Le Midi

Wanted to try someplace new, so we made reservations for Le Midi in BSC, Bangsar. The food was wonderfully delicious. I'm just surprised i've never heard of it earlier!

Squid ink tagliolini with scallop, cherry tomato, parsley bread crumbs, carrot orange sauce, topped with bottarga
Tagliolini with Boston lobster, cherry tomato and fresh thymeDuck confit flambed with brandy, accompanied with potato gratin, ratatouilleIlly coffee affagato
Definitely a must try. Make reservations for the window table with the magnificent view of KLCC. (+603 2094 1318)

^8 Cee

from the "Culture and the Universe"

"It's not humankind after all

nor is it culture
that limits us.
It is the vastness
we do no enter.
It is the stars
we do not let own us."

-Simon J. Ortiz

^8 Cee

The more we work the poorer we become

"The worker becomes all the poorer the more wealth he produces, the more his power increases in power and range. The worker becomes an even cheaper commodity the more commodities he creates. With the increasing value of the world of things proceeds in direct proportion to the devaluation of men. Labour produces not only commodities; it produces itself and the worker as the commodity -- and does so in the proportion in which it produces commodities generally."

-Marx, Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts (1844)

So true isnt it. We're all in one way or another buying each other's labour, each other's time. Our 9am-5pm goes to the highest bidder, and in this day and age, it is our life that goes to the highest bidder.

^8 Cee

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie was quite empty when we were there during lunch - maybe because it was a weekday. The food and service was good and it is a quiet getaway and really a nice treat once in a while. We ordered a set menu each just to taste a bit of everything. I think the menu changes every month so be sure to check the website to see if it interests you.

Welcoming set dish

Nathalie's selection of three finger foods - not so good at remembering what each dish was called, but there was soup, pistachios, maguro, wasabi and cream.
Presentation was good but these finger foods did not match the 'oomph' of the presentation.

Appetizer 1

Foie Gras and Marinated Tuna in Layers
not overpowering, just yum :)
Mizuna sorbet
Herb Salad

Appetizer 2
Celeriac and Truffle Puree
Salmon Tataki
Salmon Roe
Tomato Oil
good combo!

Main 1
Tomato and Rosemary emulsion
Goat Cheese Ravioles
Roasted Lamb Loin
Eggplant Puree
love the powerful goat cheese combo with lamb loin
Main 2
Risotto like a paella
Paella Espuma
King prawn
One of the best paella's i've ever had!
Dessert 1
Caramel ice cream
Apple Tatin tart
Loved the crisp waffles
Dessert 2
Rum baba revised
Apricot Sorbet
Orange Espuma
Refreshing dessert
Finished with Nathalie's signature macaroons :)

Located in the city in Menara Taipan, off Jalan P Ramlee.
03-2072 4452

^8 Cee

Melbourne: Things to Do

1) Watch a footy game
The footy culture in Australia is amazing. Its Australia's family bonding time and you'll see herds of Australian families squeezing into the train headed towards the Etihad stadium dressed in their team's colour. Its so easy to get there, all you have to do is take a train to Southern Cross Station and the stadium is walkable from there (public transport in Melb is so organised and easy). For AUD25 per match, you'll get pretty decent seats - close enough to enjoy the game *cough*muscles*cough*. Its also a good excuse to pig out on fries and wedges :p2) Throw a BBQ party
We got thrown a BBQ party and it was so gooooood. Meat in Australia is just fat and juicy! My cousin, the head chef, topped it off by throwing the party on his huge ass balcony that has an AMAZING 270 degrees view of the city. What would be perfect is a little fire-camp with burnt marshmallows and blankies.3) Join a Winery tour
I never knew this, but Australia falls under the ideal Southern Hemisphere latitude for wines (similar to Chile). We paid $110 each and that includes pick up from the city centre, a super yummmmm lunch and winery tour in 4 wineries around the Yarra Valley - Yerring Station, Rochford, Yerring Farm and Chandon. Fresh air and greenery views were just added bonus. Super value :) You can also buy good bottles for cheap, ranging from $10-$25. Check it out!4) Immerse yourself in the coffee culture
Other countries might serve you good coffee but nowhere else is there such an awesome coffee culture like Melbourne. My favourite coffee joint is Babba Brother Budan for its Mocha, but really any alleyways would serve you good coffee. Thats the beauty, its the alleyways packed with chairs and people sipping coffee that gives the awesome melting pot for tourist and locals alike. If not, head over to the country where the produce are fresh and coffee even better. One place in mind is Daylesford for its coffee and scones (too bad i didnt have the time this time around)5) Victoria Market
Fresh nuts, fresh fruits and fresh seafood. Opened since 1878, I frequent here for their ridiculously cheap oysters. Buy a dozen for $10 and pack away the cholesterols for cheap. Prawns and fishes are so fresh that it makes me look like a ridiculously awesome masterchef. Lookout for the churros stand at the end of the market.
^8 Cee

Melbourne: Places to Eat

Blogging about this makes me hungry and I miss Melbourne's food.

(In alphabetical orders)

1) Atlantic, Crown

Atlantic, as the name suggests, is know for its seafood. I had the baked cod and it was yum but probably not worth the price tag. BUT I would recommend the whole flounder. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious and the texture was firm and not fishy at all - worth every $$ that you cough out at the end of dinner :)) Ooohh yummm....convert me to a fish eater anyday with this kind of fish.

Baked cod fish

2) Cafe Andiamo, Degraves Street
Degraves St is located somewhere between Flinders Land and Flinders St in the Melbourne CBD. Degraves St is definitely a touristy check-out for it is famous with Melbourne's little cafes in the alleyways. Its ALWAYS bustling and vibrant and is frequented by Melbourne's artsy crowd. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the cafes on Degraves but I would personally recommend Cafe Andiamo on Degraves. They serve awesome coffee and melt-in-your-mouth salmon fettucine. There are also many little clothes boutiques along the alleyways and oohhhh not forgetting the Belgian waffle store at the end of the street;)3) Cafe Era, Melbourne Central
Cafe Era is located closer to the Elizabeth St end of Melbourne Central. It is so convenient to meet and eat in Melbourne Central as it is easily accessible via train and tram. Food is good for the price you pay, and your waiters/waitresses are typically your chatty foreign backpackers who are more than happy to delight you on their travel tales. The mushroom duck risotto and the creamy salmon fettuccine (haha yes creamy salmon fettuccine again!) is a must try!

Mushrooms+cheese+duck = butterflies in the tummy

Salmon+Salmon roe+Capers

4) Chandon, Yarra Valley

We dined at the Greenpoint Brasserie in Chandon. The setting and ambiance of the restaurant was perfect as it openly overlooks the yarra valley. We had the mussels in saffron sauce and it was so sooo sedap! The menu is changed seasonally to suit the weather. The restaurant is open from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm daily.
5) Melbourne Central Lions Hotel, Melbourne Central

Located next to Grill'd in Melbourne Central, this place is famed for its Monday and Wednesday AUD 9 Sizzling Steak Special. You get 300grams of steak with chips and a side salad for NINE frgn dollars!! The answer to a good meal on a tight budget. SUPER VALUE.6) Pho Dzung City Noodle Shop, Russell Street

I've had a craving for Mekong Vietnamese noodles but so many people kept recommending this place instead that I just had to try it. This is definitely a contender with the Mekong I remembered and the portion is sizeable! The restaurant operates till 10pm daily and there is nothing like hot Vietnamese broth for supper to go with the chilly weather in Melbourne.7) Rochford, Yarra Valley
Where do I begin, every meal at Rochford was Amazing that its worth the 1 hour drive from the CBD (lunch here was part of our winery tour package). All I can say is its a MUST MUST MUST eat. Restaurant opens from 12-3pm daily. Watch out for their yearly concert event on the greens with talents like Norah Jones, Lionel Ritchie and Rod Stewart having chilled and performed here.

Tomato based salmon on pasta bed

Perfectly slow cooked veal shank

8) Roule Gallette, Flinders Lane

Located just outside of Sushi Ten (refer below) is Roule Galette, an unassuming intimate little French eatery. It is a super cute store with French music playing in the background. Guys, I would recommend to bring your lovely lady date here to casually show off your romantic alternative side. I would recommend the Yeti! Watch out for the live music performance on the alleyway every first Friday of the month.

The Yeti (AUD 7)-banana split on crepes, ingenius!

9) Squires Loft, Albert Park
I have no idea how to get here, coz Kimster and J was nice enough to pick us up and drive us there. The chargrilled lamb loin chop was juicy and good and it came with mint JELLY sauce at the side - how cute! Their Rib Eye on the bone was yummmm as well :)10) Sushi Ten, Flinders St
This place serves the BEST sashimi dons!! Its got chunky-cut sashimis, creamy avocados, and an abundance of tobiko - I like! The dons typically range at AUD15 per meal - thats SUPER value and I guarantee you its worth every cents. Its a relatively small family run business and is quite the hidden gem. Sushi Ten is located in Port Phillips Arcade, which is in between Flinders St and Flinders Lane. It is opened from 12pm-4pm daily on weekdays.
^8 Cee

Melbourne: Places to Chill

I was in between jobs and decided to spend my time in Melbourne. Its the first time I've been back since I left in Jan 2009 and it feels good to be back :)

Instead of blogging about what i did, i think the best way to capture the short 9 days experience is by listing/ recommending place to visit (based on places I managed to visit)! So I'm starting the list with 'Places to Chill in Melbourne'.

(In alphabetical order)

1) Cookie Bar and Rooftop Bar, Swanston Street
I would not recommend dining in Cookie, it is overpriced for the food and service that you get. But I would recommend to visit Cookie for a drink or two. My all time favourite is the Traditional Champagne Cocktail - the one with the sugar cube inside :) its yummy and potent!A couple of floors up is the Rooftop bar. I am still so in love with this place. Its quite a hike up (you have no choice but to climb 7 flights of stairs!!) but its well worth it. This place has fake grass for carpets, fresh air, bean bags and slushiesssss (with rummmm-favorite drink at Rooftop)..!!! and best of all, a rooftop cinema for FOC. They were screening Clueless the night that we went.2) Brother Baba Budan by Seven Seeds, Little Bourke Street
I never knew the existence of this place till I went there this time around. It must have opened in my absence ;p The coffee is soo sooo good, that i dare say its the best in Melbourne! Best mocha for sure! Its a small shop with a big common table for seating. Most people order the coffee to go, but if you're a tourist like us, you would stay and enjoy every sip. If you have trouble finding the store, just look out for the coffee shop with the hanging chairs on Lil Bourke! Apparently they also just opened up a block away from Melb Uni's Commerce Centre. 3) KoKo Black, Lygon Street
Nowhere else can you find a perfect cinnamon and chilli hot chocolate blend - Its not on the menu, but if you ask nicely enough, they will conjure it up for you :) Weird to some, but a comforting taste to accompany me throughout winter. This hot choc is exactly the kind of exotic drink i'd imagined in Juliette Binoche's and Johnny Depp's movie Chocolat.4) Josie Bones, Fitzroy
I am no beer connoisseur, but if you are, head over to Josie Bones. Its been awarded Australia's Best Specialty Beer Venue for 2011 and its no surprise with its 250+ local and international craft beer. Its got a simple decor and a weird picture piece (as can be seen in the picture below) and a very meaty smell to the place, the guys may like it, but i'm no big fan.5) Passionflower, Bourke St
Great for pictures, but not so great to eat. Lol, would only recommend it it you feel the urge of taking some nice dessert pics.6) The Local Taphouse, St Kilda
This place has got an urban, almost homey feel to it - a pretty cool rooftop bar with a chillout lounge at the bottom. The waiters are friendly and they serve microbrew beers. They were featuring beers from a Belgium brewhouse on taps when we were there and you can try out a sample of 5 through their interesting platter concept. I personally prefer this to Josie Bones.^8 Cee