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New look for Tiger beer

New look for Tiger beer

Tiger Beer marked a new chapter in its legacy with the official unveiling of its new visual identity, reflecting the brand’s progressive spirit and bold ambition to drive innovation. To commemorate this milestone, Tiger Beer hosted an exclusive event at Heineken Malaysia, featuring a projection 

Sabayon x Jampa chef collab at EQ

Sabayon x Jampa chef collab at EQ

There will be a thrilling culinary collaboration at Sabayon, EQ’s fine-dining restaurant, with JAMPA, Phuket, to present a spectacular four-hands dinner featuring a collaboration between Sabayon’s talented Chef de Cuisine, Steve Ariffin, and JAMPA’s Executive Chef, Rick Dingen, presented by EQ and Kita Food Festival. The one-night 

Songkran at 1 Utama

Songkran at 1 Utama

Songkran Festival, one of the most vibrant traditions of Thailand, was celebrated at the forecourt of 1Utama shopping centre in Bandar Utama, PJ from April 10-20. Organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia and EQ Solutions, it was a chance for both Malaysians and visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural traditions and joyful festivities of Thailand’s New Year celebration.

Songkran, traditionally celebrated as the Thai New Year, symbolises renewal, gratitude and community. Known for its water-splashing activities, it represents the cleansing of misfortunes and the welcoming of a fresh start. This year’s event featured traditional Thai cultural performances, religious ceremonies and fun-filled water festivities.

Attendees were treated to traditional Thai dance, music and art forms highlighting the cultural significance of Songkran, showcasing the deep-rooted traditions that earned Songkran its UNESCO recognition. An auspicious ritual, the Ram Blessing, was held to bestow blessings of prosperity, health and happiness upon the Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, VIPs, invited guests and participants.

Water-splashing activities took center stage at designated water play zones, with a Bomba fire truck dedicated to this activity. A curated selection of authentic Thai cuisine, including PJ Kao Man Gai, M Dining and other top eateries were on hand to offer festival-goers a chance to savour the rich flavours of Thailand’s world-renowned dishes, prepared by Thai national vendors.

There were also interactive exhibits and workshops that provided insights into Thai traditions, such as Thai perfume-making, traditional Thai massage demonstrations and the art of Thai fruit carving. At night there were performances by Thai singers, DJs, and a special appearance by Yes Sirday Band from Bangkok, Thailand. Known for their dynamic performances and emotional pop-rock sound, Yes Sirday has built a strong fanbase since their debut in 2013 under Genie Records.

The event was officiated by Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia.


Second edition of Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week returns

Second edition of Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week returns

The highly anticipated Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) is set to return for its second edition from April 22 – 27, bringing together cocktail enthusiasts, industry professionals and some of the world’s best bars for a week-long celebration of mixology. Scheduled to take place across 

Refreshing Sessions with Heineken

Refreshing Sessions with Heineken

Heineken Refresh Your Music is back to elevate the music experience beyond refreshing playlists. This year, it’s breaking social bubbles and redefining how music brings people together. Heineken is shaking up the scene with REFRESHING SESSIONS—a bold new pop-up music series crafted to ignite unexpected 

Firing it up at Charr Dining

Firing it up at Charr Dining

A slow ascent to the 43rd floor, and you’ll find CHARR Dining, a cozy wood-fire BBQ restaurant that delivers a culinary experience where fire, flavour and artistry converge. Rooted in the age-old tradition of charring, CHARR masterfully blends the boldness of primitive wood-fire cooking with the unmistakable intensity of Cantonese ‘wok hei’ (literally translated as breath of the wok) — a technique that captures the essence of heat and smoke to create an unparalleled depth of flavour.

The name CHARR was inspired by the ancient cooking method of charring, using high heat over an open flame to unlock bold, smoky flavours. This technique, celebrated for its ability to enhance natural ingredients through caramelization and the Maillard reaction, is at the heart of CHARR’s culinary philosophy.

The large open seating area houses a long mahogany bench alongside tables at the side of the tall glass windows as well as a long bar counter top dining space for chef table experiences. What’s even more attractive is the view outside from the balcony which boasts a bird’s eye view of the city skyline, and an even more amazing sight at night when the night lights come on.

CHARR Dining was born from a deep-seated passion for creating unforgettable dining experiences. With over a decade in the food and beverage industry, the founders envisioned a space that celebrates bold flavours, meaningful conversations and fine ingredients.

“We wanted to craft a restaurant that doesn’t just serve food but tells a story with every dish. Our approach isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about perfecting timeless cooking techniques that highlight the natural beauty of each ingredient,” says Chef Leong Chee Mun, co-founder of CHARR Dining.

CHARR’s menu is an exploration of wood-fired BBQ infused with global influences. Signature dishes include:

*Pommes Anna with Herbs Crema & Smoked Trout Roe – A luxurious rendition of a French classic potato dish, featuring buttery, crisped potato layers complemented by nutty brown butter, creamy herb-infused crema, and briny bursts of smoked trout roe. – straightforward execution with taste heightened by the luxurious roe.

*Chicken Wings with Pad Kra Pao & Fermented Hot Sauce – Deboned, spice-infused Thai Pad Kra Pao chicken wings paired with a house-fermented hot sauce for an interesting blend of heat, umami and texture.

*Seasonal Fish with Singapore Laksa – Fresh fish immersed in a rich, aromatic laksa broth, merging the best of Southeast Asian flavours with CHARR’s signature wood-fired depth – I didn’t get to try this, but my media friends who did said this was excellent, a lovely marriage of the taste of laksa with fresh fish.

*Burnt Onion with Smoked Stracciatella & Chimichurri – Smoky-sweet burnt onion paired with creamy smoked stracciatella, vibrant chimichurri, and delicate smoked trout roe. – this was interesting although I can’t fathom paying so much for onion. In all honesty, it wasn’t extraordinary for me.

*CHARR White Corn with Fermented Jalapeño, CHARR Spice & Parmigiano Reggiano – Fire-kissed corn elevated with bold fermented jalapeño heat, a house spice blend, and aged Parmigiano Reggiano. White corn is not easy to find, and doesn’t come cheap. The simple elevation of spice melded with the natural sweetness of the corn nicely.

The menu features a range of price points and portion sizes. Starters are from RM25 onwards, which is quite affordable, but only one mouthful, just enough to tingle your senses.

For our media preview, we also had a chance to savour foie gras on brioche, and minced beef tongue on mini naan. These were quite delectable.

Sanchoku Wagyu MB 7

The bar at CHARR offers a carefully curated selection of signature cocktails, wines and locally crafted beers to go with the smoky food flavours.

For those seeking a refined yet relaxed dining experience, CHARR welcomes all who appreciate great food and hospitality. The restaurant’s design seamlessly integrates cultural and artistic elements.

“Inclusive hospitality is at the heart of CHARR. Every guest—whether a first-time visitor, a loyal regular, or a seasoned food critic—receives the same level of warmth and attentiveness,” says Chef Xing Wah Yin, co-founder of CHARR Dining.

“We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel like they’re part of something special,” added Kenneth Ngai, co-founder of CHARR Dining.

Charr makes a welcome debut on the already busy KL food landscape, offering a different facet to cooking in a prime dining space.

Add: 47-3A, The Manor, 3, Persiaran Stonor, Kuala Lumpur. hp: 017-894 5447

Location

47-3A, The Manor, 3, Persiaran Stonor, City Centre, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

CHARR Management Team

Chef Leong – Chef Owner (Operation Director)

Chef Leong, originally from Kuala Lumpur, began his culinary journey at a 5-stars Luxury Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Afterward, he spent 8 years in Singapore, contributing to the opening to one of the celebrity restaurants at Marina Bay Sands. Later, he worked at esteemed establishments like the one-Michelin-starred Restaurant and a Modern South Indian Cuisine Restaurant. With experience from renowned restaurants and hotels, he brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

Chef Xing – Chef Owner (F&B Director)

Chef Xing, originally from Malacca, has 11 years of culinary experience. For the past 9 years, he has worked in Singapore at prestigious restaurants in a celebrity restaurant at Marina Bay Sands and, most recently, at the acclaimed 1 Michelin Star and is ranked among the world’s top 50 restaurants.

Kenneth Ngai – Co-Founder (Sales and Marketing Director)

Kenneth has been deeply entrenched in the dynamic world of real estate since 2014, where his leadership flourished as he guided a team of over 80 members in 2018.

Presently, he spearheads the development of a trading and export company, leveraging his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to navigate new horizons in business.

All about tofu at Dubu Dubu

All about tofu at Dubu Dubu

Dubu dubu means tofu in Korean so naturally that’s the main focus this restaurant named as such. It’s in every dish in the menu and while it was a lot of tofu to eat in one seating, it was all good and nourishing. Owned by 

Pasta at San Lou

Pasta at San Lou

Finally visited San Lou Pasta Bar one weekend and happy to report that it was a most enjoyable meal. Translated, it means 3rd floor, located in a residential condo in Kelana Jaya, PJ. The tiny but cozy resto has all of 7 tables and probably 

Glamour Kampung at Curate, Four Seasons KL

Glamour Kampung at Curate, Four Seasons KL

A food bazaar like no other, Four Seasons KL invites you to a culinary celebration at Curate. This year’s theme is Glamour Kampung, and you can expect one of the most extensive buffet spreads in the city, offering a wide range of traditional fare alongside global flavours.

Some of my fav dishes this year were the Balinese treats such as satay, lamb stew and long beans salad (akin to kerabu with smokey accent), among others. The flavours were familiar, mildly spicy (can be tweaked if you tell the chef) and artfully laced with all sorts of herbs and spices.

I also always make a beeline for the seafood counter as Curate boasts an amazing variety from the sea while local dishes like nasi ulam, rendang, soup gearbox and satay are all must-haves. 

Some of the stand-out dishes for me included an unusual Jordanian lamb stew cooked in sheep milk, a savoury Brasilian seafood chowder and Chinese roast duck with mantou!

The list goes on and on – the range of appetizers alone is mind-boggling while those with a sweet tooth will find no lack of desserts, both Malaysian and Western, to satisfy your cravings. 


From now till March 15, visiting chef Surya Hadinata from Four Seasons Resort Bali will showcase the best of Bali so make your way for this rare chance to savour authentic Indonesian dishes. 


Buffet at Curate costs RM318+/adults and RM169+/child. 

Thank you, Dato Rosemarie Wee, for the wonderful Glamour Kampung experience!

Delicious Vietnamese fare at Song Ngu

Delicious Vietnamese fare at Song Ngu

During CNY, the trick is not to eat Chinese food. The wait and serving time begs patience and food quality is often not as good. We opted for Vietnamese at Song Ngu resto in New Ocean World Fine Food City, PJ. The large resto was