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Where to Eat

in Expat Life, Manila, Manila Food

Samba: A taste of Peru at the Shangri-la The Fort (Manila)

It’s been a while since I raved about a restaurant and it’s never too late to get back on that horse. Last Friday wasn’t my first time at the Shangri-la in BGC nor was it my first time in its Peruvian restaurant Samba. However, it was still every bit as wonderful as the first time I went. And that’s something about a restaurant that gets people to keep coming back – consistency.

It was October 1st and Samba was reopening after a bit of rest during the latest restrictions. Finally, we can dine in restaurants again. I sat with my friend Debbie at the al fresco section, a few feet away from the hotels (gorgeous) pool. The weather was mild with a bit of wind and just a sprinkle of humidity in the air. I didn’t even get to use my humungous abanico which now goes wherever I do. It was absolutely perfect for a night out.

Dinner at Samba

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intercontinental-kuala-lumpur-kl-2016-christmas-menu
in Expat Life

Preview: Holiday Dining at the Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur

The holidays are coming! Being the Gemini that I am, I have to admit that I have a split personality/opinion when it comes to the holidays. I can go from grinch (cos of preparations) to little, giddy girl (cos of  Christmas food) in a matter of seconds.

For today, however, let’s talk about one of the best things about the holidays – food! Christmas is definitely a holiday that brings people together and what better way to celebrate than over a great meal?

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D Legends Bar, Kuala Lumpur, TTDI, Taman Tun, Drinks, Bar, Restaurant, Comfort Food
in Asia, Expat Life, KL Food, Kuala Lumpur, Travel

Foodie Adventures: The Best of D Legends Bar’s 2016 Menu

Back when I was in uni, my friends and I had a special hang out. It was a stone’s throw away from our building, in one of the tiny alleys along Dapitan. A totally chill place where, whatever time of day I go, I will definitely find some of my friends there. The menu was simple, the drinks were easy on my measly student allowance.

Having a go-to place is pretty standard. Especially if, like me, you enjoy a good drink and great company. Had a great day? Round up the gang for some drinks and celebrate. Had a bad day? Round up the gang for some drinks and get over it. Life is simple when you want it to be, no?

Recently, my friend Pita and I were introduced to a new go-to for when we want to unwind. A neighbourhood hangout if you will.

Located in TTDI, D Legends Bar is a place that you may be quick to dismiss since it’s surrounded by tons of choices. After all, this neighbourhood has a reputation for having establishments that are approved by local food snobs. Word of advice, my fellow expats: Do not argue with Malaysians about food. They know their stuff.

Although I do believe that this is one establishment you should try when you’re in the area. It’s approved by locals, and expats living in the area are fond of it as well. The great price points are a huge plus as well.

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Paris, Travel, Diplomat's Wife, Eiffel Tower, Where to go, What to see, What to eat
in Video

Travel + Video: Paris 2015

Our next stop in Europe was Paris! Though this city will always have a special place in my heart, I have to admit that in the summer, it can be too hot and too crowded. Nevertheless, I still had a lot of fun since going back to this city – this time with my husband – is just really romantic.

Before I move on to writing about where to go and some travel tips to Paris, let me share with you this video filled with snippets from this leg of our trip! Enjoy! :-*

More later!

xx,

Carol

*Trip is not sponsored by any country’s tourism department, company, or brand but by my side of the family living in Europe.  😊

in Expat Life, KL Food

Foodie Advisory: Australian MasterChef Adam Liaw Makes His Food Truck Debut

Adam Liaw, Mission Foods, Food Truck, Wraps, Food Truck Klang Valley, Food Truck Kuala Lumpur, Wraps, Dinner, Lunch, Light Dinner, Light Lunch, Asian Fusion, MasterChef, MasterChef Australia, Laksa, Rendang, Prawns, Chicken, Lamb, Hummus, Kimchi, Beef,

It’s like everywhere I go these days, food trucks are all the rage. From Manila to Kuala Lumpur, the latest buzz among foodies usually involves where to find food trucks that sell awesome food for dirt-cheap prices.

Recently, I was invited to try out Australian MasterChef Adam Liaw’s creations for a new food truck that will be going around Kuala Lumpur starting this June. Of course, I had to say yes to the invitation. I love watching MasterChef every time I catch it on TV. The kiddie edition even features kids who can cook way better than me. And it’s always great to learn from people who know better – even though they’re not really chefs or might be over a decade younger than you. 😉

Adam is the winner of the Australian MasterChef season 2. He gained popularity due to his artistic ability when it comes to food and for his Asian fusion dishes.

He was recently commissioned by Mission Foods, one of the largest producers of corn flour and tortilla wraps to create a menu for the Mission-sponsored food truck.

Adam’s menu consists of the following:

Laksa Fried Chicken Wrap with Pineapple Salsa

Adam Liaw, Mission Foods, Food Truck, Wraps, Food Truck Klang Valley, Food Truck Kuala Lumpur, Wraps, Dinner, Lunch, Light Dinner, Light Lunch, Asian Fusion, MasterChef, MasterChef Australia, Laksa, Rendang, Prawns, Chicken, Lamb, Hummus, Kimchi, Beef,

My personal favourite! I thought this was going to be too spicy for me but it was actually very pleasant – both in taste and texture. Each piece of chicken is marinated with the special laksa paste that Adam developed and the fresh, pineapple salsa is just divine.

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in Expat Life, KL Food

Foodie Adventures: Mono Coffee Opens at Publika

Mono Coffee, Publika, Cafe, Expat Dining, Foodie, Food, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee Place, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Solaris Dutamas, Diplomat's Wife, Recommendation, Laid Back Cafe, Cosans Coffee, Review, Opening, Launch

I love Publika and I notice that a lot of expats do too. I guess it’s because of the fine selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops in that mall. I often go there with the husband for tapas, actually. 😉

Recently, another cafe has opened in Publika to add to the place’s list of establishments. Mono Coffee is yet another place for people who want to hang out, enjoy a cuppa, and meet up with friends in the Solaris Dutamas area.

Mono Coffee, Publika, Cafe, Expat Dining, Foodie, Food, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee Place, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Solaris Dutamas, Diplomat's Wife, Recommendation, Laid Back Cafe, Cosans Coffee, Review, Opening, Launch

(RELATED POST: Foodie Adventures: JEQ in the House (Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya))

But one thing that’s really nice about the place is the atmosphere. The lighting, the unfinished and slight industrial feel of the cafe also makes it quite relaxing.

The cafe was opened by the Brandker Group – the company behind one of Klang Valley’s most well known cafe chains: Cosans Coffee.

Mono Coffee, Publika, Cafe, Expat Dining, Foodie, Food, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee Place, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Solaris Dutamas, Diplomat's Wife, Recommendation, Laid Back Cafe, Cosans Coffee, Review, Opening, Launch

Mono Coffee, Publika, Cafe, Expat Dining, Foodie, Food, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee Place, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Solaris Dutamas, Diplomat's Wife, Recommendation, Laid Back Cafe, Cosans Coffee, Review, Opening, Launch, Where to eat in KL

You can say that Mono is Cosan’s hipster brother. With Mono specialising on serving artisan brews. It’s for coffee aficionados and those who actually appreciate the proper process of getting your beans into your cup.

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in Expat Life, KL Food, Kuala Lumpur

Foodie Adventures: JEQ in the House (Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya)

JEQ in the House, Restaurant, Cafe, Review, Petaling Jaya, Seksyen 17, Restaurant Review, Cafe Review, Food Review, Comfort Food, Pasta, Coffee, Coffee Art, Malaysia

Living in KLCC is like being inside your own bubble. Sometimes, you don’t really think of venturing out since everything you need seems to be a stone’s throw away. Great restaurants, malls, supermarkets – everything.

JEQ in the House, Restaurant, Cafe, Review, Petaling Jaya, Seksyen 17, Restaurant Review, Cafe Review, Food Review, Comfort Food, Pasta, Coffee, Coffee Art, Malaysia

However, after making friends with expats who have been here for a while as well as with locals, I found out that there’s more to Kuala Lumpur and its neighbouring city Petaling Jaya when it comes to shopping and food choices.

JEQ in the House, Restaurant, Cafe, Review, Petaling Jaya, Seksyen 17, Restaurant Review, Cafe Review, Food Review, Comfort Food, Pasta, Coffee, Coffee Art, Malaysia

In fact, the more you move away from the city centre, the more realise that when it comes to choices, things can get quite overwhelming (and budget friendly too!). That’s why I’m so thankful for my friends’ recommendations! 😉

JEQ in the House, Restaurant, Cafe, Review, Petaling Jaya, Seksyen 17, Restaurant Review, Cafe Review, Food Review, Comfort Food, Pasta, Coffee, Coffee Art, Malaysia

Situated in a quiet, residential area in Seksyen (Section) 17 of Petaling Jaya is a cafe that serves food that will really make me forget about dieting. Not that I have problems with that. 😉

JEQ in the House, Restaurant, Cafe, Review, Petaling Jaya, Seksyen 17, Restaurant Review, Cafe Review, Food Review, Comfort Food, Pasta, Coffee, Coffee Art, Malaysia

There’s nothing like comfort food and good coffee on a hot, humid weekend and JEQ in the House was able to provide both while I enjoyed the cafe’s ambiance.

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in Expat Life, Manila

Food: Tapella in Greenbelt 5 (Makati, Philippines)

Tapella, Restaurant, Restobar, Makati, Philippines, Greenbelt, Food, Makati Restaurants, Where To Eat

In case you were following my Instagram feed you would know by now that I was just in Manila. That explains the lack of posts the past few days. I made a quick trip home to buy some of the things we need – such as national wear/clothes (I seriously despise having to call them ‘costumes’. They’re our heritage!) We have our national day celebration coming up this June and most of Alvin’s formal and office barongs as well as my Filipiniana pieces that we brought with us last year have already been used a couple of times for different events. When people said that KL is a busy post with so many events, I didn’t expect it to be THAT many. So yes, one of us had to go home for reinforcements.

Tapella, Restaurant, Restobar, Makati, Philippines, Greenbelt, Food, Makati Restaurants, Where To Eat

While I was in Manila running around like a headless chicken and making sure I get everything done in 11 days, I made sure to allot some time to meet up with friends – both old and new. I really missed them for the past 9 months (OMG we’ve been in Malaysia for 9 months?! Feels like only yesterday when were packing our bags for posting!) that we’ve been in KL! 🙁 So despite my crazy schedule and constant battle with crazy Manila traffic (due to roads being built for APEC), I made time to meet with them. I wasn’t able to see all of them but I did what I can do with so little time!

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in Asia, Malaysia, Penang, Travel

Food: Wheeler’s Coffee (Penang)

Penang is a foodie’s version of heaven and gaining weight while you’re there for a couple of days is inevitable. Well, unless you have the self-restraint of a Buddhist monk then maybe you can resist overeating. But for me, it was just too hard. I even dropped by the hotel gym at some point just to work out because I was feeling a bit guilty.

The trainer told me that I’m actually pretty thin and I could use a couple more pounds but to stay healthy and to get stronger, I should workout around 3 times a week and eat healthy (READ: veggies and fruits). My first question was: How many cheat meals am I allowed then? Lol, typical Carol. He told me I could have as much as 3-4 as I’m still quite frail-looking. But to be honest, I only get to do a maximum of 3 healthy meals a week. And that’s a HUGE improvement for this junk-food loving carnivore. 😉 (RELATED POST: Travel+ Food + Photos: Getting to Penang, Penang Hill, and some Food Worship)

While Penang is known for its Chinese food, the influx of expat workers brought in different kinds of cuisine from all over the world. It’s easy enough to spot a Middle Eastern diner where they serve authentic Naan and Chicken Masala that will make you think twice as to where you actually are – Malaysia? Saudi Arabia? Yemen??? The last day of Alvin’s conference ended at around 1 p.m. and since our flight back to Kuala Lumpur was scheduled the next day, we had a whole afternoon to ourselves. We decided to eat in George Town just so Alvin can walk around and see it as well (I’ve been doing my own sightseeing while he was attending the conference). We got off at Lebuh Chulia and ended up in Lorong Love (Love Lane) which is a backpacker and cafe area of George Town. We wandered into Wheeler’s Coffee for that afternoon.

Wheeler’s Coffee along Lorong Love in George Town.

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in Asia, Malaysia, Penang, Travel

Travel + Photos: Purrfect Cat Cafe (Penang)

Penang’s 1st and only cat cafe can be found in Jalan Muntri, a street connected to the famous Love Lane (Lorong Love), George Town.

The last stop of yesterday’s walking tour of Penang’s capital, George Town was Purrfect Cat Cafe along Jalan Muntri. I’m putting this one up first so I can link to it once I do the full walking tour post. Oh, and because the cats deserve a post of their own. Don’t you think? I’ve always loved animals, sometimes more than most people. If you watch the news on a regular basis, you’ll probably get me why I feel like this.

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