Falim Laksa Stall (华林市玉姐叻沙)

Falim Laksa (华林市玉姐叻沙) used to be my usual Sunday lunch spot. Please click here to refer to my previous post on this famous laksa stall. However, the laksa stall was mysteriously closed in the middle of 2012. 

To my surprise, the laksa stall has resumed its business in mid-September, back at the usual place, in front of  a corner shop at the start of Falim street. 

I was told that the stall had to shut down for awhile, due to renovation done upon the corner shop lot. Well,  my Sunday lunch spot will be back as usual then, I guess.

You are asked to hand pick as many fried stuff as you wished.

And they have thoughtfully calculated the price for the required amount of fried stuff and the quantity of laksa as well.

玉姐 responsible for cooking the laksa noodles a.k.a. 濑粉.

Laksa broth is poured into the cooked laksa noodles and will be delivered to your table swiftly. 

As you can see, the laksa stall doesn't offer the best of place for you dine-in, but you can enjoy the only drink available at the stall which is priced at RM1.20, while waiting patiently for your bowl of laksa.

Within minutes of ordering, the laksa is delivered to your table. As usual, pay for the food first ASAP it's delivered, which costs RM3.50 for a normal bowl of laksa, or you can size-up for extra RM0.70.

Blending the shrimp paste with broth is the usual approach to feast with a bowl of laksa, with gives the extra sweetness and reduce the sourness as well. However, you can request for the omission of the paste if you find it too strong/strange for you.

Fantastic needless to say! Recommended to come later in the afternoon, where the broth has the strongest taste after cooked for hours and that's when the crowd get started. 

Falim Laksa Stall (华林市玉姐叻沙)

Address : No.257, Jalan Lahat, 30200 Falim, Perak.

Business hours : 11.30am - 4.00pm (Sundays only)

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Favola Le Meridien

My recent purchase over Groupon has brought me back to this lovely Italian restaurant for my second visit, where the first visit was 3 years ago. Please visit here for my first post on Favola.

Favola literally means fable in Italian, it is located at Level 8 of 5-Star Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

The whimsical dining environment is decorated with with Renaissance architectural features such as masks, high ceilings and several chandeliers hanging across the hall. 

The 3-course gourmet Italian meal is priced at RM69 per person instead of RM125.30. Please click here for the details of the deal I purchased over Groupon.

Antipasti (appetizer), literally means "before meal", can be anything from bread to cheese and butter. In this case, 3 types of breads are freshly served hot from the oven with 3 types of sauce for dipping at your own liking. Although the size of the bread had shrunken to half as compared to my previous visit, but still adequate for 2-persons sharing.

Four choices are available for selection, in which two of them are salads. Rucola e salsiccia anatra (RM45) was chosen, which consists of Arugula, sliced pear, gorgonzola cheese, duck sausage and toasted walnut. For a non-salad palater, this would be the best salad I've indulged. The salad dressing and cheese make the Arugula tasted so rich and aromatic.

 The other two choices left on the appetizer menu are soups. Instead of the traditional Minestrone, Zuppa di fungi calabrese (RM35), which consists of assorted mushrooms cooked in milk with rustic garlic bread and Swiss cheese. As expected, the fresh mushroom soup tasted far superior which makes the usual canned soup paled into insignificance in comparison.

Similar to appetizer, 4 choices of Secondi (literally means second course) also are up for selection, in which pizzas and pastas equally make up the numbers. What would Italian cuisine become without these two?!

The signature Favola Pizza (RM40) is an easy choice obviously. The Italian pizza is topped with fresh slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil pesto and sizzled with olive oil. Although the ingredients are relatively simple, the pizza's taste and aroma is world's apart from the ordinary franchises' pizzas. The combination of cheeses which melt in your mouth deserves the extra credits too! 

 As for the pasta, Gamberetti ai Pinoli (RM45) was chosen instead of the Bolognese Beef, literally it means shrimps and pine nuts.

The pasta is stir-fried with decent numbers of prawns, chilli, garlic, parsley, pine nuts and mushrooms in extra virgin olive oil.

 As for Dolci (dessert), we were given choices of  two. The first dessert is Double espresso tart with fresh Chantilly cream (RM20). The bitterness from the tart is expected as it is made from double espresso, but the overall flavour is balanced by the sweetness of crème Chantilly, which is a kind of sweetened whip cream.

The other dessert would be 2 scoops of Italian gelato (RM16), chocolate and vanilla flavours, which are both smooth and creamy, typical of any gelato. As a conclusion, my second visit to Favola is worth the price I pay over Groupon for such a fine dining experience over the Italian restaurant. Longing for a third visit, third time's a charm, perhaps?!  

Favola

Address: Level 8, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Hotel, 

               No. 2, Jalan Stesen Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. 

Phone: 03-2263 7434 (Call 9am – 6pm daily)

Operating hours: 12pm – 2.30pm / 6.30pm – 10.30pm daily

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Barossa Fine Dining

Recent Groupon purchase has brought me to yet another new found land, which I had never step foot into previously. This time is Barossa Fine Dining. 

Located inside of the serene and scenic Royal Perak Golf Club, in the heart of Ipoh city.

Elegant indoor dining atmosphere with scenic view of the golf course are for diners to enjoy.

Front row seats on the sushi bar to enjoy the art of sushi-making by the sushi chefs.

Today's Special menu for fresh nigiri sushi (hand-formed sushi).

A wide range of Japanese wine available for selection, with a handful of them on display cabinet.

Barossa's menu consists of authentic Japanese and Thai cuisine. Barossa Fine Dining does not serve pork but offers alcohol on its menu.

For those who like to preview Barossa's menu, please click here for any further details and pricing on the menu.

The first plate to arrive is Kyuri Maki (RM18) literally means cucumber roll, which comes with rolls of 6. The sushi is rolled with peeled cucumber, surrounding fried fillings and topped with fish roes. Juicy on the outside, crunchy on the inside. This is one of the best Kyuri Maki I've ever eaten though.


The second plate is Spider Maki (RM26), which is made of fried soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, lettuce, mayonnaise rolled together with nori and rice and topped with roes. 

Next dish to be served is Unagi Kabayaki set (RM38), which comes with grilled eel, fried potato, chawanmushi, miso soup, peach pudding and a bowl of rice. 

Here comes the Salmon Carnival set which was purchased over Groupon for RM45 instead of RM102.50 which includes 4 salmon sashimi (RM18.40), 2 salmon tanuki temaki (RM20), salmon teppanyaki (RM23), 6 salmon maki (RM9), 4 salmon nigiri sushi (RM18). The portion of the platter is adequate for sharing of 2 persons and the salmons taste fresh, which justifies the price of the deal. Please click here for full details of the Groupon deal.

The overall dining experience is enjoyable, with peaceful dining atmosphere and warm-welcoming staffs. However, the most important of all is the standard of the food provided which make the visit worthwhile. Please visit Groupon page and Barossa's facebook page for any upcoming promotions

Barossa Fine Dining

Address: Royal Perak Golf Club, 

               Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Tigerlane), 

               31400 Ipoh, Perak. 

Operating hours: 11am – 3pm / 6pm – 10pm daily

Contact: 05-5484802 / 05-5486802 / 012-555 6893

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Brewsterlane Kitchen

Today's special menu written on blackboard with chalks. located outside of Brewsterlane Kitchen.

My recent purchases over Groupon has given me the opportunities to venture into some previously untested restaurants, Brewsterlane Kitchen is one of them. The deal is priced at RM55 for the choice of two, either Australian tenderloin steak or Australian sirloin steak with scallops. Please click here to view the full details of the deal.

However, I received a call from the restaurant one day before in which they confessed the beef they received aren't really fresh. They rejected the stock and request my permission to exchange for lamb tenderloin. I agreed, but with disappointment of course. At least they are honest, in some ways. 

 Located in one of the Ipoh's most well-known road, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah. Previously known as Brewster Lane in which the name of the restaurant comes from. The owner and chef, Sam Lee (李勇辉) has a decade of experience in 5 star hotels, especially in western cuisine. 

The restaurant makes you feel at home, well decorated with wooden furniture and antiques on the wall.

The dining place is rather small, only able to cater for 5 tables at one time. Therefore, early reservation at 016-539 4749 is rather advisable as compared to walk-in. Brewsterlane Kitchen has opened its door to public for more than 5 years.

Besides Groupon, the restaurant is also having their own promotion, where you can enjoy a RM15 - RM30 set meal for free when you order any item above RM40. The promotion duration lasts two weeks, which is one week before and after a diner's birthday.

 Fresh lime juice was recommended to accompany the main course, priced at RM2.50 per glass. The milky appearance resembles soya bean milk, however it does taste fresh and a bit sour.

The main course, lamb tenderloin is served together with French fries, salad, vegetable soup, and pudding dessert. The presentation is simple, yet the mutton's aroma has filled the room even before the dish is served. The soup tasted like freshly squashed potato to me, while the others are far from anything remarkable.

The lamb tenderloin is cooked medium done. The portion is adequate for one person, not much nor too little. Furthermore, the tenderloin lacks the offensive smell and gamy taste, which drives away its predators. The meat is tender (hence their name it tenderloin?!), juicy, succulent  and best served with the gravy provided.

  The restaurant's specialty, Foie Gras on tenderloin steak priced at RM168+ with portion for two, which has limited fresh stock daily. The waiter a.k.a. Uncle told me reservation should be to avoid any disappointment. Frankly speaking, that's what I intended to do for my next visit! 

Brewsterlane Kitchen （人禾居原汁味食馆）

Address: No. 142, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000, Ipoh, Perak.

Reservation No.: 016-539 4749 / 012-6892638

Opening hours: 12pm to 10pm daily

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Maroon 5 Live In Shah Alam 2012

Maroon 5 is currently touring worldwide in conjunction with the release of their latest album, Overexposed. Malaysia is one of the chosen countries for their latest world tour, where their will be performing live at Stadium Shah Alam on 20th September 2012. 

Overwhelming fans were queuing up around the stadium and only granted access around 8.30pm. Standing "freely" together with other crazy fans in the YES Zone, which is a rock zone nearest to the stage. 

Our patience pays dividends, as the band finally emerged onto the stage at 10.00pm with their opening song, Payphone, the 1st hit single from their 4th studio album, Overexposed.

Adam Levine, the front man and lead vocal of the band, is as charismatic as ever, performing  "Makes Me Wonder", the 1st hit single from their 2nd album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long, describing how a failed relationship went terribly wrong. 

Introducing the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist, James Valentine starts the night with various Fender Telecasters with Matchless amplifier rig!

PJ Morton, replacing Jesse Carmichael on keyboard and backing vocals, who was absent due to hiatus.

The loudest and the sweatest of them all, Matt Flynn, on the drums and percussion.

Not to forget Mickey Madden, the bassist, who sadly isn't featured on vocals on any of their songs.

Swiftly followed by "Lucky Strike", taken from their latest album, Overexposed.

"Sunday Morning", a ballad from their Songs About Jane album which carries the perfect description of our favourite day of the week!

Beside his extraordinary vocals, Adam also takes the role of rhythm guitarist in some of their songs, for instance picking a a relic Fender Stratocaster performing "If I Never See You Face Again", which is the standard version of the album without the inclusion of Rihanna.

This is it! Adam is performing my all-time favourite Maroon 5 song, "Won't Go Home Without You", which send the crowd gone ga ga! This song was based on The Police's Every Step You Take.

Adam picks up a Gibson SG performing "Never Gonna Leave This Bed", which reflects a desperate longing to have somebody in his life.

The band re-emerge from darkness with the snippet of Scary Monster And Nice Sprites (Skrillex cover).

Adam performing Maroon 5's 1st ever single "Harder to Breathe", which tells the story about a former relationship Adam was involved in.

"Wake Up Call", a great ring tone for morning alarm clock, which is taken from their 2nd album, 

It Won't Be Soon Before Long. 

James is mesmerizing with his guitar licks on his Fano Custom Guitar .


Followed by "One More Night", a pop-raggae song talks about not getting along with someone and hoping he only stays with her just "one more night"!

"Hands All Over", taken from their track-titled 3rd studio album, which they also toured in Malaysia.

Adam performing "Misery", their 1st hit single from their previous album, Hands All Over. The song tells about Adam finding himself in a difficult situation when a relationship fades.

The last song before encore, "This Love", the 2nd single from their debut album, Songs About Jane, which the song is based on the break up with his ex-girlfriend.

Maroon 5 reappear on stage for the encore performances, surprisingly with Adam on drums..

While James takes the lead vocal cover on "Seven Nation Army" of White Stripes, with a Fano Alt-De Facto JM6 electric guitar.

Reversing their roles, with Adam back on vocal and James on Martin Performing Artist GPCPA1 acoustic guitar for the acoustic version of "She Will Be Loved", the song which propelled them into super stardom.  

The next song would be "Stereo Hearts" without the vocals from Gym Class Heroes.

Adam performing his favourite track on their latest Overexposed album, "Daylight". 

After snippets of Sexyback (Justin Timberland cover) and Oppa Gangnam Style (PSY cover), Maroon 5 is ready to perform their last song of the night without the vocals from Christina Aguilera. "Moves Like Jagger", a dance-pop which echoed Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.  

Marvelous performances from the band, where they will be heading to Singapore for the Formula One Concert, in conjunction with the Grand Prix.

The band members take a bow in front of all the fans, whom repay them with cheers and standing ovation throughout Stadium Shah Alam. 

Maroon 5 Setlist

1.    Payphone

2.    Makes Me Wonder [Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (MJ Cover)]

3.    Lucky Strike

4.    Sunday Morning

5.    If I Never See Your Face Again

6.    Wipe Your Eyes

7.    Won’t Go Home Without You

8.    Never Gonna Leave This Bed

9.    Harder To Breathe [Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Skrillex Cover)]

10. Wake Up Call

11. One More Night

12. Hands All Over

13. Misery

14. This Love

Encore

15. Seven Nation Army (White Stripes Cover)

16. She Will Be Loved (Acoustic)

17. Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Hero Cover)

18. Daylight

19. Don’t You Want Me (Human League Cover)

20. Moves Like Jagger [Sexy Back / Gangnam Style]

Stadium Shah Alam

Seksyen 13, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor.

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