The Day That Wouldn't Be Pinned Down

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An early start, with one clear objective in mind: be back by noon. A simple enough ambition, the kind you set yourself with reasonable confidence at six in the morning, before the day has had a chance to make its own plans.

The day, of course, had its own plans.

A few unwell patients delayed things just enough to nudge the schedule sideways. Nothing dramatic — just the gentle reminder that medicine doesn't keep to anyone's diary but its own. By the time I extracted myself, "back by noon" had quietly mutated into "back at some point", which is a downgrade I've learned to accept with reasonable grace.

But lunch made up for it. Rebung — finally. Anita has been harping on about this place for weeks, with the particular persistence of someone who knows she's right and is simply waiting for everyone else to catch up. And she was right. The spread was excellent, the kind of buffet that doesn't feel like a buffet but rather a thoughtful tour of Malay cooking done properly. Generous without being showy. I shall, in due course, admit she was right. Perhaps over coffee. Perhaps never.

The peace was short-lived. Mid-meal, more or less, came the call back to the hospital — one of those summonses you can't really argue with, only attend to. So back I went, the afternoon now firmly in charge rather than the other way round. These are the days that quietly remind you who's really running the schedule.

Somewhere between obligations, I managed a haircut at Lucky Garden. A small, civilian act in the middle of a day pulling me in several directions. There's something steadying about sitting in a barber's chair when the rest of the day has been frantic — the slow, methodical work of someone doing one thing carefully while the world outside continues its noise. I emerged tidier, marginally more composed, and ready for the evening's main event.

Which was the College of Physicians Gala Dinner at Dorsett Putrajaya. And here, in the spirit of honest journalling, I shall record that it was not the greatest. Gala dinners are a curious genre — formal enough to require effort, social enough to demand attention, but rarely exceptional in any single department. Tonight's outing leaned firmly into that pattern. The room looked the part. The company was fine. The food and the flow were... let us say adequate. Sometimes the highlight of a gala is simply having attended.

By the time we made it home, the day had stretched itself into something almost unrecognisable from the one I'd planned at dawn. Early start, late finish, with a half-dozen small detours in between. The kind of day that doesn't follow a clean narrative arc but instead zigzags through obligation, pleasure, duty, and a decent meal.

Bed will be welcome. Tomorrow, hopefully, will keep its own promises. Tonight, I'll settle for having kept most of mine.

At the New Rebung

Restoran Rebung had moved. They were no longer located at Lorong Maarof. Since the New Year Day, they are now located on the roof of a car park block right opposite the main entrance of the Police Headquarters in Bukit Aman, right in the middle of Tasik Perdana.

At least that solved their parking problem!

The unmistaken image of Chef IsmailThe logo and theme remained the same, but notice the particulars has changedCertainly parking is not going to be an issue from now on ...My Mum was leaving for Sungai Petani with my Aunt this afternoon and I was asked to sort out their transport to KL Sentral. So, we decided to have lunch as well, and knowing how fond my Mum and Aunt for Chef Ismail, we called the restaurant number only to be told that they have moved.

Determined, we went on to find where the new venue was. It turned out to be rather straight forward. We drove towards the Police Headquarters and looking around, we stumbled on a huge banner of the restaurant. True enough, it was on the fifth floor of a new car park complex - so new that they have yet to start charging the entrance fee yet.

I think the new space is more spaciousMy Aunt making her selectionMore room outsideAnd of course, there was space for karaokeAfter parking, we took the lift to the roof where the restaurant more or less occupied the whole floor. They have a huge kitchen, both indoors and outdoors seatings - indoors was better since it can get really balmy in the bright sun at a roof of a carpark - complete with a stage where the chef was known to belt a tune or three!

We sat down for a buffet lunch, and they had selections - the mains - in the indoors as well as tit bits at the stalls outdoors. I was sure that there would be green shrubs and herbs lining the whole restaurant as time goes by. There were also private rooms which I was sure would be popular in the future.

His signature on the platesThose were not for take-awaysDetails of the new placeThe food items more or less remained standard and as usual of high quality. And Chef Ismail himself was on hand to welcome the guests when they walk in or left, turning on his charms. Despite being in operation for less than a week, the place was full when we there this afternoon. Definitely will be coming again in the future. The cost? Anita paid today, so I wouldn't know ....

Mother's Days

Noticed the plural at the title. I'm blessed to have both set of parents still around, and for the weekend, that meant a couple of dinners. Friday, I took my Mum to Rebung in Bangsar. My Mum prefer Malay food. And earlier tonight - Saturday - we went to Corus Hotel. My Mum-in-law preferred Chinese food.

On both nights, we were caught in the rain. And the traffic was pretty bad as well.

The dinner at Rebung was nice, and the surprise was it was quite empty on the evening we went. As a result, the service was great. Food was pretty consistent as expected. Nothing special.

The dinner at Corus however was not that great. Not what I would call value for money. Luckily I wasn't the one picking up the tab. My brother-in-law did the honour.

Mother's Day Part II

My Mum prefer a traditional Malaysia restaurant. And her favourite had always been Rebung, an outlet ran by a local celebrity chef, Chef Ismail. The last we went there was about three months ago, and the quality of the food there had always been consistent. We sort of like knew what we were in for every time we called in.

Since it was Mother's Day weekend and all, I decides to book the table. It turned out that there were plenty of space available, although we managed to get a spot indoors.

Always disconcerting when the chef at the restaurant took to the karaoke ..... and that was what happenedThe food was good as expected, and all my favourite was there. Satay, asam laksa and daging salai. Those kept me happy.

But the highlight of the might was definitely Chef Ismail's singing. He was on the karaoke for quite a while. Yes, he was actually at the premise, and greeted us at the table, which made my Mum's day.

It was a good evening, certainly better food wise compared to the evening before at Makan Kitchen. And it cost less as well.

I must say, I was impressed at the consistency of the dishes there. For the last few years that we've been frequenting the restaurant, the food had been good. We always found something to keep us happy. But the parking there still needed sorting out. It was painful trying to get a space even though the place was only half full.

Anita, my Mum and my sister, JuliaI also noticed that the restaurant had expended to the bungalow next door. But it was outdoors and was rather too warm for out liking. We still preferred the space indoor.

Just by sheer consistency, the restaurant still retained my recommendation.

Rebung Dinner Slideshow