Something Sweet for the Weekend - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts @ Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur

Krispy Kreme has to be THE most popular doughnut chain all over the world. Originating from the States, since 1937 (yup, read that right, an amazing 62 years of legacy, and still expanding like no other), the company has an impressive track record, serving warm, fresh from the oven doughnuts to millions of customers spanning the decades, from the States to Australia, as well as doughnut fans in Asia.

Krispy Kreme @ Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur - Since 27th April 2009

Initially, there was the surreal hype surrounding the opening of the store at Berjaya Times Square in KL, with free doughnuts all year round on offer, people camped and queued like mad (two nights before the opening, can you imagine that?!) for a chance at the exclusive vouchers, bound to elevate any soul to a sugar rush, and subsequent booming business to us healthcare professionals.

I stayed away from any unnecessary queues, and only relented after more than a month since its opening. On a weekday's evening, the line at the counter was almost non-existent (unlike JCo Donuts @ Pavilion, whereby even after few months, the crowd was maddening during peak hours). I picked my doughnuts at a leisure pace, scrutinizing each and every variety, before picking 6 of them. Note that at Krispy Kreme, they do not provide any half dozen offer for the doughnuts, unlike its competitors in Malaysia, namely Dunkin, JCo and Big Apple.

Hershey's Dark Chocolate (foreground) was a commendable choice, as was the

Hershey's Cookies & Crea (the middle one).

Priced at about RM2.50-RM2.80 per piece, the price is indeed steeper compared to JCo or Big Apple, as they do not offer half dozen special rate. But there is discount for one dozen purchases.

The Peanut Butter flavoured doughnut (the far most) was the only one that was not sickeningly sweet! Thankfully.

Verdict? VERY sweet. Yup, cloyingly, sickeningly sweet doughnuts. They're meant to be dipped into a hot cup of coffee (preferably black), hence the excessive sweetness. The moment I was on my third piece, I was feeling slightly nauseated from the sugar rush. The experience reminded me of bingeing on Indian sweetmeats (those famous colourful desserts at Indian restaurants).

The universally recognizable dotted design of the box

The size of the doughnut is slightly larger than JCo's or Big Apple's, the dough a little dense, somewhat a cross between Dunkin's harder texture and JCo's melt-in-mouth softer variety. Probably my expectation was way up in the clouds, from the overblown publicity and ravings, but the sweetness exceeded my threshold for sweet snacks.

I must be growing old, which explains my lack of tolerance to sweet food. Geez ...... Now where's my dentures? ;)

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE !!!!

Location : Berjaya Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Sdn Bhd @ Lot 09-26, Level 9, Berjaya Times Square, No 1, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel No : 603-2119 7373.

Website : http://www.krispykreme.com.my/

Uncle Duck Hong Kong Steamboat @ Times Square, KL

Uncle Duck steamboat restaurant has opened its doors for business for quite some time. However, as it's tucked in one corner, hidden amongst the countless eateries in Berjaya Times Square, many wouldn't have chanced upon it.

Had it not been my aunt's recommendation, I would never imagined dining in Times Square either. Seriously, I've never been able to find good food there. Anyone?

Spacious, with chandeliers and various lamps for sale, hanging as both decor, and light source

The place was rather empty, on a weekend's afternoon. Not much fanfare, but as soon as we were seated, the place did remind me of typical cafe/restaurants in Hong Kong.

One glance around the place, and you'll be pleased at the bright and airy ambience. And various paper cuttings on the wall suggested the popularity of this place, coupled with a Ho Chak's emblem, completing that line of media coverage.

The sesame sauce was a killer. Slightly nutty, sour and sweet, it went perfectly with the meat

The electric stoves are somewhat built-in, saving space, and rendering mealtime faultless, in case you do not wish to have any steamboat meal.

Talking about steamboat here, the variety on offer was mind-boggling, with so many types of soup base to choose from; Satay base, Clear broth, Spicy base, Ginseng soup, etc. I chose the set with beef slices, and tomato and fish base, if I remembered correctly. The receipt I'm having is a bit washed off, sorry.

Sliced Beef Set (RM19.90)

With the usual accompaniments of vegetables, beancurd, an M-sized Prawn, etc.

Kinda reminded me of shabu-shabu ....

The thinly-sliced beef was gorgeous, presentation-wise; before and after cooked. Sweet and fresh, the beef was cooked in an instant when swished in the bubbling soup. Oh ya, you control the 'fire' yourself, but rest assured it's a no-brainer. Even a child can operate that electric stove, I tell ya .....

Especially noteworthy aside from the beef was a prawn, and the rice noodles. When dipped into the accompanying sesame sauce, the beef was divine. And at RM19.90, may sound pricey, but you're getting what you pay for. And small-eaters can share a set, and order some sides.

Roasted Duck Rice set with a drink (RM6.90)

If you're not a fan of steamboat, no worries. They offer a rather expansive menu of items commonly found in Char Chan Teng, namely rice and noodle dishes, and more.

With a name like Uncle Duck, surely you'll be expecting a lot from their duck dishes, no? The Roasted Duck Rice set came with a Ribena drink, but the portion was too limiting to judge. But I've had better ones, and the roasted duck here ain't as crispy as I'd preferred.

Location : UNCLE DUCK (HK) STEAMBOAT RESTAURANT @ 03-107, Third Floor,Berjaya Times Square,No. 1, Jalan Imbi,55100 Kuala Lumpur.Tel : 03-21448998

Of Vivo Pizza, Concorde Inn KLIA, and A Syringe?!

Here's more on my KL excursion of sorts .... from the past weekend. Damn I'm still reeling from all the travelling ... yet missing every second of it. Sadistic?

Vivo American Pizza and Panini - Now open for business in Times Square

Before we were 'carted' away to oblivion (read : KLIA) for a good 3 days, we decided to stop by Bukit Bintang area for some grubs. Somehow, painted in our minds was the dreadful prospect of eating pathetic hotel food and trapped in our rooms, and entertained only by endless, tormenting lectures. Yup, it's another one of those 'kursus' thingy ....

Cafe Latte (RM6.80)

Arriving way past our usual lunch hour, we quickly proceeded to hunt for some food. And Vivo situated at the Lower Ground Floor of Times Square was as attractive as light/fire to the moth. Or something like that .....

They exhibit great pride in their coffee, proudly proclaiming its Lavazza's origins. Hence I opted for the frothy, ever-pleasing latte, as I've an aversion to anything with more milk than substance (=P). Hmm, Vivo's coffee may be fragrant, but I still felt something amiss, when my glass of latte though was foamy and frothy with milk, was lacking in the caffeine department.

Iced Mocha (RM7.50)

Tell me the glass of Mocha above does NOT resemble a glass of 3-layered tea (Teh C Special), a popular Sarawak beverage? Shucks .... Now I miss my Teh C Special !!!

Oriental Baked Rice (RM10.90)

Their menu covers mostly pizzas, pastas, salads, some random chops (which I do not put faith in), paninis (Italian toasted sandwich), and baked rice and pasta. I eyed a Chili Icon beside the Oriental Baked Rice, indicating F-I-R-E. Always a good thing to have something spicy for every meal. I highly suspect I might be an Indian/Mexican/Malay in my past life.

Cheesy, creamy and rather filling, the chicken cubes thrown in were not generous, yet the pleasantly fragrant and fluffy butter rice went really well with the spicy sauce. There MIGHT be some mushrooms or such in there, I couldn't be sure. =P

Smoked BBQ Chicken Pizza (RM18.90)

They offer a variety of pizzas, from the meatiest to the bland-est of vegetarian versions. From thick to thin crust, and less or more cheese (+RM4), and etc etc ....

The signature pizza got our attention, a smoked BBQ chicken pizza, 6 big slices of calorie-fied terror, albeit lacking in cheese (oh, so THAT'S why they offer additional cheese top-up for RM4 .... wicked). The smoked chicken was tender but tasteless, the flavour came from the BBQ sauce. The roasted peppers, mushrooms and olives completed the package, a rather fulfilling pizza at a reasonable price.

For a wholesome lunch, but slightly more expensive than the fast food counterparts.

The meal costed RM48 for both of us, a taxing lunch, but rather filling. Will probably return for the pizzas, as they're definitely better than Pizza Hut's. But that's just me.

Location : VIVO TIMES SQUARE @ LG68, Lower Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square, 1, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel No : 603-2148 9799.

So .... done with lunch, then off to our destination. The REAL one ... No more side trips. =(

Tranquil surrounding eh?

Destination : Concorde Inn, KLIA

Time Span : 3 days, 2 nights

Room : Twin sharing with 2 single beds, and the usual bells and whistles of a 3-star inn.

Guess what's the 'Welcoming Shock of a Door Gift' ?!

Yup, we discovered a capped needle by the window. Fortunately, it's NOT on our beds. Or in the showers. Could not determine whether it was used, or new. But highly suspicious the needle was NOT for diabetic patients' insulin shots.

Geez .... how inviting.

Guess the Gadget

If that was not strange, imagine finding a mosquito repellent gadget at the power supply. Ahem ... fully air-conditioned room and requiring a mosquito repellent?! What's next? Kelambu (mosq nets) and coil?

Now this .... is..... LIFE.

Minor gripes aside, the food at their cafe aptly named Melting Pot Cafe, was simply marvelous. A lot of variety, and they excelled in the quality department as well. Every meal was thoroughly enjoyable. All buffet spreads, and FOC. For us only, of course ... not all guests. =)

And that somehow ... made our stay a step away from mediocrity.