Omakase + Appreciate, Kuala Lumpur

I can’t believe it took me THIS long to ‘discover’ the best cocktail bar in town!

Omakase + Appreciate, a speakeasy-type bar is founded by two noted Malaysian bartenders, Karl and Shawn.

(From 1920 to 1933, the US government banned all sales of alcohol, known as the Prohibition era. If you wanted a drink to forget the teetotaling crusaders, you’d get it at speakeasies – secret bars that illegally sold alcoholic drinks.)

Omakase + Appreciate Kuala Lumpur - bar

True enough, you may have some difficulty finding the exact Omakase + Appreciate location. The bar is also quite cozy, fitting a maximum of 20 averagely-sized drinkers at any time.

Omakase + Appreciate Kuala Lumpur - customised cocktails

What do you get at Omakase + Appreciate? Cocktails! No draft beer, no shots, nada! You get intricately crafted cocktails that you can choose from a menu that changes every night – depending on bartenders on duty (Karl and Shawn helm the bar Thurs – Sat), or every month for refreshment. Drinks start from RM25.

Omakase + Appreciate Kuala Lumpur - Angeltini

The best part is, you can “omakase” (leave it to you) your drinks to the bartenders! They would love to make you a custom drink based on your preference. Do you like something sweet? Sour? A drink that would sweep away your blues? Something your wife would hate?

I figure it’s a good way to know what you really like, or want.

Omakase + Appreciate Kuala Lumpur - appreciation

I told Janice, my sweet young thing of a bartender that I like sweet, refreshing, not sour nor bitter. For my first customised cocktail (RM35), she made me a blend of lime juice, sour plum, mango juice and gin.

Lovely but I don’t quite like gin. So for my second cocktail, she made me her own concoction, “Trio Connection” (RM35). Lime juice, praline syrup, sweet vermouth, angostura dark rum and pineapple.

One of the best cocktails I’ve had! Janice happily told me that she would be using this cocktail as her participation in the Monin bartending competition. I hope she did well!

Omakase + Appreciate Kuala Lumpur - Janice

But where can you get to Omakase + Appreciate? It’s somewhere in the Bangunan Ming Annexe along Jalan Ampang. The entrance is one of these doors…

Actually finding it is half the fun.

Omakase + Appreciate Kuala Lumpur - hidden entrance

Read more on Omakase + Appreciate at Tipsy-Turvy: *click*

Omakase + Appreciate
Bangunan Ming Annexe
Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Facebook: OmakaseAppreciate

Opens Tue-Fri, 5pm-1am; Sat, 9pm-1am.
Closed Sun & Mon, sometimes for private events.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013

As part of the Twestival Kuala Lumpur team, it has been an amazing journey to have helped raise nearly RM74,000 for our selected charities.

We started in 2009 with Destiny Starting Point, raising RM11,000 for the home for juvenile delinquents in Klang. In 2010, the team raised RM3,000 for Concern Worldwide, an international education NGO. The following year, we hit RM26,000 for PRIHATIN in Kota Bahru, a NGO for single mothers and children with HIV/AIDS.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - The Bee Publika
In 2013, Twestival Kuala Lumpur was held at The Bee in Publika

After a year’s break, we rallied together in 2013 for Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Hulu Langat (PKKI). I blogged about PKKI earlier: *click to read*

Through ticket and product sales, auction items, outright donations, with your help and generosity, we pulled together nearly RM34,000 for PKKI. The amount has been transferred to PKKI, we hope it will be of some help towards their good cause.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - work work
With Jian who flew in from Kuching

Our event for Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 was held at The Bee in Publika. We had a good turnout, fantastic performances by celebrities who donated their talent and time, a bighearted audience who gave and gave via our auctions, and generous sponsors who donated lucky draw prizes, food, drinks, goody bag items and outright donations.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - goody bags

I’ve always been amazed and humbled by how kind and charitable folks are. I can tell you that I see this from the front row as part of the Twestival KL organising team. Even if they were not able to help us with goods or monies, they readily spread the word and tried to find others who could.

<3 <3 <3 Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - registration

I’m just going to post a few photos from 2013’s Twestival KL’s event.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - Chelsia rehearsing
The kids couldn’t keep their eyes off Chelsia during her rehearsal 🙂

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - Chelsia Ng, Elvira, Liang, Ray Cheong, Vince Chong
What incredible, intimate performances from these talented home-grown singers – Chelsia Ng, Elvira, Liang, Ray Cheong, Carmen Soo and Vince Chong. I got goosebumps when Elvira sang 🙂

You can see more gorgeous photos of the performances taken by Robin Wong: *click*

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - crowd
Cosy space at The Bee

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - Hansen Lee
Charming Will Quah and Elvira auctioning Hansen Lee’s t-shirt. Yes, I wanted to touch too.

A BIG THANK YOU to our sponsors for Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013:

MDeC, The Bee (Publika), The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Blackberry, Text 100 Malaysia, Starbucks Malaysia, GSC Malaysia, Yeo’s Malaysia, Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine, Fa-Ying by Rama V, Nike, Nando’s Malaysia, Sid’s Pub, Nigel’s Visual Story, Threes & Tees, Damansara Village Steamboat Restaurant, Sanbanto Restaurant, and Czip Lee.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - Carmen Soo, Vince Chong, Elaine Daly
Thank you Carmen, Vince and Elaine!

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - Suanie and Vince Chong
Vince and I! We first met at Bootcamp, then he went off to be infinitely fitter. Congratulations on your new bride!

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - Vernieman and Suanie
With Vernon, daddy of Twitterverse 😉

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - after event
After the event. We were bushed. Did we look like we were bushed? Absolutely dead knackered!

Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013 - team
Team Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2013. Grace, Ling, David Lian, Jason Lioh, Radiance Leong, Chee Ching, Fiona, Niki Cheong and Andrew. What an amazingly talented, energetic and enthusiastic bunch!

As Twestival Global announced, 2013 would be the final year for Twestival-branded activities.

It has been my honour and privilege to have been part of the Twestival Kuala Lumpur organising team. So much fun, laughter and knowledge gained! Thank you folks for having me.

Though it’s the end of Twestival, it’s not the end of us. Here’s looking forward to brand new ‘social media for good’ adventures! Stay tuned 😉

The #BBQAddicts New Year Eve party!

If there was ever the slightest, minuscule, microscopic chance that you wondered what I did on the eve of New Year 2014…

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - venue

Yeap I was there, again! The gorgeous home of The Cheangs, where they host an annual BBQ party for family and friends. Previously blogged: 2010 and 2012.

Booze was aplenty as always, though most of us graduated to drinking more complex alcoholic drinks. That’s why it’s great to have friends who double as bartenders.

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - booze
AhFa and Mike, not married

Grill Sergeant Lance did what he does best. He is currently in a paella phase, having bought a paella pan.

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - grill master Lance

He roasted a wonderful leg of lamb, superb with homemade mint sauce.

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - roast lamb

And cooked up a host of other things, including a freshly caught fish from Mr. Cheang’s organic pond.

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - food

Another specialty of the evening – superior whisky-flamed rib eye.

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - whisky-flamed rib eye

A communal plate is used for ready-to-eat grilled food. It is usually empty within a minute.

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - communal plate

People. People!

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - people 01

Here’s to an awesome 2014! Bring horse come forth!

BBQ Addicts New Year's Eve party - people 02

p/s: BBQ Addicts ready-to-grill items are available here:

Hitting the town on CapitalFM’s Diva’s Day Out

When Pinky of Nuffnang asked if I wanted to join in the Capital FM’s Diva’s Day Out where there’d be relaxation, food and shopping with the Capital FM presenters, I was thinking, “YES YES YES WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR, LET’S GO ALREADY!” 😀

Quick fast-forward to the end of the event, I was totally exhilarated, exhausted (well it was a long day..) and feeling somewhat humbled. I’ll tell you why later.

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 01 Presenters
A full fun day out with these people, you want? 😉

Come faithful day, I was *a bit*regretting it. Ohhh sorry, not to sound ungrateful but we had to meet at 7am at the Capital FM’s studio (which means have to wake up earlier etc) and I’ve had a few long weeks at work.

But I got to the meeting point (way on time) and somehow, I couldn’t help but to feel excited. It’s hard not to be when you’re surrounded by the organisers and team who are so upbeat and energized about the event. Also from participants of Diva’s Day Out who were there because they won a Capital FM contest, so lucky! 🙂

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 02 studio
What’s on the wall?

After a quick briefing by Asha Gill and Liang, we were placed in our respective teams. I was in team Deborah Raj along with mother and daughter Christine and Maddie, and mother and daughter Jennie and Patricia. Check out the specially decorated MPV with Deborah’s face on it!

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 03 Team Deborah and MPV
Team Deborah Raj!

From then on, 9 MPVS ferrying Capital FM presenters and lucky Divas (uhm, us 😉 ) whizzed around town with.. 3 police escorts! Wow, I’ve to say, there’s nothing to make you feel darn special than police escorts clearing the traffic for you like magic for the entire day! I’m sure some folks driving in town that day wouldn’t be too happy… sorry about that, but truthfully speaking, I was enjoying every moment of it 😀

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 04 MPVs
Entourage

At the end of the day, I wanted to take a photo with the nice police escorts but they sped off before I could ask 🙁 Maybe they could read my mind 🙁

Diva’s Day Out first stop: Beauté Library in Taipan, USJ!

The first item on our itinerary was an indulgent silky hand treatment from the pros at Beauté Library. Nothing better to start off with than a nice, relaxing pampering session, eh?

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 05 Beaute Library, Taipan USJ

Monica, the lady who did my hands told me that they used a ginger scrub for cleansing dead cells and rejuvenating skin. Then the hands were lathered with a rich lavender oil to absorb nutrients for the following lavender paraffin treatment that improves blood circulation. We finished off with a vitamin C cell repair lotion. Result? My hands felt soft, relaxed and smooth. I should be doing this everyday…!

Then Beauté Library surprised us by giving us a travel set of products worth RM350 and treatment cash voucher for RM200. Lucky us or what!!

I’ve started using the facial cleanser in the gift set, I think it’s pretty good and might go back to Beauté Library for other treatments.

Next: brunch time!

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 06 21 Tables + Terrace

At twenty.one tables+terrace in Bangsar Shopping Centre, we indulged in a lovely spread of… you need to see the menu: salad with asparagus with cranberry and rosemary honey lemon dressing, feta an wilted spinach quiche, spaghetti aglio olio, marsala chicken tortilla wrap with minted yoghurt aioli, Chinese-style fried rice and tiramisu with strawberry.

As food at twenty.one tables+terrace goes, they’re always appetizing and delicious so you can imagine our satisfaction tummy-wise.

Then Joanne Kam led us through a short session of games where everyone walked away with a RM100 voucher redeemable at twenty.one tables+terrace, yay!

Then it was off to Pavilion KL!

(whee whiuu wheee whiuuu *imitates police escorts’ sirens)

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 07 Parkson
Spot the fake mannequin

Third stop: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

The MPVs pulled up at the fountain area of Pavilion like the VVIPs we were 😉 We were led to Parkson, one of my favourite departmental stores where the shopping fun began!

After a warm welcome by the Parkson team, we were told that we had RM500 Parkson cash voucher each to spend! (cue: huge claps and happiness all round). Only caveat was that we had only one hour to shop, yeah right that’s not a problem at all 😉

3-2-1.. Go!

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 08 Parkson shopping
This collage is self-descriptive

I knew what I wanted: an everyday casual bag to replace my tattered one (yes I’m aware that it’s tattered, thanks for not pointing it out to me in person, heh). So I went straight to the bags section and had whale of a fun checking out different brands and make.

… and I found it! A simple, delicately woven black sling bag from Tocco Tenero. Goatskin, perfect size for what I need, light enough to carry everyday, a bargain at RM350+ (after 10% discount, Parkson’s having a sale now). Mine mine mine mine mine!

Then I had extra cash leftover and I got myself a nice pullover and a skirt from Wallis. Good quality stuff 😀 Of course I went beyond the RM500 mark but just my own top-up of RM42.60, hey best deal ever!

Thanks Parkson! 😀

Then we had a surprise waiting for us…

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 09 World Vision Parkson tote bags
Tote bags made from recycled material, exclusive from Parkson

In conjunction with Parkson’s 25th anniversary, they’re working with World Vision and came up with exclusive tote bags, pictured above. Each bag is made out of approximately 18 plastic bottles (cleaned, finely shredded then made into plastic fiber) and has 3 colours, each with a special message from Xandria Ooi, Asha Gill and Joanne Kam.

And what did we have to do with these bags? Try to sell them to Parkson customers at RM9.90 each! We had 20 minutes to do so and my team managed to sell 12 of these babies. Not too bad for an over-saturated market for that day 😉

You can get these bags at Parkson. They are sturdy and all monies go to World Vision.

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 10 Group Photo Pavilion
Very happy lot!

Final stop: The Food Studio in Mont Kiara!

A beautiful, spacious studio for the aspiring chef nestled in luxurious Mont Kiara, The Food Studio is headed by Chef Paul who teaches the intricacy of cooking to both amateurs and learned chefs. When we got there, his team was already getting ready a feast for dinner later.

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 11 The Food Studio, Mont Kiara

A cooking demo by Asha Gill featuring her famous chilli sans carne and later Chef Paul on how to prepare meats, we were divided into three teams to add on dishes for dinner. On our island, we made ratatouille though honestly we did a lot of the chopping and Asha Gill did most of the cooking, heh.

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 12 Preparing dinner
Mmmmmm lamb…..

And dinner was just scrumptious where I had the BEST Spanish fish stew, ever! I might have to sign up for Chef Paul’s gourmet cooking class just to learn how to make this, heh. But it takes 6 hours to cook so I don’t know… me and patience don’t really get along well, hehehe.

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 13 Dinner at The Food Studio
Feeling hungry at the memory of this dinner..

It was a really chillaxing session, lots of conversations and getting to know the presenters better. Unfortunately all good things had to come to an end, and we finished off with this happy group shot:

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 14 Group Photo at The Food Studio
Happy Divas, all of us!

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 15 Suanie and cool people
Me with Joanne Kam,the ever energetic Liang and Mindy, friend from hometown

So what did I take away from this extraordinary experience? Oh besides the VVIP treatment, pampering session, great food and free shopping…? Well I got to know some really cool people, props to Deborah who took really good care of us! She’s on Capital FM every Monday to Friday (The Jam Break) from 4-8pm with Liang, tune in for the bubbly duo!

Also to Maddie, Patricia, Jennie and Christine, thanks for being such awesome fellow Divas!

CapitalFM Diva's Day Out - 16 Team Deborah

What was humbling about the experience? Well just awareness of self-limitations and appreciation for skills that others have, that I do not possess. Watching the Capital FM team and presenters was an experience by itself; they were so efficient, enthusiastic and passionate about what they do that it made me slightly jealous.. 🙁 Of course they made the event so fun but I know that it was hard work to pull something like this off… and they did it smilingly, without a hint of complain!

So I felt bad even jokingly moaning about how tired I was… heh.

For more Capital FM goodness, you can stream them online @ www.capitalfm.com.my or even download their mobile apps at Google Play (Android users) and App Store (iPhone users)!

So power to all men and women at Capital FM, here and everywhere. Thank you for an unforgettable day! More pictures here : .

Gerard Bertrand wines @ Le Meridien KL, 9th Boh Cameronian Arts Awards and ramblings before, in between and after

Is this turning into a food blog? *gasps* IS IT?? Oh dear, I must do something about it, mustn’t I? I don’t know why seeing as there’s nothing wrong with having a food blog, but imaginary life experts say that there must be other things going on besides food! Being imaginary, they must be right.

Actually I’m in ‘Criminal Minds’ mode right now, which means I’ve been watching a lot of ‘Criminal Minds’. The problem with watching the episodes consecutively means, a lot of airtime to highlight crazy nutters in succession. At one point I had to hit the pause button and go do something normal and not so dark, like flip through ‘Lat the Kampung Boy’. Really, it helped and then I was able to resume watching the work of psychos.

Eh I marked this post in the Parties/ Events/ Fun category? Are we having fun yet? Maybe the nutter effect is rubbing off me. Don’t worry too much; I don’t really talk to myself, only type to myself. I could write down an entire conversation with myself here but I doubt it’d be fun for anyone but me.

Maybe I need a new hobby. Or a fish. ‘Cos I’m no good with pets and fish are low maintenance. Actually that’s not true, now I remember I had fish as a kid and they all went belly up. Then I got a new batch to replace the dead ones, and they too died. Met their Maker. Went swimming in the great blue above. I don’t remember why, probably something to do with the water in the fish tank.

Anyway fishes are weird. Don’t trust them, okay? Anything that sleeps with their eyes open were creatures from another universe, their DNA seeds brought in to our world to encourage oddity. That line of reasoning should also be able to explain why pine nuts taste exceptionally great in salads.

This is the part where I’m trying to focus on the point of this blog post. Really.. trying… hard… to… suppress… a… monologue… on… jelly…

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur recently had a private showcase of Gerard Bertrand wines that they carry in their few restaurants. The wine’s from the south of France and the namesake was a former captain of the French rugby team. We tried mostly the ‘Reserve Speciale’ range, very easy to drink. I enjoyed the Cab Sav and Sav Blanc the most. The delectable food served by Le Meridien’s team to go with the wine of course made it too easy to enjoy. I’ve used the word ‘enjoy’ in two consecutive sentences. Do not follow down my shoddy Engrand footsteps OR get adequate sleep before attempting to talk about wine.

Nah, photos.

Gerard Bertrand wines at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

Then on another recent occasion, I went to the Kakiseni‘s 9th BOH Cameronion Arts Awards 2012 at One World Hotel. For those who do not know what it’s about, it’s to celebrate our local arts scene – the stage performers, dancers, musicians, etc. BOH Cameronion is the main sponsor, hence the name. Yes, BOH the tea. We had plenty of tea served at the awards.

The theme was Glam 20s, or something like that. I was all excited as I (thought I) had a dress for it. Turns out the 20s was about knee-length dresses, lace, nettings, pearls, feathers… Who would have known!!! Ok ok a lot of people but me. If you haven’t already noticed, I’m not exactly a fashion icon snort cough snigger.

So my sister helped with the make up ( <3 ) and I thought I looked all right except for the fat jutting out part, hah! What? I'm sure the 20s also got fat people ok, you just weren't alive to see them*. Boh Cameronian Arts Awards - Ciki, Suanie, Missyblurkit, Masako
With Cheeky Ciki, Missyblurkit and Masako

I had a good time with Sheelah as the emcee, the hilarious Minister of Misinformation YB on stage and a co-performance by the spectacular Junji Delfino being the highlights of the evening.

Boh Cameronian Arts Awards - Huai Bin, Suanie
With the dashing Huai Bin

Okay enough with the blogging. Looking at the time now, I can slot in one episode of ‘Criminal Minds’ before I have to sleep. Night!!

By the way, JELLIES ARE GREAT AND I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE MILO ONES THAT MY MOM MAKES KTHXBAI!!!

*I was going to go on with a joke about being squashed to death then I thought it’d be an overkill. But it has to be noted that I thought of it!! So here it is.

How to throw the best surprise dinner party ever!

1. Get a good venue at an affordable price, preferably a private room to jump through the scale of awesomeness such as the one at TJ Haus where the owners are ever obliging and take pride in decorating their eatery.

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - decorated room

2. Conspire with friends to arrive early and make use of their youthful energy to blow up some balloons for party festiveness. Or to just sit and frown at cameras.

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - blowing balloons

3. When the birthday girl is about to enter the venue, make your friends hide and marvel at them doing such a great job 😀

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - hiding

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - pretending to hide

4. Conspire with friends to bring birthday girl to sekret party under the pretensions of ‘just a normal dinner’. Lead birthday girl into sekret room, and ta-dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh present her with traditional dick-lookalike balloons.

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - birthday girl

5. Commence dinner party with awesome food!

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - awesome food

6. Follow up with awesome (and totally frozen) ice-cream cakes because that’s the only cakes our birthday girl would eat! Feel free to get a non ice-cream one if yours isn’t as fussy 😛

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - cakes

7. Make everyone show their signs of affection towards birthday girl!

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - kissing 01

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - kissing 2

Kerol's surprise party @ TJ Haus - aftermath

8. Party ends! Everyone is happy, goes home and happy to have awesome friends like Horng + Yuki + Kim + ShaolinTiger + KY + Haze + Saint + Michelle + Zess + Cassandra + Terence + Celine + King Sebbie. And everyone else who couldn’t make it, much love! <3

The Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011

… aka NAPBAS. I was there ‘cos I was one of the 5 finalists for the ‘Best Micro Blog‘ category.

The awards was held this past Friday at the Putrajaya Marriott. I’ve been to the hotel before but only during daytime. Plus I left from a new place so I wasn’t very sure of my directions. So I ended up touring Putrajaya city, went on both Putrajaya bridges and rounded the city a few times because Malaysian road signs are: 1) inefficient and lead you to big useless rounds, and 2) blocked from view thanks to massive trees.

Really Kerajaan, thank you. Loved the nearly 2 hours joyride. Really.

Anyway, managed to reach there just in the nick of time.

NAPBAS 2011 programme book

Met many familiar faces, mostly known each other via blogging from a few years back. It’s (still very much so) a fantastic community 🙂

By the way, I’ve to mention Viva Vertical‘s pole dancing show during the awards. It was fun to watch and in KY‘s words, they had muscles where I didn’t know one could have muscles! Nah, link: *click*

Then my category came up. Wah they did this big screen thing:

NAPBAS 2011 - Micro Blog category

Damn shiok man, I felt a tingling down my spine. Quite a thrill really to see yourself on a massive projection like that. And for reasons not related to crime… best! 😛

I didn’t win, Kenny Sia did. So sad, mostly because I would have liked a new digital camera, sob sniff.

Though I’ve to say, I had fun at the awards thanks to the company 🙂 Also, it’s not everyday that you get to pose in a photo like this:

NAPBAS 2011 - Suanie in Micro Blog category

Best ever! 😀 By the way, if you’d voted for me, thanks yah. Really appreciate it 🙂