UntoldCityLife.com

Dear readers,

Surviving the year of Rat, the author Xiao Loong Zi in his late 20th is now preparing his most challenging future. The Rat’s year for him is a real life stage to prosper in career, wealth and relationship. Should he succeed or fail is a matter of unknown. Currently affected by numerous disappointments and dissatisfactions, he is mentally not prepared to invest energies in this space for the time being until he has settled down his new life in Singapore this year.

Thank you very much for your support.

Popularity: 40% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s Taste Bud Review by Xiao Loong Zi

Taste Bud : 3 stars (about RM594 for 9 dishes)

Disclaimer: This is my 1st restaurant review after being discharged from hospital recently. So my taste bud and appetite might not really that in great mood. 

The unlucky restaurant is called “Restaurant King Crab”, located at:

No. 103 - 107, Jalan SS25/2
Taman Mewah Jaya
Petaling Jaya

Tel No: 03 - 7808 2388

(Very large sign board, opposite the Kelana Jaya LRT station)

Why choose this bloody expensive hell restaurant for seafoods? Because it just along the idiot LDP that everyone passing by everyday. Seeing the big sign board is so irritating that until I wanna write an review on it.

Summary of the foods 

If you got too much money to spend, this is the right place for your high standard and lifestyle. Or else, this may not be the best place to dine in term of money value. We ordered 9 dishes including Yee Sang for 11 people, and it damaged us about RM594. The priceless thing is the acquaintance of friends and jokers who also enjoyed the foods and the evening.

Food List:

Standard Yee Sang - RM48 (very normal loh)

Salted Egg Calamari - RM15 (A small dish with unique taste of salted egg)

Deer Meat in Black Pepper Style - RM25 (Excellent but not matched with seafoods)

Pot of Beancurd - RM18 (very normal loh)

Thai Style Chicken - RM45!!! (Good but Not the best I ever had and too expensive)

Green Pea - RM20 - They don’t really know how to cook this dish properly!

“Undersea Chicken” - RM90 - Not as good as I expected for a restaurant like this!

1 pot of Salted Egg Crabs - RM108 - Yummy, the crabs are fresh but too pricy!

1 pot of butter crabs - RM108 - The crabs are fresh but this is not the best butter crabs I ever had (A bit disappointed!)

Popularity: 61% [?]

An UntoldCityLife’s shopaholic review by Xiao Loong Zi on “Irresistible American Express Couture Privileges at Parkson Pavilion KL”

My best shopping experience ever was during last weekend at Parkson Pavilion KL. Indeed, Parkson Pavilion has defined a new concept in shopping exactly inline with Pavilion’s motto - Couture Pavilion!.

What is Couture Pavilion? (see my previous post at “A visit to KL Pavilion, a classy shopaholic heaven “)

Heaven to all international luxurious brands & boutiques that if you are rich enough, to be spoiled and pampered by the unique shopping services, where you will find yourself at the lounge of lively music & irresistible pastries & gourmets being serve to you, also not to forgot the polite door man and friendly concierge at your service.

For AMEX users ONLY

From 12th - 13th January, all Centurion card holders or Maybank American Express card holders were given special shopping privileges from Parkson Pavilion (KLCC as well )such as:

1 complimentary RM50 voucher to be redeemed for free (such voucher to be expired by 20th of February and must be used in a single receipt of more than RM200)

I got 2 * RM50 vouchers since I managed to have more than 1 Amex Card

1 Complimentary Treats* for the weekend at the Parkson’s Zang Toi Cafe (1 chocolate banana cake + 1 refreshing ice-fruit tea)

Chocolate Banana Cake (Friends and I had 3!!!)

Very refreshing ice-fruit tea

The environment of Zang Toi Cafe

1 entitlement to win lucky draw prize for Billy Bag Merchandise to be given away

Also, the top spenders of these cardholders will stand a chance to Club Med Bai or flying KLM to Jakarta or Ipod or Ipod Nano!

Of course, I shopped and bought some discounted clothes up to 70% lower than usual from brands like Padini, Smallto, William Liew, Ciano, Levi’s, Speedo and etc.

Bought the middle shirt by William Liew (our local designer) for less than RM47.70!

I love the spacious and nicely decorated changing room with a chair and table. Feel like home!

Lastly, 3 big paper bags with full of merchandise were brought back.

Popularity: 56% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s Shopaholic by Xiao Loong Zi to Kiehl’s Boutique at Pavillion KL - Nearly RM1.55 spent

The Kiehl’s at Pavillion KL is located at the ground floor.

Loreal Malaysia has brought in a new brand called “Kiehl’s” into Malaysia. The first outlet of Kiehl’s is located at the ground floor of Pavillion KL. A second outlet is said to be opened soon in Mid Valley’s Gardens according to my source. Founded since 1851, Kiehl’s was an old-world apothecary based in New York. (An apothecary is like a specialty pharmacy) Today, it has emerged itself as a famous skin-care shop around the globe. They have amazing products for hair, lip, face and body. Unlike others skin-care brands, Kiehl’s also supplies products for baby, men and PETS as well!

Because a friend of mine is having dandruff problem, so I decided to pay Kiehl’s a visit to look for dandruff shampoo. I guess Kiehl’s has gained awesome reputation in Malaysia, the “Herbal Shampoo and Scalp Treatment for Dandruff” was sold off. Also out of store is what known as the world’s best lip balm from Kiehl’s!

How could I leave the store without anything at all! The “pharmacist” in the shop introduced me the range of products after I told her that I am not so familiar with this alien brand. She introduced me what she claimed the famous skin-care products such as the cleansers, moisturizers, scrubs and etc. Since I just got a new Biotherm full facial set from Christmas, I didn’t bother to get any of them. At the haircare section, what I recalled is that I have been using my cousin shampoo and I should get one for myself. So I got myself an “Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo” for RM70 that is rich in Avocado Oil, Lemon Extract, and Olive Fruit Oil. It is a shampoo for dehydrated & damaged hair as a result of using too much gel according to the pharmacist. Next, my Loreal’s Gel also out of stock, so I got myself a “Malleable Molding Paste” for RM85. The “Malleable Molding Paste” allows hair to be molded into multiple shapes and styles. After application, hair remains malleable, allowing “re-styling”.

What I bought back!

Each product I bought entitled me to get 3 samples, so I was given 6 samples of Kiehl’s products such as:

2 * Herbal Shampoo & Scalp Treatment for Dandruff Control

1 * Energizing Face Wash Gel Cleanser for Men (Facial Fuel)

1 * Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men (Facial Fuel)

1 * Close-shavers Squardron - An Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream

1 * Hair Conditioner & Grooming Aid Formula 133

When signing up the credit card slip, I was so happy that only RM1.55 charged under my credit card! I silently signed the slip and handed it over with a big smile!

Ok la, I honestly told her that she charged me incorrectly. So the above slip was voided and I was charged in actual RM155 (RM85 + RM70).

A bit disappointed that this Boutique does not accept American Express card!

Kiehl’s Product Education Guide

The font page of the education guide talked about “Essential Skin Care” which is Kiehl’s basic skin scare formulas address the everyday needs of the skin such as make-up removers, cleansers, toners, scrubs, maques, sun protection, facial moisturizers, eye-area preparations.

At the back page, the education guide talked about “Treatments for Skin Concerns” which is Kiehl’s targeted treatments comprise formulas address serious concerns of skin such as refine & smooth skin’s texture, even complexion, fine lines & wrinkles. loss of elasticity & firmness, sensitive skin & targeted products for problem areas.

Popularity: 64% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s Travel & Places by Xiao Loong Zi on a Penang X’mas trip

From Cititel 11th Floor

For just 3D/2N, 2 Guys and 1 Girl nearly lost in the island of Oriental Pearl for the sake of Penang-style crazy X’mas. In fact, all 3 of us been to Penang before. This trip was actually initiated by a guy called “Mr. Right”. Yes, he called for the trip, he chased people to join his trip, he wanted Cititel so much and guess what ….. he cannot make it at last… (Anyway he was penalized to share part of the accommodation fare as a cancellation fee). Among us, 2 Guys and 1 Girl, the girl is known as “Miss Anything” because her opinion is always “anything”. The “2 Guys” were me and the “Mr Chauffeur”. Mr Chauffeur loves his only “wife” very much and he was so reluctant to let us touch it. So he drove all the way up and down.

Day 1 - Sunday 23, Dec 07 - From Broga to Mines to Kepong to Ipoh to George Town

The journey started around 8am++ from Broga reaching Mines at 9.15am to pick me up by “Mr Chauffeur” then heading to Kepong to pick Miss Anything. The story shall not began here but in Ipoh …

At 12.30 sharp, we reached Ipoh toll and was lead by a friend of “Miss Anything” to go for lunch in “Ipoh Oldtown”. In a very crowded restaurant, we tried Ipoh’s “Char Kuay Teow”, Rojak, “Sotong-Vege” and “Chicken Rice” as s.hown.

A unique and distinct Rojak using special kind of sauce

Feel the peanut in the curry sauce, a special Sotong-Vege in Ipoh

The best “Char Kuay Teow” I ever had. But very small portion - RM3.00

To our surprise, Ipoh served better foods than in Penang especially the “Char Kuay Teow”. Ipoh is a lovely town for foods and Chinese pastries. These are the famous and established shops we pass by, we bough more than 8 packs of “Xian Peng” here.

Each pack of the “Xian Peng” costs about RM6 - RM7 in “Kun Lum” (our lead brought us here because this is the best brand)

Another famous Chinese Pastry - Lam Fong

The locals know that this is the best Noddle shop

The “foreigners” always come here! (I was told the above is better than this)

We continued the journey towards Penang and enjoyed the following scenes:

A tunnel somewhere after Ipoh

Nice green Padi field

An expensive and terribly jam Penang bridge.

Yeah, we are on the Jelutong expressway towards GeorgeTown

A heritage historical strait-times buidling?

At 4pm++, we reached Cititel after terrible jam in GeorgeTown! We almost lost as most ways are one way.

The only X’mas decoration in Cititel

Our very “tiny” small bed room

Our room furnitures…. everything is just so small here

Another small corner

Small bath room

Small toilet

This is the only place to shower!

My mobile bed as an additional request or else I have to sleep on the floor :(.

Do you think Cititel Penang deserves a 4-stars rating? 3-stars will be reasonable!

After checking-in, we rested a while that took more than 3 hours. We wanted to visit Batu Ferringi beach to enjoy the sunset and white-sands walking but it was too late! We reaching there just-in-time for dinner. First impression of Penang foods….. very sucky! Went to Global Bay, an attractive food court and had “Char Kuay Teow” again.

An attractive food court called Global Bay

A disappointed “Char Kuay Teow” (Ipoh serves better than Penang)

Another disappointed “Kuay Teow Mee” with very little Kuay Teow

A kind of Penang-style Lam Mee that was just OK

***

After the dinner in Batu Ferringi, we went back to Cititel and walk around in George Town. Lastly, we found this Upper Penang Road, a hip-hop disco-like atmosphere with full of pubs and bars. We settled down in a cozy Japanese restaurant to drink Sake, supper and chit-chatting.

An old shop selling dim sum (very classic style)

The night scene of Cititel. Left of the Cititel is an Hindu Cineplex.

A happening disco-atmosphere street of Penang Upper Road. (Outside of MOIS)

Rakuya Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar

Our drinks, a Japanese Hatkusuru sake rice wine and fruit juices

My seafood fried rice as my supper, very yummy!

Then, we called it off the day and went back Cititel to sleep :). Stay tune for upcoming Day 2 story.

Popularity: 48% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com TasteBud’s Review by Xiao Loong Zi

Overall taste bud: Impressively 5 stars from UntodCityLife.com (A strong upgrade recommendation from Xiao Loong Zi)

Lafite, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 03-2074 3900 / 03-2032 2388
Fax: 03-2070 1514
Email: slkl@shangri-la.com

“Astonishing really! Bravo to his chef de cuisine, Kevin Cherkas and the most glamorous & stylishly restaurant in town - Lafite! Your superb culinary skills and novel fusion concepts in contemporary fine dining have stonkingly impressed me this year again.” said Xiao Loong Zi

In my previous post, “A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 3 (Pre-Starters) “, I shared with readers the special drinks, wines and breads from Lafite. Today, I am going to unveil the “The Beginning” (The Starters), “Plates” (The Main Courses), Dessert and the “Surprise” that me and my friends had tried.

“The Beginning”

Prawn “Guacamole” - RM29

A unique starter created in that week by Chef Kevin Cherkas. It was made up of 3 fresh hot prawns placed on top of specially made red sauce in the small circle outlined by the white sauce. A fine piece of dry sotong-like bisque cracker was placed on top of the prawns so that you have to eat it before you can have the prawns :). The most amazing thing was the spoon of ice-avocado that can melt, cool, and refresh your throat which created me a wonderful rejoice dinner mood in the beginning. Thus, I was told by the waiter to finish the ice-avocado before enoying the rest. The freshly-juiced from the hot prawns when I bitten, burst into my taste buds warmly, and I could feel the chemical-like reaction melting inside my mouth with the extraordinary sensational & awesome tastes.

“Truffled” Salmon Carbonara - RM42

On a square flat metal plate, the foundation of this starter was made up of a very rare and fine thin layer of smoked salmon. Because the smoked salmon was so fine and thin like a piece of paper, it melt so easily with your saliva, immediately sending the bursting effects onto your tongue tasting the rare smoked salmon. On top of the smoked salmon was the spaghetti with green beans and decorative white sauces in surrounding. To our surprise, the spaghetti was unlike normal wheat spaghetti but it was made from potato. It tasted cold with the creamy white sauce. What is more artistic was the crispy yolk on top of the spaghetti that was fried with thin layer of flour and it was so yummy.

“Plates”

Cod Romesco - RM98

A slow cooked fresh cod fish full of moisturized fish-juice: fish oil, and naturally textured white meat in an amazing red garlic cream sauce is a wonderful precious dish for seafood lover to enjoy. You would also be able to notice that green leeks were used to create delicate and sweeter flavor without overpowering other flavors. I mean, I could still taste the fried scallops, baby carrots and crushed almond in original tastes. And my tongue was pampered so much with different types of amazing juices produced in this plate. I love to suck the moisturized white meat of cod fish to taste it’s juicy fish oil and sauce. It was even better to chill it with my glass of house white wine. On top of the cod fish were two decorative long bean made circled as rings and were fried so that it tasted very crispy.

Duck Duck Goose - RM95

The sliced marinated roast duck was cooked inside while half-cooked outside with great aroma smell of the duck meat. The way on how it was carefully prepared must be sophisticated in view to bring up it’s unusual taste. It is in fact a very unique plate that can beat off a lot of competitors of Duck Duck Goose.

“Dessert”

Chocolate Moose Cake with an unidentified exotic fruit

This piece of cake was not available on the menu but it was freshly made on the day itself due to special request. A 24-hour advance-booking is required to enjoy this piece of cake. Everything in Lafite is so fine and so precious that can’t find it in anywhere else. This Chocolate Moose Cake with the finest chocolate ingredients can beat a lot of pastry brands including Secret Recipe in the Chocolate Cake Category. Two small slices were served, one for me and one for my friend, the rest wrapped into a beautiful box to bring it home.

The Chocolate Moose Cake brought to home

The Chocolate Moose Cake wrapped nicely in a box

The “Surprise”

A Winter Raspberry Cotton Flower Chocolate Tree

It was a complimentary “surprise” served at the end of our meal. My friend was so happy to see this tree. It was a pot of plastic tree with raspberry cotton as flowers that can be eaten, the leafs fall on the soil were made of chocolate and the soil were full of cocoa beans. Because the cotton flowers were made of sugar and can be oxidated easily, it seemed like it was snowing.

The Bill

2 Evian RM34.00

1 Prawn Guacamole RM29.00

1 Salmon Carbonara RM42.00

1 Cod Romesco RM98.00

1 Duck Duck Rose RM95.00

2 Glasses of White House Wine Complimentary

1 Box of Chocolate Moose Cake Complimentary

Subtotal RM298.00

20% off due to Prestige Platinum Card -RM52.80

10% Service Charge RM24.52

5% Govt Tax RM12.26

Total RM281.98

***

See my previous posts on Lafite:

A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 1 (Intro)
A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 2 (Membership)
A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 3 (Pre-Starters)

Popularity: 45% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s City Lifestyle by Xiao Loong Zi on “Prestige Platinum” membership by Shangri La Hotel

An UntoldCityLife.com TasteBud’s Review by Xiao Loong Zi

Lifestyle by Xiao Loong Zi on “Prestige Platinum” membership by Shangri La Hotel

Overall taste bud: Impressively 5 stars from UntodCityLife.com (A strong upgrade recommendation from Xiao Loong Zi)

In my previous post, “A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 2 (Membership) “, I shared with readers the privileges offer by “Prestige Platinum” membership. Today I am going to share with readers the pre-starters at Lafite :).

With great courtesy and hospitality, the waiter asked if we would like to have “sparkling spring water”? Mmmmmm wouldn’t it sounds better if he could ask “carbonated” or without “carbonated” mineral water instead? Afraid of the “carbonated” gases would spoil our taste bud, we ordered two glasses of Evian Natural Spring Water. Next, we were handed a thin book of encyclopedia-like beverage list. It was a book with fine and rare collections of great wines, champagnes and alcoholic drinks from around the world. Instead of reading it and pretending like a wine connoisseur, I asked for the available house wines. Can’t really catch what the waiter was mentioning in the French manners, I therefore asked for a white house wine. The white house wine to our surprise was indeed excellent and rare, I would recommend you to take their house wines instead of choosing it yourself from the expensive wine list. If I am not mistaken, the house wine we had was a mild matured chardonnay in golden-yellow that was not so strong or so light but just harmonious in enjoying it.

White House Wine

Then, a two pages list of Lafite’s menu divided into “The Begining” (The Starters) and “Plates (The Main Dishes) were handed to us. I took a look and I could recall one of the items were the same as last year’s Textured Lobster “Thermidor” that I tried before.

The begining

Plates

After kinda long a while, my friend and I decided the following:

The begining:

1 Prawn “Guacamole” for me

1 “Truffled” Salmon Carbonara for my friend

Plates:

1 Cod Romesco for me

1 Duck Duck Goose for my friend

Once foods were ordered, we were served with some kind of French breads together with specially in-house made cheese-like butter as shown. The breads were unlike any others, rough and hard outside but warm and soft inside. You could still feel that it was freshly made or just baked because the heat captured inside center of the bread kept it warm. We like it so much until we finished and got another round for refills :D.

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Come back to read more on A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 4 here!

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Popularity: 38% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s Giveaway by Xiao Loong Zi

The following 3 most active readers of UntoldCityLife.com will be invited to enjoy a “Prestige Platinum” dinner at Shangri La in 2008. Congratulations to:

i) Donut

ii) Penny

iii) ~lely~

*By common contest terms and conditions, authors of UntoldCityLife.com and its family members are not entitled to be the winners in this contest.

***

I will be leaving to Island of Oriental Pearl for holidays and Christmas celebrations. Merry X’mas and Happy New Year to all.

Popularity: 31% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s City Lifestyle by Xiao Loong Zi on “Prestige Platinum” membership by Shangri La Hotel

In my previous post, “A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 1 (Intro)“, I shared with readers how I got signing up “Prestige Platinum” membership on just over a telesales phone-call. Today, I am going to talk a bit more on “Prestige Platinum” - an exclusive membership from Shangri La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Of just only 20 min over the phone, her professional sales pitch & knowledge related to the award-winning restaurants in Shangri La, impressed me greatly and sincerely. She articulated interesting facts in very informative and knowledgeable manner that kept me listening and enquiring. The enchanting phone conversation was like “watching” part of Ratatouille on how to enjoy excellent gourmets and exceptional wines. I felt valued, privileged and I signed up on the spot by giving all my credit card information.

For just RM499 a year, you will entitle to enjoy unlimited complimentary dining privileges when accompanied by one or more dining guests at any of the participating restaurants in Shangri La Hotel Kuala Lumpur. What is really fascinating me is the 21 “Prestige Platinum” certificates parceled to my office that can endorse like vouchers to enjoy privileges on accommodation, dining, drinking & etc. The coolest certificate is to receive one complimentary bottle of red or white house wine when two or more people dine together. There are also two certificates that serve two complimentary glasses of house wine and one box of special occasion cake that I can use it for romantic dating.

Dining Privileges at a glance:
- 20% off the total food bill when the member dines alone
- One portion of the food bill is free when 2 or more people dine:
For e.g. : when 2 people dine: 50% off on food bill
when 3 people dine: 33% off on food bill
when 4 people dine: 25% off on food bill
- 20% off the total food bill when 5 or more people dine
Participating Restaurants: Shangri La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
- Shang Palace
- Lemon Garden Café
- Zipangu
- Lafite (Lunch - full dining benefits and flat 20% off for dinner)
- Lobby Lounge (for Afternoon Tea only)

This membership is considered very exclusive and usually is by invitation only. According to the sales consultant, a lot of Datuk/Datin usually just sign up over the phone like me :p. There are many more privileges to find out. If you are really interested to sign up or obtain more info, please leave a comment

My 1 dollar comment:

If you have taste, style, capable and often visit to hotels for fine foods and great wines, this membership can be considered affordable after all. The only bad thing is that privileges of the “Prestige Platinum” cannot be used on important days such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year Day, Chinese New Year’s Eve, first three days of Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa. The reason being is that during these occasions, the dining menu will be slightly “different” from normal days.

****

See also “A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 1 (Intro)“. Come back to read about upcoming TasteBud Review on Lafite’s gastronomic fine dining cuisines!!!

Popularity: 63% [?]

An UntoldCityLife.com’s City Lifestyle by Xiao Loong Zi

Astonishing really! Bravo to his chef de cuisine, Kevin Cherkas and the most glamorous & stylishly restaurant in town - Lafite! Your superb culinary skills and novel fusion concepts in contemporary fine dining have stonkingly impressed me this year again.

On a normal working day in October this year, I got a called from Shangri La’s telesales team to pursuit me to sign up an exclusive membership called “Prestige Platinum”. Such membership allows me to enjoy many exclusive privileges all year round under Shangri La Group. In conjunction of a special celebration, I invited a friend of mine to enjoy our first “Prestige Platinum” dining experience at Lafite in last November.

I attended an in-room private dining and drinking here almost a year ago. And, I could still remember Chef Kevin Cherkas paid us a surprise in-room visit to let the guests know the fine steps to start and enjoy the taste, texture and temperature of his modern cuisines. At that time, it was my first time trying out fusion fine dining and I was so typical conservative towards the concept in small serving size, eating in slow & fine motion, seeing and eating cuisine that not so commonly textured and colored. However, this year at my second visit, I can and totally accepted Chef Kevin Cherkas’ fine dining philosophy that “Nothing will be predictable at Lafite anymore”. And, I am very delightful to share with you how enjoyable that I have had the best fine meals and the best fine wines so far in my life. In fact, everything in Lafite is so fine, so precious and so surprise that worth you trying it with the most intimate person in your life. (And I did it :p)

Let’s see the striking design and the romantic ambience of Lafite

The main entrance is paved with dark polished marble, an elegant “look and feel” into “Prestige Platinum” world.

A wine-tasting room with the fine and rare collection of French wines.

A waiting lounge decors with plants and lighting reflections on the dark polished marble.

I personally felt that Lafite’s decor is simple in sophistication and classy in decorum, not overly extravagant but just comfortably nice. The main dining area is circular in shape, not too big or too small but enough to accommodate about 10 or lesser tables at a time. The biggest attraction is the dramatic torch-like green transparent glass placed in the middle of the dining area that holds raining water droplets from the ceiling.

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Come back to read more on A truly “Prestige Platinum” fine dining at Lafite - Part 2 here!

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Popularity: 51% [?]