[FOOD REVIEW] Makan Place, Taman Molek, JB

When I tell people I am a vegetarian, they often say ''That must be so challenging for you!''

Well, I have to say, eating out can be a challenging experience. Some restaurants are not vegetarian friendly at all, or they may not highlight their meatless options. However, more and more restaurants are actually adding or expanding vegetarian menu options. Believe it or not, there are more vegetarian options than ever before. 

I was really delighted to discover a few vegetarian dishes in the menu of this restaurant -- Makan Place at Taman Molek.

Mushroom Soup RM6.90

Simple and rich cream mushroom soup, served with a drizzle of cream and crouton to start off the meal.

So cozy, so comforting, so creamy.

Golden Pumpkin RM6.90

Another smooth and creamy pumpkin soup made from scratch.

Vegetarian Pasta RM13.90

My main course of the night, prepared with homemade tomato sauce, eggplant, zucchini and mushroom.

Mixed Salad Pizza RM22.90

Pepperoni Pizza RM23.90

The owner prepared a mix so that we get to try more! I only tried the mixed salad, of course.

I think the key to a mouthwatering pizza is a crispy base and cheesy topping.

And yes they have both of them! Even when it turned cold, it was still very crispy and delicious!

Hot Chocolate RM5.90

Makan and share!

Be rewarded with a mango pudding when you snap photos of your food and share it on Facebook/Instagram.

Remember to #makanplace@Molek!

I enjoy my food as much as anyone else.

Thank you, Makan Place! :)

For more information:

Makan Place's Address:

No. 59, Jalan Molek 3/10,

Taman Molek,

Johor Bahru.

Tel: 07-351 8482

Makan Place's Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/makanplace.molek/

Promise Myself, On My 22nd

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make my optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature I meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of myself

that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on my side

so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Happy Birthday, to you.

[FOOD REVIEW] Union Fashion Bar (UFB) @Taman Sutera Utama, JB

At the flourishing area of Taman Sutera Utama, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to meeting up with old friends over a good brew, or brunching during laidback weekends. However, the moment I stepped into Union Fashion Bar (UFB), I know this is not the kind of usual cafes I've been to. 

''I believe culinary is like an art,'' said Mr Yap, the executive chef and the mastermind behind UFB. It is where fashion meets culinary, combining Bakery Cafe, Full Dining and Bar perfectly. There is a seasonal theme to make sure customer always get different and exciting feel. From a great feast to some delicious desserts or good wine, UFB provides the best of it to satisfy your cravings for delicacies.

Union Fashion Bar

Passionate Dining in Fashion Style

Ma Cherie girls were honored to be invited over to UFB for food tasting on one fine afternoon. Greeting us at the entrance was Mr Yap with a big smile on his face. We had the opportunity to chat with Mr Yap while waiting for the food to be served. From our brief interaction, I sensed that Mr Yap is very ambitious and courageous in pursuing his dream. He had a dream back from his days in Indonesia to own his own cafe. And now, UFB is the fulfillment of his dream. But this doesn't stop him from exploring new menu and being creative in the presentation of food.

That's how that saying goes. In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

Cold Pressed Juice RM11.90-RM13.90

From left: 

Dragon on The Sky, Classic Orange, Veggie Booster, 

Apple Magic, Strawberry Paradise

The latest in-vogue way of drinking juice - cold pressed it is! By cold-pressing the fruit and vegetables, the highest amount of nutrients possible is retained, giving an overall better and tastier juice. I really love Apple Magic, which is a combination of two of my favourite fruits - apples and grapes.

Mojito RM20.80, Lychee Martini RM15.00

What's the perfect way to capture summer all year long? A well-mixed Mojito, of course. Or a glass of lychee martini.

Healthy Choice - Salad

Smoked Duck Salad RM10.90

Prawn Pesto Salad RM12.90

A salad does not have to be just lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. At UFB, you can either enjoy your salad with thinly sliced smoked duck or pan seared basil pesto prawn.

Mama Crispy Waffle Chicken Sandwich RM14.90

THIS. Just look at this.

The combination of salty, crispy chicken with sweet, crispy waffle is seriously one of the best combinations in the world. I have never had such evenly cooked, mega crispy waffles in my life. It's one of those things that's hard to describe... But just trust me. It's very good.

Main Course

Grilled Butter Fish RM22.90

Grilled Chicken RM17.90

For main course, there are plenty of choices. Here I would like to highlight the two that I like the most. Grilled butter fish is smooth and buttery, the homemade tomato sauce has a tinge of spiciness in it, which I really love. The second is Grilled Chicken with my favourite reduction balsamic dressing. The chicken is tender and juicy!

Pasta

Vongole Pasta RM18.90, Salmon Pink Penne RM23.90,

Duck Confit Pasta RM21.90, Tuna Pasta RM16.90

Even more choices for pasta! Vongole pasta has white clam in white wine butter sauce. The amount of seafood in it is generous! No kidding. Salmon Pink Penne has pan seared salmon steak serve with tomato cream sauce. Duck Confit Pasta has spaghetti tossed in duck fat, looks tempting just from the presentation don't you think? :) The crispy ebi on top of Tuna Pasta gives that irresistible fragrance and Asian touch to the pasta.

Asian Menu - Fried Rice

Salmon Fried Rice RM21.90

Classic Indonesian Fried Rice RM16.90

I don't eat black olive, but this black olive pesto fried rice with pan-seared salmon steak totally won my heart over. Every grain of rice is fragrant and chewy, I just couldn't resist to have one spoon after another. The bottom picture is the Classic Indonesian Fried Rice. The chicken satay is well seasoned but it seems a bit over-grilled. Both fried rice are served with a pretty sunny side up.

Tortilla Pizzas

Tuna Pizza RM16.90

UFB Chicken Pizza RM16.90

Egg on top of pizza? Yes, only in UFB! You can enjoy dipping your pizza in the yolk of a half baked egg. Talk about creativity!

Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé RM15.90

It's time for the highly anticipated dessert time. Soufflé is a famous French dessert and the way to describe it? Sugar crusted and crunchy on the outside, soft and airy in the middle. The moment I had my first bite, I felt like a woman happily in love. Oh. My. God. It was so fluffy it just melted in my mouth! Ah pure happiness :D

Valrhona Chocolate Lava Cake RM16.90

This chocolate lava cake looks simple on the outside, but when you dig into the center, the richness of the Valrhona chocolate is extremely satisfying. Served with vanilla icecream, orange confit and seasonal mixed berries.

The perfect indulgence to conclude our dinner at UFB.

And don't miss out these edible works of art ❤

Thank you Mr Yap for the great feast for the Ma Cherie girls!

I am definitely going back for more, how about you? :)

Union Fashion Bar (UFB)

24, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4,

Taman Sutera Utama,

81300 Johor Bahru.

(next to Papa Rich)

Tel: 016-719-9809 

Email: unionfashionbar@gmail.com

Opening Hours: 

Sunday - Thursday: 12pm - 12.30am  

Friday - Saturday: 12pm - 1.30am

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UFB-Union-Fashion-Bar-629727313794241/timeline/

Instagram page: https://instagram.com/unionfashionbar/

La Vie En Rose: The Heist - Agent Lola

What a long and tiring day. Agent Lola just finished a hot bath and changed into her sweet pajamas.
A sweet and demure young woman she is.

On her bed, she is working on a small tablet. 

Her eyes are heavy and sore, but she is determined to locate the lost money. 

She has a good feeling today.

Slowly she inserts a series of number to the tablet from the note she obtained this afternoon. 

The waiting time is killing. She wonders if the world stops turning; if time itself pauses and everything is on hold. 

Her heart is pounding in her chest.

*Loading....*

And Voila! The location is not so far from her. She smiles: ''I got you.''

What is she going to do next?

>>CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT<<

Little Black Dress - Kim (You can find it here)

Black Stockings - Eryn

Nude Zhane Studded Satchel Bag - Lovebaglovebag

Queen Pearl Ball Earring - Happy2u

Korean Torch Ring - Happy2u

Venue - Pariss Hotel

Photos by Kelvin Ong

Make up by Jennifer

Styled by Million Mars

This post is part of the first fashion editorial project of Ma Cherie Johor Bloggers group. Special thanks to our kind sponsor Happy2ucc. With their wide selection of accessories, every girl can be beautiful without having to spend much. Their ready stock and instant delivery save girls a lot of hassle. We are also grateful to have Lovebaglovebag sponsoring all the bags and clutches in this editorial project. Also we would like to thank Pariss Hotel for such a lovely room. This is a project we have been working on for months. Your support is what keeps us going. We hope you like the story! :)

Read more of the behind the scene stories >>HERE<<

It's time to bloom and prosper ft. Ma Chérie - the Inkyfingers from Johor

It was yet another lazy Saturday morning where she just wanted to stay in bed and curl up in her bed sheets.

Her workload was overwhelming – files were piling up in her tray and even though she worked long hours she kept getting further behind. So many things to do but so little time. The whole situation seemed out of control and she started to feel pretty depressed. What are the dreams that she had been chasing after? Where are they now? The burning passion that she used to have, was slowly fading away without her noticing. She felt confused and lost. She took a deep breathe in.

Sigh.

Still curling up in her bed sheets, she took a look out through the window. And she was stunned.

Source (bluerose99.blogspot.com): google image

It was a profusely flowering Tecoma tree. She rubbed her eyes, thinking that she must be dreaming. It was like Sakura trees in Japan! After months of drought, Pink Tecoma finally came in a full bloom in Johor. This was a rare scene in Malaysia! On both up and down the same road and on other adjacent roads too, other Tecoma trees were also in full blossom. The fallen withering flowers turned stretches of roads and pavements into a bright and pink carpet.

It delighted everyone in town and warmed their hearts that their city can be so beautiful. The trees were a beautiful addition to the local landscape. People were happily jumping with joy, welcoming this beautiful sight, taking pictures and sharing them on social medias. 

She knew it's time for her to do something. The beautiful scene in front of her eyes resonates with her inner self, as a blogger in this land. After being lost and blogging alone for so long, she saw a ray of light at the end of the dark tunnel. It's time to bloom and prosper. Just look at the Tecoma flowers. Although it has short life span, but throughout its life it shines its beauty to the world. This was when she realised that:

''In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." 
- Abraham Lincoln

Swiftly she got out of her bed and turned on her laptop - if someone's supposed to take this first step - she would be the one. Even in a small town like JB, she believes she can, together with her team, produce good and quality blogs. As the Pink Tecoma resembles the Cherry Blossom flower, she decided to name themselves Ma Chérie. It means my precious/my darling (a way of calling your loved ones) in French. Just like the flowers, they wish to have a unique and distinctive existence. Something precious, to all Johoreans.

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‪#‎MacherieJB‬ ‪#‎InkyfingersJB

‬ Ma Chérie- the Inkyfingers from Johor

So this was how we got our inspiration for our group name: Ma Chérie! (pronounced as " Ma Share Ri ") :D We are a group of eleven Johor girls who are passionate in blogging. I wasn't the girl in the story above, but I feel so thankful that I am being brought into this big family. All thanks to:

Kim - the founder of this group;

Audrey - the designer behind our lovely group logo;

Eryn - for the beautiful story written for Ma Chérie;

Ler - for all the advice given regarding IT stuffs;

Jennifer - our professional make up artist;

Carinn - for bringing me into this group;

Princess and Cece - the lovely sisters who are forever helpful;

Edlyn - the cute youngest sister in the group; and

Sherlyn - the doctor wannabe, just like me!

We want others to recognise us as a community, which brings you the latest trends and the fastest and  most accurate information - be it food, beauty, travel or fashion - we have them all! Everyone of us is like a flower ready to bloom and charm the world. We work together as colleagues, help each other like friends, and love each other like family. When I was still new to the group, I was clueless about everything. However, I received so much of help and even though I never say them out, I feel so touched deep inside. I have learned so much since the beginning. Of course there are times when some of us were caught up in work and there never seems to be enough time. But with helping hands from the other members, we overcome all of these obstacles and grow stronger.

Blogging is our interest, our passion, our dream. We are not going to give up just because of our busy work schedule. We strive to achieve the seemingly impossible work-life balance, because we know that we have YOU - our loyal readers who will continuously show your love and support. We are the Inkyfingers from Johor, "Inky" depicts writing; and "fingers" are what we use to do our work - that we type to produce blog posts for our dearest readers!

Support us by clicking 'like' on Ma Chérie JohorBloggers Facebook page!

We share posts daily!
p/s: Ma Chérie first project coming up soon! A fun and mysterious one.
So you've got to like and follow us to know more about it! :)

A million thanks to all my readers, for your kind words, your support and for believing in me. Thank you for spending your time to read through my words, even if this is the first time you are visiting my blog. Thank you to my blogger friends, blogging has never been this fun before. I never know I can do this much in such a short time, and I know I wouldn't achieve them without all of you. And it is amazing how all of us are working towards the same dream now. You are the courage for me to run a little faster, dream a little bigger.

Dear readers, I hope you are living the life of your dream too! :)

''Dare to dream.''

Love all of you!

Eunice, xoxo