About Deep

Alco blogger, ex-lifestyle/F&B writer for The Star

Homey

A dog that had me as his caretaker, died last month. Homey (aka Homes, aka Homer, aka Homeboi) came out of nowhere barking at me one morning a long time ago. And we been hanging out since.

He’s been with me through the best years of my life.

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He was with me for 13 years, from the time he was a gangsta stray pup. No pix of his puppy days tho, but he was definitely the cutest around. Hence, his many girlfriends (human n dog). He was shagging human legs from age 3 months, and bitches at age 6 months. Am pretty sure he won one of the year’s MVP.

Homeboi was obedient, playful, loving, and fierce against unwelcome people. He was the Chief of Security at our pad. We could leave the front door unlocked without worry. He was always alert.

He also pissed on dogs that he didnt like, usually on the face.

Friends who were afraid of dogs have gotten over this phobia, thanks to Homey.

His birthday parties? Legendary. I still bump into random people who say they been to my place, for his birthday. Haha

Homey died of bone marrow cancer / leukemia, and it appeared suddenly. Doc mentioned chemotherapy. I said sorait. Let it be.

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Otw to KKB

Thankfully he didn’t suffer much. The doc gave him a few weeks or a month tops; he hungout for two months, and ate mostly ham in that time. Nice. He was also allowed into the house.

Otw to Janda Baik

Otw to Janda Baik

Otherwise, he was a fit n healthy guy, and could have lived to 18 or more. I was kinda hoping he could meet my future family assuming i have one, but sallgood! Haha. In a way its good that he died healthy rather than when his bones were creaking n shit. I always wondered how we would die. I think he had a decent death.

And it was great when my close friends showed up when they found out. They helped me bury him. There were even flowers. And they hungout after that to drink n party.

Joyce showed up out of the blue, and also wrote a tribute.

King of these streets

King of these streets

I also am thankful for my housemates, who had to takeover the task of giving him his daily steroid injections when i was travelling.

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In Chilling River

Homey - seen it all

Homey – seen it all

The boys did a blues tune about him some time ago, which was recorded spontaneously in my hall one Sunday afternoon in 2012, in one take. You can even hear Homey bark in the background.

There’s even a music video for it! Homey smiles at the end.

And here’s one of him during shower time. He’d bitch if the water was too chilly.

Well, he had a good run, travelling n shit. But i never got his licensing sorted out. Haha. In fact a coupla years ago i permanently removed his collar. He was nude 24-7.

I wanted to allow him to become a dog. I also gave him more real food and tried to avoid the usual factory-produced dog food, which is probably dog meat. Maybe dat shit causes cancer, who knows.

He’s had it all. Bryani, roti canai, char kueh teow, cakes, desserts, ice-creams, booze, lok-lok (regular), and even magic mushrooms – no thanks to a friend of mine. I was pretty pissed about it. Homes was tripping for 3 days!

Funny, on hindsight.

But i took him out nightly, so he worked those calories off. I remember doin a calculation – i’ve walked 2,000km + with him.

Kinda miss the night walks.

I also went alone with him once to KKB. We did a trek all the way to Chilling falls. That was the first time he had seen a forest, and a body of water, and his first swim. Across rivers. I was forced to teach swimming the quick way – throwing him into the river. Didnt do too well.

His battery was 3% by the time we got back, coz we had to ‘jog’ out due to failing light.

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Waiting at the border for his morning cream crackers

Am sure i’ll open my house to another stray, someday. (I don’t buy pets)

He was the closest dog i’ve been with, and there’ve been many over the years. I’ll remember Homes till the day i join him.

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One brother’s down, for good. Fortunately i have nine more around me. You know who you boys are.

Good lookin out ma man, and am sure you still lookin out for me.

Catch u soon boy.

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Ciao

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Marini’s & Jose release an album

Legendary producer of chilled beats series Cafe Del Mar, Jose Padilla is back in the music scene after a break of coupla years, teaming up with Marini’s on 57 to produce a special album based on the outlet, called Sunset Hours (Marini’s On 57 Vol 1).

Jose himself was at Marini’s for the album launch, a half-day affair starting with the PC in the afternoon, followed by drinks at Marini’s, and finally Jose juggling the decks later that night for a house set. But i had to miss the last one due to another engagement.

Cool bar

Cool bar

Jose Padilla is world-renowned for being a sunset-tunes DJ at Cafe del Mar, a bar on Ibiza, and popularized electronic chillout, specifically the Balearic variety. The first Cafe del Mar compilation was released in 1994, and there have been 18 since. Jose’s Mixcloud link here.

1,000 pieces of the new album have been initially pressed. This one has 14 tracks from all over the world; it would have been great if we had a KL artist in there as well.

Close neighbour

Close neighbour

The theme is chilled of course, being Sunset Hours n all (aka cocktail time!).

There’s one exclusive track, which Jose co-created, while the rest are other artists. The compilation is more electronic than his usual stuff. And quite serious.

A couple of tracks stand out for me. Dragonflies (Cantoma Remix), a chill house tune by Jose Padilla has a solid, jazz-funk-inspired bassline, topped by the seductive, minimalist and ethereal vocals of Scottish chick Kirsty Keatch.

I Hate Hate (an oxymoron of a title) is a laid-back, housy track of about 90bpm, by Razzy Bailey. It’s got that ol skool vibe, with vocals by a male, a rarity.

Jose and Modesto

Jose and Modesto

The album is available at Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, music stores in Europe and several other online sources. The CD itself should be available for sale here once approvals are got.

Represent! In NYC's Times Square

Represent! In NYC’s Times Square

The outlet’s founder and owner Modesto Marini launched the album to coincide with the beautiful outlet’s two-year anniversary, which is also the highest F&B spot in the country.

This is an interesting marketing strategy to put Marini’s on the world map. In fact, it joins iconic brands such as Café Del Mar, Pacha and Hotel Costes which have their own internationally-recognized music albums.

Congrats Marini’s!

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Cocktails at Mediteca Tapas Bar

Mediteca Tapas Bar (2181 -2426) is one joint i never knew was there until i paid a visit. It’s got a great spot, smack downtown at Fraser Place, and occupies the front of the building. The set-up is stylish.

Checked it out on a Sunday afternoon for a cocktail session. The place has a little bar as well, but we opted for a table by the all-glass wall. As in floor-to-very-high-ceiling glass! Nice.

The facade

The facade

Mediteca’s Sunday Happy Hours here is one of its unique features. It applies a trend that began in bars in Milan, Italy, called Aperitivo alla Milanese, where patrons get complimentary buffet food when they drink.

When we were there, the Sunday cocktails were focused on aperitifs, mainly Campari-based ones. The cocktail specials changes every Sunday. Guests can opt for beer or wine as well for this unique happy hour.

The entrance is inside the tower

The entrance is inside the tower

Up to the mezzanine section

Up to the mezzanine spot

The lil scene upstairs

The lil scene upstairs

The scene downstairs

The scene downstairs

The afternoon began with a Negroni (Campari, Martini Rosso & gin), which is a classic ol skool cocktail. Bittersweet, quite balanced, tho i let the ice melt a lil to dampen the sweetness. A slice of fresh orange adds some refreshment.

Sweetness from the vermouth

Sweetness is from the vermouth

Campari is an Italian liqueur, an infusion of herbs and fruit, and to me, is very bitter.

A variation of the Negroni, the Negroni Sagliatio (or the bungled negroni), rocked my boat. There’s fizziness, with some prosecco taking the edge off, adding that light champagne sweetness; makes it fruity even. Awesome.

Spritz

Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a mix of prosecco, Aperol and soda. It’s a tarty sparkling wine cocktail, with the Aperol introducing itself at the end with a bitter-orange finish, as it’s an orange liqueur.

We tried the Americano too, which tastes a lot like the Negroni, ‘cept gin is switched for Martini Rosso.

Dessert anyone?

Healthy dessert anyone?

Mediteca’s strawberry daiquiri is well-made, strong, with a good consistency.

We tasted the outlet’s house prosecco, and it was quite pleasant – medium to dry, the right fizz, and a sweet-sour tinge that lingers for a bit.

 

Oops. Double-parked

Oops. Double-parked

Good marks on all the drinks. All spirits used are premium, none of ’em moonshine many bars use.

The food: it’s light Mediterranean stuff; crowd-favourites like pizza, breads n dips, seafood paella, some interesting sauces n salads, and a couple of other light bites. The olive oil-drenched pesto salad was funky. Weird. Me liking a salad is like an alco liking a shandy.

Sumtin called a spelt salad.

The bar area

The bar area

Some of the food items

Some of the food items

Basically what’s laid out, changes. It’s whatever the chef can cook up on that day. It’s not meant to be a meal, but a snack with drinks, or as a pre-dinner session. However, food quality is decent. I had no issues with anything i had.

Loved the potato chips, which came in soft slices. Unreal.

Cheeeeeps...

Cheeeeeps…

To enjoy the spread of Mediterranean grub, all you need to do is enjoy the cocktails, which are generally about $28.75 nett.

This Milanese happy hours thing could grow on me. And i like the spot too. Should be hitting it again in the future. Very likely to blaze their Saturday Prosecco Brunch as well, from noon till 3pm. They got cheese too.

Cheeeeese…

Attaaaack!

Attaaaack!

There's an outdoor deck too

There’s an outdoor deck too

Al be back!

Al be back!

Cost is $135.70 NETT, with all-you-can-drink prosecco.

It’s a sweet deal, if i stay sober on Friday nite.

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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