Begging For Your Indulgence to Indulge. Lunches at Cilantro.

(no pork served)

We are blogging in perilous times. Amendments to the Printing Press and Publishing Act is being considered to include online media.

Many bloggers do not expect any form of compensation in cash or in kind. This blog does not even have any advert banner, nor is it affiliated with any blogging network. As for the article in The Star about bloggers able to earn up to RM 1 Million a year? It is just wishful thinking, and a whole load of sensationalism and a lot of flawed logic. It's like picking up a millionaire beggar on the streets and assume that all beggars earn that kind of dough. For a blogger to earn that amount, he or she will have to spend a lot of time networking and interacting and blog pimping that it will have to be a full time job. Nobody will mind some extra cash to supplement their income. But I am not foolish enough nor am I willing to sacrifice my anonymity to spend all my time and resources on this blog.

Living is a continuos struggle. We face numerous trials and tribulations in life, littered with personal tragedies, and often filled with the drudgery and monotony of daily chores just to get by. We mainline on pretty slogans made by politicians usually just before National day celebrations, and wake up from the euphoria the very next day when we read some appallingly seditious statements uttered usually through state sanctioned media.

We battle on like Murcielago, the battered bull from Navarra, wounded and bruised, our dreams dashed every five years clinging on to the hope instilled by our parents and by the clergy. That things get better and if we do good to others, others will be good to you, that justice will be served by the omnipotent divine being or by the forces of Karmic retribution. Most of the time we will be disappointed but yet we cling on these words like a buoy in a nefarious sea of evilness that seems to permeate through every level of society. We snort the words chanted by our teachers in Civic class like cocaine to wake up to a world infested with dung teflon politicians whose skin is so impervious that no shit ever sticks on them, fervently wishing that one day justice will be served.

Food bloggers are just dream pedlars. We try to share with places that have over whelmed us with beautiful sensori-neural stimulation. A place we are temporarily freed from the pressures of everyday life, an oasis to repair our psyche while our aspirations and dreams continue to be dashed outside in the real world. We peddle a form of escapism.  We try to remain assiduous even our attempts in discovering little utopias for food are often met with disappointment and parting with our cold hard cash earned with blood, sweat and tears.

You will notice that most bloggers are very fair in their comments about the restaurants. The beauty of blogging is that readers can expect at least some honesty in the comments and bloggers are not obliged to fluff up their description of food. We exist not to challenge the traditional media, but as a complement to balance out the reviews and to offer the man in the street's experience, the experience of having to part with his hard earned money in return for a good meal.

Language is a very powerful weapon and unfortunately, the internet is not a legal vacuum. Being able to write critically without being perceived to malicious is not easy.

A blogger has been sued for an intimidating and astronomical sum for writing a bad review. Although I may not agree with the blogger's tone and language, i feel that the whole affair could be settled more amicably with a retraction or an apology.

Cold Capellini with Panache of Seafood and Mentaiko

Warm King Salmon with Poached Oyster and Avruga

Panache of Seafood with Yuzu Zest Vinaigrette

Ragout of Mushrooms with Wagyu Tail and Truffles

Muscovy Duck Consomme with Foie Gras and Chestnut Mushrooms

Pan Fried French Rouget Fillet with Baby Squids and Rouille

Fricasse of Free Range Chicken with Maine Lobster

Char Grilled Master Kobe Rump with Baby Cos and Parmigiano

French Grondin Fillet with Lobster and Rouille

Roasted Challandais Duck with Foie Gras Beignet

Roasted Plum with Vanilla Ice Cream

Vacherin

I have indulged myself at Cilantro. I beg in turn for your indulgence to tolerate me as I indulge in protesting the drafting draconian laws that attempt to limit the freedom of speech in the internet as well as any other forms of intimidation to limit free critique in blogs. I have omitted any description of the meal I had as a sign of protest. This is what life will be, devoid of the beauty of language and the objectivity of opinion.