Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill Dawson Street, Dublin, Ireland

Being under way in the city of Dublin, Ireland we were hungry and decided spontaneously to go to Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill on Dawson Street. Dawson Street is near Trinity College and just off Grafton Street.

We were arriving at a time when it was quiet, so getting a table without reservation wasn’t a problem, but we had to vacate it within 2 hours.

The restaurant is beautifully designed with monochrome colors in black and white, classic chandeliers, a huge flower arrangement and lots of photographs. Guests can also sit outside.

We were brought to our table inside and given the a la carte and value menu and the wine list. The value menu was attractively priced. A one course cost 16.95 Euro (ca. 19.10 USD), a two course is 21.95 Euro (ca. 24.70 USD) and a three course 26.95 Euro, ca. 35.35 USD.

After some discussion we ordered a large bottle of still Irish water. He had the three course, while I chose the 2 course menu.

Before our appetizers arrived we received a bread basket and butter.

He started with Bayonne Ham and melon, while I had the Caprese Salad.

The melon was juicy and the ham delicious.

The tomato – some of them were rarer like Baby Plum Tomatoes and Grape Tomatoes -, basil and mozzarella combination worked well.

His main course was Chicken Milanese, served with chips and a rocket / parmesan salad.

My grilled Sea Bass came with a large mixed salad and samphire.

We shared his dessert, a Valhrona chocolate and peanut butter cake with ice cream and biscuit crumbs. The only criticism would be about the crumbs. They didn’t necessarily enhance the dessert and could be left out. The thought behind it could have been, though, to add more texture or a decoration. Otherwise the cake and ice cream were decadent and moreish.

The whole meal was very enjoyable.

He had also a Chateaux Jolys dessert wine to round up the late lunch. He liked it and described part of the notes as apricot or peach and the wine as very light and refreshing.

The bill came in at 58.65 Euro (ca. 66 USD).

The staff was friendly and attentive.

We would return again based on the good experience.

©2015

Carluccio's, Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, United Arab Emirates

Originally we had assumed our flights would leave on both occasions from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, the A Gates and had planned to go to Carluccio’s and Jack’s. It didn’t work out that way. We left to Kuala Lumpur at the B Gates, but were lucky in this regard on the way to Dublin.

We thought the time was going to be a bit tight to go to Jack’s so we headed for Carluccio’s.

We were welcomed with a smile and brought to a table in front of the open kitchen.

The interior was contemporary.

Originally we wanted to order juices, but they were already finished, so we had two still Al Ain water, one Penne Arrabiata, a Pizza Salami and one Amarena cherry ice cream Sundae.

The staff was efficient and friendly.

Our meal arrived quickly and was hot and fresh. It was delicious and the arrabiata not too spicy. The Sundae wasn’t too sweet and very indulgent.

We paid 183 AED (ca. 45.15 Euro or ca. 49.85 USD).

We enjoyed our visit, so we would return again, when connecting or departing from Terminal 3, the A Gates.

©2015

Dome Cafe Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

Before our return flight from Kuala Lumpur via Dubai to Dublin we had a meal at Dome Cafe at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The restaurant had a take away section and a seating area with waiter service. It was kept in dark furniture and felt colonial. We were brought to our table. After studying the menu we decided to have a regular and large chai latte and one portion of spaghetti aglio al olio.

Service was quick and friendly.


The drinks were hot and both generous sizes. The spice mix was just right.

The pasta dish looked very upscale and colorful. It was delicious too. It seemed passersby agreed, because nearly all glanced at the plate.

The bill came in at 69 MYR (ca. 16.15 Euro or 17.65 USD).

In future we would return to this Dome outlet and others as well.

©2015 

Sama-Sama Hotel Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

When we planned our travel we wanted to stay at the Sama-Sama KLIA before and after our flights, because our previous experience ca. one and a half years earlier was very good. This review will include our 2nd, 3rd and 4th stay. If you want to read more about the facilities, please see the review from our first stay.

The hotel has also won Best Luxury Airport Hotel in Asia in 2013.

The decision what to book had been made for us, because the only room type available was a room on the Premier Floor with Premier Lounge access. One and a half years earlier it was the whole opposite and we were a bit disappointed, because we would have been even at that time interested in the Premier Floor.

Since there was no information available on the website about the inclusions at the lounge we sent an email to the hotel. We received a quick, courteous reply with all the benefits included.

We had three different locations for our check in. The first was at the baggage claim area of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. We received a map and directions to the buggy pick up point of the hotel and the room keys.

Another time we had check in at the Lobby Level of the Sama-Sama and once at the Premier Floor Lounge.

No matter where we checked in all staff were friendly and efficient.

Our rooms were located on the 9th floor. One had views over the entrance and the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC) – like the lounge did on the same level -, the other two overlooked a soccer field and the runway.

We could also see planes arriving and taking off when we had views over the ATC, but there was much more activity on the other side.

The rooms seemed a bit larger than the standard rooms. The design was similar, though. The color scheme was black, red, brown, gold, modern Asian.

There was a large wardrobe, flat screen TV and credenza, a writing desk with a stylish lamp, a king sized bed and a chaise lounge.

The TV channels were regional and international. Our favorite was the Asian Food Channel.

The artwork was photographs of different islands and locations within Malaysia in selective colors.

There was also a coffee table with magazines, including Vision KL and KL100.

The decoration had Malay influences and colorful pillows added to the homey feel of the room.   

All lights and blinds work via an iPad or on the touch of a button.

In at least two of our rooms we had a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee machine. It wasn’t as easy to handle as a Nespresso machine, but we worked it out quickly and the results were delicious. We tried the Chai and the Viennese blend.

A mini bar and 24 hours in room dining was also available.

The free WIFI internet access was quick and reliable.

Juices were priced at 19 to 28 MYR (ca. 4.50 Euro or 4.95 USD to 6.65 Euro / 7.30 USD), Evian or Perrier water at 20 MYR (ca. 4.75 Euro or ca. 5.20 USD) and Tiger Beer for 39 MYR, ca. 9.25 Euro or ca. 10.15 USD.

Free water was daily provided.

In room dining incl. international and local main courses started from 46 MYR (ca. 11 Euro or 12 USD).

Moving on to the bathrooms. They were slightly different. Our first bathroom had a bath tub and separate shower. The other two a large shower only. They were all white and orange tiled and felt spacious and modern.

Bathroom amenities were by Tanamera, a Malaysian company. The products were paraben free. We liked them very much, they smelled nicely and were of high quality.

All wake up calls we received were punctual – two were automated, one was personal.

The Premier Lounge was large with a classic interior and like the lobby festively decorated for Eid Mubarak. The artwork was contemporary and colorful.

There was an internet corner, a small library with books and travel and lifestyle magazines.

Guests could choose between restaurant and bar style seating.

The reception desk faced directly the elevator bank and added additional security and a warm welcome when arriving. Lifts were only accessible by entering the keycard in a slot.

During Happy Hour wine and other alcoholic beverages were served. We tried the Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon. Both were very good and enjoyable.

There were three to four hot items available, some dishes were local others international, like the chicken burger sliders, Teriyaki beef skewers, chicken goujons or fish and much more.

Guests could choose from a cold selection as well, like crudities, cold cuts, cheese, salad, antipasti, different types of bread, fruits and cakes.

At the entrance of the lounge is also a mini fridge. Guests can take soft drinks and water for free away. It doesn’t have to be consumed in the lounge.

The Premier Lounge offerings could easily replace dinner.

Breakfast was served buffet style for cold items and egg dishes, pancakes and French Toast were made to order.

The quality was high and everything delicious.

The staff was attentive and friendly.

After our second stay the experience got tailor made. We were recognized by the buggy drivers, the bell captain, the receptionist and the staff of the Premier Lounge.

Somehow the hotel figured out we preferred the view over the runway and a coffee machine over a bath tub, so the second and third room fit us better, or that we wouldn’t have additional spend in the hotel, because all our needs were covered.

We will definitely stay here again in the future and recommend this hotel to anyone who's looking for a superior experience at KLIA.

We like many aspects at the Sama-Sama, from the friendly and efficient service, the food, the free buggy rides from the airport to the hotel and verse visa, the comfort of the rooms, the beautiful gardens and the pool, the check in facility at the luggage claim area of KLIA and the bathroom amenities.

I think the Sama-Sama has improved since our first stay in November 2013. There was a time when the hotel was known to be the Pan Pacific Hotel KLIA but this was before our first stay. The hotel changed over from being a Pan Pacific to the local Sama-Sama brand in early 2013.

©2015

Häagen-Dazs Cafe Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, United Arab Emirates

We had a layover of around 3 hours in Dubai International Airport before our flight to Kuala Lumpur. Feeling a bit peckish we originally wanted to go to Jack's, assuming we were departing from the A Gates at Terminal 3. Since we were leaving from the B Gates we had to change our plans.

We spotted a Häagen-Dazs Cafe and decided to go there, as we love their ice cream and related products they sell.

There is a large menu board behind the counter. After deciding what to have, I placed our order with a member of staff. It was self-service.

We had a bottle of Fiji water, a hot chocolate, two salted caramel crunch and a cheese cake.

It was delicious and refreshing.

The cost was ca. 160 AED, approximately 39.70 Euro or 43.60 USD.

Should we feel peckish and depart from the B Gates at Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, we will definitely stop by again.

©2015   

Flutes @ Dublin Airport, Terminal 2 Airside, Ireland

Before our flight to Dubai we had lunch at Flutes, one of our favorite outlets in Dublin Airport Terminal 2 located airside.

During previous visits we had breakfast. Today we enjoyed their lunch offerings.

Patrons can choose their own table or sit at the bar. Orders are only taken at the bar and payment is accepted after the meal.

The waitress is going to deliver the drinks and food to the table.

We had two Illy cappuccinos, two orange juice and two salads in a Martini glass. He had the Irish Caprese, because it didn’t contain Mozzarella, but Irish Boilie goat’s cheese, cherry tomatoes and green leaves. My salad was Tuscan with Parma ham, Parmesan shavings and green salad. It was very tasty indeed and filling. While it is quite novel and fun to eat from a Martini glass it could be also messy, like the glass falling over when trying to spear a tomato or salad leaf on the fork.

Staff was friendly and efficient.

We paid 36.30 Euro (ca. 40.20 USD).

Since we like Flutes and their upscale fare, we will return.

©2015  

Flight with Emirates Dublin - Dubai - Kuala Lumpur and return in Economy Class

Our holiday in July 2015 took us to Malaysia and Singapore.

We booked our flights with Emirates to Kuala Lumpur via Dubai in economy class.

A few days before our departure we received an email containing the inflight menu and what was on offer at ICE, the entertainment system.
Check in in Dublin at Terminal 2 was done efficient and with a smile. Originally we had chosen all our seats online at the time of booking our flights, but for some reason on the leg between Dubai International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport it was changed. 
Since seat selections are complimentary we used this service on each leg, but we still sat  together and it was just a row or so behind the original selection we didn’t mind. Our luggage was checked through to Kuala Lumpur. We also liked that the baggage claim tag was stuck onto a separate card than the boarding passes or one of our passports.
On the return flight our seat choice was honored.

On this occasion we had purchased Fast Track security access from DAA for 5.99 Euro (ca. 6.65 USD) per person, online. It also included a voucher for free coffee. Without fast track the waiting time was approximately 15 minutes. We were through security with no waiting at all and took maybe two minutes or less.

We had lunch at Flutes, one of our favorite outlets airside in Terminal 2. A review is going to follow.

Afterwards we browsed the shops a bit and went to our gate when it was time to board.

All flights were on a Boeing 777-300 ER. The seats were comfortable and in a 3-4-3 configuration. Only on one leg nobody sat beside us in the aisle seats. All flights were booked out or near capacity and had families with small children, who were overall well behaved, on board.

The food was as always good and there were two main courses to choose from. It was either a fish and meat option or beef and chicken. On one leg the chicken was in hot demand. Some guests might have been scared by the idea of eating an unfamiliar perch, a fresh water fish. It was what we would have chosen in the first place, so it didn’t matter to us. We liked it. Of course the desserts and ice cream were the highlight. The meals reflected where we started from and the destination, for example there were curries and braised beef, a lentil salad and other dishes.
Vegetarian and other special dietary needs meals have to be pre-ordered.
Non-alcoholic beverages were served regularly. There were also tea and coffee, wine and liquor available after meals, plus there was the option to enjoy a snipe of Champagne for USD 15.

ICE, Emirates in-flight entertainment system had a wide selection, but on some older Boeings we had problems with the touch screens (They weren’t very intuitive or suddenly stopped in the middle of a documentary or film and it took some effort to get it working again.)
When it was functioning, we watched documentaries, a classic, foreign movies and played “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”.

Toilets were spotless clean. Only once I saw crew discarding left over juices and some of it splashed on the walls, leaving a sticky mess and a sweet smell in the toilet.

The crew was overall attentive and friendly.
The flight attendants on our leg between Kuala Lumpur and Dubai were a bit stressed out and tired, because their journey began in Australia.

There were turbulences over India, because of the monsoon season and the seat belt sign was on while passing through.

We had planned in a generous layover of around three hours each time we had to connect in Dubai to have enough time for a meal and to avoid generally stress. There’s nothing worse than running through a large airport to catch your flight.
Arriving in Dubai from Dublin we had a remote stand and had to take a shuttle to bring as to the B Gates. It was a fairly long ride, around 25 minutes.

We had ice cream at Haagen Dazs and on the return lunch at Carluccio’s, located at the A Gates.  Reviews for those are going to follow.

One important thing about Kuala Lumpur International Airport: There are two security checks, one directly at the gate, so it is not possible to bring water bottles on board.

Of course we will fly with Emirates again. It is one of our favorite airlines. We like breaking up a long-haul flight to the Far East in Dubai. The service is great and reliable, the food good and the entertainment system should cater to most tastes.

©2015