F3. From KLCC to KLIA2

There is no specific reason why this has to be titled as from KLCC to KLIA2 foods.  Certainly it doesn't mean all the foods you can find between these two landmarks will be highlighted here.  It is simply saying one distinct food outlet in each location will be put under scrutiny.

 1. The Loaf

Many of us will start to associate the Loaf with our former PM, Tun Dr. Mahathir.  So that means I have a case to answer, simply because I didn't know about it.  I feel I have heard of that quite sometime ago.  Nevertheless, it's fasting month now, so I might as well take a fast break at the Loaf.  And my wife agreed.  Our choice, the Loaf at AVENUE K near KLCC.

 

As you got off the Kelana Jaya LRT line at KLCC station, you will notice a shopping complex called AVENUE K.  This is actually on the other side of KLCC or across the Ampang Road.  The Loaf is located just at the entrance of the mall.

It was Ramadan, so the first thing to do was to make a reservation.  There was a promotional set during the month so we just ordered the set that contained rice, percik chicken and soup.    

In the meantime, we browse through the printed bulletin that has on the front page the owner of the Loaf, yes none other than Tun Mahathir.  A little history about the Loaf is reprinted here.

"The Loaf is a lifestyle bakery and bistro, which is opened its first outlet in the picturesque setting of Telaga Harbour, Langkawi Island in 2006. Since its opening, the outlet has gradually gained popularity to both tourists and islanders alike. The Loaf currently has a few outlets in Malaysia."

A bit of chit chat by Che Det (Tun Mahathir) also can be read in that bulletin, so while waiting for the iftar, I noted about how the Loaf got its name.

While browsing the menu, I spotted one glaring mistake.  Check the picture below and try to spot it.  Don't think Che Det will be please with this.

Here comes the dishes, rice, percik chicken, papadom, and soup.

2. PASTAMANIA @ KLIA2

Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) is the second airport in the vicinity of KLIA meant for budget airlines.  This airport replaces LCCT which use to be where AirAsia and other low-cost airlines stationed.

The lighting for the mushrooms changes colour every few seconds.

Ample parking with rate of RM4 per hour.

The traveller

Our intention was to try new pizza because we were tired with regular pizza restaurant such as pizza hut, dominos etc.

PASTAMANIA restaurant is located at level CP4 of the airport building.  A little weird in the design of this airport such that after parking your car, you have to look for the connecting bridge to the terminal and there is only one bridge at level 4.  So when you enter that lift always press CP4, don't go anywhere else since you will want to go to the terminal.

 Pastamania may sounds a little Italiano, but checking their history, actually it was first opened in Singapore.

Don't worry about the food availability and the varieties, everything is shown clearly on the fluorescent display outside of the restaurant.

The MENU look neat too.

Price also reasonable.

So we settled with pizza and spaghetti, as planned.

Yummy yummy.  I can still feel the taste.

Rather budget chicken wing, same theme with the location.

The dessert.

I do not want to write so much in between, just let you 'enjoy' the pictures and imagine.  As for us, we really enjoyed it, and believe it, we can still feel how tasty those foods are.

The first restaurant wall that thanks you.

I am not pretty sure if we have to give our judgment for these two restaurants.  I think the result is obvious, and the winner is PASTAMANIA. 

B2. Book Hunting

It is not usual that we spend this sum of money on buying reading material at one go, but the time has come for us to use the book voucher.  Not to mention, there are still many books in our keeping that we have not done reading.

This one title of book STEVE JOBS by Walter Isaacson seems to be a hot pick and I have been searching for it for some time.  This time I found it at IKANO Popular bookstore.

In fact, this was really a book hunt because we were targeting SUNWAY Pyramid in the beginning, but were turned off after seeing the reality of the traffic condition.  It is so hot nowadays that people are flocking supermarkets to cool off while doing some shopping or just killing off few hours before the ifftar.

The traffic towards Mutiara Damansara is no less heavy, but knowing the size of the CURVE we were confident that the car parking problem will be taken care of.  We were right, still few hundred parking are available.

There are three big bookstores around the CURVE so I was very sure at least one of the outlet will have the book that I search for.  We choose MPH as our first destination but unfortunately the target book was not there.

We moved to BORDER but were still unable to find the book.  At last I found the last copy at Popular, not in the best of condition, but I didn't waste any  more time.

Here is the list of the books we bought:

1.   STEVE JOBS by Walter Isaacson

 

Walter Isaacson, who served with CNN had became close to Steve, who regularly keep a close contact especially during the time a new apple product is in the midst of launching.

Steve, in few occasions had suggested to Walter that he should write a biography on his colourful career but Walter thinks it is still early.  Apparently Steve have kept the news of recent medical check up from Walter.

 

2.    400  RESIPI  TERBAIK  by  CHEF WAN

Chef Wan does not need introduction, at least in Asia.  A celebrity chef with jovial and warm personality.  This is the book that my wife has been searching, not with difficulty but I purposely waited until this time so that we can use the book voucher together.

 Chef Wan put in 400 recipes as the title of the book, but flipping inside, you will realise that there are more than 400 recipes he shares with us.  In fact there are 407 to be exact.  It covers all aspects of cooking and all types of dishes.

 

 Of course recipe book is not meant for reading but for practicing.  I have a personal target in using this book.  I will pick one dish that I am not familiar with and cook to the level of the chef within two weeks time, that is before the Eid Mubarak.  Can I do it?  Luckily my wife will also follow suit with different dish.  Who is the judge?

 Guest which dish I pick.  Originally I picked a rather out of this world dish but I couldn't even make out some of the ingredients, so I have changed my mind.  An easy one as a start. 

 

 

3.   Stephen  Hawking  by Kitty Ferguson

A very well known physicist with the theory of how the universe had begun.  Not that I do not have enough reference, but it is always my style of wanting to know of what other people are thinking, and the proof that he can put on the table. It is also mentioned that Hawking is probably having the intelligence only next to Einstein.  

There are many choices of book on Hawking but I have chosen this edition because it has the description about his life as well. 

4.   The Death of Mao  by James Palmer

I have read quite a number of books depicting the history on China, and my favourite have been the books written by Anchee Min about the Last Empress.  Currently I am also reading a book titled 1421, the year the Chinese were very active in sailing across the world. 

Somehow,  I feel there is a missing link, the period when Mao Zedong, who has been described as the leader during China transition era between old and modern. 

Thus I bought this book so that the missing link can somehow be closed. 

 

5.   Pedalling Around The Peninsula  by Sandra Loh

This is more on a lighter reading and very obvious from the title about what the writer have been up to.  I admire the guts and the perseverence, and I couldn't imagine myself in the similar circumtances, even though cycling is in my blood as well.

Looking forward to reading this book.

6.   Some easy stuff.