44 at apw pop-up bar, bangsar

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting this pop up bar to sample some, if not all, of their signature cocktails. Now, I am no expert in alcohol and truth to be told, I have always associated cocktails as a concoction of alcohol and fruits. I had to google what 'spirits' mean (the pop up bar aims to promote American craft spirits brought into SouthEast Asia by Singapore-based company, Liberty Spirits). Having just returned from Germany, where drinking seems to be a national favourite pastime, I owe it to them for introducing me to whiskey and coke which quickly became my go-to drink during my survival from social meltdowns in clubs and bars. I was so ready for this.

Here's a list of what I had (by the order of photos above):

Tasting Flight
Any three spirits and in predictable Trisha fashion, I chose three types of whiskey under the recommendation of the bartender of the night - Outlaw, Roundstone Rye, World's Best Moonshine

Rushmore Thyme
New Deal 33, thyme, lemon juice, egg white and lavender bitters

Weekly Special
Dragonfruit & some yummy stuff'

Darjeeling Jungle Bird
Ragged Mountain Rum, Campari, lime and pineapple juice

Budapest Old Fashioned
Lapseng Sauchong Cactotin Roundstone Rye, orange ginger  sugar and basement bitters

Cascara Bee Sting
7 Stars Moonshine, honey, lemon juice and Ceylon Cascara coffee cherry tea

Who knew with cocktails that bear names like Darjeeling Jungle Bird and Rushmore Thyme (which took the crown for best cocktail in my books) would get me tipsy by the end of the night! Do people even get drunk from drinking cocktails??  I'm a wuss.

On a side note, thought it was brilliant to print name/descriptive cards for each cocktail served on thick card that double serves as coasters too. Always had a soft spot for the company's choice of graphic designer.

Huge thanks to the team at FreeForm for coordinating my visit and enlightening me with the good stuff that is American craft spirits. You know what they say, 'once you go American, everything becomes different.'

Just made that up.

44 at APW

* All shots taken with an iPhone 5s because the author had conveniently left her memory card used for her DSLR in the office as she was making her way down to this event.

T.

photos for thirdwave coffee

Photography and styling by Trisha Toh.

For more, follow @mydearkl on instagram. A 'let us feed you' project by the folks of THIRDWAVE Coffee. 'twas a fun, fun, fun shoot!

T.

cafes of kuala lumpur, two

Did a round-up of what I think are some of KL's best cafes for CafeHopping.Sg and Burpple, both Singapore based, a short while back. I did a guide last year for Burpple and I'm honoured to be asked again this year.

Presented below are a few of my favourite spots with everything organized by the areas they are located. Read away! Opinions are my own.

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Sentul

Coffee in KL is not hard to come by these days but you haven’t tasted good coffee until you’ve been to Three Little Birds. Nestled in the trendy new development – D7, Sentul East, Three Little Birds is a café like no other. Manned by head barista Joey Mah (one third of the three birds), coffee serves justice to his passion for coffee both in the making and roasting. Go behind the scenes by checking out the coffee roasting machine located by the back of the café and have another cup before you leave.

D7, Jalan Sentul, Kuala Lumpur

SS2

Unpretentious and simple, don’t be put off by its humbleness in decoration. Standing Theory is the place to be for the perfect marriage of delicious coffee and hearty food. Don’t get me started with the cakes. The range draws from Red Velvet to Lemon Poppyseed and they are the best versions of classics you can get.

Jalan SS2/103, Petaling Jaya

Bangsar

If you ever find yourself homesick, head to PULP opened by Singapore’s very own Papa Palheta. Follow the genius minds behind Chye Seng Huat and Loysel’s Toy, and fans will rejoice at the location of this invasion. Buy one coffee and go home with a free paper printing education, JACKPOT!

29-01, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur


Damansara Kim

Bakery by day, restaurant by dusk, there is so much story and character at The Kitchen Table. This handsome nook evokes a sense of kinship from the moment one enters through the glass door. Communal tables are necessary and window seats are often quickly booked during the day. This whitewashed facade’s ever-changing menu highlights fresh and local produce, and continues to impress with their simple yet comforting food delivered with finesse.

23, Jalan SS20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya


Damansara Uptown

Fat Spoon cafe has long been Damansara’s favourite cafe for traditional comfort food. Feast on their signature dishes to the likes of ‘Nasi Goreng Ulam’ and Cempedak Spring Rolls, both with a strong cult following. While it’s open for lunch and tea, dinner is when the atmosphere is best.

73 Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur


TTDI (Taman Tun Dr Ismail)

There’s no better vantage point for a coffee trail other than starting at this neighbourhood. In a small streetfront, this hidden gem serves some of the meanest brunch options. Mukha’s extensive menu draws inspirations from the Arabian Peninsula and down under, for prices that can’t be beat. Ogle at the beautiful handwritten menu on the walls of the café and try to resist from ordering everything.

15, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, 60000

Continue down the street and you’ll find yourself dancing to the tunes of Norah Jones ‘Come Away with Me’ on the funky tiles of Quar/tet. Food and music lovers in the know are often found loitering at this young and bustling cafe. The homemade doughnuts and generous serving of side salad will please your pockets. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself reluctant to leave.

21, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 7, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur


Happy Mansion, Seksyen 17

Butter and Beans

Step in through the black painted door and be greeted by a hand-chalked bear named Rupert. Pay close attention to it as it lists out the drinks available for your ordering. Settle down for a seat by the concrete bar and order a salmon quiche when it’s available. Leave room for desserts but don’t expect a Red Velvet by the pastry case.

BG- 1a, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Seksyen 17, Malaysia, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

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And, voila! Feel free to let me know your favourite picks!

T.

yeast boulangerie

I have to admit, social media has gotten the better part of me. Should there be an Olympic Medal in checking your phone for new updates every 5 minutes or so, I would win hands down... and I ain't sorry.

While I was away from the blog-o-sphere of theweekendbrunch, I took the path most travelled and submitted to using Instagram as my sole food-sharing platform. The gastronomic adventure continues, but my old pad did not make the cut. It has been over four months now and I am still adjusting to this new cubbyhole... though, mostly in the kitchen.
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Amidst all the business, I managed to sneak and breathe out dust and stress steam, to inhale the scent of an operational boulangerie in the stylish suburbs of Bangsar.

Yeast Boulangerie, Bistro and Bar has a pretty long attribution for what is simply known as 'The place where everybody goes when Antipodean is full'. Looking back at my last visit, that was exactly how I stumbled Yeast.

Pictured below is my order of Oeuf Poché Bénédictins on Brioche Toast with Smoked Salmon, Béarnaise Sauce and Greens. In other words, I had a plate of poached eggs on French toast with smoked salmon, hollandaise-like sauce, vegetables and a bonus of French attitude. A requisite breakfast choice so much so that the table beside you probably beat you into ordering the same thing first.

As its name implies, Yeast Boulangerie serves an assorted line of fresh breads daily, a tantalizing fare of gourmet French cuisine as a Bistronomy and fine wine over at the Bar à Vin. But really, its probably their motive of serving simple French cuisine at an affordable rate that lures customers in. Besides Antipodean being full, of course.

Yeast Bistronomy, Bangsar

T.

// photos taken with iPhone 4's camera.