Lecka Lecka Bar and Restaurant

In my commitment to discover new places, even while in KL, Malaysia, I took time to take some notes on where to drink. Across Pavilion, is Lecka Lecka, beside the Starhill Gallery signage. Stella Armois is atRM24 Heineken RM21. And the music and the ambiance is great for chilling (as long as it doesn't rain). The pizzas are great, too. Thin crust and lovely cheese. Try the Local Pizza (i think that was the name) at RM35 (or was it RM45) which is served with pickled green chilis, chili sauce and something else (which I had no interest in).

The night before, went to Retro Club along Jalan Pinang where there are other clubs/bars like Rum Jungle Bar (saw an outlet in Ipoh, Perak but didnt drink there). Stella Armois is just RM18. Hawkers sell 600ml Tiger Beers at RM14. Which is like equivalent to 2 bottles of the prices above.

When asked where we went to drink last Friday night and I said "Lecka Lecka," Ong said it sold ice cream. So it's not only Sarah's Ice Cream Shop near UP campus that sells beer then. Amusing.

Penguin

Found myself here at around 2 AM of Saturday (I'm just guessing but it was definitely after 1 AM). Penguin is along Remedios, Malate, Manila City. I just had a glass of water here (had rhum and diet coke at a housewarming party in Katipunan already). But I think a bottle of SML is at P50.

There are bands who play here. Reminds me of Makati's Saguijo.

Plato Platina

Check Out: Plato Platina
Location: Blue Wave, along Macapagal Ave., Pasay City
How to get there: Car/cab but if you're saving your cash for the good food and wine, take MRT, get off at Taft Ave. Station. Go down the stairs. Ride a jeepney to MOA and get off Petron Station. When I do ride a jeep, I sit infront (where I feel safer) so I can tell the driver to stop at Petron. You can also amuse yourself when he barks "MUWAH! MUWAH! MUWAH! to throngs of people coming down or from the mall. From Petron, you can walk to Plato Platina which is already visible from here.

If you love paella and would want something different, order the Paella Nero. Really tasty sticky rice with black squid ink and hefty chunks of meats, vegetables and seafood. If you're on a diet (trying to cut calories from food to make way for the wine), order the Three Season Salad or the PESCE DI ZAFFERANO IN PATATA CON PESTO or just ask for the "grilled fish with vegetables and white wine sauce" or simply "grilled fish." The pizzas are GREAT (really thin, crispy crust)!

This is also one place to have a lava cake which is baked upon order and served with Fiorgelato (yes, lovely ice cream).

I suggest you get wine to go with the nice meal. With an extensive wine list (I think all the decent wine producing countries are represented here), you might get intimidated with the wine/bar list. But don't be. All of them were personally picked by one of the owners who is a self-confessed wine fan. If you're not sure what to get, just ask the waiter to recommend. The bottle in the photo is good.

SML (P60++) is available should you want beer with pizza.

So since this is not a "new place" for me, I am writing about this book that I had a chance to read the first few pages of (inside the mood lighted Plato) while waiting for the owner of the book to finish her meeting. It's called "Thick Face, Black Heart" by Ching-Ning Chu. Very interesting non-fiction. It describes "Thick Face" as the shield that protects one's self-esteem from bad opinions of others while the "Black Heart" repsents ruthlessness which it is not necessarily evil (the author went on to illustrate the latter point with examples that made me agree that being ruthless is not necessarily bad). But I should really read first AS Byatt's "The Virgin in the Garden." Anybody got a copy?