My Very First Blog

Two days after I watched "Beverly Hills ChiHuaHua" with my sister, nephew and niece at GSC 1Utama, I was back at another cinema. This time, I was with them watching "Bolt" in its 3D version, at GSC, Mid Valley.

However, before watching Bolt, we went for lunch at Fong Lye, at The Gardens Mall next to Mid Valley.

This was the second time I went to this Taiwanese restaurant. We were lucky it was not noon or lunch time yet when we went that day, otherwise we may have to queue up. I remember the last time I went there for dinner, there was a long queue outside the restaurant after 6pm.

Anyway, my niece ordered this black peppered bean curd dish.



It came in a set with a bowl of rice, three side dishes and a bowl of soup (not in picture)



My nephew ordered a dish called Taiwan Chicken Chop Rice, which he did not allow me to take photos of. He was really naughty that day! Naughty, but in a cute way so I forgave him. Haha!

My sister was on a diet, so she did not order anything. Instead, she just took a few bites from both her children's dishes. I didn't quite agree with her dieting, but I knew no amount of talk would persuade her otherwise, so I just let her be.

As for me, I ordered Fresh Tomato Fried Egg with Fish Fillet.



I liked this dish very much! This dish also came in a set which comprises a bowl of rice, three side dishes and a bowl of soup, exactly like the one my niece was having. It tasted like sweet and sour fish in tomato sauce, except with added eggs, which made it even nicer.

Of course, we also ordered the restaurant's famous Sweet Potato Balls.



Both my niece and nephew loved these potato balls, and they ate most of it!

The Black Peppered Bean Curd costs RM17.80, while both the Taiwan Chicken Chop and my Fresh Tomato Fried Egg with Fish Fillet cost RM19.80 each. The Sweet Potato Ball was priced at RM5.30. Add in a glass of watermelon milk at RM7.30, the total bill inclusive of 15% tax came up to RM80.50 which was quite reasonable, considering the size and quality of the food served.

The problem was, when I went to the counter to make payment, I discovered too late that they do not accept credit card. Only then, did I see the notice at the counter that reads "Cash Only". I wonder how many people really read that notice. I quickly searched my wallet but I could only find, at most RM30 inside. My niece and nephew had already ran out of the restaurant, with my sister running closely after them. Great!

I told the cashier I did not bring enough money and proceeded to complain as to why such a nice restaurant located at a prestigious shopping mall like The Gardens does not accept credit card.

To which she replied, "Sorry sir, our boss does not accept credit cards."

Which to me, was not much of an explanation. I think all those people queueing at the entrance must be looking at me. Was I supposed to feel embarrassed for not bringing enough cash? I didn't think so!

I continued to complain that even if they do not accept credit card, they should at least inform their customers about it when they enter the shop as not everyone who goes there read their "Cash Only" notice.

Luckily, my sister came back in time and offered to pay cash. In fact, she did not have enough cash too, and I had to take out RM10 from my wallet. Phew!

I wondered what would happen if my sister did not come back to pay. Would they follow me to the ATM machine to take out cash? What if I say I don't use ATM machines? What would they do? Isn't it absurd that they only accept cash? A restaurant in a high class shopping mall?

During the Christmas week last year, I had wanted to go and watch the Disney movie "Bolt" at GSC, 1Utama after reading the review by Pikeydude. It was also the school holidays at that time and I took the opportunity to bring along my sister, and her two children.

Ever since her husband died of liver cancer, my sister had been staying alone with her two kids. It's not often that I visit them, so I made use of that week's holidays to spend some time with them. And what better way than to go shopping and watching a movie with them!

I had booked for the Bolt (3D) movie at 2.30pm. We arrived at 1Utama at 10.30am sharp. I knew that if we had come any later, we may have trouble finding parking space. After collecting the tickets, we had a quick breakfast at Burger King, which was the children's favourite, not mine. I don't fancy fast food, but don't mind accompanying my niece and nephew there.



After breakfast, we went shopping. I did not manage to buy anything for myself, but ended up buying things for my niece and nephew. My sister asked me not to spoil them, but I was thinking, it's not every time I get to buy things for them, so I did not think I was spoiling them.

Anyway, we were so deep in our shopping spree, we did not notice it was already past 2.45pm. When my nephew reminded me about it, I was like, Oh my God! We are late! We are late! So we rushed from the Old Wing of 1Utama to the New Wing. If you've been to 1Utama, you'll know how far we had to run! We could easily beat those contestants from The Amazing Race, I tell you!

When we reached the entrance of the GSC cineplex, I was quite breathless! I did not know how the children fared. I think my sister almost fainted. I passed my tickets to the staff at the entrance, and she said we could not go in. I freezed. What?! Can you please repeat that?

She apologised and explained that the projector for the 3D movie had broken down. Oh, damn!

The children had waited for this movie. How could GSC do this to them? I could just see the look of disappointment on their faces.

The lady instructed me to get my refunds at the ticket counter and book for another movie. Well, what to do? I went to the counter and got my refunds, then asked if the movie Bolt were shown in other cinema halls. I was told there were no more 3D movie, but the normal (without 3D) one was available. Unfortunately, only front seat tickets were left, so I said forget it!

In the end, I bought the tickets to the movie "Beverly Hills ChiHuaHua". I was not particularly eager to watch this movie. But it was either this movie or nothing. The rest were simply not suitable for the kids, some with 18SG and 13PG ratings.



So did I survive the movie? Yes, I did. It was not that bad, depending on your preference. For dogs, that is. I am not going to review this movie - too lazy for that! Let's just say, if you love dogs, you will like this movie. If you hate dogs, you will hate the show. And if you are neutral like me, you will sort of feel entertained, but will not be in a hurry to include it in your top 10 movies of the year.

The children of course, enjoyed it thoroughly! It was after all a Disney movie and if they could not entertain children with their movies, then Disney must be a downright failure!

So did the children get to see Bolt in its 3D version? Yes, but not that day. It was on another day at a different location. But that will be in my next post, coming right up!