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TheJessicat - Extractions of a Disoriented Mind
  • Entertainment
    • Film & Movies
    • International Artists
    • Live Concerts & Gigs
    • Local Artists
    • Music Festivals/Rave Parties
    • Nightlife/Parties
  • Food
    • American
    • Asian
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    • Fusion
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • My Cookbook
    • Others/Fusion
  • Fashion
    • Body Art
    • Cosplay
    • Fashion Shows
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Makeup/Skincare
  • Travels
    • Thailand
    • The Australian Diaries
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    • GymJamSlam: Gym/Workouts
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How dope is this poppy den? Opium KL: Eat Drink Man Woman | Changkat Bukit Bintang

March 6, 2015 by thejessicat

 

Disclaimer: Opium KL does not deal nor supply Opium in any way, shape or form.

You need to get those somewhere else 😉

 

 

Right after its grand opening mid last year, I was invited to the latest establishment along the vibrant Changkat Bukit Bintang, Opium KL.

And no, as mentioned above, it doesn’t supply the illegal substance, contrary to its name.

 

Located at the corner of the bustling street, its brick walls boast a deep, crimson red hue

with framed modern portraiture of young Chinese maidens.

 

First impression: Opium KL’s oriental theme and relaxed al-fresco atmosphere

is a sure pull-factor for all patrons and party-goers of the city (especially Caucasian tourists!)

 

 Eat. Drink. Man. Woman.

Can’t wait to see what this new kid on the block has to offer! Big Smile

 

Walking into Opium KL, I was spellbound by such authentic interior decor, perfectly capturing 17th century China within its four walls.

It was complete with the opium pipes, opium chests and other opium equipments, as well as the ‘lounge-bed’ chairs akin to those of opium dens!

 

 Whoa. No seriously, WHOA. And that’s not even all of it.

Beautiful. Really a work of art in its class! I felt like I was walking into the Forbidden City

or a museum of illegal artifacts.

They offer separate rooms too, for private dining!

 

 I was ushered to my table upon arriving.

 

 Beautifully-dressed waitresses began to serve us our soup & appetizers.

Boy, they really look the part too!

 

Peppery Lamb Soup

 

I loved this! Two of my favorite ingredients were made out of it – pepper and lamb!

Its combination of lamb cubes, carrots, potatos, spices, coriander and fried shallots worked well as a starter, to warm my tummy up for the courses ahead.

Not too peppery nor spicy too.

 

Fern Leaf Salad with Grilled Prawns

The next starter was a unique one. Wild fern leaves were prepared with huge prawns and tossed in ginger, sambal, flower shallots, coconut and lime juice.
It was slightly spicy, but juicy and delicious all the same.

 

Vinegar was given for us to self-sprinkle onto our dish.

 

Crab Cakes

These were such delightful bites! Real crab meat is made into tiny balls and infused with herb & sambal. It was indeed as juicy as it looks, with fillings oozing out of every bite.

 

Chicken or Beef Satay

You really can’t go wrong with satay. Opium KL nailed it perfectly too.

Assembled with the standard fare of peanut sauce-cucumber-onion-rice cake combo, there was however, one VERY note-worthy thing.

Each skewer contained little to no fats! If you’re a fitness junkie like I am, you’d appreciate that fact just as much as I did. 😉

 

Check out how water was served here!

Like the way they traditionally drank rice wine back in ancient China,

it was served in a porcelain bowl too.

 

Took a stroll around the restaurant while waiting  for my drinks and main course to arrive.

 

Yes, I found the lavatory signs very amusing and creative.

 

When I got back to the table, voila! It was filled with Opium KL’s signature house cocktails and twisted classics. Let’s take a closer look at them one-by-one, shall we?

 

5 fragrance mojito

This refreshing concoction comprises rum, lime, mint, 5 spices & soda.

It’s not your average mojito, I’m tellin’ ya. 😉

 

50 years storm

A bit of an acquired taste, this consists of cognac, sweet vermouth, angostura bitters, peychauds bitters & sugar

 

 Shanghailander

For the bold whiskey lovers, enjoy this whiskey, smokey whiskey, honey water, ginger & lemon juice combo!

 

Silk road martini

A simple yet strong pair of Gin or vodka and Noilly Prat – now served with diced caviar too!

 

Teatrader

Turn up the heat with this frothy shake of rum, grand marnier,

lime juice, orange juice & 5 spiced syrup!

 

After the cocktail tasting, I stepped outside to take a breather before the main course.

 

Dusk slowly easing in.

 

With Sascha, the outlet manager of Opium KL!

P/S: To all single ladies out there, he’s newly single now 😉

 

Angus Beef Rendang paired with Lotus Leaf Buns

This Angus beef was tender to taste, simmered to perfection with spices, santan, tumeric leaves and kaffir lime leaves.
Tastey and relatively spicy (but bearable!) the beef rendang was definitely worth coming back for. Laughing

 

                                                     Just sandwich it in the lotus leaf bun and eat it as a whole.

 

Spicy Prawn Noodles

 

This dish reminded me a lot of Penang Hokkien Mee. Click here for more Penang goodness!
It had a similar combination of yellow noodles & rice vermicelli, served with scallops, eggs, prawns, water spinach (kangkung) and beansprouts, all steeped in hearty prawn broth.

This Penang girl definitely approves!

We were full to the brim and adjourned to the al-fresco deck to have desserts and a few more drinks, we saw that the patio was booked out with Opium KL’s dinner crowd.

 

Moo and I just before dessert time.

(At that point, little did we know that we would end up officially together!)

 

Eat. Drink….. Man. Woman!

 

Cheesy Banana Fritters

Talk about a strong banana boost! Boyfie and I loved this heaps – we almost went for seconds but unfortunately we couldn’t stomach any more food. Who can resist fried banana and aged cheddar, topped with banana ice-cream?

Unless you aren’t a banana fan, but that’s besides the point.

 

Last but not least – Melon Ice to wash everything down. 😀

Honeydew melon, sago pearls & coconut milk combo was a great end to a fantastic oriental meal

 

Thank you so much, Sascha and Opium KL for having me tonight – I had a superb feast!

 Click here to check out KLGCC’s new healthy menu or CHIN’s Stylish Chinese Cuisine, here.

——————————————————————————————-

For more info on Opium KL, get in touch with them!

Log on to their official website: www.OpiumKL.com

LIKE them on Facebook: fb.com/opiumkl

Join them on Instagram: instagram.com/opiumkualalumpur

 

For reservations/dine-in:

Call them at this contact number: 03-2142 5670

Drop by at this address: 50 Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Welcoming the goat year with a bold start to Chinese New Year 2015 with Guinness Malaysia!

January 25, 2015 by thejessicat

 

Gong Xi! Gong Xi!

I know it’s pretty early for Chinese New Year wishes but hey, Guinness Malaysia kick-started the festivities as early as mid-January – and so will I! Talk about being excited, eh? Woots!

 

 Awesome festive decor that greeted me inside.

 

Tonight, we welcome the Year of the Goat in a bold and auspicious manner this festive season with GUINNESS®, Malaysia’s favourite stout.

Bringing the tradition back this year, brands and media (We are, after all like family & friends in the industry, right?) gather together  and partake in a ‘reunion dinner’ feast signifying longevity, harmony, peace, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead. Laughing

 

 

In marking this auspicious time of year, GUINNESS® has teamed up with the Grand Imperial Group of restaurants to create a special GUINNESS® banquet menu, available at all 6 Grand Imperial restaurants across Malaysia.

I’ve personally been to a Grand Imperial restaurant before, for a friend’s wedding. Ha Ha

The food there? Top-notch, if I do say so myself.

 

 Festive decor fills the air in Grand Imperial, Bangsar Shopping Centre

 

Love all things festive!

 

 

Guinness’ media & VIP Chinese New Year dinner began with a speed Chinese calligraphy performance by a dear friend Haze.

So proud of her! Keep doing the artsy things you do, girl.

I had no idea you could write in Chinese! Okay, now I feel a tad inadequate. LOL Yell

 

 Can anybody tell me what this means? 🙁

I assume it says Happy Chinese New Year?

 

 Guinness directors stamping a traditional Chinese seal, to complete the work of art.

 

 Official picture. Fantastic how everyone is dressed so aptly to suit the occasion!

 

Of course, I made sure I looked the part too.

 

Wore a Cheongsam top with a high waisted skirt and bright pink heels.

If you’re wondering why my Cheongsam top doesn’t look like a Cheongsam top, it was because my Mandarin collar’s button decided to snap a mere 3 hours before the event. 🙁 Drats.

 

 Let the Guinness festivities begin!

 

 With my mates, ready to celebrate CNY – Guinness style!

 

 But first let me take a selfie 😉 Bryna & I.

 

 

A brew rich, full, and flavoursome, GUINNESS® is the perfect beer to savour throughout the holiday period, accompanying good food and good times with friends and family. Smile

Typically, Chinese New Year feasts are synonymous with a round table x red cloth combination. Here are my round table mates with fellow bloggers & media!

 

 

For our dining pleasure, 8 sumptuous courses are paired with GUINNESS® stout served in different ways to complement and bring out the full flavours of each dish, providing a tantalising sensation for the tastebuds befitting the spirit of prosperity and celebration of the New Year festivities.

With no surprise, let me introduce the starter of every Chinese New Year dinner!

 

 Yee Sang with Silver Fish!

 

 Toss it as high as you can for prosperity, longeivity & auspiciousness!

 

 Us ravaging the Yee Sang. Louuuu ahhhhh!!! 😀

 

Next up – Braised Bird’s Nest with Fresh Crab Meat.

 

I was so glad it wasn’t Shark Fin’s Soup!

It’s great that more and more restaurants are supporting the cause of shark-saving.

The soup was delicious and hearty! I finished it in a jiffy. Cool

While waiting for the next dish to arrive, my fellow blogger buddies took the chance to catch up and of course, take selfies. 😉

 

 

The next dish that arrived was another popular dish in Chinese dinner banquets.

I apologize in advance to all my Muslim readers, as this is a non-halal dish.

 

Roasted Whole Suckling Pig.

 

Admittedly, while I’m not much of a pork-fan myself, my mates at the table loved it to bits. It’s crispy skin was much talked about.

Less man more share, eh? It’s a good thing I’m not eating it – more for you guys to savour! 😀 😀

Random selfie while everyone else gobbles down the piglet.

Accessories by The Wild Things. I’m also wearing their inspired Pandora charm bracelet.

You can’t see it in this picture but let’s see if you can spot it in the rest of my pictures!

P/S: Look them up for beautiful handmade fashion pieces.

 

The next dish made me a very happy girl.

Yup – Jessicat loves her fish!

Traditional Style Steamed Golden Pomfret

This is absolute love! I devoured this like a starved cat. LOL

 

As usual, pair everything with a glass of Guinness!

What came as the next meal certainly made an impression.

You may not notice it now but…

 

 Fresh Water King Prawn in Casserole

 

What’s so special and impressive about this dish, you ask?

Well… let’s just say, size DOES MATTER. 😉

 

 It was a big as my head… and mind you, I don’t have a tiny head.

 

Everyone was amazed at how sizable these King Prawns were.

What have they been feeding on? WOW. Two thumbs up! Wink

The next dish looks vegetarian but it’s actually not.  Enter:

 

 Braised Sliced Abalone with Black Moss and Dried Oyster

 

I enjoy the way Grand Imperial finds ways to surprise us with their menu.

When this dish first arrived, only the meats & vegetable portion came. We were wondering what dish this is supposed to be? Surprised As most restaurants, if not all, served their claypot rice in one giant bowl with the the rest of the ingredients.

A minute later, the claypot rice came! All in individual bowls, portioned perfectly.

 

 Claypot Rice with Chinese Sausage (Lap Cheong) & Dried Meat – Hong Kong Style

 

Like we did tonight, diners will experience GUINNESS® in ways in which they may not have tried before, unlocking the complex flavour profiles of the bold beer.

Surprisingly refreshing when served at sub-zero temperatures, moving to full and rich when served warm, the GUINNESS® Master Brewers and team of Grand Imperial chefs have painstakingly matched each course and serving style to create the perfect pairing.

 

My cute little bowl.

 

Hopped over to the next table to have a Guinness toast with my fellow blogger pals!

 

 

 I was really stuffed but hey, don’t we all have an extra stomach for dessert? 😉

We were served not one, but two desserts!

 

 Chilled Fresh Mango Puree with Sago & Pomelo.

 

 This was such a refreshing dessert!

 

It was smooth, sweet and bursting with the prominent taste of fresh mangoes!

Please sir, may I have some more? 😛

 

 

Deep Fried Nian Gao & Sweet Potato Pastries

 

I enjoyed the sweet potato pastries so much!

The pastry melted in my mouth upon contact and the aroma of sweet potato was an absolute delight.

 

Gong Xi Fa Chai to all!

You’ve made us extra happy (and extra prosperous LOL) & beyond satisfied tonight.

 

Tonight’s CNY dinner was definitely crafted to perfection.

As you can clearly see, each dish has been designed not only to match and enhance the accompanying GUINNESS®, but is imbued with meaning and tradition, symbolising longevity, harmony, peace, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year.

 

Thank you for having me, dear Guinness Malaysia & Grand Imperial!

You’ve set the bar high and made the first of many CNY feasts to come a pleasurable one.

Click on here where I visited the House of Guinness, the Phat Barrels in Publika KL.

————————————————

For more information on Guinness Malaysia & Grand Imperial Group of Restaurants:

Look them up on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia

If you’re keen to celebrate your Chinese New Year reunion dinner with your friends, family or even with your colleagues for a company dinner, my CNY dinner tonight is called the Special Guinness New Year Banquet Menu and is priced at RM1888 nett.

Enjoy! And Gong Hei Fatt Choi to you and you and you! 😀

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Healthy dining at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC)!

May 30, 2014 by thejessicat

 

Being a health food junkie known for fastidiousness and a hard-to-please demeanor when it comes to food criticism, it usually would take a lot for me to approve or recommend food marketed as ‘healthy’.

As long as it is not made with my bare hands or by the hands of a fellow fit food/health food enthusiast, I tend to raise an eyebrow when labels on pre-packaged foods and menus proclaim themselves to be ‘healthy’, ‘sugar-free’, ‘fat-free’, ‘low calorie’ and other drivel.

 

My initial skeptical face. Looking forward to unveil KLGCC’s new Healthy Menu regardless!

 

But when Malaysia’s premiere golf and country club invited me for a food tasting and review session of the newly-launched healthy menu of their Golfer’s Terrace, something tells me that this has gotta be the real deal. Surprised

 

Arriving at the entrance.

 

Bestowed with prestigious awards over the years, Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) is an exquisite clubhouse nestled on Bukit Kiara hilltop with a golf course to die for and exclusive VIP lifestyle facilities for its members.Smile

Just a little background info (and to blow their trumpet a little!), here are some of their notable honours they’ve been recognized for:

  • 2014 Best Golf Course in Malaysia by US Golf Digest
  • Best Golf Experience in Malaysia by Expatriate Lifestyle
  • Best Clubhouse in Asia Pacific and #1 Gold Course in Malaysia Asian Golf Monthly Awards 2013 and 2012
  • The BrandLaureate Awards 2012-2013 Best Brand in Sport-Golf Course.
  • Golf Course of the Year by Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards Regional Series 2011-2013

 

Pulling up into the driveway of KLGCC.

 

Today’s fashion get-up. Jessicat wears:

Lace button-down blouse in white by H&M / Skater skirt in blue by Topshop /

Tessuto Vitello Daino tote bag by Prada /Jeffrey Campbell inspired boots by Forever 21

Accessories by DIVA.

 

More often than not, meals at golf clubs and terraces usually comprise selections of club sandwiches, sinful finger food (read chicken drummets, sausages, potato chips, nuggets) and all the other typical snacks that would appease an average golfer’s palate.

However, the exclusive Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC)’s culinary team took a step ahead of its competition to create an additional menu armed with one objective in mind, that is to take our tastebuds around the globe… but with a healthy twist! Laughing

 

 

The new menu features a variety of entrees, salads, desserts and more.

Prepared and cooked with the freshest of ingredients by in-house culinary team, this menu is the brainchild of Executive Chef Arnold Kwok, who ingeniously crafted it with good health in mind.

Take a look at some of the masterpieces we were served with that evening. Wink

 

 

From long business lunches to express lunches on-the-go, patrons can savour the light Chicken Romaine Salad from the Western palate to Thailand’s famous and exotic, Green Curry Chicken.

I had the pleasure of indulging in the latter – which you will see in a bit!

Other around-the-world choices are Salmon with Warm Tomato relish, Steamed Sea Bass with baby Bok Choy and Slow Cooked Beef Brisket.

 

 

As all healthy main meals would not seem quite complete without an equally healthy drink, diners can opt between 4 of their healthy fruit & vegetable smoothies.

Check out the refreshing (and rather unique, I might add!) blend of smoothies and juices that will tantalize any health junkie.

 

Clearly I chugged it all down with glee!

 

To introduce this menu to the public, Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club hosted a group of media, lifestyle bloggers and health food enthusiasts to savour and review the new line-up.

Can anyone say, first dibs on all the food? Ha Ha

 

I  too, had the good fortune of receiving an invitation to tonight’s dining.

Thanks, KLGCC!

 

 Executive Chef Arnold Kwok welcoming us and introducing his healthy menu.

 

With society becoming more health conscious, we also want to serve healthy meals of a good variety that will appeal to all age groups.

We want to encourage patrons to make healthier choices when it comes to food

– Arnold Kwok

In this menu, a variety of healthier alternatives are used to substitute regular ingredients.

For instance, coconut oil replaces the usual cooking oil (high  in cholesterol and saturated fats by the way!), coconut flour replaces white flour and strictly no preservatives or processed food are used.

Instead, Chef Kwok uses ingredients such as  lean chicken, sea salt, unsalted butter and Omega 3 eggs, to name a few.

 

Fairly convincing, right?
Let’s enter the dining area of the KLGCC’s Golf Terrace now. Adore

 

A sneak peak of the interior.

 

 Tables were reserved for us that evening.

 

Let’s begin with the first meal of the day!

 What’s the first thing you do when you wake up fresh in the morning? A big, hearty breakfast is what gets me fueled up for the day.

No breakfast, and all you’ll get is a grumpy Jessicat with depleted energy levels throughout the day. Approach with caution. Doubt it!

 

For sufficient calories to begin your day, KLGCC’s breakfast is available from 7.30-10.30am. Golfers, start your tee off with these! 😉

 

Tuna Guacamole Salad

Calorie Counter: 661 Calories

 

Departing from the standard fare of the usual garden salad or caesar salad,

this meal certainly stands out.

 

The Tuna Guacamole Salad consists of tuna chunks, guacamole, Omega-3 eggs, tomato, black olives, onion and seasonal salad, topped with creamy pine nut dressing.

The tuna chunks are mashed with guacamole and wrapped up with seaweed lining – just like how sushi rolls would look like! Laughing

This well-seasoned and colourful dish was sprinkled with balsamic vinegar while the slight hint of spiciness from the black pepper in the creamy pine nut dressing is sure to perk you up!

 

 

 Moving on…

If salad isn’t up your alley, why don’t you take a look at this oven-baked dish and pastry combination instead? 

 

Chicken Broccoli Frittata
Calorie Counter: 411 Calories

 

Care to have a bite?

 

The frittata really got my nod of approval. Big Boss

Bursting with flavours from its fresh vegetable ingredients like broccoli, capsicums, eggplants, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions, as well as Omega-3 eggs and herbs, this well-balanced dish had just the perfect light, fluffiness from the baked eggs.

This contrasts well with that crunch you would least expect from the veggies.

 


Accompanying the frittata, the side dishes of soft and moist zucchini bread and banana nut muffin made this meal a really wholesome and filling one!

 

Almond Zucchini Bread  & Banana Nut Muffin
Calorie Counter: 109 Calories  & 155 Calories respectively

 

Baked with almond flour, the Almond Zucchini Bread felt like a perfect breakfast bread in comparison to other breads and pastries laden with butter, bleached white flour and whatnot.

Good to bite into an infused bread which isn’t overly moist and mushy – such is the case for most banana breads, I must point out.

Similarly, the Banana Nut Muffin is baked with coconut flour and no refined sugar. Thus, it did not contain that cloyingly sweet taste like regular muffins (which is kinda the reason I never fancy muffins). Undecided

Loved that hint of banana and mild nut taste in these fluffy and well-risen muffins.

 

 

Vegetarians would be delighted to know that the three dishes above – the frittata, bread and muffin – are suitable for them too!

Now that breakfast is over, what would be your healthy accompaniment? I’d usually whirl up a breakfast shake or smoothie.

 

KLGCC’s  healthy blended juices available are the:

(L-R) Citrus Kiwi, Tumeric Veggie Blend, Mango Berries & Apple Spinach

 

I’ve always been a fruit smoothie drinker instead of a fruit juice drinker as the former retains the fruits’ pulp and fibre instead of only allowing the consumption of water and fructose (fruit) sugar. Yup, I prefer my drink 100% pure, with every nutrient intact.

Only then the true benefits of the fruit are maximized!

Let’s put them to test!

 

Citrus Kiwi

The is a zesty, tangy one with natural mild sweetness. Yum!

 

 

Tumeric Veggie Blend

 Definitely an acquired taste. This contains tumeric root, carrots, romaine lettuce, cucumber and lemon. Pretty odd concoction but magically works!

 

Mango Berries

This combo was a tad too sour for me but if you’re a massive berry fan then this would be your cup of tea.

 

Apple Spinach

Considering the fact that I drink my smoothies with spinach almost every morning, this one was a familiar taste for me.

All in all, I would go for another shot of Apple Spinach and the Citrus Kiwi.

Now… moving on to the mains!

 

 

Salmon with Warm Tomato Relish

Calorie Counter: 275 Calories

 

The buttery pan-seared Norwegian salmon rests atop a sea of interesting Mediterranean styled gravy and bites, namely tomato, black olives, onions, vinegar, capers and basil.

I’m a strong believer of that crispy golden crust with a pinkish surprise centre for every salmon dish I cut open.

 

 

And guess what? This one by KLGCC nailed it right down the middle.

With its tasty, soft tender flakes bursting into a symphony of flavours onto my tastebuds, each bite can only attest to its freshness and divine perfection.

 

 Jessicat loves her fish. Always my first choice in any menu!

 

 

Moving onto something from the exotic east…Well actually, not so exotic for us Malaysians, as Thailand practically is our next-door brethren towards the north.

But for my expat or non-local readers, this one’s an exotic gem from the land of smiles.

 

 Thai Green Curry Chicken

Calorie Counter: 562 Calories

 

Here’s something most people didn’t know. I absolutely love spicy food – but unfortunately, my tastebuds and stomach feel otherwise.
They somehow do not seem to agree that I actually fancy it, much less see the need to cooperate. 🙁
Fortunately, this Thai Green Curry isn’t as menacingly spicy as the rest of the curries from the Thai cuisine (i.e Tom Yam).
This was mild and led to a rare occasion where my tastebuds and stomach were both nodding in agreement to finally accommodate my love for spicy food. Yay for me! Big Smile
 
 
 
 
Thai Green Curry purists might find it bland, but I thought it was just fine. This healthy alternative of regular Thai Green Curry, was less creamy, less spicy, less thick and came served with an option of brown rice or caul-rice.
Wait – what is caul-rice? It is a medley of finely grated cauliflower, onion, sweet potato, chili flakes and herbs.
 
 

Should opt out of eating rice or on a low-carb diet, select from the 3 tasty alternatives above.

Cauliflower Rice, Mashed Sweet Potato and Brown Rice.

 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t eat regular rice at all. Not for health purposes – but I just absolutely do not fancy it.

So you bet I loved these 3 alternatives! I often make the first two at home as well.

 

 

Moving on to a dish meat-lovin’ fanatics would kill for! Ahh!

 

Seared Beef Strip Loin
Calorie Counter: 488 Calories

 

This well-done beef steak comes served with steamed vegetables and sits atop a bed of mashed sweet potato.  

Yes, the sides are nothing of those nasty deep fried potato chips/wedges/fries and typical ketchup aka pub food (Some might call it comfort food but all I see is junk) 🙁

The mushrooms were large and juicy too!

 

 

I always prefer my steaks medium well, but to each their own. You can always tell the waiter how cooked/uncooked you want it to be.

This dish is very fragrant as I could smell it the moment it arrived my table. The Chimichurri sauce was a refreshing note to the otherwise heavy flavour of this delicious, grilled Australian Grain-fed slab of meat.

 

 

 

Alright… now that the mains are over and done with, still have space for dessert?

You’d better. 😛 😛

 

Here’s a mixture of seasonal fruits, sweet potato pie, warm mixed berries and coconut ice cream to induce the first drops of salivation. Heehee.

 

 

I was served a mini platter of all the desserts available. 

Take your pick!

 

 

Warm Mixed Berries served with a dollop of hand-churned coconut ice-cream

 

This dessert was a sautee  of a variety of berries like strawberries, raspberries and more, with honey and mint.

For the berry sauce, maple syrup and honey are used in replacement of sugar.

 

The coconut ice cream that came in accompaniment was unlike any other! Dribble

It was smooth with an apparent hints of true coconut taste, yet light and mild – sorbet style! Made with pure coconut milk, this complemented the sourness and sharp taste of the berries so well. 

When served together, the pair was a match made in heaven.

 

Sweet Potato Pie with a dollop of hand-churned coconut ice-cream

 

The sweet potato pie had a firm yet soft-to-the-bite crust and made without wheat flour.

It wasn’t the crumbly kind which annoyingly disintegrates with a mere prod of a fork.

The filling was smooth and an excellent combination of almond milk, spices and whipped coconut cream. 

 

Bravo to KLGCC’s culinary team and masterminds, Executive Arnold Kwok and his sous chef.

 

 

Bear in mind that all dishes in KLGCC’s new healthy menu are cooked without processed foods/ingredients.

So if you’re thinking of indulging in some mouth-watering. exquisite food while watching your waistline, you can finally do so!

 

 

 I would fully recommend this for any weight-watchers, fitness freaks, fellow health-junkies or any discerning health food enthusiast to relish. Who says healthy food are bland, boring and aesthetically displeasing? Not in a million years.

Being a self-taught clean eating & Paleo chef-at-home myself, I can totally vouch for that.

 

 

Always remember, healthy eating is NOT  a fad diet. It’s an active choice, a kind of lifestyle which you choose (or choose not!) to lead.

You are what you eat! It definitely shows.

 

 So what’s my final verdict on the menu, you ask?

 

Tried, tested and approved with my seal of healthiness.

GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!  Big Smile

 

 

————————————————————————————————————

For more information on Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, get in touch with them!

Log on to their official website at: www.klgcc.com

Call them at this contact number: +603-2093 1111 ext. 3622/3619

Drop by their clubhouse at: 10 Jalan 1/70D Off Jalan Bukit Kiara, 6000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

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A Mother’s Day special edition + celebrating with my 3 superwomen at Marianis Italian Ristorante @ De Garden, Ipoh!

May 12, 2014 by thejessicat

 

They say people born with the Cancer star sign are usually known to be very homely and close to the family. What do you think?

I reckon I am relatively family-oriented. So I guess it’s partly true?

 

Perhaps it is evident considering the fact that I’ve already flown to Penang just last weekend to visit mom and dad.

But here I am again catching the next train straight to Ipoh to spend time with the (extended) family for Mother’s Day.

 

Outfit shot! Mother’s Day dinner celebration with themumsie.

Like mother like daughter, don’tcha think? Wink

 

Hello! 😀 Took some selfies en route to the restaurant too. Heh!

 

I mean.. come on, who wouldn’t spend Mother’s Day with their mothers if they can help it?

I have three (actually four, including our long-serving maid!) very important Superwomen in my life. I wouldn’t dream of spending Mother’s Day without them!

 

L-R: The Mom – Grandmom – Godmom – Not a mom.

 

We made a dinner reservation for five at Ipoh’s latest establishment which boasts a concept of classy, fine Italian dining.

Being the blogger that I am, Marianis Italian Ristorante piqued my interest as small town Ipoh hosts only a small handful of exquisite eateries. I was way too excited to see what this new kid on the block has to offer! Laughing

 

The facade.

 

As we stepped in, I could tell that I liked the interior decor in an instant.

 

The well-decorated, spacious and chandelier-lit restaurant had a very baroque-meets-modern feel to it.

 

 

There were ample, beautiful seating catering to the different preferences of its patrons.

Lounge sofas, bar top tables, proper sit-down dining, high stools, long tables for large groups, al-fresco and more.

 

 

 

 

Note to smokers: There are two smoking zones in Marianis.

The open-aired front (pictured above) and the back (pictured below).

 

 

 

We chose the regular dining table as granny wouldn’t be comfortable slouching on a sofa.

(It’s bad for her back if she did!)

 

Food-wise, I was impressed with their menu and how the menu physically looked.

They were immensely thick and protected by faux leather, all neatly arranged on shelves which reminded me of novels by the likes of J.K Rowling and J.R.R Tolkien the way you would recognize in an instant, on a library bookcase.

 

 

The menu featured tapas, appetizers, soups, salads, Focaccias, pasta, main entres, pizzas, dessert and a wide range of alcholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Smile

 

 

Had some fun with the camera while waiting for our food to arrive.

Smile! Let’s get some Mother’s Day snaps rolling in! Cool

 

 

Check out some of the dishes we ravished.

From the Marianis Antipasti (Marianis Appetizers) line-up, we selected:

 

Calamari Fritti

They were very succulent pieces of fresh squid coated in special batter, deep fried to perfection and served with tartar sauce.

 

Melanzana Griglia

Fresh eggplant grilled in olive oil.

 

The dish came extremely and unbearably (rock) salty and after all of us had our first bite, we requested for a change.

When it was served for the second time, it was perfect!


Ice-cold beer!

 

Occasional sips of alcohol did no one any harm!

(Who am I kidding?) 😛 😛 😛

 

However I was very disappointed with my cappuccino.

 

As a heavy coffee drinker (4 cups of cappuccino from various cafes daily), it was the first time I’ve ever tasted coffee like this. Undecided

It was bland and had a strange twang to it. Perhaps the ratio of coffee to milk was a bit off? 

 

Trancia Di Cod

The grilled fillet of cod fish served with sun-dried tomato sauce was a sure winner.

It was absolutely delicious!

 

Filetto Eye of Sirloin! (Forgot to take down its exact name)

Granny and I loved this to the very last bite.

 

Cross section of the steak. We ordered it medium well and it was perfectly executed.

The cut was very succulent, bursting with flavour at just the right tenderness. Yum!

 

Focaccia Marianis

This dish however, failed to impress.

 

The Focaccia bread was very limp and all its ingredients were served cold.

It came sandwiched in lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and mushroom sauce, but surely the grilled chicken breast (and the bread) ought to be served hot or warm at least?

 

Pizza! Alla Salmone

This thin-crust pizza featured smoked salmon, capers and cheese.

 

Each slice was delicious and crispy!

 

For desserts, I asked for a recommendation and the waiter suggested this.

It surely did not disappoint! Smile

 

Tortino al Cioccolato

Chocolate brownies with a scoop of ice-cream. Very, very tasty – thumbs up!

Ironically, this dessert hardly had the texture nor consistency of a ‘brownie’, as it was named.

Perhaps it would be more apt if it was renamed a chocolate lava cake in my opinion.

 

We took lots of photos around Marianis’ vicinity – how could we not? Big Smile

The ambience was to die for and the lighting proved just right for picture-perfect moments. 

 

 

Overall, I would say it was a relatively pleasant dining experience except for the few aforementioned glitches in the food. Smile I would recommend Marianis to anyone, unless you are a harsh food critic or an experienced food reviewer too.

Plus points: the environment was lovely, while the waiting staff were friendly and accommodating.

The price tag on the food, however, was a little on the pricey side for Ipoh standards. Nothing too exorbitant but just a tad more expensive in comparison. Nevertheless, I’ll definitely be back for the Stinco d’ Agnello al Forno (Lamb Shank) and the Beef Short Ribs!

I wouldnt label it a fine-dining place though; but more towards a very nice, upscale restaurant that you definitely wouldn’t want to wear your bermudas nor slippers in.

Perfect for romantic dates, birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings. Cool

 

Just put your best foot forward without the extent of dressing to the nines!

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the marvellous moms out there, especially mine.

 

No one receives any training to be a mother, but you sure as ever did a fantastic job raising me – armed with the right morals, the right principles, the right amount of discipline yet with tender loving care.

I couldn’t have done it any better.

 

 

Here’s a shout out for the hot mamas, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, nannies, guardians, babysitters and if you’re some sort of a maternal figure to someone, all my love goes out to you too!

Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done! Hey, it isn’t easy raising a child, let alone children! SurprisedSurprised

Also, shout outs to my circle of girl friends who have just turned mothers themselves; celebrating their first or second Mother’s Day with their newborns and toddlers.

 

 

Seeing you girls already being dedicated, proud mums to your bundle of joy (read: screaming infants) kinda makes me think what I’m doing with my life.

You are all busy bearing children while here I am busy with my career, partying really hard and training for a set of rock solid abs. I’m starting to get the feeling that something must not be quite right here LOL Yell 

Life is still one big party for me. Maybe I’m just a late bloomer and prefer to maximize my youth before I move on to later stages in life. *shrugs*

So granny (and mom) stop pestering/hinting for a kid now – I’m far from ready.

 

Oh wait… now that I think about it, scratch that.

Happy Mother’s Day to me as well! *cheers*

I am a mother too you know, to my two year old son – my furkid Chivas.

 Being a mommy to him isn’t easy as well. He doesn’t just sit there and look pretty.

 

He eats, he excretes (a lot), he gets tangled, he smells.

He bugs me for food and water but spills everything all over the floor.

 

 

He wails for attention, he distracts me from my work and he wants to play.

He makes my fabric sofa and furniture look like an aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.

He walks all over me when I sleep.

 

 

He bites, he scratches, he slaps my face with his bushy tail.

He cries to be let into the bedroom, but begs to get out the next minute.

He clings to the  outside of the window railings and gives me a heart attack.

 

 

He jumps into bed with me for cuddles but struggles away after a second of cuddling.

He slashes me with his Wolverine claws during shower time.

He pukes out hairballs in the middle of the living room floor for me to clean up after.

 

 

He walks all over my keyboard and has accidentally composed and replied emails in gibberish.

(Dear recipient, I am not drunk. That was just my cat, I kid you not) Yell

 

 

But despite it all, I love him unconditionally as I am after all, his one and only mother.

For the mere sound of his soft meows and purrs at the front door greeting me the moment I come home, instantly makes every drop of sweat, effort, time and money worth the world.

I love you, son.

 

 

And regardless of your super high-and-mighty, pampered I-am-the-King-of-the-universe attitude (yes yes, I know you are a pure-bred cat but that doesn’t mean you can play nasty with the other kids), I will still defend and adore you to heaven and back.

 

Throwback: Mommycat and Babycat on the first day I brought him home as a kitten.

 

My little boy all grown up. Like mother like son?

 

I miss him! He’s currently staying with theJaanu as I have been away for several weekends back in Penang. Thank you dearest, for babysitting my son in my absence! x

 

This concludes the Mother’s Day special edition.

Happy Mother’s Day again from Jessicat and Babycat!

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A weekend of noshing at Nosh, Bangsar with the loves!

October 17, 2013 by thejessicat

 

Last weekend, the three of us caught up at uppity town Bangsar for some delicious bites and sweet indulgences.

It was mid day by the time we arrived, so it was a dilemma whether to eat a really late lunch or a really early dinner. But we decided to eat to our hearts’ content anyway. After all, meals should always be defined by our stomachs and not by the time on the clock.

 

Smiles!

 

Today’s look was very… catwoman LOL

Jessicat wears: Tank in black by Mizz Demeanour | Accessories by Hard Rock Shop |

High-waisted shorts by PDI | Cat bag from a fashion bazaar | Jeffrey Campbell inspired heels by H&M

 

 

We were scouring Bangsar for good places to eat, but realized that we’ve tried almost every gastronomic delight the buzzing street had to offer. Tired of walking around in circles, we then then decided to look up HungryGoWhere.com to make a quick search on where to eat, right from the palm of our hand. How convenient!

HungryGoWhere.com is a comprehensive Malaysian Food Guide, Restaurant and Rating site. Go check it out!

 

Arrived at a restaurant called Nosh. Had a chat with the waiters and soon decided

that’s where we’re gonna be parking our arses for the afternoon.

 

Can’t wait to nosh on our food!

 

We took a seat and I excused myself to check out the restaurant interior – as usual.

Bet my buddies are  all pretty used to this disappearing act of mine the moment we step foot into any new restaurant we visit 😛

 

The facade was enough to draw me closer into the dining area.

 

Loved its classy, clean-cut concept. Wide spaces were used very well!

 

It boasted an interior of bright and colourful modern art as well as a neat layout.

 

On the right was the  drinks bar where drinks and light food takes shape.

The main kitchen is inside, of course.

 

We skimmed through the menu and placed our orders.

Guess what comes next? 😀 More selfies of us! 🙂

 

Come to think of it, nothing really has changed in 6 years. Except that we probably have make up

on and are now both working professionals instead of party-hard students.

Oh and, bestieJoyce doesn’t have braces on anymore and I don’t have my long red hair anymore.

That’s about it.

 

On to the food! May I first warn you that they taste just as delicious as they look in photos? 😀

Nosh did a great job in the food presentation and plating.

 

Beef Bolognese on Chunky Chips

 

This was a really tasty beef bolognese topped with melted cheese on a bed of potato chips.

Every bite had a light and hearty, smoky aftertaste. I liked how the chips were cut into wide chunks instead of the skinny versions.

 

Mushroom Gnocchi Symphony

 

This Italian dish was really filling! Instead of the usual semolina or wheat versions, this was a fabulous combo of gourmet sweet potato gnocchi served with mushrooms and cream sauce. Every bite was a mouthful!

 

Pumpkin Ravioli

 

Also another signature Italian dish, this boasted delicate gourmet pasta sheets filled with pumpkin served with a luscious onion butter sauce and fresh sage. Very used to the usual spinach ravioli, Nosh’s version of mashed pumpkins gave me a fresh alternative and complemented these ravioli very well.

 

Salmon with  Lemon Capers

 

Always a fish person, I couldn’t possibly give this salmon treat a miss. Loved it to bits!

A thick piece of salmon fillet grilled to perfection greeted me the moment I laid eyes on my plate. Served in a lemon caper cream sauce, the salmon came with delightful sides of roasted rosemary potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables.

I could definitely order another one of this and finish it in under 10 minutes.

 

Dessert time. Which one should I pick?

We are sweet tooths by nature so we were spoilt for choice!

 

After taking almost half an hour to narrow down and select our mutual favorites, here’s what we got!

 

We chose the Peanut Butter Heaven and Mont Blanc in the end.

The Peanut Butter Heaven promises heaven to the last bite – and heaven I experienced indeed.

As a diehard fan of both peanut butter and chocolate, this peanut butter cheesecake slice was right up my alley. It was light, not too heavy on the cheese consistency, drizzled with caramel on top and sat on a bed of chocolate crumbles and chopped salted peanuts.

The Mont Blanc was a chocolate cake soaked in rum and resembled a mountain after a snow blizzard of chestnut cream. Dusted with sprinkles of green tea powder, it gave this treat a slight bitter aftertaste to an otherwise sweet dessert.

 

Loved them both! It was interesting how they plated both the desserts like a platter

on one long rectangular plate instead of serving it in individual plates.

 

It was a fantastic day catching up and noshing delectable food and desserts.

Where else but NOSH, really? Thanks, NOSH for a delightful evening!

 

Price range for this restaurants from its lighter, smaller meals at RM9 onwards to the heaviest main event at RM70. However, you can be satisfied with most decently sized meals ranging between RM19 to RM40.

If you’d like to search for more similar places that might suit your fancy, just browse the directory at HungryGoWhere.com 🙂 And yes, you’re welcome.

————————————————————

[highlight style=”yellow” ]For more information on Nosh or to place your reservations, you can:[/highlight]

Log on to their official website: www.nosh.my

LIKE them on Facebook: fb.com/noshKL

Drop by their outlet at this address:

7, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 49100, Kuala Lumpur

Business Hours:

Tue – Thu: 2pm – 11pm
Fri: 2pm – 12am
Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 11pm

Contact them at this number:  +603-2201 3548

 

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Hi! Welcome to TheJessicat.com - an urban lifestyle blog established since 2005, written from the perspective of a Malaysian blogger. Discover the latest and all that the city has to offer! Do bear with her occasional rants & musings though. Happy reading! ❤

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