I was invited by El Mesn for a wine dinner, happening tomorrow. Will be tasting 4 different kinds of wines!
Heres the menu for tomorrow, along with the different wines Ill be tasting.
Only RM188 nett per head for a 4 course meal with 4 different kinds of wine! Whos interested, Ill see you there tomorrow night 
Last week, a reader suggested me to try a satay stall in Taman Ehsan Kepong called Klasik Satay Station. For him it is the best among the famous ones in Klang Valley. After doing my own homework I found that Klasik is still new to the satay scene and is relatively unknown in the cyberspace.
Just FYI, Klasik did a satay blind test with their customers. The result was interesting, as it showed that 10/10 customers preferred theirs over the satay giant from Kajang aka Hj Samuri. Regardless of whether that bold claim is true or not, it was the biggest reason I dropped by to check them out last weekend.
Klasik Satay Station
Restoran Odin,
Jalan E3/12 Taman Ehsan,
Kepong, 52100
Kuala Lumpur
GPS Coordinates: N3 13.149 E101 37.334
Business hours: Mon Sun (6:00pm to 12am)
Tel: 017-3638 803
There's no doubt that my favourite Singaporean dish is bak chor mee (bcm) or minced pork noodles. I'm always impressed by the strong memory of these bcm sellers because, as simple as a serving may look, the combination of ingredients is endless - from the types of noodles to the optional liver to the addition of chilli paste to a choice of either dry-tossed or soup, etc. Oh, and eat-in or takeaway ar?
I was rather contemplative that morning, deeply affected and concerned about the chaos that would take place in my hometown later in the afternoon. As trifling as it may seem, I related the bowls of bcm in front of me to life itself. You see, the Chinese believe that life is a combination of tastes, more specifically (and in no particular order) - sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. I can't think of many dishes that represent this philosophy. BCM is one of the very few. Sour comes from the black vinegar that, to me, gives the dressing it's distinctive character. Spicy is the dollop of chilli paste coating the noodles. Slivers of liver provide a tinge of bitterness while sweetness is in the broth simmered with pork bones, among other flavourful ingredients. Let's not forget the savoury taste of braised shitake slices and a piece of flatfish crisp. Of course, there's the quintessential, aromatic, crunchy fried lard bits. Imagine mixing all the above. Then imagine taking a bite. Now that's a taste of good life there. I had two bowls that morning but this pleasurable calm before the storm was not that much of a comfort, that's for sure.
I come to Hong Lim Complex whenever I can, to savour Ah Kow's (#02-42) version of bcm, which to me, is a complete bcm experience. Complete means a combination of springy noodles, optimal tang and appetizing aroma of the black vinegar, immensely soaked, soft shitake, sizable serving of! minced pork, unlimited offering of fried crunchy fried lard cubes, a dumpling filled with pork, chives and flatfish powder (it's a very simple but thoughtful touch, it is) and a bowl of broth topped with seaweed and coriander. Surmounting all the accolades and respectable ratings that Ah Kow has garnered over the decades, it is this package, the complete, delectable bcm experience, that had me (and many others) returning over and over again.
As mentioned earlier, I had two bowls of bcm. One was Ah Kow's and the other was Tai Wah's (#02-42), from High Street. I had failed to notice this stall until now, thanks to a noticeable queue. And the buzzing Outram Park Char Kway Teow located just opposite Tai Wah. Initially, I thought it was a branch of my other favourite bcm stall, Tai Hwa from Hill Street, now residing at Crawford Lane. Apparently, they are somehow related, as I'd read from some websites. Their dressing was sweeter and lighter as compared to Ah Kow's while the noodles were skillfully cooked to a springy texture. The taste and choice of toppings (pork balls included) did remind me of Tai Hwa's, so that's good.
Approximately two hours after I'd left Chinatown, a group of fellow countrymen were having a picnic at the nearby Hong Lim Park. A much quieter affair compared to the other cities that joined in the call for a fair and clean election back home. I don't believe that it's an impetuous act, but one that is rational, responsible and noble. Had I been informed, I would have dropped by to say hi, at least. Seriously, to oppress, in the most distasteful way, the articulation of national issues and reformation for the better is utterly foolish.
Afternoon Tea at the Majestic Malacca
I like to think that my fondest childhood memories come from Malacca. 20 years ago, the Malacca I spend my holidays in was different. It had character, it had charm. It was simple, yet unique.
I dread the thought of going back nowadays. The only thing that draws me there and makes me throw my good sense out the window and spend 2 hours in my car driving down, is the food.
The Malacca today is not as I remembered. No more quite bike rides down to the Portuguese Settlement. In place of quiet, narrow streets are traffic jammed car ridden roads, tacky, over-adorned rickshaws blaring out Lady Gaga songs from their crackly speakers and throngs of tourists contaminating heritage buildings. An out of place tower stands not far from an old, Portuguese ship. Monstrosity mega malls and stark shoplots sit on reclaimed land, where once stood open green spaces or the untouched Straits of Malacca.
It was a joy then to discover that someone had the good sense to preserve the old, and turn it into a hotel at that! A hotel with a delicious afternoon tea that could rival even that served at Buckingham Palace! Well, one can speculate.
Take a deep breath of sea air and let your cares flow away as you step into a classic YTL Hotel.
The Majestic Malacca.
Located at the heart of the hotel, The Lounge at The Mansion presents an inviting space, ideal for midday refreshments, afternoon tea or just conversation.
After stuffing our faces with Nyonya Laksa at Donald & Lilys,! and Chi cken Rice Balls at Hoe Kee, we checked in The Majestic Malacca and settled down for some civilised afternoon tea. The lounge itself is rather small, so book early to avoid disappointment.
I did see guests enjoying their tea out in the lobby but for more privacy, you want to be by the books where you can totally relax!
From 3pm to 6pm, at the price of RM 48++ per person, you get the following:
I loved the selection of teas from around the world, as well as the local BOH tea selection that just tasted simply divine
And I adored not only the classic high-tea items that tasted spectacular, but also the fact that theyve put a local spin on it and included Nyonya delicacies like Pai Tee and Nyonya Chung.
The former was beautifully crunchy and filled to the brim with shredded vegetables, topped off with a savoury, spicy prawn paste.
The latter, a sticky glutinous rice steamed dumpling wrapped in pandan leaf and filled with savoury shredded coconut.
I do think the Pie Tee was my favourite!
There were crispy Won Tons, crunchy Samosas and fat Curry Puffs.
There were fluffy scones, with homemade jam and whipped (not clotted) cream.
Every bite brought a whole new meaning to the word pleasure. The jam that came with the scones was phenomenal. Not too sweet, and still retaining all that fresh fruit flavour.
Even the sandwiches were delicious! Simple, classic, yet oh, so tasty.
Fresh salmon, chunky tuna, creamy egg, and crunchy cucumber, each one layered delicately between slices of bread smothered in butter. We waited awhile for the pies, which were served piping hot.
It was worth the wait. The icing on the cake wasnt the cake itself, but the gravy filled chicken pies that just oozed goodness with every bite.
The cakes were nothing to shout about, and although they looked good, I would gladly exchange them for mo! re chick en pies!
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed my high tea. I mean, nothing better than a spot of tea to wash down breakfast and lunch.
Even if you dont get a chance to stay there, do stop by for a splash of afternoon tea. Try the Earl Grey with Tangerine. I guarantee all your worries will be washed away.
*Special thanks to Julian and the team at Majestic Malacca for a delicious afternoon tea.
CONTACT
The Majestic Malacca
188 Jalan Bunga Raya
75100 Melaka, Malaysia
For reservations and enquiries through the YTL Travel Centre, you may email us at travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my.
GPS: N 2 12 03.58, E 102 15 07.43
Five Days/Five Wines: Friday 8th July
All I can manage this evening is a Bingham's Ready Meal. It's been a heck of a week, a hell of a day; so that even a Sipsmith/Fever Tree Gin and Tonic fails to raise the spirits. Slumping in front of Channel 4 news again I forget what time I had put the rice in the boiling water...
The posh 'ready meal' is a frim favourite - Charlie Bigham's Indonesian Chicken Satay (Currently 20% off at 4.79). I even seem to have picked a box with a more generous portion of red pepper this time. A bottle of Spy Valley Pinot Noir Ros 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand [Adegga / Snooth] has spent 20 minutes in the freeze box. I'm lost in thoughts of visiting South Sudan - a new country, impoverished, wild - wondering if they have an international airport? a hotel even? How easy would it be to tour...
Rice drained, its perfect. The wine is distinctly salmon coloured, fresh, strawberry and plum flavours and slightly off-dry or is it just full and deliciously fruity... Too tired to worry and anyway enjoying it immensely with the Bigham's Satay. Another glass and these old bones and creaking muscles begin to relax, which will be down to the 14% alcohol I guess. Jamie Oliver seems overly intense as he turns ice into snow for some 30 minute dessert or other... I dip into twitter and discover bigpinots is a dad for the second time. In a clichd manner I raise another glass of this ros...
The Spy Valley Pinot Noir Ros is also to be reduced during the Bibendum Summer Sale. Get 35% off was 11.83 down to 7.71 from the 19th July to the 1st August.
And talking of New Zealand I see Robert Giorgione has released his first book - An Epicurean Odyssey - A Road Trip Around New Zealand where a portion of the book sales will be donated towards the New Zealand Earthquake Appeal Fund.
