Strangely enough, I shall begin the post with an image of Lemonade, (oh be patient the rashers are but a couple of finger scrolls down away) This is what Betty's Midwest Kitchen claims as "Homemade Lemonade".  It's a refreshing change compared to the sickeningly sweet over- popularized "Ice Lemon Tea" served at mosts places though it does lack some zest to it. Perhaps I was expecting too much even if it was labelled as a "must try" in their menu. Gonna have to definitely give the other must try on the menu... root beer

Moving on to the appetizers, the group had already started with ""Dog Food" a sloppy mess of fries with gravy and cheese. I highly recommend the Deep Fried Bacon (something I'd want to happily munch on as a home snack). The cheesy rounds tho is an acquired taste, hash brown poppets of Jalapeño and mild cheese.

I missed out on all there rips and chops that were ordered earlier, but here's what I managed to snap, @davybates Meatloaf, @hoongchai's very glistening pork chops with apple sauce My Juicy Lucy Burger and Apple Crumble! (minus the usual health grains and oats in the pastry cause sometimes a girls gotta indulge)

Prices are very decent at Betty's and the portions are sufficient. Definitely going back to try Some battered Chicken (a typical Southwestern dish) soon *hint hint to my friends who I have not made time for recently*

Betty's Midwest Kitchen is located at: Jalan PJU 1/43 Aman Suria, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor - 019-2277019

          

Guess what else? The meetup session was lunch at the much tweeted about @thegardenslug !

@avalanchelynn 's little Pea has an adorable character of her own. I want a lil girl just like her!!!

Food at the Garden Slug was absolutely fresh and wholesome!  Breads felt warm and freshly toasted, the greens were fresh, prices are incredibly decent (cause the dollar for dollar amount I pay for in Malaysia is ridiculous), loved the cool comfortable ambience. portions were large and most importantly, the dessert was SINFUL!

A platter sample of the desserts @ The Garden Slug called a.ka. "The Sweet Sweet Slug" with Tiramisu, Pear William and Berries and Vanilla Ice cream plus a brownie popsicle!

The Garden Slug is located at:

55 Lorong L Telok Kurau,
#01-59/61 Bright Centre,
Singapore 425500

Tel/ Fax: 6346 0504

Open Daily:
Mon - Tues 6pm-10pm  // Wed - Thur 10am-10pm // Fri - Sun 9am-10pm or late //
Public Hol 9am-10pm or late

To The Garden Slug: I Love your food! Will come back to try the other recommended specialties! These pictures alone are making my Malaysian friends envious!

Before I finish up the post here is a shot of the three gorgeous ladies of the day!

Thanks loads to @gnoserif for the hearty lunch, and @avalanchelynn for picking us up! I miss you guys already but I'll be back soon!

          

Spicy Prawns with Curry Leaves and Chicken Floss

"Zhung Sik Ngau Lau"

Deep Fried Chicken with Orange Sauce

Claypot Tofu

Mango Pudding with Mint Chocolate Wanton

Yum

          

With Klang housing an incredibly WTF amount of Bah Kut Teh places. I've been going to one place all the time in Taman Rashna.

What used to be a quaint little coffee shop with gas stoves worn out tables and seats, patrons sitting with their legs spread wide apart while they sipped on their tea...

....is now this place which filled my car with "noises-of-awe".

Looks like business is still gosh darn good. The new Restoran Fong Keow now boasts 3 shop lots, private rooms,  some funky deco, and free wi-fi!

It's a big change from the usual carefree-"feel" I get from Bah Kut Teh shops, we wondered if they still served Bah Kut Teh (ignoring the huge sign outside) Thank goodness there is a huge wall telling us that still do a long with some other suggestions for dishes.

"Wah! Newly renovated. Must try something new!"

Restoran Fong Keow's Fried Spring Rolls "Zhao Foo Chuk Kuen"

 Fresh Juicy Spring Rolls (tho i must add that I think it should be aptly addressed as "Zhao Foo Chuk Kuen)" similar to those found in lobak.

Restoran Fong Keow's Fried Spring Rolls "Zhao Foo Chuk Kuen" Upclose shot with Chilli Sauce

At RM12 per plate (a lil' pricey), four rolls served with a sweet chilli sauce ads a diff zing to having just plain meat and soup in bah kut teh.

Restoran Fong Keow's Steamed Tofu

The other side dish was nothing too fancy taste wise. The sauce that went along with it was a lil' too thick (but i like thick sauces) Steamed Tofu Served (RM5.00) with fried shallots, onions, spring onions and chilli.

Authentic Klang Bah Kut Teh from Fong Keow at only RM10.00 per head. I've been eating there since my first driving trip to Klang.

Restoran Fong Keow's Traditional Bah Kut Teh

Restoran Fong Keow's Traditional Bah Kut Teh Upclose shot of the Tender Juicy Meat

Juicy meat, None of that No Claypot crap, Orgasmic soup. Since we were there an hour before closing time we got the most flavour filled part of the pot. The soup just kept getting better with EVERY REFILL! Additional Tau Foo Pok cost RM1.00 and Golden Mushrooms at RM5.00 (a lil bit exp for the mushrooms)

(Remember how good the soup tasted Yen and Ying?? I just recalled we forgot the YAU ZHAR GUAI!)

Restoran Fong Keow (Pottery) Bah Kut Teh, 53 Jln Batai Laut, Taman Intan, Klang

Opens 8am-3pm/5pm-9pm from Monday to Friday & 8am to 9.30 pm on Weekends and Public Holidays. Click the following for map: View Larger Map

          

The first thing I want to blog about though, is FOOD. mwahaha.

Dad has been in awfully generous mood lately and the family is lucky to indulge in a number of pleasantries including Dim Sum.

Try the ala cart'e Dim Sum at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33. In short, Almost all their fried stuff are sumptuously crispyand tasty. Their steamed stuff is so-so. Don't try the Wo-tip (bland) but do go for the Fried Yam (Woo Kok)

Enjoy the food porn

Har Gau (Prawn Dumplings) - Juicy with just the right thickness of dumpling 'skin'

Fish Balls - with diced spring onions and carrots - Just like any other fish ball

Siew Mai

Lou Mai Kai - This is not too bad

Pei Tan Sau Yuk Chuk

Siew Yuk - OOOO this was really good!

Zhao Woo Kok - Savory and crispy!

Char Siew Pau - I've had better

Zhao Foo Chook - Like I said, all the fried stuff are really good here

Har Chee Cheong Fun - Meh.

Zhao Salad Har Gau - My fav dish! Looks really yellowish though.

Wo Tip - This really needs more improvement, It was like eating plain bread. Tasteless.

          

A day out with the other mousey half of the world dominating lab rats  "Pinky". No need for me to do too much of a review on this place. Genji, PJ Hilton is already famous for a fine Japanese Buffet Selection.

Hope you enjoyed the food porn and made ya hungry =P

          

Photo Courtesy of  www.spinzer.us

Since I've had a couple of requests from friendly neighbors across the causeway.

I'm gonna drop by to say Hello on from the 18th - 20th of December! Although it's horribly way off-course from the original September plan, I'm sure there are people patient enough to wait.

So, make way coming through. I've never played tourist much on your lovely Island before so that's an idea for you.

Currently the plan is that I'll arrive on 17th night & most likely be lodging at my relative's place in Toa Payoh.

As usual, please follow the following link and apply I look forward to some wonderful impressions of Singapore and their people!

          

Erin and company took me out to Little Genting where they sat patiently in the car, and I shot without a tripod (How clever of me not to bring a tripod!) So that is the "Steadiest" shot I got all night. My friends around the world are going to miss beloved KL.

A long weekend of fun should be karma-tically rewarded with a big pile waiting in the office. The great thing about Saturday - Monday is the fun I've been having, meeting old and new friends with many shared experiences.

I'll also be sending out the answers to #septsocials within this hour (though it's 1am) and a couple of work emails too.

Here is a more so called "artistic" shot of the skyline (didn't use tripod and I sneezed dammit)

          

Oh, and I usually have a fork and knife placed next to my burger, but girls like me rarely give a damn about table etiquette when messy food is supposed to be best enjoyed when it gets all over you.

So when I get this Facebook invite from Cerventus, I knew it would be a good break from all that RPG addiction to ‘Tales of Symphonia, The New Dawn’.

A look at the menu and it’s all the same ‘ol; same ‘ol stuff. First you’d have to decide what kind of meat you want. The choice is as obvious as chicken, beef, processed fish fillet and hot dog. You then later decide if you’d like two pâtés and if you’d like to make it “special” by wrapping it omelette-style with cheese.

If you have trouble making up your mind, Don’t ever ask “Mr. Pakcik” what he would recommend. He’ll tell you everything is good >:)

Most of the burgers pâtés were pre-cooked resting in a metal basin next to the flaming grill. You get your burgers tossed and toasted by him, while his wife will pack the burgers and get your moolah in return.

Don’t go all pretentious if you find yourself over there about how guilty a bite would make u feel or how it will choo-choo it’s way to your hips. Of course Malaysian food is not healthy but grease and junk food is more kind to the tastebuds.

My verdict: For an affordable burger (RM5.00) my Double Daging Special (double beef pâté with cheese, wrapped egg, mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce and diced onions) was worth skipping dinner for.

It’s a sloppy mess to eat (just the way I like it) with a burst of mild honeyed spice, slight tangy, and salty-ness of the pâtés. It must be eaten fresh from the grill IMHO or the buns would just soak up on so much grease, mayo and chilli sauce, the burger becomes nothing more than a cold soggy lump of meat between flattened bread.

The bread is lightly toasted on the grill to warm it up and give it a slight singe and crusty edge. The diced onions keep up with their own crunch. Nothing compared to my usual Gourmet Burgers, but this is cheap and good. (Peng, Leng, Zheng)

Pakcik sells at least 200 burgers/hotdogs a day (Woah!). He’s even featured in some short film, is in the MAS travel magazine.

Of course, it would be plausible to conclude from the next few photos that yummy Happy Burgers make Happy People.

Pakcik’s Ramly burger stall is located here. Right across the Menara Putri Kojaya Condos, between MARDEC/ISKL and SPCA off Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama.

Click here for the full Collection of Photos.

          

Good fishball noodles used to be available around Jalan Doraisamy, until Asian Heritage Row came about. (I have yet the whereabouts of that stall). Thus I settle for this little corner in San Peng, KL. Hup Lik near the Dato' Onn School in San Peng, Kuala Lumpur. Right across the "Rukun Tetangga" shack in the area.

The place is always packed, but it should not take you more than 10 minutes to get seated. The place is more of a come andgo rest stop for families looking for a quick breakfast or household maidens taking a rest after excursions in the nearby market.

Talk to the two guys manning the store closest to the beverage counter to introduce yourself to...

The fishball noodles (as most Malaysians would know) served the standard Chinese way, Either in piping hot clear soup or and the typical option of having yellow noodles, kuey teoh, or mee hoon. I usually have mine dried as noodles, or served with soup for the other two types of noodles.

Here's your standard serving of RM4.00 each, for noodles, four fishballs and one fish paste wanton.

Honestly the noodles are more of the chaperon that comes with the real stars of the show. The Fishballs and Fish Paste Wanton.

Whenever I eat with frieds, I top up with another minimum 10 fishballs and 10 pcs of fishpaste wanton (RM8.00 per bowl in that combination)

Great tasting fishballs have a smooth surface on them, pierces easily through a chopstick without much effort and without the fishball breaking into two,  when put in the mouth can be delicately tossed around with the tongue with a slight bounce and doesn't have an overpowering fishy smell with a slightly saltish taste.

Fish paste wanton (yu pei wan ton) are abit of a rare find. You'd prolly find them as one of the meats in your concotion of steamboat (certainly not the best way to eat them). The fish paste used in the process of making fish balls is flattened into a thin layer. The core of the wanton is a mash of minced pork wrapped up with the flattened fish paste and simmered in the same way the fishballs are. The result is a slightly translucent wanton with the taste of pork and fishpaste all into one.

Compressing it with the tongue will cause the pork centre to slip out of the fishpaste wrapping leaving a slimy feel on the tongue which is quickly replaced by a soul seizing flavour. Yum.

So far so good and plenty of good comments about the fish ball noodles for the many people that I've brought here. Remember to go before noon because that's when they all sell out.

The best way to get there is through the Loke Yew roundabout. Driving into Jalan Gelang. Take the slip road in between Jalan Yew and Jalan Loke Yew, take the turing into Jalan Gelang about 50 metres down the road. You'll be able to see the side of the shop on your left before approaching the side gate of SMK Dato' Onn. It's hard to miss with all the amount of people in the place.

Now go eat!

          

These 100% handmade ribbons are made from ecospun felt, and ribbon prints are each a unique piece of art. If you'd like to sport a ribbon, contact me and I will donate profits from these ribbons to NCSM in aid of cancer victims and cancer survivors

Relay For Life this year will be held on the 30th of May, at the sports training stadium in Bukit Jalil.

To find out more about Relay for Life 2009 or NCSM please visit the following website: http://www.cancer.org.my/about.htm

          

I've been attending a fair share of tweetups and twunches; which have all been fun. It's now time to organise one with a show of skill on the Nintendo Wii with a huge display and killer sound system.

To RSVP, tweet me. (@aprilyim) or click here to RSVP via twtvite and come meet the rest of the Malaysian Twitterverse (which oddly enough, includes my mom)

Tweeple only please.

          

Step right in my love;

This treasure trove of a shoplot is home to the most KITSCHY STUFF EVA! Even the front door is ever so darling with glass etched fences on the window, a beautiful white inviting double door, and cream based wall paper with complimentary shaded butterfly prints! Oh love love love!

Would you look at that!  It makes me feel as if I'm a part of some Lewis Caroll dream! Pinch me! And ooo.... a mantlepiece! I have not seen a mantlepiece since my last trip to England and a fireplace turned into a corset rack!  Oh btw, I think that The Cherry Print Dress would look cute on a couple of my friends!

The three tiered tables in front is enough to bring out the girly shrieks, corsets, a gorgeous deep red coloured clutch, dainty shoes, punk inspired prints, adrorable short skirts and polka dotted belts!

Hang on, Theres more over there!!! Skips to the side of the store.

Blooming Maxi dresses, tank tops, more dresses, belts and just more dresses!

A selection of clutches to die for including a speaker bag, with inbuilt speakers so that when you plug in your ipod, they'll all hear ya!

The place is also corset heaven with EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE CORSETS!!! I'll be here the second I get myself someone special!

The more I show you the more u you'll be pawing at the screen waiting to be somehow magically transported there.

Some of us had trouble choosing what to get when you're so spoilt for choice!

But I went straight for this awesome skirt!!

Either way thanks to beautiful, wonderful Jojo for being so gracious with welcoming us and being our fashion consultant while we were visiting!  We *hearts* Paperdoll so very muchie!

Paperdoll Boutique
Lot L1-43, 1st Floor,
Tropicana City Mall,
3, Jalan SS20/27,
47400 Petaling Jaya

          

Situated somewhere next to Hang Ten in the new Wing, this place made me and the M.U.A. feel like little girls being whisked away to a princess themed garden party in some continental country.

M.U.A. and I loved the pretty, country colours and taken away by the charm of flowers and vines all over the place (although faux), english and Victorian Settings everything down to the tiled floors!

I just loved the white washed baby grand for personal reasons. Not musical and rather personal... hee!~

The sprawls of this side cafe also displays the many pretty items for sale, A cherub perched fountain and dessert displays!

Tea Time Desserts!

M.U.A. and I have made notes to come back for tea time dessert buffet here already ^-^

Garden: Ice Lemon Tea

Getting on with the food, both me and the mua went for the Set Lunch. I got me a Dory Fish and she got herself the Carbonara. Our set came with refreshing glasses Ice Lemon Tea and Iced Coffee. Somehow we felt that we should have gone for their special syrups mixed with Soda in a jug. And we got ourselves a choice of Watercress and Mushroom cream based soups.

The dory fish was flavourful by itself, sitting on a valley of finely textured and lightly salted mashed potatoes. Most interesting in taste was it's cream sauce that came with it. A Sweet rich sauce with a delicate hint of ginger. I'm a big fan of ginger so the sweetness did not bother me I loved the ginger taste. Yet the sweetness of the sauce was something very subjective. The dory is perfect all by itself imho and the manager promised me on my next visit, he'd put the sauce aside for me.

The carbonara had a very thick sauce texture to it. Fans of thick cream carbonara sauces this is the carbonara for you. Unfortunately the only pasta they had was spaghetti.

We settled the meal with a pretty decent slice of dessert. I did favor the cake because of the mild hazlenut essence in it.

The staff were oh so polite and courteous, M.U.A. had to tip em! We're prolly going to come back for the desserts. The tarts look yum! Lol.

          

Nestled amongst the state of Selangor's secondary rainforests, is the eco-tourism spot of "Sekeping Serendah" literally translated to 'a piece of Serendah' which is less than an hour's drive from the city.

I just had to pick this place for the Company's weekend retreat. My friends who have their own testimonials about this place will never let me off the hook if I didn't secure this.

I absolutely love the glass sheds here. Contradictory from the lack of visual privacy, I partially enjoy the vista of no walls. Quite a treat for those with a voyeuristic fetish as well.

The glass shed is a simple construction of wood, glass and zinc sheets equipped with cooking utensils, a microwave, some basic furniture and is incredibly airy and cool. BBQ pit right on your front door too.

My glass shed had a hammock! Whee!

A narrow banister-free wooden stairs takes you up to a cozy bed room with a view of green to die for.

Yes. Most of the bedding materials are from Ikea. The mattress is placed on a huge wired mesh (which I keep hammering my toes into by accident and it hurts!) but surprisingly comfortable

Oh, yes. EVERYONE wants to know what the toilets are like. No worries. HEATED WATER...in the open air. Happy will you be to have not only water streaming down your head but leaves and small twigs going 'Geronimo'. I swear you may get a tiny shock or two with a brief impression that a lizard has just lost it's grip and drops by to say hi in your comfort zone.

Fart in the toilet and maybe hear an echo or two amplified through the vibrations of the zinc walls.

Then again. How could you pass this out? The night is teeming with life and parts of the retreat bathes in the soft yellow glow of spotlights.

A piece of heaven, right here on earth .

          

Ashley and I were spending a little sister time together when 'Wizard's World' neon lights and quirkyly dressed staff tempted us to come over. It's impossible to miss this place on the 6th floor with it's bright Disney like fonts beaming invitingly to go ahead for a go.

Vampires, serial killers and Gorillas helped us with the seating and as you get lead to your dungeon medeival styled tables, there is a main an actual 4D Haunted Adventure theatre at the back of the restaurant, Old lamps, a wall filled to the brim with Ghoulish masks, a ceiling that looks like it's caught chicken pox and I absolutely loved the bubbling chemical jars.

And the menu leaves you spoilt for choice. They've got Pizzas named after Star signs so you can go according to Horoscopes if you're feeling superstitious. Cocktail juices with spell binding names. Everything is just so dramatic!

I opted for a glass called 'Gorgeous Spell' A fusion of strawberry and something else which tasted like a tropical punch, and a 'Carbonara Labryinth' Ash decided to be less adventurous with a Hot Chocolate and a Turkey Pineapple Cheese Toastie

I must admit that I was afraid that being a food glutton that I was, I'd find myself too picky for the possibility of 'what if it doesn't taste good?' BUT THE FOOD is surprisingly PRETTY GOOD. We did lick our platters clean.

AND WHILE YOU EAT THERE IS ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED! THE CAPTAIN CAME TO OUR TABLE AND PERFORMED MAGIC TRICKS FOR US AS WE WAITED FOR OUR FOOD AND BEFORE WE FINISHED OFF OUR FOOD! I'd give the service a big thumbs up too!For a place that has only been open for two weeks! Both Ash and I agreed, the meal really made our day. Now that is good, fun dining.