Malaysia - Old Town White Coffee

I am an avid coffee drinker. At my age, I prefer coffee than soda, please don't ask me to choose between coffee and vodka.

I have tasted several coffee flavors such as cafe au lait, mochachino, capuchino, cafe americano and so on from different coffee shops such as Kopitiam, Strabucks, Figarro, Costa and even Dunkin Donuts and Mc Cafe. However, when I was working in Abu Dhabi, I learned to love Ali Cafe with Tongkat Ali from Malaysia. So while in Kuala Lumpur, I was looking for coffee laced with Tongkat Ali. I found something better.

Strolling around our hotel near KL Sentral with my wife and youngest kid, I saw Old Town White Coffee at ground floor of My Hotel. White coffee without milk? I've been to France, Dubai, Hong Kong and other countries but I've never seen and tasted any white coffee. Out of curiosity, brought wife and kid for a quick snack.

I tried their white coffee.

The taste was perfectly unique. Gone with fancy flavor and sugary and milky taste.

This coffee shop also offers various breakfast and snacks selections which deserve accolade for being simple but great in taste and price. Nothing fancy on their breakfast menu.

day's Menu

This breakfast meal was good and bang for the bucks. It can easily beat Mc Cafe breakfast meal. Simple, great in taste and big serving. Even now, while looking at the picture, I am salivating, lol.

They offer set menu for lunch also.

The chicken curry is pretty amazing. It is more subtle than the Indian curry and similar to our own Filipino style chicken curry minus the potato.

You can win free voucher if your order will arrive later than 15 minutes. I checked several times but I didn't win. I think nobody won this voucher yet. Anyway, at least you don't need to wait longer than 15 minutes.

Old Town has its own brand of instant coffee mixes with several nutty flavors. As expected, their bestseller is the 3 in 1 white coffee. I didn't buy because I prefer to remember the taste of freshly brewed white coffee rather than instant mix.

If you are still curious why they call it white coffee even if the coffee itself is not really white then at any Old Town White Coffee shop you will find this:

Old Town has the most number of coffee shops in Malaysia and several outlets in Singapore. In fact, you will find one at LCCT and at Sungei Wang Plaza. It is growing very fast in South East Asia. I hope they'll put up outlets in Philippines, I will buy franchise if I can afford it. In addition, they're even exporting their instant white coffee mixes to US, China, Singapore and other countries. So what can I say? Watch your back, Starbucks.

Saw an Old Town in downtown Mongkok, Hong Kong last Christmas.

MALAYSIA TRIP:

Petronas Towers

Food Trip

Batu Caves

Roaming Around KL

Petaling Street (Chinatown)
Genting Highlands

Sungei Wang Plaza

KL Sentral

Berjaya Times Square Mall

Singapore - Value Hotel (Balestier)

This review is long overdue.

I realized I got some shots of this hotel when I was arranging my Singapore experience album recently.

When my wife, daughter and youngest kid, my eldest was left in Manila due to hectic college schedule, visited me in Singapore we stayed at this hotel from 29 July to 01 Aug 2011. Booked two rooms by net and didn't encounter any problem upon check-in.

I paid around 95++ USD per night or a total of 672 USD for 2 rooms for 3 nights.


I checked-out from Tresor Tavern hostel and arrived at Value hotel at around 10:30AM but our rooms were not yet ready so I left my bags and returned back at 2PM. Fetched my family from the airport. Due to their early morning flight we took a cab to reach this hotel. Fare was around 25 S$ plus night charge.

Our first night was blissful, of course.

Having explored Singapore for a week before their arrival, I was able to scout the hotel location and the easiest and cheapest mode of transportation in reaching the different destinations in our itinerary. I opted to ferry them daily to Toa Payoh Bus/MRT station by public bus; bus stops were directly in-front of the hotel. Several buses can bring us directly to different locations but the things is, Toa Payoh Bus/MRT station can give them an actual experience about the daily life in Singapore that is worth remembering. We queued for bus and MRT. Took our daily breakfast at Mc Donalds with officeworkers and students. Bought freshly baked biscuits and pastries from bread shop. In addition, there is a place within this area where you can buy second-hand mobile phones and flea market.

Back to the hotel, my family and I were completely satisfied in regards to cleanliness and services. Comfy bed and warm duvet. Coffee/Tea and bottled water were provided and replenished daily. Hair dryer was readily available.

Our windowless rooms were quite basic and without any cabinet. Just enough space to go around the bed and a tiny bath room. Nothing special on their toiletries but towels were just fine. Be forewarned however that in Singapore, shower and toilet are combined. The shower head is directly on top or near the water closet so once you take shower, the whole bathroom floor will be wet while mirror will be misty.

The rooms were tiled thus you can hear people walking along the hallways. On our second night, some chinese students in large group occupied several rooms beside our rooms. It was terrible, you can hear their footsteps, door banging and laughters and so on. Knowing that they're tourists like us I went out and after a scornful look at them we were able to have a good night sleep. This is one of the disadvantages of having tiled floor. All the sounds will be echoed and reflected back unlike in 4 or 5 stars hotels, all the rooms and hallways are thickly carpeted thus minimizing all noises. Anyhow, the following morning, the chinese students left in big bus thus we were able to enjoy our last night in the hotel.

Famished, you don't have any choice but to buy from a convenience store at the corner of this hotel building. Niether dining facility nor room service were available at the hotel. This is one of the reasons why I preferred to start and end our daily journey at Toa Payoh. We can take our dinner here before going back to hotel; even bring some midnight snacks. But the best thing about this convenience store was the availability of Tiger beer. 2 cans/bottle were enough to put me in relaxing and deep sleep.

Our rooms were provided with free and fast wi-fi. Simply ask the reception for your daily password.

In conclusion, there are several disadvantages in staying at this hotel. Mainly, it is quite far from Singapore's main attractions such as Chinatown, Bugis, Sentosa and so on. But we shouldn't forget that the whole experience, including the journeys to these places are a part of our Singapore experience. Price-wise, for the services, amenities and facility and considering I have kids with me, it was acceptable. However, in case you are in tight budget and without kids then I suggest book your hotel at Geylang area. You can have 50 to 60 USD per night room but be aware that hookers abound within this area; room quality might not be at par with Value hotel.



see also:

Tresor Tavern hostel

UAE - Dubai Mall

We have several huge malls in Philippines, SM North and Mall of Asia are included in top 10 biggest malls in the world. Thus, when I heard from my Arabs friends and colleagues that Dubai Mall was huge, I didn't even raise my brows or bother to visit the place. I didn't expect to find anything spectacular at DM for I am a weekend visitor of SM North and Mall of Asia. Weekend malling with family is a part of my activities during my vacation. To add, I thought whatever attraction DM has, we have the same one in Manila like dancing fountain, indoor aquarium, skating rink and so on.

However, last time I visited Dubai, I stayed at Holiday Inn at Safa Park. I hate this place because you won't find anything interesting around this area aside from the park itself. I had no choice but to take my dinner at Dubai Mall; it was the nearest place of interest. Because of this, I have learned that my Arabs friends were correct.

Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in terms of land area but when it comes to leasable area it is behind our SM North and Mall of Asia. See: wikipedia - The_Dubai_Mall for complete details and facts.

This is the best view among several entrances of Dubai Mall during evening. Strolling from Dubai mall metro station you will pass along these lighted dates trees lining up Boulevard Plaza. Coming from this area, the nearest entrance is the Fashion Avenue.

DM has several entrances, one of these is the Fashion Avenue entrance where parked Rolls Royces, Rovers, Ferrarris and other upscale cars/SUVs are a normal sight during evening.

Inside the fashion Avenue

modern and trendy information counter

Fashion Avenue Atrium

Looking closely, those are small butterflies cut-out hanging from the ceiling. A touch of class and elegance will welcome you when you enter DM from this area.

 

Upscale brands in world of fashion and accessories are located on this part of DM.

 

This is one of DM entrance gates. It is facing Doha Street. This entrance is mainly used by common people. Taxis and private cars will drop off their passengers on this side of DM. This will lead you to Aquarium and under water zoo area.

One of the main attractions of Dubai Mall is the Aquarium and under water zoo. It was very creative putting a huge aquarium with tunnel beneath it inside a shopping mall. I hate glass reflection.

This one boasts a Guiness World Records for Largest Single Acrylic Panel in the World.

Entrance tickets for under water zoo.















In front of this Aqurium is Candylicious, a haven for kids and kids-at-heart. Definitely, your sweet tooth will subliminally ask you to lurk inside for some time.

The Waterfalls is another creative and amazing attraction. I believe they have mixed glycerine or other chemical to water flowing on these two falls to solidify the fluidity of the water. You won't notice any single drop of water splashes around the areas and it seems the water flows in straight line.

There is wide screen monitor above the Ice Rink. That is the biggest LCD screen I have ever seen. Bleachers were also added for spectators and food galleries abound around the rink. Suffiice to say that this Ice Rink is world class.

Note the three huge chandeliers above the rink. You might wonder why they installed chandeliers instead of flood lights. For you guys who haven't seen snow, after being exposed for some time you might experience snow blindness (I exeperienced minor snowblindness once when we where in France on top of La Meije glacier mountain) which is caused by UV rays reflected by snow or ice coming from natural and artificial lightings. To prevent, this DM installed chandeliers instead so as to minimize the UV rays.

While wandering inside DM, my feet brought me to The Grand Atrium. I didn't know why they call it Grand Atrium until I have reached the place, it was really grand. Amazing.

I wonder if this circular monitor is the same I monitor I've seen in some NBA courts. 

the atrium light changes color from time to time

This is the third DM entrance. It is fronting Dubai Fountain. These are night shots so as to show the grandeur and beauty of Dubai "dancing" Fountain

Entrance to Burj Khalifa's AT THE TOP is also located at the lower basement of DM. You won't expect that this small counter/entrance will lead you to the highest observation deck in the world.

OTHER AREAS inside Dubai Mall

I have spent several days in visiting Dubai Mall and during those days, I religiously took my dinner in two of its food concessionaires.

While in KL, Malaysia, I have seen this name, Nando's. I believe it is the same Nando's at Dubai Mall. I have eaten thrice on their DM outlet and dined mainly on half-chicken meal (hot and lemon & herbs flavors) and chicken steak. Trust me, I like spicy chicken but I never imagined that Nando's spicy (hot) chicken is beyond the treshold of my taste bud. Its spiciness can be felt by my nostrils. On my second half-chicken meal, it was blissful. I love their lemon and herbs flavor.

half-chicken meal

chicken steak

Nando's at food court inside Dubai Mall

 

I tried ASSIA in work also. Ordered seafood fried egg noodles, as I remember. It was good but quite expensive.

Have you eaten at Greenwich pizza in any of our shoppping mall's food court? If yes, then most probably you have experienced searching for empty seats near Greenwich counter because you need to wait for your number to be called by the service crew. It was quite annoying specially when the available seat was on the other side of the food court. This is a very innovative solution to this situation. These electronic devices will lit and vibrate once your order is ready to be picked-up. I am impressed.

 

There are still some areas I haven't explored like the Gold Souk, I am not fascinated by this metal. A medium sized supermarket can be found also at lower ground floor. It boasts wide selection of organic products. 

I have focused mainly on ground and lower ground floor area because due to its size I would need extra pair of feet to cover them all in short period of time.

Dubai Mall is a must when you visit Dubai. This is your gateway to the tallest structure in the world and you won't regret spending time to watch the dancing fountain every 30 minutes, it was magnificent. Or you can simply have a photo-shoots with Ferrarris, Roll Royce, Rovers to name a few. And for those who have excess wealth to splurge, I am sure Fashion Avenue will be able to satisfy your "urge". In addition, you will find enjoyable to watch those divers feeding the colorful and gentle sea creatures inside the aquarium.

The only drawback is the absence of fast-food joints. I never saw any KFC or Mc Donalds which means dining cost here was more on the high side. Nevertheless, it is in my honest opinion that this is the best shopping mall I have ever seen.

UAE TRIP:

Roaming around Abu Dhabi city

Abu Dhabi Corniche

Dubai - Burj Khalifa

Roaming around Dubai city

Cars in UAE

Dubai - Jumeirah beach park 

Dubai Mall of Emirates 

Dubai Desert Safari

Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise