Review: Jungle House Bangsar Cafe - "All Things Honey"

“People who love honey are always the sweetest people.”

At Jungle House, it is always a great exploration of the world of honey. This is my first time stepping into Jungle House cafe at Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar and I am amazed by the wide array of honey and honey-related products it houses here. 

The story of Jungle House begins with Paul and Ashley's passion for honey when they embarked on an adventurous trip into the jungles of Garut in West Java, Indonesia. Along the way, they chanced upon a company of indigenous bee hunters who offered them a taste of fresh, jungle honey - so pure, organic, unadulterated, raw honey, flavoured only by the flowers that the honeybees visit for nectar and pollen. 

Hence, Jungle House is established to advocate for the protection and preservation of existing wild honeybee habitats, serve the indigenous beekeeping community as well as inculcate honey culture for daily healthy living in a natural way amongst Malaysians.

Today, Jungle House sells "All Things Honey" including raw honey, honey cakes, honey beverages (coffee, tea and fruit juices), personal care products and gift sets collections. All these natural honey products are available at their retail store, online purchases, and cafes. 

Honey is known as a natural remedy, a superfood - so rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes. Ever thought about how best to consume honey on a daily basis? Try the following:

❤ Direct consume with 1 wooden spoon stirrer 

❤ Mix 30g honey with 250ml water 

❤ Apply honey as your bread or salad topping 

❤ Replace sugar for your coffee and tea 

Jungle House offers more than 10 types of natural nectar honey with different tastes and aromas.

They are mono-floral, raw, pure, natural honey without any addition of artificial flavouring, such as:

❤ Royal Black - Mahoni tree

❤ Royal White - Kiawe flower nectar

❤ Jungle's Heart - Strawberry flower nectar

❤ Yellow Love - Linden flower nectar

❤ Sweettooth - Mango flower nectar

❤ Jungle's Eye - Longan flower nectar

❤ Pink Lady - Cotton flower nectar

❤ Roast Cube - Coffee flower nectar

❤ Citrus Bloom - Orange flower nectar

❤ Fruit Boss - Durian flower nectar

The most recommended ones are Royal Black and Royal White honey, which are very rare and rich in medicinal nutritions. I personally like the Royal Black highly concentrated premium wild jungle honey for its slight bitter taste. 

While you can try out the different honey flavours in store, there are plenty of gift set options available too. Definitely a perfect gift for your parents during this Parents' Day to express your love and gratitude towards them, while taking good care of their health with premium quality honey. 

Taking the appreciation for honey to the next level, the quaint-looking Jungle House Bangsar care offers a wide range of honey-infused food and beverages such as Honeymisu, Russian Honey Cakes, Croffles, Honey Coffee, Tea and Juices all paired with specific types and flavours of honey. 

Freshly Baked Honey Croffle:

Nutella Oreo | Chives Cream Cheese | Chicken Ham Cheese | Croffle with Honey

For the savoury selection, we get to sample some freshly-baked honey croffles which are so crisp at the edge and soft on the inside. Definitely a great option for brunch or afternoon snack if you are around Bangsar area. 

Russian Honey Cake: Berry, Pandan, Chocolate and Original Flavours

What not to be missed here is the signature Russian Honey Cake, a truly one-of-a-kind dessert made up of soft, thin layers of cake infused with the healthy goodness of 100% pure, organic honey. I especially enjoy the fluffy, caramelised, honey cream spread in between the cake layers. Plus, it exudes the goodness of honey as it melts in the mouth.

 

Matcha Garden (matcha with refreshing touch) | Berry's Heart (sweet strawberry paradise) | 

Pine Mojito (fresh pineapple with fragrant mint, lime and honey) | Melaka Love (melting pot of maximum Gula Melaka)

Jungle House's specially curated beverages are something new that is worth checking out for. Bringing us a refreshing twist to the usual fruit cooler, each of the beverages contains different types of honey in it to maintain our immune level at peak and combat the harmful environment. 

So, let's start cultivating a healthy lifestyle through honey with Jungle House!

Enjoy 20% OFF for any non-promotional items including F&B

until 31 August 2022 using my promo code:

FISH20

FISH20

FISH20

Feel free to check our your nearest Jungle House Retail Store:

Queensbay Mall | One Utama Shopping Centre | Pavilion Elite | 

Mid Valley | Bangsar | IOI City Mall | Central i-City | D'Pulze Cyberjaya

Don't forget to follow Jungle House on social media for the latest updates:

Website: junglehouse.com.my

Facebook: fb.com/JungleHouseMY

Instagram: @junglehousemy

#junglehouseMY #rawhoney #honeygoodness #allthingshoney #ilovehoney

#honeyforhealthylifestyles #honeyforlife #naturalhoney #awesomehoney #hivetohome

3rd Anniversary Desserts @ Upperhouse Kitchen & Dessert Bar, Bangsar

It's been a while since I last explored new dessert creations, but I must admit that the recent dessert experience at Upperhouse Kitchen and Dessert Bar is an eye opener to me. I'm sure Upperhouse is no stranger for those who often go for cafe hopping in the popular Bangsar area.

Conveniently tucked along Jalan Telawi, Upperhouse has its own repertoire of a’la carte offerings which range from the well-loved Western dishes to specialty plated desserts and chocolates.

Upperhouse 3rd Year Anniversary Event

Date: 29 June - 12 July 2020

Event Details:

1. 50% OFF all items during the anniversary period.

2. Pre-order with payment for Anniversary Desserts (Childhood and Angry Chef’s Plate)

to enjoy 50% off this treat

Anniversary Desserts

Childhood @ RM65 

Haw Flakes, Ribena Puff, Cotton Candy, Kaya Cream Puff,

Orange Sugar Marshmellow, Vitagen Panna Cotta

First to impress us is the platter of "deconstructed" dessert which is beautifully composed layer by layer (from red to yellow and green) using our childhood favourite ingredients to tell a tale of the good ol' times. 

Served on a marble platter, this enormous serving of dessert can easily feed 3-4 pax (or more!). I personally love the tangy flavours from the raspberry sorbet (red) and passion fruit sorbet (yellow), and they go well with the sweet strawberries, savoury cheese cake cubes and childhood cookies.

Angry Chef’s Plate @ RM45

Flex Chocolate Ganache, Praline, Meringue, Raspberry Basil Ice Cream, Gold Leaf, Yogurt Boba

I am not sure how is the second Signature Anniversary Dessert named after an "angry chef", but to me it looks like a romantic creation of love handled with much care.

Taking the centrestage is a "chocolate nest" filled with heart-shaped chocolates which are adorned with gold leaf, and it is surrounded by swirls of raspberry ice cream to give a pop of red in the platter. Perfectly great for lovebirds, especially on a date night! (Well, that's just my personal interpretation of art)

Choco Cigar @ RM10

Dark Chocolate, Popping Candy, Hazelnut Feuillantine, Chocolate Cake, Hay Ice Cream, Coffee Cream

Other desserts on Upperhouse's menu are equally noteworthy, for instance the thick chocolate stick which looks exactly like a real cigar! Don't be deceived by how it looks; it is a huge surprise once you sink the teeth into this choco cigar. The hidden ingredients in the cigar yield a wonderful synchronicity of taste and texture. Enjoy! 

Hot Food

Salmon Chips @ RM15

Salmon, Truffle Aioli, Cucumber

Of course, Upperhouse is not just a dessert haven but also offers all-day hot food items. We start with a serving of crisp salmon chips dipped with truffle aioli for communal sharing before we indulge in more savoury offerings in the cafe.

Honey Chicken Kale Salad – RM 25 

Kale Salad, Honey Glazed Salad, Cucumber, Capsicum, Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, 

Toasted Walnut, Cranberry, Roasted Sesame Dressing

The salad comes in the nick of time when we need a refreshing kick. Drenched in roasted sesame dressing, the kale salad features a delicious, juicy slab of honey chicken chop which yields perfect sweet-savoury enjoyment on the palate. Every bite is so satisfying and I must say the portion is generous too.

Grilled Chicken Burger @ RM31

Grilled Paprika Chicken, Hash Brown, Onion Jam, Jalapeno, Cheddar, Brioche

What entices all of us with an aromatic whiff from far is the huge grilled chicken burger - I mean, look at the layers of grilled paprika chicken with crisp hash brown, creamy sweet onion jam and cheese, all stacked between the fluffy brioche bun. Definitely a good choice for big eaters. 

Garlic Chilli Aglio Olio @ RM18

Red Chilli, Garlic, Parmesan, Cherry Tomato, Capsicum, Rocket Leaves, Sesame Oil

If you prefer something less meaty, the garlic chilli aglio olio would probably suit your palate as it contains crisp greens delights with an added hint of garlicky spiciness. Simple yet extravagantly flavoured, it is an epitome of soul food. 

Kombucha Float @ RM15

Passionfruit and Mint Kombucha, Yogurt Mousse, Mango Passionfruit Sorbet

As a finale, the kombucha float appears - a zesty scoop of mango passionfruit sorbet sitting pristinely atop the creamy concoction of yogurt mousse and kombucha. I take a sip of this fermented drink and it tastes perfectly smooth and easy to drink like a smoothie. 

If that is not your cup of tea, you can choose from their extensive coffee and juice list where you can pick whatever that suits food (and dessert!) pairing and individual taste.

Verdict:

Upperhouse is a perfect spot for creative desserts and Western-style comfort food. Ideal for small gatherings and parties too. 

Upperhouse Kitchen and Dessert Bar

27-A, Jalan Telawi 3,

59100 Bangsar,

Kuala Lumpur.

Contact: 011-2872 0083

Facebook: fb.com/upperhousebangsarkl

Instagram: @upperhousebangsarkl

Business Hours:

Kitchen:

Sun - Thurs: 11am - 10pm

Fri - Sat: 11am - 11.30pm

Dessert & Bar:

Mon - Fri: 3pm - 10pm

Sat - Sun: 12pm - 10pm

Closed on Wednesdays 

Morelli's Gelato Ice Cream @ Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC)

Speaking of gelato ice cream, I am a happy kid when I see swirls of colorful gelato lining up at the parlour. But finding good ones that suit my tolerance towards sweetness can be tricky.

My recent visit to Bangsar Shopping Centre has brought me to Morelli's Gelato, the first store in Malaysia serving a range of Italian gelato, soft gelato, sorbets, coffees, milkshakes and delicious delicacies to take away.

The staff there is very friendly and chatty, as I then get to know that Morelli is a heritage brand in which the founder's family has been an ice cream maker for the past 100 years.

What I love here is the effort of producing fresh gelato in-store everyday. From the all-time bestselling Vanilla that uses Morelli's trademark 1907 family recipe, to the refreshing Coconut, Lemon and Fresh Mint, I think the choices available are pretty wide. 

But it is the Pistachio flavour that is a show stopper.

Morelli's gelato is milk-based rather than creamy-based, so it tastes less heavy on the mouth, hence easier to digest and not too filling. I love how it allows me to indulge in the creamy goodness without guilt as it contains much less fat than many mass produced ice creams.

Bestseller: Pistachio

Pistachio here is sourced from Bronte, a small village perched on the side of Mount Etna in Sicily, and famous for its premium pistachios. As I am a nutty lover, this is definitely my personal favourite because I get to taste the bold flavour of roasted pistachio taste. So intense yet well-balanced.

 New York Cheesecake

Cheese lovers will appreciate this gooey cheesecake gelato. It is literally a decadent slice of New York cheesecake, baked fresh and then transformed into extra milky gelato. Not too heavy or rich; and may be a little mild for real cheese fans.

 

There are plenty of toppings to choose from! 

RM10.60 per scoop / RM15.90 for double scoops
 Thanks to the awesome staff, I got a slice of Morelli's cookie for free ❤

For the health-conscious, the soft gelato and frozen yoghurt here are equally great especially when the creamy consistency is just right even when they contain less fat. I'd certainly be back to try them out!

Ambiance wise, the open-concept kiosk boasts a spacious seating area with sofa and quirky purple seats. I think it is great whether you just want to grab and go, or sit down for a cup of coffee while indulging into gelato ice creams.

Verdict:
1. Definitely a healthier option when it comes to milk-based gelato.

2. Flavour wise, they are all very intense in natural taste, without being overly sweet or heavy to me.

3. Recommended: Pistachio Gelato

Ground Floor 
(Next to Coffee Bean Tea Leaf)

Bangsar Shopping Center,
285 Jalan Maarof,
Bukit Bandaraya,
59000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-2282 0455
Email: morellisgelatobsc@gmail.com
Website: www.morellisgelato.com
Facebook: fb.com/morellisgelatomalaysia

[CONCERT] JOURNEY is Coming to Malaysia in February 2017!

Hey rock and roll fans! Are you ready to rock out at Journey’s concert?

In celebration of Journey Live in Malaysia concert this February 2017, I am glad to be invited to the pre-concert party where the local independent rock band, Soul Statue transports us back in time with Journey’s greatest hits as well as other rock favourites.

Well, if you are in your 30s to 40s, I am sure you have heard of Journey! Formed in San Francisco, Journey is one of the most popular American rock bands, creating some of the best-known songs in modern music. Since 1973, the band has earned 19 Top 40 Singles and 25 Gold and Platinum albums.

It is a great achievement for this pioneer of the arena of rock music to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017, one of the most prestigious accolades in the music industry.

The pre-concert party is a fun night of music, drinks and trivia where the band relives the great rock and roll era. Love the cool vibes and good food at Rock Bottom Kitchen + Bar Bangsar which ends my evening well!

The local band here is playing the songs like the 5 members of Journey -- Neal Schon (Lead guitar and backing vocals), Ross Valory (Base guitar and backing vocal), Jonathan Cain (Keyboard, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Steve Smith (Drums) and Arnel Pineda (Lead vocals).

Some of the hit songs are “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Any Way You Want It”, “Open Arms”, “Faithfully”, “Only The Young”, “Lights” and more. If you love rock n’ roll, don’t miss the chance to meet them in person and enjoy their live performance this coming 11 February 2017!

Also, during the pre-concert party, loads of amazing prizes are given away including tickets to Journey's concert!

Special thanks to IMC Live Group for the pair of Rock Zone tickets, I will see you guys at Journey's Concert!

To follow Journey’s latest updates, kindly visit www.journeymusic.com.

The 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee: JOURNEY

Date: 11 February 2017, Saturday

Venue: Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam

Time: 8.30pm till late

Prices: VIP RM520 / Rock Zone RM480 / PS1 RM430 / PS2 RM290 / PS3 RM140

(excluding RM4 processing fee)

Ticketing Hotline: 603-9222 8811

Online Booking: www.ticketcharge.com.my

♥ TicketCharge Outlets:

- Victoria Music Centre

- Neway Karaoke Box

- Chambers Music

- Eden Ultimate

- Rock Corner

- PJ Live Arts

- 1Shamelin

- The Mines

- Speedy

The Journey continues. Don’t stop believin’. ❤

Journey’s concert is specially brought to you by IMC Live Group in association with East West Best, Inc.

For more information about IMC Live Group, please visit:

Official Weibo Account: @IMCLiveGroup

Official WeChat Account: IMCLiveGroup

Official Instagram Account: @IMCLiveGroup

Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/imclivegroup

Official Website: www.imclive-group.com

Good Coffee Day 2.0 : Early Christmas Celebration at Pantai Sentral Park

Hohoho...Christmas came early at Pantai Sentral Park during IJM Land's Good Coffee Day 2.0 last weekend. It was the time of the year again where friends and families gathered and enjoyed a series of coffee-centric activities amidst the vibrant Christmasy atmosphere.

The vibes were extra fun when ICE Gallery in Pantai Sentral Park was decked out in Yuletide joy in the form of a Candy House, so sweet and beautiful!

Well, the Good Coffee Day was, of course, all about coffee! The highlight of the day was the exclusive Fundamentals of Coffee workshop by Daniel Liew, the founder and Academic Director of Barista Guild Asia (BGA). He is one of the handful of globally certified trainers with the prestigious Authorised Specialty Coffee Association of Europe in Malaysia.

The detailed process from bean to cup was explained, for instance how coffee is grown, cultivated, harvested, processed, roasted and brewed. Then it was followed by the sharing session of brewing basics which I found it interesting for coffee connoisseurs.

It was indeed an educational session with personalized guidance from the coffee expert himself.

Thanks to Coffex Coffee, we managed to sip on freshly brewed coffee during the fun-filled event. For those who preferred cold brewed coffee, coffee2GO offered a couple of signature coffee, green tea etc as thirst quenchers.

Signature Coffee and Premium Green Tea from coffee2GO

Rich and aromatic coffee like this should go with delicious food to complete our afternoon tea break there. We had little nibbles such as Homemade nougat by Eva's Homemade Nougat which came in various flavours including Coffee, as well as Christmas pastries by Harold's Academy.

But I personally preferred something warm and crisp, so I tried the Japanese waffle by Grid & Go. In case if you are interested, they have an outlet at 1Utama Shopping Centre, in front of GSC Cinema. My favourite was the Caramel Mochi Waffle -- so crisp outside, slightly chewy inside with delicious fluffy texture.

The sweet treats didn't just end there. We also had several uniquely flavoured cakes, fudge brownies and cream puffs by Coffee Jeans & Co. So sinful yet irresistible! 

And also fruity ice cream potong by Sketcher Fruit Ice Cream.

Next..how can we enjoy coffee without proper mugs? There we were impressed with the mugs pottery by Kaleidos Art Tune -- Imagine how mugs and handles were skillfully crafted out of clay, the artwork was so delicate.

Also fitted perfectly into the Coffee theme, we had a try on the all-natural, handcrafted cacao and coffee organic body scrub by Fawn Beauty Co. Do you know coffee is rich in antioxidants? Not only it nourishes the skin, but also smells superb!

Just as we thought coffee and dessert were great arts, we were surprised by the great artwork of creative Coffee Caricature by the young, beautiful artist Vivian Lees. All she used were brushes, coffee and water!

Within minutes, she could just draw anything as lively as you wished. And the resulting painting smelt like coffee! Thanks for this special gift, talented Vivian.

As it is the season to be merry, the appearance of Santa Claus and Santarina had spread good cheer to the crowd. Everyone was busy talking photos with them after getting their share of cute candy cane.

While the activities were ongoing at ICE Gallery, we had the opportunity to step into Secoya Residences’ showroom to check out our potential new home at Pantai Sentral Park.

I am sure that IJM Land needs no further introduction. But if you do not already know, Pantai Sentral Park (www.pantaisentralpark.com) is a 58-acre integrated city development with 7 residential phases and 6 commercial phases to be completed within 10 to 15 years.

Dubbed as Kuala Lumpur’s one and only urban forest city, this mega development project by Malaysia’s top premium property developer focuses on "People. Planet. Priority.", where the edgy buildings will be surrounded by lush greenery, achieving tranquil living in the heart of the city. 

To date, the first two residential blocks – 38-storey Inwood Residences and 41-storey Secoya Residences have been launched. The above model is Secoya Residences, complete with Rainforest Garden, Fym, Lifestyle Pavilions, Infinity Edge Swimming Pool, Sunken Sundeck, Saunas, Games Room, Basketball Court and many more. 

The living spaces inside Secoya Residences are filled with ample amounts of sunlight, natural ventilation and most importantly, beautiful prime view of the city. The size ranges from 1,050 sqft to 1,670 sqft, making it ideal for individuals, couples and families.

Although this project is expected to complete in 2019, the units are already selling like hot cakes. I am pretty sure that many people would love the urban forest setting concept where we co-exist with nature. Plus, this area is directly connected to the NPE highway, allowing a convenient access to the City Centre, Bangsar and Sunway.

For more information about IJM Land / Pantai Sentral Park, don't forget to visit:

Website: www.ijmland.com / www.pantaisentralpark.com

Facebook: fb.com/ijmland / fb.com/pantaisentralpark