FOOD & FUN AT SAMA-SAMA FOOD FIESTA

Guests were treated to food and fun in a carnival atmosphere recently at Sama-Sama Hotels KL International Airport from 19 to 23 April. Besides the wide variety of tempting dishes served, the event featured fun fair type games, a roving clown and screening of movies and cartoons for children. A Beer Garden was also included to cater to the international clientele.

A battalion of 21 chefs from Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA, Sama-Sama Express KLIA and Sama-Sama Express klia2 teamed up to present popular local, Western and Lebanese food at the different stalls set up at the sprawling Rooftop Garden of KLIA.

Although we were spoiled for choice with 21 stalls to choose from, we zoomed in for Sama-Sama Signature Mee Rebus. The tasty serving came with thick, sweetish gravy smothering yellow noodles, slices of fried beancurd, a wedge of hardboiled egg and crispy fritters.

I also enjoyed Laksa Kedah, tantalising rice noodles in tamarind and flaked fish gravy. Fresh cucumber strips, onion and thick gooey prawn paste were the accompaniments for this offering. The delightfully sour broth was surprisingly zingy on the palate but that added to its irresistible appeal.

Family-friendly fare which proved popular with the young ones was the pretty Sushi Rolls served at the Japanese stall. Both traditional and reverse rice rolls with assorted fillings were attractively presented so many diners made a beeline for them.

Rice fiends had a gala time sampling Nasi Dalcha Daging Rendang Mamak. The aromatic rice was redolent with fragrant spices and really hit the spot when eaten with chunks of tender beef rendang, veggie pickles and crackers.

Noodles seemed to dominate our favourite eats list that evening we were there. The Char Kuay Teow had plenty of wok hei, that splendid smoky accent few cooks managed to imbue into this tricky dish. Chives, egg and beansprouts lent textural dimension although the tiny cockles were nothing to shout about.

Heh, our penchant for Penang fare was obvious as we followed up with a serving of Pasembor Penang after that. While it wasn't the best, we agreed the version was decent enough to pass muster.

 

If you like watching chefs in action, stop by the Curry Puff and Apam Balik stalls. These local snacks deserved equal standing with foreign imports like waffles and pies...in my opinion ours taste way better and are much cheaper!

Thumbs up for the Apam Balik which came in normal and pandan variants. The pancake was crisp and crunchy; the thickness too was spot on.

Colourful and rich, the variety of Malay Kuih left us in a sweetly jovial mood. Washed down with a cup of hot Teh Tarik, we couldn't cope with much more food. How we wish we had tummy space for Hainanese Chicken Rice, Rojak Sotong, Ikan Bakar or Chef Ammar's signature rice and curry specialities but alas, it was futile for us to fit anything else in.

If you missed this Food Fiesta, fear not. Sama-Sama Hotels may organise similar events in future and possibly for the fasting month so keep your eyes and ears open for upcoming news. 

FLYING HIGH WITH MALAYSIA AIRLINES TO LONDON

My last visit to London was in 2010 as part of a fashion related project but coincidentally, the airline partner happened to be Malaysia Airlines. So when I was assigned to cover the pop-up Asian Art Festival exhibition at Dorsett Shepherd’s Bush London, I was told we would be flying with Malaysia Airlines (MAB) too.

 

When the day of departure dawned, I couldn't believe #todayishere! Imagine how ecstatic we felt when we were given the rare privilege of enjoying some pre-flight pampering in the MAB Platinum Golden Lounge in the satellite building at KLIA. Of course, being avid shutterbugs, we embarked on a ‘shooting’ spree the minute we set foot in the plush haven.

 

 

During the whirlwind tour, the differences between the Platinum Lounge and Golden Lounge were explained to us. It was indeed an eye-opening experience for us plebs who fly economy so we revelled in the VIP treatment accorded to us prior to boarding our flight to London.

I was impressed by the large collection of artworks displayed inside the lounge which lent vibrant bursts of colour to the posh and somewhat ‘serious’ ambiance. The artists featured consists of a mixture of local and international.

Passengers whiling their time away here can enjoy the full works: complimentary meals (for lunch the menu includes a selection by celebrity British chef Gary Rhodes), plenty of cushy furnishing to rest, relax or read, baby care area, slumberette, children’s playroom, smoking lounge, shower and phone charging station.

 

For the busy business travellers, workstations with Wifi connectivity are available too. A boardroom set-up as well as a mini library of reading materials should prove useful when necessary.  

While Golden Lounge guests can help themselves to a mini buffet spread, the Platinum Lounge VVIPs have the privilege of ordering hot breakfasts. The options are in addition to the Continental selection of baked items with fruits, cereals and juices laid out.

Flying on the A380 – the world's largest passenger airliner - was a first for me so I was overjoyed at the novel experience. This wide body, double-decker of a plane even has bunk beds tucked away in a discreet section for the airline crew to rest and a convertible area towards the back for passengers who wish to pray.

 

Much to our relief, the 13+ hour flight was smooth and comfy as we managed to get some lengthy bouts of shut-eye. It goes without saying that the meals, snacks and In-flight entertainment helped to ease the journey tremendously.

 

On both legs of our KUL-London-KUL passage, the MAB crews were most personable in taking care of us and the plane-loads of passengers. Even the ground staff who worked at the airports displayed similar courtesy so such encounters made our travels all the more pleasant and memorable. Thank you, Malaysia Airlines for living up the MH acronym => Malaysian Hospitality.

For flight information and bookings with Malaysia Airlines, please visit: http://www.malaysiaairlines.com

Coming up! The adventures of Pilot Parker in London with Visit Britain.

LET'S GO LABUAN WITH MAB'S PILOT PARKER

 

Meet Pilot Parker, the cutie mascot for Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) who popped out of a surprise gift box given to me and my blogger friends recently. We were invited on a familiarisation visit to the Federal Territory of Labuan by Dorsett Hotels & Resorts so all of us were eagerly looking forward to the staycation.

Thanks to the generosity of MAB, our group were accorded the rare privilege to experience the hospitable comfort of MAB's Golden Lounge in the Domestic departure area at KL International Airport prior to our morning flight.

As you can see, the spacious lounge was cosily furnished with comfy armchairs and also dining tables for MAB travellers to relax in. Its warm ambient lighting and floor-to-ceiling picture windows put us at ease the minute we set foot in there.

From the lounge, we could look out to the fleet of MAB planes which traverse the world. Just the sight of the red & blue livery and wau insignia are enough to make us Malaysians feel proud. Coupled with the charming crew on board to look after us, MAB would remain most Malaysians including moi preferred airline when ever they travel.

Yes, MAB has gone through some turbulent times recently but all the more reason us Malaysians should come out in full force to support MAB and the people working for the company. #Keepflying #MalaysiaAirlines! 

One of the perks available in the Golden Lounge is complimentary meals which are served piping hot. Of course, nasi lemak with sambal sotong and chicken rendang is inevitably on the menu but healthier, lighter options of yoghurt with cereal, fresh fruits and Danish pastries are served too.

Once on board, the flight from KL to Labuan took about 2.5 hours. Things were pretty smooth after take-off and Pilot Parker popped up to inspect our snack boxes come meal time. Ah, he is truly a Malaysian at heart when it comes to food!

After scoffing my sandwich and cookie, I settled down to enjoy the in-flight entertainment and magazine available while Pilot Parker made himself comfy in my bag. All too soon it was time to touch down in Labuan.

After a heartwarming welcome with some song and dance thrown in by the Dorsett Grand Labuan team, Pilot Parker joined us again for drinks at the Lobby Lounge for drinks and afternoon tea.

The overview of our Labuan staycation will be featured in upcoming blogposts so keep your eyes peeled for it. Let's just say Pilot Parker and me thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our weekend in Labuan...eating, drinking, hiking and doing loads of fun stuff with our amiable hosts from Dorsett Grand Labuan.

Just look at Pilot Parker tucked up in bed with a welcome platter of macarons and chocs! Now you know the kind of hospitality to expect when you fly MAB and stay at Dorsett Grand Labuan.

 

Btw, Labuan is a duty-free island so remember to make the most of it when you visit. Great buys include chocolates and giggle juice if you're into that. The stash lugged home by Pilot Parker should be a good indication of how sweet the deal is!

Special deals are always available from MAB. Check out its current Year End Super Specials now! Let's #keepflying #MalaysiaAirlines #todayishere http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en.html