The Detox Dinner

Goh Tong Jaya


Because we all needed to get rid of the toxins we've accumulated from all the makan, minum and some toxic episodes, Sensei said we should all try a cleansing dinner at Goh Tong Jaya.


So, that Saturday after his big do, we met up at Restaurant 33 or 30 or 18 (please confirm, Sensei, in case other people want to head there) at the foothills of Genting.


A regular of the place, Sensei ordered us an array of green, red, purple and other funny coloured vegetables. Plus prawns in glass noodle with wine. I don't know how the detox regime work in his scheme of things, but prawns, for me have never been a cleansing agent. Wine maybe. Anyway, he went against his own advice and brought us red wine, so we had to drink.


The turnout was good enough for two tables.


Siew Lee, back from Singapore, came with Mun Fai and Karen. MF claimed that he was held ransom by Siew Lee and, fearing repercussions by the other dawgs, said it was a case of NCL (No Choice Lor). But by the looks on his face, I suspect he liked that kind of ransom.


Choon Kit gave Tuck Weng, Florence and I a pleasant ride to the rendezvous. Chew Hong came with whole family in tow. His two girls easily made friends with Sensei's son.


After dinner, we took a short stroll down the row of shops to the dessert shop. The night was getting cooler and the prospects of tong sui seemed inviting even though we had stuffed ourselves.


During dessert, Sensei whipped out his Blood Sugar Measurement Kit. He insisted that to round off our detox program, we each got tested for our blood sugar. This was his ultimate treat for us. A free test. Or maybe he gets a masochistic kick from pricking people's fingers and drawing blood.


Anyway, his own measurement was 8 +. An unbeaten record as far as the night went 'cos the rest was somewhere in the 5 to 7 range. He said that after an hour, or, after he had gone for a walk, it would go down to 6+, which is normal range.


First we play the glutton then we play the health nut. What irony.


But what is a party without food? So henceforth, Sensei please bring your Kit along so that we can all jaga our makan.


Sorry for digressing.


Tuck Weng hadn't been to Genting since he was still battling raging hormones. So we thought we could nip up there to give him a quick look. Chew Hong, having his girls as the best excuse, wisely went home.


It was nearly 11. But what a crowd.


We wanted a cup of coffee. Sensei knew the place in and out. He took us from parking to lobby to food court. Kopitiam was closed. We backtracked to the lobby of First World where there was a Star Bucks. Full. Up again, navigating the labyrinth that leads people round and round the indoor theme park, to search for a table space. Luckily, Coffee Bean was half empty.


Our gentlemen played waiters. Not exactly very skilled at the job judging by a couple of messed up orders. But who could fault them? Try spelling mocha, macchiato and whatnot. Or balancing a heavy tray while minding that arthritic knee. We ladies just sat on our behinds and enjoyed being waited upon.


Before we could savour our java, there was a phone exchange with Hotel California, whose owners couldn't join us for the detox although they needed it more than some of us. It seemed Purple Box was open and waiting. Even noodles had been tapau-ed.


Back to KL. But the retinue that headed down the winding slopes didn't all end up at the destination.


Midway down, Siew Lee called to say she had to go home as she had to take her parents yamcha in the morning. It was almost 1 am. Saved by the ransom, MF and Karen got off as well.


It must have been the vanilla. By the time we reached Choon Kit's condo to collect our cars, my stomach was acting up. I couldn't step into Hotel California without risking imprisonment. To sing would be nice but to sing alone on the porcelain throne was hardly an exciting prospect. It had to be a quick hi and bye thing. (Sorry Rick & Karen, I didn't mean to be kurang ajar in not stepping beyond your front gates.)


In the meantime, Sensei, who was supposed to drop off wife and kid and join the rest at Hotel California, also fong fei kei. Case of the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak…


Hats off to our ever-energetic hosts, Rick and Karen, Florence, Tuck Weng and Choon Kit.


As for the rest of us, recharging is in order before the next bash, dawgs.