Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Day 2, Scene 11
Chinese New Year this time round, not quite what it used to be.
Its just as hot, clothes are still just as red and cornflake cookies are just as flaky (and crumbly too! such happiness to be found in cookie crumbles on my lap). I'm sure that festive feeling is hidden between those little jars of symbolism. I havent looked behind the Shandy cans yet though.
Sigh..
My handphone credit is dying a premature death as I have been dilligently replying the sms greetings I've been receiving. If friends are nice enough to even bother sending me a message to wish me a happy new year, the least I could do is text them back. The greetings are getting more and more creative every year. I wonder what else can be done with comma's, semi-clolons and full-stops.
As of now, I am spending the 2nd night of CNY watching Pirates of the Caribbean 3 on Astro. Good night.
P.S. Too lazy to colour. On a laptop now. Bleh.
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Friday, January 23, 2009
A Rumour For Chinese New Year
Chinesenewyear chinesenewyear chinesenewyear chinesenewyear!!
Nope, saying it 4 times fast doesnt quite conjure the feelings it used to. I'm slowly losing that festive feeling as the season draws closer. Must be an age thing. The horror! *age comes round the corner and knocks me out with an old bat*
I think the real CNY killer for me was last year when it rained during CNY. In all my years as a model citizen and award-winning whiner, it has always been scorchingly hot with eyeball-burning blazing sunlight all day long. Rain on CNY is like strawberry sauce on a chocolate sundae. Very wrong.
A few days ago, I was presented with the opportunity to have a unique taste of CNY just before it swings round the corner (and collides head-on with my nerves), so I figured it'd be the perfect thing to remind my brain that CNY is still pretty much my favourite festive season.
Rumours at Desa Sri Hartamas came up with a special Chinese New Year menu recently and boy, I certainly felt a wee bit prosperous after that.
Dinner roll, butter and a glass of white wine.
Just what every champion should start their day with wtf.
A good sign of service at Rumours: they opened my butter for me before serving it *big shining eyes of gratitude* I can never get those darn foil tops off properly in a dignified manner. I am one butter-pack short of stamping madly on it while wearing my leopard-skin cape.
Ze wine.
I'm not much of a wine-o, so my knowledge of wine goes just about till the chapter where they mention red wine and white wine. But it says "Sauvignon Blanc" right there on the label, so I guess I got something right.
Sleepy after-work eyes.
The first dish that came was a starter that's familiar to anyone who's ever eaten during CNY. Lou Sang!!! But Rumours has it with a special twist.
Lou Sang with White Tuna (or salmon)
Now everyone knows how the good ol' tradition of mixing up the dish with your chopsticks and the higher you go, the better your odds at prosperity and good luck.
So if you want that pair of shoes real bad, best stand up on the chair for this one.
Eat with lots of noise.
What's different about this dish is the use of white tuna as the fishy part of the Lou Sang, as opposed to the more common salmon. I'm not a huge fan of raw salmon, but the white tuna in this Lou Sang was so fresh, I actually had seconds! *pause for thunderous applause*
There wasnt as strong a taste as the traditional Chinese versions because it wasnt too overpowering (which is good), but my favourite crispy bits are in abundance =D I was pleasantly surprised to find delightfully juicy pomelo segments that gave me a happy tingle as I bit into them and the sacs popped with crisp juiciness in between mouthfuls of more crispy stuff.
After (what i hope to be) a very prosperous starter, the soup was up next!
Ginger Chicken Consomme Soup
I was a tad skeptical about this one as my previous experiences with ginger have had me (pardon the pun) gingerly nursing a throbbing tongue with an unpleasant sensation left behind.
But this soup left me with nothing but a warm stomach and a tingly throat (in a good way). At first smell, you can tell that there's an oriental hint to this soup, but not too much. The broth has a hint of ginger, but that's about it. The peppery aftertaste (tickly throat, remember?) is sure to cure any stuffy nose and chills, and make you feel like you're sinking into the most comfortable bean bag ever.
There is a single fried chicken wantan bobbing peacefully in the soup bowl and I enjoyed the feeling of biting into it and learning that it is all plump and juicy with soaking up the delicious soup. Crispy and soupy at the same time. It looks simple and plain, but the sensations are anything but.
Then came the main dishes!! There's an option of 3 to choose from! Yummeh..
Pan Fried Five-Spice Duck Breast
I love duck. I adore duck. I drool over its delicious duck-ness. I salivate at the thought of duck. Did I mention I love duck? This dish got me very excited indeed. You will be glad to know that I did not wet myself (this time).
Exquisite slices of pan-seared duck confit are served with stir-fried vegies, all balanced on a fluffy bed of buttered brown herb rice. The duck meat was amazingly tender and did not require the use of forceful chewing (like most duck meat dishes) to finish it off. I like to enjoy my duck with my teeth intact thank you very much. I could definitely taste the slight soury-bittery hint of the 5 spice, which perfectly complemented the strong taste of the duck.
The buttered brown herb rice deserves honourable mention! It was awesome! Slightly creamy, but with well separated grains and an almost melt-in-your-mouth sensation, I was sorely tempted to just order a plate of it and eat it on its own.
Like Gardenia. Wtf.
For a well-balanced diet, Rumours knows that something fishy is a must.
Steamed White Cod with Plum Sauce
I love my steamed cod when the flesh comes off perfectly in delicate white flakes of fishy goodness, and the fresh white cod in this dish was no exception. Steamed to perfection, the clean and light taste of the fish was paired with a sweet plum sauce, which was the dash of oriental that gave it a little extra kick.
What I like is that the white cod wasnt drowned in plum sauce, which would make the fish soggy and totally kill the experience. Instead, a light drizzle on the top was just right and pleasing to the taste.
Oh, and did I mention it came with the buttered brown herb rice? Yummeh!
By the time I'd finished off the fish, I was hankering for some good ol' solid meat to wash it all down.
Braised Beef Tenderloin in Chinese BBQ Sauce
Beef, glorious beef!!! *cue orchestra*
The meat was as tender as one could ask for, and the flavours of the Chinese BBQ sauce fully permeated the beef inside out, making it full of flavour and the meat wasnt too dry at all. Its absolutely heavenly to be able to slice effortlessly through the beef medallions and savour the juicy taste of the meat, perfectly paired with lashings of the Chinese BBQ sauce.
It had a familiar, homely taste to it. Like a phantom flavour just slipping out of your mind that you're positive you've had it somewhere or sometime before.
And more more more buttered brown herb rice!! =D
All too soon, the dishes were cleared and fingers licked. It was time for dessert! In line with their special Chinese New Year menu, Rumours gave a wicked twist to an all-time favourite Chinese dessert.
Red Bean Pancake with Sesame Ice Cream & Fruits
When I first read the menu, I figured that it would be that crispy, brown-skinned pancake served at the end of orgasmic Chinese dinners. Not really a big fan of red bean, but I'll wolf it down anyway. Imagine my confusion when I saw the dish plonked right in front of me.
Instead of the common crispy, brown skin (ala fried popiah skin), Rumours does modern glam by spreading red bean paste onto a crepe, and rolling it up into a little oriental swiss-roll. Brownie points for creativity! The red bean paste is made from red beans which have been hand-mashed into a.. Paste? And you can really taste the authenticity with the slightly grainy texture of the red bean paste within the simple crepe.
The sesame ice cream really is something. It has the recognisable nutty taste of sesame seeds, with a toasted aftertaste, and it was really something new to my palate. Tastes much like a nutty ice cream, but with a slightly refreshing feel. Meant to be eaten with the red bean pancake, its an intriguing combo that somehow works. Points for unique presentation!
Rumours' Chinese New Year menu is priced at RM168+ for 4 pax, RM336+ for 8 pax and RM488+ for 12pax (such prosperous pricing) and runs till 9th February 2009.
IMHO, its definitely a contemporary dining experience if you're looking for a different take on some of our beloved CNY dishes. I absolutely adore the warm and inviting setting of Rumours, with its elegant dark wooden furniture and display wall filled with wine bottles that would make any wine-o delirious.
I dont drink chinese tea anyway (such blasphemy), so I suppose a glass of wine with my CNY meal wouldnt be too bad either.
Check Rumours out at 24, Jalan 28/70A Desa Sri Hartamas. Its tucked in a little corner at the block behind Souled Out, so keep your eyes sharp!
*pics courtesy of David & Nigel*
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Monday, January 19, 2009
Music Bang Bday Bang
I didnt really get to stuff myself up too much during the Penang trip, but what asam laksa, char kuey teow, dim sum and chicken wings I managed to scarf down was pretty darn good!
Round 2 please?
And thank you so much to Jessica aka Benjicajess for playing host and layan-ing our spoilt fancies on Day 2! =D Good guide, fine example of Penang driving. Totally mental!! *shudders*
Anyhoo, I'll be heading down to the "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" movie screening at Cineleisure tonight, courtesy of Nuffnang. Free movie ftw!! Good Monday! Good Monday!!
And further on into the week, its Time Out KL's "On the Up" music night!!! Awesomeness! Live local music performances at No Black Tie!!
The line up for Wednesday night:
- Singer songwriter 2StoreyHeart
- Acoustic singer songwriter Izzy Mohamed
- Fusion rock group Secret Love Affair
- Sometimes solo, sometimes trio, sometimes full on band Brokenscar (Kevin Teh)
Check out their sites and have a listen to some of their music before checking out the gig on Wednesday! I've been sampling a few, and I rather like what I hear, so I'm definitely looking forward to it.
As usual, tickets are priced at RM20, but with a click of the mouse right [here], it magically morphs into the glorious figure of just RM10 for a night of good music worth every cent. If you're thinking of popping by, best to make a reservation at No Black Tie first, because it gets rather packed.
So that's my Wednesday all done. And Thursday?
Its the party of the century yo.
Birthday boy, Yatz, gets his very own exclusive party flyer!! I am very envious!!
We'll be making use of Zouk's birthday party offers (as mentioned here in my previous post), so its gonna be a ton of fun with lots of happy lights, crazy laughs and plenty of jugs!! And also profuse crotch-shaking!! ;)
*yatz bday bang flyer by Nigel*
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
Pee
Penang, I am in!
Back, tomorrow I shall be.
Stuffed, is the aim I shall achieve.
Too free, are the people here.
Penang drivers, deathwishes they have.
Seriously.
David, Kel Li, Nigel, Aaron, together with me, they are.
Evergreen Laurer, we are at.
Envy us, you shall.
Fat upon return, I will be.
4 comments
Friday, January 16, 2009
New NYE
New Year's Eve!!
2 weeks ago, yet still so traumatising. Partly because everyone can only remember about half of what they did and are keeping their fingers crossed in the hopes that no one else remembers the other half for them.
Sporadic memories of NYE celebrations past are filled with sticky confetti, loud bangs, throngs of people I dont know and strangely enough, the memory of counting down in a car because we were on our way to the mamak for a milo ais, just like any other night.
Well, this year is a wee bit more special! My list of "Holiday-Eve" babies has been constantly growing! Its one of my mini bubbles of excitement. I know a Valentine's Eve baby, a Merdeka Eve baby (and a Merdeka baby), a Christmas Eve baby (even a Leap Year baby, but that's a different story).
Meet New Year's Eve baby! Aaron "CincauHangus" Ho!
Twas a special 22nd birthday celebration/NYE party courtesy of him and Thomas =D
A service apartment at Duta Vista served as the perfect venue to stuff your friends in. And boy, did it have plenty of room to throw a party.
Feast your eyes on the "Thomas Hardy" suite. Please note, you will not be prone to bouts of literary genius whilst on the premises.
Main hall with a tv that works, comfy couches, dining table and authentic spiral staircase.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. There's an "upstairs". The jakun within is suitably impressed.
Kitchen.
A mini hall just at the main door.
Main entrance straight ahead. A bathroom more spacious than your bedroom, on the right. Authentic spiral staircase, still there.
"House Rules #1. Dont open unless told. TQ. To preserve the syokness inside"
Catch a whiff of syokness.
Make yourself at home.
There are 2 bedrooms upstairs. The rooms are so big, and the beds take up so little space, you could put about 10 people up for the night in each.
Room 1 with two single beds.
Room 2 with a king sized bed for rolling about.
The other side of Room 2. Roll, roll and roll.
The cupboard of happiness.
The plates of happiness.
Food that night was aplenty in KFC, satay, sandwiches, more KFC and pizza.
And then there were penguins.
No, really. Several "Jackass Penguins" call Duta Vista home.
Sitting all cold and cosy in an air-conditioned enclosure.
Which pained me to see actually, because I think its pretty sad for them to be cooped up like that. They could learn a thing or two from "Madagascar".
The guest list.
Relax, eat, drink, play card games, take pictures, whine about how fast the year has gone by. That's basically a formula for a good party.
DJ Domo and DJ Kun.
Label your cup. Reduce wastage.
Munch munch.
Ring of Fire!!!
Horrible game. Disgustingly fun.
Chicks.
Half-cooked ones.
Grrr.
Nadia's contribution. A great big pot of freshly cooked poser.
Who says you cant bottle up fun?
Domo arigato.
You kinda get the picture.
But of course, we cant forget one of the main reasons we're all gathered under one roof that night.
Tis time!
Domokun says "Nom"
Just in time to get a year older ;)
Domokun says "Nom nom"
More friends with benefits.
Group picture time! But Aaron's still not done with the limelight just yet.
Pictures like these blow away the need for captions.
I spy.. A bowling alley! Special tribute to Aaron hahahhahahhhha =P
Time for more fun and games! 12am looms ever closer!!
This could go on forever in a happy merry-go-round of familiar faces.
Dillon demonstrating "Bing Bang WAH!"
Brilliant game for the blur cases and drunkards!
Domokun sees all.
Learning that karma's a bitch XD
Pictures for proof. Nin-jah style!!
Stephanie really knows how to take advantage of each Kodak moment.
Aaron showing off.
Moments you'd miss if you blinked.
Happy picture series!
WAH!
This has got to be the easiest party to describe with all these pictures.
Soon enough..
5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers to bunches of fun!!
Then I got my ass kicked in Taboo and went to bed wtf.
I was exhausted!! Sigh but I had so much fun, I'm so lost for words.
But the fun apparently didnt stop there for some people.
Who knows what happened..
And we also learned that peer pressure can turn people into many things.
A little bit of this.
And plenty of that.
With a good sprinkling of those.
Casualties!!
HAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHA!!
KO.
Emo.
Dunno.
The aftermath.
Emptied out.
Spot the casualty!! XD
What would Thomas do?
Never has there been a picture so wrong before.
The birthday boy's swag!!
We beg you, please.
And that's the tale of NYE 2008.
If it didnt explain much, that's because there isnt much to explain anyway. It was just perfect for the moment. And its a moment that's worth leaving 2008 behind for.
Brought to you by the letter "Ack"
*pics courtesy of David, Aaron, Andrew*
Stuck in my head - "Can't Hold Me Down" by Karate High School
I can't explain it but I feel so invincible
All signs say that I can't be broken
You didn't believe when you heard me say: you can't hold me down
You cant hold me down
You cant hold me down
I finally decided to stop keeping score
I used to be so scared, but I'm not afraid anymore
You cant hold me down
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