birthday do . . . Yin at Morganfield's

My bestie Yin is also a December baby, like me. So, what better way to celebrate than to bring her to the home of sticky bones! It's got a nice ambience too. There's been way too much publicity about this place (positive reviews so far), it was also the perfect time for me to try it out myself. 

 My belly became the centre of attention in this photo with Yin.

 A bit blurry but so candid, me likey.... lol

 with Jin and Yin.

 Look who else made it!

 Taking more photos before our meal arrived!

 For starters, we had Sauteed Mushrooms (RM 12.90).

 For the same price, you could also have a Virgin Apple Mojito (RM 12.90)

 The Strawberry and Mint Lassie (RM 14.90) looked more like a Carrot Milk Frostie.

 For the health conscious, there's the Chicken Caesar Salad (RM 17.90)

 Noteworthy Lamb Chops (RM 49.90) as ordered by the birthday gal.

 Ribeye Steak (RM 49.90) - meaty and goooood!!

 If you're guessing French Toast?, guess again...This is Cordon Bleu (RM 24.90). Conclusion : Secret Recipe has a better version of this.

 BBQ Chicken (RM 26.90) - half a chicken that's real tender and marinated to perfection. How come i know? Coz i ordered this!

 Special House Burger (RM 23.90) - dear likes his burgers to come with bacon and this one takes the cake! Well worth the money paid for.

 The STAR of the night (apart from Yin of course!).................Jim Bean Baby Back Ribs (RM 63.90 - promo price). This ain't their usual House Ribs but we decided to try this as it came highly recommended. Baby Back Ribs are a tad smaller in size but boy oh boy, were they the most tender ribs i've ever tasted! One little nudge and the meat would fall off its bones faster than you can say 'oops'.

 It was all in all a very enjoyable night!! Nothing beats good food and great company! Hope Yin had a blast too!

 Oh ya, bring your Std Chartered ct card to Morganfield's to enjoy a 15% discount off the bill.

Till my next visit, i'll just dream of those sticky bones. Damn those ribs.

birthday makan

Recognise this place?

 It's one of my all-time fave dining places, Italiannies! I only wish they'd open more outlets nearby - the nearest to me being the one at The Gardens. :(
So what do i love about Italiannies?

 EVERYTHING!!

From its complimentary olive-oil and vinegar soaked herb bread, to the rustic interior of this place, i have loved every single item i've ever ordered from its menu. Including during my last visit there on my birthday recently.

Bruschetta with tomatoes, capers, cheese and pesto sauce (RM 15) - so crispy and rich with tomatoes

Minestrone - part of their Set Lunch at only RM 15.90 (very tomatoe-y and soothing)

Pasta Carbonara with beef bacon and mushrooms - part of their Set Lunch ( pasta and sauce of just the right consistency)

And MY main course - Seafood Risotto, which i loveeeeeeeed to the last grain of risotto. Not dear's cup of tea though, but then again, a good risotto is all about mushy creamy rice, a result of slow-cooking it in broth. The fresh clams, mussels, prawns and fish that came with it were cooked to perfection too! Boy, i'm drooling just thinking about it now. 

Seafood Risotto (RM 32)

 My glutton side would have wanted to order more food (!) but my belly was telling me, "there ain't no more space in here!" 

 "There goes my one-month lunch allowance....(whimper)"

With such inspirational words like "Eat Well, Live Long", how can i not come back here time and time again?

 Thanks dear for i've thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Though i skipped dessert this year, i'll be sure to get 2 portions of dessert next year!

A modest and yet splendid way to end the year with my loved ones and my loved gifts!! 

                                  Here's to 1,500 more new recipes to add to my collection! ^.^

happily ever after ... jit kai and valen

One more wedding before the year end - colleague Jit Kai and Valen's, held recently at Imbi Palace. Not a bad idea at all to be seated right at the main entrance, so I could see every single person who walked in. 

 Despite only having tried the dim sum in this restaurant years ago, i was expecting a memorable dinner too after all the promising reviews about this place.

 True enough, dinner was not a let-down. :-P

 The smiling duck dish....

 Even the desserts were yummeh! Had to forgo the mochi though...

 A very rare reunion of the 3 God of Food! You can tell by their size who's the godfather, master and apprentice.

 In fact, it's a privilege to have your photo taken with them!

Is Moon drooling coz he has the IT man Mr Adrian Tan's arms around him?
Nah it's just a lighting problem.

 Cheers to the happy couple!!

 One for the album!

 Congrats and have a great marriage ahead!

sentiments of 2011...

I woke up today feeling somewhat sentimental over how fast 2011 has gone by and how i have grown from the good and the bad of things that have happened this year. BUT, since this is my blog of happy things and thoughts, i shall drown all negativity and look forward to more joy, peace and the movie 'The Avengers' in 2012!

Here are my best memories of 2011 :-

I got my new toy, which may not be the brand of a certain fruit, but it sure is the best deal around if you're looking for an affordable hp with GPS function. 

 I said bye bye to my old work station...

 ...as i moved into a new 'old' office just 2 doors away. Sure, my desk may not be as neat now as it looks here, but at least i've got a view of the jam-packed Jln Raja Chulan outside my window. Not to mention, the occasional blank stares of the white-washed wall whenever i look up from my computer monitor. Very inspirational at times, i must say.

 We said bye bye to our trusty old Saga (hanky, marky?)....

 ...and got in a brand new City, fit for the city! New year resolution for City baby - more regular washes and scrubs for you to keep you sparkling white, promise! ;)

 Visited and marveled at the awesome Marina Bay Sands, Spore for the very first time when attending a friend's wedding in Spore.

 Discovered the wonders of Herbalife drink and started taking it regularly, moreso after discovering that my in-laws are taking it too. Said byebye to constipation troubles! hehe

 One of the joys in life was when my good buddy Agnes gave birth to little Theng Theng. Both daddy and mummy never looked happier with the arrival of their cutie pie.

 Another joy in my life comes in the form of F-O-O-D! And i give credit to these 2 guys for the most rewarding discoveries i made this year - the best tandoori chicken (drumstick!) and naan (butter!) in Ampang.

 And to my bro-in-law Jason, for introducing me to Jeff Lee's Kitchen (Sg Buloh) for the best Chinese dishes at very reasonable prices!

 I'm also grateful to my uncle Richard for my very first Raptor Watch organised by the Msia Nature Society. I had a jolly good time with a bunch of nature lover buddies....

 ....even though we ended the day with no raptors in sight.

 One of my boldest move in 2011 was plucking enough courage to have my wisdom tooth surgically removed. Paid such a hefty bill, it made my tooth ache even more. Nevertheless, glad that Doc did a good job. By the way, it's one bloody tooth broken into two below.

 Who says parents and in-laws hardly get along together? If you want to prove a point, just put them together on a plane and send them to a foreign country (like Beijing) where they have no one else but each other! lol...(i hope they dun kill me when they see this) 

 I'm glad i returned to Pulau Redang after umpteen years with the company of friends so siao, they really can brighten anyone's day! Coincidentally, instead of attempting for a NZ baby (end of 2010), i think we might have made a Redang baby instead.... tee~hee...

 ..for i found out i was preggers in May! Does this mean my baby loves the beach and sea?

 I also attended my very first Raya open house in Melaka, organised by the Yg Dipertua Negeri Melaka. It's been a long wait but worth all the Raya goodies and delicious Malay delicacies i could stuff into my growing belly.

 As Daddy turned 70 years old, he bought us a very nice birthday dinner at the same restaurant where my wedding dinner was held. Stay forever young and healthy, deh!

 I finally became an aunty in June as my nephew Dave came into our world.

 Last but not least, I'm grateful for my loved ones surrounding me. Colleagues and family who mean the world to me. I am so touched with friends, whom knowing that i gotta avoid sugary food, would go to the extent of getting me birthday cartoon jellies + lamb pie instead. Talk about creativity! lol.

 and just last night, it was my first time having 23 friends sing me a birthday song!

So Happy Birthday to me today...

and thank you, 2011 for the best gift of all....... little baby Darren!   ^.^