JC

Tony, you got a great buy. The Tojiro DP is one of the best-bang-for-the-buck knives out there.

PCL, I agree with your tastes. I was also going to mention Cilantro to GastroChick. I do like the food there better than 3rd Floor. And for Japanese I was also going to say Wasabi Bistro, but you beat me to it. So you're in KL at the moment?

helen, did you manage to try any Kapiti cheese from NZ? Kapiti is a well reputed Kiwi cheesemaker.

PCL, I know that place. Been there for yonks! I like it too. Another worthy contender for the same type of noodles is off Jalan Alor.

Have you gone island hopping in Langkawi? Take one with a lunch stop and for lunch they'll stop at one of the islands where you'll have grilled seafood. Not a fine dining experience but a good travelling experience. As for KL, local food of course is the draw and as you said the mix is eclectic. Go visit a "pasar malam" or night market. There are many about KL, open at different nights. For example: Monday - SS2, Sat - Bangsar, etc. Some nice eating there. Anything in particular you want to try?

PCL, why don't we all try to get together next time you're in KL? Let us know in advance and we can set aside the time.

Thanks NickLam and iii_bake for the tips. Keep em coming. I'll also be in BKK next week, staying around the Sukhumvit Soi 11 area. Gosh, eating there will be a blast.

I think all the better known steak houses have already been mentioned. How about Victoria Station, which is next to Jake's? Say PCL, how is Vlado's in Melbourne? Someone once mentioned to me their steaks were very good.

Nick, Thanks for sharing this recipe. As a Malaysian I'm a fan of chicken rice and I'll be sure to try out your recipe. It's good to also encounter you over at Knifeforums.

And apart from the rojak above (which we normally call Penang rojak) you should also try the mamak rojak (a very different style but delicious in its own way).

TP, you take nice pictures. I've been to Lobsterman only once but I like it. Your pictures make me wanna go again.

Yeah, I was talking about the one in Paramount Garden. Dunno what is the road name, but it's the corner coffee shop.

One of my favourite 'tai chow' places is Ming Kee in SEA Park. It's directly opposite the KFC outlet. TP, thanks for the tips for those places around Paramount Garden. You ever tried the Ah Wah hokkien mee there? Not bad also. Their 'wat tan hor' also looked very good. This BKT place you mentioned, it's a shop by itself or in one of the coffee shops?

Mmmmm.... the spread at Rebung looks great! Must go there to try it.

Like Pan said there are no weather concerns for the west coast of Malaysia around those times. Just that those are holiday seasons, so popular destinations like Penang would be crowded, hotel availability would be less (book far ahead) and room rates are higher.

Boy, am I late for this thread! It's been a hectic 2 weeks for me due to office activities... and dang I had to miss the trip to Kuala Selangor too. It was great meeting our visitor (Krista) and all the other Malaysian egulleteers <is that like musketeers?>. It'll be fun to host Kristin when she comes over. When are you planning your trip here?

I agree with all the various suggestions for the Chinese restaurants above. All tried and tested and considered "safe" for bringing the parents Generally speaking the Chinese restaurants within the hotels tend to have better decor and a more refined atmosphere, as compared to the standalone restaurants. However, being in hotels also means they are commonly "halal" so no pork will be served. Costing will depend entirely on what you order - normally seafood are the premium items. Or you can also order Peking Duck or Suckling Pig to raise the dinner a notch. Ok, for something different but still oriental you can try Eest Restaurant at the Westin Hotel.

I've spoken to someone who first hand had tried monkey brain while in China. So this is not a story about a friend who knew a friend... This person is a well respected individual and he wasn't making it up. He was/is very adventurous though when it comes to food - I'll say that of him.

Thanks for the location. I've a cousin living in that area, will try to look for the gerai/van the next time I visit him. Yeah, hope to meet up with everyone on Aug 31!

Shiewie, Aug 31st sounds good. I'll be around and would be happy to meet up with fellow Malaysian egulleteers.

Hey Tepee, Whereabouts is this fried chicken stall? Mmm... must try it.

Swiss Chef, How much is the Nano Pro in Switzerland, say for a 10" pan?

Roast pig = babi guling. Best places to eat this are in Ubud. In terms of prices, in most of the better cafes and restaurants a main dish would cost about US$3-4. At local places, maybe half that.

Kris, Congrats on the upcoming trip to Bali. I'm sure your family and you will have a blast. I did when I was there last November. Two areas to stay IMO are Legian/Kuta and Ubud. Legian/Kuta is closer to the main town centre and many places for shopping and eating are within walking distance. Ubud is a small town unto itself and is a cultural centre (many resorts and hotels there too. I agree that getting a place with a kitchen would be good but most hotels don't have that facility. I stayed at Club Bali Jayakarta (http://www.clubbali.com/) where our unit did have a small kitchenette. They have 2 bedroom units that'll fit your family. It's also near the beach.

Indulgence is a bit of an anomaly. Imagine a restaurant with KL fine dining prices in Ipoh! I mean they even have wagyu beef on the menu at RM80 per 100 g!! Yet, I hear their business is very good. I was there during Chinese New Year this year and it was packed. Surprising thing was that many of the patrons were the young-ish crowd. Despite the prices, the atmosphere and decor is not like Lafite; it's more casual and similarly the dress code is casual - smart casual.