Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Out Of Office Message

Please leave a message after the beep.... *BEEEEP*......

Yay! Its finally my Labour Day weekend break!
:)
I've been really looking forward to it - I'll be on my way across the sea to Sarawak, to attend my friends' wedding. We (all the single guys and girls) were hoping that the bride and groom would have some nice eligible friends to introduce to us but *sigh* FAIL!

Well, it's very "FAIL!" for me anyway.
Out of the best man and 2 grooms men: One is my very good friend from uni days (who's like a brother to me), one's my ex-bf and the last one is married.

The guys are not much better off though. Out of the maid of honor and 2 bridesmaids: One is getting married soon, the other is already married and the third one? Well, let's just say she's not interested in men.
*lol*

Oh well, at least I will have plenty of Sarawak Laksa and Kolok Mee and yummy yummy Midin to stuff my face with/ drown my sorrows in....
:)


Looking forward to the Sarawak Laksa... oh, and the wedding, of course,
J


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Saturday, April 26, 2008

J Has No Common Sense

Some movies should come with warning labels......

Good thing:
Making a long overdue plan to go to the gym after work, and actually sticking with it.
(YAY for me!)

Bad thing:
Watching the movie P.S. I Love You at home (alone) and crying my eyes out like a silly little girl because I realize that I'll never find any man who will love me that much, let alone a caring, kind, intelligent AND good looking (in this case, Irish) man.
(Stupid, stupid, STUPID)

So angry at myself - I should have known better than to watch that movie, especially at this time.
*sigh*
I suppose I grossly overestimated my emotional strength?

Anyway, here's a WARNING to all single girls out there who have still not fully recovered from their last heartbreak: Do not, I repeat, DO NOT watch P.S. I Love You unless:
1) you enjoy inflicting pain on yourself,
2) you are an unbelievably positive thinking person who will instead absorb the saccharine sweet corniness of this movie and take it as a sign that one day you will also find that true love for yourself, OR
3) you really are THAT strong willed.

You have been warned!
(Choose to heed it or not? Up to you dearies…)


Curses unrealistic Hollywood standards,
J

[ BEGIN EDIT ]
(July 08)

Hilarious...
My friends are just HILARIOUS.
*amused smile*

My recently married friends watched P.S. I Love You recently, and you know what they told me their first thoughts were (when it reached a really sad part and they both starting crying)??

Well, apparently they looked at each other, and said "OMG. *sniffle sob sob* Poor J!!! I can't believe she watched this alone.... "


Haha,
J

[ END EDIT ]

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Monday, April 21, 2008

Drama Minggu Ini

Drama of the week......

I'm sorry that I hate you,
Forgive me but I do.
You think my hate is baseless?
Prove me wrong, that your heart is true.

If you can't, or just won't,
Then I beg you: please, just go,
Grant me just one kindness,
Some space to heal my soul.


The fool,
J


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Friday, April 18, 2008

[ Enter Title Here ]

Wow.
Thursday already.

(Even bigger) WOW.
APRIL already???

Time is really passing too quickly!
And I don't think it's because I'm having so much fun...
Haha....

Well, it's ok been ok lah.
THe great thing about being single is that now I have more time for myself... More time to relax, meet up with friends, etc.... but it'd be a total lie if I said it's been a bed of roses.
:)

(Unless you mean a big bed of bristly roses with plenty of thorns)

Workwise, I've been super busy (as usual) but am feeling strangely "sien" of my work. I know I really shouldn't feel like that - my bosses have been good to me this year (My promotion came through! Yay!).

Maybe I'm hitting a one third life crisis?:
- half of me is so tempted to just say, "Screw this! You only live once." and just quit my job to travel the world,
- while the other side of me is saying, "Oh J. It's time for you to grow up! You're a big girl now." and tie myself down into investments, concentrate 110% on my career and find a nice boy to take home to the parents.

*sigh*


In 2 minds,
J


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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Sassorosso @ Lorong Yap Kwan Seng, KL

Great Italian restaurant to try in the heart of KL city (practically down the road from KLCC)....

The Dinner:

Situated in a cosy little bungalow on Lorong Yap Kwan Seng, Sassorosso is a convenient stone's throw away from the bustling KLCC area. I found the exterior very inviting, with its patches of greenery around the low key white building:
The exterior of SassoRosso....

Inside, it was modern and stylish (without being "hoity-toity"):
Sassorosso interior....

I particularly appreciated the fact that they did not put the tables too closely together, making the space inside feel much more comfortable and look more spacious than it actually was.

Scanning the extensive menu, we felt spoilt for choice. There was a wide range of deliciously described meats, pastas, pizzas and seafood - ranging from the affordable (about RM20++) to the expensive (RM80++).

As we were feeling especially greedy that night, we actually chose the Quattro Formaggi - 4 Cheese Pizza (RM 28++) as our starter that night:
The Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese Pizza)....

Mmmmmmm......
I really enjoyed this pizza - simple but satisfying.
The crust was just nice..... slightly crispy but with some "bite" to it and topped with a generous amount of fragrant cheese.
(Still, I can imagine that it would be very "jelak" if you try to eat this on your own)

Moving on to the mains, we tried the Veal Ossobucco (RM 68++), Duck Breast & Confit (RM 42++), Pasta Bigoli all’anitra (RM 28++) and Stuffed Chicken (RM 38++):

Clockwise from top left: The Lamb Ossobucco, Duck Breast & Confit, Spaghetti Bigoli all’anitra and the Stuffed Chicken....

The clearcut "winners" here were definately the Veal Ossobuco and the Duck Breast:
- The Veal Ossobuco - lovingly stewed veal (so tender!) served with a side of either potatoes or risotto
- The Duck Breast and Confit was not particularly tender, but stood out with it's smokey fragrant taste and totally non-existence of "ducky" flavour in the meat.

As for the other two, they were not that nice (by my tastebuds):
- The Spaghetti Bigoli all’anitra - a thick spaghetti cooked in a savoury duck broth, was unusual (cannot find in other restaurants here) but I found it a bit starchy (due to the thickness of the spaghetti)
- The Stuffed Chicken - Ok only lah. The lemon butter sauce was ok but the chicken was a bit too dry.

Of course, we could not miss out on dessert. That night we had the Panna Cotta (RM 14++) and Strawberry Millefeuille (RM 16++):
The Panna Cotta and the Strawberry Millefeuille....

The Panna Cotta was pretty good - good texture that was not too dense yet not too light and just right in terms of sweetness.

As for the Strawberry Millefeuille - only just ok. The pastry layers were a bit too dense, bordering on hard.
(I was disappointed... I like strawberry desserts and was hoping this would be good)

The highlight of the night for me was definately the Chocolate Flan (RM 22++):
The chocolate flan....

I must admit, at first I thought: "Wah, so expensive!" but decided to order it anyway.... And thank goodness I did!
MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm - Perfecto!
Slightly crisp outer layer, harbouring a moist yet light spongey cake with a wonderfully sinful molten chocolate center.... complemented by the serving of vanilla ice cream and contrasting sour berries on the side.

(I know this sort of dessert is pretty common nowadays but I found that Sassorosso does it really well)

Overall, I really enjoyed our dinner there that night. It's not like it's super affordable but I felt it was good value for money considering the yummy taste of the nicer dishes (Just be a bit careful on what you order). I'm definately going back to try out some of the other items on the menu!
:)

So it's: Stylish but comfortable setting in a cosy bungalow, wide range of delicious Italian food, friendly service BUT nothing much except that there are some "misses" on the menu and prices there can be quite expensive for some dishes (serving sizes are good though).


Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:

Sassorosso @ Lorong Yap Kwan Seng, KL

Taste: 7
Ambience : 7
Service : 7
Price** : RM 50/++ per person (!!)
Parking: OK
Website (with map): www.sassorosso.com.my

(!!) Warning: You can definately eat there for RM50++ but there are some meat dishes there which cost up to RM90++ each.

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks

Telephone No.: 03-2166 6428
Opening Hours: 12noon till late, closed on Sunday

NO PORK SERVED



OTHER REVIEWS:
- Lots Of Cravings
- Kampung Kayell
- Sweets For My Sweet Tooth
- Jule's Eating Guide to Malaysia
- Places and Foods
- Euphoric Moments
- Pink Painter

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Monday, April 07, 2008

Dusha @ Changkat Bukit Bintang

Some soulful Russian and Uzbek food in the Changkat Bukit Bintang area....

[ BEGIN EDIT ]
(Nov 2009)

Sorry but Dusha has closed down...
A new Japanese restaurant/ bar called Daikanyama has taken over this location - I haven't tried the food there yet but will try to soon and update on it here.
(So far, I've heard that it's good)

:)

Hugs,
J

[ END EDIT ]

I suspect this is one of the reviews where I will feel a bit guilty for being brutally honest....
(The owner and the wait staff at the restaurant are really friendly....)
:(
... but oh well, I gotta tell the truth.

Anyway, we had decided to be adventurous that week and try out a Russian restaurant called Dusha that had opened recently in the bustling Changkat Bukit Bintang area.

The Dinner

Dusha (which means "soul" in Russian, by the way) looks fairly inviting from the outside with its cheerful green signage:
Dusha's exterior....

Inside, it is simple but modern, with a small bar area by the side:
The Interior of Dusha....

We all sat down comfortably and scanned the extensive menu, with the super friendly waitress explaining and recommending some of the Russian (and Uzbekhistan) dishes available.

For our starters, we chose the Sate (RM 22++), the Borsht (RM 14++) and the Russian Dumplings (RM 22++):

Clockwise from top: The Sate, Borsht and Russian Dumplings....

The Sate tasted normal - it was basically some diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs, wrapped with grilled eggplant.
(Nothing wrong with it really... Just nothing special, especially for that price)

The Borsht was also just ok - light, clear vegetable soup that had a strong undertone of beetroot and a really bright purple-red colour.

As for the Russian dumplings in clear broth, they were moderately tasty but tasted too similar to its Chinese brethren, the "sui kow" (except that the "sui kow" is more to savoury where else this has a slightly sour taste)....
(Oh, btw the dumplings were supposed to be a main but we ordered it to share)

Moving on to the mains, we had the Beef Stroganoff (RM 38++), Genghis Khan Beef (RM 38++), Chef's Special Lamb (RM 48++) and Tzar Beef (RM 38++):

Clockwise from top left: The Beef Stroganoff, Genghis Khan Beef, Chef's Special Lamb and Tzar Beef....

Hmmmm....
How do I put this tactfully?
Well, I suspect that the beef was purchased from a farmer who owned (and was trying to get rid of) a very old, very underfed and very overworked cow (or maybe even a kerbau).
*sigh*
It was a waste actually, because the sauce for the Stroganoff and the Genghis Khan was quite nice. Anyway, these 2 dishes come with an option for chicken and I would advice you try that instead.

As for the Tzar Beef, errrrrr - Let's just say it was a cultural experience on its own. The minced beef had a strong taste of beetroot and topped with a pungeant cheese (which was almost like a mild blue cheese).

The one nice dish that night (that I would recommend) is the Chef's Special Lamb - tender and tasty, you could tell that it had been well marinated and lovingly cooked over a slow fire.

Lastly, for dessert we tried the Apple Pie with ice cream (RM 15++) as well as 2 other Russian desserts that I have forgotten the names (sorry!):


Clockwise from top left: The 2 Russian Desserts and the Apple Pie with Ice Cream....

Overall, all 3 desserts were fairly nice. Again, nothing spectacular but a nice simple way to cap off your meal without feeling too guilty.
(I liked the Apple Pie best)

What can I say?
It's still worth a try if you want to experience Russian or Uzbek food....
(I don't think there are any other restaurants in KL serving Russian as far as I know)
... just please avoid the beef at all costs.
(Unless you feel like giving your jaw muscles a good work out)

So, it's: Russian food in a simple but stylish setting, wide range of food and really friendly service BUT dangerous menu (do NOT order the beef if you can help it, chicken would probably be a MUCH better choice) and a bit pricey considering the serving size.

Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:
Dusha @ Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL
(Near the main Tengkat Tong Shin area, almost opposite Frangipani)


Taste: 5
Ambience : 6
Service : 7
Price** : RM70++ per person
Parking: Painful (unless you jockey or park in slightly dodgy parking lots)

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 03-2144 9990
Opening Hours: 12noon till late

NO PORK SERVED



OTHER REVIEWS:
- A review at Trip Advisor.com (Sorry but this was the only other review* I could find)
* That is not from a newspaper or magazine


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Thursday, April 03, 2008

Stupid Humans

A-R-G-H.
No, really:
Ohmyeffinggodwhattheheckiswrongwithyoupeoplewhymustyoucomplicatethingssomuchjustbecauseofyourownselfinterestsaren'tweonthesameteam?AAAAAAAARRRRRRGH.

*breathes in*

Ok.
I feel slightly better now.
(Just a case of too many things happening at the same time lah - (I think) I'll survive)
:)

In other news: I had a revelation after meeting up with my friends the other night.
What is it, you ask?

Basically, it dawned on me that it's my own fault that I can't seem to meet the right guy. I've never really liked kids and have very little interest in popping out a couple of my own one day so I suppose it permeates through my thoughts and into my aura. Therefore, warding off all stable, eligible men who want to find a loving wife to start a family with.

Great.
Just great.


Don't call me negative - I'll admit I'm wrong and cheer up when someone proves me wrong!,
J the Chocoholic


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