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ảảU> t >>ẽả> -ẫg ầ\  *ẫL>  Ư ẳ \ gég 1 >> ẫ>>á \ ->àá HZ QJ I W QL V L /D PD UH THE LAGUNA LANGKAWI FOR SALE LUXURY FREEHOLD APARTMENTS FROM RM615,000 Email: sales@lagunalangkawi.info Tel: +604 953 3108 / +6012468 1980 Web: www.lagunalangkawi.info The Laguna, 2000 Jalan Kuala Muda, Mukim Padang Matsirat, 07100 Langkawi, Malaysia 'LQLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ P67-81 D I N I N G • S H O P P I N G • S E R V I C E S There are hundreds of companies across Malaysia that have specifically selected their products or services with expats in mind We’ve found some of the very best of these restaurants, bars, shops, and services putting in the effort so that you don’t have to! PULLMAN KLCC Find the b est plac es to eat and drink in KL , visit e atdrink.my I ndep endent restaurant rev ie ws THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 67 'LQLQJ 3URPRV 'LQLQJ more information at ExpatGo.com / EatDrink.my Sofitel Damansara Kuala Lumpur: C’est La Vie Champagne Brunch End your weekend on a high note with a fabulous Sunday champagne brunch at Sofitel Damansara’s vibrant open kitchen concept restaurant, Kwee Zeen Spoil yourself with their succulent fresh seafood selections, salads, cold cuts, and sashimi appetizers Then move on to the buffet spread featuring international and local favourites such as beautifully crafted dim sum, carvings stations of slow roasted Angus beef and chicken, deliciously spice-laden Indian and Malay curries and gulai, as well as made-to-order pastas of your choice Desserts are plentiful with a large assortment of cakes, pastries and ice cream, and the cheese selection boasts more than 10 different French cheeses to choose from C’est La Vie brunch is every Sunday from 12.30pm to 4.00pm, priced at RM188.00 nett per adult inclusive of soft beverages and RM388.00 nett per adult inclusive of free flow Veuve Clicquot champagne Children between the ages of seven to 12 dine at 50% off adult price, and children aged six years and below dine for free Available at Kwee Zeen, Sofitel Damansara Kuala Lumpur from 17 February 2019 onwards To make your reservations, call +603.2720 6688 One World Hotel Petaling Jaya: Surf and Turf at Cinnamon Coffee House Cinnamon Coffee House now spices up its buffet spread with its latest promotion, featuring an excellent combo of land and sea Diners can feast to their hearts’ content on a smorgasbord of premium crustacean on ice and scrumptious offerings such as baked fish and smoked duck with mango salsa salad, miso crusted roast beef striploin with black pepper sauce, Mediterranean baked seafood with light coconut cream sauce, baked lamb shoulder with light percik sauce, beef rendang lasagna, and wok fried butter prawns with golden garlic and pumpkin sauce to name a few Desserts include notable favourites such as apple and mango crumble, lychee and cinnamon verrine, orange crème caramel, red bean and sago pudding, lemon opera cake, and azuki matcha éclair, raspberry tart, and dragon fruit agaragar The Surf and Turf promotion is priced at RM128.00 nett per adult and RM64.00 nett per child aged – 12 years Available at Cinnamon Coffee House, One World Hotel Petaling Jaya from – 31 March 2019 For reservations, call +603.7681 1157 Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre: Weekend Dim Sum Brunch Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur: Lemon Garden Pullman KLCC’s stylish Chinese restaurant, Red, invites you to spoil yourself at their dim sum brunch with over 60 varieties of handcrafted dim sum and desserts Savour exquisite dim sum selections prepared la minute with friends and family surrounded by Red’s glamorous interior Dim sum Chef Jeffrey Kwan’s masterful craftsmanship explores the art of dim sum making by fusing unique elements while preserving traditional must-haves, such as siew mai (chicken and prawn dumpling) and har gow (prawn dumpling) Enjoy your dim sum choices steamed, baked, or deep-fried, as well as indulging in special entrées Priced at RM88 nett per adult, the weekend dim sum brunch is available from 11am to 2:30pm, every Saturday and Sunday Vegetarian options are also available, while the menu is porkfree Available at Red Chinese Cuisine, Pullman KLCC until 31 March 2019 For reservations, call +603.2170 8888 Shangri-La KL’s international and indulgent buffet restaurant, Lemon Garden, is celebrating its second anniversary with a generous dining promotion For every full paying adult diner, a second accompanying guest dines at 50% off Well known for their sensational theatre kitchens, the restaurant features an array of tantalizing local and international dishes prepared while you watch Choose from the seafood station, Asian theatre kitchen, Western theatre kitchen, sizeable salad bar, and lavish dessert pavilion Buffet lunch is priced at RM140 nett per adult from Monday to Friday, and buffet dinner is priced at RM170 nett per adult from Sunday to Thursday This special offer will run from 20 February until 31 March 2019 Available at Lemon Garden, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur For reservations, call +603.2074 3900 THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 69 'LQLQJ STAY & DINE IN AN OASIS IN KUALA LUMPUR CITY Visit OakwoodAsia.com to find out more! Pamper yourself with a stay in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, close to the city yet away from the hustle and bustle of the Golden Triangle Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur provides a more spacious option as we have apartments that are perfect for families Complemented by a full suite of services such as TrEat Restaurant & Bar, The Fitness Center by Oakwood, five meeting rooms, pool and self-service laundrette 115/1, Kapil Towers, IT Park, Nanakramguda, 500032, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India T: +91-40-6635 9999 | F: +91-40-6635 9900 E: general.orkh@oakwoodasia.com | OakwoodAsia.com/Hyderabad | @oakwoodresidencehyd AUSTRALIA | CHINA | INDIA | INDONESIA | JAPAN | MALAYSIA | SINGAPORE | SOUTH KOREA | THAILAND | VIETNAM 222, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: +60-3-2720 3888 | F: +60-3-2720 3999 E: general.residence-kualalumpur@oakwood.com OakwoodAsia.com/KualaLumpur 70 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM 'LQLQJ Contemporary Indian Cuisine TEXT AND PHOTOS BY CHAD MERCHANT DAMANSARA HEIGHTS HAS no shortage of appealing restaurants and draws hungry crowds from around the neighbourhood and beyond One of the best we’ve found here is the charming modern Indian restaurant called Gin Rik Sha It’s not really fusion in the strictest sense… probably the best way to think of it is eclectic, contemporary cuisine with an Indian twist We reviewed the restaurant just under a year ago and figured that not too much would have changed in the interim We couldn’t have been more wrong, as Gin Rik Sha now boasts a gorgeous, stylish redesign that absolutely amazed us, and that’s exactly what kicks off some of our favourite reasons to visit this delightful eatery Apart from food and service, the other key pillar that contributes to a restaurant’s success (or not) is its ambiance With a recently completed refurbishment from top to bottom, Gin Rik Sha hits this one out of the park This is a lovely, appealing space, striking all the right notes of colour, texture, lighting, and design Whether you sit indoors in one of the stylish, contemporary chairs or take your seat al fresco, Gin Rik Sha really couldn’t be any more inviting Another reason to visit is the cocktails Some restaurants have a bar as an afterthought Some bars serve food and call themselves a restaurant At Gin Rik Sha, though, it really is a restaurant and bar package deal The cocktails that are handcrafted to order here aren’t just creative and refreshing, many of them are specifically made to complement the cuisine Remember how we said the food here was eclectic with an Indian twist? Much the same could be said for the drinks The judicious and creative use of various spices and ingredients will tantalise your tongue and serve as a perfect foil to what really must be the best reason to visit Gin Rik Sha, which is its contemporary cuisine Simply put, we loved the food here Inspired by Asian ingredients, often drawing – either subtly or boldly – on those magnificent Indian flavours, the cuisine at Gin Rik Sha is never boring On our latest visit, we were treated as guinea pigs, sort of sampling and testing brand-new creations for the revamped menu – so new they haven’t yet been formally added Everything we had was delicious Despite the flair of the revised menu on the way, there are a handful of dishes that are so popular the owners dare not try to take them off the menu One of them is the Banana Leaf Baked Sea Bass (RM36), which understandably remains a firm favourite with Gin Rik Sha’s crowd of regulars The baked fish, served en croute in paper, is served on a banana leaf and complemented by perfectly cooked basmati rice and a delectable brinjal sambal If you can’t decide on a dish from among all the new temptations, we recommend sticking with this tried-and-true favourite With its winsome, inviting décor and appealing ambiance, a fantastic value-for-money menu brimming with innovative takes on Indian cuisine, and a range of creative Location & Details Gin Rik Sha 37, Ground Floor, Plaza Damansara Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara Kuala Lumpur Tel: +6010.243 8266 Opening Hours: Daily 4:30pm – 12am Find the b est plac es to eat and drink in KL , visit e atdrink.my I ndep endent restaurant rev ie ws THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 71 'LQLQJ 7+(&$%,1(7 %$1*6$5 #WKHBFRQQRLVVHXUVBFDELQHW _     $ /RURQJ 0DDURI %DQJVDU 3DUN %DQJVDU  XDOD /XPSXU 72 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM 'LQLQJ Knowhere to Go TEXT BY JONATHAN DI ROLLO KNOWING WHERE TO go for something different to eat and drink in Kuala Lumpur can be challenging Finding good information on new places to try out, or spend an evening means you need to be ‘in the know.’ Speaking of getting in the know, a great new place that’s popped up is Knowhere Bar and Eatery, just off Jalan Maarof in Bangsar Founder, owner, and manager Shalini’s inspiration for this new eatery comes from her love of Marvel Comics Knowhere is a makeshift port of call and observatory at the end of the Universe that houses a bar You don’t need to be an avid comics fan to enjoy this place Inside, the decor consists of delightfully painted sci-fi themed wall paintings with key holes to look through The ceiling is covered in tiny lights resembling the stars at night Prop up at the bar, sit at one of the comfortable big tables, or you can also lounge outside to enjoy the warm breeze The food menu is down to earth If you go along with a group of friends you can try out one or more of the wide selection of sharing platters; charcuterie, seafood platter or cheese board Imaginatively created tapas include ‘flightless wings’ and lime cured beef tongue, great sautéed mushrooms with smoked plume and plum, and smoked duck with onion marmalade and mango sauce Try the duck confit pizza or flank steak Rueben sandwich if you are a meat lover There’s also a selection of burgers that include the ‘un-quarter pounder’ and a vege burger If you prefer fish, there is a meaty sized portion of their fish of the day, or the tender calamari There’s also a great selection of pastas and pizzas to cater to all tastes, and all sauces and jams served with each dish are home made The cocktail list is imaginative, in name, presentation and taste Try a Whisky Marmalade Sour including homemade orange lavender and topped with whisked egg white Let your taste buds run riot with a Creamy Orgasm; vodka and homemade kopi served in a delightful long glass If that doesn’t get you in the mood for the evening then try some of the high quality selections of gin like Monkey 47, rums or Snow Leopard Vodka Finish off with one (or more) of the Japanese single malt whiskies, or go for the Scotch or American whiskies that range right up to the top of quality and price range Don’t forget to check the promotional prices during happy hour, and ladies night is every Wednesday An advance reservation is necessary to avoid disappointment as this place gets full fast You can find them on The Entertainer App, too, for extra discounts Seeing as Knowhere is relatively newly opened, they’re far from being complacent and are always working on evolving their menu and cocktail selection So drop in and take a look whilst you’re in the Bangsar area You’ll know when you’ve been to Knowhere Location & Details Knowhere Bangsar 50, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +6010.220 2358 Opening Hours: 4pm – 2pm daily Find the b est plac es to eat and drink in KL , visit e atdrink.my I ndep endent restaurant rev ie ws THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 73 'LQLQJ6HUYLFHV 74 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM 'LQLQJ Sausage KL: Bangers and More TEXT BY BILL COOPER HAVING JUST RETURNED from the UK still nursing a craving for tastes of home, I had the fantastic opportunity right here in KL to enjoy some delicious, genuine British bangers Sausage KL provides not only the finest handmade sausages ever but also amazing Scotch eggs with black pudding and lovely thick-cut bacon Matt, who hails from England, and his charming wife Nova, who is from Indonesia, take great pride in their handmade products, making sure that only natural ingredients are used The home-made sausages hardly contain any fillers, have no preservatives and chemicals, and are gluten-free, giving the final prouct a very rustic farm-totable taste I have to say that the sausages made here are definitely up there with the best authentic British ones Matt is still very much in touch with his English roots, and I take my hat off to him for bringing a slice of home to Malaysia Lincolnshire, Italian, cajun, and bratwurst Specialty flavours such as jalapeño and cheese are also available, while classic favorites like chicken and pork sausages are still on offer purchase Though the products are free of preservatives, they remain full of flavor even after freezing Be sure to also try their amazing chicken nuggets, sold by the kilo Their latest addition is the black pudding As a Scotsman, I can attest that this delicacy is not the easiest product to make, but Matt seems confident to have gotten it right “It’s an acquired taste for many,” he says, “but so far the feedback is promising.” I share his sentiments! Home delivery is also available at a small charge I really personally recommend a visit to Sausage KL It is a great comfort to know that we can now have the best English sausages and more Nothing but home-made goodness! Their café is welcoming with an extensive menu: proudly showcasing a full English breakfast with sides of the thick cuts of bacon, the famous homemade sausages, tomatoes just the way you like them, glorious hash browns, necessary fried eggs, beans and toast The black pudding is extra should you be in the mood for exploring a proper English serving As Matt says, “Our young child eats our products and we as parents are concerned what we feed her.” I also personally recommend their sausage rolls also deliciously homemade Simple, yet delicious! Might I also add, they go really great with a drop of good old HP57 brown sauce They have expanded their range of available sausages to include These, along with Sausage KL’s other products, are also ready for online Location & Details Sausage KL G5 Holiday Place Hotel, Jalan Ampang, Taman U-Thant, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Tel: +6017.605 6457 / +6017.343 3097 Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm (Tues-Fri), 9.30 am - 3pm (Sat-Sun), Closed on Monday Find the b est plac es to eat and drink in KL , visit e atdrink.my I ndep endent restaurant rev ie ws THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 75 6HUYLFHV Bangsar Staycation Elevated above the bustle of Bangsar, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan districts, Alila Bangsar is a modern urban retreat that fuses a haven of relaxation with a lively city vibe INCLUSION • Buffet breakfast for two at Entier • Unlimited Alila Living room experience with refreshments • Unlimited return chauffeur service to KL Sentral, Bangsar Village and Mid Valley City • 24-hour gym facilities • Personalised check-in at Alila Living Room • Unlimited instant online access to newspapers and magazines • Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access • Steps away from the Bangsar LRT station FROM MYR350+ PER NIGHT Relax in our guest room and enrich your stay in Bangsar by experiencing the local sights, traditions and culture Rate includes unlimited Alila Living Room service, 24- hour gym access and more INCLUSION • Rates are denoted in Malaysian Ringgit and are subject to prevailing government tax • Chauffeur service is from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm daily • Promotional blackout periods may apply • Reservations are subjected to availability • Credentials are required upon check-in BOOK NOW t +60 2268 3888 76 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM e bangsar@alilahotels.com alilabangsar www.alilahotels.com/bangsar 6HUYLFHV Your Storage Solution in Malaysia IT’S A FAMILIAR PATTERN As time goes by, expats – like everyone else – tend to accumulate things, even if they’re specifically trying not to In Malaysia, the problem is compounded because most houses and condos don’t typically come with lots of dedicated storage space So you can either buy wardrobes and fill your rooms with those, or what more and more people are doing by considering external storage solutions Long ago, expats in Malaysia really didn’t have many options when it came to offsite storage, but that’s all changed in recent years Today, clean, modern, and affordable solutions are now close at hand A particularly good choice is the aptly named Extra Space Asia, a one-stop self-storage solution that’s safe, secure, and convenient for anyone looking for a little… well, extra space! The facilities at Extra Space Asia are a safe and secure place for your goods, boasting comprehensive, state-of-theart security systems First, there’s a PIN code access system that ensures each individual has his or her own unique code to enter the facility This system is linked to their individual storage alarm system too, for added safety What’s more, every access is recorded into the system log, so the team at Extra Space Asia can tell at a glance who is coming and going… and when Apart from the facility’s PIN-based access system, additional security is provided by the 24/7 CCTV system, which has a network of cameras located throughout the storage facility The CCTVs record all movement within the facilities, ensuring topnotch security 24/7 Naturally, all this security technology is bolstered by real-life human security, too, with round-the-clock security patrols and personnel located on site 24/7 At Extra Space Asia, you use your own padlock and key This ensures that only you can access your personal storage unit Extra Space Asia does not keep an additional key, so you have the peace of mind of knowing that nobody else can get into your storage unit besides you or people who you authorise Apart from outstanding security, another added benefit of offsite storage solutions is climate-controlled protection for your goods Let’s face it, Malaysia’s tropical climate can be difficult for many things, from fine furniture to archived documents – the relentless heat and humidity can really take a toll over time At Extra Space Asia, both their non-aircon storage units and air-conditioned storage units are well-lit and clean The facility’s cleanliness is important, as this helps reduce the chance of pests, so Extra Space Asia maintains this on a daily basis, and staff conduct checks on a regular basis to ensure that all common areas of the facility are secure, well-lit, and clean So, if your home away from home is getting a little more cluttered than you’d like, or if you need secure, climate-controlled offsite storage for your important things, it may be time to consider a new storage solution As they say at Extra Space Asia, their storage solutions help you “make room for bigger possibilities!” extraspace.my THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 77 6HUYLFHV Regency Tower: Available for Rent AT REGENCY TOWER, single-owned and low-density luxurious living is available at a prestigious address right in the middle of KL’s most desirable area, Bukit Ceylon Here, space and exclusivity are assured as each floor is limited to four spacious corner units, each measuring a generous 2,240 sq ft in size Units come with three en-suite bedrooms, one bathroom, one guest washroom, and one storeroom with a refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, microwave oven, and curtains and sheers, as well as teakwood flooring, concealed split air-conditioning, and attractive light fixtures Bedrooms feature en suite bathrooms and built-in wardrobes, while kitchens are complete with cabinets, gas hob, cooker hood, and built-in oven, along with a hot water system to the kitchen and bathrooms READY FOR YOU TO MOVE IN Offering reasonable housing rates with a fantastic, convenient location in the heart of KL, Regency Tower’s partly furnished units are equipped Residents enjoy reserved parking with 24-hour CCTV for added safety The full-facilities complex is also equipped with an inviting swimming pool, newly upgraded BBQ area and pool deck, tennis and squash court, function room, gymnasium, trampoline, a children’s playroom, and playground WiFi is available at children’s playroom area Concierge, dry cleaning, and laundry services are available on call basis, and 78 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM tastefully refurbished, ready-to-movein units are available, either partly or fully furnished Bukit Ceylon is just a short, easy stroll to restaurants and bars at Changkat Bukit Bintang and some of the country’s finest shopping malls are nearby, including Pavilion, Starhill Gallery, Lot 10, Fahrenheit 88, Berjaya Times Square, IKEA, MidValley MegaMall, and The Gardens Feel free to contact us anytime to schedule for a viewing @ 03-2078 8888 or WhatsApp @ 6019-2060828 Regency Tower No Jalan Ceylon, 50200 KL Email: simmay@keckseng.org 6HUYLFHV Visiting the UK and How to Save on Train Travel VISITORS TO THE UK may not know that you can save money on UK train fares by buying split tickets This means buying more than one ticket for a single journey, but it does not require you to change trains or even get off the train You just have more than one ticket for the ride Apparently, as a result of several different companies operating the UK rail network, the fare system has become rather complex While you can save money by avoiding peak travelling times, you can also save money by buying more than one ticket for your journey One website which helps you this is faresave.co.uk You pick up all the required tickets before starting your journey, so it makes no difference to the trip itself It just means you spend less money on the train journey You book and pay online using your credit card and then receive a code and collect your tickets at the station of your choice Apparently, around 70% of train travel would be cheaper if you used split ticketing instead of a single ticket purchase You can save around a quarter of the train fare, so it’s definitely worth the effort Check out the video ad for this service at https://youtu.be/wZLEHGo-Nd0 THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM • 79 6HUYLFHV Malaysia My Second Home Programme THE MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME (MM2H) programme has proven to be a popular initiative by the Malaysian government Launched in 2002, the programme has attracted people from all over the world with China, Japan, Bangladesh, and the UK topping the list of nations whose citizens have been approved under the programme Altogether, some 35,000 applications have been approved since the MM2H programme started The government has not promoted the programme all that heavily, so people often hear about it through word of mouth It is primarily aimed at people who want to retire to Malaysia, as employment in the country is not encouraged under the programme, although it is possible to work for a local company for up to 20 hours a week with approval Applicants must show a monthly income in excess of RM10,000 (equivalent in foreign currency) and show liquid assets in excess of RM350,000 (RM500,000 if aged under 50) Upon approval, visa holders must place a fixed deposit in a local bank of RM150,000 (RM300,000 if under 50) Many people are attracted by the low cost of living, warm weather, friendly people, great food, and the fact the Malaysian government does not tax overseas income Upon approval, MM2H applicants receive a 10-year visa which is renewable 80 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM There is no requirement under MM2H to buy property in Malaysia or indeed even to relocate here In fact, some applicants from troubled countries only apply so they have a place to move to should an urgent need arise It should be noted that, due to some some admistrative changes in the government and a shifting of responsibilities between departments, there is as of early 2019 a backlog of MM2H applications, and it is unclear how long this will impact processing and approval times ... advise on the best path for the economy and suggest ways to strengthen the economy and ensure it moves in the right direction They are also tasked with addressing the public’s concerns like the rising... to remind 18 • THE EXPAT EXPATGO.COM people of their place in society, i.e., the relationship between the ruler and his subjects And it begins by evoking the spirit of Alexander the Great (Iskandar... wrongly, the message seems to be almost the opposite these days We have heard stories about expats having unexpected trouble with work permits, and while this is admittedly ‘grandmother research’