THE FILL-UP GAME AT THE STICKY WICKET

 

Cricket enthusiasts will be seventh heaven when they step into this quintessential British pub where prized cricket memorabilia takes pride of place.

A cosily furnished VIP lounge and intimate private dining room tucked away upstairs are ideal for special events or celebratory parties. With Happy Hours taking place Monday to Saturday from 12noon to 7pm and around the clock on Sunday, The Sticky Wicket is just the place to wet your whistle with a Gin & Tonic (RM9.80++ per glass).

Also helping to keep spirits up is the Gin Buffet (RM75++ for 3 glasses, RM120++ for 5 glasses) featuring a choice of 8 premium gin: Hendrick’s, The Botanist, Gin Mare, Citadelle, Rutte, St George Spirits, Poli 1898 and The Bitter Truth — you can enjoy it neat, on the rocks or mixed with tonic (RM9-RM17).

Otherwise, resident bartender S.Roy is always happy to rustle up a Whisky Sour (he bowls a mean one too) or a cocktail or two to ensure things go with a smooth flow.

 

My personal pick of the crop is Somerset (RM29), a gin and tonic reminiscent of a boozy, liquidy apple pie — it’s spiked with fresh green apple juice, organic apple cider vinegar and house-made cinnamon syrup.

Fancy a tall one as how legendary cricket umpire Harold Dickie Bird likes it? Then stump up for Dickie Bird (RM39), a crisp and dry marriage of Monkey 47 sloe gin and Campari balanced with fresh lemon juice, Yorkshire tea syrup and a splash of apple juice.

More batty tipples to slake the thirst of cricket-mad fans include The Bowler (RM39) and The Record Breaker (RM48). The former is named after Australian cricketer Sydney Barnes; a concoction of pear infused vodka, Campari, guava, candy floss cloud and Peychaud bitter shower whilst the latter comprises Beefeater, elderflower, honey-infused beer, fresh grapes and pineapple juice.

 

Classic pub grub with subtle Asian tweaks is the name of the game here. Designed for easy eating and as accompaniment for a cold beer, crowd-pleasing nibbles such as Salted Egg Yolk with Calamari (RM35), and Pulled Beef or Chicken Poutine (RM36) are conceived for sharing.

Tossed with salted egg yolk sauce and curry leaves, the deep-fried squid rings prove on-point whilst the pulled beef brisket or shredded chicken over chips smothered with cheese and gravy seems hearty enough to be a meal on its own. Although we have some misgiving about the runny egg on top, other patrons may like the extra richness it bestows.

Partial to a Pommie fry-up? Then go the whole hog with The Full English (RM38), the house all-day brekkie with the works: 2 sunny side up eggs, beef bacon, sausages, mushroom, tomatoes, fried bread and baked beans. Had it not been for the chucks of beef bacon and shrivelled mushroom, it would have been a full toss.

The captain’s innings on this occasion comes from the scrumptious Fish & Chips (Cod RM60/Pollock RM36). Served piping hot with thick-cut chips and mushy peas, the sweet, flaky beer-battered cod fillet is easy bait to fall hook, line and sinker for.

Comparable to a marvellous display of glovesmanship, The Sticky Wicket Beef Rib Burger (RM42) is worth making tummy space for. Instead of regular burger patty, you get a delectable mound of braised beef short rib pulled and placed on a burger bun alongside caramelised onion, fresh rocket and a mac & cheese waffle.

De Silva’s Crab Kottu (RM36) also strikes a resonant chord as Sri Lanka’s kottu roti with zingy-hot crab meat curry and crispy soft shell crab isn’t your average pub bill of fare.

 

 

Playing on to tempt punters are Fried Leg Stump (RM32), juicy golden brown chicken leg smothered with mushroom sauce, mashed potato, salad and mixed vegetables; Crispy Lamb Shank (RM58) served on herb-infused mash and naughty bean sauce; and Springbok Boerewers (RM69), half a kilo of chunky sausage meat sizzling in spicy curry sauce.

 

For a sweet taste of victory, plump for Sticky Date Pudding (RM22) with Madagascar vanilla bean sauce crème anglaise or Sweet Appam (RM8), crisp and delicate Sri Lankan pancakes with a fluffy soft centre, drizzled with coconut milk and gula Melaka or a scoop of chocolate ice cream (RM5).

For reservations at THE STICKY WICKET, call tel: 03-2011 5378 or 012-444 2957. Address: 34, Plaza Damansara , Medan Setia 2 , Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 12 noon to 2 am daily.

GLORIOUS GENTING STAYCATION AT GLORIA RESIDENCES

I love sunrise. The breaking of dawn is a surreal moment and a dramatic cloud-wreathed one when viewed from the balcony of our room at Gloria Residences, in the cool climes of Genting Highlands surely ranks as one of life’s best experiences.

Our recent staycation at Gloria Residences Ion Delemen Genting Highlands was an eye-opening albeit enjoyable experience. Managed by Gloria Hotels & Resorts from China, the two blocks of premium serviced apartments were only opened last December.

Personally, I rather like its location — just 9 minutes' drive away from the frenetic hustle-bustle of First World Plaza and the hoopla surrounding it. Being away from the madding crowd, the 332-unit Gloria Residences together with its nearby sister hotels are more tranquil, nestled among green hills some 6,000 feet above sea level.  

 

The check-in process was smooth and efficiently handled by the team on duty. Beside the reception counter is Hot Spot, a convenient coffee bar cum snack counter to cater to guests who want to grab a drink and food to go.

 

Our weekend accommodation was in the 2-bedroom Family Suite. The furnishing is simple, practical, sleek and linear: shiny tiled floors complemented by blond wood and white trimmed furnishing make the apartment spacious and bright. The master bedroom has a King bed and en-suite toilet/shower, whilst the second room is set with a Queen bed and an upper bunk bed. We slept like logs thanks to the comfy, cushy beds and fluffy duvet. The in-room Wifi speed proved easily accessible once we logged in.

 

A secondary toilet/shower room is by the entrance door. In addition, there's a kitchenette and countertop adjoining a living area with sofa seating and a balcony complete the unit. We adore the little welcome touches like the artistically folded towels and complimentary Asian drinks, bottled water as well as coffee/tea making facilities in the suite.

 

From the balcony, the scenic view is breathtaking – ours accorded glimpses of the green mountainside and some parts of First World Genting. Constantly changing banks of clouds, the intermittent sun and rising mist add a surreal feel albeit refreshing cool climate to the dramatic landscape.

 

Category of rooms available at Gloria Residences include Deluxe, 1-bedroom Suite, 2-bedroom Suite/Executive Suite with kitchenette, and 3-bedroom Executive Suite in addition to our 2-bedroom Family Suite.

EAT AT HOME

Meals are served at Home Restaurant on Level 1, Tower Jade. The weekend buffet breakfast (7am-11am) offers a decent selection of local and Asian fare. Nasi lemak, scrambled and fried eggs, noodles, congee, cereals, bread, fruits, French toast, pan-fried dumplings, chilled juices and hot beverages are some of the regular items served. On weekdays, guests will partake a semi-buffet with a choice of main for brekkie.

 

On Friday & Saturday evenings, the Hotpot Porridge Buffet (RM28 nett per adult, RM20 nett per child) left us replete. You can select your choice of fish balls, veggies, beancurd and complementing ingredients from the spread laid out. Supplementary servings of shellfish and sliced meat (RM9/portion)  are also available. The plain rice porridge base easily absorbed all the appetising flavours from whatever ingredients added to it.

 

The chef on duty will cook pot stickers, radish cake and spring onion pancakes (jian bing) on request. Also on the menu are fried rice, omelette and salted vegetables to accompany the porridge hotpot.

 

 

 

You can also ask for satay and grilled chicken wings for additional substance. Assorted pickles, fresh fruits and tong sui complete the selection.

 

 

 

Lunch (11am-3pm) is a la carte with a compact menu of main meals (think fried rice with vegetable curry & fried chicken and other one-dish fare). Also try the assortment of dim sum made by a Guangzhou chef such as steamed prawn dumplings, and pan-fried buns with minced chicken. All passed the taste test.

 

 

Not to worry, other dining options are available nearby. Connected through the Sky Garden walkway, you’d find Kembali Kitchen, Tavern in the Sky and Hugo’s among others to tease your tastebuds.

 

Rest and recreation activities include a fitness centre and a heated indoor swimming pool. The children’s pool even has an overhead water feature. A children’s playground, an enclosed ball pit and arcade games should keep the young ones occupied.

 

 

More distractions up at First World Plaza are accessible via the property’s shuttle service scheduled on an hourly basis. Transfers to various points up at Genting Highlands and nearby areas can also be arranged on request.

 

For corporate and special events, the spacious Ballroom over at Grand Ion Delemen Hotel is ample for banquet of 35 tables with a huge screen.

For reservations, please call Gloria Residences Ion Delemen, tel: +6 03-64333 888 (24 hours) or KL +6 03- 8064 3390 (8.30am-6pm). Address: Jalan Ion Delemen 1, Ion Park, Genting Highlands, Pahang. Official website:  https://www.gloriahotels.com/hotel.do?id=104&lg=1