Tag / transitions
For someone who dines out quite a lot, I’m almost always in a lost when it comes to eating in shopping malls. Out on the streets, pasar malam, or random restaurants? I’m good at those, but under the giant roofs that house hundreds of shops? Good luck.
Manmaru Udon at Mid Valley Megamall
So when we found ourselves at Mid Valley the other day, we did what most people do, randomly wandering around to find something to eat.
In this instance, facade of a restaurant is important, and that’s how we got into Manmaru Japanese Udon Restaurant, despite the fact that I’m not exactly an udon fan at all.
Signature Supreme Udon
As it turns out, other than a good variety of udon, Manmaru also serves starters, salad, yakimono (grilled or pan fried stuff), agemono (deep fried stuff), and nabe (Japanese hot pot).
Since this is a primarily udon place, we had to try their udon, so why not choose the top of the range?
The Signature Supreme Udon (RM 28.90) comes with pretty good amount of prawns, scallops, and even abalone slices (not sure if it’s “real” abalone, but I don’t really care). The broth was thick, creamy, and actaully pretty delicious. I also enjoyed the udon noodle itself, having a pretty good texture.
By the way, the cheapest udon here starts at RM 11.90, with more than two dozen varieties to choose from.
ebi pizza & tuna carpaccio
The picture of their ebi pizza (prawn pizza, RM 19.90) looks too good to pass up, so I ended up ordering that. The thin crust pizza was loaded with cheese, had 8 pretty good size prawns, and all those mushroom, chunks of bell peppers, and spring onion. I really enjoyed it.
We also ordered one of their specials – tuna carpaccio. This starter actaully took the longest to be served, and while looking pretty decent on the photo, it was a disappointing dish. The tuna was a bit too “cooked” and the dish could use more olive oil. I’ll avoid this.
we had a pretty satisfying meal
That being said, Manmaru is a pretty decent place if you’re looking for udon or pizza, I’m assuming other standard dishes such as tempura and grilled items are worth trying as well. If I’m at Mid Valley again over meal time, I wouldn’t mind checking it out again.
Address:
Manmaru
S-045A, Mid Valley City
Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.120346,101.677834
Tel: 03-2201 1663
Web: hwww.manmaru.com.my
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Instantaneous adaptation to the perfect tint on the glasses with regards to the amount of UV rays receives, that’s what Transitions® lenses bring. No more squinting walking from indoor to outdoor, best invention for our eyes on prescription glasses if you ask me.
If you’ve read my previous posts about Transitions Signature lens glasses, you’d already be quite familiar with the technology behind it. The lens that changes from clear to darker tint with the presence of UV light with the help of Chromea7 technology.
So, how am I using this in everyday life?
Transitions lenses clear up when going into tunnel
Lets start with driving.
I have a mild case of astigmatism so driving with a pair of prescription glasses is something I usually do. Since my car is not tinted at all, what I like about Transitions® Signature™ lenses here is that I can always just drive into the Smart Tunnel with just one pair of glasses. When I’m in the tunnel, the lenses are clear. When I’m out of the tunnel, my lenses are tinted. Simple as that. No more switching between a pair of regular sunglasses and clear glasses.
in hair salon and alfresco dining
The lenses also work very well both indoor and outdoor. Since it’s activated by UV light, the lenses are always very clear indoors. The above pictures illustrate the differences between me in a hair salon (with my hair dresser hiding behind) and having a glass of watermelon juice by the walkway after the haircut. The slight tint is due to the cloudy day with some UV presence. Yes, there’s UV light even on a cloudy day!
me with Chaly, the bike that’s older than most of you!
Riding my old school Honda Chaly is another great application for the glasses. Regardless with the visor up or down (my visor is not tinted at all), the lenses work predictably in the way the tint changes. Again, when it’s bright in the day, the lenses become dark, and when you ride in the night, the lenses turn clear. You don’t have to use different glasses for day and night riding.
Transitions lenses work great for mountain biking as well
One of my many hobbies is mountain bike riding.
For those who ride, eye protection is also something very important (other than helmet, gloves, knee pads etc) as there are tree branches, debris, and other stuff that may get into your eyes in the trail. Transitions® Signature™ glasses work great in this situation not only as a form of protection, but also adapting to the various lighting conditions in mountain bike trails. Very often along a mountain bike trail, there are many twists and turns like a stretch of shaded path covered by with trees and open-air slopes that are exposed to the sun. So within a short 10 meter span, the lighting can change from bright to dark then bright again. My Transitions® Signature™ Lenses are smart enough to adapt quickly and automatically to the mid tint when I’m riding under the trees and change to a dark tint when I’m riding in the open.
Well, you could say that Transitions® lenses work great in pretty much everyday situations, now if there’s a swimming or diving goggle that has this technology..
For More Info – http://www.transitions.com/en-my/products/transitions-signature/
Where To Buy – transitions.com/en-my/where-to-buy/
One of the toughest Penang hawker dishes to hunt down in Klang Valley has got to be char kuih kak. Outside of various pasar malam, there’s only one other stalls at Jalan Sayur that I am aware of, until I went to the hawker row right beside the Seapark wet market a few days ago.
char kuih kak at Seapark, next to the morning market
For those who has never been to Seapark in the wee hours, there’s actually a row of hawker stalls on the same road where My Burger Lab is located. The stalls usually open by around 6am so if you’re looking for earlier breakfasts, this is definitely a place to check out.
char kuih kak as breakfast, glorious
The char kuih kak operator does not have any table nor even plates, the only option is “tapao”.
I ordered a pack of char kuih kak (RM 4) with eggs and took it to the office for breakfast. It wasn’t the best version I’ve tried, but definitely managed to satisfy the cravings for a bit.
If you’re a char kuih kak fan, this is one more place to check out.
Address:
Char Kuih Kak
Jalan 21/22, Sea Park,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.110397, 101.621757
Hours: mornings
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Transitions lens, works well in a movie theater too
Went to the movies with my Transitions lenses glasses, great clarity under low light condition, basically no difference compared to a clear glass. The cool thing is if you walk out from the cinema and it happens to be afternoon, you won’t get hit by the glare like Thor’s Hammer.
Having had my new Transitions Signature lens glasses for a couple months now, I really began to appreciate the new technology more that went into these prescription glasses more and more, and I am happy that it works as well as they claimed to be. Considering that the previous version I used was already very good, the improvement is still very noticeable.
I want to take you through the lenses and talk a little bit on how they work.
Transitions lens with great clarity for working in front of computer
For those who aren’t familiar with Transitions, my previous article Smart Lenses Just got Smarter – Transition® Signature talked a little about how they work in a more general and some of the benefits brought by these glasses.
In this post, I want to dwell into them a little bit more with real life examples from my own.
Transitions with Chromea7 technology
The most important technology behind Transitions Signature lenses is Chromea7.
This is a patented formulation consisting unique dyes that are integrated to the surface of every Transitions Signature lens. The dyes are made up of trillions of molecules that smoothly re calibrate as the light condition changes. From dark to light and back at just the right tint so that the optimal amount of light reaches your eyes.
Yes, this is the twenty first century, we have stuff like these!
great clarity of the lenses indoor
So, when you are indoor away from sunlight, such as the example above in KLCC Suria Mall, the glasses are completely clear and act like any non-tinted prescription glasses.
Conveniently, this also works when you’re in front of the computer even though technically there are lights shining at you, but because the activation of the tint is by UV lights, it does not get tinted when you’re working. This of course, applies only for working indoor.
more reactive to indirect light
Chromea7 technology was designed to be more reactive to indirect light. Which means that light that bounces off building, cars, and other surfaces is also sensed by the lenses and react accordingly.
This property is especially important if you find yourself in cityscape such as KL where you might not be in direct sunlight among the tall buildings, cars, buses and so forth, where reflections that results in indirect sunlight are prevalent.
indoor by the window with some indirect sunlight
In the example above by the window in a cloudy day, you can see that the lens has a slight tint. This is not very pronounced as some of the UV light is blocked off by the window, but at the same time it shows the re-activeness of Transitions lenses away from direct sunlight.
more responsive in hotter climate
Photocrhomic lenses, as with most technology that relates to chemical or physical reactions, usually gets influenced by temperature.
While traditional photochromic lenses don’t get as dark in hotter climate because of the way heat interacts with the molecules, Chromea7 technology was formulated to be more independent of temperature and be able to get darker even in hotter climates.
the change of tint is almost instantaneous, outdoor at KLCC park
This property bode very well with our Malaysian climate. As the example above shows. Being outdoor at KLCC park in a pretty warm late afternoon, the glasses changed almost instantaneously to a comfortable tint.
Looking up to this beautiful building doesn’t come with the associated squinting or having to cover part of your forehead with your palm as a makeshift “roof” anymore.
just the right shade, just the right color
With the experience gathered by Transitions over the years, they were able to formulate the dye in such a way that the lens provide an even color at all levels of tint, giving the right shade and the right color every time.
under the shade, evening by the pond
This is a slightly harder property to show in pictures, but for the past couple months owning this pair of glasses. I must say that I’m very satisfied with the way it works. It gives great clarity and the tint, while not as dark as sunglasses, provides very sufficient protection against both direct and indirect sunlight and glare when I’m outdoor.
Moving the glasses to my little chef that’s by the same pond but at a brighter area, you can see that the colour of the lens switched to a slightly darker tint. This showcases the “right shade, right colour” property of the lens.
the different shades of my Transitions Signature glasses – indoor in the office, indoor in mall,
by the windows in the building, and outdoor
Transitions Signature lens can be paired with a wide variety of frames, head to http://www.transitions.com/en-my/where-to-buy/ to find out where you can get them.
In the last few years, coffee culture in Malaysia experience quite a significant growth.
As I recalled, even just five years ago when I had to go to Le Passione Cafe at Hartamas for a cup of decent (and non-starbucks, non-coffeebeans) coffee. But now, we have plenty, and it’s great!
Cosans Coffee at Subang Jaya SS15
One of the many home brewed cafe chains that sprung up in recent years is Cosans Coffee, and my brother’s friend happened to be one of the persons behind it, which is why you’re reading this today.
I met my brother and a few others at the branch of Cosans Coffee at Subang Jaya a few weeks ago. The cafe is situated at a corner lot with tasteful design that took cues from English architecture, and a chilly air conditioning fitting for hot drinks. I remember when I studied at this part of the world over 1.5 decades ago, the most glamorous shops weren’t a quarter as neat as this one.
love the latte, with my brother Win Sern who’s a medical doctor
Cosans apparently take pride in their process of making coffee (you can find out more details in their website), but what I do know is that their latte tastes as good as anywhere I’ve tried. The milk silky smooth, and the coffee positively strong and aromatic. That’s all I ask for in a cup of coffee, and I like their version here.
In addition to latte, they serve a full range of espresso based drinks, including macchiato, espresso, flat white, cappuccino, mocha, and so forth. Prices of these drinks RM 7 to RM 14. Oh, they have affogato too.
sandwiches at Cosans, they pack a punch
Additionally, what sets Cosans apart from many other cafes is the sandwiches and salad they serve. The sandwiches are priced at RM 18-20 but they are absolutely loaded. I tried the blackcurrant smoked duck and would not hesitate to order again, the New Zealand beef steak sandwich too is something to reckon with. Two sandwiches here is probably enough for 3 person with average appetite.
Salad starts from RM 10 to RM 15, and there’s a selection of cakes to go with your caffeine. I haven’t tried these so to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to comment.
So if you’re around Subang looking for a place to chill out and possibly have a meal with some good coffee, Cosans is worth stopping by.
Address:
Cosans Coffee
30, Jalan SS 15/4,
47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.075284, 101.5875
Web:
Tel: 03-5612 9600
-advert-
with Transitions lens on a cloudy day, while walking back from LRT station after work
A note to those who may wonder why Transitions lenses, including this pair of Transitions® Signature™ lenses in this picture has a tint when it is cloudy, this is due to the fact that UV light penetrate clouds, and hence activating the lenses. This way I’m still protected against the harmful rays even on a cloudy day.
