Food, Fun, and new Friends
OK, that's kind of a lame title, but this was not a lame night. It actually happened on our day off, Monday, when I usually take a day trip or do something exhausting. However, this Monday, we had planned this canopy walk through the rainforest, that actually ended up being closed on Mondays. So... I spent a lazy day by the pool and had a very interesting night!
It all started a few weeks ago, when Maria's friend Lizanne took us to this famous Malaysian store. It's called Peter Hoe's, after the man whose designs are displayed there. I'd have to call the store a cross between Pottery Barn and Pier 1, with it's own Malay flair thrown in. Regardless, it's a gorgeous store full of clothes, furniture, housewares, and much more. The day I went I spent about an hour looking around and... dun dun dun... didn't even buy anything - I was too overwhelmed by liking everything so much!! But anyway, we recommended the place to all the people in the company, and a few days later some friends went back.
When Joel, Alyssa, and Dana went back, the designer, Peter Hoe, was actually in the store. Joel is really cute (and gay) and of course caught dear Peter's eye. Because of this, the four of them got to talking about the store, the Sound of Music, and everything under the sun. Basically an hour later (after some wine and quiche) the SOM kids had a date with Peter for Monday night. So, fast forward to Monday night, when I'm also invited. I was especially important to this party because apparently we were going to some restaurant where you needed to have your own knife, and I'm the only one who carries a (mini)pocket knife - it has my dad's company on it. So we headed out on Monday night, pocket knife in hand, and wearing the dress code that Peter had devised, of denim and white.
From what I had heard about him, I knew Peter would be a character, but nothing could have really prepared me. I got to meet Peter and his assistant/friend Hirwan (it rhymes with Pier 1) and we all had drinks in the store. Peter is hilarious and ridiculous at the same time, while Hirwan is very down to earth and responsible. Some people say that Peter reminds them of the role B.D. Wong played in the Father of the Bride movies, so does that give you an idea? We all talked for awhile... of course Joel, Dana, and Alyssa had told the boys all about the drama and the people in the cast, so we had to gossip for a while. It was raining, so we chilled while we waited for it to stop. Eventually it did, and we headed to the new hot part of town, Bangsar, for some eats.
When our cab pulled up outside the "restaurant", I was pretty skeptical. Here we were in front of one of those restaurants I had seen all over China and Malaysia. There is basically a doorway, and then lots of plastic tables and chairs outside. People are eating, and there's sometimes some kind of outdoor grill or food cooking station that looks pretty sketchy. We sat down in the doorway, and I proceeded to find out that my knife was supposed to be used to cut the banana leaves that would be used as our placemats. Of course it was tiny and useless, so my position as knife wielder was taken quickly, as we paid extra to get the leaves cut by the restaurant. As dinner progressed though, I soon forgot the sketchy restaurant and banana leaf plates, because the food was great!
I'm not really into Indian food, but I must have been hungry because I ate it all. We got white rice, with fish and chicken curry. We had curried lamb, and some kind of seaweed vegetable. We ate a bitter root that had been fried, and some lightly battered calimari. We also had some spicy chutney, boiled chicken, and cucumber salad. I finished it off with my favorite drink in Malaysia, iced lemon tea. Before I knew it my banana leaf was bare, and I was stuffed. Because we had all eaten so much, we decided to stop at a low-key lounge bar before heading to the swanky bar with the dress code. A few minutes later (after stopping to buy some pirated DVDs) we were sitting at the best spot in the bar - as Peter's a local celeb this goes with the job.
We drank cosmos and mojitos and actually played a long game of Monopoly as Peter's friends would stop by for a chat. When we tried to order dessert - an amazing chocolate cake - and were told that it wasn't served in the lounge, Peter asked to speak to the chef, who was a close friend. Soon we had some piping hot cake in front of us. It was truly an experience. After hours of this though, we were all exhausted. We never even made it to the next bar because we were so tired!! Luckily, though, we're supposed to see more of Peter. He's invited his whole staff to the show on Wednesday, and he's invited us to a party at his house on Saturday (the dress code this time is "Easter colors" and there will be no food that makes crumbs). Can't wait!
It all started a few weeks ago, when Maria's friend Lizanne took us to this famous Malaysian store. It's called Peter Hoe's, after the man whose designs are displayed there. I'd have to call the store a cross between Pottery Barn and Pier 1, with it's own Malay flair thrown in. Regardless, it's a gorgeous store full of clothes, furniture, housewares, and much more. The day I went I spent about an hour looking around and... dun dun dun... didn't even buy anything - I was too overwhelmed by liking everything so much!! But anyway, we recommended the place to all the people in the company, and a few days later some friends went back.
When Joel, Alyssa, and Dana went back, the designer, Peter Hoe, was actually in the store. Joel is really cute (and gay) and of course caught dear Peter's eye. Because of this, the four of them got to talking about the store, the Sound of Music, and everything under the sun. Basically an hour later (after some wine and quiche) the SOM kids had a date with Peter for Monday night. So, fast forward to Monday night, when I'm also invited. I was especially important to this party because apparently we were going to some restaurant where you needed to have your own knife, and I'm the only one who carries a (mini)pocket knife - it has my dad's company on it. So we headed out on Monday night, pocket knife in hand, and wearing the dress code that Peter had devised, of denim and white.
From what I had heard about him, I knew Peter would be a character, but nothing could have really prepared me. I got to meet Peter and his assistant/friend Hirwan (it rhymes with Pier 1) and we all had drinks in the store. Peter is hilarious and ridiculous at the same time, while Hirwan is very down to earth and responsible. Some people say that Peter reminds them of the role B.D. Wong played in the Father of the Bride movies, so does that give you an idea? We all talked for awhile... of course Joel, Dana, and Alyssa had told the boys all about the drama and the people in the cast, so we had to gossip for a while. It was raining, so we chilled while we waited for it to stop. Eventually it did, and we headed to the new hot part of town, Bangsar, for some eats.
When our cab pulled up outside the "restaurant", I was pretty skeptical. Here we were in front of one of those restaurants I had seen all over China and Malaysia. There is basically a doorway, and then lots of plastic tables and chairs outside. People are eating, and there's sometimes some kind of outdoor grill or food cooking station that looks pretty sketchy. We sat down in the doorway, and I proceeded to find out that my knife was supposed to be used to cut the banana leaves that would be used as our placemats. Of course it was tiny and useless, so my position as knife wielder was taken quickly, as we paid extra to get the leaves cut by the restaurant. As dinner progressed though, I soon forgot the sketchy restaurant and banana leaf plates, because the food was great!
I'm not really into Indian food, but I must have been hungry because I ate it all. We got white rice, with fish and chicken curry. We had curried lamb, and some kind of seaweed vegetable. We ate a bitter root that had been fried, and some lightly battered calimari. We also had some spicy chutney, boiled chicken, and cucumber salad. I finished it off with my favorite drink in Malaysia, iced lemon tea. Before I knew it my banana leaf was bare, and I was stuffed. Because we had all eaten so much, we decided to stop at a low-key lounge bar before heading to the swanky bar with the dress code. A few minutes later (after stopping to buy some pirated DVDs) we were sitting at the best spot in the bar - as Peter's a local celeb this goes with the job.
We drank cosmos and mojitos and actually played a long game of Monopoly as Peter's friends would stop by for a chat. When we tried to order dessert - an amazing chocolate cake - and were told that it wasn't served in the lounge, Peter asked to speak to the chef, who was a close friend. Soon we had some piping hot cake in front of us. It was truly an experience. After hours of this though, we were all exhausted. We never even made it to the next bar because we were so tired!! Luckily, though, we're supposed to see more of Peter. He's invited his whole staff to the show on Wednesday, and he's invited us to a party at his house on Saturday (the dress code this time is "Easter colors" and there will be no food that makes crumbs). Can't wait!
posted by Beth at 3:53 PM
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