So it starts, or rather, ends with this… After a full tour around IKEA @ Mutiara Damansara, we were led to the staff makan area where they get to rest… and eat… and play…. and even read!

The first thing that was out of ordinary is the fact that they have a washing basin at the entrance! Talk about super accessibility to being hygiene eh?

The next thing we noticed was a foosball table! How super cool is that?!

The resting area, featuring a carom board, plushy sofas (from IKEA of course :P) and waaaaaait, is that a black guitar I see? LOL!

Nearer to the makan area, we found a couple of microwaves! One says halal, the other, non-halal – super thoughtful if you ask me!

And here comes the food area… lemme tell you a secret – IKEA staff pay for the food at cost price, and you WOULDN’T believe how cheap it is over here! Ah, clear benefits working in IKEA hehe. Yummy and healthy too!

And so… we shall tuck in to our much awaited dinner! (funny how you keep looking forward to eat at IKEA, a FURNITURE shop, eh? That’s cause they don’t aim to JUST be a furniture shop

[flickr id=”6392858777″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”medium_640″ group=”ikea3″ align=”none”]Open Face Sandwich RM5.90 – Another way to enjoy Greenland’s shrimps, in a hearty sandwich with lettuce, eggs and mayonnaise.

First we had the lovely Open Prawn Sandwich. If you tried it, you’d know how succulent and springy the prawns are, embedded on fluffy mayo on top of wheat grain bread. Yums.

Don’t know if this is in the menu but it certainly is a type of Swedish delicacy!

Even their garnishing has style. Kudos to the chef!

[flickr id=”6392859221″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”medium_640″ group=”ikea3″ align=”none”]Cold Water Prawns RM8.90 – Caught from Greenland’s deep waters, served chilled with lemon & dill to enjoy the subtleties of their delicate flavour.

Ah. Shrimp Galore. Best

eaten as is *drools*

Ah. The discontinued Daim Cake at this time of writing. So sad. Yet so happy that I got to have so much to myself like a greedy pig that I am. Be envious. Hehe.

Oh, just another cute garnishing that I ate. Yes, I did. It’s tomato what!

Swedish Apple Pie and this other Swedish dessert, can’t remember what it’s called!

And of course the other mains… all for us to hantam!

[flickr id=”6392860371″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”medium_640″ group=”ikea3″ align=”none”]Swedish Meatballs RM10/10pcs – The all-time favourite Swedish dish that has captured the stomachs of many Malaysians.

Try it and you’ll find out why. That is, if you haven’t already. I know a certain company called Wago who often visits there cos the boss @ZainHD loves them!

Sooooooo with so many food there, and not many are as greedy as me, having multiple rounds (won’t tell you how many) , there were obviously plenty of leftovers. That’s where Pin2 and I hatched a devious plan, and before anybody could say or do anything, we quickly slid to a particular section (just behind the counters) and got this JUST before the store closed (made possible

cos I used my IKEA card – quick and efficient LOL)

At RM15, it was quite a steal! Don’t look down on the packaging of this thing because what I am about to show you is MAGIC! (though if you read the description, it ain’t magic

anymore lol)

Here we go fitting in the prawns, balls and sauces.

Yes I know putting both the meatballs and the Daim cake is disgusting.. but heck with it, my family’s going to love me forever!

Fast forward... this is how much food 17 freaking containers can hold. DAMN!

Tock is a happy (and greedy) man! But seriously though, food wastage is no good and I’m doing them a favour by tapaoing them back to my family! Right? Righttt??

Thanks to these beautiful ladies for giving such an awesome time at IKEA. You guys really do know how to throw a party Here’s a last look at how we packed it all in, not even letting the sauces and salad go. Hehe.

Just like McDonalds, IKEA promises that their food, wherever you have them, tastes exactly as good, thus giving you a sense of comfort. At least that’s how I felt about it, the way I experienced them in UK when I was a student, and now here in Malaysia, as a working professional. It’s amazing how they can put a smile on your face no matter what you do there.

How I wish that the two companies I’m currently growing now will adopt a similar messaging to our clients and beneficiaries. That, I think, is the secret to IKEA’s global success

The post What goes on behind IKEA’s showroom and cafe Part 3 appeared first on Spinzer - Blogger, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Manager.

La Casa, found at Desa Park City’s only mini shopping centre, is a place for an interesting palate review. The owner and chef does not only concentrate on giving you authentic Italian cuisine, they do have their own specialties as well, home bred through the experience they have gathered over the years and unashamed to display it via their menu. Tired as I am, let me give you a brief walk on the dishes that they have to offer!

The Greek salad was, well, solid enough with the right ingredients all chopped up and garnished in garlic olive oil, littered with olives and feta cheese. I personally am not a fan of salad, much less the Greek ones, but hey it might just rock your boat!

Thereafter we had Pumpkin Soup, which was very heartwarmingly nice. The warm and savoury soup did do wonders to whet our appetite, and the crunchy croutons lent a different texture to it too as it soaked the soup up.

WARNING: This is NOT a main dish, as all of us suspected. This appetizer, ALSO A SOUP, is the Oxtail Soup that all of us came to LOVE! Filled generously with lots of meat and soup boiled to gravy-like texture served with a toast of bread, how can one NOT ask for more? Truly a wonderful soup to have, and the portion is not to say small either

Lorina’s Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade, by the way, was a very nice drink. It’s my first time seeing this sold at a restaurant and so I took it, and to be honest its taste is quite commendable, so do give it a try! For one thing, it definitely went well with my second most favourite dish of the day, the Pan Fried Salmon in Salsa sauce. It’s so amazing that it’s hard to describe, but needless to say I even licked the plate dry for all it’s worth

The Duck Confit was alright, maybe a tad salty for my tastes but at least the pasta was springy, and the sundried tomato (homemade, by the way) made up for it. In fact, I finished the sun dried tomato but unfortunately left the others untouched.

Thereafter the Lamb Shank was served with rice and MORE sun dried tomatos YUM! (ok obviously i’m getting too excited about them tomatos :P) The lamb meat wasn’t tough as it looked, and it was pretty awesome to chew it together with the red sauce that it came with. Definitely a taster to be reckoned with.

Start with the Spaghetti Bolognese and Meatballs for a filling meal. The meatballs are special, in a sense that it combines finely chopped beef and herbs all freshly mixed and stuffed with cheese inside, so that once cooked the cheese would melt it’s way to form

the ball as you see! Try it out yourselves

Then of course, one must always try having the pizza where there are pizzas available! Interestingly enough every restaurant that serves pizza has their own mix and dough, giving each a unique texture and taste that you could learn to identify. We had their specialty, which includes generous portions of mushrooms, tomato, turkey ham, bacon bits and pineapple!

I can’t remember the name, but this was one of the better pizzas I ate. Price wasn’t too ludicrous too if I’m not wrong. and look at the melted cheese, now that’s what i call a PIZZA!

Large size for comparison on my face wtf. Oh by the way, don’t leave yet cause we haven’t even started with the desserts

Tiramisu. Now. Usually we’d have an overly powdery topping ontop of the Tiramisu, but in this case it was just a perfect layer, and with a spoonful of it one case enjoy the texturised sensation of the powdery choco shake, double whipped cream inside and chunky portions from within! Truly a taste to behold.

There is a secret to this dessert. Made entirely out of Sesame seed-based ingredients, this creamy sesame flavoured dessert isn’t just for anybody. One must have a fine taste for an out-of-the-ordinary flavour in order to appreciate it, so if you are thinking of trying it out, do it with an open mind. I guarantee you it’s something out of this world that could have selective preferences

But of course, chocolate lovers would definitely go for the Chocolate Mousse, creamy balls inside in contrast with the wafer-like crunchy craters on top, with a couple of chick dollops of white chocolate under another frosty wafer of chocolate, topped with Almond nuts.

Enough said?

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