Jackie Miao

I was woken up by the roaring storm at 6:30am this morning in Kota Kinabalu, what is a milder version of the same system that brought the colossally damaging typhoon Parma turned Storm Parma (no, not the lovely ham or the place it’s from) that sank 80% of Manila last week. Almost three hours later, the worst of the sky’s weeping seems to be over as the rain is now showing some signs of relenting. However, the pit-a-patter can’t exactly be called a drizzle yet as it is definitely making its presence known.

This morning, I have put on hold a list of to-do items (before heading to Singapore tomorrow) to listen to the real Rhythm of the Falling Rain. Somehow, the hydro-aural therapy has brought about a sense of introspection that must be explored.

Even the dogs across the road have surrendered to its charm. With old-world jazz in the background playing as another layer, I can’t help but be grateful to be alive. As I type this, so many people are displaced in Samoa, Manila and Padang right now as you and I are building better dreams. If you can offer that bit of aid, you can help the recent victims here.

With dogs giving clues and my intuition as a cue, I’m going to breathe in the surplus of fresh oxygen in the air while I take a break from life’s labors to appreciate the simplicity of being. Easy-peasy is the order of the day!

Correction: The original post has been altered based on new information this evening.

Hello everyone! Apologies for not having been too active on my blog of late. I’ve been colossally busy with work, life and am traveling again in two days.

Anyhow, this short note is to notify all our customers that we will be closed at the present location (Pirates Bar) immediately, as we are moving Stone Bridge Galley to our own shop lot just further down the block toward the front of Asia City. After testing the market with our unique offering at a food court, we are now ready to provide our customers with a space to enjoy their breakfasts and beyond!

Stone Bridge Galley restaurant will reopen on 13th October 2009, where we will be serving our homemade pork bacon and pork sausages. I will be providing more details in the coming days, but the new place is on the same block as the Mercedes Benz dealer Hap Seng in Asia City, just next to the Muamalat Bank.

We apologize for another convenience caused. We know how important real bacon and sausages are to you Thanks for your patience and support as we work toward expanding our operations to give you a most satisfying experience. For more information please call +6.088.269.987. Have a fabulous day!

Three weeks ago, I decided to come out of the pot of hermetic stew that I’ve allowed myself to simmer in since I came back to Kota Kinabalu. I couldn’t find a better excuse to officiate my first night out clubbing in K.K. than by attending a friend’s repatriation spinning event at Blue Note.

DJ Fine China doing his thang!

DJ Fine China (Jonathan Ngu) is an international DJ who made himself a name in Western Australia’s night scene. Recently relocated back to Kota Kinabalu, Jon has also played in various cities around the world including Kuala Lumpur, Vancouver, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Recently nominated for the Best Breaks DJ at the PDMA’s (Perth Dance Music Awards), his own style of mixing breaks with a charm that inspires sideliners to take to the floor is every reason you should show up in dancing shoes!

DJ Fine China | Photo credits: Amie Stan

After an extended hiatus, I thought I’d be way too blasé and over the clubbing hill to enjoy the thumping, but Jon mixed some boxfresh beats with retro tunes and memories from my raving youth came rushing back to me. Now I wonder if I’m just too old to deal with systematic maltunes instead!?

Good to see friends!

What made the night even better was the fact that I bumped into quite a few friends!

I was really happy to see the spirited Ben Nair, a fellow British-repatriat who started the newly formed events company with Jon Ngu and Eric Wong called the Renaissance of Borneo (will tell you about their awesome plans in the next post!). I just had to get our good friend Mr. Drunken He-man to take a pic of us since we missed each other in the U.K. a few months back! (P/S: He-man was so drunk we had to drive his car home for him. He also hurled on the way home!)

I also bumped into other friends as well. For most of the night I was so busy catching up with people I barely took my cam out for the snappy-snaps. Thanks to the lovely Amie Stan, who was kind enough to take a few pictures for me (in addition to the official photos she was taking for the event). Get her for your event… she’s a great person to work with and an all around fabulous girl!

Amie Stan and Jackie Miao | Photo Credit: Amie Stan

Last but not least, what good would this post be if I didn’t have a photo op with the talented and very fine DJ Fine China at the end of the night?

Jackie and DJ Fine China

Right before we had to send He-man home, Amir Yussof came over and said something so unexpectedly uplifting to me that it changed the dynamics of how I will now use my Best Job in the World experience. One day I hope to be able to share with you what he said since there is no context in which a contrast can be observed at the present moment. For now, enjoy your Tuesday wherever in the world you are!

Would you believe me if I told you that you can get some wicked bacon rashers with layers of oozy eggs in between two slices of lightly toasted bread for 8 ringgit in Kota Kinabalu? Believe me, you!

As an introductory offer, our Home made Pork Bacon and Egg Sandwich is now available for 8 ringgit only at the Stone Bridge Galley if you dine in (Takeaway price is RM 9).

We are located next to the Cowbar Bar at Asia City!

We serve it for breakfast, lunch and even in the evening for those who prefer to enjoy their food slowly. Come on over, treat yourself and bring some friends along. You know you want it!

Two weeks ago, we moved Charles Cafe from Jesselton Point and opened an additional kitchen called the Stone Bridge Galley at 3 Colour Tea Food Court in Asia City. A few of my friends have said that they came to the Pirates Bar and when they could not find our place, they left. I’d like to apologize to everyone who has been here and left disappointed that they did not get to sink their teeth into some juicy sausages and bacon. The sign for our porky kitchen is still in the works and according to the sign makers, it will be ready next week.

We are actually sharing the same food court space with Pirates Bar so you’re at the right place if you’re at the Pirates Bar! The only difference is we are operating separate kitchens. Here are some pictures of where we are!

LOCATION OF STONE BRIDGE GALLEY

We're still waiting for the Stone Bridge Galley Kitchen sign!

This is the kitchen where we prepare all our fry ups. We cure our bacon and sausages in a controlled environment at home.

Charles Cafe serves drinks and halal dishes

Seating Area for Stone Bridge Galley and Charles Cafe

Seating Area for Stone Bridge Galley and Charles Cafe

CUSTOM ORDERS
There’s been numerous requests from people who have had our Full English Breakfast to supply our sausages by the bulk outside of our retail outlet. Requests for 20-60 links of sausages to-go from at least 10 people has been a very encouraging factor! Unfortunately we’ve only been operating for two weeks and have not gone into big scale production yet. If and when we do take custom orders, we’ll  be letting everyone know but meanwhile you can come and have it here at our place! Worry not, we hear your grunts for good pork sausages at home too and are doing whatever we can to satisfy your cravings!

MAP OF OUR PLACE

We are located at the side of Pirates Bar in the 3 Colour Tea Food Court at Asia City!

Where we are:
CHARLES CAFE & STONE BRIDGE GALLEY
3 Colour Tea Food Court
Asia City, Kampong Air
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

OPENING HOURS
Stone Bridge Galley
Mon – Sat
7:30am – 2:30pm
5:30pm – 10:30pm
Sun
7:30pm – 10:30pm

Charles Cafe
Mon – Sun
7:30am – 2:30pm
2:30pm – 5:30pm (Limited Menu)
5:30pm – 10:30pm

If you have any question you can email me at jackiemiao.my at gmail dotcom. Hope to see some of you guys this weekend! I’ll be around most of the time!