iSMILE Dental Center - Good Dental Clinic in Kuala Lumpur/Petaling Jaya

If you are trying to find a dentist in Kuala Lumpur/Petaling Jaya, a good dental clinic to go to would be iSMILE Dental Center :)

(Photo taken from http://www.ismile.com.my)

I've been going to this dental clinic (located in Damansara Uptown) for close to three years now - and have been super happy with the excellent service I get there. I see Dr Jean Ong as she's such a warm, pleasant and gentle lady. Stepping into the clinic, you would think that you've come to someone's house. The place doesn't reek of "dental clinic" smells - if you get what I mean. Neither is the colour scheme of blue and white - in fact, the office has such contemporary colours! The lighting is warm, soft music is played, comfy sofas for you to sit on, magazines, wifi - all this make the whole experience so nice! As a matter of fact, I was just there this morning, and while waiting in the "sitting room" - I almost felt like putting my feet up. Yes, I forgot I was not at home, but at a clinic! 

(Photo taken from http://www.ismile.com.my)

Elaine, the Front Desk Manager's voice was so friendly and cheerful when I made the appointment over the phone :) (Mind you, I think I had to make my appointment 5-6 weeks in advance! Yes, it's THAT popular!) Elaine even sms-ed me yesterday to remind me of my appointment. When I arrived at the clinic this morning, she warmly greeted me by name :)

(Photo taken from http://www.ismile.com.my)

I had a simple cleaning job done today. It was pleasant and painless :) As a matter of fact, my dad's tooth broke some months back, and I took him there for her to pull the rest of the tooth. According to him, he didn't even feel the pain of the needle when an injection was administered. I think I read somewhere on the website that they use special needles.

So, if you are looking for a good dental clinic, I highly recommend iSMILE Dental Center :)

Dream Cafe at Dream Centre (DUMC)

This is where I have my lunch, most weekdays! The Dream Cafe at Dream Centre (DUMC) - located just next to Jaya 33, serves an array of sumptuous dishes for your "economy rice" lunch! Have a look at the photos! The Dream Cafe serves pork-free food :)

Here's how you get to the Dream Cafe at the Dream Centre :)
It's super easy to find parking as the Dream Centre has LOTS of parking spots for you. Not only that, as the map suggests, if you are working around the Section 13/14 area, there's also a back gate access in order to enter the Dream Centre grounds.

The Dream Cafe is fully air-conditioned and that's why I LOVE eating there - good food, convenient and stress-free :) The prices are pretty reasonable too. On average you pay RM1.50 for a drink and a plate of "economy rice" should cost you about RM5 for one meat, one vegetable and one tofu dish WITH rice. The servings are really generous and the quality of the food is excellent. You get free soup as well!
(Note: Best to arrive early, say 12.00-12.45pm as that's when the dishes are freshest and in abundance)

If "economy rice" is not your cup of tea, you also get to order ala-carte - rice or noodles - in individual portions. The top seller is the Kong Lam Mee. There's also Black Bean Fried Rice (either you like it or you don't. I don't, but my friends love it.), Yin Yong, Hokkien Mee, Thai Fried Rice and lots more. Noodles (except Kong Lam Mee) are RM4.50 per plate, and rice, RM5.00 per plate.

Not only that, you will find the best scones at the Dream Cafe! Warm, crumbly and freshly baked - served with cream and home-made strawberry jam. It's RM2.50 per scone. What a bargain eh? Super yummy. Other desserts available are carrot cake (RM3.50), moist chocolate cake (4.50) and caramel custard (RM2.00).

It's really worth the visit!

The Dream Cafe opens from
Tues - Friday at 11.15am to about 3.00pm
Saturday at 11.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday 8.30am to 1.30pm

Their weekend menu is slightly different. You can go yourself to find out what they serve. Generally, they are open during the day.

I hope you enjoy this place as much as I do! :D

Address: Dream Centre (DUMC), No.2 Jalan 13/1 Petaling Jaya (next to Jaya 33)

Victoria Rossa English Tea Room @ Hartamas Shopping Centre

Sorry for the long silence! Haven't really been trying products/services, nor has there been an outstanding one to recommend ... so there.

My friend took us to her friend's "shop" in Hartamas Shopping Centre for a high tea. I didn't expect much - even though the place looked nice. Sometimes shops are so nicely decorated but the food is icky and yucky.

This place is called Victoria Rossa - situated on the first floor of Hartamas Shopping Centre. To be exact, here's the address: Unit K20, Level 1, Hartamas Shopping Centre (right across from Pineapple Computer store). Everything is dolled up in Victorian splendor - very elegant and pretty.

The menu - so shweet :)

My friend ordered one of those tea sets - that came with cucumber sandwiches, butter cake and scones, accompanied with tea - very nice tea!

Cranberry and raisin scones - fresh, light and buttery

Nice tea pots and tea cosys - the experience is building up very quickly!

Hmm, I thought I had a photo of the butter cake which I must say was absolutely divine! As I said, my expectation of this "tea room" wasn't very high. BUT, my my, I was pleasantly surprised ... the food was of really really good quality! I'll say it again, the butter cake was beautiful! A MUST HAVE when you go there.

The owner of the place came to sit with us and brought more food for us to sample. Wow, we were so blessed. We listened to him talk passionately about his tea room. You can tell he really takes pride in what he does. He doesn't believe in using substandard ingredients so the butter cake (and all the other pastries) are made with only pure butter. No shortening, no margarine, nothing with trans-fat.

Will definitely go back again for the great experience. Hmm, or maybe not ... just for the sake that I can't afford the calories :( But ... if you're looking for a good English high tea - Victoria Rossa is the place to go!

Website: http://www.victoriarossa.co.uk/
Blog: http://victoriarossaenglishtearooms.blogspot.com/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=238163063457&v=wall

Best Fruit Cake, Sugee Cake and Murukku!

Now, how could I forget to promote the "business" of the person so close to home? My very own mother! A thousand apologies, Mee! My mother is a fantastic cook (okay, maybe I'm 0.01% biased) and can cook up a storm! Over the past years, she's been trying her hand at baking, and after experimenting, trying, tweaking recipes...she's got a couple of stellar winners! After much persuasion from family and friends, she finally took a step forward, dived in - and took orders. Good reviews so far! Here are her 3 best sellers:

MURUKKU
Maximum Spice Maximum Flavour.
Warning: Highly Addictive!
RM8 per bottle (minimum order: 3 bottles)

SUGEE CAKE
This traditional Eurasian recipe has been tried over and over again till the perfect combination of ingredients was achieved to create that heavenly first bite. Moist, fluffy, aromatic, full-bodied - reminiscent of festive celebrations! THIS is the real deal!
RM80 per cake

FRUIT CAKE
I've never liked fruit cake - ever. Till I tried my mum's. Exquisite. Fragrant, bursting with plump juicy raisins,  and laced  enhanced with top quality brandy. The end product...indescribable.
RM80 per cake


My mum lives in Penang, so this post benefits the Penangites most :) But people in the Klang Valley, don't feel left out .. Mum does have people doing deliveries to KL once in a while - so you can just try your luck :)

Notes:

Please allow

*5 days notice for sugee cake and murukku

*14 days notice for fruit cake as the fruits need to be soaked in brandy for at least 1 week

Self-collection on a cash upon delivery (COD) basis

For further information or enquiries, please send an email to Mag at magdaline(dot)loh(at)gmail.com

Malaysia Glaucoma Society

I was in my church cafe the other day about to have my lunch. Scanned the surroundings and saw a couple seated already having their lunch. We've exchanged hellos along the way, but we've never exchanged more than 2 words to each other. So, I decided to sit with them.

I got to know how Stevens lost his eyesight. It was due to glaucoma. Read his story here or listen to his interview on BFM Kaye, his wife is a great caregiver - I've always noticed how patient and loving she is to her husband. We chatted at length about eyesight, as my dad suffers from retinitis pigmentosa and has about 1% of sight left. So I am quite involved and in the know of the life of one who is visually handicapped. It is not easy and I really admire them.

As a result of his own experience, Stevens founded the Malaysia Glaucoma Society so that early detection could be done to reduce unnecessary blindness. Do visit the website at http://www.saveonesight.com/

Babysitting & Daycare Services

I have a friend who is setting up a babysitting and daycare centre. She says that the group will not be big so that she can give quality time and full attention to the children under her care. She's committed into giving her very best, and to take care of the kids as she would meticulously look after hers. If you're looking for someone reliable and trustworthy to look after your child, do visit Joanne's website at  http://kidzhaven.webs.com/ and give her a call :)

Free Boracay Vacation Package

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay  Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila Domestic Airport
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information:http://www.seairphilippines.com

Cakes galore!

This friend of mine started out baking a few years back as a hobby, and hooboy, I bet she has a string of loyal customers now! Her cakes not only taste good, but make great eye candy too! I love her London Cheesecake. It's simply heavenly! Her cupcakes are equally delicious!

Guess what this is?

My wedding cake!!! It was the bestest ever wedding cake in the whole wide universe! And ain't it a beaut?!

For enquiries, please email eejuen (at) yahoo (dot) com :)

Do check out her blog at http://ribbonsandcakes.blogspot.com/

Macau Coffee Shop

Much as we would prefer to eat home most of the times, we still can't coz our kitchen is not set up yet. So, we're thankful for new eateries that have been sprouting around our neighbourhood. There's a new coffee shop in the Medan Putra Business Centre area...this place is really booming! I had the fresh milk fish noodles. It was really good, but, as with after effects of eating out - super thirsty! Nice, nevertheless. The oh-chien looked nice, but unforunately we did not try it. Quite a variety of food there and it's air-conditioned! Even the toilet area! Beat that! I'm sure the Macau Coffee Shop will do well - it's heaps better than the 8 Parkcity coffee shop down the road!

Holiday Home Malaysia

If you are looking for a holiday home while visiting the Klang Valley, look no further! Here's a perfect spot for you and your loved ones to enjoy a clean and comfortable condominium. I can vouch that you will have a pleasant stay here. Please visit the website at http://www.holidayhomemalaysia.com/. Look out for promotions on their blog http://holidayhomemalaysia.blogspot.com/

Niji Sushi

It seems like the last few posts are on food! We just so happened to have tried more food places in Medan Putra, Kepong.

We visited Niji Sushi once before and I didn't think too much about it. However, after having read good reviews about it, thought we'd give it another chance!

Sushi! I had tuna and salmon. Surprisingly, in the slice of tuna provided in the roll was quite thick. Well-bodied enough to be able to taste it. Ok. Impressive for RM4.50 per roll. The salmon was fresh and so was the seaweed wrapping the handroll.

CS had the fish set. It was REALLY good. I'm not a fan of chawan mushi, but the taste of this one was nice as well...not too egg-y, not too thick, not too watery, the texture was just right. The portion of rice served could be a bit bigger though.

We're pleased that we went back :) A good joint to have in the neighbourhood.

Niji Sushi

No. 25 & 27 Jln 1/62D

Medan Putra Business Center, Kepong

Tel: 03-62777060

Live Music Restaurant

Kepong is touted to be a place with good food.

From the outside, the Live Music restaurant looks like a pub. The facade and signage does not look very attractive nor inviting. However, one day, as CS and I were walking by, we decided to look at the menu, and try the food there. To our surprise, the food wasn't bad at all! And the price, reasonable! I ever only eat one thing there, the Portugese Mee Goreng. Very nice. This time, I decided to try something else. It was okay.

Cantonese Koay Teow

CS' standard order, the jumbo hotdog with cheese. He craves for it sometimes!

The inside of the restaurant, which incidentally has "live music" on Friday and Saturday evenings from 9pm onwards.

See the price...not bad at all right? The address is on the receipt :) It's just next to De Pastry Chef cafe in Medan Putra, Kepong :)

Winner!

(Photo credit: http://decohouz.com)

I won a contest!!! I hardly ever enter contests coz I don't believe that my entry will ever be good enough to compete with the gazillion other people who submit their entries! Whaddya know...

I received a mailer from http://homepride.com.my/ promoting their latest magazine. Came across a contest that was going on. One could stand to win RM120 worth of decals. Was bored. Thought I'd give it a shot. Took 4 minutes to answer the questions and hit "submit". Never thought about it anymore after that. When one fine day, I get an email with the subject heading - Decohouz Promotion Winner

From: Ask Homepride <ask.homepride@catchacorp.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Subject: Decohouz Promotion Winner
To: Shelley Tay
Cc: sales@decohouz.com

Hi Shelley,

Congratulations on winning first prize with RM120 worth of product available at Decohouz.com!

Please confirm your full name, IC, contact number and address. Do respond as soon as possible else we will give it to the next deserving participant by tomorrow.

Name: Shelley Tay Peik Lin
IC: 7xxxxxxxxx
Contact number: 01x-xxxxxx
Address: x-1 xxxxx Kuala Lumpur, WP.

Once we receive your confirmation then only you are entitle to choose your RM120 worth of prize available at Decohouz.com. Winners are advise to claim
their prizes within 7 days as Sharon will be away from 9th to 15th June 2010. Postage fee will be sponsored by Decohouz.com.

Do contact Sharon, the owner of Decohouz.com for more information.

Name: Sharon
Email: sales@decohouz.com

Have a nice day.

Cheers,
Yxx
Online Content Manager
Catcha Home Publications Sdn Bhd

ELATED!!! Not so much about the products won, but to actually WIN! Woohoo!
Today, Homepride sent me an emailer again, this time I browse through and find my name in their winner list. 
Pardon the indulgent narcissistic me - just for today. Promise! There's just something about winning, it's exhilarating!

Thank you HomePride and Decohouz!

Perfect Lighting

CS found this light shop in Damansara Uptown. It's at the other end of AmBank/CIMB (facing the LDP). He was thoroughly impressed with the owner who patiently explained to him everything he wanted to find out about anything in their shop. The variety of lights is so-so. Wall fans and fans were cheaper than most places we saw from other places. If you are looking for bulbs, fans, lights...you can give this place a try. Ask for Michelle and ask away!

I-Precious Collections

My friend, Lydia Yong owns her very own business - providing premium gifts. Check out her website for further information http://www.i-precious.biz/. I've visited her office numeral times, there's quite a nice showcase of paraphernalia to choose from. Lydia is one girl who is sincere, warm, gutsy and responsible! Do give her a call at 012-617-1155 or email Lydia@i-precious.biz to source for premium gifts!

Ecogreen Cafe, Taman Tun Dr Ismail

CS took me to this place a few weeks back. His company had had events there previously and he said the food was quite good (though pricey). The Ecogreen Cafe is located at the Bakti building in Taman Tun (http://ecogreen.com.my/outlets/ecogreen-organic-restaurant-bakti/). Quiet and serene. I was so excited to see the No MSG, No transfat, No this and No that sign. I love (though not necessarily can afford) organic food!

CS had the Oat Curry Chicken with rice

I wanted to be adventurous and the picture of the lui cha on the poster looked so good. Never tried lui cha before, so thought it might a be a good place to start :) It didn't look much, but after going through half of it, I was full! What's more, my jaw was tired of all that chewing. The stuff put in was really healthy! It's an acquired taste with the mint and basil paste though. But I enjoyed it nevertheless. Next time, 2 people can share this :)

Tubing Cutter

Look what CS found - a tubing cutter! What in the world is a tubing cutter, I hear you ask?

If you're like us...always having to rely on contractors to cut our curtain rods...you'll love this. It's a simple DIY tool that can cut tubes (duh!)

Just slide the rod in between the cutter. Tighten the jaw by screwing it down, then twist twist twist.

Voila, your tube is cut!

Note to self: Either this is a fantastic find or we (read CS) are just suckers for cool-looking gizmos!

After Renovation Cleaning

CS and I had constantly been cleaning up after the contractors. It all seemed a bit redundant - to clean and then to have another contractor come to dirty it up. O'well. We kept on at it anyway *clean* *clean* *clean*

After all the contractors were finally done. We looked at the place - all 960 sf of it, and decided that... 

w.e.d.i.d.n.o.t.w.a.n.t.t.o.c.l.e.a.n.a.n.y.m.o.r.e 

We decided that we'd give ourselves a treat and hire professional cleaners who did "post renovation cleaning". I suddenly remembered a friend of ours had a cleaning service company and used to provide these house cleaning services. I'd seen his blog before. 

Found it. 

Oh! Precisely what we were looking for!!! This is what I'm talking about. Since everything was new in the unit, we wanted to make sure the cleaners we hired were of good calibre.

I proceeded to call Oliver of Vision Mission Cleaning. (Incidentally, Oliver is a fellow DUMC-ian ;)) He came back with a date which we agreed with. We then waited excitedly for the unit to be cleaned so that we could move in!

The day finally arrived. They reached our place at about 1.45pm. Oliver himself with 4 ladies. Dressed neatly in their uniforms. Oliver instructed them what to do and off they went. Throughout the 5 hours there were there, their attitude was exemplary. Courteous, polite, smiling, responsive to anything we told them. At the end Oliver asked us to check thoroughly to see if we were happy with everything. If not, let him know so that they can rectify. Top-notch-world-class service! We were SO happy with their work!

Here're some pictures to show :)

 

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

 After

This is the 17th floor mind you!

Cleaning more windows

Cleaning the wall tiles

Cleaning the lights

They mopped the floors 4 times! When they left, it was so squeaky clean. CS and I looked at each other in disbelief - to be able to walk in the unit barefeet!!! We were estatic!!!

Here's his contact. You can mention that you got his number from Shelley :)

He does say on his website though, that they "ain't hourly maids. They are professional"
This will give you a heads up with regards to their fees - as to what you should not expect.

Oliver Ho

Mobile: +6012 376 5497

http://visionmissioncleaning.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Oliver &; team for the G-R-E-A-T and W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L gift! *wink*