Solitude.
A comfortably lonely word.
A state of mind that everyone needs at a moment in time.
Pair it with a hearty meal and a good read....shear bliss.
It was that very idea that got me driving to the Gardens on a beautiful Saturday morning in December before meeting a friend later in the afternoon.
One is spoilt for choice at The Gardens but one can't help but be attracted to the sophisticated green-coloured setting of Chinoz, complete with cosy beige-coloured chairs. And recalling Lianne's Valrhona experience, I knew this was the place to be that morning.
Instead of the churros, I opted for the Hot Chocolate (RM17), Valrhona chocolate, that is. The warm cup of rich, smooth melted chocolate, diluted in milk was optimally sweet and got more addictive with every sip. Throw in a marshmallow for added sweetness and texture. A rather expensive but wonderful companion to the Saturday's paper.
Christmas tunes played by the piano man in the distant created an even more relaxing ambiance. That's before the afternoon crowd started thronging in.
Chinoz offers an extensive menu, ranging from pastas to sandwiches to a limited array of local delicacies. Wanting something fuss-free that morning, I had the Steak Sandwich (RM28). The portion was alright while the sides were rather generic; shoestring fries and lettuce. However, I did enjoy the simple, refreshing vinaigrette on the lettuce, complete with chopped onions. The bread was warm and soft. Taste-wise, rather generic. The steak was dry, hard and freshness was questionable as the "beefy" scent was rather strong. Other ingredients in the sandwich included rockets, caramelized onions, tomatoes and mustard dressing.
Total damage for a blissful breakfast: RM51.75. The food here is not cheap but a few more visits are required to confirm the overall quality of the food. The staff was very attentive, by the way.
It could have been perfect if not for the steak.
Food aside, the moment spent to myself, for myself was priceless. Solitude never felt so good...until my friend called to complain about the problematic parking condition at The Gardens, that is. And that was also the moment I had my last sip of the Valrhona chocolate.
chinoz @ THE GARDENS
G212, Ground Floor
THE GARDENS Mid Valley
Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2287 8277
24 comments:
Hot Chocolate(RM17)
Steak Sandswich(RM28)
A moment spent by yourself (Priceless)
Familiar right? From Mastercard.Haha :)
The cup used for the hot chocolate is unusual.
Good capture!
Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex
Welcome Back!
Hmm...RM17 for a cup of hot choc is a lil too pricey for me but i do agree *with both hands & legs* that each of us do need solitariness.
A time spend not for anyone, a moment just for ourselves. To rest and to reflect, from the hussle of life.
http://jojo185.blogs.friendster.com/joannas_life/
Always good to spend some alone time, and you seem to have chosen a perfect moment. :-)
oh that is really damaging at th end. lol!
Decadent... And to have in solitude? That's... that's what I'd call a moment there. Mmmm... :)
yeah most places in the gardens are not cheap. i did come across this place. they have cupcakes on display if i'm not mistaken. did u try them?
ekeng: OMG! looks like they've hypnotized me!!! hehe, i used visa to pay, btw..lol!
alexander: yupe, the cup did look unusual. love that ergonomic wave-shaped handle design.
jojo: thanks! good to be back! yeah, rest/reflect or even do nothing..just to breath a little better, i guess...
lyrical lemongrass: yupe, the moment was perfect. time/place/setting. well, that was before the call and the final sip! haha!
big boys oven: definitely! well, i guess all good things must come to an end...it makes us long for more ;>
kenny: oh, nice word you got there...yes, decadent it was...the moment was a bliss...wonder when "bliss" will take place again...*sigh*
jun: unfortunately, no. perhaps i was early. the display was rather empty. well, i guess the restaurants as just as expensive as the boutiques there...wonder if it'll last. the mall, i mean. lol!
Uh .. the choc drink's indeed pricey for that size. But for blissful moment, there's no price tag to it, is there?
hmm...maybe u should try the steak sandwish at Jarrod & Rawlins ~ ^_^
tot i would read abt ur trip up north... :p
wat a price to pay for being alone eh?..
still i would prefer something outdoor, a coffee or a glass of red wine and something lighter, perhaps smoked salmon wrap..
n a good newspaper..
lianne: oh, yes. definitely not a big cup. haha! but i enjoyed every sip of it. priceless blissful moment indeed! :) ...should refrain myself from saying that..later THAT credit card sue me for copyright..hehe.
ling239: oh...thanks for reminding me about that restaurant! i saw a new one at one-utama in december...i will definitely find time :)
as for the thailand report..next next week, i think. cos got so much more backlog. hehe...will speed up, promise! :)
joe: ooohhh...smoked salmon wrap, nice! wah, you really know joie de vivre, eh? haha...i'm very kiasu one. pay expensive, must got air-con...hehe..what kinda mentality i have, right? sigh...
yeah i have a lot of time for myself too..kgboy went back to terengganu..boohooo been starbucking a lot lately
Dry and generic huh? ..such a waste..I was looking at the sandwich and thinking of checking it out. :((
17 for that cuppa... i m soo-ohh-broke for it. but spending that once a while alone will make ones happy. ^___^
the best solitude is we think when you can see the melodious buzz at a distance somewhere below but only feel the purr of the soft breeze like say a place like a hill in Langkawi Island and with the food ( no not steak !) of your love near your lap
then you must really enjoy
"reflections of my life"
immensely.
tho we prefer solitude + 1
Omg, the hot chocolate is really really pricey!! But yet, we still feel like trying this place out!
What an expensive breakfast you had! :)
the last time I had a cup of hot choc for more than RM15 was in Aus! pricey... ;P
citygal: time to enjoy that solitude moment like me..hehe…time to go shopping for Chinese new year stuff also! Gosh, haven’t been to starbucks in a looong time.
honey star: do try out other sandwiches and let me know, ya! Perhaps I had an “unlucky” cut the other day…hehe…heard that they have cupcakes for dessert too..but I’ve not seen any the other day.
ai wei: hehe, my thoughts exactly…sometimes, I can be so “kedekut” on myself and at times, I will splurge on something, like this breakfast :)
mylumut: thanks for stopping by! Oh, yes. Definitely like you idea. Been wanting to visit langkawi but somehow just cant find the time. Food of my love? Hmmm…too many to choose from! Haha!
Team bsg: once in awhile, yes. Cant do it all the time. Kinda boring if it’s overdone (like that steak). Solitude+1+1+1+1+1+1 is so much more fun, eh? Hehe! Any new membership recruitment for your team? Me waiting in line :)
wenching & esiong: yeah, the hot chocolate was expensive but I think the taste is really nice. Yeah, do try out other dishes coz I’m very curious to know too! Hehe!
Not as expensive as my breakfast in Tokyo though..hehe…but the quality was top-notch!
Christine: was it good?? Wow, having a hot cup of cocoa on a cold, winter night is such a wonderful experience! For now, my closest thing to a cup of hot cocoa is milo :)
For a place in a classy shopping mall, I think the price pretty reasonable.
jason: yupe, i agree. it was afterall, the gardens. but will try other things for my next visit...so many choices! :>
jackson: yupe, i agree....but it's valhorna chocolate leh! hehehe
yeah..soundz good to having meal there..i'll try to go...
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