Bella Italia

I discovered a new menu at Bella Italia, Jesselton. 

However I'm sad because some of my favorite items are no longer in the menu. The pizza and pasta selection was cut down, we didn't have as much choice as before.

 Some of the items they in the new menu:

Main Course:

Chicken Cacciatore serve with Potato Gnocchi RM25

Grilled Salmon RM42

Naked Fish and Chips RM39

Filet Mignon RM80

Chicken Shawarma RM23

Pasta:

Tomato Basil RM15

Turkish Ravioli RM30

Roasted Pumpkin and Fusili RM20

Pasta a la Norma RM21

Vintage Plates:

Hainanese Chicken Rice RM25

Mami Martha's Jesselton Chicken Curry RM23

Mami Martha's Jesselton Chicken Curry RM23

 It was served with white rice, but the rice wasn't cooked through. However the nice people from the kitchen send out a complimentary Tiramisu as compensation.

Turkish Ravioli RM30

 Small beef-filled ravioli in garlic yogurt sauce, quite nice, very creamy. 

Chicken Cacciatore served with Potato Gnocchi RM25

 I have no idea what is Cacciatore, but the Potato Gnocchi sound promising. However, the Gnocchi doesn't live up to my expectations, the chicken could use a bit more flavor. The tomatoes are the only thing that I love in this entire dish, very flavorful. 

Meat Lover's pizza

It has steak, sausages and more meat. However I feel that this pizza is rather disappointing, the steak is not flavorful, the sausages taste like the cheap sort, and the crust is soggy. I can only manage one slice. 

 I would order my usual mushroom and ham pizza but it's no longer on the menu. 

Verdict: I think there is a serious decline in the food standards at Bella Italia, the Hainanese Chicken Rice which used to be a favorite of the family is now plain bad, it just wasn't worth the RM25 pricing anymore. There are excellent chicken rice outside which cost less than RM10, if Bella wanted to charge 'high end' price for it, they need to make sure it's really up to standards. 

The waitress serving us was really sweet and efficient, though. 

xx

LadyG

p/s: Rumor has it that there has been a change of owners, however no sources can confirm this yet. 

Tip for Braces-Wearer #1

You know how important it is to floss your teeth after meals, it's even more so when you're wearing braces. For those who tried to use ordinary dental floss to clean teeth with braces, you'll know what a pain in the arse that could be. Some people might eventually give up and forgo flossing because it's too much trouble, not to mention tiring. That is an absolute no-no!

Here is a tip to make flossing a much easier affair: Dental flossers to the rescue!

You can get these from Watson and Guardian, some pharmacies carry them as well. They usually come in a pack of 50. Quite affordable, in my opinion. Think of the convenience and time saving you can get out of these babies.

Of course, these are awesome for non-braces wearers  too. Once you start using these, you will never reach for another toothpick or dental floss again.

They floss much easier and faster compared to ordinary dental floss, and it can reach into every nook and cranny, extracting every bit of 'leftovers' to prevent cavities.

Speaking from experience, I think these works just as well compared to using the flossers prescribed by your orthodontists. However, I'm may not be completely right, since I'm no orthodontists, but it sure beats not flossing at all, amiright?

Hope this helps you in your journey to straighter, healthier teeth!

xx

LadyG

p/s: If you have any tips, do share in the comments below. I would dearly love to hear from you'all. 

Harry Potter

Me and my sister took turns reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone out loud. My copies are battered because I read them so often in my teens. There should be a sign saying 'Handle with Care.' on the covers because some of the pages would come off.

It's been a while since I last read them, but surprisingly I can still recall some parts of the book word-by-word.

I prefer the book version compared to the movies. I don't think I'm the only one who dislike the movie version of this book. The movie is too fast paced to capture the magic of J.K Rowling's writing, the humour, especially. I think I've only watched the first few of the Harry Potter films, after that I didn't bother about it anymore.

One scene in the film that I'm particularly unhappy about is when Draco Malfoy called Hermoine a 'mud-blood' and Hermoine dashed off in tears. Hermoine in the book does not give a fig if anyone called her a 'mud-blood', and she certainly would not burst up in tears for something insignificant like that. Hermoine is stronger than what the film portrayed her to be. (I watched that movie when I was like 13 or 14, I still remember that scene)

No offence to fans of the movie. I just feel that the original book is better.

My bed side table is stacked with books

By the way, my favorite characters are Hermoine Granger, Luna Lovegood, Sirius Black, James Potter and Albus Dumbledore.
Hermoine for her intelligence, Luna for her oddness, Sirius Black and James Potter for their hotness and Dumbledore for his nobleness and great wisdom.

Yes, I do think Sirus and James are hot, sorry Lily. Too bad they're all dead. I also thought the young Tom Riddle would be really cute too. Don't we all love the bad boys?
So, who's your favorite?

xx
LadyG

Kimchii Fried Rice

I'm currently craving this: Kimchii Fried Rice with Sunny Side Up.

Must buy Kimchii. My favorite ones are from Hi Seoul at Likas Square. Their Kimchii are by far the best I've tasted, not too spicy, enough tanginess and crunchy.

Kimchii taste great with plain rice or instant noodles. One can also make Kimchii soup with seafood and tofu or Kimchii fried rice.


xx
LadyG

Beware

I went to Harris that day saw some novels I wanted, they have this sticker '2nd @ Rebate 50%' so I bought four of them. The lady behind the counter asked me if I have a popular card, I sure did. So I handed mine for her to scan, thinking I might get an additional 10% with the 50% off.

When I got home and checked the receipt, I noticed that each book was given 10% off, but it did not mention 50% off for 2 of the books. I have a good mind to go back to the store but upon closer inspection on the sticker, it stated: 'Not applicable with Popular card and other Promotion.'

I felt cheated, why did the staff ask for my Popular card when she knew it will make the 50% offer invalid? I can remember the many times I have bought books with the 50% sticker before, which means I didn't really get to enjoy the offer after using my Popular card.

Let this serve as a lesson everyone out there, don't make the same mistake as I did. DO NOT use your Popular card if you're buying books with this '2nd @ Rebate 50%' sticker. Of course, you may use the card for normal priced items.


Disclaimer: I'm not trying to discredit Harris or Popular bookstore or anything. I'm a regular customer there and I appreciate my Popular card which gave me 10% off 'Regular' priced items. I'm just trying to bring up some awareness for other book lovers.

By the way, this book is from the Rouge Regency series: His Favorite Mistress by Tracy Ann Warren.

xx
LadyG

My Sister made meatballs

Made from scratch with minced meat, chopped mushrooms, cooking wine, soysauce and browned to golden perfection. I'm craving some, now.
 

xx
LadyG

My Scheming Silk Mask 我的心机蚕丝面膜

Silk mask is really fun to use, they are lighter, softer, more flexible and adhere better to the skin and face contour compared ordinary non-woven sheet mask. Natural silk fibers can improve absorption of essences into your skin. Silk's structure is said to be closest to human skin and it's effect is 5 to 10 times better than the regular ones. 

I like using silk mask while working on my computer or watching TV because they cling tightly to your skin and won't slip off. They're very cooling and refreshing especially during hot days. Here are some of the silk mask by My Scheming I bought from Watson during CNY.  Each cost RM6.90 and they're worth every penny (or should I say cent?)  I couldn't resist the cute packaging. 


My Scheming Hyaluronan Acid + Sponge Cucumber Extract Hydrating Silk Mask
 玻尿酸 + 丝瓜水 双效保湿循环蚕丝隐形面膜

Sponge Cucumber is rich in water content and moisturizing properties to improve skin. Along with imported high concentrate hyaluronic acid from Japan, it can form a protective layer on the skin for continuous moisture replenishment and water lock. Refreshing and good absorbency.

My Scheming L-ascorbic Acid + Tranexamic Acid Extract Whitening Silk Mask
左旋C + 傳明酸 驱黑净白隐形蚕丝面膜

L-ascorbic Acid controls skin dullness and it aids skin defense against UV rays. Together with Tranexamic Acid Extract, they provide twice the whitening effect for the skin. Dullness and uneven skin tone problems can be reduced.

My Scheming  Deep Sea Water + Ice Age Water Extract Moisturizing Silk Mask
海洋水 + 冰河晶粹 双效深沉补水蚕丝隐形面膜

Deep Sea water contains an abundance of minerals and it's similar to skin moisture molecule so they absorb very well into the skin. This mask can provide deep moisture to the skin, locking them in to give the skin a healthy glow. 


xx
LadyG