KUALA LUMPUR (July 10): Bastille Day, July 14, may not hit a chord with many Malaysians here, but French food can certainly entice their palates. Options lists four restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, catering for different budgets, so there are choices aplenty — from a charcuterie platter for sharing to oysters and lobsters, a casserole of slowcooked pulled beef, and for dessert, meringue floating on a little sea of creme anglaise. For those celebrating the day or another festive occasion, lift a glass with any of Scottish label Glenfiddich's three new whiskies.

Lim Wei-Ling, who started her eponymous gallery two decades ago, has reasons to rejoice as she looks back on the Malaysian art scene, and ahead. Expanding to new markets, working with international artists, and setting up an art school or foundation are part of her aspirations.

Materials matter in watchmaking and Swiss watchmaker Omega emphasised their importance by showing its novelties at an event where guests enjoyed an aptly named Apollo 13 menu. Cocktails stole the show, as they were inspired by materials used to make the brand's timepieces for sport and space exploration.

Women's Centre for Change executive director Loh Cheng Kooi thinks companies need to recognise the work non-profit organisations do and allocate their CSR funds to support NGO staff and the activities they undertake. "It is wrong to think NGOs are run by volunteers."

Companies pay their employees good salaries. Loh, who joined WCC 25 years ago, says she wants to pay her 16 staff a decent salary too. Company business is to make profit, while NGO business is about helping underserved communities. Corporates doing CSR can support NGOs so a group of dedicated people who decided their career is to help others can do that. WCC's work involves service, outreach and advocacy.

Read all of these in the latest issue of Options, available with the July 11 issue of The Edge Malaysia weekly.

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