THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT LAPISAN PATISSERIE

The main reason I stopped by at Lapisan Patisserie in Midvalley Mall because I saw the poster which stated: buy any cake/pastry and get a free drink of coffee and tea. The grace period was from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., I think.

I did not waste any time and hopped in, and especially when there were many empty seats inside.

I had Mango Maritozzo [soft bun with mango cream filling] and a cup of hot Latte. I had to pay only RM12.05. The food and drink were good and the price was reasonable and I would be coming back to try other cakes/pastries on the shelves.

IF YOU CANNOT GO TO TANJUNG PIAI, TANJUNG PIAI WILL COME TO YOU

The popular original branch of Kopi Tenggek was in Tanjung Piai, Pontian. Nevertheless, one doesn't have to travel far to get the food and drinks from that place as there was a branch located in Larkin.

I visited the one in Tanjung Piai in May 2024 but it was for breakfast. [READ HERE]

My friend and I were there for our late lunch at about 2:45 p.m. and only a few tables were taken.

The place was spacious and it had an open concept as diners would not be confined by the four walls.

I had this rice which was like Nasi Arab while my gastronomic adventure buddy opted for fried rice. For one thing, the portion was big and the fried chicken was also bigger than the regular one sold in restaurants.

Guess I have to come back to this place to try the other items on its menu soon.

SPOT THE ERROR 237

❌CRULY FRIES

✅ CURLY FRIES

❌ NACHOS BEEF CHEESE

✅ CHEESY BEEF NACHOS

❌ CHICKEN FRIED FINGERS

✅ FRIED CHICKEN FINGERS

❌ SMAILEY

✅ SMILEY

THE IMPROMPTU EARLY SUPPER WITH AN EX-STUDENT

I was notified by Mr. Radin Mohd. Hafiz at about 8:15 p.m. that he was at the mosque nearby. I quickly decided to meet him over early supper at a Mamak restaurant which was a stone's throw away from home.

He is an alumni of SMK Taman Universiti [SPM batch 2002, I think] and now working and residing in Ipoh. He is back in Johor Bahru, visiting his family during the long weekends.

The last time we met was in June last year [READ HERE]. It was kind of him to still contact me although at the eleventh hour and it was a pleasure to meet him again after a long time.

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN BENUT, PONTIAN

   9TH AUGUST 2026    ~ The gastronomic adventure today took place a bit further, in Benut, Pontian. The eating place was located in a village area, in the compound of someone's house actually.

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One could choose to sit either in the open area under the trees or the shelter of the zink/canvas tents.

Even though it was situated further away from the city, this place was popular by looking at the number of diners when we were there. We arrived quite late for lunch at about 3:00 p.m. but there were others who came even later than us.

The signature cuisine: Cendol. Since we had travelled quite far, so we opted for the most expensive one: Blackthorn Durian Cendol.

My friend had Nasi Ayam Penyet while I chose the Barramundi fish. Unfortunately, the sambal [mashed chili] of the dish did not taste like the original version and I was somewhat confused whether I had got the correct order.

We were glad we went there, and this was our first gastronomic adventure in Pontian. We should be looking for other places in this district for our next trip.

THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PASIR GUDANG

Puan Norhamiza, a staff of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, and I went to Universiti Teknologi Mara [UiTM] Pasir Gudang. The reason was to discuss with the officers for the upcoming Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak [Children's Welfare Group] with the university's Islamic Centre this October.

The discussion was a brief one and then we went to see the venue where the programme will be carried out.

I finally set foot in the campus of UiTM Pasir Gudang which was not far away from home. Hopefully things will go smoothly according to plan and I will be back in October.

THE UPM TESL POST WEDDING RECEPTION MINI REUNION AT QBISTRO DAMANSARA

8TH AUGUST 2026 ~ After attending the wedding the night before, a mini reunion with a few people of UPM TESL Class of 1993 was held. The chosen venue was QBistro Restaurant in Damansara, located at Lotus's Damansara.

The participants of the gathering were seven old friends and three of their spouses.

It was only a short stay at the rebranded Mamak. Four of them had to make their way home to Kuantan right after [the shopping slot at the mall next door]. Guess I will have to wait for another wedding so that I could meet them again after this.