safety tips during the campaign.  Free vehicle inspection will also be conducted at by Perodua for its customers alongside the campaign’s new partner, Yamaha, which will be carrying out safety checks for all brands of motorcycles. At the same time, free health screening will also be offered by St John Ambulance Malaysia. All these will be held at selected PETRONAS stations throughout the campaign period. For more information about the PETRONAS Coffee Break Campaign, participating stations and car inspection’s schedule, head over to http://www.mymesra.com.my       [Updated 6 June 2019] X-Men: Dark Phoenix    In DARK PHOENIX, the X-MEN face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own, Jean Grey. During a rescue mission in space, Jean is nearly killed when she is hit by a mysterious cosmic force. Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful, but far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain. With Jean spiraling out of control, and hurting the ones she loves most, she begins to unravel the very fabric that holds the X-Men together. Now, with this family falling apart, they must find a way to unite — not only to save Jean’s soul, but to save our very planet from aliens who wish to weaponize this force and rule the galaxy. X-Men: Dark Phoenix stars Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence, Tye Sheridan, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy. Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee. The movie stars two (2) of my favourite female actresses namely Sophie Turner (ie. Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones) and Jennifer Lawrence (Hunger Games trilogy) and thus is reason enough for me to see it! X-Men: Dark Phoenix opens in Malaysian cinemas on 6 June 2019.    Here are some photos from the UK fan event held in London:    For more info, head over to https://www.facebook.com/foxmovies.my Visuals courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/10/02/duchess-co-soft-launch-party-290913/

Duchess & Co Soft Launch Party 290913

[Fashion] Andy Kho, Sally and I headed over to the Duchess & Co soft launch party on 29 September 2013 featuring a fashion show of their new collection as well as beautiful clutches from The Bag Atelier. Duchess & Co is a new fashion label that brings about Vintage Classic fashion trends and concepts with a modern twist at modest prices. They aim to bring luxury clothing down to the masses so customers can enjoy wearing their unique designs made with the finest quality. The women behind Duchess & Co The models for the fashion show. Spot MHB’s Bell Wong! The place was teeming with pretty girls! Spot the twins! (The answer will be revealed at the bottom of this post) MHB’s Bell Wong with Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 1st runner-up Natalia Mei The girls from Bag Atelier Fancy a shiny bird bag? There were also other stuff like accessories for sale there A pic with beautiful model Evelyn Marieta These are the twins in the earlier pic. Did you manage to guess correctly? Look out for the launch of the Duchess & Co website soon – http://www.duchessandco.com/ Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography – http://www.andykho.com . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/01/02/valentines-day-2019-kuala-lumpur-and-selangor-dinners-set-menus-romantic-restaurants-promotions/

Valentine’s Day 2019 Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Dinners, Set Menus, Romantic Restaurants, Promotions

[Valentine’s Day 2019 Special Feature] If you’re looking for my 2020 list of romantic restaurants, set menus and promotions for Valentine’s Day, head over to https://timchew.net/2020/01/20/valentines-day-2020-dinners-in-kuala-lumpur-and-petaling-jaya-selangor/     My annual Valentine’s Day dining list is back, this time including some new restaurants and hotels in Kuala Lumpur like Saint Pierre, Horizon Grill and Altitude at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, Ebisu at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Ce La Vi, as well as some favourites like BABE – Japas Fun Dining, THIRTY8 at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Troika Sky Dining, Marini’s on 57, Marble 8, Senja, SkyBar, and more! I also visited a five restaurants to try their Valentine’s Day 2019 menus and you can read about my experiences here: Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur: https://timchew.net/2019/02/04/valentines-day-2019-dinner-at-traders-hotel-kuala-lumpur-dine-with-a-view-of-the-petronas-twin-towers/ Senja Italian Restaurant at The Saujana Hotel: https://timchew.net/2019/02/02/valentines-day-2019-dinner-at-senja-italian-restaurant-the-saujana-hotel-kuala-lumpur/ Cedar on 15 at Impiana KLCC Hotel: https://timchew.net/2019/01/21/valentines-day-2019-menu-at-cedar-on-15-kuala-lumpur/ TRACE at Element Kuala Lumpur: https://timchew.net/2019/01/18/valentines-day-dinner-2019-at-element-kuala-lumpur-hotel/ Ruyi (formerly known as Ruyi & Lyn) at Bangsar Shopping Centre: https://timchew.net/2019/01/24/valentines-day-2019-dinner-at-ruyi-monte-carlo-bistro-bangsar-shopping-centre-kuala-lumpur/   If you’re in Singapore this Chinese New Year or Valentine’s Day, here’s what’s happening at Marina Bay Sands Singapore – https://timchew.net/2019/01/30/chinese-new-year-and-valentines-day-2019-dinners-menus-promotions-gifts-and-treats-at-marina-bay-sands-singapore/ If you’re in Jakarta or would like to spend Valentine’s Day at Four Seasons Koh Samui, here’s what’s happening – https://timchew.net/2019/02/03/valentines-day-2019-romantic-getaway-to-four-seasons-resort-koh-samui-and-four-seasons-hotel-jakarta/ And if you need a bouquet of flowers, I’ve listed some special bouquets by two florists right at the bottom of this feature.   This feature is presented by MHB Digital – Malaysia’s premier influencer marketing agency! This slideshow requires JavaScript. We believe that digital publicity should be engaging while being affordable and cost-effective. We believe in conveying our clients’ message through ethical, high-quality, and trustworthy content in a lifestyle and non-hard sell manner that will stand out from all the junk, tabloid clutter and fake news, capturing the attention of consumers as well as providing positive brand awareness. MHB Digital is a Malaysian based digital (online) media that is trusted by many brands including Montblanc, Ball Watch, Panasonic, Sony, Leica, Fujifilm, Calvin Klein Watches & Jewelry (Swatch Group Malaysia), Nivea, Chevrolet, Olympus, Lenovo, Casio, Carlsberg, Johnnie Walker, GUESS, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and Gucci fragrances, Givenchy, Ricoh, and many more to provide quality and ethical digital media publicity. We also have strategic media partnerships with many top brands such as SK-II, Shiseido, L’Occitane, Xiaomi, Calvin Klein fragrances (Luxasia), Kerastase, Nissan, Ice Watch, Storm London, and more! On a local level, we work with prominent brands like Celcom, Poh Kong, 1 Utama, Atria Shopping Centre, EcoWorld, Encorp, De Jouer, Beaute Library, Nomi Tomo, Shawn Cutler and numerous other brands in need of affordable yet cost-effective digital publicity. We provide cost-effective advertising packages to suit various brands and budgets, from independent stores to SMEs, all the way to MNCs and global brands. For more info, head over to MHB Digital (www.mhbdigital.com)       Saint Pierre This Valentine’s Day, Saint Pierre at the W Kuala Lumpur hotel is celebrating love and fine dining with a very special menu curated by Chef-Owner Emmanuel Stroobant alongside Chef de Cuisine KimKevin de Dood on 14 February 2019. The menu for couples, is described as “edible romance’’, as both Chef Stroobant and Chef de Dood’s collaborative magic touches brings a seven-course menu that is only available on Thursday, 14 February 2019, priced at RM778++ per person. There is an optional wine pairing per course priced at RM348++, with dinner starting from 6.30pm onwards. The evening begins with a set of canapés blending a wide range of tastes and textures in five savoury bites. There is rice, carrot and kaffir lime; scallop, nori and celeriac; clam, leek and parsley; wagyu beef, beetroot and wasabi; and nasu, miso and lime. The second course is Caviar, the first of four starters. Royal Belgian Oscietra caviar adorns a slightly poached oyster bathed in horseradish cream and a dill yuzu sauce. It is followed by Madai. Seared sea bream is presented with lobster ravioli in a slightly spicy yuzu kosho bisque. The menu then moves from the sea back to land with Black Truffle. A shower of sliced, fresh late season winter black truffle covers a medley of royale mushroom with green peppercorn and poached egg in a white shio shoyu soy sauce foam. Ending the quartet of extravagant starters is the Foie Gras – earthy and creamy goose liver pan-fried and garnished with refreshing apple, cardamon and rhubarb. The main course is a tender Australian milk-fed rose veal tenderloin roasted with vadouvan spices and served with parsnip and ginger. After the richness of the beef comes a palate cleanser of Kir Royale. This pre-dessert of blackcurrant marmalade and champagne sorbet gets a tiara of frothy cassis espuma. The finale is Saint Pierre’s fragrant rendition of Ispahan – a combination of lychee mousse and gel with rose ice-cream and fresh raspberries.     CANAPÉS rice, carrot, kaffir lime scallop, nori, celeriac clam, leek, parsley wagyu beef, beetroot, wasabi nasu, miso, lime CAVIAR royal belgian caviar, oyster, horseradish, dill MADAI madai, lobster, yuzu kosho BLACK TRUFFLE late season winter black truffle, mushroom, green peppercorn, shio shoyu FOIE GRAS foie gras, apple, cardamon, rhubarb VEAL rose veal tenderloin, parsnip, vadouvan, ginger KIR ROYAL champagne, creme de cassis, black currant ISPAHAN raspberry, lychee, rose    Saint Pierre is located at: Level 8, W Kuala Lumpur, 121 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Telephone: (603) 2732 5008 Email: info@saintpierre.com.my Website: http://www.saintpierre.com.my Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saintpierrekl      Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur invites couples to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with a collection of romantic experiences guaranteed to ignite sparks between loved ones. Whether falling in love for the first time or reconnecting, Four Seasons offers an idyllic setting to cultivate romance. Led by Executive Chef Junious Dickerson, Four Seasons features an idyllic aphrodisiac with a collection of romantic menus throughout Curate, Pool Bar & Grill, The Lounge and Decadent to retreat and celebrate love.  The Valentine’s Day offerings are available only on 14 February 2019. Curate: Love at First Bite Inspired by the world’s best theatres, Curate takes centre stage with its innovative dining buffet that offers a full sensory experience like no other.  Designed to indulge epicurean curiosities, experience ‘love at first’ bite with a curated Valentine’s Day Buffet dinner.  The curated menu features a Southeast Asian wok station, Western and Arabic selections.  The buffet is MYR 850 per couple with a bottle of wine; and MYR 420 per couple with two cocktails or beverages. Pool Bar & Grill: Dinner Under the Stars An idyllic rooftop setting, Pool Bar & Grill offers resort-style dining in this modern shisha lounge and grill.  Located in a private cabana, Dinner Under the Stars features a five-course set menu, including smoked foie gras and Arabic mixed grill, along with a bottle of wine, for MYR 788 per couple.  The dinner also offers a four-course set menu with one handcrafted couple per guest, for MYR 488 per couple. The Lounge at Four Seasons Paying homage to Malaysia’s traditional open-air dwellings, The Lounge transports guests to an enchanting and romantic setting this Valentine’s Day.  The evening includes a special Malaysian-fusion menu featuring avocado rojak, spring chicken confit, lobster curry and sago pudding, with a glass of champagne; or a five-course set menu with a bottle of champagne at MYR 688 per couple. Decadent by Four Seasons This Valentine’s Day, satisfy life’s sweet indulgences with the finest handcrafted artisanal confections and gift boxes offered exclusively at Decadent.  Guaranteed to make hearts flutter, the special menu includes a beautiful assortment ranging from boxed roses to pralines.  The gift boxes start at MYR 210 and are available for delivery. Third Night Free Offer The hotel is also offering a Third Night Free offer for a romantic staycation to reconnect, rejuvenate and revel in romance. For more info or reservations, call (1 800) 819- 5053 or head over to https://www.fourseasons.com/kualalumpur/     Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Valentine’s Day 2019 afternoon tea menu at Altitude, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Valentine’s Day 2019 menu at Horizon Grill, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur For more info or reservations, head over to https://www.banyantree.com/en/malaysia/kuala-lumpur     Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Valentine’s Day 2019 menu at Ebisu, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur For more info or reservations, head over to https://www.banyantree.com/en/malaysia/pavilion-hotel     Hilton Kuala Lumpur (Sentral) “Eat, Drink and Be Mine” at Graze, Hilton Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. Experience the essence of passion in a romantic candle-lit setting with a special 4-course Valentine’s Day set menu exclusively curated by the in-house Chef of Graze at Hilton Kuala Lumpur; Chef Darius Seitfudem. The menu is available from 13th to 16th February 2019 only. Be greeted with a welcome cocktail called True Love, followed by a first course of either freshly shucked Rock Oysters or Tuna Tartare. Spice up the evening with a choice of Lobster Bisque or Sun Blushed Tomato Soup for seconds and choose between a Grilled French Sea Bass or a red wine braised tenderloin. Finally, end the evening with a warm rich chocolate cake. Grilled French Sea Bass Red Wine Braised (beef) Tenderloin Elevate the Valentine’s Set Menu with Wine Pairing and get the following selection of wines served during each course: Andreola Dirupo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superriore Extra Dry DOCG, as the aperitif. Frescobaldi Alie Rose Ammiraglia Toscana Italy 2017 paired with the second course. Belles Vignes Chardonnay France 2015 to be paired with the fish or Marques De Riscal 1860 Tempranillo Spain 2016 to be paired with the tenderloin. To end on a sweet note the dessert will be paired with Grant Burge Alfresco Moscato Australia 2017. Or trust Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s experienced Sommelier to choose a bottle of wine (not included in the set) that is best to go with the meal. The Valentine’s Day 2019 menu at Graze is priced at: Food-only: RM220 nett per person Wine pairing: RM328 nett per person *Ladies will be gifted with a stalk of red rose & Red Velvet Chocolate Kisses and White Chocolate Truffle. Admission by reservation only. Call +60 3 2264 2264 or email KULHI_FB@hilton.com     THIRTY8 at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Set to impress your date with a classically romantic candlelight dinner under the stars at THIRTY8 which is one of the city’s most popular romantic dining spots! The intimate setting with the iconic view of the city skyline will definitely set the right atmosphere for a romantic evening. On arrival, enjoy a glass of Rose Fairy cocktail and delight in a gastronomic journey with THIRTY8’s 5-course dinner with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options specially prepared by the master chefs at THIRTY8. This slideshow requires JavaScript. Spoil your significant other with a spread of Valentine inspired dishes such as smoked salmon tartar, Australian Black Angus Beef, Alaskan cod fillet and other endless food pleasures before ending it with a white chocolate and raspberry jelly parfait. Price                 :  MYR 680 nett per couple Date                 :  14 February 2019 First seating      :  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Second seating :  8:30 PM – 10:30 PM Book a fresh red rose bouquet bespoke by the hotel’s in-house florists with the following hidden messages from now till 11 February 2019. Be Mine                  :  MYR 250 nett for 12 stem red rose bouquet I’m Yours                :  MYR 480 nett for 24 stem red rose bouquet Unconditional Love :  MYR 700 nett for 50 stem red rose bouquet Surprise your date with a romantic staycation at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur and indulge in some quality time with your other half. Book and stay before 28 February 2019 in one of Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur’s rooms and suites to enjoy up to 20% off standard rates. You could also take it up a notch and pamper your date with a gift of relaxation by indulging in the Valentine’s spa package at award-winning ESSA Spa. Priced at MYR 590 nett per couple, the Valentine package includes a 90 minutes treatment of Jasmine Body Scrub and ESSA Dream State Body Massage. For reservations or enquiries, call +603 2182 1234 or email the following: THIRTY8: thirty8.kuagh@hyatt.com ESSA Spa: essaspa.my@hyatt.com Rooms Reservations: reservation.kuagh@hyatt.com     Cedar on 15, Impiana KLCC Hotel This slideshow requires JavaScript. The Valentine’s Day dinner menu at Cedar on 15 is priced at RM580+ per couple (inclusive of free flow of wine and sparkling wine) and will be available at Cedar on 15 on 14 February 2019 from 7.00pm – 10.30pm. Read about my experience trying the Valentine’s Day menu at Cedar on 15 at https://timchew.net/2019/01/21/valentines-day-2019-menu-at-cedar-on-15-kuala-lumpur/     TRACE at Element Kuala Lumpur Hotel This slideshow requires JavaScript. Element Kuala Lumpur hotel will have their “Be My Valentine” set dinner at TRACE restaurant & bar which on 14 February 2019, from 6:30pm – 10.30pm, priced at RM388nett per couple (add on an additional RM100nett to secure a window seat). Read about my experience trying the Valentine’s Day menu at https://timchew.net/2019/01/18/valentines-day-dinner-2019-at-element-kuala-lumpur-hotel/     BABE – Japas Fun Dining BABE – Japas Fun Dining in Clearwater Damansara Heights has not one but TWO special menus this Valetine’s Day, available from 14 to 16 February 2019.   Valentine Tasting Menu 2019 – Me Love You Priced at RM550++ per pax Uni and King Crab Meringue Uni and King Crab Meringue Shiso Leaf, Apple Meringue and Yuzu Hot & Cold Pumpkin and Amaebi Prawn Hot & Cold Pumpkin and Amaebi Prawn Seafood Bisque with Charcoal Croutons and Perilla Flowers Ootoro Spring Roll Fatty Tuna Belly in Crispy Spring Rolls Shell Oyster Ice Cream Caviar, Eel Jelly and Grated Yuzu Zest Grilled Kampachi Roast Sunchoke Puree, Kiriboshi Winter Vegetables and Lemon Soy Vinaigrette Abalone Samgyetang Black Truffle on Okayu with Poached Abalone and Jinseng Ankake Australian Marble 9 Wagyu Steak Fondant Potato and Sansho Butter Spherified Pumpkin Pie Spiced Crumble and Orange Sorbet   Winter Tasting Menu 2019 – Me Love You Long Time Priced at RM750++ per pax Uni and King Crab Meringue Shiso Leaf, Apple Meringue and Yuzu Hot & Cold Pumpkin and Amaebi Prawn Seafood Bisque with Charcoal Croutons and Perilla Flowers Ootoro Spring Roll Fatty Tuna Belly in Crispy Spring Rolls Shell Mushroom and Parsnip Japanese Mushroom Duxelle with Pickled Mushroom, Parsnip Puree and Crisp Oyster Ice Cream Caviar, Eel Jelly and Grated Yuzu Zest Roast Hokkaido Scallop Roast Hokkaido Scallop Citrus Beurre Blanc, Organic Japanese Root Vegetables and Water Pepper Sprout Grilled Kampachi Roast Sunchoke Puree, Kiriboshi Winter Vegetables and Lemon Soy Vinaigrette Abalone Samgyetang Black Truffle on Okayu with Poached Abalone and Jinseng Ankake A5 Kagoshima Wagyu Steak Fondant Potato and Sansho Butter Spherified Pumpkin Pie Spherified Pumpkin Pie Spiced Crumble and Orange Sorbet   For enquiries/ reservations, call +603.2095 8599 or email: hello@babe.com.my For more info, head over to http://babe.com.my/ Read about my recent experience having the champagne brunch at BABE – Japas Fun Dining here – https://timchew.net/2018/12/17/sunday-champagne-brunch-at-babe-japas-fun-dining/     Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript.   Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur with a romantic experience at SkyBar, Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill and Traders Club Lounge on Level 32. This year, Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill created a special ‘love-inspired’ 6-course menu prepared using the finest ingredients, priced at RM 595 nett per couple including two glasses Veuve Clicquot and a rose for the lady. Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill Valentine’s Day 2019 menu   Up at the Traders Club Lounge on Level 32, you can enjoy the beautiful full frontal view of the Petronas Twins Tower dazzling throughout the night, while indulging in a 6-course menu priced at RM795 nett per couple which includes two (2) glasses of Veuve Clicquot together with endless supply of wine and a rose for the lady. Level 32 Traders Hotel Valentine’s Day 2019 menu   After dinner, continue your romantic evening at SkyBar Kuala Lumpur with two packages with an option to select food from the hot or cold menus. PACKAGES Cabana Seat (Level 33) priced at RM 700 Choice of Moet Chandon Brut / Moet Chandon Rose Half dozen of roses Chocolate Pralines Cold or Hot Menu Level 34 priced at RM 650 1 bottle of Moet Chandon Brut Half dozen of roses Chocolate Pralines Cold or Hot Menu Cold Menu Bloody Mary with Poached Prawns and Tomatoes Alaskan King Crabs Pacific Fresh Oysters with Black Caviar Poached Yabbies Poached Green Lipped Mussels Hot Menu Grilled Shishamo Fish with grated Radish Baked thyme black Cod Fish Buffalo Chicken Wings Shish Kebab The Valentine’s Day menu at Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill will be available from 14 to 17 February 2019 while the menu at Traders Club Lounge, Level 32 and SkyBar will be available exclusively on 14 February 2019. Read my review of the Valentine’s Day menu at Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur at https://timchew.net/2019/02/04/valentines-day-2019-dinner-at-traders-hotel-kuala-lumpur-dine-with-a-view-of-the-petronas-twin-towers/   For reservations, call +603 2332 9818 or email thkl@tradershotels.com      Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur    The Mill Cafe 14th February 2019; 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Price: RM 128.00 nett per adult (without lobster) and *RM 256.00 nett per couple (with lobster) Set hearts aflutter as you and your Valentine spark romance with fabulous dining at The Mill Café. Showcasing a special buffet dinner that serves up exquisite flavours prepared by meticulous hands, kick-start the evening with freshly made Canadian lobster thermidor to put you in the mood, then whet your appetite with delectable dishes from Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur hotel’s Western, Chinese and Indian kitchens. Strawberry themed desserts make for a sweet ending to the meal.    Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur Poolside Candlelight Dinner 14th February 2019; 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Price: RM 520.00 nett per couple (Additional RM 80.00 nett for accompanying love potions) Pamper your Valentine this year with a romantic candle-lit dinner by the pool to celebrate moments of more. Indulge in a divine five-course menu with delicious hot and cold seafood, lobster spaghettini in creamy prawn bisque, black cod fish with ginger and honey grapefruit sauce, New Zealand lamb loin with beetroot carpaccio and sweet potato mash, plus desserts to share. With optional beverage pairing, the evening surely will not disappoint.    A Culinary Love Affair at Lai Ching Yuen 14th February 2019; 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm Price: RM 588.00 nett per couple Ignite the passion and make memories that last with a seven-course dinner specially created for Valentine’s Day. Executive Chinese Chef Terence Foong and his talented culinary team present artisanal indulgences such as double boiled sea cucumber soup, braised abalone with goose web, roasted crispy pigeon, baked Boston lobster, stewed vegetables and mushrooms with imported scallops, ee-fu noodles, chilled almond tofu and more.     Berjaya Times Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. Love takes a different colour (and taste too!) this Valentine’s day at Samplings on the Fourteenth, Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel brings a new meaning of keeping your “love-forever-fresh-and-green” with a special Valentines Cuisine this year with the introduction of their Vegetarian Romance Dinner set. Lovebirds will be served throughout the memorable night with an elegant and romantic evening overlooking the magnificent lights of Kuala Lumpur while enjoying the exquisite taste of love through our fine dining cuisine. With a romantic evening that overlooks the skyline city center, Samplings on the Fourteenth brings a new school of fine dining vegetable-based gourmet – a unique blend of gastronomic influence to develop deep flavor, experiment with texture, and perfect modern-art like presentation that will evoke the feeling of love and passion through your sense of taste. Located at the East Tower on the 14th floor of Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Samplings on The Fourteenth Restaurant boasts a nice collection of vintage wines and offers the finest Western cuisine that ignites your taste buds. The restaurant has built a steadfast name as one of the most distinguished fine-dining restaurants in the local dining scene. The restaurant is well-known amongst discerning food lovers in Kuala Lumpur for its excellent service standards, innovative menu, comfortable ambiance, as well as unique culinary experience. Under Chef Val’s stewardship over the years, Samplings on the Fourteenth Restaurant has received 12 awards so far; with the most recent being Best Fine-Dining Restaurant, World Gourmet Award (2017) and the prestigious Malaysia International Gourmet Festival, MIGF (2015). Indulge your loved ones with the 5-course vegetarian set dinner specially prepared by the award-winning chefs on 13th February 2017 from 6.30pm till 10.30pm and priced at RM380nett per couple. Kick start your romantic dinner with the Declaration of Love starter; with shaved fennel on Mini kumara croquette, cauliflower cream, porcini mushrooms, and truffles. Our Love Blooms Essence of smoked garlic & tapioca Infused with Indian spices will be served next along with a palate cleanser of Earl Grey Mint Sorbet. Come to Me set will be served with grapefruit & avocado purée Beetroot, fried goat cheese, assorted nuts, and vegetables. Our highlight for the night called Drunk in Love consist of Velouté of Jerusalem artichoke, Mushroom brioche & truffle butter. End the night with a sweet taste of love by a serving of Strawberry vanilla bavarois with Macaroons, Rose Jelly. For non-vegetarian couples, there’s also a set that consist of Love at First Sight starter, served with Salmon & Portobello carpaccio, Horseradish Cream with Buffalo Mozzarella and Marinated Pickles. Love Blooms will consist the serving essence of smoked garlic & tapioca Infused with Indian spices; follow up with a palate cleanser of Earl Grey Mint Sorbet. For the main highlights, choose between our Romance set (consist of Meuniere Pacific Barramundi Wild Mushroom, kumara puree with Saffron Pink Peppercorn Sauce serving) or an endless Summer Night (consist of Wagyu Beef Cheek, Spinach couscous and Truffle Shallot Jus serving). Sweetness compliments the curtains call with Strawberry vanilla bavarois with Macaroons and Rose Jelly. The 5-course set dinner specially prepared by the hotel’s award-winning chefs on 14th February 2017 from 6.30pm till 10.30pm; priced at RM480nett per couple for the non-vegetarian fine dining set. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian set inclusive of sparkling juice/wine. For more info or to make a reservation, call 03-2117 8000 (ext. 8131) or head over to http://www.berjayahotel.com     Senja (Italian Restaurant) at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. Read my review of the Valentine’s Day menu at Senja Italian Restaurant at The Saujana Hotel at https://timchew.net/2019/02/02/valentines-day-2019-dinner-at-senja-italian-restaurant-the-saujana-hotel-kuala-lumpur/ For more info or reservations, head over to http://www.saujanahotels.com/the-saujana-hotel/en/dining.html     The Westin Kuala Lumpur This slideshow requires JavaScript. For more info, head over to https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/kulwi-the-westin-kuala-lumpur/ or email westindining@westin.com     Marini’s On 57 For more info, head over to https://marinis57.com/ or telephone +603 2386 6030     Marble 8 Kuala Lumpur For more info, head over to https://www.marble-8.com/ or telephone +603 2386 6030     M Marini Grand Caffe For more info, head over to https://mmarinis.com/ or telephone +603 2386 6030     Ce La Vi Kuala Lumpur Valentines Set Menu on 14 February 2019 Priced at RM 1088 ++ for 2 persons inclusive of a sparkling wine cocktail Amuse Bouche  Edamame Gazpacho with marinated red prawn Cold Starter 1 Fresh oyster with Ikura and Ponzu Cold Starter 2 Sashimi with ice plant Warm Starter Foie gras with shitake mushroom, mandarin sauce and fried leek served with Koh Pau   Soup  Lobster bisque with lobster and wasabi & black sesame crouton   Main Course (Choice of) Australian Wagyu score 7 with caramelized onion puree and porcini mushrooms OR Pan fried duck breast with Hoisin sauce and pumpkin kimchee puree OR Tuna cheek with miso sabayon and ponzu   Dessert  Japanese Choux pastry with green tea crumbs, wasabi ganache and Goma gelato   *All prices are subject to 10% Service Charge and 6% SST For more info, head over to http://kl.celavi.com/     Cocott’ TTDI For more info or reservations, head over to  https://www.cocottkl.com/ or call +60 3 2712 44 81       2OX This slideshow requires JavaScript. AMUSE BOUCHE Glazed Beets – Treacle Smoked Eel – Apple Batons –Fresh Yoghurt – Organic Honey – Smoked Sea Salt APPETIZER Scottish Salmon & Local Lobster “Gross” Raviole – Lobster & Saffron Bisque – Herring Caviar MAINS (choice of) Pan Roasted Wild Cod Fish – Petit Pois Veloutė – La Ratte Potato Puree – Pine Nut Vinaigrette OR Aged wagyu striploin at 2OX Aged Wagyu Striploin – Butter Poached Rapini – Truffle Mousse – Sauce Bordelaise DESSERT TO SHARE 70% Valrhona Chocolate Marquise – Raspberry Sorbet – French Vanilla Meringue – Thyme & Blueberry Compote – Tonka Bean Crémeux     The Valentine’s Day menu at 2OX is priced at RM200++ per person (food only) or RM280++ per person with wine pairing. For more info or reservations, head over to http://www.two-ox.com/ or call 03-2692 2233     Troika Sky Dining Cantaloupe Strato Fuego For reservations or more info, email frontdesk@troikaskydining.com or head over to http://www.troikaskydining.com/     The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur     G Hotel Penang For more info, head over to http://www.ghotel.com.my     Ruyi at Bangsar Shopping Centre This slideshow requires JavaScript. Bonus – If you’re looking to have a hearty dinner in Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur that is affordable and good value for money, the combined Ruyi/ Monte Carlo Bistro four-course menu which is priced at just RM218++ per couple is a good option Read more at https://timchew.net/2019/01/24/valentines-day-2019-dinner-at-ruyi-monte-carlo-bistro-bangsar-shopping-centre-kuala-lumpur/     Chez Gaston Bangsar For more information or reservations, call +60166009185 or head over to https://www.facebook.com/chezgastonkl/ Chez Gaston Bangsar is located at 12G, Jalan Bangsar Utama, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.     Hemisphere Restaurant & Bar This slideshow requires JavaScript. The Valentine’s Day menu at Hemisphere Restaurant & Bar Kuala Lumpur is available for dinner only from 12 to 15 February 2019, priced at RM239++  per pax (food only) or RM349++  per pax (with wine pairing). 1st Course – Confit Duck Tempura Beetroot Cone, Confit Duck, Mashed Potato, Gold Flakes. 2nd Course – Hokkaido Octopus Carpaccio (Cold) Hokkaido Octopus, Yuzu & Kizame Wasabi, Champagne Foam. 3rd Course – Alaska King Crab & Abalone King Crab & Baby Courgettes Cannelloni, Abalone, Avocado, Passion Fruit Dressing & Salmon Roe. 4th Course – Terrine Turkey & Black Trumpet Mushroom Turkey, Pomme Puree, Butternut Squash, Toasted Hazelnut, Fresh Raspberry & Figs, Port Wine Jus Sorbet 5th Course (choice of) Australian Wagyu Striploin (Marble 6) Tomato Tuile, Truffle Chicken Mousse, Stuffed Morel Mushroom, Jerusalem Artichoke Puree, Foie Grass, Dark Chocolate & Red Wine Jus. OR Giant River Prawn & Razor Clam Garlic Butter Roasted, River Prawn on Basil & Mascapone. Risotto, Tom Yum Hollandaise, Razor Clam Fricassee Tartlet. 6th Course – Chocolate & Kahlua Mousse (Sharing Platter) Espresso Soaked Savoiardi, Mocha Gel, Hazelnut Praline, Dark Chocolate Shards, Popping Candy   For more info or reservations, head over to http://www.hemispherekl.com/ or call +603-27421098 / +603-27421097 / +6011-31551620 (11am onwards daily)     Bobo KL For more info, head over to https://www.facebook.com/BoboKualaLumpur/     2nd Floor TTDI For more info, head over to https://www.facebook.com/T2FLR/     Drift Dining & Bar For more info, head over to www.driftdining.com or call +60 3-2110 2079     Need some flowers? Bloomthis Love Angela – RM329 (med), RM459 (large) Love Esmerelda – RM179 (med), RM219 (large) Love Aurora – RM319 (med), RM399 (large) Love Persephone – RM259 (med), RM319 (large) Love Selene – RM259 (med), RM339 (large) Everlasting Rose series in Candy, Cherry, Latte, Lavender, Red and Tiffany – RM149 (with no engraving), RM179 (with personalised engraving) Love Happy Together – RM159 (without engraving), RM189 (with engraving) Love Lavender Dreams – RM169 (without engraving), RM199 (with personalised engraving) Love Beautiful Life – RM149 (without engraving), RM179 (with personalised engraving) This year, BloomThis specially created a number of new bouquets for Valentine’s Day which can be found in their Valentine’s Day collection. Additionally, you will also have the option to add on a box of Ritter Sport chocolate, or a choice of cuff / necklace from Wanderlust + Co, or both chocolate and jewellery together to enhance your bouquet!    BloomThis x Photobook Bloomthis is also collaborating with Photobook for Valentine’s Day where upon every successful transaction from their Valentine’s collection, you will receive a code to redeem a FREE Photobook worth RM79. The code is only applicable for the Photobook app, and the promo ends on 14th Feb 2019. For more info or to place an order, head over to https://bloomthis.co/collections/valentines-day-flowers     Beautifleurs Florist Special Heart Shaped Hot-Air Balloon – RM280   Love Angel Series – RM280 Balloon & Roses Bunny Bouquet – RM150 Classy Heart Shaped Bloombox Series Classy Heart Shaped Bloombox (small) – RM280 Classy Heart Shaped Bloombox (Large) – RM450 Fleur and Lace Special Edition Carry-Me-Home- BOX Valentine’s Day Collaboration Collection between Made of Lace x beautifleurs Fleur and Lace Special Edition Carry-Me-Home- BOX Heart shaped bouquet box Secret drawer beneath the flowers Inclusive of ONE design of lingerie from Made of Lace Fleur and Lace Special Edition Carry-Me-Home- BOX with Balloon – RM389 Fleur and Lace Special Edition Carry-Me-Home- BOX – RM359   Fried chicken flower bouquet myeongdong topokki x beautifleurs  You can also declare your love with a Fried Chicken Flower Bouquet , priced from RM69 to RM299. consists of 5 different designs can order at any myeongdong topokki outlet   Beautifleurs also offers more traditional flower bouquets as well as Korean style bouquets. Beautifleurs is located at 104m, Jalan SS21/39, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Telephone: 012-4026405 (Ying) Email: bonjour@beautifleurs.com Instagram: @beautifleurs Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/oneboldbloom Website: http://www.beautifleurs.com     Hope you found the list above useful. Feel free to leave your feedback on the dinners in the comments section. To find out what my thoughts on the various restaurants that I tried, check out my February 2019 editor’s note.   Disclaimer, visual/ photo credits: Info and visuals were provided by the respective hotels, restaurants, and florists. (Certain photos are the author’s own and may not be downloaded or reproduced without written permission.) . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/08/20/montblanc-meisterstuck-sfumato-collection/

Montblanc Meisterstück Sfumato Collection

[ADV] Montblanc unveiled Meisterstück Selection Sfumato, masterfully painted leather goods with a contemporary and sophisticated appeal, on 1 April 2015, in an event hosted at 3 Olaf Street in London’s West End quarter. The glitzy affair saw award-winning actor and Montblanc Brand Ambassador Hugh Jackman join Montblanc CEO Jérôme Lambert for the global launch of the one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by “sfumato”, an ingenious painting technique developed during the Renaissance by the great masters including Leonardo da Vinci, and applied by Montblanc to the treatment of leather to highlight its natural beauty. You can read more about this process here – https://timchew.net/2015/08/16/montblanc-meisterstuck-sfumato-collection-inspired-by-leonardo-da-vinci/ Adam Gallagher @iamgalla Kadu Dantas @kadudantas Among the attendees of the exclusive launch were famous fashion bloggers Adam Gallagher aka @iamgalla as well as Kadu Dantas aka @kadudantas A Montblanc artisan demonstrating his skills and expertise to Hugh Jackman There is a great level of intricacy, care and detail involved in the production of Montblanc products Montblanc brand ambassador Hugh Jackman welcoming the guests Montblanc Brand Ambassador Hugh Jackman & Montblanc CEO Jérôme Lambert The launch was held inside the expansive London art venue where its dramatic façade featured a colourful light installation by legendary contemporary artist James Turrell. Guests were transported into the world of Montblanc craftsmanship, and were given a tour of the aesthetics of the designs and also the passion that goes into creating the Sfumato Selection. Artisans demonstrated the skills and expertise required to make each piece from the design phase and the treatment of the leather, to the final assembly of each individual piece. Guests got to view the new Meisterstück Selection Sfumato pieces on display Meisterstück Selection Sfumato pieces which included a document-case, full briefcase, a large tote, a wallet, coin case, card holder and belts, were displayed in three areas, each one themed around one of the three colours of the new collection: rich brown, flannel and navy blue. After the preview, there was an intimate dinner for Hugh Jackman and 100 VIP guests in an atmospheric dining area lit by candles and theatrical spot lighting. Each of the three tables were dressed to mirror the elegant tones of Sfumato collection with decorations, linens, chairs and flowers inspired by one of the three colours. Unfortunately I wasn’t invited for the dinner in London however Montblanc Malaysia invited me to their boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur to see the preview of the collection up close. Also invited was gorgeous upcoming model and celebrity Venice Min, as well as popular fashion blogger Stephanie Lim.   Venice Min with a beautiful and elegant Meisterstück Selection Sfumato briefcase Venice with a large tote bag from the Meisterstück Selection Sfumato collection Blogger Stephanie Lim   Here’s your chance to walk away with some awesome Montblanc leathergoods! Simply visit the Montblanc boutique at Level 2, Pavilion KL to take a picture of the Montblanc Meisterstück Selection Sfumato collection and share it on your Instagram or Facebook. The top 5 images with the hashtag #montblancsfumatomy with the highest number of “Likes” by 23 August 2015 will be the winner. Terms & conditions apply. For more information, head over to www.montblanc.com Photo credits: Montblanc Malaysia Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/07/14/hp-launches-a-new-range-of-computing-print-products-2016-themed-reinvention-of-today/

HP Launches a New Range of Computing & Print Products (2016) Themed ‘Reinvention of Today’

[Tech & Gadgets]     Headed over to Aloft KL Sentral on 29 June 2016 for the launch of HP’s latest computing and printing products which aims to reinvent and transform customer experience. The new product line-up was specifically designed and built with the mission to engineer experiences that amaze consumers. “At HP, our vision is to create technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. We understand precisely the needs of our consumers, and we are always working towards a goal to create new form factors to help fulfil those needs for consumers to access content anytime, anywhere” said Kym Lim, Managing Director of HP PPS Sales Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia. “We are reinventing the computing and printing experience through our ‘One Life’ designed products – focusing on design, productivity, security and entertainment,” she explained. In today’s modern workplace, work and life are converging into “One Life” where the boundaries between the two get rather hazy. Especially for entrepreneurs like myself, the workplace is not always my desk but basically anywhere with an internet connection. Today’s workforce, consisting of a growing millennial base, expect the technology they use to fulfill both their business and personal requirements. Lim added that consumers today do not just want the devices they use to be stylish and stunning, but also giving them the freedom to create and express their aspirations. “At HP, we are constantly pushing the envelope to build innovative products for ‘One Life’, so our customers get an enhanced computing experience whether for work or play,” she said. Wong Yuen Lai, Business Director for Print Category; and Frankie Chan, Business Director for PC Category, shared on the functionality of HP’s latest computing and print product line-up, and how both consumer and commercial products address the “One Life” demands. After the product presentations, we got to try out the new computing and print products line-up which included what HP dubs as the “thinnest and lightest” business class notebook, all-in-one workstations, and new print innovations.     HP Spectre 13 Notebook The HP Spectre sets a new standard in being the thinnest notebook in the world with powerful features – a beautiful Full HD edge-to-edge display featuring Corning® Gorilla®, Intel® CoreTM i processors, audio by Bang & Olufsen with HP Audio Boost technology, long battery life and a sexy and thin design. The 13.3” diagonal HP Spectre will be available from July with a starting price at RM5,999 with Intel® CoreTM i5 processor; and RM6,900 with Intel® CoreTM i7 processor.   HP ENVY 15 Laptop The new ENVY 15 is a versatile all-rounder that redefines technological limitations that understands mobile and performance needs. It offers a sleek, metal design featuring big power and performance, plus edge-to-edge flush glass displays for beautiful viewing experiences. It supports HP Fast Charge, allowing users to charge the battery up to 90% in just 90 minutes when powered off. The 15.6” diagonal HP ENVY laptop is available now with a starting price at RM3,699 with Intel® CoreTM i5 processor.   HP Elitebook Folio G1 Notebook The new Folio G1 gives millennials the premium consumer notebook design but with commercial-grade performance needed for work. With hand-selected materials and premium features optimized for collaboration, the new Folio G1 notebook is the choice for those who value business-critical robustness, security and manageability. The 12.5” diagonal HP Elitebook Folio G1 notebook will be available from July with a starting price at RM6,199 with Intel® CoreTM m7 processor.     HP OfficeJetPro 8730 All-in-One Printer The new HP OfficeJetPro 8730 All-in-One continues to rank top among high-volume inkjets. Breeze through multipage documents with one-pass two-sided scanning and a 50-page automatic document feeder. In addition to high technical performing elements, the OfficeJetPro 8730 also maximizes your print environment with space-saving HP Print Forward Design, no doubt a cost-effective option for small and workshop-like business environments. The HP OfficeJetPro 8730 All-in-One Printer will be available from July with a starting price at RM1,379.   HP PageWidePro 577dw Multifunction Printer The new PageWidePro 577dw offers more value to businesses, delivering the lowest total cost of ownership and fastest speeds in its class. Fast print speed, superior output quality and minimum operation cost are the three key elements that define HP’s PageWidePro 558dw, a key purchase for small and medium businesses who wished to keep operation costs at a minimum. The HP PageWidePro 577dw Multifunction Printer will be available from July with a starting price at RM3,199.   HP PageWide Enterprise Color Multifunction Printer 586 HP’s PageWide Enterprise Color Multifunction Printer is suitable for commercial printing with its power-up to power-down with strong protection for devices, data and documents with deepest embedded printer security. This printer is best suited for busy office environments with its fast speed and low cost ownership. Available from July onwards, The HP PageWide Enterprise Color Multifunction Printer M586dn is priced at RM7,049;  M586f priced at RM7,629; and M586z priced at RM8,159.   Serena C was the MC for the event   HP’s new computing and print products are now available for purchase at all HP appointed reseller Outlets nationwide, or on HP Online Store Malaysia. For further information, head over to www.hp.com.my or call 1800-88-4889.   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2010/12/17/motorola-defy-launch/

Motorola Defy Launch

[preview, full post coming soon]     Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/03/07/editors-note-march-2022/

Editor’s Note – March 2022

[Editor’s Note] Have Your Own Heineken® Bar at Home with BLADE Pre-Covid-19, I used to really enjoy attending Heineken Malaysia events like their Chinese New Year, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. etc. special events, and new product launches. However, sadly the events scene in Malaysia has really been pretty quiet post-MCO and that’s probably due to the fact that infection numbers are pretty high which in turn make brands unwilling to take the risk of having a super-spreader event. Good times with Heineken Malaysia In fact, I’ve also been cutting down on outings with my friends, and I’ve been more selective about the places I dine at, preferring places with open-air/ outdoor seating to minimise the risk of infection. One thing I do miss though is having draught beer, which until now can only be purchased at modern on-trade outlets like bars. Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) is providing a solution to draught beer drinkers by introducing BLADE, a revolutionary ‘Plug and Pour’ professional draught system that serves freshly poured pints of Heineken® beer on any surface — making draught beer possible anywhere and everywhere. Using an in-built compressor and chiller, BLADE dispenses cold draught beer and keeps it fresh for 30 days without needing to finish the keg in a single seating (Ed – I would never recommend having a keg open for more than three days). The mini-draught beer machine is now available exclusively on the Drinkies app or http://www.drinkies.my in Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru. With its “Brewlock” technology, BLADE delivers pints through a keg of eight (8) litres. It just needs to be fitted with a pre-chilled keg, plugged in, switched on and pressurised before pouring the perfect pint served at 2°C. Now everyone can enjoy a freshly poured Heineken® draught right in the comfort of home. With a footprint the size of an A4 paper, users just need a countertop or table with a plug point nearby. “We are proud to be at the forefront of innovations and are pleased to introduce Heineken® in BLADE to the Malaysian market. We are always looking for ways to elevate our consumer experience and connect with them in ways that let them enjoy freshly tapped draught beer anywhere. No more queueing at bars as the BLADE brings the ‘bar experience’ home. Whether you’re watching a football match, celebrating with friends or having a pint just because, the BLADE allows you to have perfect quality and super-chilled beers.”Pablo Chabot, Marketing Director at HEINEKEN Malaysia Consumers can now order and experience the Heineken® BLADE complete with the essential tools to serve that perfect Heineken® pour at just RM369 via the Drinkies app (available both on iOS and Android) or http://www.drinkies.my The price is inclusive of 8-litre brewery-fresh beer that serves 32 glasses and the BLADE machine rental for seven (7) days together with glassware, coasters and skimmers. From today onwards, consumers can enjoy RM25 off their first BLADE order when they use the code HELLOBLADE25 at checkout. [30 March 2022] HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Star Academy 2022 After a two-year hiatus, Heineken Malaysia Berhad’s (HEINEKEN Malaysia) Star Academy is back in action in the search for Malaysia’s best bartender. First up on Star Academy’s agenda is the Heineken® Star Quality programme, which aims to equip bartenders in Malaysia with star quality training through an immersive learning experience. Bartenders are invited to register and compete with exciting prizes up for grabs! Star Academy was established by HEINEKEN Malaysia to provide professional training to business partners and bartenders by equipping them with skills in the areas of product history and knowledge, technical know-how, as well as responsible serving and retailing. Besides training, competitive selections are also held to identify the best bartenders in the country. From participating outlets nationwide, top performers will then be chosen for the national finals after rigorous theoretical and practical assessments. “At HEINEKEN, we are passionate about our consumers and customers, and we strive to deliver the best service and experiences. Due to the pandemic, we had to suspend all Star Academy programmes for the last two years. We’re excited to announce that Star Academy is back this year with our flagship Heineken® Star Quality programme, and we are thrilled to get back to training bartenders across Malaysia to deliver the perfect Heineken® serve,” said Vasily Baranov, the Sales Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia. This year, Star Academy kicks off with its flagship programme – Heineken® Star Quality. Bartenders are invited to undergo training on the art of bartending, to understand the history and origin of Heineken® as well as the ingredients that go into the brew. Ultimately, these bartenders will grasp the Heineken® Star Serve, the five-step pouring ritual comprising rinse, pour, skim, check and serve to create the perfect pint of Heineken®.  Heineken® Star Quality aims to give bartenders an immersive experience, engaging the five senses of sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. The training will empower the bartenders with newly acquired skills, allowing them to earn their credentials in serving the perfect pint of Heineken®. As a result, Heineken® fans in Malaysia will be able to enjoy the authentic Heineken® quality and experience when they order their favourite Heineken®. “Going through the Heineken® Star Serve programme and subsequently being crowned Malaysia’s Best Heineken® bartender in 2019 was one of the proudest moments of my life. I will never forget the experience of representing Malaysia at the Heineken® Global Bartender Finals in Amsterdam. It was a thrilling adventure to master and showcase my bartending skills alongside the best of the best. With this year’s hands-on training, I have no doubt the upcoming Heineken® Star Quality will be even more exciting!”  Jack Loh, Heineken® Star Serve 2019 winner and Malaysian representative in the Heineken® Global Bartender Finals 2019 The Heineken® Star Quality training will be held in seven different regions in Malaysia including Penang, Perak, Johor, Sabah Sarawak and two locations in the Klang Valley. After the training sessions, participants will undergo both a theory and physical test, with their product knowledge and bartending skills being put to the test and graded. The Heineken Star Bartender 2022 Malaysia champion will be crowned at the finale on 3 June 2022. The champion will then walk away with a three-days-two-nights, all expenses paid Langkawi getaway for both the bartender and the bar owner with their plus-ones. Additionally, all finalists will receive a Heineken® Star Quality Recognition pin – a gold pin for the champion, a silver for the runner up, and a bronze pin for each of the remaining finalists. Participating outlets will also receive a Star Academy 2022 plaque in recognition of their participation.  To sign up for the Heineken® Star Quality programme, bartenders at participating Heineken® outlets including restaurants, pubs and bars may register their interest at the Star Academy website (www.star-academy.heinekenmalaysia.com) starting 30 March 2022. In adherence to COVID-19 SOPs, participants will have to present a negative self-test result two days prior to attending the sessions.  Beyond Heineken® Star Quality, Star Academy will also be launching the Guinness Perfect Pour programme in July 2022. Following that, the top scorers from Heineken® Star Quality and Guinness Perfect Pour sessions will be invited for a Masterclass, where they can experience a specially curated session that elaborates the history and basics of beers, topped with a brewery tour followed by dinner and drinks. For more information, head over to www.heinekenmalaysia.com Photo credits: Heineken Malaysia and author’s own from previous Heineken Malaysia events Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2020/11/01/editors-note-november-2020/

Editor’s Note – November 2020

Oh Cha Matcha Immunity Booster Shots Oh Cha Matcha has brought back the matcha immunity booster shots to its wide range of matcha menu. To make it more flavourful, Oh Cha Matcha has added in two flavours to boost its nutrition value. The matcha shots are available in two flavours; the  Orange Matcha Booster or Ginger with Turmeric Matcha Booster. All are prepared with a hint of stevia to offer sweetness. Matcha is well-known to contain high antioxidant content and helps in anti-inflammatory, boost metabolism, lower cholesterol and anti-aging. The matcha offered by Oh Cha Matcha is the finest imported directly from the holy land of matcha Uji, Kyoto, Japan. Due to the purity of the matcha, it has over 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea. #NOFAKESTUFF has always been the belief of Oh Cha Matcha as they passionately only use natural ingredients. Hence it’s no artificial syrup, no sugar, no colouring and low in calories. Founders Choong Kar Wai and Choong Kar Heng, are also the founders of CoffeeSociété in Publika and Garage 51 in Bandar Sunway. Oh Cha Matcha is the first boutique matcha café in Malaysia that offers a range of healthy, playful and quirky matcha beverage options. The brothers realized consumers have become more pro-active than they used to be when it comes to their health. They are now more engaged in their quest for good health and are more discerning in adopting healthy lifestyle choices. Oh Cha Matcha was conceived to fulfil this demand with innovative healthy matcha concoctions. Matcha is a traditional Japanese stone-ground powdered green tea which can be blended into hot drinks. In recent years, matcha has attained global appeal thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties and vitamin composition. At Oh Cha Matcha, purists will enjoy the traditional favorites whilst adventurous foodies and fitness buffs will appreciate the Drink Your Colours and Beauty Series (collagen infused) categories. The popular ceremonial grade matcha is of the highest grade and the choice of the Emperor of Japan for tea ceremonies, grown on the holy land of matcha in Uji, Kyoto. While some cafes do offer dairy-free milk as substitutes to regular milk, Oh Cha Matcha offers a choice of soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk and coconut milk, all unsweetened, completely natural, no colouring and low in calories, and at no extra cost.  Besides matcha, Oh Cha Matcha also offers a food menu. “Having a concept that stands out from others is important but it is not enough. Our aim is to create a boutique space that evokes a sense of belonging. Oh Cha Matcha should be a destination where relationships are built, friendships made and communities unite.” said Kar Wai as he wanted to ensure that their matcha and its community remains the core of their business and the main reason people stay loyal to their brand.  “We hope to differentiate ourselves by generating a close, authentic link with people and with the community as a whole. Our community is our heartbeat.” said Kar Heng.   Buy 6 Free 1 at RM5.90 per shot. Ginger, Turmeric Matcha Shots (30 ml) Ingredients: Bentong Ginger, Turmeric, Matcha, Hint of Stevia Benefits: Aids digestion, eases migraine, helps with itching and runny nose, reduces joint pain Orange Matcha Shots (30 ml) Ingredients: Fresh Orange, Matcha, and Hint of Stevia Benefit: Rich in Vitamin C, protects cell from damage, boosts the immune system, lowers stress hormones/ cortisol and lowers blood pressure Oh Cha Matcha outlets are located at: Oh Cha Matcha – TTDI (Flagship Store) Address: 130, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur Tel No.: 03 7732 0397 (Across the road from Menara Ken TTDI) Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursdays: 10.00am – 8.00pm (Last call: 7.30pm) Fridays – Saturdays: 10.00am – 10.00pm (Last call: 9.30pm) Oh Cha Matcha – KLCC Address: Level 1, Vipod Business Centre, 6, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50450 Kuala Lumpur (Above Sushi Oribe, in Colony KLCC) Operating Hours: Weekdays: 9.00am – 6.00pm Weekends: Closed Food delivery is available via Beep Delivery (www.ohchamatcha.com/pages/menu) View the complete menu here: https://ohchamatcha.com/pages/menu Single and Available Whisky Shop x MHB Digital tasting featuring Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey and Amaro Di Angostura Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey and Angostura Amaro Di Angostura are both available at Single and Available outlets at BSC (behind WIP Bar) and Plaza DAMAS, Kuala Lumpur. Watch the high-res video at https://www.facebook.com/mhbdigital/ You can also buy online at their website: www.singleandavailable.com.my Sign up for your own free WordPress site at https://wordpress.com/ Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2021/03/06/ultime-atelier-boulangerie-kuala-lumpur/

Ultime Atelier & Boulangerie Kuala Lumpur

[Dining] We recently had a preview of Ultime Atelier & Boulangerie, which is located at Menara Noble Land, just a stone’s throw from Changkat Bukit Bintang in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Ultime Kuala Lumpur is a very bold addition to the exciting culinary scene in Kuala Lumpur, which is currently facing headwinds due to the multiple lockdowns and restrictions over the past 12 months. The establishment encompasses an Instagrammable Lobby, East Formal Dining, West Smart Dining, two (2) VIP rooms, Chef Table Dining, full fledged bar and Patio Dining-Cocktail area. It has the capacity for 80 guests at any time, and serves French and Japanese fusion cuisine. The culinary team is led by Executive Chef Shirosan and Head Chef Azan. Ultime combines ideas and culinary skills to create unique European fusion cuisine to diners – from their fresh breads to plated desserts. “The fundamental is our attitude and discipline ensure the food are always the freshest and best of quality to our guests”Shiro Oonishi The bar at Ultime aims to share gastronomic culture from across the globe, with a cocktail program that is seasonal in nature. Ultime develops a new cocktail list every quarter to provide guests with a refreshing drinking experience. The first cocktail menu is inspired by the Spice Route, featuring ingredients, flavours and culture that spans the historical spice trade between the West & East. Ultime is open to the public from 6 March 2021, offering Lunch Degustation from RM200, and Dinner Degustation from RM380, each with properly curated wine pairings. Ultime Kuala Lumpur is located at: Unit 4-1, Level 4, Menara Noble Land, No. 2, Jalan Changkat Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Telephone: 012-858 8016 or 03-2704 0988 For more info, head over to https://www.facebook.com/ultimeMY or https://ultime.com.my/ Photos courtesy of Ultime Kuala Lumpur. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2023/03/31/taverna-by-the-tokyo-restaurant-is-now-open-at-the-table-at-isetan-the-gardens-mall/

Taverna by The Tokyo Restaurant is Now Open at “The Table” at Isetan The Gardens Mall

Retail destination Isetan at The Gardens Mid Valley recently debuted new additions to its recently launched “The Table” at Isetan The Gardens Mall. Joining the collection of restaurants are Taverna by The Tokyo Restaurant and Kintsugi. “The Table”, Isetan’s dining concept at Isetan The Japan Store was launched and added to Isetan the Gardens Mall in September 2022. Read more about Kintsugi here: https://timchew.net/2023/02/01/clearwater-group-opens-kintsugi-kuala-lumpur-with-michelin-starred-chef-jeff-okada-ramsey/ Taverna by The Tokyo Restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience that combines the finest of Italy and Japan. Taverna is a fusion of cuisine, craft, and culture, with influences ranging from the Italian’s elegant attention to detail to Japanese dedication to craft, to mid-century aesthetic sensibilities. The Tokyo Restaurant’s Taverna integrates Italian cuisine with Japanese ingredients and influences. The culinary experience offered by Taverna aims to transport diners beyond the boundaries of the restaurant thanks to the skillful, seamless combination of culture and tradition, past and present. Signature dishes include Squid Ink Aglio Olio with Japanese Oyster, The Combo Chicken Cacciatore, Fresh River Prawn with Tomato Risotto, TTR Ossobuco and the Japanese Wagyu Bistecca. Open daily from 11am to 11pm, reservations can be made online or by calling 012-6782563 The Combo Chicken Cacciatore – Stuffed chicken breast, tomato sauce, mushroom, roasted capsicum, mashed potato, fresh basilSquid Ink Aglio Olio with Japanese Oyster – Squid ink tagliolini, oyster meat, bottarga, semi-dried tomato, clam stock, yuzu pepper, Italian parsley, garlic chili oilThe tiramisu is a must-try dessert at Taverna Taverna by The Tokyo Restaurant and Kintsugi join the other eateries at “The Table” Isetan The Gardens: Jyu Jyu Yakiniku (Pork-Free), Tamaruya Honten Teppanyaki (Pork-Free), Tonkatsu by Ma Maison (Non-Halal), Mo-Mo Paradise (Non-Halal), Takumi Craft Bar (Non-Halal) and Menya Appare (Non-Halal). You can enhance your experience at “The Table” Isetan The Gardens and Isetan The Japan Store with “The Table” by Isetan app which is available on the App Store and Google Play. With the new app, customers can earn points with every spend made at “The Table” restaurants which can then be used to offset future dining bills. Additional benefits include exclusive deals and offers, and you can also receive the latest news and updates from “The Table” restaurants and the chance to earn extra points with the Invite & Earn programme. For more information, head over to https://www.isetankl.com.my/the-table-by-isetan-app/ Thanks for having us over! . Photos shot using the vivo X80 Pro Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2015/08/20/acer-xr341ck-curved-monitor-launched-in-malaysia/

Acer XR341CK Curved Monitor Launched in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets]   Oh how computer monitors have evolved over the last 30 years…   Remember these types of PCs and PC monitors from the 80’s? I sure do. My first computer was an old XT which was like so fantastic to me back then. Then in the 90’s it was the era of the CRT monitors which usually weighed a ton! In the 2000’s LCD monitors started emerging on the scene. They were light and more portable but were pretty expensive in the early years. Screen sizes were small too. Fast forward to 2015 where Acer launches their curved computer monitors meant to give hardcore gamers a more immersive experience during gameplay!   Acer Malaysia launched two (2) new monitors and the Revo One on 27 July 2015 with a media preview in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. The ultra-wide curved monitor Acer XR341CK that was introduced at the Acer Global Press Conference earlier this year has finally made its way to Malaysia. The sleek 34-inch IPS curved monitor features a QHD (3440×1440) resolution with NVIDIA G-Sync technology in a zero frame design offering beautiful visuals and dynamic audio. The Acer XR341CK comes with a glossy back panel and a futuristic aluminium metallic base that is adjustable to provide optimal comfort with ergonomic tilt from -5 to 35 degrees and height adjustments of up to 130mm. The solid stand comes with a cable management hole to keep the cables neat and out of the way.     The zero framed curved Acer XR341CK allow its users maximum viewing area; making it suitable for multi-monitor setup and daisy chaining for a broader view. It sports a 21:9 aspect ratio that provides its users an ultra-wide and immersive viewing experience; best for gaming or watching movie. The 34-inch monitor comes in an ultra-high QHD (3440 x 1440) resolution, offering remarkably sharp and realistic visuals. Fitted with the IPS panel, the Acer XR341CK is able to deliver consistent colour even at 178-degree viewing angle. With features such as a 100% sRGB and 6-axis colour adjustment, the Acer XR341CK provides high colour accuracy and colour space reproduction that is sought after by design professionals, photo enthusiast and gamers. The Acer XR341CK enables smooth gaming experience with the inclusion of NVIDIA G-Sync technology which is designed in such a way that the GPU controls the display’s refresh rate to eliminate tearing and stuttering, and reduce mouse dormancy. The Acer XR341CK also comes with two built-in 7W speakers with DTS¨ Sound. The Acer EyeProtect technology feature in the Acer XR341CK includes a flicker-less technology that helps eliminate screen flicker and Blue-light exposure filter; reducing eye strain. Multitasking is possible with the Acer XR341CK as the picture-by-picture (PBP) function allows users to connect two inputs to the same monitor and view contents side by side on one screen. Meanwhile, picture-in-picture allows users to create and consume contents in one screen simultaneously for example; users can watch their favourite movie or video in one screen while working on a project. The Acer XR341CK is able to handle high rates of data transfer that requires high-bandwidth data cables thus, and comes with HDMI¨ 2.0, DisplayPort and USB3.0 ports.     Also launched was the world’s first 27-inch gaming monitor, the Acer XB270HU equipped with NVIDIA¨ G-syncª and IPS technology for a wide-angle and extraordinary gaming experience. The 27-inch IPS panel monitor offers a WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution screen, G-sync technology to eliminate screen tearing and minimizes stutter and input lag, Acer EyeProtect, and ComfyView technologies that help reduce eye-strain for heavy users. The Ergostand design came with adjustable tilt, swivel, pivot and height. The Acer XB270HU also comes with Full Green Certifications such as Energy Star¨ 6.0, EPEAT¨ Gold Standard and TCO Certified Display 6.0.   Acer Revo One   The multiple-award winning Acer Revo One RL85 is a revolutionary departure from standard CPU designs and will be available with the Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors come August 2015. The Revo was previously introduced in Malaysia two (2) months ago with a different processor, however this new Acer Revo One RL85 is powered by the Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors comes with 2 hot-swappable HDD drives upgradeable for larger storage space of up to 6TB. It also supports full range of display resolution even the latest Ultra HD, 4K2K, and can be connected with anything from computer displays to huge flat screen TVs. You can even connect it to two displays to watch your favourite movie while working on the other. The Acer Revo One RL85 is also well equipped in the sound department, allowing you to experience a full cinematic sound with its 7.1 surround sound audio. The new Acer XR341CK and Acer XB270HU are priced at RM3,699 and RM2,599 respectively while the Acer Revo One RL85 will be made available in mid-August 2015 at a starting price of RM1,500. For more information, head over to www.acer.com.my or call the Acer Product Infoline at 1800-88-1288 (9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays). Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/11/29/klims-2013-hall-2-honda/

KLIMS 2013 Hall 2 – Honda

[KLIMS 2013]   Honda Malaysia unveiled its new 5th Generation Odyssey just two weeks after it was released in Japan, at the media preview of the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2014. The Odyssey was first introduced to the world in 1994 and in Malaysia in 2002, and Honda Malaysia is confident that this latest version of the premium upper Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) will cater to the Malaysian market demands with its distinctive and striking design, improved performance, superior space and comfort, enhanced fuel-efficiency, and advanced safety and security features. Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, said, “Staying true to our promise to bring Joy to our customers, the All-New Odyssey will be able to provide a complete package to the upper MPV market. Building on its original design concept, the All-New Odyssey offers an unprecedented level of premium quality; combining roomy and refined comfort for occupants in all 3 rows with an exceptional smooth ride.” The All-New Odyssey is powered by the newly developed 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC (175PS and 225NM) Earth Dreams Technology engine and Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) which  offers better output, torque and fuel efficiency than the engine of the previous model. Following the other Honda models, the Odyssey gets the ECON mode and coaching function to encourage the driver to drive in a more economical fuel-efficient manner. The ECON mode has the coaching functions changes colour from white to green indicating economical driving. At the front of the Odyssey is a new grille with a chrome-like finish while the solid streamlined advanced silhouette gives it additional appeal and style. The pillars have been adjusted to give the Odyssey a more a slender impression, while maximising glass surface for enhanced visibility. The newly developed “Ultra-Low Floor Platform”, creates a spacious cabin equivalent to large-class MPV, with a higher ceiling and lower floor. The added benefit of this is the low centre of gravity and coupled with the enhanced suspension, provides stable handling while giving a smooth ride. Occupants are greeted by a stylish and classy interior as they step in via the power sliding doors. The Smart Entry with Push Start Button makes entering the All-New Odyssey EXV through the power sliding doors easy, and this function also starts the engine with just one push of the ignition button. Driving and maneuvering the All-New Odyssey has been enhanced and its turning radius is increased while the turn circle is at 5.4m.  The Odyssey brings comfort to another level, having leather seats all around and Honda’s first Premium Captain Cradle Seats with Ottoman and Honda’s first 3-step reclining type seats in its second row. There is also extra foot room for the second row occupants courtesy of its flat rear floor, while the rear climate control switch is located at a position where operation from second and third row seats is easy and convenient. The trunk space has been enhanced, making it possible to fit suitcases without any compromise in comfort for all seven passengers. The flexible seat configuration gives you the option when you need more capacity; and the special storage mechanism of the third row increases trunk space can be accessed by just pulling a lever. Entering and exiting the All-New Odyssey is now easier for older folk and children with the inclusion of the low floor and rear door steps. The All-New Odyssey comes with electrostatic touch type display audio, which can be cooperated with a smart phone. The users can operate the smartphone by the audio display, or even transmit pictures or music data from their smartphone to the audio display, and play their favourite music through the MPV’s speakers. The All-New Odyssey comes with advanced safety features like the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that offers both self-protection and damage reduction to other drivers. The All-New Odyssey is equipped with G-Force Control (G-CON), and 6-Airbags that consist of Dual Front i-SRS Airbags and i-SRS Side Airbags in the first row and Side Curtain Airbags up until the third row seats. The All-New Odyssey EXV also offers another Honda’s first in safety while driving – Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor (CTA). The Blind Spot Information alerts the driver with a beeping sound should he/she not be aware of a vehicle that is in the blind spot when he/she wants to turn. The CTA gives off a warning whistle when a collision with a cross-approaching vehicle is predicted while backing up the MPV. The high-grade variant also comes with multi view camera system that displays multiple wide angles which provides assistance on narrow roads and intersection with limited visibility for further awareness of surrounding and even safer drive. Parking large MPVs can be a pain but the Odyssey comes with the Smart Parking Assist System which automatically detects the parking limiting line and guides the All-New Odyssey into the parking spot. The All-New Odyssey is offered in two variants, the high-grade EXV and the standard grade EX, and is available in 4 colours of White Orchid Pearl, Super Platinum Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and the Glamorous Mauve Pearl. The All-New Odyssey comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and a service interval of 10,000 km to provide the best ownership experience. In addition, the All-New Odyssey owners are entitled to six times free labour services alternating with paid services. There were also other Honda models on display. MC Julie Woon with a Honda concept car   Honda Accord Hybrid Honda Jazz The pretty Julie Woon   For more information, call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or head over to www.honda.com.my Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/10/07/editors-note-october-2016/

Editor’s Note – October 2016

[Editor’s Note]   I enjoyed myself so much at the Toast The Macallan with my bloggers a couple of days before, that I returned for another session on the very last day of Toast The Macallan Kuala Lumpur 2017, this time with my partner in crime and some of my close friends.   My partner in crime A little info on the processes that go into making The Macallan Nosing the various scents of the whiskies at the scent bar In the next room were the different types of barrels used to age the whiskies – sherry cask and American oak You even get to nose the barrels if you remove the little wooden stopper and put your nose close to the hole! Suffice to say – it was a most glorious aroma emanating from the inside of the barrel! The Macallan Trilogy of 12 year old whiskies – Sherry Cask, Fine Oak and Double Cask Soon after it was our turn to enter the “classroom” The Macallan brand ambassadors Keith Nair and Randall Tan led us through the session, imparting some interesting info on the brand and the trilogy as well as interacting with the audience Each variant in the trilogy has a distinctly different flavour profile Observing the colour of the whisky After the “classroom” session, we proceeded over to the bar area for some drinks and special Macallan cocktails, best enjoyed with the good company and conversations. Definitely looking forward to the next Macallan event! Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography (andykho.com) and author’s own   Pop Pop All Stars Concert   Evonne and I headed over to the Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Music clubhouse on 11 September 2016 for the Pop Pop All Stars concert in collaboration with music label Pop Pop Music. The event featured a night of old school-jazz and retro-pop concert together with a five course dinner held at the Tropicana Grand Ballroom. Performing on the night were established local jazz vocalists Celist Chow, May Mow and Nutserlar Lim (all under the management of Pop Pop Music) accompanied by the famous local jazz ensemble WVC, spearheaded by acclaimed Malaysian music director Tay Cher Siang. The show comprised of solo, duet and trio performances by the trio and the band. “Tropicana Golf & Country Resort is thrilled to partner with Pop Pop Music for this jazz concert as they share our philosophy of showcasing quality entertainment to the public,” said Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Event & Promotions Manager Mr James Sai. “Pop Pop Music Concert is our way of presenting the some of the best jazz acts in the country to our members and guests, and at the same time we show our deep support in the local arts industry and our thriving local music scene.”   View this post on Instagram The pretty May Mow and her jazz band mesmerising us tonight! #jazzband @maydemoe A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Sep 11, 2016 at 6:16am PDT   The night featured the following songs: Overture – WVC Jazz Ensemble 夜上海 – May Mow (Solo performance) 醉在你怀中 – May Mow (Solo performance) 雨夜春风 – May Mow (Solo performance) 情人的眼泪 – May Mow (Solo performance) 月光小夜曲 – May Mow ( Solo performance) 静心等 – May Mow & Nutserlar Lim (Duet performance) Let’s Fall in Love – Nutserlar Lim (Solo performance) Just The Way You Are – Nutserlar Lim (Solo performance) Come Fly With Me – Nutserlar Lim (Solo performance) ABBA medley (Mamma Mia/ Super Trouper/ Dancing Queen/ Fernando/ Winner Takes It All）- Celist Chow (Solo Performance) Emotion – Celist Chow & Nutserlar Lim (Duet performance) Goodbye Girl – Celist Chow & Nutserlar Lim (Duet performance) 恋曲1990 – Celist Chow (Solo performance) 女人花 – Celist Chow (Solo performance) 今天不回家 – May Mow, Nutserlar Lim, Celist Chow (Trio performance) 不了情 ＋ 新不了情 – May Mow & Celist Chow (Duet performance) 亲密爱人 – Nutserlar Lim (Solo performance) 恰是你的温柔 Just Like Your Tenderness – May Mow, Nutserlar Lim, Celist Chow (Trio performance)   View this post on Instagram Pretty Nutserlar Lim takes over from May and melted the hearts of all the guys in the room with her voice. #jazzband @nutserlarlim A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Sep 11, 2016 at 6:27am PDT View this post on Instagram And finally Celist Chow takes to the stage, serenading us with some Chinese classics. #jazzband @celistsillychow A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Sep 11, 2016 at 7:16am PDT   More info at http://www.tropicanagolf.com/ Photo credits: Ong Evonne and author’s own   Upcoming Event – Comedy Night at Upstage Lounge Bangsar   Nik Coppin is a mixed race London-based international stand-up comedian. He has a confident, affable and energetic approach to comedy which is quick to build audience rapport and his versatility is such that he can easily switch from compering to opening and closing sets, and to doing solo shows. His shows and material range from topics as diverse as race-related issues, animals, superheroes, observations on everyday life, storytelling, and shows that have incorporated his own cartoons and caricatures. Nik has performed all over the world developing an international fan base through a variety of shows that he also produces. He is one of the few comedians to enjoy success on both the UK comedy circuit and at international festivals. He has performed at the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringes, New Zealand and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, all over Australia, and at the inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles. The shows that he produces and comperes – the late show Shaggers and the family friendly show Huggers – have proved very popular brands over the years and regularly sell out to festival audiences. Nik is currently developing his critically-acclaimed show Mixed Racist. He often talks about his heritage on stage – his mother is English and his father is from Barbados, but this show marks a slightly new direction for the affable comedian; more relevant, controversial, and thought-provoking, while never straying too far from his friendly comedic roots.   Price: RM60 or RM40 for Rendez-vous diners Reservation: Phone: 03 22 02 02 06 Whatsapp & Txt: 011 2637 8224 Email: bookings@rendez-vous.com.my . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/03/21/vivid-sydney-2018-festival/

Vivid Sydney 2018 Festival

[Travel] Artist impression of Virtual Vibration   Vivid Sydney – billed as the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, returns in 2018 with a new precinct at Luna Park, the return of much-loved Customs House, and a fantastical blend of everyday objects and Australian-inspired motifs on the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW and is a major event on the region’s tourism calendar. Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall said, “Vivid Sydney has delighted and inspired people from around Australia and the world. With the Festival now in its 10th year, visitors and locals alike can once again expect to be mesmerised by the Vivid Sydney program, with larger installations and a gripping Music and Ideas offering, so I encourage visitors to start planning their trip early to get the most out of this year’s exciting line-up. “Over 23 nights from Friday 25 May to Saturday 16 June, Vivid Sydney will paint the Harbour City in the colour and spectacle of Vivid Light, take over Sydney stages with Vivid Music’s electric performances and collaborations, and provide a global forum for thought-provoking debate and creative discussion at Vivid Ideas.”   Here’s a look at what happened at Vivid Sydney 2017   VIVID LIGHT    For the first time, Vivid Sydney’s dazzling Light Walk extends to new precinct Luna Park Sydney, where the iconic amusement park comes alive with large-scale projection on the façade of Coney Island. The show celebrates the history, magic, creativity, engineering, fantasy and imagination that have come together to create millions of memories on this unique and special site. This year also marks the first time Luna Park’s iconic Ferris Wheel will be lit for the festival following an LED refit, which has included a massive boost in the number of lights adorning the wheel. Vivid Sydney’s bright lights will illuminate the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney again in 2018, where visitors will follow a pathway that weaves through an exciting nocturnal environment inspired by nature. Here, Parrot Party inspired by the New Zealand Kea Parrot and the Australian Rainbow Lorikeet, comes alive as people gather, breaking into song and radiating colourful light.     Aqueous will dazzle with its interactive landscape of meandering pathways of light, which will flow and glow in full illuminated interactivity, engaging visitors in collaborative play.  The Bloom, a giant electric, metallic flower with petals adorned with mirrors that refract and reflect light, puts you in the centre of the flower capturing the perfect photo moment He’e nalu gives the joyous sensation of surfing a wave    In celebration of their 100 year anniversary, May Gibbs’ iconic and immortal characters, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and their stalwart companions come to life on the façade of Customs House, as they journey through the Australian Bush and encounter the weird, the wonderful, and things quite unknown altogether. This whimsical piece will be narrated by renowned Australian film and television actress Noni Hazlehurst AM, Patron of the Australian Children’s Laureate, and beloved by Play School devotees far and wide. The Sydney Opera House will be the centrepiece of the Vivid Light Walk for Lighting of the Sails, created in 2018 by award-winning Australian artist Jonathan Zawada. Visitors will be captivated by Metamathemagical, a bold and dynamic display of morphing digital sculptures inspired by recognisable Australian motifs across science, nature and culture. Sydney’s iconic buildings will once again be transformed, including the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) with Virtual Vibration, a highly-collaborative creative work produced in conjunction with MCA Collection artist Jonny Niesche and composer Mark Pritchard. Interactive lighting display Skylark will let visitors put their own colourful mark on the city, stretching from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the skyscrapers of Circular Quay to the reaches of Sydney Harbour. Network Ten and MasterChef Australia will bring a magical experience to the façade of the ASN Co. Building in The Rocks, in celebration of both Masterchef and Vivid Sydney’s 10th Birthday with Mystery Gâteau. Mini construction-worker chefs will guide visitors on a journey of fun and wonderment, with the famous MasterChef clock ticking down to the final extraordinary surprise.       Popular precincts Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour, Chatswood, Barangaroo and Kings Cross will return in 2018. Festival favourites from last year are back along with a whole new mob of fierce, fantastic, quirky and endearing species for Taronga Zoo’s Lights for the Wild. Visitors will discover some new spectacular animal light sculptures, and learn how Taronga is working to help save 10 species from extinction over the next 10 years. An art-meets-technology water fountain, light and laser experience takes Darling Harbour visitors into a dream-like dive under the ocean, while the iconic rooftop of the Australian National Maritime Museum will be projected with BBC Earth and Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II, exploring the fascinating world beneath the waves. A pop-up market inspired by the colourful neighbourhood street markets of Brazil, built from scaffold and recycled materials and lit by lasers will transform the Chatswood CBD. The Concourse will take visitors on an immersive, deep dive into space featuring NASA’s amazing imagery and 360-degree projection. Barangaroo glows under layers of light and sound that evoke the surrounding waterways, with the precinct coming to life through the magnificent art of puppetry with a breathtaking, giant luminescent creature venturing along the waterfront in a theatrical display of sound and light. Precinct contributor Coca-Cola returns to light up the streets of Sydney’s iconic Kings Cross and to support another KX program in 2018. The colourful strip along Darlinghurst Road will be transformed with a spectacular display of light and life. The famous Coca-Cola sign comes alive again in 2018 with an array of flair and a creative colour show. Other Vivid KX transformations include the historic Victorian Terrace; World Bar, which will unfurl a multi-story house party, and the renowned Kings Cross Hotel, which will host cutting-edge artists curated by legendary party-crews.    VIVID MUSIC Curve Ball Vivid Music ups the ante in 2018 with an electric line-up, from noise to jazz, sonic experimentation to soul. Highlights include a one-night-only performance by Grammy award-winning rock-goddess St. Vincent, and the return of Curve Ball headlined by Alison Wonderland – a large-scale live music and art event created by the team behind Field Day, Harbourlife and Listen Out – both at Carriageworks. The City Recital Hall returns to the program, tracking the extraordinary rise in jazz with the Innovators In Jazz series featuring the undisputed king, triple Grammy award-winner saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The world’s finest jazz vocalists including Kurt Elling and chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux, will line up alongside Orange is the New Black star Lea Delaria in her musical comedy, jazz interpretation show.    VIVID LIVE Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House hosts a stellar line-up of Australian exclusives as part of Vivid Sydney, including several Opera House debuts. Highlights this year include American dream-pop icons Mazzy Star, the godfather of West Coast rap Ice Cube, acclaimed 90s indie rock singer/songwriter Cat Power, Grammy award-winning artist Solange, and the long-awaited collaboration between iconic Australian artists Daniel Johns and Luke Steele. Now in its 4th year as part of Vivid Sydney, Heaps Gay struts uptown to Sydney Town Hall for the inaugural Qween’s Ball. Other not-to-be missed events include Young Hearts Run Free and one of Australia’s most exciting breakthrough artists performing at the Enmore Theatre, Vera Blue. Also returning to Vivid Music in 2018 is X|Celerate, a partnership between Vivid Sydney and the City of Sydney to enliven music venues across town. Showcasing grassroots and emerging local music talent, highlights will include Purple Sneakers 12th birthday at The Lansdowne, a fusion of food, wine and music at Cake Wines Cellar Door, and HAPPY and VISIONS at The Lady Hampshire.    VIVID IDEAS Vivid Ideas provides a forum to workshop, collaborate and cultivate fresh thinking to drive the creative agenda across tech, design, entertainment and culture. Vivid Ideas returns in 2018 with some of the world’s greatest minds as we explore the future-shaping scenarios that will define our lives. Vivid Ideas 2018 showcases those who are leading the way in technology, creativity and science. Game Changers and Creative Catalysts this year include film-maker, marine explorer and conservationist James Cameron. In a Vivid Sydney exclusive, James will explore his passion for science and technology, and how it has influenced his work as a film director and environmentalist. James will be joined in conversation by Adam Spencer, while in Sydney to open the James Cameron – Challenging the Deep exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Australian global success story Dare Jennings – founder of Mambo Clothing, Phantom Records and Deus ex Machina – joins his good friend James Valentine to discuss creating cult brands that cut across age and lifestyles as well the joys of throwing out the rule book. Futurist and game developer, Jane McGonigal can prove games have the power transform our real world lives. She and Artificial Intelligence expert Kriti Sharma join Vivid Ideas to explore the latest in AI, VR and gaming to ask what kind of society we can create with technology. Visual strategist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and co-founder of the Museum of Awe, Dan Goods joins the Vivid Ideas Creative Catalysts line-up to explore how creativity and science interplay and why NASA has a virtual strategist. The New Horizons series explores the mega-trends and micro-developments in technology and innovation, and shines a light on experts tackling the biggest issues with creativity in a bid to make our future brighter. Topics include Future Fashion, Algae is the New Black, Blockchain Decoded and Evolving Democracy. Over three successive Wednesdays, Vivid Sydney will take over the Art Gallery of NSW to create an intimate portrait of our better selves. Our special guests dare to ask if we can improve dying, how we can find common ground when and where there’s conflict, and why we should nudge perceptions around female sexuality. These events will be accompanied by curated music from Goldheist, Air Land Sea and Haiku Hands. The Vivid Ideas Exchange at the Museum of Contemporary Art returns, boasting a diverse line-up of talks presented by creative experts covering topics including the future of work, the ethics of humanising technology and how to become agents for change. For more info, head over to http://www.vividsydney.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/vividsydney/ . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/08/30/huawei-matepad-pro-11-is-now-available-in-malaysia/

HUAWEI MatePad Pro 11 is Now Available in Malaysia

HUAWEI announced that their MatePad Pro 11 is officially available nationwide at all HUAWEI Experience stores in Malaysia and the HUAWEI Official Website from 27 August 2022. Priced at RM2,999 (8+128GB) and RM3,699 (8+256GB), consumers will also get a free Smart Magnetic Keyboard with every purchase of the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 11. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 11 comes with a Smart Magnetic Keyboard and upgraded HUAWEI M-Pencil (2nd Generation). It also inherited the advantages of its predecessor, which supports magnetic pairing, wireless charging and more than 40 shortcut key combinations. The HUAWEI M-Pencil (2nd Generation) is coated with silicone polymer resin in a skin-soothing texture and a wear-resistance material, which HUAWEI claims provides a more comfortable writing experience. It can detect even the smallest change in force and create varying-thickness lines resulting from 4096-level pressure sensing. With the upgraded Take Snippet feature, users can continue screen-capping pages of websites or apps even after turning to the next page. The MatePad Pro 11 is a perfect choice for all as it delivers PC-level productivity and a smart office experience with powerful capabilities With the latest offering, HUAWEI has made a solid effort to maintain its audio quality by introducing HUAWEI SOUND® in its MatePad Pro 11 for the first time. HUAWEI SOUND® brings an immersive audio experience to users with end-to-end sound quality technologies from sound pickup to playback, innovative acoustics and device design, computational audio, and scientific tuning implemented. For more authentic sound reproduction, HUAWEI used 6 speakers with high and low-frequency division designs in the MatePad Pro 11. The array of speakers consists of 4 woofers and 2 tweeters which provide high-fidelity sound quality, wider playback bandwidth and richer sound details, combining delicate treble with robust bass. With the new and upgraded AI noise cancellation feature and optimised algorithms that tap into the Deep Neural Network, users can expect a calling experience with slim to no noise disturbances. This model distinguishes over 200 noises from vocal and non-vocal audio signals. The optimised neural network algorithm can reduce the residual noise after noise reduction while lowering the impact of noises on vocals. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 11 comes fully equipped with a new layout with groupable, stackable widgets. This new layout allows you to stack or group widgets according to your preferences, allowing easier access and more customisation options. Your favourite apps can be automatically classified by icon colour and app type, creating a customised home screen experience. The HarmonyOS operating system provides a unified interface for interconnecting and interacting with smart devices. Easily connect a smartphone, PC, HUAWEI display, speaker, and watch, with support for more scenarios and greater operation consistency with just one drag. . Visuals courtesy of Huawei Mobile Malaysia Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/05/20/lenovo-a-and-s-series-smartphones-launch/

Lenovo A and S Series Smartphones Launch

[Tech & Gadgets]   Lenovo launched its new A and S series smartphones on 8 May 2014 at Bangsar Village 2 in Kuala Lumpur, featuring six (6) new models namely the S860, S650, S660, A859, A680 and A526 smartphones, coming in at a wide range of price points ranging from RM499.00 to RM1,169.00 to suit consumers’ budgets. These new smartphones combine sleek design elements with performance, and new features which includes longer battery life, to give consumers a better mobile experience. The new devices complement Lenovo’s existing portfolio of smartphones, such as their flagship Vibe series which you can read more about here: https://timchew.net/2014/03/15/lenovo-vibe-z-launch-aloft-kl/ https://timchew.net/2014/01/16/lenovo-vibe-x-launch-150114/ This latest series comes equipped with quad-core processors and Android™ 4.2 Jelly Bean, and new features, including vibrant image capture functions and Lenovo’s range of DOit apps. Some of the new phones also come with dual SIM capability as well as sharp-shooting rear cameras to snap and share amazing photos. “We are driven by strong execution of the company’s global strategy, an innovative product portfolio and growth in PC Plus businesses,” said Khoo Hung Chuan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia. “All six smartphones – the S860, S650, S660, A859, A680 and A526, gives the perfect balance of great user experience without sacrificing performance. Our global team has never stopped working tirelessly to enhance both the function and performance for our products.”   (click on the photos below to open a larger version)   Lenovo S860   Lenovo S860 Smartphone Processor: MTK 6582M 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor Size: 149.5x 77 x 10.3 (mm) Weight : 192g (0.42 Ibs) Display: 5.3” HD(1280 x720) IPS Capacitive touchscreen 5-point multi-touch Camera: Rear: 8MP auto focus with flash 　　　　Front: 1.6 MP fixed-focus Colour: Titanium SIM: Dual SIM Memory: RAM: 2 GB RAM Storage : 16GB OS: Android™ Jelly Bean (4.2) Battery : Li-polymer 4000 mAh Standby Time: up to 28.5 days (2G), up to 40 days (3G) Talk Time: up to 43 hours (2G), up to 24 hours (3G) Available now Price: RM 1,169   Lenovo S650 Lenovo S650 Smartphone Processor: MTK 6582M 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor Size: 138x 69.8 x 8.7 (mm) Weight : 126g (0.27 Ibs) Display: 4.7” qHD capacitive touchscreen with 960 x 540 pixels Camera: Rear: 8MP auto focus 　　　　Front: 0.3MP fixed-focus Color: Silver &White SIM: Dual SIM Memory: RAM: 1GB RAM Storage : 8 GB+ Micro SD up to 32GB OS: Android™ Jelly Bean (4.2) Battery : Li-polymer 2000 mAh Standby Time: up to 14 days Talk Time: up to 12 hours (2G), up to 8 hours (3G) Available now Price: RM 699   Lenovo S660 Lenovo S660 Smartphone Processor: MTK 6582M 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor Size: 137x 68.8 x 9.95 (mm) Weight : 151g (0.33 Ibs) Display: 4.7” qHD (960 x 540) IPS Capacitive touchscreen 5-point multi-touch Camera: Rear: 8MP auto focus , LED Flash 　　Front: 0.3MP fixed-focus Colour: Titanium SIM: Dual SIM Memory: RAM: 1GB RAM Storage : 8 GB+ Micro SD up to 32GB OS: Android™ Jelly Bean (4.2) Battery : Li-polymer 3000 mAh (replaceable) Standby Time: up to 35 days (2G), up to 27.5 days (3G) Talk Time: up to 10 hours (2G), up to 7 hours (3G) Available now Price: RM 749   Lenovo A859 Lenovo A859 Smartphone Processor: MTK 6582M 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor Size: 142 x 72.5 x 9.15 (mm) Weight : 162g (0.35 Ibs) Display: 5.0” HD Capacitive touchscreen, IPS Display with 1280x 720 pixels, with wide viewing angle Camera: Rear: 8MP auto focus flash 　　　　Front: 1.6MP fixed-focus Colour: Grey & White SIM: Dual SIM Memory: RAM: 1GB RAM Storage : 8GB OS: Android™ Jelly Bean (4.2) Battery : Li-Polymer 2250 mAh Standby Time: up to 11 days (2G), up to 9 hours (3G) Talk Time: up to 10 hours (2G), up to 7 hours(3G) Available now Price: RM 719   Lenovo A680 Lenovo A680 Smartphone Processor: MTK 6582M 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor Size: 145 x 73.5 x 10.8 (mm) Weight : 165g (0.36 Ibs) Display: 5.0” FWGA capacitive touchscreen with 854 x 480 pixels Camera: Rear: 5MP auto focus 　　　　Front: 0.3MP fixed-focus Colour: Black & White SIM: Dual SIM Memory: RAM: 1GB RAM Storage : 4 GB+ Micro SD up to 32GB OS: Android™ Jelly Bean (4.2) Battery : Li-polymer 2000 mAh (replaceable) Standby Time: up to 13 days (2G), up to 14.5 hours (3G) Talk Time: up to 13 hours (2G), up to 24 hours (3G) Available now Price: RM 499   Lenovo A526 Lenovo A526 Smartphone Processor: MT 6582M 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor Size: 132x 67.6 x 11.1 (mm) Weight : 145g (0.32 Ibs) Display: 4.5” FWGA (854 x 480) TN/Capacitive touchscreen, 5 point multi-touch Camera: Rear: 5MP fixed focus 　　　　Front: 0.3MP fixed-focus Colour: Aurora Blue SIM: Dual SIM Memory: RAM: 1GB RAM Storage : 4 GB+ Micro SD up to 32GB OS: Android™ Jelly Bean (4.2) Battery: Li-polymer 2000 mAh (replaceable) Standby Time: up to 16.5 days (2G), up to 12.5 days (3G) Talk Time: up to 5 hours (2G), up to 3 hours (3G) Available in Mid-May Price: TBC   More info at http://shopap.lenovo.com/my/en/smartphones/ Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2013/11/18/klims-2013-dewan-merdeka-ford/

KLIMS 2013 – Dewan Merdeka – Ford

[Automobile] PREVIEW 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/ Photos courtesy of Ford Malaysia . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2023/06/05/futuromic-photo-av-sdn-bhd-debuts-the-nikon-z-8-in-malaysia/

Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd. Debuts the Nikon Z 8 in Malaysia

Mr. Keizo Fujii, Managing Director, Chief Regional Officer (S.E. Asia, Oceania, M. East, Africa Region); Mr. Jonathan Ang, General Manager (Singapore & Malaysia Business Division) at Nikon Singapore Pte. Ltd.; Mr. Francis Lai, Managing Director, Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd.; and Dato’ Billy Lai, Business Development Director, Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd (left to right) with the models Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd., Nikon’s official distributor in Malaysia, recently officially introduced The Nikon Z 8 at the official launch in Kuala Lumpur which MHB Digital’s principal photographer Andy Kho and I attended. The Nikon Z 8 is a full-frame mirrorless camera designed for serious photographers, videographers, imaging professionals, and forward-thinking innovators. The all-new Nikon Z 8 redefines the concept of adaptable agility, packing state-of-the-art capabilities from the flagship Nikon Z 9 into a lighter, more portable form factor that is Ready for Action without ever compromising the quality of creativity. “The new Z 8 is designed to be versatile; it is approximately 30% smaller than the Nikon Z 9, allowing users to shoot anywhere, anytime without any hassle. It comes equipped with industry-leading technology and cutting-edge features, providing crystal clear and high-resolution images and video up to 8K 60p with impressive detail, sharpness, and precise colour. The Z 8 gives professionals the utmost confidence to capture without limitations while producing remarkable files and uncompromising Nikon qualities that can shorten the time needed for post-production or editing.” Dato’ Billy Lai, Business Development Director, Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd. Dato’ Billy Lai, Business Development Director, Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd. The new Z 8’s compact and lightweight video recording system, weighing only 910g, allows for adaptable filming for an extended period of time, even for a one-person operation. The camera’s compatibility with a number of videography equipment, such as the MC-N10 Remote Grip and wireless video transmitters, as well as v-mount batteries, significantly reduces the amount of gear needed during shoots and the amount of time spent setting up. Even with a prime lens connected, the High-Res Zoom enables full-frame 4K UHD (30p/25p/24p) and Full HD video recording while allowing zooming up to an angle of view comparable to two times the focal length. The Z 8 was designed with videographers in mind, and it can record up to 125 minutes in 4K UHD/60p2 and up to 90 minutes in 8K UHD/30p3. Users can enjoy various and nimble shooting angles with easy and flexible operation thanks to the camera’s 4-axis vertical/horizontal tilting monitor, which also supports vertical display orientation. When in shooting mode, tilting the monitor in either a vertical or horizontal direction displays the i menu in the appropriate orientation. Mr. Keizo Fujii, Managing Director, Chief Regional Officer (S.E. Asia, Oceania, M. East, Africa Region) Mr. Keizo Fujii, Managing Director, Chief Regional Officer (S.E. Asia, Oceania, M. East, Africa Region) Select from a wide range of video formats – from 12-bit N-RAW and ProRes RAW to 10-bit Apple ProRes 422 HQ and 8 bit-H265 SDR in-camera recording. Create high-definition videos in 4K UHD/60p, 50p2, and 30p oversampled from 8K, allowing you to shoot in high-definition footage that can be appreciated on a large screen. For those that need greater frame rates, there are 4K 120P, 8.3K/60P (in N-RAW only), and 8K UHD/30P options, as well as N-Log for colour grading. Users can capture bustling city scenes or epic wildlife movements with time-lapse recordings in 8K HDR that can also be viewed on Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)-compatible 8K monitors through an HDMI 2.1 connection. Decisive moments are easily caught on camera with the Pre-Release Capture3 function. When using High-Speed Frame Capture+, users can record up to 1 second before the shutter button is fully pressed, or up to 4 seconds after the button is fully pressed. The camera’s autofocus identifies roughly 3% of the human face size in the frame automatically. Subject detection is also supported by 3D-tracking, autoarea autofocus (AF), and 20 other types of custom widearea AF (12 of which are seen in the movie). Capture night scenes with clarity thanks to the excellent AF detection range of -7 EV (-9 to 19 EV in starry vision mode), which allows for improved detection of targets in low-light circumstances. Users may quickly and reliably lock focus because the AF recognises and tracks up to nine different types of subjects. The new Aeroplane mode in the AF subject detection menu helps users to quickly concentrate on the desired aircraft regardless of magnification (size) since it delivers a more steady detection, even in low-light settings or with a cluttered background. The new HLG (HEIF) format support also allows for 10-bit still photos with richer tonal gradation. Users may take their portrait photography to the next level by using the skin softening tool, which identifies human faces and softens the skin while keeping the eyes and hair sharp. The effect can be applied to videos, live streaming, and still images. The portrait impression balance effect reduces editing time by enhancing portraits in-camera by changing the hue and brightness. In addition to the photo or video shooting menu, the adjustment is available via direct settings and the i menu while confirming the subjects through live view image. Enhanced auto white balance (AWB) performance, which helps to lessen colour cast, and an intuitive user interface for altering colour temperatures can help users create more stunning portrayals. The Sereebo® P series, a new ecologically friendly polymer used on the main body components that can withstand knocks and temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius, adds to the camera’s toughness. Furthermore, the dust-and-drip resistant construction keeps dust and fluids out of the camera. When the power is turned off, the VR lock prevents inadvertent harm to the image sensor. Reduce the chance of dust clinging to the image sensor by using a dual coating for the optical filter and image sensor, as well as a sensor shield for when attaching and removing the lens. With no blackout, the Real-Live Viewfinder reveals subject motion in real time. Because there is no mechanical shutter, you can capture a large number of photos of golf swings and tennis serves without worrying about shutter wear or rolling shutter distortion. Obtain stable images with a powerful Vibration Reduction (VR) that achieves an effect similar to a shutter speed of 6.0 stops with the in-camera VR and Synchro VR. For video recording, electronic VR is also accessible. The MB-N12 Power Battery Pack offers about 1.8x more shots and recording time while maintaining the Z 8’s dust and leak resistance. It is available separately and is designed for cold weather operations, even at -10 degrees Celsius, with USB charging and power transmission. The camera is also the first in the Z series to feature two USB terminals, one for power charging/supply and the other for data transfer, allowing for power delivery while communicating without encountering unexpected disconnections and hence a more dependable connection on both ends. The all-new Nikon Z 8, distributed by Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia, retails at MYR 18,338 for Z 8 BK SG (body only) and MYR 22,608 for Z 8 BK SG (24 – 120mm f4 kit). For more information on the new Z 8 and other Nikon products, head over to https://www.futuromic.com/ . Photo credits: Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd. and the author’s own Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/03/01/product-review-zte-axon-elite/

Product Review – ZTE Axon Elite

[Tech & Gadgets]   After the launch of the ZTE Axon Elite in Malaysia on 28 September 2015 (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2015/10/09/zte-launches-axon-elite-in-malaysia/), I managed to get my hands on a unit to see what’s so special about this smartphone which has not one (1) but two (2) rear cameras! Now ZTE is not new to Malaysia and if you look at your modem or router you’d probably see that it’s made by ZTE. ZTE is one of the global leaders in the mobile handset manufacturing industry in the world, offering a complete range of mobile devices, including mobile phones, tablets, mobile broadband modems and hotspots and family desktop integration terminals. A lot of the hardware supplied to the telcos are also from ZTE. However ZTE Mobile Devices has only just recently entered the Malaysian smartphone market proper and with it came the ZTE Axon Elite which is their flagship. First thing I had to try out when I received the smartphone was the two (2) rear cameras – a 13-megapixel and a 2-megapixel camera. The 2MP camera improves the depth of field effect for bokeh photography, and comes with a large f/1.8 aperture that spans to f/1.0, with a max shutter speed of 1/90,000 of a second. This was really quite an astounding camera for a smartphone. After shooting in bokeh mode, you can even edit the photo to adjust the focus point, and the level of depth of field effect – from none which means the whole photo is in focus, to maximum which will blur out everything except the subject in focus. At the front is a 8-megapixel camera which unfortunately does not have beauty mode so girls, you’ll need to download third-party beauty apps if you’re the type who relies on beauty mode for your selfies. So here’s a look at some of the photos that I shot and uploaded to Instagram, starting off with the photos shot with bokeh mode.   View this post on Instagram Cocktails at SkyBar, Traders Hotel. Photo shot with the ZTE Axon smartphone with its dual rear cameras for a beautiful bokeh/ background defocus effect without any editing. #ZTE #zteaxon #nofilter #bokeh #tradershotelkl #cocktails A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Feb 13, 2016 at 8:35am PST Ensure that the subject is near the smartphone and there’s a nice far background behind and you’ll end up with some shots like this one of some cocktails at SkyBar in Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur.   View this post on Instagram Lunch with @stephiielim yesterday. Photo shot with the #ZTE Axon using its dual rear cameras which allows beautiful bokeh/ background defocus photos without editing or applying any filter. #zteaxon #myhottestbloggers #bokeh A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Dec 30, 2015 at 2:41am PST It works well for portraits too like this photo of MHB’s Stephanie Lim.   View this post on Instagram Delicious #cake for #dessert Photo shot with the #ZTE Axon using its dual rear cameras which allows beautiful bokeh/ background defocus photos without editing or applying any filter. #zteaxon A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Dec 19, 2015 at 12:37am PST Great for that artsy feel without the need to edit the photo.   View this post on Instagram #oysters Photo shot with the #ZTE Axon Elite smartphone with its dual rear cameras which give a #bokeh effect without the need for any editing. #zteaxonelite #nofilter #ztemalaysia A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Mar 1, 2016 at 7:00am PST View this post on Instagram Plump and juicy grilled scallops! Photo shot with the ZTE Axon Elite with its twin rear cameras which can shoot bokeh photos with no additional editing. #scallops #ZTE #zteaxonelite #ztemalaysia #axonelite A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Feb 28, 2016 at 8:08am PST View this post on Instagram Sweet Janet at the Maybank Championship 2016 at the Royal Selangor Golf Club yesterday. Photo shot with the ZTE Axon Elite with bokeh mode. #ZTE #zteaxonelite #nofilter #ztemalaysia @zte_malaysia A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Feb 21, 2016 at 10:46pm PST   Quite cool and very useful especially for someone like me who’s constantly attending events and taking photos. The manual mode is useful when it’s a difficult lighting situation such as poor/ dim lighting or a lot of backlight.   View this post on Instagram #sushi Photo shot with the #ZTE Axon Elite smartphone. #zteaxonelite #ztemalaysia A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Mar 5, 2016 at 9:39pm PST Fancy some sushi?   View this post on Instagram Mini #salmon don Photo shot with the ZTE Axon smartphone. #zte #ztemalaysia #zteaxon A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Jan 11, 2016 at 8:01pm PST Or how about a salmon don?    View this post on Instagram Shot @jiayeen with the ZTE Axon Elite smartphone using full manual mode in the camera app. #ZTE #zteaxon #zteaxonelite #ztemalaysia A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Jan 11, 2016 at 3:48am PST The backlight was really bright so I went full manual and snapped this pic of MHB’s Jiayeen during an outing.   And Jiayeen took a selfie with the 8MP front camera.   tomcat says – The Axon Elite’s 3,000mAh battery is enough to keep me powered throughout the day on a single charge. The dual front facing speakers provide crisp and clear sound and really why would any brand still keep putting speakers at the back of the phone? The camera is really wonderful in good lighting and in poorer lighting, I have the option of going full manual to adjust the settings to get a better shot. The fingerprint sensor was so convenient that I didn’t even bother with the eye-scan, while the 32GB internal storage is adequate although at the highest setting photos shot with the camera does have quite large files. To address the space issue, I ensure that my phone is always sync-ed to Google Photos that automatically backs up my photos and allows access across devices.   Technical Specs Network GSM 850/900/1800/1900, EVDO BC0 WCDMA: Band 1/2/5/8; TD-LTE: Band 38/40/41; FDD-LTE: Band 1/3/7/8/12/17/20 Platform Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with Adreno™ 430 GPU OS MiFavor 3.2 (Android  OS 5.0.2) Dimensions 154mm x 77mm x 9.8mm Colors Ion Gold Screen 5.5″ CGS (Continuous Grain Silicon) TFT LCD, 2.5D curved display. LCD Resolution: 1920 x 1080 FHD, PPI 401 Corning Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass Camera Rear-Facing Camera: Dual lens 13MP, 2MP, dual LED Flash, 4K HD resolution Front-Facing Camera: 8MP, 84 degree wide-angle, 1080p HD resolution Video Capture: 4K HD resolution at 30 FPS Audio Hi-Fi Audio Chipset: AKM 4961 Microphone: 2- mic noise suppression Security Fingerprint scanner (five finger records), Visit Mode, TrustZone, EyePrint ID™, Voice Unlocking Battery 3000mAh, Quick Charge™ Memory 3GB  LP DDR4  RAM + 32GB eMMC ROM, supports 128GB TF card Interface 3.5mm Earphone port, supports quick charge 5pin Micro USB, Dual-SIM 4FF, SD card Features GPS/Beidu /Glonass/BT 4.0/WIFI  2.4G & 5G, 802.11 a/b/g/n /ac   WIFI Direct Accelerometer/Proximity/Light/ Electronic compass / Hall sensors, driver assistant   The ZTE Axon Elite is available in Malaysia priced at RM1,999.00 ZTE authorised retailers as well as on online marketplaces. For more information, head over to www.ztedevices.com.my Consumers can purchase the ZTE Axon Elite online at these eBay links: France: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/301725125012 Italy: http://www.ebay.it/itm/291550442188 Spain: http://www.ebay.es/itm/221866281521 United Kingdom: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331639864316 Global: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271969968508 (not including the U.S. and Canada) Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2021/10/19/the-rolls-royce-cellarette-a-bespoke-whisky-and-cigar-chest/

The Rolls-Royce Cellarette: A Bespoke Whisky And Cigar Chest

[Automotive News] The House of Rolls-Royce recently unveiled the newest addition to its portfolio of collectables, the Rolls-Royce Cellarette. Containing an array of accoutrements designed to perfect any soiree, the Cellarette derives from the marque’s rich heritage of providing clients with effortless and affable hosting opportunities. “The Rolls-Royce Cellarette, the latest addition to the Rolls-Royce Connoisseur’s Collection, offers our clients new ways to enhance their lifestyle beyond the experience of their Rolls-Royce motor car.  Historically, Cellarettes were used to secure wine and spirits.  This bespoke chest can be configured to stow aperitifs or digestifs, dependent on the client’s preferences, alongside prized cigars, in a spectacular fashion.” Nicholas Abrams, Bespoke Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars The Cellarette epitomises true Rolls-Royce style: precision engineering, exquisite hand craftsmanship and a breath-taking presentation of luxury. The polished aluminium chassis, enveloped by embossed Rolls-Royce Havana leather complete with an Obsidian Ayous Open Pore veneer serving tray with Spirit of Ecstasy inlay, makes the Cellarette the perfect accessory for any Rolls-Royce owner with a passion for convivial hosting.  Although, the Cellarette will fit discreetly into the rear of any Rolls-Royce, it truly comes into its own as a centrepiece at an al fresco dining experience, or as an accompaniment at an intimate gathering.   The dark exterior opens to emit a warm ambient glow.  Armagnac leather highlights are accentuated by a soft light, evoking the atmosphere of a distinguished Members’ Club.  An array of beautiful accessories are revealed in a mechanical fashion, mirroring the opening of the coach doors of a Rolls-Royce motor car. Once unfurled, the client is presented with hand-blown lowball glasses, each exquisitely finished with the ‘RR’ monogram.  These glasses rotate outwards as the unit opens, evoking a charming sense of theatre. In unison with the glasses, an Armagnac leather-lined bottle pannier is revealed.  The ‘RR’ embellished holder can adapt to different bottle sizes, with the bottle held in place magnetically by a polished aluminium fastener, ensuring, enabling safe stowage of any preferred refreshment. At the opposing end is a humidor which when opened offers the user a cigar tray.  Cigars are nestled in Spanish Cedarwood at the chosen humidity level for optimum enjoyment, a measure that is precisely monitored by a hygrometer. Featuring unique detailing, the hygrometer recalls the hands of the fabled Rolls-Royce clock. Accompanying the humidor are the perfect accessories for the cigar enthusiast.  Magnetically held at either end of the cassette are two smaller containers – one for, an intricately detailed cigar cutter and lighter, made by S. T. Dupont, Paris and, is engraved with the Spirit of Ecstasy Expression, and the other is for an ashtray.  To ensure the compact transit, the ashtray’s cigar cradles extend only once the container is opened. The Cellarette represents The House of Rolls-Royce’s commitment to producing the finest luxury products and experiences for its patrons, well beyond the confines of the automotive environment.  Like any Rolls-Royce product, the Cellarette can be tailored to the client’s exact specification. The Rolls-Royce Cellarette is available to acquire through Rolls-Royce dealerships, with prices starting from GBP £44,150 excluding local taxes. Photo credits: Rolls-Royce . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2011/09/25/we-all-love-our-samsung-galaxy-s-ii/

We All Love Our Samsung Galaxy S II

[Advertorial] As you guys know, sometime back I got my hands on a Samsung Galaxy S II and I must say that the smartphone has really changed my life! What a beauty! She's super fast too! I now update my Facebook and twitter on the go with photos using the 8MP camera while staying in touch with friends is a breeze with the many IM apps available! My thousands of contacts are now organised and I now check my email on the gowhenever I need to. But there are people who are more in love with their Samsung Galaxy S II and for them Samsung Mobile has created a little microsite to allow their S II owners to profess their love for the phone. Check it out here – http://www.samsung.com/my/lovegalaxysll/ Click this image to go to the microsite Glad that dude didn’t fall down the escalator… Anyway entertaining? Ok lor…then I clicked the ‘Click Here’ button (yes I couldn’t help it!) to see what else there was on the site which brought me to a page where you can request the actors to ‘perform’ what you type in the box at the bottom left of the screen. Hint – if you like hot girls (like me) try to type ‘DRINK’ and then click the ‘Play’ icon. . . Done it yet? . . She’s cute right? Hahahahaha! That’s Jenvine Ong who is one of the finalists of the iFeel Girl Search 2011. The hot Jenvine Ong!!! Anyway if you’re a Samsung Galaxy S II user and would like to profess your love to your phone as well, simply log into the microsite (http://www.samsung.com/my/lovegalaxysll/), shoot a little video of yourself with the phone and upload it. I even hear rumours that Samsung might compile all these videos into an upcoming music/ viral video so imagine millions of people around the world watching you! You might just be the next YouTube sensation… . Speaking of YouTube. I just found this little video and I had to update this post to gloat. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2014/09/05/nokia-lumia-530-launch-and-senses-launch/

Nokia Lumia 530 Launch and Senses Launch

[Tech & Gadgets] Microsoft Devices Group launched their newest offering the Nokia Lumia 530 at Marini’s on 57, Kuala Lumpur on 12 August 2014. The new offering comes in at a very affordable recommended retail price of RM355.00 and is the most affordable Lumia to date with the latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system. Lumia 530 is available in Dual SIM 3G variant, and features key innovations and Microsoft services found in high-end Lumia smartphones including: The latest version of Windows Phone 8.1 including one swipe notifications from Action Center, and the fast Word Flow keyboard A powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that delivers a fast user experience of favourite apps, gaming and internet browsing on the 4-inch LCD display Seamless integration with Microsoft services such as Skype and Microsoft Office Popular social apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Viber, LINE and WeChat, key gaming apps such as Asphalt 8 and other notable apps such as FitBit, AirAsia and MyTeksi, available in the Windows Phone Store The Dual SIM 3G variant for easy switching between two SIM cards (useful especially if you have two girlfriends/ boyfriends!) Smooth performance with signature Lumia apps such as Creative Studio and Glam Me, which help people take quality voice-guided selfies with the 5MP rear camera 4GB of on-board memory, expandable with SD cards up to 128GB, and an additional 15GB of free cloud storage on Microsoft OneDrive that lets people sync, store, access and share files between Lumia 530 and computers, laptops and tablets. “The Lumia 530 is packed with power for everyone and underlines our commitment to bring affordable smartphones to Malaysians, “ said Bruce Howe, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices Sales for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. “With a powerful quad-core processor and Windows Phone 8.1, users will be able to enjoy the best of Lumia innovations, third party apps, and Microsoft services at a never before price.”   Technical Specs   Lumia 530 Operating System Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Cyan Display 4.0” FWVGA LCD display Battery Up to 22 days standby, 13 hours 2G talk time. Battery capacity: 1430mAh Connectivity HSPA+ 21Mbps/5.76Mbps, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), BT 4.0, micro-USB Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 Camera 5MP Memory 512MB RAM, 4GB eMMC with up to 128GB micro SD card support The Dual Sim Lumia 530 is current available at the recommended retail price of RM355.00 and comes in a choice of four (4) colours namely bright orange, bright green, white and dark grey variants. More info at http://www.microsoft.com/en-my/mobile/   Launch of SENSES by Ox Entertainment Headed over to Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 12 August 2014 for the official launch of SENSES by OX Entertainment Sdn. Bhd. SENSES is a new lifestyle brand that promotes premium entertainment concerts and events aimed at the upper class of Malaysian society. The events will pull together the vital ingredients for a good show namely – good international entertainment, classy venues, delicious canapés and premium drinks. A select guest list limited to 1000 people will be set via an exclusive booking system. Guests will then be given an access card, which is specially designed with the band on the cover and will serve as a collector’s item, which will grant them entry into the event. As SENSES is aiming for the more premium market which is somewhat older, expect to see artistes which are from the 70’s and 80’s such as Billy Ocean, Tower of Power, Level 42, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, KC & the Sunshine Band, Kool & the Gang. The first act that SENSES will be bringing to Malaysia will be Smokie from the UK with popular hits like Living Next Door to Alice, If You Think You Know How to Love Me, Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me, and Lay Back in the Arms of Someone. The pre-opening act for the show will be local artiste Alan Perera of the famous Comedy Court. 03 March 2015 – Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak 04 March 2015 – Grand Ballroom Magellen Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 06 March 2015 – Grand Ballroom Renaissance Hotel, Johor Baharu 07 March 2015 – Hotel Equatorial, Penang 08 March 2015 – Grand Ballroom Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur     There will be four open long bars just waiting to serve you as well throughout the event with premium liquor such as Skyy Vodka and Cutty Sark Scotch whisky.   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2019/05/01/editors-note-may-2019/

Editor’s Note – May 2019

[Editor’s Note] Carlsberg Malaysia Welcomes New Managing Director Ted Akiskalos   We headed over to Brixton23 in Kuala Lumpur city on 26 April 2019 for Carlsberg Malaysia’s welcome party for its new Managing Director Ted Akiskalos which also doubled as a farewell party for outgoing Managing Director Lars Lehmann who has been promoted to the Executive Committee (ExCom) of Carlsberg A/S (Carlsberg Group) as Executive Vice President of Eastern Europe and also as CEO of Baltika, Carlsberg Group’s company in Russia effective 1 May 2019. MHB Digital’s (http://mhbdigital.com) history with Carlsberg Malaysia goes back to our inception as a full-fledged digital agency back in 2011 – as they were our very first client! (My personal history with Carlsberg Malaysia goes way back to 2006 and you can read some of the previous stories here – https://timchew.net/?s=carlsberg) Over the years, we’ve witnessed many changes to the management team and we’ve had the privilege of knowing five (including Ted) Managing Directors, one of which remains a good friend till this day! While it is always rather sad to say farewell to the outgoing MD, I must say that Carlsberg Malaysia knows how to throw probably the best farewell/ welcome parties! We got to enjoy Carlsberg Malaysia’s portfolio of beers, stouts and ciders, and bid farewell to Lars and family, as well as meet Akiskalos for the first time. The party was inspired by the concept of Brixton 23 after the “Kingsman” movie series. Lehmann and Akiskalos made a dapper appearance on stage to cheers from the guests, ajd after some short speeches ignited a beer fountain with dazzling pyrotechnics in the spirit of semper ardens (Carlsberg’s motto in Latin meaning “always burning”) before joining Carlsberg Malaysia Chairman Datuk Toh Ah Wah, Independent Non-Executive Director Chew Hoy Ping, and the management team to thank guests for their continued support that saw the company through “Probably The Best Year” for the 2018 financial year.   Carlsberg Malaysia’s outgoing Managing Director Lars Lehmann (L) and new Managing Director Ted Akiskalos. Lehmann (L) and Akiskalos made a dapper appearance on stage, igniting a beer fountain with dazzling pyrotechnics in the spirit of semper ardens (“always burning”) to mark the passing of the baton from one managing director to another.   As incoming Managing Director, Akiskalos brings with him nine years of experience within the Carlsberg Group where his first role was as Vice President of Group Strategy with a proven track record in driving growth and leading various transformational projects throughout the Group. At 40 years of age, this appointment is Akiskalos’ third role as Managing Director within the Carlsberg Group. Currently the Managing Director of Carlsberg Sweden, Akiskalos has led the company to return to double-digit growth, and the highest reputational scores among all beer companies in Sweden. As Managing Director for Carlsberg’s operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, he, together with the team, transformed Hong Kong to be the market leader whilst improving its profits significantly in three years.   Akiskalos said, “I am most honoured and humbled by this appointment because Malaysia, which covers Singapore and an associate company in Sri Lanka, is one of the top three markets in Asia, in terms of profitability and growth. Taking over the helm from Lars, my intent is to continue our growth with our strong brand portfolio and win with our winning customers.” In delivering his farewell speech, Lehmann said, “It has been Probably The Best three years for me and the Company. Together, we had an unprecedented financial year in 2018 with strong growth in revenue, net profit and free cash flow, allowing us to declare the highest dividends in the history of Carlsberg Malaysia. None of these would be possible if it wasn’t for our customers and consumers’ support towards our brands, our people and our businesses.” Both the outgoing and new Managing Directors pledged the company’s commitment to continue delivering excellence in great innovations, excellent product quality and relevant consumer activations in the times ahead. Ted with former Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia Soren Ravn Ted with the Carlsberg Malaysia management team Andy and I with HR Director of Carlsberg Malaysia Felicia Teh (second from left) and popular blogger Fat Boy Bakes (who makes the most amazing cakes!)    For more info, head over to https://carlsbergmalaysia.com.my/ Photo credits: Carlsberg Malaysia and author’s own    Farewell and all the best Lars!     Locker & Loft “On The Road” Pop Up Bar at Faux Space Bangsar   Joanne and I headed over to Faux Space in Bangsar Baru for the “Locker & Loft Pop Up Bar” at Faux Space. Locker & Loft needs no introduction as it’s one of the mainstays of the speakeasy scene in Petaling Jaya. Faux Space though, is a recent addition to the bustling Telawi area in Bangsar Baru, and is a co-working space type cafe where customers just need to purchase an item from the cafe to utilise the Wi-Fi and the space. The event saw Locker & Loft feature their popular cocktails while some guest DJs provided the tunes.   I dropped by another day after the event to snap a pic of Faux Space (couldn’t do so during the event night as it was crowded and rocking!) It’s actually quite a conducive environment to get your work done or to have a meeting with your team/ clients. Best of all – the food and beverages are not overpriced!   For more info on The Locker & Loft, head over to https://www.facebook.com/lockerandloft/ For more info on Faux Space, head over to https://www.facebook.com/fauxspace/ . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/08/19/editors-note-august-2018-featuring-high-tea-buffet-at-sheraton-petaling-jaya-hotel-and-the-launch-of-the-new-somersby-elderflower-lime/

Editor’s Note – August 2018 Featuring High-Tea Buffet at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel and the Launch of the New Somersby Elderflower Lime

[Editor’s Note] High Tea Buffet at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel   Jocelyn and I headed over to the Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel recently to try out their new Weekend High-Tea Buffet at Feast – the hotel’s all day dining restaurant located on level 3 of the newest hotel in Petaling Jaya. The interior of Feast features a streamlined, contemporary setting enhanced with interesting Asian elements, inspired by the bright and cheery colours that encourages the building of appetite when dining. The restaurant has indoor seating that seats 160 pax complemented by a live show kitchen and well-lit buffet counter. The open kitchen showcases the art of cooking such as wok frying and pizza twirling, as the chefs ensure that the spread of food is constantly topped up with a fresh batch whenever it’s running low. The buffet is themed “Going Local”, and has a variety of local all time favourites such as Kari Sotong Nyonya, Double Boiled Chicken with Herbal Soup, Chee Cheong Fu, Yong Tau Foo, Kung Pao Lala, Portugese Egg Tart, Prawn Vindaloo and Nasi Lemak with Ayam Rendang and more. To be honest, I really prefer these kinds of buffet high-teas rather than the tiered trays of sugar filled desserts which girls order as they want to post on their Instagram to show off. This one is an actual meal which has a multitude of dishes across various cuisines – Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western! If you like seafood, there’s a fresh seafood section with fresh yabbies, mussels, prawns, etc. etc. and I must say that at this price (refer below), it’s really a good value for money buffet high-tea! The buffet is priced at RM88 nett per adult and 50% off for children age from 5 to 12 years old. The buffet runs from 12noon to 4.00pm on weekends.        Sheraton Petaling Jaya hotel celebrates the mid-autumn festival with specially prepared delicious treasures to honour this celebration of unity and togetherness with beloved friends and family. This is the first year that Yue Restaurant, Sheraton Petaling Jaya joins the mid-autumn festival, offering exclusive mooncake boxes with choices from 6 different traditionally baked mooncakes. Among the flavours are Baked Durian with Single Yolk, Pandan Paste with Single Yolk, Pure Lotus Paste, Red Bean Paste, White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk and Mixed Nuts (which can be purchased individually priced from RM26nett per cake). These exquisite mooncakes are ideal as gifts for business partners, friends and family, and come in an intricately and beautifully designed boxes with individual elements of Plum Blossoms, Butterflies and Peacock. Each gift box is priced at RM158nett inclusive of four (4) mooncakes of your choice. The beautiful box can be used after the festival as a jewellery box to keep your accessories and jewelry. Along with the mooncakes, Chef Ben Lim – Sifu of Yue restaurant kitchen has prepared two (2) different 8-course menus; the Golden Fortune menu priced at RM1,888 and Precious Jewels menu at RM1,288 per table. Chef Ben has included in the menus, some of his signatures dishes like the Pan Fried Chicken topped with Salted Egg and Barbecue Sauce, Fried Prawn Meat with Lotus Root and Macadamia Nuts, Double Boiled Chinese Herbal Soup, Steamed Dragon Grouper and Pan Fried Australian Lamb Rack with Angelica Herbs. The mid-autumn festival menus and mooncakes are currently available from now until 24 September 2018.    Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel is located at: Lorong Utara C, PJS 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia   For more info, head over to http://sheratonpetalingjaya.com Telephone: +603-76228888 Email: sheraton.petalingjaya@sheraton.com   The photos above were shot with the Huawei Mate 10 Pro (not the photo of the mooncakes of course which was courtesy of Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel).   Thanks for having us!     Somersby Launches the New Somersby Elderflower Lime Variant   MHB’s Andy Kho and I headed over to Morganfields in USJ on 17 August 2018 for the launch of the new Somersby Elderflower Lime. The new variant is best served over ice, and is infused with floral notes combined with a twist of lime, making it a very refreshing cider indeed! The Elderflower is the white blossom of the Elderberry tree. Its delicate and subtle lacy white flowers are attributed with medicinal properties and is frequently used for flavouring food and drinks in Europe. Now I was there right at the start when Somersby was first launched in Malaysia back in 2012 at the Carcosa Seri Negara (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2012/06/25/somersby-apple-cider-launch-at-carcosa-seri-negara-220612/) and through the years (you’ll find the entire history of Somersby cider in Malaysia here – https://timchew.net/?s=somersby and no, in case you were wondering – I don’t work for Carlsberg Malaysia which owns the brand here in Malaysia), there have been new additions to the Somersby cider family. Of course, I have my favourite among all the variants which is Somersby Pear – as it’s the least sweet among all the variants and is incredibly refreshing. The new Somersby Elderflower Lime is now my second most favourite with its well-balanced taste which is neither too sweet or sour, complemented with just a hint of floral notes as not to overpower your palate. It made one very refreshing drinks and as it was a blazing hot evening, this cider was perfect to cool down with!   “Proud to be in the forefront of innovation, we are excited to offer cider lovers a new cider – Somersby Elderflower Lime adding to the existing variants of apple, blackberry and sparkling rosé. By adding a twist of lime into the elderflower, this cider simply tastes so refreshing and boasts a pleasant floral aroma,” said Carlsberg Malaysia Managing Director Lars Lehmann (sitting in the driver’s seat of the Combi). “Somersby Elderflower Lime was launched in Singapore early this year and it has since grown exponentially and contributed significantly to the cider business of our subsidiary Carlsberg Singapore. We are confident that this new variant will further strengthen Somersby’s foothold as the No.1 cider position in Malaysia.” (Photo courtesy of Carlsberg Malaysia)   The launch was an all-white-themed (yes I was being rebellious) evening of good food and cider, in casual elegance with Scandinavian-style garden decor, white Elderflowers everywhere, especially the flower tunnel where many guests took selfies in. To promote the Elderflower Lime variant, the Somersby Kombi mobile bars will be making month-long roving visits in September to local tourist spots, night markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets around Peninsular Malaysia offering consumers a chance to sample Somersby Apple, Blackberry, Sparkling Rosé and the new Elderflower Lime. You can also get a can of Somersby Elderflower Lime FREE with every purchase of a 4- can or 4-bottle pack at participating hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenient stores from 27 August to 30 September. This deal is also available for the 6-can pack Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught.     There will be special food promotion at 100 participating F&B outlets from 1 September to 31 October where there are special promotions for the Somersby Elderflower Lime. If you’re dining at Morganfield’s, try the Baby Back Ribs promotion paired with the Somersby Elderflower Lime. The Somersby Elderflower Lime, in 4.5% alcohol content, is available in bottle (330ml) and can (320ml) at major hypermarkets and supermarkets nationwide. You can also head over to http://www.winetalk.com.my to get the Somersby Mystery Box set worth RM50 comprising ALL FOUR flavours at only RM35!    Pretty girls including Yuth Gan and Liyee Lee Andy and me with Carlsberg Malaysia’s HR Director Felicia Teh. Thanks for having us!    For more info, head over to http://www.facebook.com/SomersbyMY Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography, Carlsberg Malaysia, and author’s own using the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. . 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https://timchew.net/2013/05/30/romantic-dining-spots-in-kl-the-hill-damansara-heights/

Romantic Dining Spots in KL – The Hill Damansara Heights

[Romantic Dining Spots in KL] ### UPDATED 6 February 2014 – The Hill is currently closed however the restaurant has relocated to The Roof, First Avenue Bandar Utama and you can read about my visit here – https://timchew.net/2013/11/13/dining-with-a-view-signature-by-the-hill-at-the-roof-first-avenue-bandar-utama/ or my latest visit here – https://timchew.net/2014/08/04/food-review-signature-by-the-hill-the-roof-first-avenue-bandar-utama-may-2014/ ### The thing is about dating for us guys is that we constantly have to crack our heads over where to bring our date for a nice dinner/ meal. I must admit that I have spent many a lunchtime furiously Googling through food blogs to find a nice place to go for dinner. Therefore I decided to start this little series of posts to help guys out there who are in the same predicament as I am. So to start off my series I decided to bring my date over to a place that I was pretty familiar with – The Hill in Damansara Heights. The Hill is a trendy restaurant, bar and lounge located atop one of the hills of upmarket Damansara Heights. With such an address you’d expect a small outlet but The Hill sits on a 18,000 square feet plot of land, and had three (3) floors namely; The Beer Garden on the ground floor, The Dining Room on the first floor, and The Lounge on the second floor. For the purpose of my visit which is to have a nice, quiet and cosy dinner we opted for the Dining Room and managed to get a nice table in the corner where we could have a little more privacy. . Little Yearing (Pinot Noir) bottle – RM120.00. My date chosed this as she’s a wine drinker unlike me who pretty much drinks anything that contains alcohol. It turned out to be a good choice as it was a rather mellow wine which went well with our steak. The Hill has an adequate selection (Carbenet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, etc. etc.) from different countries and you should fine one that suits your tastebuds. Soup of the Day – RM12.00 – The Soup of the Day rotates every week so do ask your server beforehand. In our case the soup was a pumpkin soup which had a really nice texture and little pieces of ginger to give it some contrast. I really liked the garlic toast which came with it as they didn’t stinge on the garlic oil. A nice and warm start to the meal. Smoked Duck Salad – RM26.00 – we decided to go with an East and West theme and this dish seemed to combine both! Delicious smoked duck on top of a bed of lettuce, apple slices, orange slices, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, walnuts and croutons. For those of you who avoid duck because of the smell fear not because the duck in this dish was perfectly cooked and there was no hint of that “ducky smell”. My date for the night with our Mixed Sashimi Mixed Sashimi – RM60.00 – 15 pieces containing a mix of salmon, tuna, butter fish, octopus, shrimp and scallops. The fish and seafood were pretty fresh and this was a nice dish to share. Australian Grain Fed Tenderloin – RM60.00 – make sure you ask for this baby to be medium rare. 2 juicy pieces of tenderloin with mushrooms, beef bacon and cheese in between and roasted potatoes and broccoli on the side. The beef was flavourful while the mushrooms and beef bacon provided a little contrast in texture and some earthy flavours. After dinner we headed up to the Lounge on the top level (2nd floor) which was a nice dimly lit bar and lounge with a pool table in the corner. As we were rather early we planted ourselves on one of the sofas on the side and took our time to finish our wine. Boss approved of my choice of restaurant – phew! . We didn’t have the cocktails as we didn’t want to mix with the wine but next time you’re there do try the “Watermelon Slush” or the “Milo Ais” and you’ll be pleasantly surprised… Romantic Ambiance: 7.5/10 The Hill currently has a live band playing on Wednesday and Saturday nights from 10.00pm onwards. Also if you’d like to expand your network the is Mingle Thursday from 9.00pm till late which features all you can drink wines (7 types of wines available), or if you are a beer drinker there is Asahi Super Dry beer and if you’re feeling peckish there complimentary tapas too. The rate for ladies is Rm68.00nett while men pay Rm88.00nett. Now The Hill is pretty popular so if you’re planning to dine there you’d better book a table beforehand. 23, Lorong Dungun, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia . Phone: 016 229 1505 (Call between 11.00am-11.00pm) Opening Hours: 5.00pm to 2.00am (Mondays – Sundays) Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hillkl Website: www.thehill.com.my . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/01/27/fujifilm-kl-photography-walk-2015/

FUJIFILM KL Photography Walk 2015

[Adv]   Fujifilm Malaysia invited us to join their KL Photography Walk on 10 January 2016, so excitedly we registered two teams of two – Stephanie and Andy, and Jiayeen with me. The participation fees were RM30 for Fujifilm camera users and RM50 for non-Fujifilm camera users. Accompanying us on the photography walk was the new Fujifilm X-T10 camera. View this post on Instagram Our equipment at the FUJIFILM KL Photography Walk 2016 today – the FUJIFILM X-T10. #fujifilm #fujifilmxt10 @fujifilmmy A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Jan 10, 2016 at 12:19am PST The new Fujifilm X-T10 come with new dials for enhanced operability, a 920K-dot tilting LCD, a compact and lightweight body, new AF Zone and Wide/Tracking modes, X-Trans™* CMOS II sensor & EXR Processor II, “CLASSIC CHROME” film simulation, and a Real-Time Viewfinder making it a really versatile and capable camera. We even had two (2) extra lens with us besides the kit lens – the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 lens, and the Fujinon 50-230mm lens giving us a variety of options. The walk started off at the briefing and registration point in Fahrenheit88. There were a lot of Fujifilm fans and users participating and we were broken into teams of two (2) persons. However we decided to head out (being the rebels that we are) as a group of four (4) as we wanted to benefit from Andy’s expertise and learn some of his skills.   Group photo before the walk officially started! We were given a specific route to follow which brought us from Fahrenheit88 to the Imbi market area, past Pavilion to Jalan Sultan Ismail and then back to the starting point. Along the way we had to shoot 10 photos to fit the various categories given to us. First up was “Motion & Lines” and I caught this pic of Andy shooting Stephanie along the roadside. Motion & Lines Multi colours Stephanie shooting Jiayeen The photo taken by Stephanie The girls learning how to use a system camera properly rather than just using their smartphone to snap pics The girls really liked the fact that the X-T10 comes with a Portrait Enhancer mode The next category was “Reflection” and Andy shot this pic off a car window Next up was our team numbers. We were team 68 and 69. The next category was “Light & Shadow” and we got Stephanie and Jiayeen to pose in the sunlight This was our entry for “Old & New” Incomplete and Complete KL landmark & frame – using the trees to frame one of the Petronas Twin Towers The last category which we shot from the Pavilion pedestrian bridge – Walking Above, Traffic Below All that walking around made us quite hot and hungry so we decided to stop for a lunch break before heading back to the starting/ finishing point So we went for Japanese food in Pavilion This was our shot for the 10th category – Symbol & Story Getting back to the finishing point (which was the starting point) we got our best photos printed out then compiled our entry   Later in the afternoon, professional photographer Kim Boon (http://www.kimboon.com/) gave us a little presentation of his photos that were taken with FUJIFILM cameras with us. He also shared some tips and tricks with us. Then the submissions from each team were displayed and we got to see how the teams interpreted the various themes and translated them into photos. There were many teams though that took the same “old and new” shot which soon had everyone very tickled to see the same buildings popping up although shot from different angles.   Congratulations to all the winners who took home Fujifilm products and cash vouchers!   It was a very interesting experience for all of us and it was nice to meet other Fujifilm camera users as well. Looking forward to the next Fujifilm Photography Walk! More info at http://www.fujifilm.com.my/ or https://www.facebook.com/x.fujifilm/   Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2009/05/15/samsung-mobile-star/

Samsung Mobile Star

Samsung Mobile launched it’s new Samsung Star at Starbucks, Pavilion. Featuring a touch screen user interface and a 3″ LCD screen, the Samsung Star’s recommended retail price is RM999. Pretty affordable for a touch screen I must say…looks like an indirect competitor to the iphone. In conjunction with the launch of this new model, Samsung Mobile is running a contest aptly named Samsung Star & Shine. Up for grabs are prizes worth RM50,000 and is open to the Malaysian public. Click here to find out more. Launching at Starbucks, very unique! A 3″ touch screen mobile phone for just RM999? Quite a good deal indeed! Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/11/10/fitflop-x-anna-sui-tea-party/

FitFlop x Anna Sui Tea Party

[Fashion]   MHB’s Nicole Fu and I headed over to the FitFlop outlet at Mid Valley Megamall on 25 October 2016 for the FitFlop x Anna Sui Preview and Tea Party. British footwear brand FitFlop™ creates ergonomic sandals, shoes and boots, using world-class design, a splash of fashion and a continuously innovating mix of beauty, brains and biomechanics. Anna Sui’s collaborative spirit results in a variety of collections – from Victorians to cowboys, to reinventing Warholian superstars and Finnish-inspired textile prints, and rethinking the status quo of everything from Barbie dolls to Google browsers. She’s already earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, is recognized as an icon of the catwalk. This collaboration is FitFlop’s third with Anna Sui. The collection consists of ballerinas and sandals which mixes playful and pretty with everyday practical.   A prominent local stylist was on hand to explain how the new collection goes with different looks   More info at www.fitflop.com or https://www.facebook.com/fitflopmalaysia/ . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/03/20/versus-versace-fall-winter-2016-ready-to-wear-accessories/

Versus Versace Fall Winter 2016 – Ready to Wear & Accessories

[Luxury Fashion]   For Fall Winter 2016, the Versus Versace collection by creative director Anthony Vaccarello features a tough, rebellious attitude reflected in a utilitarian mood for the city streets. Trench coats, zip-up bombers, double-breasted coats and cargo pants define the season for both women and men. Camouflage prints are reborn with the head of the Versus Versace lion, while paisley prints bring softness and leopard prints have rock energy. Mini skirts in either print or pleated with the Versus Versace lion hardware, are daring, a playful contrast when worn with utilitarian coats.  Everything in the collection depicts attitude, especially the fur-trimmed parka, or the men’s blouson with a fur collar.  The shirt is the new city essential, like the women’s black shirt with epaulettes, or the men’s camo shirt, always with a covered placket. There’s tomboy toughness to women’s pieces like the pinafore body miniskirt or the loose fit jeans, especially when worn with flat ankle boots.  Checkerboards of patent or studs turn bombers and miniskirts optical, the perfect combination for shirt prints that remix the iconic Versace Greek key. Fearlessness is innate, like the diamond slashed lingerie top for women, or the black sheer long dress with utility pockets at the chest. A one-sleeved black mini-dress is held by the Versus Versace lion, while a black T-shirt dress has a bold trim of Versace metal mesh.  “I love people with a strong sense of mind. It’s this toughness that we capture in the new Versus Versace collection – the individual attitude of the new generation.” Donatella Versace     Women’s Accessories     Men’s Accessories   The Versus Versace Boutique is located at: Lot 3.51, Level 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168, Bukit Bintang Street, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: +603 2110 1708   Images courtesy of Versace Malaysia. . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2017/01/27/valentines-day-2017-menu-at-samplings-on-the-fourteenth-berjaya-times-square-hotel/

Valentine’s Day 2017 Menu at Samplings on the Fourteenth, Berjaya Times Square Hotel

[Valentine’s Day]   My partner in crime and I headed over to Samplings On The Fourteenth Restaurant at Berjaya Times Square Hotel recently to try their (2017) Valentine’s Day menu. The restaurant will be offering a 4-course dinner prepared by Chef Val which is available only on 14th February 2017 from 6.30pm till 10.30pm and priced at RM298 nett per pax (or RM596 nett per couple) inclusive of dinner, photo booth, door gift and lucky draw.   Samplings on the Fourteenth has won many awards throughout the years including from the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival The tables are spaced out nicely so you won’t be overhearing the next table’s conversation If possible, try to get a table by the window which offers a nice view of the KL skyline The view from Samplings on the Fourteenth which is on the fourteenth floor of Berjaya Times Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur Surprised my partner in crime with a nice bouquet of flowers from Cest La Vie Florist Appetizer Pan-Seared Foie Gras, Balsamic Jelly, Dried Cherry Confit and Butterscotch I love a well cooked piece of foie gras and Chef Val cooked this one to perfection! Loved the piece of toasted brioche as well as the other components in this dish like the balsamic jelly and dried cherry confit which cut through the earthy richness of the foie gras. Look out for the butterscotch swipe which will impart a lovely sweetness balancing out this dish. The mixture of tastes (earthy, sweet and piquant) combined with the variance of textures makes this a very ingenious appetizer indeed!   Soup Chicken Consomme Flavoured with Sherry and Quail Egg Garnish After the richness of the foie gras in the appetizer, Chef Val decided to go with a soup that didn’t have cream in it for fear of overwhelming the palate. Thus he concocted this chicken consomme (which is a French style of soup making) that was flavoured with sherry while a little quail’s egg bullseye was swimming in it. A surprisingly healthy soup but a welcome one instead of the rich and heavy soups that most Western restaurants churn out. ### Main (Choice of) Pan-Fried Cod Fillet, Artichoke Cous-Cous and Saffron Aniseed Reduction My partner in crime had most of this one but I did try the perfectly cooked cod and cous-cous but the really awesome component of this dish was the saffron aniseed reduction which really complemented the fish! It’s not easy to cook cod and can easily be overcooked but this one was really beautiful judging from the opaque flesh which retained the juice and flavour.   Or   Braised Beef Cheek with Smoked Garlic, Mashed Potatoes and Truffle Jus I had this one and I really couldn’t get enough of it! Super tender beef cheek braised for over two (2) hours until its melt in the mouth atop a bed of mashed potatoes and truffle jus. Not a super overwhelming truffle jus mind you, but just enough to give it a hint of luxury without overpowering the beef. Leave the garlic if you intend to kiss your date later though.   Dessert Vanilla and Brie Panna Cotta, Elderflower Essence and Honey Comb A very Insta-worthy dessert indeed! A really pretty and firm panna cotta with hints of vanilla and Brie (cheese) which gave it an extra dimensions contrasted against the piquancy of the berried while the honeycomb added a touch of sweetness to this dish. No doubt this dessert was made for the fairer sex.   Price: RM298.00 Nett per pax   My partner in crime with Chef Val Calling it a night   Another winning menu by Chef Val and as I’ve tried his menus year after year I’d say that his consistency of coming up with creative and innovative dishes makes Samplings on the Fourteenth a very potential option for a memorable Valentine’s Day dinner.   Samplings on the Fourteenth is located at: 14th Floor, Berjaya Times Square 1, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.   Telephone: +60 (3) 2117 8000 ext. 8131 Website: http://www.berjayahotel.com/kualalumpur Email: bth.samplings@berjayahotel.com . Thanks for having us Samplings on the Fourteenth! Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/04/26/samsung-galaxy-a33-5g-unboxing/

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G Unboxing

[Tech & Gadgets] Samsung Electronics recently launched the new 5G enabled Galaxy A73 5G, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G in Malaysia. The new mid-range smartphones are aimed at offering a holistic mobile experience at a great value. I recently got my hands on the Galaxy A33 5G and will be putting it to the test over the next few weeks to see how it performs. In a nutshell, the Galaxy A33 5G is powered by a brand-new processor, has an expansive and smooth display, 5,000mAh battery, 5G connectivity, defense-grade security, and an eco-conscious, stylish and slim design. The phone supports four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades and up to five years of security updates. The Galaxy A33 5G features a quad-camera system with a 48.0 MP + 8.0 MP + 5.0 MP + 2.0 MP setup on the rear and a 13MP shooter on the front. The Galaxy A33 5G’s AI-powered camera is powered by a brand new 5nm processor. The improved Night mode automatically synthesizes up to 12 images at once, so night photos look bright, with less noise. And when shooting video in low-light environments, the camera’s framerate is automatically adjusted to create bright, clear videos. There’s a Fun mode that comes with playful filters and effects that now work with the Ultra-wide lens. The Photo Remaster (supposedly) enhances old and low-quality photos, while the Object eraser removes pesky photo bombers in the background (Ed – this should be quite useful!). I was rather amazed by how thin the box In the box is the phone, a USB type C cable and the SIM card slot opener. Kindly note that there is NO ASING AND NO CHARGER included meaning that you’ll need to purchase it separately or use your existing Samsung charger, assuming that it can provide a 25W charge The Galaxy A33 5G features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The battery is surprisingly large at 5,000mAh and comes with 25W Super Fast Charging. The Galaxy A33 5G has a slim bezel while the Ambient Edge design seamlessly blends the camera with the body of the phone. The screen is made with the tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, and the phone is also IP67 water (underwater photos!) and dust resistance. Being a conservationist, I’m glad to hear that Samsung is committed to delivering tangible environmental actions with their Galaxy for the Planet initiative to help make the planet healthier by 2025. Building on Samsung’s sustainability efforts, the Galaxy A series removes the charger plug and reduces the size of the packaging. Packaging also uses sustainably sourced paper, while the device itself uses recycled post-consumer materials (PCM) for the side buttons and SIM card trays. What struck us immediately was the matte texture of the back of the phone which was nice to hole. However, I always ALWAYS use my phones in a case to protect them from drops and scratches (and as such I placed an order for a casing on a shopping app the following day). We both also liked the unisex pastel colour. Good to see Samsung making a departure from the usual black/ white colours and venturing into younger and more youthful colours! It was fast to startup and setup. The phone feels pretty solid in the hand! Not the plasticky type of phones which I really dislike. The new Galaxy A series ensures data and information stay protected, secured by the defense-grade Samsung Knox. When storing private photos, notes and apps, Secure Folder offers users an encrypted, digital safe, so only they can access its contents. Using Private Share, users can control exactly who has access to files and for how long. The Galaxy A33 5G also includes the new Samsung Wallet, a convenient and protected place to safely store everything from boarding passes to credit cards. The Galaxy A33 5G works seamlessly with other Galaxy devices for the full, connected Galaxy ecosystem experience. Audio options are expanded by connecting the Galaxy Buds series to the phone. Elizabeth trying out the camera’s selfie mode. Samsung’s selfie shots tend to be very natural but if you like to edit your apps you can download and use your favourite beauty app I will be bringing the A33 5G around with me so stay tuned for my user review For more info, head over to https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a33-5g-awesome-blue-128gb-sm-a336elbhxme/ . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/06/20/samsung-malaysia-electronics-partners-up-with-senheng-for-the-first-ever-premium-experience-store-in-southeast-asia/

Samsung Malaysia Electronics Partners Up with Senheng for the First-Ever Premium Experience Store in Southeast Asia

[Technology & Gadgets] The Samsung Malaysia Electronics Management Team and the Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn. Bhd. Management Team Samsung Malaysia Electronics together with Senheng announced the opening of its first ever Senheng x Samsung Premium Experience Store located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at the Shoppes at Four Seasons Place on 16 June 2022. The management team of both Samsung and Senheng alongside distinguished guests were present at the grand launch of the store which retail Samsung’s latest collection of mobile devices and state-of-the-art consumer electronics and home appliances that includes flagship line-ups like the Galaxy S series, Galaxy Z series, Galaxy Hearables and Wearables, Neo QLED Smart TVs, BESPOKE appliances and more. “We are excited for this collaboration with Senheng that extends on our long-term partnership to enhance Samsung consumers’ experiences. At Samsung, people are at the centre of everything we do. Everything that we are doing today is being designed to enrich people’s lives in ways that matters the most and provide a healthier environment” said Edward Han, President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics. Chairman of Senheng, Mr. Lim KH, who was also present at the grand launch ceremony shared, “Senheng and Samsung have been engaging in a very fruitful strategic partnership for over many years. Our partnership with Samsung allows an opportunity for a new era of connectivity and collaboration in businesses. We share a commitment to open collaboration and are continually looking for new ways to deliver better user experiences across devices, applications, and services, so that people across Malaysia can have a feel of Samsung’s latest products”. From L to R: Wong Che Hoe, Senior Vice President; Lim Kim Yew, Non-Independent Non-Executive Director; Lim Kim Chieng, President; Lim Kim Heng, Executive Chairman & Group Chairman of Senheng’s subsidiary companies, Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn. Bhd.; Jo Sang-Ho, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia & Oceania; Jimmy Tan, Head of Consumer Electronics; KM Liew, Head of Mobile eXperience (MX); Elaine Soh, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Malaysia Electronics Mobile Experience Zone @ Senheng x Samsung Premium Experience Store TVAV Zone @ Senheng x Samsung Premium Experience Store BESPOKE Kitchen Zone @ Senheng x Samsung Premium Experience Store With a large space of 5,399 sqft, consumers will not only see a display of Samsung goods at the location, but will also get to experience a connected, smart living environment. There are six experiential zones of Mobile eXperience, Visual Displays and Digital Appliances that feature Samsung’s latest products including the Galaxy S22 Ultra, BESPOKE AirDresser, Neo QLED 8K TV, The Freestyle, and many others. In conjunction with the grand launch, there are exciting deals for customers to enjoy when they make their purchase from 17 June 2022 to 21 June 2022 in-stores and on the Senheng mobile application. From RM1,000 rebate for every purchase of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, to RM2,599 worth of free gifts when you purchase a QLED 4K TV*. You can also receive up to RM3,699 worth of free gifts when you purchase the BESPOKE refrigerator*. There will also be live shows that are happening daily during the promo period on Samsung’s and Senheng’s official Facebook pages. *On a first come first served basis. Terms and conditions apply. Photo credits: Samsung Malaysia and author’s own using the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2022/06/06/samsung-galaxy-a33-5g-user-review/

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G User Review

[Tech & Gadgets] This post is a follow-up to my original post on the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2022/04/26/samsung-galaxy-a33-5g-unboxing/) after I spent around five (5) weeks playing with the phone. I was pretty impressed with the long battery life which was more than enough to last a whole day without recharging. Unfortunately, there was no charger included in the box and I didn’t have a spare Samsung fast-charge (25W) charger hence I used flagship (super charge) chargers by two (2) other smartphone brands to charge it. Charging took a while though but then again it’s a large battery. I also liked the stereo speakers (not too common on mid-range smartphones) and the sound quality was actually pretty decent. I felt that the 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate was slightly smaller than what I’m used to (ie. flagship models), so if you like large screens, go for the top of the line flagship Galaxy S series… or perhaps even the Galaxy Z Fold3 if you have the budget to spare (RM6,999). The phone was capable enough to run most apps without any discernable lag. However, when it comes to gaming, it’s fine for basic games that are not graphics-intensive, but really struggles with anything that needs a high-frame-rate. If you’re looking for a gaming phone, the Galaxy S series is better suited for it. The Galaxy A33 5G features a quad-camera system with a 48.0 MP + 8.0 MP + 5.0 MP + 2.0 MP setup on the rear and a 13MP shooter on the front. The Galaxy A33 5G’s AI-powered camera is powered by a brand new 5nm processor.  The photos below were shot with the phone. I did not edit them in any way as I believe that potential buyers need to view the real capabilities of the phone, not some heavily edited photos which are dependent on the editing skills of the photographer. The photos below have been resized to save space (but it’s literally the resolution you’ll find on Facebook). As with most modern smartphones, the camera performs well in good lightingThe real test is how the camera performs in low or dynamic lighting situationsI thought that this was quite a good photo with Auto-HDR enabledIndoor photos with adequate lighting were surprisingly not over-saturatedTo be entirely honest, most girls weren’t too thrilled with the lack of beauty features in the Portrait mode, except Yvonne who was pretty cool about the lack of it. Then again, she’s blessed with pretty good looks for her age.There are a number of filters that you can use to enhance your portraitsLet your creativity flowThe food photos were also not over-saturatedThe colours were surprisingly quite naturalTried using the 2x lens to snap a photo of my food and I think that the wide lens is much better suited for it. The colour also turned out rather weird.The colours were more saturated in this photo but it does make the food look more appetising! Perhaps the AI determined that extra colour saturation was required to make this a better photo.The clarity was pretty good. (I do use a small video light to add some light when shooting indoors so there won’t be a colour cast.) Pretty impressed with the clarity of the wide angle camera Overall, the photos turned out to be pretty decent. Colours were (mostly) not over-saturated and the clarity was typical of Samsung’s mid to flagship range smartphones which is pretty good in most situations especially in good lighting conditions. Girls who like some beauty filters for portraits might not be too thrilled that the camera’s portrait mode doesn’t provide many beauty editing options however they can always use a 3rd party beauty cam app. For more info, head over to https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a33-5g-awesome-blue-128gb-sm-a336elbhxme/ . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2016/01/28/huawei-mediapad-m2-8-0/

Huawei MediaPad M2 8.0

[Tech & Gadgets]    Recently we got our hands on the Huawei MediaPad M2 8.0 which is Huawei devices’ latest tablet. We decided to do a little shoot with Andy Kho shooting MHB blogger Stephanie Lim at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur. We shot in three (3) different locations inside the hotel – Gobo Upstairs Grill & Lounge, SkyBar and inside one of the hotel rooms. The Huawei MediaPad M2 8.0 was designed to offer a seamless audio experience paired with stunning visuals. This very slim tablet comes with a best-in-class audio, the device has dual stereo speakers and a PA power amplifier that creates clear tones with amplified volume, producing a balanced audio system that further enhances users’ entertainment experience. The Huawei MediaPad M2 8.0 utilizes Clari-Fi® music restoration technology by Harman Kardon along with Super Wide Sound 2.0 (SWS 2.0) that projects 180-degrees surround sound effect for a music quality with low distortion rate that allows users to listen to their favourite tunes with a lot more accuracy and sharpness. Complete with Huawei’s ClariVu® technology and 8-inch FHD IPS touchscreen, the device adjusts its display functions according to its environment, providing users ease of use and amazing visuals. Inspired by the theme of classical music, Huawei MediaPad M2 8.0 has a metal body and a sleek metallic texture that allows user-friendly grip. The parallel design of the stereo with dual speakers facilitates a harmonious acoustic enhancing feature that makes it an ideal home theatre on-the-go.     Although the front camera is only 2 megapixel and thus not the best for selfies, Stephanie just couldn’t resist trying out the camera’s beauty mode and snapped this pic.   View this post on Instagram @stephiielim trying out the #Huawei Mediapad M2's front camera. This 8" tablet comes with stereo speakers with Harman Kardon tuning. #huaweimediapadM2 #huaweidevicemy A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:15am PST   Not too bad for a 2MP camera.   Technical Specs Size Height 214.8mm Width 124mm Depth 7.8mm Weight 330g Color Gold Display • 8.0-inch FHD IPS touch display CPU Hisilicon Kirin 930, Octa-Core 2.0GHz Operation System • Android 5.1 Memory RAM : 3GB ROM : 32GB Micro SD up to 128GB Network GSM：850/900/1800/1900MHz UMTS：850/900/1900/2100MHz LTE-FDD：Band 1/3/7/8/20； LTE-TDD：Band 38/40 GPS GPS / A-GPS Connectivity Wi-Fi Direct Wi-Fi hotspot 802.11ac/a/b/g/n Bluetooth: 4.0 USB OTG Sensors • Ambient Light Sensor • Accelerometer • Proximity • Hall sensor • Compass Camera • 8 MP (Rear) AF camera • 2 MP (Front) Audio Audio formats: MP3, FLAC, APE, WAV, OGG, MIDI, 3GP, and AAC Video Video formats: MP4/3GP/3G2/AVI/MKV Image formats: JPEG, GIF, BMP, WBPM and PNG Emotion UI • EMUI 3.1 Battery 4800 mAh In the box Handset × 1 Charger × 1 Headset x 1 USB cable × 1 Quick Start Guide × 1 Warranty Card × 1     tomcat says – The Huawei MediaPad M2 is light and slim, has beautiful aesthetics and provides nice and rich sound from its dual speakers. The speakers are so powerful I normally have it at 25% loudness when I’m in a room otherwise it’ll be too loud! It’s great for entertainment and can play most games without any noticeable lag. However setting the graphics for games like World of Tanks to medium or high results in markedly decreased performance in terms of frames per second which makes the game jerky. It runs fine on the minimum plus a little extra graphics option but anything more than that will noticeably affect gameplay. Games like Clash of Clans and Boom Beach run smoothly unless there’s a hoard of 200+ enemies attacking at the same time which will then cause the game will slow down a bit. It’s great for entertainment and you can watch about two full length movies before it needs to be charged which makes it good for long haul flights. Bring a large powerbank along and that should last you for most of your flight. Besides gaming and movies, I’ve been using the M2 for checking social media like Facebook and Instagram, Gmail, and reading the news on apps like BBC. It certainly beats squinting at a smartphone screen and in fact when the M2 is around I don’t use my smartphone for anything other than calls or What’s App Messenger. Quite an handy companion and it’s great for chilling and browsing social media, listening to some music or watching a movie when you’re in the bedroom or out and about. The premium metal design will get it some looks as well as most people are used to seeing either iPads or plasticky tablets.   Huawei Mediapad M2 8.0 available at all Huawei authorized stores nationwide from late November 2015 and is priced at RM 1,499.00 More info at http://consumer.huawei.com/my/   Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography (www.andykho.com) Model: Stephanie Lim – http://www.stephanielim.net/ Venue: Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur (more info at http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders/) . Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...

https://timchew.net/2018/12/17/sunday-champagne-brunch-at-babe-japas-fun-dining/

Sunday Champagne Brunch at BABE – Japas Fun Dining

[Premium Dining] This slideshow requires JavaScript.   My partner in crime and I along with some of my MHB Digital influencers and friends recently attended the Sunday Brunch on 9 December 2018 which is priced at RM150++ per pax (for the food only) with an option to add-on RM250 for unlimited flow of Perrier Jouet champagne! Guests are free to have a dip in the pool or lounge on the deck chairs which have a lovely panoramic view of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline. This special brunch only happens once every quarter so do follow BABE on their Facebook page (link at the bottom of this post) to stay in the know of upcoming events.     Starting off the meal was not your typical “amuse bouche” as the ” Down the Rabbit Hole” course came in the form of test tubes containing liquids of various flavours. We were not told what they are so we had it then tried to figure out what it was. Eventually after we finished it the servers revealed it to us and some were very interesting especially the “Hainanese Chicken rice” one. Mine was mango lassi which I (fortunately) identified quite easily as I love to have it at Indian restaurants!   Crab Nori Salad Alaskan King Crab, Coriander, Lime Leaf Leche De Tigre Sweet umami goodness of Alaskan King Crab on an edible leaf. This served to pretty much whet the appetite for what’s to come!   Ikura Tartlette Thin Tart Shell With Fromage Blanc and Marinated Salmon Roe My partner in crime and I really enjoyed this one! Salmon roe on top of white cream cheese in a tart shell – simply bursting with umami flavours from the roe, contrasting against the creaminess of the cheese. A truly excellent appetiser!   “Steak” Sandwich Braised Beef Tongue, Gherkins, Wagyu Tartare Beef done two (2) ways atop  what we thought was bread but turned out to be “bread” made from tomatoes which gave a very interesting texture, and tartness to the “sandwich”. The green “leaf” turned out to be cheese! What a surprising not to mention interesting take on a common sandwich!   Nagano Walnut Soba Cold Buckwheat Noodles with 7-Ingredient Herb, Root and Seed Condiment We got to “play” with our food here. After all, the place is not called Japas FUN Dining for nothing! First, we crushed the walnuts which were then added to the broth. Next we squeezed the oil into the dried ice which froze it to form tiny little icicles which were then placed on the soba. As it slowly melted, it imparted its flavours to the soba which we then dipped into the broth (containing the walnuts) before eating it! Talk about interactive dining!   We crushed the walnuts first before the broth was added to it Freezing the oil into tiny icicles!     Forest Floor Braised Daikon, Japanese Mushroom Duxelle, Seaweed Egg Emulsion We had to remove some actual leaves to reach the “forest floor” where we discovered the “mushroom” which contained the daikon and mushrooms. Loads of earthy flavours in this dish and great for a mushroom lover like me and my partner in crime.   Mains (Choice Of) Yuan Miso Salmon with Yuzu Cream Crispy Burdock, Herb Salad and Daun Kaduk Oil Most of the girls had this one. A perfectly cooked piece of salmon that went exceedingly well with the (slightly) piquant yuzu cream.   Or   (None of us ordered this one hence no pics/ comments) CO2 Battered Tatsuta Chicken Tatsuta-age, Truffle and Black Pepper Dressing with Mizuna and Radish [Upgrade to Krystal Osetra Caviar : 15g for RM175++]   Or   Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Striploin 100g Steak [Supplemental Charge of RM120) Those of us who ate beef had this one and it was mind-blowingly awesome! It delicious chunks of Wagyu was served with various condiments like watermelon salt (yes they make it themselves), Japanese black pepper, and more! The flavours of the beef, with it’s super tender texture feels like a party in the mouth. Definitely one of the best wagyu dishes I’ve had this year in my life!   Awesome! Simply awesome! I closed my eyes and savoured every bite of this!   Pina Colada Caramelized Banana, Vanilla Rum Syrup, Coconut A nice refreshing and creamy end to a wonderful interactive meal! It was like having the cocktail in solid form, which was rather unusual but undeniably satisfying! The girls attacked this one with gusto!   We also had their famous Babe & Daz which is an “ice cream style” foie gras laced with some Martell cognac and covered with chocolate! I loved this as I love foie gras and this was one of the most unique ways to enjoy the premium ingredient! (FYI this is not part of the champagne brunch set.) A pic with Chef Jeff Ramsay and Chef Chu of BABE – Japas Fun Dining   BABE will also be running a special Festive menu from 21 December 2018 to 65 January 2019 which will feature some of the restaurant’s “Best of 2018” menu put together for this festive period.     BABE – Japas Fun Dining is located at: Work @ Clearwater, 11th Floor, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Telephone: 03-2095 8599 Website: http://www.babe.com.my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babegastro/   Thanks for having us! . 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