To be honest, before the following epic song from youtube, I didn’t know that Christmas is a twelve day celebration. While we’re at this cosmically auspicious number (12 hr on your clock, 12 star signs, 12 chinese zodiac, 12 in a dozen, etc), I’ll like to talk about the 12 things I want for Xmas.
But before that, you have to watch the epic video.
Now this list of 12 things I want, I don’t expect to be able to really get all of them, nor do I really think that some of them are entirely realistic, or make any sense. This will be almost like wild birthday wishes, except there are 12 of them, here goes!
1. I wish that Cendawan the Bengal cat learns to walk on leash like a dog, I mean, the dude already can play fetch better than most canines already. Refer to this post’s video. This way we can bring him out and pretend to be fashionable like the rich and famous walk their cheetahs in the 60s.
2. The same cat should also learn how to open canned food and stop waking me up at 7am everyday to ask for food.
3. While learning how to use a can opener, how about get on to use the bottle opener and fetch me some Guinness while I play games in front of the TV? That’ll surely be neat.
4. Which brings us to the next item. I wish to have another set of Logitech G27 racing wheel + seat setup so that we can play multiplayer GT5 while having a good drink.
5. Someone should invent a car simulator game to simulate drunk driving and the consequences of driving intoxicated. Who says education for adults can’t be achieved via gaming? It’s a brilliant idea, think about it. We can have this in the curriculum for driving license too. Responsible Drinking is what we should advocate.
6. I also wish for more drive through restaurants. Sure, we have McDonald’s and a few KFCs, but how about some drive through hawker foods? Or even a drive through bakery/sandwich place? That’s not too much to ask for I believe!
7. While we’re at the subject of food, I want for this Xmas, more Guinness infused dishes! Other than various meat and a few seafood dishes, the most interesting item has got to be the Guinness sorbet by Chef in Black. I want to see more, that or someone start selling Guinness sorbet in hypermarkets please.
8. It’s also about time someone cook the exact same version of Lorong Selamat char kueh teow and sell them here. Preferably within walking distance from my house or workplace. Those gigantic prawns, yumsss.
9. While we’re at the topic of hawker food, the awesome curry mee with coagulated pork blood - could you please operate till at least 11am on weekends?
10. More Chinese/Malay style eateries to operate 24 hours please. We’re confined to mamak and Ming Tien food courts only. 
11. How about a few more awesome Guinness events like the one we had at Aquaria just prior to Arthur’s Day celebration? Guinness sure know how to throw a great party!
12. Lastly, I want you guys to check out the Merry Guinness facebook page. Buy 6 pints of Guinness Draught or a bucket of Guinness stout gets you a Guinness Heritage glass! The page also list the 12 events Guinness is having from 10th all the way to the 23rd of December, check it out!
13. Why do I limit myself to 12 items anyway? Leave a comment and tell me what you want for your Merry Guinness this year and join me for a pint of Guinness and a delicious Xmas dinner at Bulldog pub (at Hartamas) on 17th of Dec 2010! There’ll be 4 winners, be creative! We can play the Merry Mat there, it’ll be more than just a pint of Guinness, it’ll be the whole Merry Guinness Experience you’re getting. 
Cheers and here’s to Merry Guinness!
I was battling flu symptoms since late last week, it got better, then it got worse, then it got better, then it got worse. Runny nose, itchy eyes, and that constant sneezing was getting very annoying. So yesterday, I decided that something had to be done
In the afternoon, I had some Japanese food with plenty of wasabi.
curry fish head stall at restaurant Arlison
That provided a good relief for some half an hour, but did not fix the case. So after work, I walked straight from Taman Bahagia LRT station to the nearby Restaurant Arlison while it was still drizzling and order up something more potent – curry fish head.
I think siakap fish is used here, and instead of pure fish head, there are some fish meat too. Other ingredients include brinjal, long bean, lady’s finger, tofupok, and cabbage. All came simmering in a clay pot coconut milk based curry that is both hot in temperature and spiciness level.
spicy curry fish head (lemak)
As if the curry isn’t enough, there’s a small plate of chili padi for the masochists too.
The curry actually turned out to be quite delicious, and definitely spicy. For RM 13 a pop it is definitely not very economical (the curry fish head stall at Ming Tien sells for about RM 10) but the portion is pretty big, and the quality of fish was commendable.
Not a bad choice if you want to have curry fish head but nobody else does. If it’s on weekends and you have a small group of people, my recommendation goes to Kampung Atap Curry Fish Head.
I had my nose cleared for about half an hour, but in the end, trying to cure flu by having spicy food was not meant to be. I ended up going to the doctors’ last night and hence writing this now at home, god bless medical certificate.
I shall go back to rest. Cheers!
Address:
Restaurant Arlison
Jalan SS 2/4A
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.111565,101.611197
Lucky me, I got to test drive the brand new Mitsubishi ASX over the weekends. Since it was also Michael’s wedding at Genting, I took the opportunity to test drive the crossover over the slightly more challenging roads up the hill instead of just having it around KL with limited chance to crank up the 2.0 liter MIVEC engine.
Mitsubishi ASX (Active Smart Crossover) with 2.0 Mivec
The front of the car took the cue from the aggressive yet classy design of the Lancer. In fact, from certain front angles the ASX looks almost like a taller version of Lancer, a pretty handsome design I think.
As mentioned earlier, under the hood is the same 2.0 liter MIVEC engine that churns out 150 PS and 197 Nm of torque, specifically tuned for this car. As such, the drive is actually quite zippy. This is partly due to the ASX’s curb weight at 1375 KG, actually 10 KG lighter than the Lancer.
ASX employs a 6 step CVT (continuous variable transmission) with paddle shift, handy especially for overtaking. Even while on auto, you can shift down by clicking the paddle shift without having to adjust the gear knob first.
exterior shots of Mitsubishi ASX
Other features of the car includes (full specs here):
interior shots, with reverse camera, auto cruise too
On the inside, the car is spacious and provide very good head and leg room. Exterior noise is pretty isolated even while driving at high speed.
Supplied with the ASX is a double DIN Kenwood touch screen audio system that also comes with a rear view camera and IPOD connectivity. However, I think additional module is needed if you want to enable in car navigation with the same screen.
As for fuel economy, my personal test in the city yield about 11 to 12 liter per 100 km, but on the way back from Genting to PJ gave me 8.4 liter/100KM, pretty good for a crossover this size.
at Michael & Li Ling’s wedding in Genting
The car came in plenty handy when over the weekends. Sat five comfortably while serving as part of the groom’s motorcade to get the bride. A big shout out to Michael and Li Ling, congrats you guys!
The car didn’t have any problem scaling the hill. Due to the amount of cars parked at the location, I had to made a U-turn at some gravel road and the ASX’s ground clearance and pretty tight turning radius came in handy.
We also managed to fit in a big make up box, an ice cooler, and 3 luggage bags at the trunk on the way back.
Above is a short video of the ASX I took over the weekends, check it out.
The Mitsubishi ASX costs RM 139,980 on the road and is available now.
There’s also the Mitsubishi ASX-Perience contest currently running on facebook, and for once it is actually very simple to participate. Simply go to Mitsubishi ASX Malaysia facebook page, put a comment on why you deserve this week’s ASX-Perience and get as many people to “like” your comment.
This week’s (29 nov – 5th dec) scenario – an ASX for a day with RM 600 to spend. Check out the facebook page.
Daorae Korean BBQ Restaurant is probably no stranger to most who loves Korean food. My first visit to this chain was the USJ Taipan main branch at least 4-5 years ago. I went there again last week when the worms in my gut was starving for some Galbi.
Daorae Korean BBQ Garden at USJ Taipan
I’m not quite sure if this is the very first branch of Daorae, they have branches now at Hartamas, Penang Bayan Point, Kota Damansara, Kepong, Puchong Bandar Puteri, and another new one in PJ (the NZX branch has since closed). When we were there, there was an friendly old Korean guy who looked very much like the owner, and he explained that “Daorae” means many people, which translate to good business.
I must say they chose the right name. Daorae for Korean food is much like the Superdining chains for Japanese food (Rakuzen, Sushi Zanmai, Pasta Zanmai, Kura)
banchan – kimchi, salad, chives, cockles and more!
The one thing I always love about korean food is all the banchan (small dishes). Other than the standard kimchi, you almost always get something different on each visit. On this trip there were cockles, steamed egg in hot pot, salad, chives, fish cake, and more. I think we had some 10 different varieties. You can usually ask for refill too.
galbi (marinated beef), 3 layer pork
For the two of us, I ordered a portion of galbi (marinated beef short ribs) and 3 layer pork for the grill.
As usual, the expertly trained servers did the whole grilling right in front of us. Galbi’s best served with the ssamjang sauce (fermented bean paste & pepper) and wrapped in fresh lettuce. I like to add a piece of grilled garlic too.
The samgyeopsal (three layer pork) was lovely too. Grilled and usually goes either with the same ssamjang or gireumjang sauce (sesame oil and salt). Nothing like some pork to fill the stomach.
kimchi jiggae, Haze
Other than the two grilled meat and those free banchan, I also ordered a portion of kimchi jiggae – a stew with kimchi, tofu, pork, scallion, onion and such. This is typically served with a bowl of fragrant Korean rice, which I like.
It was as usual, a satisfying meal at Daorae, though one that isn’t exactly economical (RM 140) for the two of us, otherwise I’d do it more often. Galllbiiiiiiiii
Address:
Daorae Korean BBQ Restuarant
No.8C, Top Speed Business Center,
Jalan USJ 10/1J,
47620 UEP Subang Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.048045, 101.585987
Tel: 03-8024-2616
On a fine Tuesday, my colleague Sheng Huah came over to my corner and asked if I wanted to join a couple of them for dinner on Wednesday, and promised something different from the ordinary ‘siu chau’ at Wisma Cosway.
I am constantly looking for new things and places to eat, so why not?
Restaurant Jiang He at Jalan Padang
We took a good 10 minute walk from Jalan Kia Peng, passing Pavilion, Starhill Gallery and arrived at Restaurant Jiang He right next to smallish Fei Har Ching Ser temple at Jalan Padang (directly across Bintang Palace, the infamous pub/karaoke.)
On normal days, restaurant Jiang He serves chap fan (Chinese mixed rice), but every Wednesday, they have this special fried chicken.
the fried chicken is the killer, every Wednesday
The photos here are taken over the span of two separate visits. Both times I ordered the excellent fried chicken, with it’s crispy crunchy skin and succulent tasty meat that is quite irresistible, I suspect the marinate involves belacan. Definitely worth a try if you’re at the area. Thumbs up to Sheng’s recommendation.
indoor and outdoor seating area, colleagues Sheng & Sam
Their char siu (bbq pork) and siu yok (roast pork) were not particularly impressive though, I suggest leaving more space for the chicken instead. However, if you like potato, don’t miss their wedges, they’re slightly burnt and very good!
The pricing at Restaurant Jiang He is pretty reasonable. Drumstick (actually almost a 1/4 chicken) chicken rice costs about RM 7.50, while thigh version goes for around RM 6 or so.
Remember though, the fried chicken is only available on Wednesdays.
Address:
Restaurant Jiang He
Jalan Padang,
Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.145980, 101.71378
