Taco Beach Mexican Grill @ Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

This small, no frills restaurant offers up just a handful of tables with friendly people that are always eager to help. The menu is fat, offering fajitas, tostadas, quesadillas, tamales, taxes style BBQ baby back ribs and daily specials. 

The only thing separating the cozy seating area from the line cooks is a counter stacked with containers of jalapeño and homemade salsa. 

Taco Beach is a true mom and pop joint where the owner greets every customer that walks in

Guacamole and tortilla chips (IDR 28,000) - Traditional avocado dip with tortilla chips

You can buy salsa from the grocery store, but you won't find anything nearly as fresh and flavorful as the salsa at Taco Beach. 

Baja fish taco (IDR 45,000) - The fresh grilled fish was wrapped in palm sized grilled flour tortillas, ready to be balanced by a line of salsa and a squeeze of lime

Babi guling carnitas taco (IDR 45,000) - Those into pork should definitely sample the babi guling taco, composed of shredded pork topped with sour cream and avocado. 

And for burrito, we have decided to go with the not so conventional ...

7 layer breakfast burrito (IDR 35,000) - We relished the scrambled egg, beans, Spanish rice, sour cream, bacon and dabs of pico de gallo and hot sauce.

VERDICT: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Smitten Dishes:

Guacamole and tortilla chips

Babi guling carnitas taco

Taco Beach Mexican Grill

Address: Jl. Kunti 6 Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Telephone: 03 61 854 6262

Operating Hours: 12pm to 10pm

Website

You can also call or sms your order for pick up delivery! 

Made's Warung @ Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Made's Warung has been a longtime favorite for locals and tourists. The myriad of choices may feel overwhelming and my suggestion is to go with traditional Balinese dishes which hardly go wrong. 

The restaurant is a great hang out place for visitors, thanks to its large garden area filled with tables and chairs, as well as a communal table section. 

Made Warung has two outlets, one in Kuta, another in Seminyak. Everything seems bigger and wider at the Seminyak branch, well... except for its menu. 

Soto Madura (IDR 35.000) - A bowl of heart warming soup after a 3hr flight from KL. 

Babi Sate (IDR 50.00) - Each Sate was delicately flavored with spices like coriander, cumin and turmeric. To further enhances the flavor, dip the sate into the homemade peanut sauce - You can never have too much peanut sauce on this babi.  

Gado - Gado (IDR 30.00) - Those into peanut sauce should definitely sample the Gado-Gado, which is vegetables in peanut sauce, mainly composed of assorted vegetables mixed in peanut sauce topped with some chili padi. 

Bebek Tootoo (IDR 165.000) -  A tender piece of duck tossed in traditional Balinese sauce. 

Nasi Campur Special (IDR 65.000) - This plate of nasi campur had a view of beef rendang, smoked chicken, sambal prawns and local vegetables. A very colorful view indeed! 

VERDICT: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Made's Warung @ Seminyak

Address: Br. Seminyak, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Telephone: +62 361 732130

Website

Doraku @ Life Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If your table at Doraku isn't overloaded with dishes, you are doing something wrong. Start with standout cold dishes like Shiromi Shiso Carpaccio, followed by Ahi Hawaiian Poker and move over to the hot side and be dazzled by the Doraku Wafu Burger. To end, order your choice of ice cream and leave the table with a satisfying smile =)

Now I have an answer if anyone asks I know of any good Japanese Fusion style restaurant in KL. The answer will be Doraku. 

When you are here, expect nothing but a vivid palate of flavors, heightened by fresh ingredients and generous portions meant for sharing. 

Hiyashi Wakeme (RM8) - Served chilled, this marinated cold seaweed played well as an appetizer. 

Shiromi Shiso Carpaccio (RM30) - Thinly sliced Shiromi got extra layer of flavor from the shiso leaf, topped with marinated cucumber, sweet onion and tomato. The fresh ingredients and Kabayaki sauce was an instant flavor bomb.

Ahi Hawaiian Poker (RM36) - This dish started out as Japanese but ended with Hawaiian accent, thanks to the fresh ahi tuna, sweet onion, seaweed mix and nuts - all doused healthily in a Doraku Special sauce. We can't stop thinking how all these wonderful ingredients can sit together so well. 

Sashimi Moriawase (RM60) - It's always nice to complement the culinary journey with simple fresh sashimi, designed to accentuate both seafood and Japanese game.  

Doraku Wafu Burger (RM36) - The burger was a standout! Luscious greens and a fried egg draped across the juicy hamburger patty, held together by soft buns and flavored with special Japanese sauce.  We will definitely be back for this umami rich burger! 

Doraku Roll (RM30) - Unlike the typical rolls that can be found anywhere in KL, the Doraku roll was dressed with crabmeat and avocado, topped with seared tuna, daikon radish, shiso leaf and crispy garlic chips. To top it off, it was drizzled with special wasabi yuzu citrus sauce, giving it a sweet and spanking fresh combo. 

Sakura Ice Cream (RM12) - There is always room for desserts. A sweet sakura ending accompanied by azuki and a touch of Japanese sweets.

VERDICT: TOTALLY SMITTEN

SMITTEN DISHES:

Doraku Wafu Burger 

Shiromi Shiso Carpaccio

Ahi Hawaiian Poker 

Smitten by Ideas: DIY Wine Cork

Don't throw those wine corks away. Here are some interesting ideas on what you can do with it - promise you will enjoy it as much as your wine. 

Idea # 1: Wine Cork Magnets

Mary-Malone

Idea # 2 Wine Cork Basket

Chica and Jo

Idea # 3: Mini Flower Pot

Jen CYK

Idea # 4: Plant Marker

My Chic Life

Idea # 5: XO Stamp

Martha Stewart

Idea # 6: Place Card Holder

Casa Sugar

Idea # 7: Key Chain

Simple Crafter

Idea # 8: Bath Mat

Picklee

Idea # 9: Monogram

Makezine

Idea # 10: Notice Board

Annie and Edna

Copenhagen Canal Tours - Nyhavn, Amalienborg, Dannebrog, Opera House, Church of Our Saviour @ Denmark

There is no better way to see Copenhagen than to hop onto a canal tour, where a bilingual tour guide will tell you about Copenhagen's most beautiful churches, castles, old listed houses and new buildings.

We started our tour at the famous Nyhavn, a beautiful canal surrounded by colorful houses and sail ships. The famous fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen used to lived in house No.67 for a good 17 years. Some of his famous books include, The Little Mermaid, The Flying Truck, The Swineherd, The Ugly Duckling and The Shepherdess and Chimney Sweep. 

Amalienborg is currently the winter home of the Danish royal family. The castle was originally built for four noble families, but when the Christiansborg Palace got burned down in 1794, the royal family decided to buy this beautiful palace and moved in. 

If there is a winter castle, there will be a summer yacht. Meet Her Danish Majesty's Yacht - Dannebrog (named after the Denmark flag). This ship also function as a hospital ship in times of emergency. 

A lovely smile from a cheerful little girl 

Copenhagen Opera House - This is one of the most modern opera houses in the world. It is also one of the most expensive, costing more than US$500 million! 

Vor Frelsers Kirke or commonly known as the Church of Our Saviour is a baroque church, famous for its external spiral staircase. 

Passing through the tiny canal bridge

Colorful small boats mingling at the canal, waiting to be operated by their respective owners

Kids taking a break near the canal. Life is good in Copenhagen.