L'Occitane's Dialogue in the Dark Malaysia

When All Eyes Fail, What Happens?

L'Occitane, a beauty and skincare company, hosted a unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event called "Dialogue in the Dark." They invited fellow media members to participate in various activities that involved walking in complete darkness using a walking stick, dining in the dark, and getting to know fellow participants without being able to see them.

imho a good team bonding activity as well

hansonglaw, faeizzerr, najihah shahrel, me & baby g, clarance & team, atilia haron

The event aimed to create awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals and to promote inclusion and empathy through their ongoing Caring For Sight program. Participants had a chance to experience what it is like to navigate the world without sight, which can be a daunting task.

located at Level 2, The Strand Mall, Kota Damansara

The event was unforgettable as it challenged participants to step out of their comfort zones and rely on their other senses to interact with their environment and other people. The dining in the dark experience was particularly memorable, as participants had to rely on their sense of taste and smell to identify what they were eating.

National Council for the Blind members

Additionally, L'Occitane collaborated with the National Council for the Blind to provide activities like getting our names embossed in braille and a hand pampering session conducted by professional visually impaired masseuse, using L'Occitane's signature Shea Butter Hand Cream and Shea Noursihing Nail & Cuticle Oil. 

Overall, a unique and impactful CSR initiative that left a lasting impression on participants, promoting awareness, and empathy towards the visually impaired community.

P.S: Stay tune for the upcoming Race for Vision 2023 happening in September to raise awareness and fund eye care activities such vision screening, prescription visual aids and cataract surgery for deserving communities.

Dialogue in the Dark
📍Lot S-37, Level 2, Floor, Strand Mall, Kota Damansara
(left of BuyBye, accessible through a corridor)

Website: https://www.diadiscover.com

James Big Brunch @ Lou Lou James The Kitchen

Brunch at Lou Lou James The Kitchen

If you're looking for a delicious and satisfying big breakfast with lamb sausages in a hotel lounge setting with friendly waiters in fedora hats, Lou Lou James The Kitchen in Plaza Arkadia, Desa Park City is the perfect location. The el-fresco outdoor seating area offers the best view and is perfect for enjoying a leisurely breakfast. As we sat down, we were greeted with big smiles from the staff who were all so friendly and welcoming.

get hotel resort lounge vibes here

We started off with some freshly squeezed apple juice and coffee, and then we ordered the James Big Brunch, which was a breakfast feast for the senses. It came with generous portion of fluffy choice of scrambled eggs, turkey ham, juicy lamb sausages, big grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and crispy hash browns. The sausages were perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection, with a nice crispy exterior and juicy center. To top it off, there were sourdough toast to go with the baked beans.

Desmond enjoying his brunch

"James’ Big Brunch" RM39

Multigrain Toast | Lamb Sausages | Turkey Ham | Sauteed Mushroom | Baked Beans

Kampung Eggs (Scramble, Poached, Sunny side up) | Grilled Tomatoes | Hash Brown

The friendly waiters, dressed in their signature fedora hats, will ensure that your breakfast is prepared just the way you like it. They will also be happy to recommend other breakfast options if you're in the mood for something different.

Hana ordering her pet-friendly meal of chicken breasts & carrot
*for pet-friendly meals, inquire within for prices

In addition to the delicious food, the hotel lounge setting is inviting and comfortable, with el fresco seating and a cozy atmosphere. Their menu choices are western with an asian twist such as the 'Limau Pedas Mussels" a.k.a Chilli Lime Mussels and 'Spicy Gyutan Arrabiata' (Spicy Beef Tongue Pasta). And if you have a furry friend with you, there is pet seating available so they can enjoy the breakfast experience with you. Leonard brought his princess Hana today so she's having brunch with us! 

Limau Pedas Mussels RM29

Black Mussel | Lime | Fish Sauce | Chilli Flakes | Toast 5pcs

Spicy Gyutan Arrabiata RM35

Beef Tongue | Pomodoro Sauce | Chilli Flakes | Cherry Tomatoes | Onion | Garlic

We sat there for hours, chatting and laughing, enjoying the sunshine, and savouring every bite of our delicious meal. It was the perfect way to start the day, and we all left feeling happy, satisfied, and grateful for the wonderful experience.

Overall, the combination of delicious food, friendly service, and great views make for an unforgettable breakfast experience at Plaza Arkadia in Desa Park City.

Lou Lou James The Kitchen
F-G-5, Plaza Arkadia, 3, Jalan Intisari,
Desa Parkcity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur.

Phone: 016-326 8209

⏰ Weekdays 4pm-10pm
⏰ Weekends 11am-10pm
Close on Mondays*

Wu Hou Fu Hot Pot Kepong Review

Wu Hou Fu Hot Pot Kepong

My childhood friend Kenby invited me to try a delicious new Sichuan hot pot resto that opened in Kepong last year, Wu Hou Fu Hot Pot. She said their mala is a must-try and that I would love it. It was her birthday, and she booked a VIP room for all of us! Thank you so much *finger love* 💖

Googling, I found out that it's one of the popular hot pot chains from Chengdu, China. As you know, Chengdu is famed for its signature spicy and flavourful hot pot dishes. But what surprised me was that this resto is under another hot pot resto brand, Shu Da Xia! I've eaten the one in Hartamas a few times because their mala is so good. Their fresh beef and lamb were of good quality, too—fresh, red, and inviting.

AMAZING INTERIOR DECOR

Upon arriving, I was amazed by the glory and size of this restaurant. It feels like a piece of ancient China was just transported out of nowhere. I was told that this restaurant is themed around the Three Kingdoms. They even have the traditional costumes for diners to change into for the Kodak moment. Seriously huge restaurant; one can even book the whole place to have a wedding feast. I know I would, because I love hot pot so much!

the resto is on the first floor of DSR Gallery Kepong

seriously huge, this is just one part that I snap

they have several VIP rooms available too

the lily pavilion is the most beautiful dining area with misty cold fog

the sauce station all the basics you need is here
(u can make their signature sauces too! just follow the board)
*unfortunately it's all in Chinese, bananas like me can't understand*

but I was super happy to know they have a giant pot of coriander!
(I love coriander so much so this makes me really happy)

our table full of their recommended dishes

When my friend ordered all their signature dishes 😍 it was a good chance for me to snap all the pics to share on my blog so I was really happy. So happy that I climbed on top of the chair to snap a top view of the hot pot and "ordered" my friends to be hand models for me haha. I wonder if they hated me *sorry* hehe.

I LOVE THE PRICES HERE!

The waitress who served us, was so patient in answering all our questions about recommendations and what's this. I took a look at the menu and was shocked that they weren't overly expensive! For a place like this, you'd think on average the dishes would cost rm20 - 30 a plate for the basics, but a pork belly slice costs RM18 only, and vegetables, snacks, and noodle selections were RM10 more or less! Shock die me. Meal charge for the sauces, fruits and tea are RM6/pax, corkage RM30.

👍 Triple Flavour Pot RM42

When the dishes arrived, I have to admit they're not very "extra" (styling/decor) but everything was fresh and of top quality! The portion is pretty standard, and for the price, I am not complaining. The boss came by and shared with us that the prices and location, were intended to serve the neighbourhood, to allow everyone in Kepong to enjoy good, premium hot pot at affordable prices. 

He recommended for us to take their triple flavour pot RM42 with tomato, three delicacy herbal broth, and their signature traditional Sichuan Mala Soup Vegetable Oil 🌶, but we opted for butter-based instead because we wanted the beefy mala type. You can choose the heat level on the menu (we took the mildest to be safe!). The mala isn't the numbing kind (or I think it's not, it's very aromatic).

I definitely will order the same soups again because the 🍅tomato soup is so good! It is as good as Habour Hot Pot's tomato but richer in taste, not diluted (I wonder how many tomatoes sacrificed for this). Absolutely drinkable non-stop. Its sweet-sour tanginess goes well with noodles and rice. The mala butter was so aromatic and beefy 🥩 that the whole room smelled of peppercorns. The three delicacies herbal soup definitely tasted very herbal (not my cup of tea, but will try mushroom next).

a feast in the VIP room min. spend RM500
(free booking if celebrating birthday)

fried beancurd stick RM9 / xiang ling roll RM13

sweet potato pasta RM6 / hand pulled noodles RM7

instant noodle RM5

konjac silk RM8 / 👍 kung fu green bamboo RM10

👍 Tian Xiang Marinated Pork Ribs RM30
*special recipe*

The first thing my friend ordered was this marinated pork ribs. I was skeptical at first, but after eating this, I knew why this was highly recommended. The marinade was good, there's heat and mala aroma to it. It goes well with the mala soup, which completes its transformation.

The Bamboo Shrimp Paste came in a set of two : spicy and non-spicy. It's fresh, bouncy, and juicy in the mouth! Another favourite on the table is the marinated lamb skewer on a boat. The chewy, juicy texture coupled with the scent of lamb make this dish delicious! *special recipe*

I'll leave you with the pictures of the food we ordered, but there were definitely the basic staples of hot pot meats and seafood that you can order for under RM20 per dish. The ones we had were all special and more premium because it's our friend's birthday!

For those who with special requests for acquire taste dishes such as duck intestines, pork brains, pork blood to be eaten with spicy mala just like in Chengdu, they have it here too at affordable prices!

👍 bamboo shrimp paste RM39 

👍 marinated lamb skewer on boat RM34 *special recipe*

👍 spanish iberico pork RM42

premium sliced pork belly RM18
premium sliced lamb shoulder RM29

👍 shu han spicy beef RM27 *special recipe*

Iberico Abanico Strip RM48

the tiger prawns were served with half shell peeled!

👍 tiger prawns RM58 / fine fish fillet RM17
(we won the fish from playing the dart game!)
(we won the fish from playing the dart game!)

*EXOTIC DISHES ALERT*

green bamboo shoots RM10 / pork blood RM8
(we won the fish from playing the dart game!)

pork brain RM10

fresh duck intestines RM18

👍 colorful ice jelly RM6
fried rice with egg RM4

👍 rice cake with brown sugar syrup RM10

a must-have after a fiery mala hot pot

curious about the dart game? each table can play once & win a dish!

Dart Game Prizes (one game per table)
1 to 2 pcs: Pork Balls/Lobster Balls
3-4 pcs: fine pig five flowers / flower carving fish fillets
shot 5 all in: Spanish black fur pork/bamboo shrimp slippery

All in all, I definitely will come back here again and try the Mala vegetable next! If you're celebrating your birthday here, do call in advance to book and request the free birthday arrangement. My friend booked, but she never said it was her birthday. There's also a lunch promo of RM99 for 2 pax and many more promotions during the weekdays. Kepong people are really lucky to have a nice hot pot in their area! I wish there was a hot pot in Damansara Perdana, The Curve, or IPC.

甲洞武侯府火锅Wu Hou Fu Hot Pot Kepong
📍DSR Gallery Kepong, LOT 1-03, K-Gallery
No. 10 Jalan Idaman, Jalan 1/62a, Bandar Menjalara,
52100 Kepong,  Kuala Lumpur

Phone: 010-228 2820

⏰Weekdays 4pm-12am

⏰Weekend/public holiday 12pm-12am