04.30.09
I has widgetz.
Also guest blogging at Backseat Radio: One of those days.
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Well, somebody’s got to keep up with the times. Anyway, no serious blogging this time. Just a few added widgets for the small time traveller.
1. Gmail
Yeah, yeah. I am way behind on this. While everyone is going about in a frenzy registering to a gazillion Gmails, I am ignoring it all and sticking my loyalty to hotmail. But as I am exposed to the Gmail format at work, I found it rather organised, which is a good thing for a planner/organiser like me.
So, if you have any queries for the blog, or an event or destination you think I should attend, or just to ring me up on Gtalk to have a chitchat, feel free to get in touch with me at whatnow.mswriter@gmail.com.
No spam please; swine flu and all.
2. Google map
One of the perks of having a Gmail account. I do not know how this would be useful, since there are already so many placemarks out there for one place. But I decided to test run some of eateries, accommodations and destinations on the map, geared with an excerpt, contact details and a link to my articles. So, if you happen to find me buried under the bunch of other placemarks, well done.
3. Twitter
Ah yes, the latest ‘blogging’ trend. I thought it would be pretty neat to have somewhere to give updates of the blog. As you can see, there it is on the right panel of the site.
So, add me at http://www.twitter.com/sttraveller, if you would like to get updates on the latest blog posts. I will also include updates on the entries I do at Backseat Radio. Sometimes even updates on my whereabouts – event-wise. Sometimes random ones like the bastardious driver I meet on the road. But nothing too frequent or unnecessary. I know how annoying it gets when it is overly done.
04.22.09
The view atop the Tamarind Hill.
Also guest blogging at Backseat Radio: Oh look, a book review.
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Tamarind Hill is no stranger to the fine culinary industry. They have been around for ten years in Ampang, and even managed to bag the Best Asian Restaurant for 2003-2004 at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA). It was closed down for a couple of years, and just recently in mid-November 2008, it opened its doors at a more elevated location in the very heart of the Kuala Lumpur city.
Tamarind Hill is like the child spawn of the more recluse parents in the Tunku Abdul Razak Park in Ampang, Il Tempio and Tamarind Springs. From the moment you step into the restaurant to the moment your meals are served in front of you, you can see echoes of the two restaurants resonating throughout.
There is an instant transportation out of the city when inside the restaurant. The tall plants that surround the place blocks out the heavy traffic that often be heard along Jalan Sultan Ismail. The water feature that embraces the outdoor platforms bring out a zen-like atmosphere only the element knows how. There are also private balconies outside of the restaurant, where you can shut the doors on the public and have an intimate dining session with the people you are with.
The Samadhi family has never let me down when it comes to interior decorating. Since stopping by Il Tempio so long ago, I have liked the interior design as well as I like the food. And so far in Tamarind Hill, I am not disappointed. Until, well.
For starters, there is the Tamarind Signature Platter, a fine Thai hors d’oeuvres or appetisers, consisting of grilled scallops bathed in orange sauce, rice paper wraps of star fruits and cucumbers, deep-fried fish cakes and chopped peanuts served on mandarine slices.
I thought this is quite an interesting platter. The culinary art in Tamarind Hill is conducted by an avant garde chef, who is not afraid to venture a little left of centre. I like the combination of fruits and Thai/Burmese food for the peanuts and orange, and the scallops and orange sauce, gives a refreshing bit derived from the fruity condiment slid in between the folds.
However, things got a little disappointing for the main course after that.
There is the Buttered prawns, a famous Chinese-Thai dish, so famous it is too common to be impressed in a fine dining restaurant like Tamarind Hill. And it would be a total rip off to have something like that and pay tens more when you can have the same dish – and probably tastier too – in a chu char restaurant.
The Braised beef in Burmese tomato sauce is a tad bit better. Consisting of wagyu beef pieces that are tender on the tongue, and bathed in the chef’s specially made sauce that is sweet and sour. It may not look appetising but it does taste quite nice when you put the pieces of wagyu in your mouth. But, like I said, just a tad bit better.
When I saw it on the menu, I thought the Lychee fried rice would be something out of the ordinary. But, it is not. It is just a plate of fried rice cooked with lychees in it, much like pineapples in those Thai fried rice.
But, Tamarind Hill kind of reclaim their status once again when it comes to the desserts. They do not hold back when it comes to matters of the sweet tooth. They have a beautiful menu of desserts that will make you want to just stop by their restaurant just for the desserts.
There is the Sweet sticky rice with mango, made up of black rice drenched in coconut reduction sauce, and served with slices of mango on the side. The warm helping of sticky rice is like a comforting pat on the tummy, while the slices of mango are there to cool things down when it gets too unbearable for the tongue; a perfect combination of different polar ends.
One of the must try desserts is the Water Chestnut with Coconut Milk, a famous sweetie commonly seen in Thai restaurants all over. Instead of the usual serving in a bowl, Tamarind Hill decided to dish up the dessert in a short glass for better presentation of the layering. Hidden at the bottom of the glass is a treasure chest full of ruby reds and pearly whites, waiting for you to dig in past the scoop of vanilla ice cream and drench of creamy coconut milk, and sink your teeth into the crunchy texture of the chestnuts and tapiocas.
Other desserts to try out are the Banana Fritters with mango sauce, which I find quite delicious, and the Steamed Pumpkin Custard rained on with maple syrup.
For drinks, Tamarind Hill came up with something of their own – the Tom yam martini. Sounds a bit funny? Well, it kind of is. Just imagine your tom yam soup served cold. Enough said. So, if you are not one to venture out of the box, you may want to stay away from this controversy.
One drink that I find interesting is the Monsoon Drink, a simple gathering of ginger and lemon slices, dollops of honey and a glass of steaming hot water. It is especially good in company on a cold weather, as hinted in the name of the drink. It is also a suitable drink after a hearty meal at Tamarind Hill. The ginger and lemon helps in calming the tummy down, and gives you a cosy feeling alike to cocooning in your blanket in bed during a rainy day. But well, it is quite a simple drink to whip up at home, so I find it quite silly to pay a price just to have this drink.
In conclusion, the view atop the Tamarind Hill to me is not that impressive. Granted, it is understandable that the owners would like to tackle the lunch crowd in the KL city, and it is a very strategic area to be in. But I think they have done all they could in Tamarind Springs and Il Tempio, and this one is just pushing it a little. I would suggest diners to hear to the former two in the outskirts, because Tamarind Hill does not quite do the Samadhi family justice, sorry to say.
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Tamarind Hill
(Opposite Equatorial Hotel, next to Wisma KFC)
19 Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Closed on Sundays
T: +6 03 2148 3200
E: info@tamarindrestaurants.com
W: http://www.tamarindrestaurants.com
04.13.09
Heeding the Mantra call.
Alright, alright. I think it is about time to redeem myself, (not even knowing I got a reputation to keep in the first place anyway), from all the posts on hot models and whale saving. You guys must be confused what has gotten into this small time traveller for straying so far from home. Heh.
So, here, I return with my usual tempt of food galore and hopefully, in the foreseeable future, something more hitting-the-mark of travelling.
My ex-colleague, Pamela V, has been (kind of) bugging me for the longest time to check out Mantra over at Sunway Pyramid. So, a few weeks back I was able to heed the chants from the Vedic tradition in India and visit their humble abode to try out their food and be transformed by its art of Northern Indian culinary.
If this is your first time trying out Northern Indian cuisine, or eating at Mantra, may I suggest the Mantra Platter, an Indian tapas with a great combination of Murg Malai Tikka, Tandoori Salmon and Tandoori Leg of Lamb. The platter is also accompanied with Chutney, a famous dip made out of yoghurt and mint.
I thought it was a perfect start for a meal. The spices were not too heavy till it blinded my taste palettes, and the meats – oh, the meats – were cooked to the right tenderness. It would be impossible to have a piece and then said you are done for the day. It is a good way to sample all three main courses available in the restaurant, as well as to kick start the engine in your tummy for a more scrumptious meal to come.
Usually, for an Indian cuisine, a party of up to four may order about two or three main dishes with some rice or roti (bread) to go with the curries. Here, we ordered Butter Chicken and Lamb Rogan Josh.
The Butter Chicken is usually a favourite in the Northern Indian cuisine menu, and for Mantra it is not so different as well. Bathed in smooth tomato gravy that is spotted with swirls of yoghurt and blessed with the redolent of kassori methi. Once the heavily-coated chicken piece touches your tongue, it is an understatement why it is an all-time favourite: the zest from the Insian spices, the sourness derived from the tomatoes, and the hint of buttery taste that laps on the poultry… it is convincingly delicious enough to make you want to dip your spoon in the gravy again and again, even when the meats are all long gone.
Another must-try is the Lamb Rogan Josh, marinated in an array of Indian spices, cooked with cardamom-tinged juice, and finally, a marrow finish anointed with saffron shreds. For the teeth, the meat is tender and delicate. For the tongue, the marvellous gravy made to a perfect balance of sugar and spice.
Also to try out at Mantra is the Rumali Roti. It means ‘handkerchief bread’, deriving from the Hindi word Rumal, which means handkerchief. The bread is extremely thin, and is served folded like the handkerchief. Usually, they come in scarce slices because of its complexity in making them; the dough is to be spun in midair without it breaking.
Like the more common Roti Naan, Rumali Roti is soft and thinner. Not too oily, and not too much coated in flour. The best way to have your handkerchief bread is to dip them in the curries.
Other than the breads, rices are good to go with the curries too. The Ultimate Murg Bryani is a fair serving of Bryani rice cooked with chicken seasoned in dum spice and other traditional Indian herbs. The rice is cooked as if by the grain, as you could taste each grain individually.
Mantra also serves other Asian dishes, and we were offered a couple too that day. But we were so full from the ones above we barely paid attention to the other two:
The Pomelo Salad, which was the first on the table but we were instantly diverted when the curries came. It is a fruity Thai delight with the choice of duck, tossed in a generous drench of orange sauce to provide a tangy taste to the dish, as well as the pomelo cubes to lighten the weight from the duck meat.
And also the Spicy Crab Spaghettini, a bloating plate of pasta sieved straight from the pot, tossed with roasted cherry tomatoes and arugula, and sprinkled with crunchy pine nut. I like it that the sauce was not too much; that it was just enough to coat the pasta and give it a Asianic look to it.
For drinks, look no further and just go straight for the Mango Lassi - or the other flavours available under the lassi umbrella. Made from yoghurt and water with sprinkles of cumin, salt and pepper, and then blended till frothy. It would definitely quench your tongue from all the curries you had earlier. The best Mango Lassi I had was still the one I had in Brisbane’s Indian Kitchen, but Mantra did a pretty good job anyway with their lassi.
For desserts, opt for the Mantra Special, made out of three scoops of vanilla ice cream, crunchy peanuts and chocolate sauce – three layers of these all compressed into the glass to fill up as much of the space as possible, before topping it off with strawberry wedges. I bet all dessert lovers would love that. Alas, I could only stomach the strawberries – can’t get enough of them, especially at this side of the world. But hey, with a hearty meal like that, I would have to come back for a second round to name this meal complete!
Here, you can expect mouthwatering authentic Northern Indian cuisine attainable at an affordable price. It gets crowded during dinnertime, so if you would like some quiet time with your food, I would suggest you swing by during daytime; it is almost deserted then.
I also like their customer service. I noticed that the bosses did not let the waiters miss out on any single customer coming their way. From the moment they greet you at the door while you check out their menu, to the moment you sit down to order and have your meal, and to the moment you walk languidly out of the restaurant.
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Mantra
Lot 3, Lot G1.42
Ground Floor
Sunway Pyramid
3, Jalan PJS 11/15
Bandar Sunway
46150 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Malaysia
T: +6 03 7492 0488
F: +6 03 7492 0477
W: http://www.mantrasunway.com
04.08.09
Having a whale of a time.
Also guest blogging at Backseat Radio: Alexis(not)onfire.
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From the Earth Hour’s green, to the F1 Grand Prix’s red, Malaysia is currently bathed in blue with the Big Blue Exhibition happening now at Mid Valley Megamall. While we have switched the lights back on, whale conservationists are still working hard on saving the Blue Whales from going extinct, much like what they have been doing since the 1960s.
To be honest, I never knew much about the Blue Whales. So, when I was scheduled to interview whale expert, Dr Bruce Mate, I went online and did myself a little educating (Thank God for Wikipedia). And I was surprised on what the species have gone through.
From an initial 275,000 population, they were down to a mere 10,000 today. All because there was no control over whaling in the turn of the 20th century. Between 1930 and 1931, already, 29,400 were taken off in the Antartic alone for human satisfaction of whale meat and whale oil. By the time the activity was banned in 1966 by the International Whaling Commission, dead were 408,000 of them. Because of this, they are enlisted as ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List.
Breaks your heart, doesn’t it?
So, I was quite perked up with my interview with Dr Mate. Just to find out more about the gentle giants, what researchers have done to save them, and what we can do to chip in. And perhaps, go into the big blue ocean and give these whales a great BIG hug.
1. How many years have you been doing these kinds of researches?
I began my research on marine mammals 41 years ago in 1968, and in 1978, I started including whales in my researches. Only recently in 1993 did I begin researching on Blue Whales.
2. Are there any difference, researching on other smaller mammals compared to researching the Blue Whales?
There is a big difference, especially in the matter of the Blue Whales’ size and their immense amount of stamina. They can dive more than 1 mile (5280 feet) in depth and stay down there for an hour to feed on squids as big as the size of a room! It just amazes me how they can stay down there for so long in one single breath; we can’t go that deep and stay that long!
3. Throughout your profession for more than 40 years, what would you say is the most extraordinary discovery you have done?
Every research I have embarked on has provided me with brand new insights on the species and changed my mind on how I thought were their behavioural patterns.
One of the most profound researches I have done would be the one over at the Bay of Fundy in Canada. We discovered that because of the shipping traffic up there, it had been the cause for the increased collisions between the ships and the North Atlantic Right Whale. We brought the issue up to the Canadian Coast Guard and in 2003, they adjusted the shipping lanes by just a mere 4 miles (6.44KM) back, and that has lessened the collision risk by 80%.
4. Blue Whales have a slow populating process, what with their small litter size (once every 2 to 3 years) and longer reproduction rate (gestation period of 10 to 12 months), how long do you think it will take before they make up to their initial population?
If everything goes right, the Blue Whales have a chance of increasing their population by 7% every year. Roughly in 10 years’ time, they are able to double their population. There are only an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 Blue Whales left in the world today, so to reach their initial population before the whaling era, which was about 275,000 – you do the math – they have got a long way to go.
5. Do you think it is possible that they will be lifted off IUCN Red List’s Endangered list?
It is possible. For example, the Humpback Whales. During the whaling era, they hit a low of 1,500 before the illegal hunting was banned worldwide. They were on the brink of extinction. But because of heavy conservations, they made a dramatic comeback in a May 2008 study, reporting a healthy population of between 18,000 and 20,000. With that, they were moved from the Vulnerable status to the Least Concern status. So, we are hopeful for the Blue Whales too.
6. In Malaysia, there are rehabilitation centres for Orang Utans in Sepilok, Sabah and Semenggoh, Sarawak, whereby the centres have their own jungles where the Orang Utans can live in a natural environment. Do you think the same can be done for the Blue Whales with a centre set up out at sea away from human civilisation?
Personally, I do not think it is practical. Firstly, the expense is astronomical to rehabilitate a Blue Whale. A Blue Whale calf already feeds on 380-570 litres of milk a day.
Other than that, the Blue Whales move all over the place to get food. It takes about four to five days for them to stay at one place and finish off the billions of krill available in that area, before going off to another spot again. We cannot gather all the food in one place and have them stay there either; it would be against their nature.
The only way we can help them out is to be out of their way while migration, such as relocating fishing lanes and shipping ports. Blue Whales are gargantuan in size, so it is much easier to move the smaller things.
7. Scientists and researchers are already hard on helping the Blue Whales. How can the public chip in before they hit extinction?
The public has to do their part in saving the environment if they would like to help the Blue Whales. For example, do not litter, or throw contaminated and toxic dump into the ocean. Do not let off Helium balloons into the air because in the end, they will drop into the ocean and marine mammals may either mistaken them to be jellyfishes and eat them, or get choked to death with them.
8. Other than whaling and pollutions, I read that Orcas (Killer Whales) contribute in depleting the population of the Blue Whales. Are these attacks accidental or predacious?
It is not accidental; Orcas do go out and hunt the Blue Whales. Some whales eat fishes, some krill and some squids, while others go for other marine mammals. A Blue Whale has great stamina, and it will try to outrun the Orcas with them trying to cling on its back, tearing off its skin. It can get pretty brutal.
9. Is there any way that can be stopped? Maybe create a Whale Song and ask the Orcas to lay off the big guys?
Heh, nah, this is a natural food chain. We can try to stop them, but we do not know what the ripple effect might cause in years to come, which may be more disastrous than the issue at hand.
10. What can the Malaysian public expect from the Big Blue Exhibition?
I would say, expect to be impressed by the size and scale of this unique mammal. We have made a sculpture replica of the baby Blue Whale, which is 9 meters long, and they will grow to be three to four times longer when they are adults. So, it would be an eye-opener to be up close and personal with something that big in size.
11. What is the general message you are hoping to send out during this Exhibition, as well as the National Geographic Channel’s documentary?
Basically, we would like to create awareness and compassion towards these creatures, and hopefully, have them assist in the animals’ plight.
Strong science is important when it comes to helping them. We do not need to create a scene by going into a shipping port and acting all emotional. All we need to do is provide hard facts and how it is harming the animals, and from there, we work for a mutual agreement where we can share the space with the animals.
When it comes to saving the wildlife, there is a pattern to it: identify their habitat. By understanding their way of life, we can change human activities, which will in turn keep them from going extinct.
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The Big Blue Multimedia Exhibition is on now till April 13 at Mid Valley Megamall (East Atrium).
You can also catch the documentary on National Geographic Channel (Astro ch 553).
04.06.09
A fashion feast for the eyes.
Event: STYLO Designers Grand Prix
Date: April 2, 2009 (Thursday)
Venue: Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur
I think every girl should attend a full-blown fashion show at least once in her lifetime. Alright, call me shallow, but it is kind of the same as guys going to a strip club when they turn 21. It is like a rite of passage thing. Something you have to experience somewhere down the line.
As the race tracks at Sepang heated up for the F1 Petronas Grand Prix last weekend, the runway at the STYLO Fashion Cube burned hot with the brightest fashion designers from Malaysia and Asia.
Since 10AM, the STYLO Designer Grand Prix fashion marathon was at it with a 12-hour marathon, featuring more than 20 young and senior Malaysian designers together with a selection of their Asian counterparts. I would have loved to stay from the beginning, but time would not let me go, and I could only attend the final instalment of the day. Not that I am complaining; for some reason, it is tiring chasing the fashionistas’ ghosts, even though there is only a lot of standing around going on.
As the sun set on the STYLO Fashion Cube, the audience was treated to a two-part fashion show finale by well-respected named in the fashion industry.
First off were evening gown designs by Melvin Lam.
The audience were wowed by his combination of glittering diamonds on electrifying silky dresses that shimmered under the blaring spotlights.
It was as if the stars had fallen from the Heavens onto the bodies of these earth angels. I liked how they seemed to drag their footsteps, giving their pose an air that would leave you entranced, especially the final masterpiece. Although it may be because she could not quicken her steps because of the restriction of the gown, but she managed to spin things her way and wrapped up Lam’s showcase with a delicate look over her shoulder.
Next up was Edric Ong’s Saffron Blues collection, winner of the Designer of the Year award.
The models carried his bohemian beach resort collection like they were taking a stroll by the soothing beach.
I thought this collection was only passable. A lot like the clothes you see in Island Shop. Nothing really spectacular.
At the mention of Bill Keith’s name, the crowd was already cheering him on. Although he rarely takes his designs to the catwalk, his shows were never a disappointment.
Accompanying his collection were live performances by Malaysia’s own divas Ning Baizura, with a Malay rendition of Sweet Dreams, featuring Altimet. Also, Noreen Aziz with her version of Duffy’s Mercy.
Giving the traditional baju kebaya a little bit of shimmer and a little bit of glitz, paired with tutu skirts and skinny pants.
Khoon Hooi was first up at the second half.
A collection of bright crumpled fabric teamed with feathers ala Marie Antoinette.
At it was at this point that I noticed this perverted guy sitting in front of me, who would only sit up straight and take pictures of the pantless models with his cell phone camera. Tsk. Thanks man, great way to turn everything good into dirt.
Next up, going back to her roots in Sarawak, Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi brought to the fashion platter Malaysia’s own pride and joy – the hand woven songket and the hand printed batik.
No zips, no buttons. Yet, she still managed to hold everything together. The Ibans have a whole new set of wardrobe, all thanks to Saufi!
I kind of like how she puts two and two together and makes it a fabulous four. And I liked it that she had some rockish tune going on to match with the models’ walk, and how they would jig along to the beat, breaking all conventional rules of being posed and fragile on the runway.
From Jendela KL, winner of the Fashion Innovator of the Year award, all for the modern time women.
The casual, which were just a bunch of same designs in different cuttings. Looked like a group of air stewardesses to me.
And the sophisticated, previously featured in fashion shows in Dubai and France, as well as a piece worn by the Queen of France Herself. I loved it when the model in white came out bare-footed to Gustav Holst’s Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity - my favourite track off The Planet suite.
Closing the 12-hour fashion marathon for the night was the sought after Melinda Looi, another winner of the Designer of the Year award.
The flawless beauties represented her designs like the elusive nymphs that sprung out from the rainforest.
I can see why she is an award-winning designer. Her designs were really unique, pairing up leather pieces with nocturnal chiffon hues, as well as highlighting the hour-glass figures the models were dying to flaunt. Probably my favourite collection for the night.
OK, so her designs were previously paraded during the Malaysia International Fashion Week last year, but hey, Rome was not built in a day, and to come up with another charming collection like that, it is not easy as well.
The Cube was freezing that night – all nights, actually – and although I barely felt it because I was wearing stokings and a thick cotton-clad dress, everyone was rushing out the door the moment Melinda’s done her bow. Heh.
But suffice to say, it was an interesting experience, being in a fashion show. Pinpointing the models I like with the way she walks, and laugh in my head when a few almost tripped. (OK, maybe not laughing; I did worry for their embarrassment if ever they should fall). It was nice.
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The STYLO Fashion Grand Prix, KL ‘09 happened from March 28 till April 5.
