Month: May 2025

On the food trip called Vagabond

On the food trip called Vagabond

Fresh from his Melbourne stint at Attica, touted to be one of the best restaurants Down Under, chef Daniel Kong from Kuching, together with 2 other partners – his brother and fellow chef Woon Ming – set up Vagabond KL in Desa Sri Hartamas, KL. 

An Italian family diner called Amici

An Italian family diner called Amici

Explored SS15 which I normally never go to with a foodie friend – Boon @tummy_full – and discovered a slew of inviting eateries, among them, newbie Amichi Ristorante. Helmed by Bari-born chef Angelo, a big shout out for their great service! I was having early 

Making your meal count with Shinano

Making your meal count with Shinano

Shinano Kitchen is literally a hole-in-the-wall pork-free diner serving Japanese and Korean rice and udon sets. Nestled on the ground floor of Uptown 5 Tower B in Damansara Utama, PJ, it has seating capacity for only 10 (very cramp seats) inside, but you can opt to sit outside on the sidewalk where it’s more comfortable, without air-cond. Capturing the essence of a real Japanese diner, Shinano fills a niche as prices are reasonable (RM10 to RM28) and the basic bento and rice sets are great for the office crowd who have no time to waste, and just wanna eat and go.

Essentially, there are only 3 main options – rice, fried rice or without carbs – paired with your choice of meat, tamago (eggroll), a side of kimchi and miso soup. Much like chap fan (Chinese mixed rice), but make it Japanese. Considering its tiny kitchen, the menu is surprisingly extensive as it plays with numerous combinations, including Japanese curry, udon and kimchi jiggae. Unlike Korean banchan, the sides are not refillable, but if you ask nicely, they might.

We had the beef patty with the garlic rice set, and unagi rice. Probably one of the cheapest unagi don around, the size of the eel was generous while the hambagu patty was a decent chunk of meat that went well with the garlic rice. I’ve had more exciting garlic rice, but the price would also be higher. Nothing fancy, but we enjoyed the meal – wholesome, prepared on-site and tasty – satisfying enough. 

The sets come with refillable green tea as well so it’s a complete ensemble. Shinano offers a quick, satisfying meal and they have catering services as well. 

Add: 101B, Tower B, Ground Floor, Uptown 5, Jalan SS21/39, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya. hp: 014-328 9941.

Heineken’s Refreshing Sessions

Heineken’s Refreshing Sessions

Get ready to vibe with Heineken’s REFRESHING SESSIONS with unexpected takeovers in the city! From supermarket aisles to bookstore shelves, Heineken® is serving up unforgettable DJ sets in the most unpredictable spots—bringing people together through music, good vibes, and a cool, refreshing Heineken.  1) QRA 

Torito hits city centre with Peruvian Japanese fare

Torito hits city centre with Peruvian Japanese fare

Torito, a new Peruvian-Japanese restaurant, sits on level 53 of Banyan Tree KL, its interior reflecting the captivating colours of the Peruvian natural landscape – vibrant green and azure blue – and the herringbone floor in terracotta tiles mirroring the desert sand. Torito (means bull 

Jameson presents distilled sounds and a new limited edition bottle

Jameson presents distilled sounds and a new limited edition bottle

Iconic Irish Whiskey Jameson presents the next chapter of its city-spanning Jameson Distilled Sounds events, this time taking over The Zhongshan Building. This edition will celebrate the release of Jameson’s latest limited-edition bottle, designed in collaboration with global Music Distiller and multi-Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak, while giving Southeast Asian talents a platform to share their sound.  

With 18 artists, one stacked lineup, and endless vibes—the Jameson Distilled Sounds takeover hits May 17 from 6pm till late.

Jameson Distilled Sounds is both a global music programme and a local event series, sharing one name and one purpose: to connect a global music family across genres, borders, and subcultures—from Kuala Lumpur to Cork. Launched in 2024 with Anderson .Paak, the programme supports emerging talent worldwide by creating space for artists to collaborate, grow, and be heard. 

Malaysian singer-songwriter Claudia Tan is the first local artist selected to be mentored by .Paak as part of this ongoing commitment. Just as Jameson is triple distilled for smoothness, the Zhongshan Building edition brings together communities and styles with the same craft and character that define Jameson. 

Spanning indie, electronic, funk, soul, and deep house, the lineup offers a raw take on Southeast Asia’s sound—distilled, defiant, and deeply collective. Performances will take place at The Courtyard—a space more often known for sourdough than subwoofers, doubling by day as a bakery. 

From Thailand, NOTEP blends ambient electronica with organic textures for a soulful, genre-fluid journey that’s both meditative and modern. Malaysia’s Talitha Tan brings smooth indie R&B pop and heartfelt lyrics. Saint Kylo, a powerhouse of R&B and funk, turns up the energy with infectious grooves and magnetic stage presence. Also taking the stage: the introspective stylings of Su San, Daaliah’s groove-forward DJ set, X.U’s electronic edge, and Kent Lee. 

Catch the skyline and the sound as No One, Sheryn, Raven, Diorck, and B from Manipulated Mood Group take over the Kantata rooftop. Expect high-octane DJ sets that move from hypnotic builds to full-blown bangers—a golden hour session that sets the tone for the night ahead.

Indie tastemakers Chaseylain and Ribut 1059 of Twilight Actiongirl (TAG) return with eclectic DJ sets that nod to their roots in KL’s alternative scene, closing the night in Kantata with a special B2B that blends nostalgia with fresh sonic twists. Plus, swing by Poppy Records in the Zhongshan Annexe for a one-day-only promo—buy 1 Limited Edition Jameson x Anderson .Paak bottle and get a vinyl record of your choice—on us.

Over at Triptyk, the energy shifts into cocktail-hour mode as music and mixology collide. Expert mixologists Angel Ji and Steve Foo serve up curated Jameson signatures with a musical twist to her already famous cocktails, soundtracked by Viene’s deep club cuts and Vanns Ngo’s driving house. Just when you think it’s winding down, think again — a surprise Hijack Session by a tech house DJ is set to dial things up one last time.

Triptyk curates a lineup of flavour-forward bites, perfectly paired with the smooth taste of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Savour Pixies & Vespers’ yakitori skewers, crafted to complement the signature zest of a Jameson, Ginger Ale & Lime. Calle Taco’s handheld bites are expected to bring the heat, while Kantata keeps the energy flowing with late-night comfort food that’s as bold as the beats.

Register Now

This is an open-invite night. Register online now  for free entry. Arrive before 8pm. First 200 guests through the door get a complimentary Jameson Ginger Ale & Lime.

Event Registration Link:

https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en/jameson-distilled-sound-my-2025-party-registration-form/

Guerlain Bee Garden and Lacher Pattiserie collab

Guerlain Bee Garden and Lacher Pattiserie collab

Guerlain, the renowned French luxury beauty house, presents the first-ever Bee Garden 2025 Pop-Up in South-East Asia, at The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur, from April 28 to May 11. This experiential retail concept seamlessly blends beauty, fragrance, and sustainability, offering visitors an unparalleled journey into