CALL OF THE NEW NEFFOS X SERIES

Neffos officially announced the entry of its latest Neffos X1 and X1 Max into the Malaysian market at a media launch last month.

Hugo Cai, Director of TP-Link Distribution Malaysia Sdn Bhd shared the Neffos vision to be the all-encompassing device to connect individuals and smart technology products, touting Neffos X Series’ impeccable design, state-of-the-art mobile technologies and customer-centric features in the company’s bid to propel the brand as a serious contender in the mobile arena.

Adhering to the brand’s ‘Close to You’ mantra, TP-Link co-founder and Chairman, Jeffrey Chao said “The new Neffos X Series smartphones combine smart technology and stylish design, bringing unparalleled value to customers by prioritising features that help them stay closer to everything and everyone around them.”

Highlighting the precise perfection of the new Neffos X Series, he pointed out the smartphones’ key features:

·         super-fast 0.2 second fingerprint ID unlocking response

·         a rear 13-megapixel Sony sensor camera, backside illumination, 5P lens system & fast phase-detection auto-focus  (PDAF)

·         an f/2.0 aperture lens for clearer, low light shots with real-time night shooting & dual-tone flash

·         2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass for the X1 Max’s display

·         the X1 Max supports fast charging in just 30 minutes! 

Boasting a stylishly sleek metallic body with dual-curved back, the Neffos X1 and X1 Max features more ergonomic curves, making the phones easier to hold and operate single-handed. The Neffos X series are perfect for playing graphics-rich games and watching your fave TV shows and movies.

Available in Cloudy Grey and Sunrise Gold, the Neffos X1 priced at RM 769 for 2GB RAM with 16GB ROM and and RM 849 for 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM. The Neffos X1 Max will be priced at RM 999 RAM for 3GB with 32GB ROM and RM1199 for 4GB RAM with 64GB ROM.  Check authorised Neffos retailers and resellers nationwide now for Neffos X1 while the X1 Max will hit stores in March 2017.

“Competition aside, there are untapped opportunities in the local smartphone scene for Neffos to expand its footprint in Malaysia. The launch of the new Neffos X1 and X1 Max is not our only hurrah. 2017 is going to be an exciting and challenging year for Neffos” said Hugo Cai.

For more information, log on to www.neffos.my or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/neffos.my.  

SET FOR ROMANCE AT EM BY TEDBOY

Love is on the menu this Valentine's Day at Em by Tedboy. Named after Mathilda, the cherubic second child of the couple who owns Tedboy Bakery in Bangsar, the cosy Em by Tedboy at Hotel Transit KL aims to lure lovebirds this Valentine's Day with a special celebratory set menu (RM168+10% service charge) for two persons.

Austere décor and neutral tones are prevalent throughout the restaurant confines, evoking a casual yet welcoming atmosphere. Consultant chef Pierre MC (formerly of Croisette Cafe) has been roped in to conceive a Mediterranean inspired menu with Asian influences.

By and large the pared-down industrial vibe is softened by a feature wall depicting a world map. Snapshots of guests from around the world affixed on different continents bear testament to the outlet's increasing popularity among international travellers to our city. Now, the strategy is to boost awareness and attract a more constant and local clientele to its doors. Well, Valentine's Day seems a perfect occasion to ignite their interest.

For the lovely celebration, expect the tables to be prettied up with red tablecloths and white placemats, dried floral petals and a glass receptacle holding a pair of live guppies and ornamental pebbles as the centrepiece.

To fan the flames of romantic fervour, we sipped on a heady Pink Lady cocktail accompanied by a quartet of canapés. The concoction of cranberry and lemon juice mixed with triple sec and vodka sent our pulses racing so go slow if you're unused to boozy tipple.

Handy, dainty servings of savoury pesto-infused rice, black olive tapenade on crusty bruschetta, a mini frothy glass of cream of mushroom and prawn with mango salsa from the tempting canapé platter should pave a deliciously smooth pathway to both you and your beloved's tummies. I was particularly besotted with the springy and mildly smoky prawn coupled with the heartwarming mushroom soup.

Butterfish melded with raw and smoked salmon, and salt-cured cucumber with dill to create the palate-teasing Fresh Salmon Tartare with Mirepoix in Blood Orange Dressing. The resultant flavours were delicate with the natural fresh sweetness of both fishes intact, and textures bordering on the soft almost satiny finish. Instead of the classic French trinity of carrot, onion and celery for mirepoix, the chef added colour to the dish with diced tomato, chopped hardboiled egg and feathery sprigs of dill.

For the masculine diner, a lush Beetroot & Feta Chantilly Mille-Feuilles with Pomegranate Dressing beckons. Although beetroot doesn't top most guys' list of preferred food, the speciality tasted way better than it sounded. My dining partner would vouch for its delectable appeal after sampling the subtly sweet-savoury-briny stack.

Zippy bursts of heat set our tastebuds alight Tomato Vodka Granite. A punchy palate-cleanser that either have you succumbing to the gritty coolness or reeling from the alcoholic suckerpunch.

Main course that should go swimmingly well with fair ladies is Fried Duck Breast with Raspberry Sauce, Potato Gratin & Vegetable Tian. Tender with a thin strip of fat on top, we found the duck's gaminess barely discernible thanks to the faintly tart raspberry sauce. Herb-flecked slices of baked vegetables and potatoes served as supporting cast.

Alas, the dish was no match for the show-stealing Buttefish Fillet with Red Capsicum Coulis. We thought its vibrant saucy red looked more feminine compared to the darker shade of the ducky option. The fish was cooked just nice, rendering it firm yet flaky; contrasting well with the hearty potato gratin and tian of veggies.

Light yet luscious, Em's Signature Pavlova wrapped up the fairer side of the dinner set. The inclusion of fresh kiwifruit, blueberries, strawberries and a gooseberry coupled with raspberry sauce ensured this fanciful treat worth relishing.

Somehow the dessert appeared sweeter on the other side...I personally displayed a greater penchant for the Mille-Feuille with Strawberries. Juicy and slightly tart, the fresh strawberry halves embedded in pastry cream and sandwiched in between crisp mille-feuille were sublime.

 

Pix courtesy of Em by Tedboy

 

Event planners seeking a suitable space for meetings, breakout sessions, birthday parties or product launches are welcome to ask Em by Tedboy about its dedicated event corner upstairs. Hidden by a partition door and up a short flight of stairs, the rectangular open air, garden-like space is outfitted with retractable canopy to protect it from the heat and rain. Furnishings are tactile for flexible configurations desired by event organisers and party hosts.

For reservations, please call EM BY TEDBOY, tel: 03-2022 2056. Address: Ground Floor, Hotel Transit, No.42, Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

YES TO YEMENI FOOD AT AL NAFOURA

Meet the pièce de résistance of Al Nafoura restaurant in Wangsa Maju. A hearty Yemeni rice dish that takes about 20-30 minutes to prepare, Maghdout is well worth the wait. You can choose either Lamb Maghdout (1/2kg RM39, RM75 1kg) or Chicken (RM35 half, RM65 whole) which has long grain basmati rice pressure-cooked to perfection in tomato-based sauce with lamb or chicken and aromatic spices. 

Prepared only upon order, the resultant speciality had us hooked on its deep-seated flavours; the fluffy rice a nice foil for the chunks of meltingly tender meat. Served with a side dish of Al Nafoura Salad (RM10) - diced Japanese cucumber, tomatoes, olives and feta cheese, this signature dish is ideal for sharing and worth repeat visits.

Opened in February 2016, Al Nafoura - the word means water fountain in Arabic - has garnered a steady following despite its low-key existence. The chefs working at Al Nafoura are Yemeni as are the ingredients. The resto owners, Rahim and Izana ensure dishes served remain as original as possible to those found in Yemen, especially Rahim who had studied in Saudi Arabia and spent years relishing Yemeni food in the Middle East.

According to them, Yemeni food is heavily influenced by Africa, India and Turkey after the country's fisherfolks, merchants and traders brought exotic spices and recipes back from their forays. Also Yemenis thrive on rice as a staple unlike the rest of the Middle Easterners who prefer bread. Having sampled the assorted Yemeni and Middle-Eastern specialities, we realised they outshone those proffered in the city centre.

The opening salvo of freshly made and baked Mullawah Bread (RM5 small, RM8 large) was ample proof. Layered and folded with butter or ghee, this deliciously rustic Yemeni bread is only available on weekdays (after 6 pm for dinner only) and weekends.

Tear up the fluffy bread and savour it with Hummus (RM12), house blended chickpeas with olive oil and Prawn Salona (RM22). Both these tapas-style offerings hit the spot as we were ravenous after the long drive to the resto.

Tomato, onion and cumin formed the alluring base for the Prawn Salona, a robustly flavoured house speciality with shelled prawns. You can also enjoy the bread with Chicken Oqda (RM17), a well-spiced albeit slightly drier chicken stew with potatoes, tomatoes and carrots. In Arabic, oqda means knot - referring to how nicely 'tied up' the ingredients are. Think of it as a scrumptious Middle Eastern rendang.

Al Nafoura also served its own distinctive Garlic Sauce (RM4) - a creamy blend of garlic, egg white and sunflower oil to complement the array of lamb and chicken dishes. Of course, you can expect Shaweq - an irresistible relish of tomato, garlic, coriander and bird's eye chilli to accompany most of the food too.

The menu also includes ubiquitous Middle-Eastern dishes such as Mandi Chicken (RM16 quarter, RM26 half) - delectable spice marinated chicken grilled and served with basmati rice. I had my fair share of this and more commonly found fare on a recent assignment but I daresay Al Nafoura's is one of the more notable ones worth savouring and suitable for both adults and kids.

You'd find it hard to eat another lousy mamak mee goreng once you try the resto's hybrid Maggi Goreng Kabsa (RM18). Boldly flavoured with sedap giler tomato-spice nuances similar to the house speciality of Maghdout, we polished off this crowd-pleaser within minutes.

Partial to lamb? Then Kabsa Lamb Rice (RM23 small, RM37 large) should convert you into part of the flock once you have a taste of the hearty lamb stew laden with aromatic Yemeni spices served with fragrant basmati rice.

Dessert can be rather hefty to deal with single-handedly after all that carbs and protein. We suggest a serving to share especially if you wish to dig into Areeka (RM18). It's a sweet-savoury bread pudding of sorts, rustled up with housemade Yemeni wheat flatbread with minced dates and nuts. Crowned with cream and grated cheese, the decadent treat was rich and filling.

Cheese lovers may prefer Kunafe (RM15), an Arabic cheesecake of sorts which is made from shredded phyllo dough and white soft cheese baked and topped off with a dollop of cream. Simple yet extremely lush and not to be trifled with lightly. Good with a warm cup of Adani Tea (milky red tea enhanced with spices) to finish.

For reservations call Al Nafoura, tel: 03-4131 4886. Address: 9-G, Plaza Wangsa Maju (Hedgeford Galleria), Jalan Maju Ria 2, Wangsa Maju, Section 10, Kuala Lumpur.