Swensen's Cafe Banana Split @ Subang Parade [9th May 2010]

After the curry fish head dinner, we continued the night of catching up in Swensen's Cafe, located in Subang Parade. It was my suggestion though because all long I'd wanted to try out their desserts.

Swensens are well known for their desserts and ice creams. Not only that, they served western food as well which looked pretty good on the menu.

Swensens Cafe and Restaurant

It was my first visit here and I was surprised with the amount of crowd. I supposed it was due to the Mother's Day celebration.

Very crowded during the Mother's Day

There were more than just desserts on the menu. I would like to try out some of their food, but with all of us still feeling very full from the dinner, we just ordered a banana split dessert.

Swensens' Banana Split (RM 18.90)
Their all time best seller, this dessert consisted of 3 different flavours of ice cream being served with fresh banana slices and pineapples before being topped off with whipped cream. The setting up of the dessert looked pretty but taste wise, it was pretty average. Perhaps, I'd tasted better ice cream and expected the ice cream to be more flavourful.

With Nai Shan and Mei Mei

I might be a little disappointed with the desserts but it was a great catching up session with these two future mother. Till we meet up again for the next catch up session and do continue the pursue of being a good mother in the future!

Swensen's Banana Split: 5/10

Atmosphere: 5.5/10
Price: 5/10
Verdict: Another average banana split that lacked the "kick" in the ice cream.

Swensen's Cafe Subang Parade
G30, Subang Parade
No 5, Jln SS 16/1
Subang Jaya,
Malaysia
Tel: 03 - 5638 3036

Taipan Food Garden @ USJ 10, Subang Jaya

They claimed to be the largest food court in Taipan offering 5 star ambiance with coffee shop price. Even my uncle knew the existence, telling me that it offered a great ambiance with an area specially designed for couples.

How can I not checked it out since my house to Taipan is within 10 minutes of drive (minus the jam). Going alone will make it as though I'm very desperate. I put that visit on hold until a previous catch up session with Mei Mei and Nai Shan. The food court, named as Taipan Food Garden is located in USJ 10, directly opposite Mcdonald's.

Taipan Food Garden

First impression that it gave me were the "over do" landscaping within the premise. Whilst I understand that the theme should be based on "greens", but seeing too many fake plants everywhere really put me off. The wide span area was large though, offering 3 sections over 2 floors within the premise.

Aerial view from the second floor

The couple area is located at the second floor, offering the view of Taipan. Two dangling rattan chair and a table, and that makes up an area for a couple.

The couple table

Specially designed area for couples

Normal area on the second floor

Just right beside the couple area, they were a few tables available for a larger group. Still offered the view of Taipan, with the difference that it can fit in a larger group of up to 6 people.

Luminous table

We did not order any drinks since we bought some cold desserts from the roadside stall. We were glad that the workers there did not forced us to order some drinks and allowing us to enjoy the dessert as well.

Cold dessert from the street

There were a lot of food stalls offering local and western delicacies. However, we only opted for some finger food since none of us felt hungry.

Fried Potato Wedges (RM 4)
Mei Mei wanted some french fries badly, but after going around, this is the best version of "french fries" offered by the food court. No mild crisp on the outside and texture is hard within. Below average stuff.

Keropok Lekor (RM 4 per plate)
Freshly fried from the wok, and this gotta be our best finger food for the session.

Pan cake with fillings (RM 2.50 for half a pancake)
We ordered a strawberry and chocolate fillings. Not bad but not fantastic either, but since I love strawberry and chocolate, I'm the one that have the most of it.

We pay a visit to the washroom before heading home. I gotta admit that the washroom did impressed me with a very cheerful design.

Best landscaped food court toilet ever

The 3 white mouse

I can't really give my opinion on the food since we just had some finger food for the session. About the ambiance, it could have been better should they use more "real" plant than those fakey ones.

Fried potato wedges: 4/10
Keropok Lekor: 7.5/10
Pancake with fillings: 5.5/10

Atmosphere: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Verdict: Not really a garden after all, but the atmosphere is definitely better than most food court around.

Taipan Food Garden
2A-A, Jalan USJ 10/1B
47610, UEP
Subang Jaya
Selangor

GPS Coordinates: N3 02.897' E101 35.147'

Kam Lun Tai Restaurant @ Sri Petaling [6th Feb 2010]

Yet another year passed by, it was the time for reunion again. This time round, it involved my colleagues from my previous firm. Since we do not really see other really that often, a call for reunion dinner would be good for some catching up session. We wanted a private room for our reunion but unfortunately, most of the places were already been booked.. After inquiring around, we finally able to get a private room at Kam Lun Tai Restaurant at Sri Petaling.

I was among the first one to reach the restaurant at 7.20pm together with a few of them. Most were still on the way or either have yet to leave the house. Upon reaching, we were brought to the second floor where our private room was located.

Large area span for functions

By 8.30pm, most of the attendee had arrived, minus Tan Sri CK, Nai Shan and Su Ann. Tan Sri CK and Nai Shan arrived 15 minutes later while Su Ann arrived way later, at about 9.15pm because she went for hair dressing.

Our special Menu

We took the RM 698nett Chinese banquet set for the dinner which include 9 dishes, 2 bottles of soft drinks, Chinese Tea and a complimentary Red Wine.

Peanut as Appetizer

Obviously, we added a set of Yee Sang for each table. The Yee Sang was priced at RM 55++ for a set.

Salmon Yee Sang
The Salmon slices were thick, in fact one of the thickest I'd experienced throughout my Yee Sang experience during the CNY.

It was very loud and noisy during the tossing session, with voices coming from everyone particularly Jason, yelling, shouting, chanting the auspicious statements in hope for a better Tiger year ahead.

Tossed Yee Sang

Complimentary Red Wine

Have no idea of what Red Wine is this. Surprisingly, it tasted decent as it was not too dry and spicy.

First dish of the night, here comes the Four Seasons of Happiness.

Four Seasons of Happiness
Consisted of Taupok stuffed with fish paste, Scrambled Egg with Shark Fins, Cold Seasoned Baby Octopus and a Fuchok Wrapped Mixed Vegetarians with Mushrooms.

The Four dishes
I expected a better combination for this appetizer. The Fuchok Wrapped Mixed Vegetarians and the Scrambled Eggs were easy to prepare dishes. It would be better if they slip in some meat or uncommon dishes. Overall, the combination was just alright, nothing really wow in particular.

Shark Fin's Soup
What a shame that they include the artificial crab stick and slices of mushroom into their supposedly claimed premium dish. I suppose it were intended to provide extra bites, but that spoils the taste of the soup!

Steamed Chicken with Soy Sauce
The chicken meant were soft, tender and juicy. They were nicely seasoned and were great on their own. There were condiments of chili sauce and minced garlic for extra taste.

Sweet and Sour Fried Grouper
The Grouper was nicely fried, maintaining the meat softness and sweetness. It was huge and full with meat. Gravy wise, it was decent.

Butter Prawn with Glass Noodles
It tasted bland and lacks the kick factor. Making things worse, the prawns were not really fresh.

Sauteed Mushroom with Gluten
Decent dish with generous servings of mushrooms and gluten.

Hong Kong Glutinous Rice
The rice were perfectly steamed, resulting to a smooth and sticky texture. It was well seasoned too with generous preserved meats such like "Lap Yuk", "Lap Cheong" and chicken.

And the desserts for the night,

Mini Mochis

I did not get to taste them because they were stuffed with lotus paste. They looked good though=(

Honey Sea Cocunut with Longan
The next time you are looking for cold refreshing dessert with thirst quencher effect, then this is the answer!

Generous portion of Longans

The dinner overall was satisfactory. But the main purpose for most, it was not the eating but for catching up. And here, there were some shots of the attendee for the night.

My ex seniors, managers and juniors

We loved to sing and look at Tan Sri Ck

Cheers for a great year ahead!

Successfully graduated=)

With the incumbent ladies of MM

Some random shots

Ambassador and CFO on duty

Back to the old school

and

Into some disagreement

The serious us

But obviously,

We are not so serious after all!=)

What a great night it was with great companies and a great catch up! Although the food was not that memorable, but the catching up was indeed memorable. Hopefully, come next year all of us will still keep in touch with each other and another reunion dinner for Tiger year would very much be welcome. Cheers people and see you guys around! =)

Atmosphere: 6/10

Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Price: 5/10
Verdict: The portion were rather big. However, there were more misses than hits. Other than the Glutinous Rice, the whole dinner was rather forgettable.

Kam Lun Tai Sri Petaling
38D-G, 38D-1, 38C-1
Jalan Radin Anum
Bandar Baru Sri Petaling
57000, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-9059 5122

Baskin Robbins @ Sunway Pyramid [31st Jan 2010]

Had always wanted to have a big tub of Baskin Robbin ice cream when ever passed by their booth. And each time I refrained myself from doing so, because the thought that I can get it at a cheaper price on certain dates and obviously a promise that I had made.

This time round, it was on the 31st of January, which means there will be a 31 % discount off from the normal price of ice cream that you usually pay. A perfect time to get a pint to sweeten our taste bud.

The queue was unsurprisingly long, but thankfully I did not have to wait long. Credits must be given for their very organized way of handling a bunch of huge customers. There were 2 flavours to choose from for my pint, and I chose the Strawberry and Mad In Chocololate.

31 on Baskin Robbin
A pint of this size would cost RM 25.50 at normal price. But it cost only RM 17.60 after the 31 % discount, applicable on every 31st.

Man, I can't wait to gulp them!

After numerous scoops, the chocolate flavour is finally visible as it was right at the bottom.

Strawberry and Chocolate, what a perfect mix!
Ice cream were smooth and the sweetness was perfect for my likings. Best of all, it involved my favourite strawberry. Taste way too s-e-x-y.

Drowned in Baskin Robbin

I would consider ourselves were lucky enough to be able to had the ice cream on this particular date as there were only 7 days in a year that consist of 31st. It was extra special, particularly because it was the very first 31st of the year and after my long wait for the tub of the ice cream. Finally, the dream comes true=)

Well, since money were hard to be earned, I believe our money should work harder for us. Hence, be sure to get your value for money ice cream when the next 31st strikes.

Cafe Baskin Robbins Sunway
Lot G1.121 (A), Ground Floor
Sunway Pyramid