CHECK-MATE!

We don't know if the maximum buka puasa crowd at Checkers Cafe was due the entertaining antics of local comedian Jaafar Onn and singer Haiza or the abundant Malay delights whipped up by the hotel chefs.

Set your tastebuds alight with piquant sambals and local kerabu salads

Sushi splendour to tickle the palate

Still there is no denying that Dorsett Regency Kuala Lumpur's Citarasa Selera buffet reveals some unexpectedly good delicacies on the evening we were there.

Sayur Lodeh is by far the best dish for the evening

Top on our list is Sayur Lodeh, a delicious turmeric-accented mixed vegetable curry with pieces of fu chuk (layered bean sheets) and tempe (pressed and preserved soyabean cake); the gravy is moreish when generously doused over plain white rice. You can even sprinkle a little Serunding (spicy chicken floss) over it for additional enhancement.

Spicy squid with chilli (top) or classic Chicken rendang anyone?

Now that the durian season is tapering off, I was ecstatic to find Ikan Keli Masak Tempoyak - a traditional East Coast curry cooked with river catfish, fermented durian and coconut milk in the line-up. Again best savoured with rice, the soft, fine fish meat in creamy yellow curry is something to write home about.

Sink your teeth into these tender pieces of Braised lamb with parsley

My other sublime finds from the buffet include Nasi Lobak Merah - buttery rice with shredded carrot; Gulai Udang - prawns in a mildly spicy, tomato-based gravy; Kerabu Mangga - spicy, tart and briny shredded young mango salad with fried ikan bilis (anchovies) and Pasembur - local salad of shredded cucumber and yambean with assorted fried fritters, fried beancurd and egg.

Tantalising spicy & sour Oxtail that goes superbly well with white rice

Hubby had double helpings of the Braised Lamb (it looks similar to Kambing Kurma to me), Rojak Buah (the sauce has all its flavours nicely balanced) and Curry Crabs which I notice he walloped with great relish.

Grab a crab!

I also sampled some Eel Sushi and Handrolls which passed muster and was impressed by the hearty Roast Lamb with Briyani Rice.

Sweet parcels of Kuih Koci and Sago

Didn't have quite enough tummy space to fit in more so I settled for a frothy glass of milky Teh Tarik with a piece of Dodol and Steamed Tapioca. There were also Bubur Pulut Hitam and Bubur Cha Cha as well as assorted cakes and kuihs to satisfy the sweet-toothed.

An unusual Batik Cake created by the hotel chefs

All in all, we had a whale of a time thanks to Jaafar Onn and Haiza who were in their element as they sang, danced and picked sporting diners from the capacity crowd to join them on stage.

The Citarasa Selera priced at RM75++ per person will be available until August 30, 2011. For reservations, call Checkers Cafe at tel: 03-2716 1000 extension 188.

MONSTER'S HERE!

Aren't these in-ear headphones hawt? We simply fell head over heels with

these ultra-kawaii Harajuku Lovers models that were just launched

by Monster - the global makers of the popular Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ family of headphones.

Inspired by Gwen Stefani’s signature style, Monster's Harajuku Lovers

come in three different models – Wicked, Super Kawaii and Space Age

that let you express your own unique sense of fashion.

Held at Zouk KL, the event created quite a buzz with the local media, bloggers and trade players alike. Listening posts equipped with iPods and iPads with different models of Monster headphones and in-ear headphones gave those of us who were invited a chance to experience first-hand the big, bold and bad-a** Monster Beats™.

See the green and yellow model? That's inspired by the lightning-fast Usain Bolt
under Monster's iSport series!
It even has his trademark pose silhouetted on the earbuds...cool huh?

I was surprised but delighted when Hitz.fm's crazy duo of JJ and Ean appeared as
the day's VIP celebs. Both were later officially declared as Monster's proponents!
I even took the opportunity to pose for a pix with them for rememberance :)

The sweat-proof iSport Immersion in-ear headphones (left) are designed for
athletes, workout enthusiasts and everyone who wants to enjoy
enhanced music listening in tune with their active lifestyle.

Avid gamers would be ecstatic with Monster Game T1 Championship Headphones
that literally “take their game to a new level”; giving them the ultimate surround-sound
in gaming, music and home cinema performance.

Last but no least, it was supremely generous of Monster to present each of us bloggers with a pair of Monster Lady Gaga Heartbeats in-ear headphones. I was blown away by the splendid sound quality of my favourite tunes once I plugged it into my iPod.
Thumbs up to Monster!

JUST BLUUTIFUL

Pretty maids all in a row...Kelly, Tiffany & Emily at Bluunis launch

Bluunis' latest skincare solution to delay the signs of time

Sweet! Emily Lim (left) looking radiant as usual

Andrew the magician kept guests entertained prior to the launch

Now we all know that oxygen's crucial to our existence but it's also being touted as the miracle skincare and anti-aging solution. Dr Raphael Duerinck is the Parisian expert who believes that Oxygen + Energy = Oxynergy, a new-age beauty formulation that can reverse the signs of aging.


Brought in by Bluunis, the OXYRAPY Face Treatment is said to increase the absorption rate of oxygen by skin cells, thus boosting cell regeneration as well as the skin's energy level.

Copious amount of effervescent bubbles swirled around us as the product launch kicked off, to symbolize Bluunis' Oxyrapy treatment range. A handful of celebrities such as Emily Lim, Tiffany Leung, Tong Bing Yu and Kelly Jagan graced the event while the proceedings were capably handled by Miss World Malaysia 2010/11 Nadia Heng as the day's emcee.


Five loyal Bluunis customers also shared their own experiences on how effective the treatments are. Judging from their glowing complexions, I must say I certainly envy their radiant, smooth and supple skin.


Apparently, the cutting-edge Oxyrapy treatment combined with Bluunis skincare product range from France can help tighten the skin and improve it's elasticity, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and delay the ravages of time. Never mind if one has to place what looks like an upside-down goldfish bowl onto the head...oh well, I guess us women will always do whatever it takes to look good! Perhaps we can just pretend we're Bluutiful astronauts in search of eternal youth yeah?

One for the album...Bluunis boss flanked by his loyal customers and local celebs

WEEKEND CAPERS

Gigantic...two of the 20-kilo watermelons imported from Taiwan

Savour juicy bursts of goodness from Taiwanese Kyoho grapes

The VVIP from Taiwan Trade Office in Malaysia
showing media members a white bittergourd

A 20-kilo watermelon. White bittergourd. Water bamboo. Rosy red mango apples. Sweet, luscious Kyoho grapes with a tinge of wine. These are some of the bountiful harvest from Taiwan that you can find at Jaya Grocer and other major supermarkets in conjunction with the Taiwan Fair 2011.

Launched yesterday at Empire Shopping Gallery by the Taiwan Trade Centre and District Farmers Association representatives, this is the second time Taiwan's finest produce has been brought in for the Malaysian market.

After the VVIPs ceremoniously cut open two gigantic watermelons to mark the fair's opening, we managed to sample the honey-sweet and juicy slices. The fruit's texture was denser than our local ones with a refreshing crunch to it.

The Golden and Irwin mangoes were equally sweet. Other fruits we sampled include red plums, Kyoho grapes and snow pears but there were also guavas and musk melons.

Taiwan's best...Musk melon (top), white bittergourd, Golden and apple mangoes

The water bamboo looks similar to leek with a subtly sweet aroma that is similar to water chestnuts. Apparently only the white heart is eaten while the outer green stalk is removed. Most Taiwanese would cut it into strips and eaten raw as a salad, drizzled with some light soya sauce and sesame seed oil or stir-fried with some garlic.

Consumers can also look out for Taiwanese fruits and vegetables at Mercato, Jusco and Carrefour.

On Sunday, we joined local celebrity cum actor Alan Yun for the premiere of 'I Love Wing Chun' movie at e-Curve.



Several of the Hong Kong leads made a special appearance while Pensonic gave away some of its appliances in a lucky draw. As a major sponsor of the comedy flick, the Pensonic brand was quite evident in many of the scenes.


This cute dish was actually fried rice which we had at Tenshi Cafe, one of those maid-themed cafes that you'd find in Japan. Yes, the waitresses are decked up in candy pink and white French maid outfits and would even spoon feed you if you desire! Of course, such service comes with a price...