KLonuts @ Dessert Storm, Ben's Independent Grocer, Publika, KL + Happy Halloween

Whenever we visit Publika, a visit to Ben's Independent Grocer (B.I.G) is a must! It's always worth checking out what they have. With Halloween looming, there were pumpkins, scary costumes and treats. 

Halloween pumpkin

After doing our grocery shopping, we decided to stop at Dessert Storm for KLonuts. A couple of months ago, cronuts were the in-thing and The BIG Group came up with their own version called the KLonut served in Dessert Storm, their pop-up dessert shop. Cronut is a croissant-doughnut hybrid, attributed to chef Dominique Ansel for Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City.

The KLonuts here are made to order by their pastry chef, Mabel. Other than KLonut, they are also serving afternoon tea for RM45 or a cream tea set for RM12, as well as some plated desserts, which changes weekly.

Three flavours were available and we went for the peanut butter and caramel as well as lemon curd and meringue, priced at RM7 each. The KLonuts have been deep fried and is served warm. Not much greasy aftertaste, though it tastes much richer than a regular doughnut. Out of the two flavours that we tried, I prefer the lemon curd and meringue as the lemon cuts some of the richness.

After enjoying the KLonuts, we had two more regular doughnuts from B.read, the bakery within Ben's Independent Grocer. Baby C chose the chocolate and custard doughnuts (RM3 each).

Anyway, here's wishing you all a spook-tacular Halloween from the Baby Sumo clan! Oh and if you find yourselves with lots of leftover pumpkin, check out this fabulous recipe for roasted pumpkin with fresh herbs. 

Hurrah! Hubby's "spooky" photo on Instagram won him RM50 dining vouchers from The BIG Group... thank you :)

Baby C dressed up as a witch ... painted a spider and spider web on her face with green make-up around her eyes. And a custom-made spider ring by daddy.

Custom-made spider ring

Location: Dessert Storm, Ben's Independent Grocer (B.I.G), Lot No. 1A, 83-95, Level UG1, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-6209 1700

GPS Coordinates: 3.1711, 101.66583


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Lavender Farm + Vegetable/Flower Farm + Mushroom Farm @ Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highlands

Before picking strawberries at the Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm, we first visited the lavender farm located right beside it. Entrance fee is RM3 per adult and RM1 per child. Although the lavender farm is quite small, it is still worthwhile to visit if you are a nature or photography enthusiast. Children will get to explore and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

A sea of purple..

If I am not mistaken, this is an extension of a larger lavender farm in Cameron Highlands. The lavender are planted in a large plot in the centre and then fenced off with white picket fence. No entry is allowed, so you just gotta snap photos from outside the fence line. Other types of flowers line the walls such as morning glory. You will also find lots of yellow daisies as well as honey bees here. 

Once you have finished taking photos, there is a small gift shop at the front, selling lavender products. Oh by the way, when you walk through the entrance, you will smell lavender but it's definitely not from the flowers. 

Morning glory

Yellow daisies and honey bees

My cute darling children... Baby C in her pink tutu skirt ;)

Fern in boots

Peach rose

After visiting the lavender garden, we picked strawberries with the kids and then proceeded to the exit. It will probably take you about 20 minutes to get to the exit since you will go through all types of stalls as well as a vegetable/flower farm/shop and a mushroom farm.

Pine cone

They were selling honey here, and there was a small display with some honey bees. 

Never seen tongkat ali root before, so I thought I'd take a photo. Tongkat ali, known as eurycoma longifolia is a type of medicinal plant.

We have a look around the vegetable and flower farm once we got there. I was hoping to find some herbs here which I can add to my herb garden, but they only had stevia. Lots of cactus, hydroponic vegetables, some other type of organic vegetables, passion fruit, crown daisy and even strawberry plants. 

Cactus

Red rose

Lettuce, grown hydroponically

Crown daisy

Stevia, natural sweetener

Passion fruit

The final stop before exiting the place is the mushroom farm. Different varieties of mushrooms are grown in large canisters filled with a mixture of saw dust, paddy husk and lime. A pretty interesting insight for the children.

Black jelly mushroom

White oyster mushroom

Opening hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm daily. There is no entrance fee to all the other farms, except the lavender farm (RM3 for adults, RM1 for kids)

To get here, drive towards Gohtong Jaya signage, then when you arrive at the town, there will be signage leading towards "Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm."

Location: Genting Strawberry Leisure Farms, No.1, Lot 3707, Jalan Jati 2, Bandar Gohtong Jaya, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur. Malaysia.

Tel: + 603-6100 1121

Website: http://www.gentingstrawberry.com/index.htm

GPS Coordinates: 3.398617,101.766817


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All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum @ Celestial Court, Sheraton Imperial KL

Enjoying dim sum with the family is one of our favorite weekend indulgences. From now until 29 December 2013, Celestial Court in Sheraton Imperial KL is offering a special "All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum" promotion for RM88++ per person. This promotion is available every Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 2.30pm. 

What a beauty - Squid Ink Scallop Dumpling topped with Salmon Roe

Celestial Court is one of the best pork-free dim sum places in KL. With this promotion, you get to have unlimited samplings of over 70 dishes, including dim sum as well as some mouthwatering a la carte delights. The dim sum and dishes are cooked upon order, hence quality is assured. For desserts, they are served on a buffet table at the front of the restaurant.

We started off with a nourishing double boiled chicken soup with Chinese herbs. Nice and warming. Then, came the dim sum, looking glorious in the steamer baskets. I have always admired the beautifully presented dim sum here at Celestial Court and how the dim sum chef always manages to infuse colours (natural coloring) in the dumpling skins to make it look very attractive.

Double boiled chicken soup with Chinese herbs.

Appetizer - sesame prawns served with minced nutmeg and mayonnaise dressing

The steamed chicken "siew mai" is topped with tobiko for colour and texture. Despite being pork-free, it's very juicy and delicious. The squid ink scallop dumpling is topped with ikura (salmon roe) as well as a mini abalone. It looks simply exquisite.

Steamed chicken "siew mai" with tobiko

Squid ink scallop dumpling with ikura

The prawn dumpling (har kao) is given an interesting twist with pink colored translucent skin, thanks to the beetroot juice used. I really enjoyed the Szechuan-style crab meat dumpling in chilli vinegar sauce, attractively presented in a cocktail glass. Love the salty-sour flavours and spicy kick from the sauce.

Crystal beetroot juice "har kao" with coriander

Szechuan-style crab meat dumpling in chilli vinegar sauce

Shanghai dumpling with egg strips and spinach in chicken broth

Another dim sum dish which I really liked was the Chinese cruller stuffed with squid mousse and served with a Thousand Island dressing. For me, there's just something insanely attractive about crullers as dim sum and this one's really crispy with a flavorful savoury aftertaste from the mousse and dressing. The crispy shrimps wanton served with fruits salad mayonnaise was also good, especially the fruit salad which tastes very refreshing.

Chinese cruller stuffed with squid mousse and thousand island dressing

Deep fried bean curd roll with cheese and prawns

Crispy shrimps wanton served with fruits salad mayonnaise

We also sampled some of the chef's recommended a la carte dishes and my favorite has to be the signature Hong Kong-style roasted duck with five spice. We had this before during our first visit and this time, the skin is definitely crispy and beautifully golden brown, with tender and juicy meat. This was served with a plum sauce. Other a la carte dishes that we tried were the crispy chicken fillet in Thai sauce, skillet shrimps with capsicum and mushrooms in hot bean sauce and stewed e-fu noodles with chicken and shredded mushroom.

Signature Hong Kong-style roasted duck with five spice.

Crispy chicken fillet in Thai sauce

Skillet shrimps with capsicum and mushrooms in hot bean sauce

Stewed e-fu noodles with chicken and shredded mushroom

I was quite stuffed by now for desserts but we tried the chilled mango cream puree with pearl sago to cool down as well as some of the cakes on offer. 

Chilled mango cream puree with pearl sago

Petite cakes

Pork-free.

Opening times: Monday - Saturday, 12.00 pm - 2.30 pm; Sunday and Public Holidays, 10.00 am - 2.30 pm, Dinner (daily) 6.30 pm - 10.30 pm.

Price: RM88++ per person. Currently, SPG members can enjoy 20% discount on this promotion. In Nov-Dec 2013, there is a 30% discount. SPG membership is free.

Location: Celestial Court, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03 -2717 9988

GPS Coordinates: 3.158813, 101.700203



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