Review: Marmalade Kafe

Sometime back, I brought boiboi to Marmalade Kafe for his dinner whilst his daddy went off to run some errands on a Saturday. Ever since he could read, I would usually ask him to check out the menu and order whatever fancies him (*ahem* but the mummy still have veto power!). Sighhh but my boiboi tends to zeroed into Pasta section and pick lasagna, no matter where we go. His favourite place for lasagna would always be Delicious and I tell you... he even remembered the name for this dish - Classic Beef Lasagna... no need to read menu!!! *roll eyes*

And so as with Marmalade Kafe... he went and pick the same old beef lasagna (RM20.00) plus a cup of Chococino (RM5.00). The mummy had to go along and shared half one third of the lasagna and half of his chococino. The lasagna was just so so only and it seems I've heard from many that the standard have dropped. No wonder the kafe was kinda empty. Plus for that price, I think we could have gotten a better and hearty lasagna at Delicious. The Chococino, well, its just milk and chocolate, not thick, too little chocolate taste.





I asked for a Lemongrass Ginger Tea (RM7.00) which thank goodness still retain its merits. No more room for cakes this time.



There's a service charge of 10% in the total bill.


Marmalade Kafe
Lot 1F-18, 1st Floor
Bangsar Village II
2 Jalan Telawi 1
Bangsar Baru
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 - 22828 301


Technorati Tags: pasta

Simple Stir-fried Baby Nai You Bok Choy

Baby Nai You Bok Choy are small and compact with curled, glossy and broad dark green leaves; and have short creamy white stems. These are sweeter than normal Baby Bok Choy.



Clean them throughly especially the inner stems as grit tends to stay in there. Soak with some salt water and you're ready to go. The simplest way to cook them is stir-fry with some oil and chopped garlic in a hot wok. Sprinkle in some salt and water to cook them through which is like less than 5 mins since I liked mine crunchy. Serve immediately.


Technorati Tags: malaysian food + vegetable

Review: Dessert's Bar

My friends and I decided to check out this Dessert's Bar at swanky Menara Hap Seng. Since there isn't many patrons, service was quick and attentive as it's still early. Even though each time I pass by this place and it seems empty, surprisingly the patrons slowly coming in as lunch hour wore on. Other than desserts, I could smell delish Illy coffee aroma from the next table. Hopefully business could sustain here.

We shared the following desserts. First up was Mangorita (RM10.00). A mango pudding sits in a margarita glass topped with a large scoop of lemon sorbet drizzled a mango and mint sauce. Generous portion of mango cubes (since there isn't any dragon fruit that day) and half a large strawberry surrounded the pudding. The pudding doesn't tasted like those instant package stuff. The mango flavour is real and it's not too sweet! The combi with lemon sorbet made this rather refreshing.

Next came the Rum & Raisin Banana Crepe (RM8.00). The bananas were pan fried in butter and came with a generous portion of rum soaked raisins. The goey mess looked kinda sweet but it's' not. Went extremely well with the crepe. Darn... could have been better if we opted for a scoop of ice-cream on top of this! Ok I know the pic looked errmmm pathetic :p



We saw the signage that the Pannatini (RM15.00) was on a special price that day so we couldn't resist but order this. This time a vanilla panna cotta came in a martini glass, on a bed of strawberry compote. Generously topped with fresh chopped strawberries and 2 pieces of wafer biscuits. The sweet compote went extremely well with the plain panna cotta. Just like the menu said... a match made in Heaven.

I'm pretty impressed with the desserts here. They're not overloaded with sugar which is great but those with sweet tooth might complain though. I've tried a couple flavours of their ice-creams... not sweet at all which is kinda bad news for ice-creams heh :p Desserts can be less sweet BUT not for my ice-creams kekeke...

Anyway, when we were about to pay at the counter, we spied on a HSBC credit card signage. Upon enquiry, for HSBC credit card holders, they'll enjoy a free smoothie or ice-cream for purchases above RM35 (or something like that... sorry hor... my memory really failing me :(). So we have a scoop of ice-cream on the go. Very fruitful outting indeed!


Dessert's Bar
G-10, Ground Floor, Menara Hap Seng,
Jalan P.Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2141 0227



Technorati Tags: dessert

More Ways with Corned Beef

Here are more ways to enjoy a regular can of corned beef... or rather one can, 2 ways :D

I've read in a blog about those char charn teng (local cafes) in Hong Kong serves corned beef with egg on toasts. The pic seems like corned beef omelette so I pandai-pandai (cleverly) just stir-fry the corn beef for a while with a sprinkle of black pepper before breaking in the eggs. So here's one style... eaten in between two slices of bread or toasts (not pictured) with chilli sauce was a wholesome goodness!



Next, I brown some chopped onions with some olive oil before adding corned beef. Sprinkle in generous dose of black pepper (I like loads with my corned beef :p). Stir and fry for a few minutes before pouring in strained canned whole corn kernels. Stir till well mixed and dish up. Best eaten by stuffing them into a warmed up pita bread lined with lettuce and tomatoes (sorry, no pics again hehehe - inside stomach liau).



My other ways...
Corned Beef With Diced Capsicum and Onion
Quick Corned Beef Snack


Technorati Tags: corned beef

Review: Sister's Kitchen at The Podium, Menara Hap Seng

Menara Hap Seng, formerly known as MUI Plaza, had underwent a dramatic change under the new owner. It's no longer a drably building both inside and outside. The transformation was vast, so much so many would not be able to recognise this was formerly MUI Plaza. In place of the empty space in front of the building above the carpark, they have constructed an extension of 2 floors over the driveway. At night, you can be mesmerised with the strips of lights that changes colour on the glass and metal facade.

The ground floor banking halls and empty shop lots made way for a cool and swanky place for retail, well-being and of course, food therapy. So now the place is named, The Podium, is finally shaping up even though it was completed few months back. There's a stage in the middle of the concourse where once when I was there during lunch hour there was a 3-men guitar band singing lovely tunes. Here are some pics I took during CNY early this year...



Other than the convenience of having CIMB and Maybank here, there are quite a number of F&B places opened but at the moment most of them are packed during lunch hours mostly catering to the office workers around Jalan Sultan Ismail, P. Ramlee and Raja Chulan. In the evening and weekends... I guess it's still quiet. There's an Old Town Kopitiam here for white coffee fixes but if you prefer lattes, fret not, Starbucks is a stone throw away, both offering free wifi service :D. Then to sweeten up after your mains, there's always Dessert's Bar on standby... which is not good for me since I can get sinfully good desserts within easy reach!

The Olive Tree is a Northern Indian restaurant which I've tried once. Associated with Pride of India at Desa Sri Hartamas, they serve buffet lunch at RM25 nett and the last I went they were having buy 2 free 1 deal for the buffet. Food, choice and taste wise at the buffet table didn't really satisfy me. Of late I noticed there were a lot of tour buses sending patrons to this restaurant.

Cafe 9 is a Malay restaurant and SanTerri Cottage which I've yet to patronise. Then there's Nagomi Shabu-Shabu which is not pulling in the crowds. One floor up, Elegant Inn and Xenri both serving Hong Kong and Japanese fine dining respectively. I'm very keen to try Xenri after boo_licious' review.

I'm sure by now, most of KLites would have somehow or rather tried the Sister's crispy popiahs where you can find their kiosks at most malls in the city. When I first chanced upon Sister's Kitchen logo a few months back at Menara Hap Seng, they kinda looked familiar and true enough this new eatery does belonged to the 5 sisters behind Sister's Crispy Popiah!

The menu isn't that extensive but enough to be bowled over with its local delights of nasi lemak, siam laksa noodles, seafood porridges, rice with side dishes and of course crispy popiahs. Snacks like deep fried wantan or popiah are also available.

To order, you'll be given a sheet of order form. All you need to do is tick and fill in your orders before passing the form to the staff.

There are 4 different sets of lunch choices going at RM14.90++. You can pick nasi lemak, siam laksa noodles, seafood noodles or seafood porridge. Choice of tea, coffee or iced lemon tea for drinks. You'll also be served with one appetiser and local kuih for dessert. That day I was given wantan and onde-onde; and another time I've gotten spring roll and a delish nine layer kuih.

So far I've tried their nasi lemak and seafood Siam laksa noodles. The nasi lemak was served with a huge piece of deep fried juicy chicken thigh but *ahem* the size varies on different days. Not the best nasi lemak but sufficient to satiate the taste for nasi lemak.



The seafood Siam laksa noodles came with loads of fish slices, squids, brown sotong and 2 large huge prawns! The laksa is not too thick and lemak (creamy) with a slight sweetish taste. I don't mind having this again.



I've tried the normal popiah and also the egg skinned popiah, both are equally nice.



Service is prompt and efficient. Food is served rather quickly. The restaurant is quite spacious but it's always packed during lunch hours hence it can get rather noisy when patrons chat away.


Sister's Kitchen
Lot 1-13, 1st Floor,
The Podium, Menara Hap Seng (formerly MUI Plaza)
Jalan P. Ramlee
Tel: 603-2142 6988


Technorati Tags: malaysian food

Review: Grilled Seafood at Kopitiam Soon Lee

This corner lot Kopitiam Soon Lee does not serve ordinary kopitiam food but excellent grilled seafood and dai chow (stir-fried) dishes. I've started visiting here with my parents more than 1o years ago but of late we were too busy exploring the new places in and around Kepong to be bothered to travel this far. When I'm back to my own home, hubby and I are always having problem deciding where to eat, hence once drizzling evening, we headed here from some wholesome seafood.

We were given pictured menu wooohooo what a great thing hahaha... but there were simply too many good stuff to choose from, quite a headache leh :p Sighhhh very hard to please Malaysians huh?

We have the usual standard order, grilled stingray (RM11). The one served was a baby one that is not too thick in flesh with cartilage so soft that we ate them all up with the superb tangy chilli dip (do ask for more!!!). The skin came crispy tasted of a quick rub of tumeric powder. Thank goodness it wasn't curry powder which could be too overpowering.



Hubby asked for a prawn dish and they recommended a very sinful salted duck egg yolk style. Kinda nice of them to pre-warn us that for the smallest portion, the price would be RM20. Well... at least when it came the dish doesn't surprise us when I counted... only 6 large prawns in there. We both loved the creamy salted egg yolk coating the prawns. I carefully sucked clean the creamy egg yolk before devouring the prawn... finger lickin' greatness!



For some fibrous greens, we opted for a simple stir-fried brussel sprouts (choi tam RM6). Check out those brown bits topping the greens... they are crushed dried shrimps which brought this normal vege dish to another height. Simply loved them!



If you fancy some yue kap (pigeon) ala Hong Kong, you can have them here too. Rather tasty when I last tried them. I spied grilled lamb too at other tables but that would be another day for us.


Kopitiam Soon Lee
21-1, Jalan SP 2/1, Serdang Perdana,
43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Tel: 603-8941 5144
Opening Hours: 10.00am – 1.00am (Closed Tuesday)
Coordinates: 3°1'50"N 101°42'31"E


Technorati Tags: malaysian food + seafood

Review: Chee Cheung Fun Stall in Front of Kedai Kopi Lee Hoe

I used to pass by Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in the mornings aeons ago on the way to work and couldn't help noticing this tricycle that is forever crowded around with patrons every morning. This tricyle is parked in front of Kedai Kopi Lee Hoe which is located opposite of Maybank Jalan Tun H.S. Lee branch or Soong Kee Beef Ball Noodles (more known as Jalan Silang beef noodles).

I know they sell chee cheung fun (rice noodle) but never knew they were good until one of my colleague told me so. I did tried them and seriously, they're one of the better mobile chee cheung fun (ccf) in town.

My memory of thick saltish tim cheung (sweet sauce) served with ccf and kangkung was revived recently. The stall manned by mother (mama) and son (tzai tzai) still attracts many patrons but thank goodness they still using a systematic procedure when it came to ordering. You can choose to pack your ccf or you can eat at the kopitiam.

Procedure is pretty simple...

(1) Pick up a tong and a plate. Choose the ccf accompaniments - the standard foo pei (beancurd sheet with fishpaste), fish balls, various processed fishpaste goodies, yong tau foo etc. Darn... my memory really failing me :p each piece is priced 60 sens but have to confirm again if I'm going again soon.



(2) Put it along the plate "queue" *grin* and patiently wait for your turn. When it's your turn, Mama will place your items into the middle partioned pot to heat them up.

(3) Tzai Tzai will ask you how many ccf would you like and whether you prefer the flat ones or the round ones.



(4) Since I like mine flat, Tzai Tzai proceed to open and loosen up the ccf sheet. Next Tzai Tzai will cut and arrange your choices meticulously (not kidding ok, you'll need to watch him... I was mesmerised!!!) then place the ccf over them.

(5) He will then ask if you want more or less sauce; add chilli or not; and whether if you want sesame seeds. Tzai Tzai will patiently pour the sauce according to your liking. I tell you, this is first class service!



(6) For take away, Tzai Tzai will fold the plastic layer carefully over the newspaper and wrap it into a nice package. The method was fantabulous as it doesn't leak at all!!!

(7) Tzai Tzai will tell Mama how many pieces and you can hand over the money to Mama, well if she's not delivering ccf to the kopitiam. Otherwise, hand them over to Tzai Tzai.

Errmmm excuse the bad looking clump of food hahaha cos that was how it looked like when I got to office. I still loved the sauce but try not to ask for extras cos it can get a tad salty. Sighhh having some cravings, I want my ccf now!!!! Heh :p




Chee Cheung Fun Stall in tricyle
In front of Kedai Kopi Lee Hoe
Jalan Tun H.S. Lee
(Opposite Maybank)
Coordinates: 3°8'49"N 101°41'47"E

Technorati Tags: malaysian food + yong tau foo

Launching of "Not Your Average Food Mag"

I was deeply honoured to be labelled by FatBoyBakes (FBB) as one of the famous food blogger around town. More so when I was invited by him to attend the official launching of myNourishment, a new food magazine.

First, the launch event... it was held at Nikko Hotel few days back. I arrived with my new blog sidekick as what FBB intro him to Joe ahead of the stated time 7pm. Chief Editor Ryan Khang was the first to greet us and showed us around what they have inside the ballroom. Not only that... he started to introducing me as one of the famous food blogger around. Thank goodness the light was superbly dim in the hall that he did not see the blush on my cheeks. Other than Ryan, I managed to congratulate Edyth Ban and Ban Mei Kei for the launch.



If you have been following my blog for sometime, Ryan is no stranger here. I attended my first cooking class conducted by him at The Cooking House. I remember having lots of fun at his salad making class. Not only myself but I can testify that my boiboi had loads too at his cookie class. Up till now he still remember Ryan Kor Kor and asked when can he go again.

Hubby and I were busy checking out the dips at the dip counter. Chef Francis Lim was busy making the 4th dip and that was when FBB came over. We have fun savouring the delish dips whilst catching up.



The next I knew Joe came along, followed by boo_licious as we drank fresh fruit juices, dragon fruit enzyme and wine. When Cumi and Ciki arrived, I knew who are they based on the pics they posted in their blog and I introed myself using my real name hehe so Ciki didn't realised it was the face behind this blog. Anyway, that was amended later on. It's too bad Jackson, Pea, Julian, Nigel and Allan can't make it, otherwise it would have been great. I was also honoured to have met famous chefs, editors and players in the food industries.



Just before the simple launch, Ryan gave his speech, signs the card after the guest Dr Steve... and tadaaa the mag is launched!!!



About the mag, myNourishment is a FREE quarterly magazine, covering food, wine, nutrition, restaurant-related news, issues and events in and outside Malaysia. There will be interviews with well-known chefs working in both local and international settings. At the moment, myNourishment is targeted to be distributed FREE through selected hotels, art galleries, cafes & restaurants, organic outlets, supermarket, airports and government offices. However, you can subcribe to myNourishment by paying the postage and handling charges of RM40 for the 4 issues in a year.

I've read thru the mag and its certainly different from other food mags, just as the tagline stated. There were loads of nutritional information, ways of wholesome eating, and accompanying recipes based on the topics featured. Do go and subcribe for a copy yah. Email to mynourishment@gmail.com or contact 603-2300 1070 for subcription information.

It gives us great pleasure to extend our warmest congratulations to myNourishment team on the launch of myNourishment magazine. We are extremely happy to witness this launch, and would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Ryan and team, and of course FBB for inviting us to the event. We look forward to its growth and continued success in the coming years

Check out what FBB has to say about the launch and what was glamour gurl's account.

Glad to be back...

Dear all,

Thank you for all your comforting messages during this trying time. I really appreciate that. Things are more or less settled now but the grief and pain that hit during our lonely periods are the hardest to overcome. I guess time will heal... and it will be a long one.

Just an announcement before I restart my blogging proper... there will be a new, well not exactly new, blogger contributing for Babe in the City - KL. It will be non other than my makan partner who has been all these while contributing to this blog by being the growing-together-side-way-partner, paymaster and taste bunny... my hubby la hahaha. There is something installed for us soon and I will reveal that when time comes.

Welcome on board darling ;-) and thanks for everything.