Ben's General Food Store

Nothing beats ending a stressful few weeks like good food and company. The initial plan was to go down KL for dinner, but with the rain and jam we decided to head to Bangsar Village I instead. After much contemplation, we ended up in Ben's Grocery Store. In my previous visit, I tried and loved their mushroom lasagna topped with pesto sauce. This time, I paired it up with corn and crab meat salad. It has loads of mushrooms and the cheese taste is not over whelming. Just nice ^^

They have a side dish counter where you can choose from a variety of salads or pastas to go with your main course. From light salads for the calorie conscious to mac & cheese for those that need a thoroughly filling and satisfying meal, there is definitely something for everyone. It is also nice to have the choice of a different side to match your favorite main course each time you visit. 

The other dish ordered was the chicken parmigiana paired with egg plant. Did not try it as I had a slight cough but it sure looks tempting. 

I am not sure if I did not noticed it the last time or they just recently implemented it, the waiter reminded me to hook my bag under the table. How thoughtful! 

Oh! They have awesome milkshakes too! Not as many variety as the Milkshake Factory Bar, but it is thick and yummy! Be sure to try their Nutella flavour.

Second time here, definitely looking forward to the third.... fourth.... fifth.... well you get the idea =D

Ben's General Food Store
G 17 & 18, Ground Floor,
Bangsar Village I,
No. 1 Jalan Telawi Satu,
Bangsar Baru,
59 100 Kuala Lumpur.

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F1 Grand Prix: A female perspective

As some of you may know, last Sunday was the F1 Grand Prix Finale in Malaysia. Now, I have always wanted to go to one but wrong timing and absence of free tickets has discouraged me from doing so. So finally, a couple days before the finale, I managed to score myself free tickets, courtesy of fellow blog contributor, Khee Hsien :) 

With compliments - Tourism Malaysia :)

Our seats were at F grandstand which is really far off from the "happening" place where the main grandstand and all the exhibition booths and stalls were at. But thankfully, there was a free shuttle bus to the main grandstand area and we headed there to walk around since it was early. 

At the main area, there are shops selling official F1 merchandises and......ICE-CREAM! Which was the saviour of the scorching heat! They go for RM5 a pop, and the same goes for all the other drinks including mineral water so be prepared to pay for overpriced food & drinks. Oh, do apply sunblock and bring along shades as it will be HOT. 

This is K Grandstand - the other grandstand besides the main one in the middle and our F grandstand. 

 After enough walking in the heat, we headed back to our seats and the weather was just getting nice! Though our grandstand was far, the view was actually better because we could see more lanes and corners.

Here's the awesome view and a lovely sunset to set the mood haha!

 Of course, it started raining soon enough and although it was good because it was cooling, the race got stalled for about an hour. 

Not sure if you can see the cars splashing rain water as they took the corners.

Hillstands in the background

 The poor people on the hillstands had to endure the rain but according to my friend who was there, they got to see the whole track from there so it was apparently worth it (maybe not for me) :P

Ferrari fans flying their flag as the winners were announced. 

Needless to say, one of the Ferrari drivers (Alonso) got first place. I was routing for Michael Schumacher but unfortunately he had a spin off during the first lap making him fall behind the others! Such a waste. 

So the question is, would I go there again? Well maybe, but only if I have free tickets :) 

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Canoodling

Like noodles? Can doodle? Then you can try Canoodling ^^ 

Their tables are all lined with paper and they supply you with a variety of crayons for your doodling pleasure (so not going to show you my doodle =D). Definitely fun for everyone!

Seafood Tom Yam 

At first it did not look like much, but the flavour was definitely there. Of course it helps that I discovered two huge prawns at the bottom of my bowl which completely brightened my day. Quite generous with the  other seafood and mushrooms too! If you like the really spicy tom yam that makes grown men cry, then this is not exactly for you. I like it because it is flavourful with a touch of spiciness that is not too much until the taste of the seafood and herbs is covered up. 

*craves tom yam*

Canoodling
2nd Floor
Bangsar Village II

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Milkshake Factory Bar

Over the weekend, we went for our usual badminton session. The difference this time, was that in my haste to dash for the shuttlecock, I landed awkwardly and hurt my ankle. While I could still walk, I was out of the game and feeling a little down. The good thing that came out of that was that I got treated to a milkshake. Awesome to have friends that know just what food to cheer you up!

Here is their  façade, love their bunting which can be easily mistaken for a employee recruitment advertisement. Quite creative ^^ They boast of 100 over flavours and being the first milkshake bar in Malaysia. 

As the name implies, they have bar counters and stools around the counter. There is also lots of paper cranes dangling from the ceiling, it is a lovely place to hang out especially if there is a slight breeze. Besides milkshakes and smoothies, they also have light snacks such as sandwiches. Did not try any of those though. We went straight for the important stuff.... drinks!! 

I was curious about the 100 flavours they offered so I went to count the number of items they had. They had 14 types of chocolate bars, 11 types of biscuit and cereals, 7 of fruits, 5 specialty blend and 14 City Smoothies (KL's blend is Rambutan, Papaya and Pineapple in case you were wondering ^^). Does not sound many right? Then again, you have the options of combining any 2 flavours by just adding RM 1.50 so if you count those as individual flavours, the you will get a total of 547 flavours! Yum! You can try a flavour a day and still not be done trying everything in a year's time! 

Being in the mood for indulgence, I went for Kinder Bueno. It was lovely...... thick, creamy and flavourful as a good cup of milkshake should be. The Ferrero Rocher was also nice but I prefer my own. Oh and the staff was friendly too.... not to mention patient as we were yo-yo-ing over which flavour to choose. 

Prices range from RM 8.80 to RM 13.50. Reasonable for the sheer range of flavours to choose from as well as the quality of the drink. It does upset me so when some restaurants serve milkshake that seems more like just milk.... not shaken, just stirred. 

The Milkshake Factory,

No. 12 Jalan P. Ramlee,

50250 Kuala Lumpur.

Operations hours: 

Sun - Thurs: 9.30am to 12am

Fri & Sat: 9.30am to 2am

*happily nursing milkshake and ankle*

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Coffee Places Around Town

Being a self-declared coffee junkie, one of my favourite pastimes is none-other than hunting for coffee places in town. Some were recommendations from friends while others were just mere coincidences. Either way, I'll share with you guys a few places that I feel note-worthy if you're looking for good coffee. And I don't mean the usual run-of-the-mill coffee places (like Starbucks, which I ironically only patron for their green tea lattes). I am talking more about the more authentic coffee places, which many never knew existed! Though I must admit, I am no expert but these are what I think is the best so far that I have tried  :)

Antipodean @ Bangsar

To those, who don't know what antipodean means, it actually means Australia and New Zealand. So therefore, its no surprise that their concept are pretty much very Australian. Which is a good sign because Australia is well known for their good coffee. So good, even Starbucks is non existent in Aussieland. Anyhow, upon entering this cafe, you will get an aura of authentic-ness. Not sure if its just me or it's the menu on the walls, the abundance of mat sallehs (foreigners) patronizing it or the friendly services of the waiters that made it feel like this is the real deal.

Upon, trying the coffee, I'm glad to say, this is the real deal. To those who like Cappucinos, this one here is really smooth. Extra brownie points for the effort in making the coffee froth art (yes, I'm a sucker for aesthetics).

To those who like their coffee with a kick, this Macchiato here packs up a punch (or a kick). It was a bit strong for my liking but my fellow coffee enthusiasts who went with me loved it!  Another thing to note is the size of the coffee. This Macchiato is served in a tiny expresso cup which is how Macchiatos are supposed to be served in. Rest assured, they do know proper coffee etiquette :)

Besides coffee, they also serve a variety of food, including this Kiwi Lamb Burger, all-day-breakfasts, cakes and many more usual cafe grub. I've tried some of it and it does not disappoint. So, this place is not just good for coffee but also food. It's no wonder it still tops my list of the best coffee places in KL.

Note: This outlet does not originate from Australia, in fact, their main branch is in Indonesia (another country that likes their coffee strong).

Overall: Good coffee, good food and good service (the waiters know their coffee well). Limited seating space and parking is a problem though. Would recommend to park at Bangsar Village 2 and walk over. 

Address:
20, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru
Tel: 03-22820411
Website: http://www.antipodeancoffee.com/
Opening times: Daily 8am-10pm

Baci Italian Coffee @ Citta Mall

I stumbled upon Baci by chance one day in Citta Mall when it was raining and I needed to eat dinner. This place is apparently owned by the same owners of Itallianies, The Apartment and some others. On to their coffee, it was also really smooth and I like the fact that they used rock sugar (as seen in the saucer) instead of the usual sugar. They also did coffee art on the cup on the left (but I only took a photo after stirring the coffee - sorry!).

In terms of ambiance, I loved the fact that it was cosy enough to shelter from a rainy day. Also, thought the use of old sofas as seats added a touch of home to it.

In terms of food, choices are sparse but their sandwiches are worth a try (don't judge by the look of it) and this piece of orange cake was really rich in flavour.

Overall: Good place for a cuppa coffee to catch up with friends, but would not recommend going there for food. Extra points for the cosy ambience and abundant parking lots which are FOC at the moment.

Address:
Baci Italian Cafe, Citta Mall, 
Jalan PJU 1A/48,Ara Damansara, 
47301 Petaling Jaya.

Tel: 03 7831 8051

Website: http://www.baci.com.my

Fat Spoon @ Damansara Uptown

This place might not be known to many for its coffee, but it sure is good. One thing I love about this place is their presentation. Basically, Fat Spoon's concept is very Malaysian so I loved the fact that the coffee came with a bowl of sugar in a traditional chinese bowl/tea cup? (the ones our grandmother used!).

Another good thing about Fat Spoon is the fact that they serve the meanest hot chocolate in town - known as the Fat Hot Chocolate (RM9.90). Price may be a little pricey but it is seriously good and they definitely weren't stingy with the chocolate :) So to those, who don't drink coffee, you can check this out.

Macaroni and minced beef in spicy soup (Ok, I can't remember what they call it exactly on the menu)

Unlike the usual coffee places that usually serve western food to go along with their coffee, this place serves Malaysian food...not just any Malaysian food but "Grandma's Recipe" and "Soul Food" as they claimed on their site.

Their decor deserves a mention because of the mis-match chairs, random clothes rack, pots and pans hanging from the ceiling, an antique door and many more interesting items they have around the shop. Have to give them credit for their kitschy flair. Did I mention they used Peter & Jane storybooks as their menu?

Overall: A place for comfort food and good drinks (though not much variety). But the decor definitely gave them extra points. Parking may be a problem during lunch time so you might want to go during night time or weekends. 

Address:
No. 73, Jalan SS21/1A, 
Damansara Uptown, 
47400 PJ. 
(same row as Wondermilk)
Tel: 03-7728 3323 
Email: fatspooncafe@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/fatspooncafe?sk=info

Illy Cafe @ Terrace, Hock Choon

This is probably one of the rare gems I found in KL. Located in an obscure location off Jalan Ampang, Illy Cafe is probably the best kept secret. I fell in love with it the minute I set eyes on it because of the serenity of the location. Terrace also offer a few other (classy) restaurants which would be a romantic location for a date.

Just look at it! Feels like a resort right? Its pretty quiet on weekdays when I was there which made me felt like the whole place was booked for me. The coffee was pretty good I remember but I forgot to snap a picture of it. My apologies, this was more than half a year ago. I'm still waiting for a chance to go back to this place to try out more coffee!

However, I did remember to snap a picture of this red velvet cake which came with the tea time set. I remember saying it was the best red velvet cake ever though I have not tried any other ever since. But just look at it - don't you want a bite now? Yum!


Overall: Love the secluded-ness and serenity of the place, plus I would go back there just for that red velvet cake again. Note: When I was there, we parked at the parking lots outside Terrace which was free but there are open air parking available also (not sure of the price). Downside of this place, the KL rush hour gets in the way, so weekends would be better. 

Address:

TERRACE at Hock Choon, 

241-B Lorong Nibong off Jalan Ampang, 

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 017 209 8477

Website: http://www.terrace.com.my

The Red Bean Bag @ Solaris Dutamas


When I first heard this place (which was opened by an ex-colleague of mine by the way), I thought "bean bag" here referred to the ones we sit on. Turns out it literally means bean bag - a bag to keep coffee beans (see below pic).

The "bean bags" hanging on the cement wall was a nice touch. Ambiance wise, it was very minimalist with cement walls and open ceilings (seem to be the trend these days) but yet it still managed to bring out a cosy feel inside. You can get a view of the new Istana Negara from here as well.

Cappuccino

Flat white

Coffee wise, my cappuccino felt almost as good as antipodean. I really cannot decide which one is better! Once again, coffee art gets extra brownie points. Oh, they serve coffee with a little cookie instead of the usual croutons. I prefer croutons better though.

Just like Antipodean, they serve breakfast sets too (among other things) and what I love about this set is the fact that they sauteed mushrooms with bacon and their hash browns are hand made! Be sure you'll get that extra crunch you won't get from processed hash browns.

Overall: Good coffee, good breakfast place, plenty of parking at Publika. Downside is the fact that they are not open at night  if you're planning on having an "after dinner coffee". 

Address:
The Red Bean Bag,
A4-1-08, Solaris Dutamas
Tel: 03-62115116
Website: https://www.facebook.com/theredbeanbag?sk=info

Typica @ Shaw Parade

I don't need to write much about this place because Ashley wrote about this in her earlier posts. If you're interested in unique coffee (think pandan coffees and exotic beans) made with unique techniques (siphons and ice drips) you may want to check this place out. 

Siphons and Ice drips they use for coffee

One of their interesting "ice drip" coffee that comes in a martini glass.

Overall: Downside is of course the obscure location, difficult parking and higher than usual pricing. I would say this place is strictly for coffee lovers who knows how to appreciate their coffee. 

For full post on Typica click here.

Till my next post! Perhaps I should do a similar post on Bubble Tea? Thoughts?

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Japanese Kit Kat

When we think of Kit Kats, the image of chocolate-coated crispy wafer in a red packaging comes to mind. But did you know that in Japan, different areas have their own specialty Kit Kats that is not found anywhere else? The flavours range from the popular green tea to more exotic ones such as syoyu (soya sauce) flavour. 

If you are lucky enough, you do not need to go all the way to Japan for these special treats. I found this little box in the little snack shop next to Pasta Zanmai, Mid Valley. Sakura Maccha Latte Kit Kat! Translated that would be cherry blossom green tea latte.

The colour is a bit weird considering I am used to the usual brown ones. But it taste quite nice ^^ Sweet and very creamy. Could not identify the sakura flavour though..... not surprising since that is not a common taste here.

Click here to see the various flavours available.

*wonders when she can go to Japan to find all the Kit Kat flavours*

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Haagen-Dazs

Thanks to Serene's voucher, we are having an ice cream night! Not just any ice cream night... Haagen-Dazs ice cream night!

Isn't this gorgeous!

We were at the MidValley outlet and were greeted by a friendly staff there. He was smiling at us over excited bunch choosing what we should have for dessert. Like girls will always be girls when it comes to desserts!

We were deciding to get the fondue but it's sold out :(

The guys waiting for the excited girls to choose the flavors. But hey! There's a good reason we're taking a little time...

THIS. was in front of us. So we ask for recommendation from the staff.

And we got Cookies n Cream, Belgian Chocolate (best seller) and Rum n Raisin (fav to the chinese, according to the staff. Haha)

And they were goooood. The Belgian Chocolate were packed full of rich chocolate flavor. Strong on the dark chocolate taste. Rum n Raisin is one of the quick to finish among us. You definately can taste the rum and there's a generous amount of raisins in there. Each bite on the raisins burst out the rummy flavor. MmmM~ And of course, many of our childhood favourite, Cookies n Cream! This one has a soft texture creamy texture to it. Not too sweet, just nice for me :)

Tadahh~! The aftermath!

You know after a tired week at work and you don't know what to do on a Friday night. Treat yourself and your friends with good ice-cream. Replenish that soul with sweetness and cooling comfort. And at the end... remember to wipe that chocolate off your smiling face :)

- Ashley licking off the spoon

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Travel Tips in India

India is an exotic country to many and is most definitely not one of the mainstream travel destinations. For starters, it is still labeled as a "third-world" country and one third of the world's poor live there. However, to those who are adventurous enough to experience a different part of life, India is the best place to do so. It will definitely be a life-changing experience especially if you come from a developed country.

Of course, due to the "dangerous" nature of this country, travelers need to take note of some things they should or should not do before/during their travels in India. I have compiled some travel tips for India based on my pre-travel research as well as from my own recent experience.

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Pre-travel preparation


1. First thing's first, you need to know which part of India you will be going to. India is pretty big as it has 28 different states and the Northern part of India is pretty different from the South. Besides the climate (four seasons in the North and tropical in the South), the Northern part of India is also generally less developed and poor. Hence, if you will be up North (most likely the case if Taj Mahal is part of your itinerary) you need to be prepared to witness extreme poverty and repression especially in the rural areas.

2. Get vaccinated. Most websites will tell you that you do not need to get any vaccination if you are not spending more than 2 weeks in India. I say, you can never be too careful! Get a jab just in case. Only one person in my tour group got vaccinated and she was one of the few (out of 30 people) who did not get food poisoning in India. Some websites will tell you to get dozens of jabs. But the two main ones (Typhoid and Hep A vaccination should be sufficient). There are also pills you can take orally before the trip to avoid food poisoning but I am not too sure if it works 100%. Just a disclaimer: you might still get food poisoning after being vaccinated but your chances are definitely lower. Bring some charcoal, Imodium and rehydration salts along.

3. Stay in 5-star hotels. The 5-star hotels in India is like a 4-star hotel standard in developed countries (or even some developing countries like Malaysia). 4-stars are like 3-stars and so on..So do splurge more on hotels because chances are you will also be dining there (hotels generally practice more hygiene in cooking), plus it has better security.

A common sight in India

Water


1. Do not drink water in India unless it is bottled mineral water. Only buy water from these brands - Himalaya, Kinley, Bisleri and Kingfisher. Even then check the cap and make sure it is sealed properly as some locals refill tap water into these bottles and re-seal it. If you are willing to spend the few extra Rupees, get Evian water.

2. Having said that, boil your mineral water if you want to make a hot drink rather than boiling tap water. Some hotels claim that their tap water is drinkable but don't believe that. Just because their tap water is filtered and drinkable by locals, doesn't mean your stomach can adapt to it.

3. Wash cooking/eating utensils with mineral water, brush your teeth with mineral water and try not to open your mouth when you shower to prevent exposure to unfiltered water.

Safe for drinking mineral water brands in India

Food

1. This is probably the most important part of your trip and you need to exercise discretion when you eat. Food preparation hygiene is generally bad in India (especially street food and local restaurants). Factor that in with bad water quality and you can imagine the high possibilities of getting food poisoning. Therefore, it is advisable to ONLY eat in hotels (4 star and above) and high class restaurants. Even then, some people (which includes my friends and I) got food poisoning in these places.

2. Go vegetarian! Meat in India is highly contaminated so adhering to a vegetarian diet is much safer. This was something I wanted to do but gave up on the second day because I was too hungry and the food was pre-arranged so that did not leave me with much choice. If you really cannot live without your meat, the least you can do is avoid lamb. My Indian friend told me that most people get sick from eating lamb.

3. Avoid salads, cut fruits and ice in your drinks. Reason is simple, they are most likely washed with tap water.

4. Avoid ice-creams, cheese, yogurt and dairy products. The power supply there is really weak and power cuts occur almost daily. Dairy products run the risk of getting bad and being re-freezed so it is best to avoid it entirely.

5. When people think of India they think curry. The question most people would ask is whether they will be served curry at every meal. The answer is YES. If you are in a tour, they will most likely bring you to Indian restaurants and almost (if not all) of the dishes served are spicy. Even if you do find western food, it MAY be spicy. I remember having a pizza that had spicy chilli seeds in it. So be prepared to have a spicy feast every day!

6. Check expiry dates on food/bottled drinks you purchased. I remember being served expired coke in a tourist restaurant in Agra. Too bad I only realized after I drank half the bottle.

7. Always wipe your eating utensils (ie: forks, spoons, glasses etc) with tissue, especially if the restaurant is open air. You'll be surprised to see a layer of black dust coming off due to the pollution.

New Riao "Air-Conditioned" Restaurant, Agra

Other important tips

1. The air in India can be REALLY polluted so bring some surgical masks. I remember on my first day of arrival in India the air was so bad (smells like a combination of haze and smoke) I had to wear a mask. Apparently even your snot can turn grey because of the pollution but thankfully I did not experience that...

2. As infrastructure in India is really bad (Read: Highways have only TWO lanes) plus traffic is always congested so getting from one place to another usually takes some time. For instance, if you are travelling from Delhi to Taj Mahal it takes 5 hours so do bring snacks/food on your long journeys, because trust me, you will starve. Remember....stopping at a random roadside stalls for dinner is not an option.

3. Oh..and try not to drink a lot of water before a long journey, or any journey for that matter (as the jam might make it long anyway) because there are no rest areas/fast food drive-thrus on their so called "highways". Unless of course, you are okay with using the bushes....

4. Do NOT give money/buy anything from beggars/peddlers. Once you give to one, they all will come at you.

5.Try not to take pictures of people on the street (especially when they are holding interesting items like monkeys, snakes or what not). They will ask you for money for taking their picture.

Snake charmer in Agra

p/s: I followed almost all of the tips above except get a vaccination (huge mistake!) and not eating meat...so my trip to India was not a fantastic one because I ended up with severe food poisoning. Therefore, don't make the same mistakes as I did and be a vigilant traveler :) Remember, better safe than sorry!


Of course, every human body is different and some are more resistant than others hence they are less susceptible to diseases. At the end of the day, its a choice between risking getting sick or wanting to be safe. Whichever path you choose, I hope that this post has somewhat helped you in your travel plans. Till my next post! Do leave a comment if you have any questions :)

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