Wonder.Food.Travel

Blessed to have the long weekend during the Raya celebration, i grabbed this opportunity for a getaway. I contemplated between the exploration of Mulu or the adventures in Miri, and as the title has given away, i chose the latter. Mulu felt rather rushy and i thought better to keep that for another time. I have been to Miri two years ago and wrote in My Miri Journey: Makai in Miri (Note: some places may have changed) about my gastronomic experience. This time, while food still has a place in my heart, was more about the outdoor adventures. Familiar? I arrived at the airport late at night, immediately welcoming the air of nostalgia as i descended the propeller plane. My friend, who thoughtfully crafted this itinerary for my travel, was already waiting for my arrival. We began the next day with a visit around the Seahorse Lighthouse . In my previous visit, this lighthouse was closed off due to construction work. Now, i got to see it up-close. It was cloudy but breezy. There wa...

When i got back, my family was talking about going to Sungkai. So on Saturday, we ventured up north to hunt for the chicken treasure. Being myself, i got up early and researched on the destination, using 'chicken' as my search. I stumbled upon the shop (or house) and took note of its name and direction (of which later i used Waze). I expanded my search onto activities and i was always directed to the famous hot spring- i can confirm now that, that is the only other thing there. Having skipped breakfast in KL, we had a toilet break and brunch at one of the R&Rs. When i saw the other tables folding and unfolding their banana leaf, i rushed to the shop and grabbed one from the shelf. The chili sambal was triumphant; nasi lemak in banana leaf is a timeless classic. The quaint little town of Sungkai greeted us with a warm welcome of its old buildings. From the map, i gauged the size of the town and quickly spiraled into our destination. With road signs leading us too, w...

It was just in time for dinner when Chappie (some heavy materials but overall an entertaining watch) ended. Undecided on what to have, my friend and i walked back and forth on the top floor, only to realize later that there was an extended floor above the top floor- and it's for restaurants. I did not notice it in my recent visits. Pigs and Wolf caught our attention. Well greeted at the entrance and politely guided to our table outside (but still air-conditioned), i was amused by its grim but comic ambience. Still, i was recovering from not knowing this part of the mall. I flipped open the menu and my eyes went straight for those the 'Wolf approved'. Jhay was our waiter and he kindly recommended some favourites. When he asked if we wanted sky juice, we hesitated, and he added that it was free. Must be my prudent look? I had the Wolf's Favourite (RM29) with Avocado Milkshake (RM16). The spaghetti was creamy and not overwhelming. The bacon slices were the gems of t...

After a photography session near Viva Home in the morning, my family and i headed to Bandar Mahkota Cheras for lunch. My dad recommended this restaurant as he has been before. Located in a relatively new shoplot scheme, this restaurant looks glamorous on the outside. The section where the entrance is was plain looking but when we moved to the other side, draped with curtains that were drawn when the crowd came in, was more exquisite. We rearranged the 12-person table to fit the eight of us, sat and ordered. Service was fine and lunch was quick to be served. Marmite Chicken was deliciously tender. The gravy wasn't too thick so the flavours wasn't overpowering. Even the skin remained crispy. My grandpa loves marmite chicken and i'm pretty sure he enjoyed this. Guinness Stout 'Pai Kuat' Pork Ribs was delectable. The meat was well marinated, easy to bite and easy to chew. Slightly sweet but good to eat with rice. Although both these dishes are visually simila...

This was my first time attending a blogger's hangout and what better setting than at Ante Kitchen and Bar in KL? I was quick to get comfortable with its contemporary interior design in a fairly low lighting atmosphere. I could see myself with my family or friends just sitting and chatting, all night long. What stood out to me most was the playful character of the eatery itself. Part of the wall was adorned with pictures of this eatery's man-with-mustache signature. The most prominent display of this character was the menu. The names of the food and drinks are catchy and each food is creatively described.   Exquisite interior.   Over the counter. One of the owners (partners) explained to us the origin of this eatery, which began in October 2012, and mentioned that the name 'Ante' was inspired by their liking towards the poker game. Life is a gamble and it's all about taking risks, right? A name with a meaning! Soon after, lunch was served....