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Entertainment
    Film & Movies
    International Artists
    Live Concerts & Gigs
    Local Artists
    Music Festivals/Rave Parties
    Nightlife/Parties
Food
    American
    Asian
    Coffee joints/Cafe hopping
    French
    Fusion
    Italian
    Japanese
    My Cookbook
    Others/Fusion
Fashion
    Body Art
    Cosplay
    Fashion Shows
Beauty
    Hair
    Makeup/Skincare
Travels
    Thailand
    The Australian Diaries
Health & Fitness
    EatFitSlam: Clean Eating
    GymJamSlam: Gym/Workouts
    Sports
Current Affairs
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
    • Coffee joints/Cafe hopping
    • French
    • Fusion
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • My Cookbook
    • Others/Fusion
  • Fashion
    • Body Art
    • Cosplay
    • Fashion Shows
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Makeup/Skincare
  • Travels
    • Thailand
    • The Australian Diaries
  • Health & Fitness
    • EatFitSlam: Clean Eating
    • GymJamSlam: Gym/Workouts
    • Sports
  • Current Affairs

Blu Med Ristorante e Bar Mediterranean + Italian Restaurant @ The Boulevard, Mid Valley City

May 23, 2013 by thejessicat

 

 

Early this year, when construction sounds could still be heard coming from the insides and floor-to-ceiling boards still shielded the entrance, I received an invitation for a food tasting session; to sample a menu during an exclusive media preview of a brand new restaurant.

The restaurant was Blu Med Ristoranre e Bar, a new Mediterranean and Italian Restaurant.

 

Brought my other half along with me – I could use a

Mediterraneanite to assist me in reviewing Mediterranean food!

 

Since the restaurant was not even open, we had to enter the premises via a side/corner entrance which led us to a staircase directly up to the 2nd floor. 

The boards blocked all public access to the restaurant.

 

Standing by the 'OPENING SOON' boards at the entrance!

 

In the invitation, I was told that the menu at Blu Med was produced and consulted by Chef Yasuhiro Sasajima, of Iron Chef fame. Having watched the Iron Chef program on television , I was naturally excited that I will be savouring a menu directed by the talented chef himself!laugh

Chef Sasajima broke out of the realms of traditional Japanese cuisine and started his love affair with Italian cuisine, marrying the two together to cook up a fine fusion of meals from his kitchen.

 

Chef Yasuhiro Sasajima 

 

Jia anda tidak kenal nama 'Chef Sasajima', dia merupakan antara salah satu daripada tukang-tukang masak yang paling terkenal di dunia! yes

I was looking forward to tasting his unique and distinctive Italian cuisine with a Japanese twist so much.

 

Upon arriving at the 2nd floor, I was greeted to interior decorations befitting a minimalistic concept.

It was brightly lit with incandescent spotlights, boasted cosy wooden and brick-wall ambiance, spacious and splashed with warm, earthly colours comprising shades of brown, white with a touch of blue.

 

Part of the upper dining area deck (2nd floor)

 

I exchanged a few words with the friendly managers present. 

After being ushered to our seats, we sat at our table in anticipation for what the evening had to offer.

 

The waiters began to pour some wine for us.

We were served the Luis Felipe Edwards Cabernet Sauvignon

 

I have always been a white wine kind of girl. cool

While my buddies had red wine, I opted for white wine instead:

Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc was my pick

 

Us at the table before our meals arrived  smiley

 

The Executive Director of Blu Med explaining the concept of the restaurant and the food

 

The first dish on our table was the appetitzer of Buffalo Mozzarella and Plum Tomato "Caprese".

The buffalo mozzarella, which is typically used in Italian dishes and less rubbery than usual mozzarella, was moist and had a mild piquancy – slightly tasteless, but well paired with the mint sauce drizzled around the dish (which doubles as good presentation too!).

 

Buffalo Mozzarella and Plum Tomato "Caprese"

 

For purists, this is made out of curd cheese using pure buffalo milk.

The locally sourced tomatoes and lettuce sprinkled with olive oil, basil oil and vinegar upped its initially bland flavour and hit the concept of freshness in mediterranean food right on the bull's eye.

 

The second dish that was placed before us was the Carpaccio of Hirame with Wild Rice and Soft Aubergine.

The first thing I did was to look for the aubergine. I couldn't see it at all! Did they give my plate a miss? I soon found out that the soft, "mashed" aubergine was hidden underneath the Hirame.smiley That was my favorite of the night.

 

Carpaccio of Hirame with Wild Rice and Soft Aubergine

 

The wild rice reminded me of risotto, but slightly grainer and nutty in comparison. When mixed with the relatively moist and "grassy" taste of the alfafa sprouts, it amassed a rather odd but not unpleasant flavour – definitely an acquired taste.

The Hirame, a popular type of white flesh fish used in Japanese cuisines (see how the fusion of Italian and Japanese influences is depicted now?) was fresh and served cold, just like sashimi.

 

Then came along our mains.

The third dish to arrive was Spaghetti Tomato Sauce with Sea Bass and Grilled Vegetables.

We were told that the pasta sauce was made from real tomatoes, and not the ones out of cans nor puree versions.

 

A block of Parmesan cheese was grated to our desired amount, as toppings for the pasta

The cheese added a light but sharp flavour to the pasta, making it a very good choice for garnishing.

 

We could clearly see how its sauce wasn't the ones right out of the can. 

I found this dish slightly watered down and tasteless, but then again, it was justifiable, as they only used fresh ingredients and we all know how fresh tomatoes holds a high water content. Good or bad? I'll leave you to decide.

 

Spaghetti Tomato Sauce with Sea Bass and Grilled Vegetables

 

It also had minimal seasoning; giving way to the natural flavours of tomato, sea bass and its side of grilled vegetables. This dish was fresh, light and had a oceanic and "fishy' flavour to it.

This dish was pretty standard, nothing to shout about especially to people who are more familiar with, or prefer their pasta with strong, heavy flavours. It does has its strengths and weaknesses, whatever suits your palate! smiley

 

Being sweet tooths, Shin Yee and I were only looking forward to the desserts after that.

Hopefully, our moods and appetites would take a positive turn once it arrives.

 

Selfshots of us! heart

 

And finally, our desserts arrived! smiley

The final dish that we got to taste was the Espresso Pannacotta.

But being a culinary aficionado myself, I do understand that the most difficult part of making the perfect Panna cotta is mixing the right ratio and achieving the right texture – soft, but firm enough to hold it together, with a gentle wobble only when moved.

 

Espresso Panna cotta

 

Though pretty in presentation, I must say that the texture of the Panna cotta was slightly dissapointing as it was too jelly-like, stiff and rubbery. I much prefer my Panna cotta to be the usual, softly set, creamier ones with silkier pudding-like consistency.

Apart from that, I loved the rich taste of this typical Italian dessert – especially this one as it is infused with Espresso! yes

It gave me a smooth mouthful, albeit not a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Still tasted delicious, though. The berries and almonds were a great touch too.

 

 

After dinner, the other half and I decided to roam about the second floor to explore beyond our dining table. angel

I loved how the upper deck overlooks the first floor (ground floor) dining area. Suh-weeeet!

Apabila berdiri pada tingkat atas, rasanye seperti si puteri melihat ke aras bawah pada himpunan para warganegaranye, tahu? Hahaha.

 

The other end of the dining area

 

The cutlery, wine and glass counter beside the entrance of the second floor

 

One of the two private rooms for private functions/dinners

 

Took more swigs of the exquisite Savignon Blanc frown

Can't ever get enough of white wine. Ever!

 

My favorite glass of  white wine and I kiss

How can anyone not love the setting and the ambiance of this restaurant? heart

 

Here are some after-dinner photos with some of the rest who were there as well.

 

 

As I headed to Mid Valley Megamall to attend an event a few days ago, I spotted the elaborately furnished and fully finished Blu Med Restaurant from a distance!

Needless to say, I made my way there to admire the completed version of the premises.laugh

 

Remember the entrance? I had to enter the outlet via a tiny opening at the corner.

 

Now, the grand entrance looks like this. Holy mama! WOW.

 

As mentioned earlier, Blu Med is divided into two separate levels.

The restaurant features a trendy cool and modern environment with touches of comfort on the lower floor and luxury on the upper floor – where we dined.

Patrons entering the restaurant will be greeted by an imposing floor to ceiling wall of candles separating the bar and the restaurant area, and a very high verticle garden cascading from the wall (beside the staircase) completed with two large chandeliers made of glass bottles, specially designed for Blu Med.

 

Remember these unfinished chandeliers wrapped up in black plastic?

 

Now it has transformed into dazzling glass bottles hung from the ceiling!

 

Blu Med, nestled amidst the bustling centre of The Boulevard in Mid Valley City, Blu Med clearly presents a perfect and modern-classy destination for both casual and fine dining diners around town. 

As this restaurant is located in a prime setting right smack in between two popular malls – Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens, I find it a very convenient place to pop by to have lunch, dinners or at any time of the day. 

This restaurant's last orders are at 10.30pm (and opens till midnight) so you know where to go for some bites or drinks when the mall has shut wink

 

Remember these boards covering the entire corner alfresco section?

 

Now. Boy, I'd love to sit there for some food and wine while enjoying the breeze!

 

As dissatisfied as I was, something tells me that tonight definitely cannot represent one's dining experience at Blu Med. 

I'm certain that this glamorous, posh restaurant with such a brilliant concept cannot be as inadequate as what I had experienced during tonight's media preview session. After all, this lovely restaurant was far from ready, and I can only assume as much for the unfully-equipped kitchen and the simplified menu we had tonight as well.

One thing's for sure, I'll be back very soon to give this restaurant another chance. smiley

 

Perhaps for a date, maybe? heart 

 

————————————————————-

For more information or to place your reservations, you can:

Call them at: +603-2201-5081

Visit their restaurant at:
BluMed (located beside the giant fountain!)
Unit 27-G Ground Flr & Unit 27-1 First Flr,
Signature Office,
The Boulevard, Mid Valley City ,
Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur

LIKE them on Facebook at: fb.com/BluMedRistorantiBar

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The Sunday Times XII: Sights, sounds, adventures & eats! My week in a flash ♥

December 9, 2012 by thejessicat

 

 

 

Good evening folks!

This week’s The Sunday Times had been delayed as I’ve been out of the country for that famed beach rave & turned into a hungover zombie over the weekend.

But yes, I’m back in Malaysia already and my past seven days have been a whirlwind!

The start of my week gave me a very invigorating experience. I’m honoured to be one of the select few to dine with a brand-new concept to hit Malaysia’s food & beverage scene.

 

I was invited to try the ‘Dining in the Dark KL’ by Werner’s on Changkat

*blogpost HERE!*

 

Spent some time in Pavilion KL and checked out Burberry’s latest Autumn/Winter collection.

Had been eyeing something in particular the moment I spotted it on London Fashion Week.

 

Wanna see? :D

 

It’s now here in Malaysia! The Burberry Prorsum Alma Gold Fox Clutch! 

 

Had dinner with Konzy, Pam & Rama thereafter at Komugi Cafe in Tokyo Street @ Pavilion KL

I recommend the Pumpkin Soup served in a bread bowl & the baked marble cheesecake! 

 

Indulged in some Jap cuisine at Shogun Japanese Buffet @ 1 Utama for lunch the next day

Made time for my workout routines at the gym.

Don’t have time for gym? MAKE BLOODY TIME! 

 

Monday madness!

 

Wacky Wednesdays!

You’re running on guts. On fumes. Your muscles twitch. You throw up. You’re delirious.

But you keep running because there’s no way you’re not crossing the finish line.

It’s a misery that non-runners don’t understand.

– Martine Corstello

 

Can’t wait for the run at the end of the week!

 

Had some extra time on my hands and thought I deserve some pampering.

Gave myself a pretty manicure with my new nail lacquer from OPI!

A deep shade of red, aptly named Bastille My Heart.

Oh don’t remind me -_-“

 

Had a good breakfast the very next day…

 

Honey Oats with Roasted Almonds & a dollop of Peanut Butter!

 

And off I went to Singapore for an extended weekend of my annual pilgrimage… ZoukOut 2012! 

So much to say, show & share the footages in my next blogpost, but first here are two photos that somewhat summarizes both my days at ZoukOut!

 

ZoukOut 2012 Day 1

 

ZoukOut 2012 Day 2!

 

Surprisingly, I was supremely kind to my wallet (and bank account!) this time round!

I used to incur exorbitant expenses each time I’m in Singapore all because of the shopping at twice the amount of money; no thanks to exchange rates! :/

 

For this trip, guess how much I spent in Singapore, in total?

Only RM250 for four days! Amazeballs, if I do say so myself 


The bulk of my expenses all went to commuting via public transportation and of course, good food.

 

 

If it’s something I’ve learnt throughout the years, it’s to never to be stingy on food.

Nothing more satisfying than a good meal of something you really enjoy eating! 

 

Here are some of the food I ate whilst in Singapore:

 

Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill from McDonalds!

Before you snort at my eating McD of all things in another country, it’s because we don’t have that in Malaysia!

Neither do we have pork bacon in our McBreakfasts, for obvious reasons. 

 

Ergo, I literally PIGGED OUT when I dined in Singapore!

The next meal I had was:

 

The popular Bak Chor Mee (Minced Pork Noodles with Pork Balls) from Bedok 85!

Fried Oysters with Eggs | A combo of both Black and White Carrot Cakes! (aka turnip cakes)

 

I was quite exasperated that night. Hear me out?

 

The stall owner refused to speak in English with me when I placed my order in English.

I tried communicating with her in English; only to be responded in Mandarin, again & again. 

Fine. Assuming she couldn’t speak a word of English, I mustered all the little Mandarin I knew and spoke to her quite terribly, after much struggle.

The next thing I know, when my Caucasian boyfriend placed his order with her, she smugly spoke in (simple yet fluent!) English to him.

 

Got trolled. JESUS CHRIST, WOMAN! You made me go through all that hassle for nothing LOL!

 

The next day, my lovely host & buddy June took us out to Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar @ Clarke Quay

As if the waterfront view isn’t fabulous enough, here are some photos of our scrumptious feast!

 

I had some personal favorites! 

Allow me to list my recommendations ;)

Among those which topped my list were: Bacon-wrapped Prawns with Tomato Salsa, Grilled Squid with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction, Leg of Lamb Stew with Courgettes & Aubergines, Beef Tenderloin Cubes sauteed with Olive Oil & Garlic and finally, the Pan-fried Cod with Poached Onion 

 

I had my first Vegan Burger at ZoukOut 2012 from Vegan Burg.

The patties were made of soy with plum sauce. Tasted rather odd and bland to me :/

 

Perhaps I just wasn’t used to it. After all, it is a far cry from the usual meat & cheeseburgers!

Sorry environmentalists, looks like I’ll always love my meat 

 

The next night, we had Vietnamese baguettes from Bag★ette : The Viet Inspired Deli at Vivo City.

 

Chicken for me, and pork for him.


The baked cheesecake that came with the set was very light, smooth and soft to the touch.

The type that melts in your mouth! Would someone deliver it all the way to Malaysia? ;(

 

***

Apart from my extreme dosage of bottles and bottles of Meiji low-fat milk…

 

 

…which I never fail to pick up whenever there was a 7-11 in my immediate vicinity, I had my favorite Weissbrau mango beer with some friends, at Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant @ Raffles City.

 

Drink up! :D

 

The final day in Singapore saw us having a goodbye lunch with June dearest 

 

I had Claypot Glass Noodles with Soft Shell Crab in Thai Express @ Vivo City

Well recommended! I loved this to bits 

 

Farewell Singapore!

Although I love your little country, I’ll always be glad to cross over the causeway back to Malaysia where I regain unlimited 3G data on my iPhone and where we can smoke (for smokers!) or chew gum anywhere we please without so much as a fine 😛

 

Dropped by Chilis Bar & Grill for some pub grub.

Cajun Club Sandwich for him & Southwestern Eggrolls for me

 

Needless to say, I had a splendid week! Hope yours was just as fun-filled as mine

Have a perfect seven days ahead of you! Seize every day like it’s your last 

 

Much love,

Jessicat

 

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

Some of the photos in this edition are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook

Do follow to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around me!

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The Sunday Times IX: Sights, sounds, adventures & eats! My week in a flash ♥

October 21, 2012 by thejessicat

 

 

 

Speed blogging from Ipoh right now as we speak.

So I drove back to Ipoh – in the goddamned rain! – last night to attend an event right after an event in the city. 

 

ELEVATE hits downtown Ipoh @ Sensation of Sound (S.O.S)!

*Full blogpost coming soon*

 

Talk about a back-to-back schedule on a Saturday! Geez. But it was all worth it.

Coming back to the place I spent half my childhood in is always something to look forward to 

 

Heck, it's practically my first time partying/clubbing in Ipoh! 

 

Was taken to supper after the party! I shall eat what the Ipoh-peeps eat :)

 

Popular for their Bak Chiok (baby octopus) & Yuet Gong Hor (Raw Egg "Moon" Koay Teow noodles), Restoran Tuck Kee along Jalan Yau Tet Shin is the place to go.

We also had Braised Chicken Feet – I didn't eat it but the others did! – , Herbal Boiled Eggs & Pork Balls

People patronize them during dinner and it's also the to-go place for "after-clubbing" hours.

 

Coming back to the comforts of home means being spoiled by comfort food as well.

A gift from granny. Kieldsens' original Dannish butter cookies! 

 

Discovered excellent news that made the raver in me jump for joy!

 

The legendary God of Trance music, Armin Van Buuren will be making his way to Sepang, Malaysia for A State of Trance (ASOT) 600!

Mark your calendars fellow EDM-kakis, for March next year will be so fun!

 

Cuddles & playtimes with my babyChivas 

He's the best cat in the world, my one & only –  I love him to bits! 

 

If you can ever read this, lil one, mommy loves you a whole lot

So what else did I do earlier in the week? Let's see..

 

Woke up early to have quite an elaborate breakfast Tuesdate with boyfieKon

at La Bodega @ Bangsar Shopping Centre

 

I fully recommend the Club Sandwich, Big Breakfast and Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon on Toast.

It was sucha hearty breakfast and much chattering over coffee & hot chocolate. 

 

Tues outfit of the day! Casual with an edgy hint on a day out 

 

Fri outfit of the day! Played it girly with a childlike, Japanese touch. Matched my iPhone with my outfit too!

 

Oktoberfest with the buddies! 

Drink up on a Friday night to kickstart the weekend 

 

Made Organic Wholewheat Durum Spaghetti with Roast Chicken,

Button Mushrooms, Chopped Basil & Asparagus for dinner

 

Breakfast like a king! Had O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar @ The Curve

The Big Club Sandwich & Classic Triple Decker Sandwich were real winners! 

 

Brunch! Fruit & veggie platter of mangos, watermelon chunks and celery

 

Dinnertime. My fave mix of oven-roasted Zucchini, Baby Potatoes, Australian Carrots, Pumpkin,

Shallots, Garlic and a generous amount of Rosemary & Black Peppercorn seeds

 

Dinner again! Organic Wholewheat Durum Pasta Carbonara with Broccoli,

Button Mushrooms, diced Carrots with lots of onions! 

 

Replaced cream with a healthier alternative – a nice blend of low-fat yoghurt, egg-whites & milk.

And when I do decide to eat out, Japanese food has always been at the top of my list.

Check out the Grilled Gindara Codfish in Teriyaki Sauce I had at Sushi Zanmai @ The Curve

 

Another one of my all time favorites – the Caterpillar Maki Roll, also from Sushi Zanmai 

Can't ever say no to Grilled Unagi (eel), Omelette & Avocado 

 

Imma let you in on a little secret 

You know how I always share the healthy, clean food that I either homecook or when I eat out, right?

 

Truth is, that's as close as I can actually get to my ideal diet.

A whole lot of my sweet-tooth snacking, overindulging & unhealthy food enters my system too. 

 

Hey, I'm only human – just like you.

 

But the very moment I've set my mind to propagating health & fitness, by inculcating this idea and motivating all of you, I have to first set an example. 

One always have to practise what one preaches, right? 

 

And I'm glad I've managed to drive this point home, from the feedbacks I've received and by mere observation. I see more and more healthy eating & an obvious increase of a fitter lifestyle in all of you.

 

So proud of ya'll! 

 

My favorite bowl of Mac & Cheese. Just one of the many sins I indulge in. Don't we all?

 

I hope this doesn't demotivate you, but rather motivate you even further with the truth.

So don't be discouraged or think you've failed and have to start all over again, whenever you succumb to that burger, pizza, chocolates or nasi lemak – I do too. 

 

 

The moment you make an attempt, you're one step closer to your idea lifestyle, ya hear me? ;)

 

Oh and yes, some good news to share!


 

I've been invited to a fully-sponsored trip to Cambodia to attend BlogFest Asia 2012 held in Siam Reap! 

Simply cannot wait – Angkor Wat, here I come! 

 

Before I go, as usual, a song of the week for your listening pleasure 

Got this one stuck in my head since last Friday at David Guetta's rave party . 

 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8aaR6jo4VA

The lyrics. Just six sentences, but means so much. Just… yeah. 

 

Have also been plagued by an alarming, inexplicable occurrence in the household that is seemingly responsible for my missing belongings and finding those said missing belongings in the possession of others :/:/

 

There is a fine line between having absolute trust in someone and

having to believe in the supernatural. I can only choose one. :/

 

No matter. Whatever it is, I'll have it dealt with. SMILE! That's all for this week's wrap-up.

Have a lovely seven days ahead of you!  I will too.

 

Sleep well, ladies and gents. Let your dreams take flight *yawns*

 

 

Much love,

Jessicat

 

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

The Sunday Times is a new once-a-week series; a personal piece published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to share recommendations for to-go places and to-eats throughout the week.

Check out the entire series here : The Sunday Times edition.

Some of the photos are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook on the go.

So follow me to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around!

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Enter the Kyoto Lab… be prepared for a twist in your scrumptious Japanese dining experience at The Pool KL, Ampang!

September 25, 2012 by thejessicat

 

 

Did you know that there was a cosy and very quaint Japanese restaurant – Kyoto Lab – nestled directly above the buzzing hotspot called The Pool KL? Bet you didn't.

Cos I didn't too!

 

Me with their original design of a Japanese maiden

(There's an interesting story behind this artwork…ask when you dine there!)

 

It  was very nice of them to extend a dinner invitation to me to sample some of their dishes.

Being the absolute Japanese cuisine fan I am, how could I say no? ;)

 

As the name suggests, this hip & happening nightlife hotspot organizes awesome pool parties too!

 

So I decided to pop by The Pool KL in Ampang last week

 

There was an elevator which took me directly to the upper floor of the restaurant.

Upon entering the premise, I was impressed by the simple yet creative and unique interior already

 

Should you take the staircase, this will be the first thing you see ! 🙂

 

The dining area & the counter

 

As I took my seat, I noticed something peculiar right above me.

 

See the ceiling lamps? There were so many of them & actually tins containing wine, biscuits, soy sauce & oil before

 

The owner of the restaurant then shared how most of their interior and furniture pieces are actually reused items. How ingenious! I felt as though I was talking to Robinson Crusoe before he even finished his story 

The table base and legs were also the metal carriers previously used in the construction industry too.

 

See the lovely fuchsia pink & vermilion decor behind me?

Those are real bamboo sticks chopped up, dried, painted & lacquered up beautifully!

 

After checking out Kyoto Lab's highly innovative and resourceful interior decor, I was ready to be wowed by what they have to serve already.

I began to develop pretty high expectations! Surely the food ought to be as good as the outlet looks 

 

Let's find out, shall we? :D

 

I was given the cocktail menu to select my drinks & was spoilt for choice.

There were three pages of creative & never-seen-before cocktails! Ever heard of The Fish Bowl, Spicy Mango Madness, Skittles Bomb (as opposed to Jager Bombs), Pink Elephant, Milo Ais cocktail.. and especially Chemistry Lab Experiment? 

 

Nothing beckons me better than chocolate does :) So I opted for the Nutella Martini (RM25)

 

The pleasantly sweet chocolate-hazelnut flavour complemented the vodka in the martini excellently!

It wasn't garnished with the usual olives, but with Koko Krunch instead 

 

It had me at the first sip 

 

The next cocktail I had was the best-selling Watermelon Slush (RM40)

It was served in a heart shape carved in a giant watermelon half. How lovely!

 

Perfect for couple sharing 

 

I loved its distinct slushy & chunky watermelon & lychee taste, with a good hint of vodka & midori.

Tasted very refreshing & sweet!  Something most girls would most likely fancy.

 

Cute presentation too! Major hearts (literally) for this cocktail! 

 

The final cocktail that I am going to write about (because at this point, you must be thinking – where's the food? So I'll let you discover the other cocktails yourself!) is a cocktail named Coco's Nutz (RM28) :P:P.

I swear I can't be the only one who found that name particularly amusing. Teehee.

 

Looks like it's fresh off a tropical island, no? 

 

I enjoyed its milky, creamy texture with a good blend of Malibu, Rum & fresh coconut juice. So rich!

Heck, it's no wonder it bagged the Winning Cocktail in 2011's JTI Horeca Bartending Contest 

 

Rebecca & I getting a mouthful of the intricately made cocktails!

 

Okay, on to the food! I wonder if the cocktails were served to alter the receptivity of my tastebuds?

I'm joking; of course it didn't! I actually had the cocktails sparingly in between meals, not all in one go! :D

 

Chefs hard at work preparing our meals in Kyoto Lab's open concept kitchen

 

One of my favorite entrees was the Salmon Potato Salad with Truffle Oil (RM18)

I love salmon. I love Potato Salad. I love lettuce. When combined, I trust it will be absolutely divine.

 

A simple entree but it sure as ever was a delicious kick-start! 

 

Prawns, Avocado & Crab Meat Timbale (RM12)

 

This is an entree of amazing flavours that I would most definitely vouch for!

The three main ingredients fused together so well, almost a melt-in-your-mouth combo 

 

Another light bite I had was Sashimi Nouyeou Salmon Trout (RM25)

Sashimi lovers will be in for something really different!

 

Far from the traditional, plain, raw sashimi, this splendid take on sashimi

boasts a zestful but not-too-overpowering sweet & sour flavour with each bite 

 

 

Next up and hot off the griller, was Kyoto Lab's skewered grilled meat.  

Let's take a look at some of them!

 

Chicken/Beef Yakitori (RM8)

 

I have always fancied skewered meat doused in teriyaki sauce and this certainly did not disappoint.

 Both the chicken and the beef were very tender and bursting with teriyaki goodness) 

 

Gyuniku Asparamaki (RM10).

 

This was arguably my favorite dish of the evening 

Being a pro-health junkie, I took so much pleasure in relishing this skewered asparagus wrapped in grilled beef strips served with Teriyaki sauce & sesame seeds. I ABSOLUTELY MUST have it again! 

 

Scallop Misoyaki (RM15)

 

The soft & melt-in-your-mouth scallops marinated sweet & salty miso sauce will never be enough! 

One bite gets you hooked – not even joking 

 

Is it epic mealtime yet? The following dish was pretty damn marvellous to me.

 

The Green Monster Lamb Burger with Mint Sauce (RM28)

 

 

I love lamb! Served with potato wedges & onion rings, the Green Monster's lamb patties packed a punch!

It was so juicy and the taste of well-done lamb with mint sauce ruled my tastebuds. Thumbs up 

 

The following "burger" blew me away & made me appreciate steak a little more! (I was never a fan, tbh)

Portobello Mushroom sandwiched between two thick slabs of medium steak with grilled Zucchini

 

Australian Grain-Fed Chilled Tenderloin (RM60)

 

I have never seen something quite like that before.

Perhaps the closest would be KFC's Double Down but it pales in comparison!

 

A cross-section of the meal

 

You have no idea how I ravaged the poor thing.

I devoured the portobello mushroom (heh, I love my vegetables more than my meat), but each time I sank my teeth into it I made sure I had a bite of the thick, succulent tenderloin as well :D

 

Now, what about dishes from the fryer? I immediately pointed to another one of my personal favorite.

 

Soft Shell Crab (RM25)

 

Despite the creative experimenting, Kyoto Lab did a great job in their basic Japanese dishes too.

It was crispy enough on the outside, but soft and juicy on the inside – just like how a perfect soft shell crab dish should be!

 

We squeezed a lemon that accompanied the crabs for that extra citrus boom :D

 

Curry Flavoured Wings (RM18)

 

For the peeps who never fail to have fried chicken wings or chicken drummets, you can opt for this.

It was served with a helping of salad & a slice of lemon too. I didn't eat this one but boyfieKon said it was as it is – not too spicy!

 

Now, what's Japanese cuisine without its sushi and maki rolls, hey?

But the first one I'm going to talk about comes with a slight twist as well ;)

 

Tuna & Mango Roll (RM20)

 

This maki could be an acquired taste, if you aren't too keen on mango. But I am, and this is pretty swell!

The interesting (but slightly odd!) combination is really something you should definitely explore! :D

 

Green Dragon (RM24)

 

You can never go wrong with a dragon roll! :D

The prawn, avocado & Japanese mayonaise rolled into a tight rice-wrapped seaweed is a must-eat!

 

Cheesy Fire Roll (RM24)

 

Sushi with cheese is pretty new to me, although it's something I've tasted before.

This version however, was delicious with its combination of crab meat, roe, Japanese cucumber, cheeeeeeese and wasabi!

 

You just gotta dig in!

 

On to the dessert! 

I was full to the brim so I didn't help myself with any. BoyfieKon ordered this for himself –

 

Sakae Wine Poached Pear & Green Tea Ice-Cream (RM15)

 

He mentioned to me that the pear had a bitter-sweet after taste to it :)

And that wraps up the wide array of choices of my dinner. You should totally put your explorer hats on and check out this Japanese "secret laboratory" for yourself tucked away like a hideout upstairs Ampang's The Pool KL.

 

I had a brilliant time there experimenting & tasting new stuff that tantalized

my tastebuds however strange it initially felt :D:D

 

Thank you Kyoto Lab for an evening with a nouveau twist to the traditional Japanese fare I've known all my life!

 

More details at The Pool KL's Facebook page & The Pool KL's official website

You know what to do now, if you're up for taking your tastebuds on a fascinating adventure!

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The Sunday Times IV : Sights, sounds, adventures & eats! My week in a flash ♥

September 16, 2012 by thejessicat

 

 

 

Happy Sunday lovelies!

My past seven days were likened to a happy breeze kicking up colourful leaves on an Autumn evening

I was back in form. Cheerful &  brimming with smiles, compared to last week's dreadful crawl of a week

 

 

Out and about on a sunny afternoon!

 

 

Oh and to my fellow Malaysian people, HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!

Yup, for you non-Malaysian readers, today is Malaysia's birthday and we are 49 years old. 

 

———-TRIVIA ———

 

Malaysia Day is NOT to be confused with our National/Independence Day,

which was celebrated some two weeks ago on the 31st August.

 

Today, 49 years ago, the formation of four independent nations : 

Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak & Singapore gave rise to a new nation….

and that new nation was Malaysia.

 

16th September 1963 was the very day we became a country of our own! 

HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BELOVED COUNTRY MALAYSIA 

——————————–

 

Anyway, what made my week this time round?

We'll see :

 

 

Headed to The Pool KL in Ampang for a food review of their Japanese restaurant, Kyoto Lab

Being a Japanese food enthusiast, the excellent quality, taste & choice of meals exceeded my expectations!

Full blogpost coming soon!

 

 

Slowly regained my appetite again and indulged in some comfort food

Traditional American Pancake Stack by Paddington's House of Pancakes @ The Curve

 

For some reason, those pancakes that I had above tasted like cardboard & had a rubbery texture. 

What happened to the soft, fluffy, melt-in-your mouth pancakes I always used to have?  This makes the avid pancake-fan in me, sad :/

 

 

Had some retail therapy to make me happy.

Hey, who doesn't love pretty things in pretty boxes? :D:D

 

 

Char Tang Hoon in SS2 Pasar Malam (night market)

Only RM3.50 and was superb! 

 

 

Dinnertimes with the magician boys Andrew & JB :D

We hung out at Delicious @ Mid Valley Megamall and I'd fully recommend the…..

 

Pumpkin Soup with chopped almonds! 

It's a new item in the menu. It was flavourful, not too creamy & just the right texture 

 

 

Party time at NSFW presents : 12th Planet all the way from Los Angeles, USA!

I jumped right onto the podium (and made bestie Pam join me up there!) and I shooked 12th Planet's hand! 

Thanks for the photo Pam xx

 

The heavy dubstep-DnB artist shot our faces to full colour once he took control of the party

 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HOLr0jqnCI&feature=player_detailpage

Song of the week! I love Zedd, 'nuff said 

This was the song that 12th Planet boomed and catapulted me to rave on the podium!

 

 

Just a lil SELCA again

Headed out for dinner with my suede grey fedora & a buttoned American flag blouse!

 

 

Made some dinner. Inspired by popular Arabic dish, Shakshouka

Baked eggs, tomatoes, onions, black pepper and cumin!

 

 

Got a little SELCA crazy whilst stuck in a jam. How narcissistic, I know 

 

 

Found something extremely relevant whilst I was caught on the LDP traffic jam

Why that highway is congested even at 3PM is beyond me. But that's something to think about, no? :P

 

 

Spent my entire Saturday with theboyfie in Borders-Starbucks, The Curve.

He was reading the new book he bought, The Great Mortality by John Kelly,

while I was working away on some of my blogging & photo editing. 

 

 

Attended another one of the Arthur's Day celebrations in Sid's Pub @ TTDI today

Gee, I love the month-long celebrations! So much merriment 

 

To Arthur! 

 

 

Dinner at TGI Friday's @ Sunway Pyramid! 

For the non-health conscious, I'd recommend the Deep Fried Mac & Cheese balls 

 

Should you prefer a healthier meal, I'd recommend the Stuffed Mushrooms with ground beef!

It's served with bruschetta toppings and pretty damn delicious too 

 

 

Dennis & I :) Just came back from Youth Jam, held in Sunway Pyramid!

I was the judge for the blogging competition by Youth Jam-SONY's National Blogger Festival

So happy to be able to lend my support to the movement and youth empowerment 

 

 

And that wraps up my seven days this time round.

It was a pretty average week, with some good news (still a secret at the moment!) to share very soon!

 

Just a little secret (well, not so secret anymore!) I'm pursuing magic & aim to learn a new language.

A while back, I promised a certain French magician that when I go to Paris one day, I'm going to impress him with my magic performance and a particular mentalism/illusion trick. And I will. 

 

That being said, have an awesome seven days ahead dearies.

And to my Malaysian readers, enjoy tomorrow's public holiday thanks to Malaysia Day! :D:D

 

 

Much love,

Jessicat 

 

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

 

The Sunday Times is a new once-a-week series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to share recommendations for to-go places and to-eats throughout the week

Some of the photos in this edition are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook as it happens.

So follow me to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around!

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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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