Brunch At Antipodean Cafe @ Mid Valley Megamall

* Throwback post *

19 April 2023

Our main reason for making a trip to Mid Valley Megamall was to bring Sherilyn to shop for a pair of Nike shoes.  All of us bought new Nike shoes from the Nike Outlet @ Mitsui Outlet Park @ KLIA last month and she was left out as it was the first day of her part-time job at Barcook Bakery and didn't follow us to the airport to send off the mil.  Her doting dad promised to bring her to Mitsui Outlet Park to shop for shoes on the day that her grandma returns from Hong Kong. But her grandma’s stay in HK has been extended, and the girl needs new black shoes for her work place, thus our trip to Mid Valley Megamall.

We chose Antipodean Café for a leisurely mid-morning meal. We’d really enjoyed their big breakfast set and other items from their menu when we dined at the Antipodean outlet in Bangsar several years ago when it was newly opened. So, we surmised that their outlet at Mid Valley Megamall would serve the same quality of food too.

Hubby’s Big Breakfast Set came with eggs, sausage, fried potato cube, mushrooms, salad, and toast. Cass and I shared the Shakshuka with avocado, a Middle Eastern dish of eggs cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with peppers and onions.  Alycia ordered a bacon on French Toast and Sherilyn went for a Whakatiki chicken burger which came with crispy chicken, salad, and fries.

While we enjoyed our meal as a family outing, we couldn't help but notice that the quality of the food at this particular Antipodean outlet seemed to have dropped in comparison with our past experiences at the Bangsar outlet about 8 years ago. The food was good, but not as fantastic as we once enjoyed.

The Big Breakfast Set was decent, with all the usual components of a classic breakfast platter. However, we felt that some of the items were a bit lackluster in flavor.  The sausage in the breakfast set tasted strongly of chemical (chlorine) and we didn’t finish the single sausage on the plate.  The sausages at the Antipodean Bangsar outlet years ago were one of the tastiest we'd tried but we're not sure if the quality is still the same now.

The Shakshuka was flavorful, but lacks ‘oomph’ and the portion is pretty small for the price that we paid. I think Sherilyn’s homecooked Shakshuka beats this one hands down.  The Bacon with French Toast was a crowd-pleaser, with the salty bacon balancing out the sweet maple syrup.

The fried chicken pattie in the Whakatiki Chicken Burger was crispy and generously thick but somewhat dry. 

Overall, while we weren't blown away by the food at the Mid Valley outlet of Antipodean cafe, we still had an enjoyable brunch together as a family. The cafe had a semi al fresco relaxed and cozy atmosphere. If you're in the area and looking for a decent breakfast or brunch spot, Antipodean cafe is worth checking out, but don't expect the same level of quality as the Bangsar outlet.

Whakatiki Chicken Burger 

Shakshuka with avocado

French toast with bacon

Big Breakfast

Piccolo latte

Pretty costly brunch and I wasn't even half full.  

While I went grocery shopping, hubs took Sherilyn shopping for shoes at JD.   And he surprised me with burgers from Carl's Jr, our favorite burger place, though the burgers are a tad pricey.

Sunday, 23 April 2023

Nothing brings our family closer than sharing a delicious meal together. Last Sunday I spent some quality time with my three girls over lunch at our favorite Korean restaurant, Kimchitiam.  Just the four of us as hubs was in Kota Kinabalu.  These days, it's hard for me to have a decent meal together with the three girls as they each have their own activities every day.

I ordered a meat-free bibimbap, a Korean rice bowl topped with a variety of colorful vegetables, a fried egg, and served with gochujang sauce. The dish was served hot and steaming in a clay pot, with the ingredients beautifully arranged on top of a bed of fluffy white rice. The combination of flavors and textures was truly outstanding, and my favorite part of the dish besides the veggies is the crispy rice at the bottom of the clay pot.

My meat-free Bibimbap, delish nonetheless.  I'm now on a Flexitarian Diet and eat mostly veggies and eggs on a daily basis. On days that I eat meat, the meat is either chicken breast, lean pork, or fish.

Sherilyn ordered marinated bbq pork, a dish that never fails to satisfy our taste buds. The meat was tender and succulent, with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The pork bbq slices were already cooked for us and they were accompanied by a huge basket of fresh lettuce.

Alycia ordered her favorite stew soy pork, a hearty and comforting dish. The broth was rich and flavorful, with tender chunks of pork, big onions and vegetables simmering within. She always orders this dish whenever we dine at Kimchitiam.

Cass ordered beef bulgogi soup, a Korean dish that features thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and cooked in a beef broth with various vegetables. The word "bulgogi" means "fire meat" in Korean, and it is typically made by grilling or stir-frying the beef. In the case of beef bulgogi soup, the beef is simmered in a soup base that is made from beef bones, radish, onion, garlic, and other seasonings. 

After leaving a review on Google, we got a 10% discount off the total bill, which came up to almost RM100.  We of course left a good review as we’ve always enjoyed our meals at Kimchitiam, except for one isolated case in January this year where I chewed on some sand in the spinach appetizer. That meal made me a few hundred Ringgit poorer as I had to get my teeth fixed at the dentist.  I informed the owner, who’s a Korean dude and he promised to give me a free meal on my next visit.  But when we were there on Sunday, the owner wasn’t at the restaurant.  

We really enjoyed our Korean lunch. It was a simple, quiet but happy Sunday for us, and we felt recharged and content after our time together. We left with full stomachs and happy hearts, already looking forward to our next visit.

Back home, Cass made mango lassi for everyone. It was simply refreshing and yummy!  She used Farmer's Union Greek-style yogurt, which gives the mango lassi a very creamy texture. It's also very smooth as she blitzed the mango + yogurt three times in the Blendtec blender.

Rayung Thai Restaurant @ Taman Danau Desa

Last Sunday, we were planning to have lunch at Seoul Korea Korean restaurant but the restaurant was unexpectedly closed. So we walked a few shops away to Rayung Thai, Sherilyn’s favorite Thai restaurant. She used to eat at this restaurant with her friends after school, before attending tuition at a nearby tuition center. 

We ordered 12 dishes, including appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The food arrived promptly, and we were immediately struck by the vibrant colors and aromas of the dishes. 

We started with the pineapple fried rice, which paired very well with the hot and spicy dishes.  The Tom Yum soup with seafood and mushrooms had a rich and complex flavour, and was very spicy.

The mango salad was a refreshing and light dish, but the cili padi gave it a very spicy kick. The salad was tossed with half-ripened mangoes, carrots, peanuts, and a tangy dressing. The cold and very aromatic pandan and lemongrass drink that I ordered was a great palate cleanser after the spicy tom yum soup.

For our main courses, we ordered a variety of dishes, including Pad Thai, Green Curry, stir-fried kailan, fried pandan chicken, omelet, fried Thai fish cake, and steamed fish. All the dishes were packed with flavor and delicious. 

For dessert, we ordered mango sticky rice and Tub Tim Grob (Thai red rubies dessert). Both desserts were delicious, with the perfect balance of sweetness, coconut milk, and texture.

However, as much as we enjoyed the food, we found that the spiciness of the dishes was too much for us. We had stomach discomfort and hubs even had diarrhea the next day, which put a damper on our overall experience.

Despite the after-effects, we would still highly recommend Rayung Thai for its authentic food at reasonable prices. Just be mindful of the spiciness levels. You may wish to tell the staff who's taking your order to inform the chef to reduce the spiciness level of your dishes.  Just be prepared for some spice, and you'll be in for a treat.

Pineapple fried rice and Pad Thai

Spicy mango salad

Green curry

Fried Thai fish cake

Stir-fried kailan

Fried pandan chicken

Spicy tom yum soup

Omelet

The steamed fish arrived last and by then, everyone was too stuffed. So we had the fish packed for dinner.

Tub Tim Grob (Thai Red Rubies dessert)

Mango sticky rice.

Managing A Teenager's Acne Issue

Cass has been dealing with stubborn teenage acne on her face for years. I've tried numerous natural remedies but nothing seemed to work.  Cass eats a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, drinks 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day, gets 6-7 hours of sleep each day, exercises, and sweats every day and yet, the acne seemed to be insuppressible. 

Cass used to be unfazed by the acne on her face until early this year when the acne worsened.  That was when she started to want to deal with the acne.

I went to my usual pharmacy with pharmacists whom I am comfortable with and asked for a topical cream for teenage acne and was recommended T3 Mycin Gel 1% (Clindamycin Phosphate).   T3 Mycin Gel contains Clindamycin Phosphate, a lincosamide antibiotic that works by decreasing acne lesions and/or stopping the growth of skin bacteria that cause acne.

At the same time, I started Cass on Eucerin skincare products targeted at acne. I got her Eucerin Pro Acne Solution Super Serum, Pro Acne A.I. Clearing Solution, and the latest that I got is A.I. Matt Fluid (which she hasn't started on it yet).  These products are pretty costly but I was willing to try them as long as Cass can regain her baby-smooth skin again.

After completing a tube with a slight visible improvement, I bought the second tube of T3 Mycin Gel for Cass.   

Within two months, there was a vast improvement on her face. New acne stopped popping up and the old scars were slowly but surely clearing up 🙏

As with all antibiotics, T3 Mycin cannot be used on a long-term basis or the bacteria may be resistant to it. Once she has finished the second tube of T3 Mycin, Cass will have to stop using it for some time and we will monitor the acne condition on her face.

After some price comparisons on Eucerin skin care products with pharmacies, online vs offline, I found CS Pharmacy on Lazada with the best prices and deals. I often get my supplements from this pharmacy as well. I saved more than RM40 on my purchase of A.I Clearing Treatment and A.I. Matt Fluid from Lazada. The pharmacy even gave me two free gifts (nearing their expiration dates) - Spot Corrector and lotion.  I've been using the Spot Corrector on the sun-kissed dark spots on my face. Hopefully, this works in lightening the dark spots.

I'm glad that simple over-the-counter acne products managed to prevent new breakouts, else I would need to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or pediatrician who can prescribe stronger medications and help with treatment options.

My Life In Photos This Week

As Alycia's last night at her grandparents' house in Ipoh approached, my parents decided to treat her to a special dinner at a Korean restaurant.  It was my parents' first time dining in a Korean restaurant in Ipoh as they usually dine at Chinese eateries.  

Alycia Googled Korean restaurants near my parents' house and found Seoul Maru Korean BBQ restaurant.  Alycia is a big fan of Korean food, and my parents knew that this would be a perfect way to end her visit on a high note.

Alycia ordered mostly non-spicy food as my mom can't stomach spicy food.  The ginseng chicken is specially ordered for Mom.

The food at Seoul Maru was delicious, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the memories that my parents created with their eldest granddaughter will be cherished for years to come.

A father's love for his children is unconditional, and it never fades away. Such is the love of my papa, who always goes the extra mile to make his children happy. 

He knows that I've been craving ground peanut cookies (aka Kacang Tumbuk) and he went to the confectionery to get them for me before sending Alycia to the train station. He always puts his family's needs before his own and never hesitates to go out of his way to make us happy.

During our growing-up years, papa was as fierce as a tyrant and he mellowed down considerably after my brothers and I left our nest.  Distance does make the heart grow fonder, eh? And age has mellowed him down too.

My favorite ground peanut cookie.

Alycia at the Ipoh train station to catch the ETS back to KL after spending a week in Ipoh at my parents.

While Alycia and her grandparents were enjoying a Korean dinner in Ipoh, we had a second round of Haidilao hotpot for dinner at home! We doggy-bagged quite a bit of leftover soup base along with several plates of unfinished food from Haidilao on Saturday when we were there to celebrate Cass' birthday.

I added lots of radishes, carrots, veggies, Beacon seaweed chicken wanton, crab balls, foo pei, mushrooms, and spinach konjac noodles into our hotpot.  

Our Wednesday brunch - yummy Ipoh Hor Hee, fried turnip cakes, and fried foo pei from Ipoh Sedap

Restoran Wai Kei @ Old Klang Road, KL

*Throwback post

It's been a while since we last dined at Wai Kei.  This is our favorite Hakka eatery and have been patrons for over a decade.  The two women chefs are in their 70s, can you believe it?  At their age where they should be enjoying their sunset years, these two gutsy, strong and capable old ladies are still helming the kitchen.  

If you're looking for an authentic Hakka dining experience in town, Wai Kei should be on your list. Located along Old Klang Road KL, this eatery offers delicious traditional Hakka dishes that are simply irresistible.  The menu is pretty extensive and what they offer is always up to our expectations, thanks to the two grandmothers toiling in the hot kitchen.

The menu is a treasure trove of Hakka delicacies, ranging from juicy steamed farm chicken to Hakka Yong Tau Fu, black vinegar pork trotters, clay pot rice wine chicken, braised 3-layer pork with yam,  braised pork belly with preserved veggie (mui choy), braised Hakka pork, crispy fried fish to spinach soup with homemade fish paste. There are other toothsome dishes but these are always the few dishes that we order each time we dine at the restaurant.  

If you are a fan of steamed farm chicken, Wai Kei has one of the best in town. Their steamed farm chicken is incredibly juicy and tender, with a subtly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the bold spiciness of the homemade chili sauce and minced ginger sauce. The chicken itself is always steamed to perfection, with sublime texture in the meat to create a mouthwatering culinary experience that will make you craving for more.

Steamed farm chicken.

Super crispy fried threadfin fish (Ma Yau).

The delicious assorted 'yong liu' comprising stuffed tofu, brinjal, bitter gourd, puffed tofu, and foo pei are cooked the traditional Hakka style with fermented bean paste sauce.  

Hakka Yong Liu

Black vinegar pig's trotters with a good balance of fats and lean meat.   We could not finish this dish and asked the owner to doggy-bag it for us with additional broth (I love the black vinegar broth!) and he gladly obliged at no extra charge.

Red spinach in superior soup with homemade fish paste/fish balls.

The spinach soup with homemade fish paste is another must-order dish for us. The bouncy fish paste in this veggie dish is simply delightful, with a tender and chewy texture that is incredibly satisfying to bite into. The fish paste is made with fresh, high-quality fish that had been finely ground and mixed with just salt and pepper, giving it a delicious flavor that reminds me of my late grandma's homemade fish balls and fish cakes.

To cap off our meal, everyone had a large refreshing coconut to cool down our body on a hot and humid evening.

Overall, our dinner at Wai Kei has always been a delightful culinary experience that exceeds our expectations. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch with amicable owners, and the ambiance is cozy and welcoming (not air conditioned though but good ventilation with many ceiling fans). If you're a fan of Hakka cuisine or just looking for delicious traditional Chinese dishes, Wai Kei is definitely worth a visit.

Restoran Wai Kei

2, Jln Klang Lama, 

58100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 

Mobile no: 013-391 8269

Shaping Dresses – The Perfect Dress To Enhance Your Natural Silhouette

For many women, finding the perfect dress can be a challenge. It's not just about finding a dress that looks great on you but also finding a dress that fits comfortably and flatters your figure. Fortunately, a new trend in fashion has emerged that makes finding the perfect dress much easier. This trend is dresses with a built-in shapewear and bra called a shaping dress or shapewear dress.  

We've all heard about bra dresses and bra tops but a dress that comes with a built-in shapewear? That's pretty novel and a dream-come-true dress for many women who love wearing bodycon dresses without having to breathe in the entire night to hold the tummy in!

Built-In Shapewear Slip Maxi Lounge Dress

The concept of shapewear is not a new one. Women have been using corsets and girdles for centuries to achieve a slimmer and smoother silhouette. However, the traditional methods of shapewear have been uncomfortable and at times unflattering. But now, with advances in garment technology, designers have been able to create shapewear that is both comfortable and effective. And when it comes to dresses, having built-in shapewear means you can achieve a sleek, streamlined look without any extra layers. It’s a two-in-one essential in a woman’s closet!

Built-In Shapewear Modal Lounge Dresses

Built-In Shapewear Modal Lounge Dresses - how it looks beneath the shapewear dress

Dresses with built-in bras are also becoming increasingly popular. Many women struggle with finding the right bra to wear under their dresses, especially if the dress has a low back or a plunging neckline. But with a built-in bra, you don't have to worry about finding the right bra. The shapewear dress provides the necessary support, and you can feel confident and comfortable all day long.

One of the advantages of dresses with built-in shapewear and bras is that they come in a wide variety of styles, including shaping bodysuits. You can find everything from cocktail dresses to maxi dresses with built-in shapewear and bras. This means that no matter what the occasion, you can find a dress that not only looks great but also feels great to wear.

 

Built-In Shapewear Long Sleeve Maxi Lounge Dress

 Another benefit of dresses with built-in shapewear and bras is that they can help boost your confidence. When you feel good about your appearance, it shows in your demeanor and the way you carry yourself. You can walk into a room with confidence, knowing that you look your best.

 

There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to shaping dresses. Firstly, it's essential to choose a dress that fits properly.  Do not choose a dress that's too tight as the shapewear may be uncomfortable and create unflattering bulges. It's also important not to choose a dress that's too loose as the shapewear may not provide enough support.

 

It's also important to take care of your shaping dress properly. Most shaping dresses, shapewear pieces and wide crotch panties should be hand washed and hung to dry to retain the shape and effectiveness of the support. You should also avoid using harsh detergents or fabric softeners, as they can damage the shapewear and bra.

 

In conclusion, shaping dresses are a game-changer when it comes to finding the perfect dress that will help you achieve an hourglass figure. They provide a comfortable, flattering fit that can boost your confidence and help you look your best.  The next time you're shopping for a dress, consider looking for one with built-in shapewear and a bra. You won't regret it!

 

Lunch At Chef Hong Kitchen @ Section 19, PJ

Sunday, 9 April 2023

Today is Cass' 15th birthday!  We had a sumptuous hotpot dinner at Haidilao yesterday to celebrate her birthday. 

For lunch today, hubs suggested going to a steak house but I'm not keen, so we had Chinese food and I suggested Chef Hong. Since we'd tried Chef Chew and love the food there and Chef Hong is also owned by the same person but with a different chef, I'd like to give Chef Hong a try.  I was already missing and craving their signature steamed chicken & chicken rice and icy cold sweet and sour pork. 

Chef Chew's restaurants' signature dishes are comforting dishes like steamed farm chicken and minced ginger rice.  The other signature dish is the sweet and sour pork ('koo lo yoke') buried under ice cubes, a presentation method designed to keep the fried batter exterior crunchy.

It's best to make reservations in advance as both Chef Chew and Chew Hong are always fully booked.  We were lucky to be able to get a table the moment we stepped in even though it was an impromptu decision to dine there with no prior reservation made. But we were told by the captain that we only had an hour to eat as the table was already booked in advance by someone at 1pm. We were there at around 11.45 a.m.

Double boiled fish maw soup in thick, creamy and toothsome soup base.

What makes Chef Chew and Chef Hong's steamed chicken and chicken rice so special boils down to the preparation. The chicken is steamed to perfection, with the meat moist and tender. Even the chicken breast is juicy and flavorful.  

The rice is cooked in chicken broth, giving it a rich, savory flavor that perfectly complements the chicken. And the sauce that comes with the dish is the perfect finishing touch - a blend of garlic, ginger,  green onions and salt that adds just the right amount of spice to the dish. 

The chili sauce dip for the chicken is tangy, fresh and not overly spicy. It pairs perfectly with the natural taste of the steamed chicken.

This classic Chinese dish comes with a unique and delicious twist.  The sweet and sour pork slices are buried under ice cubes. This innovative dish gives the traditional Chinese 'tai chow' dish a refreshing twist that's perfect for those hot days.
You might think this sounds strange and not many people will buy this idea, but it's a game-changer. The ice cubes melt slowly, creating a cool, refreshing sauce that pairs perfectly with the sweet and sour pork. 

Stir-fried assorted veggies with macadamia nuts - hub's favorite.

This dish features a trio of seafood - prawns, squids, and lala clams.  The sauce is the star of the show, with a piquant and zesty flavor that will leave you wanting more. It's the perfect balance of sweetness, spiciness, and sourness, creating a unique lip-smacking taste that pairs so well with the fresh seafood.

Braised fish maw with tofu and broccoli. 

The bill.

Chef Hong Kitchen - 60, Jln 19/3, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor;
016-282 7948

Chef Chew Kitchen is located just three shop lots away from Chef Hong.