Everything has been thought of, every last detail—or so it seems. Rumours, the intimate Sri Hartamas restaurant has left nothing to chance. The service is excellent. The staff are friendly, attentive and seem to enjoy what they do, which is a rare find!

The superbly named Super Sushi Group of Japanese restaurants has already introduced us to a breadth of dining experiences – from the Japanese-Italian of Pasta Zanmai to the casual and affordable Sushi Zen. With Chuka Zanmai in Sri Hartamas, they are attempting to break new ground. But will Chinese and Japanese fusion work?

City Golf, barely six months old, is Malaysia’s first indoor golf venue. It is ideal for corporate events and lazy golfers who prefer not to go without a beer for too long. They can now negotiate one of the 50 courses available at any of Golf City’s four simulator bays while staying within touching distance of a well-stocked bar and restaurant.

A shisha bar and Mexican restaurant rolled into one, Carlos Mexican Canteena has intrigued (and perhaps, confused) passers-by.

Dubrovnik is a tourist hotspot on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, an ancient walled city with lots of little islands to explore, dotted along the coast; popular in the summer with the sailing fraternity. Think Port Dickson with much more charm and history. As idyllic Mediterranean cities go, not many are as beautiful as Dubrovnik.

You would hardly know from peeking that this place serves only vegetarian food if not for the sign above the entrance. The décor is traditional Chinese: Three enormous porcelain figures Fook, Luk and Sau smiling benevolently at diners, the 18 Immortals cozy above the door and a ceramic Guan Yin by the kitchen. It seems you’re guaranteed a good meal.

Chiaroscuro provides ample dining space on a lovely, shady terrace – perfect for a short afternoon coffee or a long romantic drink in the evening. Inside the restaurant, things have been kept simple and uncluttered. Starched white linen and sturdy wooden chairs are set around large tables that give guests ample space. It creates an ambience that is inviting and comfortable yet refined. The same theme is also evident in their simple yet elegant menus, detailing a decent-sized selection of Italian classic as well as more inventive interpretations of Mediterranean cuisine.

Not another Japanese restaurant you might say, especially in an area already well established for such cuisine. On the very same row, you can also find a Rakuzen and Hyotan. But thanks to their impressive corner lot, Tomoe manages to stand out from their competitors. Besides, the free valet they provide is strong incentive, allowing diners to drive up and walk straight in.

First impressions count and Frames certainly scored high in that aspect. Its chic and minimalist interior, chilled tunes, low lighting and an eclectic ambience derived from the frame-lined walls; each encasing an inspired moment or memory, roused great expectations. With headily excited taste buds, we were ready to “let (Frames’) masterpieces of taste paint a picture of bliss on my palette!” as promised by the menu. But truly, in this case, the pictures outshone reality.

Everyone enjoys replica art – the intricate imitations of food made of plastic. There is something oddly attractive about the colour and detail. Invented by the Japanese to display the dishes and food that they serve in the restaurant, it serves as a magnet for potential customers walking past.

Marley and Me turned John Grogan (not to be confused with Josh Groban) from columnist to best-selling author in 2005. We personally sincerely hope its magic works on Jennifer Aniston and her box office rut. Considering David Frankel, of The Devil Wears Prada and Band of Brothers fame, directs the film adaptation, Aniston should have nothing to worry about.

The Christmas movie season limps on this month with the late release of Four Christmases. Pardon the cynicism, but really—has there been any Christmas movie worth remembering since Love Actually? Fred Clause perhaps? The Family Stone? I rest my case. Having said that, Four Christmases looks promising.

Baz Luhrmann can be compared to a martini—as something that is considered an acquired taste, yet immensely popular all the same. Despite less-than positive reviews, the film set the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for an Australian film.

Catherine Hardwicke’s Twilight is the stuff of adolescent angst and woe, with the assurance of a firm fan base in the best-selling novel it was based upon. So much so that Fandango sold 5 Twilight tickets per second before its US release despite less than impressive reviews. Twilight sucked the box office dry, and is virtually critic-proof. As such, this review might not be of any significance, but here’s our two cents worth anyway.

The zombie film never gets old and if it’s George A. Romero, we can bet that there’s a socially conscious message behind all the gore and horror.

There seems to be no end in sight for western cinema’s love affair with zombies. Following 28 Days Later and its sequel, George A. Romero‘s Dead films, Resident Evils and many others, comes the latest entry.

It’s hard to watch Cicakman 2 and bring the same expectations from seeing Iron Man, The Dark Knight and Spider-Man. It‘s best to expect something along the lines of Senario meets Power Rangers.

The new James Bond flick feels like a Jason Bourne movie for the hip green generation. It's all dirty, gritty, and undercoated with a socially responsible message about going green.

Before anything can be said, let's get this straight: amusing creepy penguins aside, Madagascar stunk like damp animal. Its only lasting memory is of annoyance in the song, "I like to move it move it", for crying out loud! However, before you roll your eyes at the topic of this review, we can assure you that Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa completely usurps its predecessor.

Stepping out into the shiny surrounds of the shopping mall after the screening of Punggok Rindukan Bulan at the cineplex, I noted the striking contrast. Here was middle-class Malaysia proudly toting crisp, fully laden shopping bags, drooling over the latest electronic playthings on display, sipping overpriced cups of coffee at oh-so-trendy cafes. It was far removed from the world of grungy nasi goreng warungs and grotty rundown flats to which, back in the darkened confines of the theatre, I had been transported.

The Gemuk Girls are Kartini and Juliana, a mother and daughter pair. One is loud and overbearing, the other strait-laced - but both strong and proud of whom they are and what they stand for. One day, their world is shaken up when they receive news about Kartini’s father who had been arrested and detained in the 1960’s. Two plots work side-by side as the reality of the Internal Security Act and family politics arising from the injustice imposed on their family are explored in this gripping performance by The Necessary Stage.

On a primary level, the story is centred around a group of farm animals who become tired of working themselves to the bone with little food or reward under the rule of their master, Mr Jones. As a result, the animals decide to revolt and overthrow their human ruler.

A safe house is a place a person can find solace and security, a sanctuary, a place where anyone can run to when the real world seems that little bit extra bleak and inhospitable. Chang Yoong Chia’s Safe House, the third instalment of his Flora & Fauna Series is anything but comfortable.

But more than that, I was audience to a shrewdly observed and sensitive insight into the Malaysian education system, ultimately a reflection on past, present and ongoing cultural paradigms at play in every sphere of life.

Congratulations are in order for Ng Si Juan, who was just proclaimed our representative for the British Council’s International Young Designer Entrepreneur (IYDE) competition.

Juan promises to push our design boundaries to the next level. Sounds like the British Council picked just the right guy.

On 10 June, as part of the Stirring Odissi 2008 show, Sutra Dance Theatre (Malaysia) and Orissa Dance Academy (India) presented one of the newer developments of Odissi – group performances.

This isn’t the sort of coming-of-age parable you’d relate at Sunday school. How I Learned To Drive centers around the incestuous, pedophiliac relationship between Li’l Bit and her recovering alcoholic Uncle Peck, set in 1960s Maryland and surrounded by bitterly domineering kith and kin and ignorant middle school peers.

Many remember Joanne Kam for her starring performances at the now defunct Boom Boom Room. Kam… in your face brings back her cabaret show filled with singing, dancing, skits and even rapping in what is the biggest show she has done in years. Judging from the enthusiastic support she received from the audience, Kam’s ability to entertain hasn’t been forgotten.

RACE, a new play presented by Rather Peculiar Theatre premiered last night, and I was there to watch it. All I have to say is I love it. It's one of the most enjoyable theatre experiences I've had for quite a while. Go watch it!

Once in a while, we look beyond our borders to discover what’s rocking up on the regional music front. Thankfully Impulse, brought to you by Heineken Music and our brotha’ Junk, makes the research a little easier by curating a list of performers and visual artists whose names we all should look out for

First it was 02 Days of Freedom. And one week later, hip hop and electro fans had the XLive Music Festival. Sweet!

Realizing the needs of these young boys, a group of 14 young adults decided to host a charity fundraising event to help Agathians Shelter raise RM100,000 to construct their new home; a more conducive one, which offers more comfort and security.

With a logo that highlights the numbers six and nine, Club 9 & the SiX Lounge is a name befitting a playground for creatures of the night. Seductively housed in shades of white, black and red, Club 9 features two levels that separate a lounge and dance floor, illuminated in a spectrum of colours by a scattered disco-balled ceiling and a pulsating strobe.

Supperclub, the new kid on the Hartamas block, is rather hard to miss. For one, it has prominent neon signage that can be seen all the way from Mont Kiara.

If Carole King sang “You’ve Got a Friend” at a place like Quattro, the song would have no impact. However the case, Quattro’s concept is pretty cool, no matter who you call.

If you’re new to SohoKL, it can be quite confusing to locate the club of your choice given the scale of the development. Not the case for Goddezz Couture Club though – just follow the pounding bass and you’ll be on the right track.

The new establishment CapSquare has had a new edition to its tenant family in Red Square, Jakarta’s hottest vodka bar. And unlike other clubs, it’s a unique spirit without a sense of strict regulation, making it the choice place for serious drinkers and partiers!

TSB has undergone a makeover to keep itself fresh. The downstairs area is now separated into a non-smoking café and the bistro for smokers. Upstairs is where the major changes are: the bar has been spruced up to cater for a more raucous crowd, and TSB’s new crown jewel, the Star Lounge, holds place of pride in the newly-conceptualised layout as a private space for patrons to fully lay back and relax while soaking in TSB’s ambience.

After what seemed an age of pushing back opening dates, Euphoria is finally up and running. When the rumours first made known that Euphoria was going to be located in Sunway, many groaned at the distance, but decided it was going to be huge ala the Singaporean MOS. However, instead of housing several themed rooms, Euphoria manages to hold 1,500 guests via three levels and has each day of the week specifically themed.

There are clubs huddled together around an entertainment hub, clubs lined up on a street, and ones that stand alone in the city centre. Mystique is neither. Hidden on the ground floor of the Cineleisure building, its discretion reminds one of long-gone Tube at 1-Utama. Except that it's much larger, a tad less dodgy and doesn't stay open 'til 6am.

S.I.N sounds like the club your mother warned you about – S&M gear on the walls, vampires just about ready to jump you for a pint or two. In short, the name just screams shenanigans in dark, dank nooks and crannies. When we headed down for its grand launch, the location seemed to fit our preconceptions perfectly: hidden beneath a stairwell to the left of Jalan P Ramlee’s Modesto’s, our descent into S.I.N began.

The latest installment to the Heritage Row family comes in the shape of Space, dwarfed between the cream of the clubbing crop, Cynna and Loft; perhaps a location somewhat daunting for a brand new establishment of skeptically ignorant caliber.

The Taman Megah branch serves as the neighborhood supplier of baking needs, anything you want to get your cookies and cakes rolling can be found here. The interior of the shop is reminiscent of any ordinary kedai runcit with shelves decked with items, freezer at the front and a cashier by the entrance.
Only the over-powering smell of pastry assures you that you're at the right shop.

Organised racks of high-end labels of the likes of Karen Walker, Dogeared Jewelry and Hansel neatly frame the perimeter of the boutique, with little else in decoration. With a chic minimalist store that would not be out of place on KLCC’s designer ground floor, Lush Icon is surprisingly an extremely personal venture shared by two sisters, Rachel and Pooi Ching Khiew, and is supervised by their mother.