GREAT MOVIE MOMENTS WITH SONY’S REEL SOCIETY

To herald the launch of Sony’s Reel Society, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and Sony Pictures Entertainment will be screening five specially curated movies, starting this June up to January 2020 at the GSC International Screens.

Local movie buffs who yearn for ‘thinking man’ flicks will be overjoyed to know they can catch the first movie “Best of Enemies” starting 20 June. Yours truly was grateful for the opportunity to catch it first-hand and came away thoroughly gratified.

Directed by Robin Bisell, “Best of Enemies” touched on the unlikely friendship between a black civil rights activist and the head of the Ku Klux Klan in Durham, North Carolina in the USA. Talented actress Taraji P Henson shone like a beacon in this film, reprising feisty Ann Atwater while Sam Rockwell appeared as C.P. Ellis.

Their opposing views and belligerent attitude towards each other and the communities they represent came to head one summer. However, both were unwittingly force to collaborate and subsequent circumstances arising from the communal exercise also changed their lives in the process.

Koh Mei Lee, CEO of GSC said “the GSC and Sony Pictures Entertainment partnership in launching Sony’s Reel Society aims to provide enriching cinematic experiences through technology and content for local audiences.”

She said Malaysian audiences do enjoy smart, well-written stories that are emotionally moving with universal human values. “This partnership will open a window to more engaging, heartwarming and powerful stories for film-goers. We welcome more distributors and partners to work with us in bringing such quality content to movie audiences.”

Echoing similar sentiments is Simon Foo, MD of Sony Pictures Entertainment Malaysia. “Sony Pictures Entertainment has always had a diverse genre of quality films and we try our best to make films to cater to different audiences. Through our exclusive collaboration with GSC, Sony’s Reel Society will be an avenue for discerning movie enthusiasts to catch speciality silver screen productions.”

Keep an eye out for these movie screenings: 

Late Night 1 August 1 

Ode To Joy 19 September

The Sound of Silence 3 October

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood 20 January 2020

Sony’s Reel Society will be available exclusively at GSC Pavilion KL, GSC Mid Valley Megamall, GSC 1 Utama, GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang and GSC Paradigm JB. Follow GSCinemas on FB, Twitter or Instagram or visit www.gsc.com.my

TEA-LICIOUS & SIZZLING HOT PICKS AT ZUAN YUAN

Lots of tea-licious and sizzling hot specialities will ignite diners’ interest at Zuan Yuan, One World Hotel come July 2019.

Taking a leaf out of the trad Hakka dish of lui cha or thunder tea rice, One World Hotel’s Executive Chinese Chef Tommy Choong Chan Hoo was inspired to create his Stir Fried Rice with Green Tea & Assorted Seafood Hakka Style (RM38) — one of the several ‘tea-licious’ temptations available throughout July at Zuan Yuan.

The show-stopping speciality stands out for its fresh herbaceous accent, thanks to the chef’s ingenuity in imbuing the rice with his house-made pesto of basil, pine nuts and tea. Those who partial to Hakka lui cha will enjoy relishing this dish as the resultant nuances echo that of the traditional offering. The clear sweetness of scallops and prawns also boost its overall appeal.

Having cut his culinary teeth with the Regent Kuala Lumpur (now rebranded Grand Millennium KL), Chef Tommy’s two decade-long career path has taken him to some of the city’s international five-star  hotels.

In line with his philosophy of whipping up simple dishes with skilful subtlety and showcasing the ingredients’ natural flavours and textures, the chef proves his culinary mettle by using chrysanthemum — a ubiquitous ingredient to brew cooling Chinese herbal tea — in a savoury broth.

Hints of floral overtones are discernible in the Double Boiled Abalone & Fish Maw Soup with Chrysanthemum (RM48); giving an unexpectedly winsome dimension to the comforting broth.

Toasty oolong tea leaves left a rave-worthy impression on the crowd-pleasing serving of Smoked Village Chicken with Oolong (RM60 half chicken). The scrumptiously juicy, tender chicken tastes even better with the zingy house ginger-spring onion dip.

Light and Crispy Prawns Stuffed with Yam & Pumpkin served with Green Tea Dressing (RM65 per portion) also hit the spot well. Think of it as a refined version of local cucur udang or prawn fritters, each flaunting a sizeable crustacean within the battered nest of yam and pumpkin julienne enlivened by a creamy green tea infused sauce.

 

Imported lava stones from Turkey play a fundamental role in the array of sizzling specialities, also available in July. Recommendations include superbly delectable U.S. Angus Beef Steak (RM68/100g, minimum order of 200g) and Australian Premium Lamb Cutlets (RM48/100g, minimum order of 200g), cooked to order on the hot lava stones to your desired doneness. Accompaniments of assorted vegetables, mushroom and a choice of Black Pepper, Mongolian or Barbecue Sauce.

For reservation, please call Zuan Yuan restaurant, tel: 03-7681 1159 or email zuanyuan@oneworldhotel.com.my

THAI-LICIOUS DINING EXPERIENCE AT TAVERN IN THE SKY

 

Cool, fresh air and a panoramic green vista are the icing on the top for diners patroning Tavern In The Sky, a rooftop Thai dining and BBQ bar up at Genting Highlands.

 

Tucked away at the Grand Ion Delemen Hotel and easily accesible to guests staying at the neighbouring premium apartment towers of Gloria Residences, this serene restaurant is worth a visit during lunch or dinner.

Best seats in the house are naturally outside by the spacious patio. It’s a memorable experience like no other when you sit down to a piping hot mookata (Thai barbecue cum hotpot) meal in the chilly highland weather.

The house speciality Mookata (RM120 per set) is ample enough to cater to 2-3 diners. Ingredients include 3 tiger prawns, 1 freshwater king prawn, chicken and fish slices, scallops, mussels, squid, beancurd, chicken sausage, crabstick, mixed vegetables and noodles.

Additional portions of sliced beef, seafood and other ingredients (we counted 27 in total) available a la carte (RM8-RM18 per serving). For those who rather not get their hands dirty, the helpful restaurant team will gladly step in to cook the food. Otherwise, it promises to be a fun DIY experience with family or friends.

Based on our first-hand experience, the various morsels are delicious when eaten hot off the grill and pot. The barbecue items, cooked with butter, are done just right while soup for the hot pot is clear and sweet.

Crowd-pleasing snacks and Thai fare to accompany beer, wine or your tipple of choice are also served at Tavern In The Sky. We recommend Ochagavia Espuela (RM100), a fresh, crisp Chilean white wine to complement crunchy Fried Chicken Skin (RM20) and Garlic Fried Popcorn Chicken (RM20). Both are understandably popular choices among the restaurant patrons thanks to the chockful of appetising flavours and crunchiness.

Need some soup to warm you up? The signature Red or White Tom Yum Soup with Seafood (RM35-regular, RM65-large) will do the trick nicely. Personally, I prefer the red version although the white, clear variant is no less punchy heat quotient-wise.

Hearty, one dish meals such as Pad Thai (RM20) — Thai fried flat rice noodles and Fried Rice are trusty options to fall back on for carb-loading. A serving of zingy Chicken Feet Salad (RM20) won’t be remiss as a supplementary speciality to add textural interest.

For reservations, call Tavern in the Sky, tel: 012-391 3223. Address: Grand Ion Delemen Hotel, Genting Highlands, Pahang.