Uncle Tetsu Cheese Cake | One Utama

I was informed by my brother yesterday that the Japanese Cheesecake chain is in One Utama, however the grand opening is on 25th Oct 2014. So, I was thinking to try out my luck, probably they will open one day earlier for testing and I might grab one home. And I am right, they are open for business before their grand opening! 

Just for your information, Uncle Tetsu Cheesecake is originated from Japan and was founded 20 years ago by Mr Tetsushi from Tetsu Global Ltd. Their first shop was in Fukuoka, Japan and by years they expanded to over 45 outlets around Japan before they expand other countries. Good news is they are now in KL, you don't need to fly to Japan or SG to get one now.

Their signature cheese cake is selling at RM19.90 each. If I'm not mistaken, SG is selling 10 dollar.

Another range of cheesecake they are selling in the stall named as Cheese Zuccoto. The cheesecake smaller in size but the texture is more moist and dense.

Their kitchen behind the stall. You can see big ovens behind, no doubt of their hourly fresh baked concept they promised.

Freshly baked cheesecakes hot from oven

Uncle tetsu logo was stamped on each cheesecake by the staff.

Uncle Tetsu Signature Cheesecake Box

My first Uncle Tetsu cheesecake, mission completed!

Good news to all! Since it is their grand opening today, they are giving away FREE cheesecake for all day long. Just follow the below instructions and you can redeem one for FREE! For more information, visit their FB.

Uncle Tetsu Cheesecake

Outlet: LGK2A -One Utama (New Wing)

http://www.uncletetsu.com.my

Event: Ogilvy's Bloggers Appreciation Day 2014

I was invited to Bloggers Appreciation Day organised by Social@Ogilvy team last Friday. I met some new friends and it was fun once a while to meet up with bloggers where we actually see each other in person on that day. Let's check out the night there.

This is place where they organised the event. Lots of balloons decorated around the place. They even have the big "OGILVY' alphabet balloons there in gold.

Photo booth nowadays just can't be miss for fun time. They actually set up a photo booth at the entrance. Everyone was crazy taking photos in group and of they own. We were given a free mug too on the spot with our photo when we post our photo in FB, Instagram or Twitter. 

Otterbox phone casing was the highlight of the day. They were so generous to give away Otterbox as one of the prizes.

The team members of Social@Ogilvy

Head of Social@Ogilvy explaining to us their activities in the year 2014 with bloggers.

It was raining heavily that day where many were caught in the jam. So we started with dinner first before any activities since everyone was hungry. We have to fill up our stomach for more energy and strength to play!

One of the games- Complete 3 mission cards to get yourself some prizes. All mission cards are hanged on their look-alike wishing tree.

Got myself 2 mission card only. 

Here is what inside the goodies bag

They also set up an area for us to charge our phone just in case we ran out of battery. Since they can't find me a Iphone 5s cable, one of the team member actually introduce me to try on this Resurgence Power Case where it function as a battery case that able to delivers more than 2X your iPhone’s battery power. I love this case so much and was planning to get one after the event.

And so coincident I won one of their contest on the photo taking of Otterbox in instagram. My lucky day! And I got the pink colour exactly the same one I took photo previously from their shelf.

Photo taken by event photographer

Thank you Ogilvy for the invitation. I hope to see you all soon in the future events

Kyoto Day 3: Arashiyama District: Sagano Scenic Railway-Bamboo Groves-Tenryuji Temple-Togetsukyo Bridge-Kyoto Tower

On the third day, we travel to the western Kyoto where we visited the Arashiyama-Sagano area. There are a few ways to go to Arashiyama, we purposely took the Sagano Scenic Railway, also known as the Sagano Romantic Train which is a sightseeing train line that runs along Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka.

To take the Sagano Scenic Railway:

Kyoto Station-->JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, change to Saga Torokko Station to take Sagano Scenic Railway--> Arashiyama Torokko Station

I would recommend to buy tickets early to ensure a seat during peak season. We actually didn't manage to get a ticket at Saga Torokko Station when we arrived. So, we decided to try our luck and get ticket from Torokko Kameoka Station (the opposite way) back to Arashiyama Torokko Station.

We took JR train to Umahori Station, took us 5-10 minute to walk to Torokko Kameoka Station. Both stations are far apart but you can enjoy the beautiful view of the area and Sakura trees. We manage to get a train ticket but only standing ticket available, all ticket with seat are fully sold. We actually bumped into a few groups of tourists at the same time depart from here. It seem like travel agencies are taking this route too.

Scenery of Torokko Kameoka Station

You can take horse ride in front of the station too while waiting for the train to arrive.

Since we still have one and half hour before the ride, we had our lunch at the train station. The small cafe is located below the train counter.

Fried Rice

Never thought that fried rice can be serve that plain, I guess I have forgotten I'm not in Malaysia!

Beef Curry Rice

We were surprise that a little shop like this can serve quite delicious beef curry though it only came with few pieces of beef, the curry is splendid. We just can't have enough of it.

While waiting at the platform, you can see these cute raccoon dogs, which is called Bake-danuki around most of the platform. It is said to bring wealth and prosperity, however there are a lot of stories behind this Bake-danuki can always refer to wikipedia.

Arrival of the train

Beautiful scenery during the journey

You may also take the Hozugawa River Cruise other than the train. It cost around 3900 yen per person. Departure point for boat ride is 10 mins walk from JR Kameoka Station. We didn't take the boat river as I scare I might have sea sick.

Walking distance from Arashiyama Torokko Station to Bamboo Groves. A short walking path that cuts through the bamboo forest. Unexpectedly, the place feel quite cool and strong wind blow as well.

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples. Tenryuji is the head temple of the Tenryuhi brance of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. It was built in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji. 

Admission fee is 500 yen per person

Opening hours:8:30 to 17:30 (until 17:00 from late October to late March)

View of Sogen Garden

Main Hall

After the visit to Tenryuji Temple, we walked to the street toward the famous Togetsukyo bridge. Along the way, there are many shop lots selling food and souvenirs. 

As we reached the Arashiyama Station, we saw this old traditional train that is still in operation. The train is still well-maintain.

We were also surprised to see these Kimono fabrics poles around the station rail. It is a collaboration between designer Yasumichi Morita (previously) with Kyoto’s Kamedatomi Corp. to create yuzen kimono fabric patterns. The patterns were then placed inside 600 illuminated poles that were strategically lined along pathways of the station, creating a bright kimono forest. The place will light up at night and beautiful patterns of the kimono shine. 

We grab some snacks (Takoyaki and Chicken Karaage) at the station. There are some food stalls at the station where you can rest and have some food.

Whole street is full of sakura

Togetsukyo Bridge is the most iconic landmark in Arashiyama. It was built during the Heian period (794-1185) and was re-constructed in  1930s. Favourite spot for photo taking because of the background.

Spotted this stalls while walking to Saga Arashiyama Station which is just 20 mins away from Arashiyama Station. This stall selling Japanese rice biscuits at the road side and what surprise me is the non-stop crowd visiting the stall.

Bought one of the biscuit, cost 130 yen per piece. Price are vary from types of biscuits. Taste wise is not bad for a snack.

Ordered ice-cream in the cold weather, just can't resist when passed by the shop that selling variety of ice-cream from green tea to sakura flavour.

Love this fried potatoes, quite similar to Hash Brown but this taste better.

We walked back to the JR station about 20 mins walk from Arashiyama Station and took the train back to Kyoto Station.

Since it is still early for dinner, we visited the Kyoto tower which is located directly opposite the Kyoto Station entrance. You won't miss this tall tower.

Kyoto Tower was built in 1964 and is an unique architectural structure that doesn't use steel frame. The body of the tower is built using special steel plates with thickness of 12mm-22mm to join together into a cylinder. The tower consists of 9 stories with 3 basement floors of shopping area & restaurants.

Admission fee: RM700 yen

Opening hours: 9am-9pm

The view from observation deck

Fast fast take photo before someone come!

We went to the Porta Dining again to try out some Italian food this time. Two days of Japanese food, it is time for a change. We spotted this place since they placed very attractive food sample outside. The place were packed but we managed to get a small place at the corner.

Asahi Beer-529 yen

Finally get my hand with a glass of Japanese beer! How can you miss it when you are in Japan.

Pasta-1069 yen

This is the only pasta with tomato sauce. I can't remember the name but it is recommended by the waiter. The spaghetti was cooked with brinjal and seafood, taste wise is alright, nothing wow to shout about.

Bistecca Fiorentina (T-bone Steak)-2689 yen

He tried the top of the menu T-bone steak, which at that price, I think is quite reasonable for its size. The taste really is quite good, juicy on the inside, yet not too hard even when cooked at medium-well. He just wished there were mashed potatoes or fries to go together, or maybe some special Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce... I had to remind him that we're in an Italian restaurant!