NOT a food blog
No Pink Martinis at The Pink Sage – Chai latte and peach, avocado and vanilla yoghurt smoothie
My orientation with Pink Martini came several years late. While Bald Eagle loved their Sympathique album, released in 1997, I was still grappling with the idea of who Pink Martini was. Wanting to appear totally informed on the day of the concert last week, I googled Pink Martini and was led to the Wiki page. Now, I always take Wiki pages with a pinch of salt, but this time, it was sprinkled with a quirky sense of humour as well. In describing the music of Pink Martini, this is what Wiki had on them: The goal was to create the kind of records with which one would hopefully never grow tired of. Records that could be played whether you were sad or gleeful. Cleaning, vacuuming around the house or seducing somebody’s grandmother.
Groan.
After that description, I went to the concert with somewhat diminished expectations, but instead, spent two hours being mesmerized by the music. When China Forbes sang Over The Valley from the album Splendor in the Grass, her voice soared with a clarity that could cut through the stillness in the Dewan.
When my husband seduces me with Pink Martini when I am old and grey, I shall think of Pink Martini and the Wiki page, and I shall nod and smile appreciatively sans teeth.
Pink Martini at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur
Pink is my favourite colour when it isn’t turquoise. Or green. Or blue. All things in moderation, I believe, and I own a pink handbag from Che Che New York to prove my earnestness towards that girly preference. Okay, you can stop pointing that gun at me, Toygirl.
The Pink Sage was Sean’s idea of curing me during my recent bout of illness. Understandably, the place had all the elements that would cheer me up. Loads of sunshine. Simple food. Pancakes. Aah, Buttermilk Pancakes. The past flashed before my eyes as I recalled an earlier visit to the outlet at Wisma RA (now closed), and how I was hooked on the buttermilk pancakes, ecstasy in three layers. This time, the pancakes were like Sean’s incessant singing to me, promising at the beginning, but flat in the end. It wasn’t as fluffy as how it used to be, but the corn syrup and warm boysenberry syrup provided good flavour and prevented it from being eliminated from Round One of the competition.
The Eggs Benedict served with smoked salmon on rye bread (instead of a muffin) was average. The poached eggs were okay, but the hollandaise sauce didn’t quite hit the mark. The Black Angus Cheeseburger fared better with its thick and moist patty, although the flavour of the reputedly superior meat was lacking. What I was totally disappointed with was Duck Pasta, which was swimming in a sea of oil and served with tough slices of meat. The texture of the pasta was also a little too al-dente for my liking. Thankfully, the Huevos Rancheros, an afterthought as we were winding down our meal, saved the day. The tortillas with sour cream, fried egg, tomatoes, beans, cheese and generous slices of creamy avocado were hearty and delicious.
The Pink Sage is now at its new address at Solaris Dutamas above PappaRich, and it is a lot more spacious compared to its previous location. Wine is BYO. Service is friendly and attentive, and it’s a great place to hang out with friends. There are various types of seating available, from booths to bar chairs.
The Pink Sage
A4-UG1-1 Solaris Dutamas
No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 016-2052023
(Operational hours run from 8.00am – 11.00pm)
Also check out Sean’s blog here. The sweetie, despite being very likely to fail Simon Cowell’s stringent standards for singing, has a heart of gold. (Thanks a bunch for lunch!)
Other reviews:
Augustdiners
One2Two
Josh.my
Milo Ais, Satu!
Duck Mushroom Cipolla Olio Angel Hair Pasta
Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon
Root Beer Float and Haagen Dazs shake
Food, for me, is a means to an end and not an end in itself.
Food, for me, represents the love of family, the fellowship of friends, and the community and communality it brings.
thenomadGourmand
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Lovely.. been my fav for brekkie..since it doesnt break my scrooge-y bank 😉
The lamb sausage were off, but service ws good, and it ws changed for a chic one immediately.
Tried the brunch set. Now aimin for burgers!!
Bangsar-bAbE
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:54 pm
I could really use some eggs benedict right now!
Btw, I think you’re more girly than I am. I wasn’t comfortable with the pink che che new york handbag, so I went for the purple one! =P
A Lil Fat Monkey
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 am
Sad to hear that the buttermilk pancake is no longer as good and that it cost more now. Sighs. Was looking forward to the fluffy treat when they reopened. Guess now I gotta kiss that sweet dream goodbye. Sighs.
Now I need a Pink Martini CD to make me glee.
Sean
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:02 am
hmph, i might not win over simon, but i’m sure i’d get through paul moss! was just unfortunate that when msian idol began, i was one year over the maximum age limit 😛
Sortachef
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:02 am
Your blog always makes me hungry, but today it makes me want to go out and listen to music. I’d be heading to the Pink Sage tonight and then on to a concert, if only I were in KL right now!
minchow
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:33 am
Got into Pink Martini really late in the game.. didn’t know who they were till Hey Eugene but have not looked back since! Sounds like the perfect spot for brunch this weekend… and BYO wine some more! Tickled pink, that I am! 🙂
J
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
Sangria and Mojito FLAVOURED ice tea? Blasphemy!
Life for Beginners
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:56 am
The free water is really cute! And well, singing from a would-be Malaysian Idol contestant as you dine, what more can a girl ask for? Hehe.
superwilson
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 am
Looks pretty good.
ai wei
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:01 am
^^ i tot there is martini in pink.
aiksss. paiseh
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:04 am
TNG: It’s good that they’re proactive about service. I like the place and will very likely be going there often.
Bangsar-bAbE: Hehe…in that case, looks can be very deceiving! LOL.
A Lil Fat Monkey: Well, maybe they’ve improved since my last time. Give them a chance lah. Oh, I’ve been listening to Pink Martini everyday. Their official website has free music to listen to somemore!
Sean: If Paul Moss suddenly went deaf, yeah, you may have a chance. *grin*
Sortachef: Pink Martini at the Pink Sage would be perfect. 😀 I’m hooked on their music!
minchow: Hey Eugene is also a good album, but for now, I’m hooked on Splendor in the Grass. Ya, thought the BYO might get your attention. 😉
J: LOL…well, this is Malaysia, ya know. 😀
Life for Beginners: Ya, I should be so lucky.
superwilson: it is decent. 🙂
ai wei: Martini in Pink? hahaha. Not so soon, I think!
Yin
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:08 am
*Faints from being mentioned in AWOL*
Which is a good thing, mind u 😉 Can tumpang femes 😛
Let me know when you’re there next, would love to catch up!!
PerutBesi
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:44 am
Aiyo…the food looks so good, but I doubt I can afford the indulgence of such pleasure….! How’s things, Meena? Hope u’re having a great time! 😀
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:50 am
Yin: Aiyah, dun say liddat lar. 😀 Will buzz you if I’m in the neighbourhood!
PerutBesi: Long time no see. 🙂 Yes, I’m good. Hope you’re well too. Call me the next time you’re in my part of the world la. 🙂
ToyGirl
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:43 am
No need to point gun lah. We all have a bit of Pink in us. Some just more than others (like me…hahahah). LOL.
I’m so craving pancakes lately. But ToyBoy doesn’t. hmmppff…
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:53 am
Ya Toygirl, I still remember your desire for a pink car! Woman, if your man doesn’t want to eat with you, there are other willing takers! 😀
Manggy
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I thought the pancakes were droolworthy enough. Then I saw the pasta! And then I realized the shakes were Haagen-Dazs! OMG.
cumidanciki
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
i do not know, China Forbes who sang over d valley from the album splendor in the grass, NOR do i know pink martini.
i do know that my LL has handbags in everyshade of the rainbow.. the same goes for eye shadow + accessories:P
‘Pink sage team welcomes you!’ enough reason to swing by, me thinks. That and your awesome review:)
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Manggy: LOL…I can’t deny that the food looked good. 😀 Come down to Malaysia soon!
cumidanciki: yeah, when one wears black as often as I do, one has to have enough colour in other objects. 😀 Awesome review? Errrrr.
neko-hime
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:43 pm
The pancakes… look very tempting (despite not being fluffy) …. I can’t stop scrolling up and down to look at it!
fufu
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
i wanna eat the pancakes 🙂
A Lil Fat Monkey
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:49 pm
if the queen say not nice anymore, than i take her words for it! 😛
J2Kfm
March 24th, 2010 at 12:38 am
Oh they moved. Great place for brunch, but as you said, the old place was way too cramped.
Waiting for seats was demotivating.
Frat Mustard
March 24th, 2010 at 11:08 am
With your words as a beacon of light… finding this place was very easy… thanks… I would have ended up eating oats if it weren’t for you…
thule aka leo
March 24th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Ah!!! Remember going to Pink Sage last year to meet up with thenomadgourmand and unkaleong.. and making new friends such as yboey in the process 🙂
NOw that they have moved to Solaris Dutamas,it’s more conveninent for me to go compared to Jalan Dang Wangi!
Yin
March 25th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Leo – Yesh! That’s where we met for the very first time. Haven’t seen you around since though 🙁 Shall we try Wau Penyu together, just read about it on Sean’s blog today!
LL and gang – jom pi Wau Penyu?
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 25th, 2010 at 10:06 am
neko-hime: Yeah, they’re gorgeous. 🙂 Guess you oughta try it for yourself. 🙂
fufu: And you can too. 🙂 Just hop over to The Pink Sage. 🙂
Munkey: No lah, you gotta try it for yourself!
J2Kfm: Yeah, this place is a lot more spacious and airy. I like it lots!
Frat Mustard: Glad you didn’t lose your way! Not that difficult to find anyway, rite?
thule: Yeah, the early days, right? This place has got a lot of parking, so you don’t have to worry about that. 🙂
Yin: I just read his Wau Penyu post too. MUST TRY!
sc
March 25th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
hmmmm, a mixture of some good and some average food…but looks like a nice place to relax with close friends 🙂
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 25th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
sc: yeah, definitely a good place to hang out with friends. 🙂
ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
March 26th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
PINK SAGE! my favorite place in KL! hahahaha why are you doing this to me? i want brunch, now!
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 26th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
ladyironchef: Poor dear. This place is even nicer, but less easily accessible via public transportation, I think.
Yang-May Ooi
March 28th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Oh, I knew this was a bad idea to be surfing blogs before bedtime. Esp. your foodie blog. And esp when I just started a low carb lifestyle change for fitness reasons. Those buttermilk pancakes look divine!
Lyrical Lemongrass
March 29th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Yang-May Ooi: I really should join you on that low carb diet, although I must admit that my spirit is very, very weak! Thanks for dropping by! 🙂
Lainie
April 4th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I gave the eggs benedict a try recently, and found the sauce rather disappointing too. They have the menu, they just need the chef to back it up.
Then again, with those prices and brekkie till 6pm, I can be very forgiving.
Phythia79
May 27th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I love your blog!! I love the photos that goes with it!!
I’m soooo gonna try the pancakes…the greasy breakfast…and the milkshake 🙂
Jwee
August 27th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Hi, i have visited Pink Sage 4 times since it opened its doors in Solaris after being persuaded by the seductive pictures here. The first time was good, then it gradually and steadily dropped in their level of service as well as the quality of food. Perhaps you should drop by for an unannounced visitation to see if they are still up to par. Just a thought;)
Lyrical Lemongrass
August 27th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Jwee, I have visited it several times, and all my visits there have been unannounced. (The proprietors of Pink Sage neither know me or recognise me) I have to agree with you. The food quality has deteriorated, which is a pity because they have so much potential. I believe I mentioned the same thing in my blog write-up (above). Thanks for your feedback, Jwee. Much appreciated, and it will benefit future readers as well.