Comments on: Magenta @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas

By: Dino Bidari

Dino Bidari — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:39:21 +0000

Oh Ya..feel free to google “Magenta Restaurant Malaysia” and be amused with all the independent reviews..Good AND Bad.

By: Dino Bidari

Dino Bidari — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:36:07 +0000

I am the owner and chef of Magenta Restaurant in Kuching Sarawak. I am not in any way involved in this restaurant despite queries from my customers who thought I have open a branch in KL. Magenta in Kuching has been opened for business for 12 years and recently moved from our old venue, an old peranakan wooden house to the Old Courthouse in the centre of the city. We have appeared in numerous magazines, documentaries of various languages including Passage to Malaysia on Astro’s TLC channel , SBC and some Taiwan TV programme and was the winner of Tourism Malaysia Most Innovative Fusion Restaurant!
What I find rather amusing is that I have same name, signature magenta colours and YES even the Magenta name is in the same font and style opening up in KL Nothing stops anyone from using that name as it is not copyrighted nor trademarked..but anyone who wants to name a restaurant and find a name for it should Google it first to see if it is taken in their country, if they really insist on using the same name due to a lack of ideas for a better name than at least try to change the fonts. But alas it is a free country!!
As a Chef and restaurateur I have made it a point never to comment on anyone’s food as I believe in the saying “Another man’s meat is another man’s poison!”

I totally appreciate all reviews, GOOD or Bad reviews of my own restaurants Magenta Restaurant and Magna Carta Cafe as sometime we need to be aware of what our customer think of us and our food so we can improve or change if the feedback is honest and helpful.
I have never given free food nor ask for a “friendly and complimentary review” from anyone or magazine. I have turn away a well known high society magazine The Malaysian Tattler as they wanted and demanded assorted food and drinks to be photographed for the article in their magazine. My answer was…”so sorry I am not able to do that as I am busy on that particular night. I f you so wish you came come in as my customer and be most welcome to photograph what ever you ordered!” The lady was shocked and said “But we are The Tattler…you do know and heard of us right?” Than she was the subject of a Chef wrath…” Yes..it s that pretentious, glam high society magazine rite?..that you see usually in hairdressers and toilets which most people don t pick up unless there is nothing else to flick through rite?” And that was that…never did I hear from them again ! Phew!!

By: thetrystero

thetrystero — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:40:02 +0000

Good review. I almost thought that Malaysian food bloggers have all sold their souls to restaurant owners for a free meal. Magenta started out with a great concept, but beyond the plush decor, is a land of barren taste. To the above reviewer named Wong NU why the hate? If you really are not related to Magenta perhaps you could’ve been a little more objective. Reviews are personal opinions after all. It just that finding unbiased ones on Malaysian food blogs is as rare as diamonds in the sewer.

By: Cookie

Cookie — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 06:11:09 +0000

Honest food posts are lacking these days. Keep up the good work. I have been to Magenta and I share the same sentiment as you. Magenta has to do something about their food and price!

By: Restaurant Cava Spanish & Mediterranean Cuisine @ The Bangkung Row, Bangsar | Malaysia Food, Travel & Tourism Blog

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 00:05:34 +0000

[...] wall reminds me of Magenta. Ughh, bad [...]

By: vkeong

vkeong — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:12:28 +0000

the reputation you mentioned is one of the reasons I have not been there yet. I hate queuing
thanks for the recommendation anyway

By: searizeel

searizeel — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:11:11 +0000

hey man, I just checked your burgers section and there was no myBurgerLab there. You should really go there one day man.

Here’s a link for their FB page.
http://www.facebook.com/myBurgerLab?fref=ts

If you wanna know about it’s reputation… well, have you seen customers queuing in line before opening hours at its entrance just to make sure they get in before they sell out?

This is one of those places.
searizeel´s last [type] ..When You Hold Her Hand Back

By: red hiney monkey

red hiney monkey — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 05:24:27 +0000

If don’t like something, go tell the management?
Next visit get spit in your cappuchino…

By: vkeong

vkeong — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:32:17 +0000

Thanks for your kind comment. I stopped accepting invitational meals since 2-3 years ago but I do write advertorials, which I will only post if the food is up to par. I had to reject a few advertorials because not all are worth recommending, even if it is a paid review.

By: Lin

Lin — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:02:26 +0000

vkeong, I’ve been following your blog for quite a while now and fully appreciate your frank opinion. Truth is, there are just too many ‘invited reviews’ where bloggers eat for free and are obliged / paid to say only nice things even when the food is below par. This really compromises the integrity of the blog & blogger.
Bloggers in the US are required to make “clear and conspicuous” disclosures if they write a restaurant review after having been treated to a meal there.
(The penalty for flouting this rule in blogs or postings in social media is a fine of US$11,000).
Keep up the good work. A lot of us do appreciate you saying things as it is.
Lin´s last [type] ..Fei Ma’s fried snacks