Time flies, a new year is dawning upon us, we survived the famed 'predicted' end of world, phew!
New year is generally a happy time for everyone since it give us hope, motivation and joy. With the arrival of the new year 2013, there would be lots among us who would have started to make new year resolutions for themselves. I have drafted mine, how about you?
My parents are used to saying Dong Zhi is "bigger" than Chinese New Year, hence every year my family celebrate it as big as the Reunion Dinner. This year, as mom was craving for Lap Mei Farn (clay pot rice with waxed meats), I recommended to the family Elegant Inn, whereby one of their signature dishes is Lap Mei Farn.
The waxed meats at Elegant Inn are sourced from Yung Kee, one of the famous restaurants in Hong Kong. I'm not a big fan of waxed meats but the dish here is good. I liked the Chinese wine aroma in the waxed sausage. The duck leg was also not salty like the typical waxed meats and their rice were crispy. I ended up enjoying it so much! *grin*
Claypot Rice with HK Waxed Meats (RM78)
The Lap Mei Farn includes duck leg, goose liver sausage, waxed meat and pork sausage
8 Treasure Stuffed Chicken Wing (RM10.80/wing)
Eight Treasures Stuffed chicken Wings is made where the bone of the wing’s middle is removed and stuffed with a mixture of eight ingredients including prawns, dried scallop, minced pork, diced chestnuts, mushrooms, etc.
This was tender and immensely enjoyable. Mom was excited with this dish as she claimed the dish was long heard of and seen on various drama series, and now she finally has the chance to taste it.
Elegant Inn Signature Braised Estuary Garoupa in Claypot (Standard portion RM65)
I always like the estuary garoupa because of the moistness of the fish skin, possessing a gelatinous-like texture beneath. This dish was braised with mushroom, roasted pork and beancurd skin. However, the taste of the beancurd skin overpowered than the fish’s, the natural taste of the fish was lost in the preparation process.
Wok Fried Pork Cheek Meat with Black Bean Sauce and Capsicums (RM30)
On its own, the pig’s cheek meat is not the most tender or lean cut, however when fried, the connective tissues and integrated fat begin to melt into the sauce and the result is truly heavenly.
The quality of the meal was good, leaning to Hong Kong cuisine style. For those who are looking for a place for tasteful and elegant dining, I would highly recommend this place despite the steeper prices, considering that one gets the freshest ingredients and the exacting standards, it’s worth spending for a big event like Dong Zhi or Reunion Dinner *wink*
Address
Elegant Inn
2.01, 2nd Floor, Podium Block
Menara Hap Seng
Jalan P.Ramlee
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-20709399
The latest iPhone 5 is my latest toy despite the facts that Samsung’s share price has beaten that of Apple’s and of how I used to proclaim to be an Android supporter. The good experience of using the new iPad which I had been toying around for the past few months had prompted this erratic decision.
I was excited as soon as the news of iPhone5’s launch in Malaysia, despite it being a few months behind some other countries in the world. Instinctively, I wanted to be the first few to hold the iPhone5 as I always wanna be a trend setter.
Next question, Digi or Maxis? This time, Maxis seemed to offer a more attractive package, not to mention better network coverage.
Long queue at the launch event at CapSquare, even though only 16GB is available!!!
My excitement eventually turned into frustration with Maxis’ service. I don’t understand why there is no phone for even customers who had pre-booked (I booked 32GB), then what’s the point of pre-booking?! Only the “smart” Maxis guys know the answer. Maxis claimed that they have run out of stock, and advised me to leave my name/no at their centres so they can revert. Little tip here, don't wait for them, go to any other authorized Maxis dealer to find one yourself. The dealers’ list can be found from the website.
http://www.maxis.com.my/personal/iphone/where.asp
I had to travel to 3 places before the iPhone5 32GB is in my hand. Tsk tsk tsk.
Goodbye Samsung Galaxy S and welcome iPhone5
So what’s my take with the new iPhone5?
Well, for the appearance, it obviously comes with a longer screen, thinner and it’s also lighter compared to Samsung Galaxy S. The screen is Retina display like the new iPad. I really like the crystal clear high resolution effect, thanks to the Retina display. I am satisfied with my reading from the phone and the occasional watching of movies and Youtube videos.
The camera is also better compared to my old phone. As a blogger who need to capture every moment during my outings, I truly need a good camera phone can do the job as well as a DSLR camera, so I won’t miss any moment if I do not have DSLR with me.
Many people are telling me that the iPhone5 is faster with its A6 dual core processor than its predecessor (iPhone4), but I have no comments as I do not own one. However, its performance is leaps & bounds better than my old Samsung Galaxy S. No more lag to run my favorite apps concurrently now!
Overall I am happy with my new toy except for the poor 3G network. To temporarily solve the problem, restart your phone whenever you can't find the 3G signal. Maxis’ explanation is the network is still not stable until it is further developed. Phew!
As I am not a techie, that’s all I can tell you about my new iPhone5. It’s definitely a true user review rather than a blogger’s sales pitch view. So, are you getting one?
The thing that usually bothers me is what to eat at Mid Valley when my mood is usually spoilt by the crowd and long queue during lunch hour. As I have just done my shopping at Daiso, conveniently I just strolled few steps away into New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice 1977, which was less crowded at that time.
Presentation of the food here is ala Bento style, just imagine having Chinese cuisine in a Japanese Restaurant.
Chicken & Roasted Pork bento set RM13.80+
Roasted Pork & BBQ Pork bento set RM13.80+
The crispy roasted pork and BBQ Pork were soft with half fat, which was just nice for me as I like the belly part compared to the "thin" part which most people like.
The set comes with complimentary ice lemon tea, but the drink was yikes, no tea taste :-(
Overall, the taste was short of being delightful, pretty average if you ask me.
Address
New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice 1977
Level 4, Mid Valley
Tel : 03-2282 3603
Wednesday is no longer a blue day, in fact, it has become an interesting and sweaty one for me – cardio dance work out. I always prefer dance than yoga. In just 60 minutes you’ll shake your booty, tone your core and kick your butt into its’ best shape ever all while having a tonne of fun.
There are some of us who find change to be a wonderfully invigorating experience and some of us who find change to be terrifying. Change terrifies because the status quo is always comfortable. Well, life goes on no matter what happens to us individually- it’s always rife with opportunity and possibility yet somehow we focus on the limitations and impossibilities.
The above quote made me take a first move, i.e. to create a blog, something that I have thought of it for some time but never taken any action. After few sessions on Jim Rohn’s inspirational videos, I decided to make a change in my life too!
Yes, very quickly I bought a book that helps me to start off my blogging plan. It is an useful guide for a newbie like me. In fact, blogging become one of my 2013 new year resolutions! It is not so much of making money as the book said but it is more for interest and passion. However, to be frank, if blogging can bring in some extra pocket money, I would be happier to do so *grin*
Besides lifestyle, my blog will be mostly about food and travel. I will share my food reviews and some interesting places I have visited with suggested itinerary in my future postings. Stay tuned!
