3D studio cafe

I couldn’t resist this deal by JackCow mainly because it offered the opportunity to whet my appetite with a 3D view of my meal via its menu and while waiting – the availability of 3D TVs.  It’s also rather reasonably priced (more like dirt cheap for soft shell crab really). So, for RM8.80, one gets a soft-shelled crab burger + jasmine tea +ice-cream at 3D Studio Cafe in Kuchai Lama.

From the outside, the restaurant was not really inviting.  It looked more like an cybercafe with its highly tinted windows.  If not for the voucher, we’d have never ventured in.

Inside wasn’t very much different.  It was spartanly made up and more like a test market for dining with 3D rather than a serious restaurant.  The food and menu was haphazardly done with very little thought to highlighting it’s specialties (if any). 

The soft-shell crab burger was filled with mayonaise and a little vegetable.  The bun was an off-the-counter sort which one purchases from the supermarket.  The crab was crispy and remained the only item worthy of mention.  The main meal came with cabbage drenched in mayonaise and some french fries.  The jasmine tea had a tad too much sugar.

We ventured to try the fried rice but considering the restaurant had only 2 tables filled when we were there, the chef somehow managed to burnt this dish! 

Overall, the dining experience was plain and not necessary worth a repeat.

Ceggo pan mee, Taman Desa

I’ve always wanted to try this noodle shop and now bought a great deal at RM2.50 for Ceggo’s signature traditional pan mee in Taman Danau Desa. 

Pan Mee (dry)

We tried the dry pan mee which came with a distinct black sauce which is presumably Ceggo’s own concoction.  It was sweet and mildly tangy.  Sprinkled with spring onions, minced meat, black fungus and anchovies, this dish was a tummy filler which was nothing out of the ordinary.

Available at their store was malat pan mee, tomato pan mee and a variety of other offerings including sandwiches for breakfast. Best to go early (before 10am) or weekends to avoid the hassle of looking for parking in this reasonably crowded neighbourhood.

Hailam Kopitiam, South Cheras

We got to sample a few items from Hailam Kopitiam via the Everyday deal which consisted of 1 main course plus 1 iced lime juice at South Cheras branch.  For RM5.90, the meal was definitely great value for money.  Food and service were surprisingly good. 

Nasi Lemak Special With Rendang Ayam – the dish was so saleable that they had to cook more rice on the evening we visited.  The staff were apologetic and offered plain rice or chicken rice substitute if we were in a hurry.  The rendang is a must have with its rich, thick gravy and adequate spices.

Hailam Traditional Chicken Rice Special – an all-time favourite garnished with fried shallots.  It’s the slightly upmarket version of those found in the hawker centres.

Vegetarian Spicy Chicken  - this dish was a surprise.  I hadn’t been expecting much but the tofu pieces (vegetarian chicken) was cooked in sweet and spicy sauce which blended well with the plain rice.  The dried chili provided the extra  ‘ooomph’ to an otherwise simple and tasty meal.  I’d give it a 9/10 for flavour and taste. 

Iced lime drinks – a thirst quencher.

Big Bad Wolf Aftermath Sale

If you missed the BBW sale at MAEPS, here’s a 2nd chance to buy books at RM5 or less.  BBW Aftermath Sale hits town from 24-28 November 2011 at South City Plaza, Persiaran Serdang Perdana (10am-9pm daily). (http://www.fac.book.com/bbwbooks)

It was sheer madness!  Compared to MAEPS, the location within South City Plaza was cramped, noisy, messy…It took over half an hour to find parking (imagine Mid Valley parking scenario) and followed by a queue to enter (this was throughout the day for crowd control purposes).  Browsing for books was nearly impossible as payment queues zig-zagged all the way through the book aisles and beyond!

So, if you are a die-hard fan of getting your money’s worth, go grab a friend or two, start queueing for payment the minute you get in and take turns grabbing books for sale!!  (Note: it takes approximately 2-3 hours to clear check-out so you will have ample time to get your books if there is someone in queue!)

 

Review of visit to BBW Sale @ MAEPS: October 2011

I am a bargain hunter but wasn’t particularly looking for any book when I visited the Big Bad Wolf sale, recently held in MAEPS.   I had heard about people taking leave just to attend this sale and hence, opted  not to join the mad dash on the first few days. 

So on a beautiful Wednesday morning, I visited the sale and it was thoroughly worth my efforts.  I was pleasantly surprised that there there were already people ahead of me considering I was 5 minutes into the opening hour of the sale that day.  Indeed, over 1.5 million books were spread over what must have been at least 100 tables. 

The organiser did a terrific job in promoting the event in the newspapers, TV and social media.  They also well prepared for crowd control and looked into the finer aspects of ensuring visitors had enough space to browse and purchase the books.

Most books were priced between RM3 and RM10 which made it almost impossible to walk away without purchasing at least one item.  

Part of my haul.

After spending over 2 hours walking (almost non-stop) through the area (yes, it was massive and one actually needs much more time than that to  review the possible purchases), I walked away with several items.  Even signed up for the OCBC card as there was RM20 cash voucher giveaway for books purchased :P

I had to revisit the place a few days later just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything out but alas, the crowd was just amazing on a weekend.  We arrived 15 minutes before opening time and there was a queue of well over 1000 people waiting to enter the premises.  It took a good 8 minutes for the queue to make it through the entrance that Saturday. Yours truly made a quick dash when the line cleared and was out within 30 minutes before the queues started to build up at the exit.

Can’t wait to go to the next BBW sale (http://www.bigbadwolfbooks.com/)

Desa Kopitiam, Taman Danau Desa

Get 2 bowls of fish head noodles + 2 drinks + 1 dessert for just RM15.60 at Desa Kopitiam.  Each voucher entitles the holder to:

• Choose 2 main courses :
  • Premium Fish Head Noodle
  • Fish Paste Noodle
  • Curry Laksa
  • Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Kampung Fried Rice

• Choose 2 drinks:
  • Ice Lemon Tea
  • Soya Bean
  • Lime Juice
  • Chrysthanthemums Tea

• 1 dessert :
  • ABC Special

Voucher available for purchase via: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2788

Hin Kee HK Dimsum: 4 plates @ RM10!

Get 4 plates of dimsum for RM10 at Hin Kee’s in SS2 or Damansara Jaya.  Vouchers available now at: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2559

Feeling Cafe, Wangsa Maju

Have a chicken chop or spaghetti plus  bubble tea at  over 50% off at Feeling Cafe.  This RM9.90 deal is available at: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2702

Meal for RM4 @ Sung Zhu Yuan Cafe

If you are feeling the need for a meat-free day, try this option: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2630

For RM4, enjoy a vegetarian noodles/rice  plus green/jasmine tea at Sung Zhu Yuan Cafe.

O’Earth Cafe, The Sphere, Bangsar South

oooh….my kind of place…environmentally friendly and healthy food served for only RM5.90!  This meal includes a spaghetti set and a drink (either coffee or soya barley) for 1 person.   No reservation required and can be used any day of the week.  THis deal is available for purchase from:

http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2627

Manicure and pedicure

It’s time for more pampering.

At Belle Nails Spa & Waxing (Shah Alam or Subang 1), grab the RM10 deal and get:

• Express manicure and pedicure
• 1 set of nail art OR 2 sets of nail buffing

Deal available at: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2609

 

At Beatrice Nail Studio (South Cheras), opt for the RM29 package and get:

• Manicure
• Pedicure
• Hand & foot massage
• OPI finger and nail polishing
• Full set of toe nail art
• RM15 voucher for next visit

Purchase deal from: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2523

 

Alternatively, opt for the RM39 package which includes:

• Express manicure & pedicure
• relaxing soak
• Callus treatment
• scrub
• mask
• massage (OPI hand and foot spa)

Purchase deal from:

http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2524

RM8.80 for 2 pax @ Papa Cafe, Penang

This cafe located in MBF Tower (near The Northam All-Suite Hotel) is offering an Asian meal for 2 pax  at RM8.80.  2 choices of meals to choose from: Nasi Lemak Papa  or Chinese Fried Rice.  Drinks: Ice Lemon Tea or Lemon Juice

Deal available for purchase  from: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/pg/leetc.ec?2595

Table Twenty-Three, Penang

Located on Jalan Irrawady, Georgetown, Penang, this fusion food and wine bar is offering a 6-course meal for RM18.   Limited coupons available for a meal consisting of:

• Soup of the Day

• Salad

• Scallop
• Choose 1 Signature Main Course:
• Quarter Roast Chicken served with 2 side dishes
  
• Grilled Lamb served with 2 side dishes
  
• Grilled Fish served with 2 side dishes
• A Glass of Drink:  Iced Lime Juice or Peach tea
• Dessert: A Scoop of Ice-Cream

Deal available from: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/pg/leetc.ec?2621

SOS Cafe, Butterworth

For RM5.99, get a tasty 4-course meal consisting of: 

• Main Course (choose 1):
  • Chicken Spaghetti
  • Fried Rice
  • Taiwan Stewed Rice
  • Taiwan Stewed Dry Noodle
  • Tomyam Noodle
  • Omu Rice
• Soup Choose 1):
  • Mushroom Soup
  • Tomyam Soup
• Drink (Choose 1):
  • Lemon Tea / Green Tea
  • Blackcurrant Juice
  • Soursop Juice
• Ice Cream

Coupon available for purchase from:

http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/pg/leetc.ec?2569

Starlight Cafe, Kuchai Ent. Park

Hang out in a cool joint and enjoy baked cheese rice + 1 mushroom soup + 1 ice lemon tea for just RM10 at Starlight Cafe, Kuchai Lama.  This place also offers alcoholic beverages and shisha. 

Get the deal from:

http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2593

RM11.90 buffet @ Restoran 180 C, Shah Alam

Wah! For only RM11.90, this coupon gets you an all-you-can-eat buffet of steamboat, dimsum, charcoal BBQ and BBQ roast!! What’s more, it’s available for use daily till Feb 2012 and FOC for kids below 4!  Unlimited vouchers per table can be used. So be quick and grab the deal from:

http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2515

50% off dimsum @ Zende Restaurant, Seri Pacific Hotel

This is probably one of the best halal dim sum places in town. Who needs red meat when one can feast on a delicious variety of white meat and seafood!  It is one of the rare instances where I can attest to the above mentioned statement and hence, this deal at RM24.50 is a steal!!!  Grab them quick from:

http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2555

Boost Juice at 50% off

Enjoy 2 thirst-quenching low-fat smoothies or crushers for RM11 at Boost Juice.  Coupon valid daily at any one of their 10 outlets nationwide.  Grab the deal via:

http://www.groupon.my/in/.35lScJ?nlp

More goodies @ Uncle John, Mines

RM3.90 for Kopitiam special nasi lemak with chicken curry or chicken curry mee at Uncle John Kopitiam, Mines Shopping Centre. The curry chicken is massed produced and was definitely tasty – thanks to the amount of MSG it was cooked in. The curry also had multiple uses – curry for chicken curry mee, curry chicken for the nasi lemak and also for the toast bread version.

It was a no-brainer here – you definitely get what you paid for.  RM3.90’s worth of food and no more!

Chicken curry mee – rather bland (only MSG taste) and very little noodle with hardly any vegetable (WYSIWYG).

Nasi lemak with chicken curry.  The rice was the saviour with enough santan to warrant a tasty meal.  Sambal was ordinary but a spicy enough accompaniment to the meal.

To be honest, if it wasn’t for the vouchers, I will certainly stick to just a coffee at Uncle John’s. Food certainly isn’t their forte and service is left solely in the poor restaurant manager who has minimal help from incapable staff.

One Sweet one night

A full lunch set inclusive of a spaghetti (choice of 8) + baked scallops + cream of pumpkin soup + chrysanthemum tea with jelly for just RM11.80 (down from RM44.20).  Available daily at One sweet one night in Solaris Dutamas.  Coupons can be purchased on: http://www.streetdeal.my/home/refer/34918/1320658975

Chang Thai, Tengkat Tong Shin

Feast on a main course of your choice (over 30 choices) and end it with a traditional Thai dessert, Tap Tim Krab, all for us RM5.50.  Vouchers available for purchase from: http://www.everyday.com.my/coupons/kl/leetc.ec?2312

Dimsum @ Restoran Chong Fatt, Kuchai Lama

2nd visit: 4 plates @ RM10.00 by Everyday

There was a queue outside this restaurant, mainly thanks to the publicity and efforts of Everyday.  Everyone was keen to utilise their vouchers on a public holiday (where one can find car park relatively easy in busy Kuchai Lama!).  After a wait of over 40 minutes, we got our table.  Waiting for food was another matter as the restaurant only prepares food once it is ordered.

Learning from the earlier experience at this restaurant, we  avoided the chee cheong fan and sampled other tasty treats.

Siew mai – the all-time favourite was fresh, meaty and tasty

 

Lotus wrapped glutinous rice – it was so good it disappeared in minutes.  The diced meat and rice were cooked to perfection.

 

Char siew bao – absolutely yummy but a tad on a sweet side

Fried glutinous pork dumplings – similar filling to char siew pao but with a sticky feel to the pastry

Century egg and pork congee – this dish came out cold and the staff didn’t bother to reheat an otherwise pleasant dish

Fried radish cake – lightly pan fried with ample radish, it is a must-try with the shrimp sambal on the side

Stewed chicken claw – an acquired delicacy

 

We collected our JackCow voucher in the end although management didn’t bother to inform us that it was ready.

A revisit is probable although with the number of eateries in the area, it is more tempting to try a different menu.

 

1st visit: 3 plates @ RM8.80 by JackCow

3 plates of dimsum from a variety of 50 dishes for only RM8.80 (=51% savings of RM9.20!).  Best of all, multiple coupons allowed per bill! 

I was ecstatic that when I was about to visit the outlet on 22 October, an email from JackCow announcing that “ You will be entitled to a maximum of ONE(1) RM10 Cash Voucher for EVERY VISIT disregard of how many JackCow coupons you are using!* This Cash Voucher can be used on the spot on the same day itself! This means that whenever you go to Chong Fatt Dim Sum to redeem** your dim sums using JackCow coupons, you will be able to use a RM10 cash voucher to redeem whatever you want!”

What more could I ask for!  I rushed over with my newly reprinted vouchers stating the additional terms.

I happily ordered my meal and even purchase a few extra dishes at RM3.50 (the restaurant was already having its own walk-in promo).  Despite the promotion, the place was mostly empty on a weekend. 

 

The portions were ample but the taste was very average (more kopitiam fare rather than the restaurant quality).  

 

The chee cheong fan (both prawn and char siew versions) should be given a miss – they were too floury and tasteless.

 

Even the the siew long pao was too sticky and bland.

 

Worthy of mention is the light and fluffy egg tart

The salad har was also another favourite with the crispy thin wrap and very fresh prawn.

The additional bill came up to just RM14.70 after utilising my food vouchers.  I asked the captain about my RM10 voucher but unfortunately, it wasn’t yet available!  Furthermore, the RM10 vouchers can only be used for ala carte food and not dim sum!!  I felt so cheated! 

The captain would inform me when the RM10 voucher is ready for collection but alas, it would cost way more in time, petrol and toll to collect it!  Not to mention the additional cost of ordering a full meal on ala carte!

So fellow readers, beware when purchasing any further deals from JackCow.  They are not always as they seem!

Asus Eee Slider SL101 giveaway by JackCow

JackCow is offering both existing and new members a chance to win an Asus Eee Slider.  The winner will be announced on 2 December on JackCow’s website.  No purchase necessary.  Visit the link below for further details: http://www.jackcow.com/team.php?id=287&r=7795

Beacon Point, Ipoh

If you are visiting Ipoh, be sure to stop by this quaint little restaurant called Beacon Point.  Not only is the food delicious, there is also ample parking in the surrounding area.

One of their most popular items is chicken pie which is was sold out by the time we got there.  Hence, a preorder is recommended.  They also offer a variety of cakes, cupcakes, western food and asian delights.

Spaghetti bolognaise – nothing short of a home-cooked favourite.  The meat was deliciously cooked in a mildly tangy sauce with an ample sprinkling of grated mozzarella

Meehoon Laksa – this tangy delight was garnished with ample cucumber  and onions giving this dish a lot lighter feel despite the thick coconut gravy

Nasi kerabu – alas, a mild disappointment as there wasn’t enough fresh herbs in this rather bland plate of rice

Sausages & chips for the kiddoes

Mix platter – the deep fried meaty chunks of chicken with a home-made dip were complimented with raw carrots, celery and cucumber.

 

Carrot walnut cake – a delight not to be missed!  Chunky walnut and detectable julienne carrot – what a ‘healthy’ treat!

 

Poppy seed cheesecake – a must-try if you love cheesecakes.  Not too heavy nor dense.

Chocolate cupcake – children’s favourite

Fresh mango juice – so thick it was like drinking pureed mango!

 

The entire restaurant was decorated with memorabilia from theatre performances and broadway hits.  Definitely worth a pit stop if you are in for some home-cooked favourites.  Details and map can be found on their website:

http://www.beaconpoint.com.my/

Manicure & pedicure for RM39 @ JJ Nail Studio (via Ilovediscounts) was a sham!!!

Definitely time for some pampering :)  JJ Nail studio offered this terrific promo of 165 minutes of manicure and pedicure for just RM39 (down from RM105).  This offer was held in conjunction with their 13th anniversary and was redeemable at their outlets in Mid Valley, Sg. Wang and Sunway Pyramid. The package consisted of:

• A 60-minute Classic Manicure (Cuticle Cleaning, Hand massage, Nail Shaping, Single OPI Nail Colour)
• A 75-minute Classic Pedicure (Cuticle Cleaning, Foot massage, Nail Shaping, Single OPI Nail Colour)
• Feet Callus Removal (10 minutes)
• Feet Scrub - Exfoliation (15 minutes)

I was thoroughly excited to try this out.  However, what was advertised was not delivered.  Basically, the treatment lasted just 60 minutes (20 minutes manicure, 40 minutes pedicure, feet callus removal & feet scrub).   The rest of the  time was spent drying the cuticles! 

I remarked that the service was really quick and was informed by the staff that other customers had made similar remarks.  Apparently, if there were ‘no problems’ with the customers feet, treatment is shorter (yeah, right by less than half the time!!!) I feel a little cheated especially when I had taken time off work to spend 165 minutes on some pampering time!  I certainly won’t be visiting this outlet especially since there are many more professional outfits in the area who don’t keep interrupting the session with phone calls! Sigh…