Good bye 2012...Welcome 2013

Greetings and Happy New Year...

My King of Prawn King 2012 entree in 8" dinner plate!
Kuala Terengganu

2012 breezes through with some hurdles and shackles restraining me to some imaginary brick wall. However, all these inhibition does not fetter me but instead spur me for many beautiful and fond memories which will be replay over and over again.

Started the new year slowly by visiting Alamanda Shopping Centre in Putrajaya for the first time on the 1st of January 2012 eating delicious and scrumptious popiah and coconut juice with my BFF. As usual I spend my Chinese New Year holidays in Kuala Terengganu, to be with my sis’ family. It was a great break with our daily morning outing for breakfast, evening tea by the sea side and to the Payang market.

Famous Terengganu keropok lekor for tea by the sea

February 27^{th ,} I flew off to Christchurch New Zealand on Malaysia number one budget air line, Air Asia,  touring the land shattered by the recent earthquake, on the last day of spring. Flew to Wellington on Air New Zealand on the first day of autumn and greeted by my cousin NS at the arrival gate! Site seeing the capital city and encountered with a square tree that reminds me of SpongeBob squarepants in Wellington Botanic Garden before driving to Palmerston North in a rented black Ford Sedan at about NZ$110 per day.

square tree = square mind???

NS’ friend welcomed us into her home with a Moroccans dinner and little Yan invited us for Nasi Lemak’s breakfast prior to us driving off to Taupo Lake in strong wind and rain. We endured the sulphuric atmosphere of Rotorua before driving miles and miles with sheep upon sheep adorned the hills along NZ’s two lane hi-way under 100kph san traffic.

Rotorua geyser

NZ's 2 lane hi-way approaching town

Experienced some warmth in Auckland, drove to Palmerston North through Rotorua, like we never had enough of the sulphuric air, some last minute souvenirs shopping at Palmerston Square and flying to Kuala Lumpur through Christchurch on Air Asia.

I register for my post degree program on the 24^th March with excitement and being “kayoed” after attending my first two lectures from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm on 31^st March. April came and May go. Collect some souvenirs from Austria and Czech from Dr S in June. Celebrate my birthday in July without a bang with just me, me and me and an accidental "goreng-goreng" get together in the evening. Malaysia missed the elusive gold medal in London Olympic, though I received a nice red double Decker bus memento from SMY.

Observed Ramadhan in July. Celebrated Eid with a blast and organizing open house at my resort condo one last time on the 2nd day with my clan.  Savoring delicious Yemen chicken rice, fried macaroni, Laksa Johor, fruit cocktail puddings all courtesy of the chef, my beloved sister, Dr S. Stressful September came with presentations and final exams. Books and notes were everywhere but not ingrates in my brain drive. De-stress in October and went to Bukit Gambang Resort City, a resort with its own city.

Received my examination result in November and nephew MS obtained straight A’s in his UPSR examination (are there any crooked A?). Played tourist with my niece and nephews in rainy adventure where we found refuge in Istana Negara. MM and my birthdays were celebrated at last by the girlfriends’ club at the Vogue, Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

 December was pretty hectic with Harimau Malaya (national football team) loses in semifinal to Thailand and hence failed to defend the Suzuki cup which they won on an aggregate 4-2 in Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on 28^th December 2010. Christmas eve came and we waited for more than 1 hour 40 minutes for dinner at Chili’s Grill Restaurant in KLCC. POP group held 2012 finale lunch in Warisan Café, Royal Chulan, Kuala Lumpur without DT’AA and I won the “generals + majors” eating marathon over ZMN on an aggregate 21-18! Dinner finale with HH at Sri Melaka having satay and tasteless oily USA fried rice.

My 2012 Generals Finale

Over all it has been a good year. Good bye 2012, Hello 2013.

wishing all your wishes come true

~Acepaizah~

*goreng- fried
  goreng-goreng -fried banana fritters, sweet potatoes and other local fried snacks

Greetings from Chili's Grill Restaurant, KLCC

Monterey Chicken

Finding a place to dine on the eve of 25^th December is a challenge. My sister Dr. S and family from Kuala Terengganu, were in town for her conference and the yearend holidays to celebrate MS’ UPSR achievement. MN decided to dine at Chili’s Grill Restaurant. An attempt to secure seat for a pax of 7 on Saturday was cancelled since the waiting time was 50 minutes, and we have other commitment. Another attempt on the eve of 25^th December, and the waiting time had graduated from 50 minutes to one hour 40 minutes! Indeed a remarkable progression. At last we were seated at the high table at about 8.50pm! The boys, MF and MS were quite excited being seated on the high chair with two big televisions in front of them showing some football game. While waiting for our orders, we were politely ushered to the ordinary dining table, much to our contentment.

Chili’s Grill Restaurant originated from Dallas, Texas, serving Southwestern favorites with a tinge of Mexican’s flavors, I think. Chili’s serving were quite big and all appetizer should be shared, such as their mouthwatering Nachos and Tripple Dipper unless one is really a big eater.

My all time favorite is Monterey Chicken. The chicken breast were marinated and grilled with BBQ sauce and top with a slice of beef, generous cheese and finely diced tomatoes. It is served with my all time favorite (again!) mashed potatoes with loads of melted cheese. Broccoli and slices of sweet carrots add color to the already colorful and flavorful dish.

New York Strip

New York Strip was top choice of the night. The rib eye steaks grilled well done to perfection and topped with a dash of butter which melts upon contact with the sizzling steak, served with loaded mashed potatoes which have a rough texture, broccoli and carrot and garlic toast. I helped myself to FA’s garlic bread which she gladly handed over to me. I spread some mashed potatoes and sprinkle some black pepper sauce and voila, it tasted like a gourmet cuisine prepared by gourmet chef cuisine! MS enjoyed his New York Strip and painstaking attention to cutting it in small bite refusing any help from his mom, Dr S. MN was too busy with his steak and also paying some attention to MF’s Lamb Shoulder and helping himself to MF’s garlic bread.

MF’ Lamb Shoulder which was grilled well done served with mashed potatoes, black pepper gravy, broccoli and slices of carrot and garlic toast. Ignoring the garlic bread and pushing the veggies aside, MF knifes his way through the tender meat. He offered me a slice of the juicy and tender lamb, and though I am not a lamb eater so to speak, I like its tender, smooth and ‘sweet’ texture. I may become a lamb convert after all.

Lamb Shoulder

Dr. S had Cajun Club Sandwich, layered with smoked chicken, sliced beef, and variety of cheese, tomato and salad. Since Dr S sandwich arrived first, all of us helped to the fries which were thick, firm and oil and salt free. At last, we all had bottomless fruit juices of lemonade, mango, and guava and mango juice. But we did not ask for second.

Cajun Club Sandwich

My all time favorite Monterey Chicken with all its accompanying sides dishes is a perfect 10 on Acepaizah’s scale.  In fact the mashed potatoes were the best I’d ever tasted. As for the rest, I believe that they deserved a respectable 9.9 on Acepaizah’s scale too, simply by watching the satisfying faces and the heaps of praises and pieces of dishes being offered to each other crisscrossing the table to taste the fine and unique taste of each dishes. And again, if steak and grilled meat is the order of day, then as in Chili’s tagline, Chili’s: “Like No Place Else.”

Chili's melts kisses
~Acepaizah~

Seasons Greetings- Christmas' Trees

Its time of the year!!!! Merry Christmas folks... As the saying goes, a picture tell a thousand words... imagine, few pictures, that will be a few thousands unwritten words. This time of the year, pine trees grow wild in Kuala Lumpur, land blessed by the tropic sun and though the temperature is moderate being rainning season but we have pink, red and maroon Christmas tree in the MINES' shopping mall... with blings in silver, red and pink!

Elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur, Gleneagles Hospital along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur sports a green Christmas tree with blings in silver and gold in color with bluish lights and stars to  bright up their reception area to cheer up their visitors and patients alike. I was mesmerised and bewitched by them. It brighten up my days passing by them everyday I make my way through the lobby to the fifth floor.

Emmm, an after thought Christmas tree, which is nice have a quick glimpse. Either the decorators were over zealous to load the tree with everything or this is a wish tree???

concourse-klcc- christmas' eve

As usual Kuala Lumpur City Centre Shopping Centre, or the KLCC, situated between the Petronas Twin Towers boasted an array of Christmas trees at it every entrance, atop every kiosk along it long concourse area. (pic:below). There were more than 30 mini Christmas trees adorning the shopping centre. The spirit of joy and decorations were above par this year, emmm, pleasing to the eyes especially during thr night when all lights were switched on.

merry and joyful hols, folks!!!
~Acepaizah~

Durian Delights

Durian is the King of fruits as Lion the King of the jungle. Durian derived its named from the word “DURI” which means “thorn”. The fruit is totally covered with spiky thorns. In Malaysia, we have many different varieties of durian. The most sought is the “Musang King” (musang means fox).  Another is the D24 a variety introduced by the Agriculture Department more than a decade ago.

I am not a durian fanatic, though I love to a bite from time to time. Due to convenience and lack of skill (to prick open the hard and thorny shell) I just buy the ready to eat durian in the supermarket chiller instead! However, eating these delicious fruits which is high in carbohydrate and sugar (I think) has its side effect. After half an hour or so, one will sweat it out. During fasting month, one should be mindful of overeating, lest the following day one will experience an extraordinarily thirstiness.

Notwithstanding the above scenario, I bought myself two tray of ready to eat durian. Soon, I happily bite them piece by piece. The texture is smooth and it has a creamy milky taste which teases my senses. The fullness of its yellowish cream flesh and enhanced by its sweetness was simply reaching heaven, and at all time I am aware of its high caloric fiber contents. And just as carbohydrate laden fruit is the banana. This is my number One all time favorite.  I am addicted to banana as am addicted to Teh Tarik and need my daily caffeine fix.  Eating banana and durian is a perfect calorie balancing act which one never tells one’s physician!

I am now experiencing the after effect. I am sweating profusely now and wondering what tomorrow will be like. I will be very thirsty definitely. I think I have to make myself a jug of barley to minimize the heat. Now, the foolishness of me today, on my own scale. I think I give myself a 6 on Acepaizah scale! 

duri duri duri durians 

~Acepaizah~ 

Foodie Kopitiam Outing - Bangi Kopitiam, Tmn Melawati, K.L.

easy egg toast

Kopitiam concept or inspired restaurants are mushrooming in Malaysia, especially in the Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley. Kopitiam originated from the old fashion coffee shop which serves light meals and beverages, and coffee was top of its list. Kopi is Malay word for coffee and the word tiam is a dialect from the Chinese community meaning shop. Typically, a kopitiam offers variety of coffee and toast bread dishes.Toasted bread served with butter and kaya (a kind of jam made from coconut milk and eggs), half boiled eggs and coffee are mandatory on its menu followed by variants eggs' based dishes.

One of my favourite kopitiam is Bangi Kopitiam, in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.  I am an Easy Egg Toast addict. Most of the time I will order Easy Egg Toast, simply because the eggs were simply delicious and the well blended butter gives the rich aroma. However, there were on few occasion when the eggs were too juicy, or rather watery and the eggs loses its bouncy texture. Shake some salt and pepper, I dug into the sweet aromatic heaps of goodness and dunk the toasted bread into my Teh Tarik instead!

half boiled omega eggs with toast

My BFF's favourite is half boiled omega eggs with toast. The soft boiled eggs simply enticing. Eating it as whole is a challenge since the yolk might break and split all over the saucer. I always had difficulty in keeping the yolk on the bread. Having these eggs with toast bread in the morning is very refreshing as the yolk reminds me of the beautiful sun shinning upon the universe.

Drink it over with a good cup of Teh Tarik and Milo Tarik! Bangi Kopitiam is one of Malaysian home grown brand with their tag line "Muhibbah Our Life Our Culture - A Malaysian Heritage". The atmosphere at Bangi Kopitiam, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur is very soothing and welcoming. The decors includes vintage items such as old grandfather clock to antique Singer sewing machine. The Easy Eggs Toast earned an 8 on Acepaizah's scale most of the time, and sometimes slipped to a 5 to 6 when it is too juicy or in plain language watery which in turn make the toast soggy. Half boiled omega eggs with toast is a respectable 7 on this visit, but sometimes slipped to 5 or 6 when the yolk breaks even before their arrival to our table. The one thing that remains consistent is their Teh Tarik, it is always near perfect but I am saving my perfect 10 and 9 for some other Teh tarik elsewhere.

round marble top table and
Acepaizah's unfriendly chairs.

eggy eggy eggy yolkies
~Acepaizah~

Pizza San Francisco: Foodie enlightenment

mussels vinaigrette

Its pouring in Kuala Lumpur. The monsoon started early this year and it starts in the west coast of Malaysia peninsular instead of the east coast. I am back to contemporary dining in trendy cafe with casual concept.  And the name of dishes appears sophisticated and hard to pronounce. I ended up in a place called Pizza San Francisco in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur after much persuasion from my friend HH. HH ordered Mussels Vinaigrette, poached New Zealand mussels served in home made apple cider vinaigrette. According to HH, it tasted great and the presentation was superb too. 

chicken lasagne

HH also ordered chicken lasagne. The layering of pasta pieces with minced meat were very meticulous. I had a bite and the cheese simply melts upon contact. However, the tomato paste over laying the lasagne was a tad too little and was a bit watery. I would love to slurped the tomato gravy if only the serving were more generous.

mushroom chicken

I ordered mushroom chicken. A deep fried chicken baked with cheese, served with fried mushroom and french fries. The fried chicken was over fried and way too crispy. Hence, the chicken was too 'dry' and not moist. The fries were thinly cut and loses its potatoey's ummpph. The fried mushroom with cheese was heavenly delicious. And all good things come in relatively small packages!

On our second visit, I ordered fish and chips, and much to my delight, the accompanying sauce was mushroom sauce, served with perfectly cold mix veggies, and heaps of french fries.The fries were of the large  cut and gave the chewing satisfaction. And I am on a strict diet playing catch up for my year end bragging right! The fish  were tender and fresh. 

We also tried Pizza San Francisco special half pizza and half  calzone with turkey salami with minced chicken, cherry tomato, garlic, chili and mozzarella cheese. It was perfect and there were no cutting corner! Note, the green pieces, those were a very very spicy and hot chili! It is just for decorations!! But on second thought, I may just order the calzone instead on my next visit to Pizza San Francisco.

The restaurant is very spacious and we were seated at a comfortable distant from other patron. The decor which were simple and elegant offers a relaxing atmosphere and the price is reasonable. Over all I give a 8 on Acepaizah scale.

monsoon rain is pouringggg
~Acepaizah~

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