Lunch At Sin Kee Restaurant @ Little India, Brickfields

On a recent public holiday, the hubs and I decided to make the most of our free time and treat our family to a delicious lunch. We headed to Sin Kee restaurant, a renowned establishment in Little India, Brickfields, known for its delectable Hainanese dishes. Despite a brief hiccup in the service, our overall experience was delightful, with an array of mouthwatering dishes that left us satisfied and content.  Sin Kee has been around for at least 3 decades.

As we arrived at Sin Kee restaurant, the bustling crowd immediately caught our attention. It was Hari Raya Haji, a public holiday, and many people had flocked to the restaurant to savor the famous Hainanese cuisine. 

However, upon entering the restaurant, we noticed that almost all the tables were occupied, and none of them had food served yet. Our stomachs grumbled with hunger as we eagerly awaited our turn. Unfortunately, the wait proved to be longer than expected, lasting more than half an hour. Patience wearing thin, we couldn't help but wish for a faster service.

Once our dishes finally arrived, the long wait became a distant memory as the enticing aromas wafted from the table. We had ordered a variety of Hainanese specialties, each with its own unique flavors and textures.

Hainanese Chicken Chop: The Hainanese Chicken Chop stole the show with its tender, succulent chicken smothered in a savory brown sauce. The accompanying fries and vegetables added a delightful crunch, making it a satisfying dish.

Hainanese Pork Chop: Next up was the Hainanese Pork Chop, made from minced pork. While it had a strong porky smell that didn't quite suit my taste, it was nonetheless a favorite among some diners who enjoy richer flavors.

Deep Fried Black Pomfret Fish: One dish that truly stood out was the Deep Fried Black Pomfret Fish. Its perfectly crispy exterior concealed delicate and flavorful flesh. Each bite was a treat, leaving us craving for more.

Stir-Fried Kailan with Garlic: The Stir-Fried Kailan with Garlic offered a refreshing and nutritious addition to the meal. The vibrant green vegetables were cooked to perfection, retaining their crunchiness and complementing the other dishes well.

Koo Lo Yoke: The Koo Lo Yoke, a sweet and sour fried pork dish, added a delightful balance of flavors to the table. The crispy pork coated in a tangy sauce was a hit among all of us.

Chinese Omelette (Foo Yoong Tarn): The Chinese Omelette, or Foo Yoong Tarn, was a crowd-pleaser. Packed with generous amounts of prawns, spam meat, waxed sausage, and vegetables, it offered a delightful medley of textures and flavors.

Tofu with Minced Pork: Lastly, the Tofu with Minced Pork provided a comforting addition to the meal. The silky tofu combined with the savory minced pork created a comforting and satisfying dish.

As we savored each dish, the reasonable bill came as a pleasant surprise. The total cost for the seven dishes amounted to RM149.50, which we found to be quite affordable considering the variety and quality of the food.

Despite the initial wait, our lunch experience at Sin Kee restaurant in Brickfields was a memorable one. The flavorsome Hainanese cuisine and the vibrant atmosphere of Little India made it a delightful outing. 

While we were waiting for our food to arrive, we segued a few doors away to a vegetarian Indian restaurant to order takeaway Naan bread and Palak Paneer for dinner.  I didn't take note of the name of the restaurant but all of us loved their assortment of Naan bread (cheese Naan, garlic Naan and stuffed Naan).  Our next trip to Little India would be to this establishment to savor authentic Northern and Southern Indian food.

A Tale of Unexpected Culprits

Have you ever been caught in a whirlwind of mysterious disappearances, leading you to suspect those closest to you? Such was the case when my eyebrow pencil went missing for an entire week. In my quest for answers, suspicions arose, and poor Maria, my part-time helper, became the prime suspect. However, as the truth unfolded, it became clear that our mischievous feline friend, Haru, held the key to the puzzle.

The vanishing acts began a year ago when Cass lost her expensive ear pods. The search for these prized possessions proved fruitless, and the ear pods remained missing for many months. 

The mystery deepened when my mother-in-law discovered that two of her favorite knives with teeth had vanished from the kitchen. The sudden disappearance left us perplexed, and our suspicions turned toward Maria, who had been present during these incidents. 

The situation escalated further when a relative who lives below our unit and used to employ Maria for part-time service lost one of her two mobile phones and suspected foul play. The blame seemed to fall squarely on Maria's shoulders, yet the truth had a different story to tell.

After months of anguish over the missing mobile phone, our relative finally found it lying on the floor of her car recently. It was an unexpected turn of events that shed light on a hidden truth. 

And Sherilyn recently found Cass’ missing ear pods behind the piano!

The revelation put an end to the clouds of suspicion surrounding Maria.

Just when we thought the mystery was solved, my long-lost eyebrow liner suddenly resurfaced from beneath my bed today. The relief was palpable, but our curiosity remained. How could all these items have gone missing without a trace, only to be discovered in such unexpected places?

In a surprising twist, our mischievous cat, Haru, emerged as the true culprit behind the disappearing act.  I suspect that Haru, with her playful nature, had apparently climbed onto the piano and played with the ear pods until they fell behind the piano.  I also believe that she had climbed up my dressing table to play with my eyebrow pencil, swiped it, and caused it to roll under my bed.

Our furry friend had unknowingly caused all the commotion and turmoil, leaving us feeling both relieved and slightly amused by her antics.

The revelation of Haru's mischief filled us with mixed emotions. We felt relieved for Maria who had been wrongly accused and suspected. And as for Haru, our playful cat, we can't help but love her even more for adding a touch of unexpected adventure to our lives.

This experience served as a valuable lesson, teaching us the importance of refraining from hasty judgments and cultivating trust in our relationships.

Mischievous kitty but love her to bits.

Friday, 16 June 2023 - Meeting with Education Counselor @ Taylor's University

Embarking on a new educational journey is always an exciting and critical decision, especially when it involves pursuing a professional course like architecture. Today, I accompanied Sherilyn to Taylor's University, where we met with an education counselor to gather insights about the architecture course offered there. This visit proved to be an eye-opening experience, shedding light on the long and challenging road that lies ahead for Sherilyn to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered architect. 

Our meeting with the education counselor at Taylor's University was insightful and comprehensive. We were given detailed information about the architecture program, including the duration of each phase of study – the Foundation, Bachelor's, and Master's courses. It was evident that this course demands a considerable investment of time, effort, and money. The counselor also provided us with an overview of the costs involved, emphasizing the significance of planning for the financial aspects of higher education.

At Taylor's University today.  

Following our visit to the university, I reached out to a friend of mine who is a registered architect to gain further perspective on the architectural profession. My friend candidly shared that an architecture course is widely regarded as one of the most demanding academic pursuits, second only to medicine. She highlighted the rigorous and meticulous nature of the course, involving numerous requirements and examinations before one can become a registered architect. This conversation reinforced the idea that Sherilyn's path would not be easy, but it also served to underline the immense value and satisfaction that comes with achieving this professional milestone.

Recognizing the importance of gathering insights from those already established in the field, I arranged for Sherilyn to meet my architect friend for a face-to-face discussion next week.  This meeting will allow her to gain valuable advice, firsthand experiences, and a realistic understanding of the challenges and rewards that lie ahead. I firmly believe that hearing from someone who has walked the path Sherilyn aspires to tread will greatly assist her in making an informed decision about her future.

Friday, 9 June 2023 ~ Random Updates

In the past couple of weeks, my world has been a whirlwind of responsibilities, health issues, and the absence of my part-time helper, Maria. It's been quite a ride, to say the least. 

Maria, my part-time helper, recently went back to Indonesia for a two-week break. With her absence, the burden of managing all the housework fell on my shoulders. From cooking and cleaning to chauffeuring, it has been a constant juggling act. Balancing work, parenting, and household chores has tested my multitasking skills and pushed me to my limits.

On top of this, I was hit by a stubborn and irritating cough that has plagued me for the past seven nights. Sleepless nights, a ticklish throat, and a congested chest have become my constant companions. Despite trying three different types of cough syrup, none have provided relief. If this persists, I have decided to see a doctor on Monday. 

The lack of or rather the absence of deep and uninterrupted sleep has taken its toll on my overall well-being. The persistent cough and lack of shuteye have left me with a nagging headache, constant fatigue, bouts of dizziness and aches in my ribs (from the constant coughing). I'm physically and mentally drained. This feels so much worse than getting Covid!  However, I remain hopeful that tomorrow will bring a better day and that I'll find the energy to tackle life's hurdles head-on.

The best piece of news I got this week is Sherilyn’s SPM results.  I didn’t set high expectations for Sherilyn to excel in her SPM. She had spent too much time dancing, baking, cooking, participating in endless competitions in and out of school, and on other stuff, thus didn’t put 100% effort into preparation for her exam. Thus, I didn’t expect much from her.  I thought to myself that as long as she passes the SPM and is eligible to get into college and uni, I’ll be happy.  But this girl surprised me with her results.  She did score several As, and even an A for Math, the subject that I thought was her weakest. And she got a B for Physics, the subject that she once failed in school.  

All glory to God. 

This Miss Ambitious has now decided to pursue A-Levels at MCKL and then a BA of Science in Architecture, followed by a Master's of Architecture.  I kept telling her to reconsider her decision as it's going to take at least 7 years of studies and several years of experience as an architect including fulfilling specific requirements and qualifications governed by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) before she becomes a registered architect and gets a prefix, "Ar" before her name.  This will entail a lot of hard work, not to mention money to fund her tertiary education.  Our Miss Ambitious has remained steadfast in her decision and told me that she will continue working part-time to partially fund her uni fees. 😮

Sherilyn made a big batch of blueberry pie and tarts as blueberries are in season and on sale now.  She made so many that we've been savoring the luscious blueberry tarts and pie every day for the past week.

Yummiest blueberry tart ever with the perfect pie crust and a generous filling of fresh blueberries and blueberry compote. She made the compote herself and it's pretty easy and fast to prep it.

Blueberry tarts for her colleagues in Front Room Cafe.

The eldest SIL from England came to visit and stayed with us for 5 days.  She commissioned Sherilyn to bake a blueberry tart for her to bring to a friends' meetup.

With a part-time job from Monday through Saturday, Sherilyn didn't have much time to bake the tart. She spaced out the baking steps over several days and managed to complete the tart in the morning on the day of my SIL's meetup with her friends, just before leaving for work.

Friday, 2 June 2023

Fridays are usually exciting and filled with plans for the weekend, but sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs. Since yesterday I have been feeling under the weather, battling a cough, slight nasal congestion, and a pounding headache. Today it got worse and I started to have a scratchy throat. With the worry of COVID looming, I decided to take precautions and took a self-test, which thankfully turned out negative. Though feeling unwell, I didn't want to spoil the plans for Cass to attend her figure skating class at Pavillion Bukit Jalil.  Fortunately, Alycia came home from uni early and told me that she could accompany Cass to Pavillion.  Later, Sherilyn texted me to tell me that her dance class was canceled and she could also bring Cass to Pavillion.  Now Cass has two chaperones to bring her to Pavillion by Grab while I stayed home to rest.

To reward Alycia and Sherilyn, I treated them to dinner of sushi, and to a movie. While Cass had a delightful time at the skating rink, Alycia and Sherilyn enjoyed the new Spiderman animated movie at the cinema, which they said was good.  Everyone had an enjoyable day despite the hiccup in my health.

After fetching Cass back from school, I brought her to the sundae truck and this time luck was on her side. It was opened! 

Saturday Night Dinner At Restaurant Bak Kut Teh Fatty Chun

There's something special about exploring new restaurants and indulging in a delightful dining experience. Last Saturday night our family visited Bak Kut Teh Fatty Chun restaurant, driven by hubby’s previous exceptional dining experience there. 

As we entered Fatty Chun, we were greeted by friendly and helpful staff, and a cozy ambiance that immediately put us at ease, even though the restaurant wasn’t air-conditioned. The restaurant boasted an extensive menu, featuring a variety of tai chow specialties. After some careful consideration, we settled on seven dishes that sounded enticing and promised to be a feast for our taste buds.

1. Steamed Village Chicken with Ginger Sauce: Our meal commenced with a classic and timeless dish – steamed village chicken served with ginger sauce. The tender, succulent chicken, paired with the aromatic ginger sauce, was a match made in culinary heaven. The chicken was cooked to perfection, retaining its juiciness and natural flavors.

2. Flavorful Fried Fish Head: Next on our culinary journey was the fried fish head, and we were pleasantly surprised by its delightful taste. The dish was expertly prepared, with the fish head cooked to perfection. Every bite was a medley of flavors, and what impressed us most was the absence of any overpowering fishy smell. It was a true testament to the chef's skill and the restaurant's commitment to quality.

3. Stir-Fried Lettuce: To balance out the richness of our meal, we opted for the refreshing stir-fried lettuce. The greens were lightly stir-fried to retain their crunchiness, and the subtle seasoning added a delightful flavor. This dish served as a refreshing palate cleanser, complementing the other dishes perfectly.

4. Clay Pot Ba Kut Teh: The aroma of the herbal broth filled the air as the dish arrived at our table. The pork ribs were tender and succulent, but unfortunately, the soup itself fell a bit short. We found it to be slightly bland and diluted, lacking the robust flavors we were expecting.

5. Scrumptious Yam Basket: The yam basket was a delightful surprise and quickly became one of our favorite dishes of the evening. The golden, crispy yam shell encased a medley of stir-fried vegetables and tender chicken meat, creating a harmonious combination of textures and flavors. This dish was both visually appealing and satisfying to the palate.

6. Irresistible Fried Noodles with Egg Sauce: The crispy deep-fried noodles with egg sauce added a touch of comfort to our dinner.  Tossed in a luscious egg sauce with a variety of ingredients, this dish was a hit with everyone at the table.

7. Delectable Deep-Fried Mantis Prawns: Last but not least, we savored the deep-fried mantis prawns. These succulent prawns were coated in a light, crispy batter, resulting in a tantalizing combination of flavors and textures. The prawns were a true indulgence, and we relished each bite.

Our Saturday night dinner at Fatty Chun Ba Kut Teh restaurant was a satisfying experience. From the warm welcome to the delightful array of dishes, everything exceeded our expectations. Each plate was crafted with care and precision, showcasing the culinary expertise of the restaurant's talented chefs.

We left the restaurant with satisfied taste buds and full stomachs.

Restaurant Bak Kut Teh Fatty Chun

253, Jln Klang Lama

58000 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: 012-303 2340

Friday, 26 May 2023 - The Quest For Breakfast

Today started like any other weekend morning, with the hubs and I excitedly planning to have breakfast at our favorite beef noodle stall in Petaling Street. As we arrived at our beloved beef noodle stall, the sight of a closed shutter greeted us once again. It was closed for the second time this week.  

Dismayed but not discouraged, we decided to explore other nearby eateries in hopes of finding a suitable alternative. Our first attempt ended in disappointment when we discovered that the other eatery was also yet to open. Nevertheless, we remained undeterred and set our sights on the vibrant streets of Bangsar.

With empty stomachs and a desire to try something different, we stumbled upon Baba Low's, an inviting restaurant known for its Nyonya cuisine. Curiosity piqued, we eagerly entered and prepared ourselves for a gastronomic journey. We ordered a variety of items from the menu, such as curry noodles, Mee Siam, Nasi Lemak with fried chicken, and Peranakan popiah, each representing the rich flavors of Nyonya cuisine.

Curry noodles, Peranakan popiah, Nasi Lemak with fried chicken and Mee Siam.

Expecting a taste reminiscent of the delightful dishes from hubs’ central kitchen, we found ourselves slightly disappointed. The food at Baba Low was passable but did not live up to our high expectations. While the flavors were there, they lacked the finesse and authenticity we were accustomed to. Nevertheless, we appreciated the opportunity to try something new and immerse ourselves in the cultural tapestry of Nyonya cuisine.

We decided to prolong our breakfast experience and sought refuge in a nearby café. A few doors away, we found a cozy establishment, offering an enticing array of coffees, cakes, and sandwiches. Intrigued, we ventured in, eager to satisfy our lingering cravings.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as we ordered our preferred choices—a piccolo and flat white coffee, accompanied by a delectable carrot cake. The moment we took our first sips and bites, we were met with satisfaction. The coffee was rich and invigorating, while the carrot cake was a delightful blend of moistness, textures, and sweetness.

Piccolo and flat white. I took several sips of Piccolo and loved the robustness and richness of the espresso, complemented by the subtle sweetness and creaminess of the steamed milk. But dang it, I think I'm going to be an insomniac tonight as I am still wide awake now (10.30pm)!

By the time we finished our coffee and cake, we found ourselves content and comfortably full. Regrettably, we had to bid adieu to the remaining item on our table: a toasted sandwich we had ordered but were too satiated to consume. Thankfully, the café kindly packed it up for us to take home. We saw it as a serendipitous treat for Cass to relish for her lunch when she comes home from school. 

 

Sandwich doggy-bagged home for Cass' lunch.

Tomorrow is the start of Cass’ week-long school holidays.  A week is too short for any trip and her mid-year exam will start shortly after the school holidays. So it's going to be crunch time for her with additional classes (online), homework, and revision.

Online Shopping Loot

Ever since the pandemic shut down the entire world more than 3 years ago, I've been hooked on online shopping. I still shop for most of my stuff online.  I buy stuff online every other day and that gives me a little pleasure and something to look forward to every day.

One of the greatest advantages of online shopping is the unmatched convenience it provides. With just a few clicks, I can browse through a vast array of products from different brands, compare prices, and read customer reviews to make informed decisions.  I find that most of the products sold online are cheaper than those sold at brick-and-mortar shops.  There are some products that I can't even find in physical shops but are widely available online.

These are some of the loot from my recent online shopping.

Organic flaxseed meal (ground flaxseeds), organic sunflower seeds, and organic buckwheat seaweed cookies. 
Flaxseeds are a functional food with a host of health benefits, such as supporting heart health, brain health, lowering cholesterol levels, improving blood sugar, preventing constipation, and preventing cancer, among others.
I add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal and organic oats to my organic almond powder + dark chocolate drink every morning.

Vacuum-fried (VF) shiitaki mushroom crisps. These crisps are really delicious and addictive.  They're a healthier alternative to chips.  'VF technology' originated from NASA's space food technology.  VF vegetable crisps such as green radish, lady's fingers, beetroot, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and long beans are my current favorite snacks.

Three boxes of Rainbows sprouted seeds cookies.  These healthy cookies are made from sprouted wheat grains and seeds with no additives. 
The cookies arrived in badly dented boxes, no thanks to the rough handling of the courier service provider. Luckily the cookies were not crushed.

Aleev baking soda softener.  This softener is powered by natural ingredients such as baking soda and organic aloe vera and it's eco-friendly. 

My current favorite range of shower gel, shampoo, and lotion from Kundal.  I love the fruity and baby powder scents of their range of shampoos and shower gels.
Kundal products (made in Korea) feature natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin and hair. Korean beauty and personal care brands have a deep understanding of the benefits of natural extracts, such as botanical oils, fruit extracts, and plant-based ingredients. Kundal, an award-winning company leverages these ingredients, combined with advanced formulation techniques, to create products that are effective, nourishing, and suitable for various skin and hair types. 
 Kundal products are available at Guardian Pharmacy (online and at retail outlets).

Mother's Day 2023

Sunday, 14 May 2023

This year's Mother's Day lunch was with hubs and Cass only. Alycia was at her weekend part-time job and Sherilyn had a dance practice at home before dance class at the studio. She's currently practising for an upcoming dance competition.

Hubs asked where I wanted to eat and gave me suggestions but I couldn't agree with all his choices. He just drove us to Bangsar, a happening place with a legion of cafes and restaurants. I saw Haidilao and said I didn't mind another round of hotpot at Haidilao. But we were too early and the restaurant wasn't opened yet. So we went to Bangsar Village and chose Nutmeg, one of our favorite restaurants.

My pick - Veggie Benedict set. 

At its foundation lies a perfectly toasted slice of sourdough bread, offering a satisfying crunch and a subtle nutty aroma. The crust is gloriously crispy, giving way to a tender and airy interior that acts as a canvas for the culinary masterpiece that awaits.  Spread generously across the toasted bread is a velvety and vibrant green pea mash.  

On the side are two perfectly poached eggs, elegantly draped with a luscious hollandaise sauce. The eggs, with their silky and golden yolks, offer a luxurious richness that blends flawlessly with the creamy hollandaise.

Cauliflower and pumpkin salad. 
This salad is not only visually appealing but is also a tantalizing symphony of flavors. It has a delightful medley of flavors and textures with pieces of feta cheese. Its velvety texture creates a creamy interplay, making every forkful a delightful experience. 
  The delectable salad dressing complements the ingredients perfectly. Its delicate balance of tanginess and creaminess adds a delightful zing to each bite.

Cass chose a Snow White Veggie set as she had already eaten something at home and wasn't very hungry.  It's toasted sourdough with scrambled egg whites, grilled veggies and salad.

Mushroom Carbonara (very delish) with a side of two sunny side-ups (hubby's favorite). 
 The star of this dish is a medley of succulent mushrooms, sautéed to perfection. With their earthy and meaty essence, the mushrooms provide a robust foundation for the carbonara. This luscious sauce is a decadent amalgamation of grated Parmesan cheese, and hints of garlic and black pepper. Its silky texture enrobes the pasta, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that is truly irresistible. 

For dessert, I chose a hazelnut tart and hubs picked a mango & cheese slice cake.

Hubs also ordered a cup of macadamia nut brittle from Haagen Dazs from the stall at the concourse area, next to Nutmeg.

Full house at Nutmeg, a favorite haunt amongst locals and Caucasians.

Next up - we had tea and cake at Bisou Bake Shop, a little kiosk-style store owned by hubby's friend's wife. Decadent and beautifully decorated cupcakes, slab cake pieces, and cookies in a variety of flavors are for sale. 
I told hubs that I couldn't possibly stuff in more food, especially cakes, but hubs insisted that we had another round of celebration, this time with a candle on the cake 😆

 

Hubs bought a pack each of Mee Siam and Nasi Lemak (RM6.50 a pack each) to try, daintily wrapped in batik print wax papers.  We brought these home for dinner.

Later in the evening, Alycia brought home a slice of Pandan Gula Melaka slice cake from Front Room for me!

My favorite brownie cake from Brownies Bar from Sherilyn.

The following day, just before Alycia left for uni in the morning, she hurriedly prepped some pancakes to surprise me while I went for my morning exercise.

Homemade pancakes from the girl who never likes cooking or baking.  💓

The pancakes were surprisingly very good - soft, fluffy and tasty. There are still some in the fridge and I air-fry one for breakfast every day.

Haru Our Cheeky Kitty

Haru loves to find new places inside the house, to hide. Most times she will come out of hiding when I shake her biscuit jar or mention "biscuit" or "chicken", her favorite foods. 

Early this week, this cheeky kitty ignored my calls for her.   Both Cass and I went around the house searching for her, for about 10 minutes, at all her usual hiding spots, but she was no where to be found.  I went to the refuse chamber outside our unit to look for her, I checked the emergency stairs outside our unit, the two balconies, under the beds, but she was no where to be found. We were convinced that Haru had sneaked out of the house and gone forever. 

That feeling I had felt familiar. It was the sick feeling whenever I lost sight of my girls at the shopping mall when they were younger.  That few seconds of loosing sight of them and yelling out to them, only to get no answer from them.  That horrible sick feeling in the stomach and head just thinking that they were kidnapped or lost forever.  Speaking of which, Sherilyn used to like hiding inside racks of clothes at the shopping mall to scare the living daylights out of me when she was younger.  That mischievous brat! 😂

One of Haru's favorite hiding spots - behind the living room curtain.

Another new favorite hiding spot - under Cass' bed

Yet another new hiding spot - on the bookshelf. She kind of camo herself with the shelf because of her color.

Naughty fella always causes me panic attacks but love her to bits.