As for this round, we head to Checkers Cafe located inside Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

Checkers cafe offers a great soothing ambiance which is perfect for family gathering as the whole place is comfortable, can be separate out with other diners also indulge with a very simple decoration to stir up the mood of CNY.

Once we were seated, we were greated by this huge Pineapple as a special welcome drink called Prosperity Splash Drink (Mixtured of Pineapple, Mandarin orange, Dragon Fruit juice and hint of honey) indeed its a thirst quencher drink that you will never had enough.

What we are having for the night is a 8 course dinner that prepared by a great Chinese chef.

Of course like any other celebrations during Chinese New Year and before dinner or everything starts, we will always starts with ‘Lou Sang’ which is only a tradition that available in a few countries around South East Asia. The thick sauce is specially made with chef’s own recipe to enhance on the taste of the ‘lou sang’. Their unique of Yee Sang is that ‘Salmon Yee Sang with crispy Salmon skin’.

Fresh Salmon ‘Yee Sang’ for the night . . . .

As preparation, you mix everything what is next to the plate on sauce and other ingredients.

Pictures credit to: www.everydayfoodilove.com

In the process of Yee Sang, by using a chopstick and stick inside the Yee Sang then you say out loud your  ”auspicious wishes”  for the year, every toss say one wish whereby mostly is high salary, good business, good health and many more. The higher you toss,

This is usually the aftermath of lou sang and this consider not that bad, as for me and my friend, it did fly to someone’s hair before and the whole portion left half as another half is on the table.

A very delicious, savory with a bit sweet, sour, crispy salmon skin that kick a perfect start before dinner. One of a good Yee Sang that I have come across so far. . .

Pan-fried Lamb Rack with Chef Special Sauce

This is the super star of the night as one piece would not be enough. I think I do not mind to have at least 5 pieces of this that it is well marinated till the sauce got into the meat, well quoted with the sauce that make it very juicy and not only that, the meat is so soft till it nearly melts, no lamb gammy taste which is a perfect dish for every one. Highly Recommended!

Braised Shark’s Fin with Assorted Seafood

During Chinese new Year, Shark Fin will mostly fill onto the table as they are quite generous with the ingredient. I can eat chunks of crab meat, fish maw and assorted seafood every spoonful of it.

Followed by Steamed Chicken with Herbs.

Juicy and soft meat with the herb sauce soak onto the meat and make every bite delicious.

Deep Fried Cod Fish with Superior Soya Sauce

This is also another favourite dish for the night, as the fish being deep fried on the outer layer till its crispy then shower along with superior soy sauce. Always love the texture of cod fish which is soft and moist.  - Recommended

Deep Fried Prawns with Seafood Sauce

Fresh prawn that indicates by the solid meat texture and the seafood sauce pairs it very well.

Braised Fish Maw, Sea Cucumber, Dried Oyster and Black Mushroom with seasonal vegetable

Fried Rice with ginger and salted egg

Fried hot from the wok with ‘wok hei’ a bit salty and I still add in some soy sauce to further bring up the taste. Its simple and good to further fill my stomach.

Steamed Nian Gao which is prepared by the chef himself as its a bit softer compare to those I have eaten so far and I love Nian Gao alot as get to eat once a year. I love it to well coated with lots of coconut.

Golden Sesame Ball with Red Bean paste

For the first time I am trying Sweetened Red Bean Paste, as I mean the red bean had been blend into a very thick to make this desert out. Usually I eat this in watery base filled with Red Bean chunks.

This is the Sous Chef Lai behind the wok that had created this great range or Perfect Dinner menu that have all what a Reunion dinner needs. In this menu many chinese believe in every dinner must have Prawns, Fish, Chicken, dried oyster and nian gao. All have their own meaning in a Chinese New Year Dinner.

I certainly would recommend for their CNY Chinese Menu if you wanted to go for reunion dinner at this hotel. Great food ~

We were also given cup cakes with Dragon Icon and gold. The cake is moist and nice!

If you do not like their Chinese NEw Year menu you can opt for their buffet that have a good range too.

Reunion Buffet Dinner

As for this round, Market Hall (one of my fav restaurant click here for previous entry) which is a concept restaurant that located on the 6th floor of Pavilion which is next to Din Dai Fung, and we are all here to try out the unique combination of Guinness infuse dishes that inspired by Masterchef Adam Liaw, prepare by the chefs in Market Hall.

Christmas around the corner that time and of course Christmas songs and carolers is a must! Without those lovely voices, it just wont make up the perfect ambiance in the house.

What is more needed is alcohol and friends are on our table to celebrate this joyful event together. Guinness Draft were flowing onto our table non stop. Well, now lets head to our table and see what had been prepared by the chef on the inspired menu . . .

Crispy squid with GUINNESS and chili salt, which is very chewy, not too salty and the taste of Guinness taste in there and after biting and then take a sip of Guinness pull up the taste even better. A perfect combination!

Broccoli soup

Open GUINNESS® Lamb Shank and Mushroom Pie with Champ Fine and Watercress

Love the lamb shank, cook till the meat is soft, and juicy as the pie crust is baked till a bit crips and cut a small piece to eat along just right.

GUINNESS® and Fruit Christmas Pudding

I just love my black santa hat that I have won from the mini answer session which is a limited edition. A perfect mini gift and Guinness had made my Christmas dinner 2011 perfect. I am now well prepare and ready to accept more of Merry Guinness in 2012. . . Cheers. . ..

One promotion is not to be miss is under this Nagomi Shabu Shabu which is a actual Japanese style Steamboat not like those outside in the shop houses mention shabu shabu but localize soup.

This place is pretty packed up by alot people with their current special buffet promotion. Let’s check out what they have to offer~

vegetable section with lots of greens!

Frozen food area with some udon. . .

Mushroom lovers will love this!

Fresh fish section that can be eaten in sashimi style or go into the soup!

sushi section whereby I did not expect it to be so many choices~ and all the fish is fresh!

Then you have seafood!

Mini Lobster, alive walking and clipping!  (limited quantity perday and while stock last for the day)

lots and lots of scallop~

Lots and lots of meat slices, from duck, beef, lamb and fish . .

There are providing fresh salmon too only available at one session which is at 8pm while stock last!

Many choices of soup base paste for you to add on and we have tried all. I still like my miso soup paste.

The actual serving comes with individual pot and with clear soup. You can diy yourself to a multi taste of soup whereby 3 of us have 3 different style of soup. WE have a little make over as mine to miso soup, xiu xiu to Clear Seafood soup and Jean more to mushroom soup. HOw we did that? Secret!!!

Then they do offer fruits and deserts for your ending~

Black sesame and Green TEa Ice Cream

Having dinner with both of them certainly happy…non stop talking and laughing. .

This is their current promotion, a steam boat buffet spread offering at RM 32.80 ++ that we paid about RM43 to be nett and certainly worth every penny, although we had not become a big eater but we are satisfied with the price paid and the offerings in the buffet spread!

Certainly its a recommended buffet by me and while promo ends ( I have no idea when it ends, so just eat it while its still on promo). We are planning to go again. Who wants to join?

Just be there early, to enjoy the full spread of the buffet menu~

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 9/10,  good and value worth for money~ Recommended! -Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Shabu-shabu Buffet @ RM32.80++ (not including drinks)

Location:
Menara Hap Seng (Formerly Mui Plaza)
Suite 1-19, 1st Floor, The Podium
Jalan P. Ramlee
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ann is a entrepreneurial lady cum self learn chef had turn her home into a place to specialize cater for private functions that her intention is to create quality food instead of quantity food. You can expect the best from her few signature dish in her list and usually what customer do is that they give her a budget and just ask her to prepare all her signature dish.

What is well prepared for us for the night is all oven baked specialties. Baked potatoes with capsicum .

Baked Tomato . .

Star of the night is this huge Pork Roll that had been specially hand pick by the chef to cook the best for us.

Roast to perfection with the skin is so crunchy even with the knife cut thru it, it had a huge crack sound eccoed in the room and every one is just staring at it, just waiting to get a taste of it. Aroma of roast pork filled the room that makes every one even more hungry. The meat is so soft, juicy and the skin is crispy with a bit saltiness where it is suppose to be.

For just 1 Pork Roll, it is enough to cater for 10-12 pax and depends how you cut it. It cost about RM160 per roll and have to book in advance.

Next, we were showered with Lamb that had been slowly cook in the oven with her own special herbs that ensure the taste soak inside the meat.

Such a huge chunk of meat and after cutting it, the meat certainly does not look dry and the smell of the oven baked lamb meat when she cut it off smells wonderfull

This gravy is one of the secret to make the lamb even more nice.

The homemade sauce is perfect that is not too thick, filled with a bit black pepper taste that pairs very well with the lamb.

This is my great dinner for the night with juicy lamb and soft meat pork  . . .

And lastly to get the satisfaction kick in, we get to enjoy Lemongrass drink which is just perfect to end the meal . .

After this meal, I certainly know that where to get one of the best prepare homecook meal and also knowing where I can host my private functions in the future. She only cater 20 pax max in one session, so that every one able to enjoy her food. The best part is, not only you need to go over to her private kitchen, you can also hire her to your place and cook provided you meet all her kitchen requirements on the order you place on the day!

Certainly, this is one of my recommendation for food if you want something unique . ..

Her signature dish currently for Christmas is Turkey, which is highly recommended by some of her friends. Do try out if you do order.

Facebook: Ann Roast Pork (orders are also accepted through this page)

3 Days advance reservation needed (depends on Availability): please contact Ann - 016-3313007

Pick-up address: Vista Kiara @ Mont

Kiara Delivery: RM10 for orders of 2 pieces and above

Menu/prices: Roast Turkey minimum 6kg RM350, (Christmas Season Only)

Roast Pork minimum 2kg RM160, 

Roast lamb minimum 2kg RM250

Other information: Alcohols is not used in the preparation of the food; payment by
bank-in and fax the payment slip.

*Non-Halal

OverTime had turn into a drinking place for alot of office workers or bosses as I guess with  its great ambiance and unique brew beer of its own had attracted many from young to old.

To drink Starker, the only place to get is only at Overtime as they do not sell at off shelf like many other beers do as the beer are always serve fresh and have to drink at the temperature of 4° to 6° Celsius .

If you find that the mini barrel do not satisfy you, get the biggest barrel.

A bar that offer a few types of seating from outside sofa type as you head further in, its not a bar ambiance with rocky wall. .

and they have 2 area more like can cater for bigger group or private functions with solid sofa provided

Under this section, the whole area is filled with Japanese ambiance with their look and feel of all those outlets.

The outlets that are in the middle section are all mostly build with Japanese wooden concept, and lanterns at the side of the shop.

Most of the restaurant here sell fusion food  . ..

Japanese Desert – Mochi Sweets.

Another Japanese Restaurant .. .

As for this round, we are trying out this outlet that offer buffet spread which is Suki-Ya : Eat all you can Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu, which is more like a Japanese Steamboat. . .

The ambiance is not bad that is pretty well design that if you come in big group they can combine all the tables for you in one section.

Sauce wise is pretty limited in selection . . .

Healthy bar that offer a good selection’s of greens to be put into shabu shabu . .

There are only 3 choices of soup available, Shabu-Shabu which is more like a clear soup and I heard the table next to me mention that the soup is tasteless. . .then we opt for Sukiyaki and Kimchi Soup.

Among the 3, Sukiyaki is the best as the taste of the soy is pretty strong which reflects to the original taste I had before, not too salty and its quite aromatic. .  Recommended among those 3. . For Kimchi, under Japanese restaurant.. not as good as you tried in those Korean restaurant. So close one eye .. .

Then on the paper they teach you all the steps how do you do the best shabu shabu out ..

We opt for the healthy options and pour everything in . . .

Then you get free flow of thin slice, Lamb, Beef and Chicken . . .The best of all is Lamb follow by Chicken then Beef as the beef slice I find it taste funny or we rate it as a low grade beef slice!

For beef slice, its pretty simple and quick that you just take a slice and dip it for about 10 seconds then its done . .

Then we had the sauce as the Sesame sauce is GOOD that you must request and normally I eat most of my food with their special homemade chili sauce.. A bit sour, chopped with lots of garlic and a bit spicy, that pair well with all the meat that I have. ..

My friend taught that, take a raw egg and stir it well, then after the meat had cook, dip it and eat along with any sauce it just perfect!

Then would let you finish off with Ice cream . .

The service here is good as they have alot of staff on duty and our slices of meet constantly got refill and the best part is the manager drop by and ask you, do you want more refill which we had raise white flag as this would be the first time that the staff ask do you want more!

For a price like this, I would say its a buffet spread that worth a try as it only allow you to enjoy 2 hours dinning which is far more than enough.

Adult (lunch) – RM 29.80 ++
Kids (lunch) – 50% disc off buffet price

Adult (Dinner) - RM33.8- ++
Kids (Dinner) – 50% disc off buffet price

*Pork-Free

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 7/10, pretty good -Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
Level 6-Tokyo Street,
Pavilion KL Shopping Centre,
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-2141 4272

For this post, you might think I am being lazy, reason is  I have lost this receipt and its a combine pictures of many occasions I went there.

The shop is very hidden but yet they enjoy brisk business for lunch and dinner. One of the reason they are always full is their generous portion of serving at economic price.

There are 2 levels in the shop that mostly cater for 2 – 4 pax and if you have bigger group you will be seated upstairs. .

So during my last week in my ex company, they did a farewell for me in this restaurant again, we book the whole tatami section . . .

 You can just see what’s their price range. We find it cheap and nice. .

Itako

Sashimi Platter @ RM 53

This is the set lunch/ dinner that we usually order that they do have about 12 sets to choose from. This is Unagi Set

Grill Fish Head

Seafood set

Torikatsunabe + Sashimi @ RM 20 – Chicken cullet with  scramble egg and raw fish, even in the set, you can see how thick they cut the sashimi for you, some even about as thick as 1 n half inch!

California Roll

Here we go, these people are my best colleague that I have been working for the past 2 years, cheerful and helpful . . Thanks to many of them in the company for making the work flow so smooth . .

Set Price start from RM 16 and ala-carte starts from RM 4 . .

Alright, this is a highly recommended Japanese restaurant by me if you are referring to the price and quality. Do not over expect it~

*NON-HALAL

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 9/10, value for money..highly recommneded -Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
Nihon Kai Restaurant
No. 4-2, Jalan Telok Gadong
Off Old Klang Road
Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-79823668

View Larger Map

This shop is located at one of my favourite Pork Ball Noodle Kopitiam (click here) which is directly behind is this Hailam Kopitiam, also facing directly Bangsar Village.

A place that you can dine quite cozy with marble tables and wooden chairs, as there are alot of fans in the ceiling that keeps the cool air around.

They have pretty wide range of food and drinks and price wise I find it rather cheap compare to another 2 brands. One good thing about this shop as it is a HALAL kopitiam.

Traditional Hazelnut White Coffee, Ice Roasted Coffee and Hailam Milk Teao

Passion Fruit & Dragon Fruit Shake @ RM 7.50

Traditional Hailam Tea and Traditional Hailam Roasted Coffee @ RM3.20

I am not really a coffee drinker as most of my friend know, as I drink coffee I have the opposite effect which is getting sleepy. One thing that really love is the coffee here. Certainly beats quite a number of places that the taste of coffee is robust, well blend, strong in aroma and did not go too milky. If you are here, certainly its a recommended drink!

A simple Toasted Sliced Bread with Butter & Kaya @ RM2.50 where you think most of us can do it at home, I just do not know what is the trick that it can be toasted out crispy and with one bite, you can see the crumbs dropping off and a simple spread of butter and kaya makes it a simple bites to be wobble down. Must eat it while it is freshly out from the toaster! If you pair this with the hot coffee and  half boil egg it would be the most perfect combination of all!!

For the price of RM 7.20 for Chicken Deluxe Sandwich, it is certainly reasonable in price with generous amount of ingredient added in, chunks of chicken and vege with sauce evenly spread makes it nice to eat.

Tuna Egg Sandwich @ RM5.20

Star of the night is this Hailam Chicken Chop with Original Sauce. We never expect a chicken chop will taste so good and impress us so far at this kind of restaurant chain. It is juicy and tender, as the meat is not dry, sauce is well balance that I just requested for another bowl of sauce to make it gravvyyyy enough for me on the chicken and fries. Recommended!  RM14.20

A dish of Mix Fried Mee (Fried Ying Yeong) especially with HALAL status, caught us by surpise that it was fried perfectly with wok hei, that certainly can match with many chinese hawker center area on quality. I just had this again when I was meeting my friend there 2 hours ago. It is satisfied, and my malay friend find it delicious.Recommended! RM7.80

I always love to try tomyam fried rice, not many places that can fried this to my likings, either too powdery, or the taste is too strong. Then find that Hailam Tomyam Fried Rice offer in this shop is well balance in taste, with a bit of sourish and spicy that comes to my liking. RM8.80

A simple malaysian delicacies which is Nasi Lemak Special with Rendang Ayam, with rice is very fragrant with coconut milk that serve along with thick curry gravy and eat along with the sambal just goes along very well. RM9.60

Fried Kuey Teow another dish that surprise us. Fried with enough wok hei, till the koay teow is very fragrant and while smelling it, already makes a lot people hungry. After the first bite into our mouth, we were stun! the taste is very similiar to the ones in Penang, not only that, it was fried without pork lard and we just cannot imagine that if the chef can fried with pork lard, this dish will be a big hit among many people. Recommended!

Hailam Fried Mee/ Hailam Mee @ RM8.50

Curry Noodle

I know that many franchise chain food are quite disappointing, but when comes to this outlet, I would want to say that their food certainly outstanding compare to other shops and I have went back here a few times since I was brought by Carmen that I must thank her now, even now I know where to bring my Malay friends when they crave for nice chinese  HALAL food.

Location:
Hailam Kopitiam Bangsar (opposite Bangsar Village)
25 & 25A Lorong Ara Kiri 1
Lucky Garden Bangsar,
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contact No.: +603-2201 2307

Opening Hours: Sun – Wed (7:30 am – 12:00 am), Thu – Sat (7:30 am – 1:00 am)

With this big game, Tiger had turn Soul Out into a mini Old Trafford Stadium ground with the home of the devils, is where alot of devil fans came by to support their favorite team.

they event have dressing room for the players and for you to take picture. .

the other side of outdoor area had been transform into a fans ground with giant television for fans to cheers and support and stage are build on that area too.

They even have the look alike bronze statue during George Best era are in place. ..

Here is to all the Tiger FC Fans to enjoy a big match ahead~

I always love Soul Out as it used to be one of my hang out joint when I was back in College and till now they standing tall and strong!

Fans came in early to get their spot in the bar area. . .

If you are there, do try out their wood fire pizza which is a pretty good choice that hardly go wrong.

They have change their menu already . . .

Classic Home Made Beef Burger @ RM 16 as the patty might look dry, actually it is not, whereby it is moist and juicy enough that turn out to be one of the favorite order for the night in our table. Well grilled, to medium and I just add in some mustard and chili sauce is perfect!

Fajitas Roll @ RM 16 as the mince beef is a bit dry and the cheeze is not enough, it tasted so so only.

 Fish Sandwich

This is another quite a nice dish for the night as Croissant is filled with lettuce, ham, egg, cheeze is one of the dish that can get me satisfied. I do not mind to have another plate of this.

Cheeze Nachos @ RM 18 is a very huge plate and when it was served, Joshua me and friends were stun for a while, with the size of serving, its well worth it, and the amount of cheeze added in and gravy is just enough to dip along.

Of course we need Tiger Beers to stir up the mood. .

It was full house that night, many cheer for their favourite team and obviously Man City player went back with joy as Man U got trash at their home ground, which they have went 19 games without defeat since last year 2010 and Ferguson consider one of the worst game in his care on his rival games. CAnnot deny that Man C went riot and took opportunity when Man U left with 10 players and for the last 5 minutes Man C score another 3 goals.

Overall, Man U played far below par than they actually do and Man C just took the advantage of it as for now they are 5 points clear at the top.

Enjoy the highlight of the game.

For this round, me and some friends went to Chynna which they do have MIGF menu too, also is one of the top Chinese restaurant in our list for us to dine and recommend, that so far their food had always maintain in top quality, which we rarely come upon any disappointing or below par or I would say it is very hard for me to say NO when comes to Chynna. The superman behind the kitchen is Chef Lam.

The restaurant is decorated with more like Shanghai feel with Chinese painted pictures on the plate and big red lantern and classic Chinese herb shop drawer on the wall . .

Then you will be greeted with the traditional chinese pouring tea onto your cup. The taste from this pouring process is very unique and will end up give you some bubble foam on top of the tea.

Chilled alaska king crab leg, chili paste seafood skewer & brine momotaro tomato (阿拉斯加帝王蟹配海鲜桃太郎番茄)

Start of with their first dish, that it look rather simple, yet it taste delicious, was first ask to try out the king crab first, which is sweet, a bit chill and the meat is very fresh, just eat it like that is good enough, follow by the tomato – seriously I don take tomato like that, but was persuaded by the chef I have to try, that he did a special way to this tomato. Once bite inside my mouth, the juice really burst inside and so much juice in it. I have never taste so juicy tomato before and I sure do not mind to have another 3 more. Chili paste skewer is just simple and nice.

Follow by Double boiled snakehead nourishing tonic soup with fresh milk and shark’s fin (滋补生鱼水奶炖翅)

Clear in taste, very mild in milk taste, and it is so appetizing that I just finish this bowl within seconds, and it was a slab of shark fin in it that I just slowly enjoy every bite of it.

Stewed Short Ribs with Charcoal garlic & Roasted onion potato (壮士琵琶骨)

Among the list, this was the star of the night, just by the look and slight gravy that flow down from the meat makes me swallow my sliver before eating it. I just cut into small pieces and enjoy bit by bits, that it is so soft that nearly melt in my mouth. Really one of the best short ribs that I have come across. The fried onion rings do taste like indian herbs a bit on muruku taste. I just enjoy my pairing of roasted onion potato and the short ribs. Just perfect!

Salted plum Lime Sorbet (话梅青柠雪葩)

A simple and chill appetizer that I just enjoy, cuz its lime sorbet smooth and soft.

Duet Deep Sea Grouper – Olive oil blended green spinach sauce & Dragon Fruits sauce (红绿鸳鸯深海星斑)

in dragon fruit sauce is pretty unique as its a bit sweet sour taste and the fish meat is so soft indicate that its fresh.

Thick Gruel Japanese Rice with Fresh peeled crab meet in lobster reduction (鲜蟹龙皇汁泡日本饭)

by the time reach this dish, I was pretty filled up already and saw this portion its pretty big. Told myself that I am going to have a few spoon then leave it aside. After the first spoon into my mouth, I just finish the whole plate in the end broth is so sweet and tasty that cook along with the Japanese rice which cook to perfection.

Black Chocolate Partait with five nuts & sweet potato Chba Cha mousse Yam Ice Cream (五仁黑巧克力蛋糕配摸遮厘)

comes to the choco parfait, I get to bite on some chuncky nuts and the choco itself is thick enough to pair well with the nut.

and the pudding, I wish I have a bigger scoop of the yam ice-cream as it taste soo nice where I kinda miss the taste of it.

At the end of the meal by paying RM178++ I would say its a value worth for the set. Again, Chynna did not disappoint us. . Recommended MIGF menu by me.

Hurry, as the limited time menu will end on 31st Oct

Full Festival Menu:

RM268++ per person (with wine pairing)
RM178++ per person (without wine pairing)

Location:
Chynna, KL Hilton
3 Jalan Stesen Sentral,
50470 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 – 2264 2592/2696