Gardens Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Pillows that offer some fluffiness but not too soft, firm for support for the neck but not hard and with a huggable feel. A mattress that provides a comfy feeling of stability but not inflexible. You have the daily newspaper, the IPad and the flat monitor remote. Time to settle in, time to relax and let go of things.  Immerse into the media without any thoughts and let the subconscious just absorb.

A round face wash basin and surrounding panel that is clean. Beside you is the see through shower equipped with an over hanging typhoon rain washer, the water coming down like sky juice and without a need to hold anything. The toilet bowl is discreetly kept from view behind well placed glass doors. There is a dressing table and huge double mirrors envelope your wardrobe activity.

Complimentary from the Gardens are bathrobes, a security safe tucked away discreetly behind a drawer, shoe polishing basket and accesories plus the inevitable ironing board, even if this is not a serviced apartment. (Picture above) As you walk towards the exit door, bottles of drinking water await, together with the usual coffee, sugar and tea sachets.  (Picture below) Once you get out of your guest room, a myraid number and variety of shops wait for your attention - and wallet.

Oscar's Grill - Towradgi Beach Hotel, NSW

It is where children can romp freely, mothers can group up to relax, fathers can have a beer - and a family can all come together in one vehicle. In the evenings, dating men and women can be seen over various parts of the spacious lay out - or they are hidden in clusters with their mates. A varied children's play area suggests as a McDonald's, but it offers better than fast food, although the popular wedges emphasise casualness and informality.  It opens till late, is licensed, provides a variety of reasonably prized steaks and seafood from its grill and yet has a pub like atmosphere.  There are pool tables, high chairs, several large screens mostly showing Fox Sports and outdoor seating. The staff are friendly, the floor is level flat and there is easy parking on its outer grounds. Welcome to Oscar's Grill in Towradgi, a suburb three kilometres north of Wollongong CBD.

If only it was beside the ocean!  In reality, Oscar's is located in front of an inland road, part of a complex of buildings that variously function as a motel, liquor outlet and more. Some low level apartment blocks have sprung up behind.  Guests cannot see any beach.  What they do feel, enjoy and view are relaxed gatherings, neighbourhood people and catching up with friends and acquaintances.  At lunchtime, dinner or after that, they are all spread out, in the out deck, indoors, hanging around the bar, seated in the back courtyard and settled elsewhere.

The kitchen is transparent.  You help yourself to your own napkins, cutlery and sauces. The menu can be standard, but there is always the blackboard specials. My favourites have been the pork ribs, with its messy barbecue sauces and the fettucine gambari, fresh large prawns looking pink and standing as they nestle in the al dente pasta.  Today I had a light salad with seared scallops.  A little boy was playing with his Mum's Galaxy S3 smart mobile phone and waved to the three of us having lunch outside the glass partition. Steaks are well served and salads are thoughtfully made. Then there are the burgers, deep fried calamari and coffee.

On Friday nights, there are the battles of the bands. Weekends in the warm season there can be bike and car displays, food festivals, blues gigs and expositions for kids. I witnessed a mini Masterchef for kids one winter's afternoon.  I have enjoyed outings there with colleagues, close mates, neighbours and visitors. Practical priced breakfasts are offered till 1030am.  Fish burgers, lamb rumps and pizzas indicate the diversity of what Oscar's can offer. Modern Australian, with touches of Italian and an icon of the Wollongong area, Oscar's can be viewed by some parts of society here as working class, middle income and university student crowd.  Whatever the label thrown at it, it has withstood the test of time in bringing in the customers to have a fine time there. Just like Nathaniel Willemse belting out the lyrics of his song on X Factor Australia: "Gotta feeling that tonight's going to be a good night" when anyone walks into Oscar's.

Oliver Brown Belgian Chocolate Cafe - Rhodes, Sydney

Perhaps as a reaction to the many coffee cafes enjoying a healthy growth across Australia, there is an emerging trend now in the presence of a variety of chocolate beverage outlets. Seriously, it all began with Swiss Lindt, Spanish San Churro, Max Brenner and Belgian Guy Lian investing in outlets in harbour city Sydney. Chocolate drinks can be a comfort and soul item, bringing us back to cold mornings or late nippy nights.   The drinks provide a different sensation from consuming chocolate bars or having flakes sprinkled over ice cream.  So when Joyce introduced me to another chocolate chain, I went in with expectations and yet with an open mind. Oliver Brown had three outlets in the northern suburbs of  Sydney, including Chatswood and Top Ryde.

I was impressed with the interior decor at the Rhodes Shopping Centre cafe that we visited. The place was well patronised on a Sunday afternoon, located strategically near an exit to the road and escalators to the upper floor.  The question I always have on coming across yet another outlet is, so what is strikingly different about this latest one?  I saw the small tables, some with leather seats and most with the ubiquitous cafe chair. The counter was rather long and sunlight came through the big clear glass windows. There was a strong emphasis in wood panels. Across the corridor was a typical Coffee Club cafe. There were mochas, milk shakes, fruit crushes, teas, waffles, fondues, cookies, crepes, sandwiches, dips, ice cream, hot chocolates and the unavoidable coffee choices offered on the menu on the wall.  Cakes and chocolate beverage powder were available for sale.  The display had an Euro feel and all the staff members working that day were Asian, most probably university students.

Rhodes has a demographic of Anglo-Celtic, Middle Eastern, East Asian and Indian - many young families, young couples and singles.  This was reflected in the rather busy parade of shoppers passing by outside the Oliver Brown Cafe. The Cafe in Rhodes is open till midnight each evening. Their signature design is Atzec inspired chequered black, green and white patterns, reflected in their wrapping paper and cafe walls.  They fondly refer to themselves as "OB".  We were there after a hefty lunch, so I tried just one signature item from OB - the hot chocolate with crunchy balls and marshmallows. It was a sizable mug, round and squat.  My first dive into the drink was soothing, not overly heavy and supported by those delightful bites into the crunchy bits swirling all over.  San Churro has a rather aromatic taste whilst OB is lighter but uniquely provides its own delivery.

Looking at the mug, it is disheartening to know that there has been a shareholder dispute affecting OB and it has sold its outlets in Top Ryde and Chatswood.  The media today reported that sales for restaurants and cafes have gone up nation wide in Australia, in contrast to department stores.  So no matter what, the story of chocolate and coffee does continue.