orgasmic joy of brownies & bakerlyn cafe

There’s no denying to people that I am a sweet tooth. I have an inkling for anything sugary and high fructose contents in my desserts and chocolate. Let me share you with a childhood memory of mine – I’m the kid who meets the dentist every other fortnightly, and vivid recollections of horrible tooth extractions and tooth grinding. My parents as most Bruneian parents are incredibly indulgent and relax when it comes to their children’s diet. I know that I love the sweet taste, and the high energy I often get afterwards. I was pretty much a hyperactive child with tooth cavities.

I have sobered and refrain from eating deserts on a daily basis but lately, well I guess you could say I have “relapse”. This is partly the reason why, and you will agree with me because this pictures is ever so mouthwatering. Wait till you actually try the brownies.

 

I introduce you Miss Syazwana Monroe’s home-baked brownies.

The outside: Chewy and incredibly mouthwatering, so much so that I could not resist for a taste while driving in my car. The moment you put the brownies inside your mouth, its orgasmic indulgence: the texture which was chewy and crisp on the outside, but the inside: gosh, the moisture and the bitterness of the chocolate was heaven. There are no words to describe what I felt for this incredibly indulgent treat.

 

The aftertaste which is regarded as the definitive quality of the chocolate, is bitter and stimulating to the mind. Its like a rush, yet you feel deeply relaxed. Dark chocolates are scientifically proven to boost the part of your brain which deals with happiness and pleasure. The liberal use of dark chocolate in Syaz Monroe’s brownies makes this one to watch for, it definitely separates this from the rest of the mass-produced brownies available in Hua Ho or bakeries.

Syazwana, your brownies made my otherwise uneventful Saturday and I appreciate the complimentary box of brownies! One box of brownies costs $15, and you can call to order: Syazwana, 8950000.

Also worth mentioning is the day when I visited the newly open Bakerlyn Cafe in Kiulap. The cafe is right above a florist, so you literally can smell the fresh aromas whiffing at the cafe’s entrance. It was the middle of the week, and had a class until 4pm – now that Maurina is working in the same University, so we decided to check out after a long day!

Bakerlyn bakery shop near Vincci, Kiulap is already famous with their donuts and their pricey birthday fruit cakes (their bakers very creative and continually impress me with their skills!). The owners decided to expand their business, and open a cafe! Once inside the cafe, I feel like I am transported to someplace besides Brunei. The theme: the French countryside, with grapes and acres of vineyards.

Although, I do not get the orange paint of the walls which spoils the ambience and the look that the owners were striving for. We ordered for the donuts, since Bakerlyn are famous with it. Unfortunately, this was unavailable which was such a disappointment. 

Why put something on the menu when you don’t serve it? 

Your donuts are one of your specialties and since Bakerlyn Bakeshop is just 3 minutes away, it will not take an arm or a foot to deliver fresh donuts to the cafe no?

Then my eye caught this on the desserts display:

 

And boy! I am not disappointed! The fruits on the top is fresh. This is the fruit roll: very French indeed. Following the theme of the interiors, most of the cakes are French inspired and fusion-esque.

In a way, I am glad that the donuts was unavailable. Hands on, the cake is nyaman (Bruneian word to describe incredibly delicious). Its not too sweet like the brownies which gives you headache from eating too much sweet. The taste is just nice, and the variety of the fruits are worth mentioning. Bakerlyn cafe is worth visiting especially that its different than most coffee cafes, I’d say this one is another category altogether. Its more like a bakery/cake cafe.

Life is more enriching with things like this, monotony is so passe -  Sanctuary Brunei will continually strive to discover Brunei, this kingdom of unexpected treasures. Hope you readers enjoy the journey so far, more to come promise!

Featured on today’s post:

Syazwana Monroe orgasmic brownies – $15 per box

Bakerlyn Cafe Kiulap French roll – $5

I discovered Lomography: Delayed flash photography

I am so devastated that my precious iPhone have died on me. I have done the necessary steps to recover my iPhone, spending hours on the internet looking for people whom have encountered the same problems and how they have got their iPhones fixed.

Most of their phones are being replaced with entirely new ones, since it seemed that Apple have known about the defect. Unfortunately for me, I bought it from Qqestore Brunei. Technically they sold me an illegal iPhone which have been jailbreak. So automatically the Apple warranty is void since such acts of jailbreaking and modifying the phone software will immediately makes the phone warranty-less. I rushed to Qqstore to complain and get it fixed: unfortunately they couldn’t fixed it and returned the iPhone to me. That’s just crappy service, although the lady on the customer service line was very apologetic and promised that I will get a discount for future mobile phone purchases.

Okay, enough mulling over a dead mobile phone. Moving on: feeling naked with no touch screens mobile phones on my palm, I came back to wipe the dusts off my Sony Cybershot Digital camera. I finally took the time to read the users manual, and learned a lot of photography techniques. So very relevant since now that I’m joining a photography club at University.

Cheezebox

One night out with close friends in the bright lights of the heart of Gadong, I brought along my Sony. The occasion: To plan a friend’s surprise bachelor party at the Empire Hotel Jerudong. We were sitting outside in Cheezebox Café, lights coming from everywhere, streetlights, flashy coloured ones from the Mall and the headlights of cars moving sluggishly to find free parking outside the Mall building.

There and then, playing with the settings of my Sony: low flash and delayed exposure.

kiss me

The lights becomes strangely hypnotic and trippy. Reminds me of 90s Radiohead music.

Lomography

Anyway, if you’re reading this Azlan. We love you!

Kampachi, Kuala Lumpur: a review

Its been a two months since I had my fantastic holiday in Kuala Lumpur – its long overdue review of a Japanese restaurant which deserves the praises and accolades. I know that I just have to mention Kampachi Japanese restaurant at this blog. The name “Kampachi” is not an unfamiliar name to those people who love Japanese cuisine. Food bloggers in Kuala Lumpur have no doubt find their dining experience such a delight and is infamous amongst Japanese expats for its soba and udon noodles – If the Japanese are impressed then it should be really good.

Kampachi restaurant can be found on the gigantic designer shopping mall called The Pavilion in Bukit Bintang. As much as adore shopping, some of the shops and the prices really do make your pockets dry – even though with our currency advantage over the Malaysian Ringgit. I wonder, with prices of each item probably costing a typical one month’s salary of an average Malaysian – how can The Pavilion managed to stay in business. Luxury stores would not survive in the Brunei market in my opinion with most Bruneians prefer to go shopping abroad (although you can get the same here in Brunei).

Kampachi at the Pavilion

As I went inside the restaurant, I saw Japanese udon makers busy kneading and preparing freshly made Udon and Soba noodles. You really do feel like they put their passion into their art of making noodles. “Ohayo Gazaimasu!” yelled all the waiting staffs and the tea brewers as well as the busy Japanese noodle makers. I was impressed just by their warm welcome. I know I am in it for the greatest Japanese cuisine.

The waiting staff carefully arranged the tea and the food

The waiting staff brought a selection of drinks which includes 3 pages of tea varieties, 1 and half page was on green tea and its different variations in flavours. Amazing. Having quite a selection of tea to choose from, the waiter ask my personal tea preference – I asked for something green and light and great detoxing properties. Osakan apples infused green tea flown all the way from Japan. The Japanese do take their tea-drinking seriously. Its quite a delight to have the experience in Kampachi as well. I am beginning to appreciate tea – does that make me old?

The art of brewing tea - truly Japanese

Of course, I ordered the Yaki Udon set meal. Soba and Udon can be differentiate by the size of the noodles, with soba being the smaller just like an ordinary noodle you find in restaurants while the Udon noodles, are unique and are really big. The difference in sizes of the noodles, really does influence the flavour of the yaki udon in the end. I find the flavours more intense and spicy. The subtleties of this tiny details  – really the character of a Japanese cuisine. The noodles are just the tastiest noodles I’ve ever tasted. Definitely will order when I return back to Kuala Lumpur.

Trust me this blurry picture doesn't do justice

Everytime I’m in Excapade, Brunei and Yo Sushi! London, I order the Salmon Maki – and I tell you Kampachi beats them all down to shame. Excapade Brunei, its more rice than the salmon. The salmon flavours seem to have diminish a bit. Yo Sushi! London, generic and soul less – I get the feeling the Yo Sushi! sushi chefs have a step-by-step guidebook to make their sushi. Very robotic and predictable.

Kampachi salmon maki

The Salmon Maki in Kampachi, the moment you put in your mouth, the intense feeling you get from the freshly made wasabi was such a mind blowing experience. The salmon – generous and fresh. Its gooood!

Best ever.

Overall, I will definitely come back again to Kampachi the next time I’m in Kuala Lumpur. Would love to try the other selection of tea and try the unagi and the chicken curry katsu.

This was complimentary from the chef amazing.

A dining experience at Kampachi, Bukit Bintang is a must for Sushi-fans when in Kuala Lumpur.

Kampachi

Pavilion, Bukit Bintang

Kuala Lumpur

A fine Sunday

Sunday morning, The Arch, Gadong

After introducing my athletic and exercise addict cousin Rafie to Zunic Wellness Plaza Athirah, his motivations in getting his desired body image and my increasing liking for yoga with 2 hour yoga sessions, both of us has set off a part inside of ourselves: Determination. This feeling is strong and can lead to great rewards and results. We remain undeterred with challenges and muscle fatigueness. This does not stop us from refraining more exercise.

2 hours of yoga, at night I slept like a baby. It was such a good sleep, where your brain is just too tired or relax? that you do not dream.  Around 7am or so, I was awaken by a shrug on my shoulder, it was Rafie, get your butt off the bed. Remember Bukit Shahbandar?

The night before, we were getting excited with our morning jog/hike and rewarding ourselves with the fantastic views of the lush rainforests of Brunei and the fresh air – oxygen therapy. And getting fit at the same time. Excellent.

The hundreds of steps towards bliss: Oxygen Therapie

So off we went.

Expectations: Well after 2 weeks of Ashtanga Yoga training and pranayama techniques should make hiking hundreds of steps towards pure bliss easy.

Reality: Wrong! The whole climbing and hiking activities test on your cardio fitness instead!

Yes, I was huffing and puffing in no time. Tried using pranayama breathing techniques to optimise the oxygen intake of the lungs to 30 percent – still huffing and puffing. Gasping for air and the aching of my knee caps, makes the morning hike challenging!

Top of the world: Fresh winds

At last! Found the resting point. The fresh winds blowing off the awful heat from the body leaving a cool and blissful sensation. The air is so fresh especially in the morning, from the top I see the cool morning mists shrouding parts of the tropical rain forests.

After, a destress silent moment. Off we went back down the steps. Then off we hiked the same steps again. Yes. We went up twice.  My empty stomach growling and muscles trembling using up the stored sugars as energy source.

So where off next?

In a typical Bruneian fashion:

Good morning Taurean Cafe, The Arch

Just in time before 11am (by which the Good morning promotion ends) is one of the best “credit-crunch” friendly breakfast ever to be found in Brunei. Taurean Cafe at The Arch, Gadong.

For the price of $2.50, you get to pick 2 from the list below:

Kolo Mee and Hash Brown please

Or if you add another $1 you can choose 2 from the Heart Heart Set:

Yes for $3.50 you can choose 2 from the list

We went with sweaty tee shirts and trainers to Taurean Cafe, The Arch Gadong. Thinking I would look out of place with my worned-out and sporty attire, to my surprise, people wearing trainers and sweaty tees are here! I see. This is where people replenish their energies.

For a healthy and yoga friendly option: Mixed Fruits and Omelette although you probably could just get Nasi Lemak and Chicken Fried Noodles instead! If you don’t mind having love handles that is.

The Good Morning breakfast meal is available at Taurean Cafe, The Arch Gadong every morning until 11am.

Twelve: a review

20-ish January 09, Kiulap

I just noticed that most of the spas and cafes which I have reviewed were in the Kiulap area. I’ll tell you why I love Kiulap – compared to the Mall Gadong, its so hard to find free parking and in the end I’ll end up having to go for the basement. Kiulap on the hand, has a plethora of shops, cafes and spas available and free parking. Especially if you’re the one who’s driving the car, and cannot just drop off as you wish.

This time, during lunchtime Ariffin, my cousin picked Twelve cafe in Kiulap and to my delight, he’s driving this time and a pleasant rare opportunity for me to just enjoy sitting at the passenger seat. Drivers out there would share this ordeal and enjoy just lazing down, texting on your mobile phone, looking out the outside surroundings, enjoying while not having to constantly looking at the front and remain alert at all times. Anyway, Twelve cafe is one of the many themed cafes available in Brunei. I suppose the owners of Twelve are aiming for a vintage 20s hollywood with black and white pictures of 20s-30s hollywood celebrities hanging on the walls following the likes of Hard Rock Cafe with photos of rock artists and memorablia with signatures. I totally get the design direction of Twelve, however this is the part that Twelve fails with their interior. The inclusion of an Asian, Thailand made water pots and some other tacky, plasticky objects inhabiting the space of the cafe offsets the design entirely.

The music playing on the background was coming from the television playing Astro Jazz Radio channel with the blank television screen on. If they could invest in irrelevant materials to fill up the space, can I just say it would be nice to get a good surronding sound the cafe and buy some musical cds. Much much more authentic in my honest opinion.  The sofas looks comfy with the choice of bold colours, in the deep reds. Think maroons and dark purples. However no matter how much the sofas look, ultimately its all down to how comfortable you feel when you  dine. Again a mistake, how your body was brought lower and with the tables higher, your sitting position is somewhat off.

Twelve is a cafe which probably could done a little better at night rather than lunch time. Their biggest mistake. Using tinted glasses on the entrance of the cafe, with the sun facing the entrance during the day. Tinted glasses makes the appearance of exclusivity from the outside, however could they possibly do the same where this glasses blocks 80% of the light going inside. You kinda feel rather uncomfortably hot with the setting and having high intensity light from the entrance glasses upsets the jazzy, glamour 30s rat pack hollywood that the cafe is aiming for. By which, the ambience should feel relax and mysterious.

And then food.

A great quench in a hot day like this

I ordered the iced lemonade with sugar sprinkling. It looks appealing in a hot day like this, especially with the sunlight shining so brightly towards our direction. The icy drink was so cold, that the heat inside my throat just literally fade away. Although the drink is a too sweet for my liking. The sweetness that kind of just seeps straight to your brain feeling.

Salty sprinklings

I ordered their popular chicken dish, the Twelve roast chicken with mash & mixed vege.

Twelve Roast

The price of the dish: $9.80. I requested the chicken to extra spicy, generous Portugeuse chilli sprinklings can be seen. The mash was good – hints of chicken stock detected. The chicken was dissapointing, the flesh was overcooked, it has gotten too dry to enjoy the taste of the meat. It makes even more difficult to eat with the knife and fork. It could use to be more tender and less time roasting in the oven.

The chicken overcooked!

The dining experience was further ruined when two contractors with drills and hammers start making knocking noises to unlatch the front door of twelve. With the door now open, the loud sounds of drills – sunlight shining on us rendering the airconditioning useless. The waiting staff did not even apologise for the inconvenience to the 5 diners in the cafe. A couple about to order left the restaurant soon after.

So is Twelve really worthed? No. Possibly it could do much better during night time, I will go to Charcoal or Vintage Rose instead for better food and a top-notched dining ambience.