HAPPY NEW 2011!

Here are things, food, events, places and people from my 2009 blog posts (and all which has stayed on my mind from the early days of blogging since 2006 till now are included too ... e.g my yummy Daniel Henney!) I had fun doing this and hope you have fun too trying to spot the keywords. Do you remember what were the key events that took place in your life in 2009? Let us all look forward to new and brighter things in the coming new year while never forgetting all the blessings from the past. It just keeps getting better!

HAPPY NEW 2011 to everyone.....see you next year!

Charismatic Canada! Part One

With my post on USA done....Canada's up next!  I spent about 12 days on a road trip to Toronto & Ottawa in Ontario, Quebec City and Montreal; seeing another part of Canada for the first time.  Having been to Western Canada years ago and covered the scenic Canadian Rockies, I was looking forward to the road trip.  Flying from San Francisco at 10.50 pm, we arrived in Toronto the next day at around 6.40am.

Off we went to pick up our car rental (good ol' bro-in-law planned the whole itinerary!) and we drove around Toronto for awhile, checking out the sights to kill some time before we could check into the hotel around noon.  We dropped by Toronto's City Hall which is a famous landmark. Its modern design by Finnish architect Viljo Revell, is the highlight of this building as this City Hall building was built back in 1965! 

Hmmm....Sir Winston Churchill standing akimbo :o)

Winston Churchill 1874-1965
His faith and leadershp inspired free men to fight in every quarter of the globe for the triumph of Justice and Liberty.

In front of City Hall, there's the Nathan Phillips Square where the public gathers for special events apart from enjoying the vast area as is  (it's named after the Mayor of Toronto who was in office from 1955-1962)...

Friday Quick Bites - Indian Rojak @ Nasi Kandar Pelita SS2, Petaling Jaya

(HALAL) 24 HOURS

Ahh....Friday is here again and the year draws closer to an end.  So much to do, so little time - so much to eat, so little tummy space :o).

Today's highlight for Friday's Quick Bites series is one my fave places for Indian Rojak.  Nasi Kandar Pelita is a place I drop by often for my teh tarik fix and Indian Rojak (daytime or night time).   Sorry, I'm not really a fan of Nasi Kandar though, here or anywhere else for that matter :o)

Foong Foong Yong Tau Foo @ Ampang

When K was in town over one weekend, Ilene and I caught up with him over food (what else???).  Since we both met up with Ilene in Ampang, she suggested that we do a Yong Tau Foo lunch at Foong Foong.  It has been ages since I last ate there and wondered if the stuffed goodies still delivered as it did before.

The Lost Art of The Ting Ting Candy?

Am I the only one who feels this way? I feel elated whenever I stumble upon another stall that sells the ting ting candy (made from honey and maltose), maybe it's the "sugar rush"? Hahaha....  I find that stalls like these are near extinction ... I came across one in Klang and one in Ampang so far in the last few years - one sold the malt candy stick too while the other one didn't. Would you happen to know where else one can find stalls like these?

It is said that during the dynasty period, the emperor's concubines were the only ones who had the luxury of consuming such treats (the sweet were called Gui Fei and were traditionally made from glutinous rice, white sugar and maple syrup). When I was a kid, I remember the ting ting candy sellers would pedal their bicycles around and try to attract the attention of customers hopefully by knocking the metal chisel and hammer together.  It's still pretty much the same modus operandi; just that they now travel around on motorcycles, with the candy trays resting on the back of the motorcycles.

Night Scenes - Las Vegas Part Two Final

Here's more ...

Night Scenes - Las Vegas Part One

Vegas streets come alive at night!

Feliz Navidad @ Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia

When Jason asked if I had wanted to take up an invite to check out Academy of Pastry Arts, I was rather nonchalant about it. I had no idea that there was an academy in Petaling Jaya in the first place (it's just 4 months old!) and I was still feeling tired after coming back from Melbourne. Now, I'm glad I went that day - I had so much fun while learning and having a hands on opportunity to decorate my very own gingerbread house.

This is what they say about themselves : -

"Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia, a premier institute offers you the rare opportunity to learn the art of bakery and pastry making in a professional setting, being personally trained and coached by experts in their field. Your skill will be finely honed through hands-on practice and repeated exposure to the best pastry techniques, tools, and ingredients.. Our Academy is dedicated only to the art of pastry and it is our target to be the finest pastry academy in Malaysia & Southeast Asia. We are committed to groom the best ready to perform pastry professionals entering the hotel industry and related pastry fields.

Read more about the Academy from their website and Facebook page.

The main kitchen area and classroom area.

Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia offers four main courses : -

Certificate in Pastry and Bakery (9 months)

Certificate: Art of Intermediate Pastry Program (3 months)

Certificate in Bakery Arts (3 months)

Continuing Education (Short term courses) See schedule HERE.

Short term courses (which range from RM150 - half day, RM250 - full day, RM500 - two days) include
Cheesecake
Chocolate for Beginners
Chocolates and Praline
The Art of French Pastry
Tea Cakes, Cookies & Bar

Course fees include EVERYTHING - ingredients, equipment, study material. For the longer term courses, pay up in full on the spot and you can get a 10% discount. Interest free monthly installments are also offered. If there are Master Chef classes held during your time at the Academy, you can attend the classes for free (these classes are at RM2000 each otherwise and are usually attended by established Pastry Chefs of the Southeast Asian region). Be taught by World Champion Pastry Chefs who are flown in to Malaysia!

We visited the Chocolate Room (Gasp! I would love to have a Chocolate Room in my house apart from the usual dining room, store room, bed room, hahaha!) - No Willy Wonka here, but lots of delicious chocolates made by students that were laying around - such temptation!

We were given a tour of the academy and also had the opportunity to see some students creating their masterpiece. There's also a sugar art work room and came across some students' lovely sugar art works.

Lunching @ KTZ, Kepong

When I frequent the KTZ (Kei Tak Zek - "Remember To Eat") outlet in SS2 at night...I usually order my Shanghai Cheong Fun with baby shrimps (RM2.90)which is my fave ...eh, no pic though.  As for desserts (more like a drink)...I would order the Strawberry Blend with Gui Ling Gao (Herbal Jelly) - RM8.30 (see my 2007 post on this drink, it was RM7.80 back then, inflation!).  Of late, I discovered that I also like the Apple Citrus Green Tea (RM4), try it!

However, not too long ago, I went to Kepong to meet up with a old friend and we decided to have lunch at KTZ in Kepong.  The very first KTZ; where folks were first introduced to their signature icy desserts - until they opened more branches elsewhere. Located by the side of a busy and rather dusty road, folks would throng this place (including me) and I remember that I was disappointed a few times when their desserts were sold out when I dropped by after movie night! Blessed me then when KTZ opened in SS2.  However, I do feel that the food in KTZ Kepong outlet is better, not only in taste but also in presentation wise.  The SS2 outlet is so busy most of the times that I feel like they seem to concentrate on getting the food out quick to the customers and aren't really bothered with the way the food looks when it leaves the kitchen, which at times can be described as "almost mangled"!

I would say I hardly go to KTZ for lunch (more for drinks and snacks at night) and found myself ordering other items that I haven't tried before during the lunch in Kepong that day.  We ordered some side snacks as starters...

Salted Egg (RM3.70) - A mix of fish & meat paste with bits of carrots, deep fried and served - tasty and even better with the chilli sauce

Sunday Sights - Las Vegas

Here's Las Vegas during daytime under the hot scorching sun, we headed into Planet Hollywood Hotel to cool down. Stay tuned for night time shots....

It's Sunday (so soon???), and back to a whole new week ahead soon. Don't fight it, embrace it :o).

Lazing around Sitiawan

The holiday came and gone and we're back at work.  Luckily, the weekend is just around the corner, YAY!  Continuing with Sitiawan, we came to realise that Sitiawan folks are friendly people as it was the case with Charles and his family.  Believe it or not, the whole group of us even hung out at his neighbour's house - yes, someone whom we just met for the first time!  After picking up the paus from Yee Si and filling our tummies with Kampua Noodles, Charles took us back to his house to clean up and rest.

Then he told us about his neighbour who has the best botanical garden in Sitiawan and brought us all over! The friendly neighbour gave us a warm welcome and asked us to make ourselves at home (to which at this time, I went round taking photos of his lovely garden).

Kampua Noodles @ Pasar Awam Kg Koh, Sitiawan

Continuing from my previous post...remember that we arrived at Yee Si too early and could only get the orders an hour later? Well, what did we do to kill time? Charles whisked us off for lunch at the Kampung Koh wet market. Check out Motormouth From Ipoh's post when he ate here too (with map and directions) during his food hunt in Sitiawan. This place opens for breakfast till lunch time (we were there around 2 plus and it was still operating).

Well known for dishing out home made Kampua Noodles (Foo Chow style) ... at the Pasar Awam Kg Koh at Jalan Simpang Dua

As we arrived for a late lunch, the lunch crowd had dispersed by then

Pau Attack @ Yee Si, Kampung Koh, Sitiawan

I'm way behind editing my photos....and while I'm not done with Vegas and Canada, Taiwan and now Melbourne, there are still the road trips that I did to Sitiawan and Penang!  Oh well, from Vegas - I shall now take you all back to our shores, Sitiawan, where my first stop over was at the famous Yee Si at Kampung Koh. (Oh, a word of thanks goes out to Charles & family for extending their wonderful hospitality and to Glorious Jade, WWS and Ash for being hand models and putting up with all that waiting while I snapped away at all that food).  

Stopping over to grab some paus, we found out that we had to wait a while for the "thousand layer" peanut pau as we were too early (we arrived at 2pm).  We actually went off and came back again to pick up our orders slightly after 3pm. Luckily we placed our orders earlier, it was almost sold out by the time we got there the second time round.  Check out the scene at the side lane....

Operation Pau - Churning out the steamed buns....

Steamed Paus (Buns) on bamboo steamer trays, going....

Desserts & Desserts at MGM Grand All Day Buffet, Vegas

Not quite sure how we ended up buying a whole day buffet ticket but it was a  deal at USD33.30/person!  I guess we were too tired to think and decided to make things easier.  One can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at MGM Grand! Breakfast is from 7am - 11am, Lunch 11am - 2.30pm and Dinner from 4.30pm till 10pm. Hahah...yes, we almost sat through breakfast right up to the lunch slot!  I found the food to be pretty standard fare (hence no pics!)  Of course, more hot dishes were served during dinner time as compared to breakfast.

A section of MGM Grand Buffet's large dining area.

Here's a shot of one of the many "food islands" serving a wide range of food.

Grand City Restaurant @ Sec 11, Petaling Jaya

I really haven't been to this area in Petaling Jaya for quite a while...about 10 years, I would say. When Constance suggested that we did our casual team meeting over breakfast at Grand City in Section 11, I was keen to revisit the area...and now, Grand City has become a favourite of mine for tea time snacks. I'm not so keen on the rest of their food but if I can, I would drop by here for breakfast and tea time (3pm onwards) as only then are certain food items available. What do I keep coming back for?

Sweet Appam made by a cute auntie! (Pardon the green tone in the pics due to the green canopy)

Going through the motion...

Curry Chee Cheong Fun @ Golden KimWah, Damansara Kim PJ

I've been eating curry chee cheong fun from this stall for the longest time and finally get around to blogging about it.  This is seriously one of the best curry chee cheong fun I've tasted in Klang Valley - however do note, that the Yong Tow Foo here are priced slightly higher than usual for a coffeeshop stall (ranging from RM0.80 sen-RM1) but for me, it's worth it as it's really good.  Why? I would pin it down to the curry gravy.  Let me tell you, I have a friend who's from Ipoh (who is now overseas) and each time she comes visiting, she would make sure I take her to this place as it's one of her favourite. With all that good chee cheong fun from Ipoh, this says something!  By the way, the special lam mee from this stall is something I eat now and then too 'cos I love the sambal chilli that comes with it! However, the curry chee cheong fun with the additional yong tow foo win hands down! Check it out (available from morning till 2 plus pm)!

Try it! Great stuff ....

Golden KimWah 

Corner Shop 
Jalan SS20/10, 
Damansara Kim

47400 Petaling Jaya

Note : This is also the same coffeeshop where I go for my fave siew yoke (roast pork), Yik Kee - during evening from 4.30 pm onwards.  For lunch, you can get the same yummylicious siew yoke from Sun Yin Loong coffeeshop at Sunway Mas Commercial Centre (Jalan PJU 1/3G, corner shop) also in Petaling Jaya as they have recently opened a stall there.

Sights & Restaurants Around MGM Grand, Vegas

After our meal at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, we took a walk around MGM Grand to check out the place.  Here are some photos I took of the hotel and the interesting looking restaurants.  The whole place (the hotel and just about everywhere and everything else in Las Vegas!) is just filled with colours and I had a great time wandering around :o)

The busy hotel lobby

The hotel room lobby - lit panels of black & white shots of celebrities adorn the centre pillar

A small part of the large casino area

Friday Quick Bites - Kissaten @ Jaya One, Petaling Jaya

(NON-HALAL)


It's time once again for another Friday Quick Bites post! I like the simplicity and the clean look of Kissaten and enjoy dining here. It's one of those places where you still have the bliss of enjoying one's meal amidst the pleasant ambiance and yet don't have to speak in hush tones, you know what I mean?

While much has been said about their Char Siew Pizza, my highlight is on something else. I am a creature of habit sometimes when it comes to ordering the same dish when I dine at the same place. But only for certain restaurants ... while at other times I might feel adventurous and try something new! However for Kissaten, I'm the former - when I come here, I end up ordering Teriyaki Chicken Onsen Tamago all the time.

"Kolok Mee" In Town

(NON-HALAL)

It was a really busy week and over the weekend, there was a visitor in town ... who hails from Miri, Sarawak.  We had a great time catching up and his visit had reminded me about some pics I had taken of Kolok Mee.  While I have not been to Sarawak since 2007 (was in Kuching for the Rainforest Music Festival), I was fortunate enough to be one of the recipients of some packed and air flown Kolok Mee from Miri.

*pics taken with Sony Ericsson W995

This was great potent stuff ... with added oil from the char siew "BBQ pork" (thus the red colour looking noodles) and having marinated in all that saucy goodness overnight, the Kolok Mee tasted heavenly. The char siew were mediocre stuff though.  However, I do believe that the Kolok Mee from Miri tasted even better than the ones I had in Kuching.  I am sure someone definitely agrees with me. You know who you are, don't you? ;o)

Well, apart from it being my turn to visit you over in Miri - it's also the Kolok Mee that's drawing me there.  Soon, one day soon, I'll meet you (yes, you...and the Kolok Mee, hahaha) on your home turf :o)

Till then....Take care & I'll see you soon,


WMW

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Las Vegas

During my two month stay in San Francisco, I actually had two mini vacations in between - one to Vegas and the other to Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Ontario, Montreal & Quebec).  I've finally completed blogging on San Francisco ... I will now move on to Las Vegas, Nevada :o).  It was a short and enjoyable 3 day/2 night stay at MGM Grand.  When we arrive during late lunch hour - we headed off to look for food and ended up in Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.

With warm, inviting lights and situated out in an open area, the setting was cozy and it had a garden feel with lit panels of roses as the backdrop.  Coupled with excellent service, this was great place that we started off with.

Hitting Lot 10 Hutong On An Empty Stomach - Pt Two (Final)

(NON-HALAL)


Hahaha...some folks asked whether I ate up the whole of Hutong since I posted Part One. As much as I would like to, I couldn't possibly accomplish such a feat - even after I ate at Hutong over several occasions. So, let's continue with the other food I've tried ...

Soong Kee Beef Noodles

Hitting Lot 10 Hutong On An Empty Stomach - Pt One

(NON-HALAL)

By now much has been said about Lot 10 Hutong, the "swankier" and "pricier" food court where one can find the best of the best hawker fare which were handpicked by Tan Sri Francis Yeoh personally (from our home ground and even Singapore).  Does it live up to its hype? Yes and No.  Some of the fare here were mediocre while some did deliver albeit one can get the real version out on the streets at a lower price.  Of course, there's nothing like having the choice of so many "legen-dary" (been watching "How I Met Your Mother" too much! Hahaha..) street fare made available in a clean, comfortable air-conditioned environment and possibly rodent free too :p
  
It's a good place to bring your foreign friends to when they visit you as it's really like a one-stop center for famous food fare.  Just make sure you come here famished in preparation of all the various foods you would want to try ... believe me, it's a rather difficult task to choose with the sight and smell of food permeating the air.  Several stalls were either closed or no longer in business when I went there last.  I wonder if any have closed since then.  I must say, my first trip (I've been here several times) to Lot 10 Hutong was lovely not only as it was my first time eating there but because I met up with Ilene too :o).  Where to next Ilene?  Come on, Ilene ...

Eating Malacca In Half A Day

What does one do if one is given a day in Malacca, well half a day more like it? Why, eat of course! Hahaha....So, the weekend is creeping up soon, and I love short weekend trips, impromptu ... throw caution to the wind, jump into the car and drive away towards the horizon. Oh well, at least towards Malacca's horizon for this post :o)


So what did we do? With limited time, we headed for the usual spots ...


Hoe Kee Chicken Rice
4, Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker St)
7.30am-4pm, closes last Wednesday of the month


Somewhere already familiar to me (blogged one of my previous visits HERE), we sat down and put in our usual orders and in a jiffy, the food arrived.

Eating rice balls more for the sake of novelty as I do find it a tad mushy for me. However, it's still tasty.

Life is Great & It Keeps Getting Better - Continuation

It's Monday .... now that we are kinda back in the swing of things from all that celebration, chances are some of us are probably feeling pretty bummed out as we sit in the office.  Maybe all one needs to be happy on a Monday is to look for a reason to be?  Hahaha....Life goes on ... and yes, it keeps getting better.  So for those having the Monday Blues, it'll be Tuesday in no time :o)

Here's more pics to thank the gracious host/hostesses for all the great invites into their homes and for the warm hospitality extended ... (Once again, my apologies to those that I did not cover here and in the past as some photos are missing and I might not have taken any photos in the first place).  Well, after this - it's back to work.  Thanks for dropping by and here's wishing you a productive week ahead.

A big THANK YOU to the WONGs for I have quite a number of sumptuous meals in your abode.  I always enjoy the delicious meals lovingly prepared - steaks, lamb rack, roast pork!  My wish for you all is that there will always be an abundance of  good things (which includes good food of course!).

Life is Great & It Keeps Getting Better

As I was going through my photos, I realised how blessed I have been to be in the midst of friends, not only in times of celebration, merry making moments but to have such folks in my life as I travel on this journey - not alone but in the company of friends.  Some has come and gone, some new arrivals, old friends whom I might not see that often but definitely know for sure that they are HERE for me.  I have written posts on some friends  who have invited me into their homes (to those that I didn't, sorry that I couldn't cover all who did! But nevertheless, thank you for being a gracious host/hostess).  I figured before another batch goes "missing", I better blog on them.  Of course, food and friends do go together as we all know and here are some food shots (and some furry ones too, you'll see what I mean later) that were taken during our celebration of friendships together. 








PureGlutton - This was a first, she invited us bunch of strangers for nasi lemak at her house.  We had then only exchanged comments on each other blogs and her bravery led us to some delicious food in her home.  


Of course, we got the eat other goodies brought by the rest of the bloggers and enjoyed playing with Kikko!  Thank you once again!

Crabbing @ R & G Lounge, San Francisco

This is one place I keep going back to, each and everytime I visit San Francisco .... without fail! What keeps me coming back here?

R & G Signature Dish - Salt & Pepper Crab

With that said....that's it! Just come here for the Salt & Pepper Crab 'cos R & G dishes up such a wicked style of it and you probably won't be able to find that "yum" anywhere else. It's so good that it deserves your whole hearted attention!

Battered and deep fried - I have never tasted such a delicious crustacean before. The mix of Salt & Pepper seasoning makes me want to devour it entirely (yes, shell and all!) if I could. This dish definitely delivers a 10 finger licking and lip smacking goodness (I can go on and on...hahaha). I actually sit here for a couple of hours as I slowly enjoy every single moment of it .... from cracking the shells, digging into the fresh plump flesh and licking the shells clean till it's almost devoid of the fried batter.

How plump? Check out the size of the shell! Take note that as with most crab dishes, there is no fix price on the menu as it follows market price. One crab is between USD30-40. It's oh...so worth it!

R & G Lounge
631 Kearny Street
(between Clay St & Commercial St)
San Francisco, CA 94108

Daily 11.30 am - 9.30pm
Tel : (415) 982 7877