Just a little more than a week left! Vote before it's too late!....
1) NOMINATION/ VOTING:
From now till 16th September 2010, you can nominate/ vote for your favourite restaurants (& chef) - The fields are left blank so you can nominate whichever restaurant you like.
Don't be put off that there are so many categories (15!) - you are allowed to vote for as many/ few as you want, even if you submit just one restaurant in one category.
(Click HERE to go to the TOKL website voting page)
Every vote counts!,
J
TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Friday, September 03, 2010
Manhattan Fish Market @ Midvalley Megamall, KL
Healthier dining choice in a shopping center....
"It's so much harder to eat healthy....", SooJ lamented, adding "... and so much more expensive too!".
I totally agree. For example:
- Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng for RM 6.50 or maybe a bowl of Pork Noodles for RM 5.00 at any regular coffeeshop/ restaurant,
VS.
- Grilled chicken/ salad/ fish for at least RM 20 at any regular cafe/ restaurant?
It's a big difference, price-wise!
Still, SooJ was determined to stick to his diet so we went to Manhattan Fish Market* in Midvalley before the movie:
(* Because he was getting quite sick of eating chicken... Lol)
Outside MFM....
(Look out for the big fishy logo!)
*Splash*....
The interior of the restaurant is brightly lit and comfortable, as you would expect from a slightly higher end sort of fast food place in a mall:
Inside MFM....
I wasn't on a strict diet, so I ordered the Fried Country Mushrooms (RM 9.90++) as a starter:
Crunchy morsels....
Crunchy? - Yes. Definitely.
Oily? - Oh, YES.
(Still, not bad, except that the mushrooms were a little small)
Sooj went for the King Salmon Cajun (RM 26.90++), but traded in his French Fries for a side of salad instead:
(See how committed he is? Amazing. *clap-clap-clap*)
Sooj's Salmon....
I stole a bite. :)
(Of course! haha.....)
Not bad!
The Salmon could have been a little more tender, but otherwise it was a tasty meal with a just a touch of indulgence from the creamy, buttery sauce.
As for me, my curiosity was piqued by the special they had that month, the Seafood Spaghetti (RM 19.90++), so I ordered that:
Pasta!....
Bad idea. :(
Well, to be fair, it wasn't really that bad as it contained a pretty generous amount of seafood.... It's just that the sauce was kinda sweet, which I don't like.
(It also became a bit cloying after I got a quarter way through)
So what is the moral of the story?
Manhattan FISH Market does FISH well. Avoid the pasta unless you like sweet sauces.
(Should have known better. Haha....)
So it's: Fairly wide range of healthier Western food revolving mostly around fish, comfortable ambience, fairly quick service BUT of course its more expensive than McDonalds (it's healthier!) and nothing really negative to say except you should avoid the pasta unless you like sweet sauces (Not their forte, I think)....
OTHER REVIEWS:
- 3 Meals Of Goodness
- My Sweet Life
- Dish With Vivien
- Jia Yeen
- Wandering Gourmet
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Midvalley Megamall, MidValley, The Gardens, Western, Healthy Food, Manhattan Fish Market, Shopping Centre, KL, Kuala Lumpur
"It's so much harder to eat healthy....", SooJ lamented, adding "... and so much more expensive too!".
I totally agree. For example:
- Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng for RM 6.50 or maybe a bowl of Pork Noodles for RM 5.00 at any regular coffeeshop/ restaurant,
VS.
- Grilled chicken/ salad/ fish for at least RM 20 at any regular cafe/ restaurant?
It's a big difference, price-wise!
Still, SooJ was determined to stick to his diet so we went to Manhattan Fish Market* in Midvalley before the movie:
(* Because he was getting quite sick of eating chicken... Lol)
(Look out for the big fishy logo!)
The interior of the restaurant is brightly lit and comfortable, as you would expect from a slightly higher end sort of fast food place in a mall:
I wasn't on a strict diet, so I ordered the Fried Country Mushrooms (RM 9.90++) as a starter:
Crunchy? - Yes. Definitely.
Oily? - Oh, YES.
(Still, not bad, except that the mushrooms were a little small)
Sooj went for the King Salmon Cajun (RM 26.90++), but traded in his French Fries for a side of salad instead:
(See how committed he is? Amazing. *clap-clap-clap*)
I stole a bite. :)
(Of course! haha.....)
Not bad!
The Salmon could have been a little more tender, but otherwise it was a tasty meal with a just a touch of indulgence from the creamy, buttery sauce.
As for me, my curiosity was piqued by the special they had that month, the Seafood Spaghetti (RM 19.90++), so I ordered that:
Bad idea. :(
Well, to be fair, it wasn't really that bad as it contained a pretty generous amount of seafood.... It's just that the sauce was kinda sweet, which I don't like.
(It also became a bit cloying after I got a quarter way through)
So what is the moral of the story?
Manhattan FISH Market does FISH well. Avoid the pasta unless you like sweet sauces.
(Should have known better. Haha....)
So it's: Fairly wide range of healthier Western food revolving mostly around fish, comfortable ambience, fairly quick service BUT of course its more expensive than McDonalds (it's healthier!) and nothing really negative to say except you should avoid the pasta unless you like sweet sauces (Not their forte, I think)....
Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:
Manhattan Fish Market @ LG Floor, Midvalley Shopping Centre, KL
LG-060, Lower Ground Floor,
Mid Valley Megamall, Batu 2 1/2,
Jalan Klang Lama,
65000 Kuala Lumpur
Taste: 5
Ambience : 6
Service : 6
Price** : RM 42/++ per person
Parking: Difficult on weekends
** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 03-2284 0448
(You can find them in most major shopping centers around Malaysia)
Opening Hours: 10am till 10pm
HALAL
OTHER REVIEWS:
- 3 Meals Of Goodness
- My Sweet Life
- Dish With Vivien
- Jia Yeen
- Wandering Gourmet
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Midvalley Megamall, MidValley, The Gardens, Western, Healthy Food, Manhattan Fish Market, Shopping Centre, KL, Kuala Lumpur
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Step Up (3D)
Strangely infectious and enjoyable movie....
So, how was the....
1) Acting?
- Ok lah/ Weak.
2) Storyline?
- Clichéd, filled with loop holes and generally, kinda FAIL**.
(** It's not good when you see the "plot twist" coming from a MILE away)
... but did I enjoy it?
Yes, yes, YES! :) :) :)
- One of the movie posters:
Step Up 3D poster...
Why did I enjoy it?
Well, I couldn't help it, really.... :)
Mainly, the dance sequences were crazy amazing/ fantastic/ WONDERFUL... and the energy and passion of the dancers was just darned INFECTIOUS (in a good way, I assure you).
(Had me squealing, as quietly as possible, tapping my feet and trying my hardest to keep my eyes from popping out as I saw those talented people defy gravity on screen!)
One of the MANY amazing dance sequences...
- It doesn't matter if you look gorgeous (left) or geeky (right), if dancing is in your blood:
Born from a boombox :)...
- Plenty of eye candy for guys and girls alike:
ROWR...
- Eye candy eye candy eye candy eye candy EYE CANDY!!:
Well, harlow there Mr Rock Hard Abs and then some...
So?: Do watch it, but don't expect too much. :)
Plot holes aside, there's a bit of everything (drama, romance, humour) and is visually stunning - a fun way to spend 2+ hours.
(Really!)
If I had to say one thing bad about the movie though, it's this:
WAH LAU WEI, super kao (heavy) product placements by Nike loh....
(I almost expected them to blast a huge "Just Do it!" across the screen at the end of the movie *lol*)
Main characters:
- Rick Malambri as Luke
- Adam G. Sevani as Moose
- Sharni Vinson as Natalie
- Alyson Stoner as Camille
- Keith Stallworth as Jacob
- Stephen Boss as Jason (as Stephen 'tWitch' Boss)
- Martín & Facundo Lombard as The Santiago Twins <--- Both so charming n funny.
- Joe Slaughter as Julien
- Mari Koda as Jenny Kido <--- LOL! Love her killer line. :)
- Chadd Smith as Vladd (as Chadd 'Madd Chadd' Smith) <--- Amazing! (And so hot too)
Synopsis:
New York’s intense street dancing underground comes alive in eye-popping Digital 3D in the third installment of the STEP UP franchise as the raw, passion-fueled culture goes global. A tight-knit group of street dancers, including Luke (RICK MALAMBRI) and Natalie (SHARNI VINSON), team up with NYU freshman Moose (ADAM SEVANI), and find themselves pitted against the world’s best hip hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever....
(Note: Synopsis adapted/borrowed from Rotten Tomatoes, which gave this movie a pretty bad rating of 48% fresh!)
Here's what some others thought of the movie:
- EwinEe.com
- www.jonykt.com
- Eric Yong's Blog
-
SHOUT OUT:
- Thanks for the tickets, TnG! *hugs*
- And to the Advertlet bloggers who were so inspired that they started dancing after the show: Wow! You guys are awesome! :)
Is now super ashamed of her lame "moves" on the dance floor thus far,
J
TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal
So, how was the....
1) Acting?
- Ok lah/ Weak.
2) Storyline?
- Clichéd, filled with loop holes and generally, kinda FAIL**.
(** It's not good when you see the "plot twist" coming from a MILE away)
... but did I enjoy it?
Yes, yes, YES! :) :) :)
- One of the movie posters:
Why did I enjoy it?
Well, I couldn't help it, really.... :)
Mainly, the dance sequences were crazy amazing/ fantastic/ WONDERFUL... and the energy and passion of the dancers was just darned INFECTIOUS (in a good way, I assure you).
(Had me squealing, as quietly as possible, tapping my feet and trying my hardest to keep my eyes from popping out as I saw those talented people defy gravity on screen!)
- It doesn't matter if you look gorgeous (left) or geeky (right), if dancing is in your blood:
- Plenty of eye candy for guys and girls alike:
- Eye candy eye candy eye candy eye candy EYE CANDY!!:
So?: Do watch it, but don't expect too much. :)
Plot holes aside, there's a bit of everything (drama, romance, humour) and is visually stunning - a fun way to spend 2+ hours.
(Really!)
If I had to say one thing bad about the movie though, it's this:
WAH LAU WEI, super kao (heavy) product placements by Nike loh....
(I almost expected them to blast a huge "Just Do it!" across the screen at the end of the movie *lol*)
Main characters:
- Rick Malambri as Luke
- Adam G. Sevani as Moose
- Sharni Vinson as Natalie
- Alyson Stoner as Camille
- Keith Stallworth as Jacob
- Stephen Boss as Jason (as Stephen 'tWitch' Boss)
- Martín & Facundo Lombard as The Santiago Twins <--- Both so charming n funny.
- Joe Slaughter as Julien
- Mari Koda as Jenny Kido <--- LOL! Love her killer line. :)
- Chadd Smith as Vladd (as Chadd 'Madd Chadd' Smith) <--- Amazing! (And so hot too)
Synopsis:
New York’s intense street dancing underground comes alive in eye-popping Digital 3D in the third installment of the STEP UP franchise as the raw, passion-fueled culture goes global. A tight-knit group of street dancers, including Luke (RICK MALAMBRI) and Natalie (SHARNI VINSON), team up with NYU freshman Moose (ADAM SEVANI), and find themselves pitted against the world’s best hip hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever....
(Note: Synopsis adapted/borrowed from Rotten Tomatoes, which gave this movie a pretty bad rating of 48% fresh!)
Here's what some others thought of the movie:
- EwinEe.com
- www.jonykt.com
- Eric Yong's Blog
-
SHOUT OUT:
- Thanks for the tickets, TnG! *hugs*
- And to the Advertlet bloggers who were so inspired that they started dancing after the show: Wow! You guys are awesome! :)
Is now super ashamed of her lame "moves" on the dance floor thus far,
J
TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal
Monday, August 30, 2010
Four Seas @ Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar
A new addition to the Jalan Bangkung area!.... :)
I love dining in the Jalan Bangkung area (mainly because it's quieter than the main Bangsar area), so I was thrilled when I saw this new addition on Uber blogger Sean's blog.
Four Seas is a new restaurant from the people behind Cava/ Opus (who are slowly trying to take over the entire row of shops? Lol) - it specialises in Western style seafood, with a little bit of an Asian twist, here and there...
Outside the restaurant....
This was my birthday dinner and my darling friends didn't let me pay (and walked away from dinner without details of all the dishes' prices)... Thankfully though, Four Seas is wonderfully transparent - posting their entire menu with exact prices online, so I managed to find out....
Anyway, I liked the ambience inside - simple yet classy, and dimly lit (romantic lighting). The vivid blue lighting from the bar area was also pretty cool - gave the impression that you are near (or under) a large body of water:
Restaurant interior: Under the sea?....
They also have a quirky sense of humour, with their menu peppered with little jokes like these:
Fish A: "What's the cleanest fish in the sea?"
Fish B: "... a Baru-mandi??"
LOL. :D
(What? Not funny ah?)
First off, food-wise - yay! Fresh buns! :)
Hot buns ;)....
(They weren't GREAT, I've been spoiled by places like La Favola... Still pretty good :) - sorry lah, it's just worth a short note)
We started off the night with the Four Seas Entree Platter (RM 45++) which had a bit of everything - Crab cakes, Peking Duck spring rolls and Salmon Gravlax:
Variety of their specialties....
- Crab cakes: Not bad - slightly crisp on the outside and moist inside.
(A little more bite/ added crab bits would have been nice though)
- Salmon Gravlax: Yummy! It was a nice balance between the moist and fragrant slice of smoked salmon against the starchy (in a good way) and slightly crunchy potato rosti base and the slightly briny pop of "water" from the fish eggs on top.
- Peking Duck Spring Rolls: My only thought on this was, "Crispy, but where's the duck??"....
The Thai Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers (RM 38++) that Alvin had were just OK.
(Tender fillet of chicken, well marinated and wrapped around skewers and served with a Thai inspired mango salad - tangy, tasty and slightly spicy but otherwise, unfulfilling because the serving was kinda small and the taste a bit too "normal" considering the price tag....)
Chicken on a stick....
Diana reported that the Smoked Duck Salad (RM 24++) tasted pretty good but remarked that it was a bit too stingy to have only 6 slices of duck served with the fresh leaves *lol*:
(It's true!)
Healthy dish....
Anyway.... of course, we had to try their house special - the fresh charcoal grilled seafood. :)
Strangely, they only have a really limited selection of either Tiger Prawns, Lobster or Crab (Meat Crab or Flower Crab), simply grilled and served with a variety of sauces on the side:
- Coriander & Cili Padi Pesto,
- Lemon Garlic & Parsley vinaigrette,
- Lemon Butter, and
- Thai Chili.
Take your pick....
The sauces sound interesting, right?
Well, unfortunately they were all pretty tasteless!
It didn't matter though... because the "sweetness" of the seafood (so fresh!), enhanced by the great smoky BBQ aroma was good enough to enjoy on its own, without any added sauce. :)
- The Grilled Tiger Prawns (RM 12++ per 100g)
Delicious prawns....
- The Grilled Meat Crabs (RM 12++ per 100g)
Yummy crustaceans....
Also good was the Oven Baked Whole Baby Barramundi (RM 42++), that came in a simple but yummy caper sauce:
(Fresh, flaky whole seabass - overall, mildly flavored but very lovely and moist)
One whole fish!....
What really took me by surprise though, was the Char-Grilled Lamb Cutlets (RM 55++):
Baaaaaa....
"Are you sure?", Pat raised an eyebrow, "Lamb? At a seafood place? - Could be bad!"...
Lucky for me, I don't listen to him. :P
Haha....
Look at the perfectly pink cross section:
Perfectly cooked!....
Tender. Juicy. Tasty.
... AND with a hearty, meaty flavour but without the bad type of lamb-y/ gamey smell that often accompanies this cute but delicious four legged farm animal....
(YUM)
We didn't manage to try any of the desserts that night, because Jo baked a lovely raspberry chocolate mousse tart for me:
(Awwwwwww....... she really knows the way to my heart!)
I love chocolate!....
Bonus pic: Here they are trying to get me drunk by buying me a Flaming Lamborghini at Leonardo's later:
Uh oh....
To defy our age, we commenced to party the night away at Zouk later that night....
Haha... What a night!
Thanks to all my darling friends: Those who came for dinner, those who joined for drinks, those who came partying with me, and ESPECIALLY to those who were there from start till end. :) :)
(Luv ya all! *HUGS*)
Overall: Modern but romantic restaurant specialising in seafood (but also does AWESOME lamb!) in the Jalan Bangkung area, friendly service BUT just have to be a bit careful when ordering - some "misses" on the menu....
OTHER REVIEWS:
- Eat Drink KL
-
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Restaurant, Modern, Seafood, Bangsar, Jalan Bangkung, Halal, Four Seas Seafood and Grill
I love dining in the Jalan Bangkung area (mainly because it's quieter than the main Bangsar area), so I was thrilled when I saw this new addition on Uber blogger Sean's blog.
Four Seas is a new restaurant from the people behind Cava/ Opus (who are slowly trying to take over the entire row of shops? Lol) - it specialises in Western style seafood, with a little bit of an Asian twist, here and there...
This was my birthday dinner and my darling friends didn't let me pay (and walked away from dinner without details of all the dishes' prices)... Thankfully though, Four Seas is wonderfully transparent - posting their entire menu with exact prices online, so I managed to find out....
Anyway, I liked the ambience inside - simple yet classy, and dimly lit (romantic lighting). The vivid blue lighting from the bar area was also pretty cool - gave the impression that you are near (or under) a large body of water:
They also have a quirky sense of humour, with their menu peppered with little jokes like these:
Fish A: "What's the cleanest fish in the sea?"
Fish B: "... a Baru-mandi??"
LOL. :D
(What? Not funny ah?)
First off, food-wise - yay! Fresh buns! :)
(They weren't GREAT, I've been spoiled by places like La Favola... Still pretty good :) - sorry lah, it's just worth a short note)
We started off the night with the Four Seas Entree Platter (RM 45++) which had a bit of everything - Crab cakes, Peking Duck spring rolls and Salmon Gravlax:
- Crab cakes: Not bad - slightly crisp on the outside and moist inside.
(A little more bite/ added crab bits would have been nice though)
- Salmon Gravlax: Yummy! It was a nice balance between the moist and fragrant slice of smoked salmon against the starchy (in a good way) and slightly crunchy potato rosti base and the slightly briny pop of "water" from the fish eggs on top.
- Peking Duck Spring Rolls: My only thought on this was, "Crispy, but where's the duck??"....
The Thai Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers (RM 38++) that Alvin had were just OK.
(Tender fillet of chicken, well marinated and wrapped around skewers and served with a Thai inspired mango salad - tangy, tasty and slightly spicy but otherwise, unfulfilling because the serving was kinda small and the taste a bit too "normal" considering the price tag....)
Diana reported that the Smoked Duck Salad (RM 24++) tasted pretty good but remarked that it was a bit too stingy to have only 6 slices of duck served with the fresh leaves *lol*:
(It's true!)
Anyway.... of course, we had to try their house special - the fresh charcoal grilled seafood. :)
Strangely, they only have a really limited selection of either Tiger Prawns, Lobster or Crab (Meat Crab or Flower Crab), simply grilled and served with a variety of sauces on the side:
- Coriander & Cili Padi Pesto,
- Lemon Garlic & Parsley vinaigrette,
- Lemon Butter, and
- Thai Chili.
The sauces sound interesting, right?
Well, unfortunately they were all pretty tasteless!
It didn't matter though... because the "sweetness" of the seafood (so fresh!), enhanced by the great smoky BBQ aroma was good enough to enjoy on its own, without any added sauce. :)
- The Grilled Tiger Prawns (RM 12++ per 100g)
- The Grilled Meat Crabs (RM 12++ per 100g)
Also good was the Oven Baked Whole Baby Barramundi (RM 42++), that came in a simple but yummy caper sauce:
(Fresh, flaky whole seabass - overall, mildly flavored but very lovely and moist)
What really took me by surprise though, was the Char-Grilled Lamb Cutlets (RM 55++):
"Are you sure?", Pat raised an eyebrow, "Lamb? At a seafood place? - Could be bad!"...
Lucky for me, I don't listen to him. :P
Haha....
Look at the perfectly pink cross section:
Tender. Juicy. Tasty.
... AND with a hearty, meaty flavour but without the bad type of lamb-y/ gamey smell that often accompanies this cute but delicious four legged farm animal....
(YUM)
We didn't manage to try any of the desserts that night, because Jo baked a lovely raspberry chocolate mousse tart for me:
(Awwwwwww....... she really knows the way to my heart!)
Bonus pic: Here they are trying to get me drunk by buying me a Flaming Lamborghini at Leonardo's later:
To defy our age, we commenced to party the night away at Zouk later that night....
Haha... What a night!
Thanks to all my darling friends: Those who came for dinner, those who joined for drinks, those who came partying with me, and ESPECIALLY to those who were there from start till end. :) :)
(Luv ya all! *HUGS*)
Overall: Modern but romantic restaurant specialising in seafood (but also does AWESOME lamb!) in the Jalan Bangkung area, friendly service BUT just have to be a bit careful when ordering - some "misses" on the menu....
Summary Sheet:
Four Seas @ Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar
65, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Taste: 7
Ambience : 7
Service : 7
Price** : RM 65++ per person
Parking: OK
Website: Four Seas official website
** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 03-2092 1222
Opening Hours: 12noon to 3pm, 6pm till late (BUT only open for dinner on Sundays)
Parking : OK
NO PORK SERVED
Four Seas @ Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar
65, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Taste: 7
Ambience : 7
Service : 7
Price** : RM 65++ per person
Parking: OK
Website: Four Seas official website
** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 03-2092 1222
Opening Hours: 12noon to 3pm, 6pm till late (BUT only open for dinner on Sundays)
Parking : OK
NO PORK SERVED
OTHER REVIEWS:
- Eat Drink KL
-
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Restaurant, Modern, Seafood, Bangsar, Jalan Bangkung, Halal, Four Seas Seafood and Grill
Friday, August 27, 2010
Bob's Bar @ Capella Hotel, Sentosa Island Singapore
Singapore post #3 - Enjoying 6 star luxury...
It's wonderful how Arlene and Kelvin always seem to know the coolest little spots in Singapore - ones that me and Jo would definitely not have found by ourselves.
:)
One of the really cool places they brought us to during our last visit was Bob's Bar, at the uber exclusive 6 star** Hotel Capella, on Sentosa Island.
(** Not a typo! I also didn't know there was anything higher than a 5 star rating but apparently, there is...)
The main bar area is small and cosy, with a great view of the sea/ horizon from it's lush chairs/ sofas:
Traditional bar setting...
I much prefer the outdoor seating, where you can sit and soak in some sun on the cushioned deck chair/ couches:
Sunshine is happiness...
However, if you are allergic to too much sunshine, you can chill out in the covered lounge area:
The beautiful people I call my friends...
Being a 6 star hotel, even the bar snacks/ nibbles they serve are not just any normal kind (of nuts). Look!:
(A high quality mix of yummy, lightly salted whole macadamia, cashew, hazel nuts and a side of dried apricots... *LOVE*)
Delicious nuts...
Being the gluttons we are, we ordered the Mixed Food Platter/ Sampler (approx. SGD 35++):
A little bit of everything...
Hmmmm, I wasn't so impressed with this platter.
While it was an interesting mix of things like sliced premium ham (pork - prosciutto, I think), olives and various bite sized morsels, it tasted very normal.
(In fact, some of the filling of the deep fried cubes tasted like Campbell's Mushroom soup...)
Luckily, the Grilled Prawns (approx. SGD 22++) we ordered were really delicious:
Come to mama! :D...
First of all, the prawns were really big and fresh (perfectly firm yet bouncey flesh), and were perfectly cooked with the fragrant but not overpowering combination of olive oil, garlic slices and chili.
(I also love that they shelled them so it was super easy to eat)
It didn't matter that it was early in the afternoon - we were on holiday! So, we ordered some Gin & Tonic (approx. SGD 18++), which Kelvin had recommended:
Yummy drink for alcoholics...
The added cucumber is optional, but the mix was surprisingly refreshing - the slight hint of the "green" flavour from the cucumber left a nice aftertaste to this classic drink.
(They also managed to balance out the flavor/ kick from the gin - not too strong but you can taste it)
Also nice, was the Berry Cocktail (approx. SGD 32++, serves 2) that Sue and I shared:
Lots of fresh berries...
Doesn't it look like a icy dessert? :)
(It was everything I like in a cocktail - refreshing, with berry flavours and a slight bit of fizz, but without being too sweet)
Overall, had a great day there - while it was sunny, it was not hot as the lounge area was well ventilated.... and of course, I had such excellent company.
:)
After our "tea time" there, we walked around to have a look at the other parts of the hotel:
- The main/front facade of the hotel:
(Colonial style mansion - a contrast against the other half of the hotel which looks quite modern)
Restored building...
- Beautiful pool!:
(Small but perfect for lazing the day away)
Nice view...
- Hidden corner near the spa:
(The ambience here reminds me of Japan....)
Bamboo and running water...
Note - Special Lunch and Dinner Entrance Fee to Sentosa:
(Monday to Friday)
Noon till 2 pm: $2 per car
7:01 pm onwards: $2 per car
So, it's: Beautiful 6 star hotel on Sentosa Island with an interesting ambience (mix of old/ modern, Western/ Asian), friendly service BUT well, 6 star means it's quite expensive lorr :) (Still, the food + drinks are not exorbitantly priced.. It's a nice place to chill out and relax, even if you can't afford to stay the night)....
OTHER REVIEWS:
-
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, Sentosa Island, Capella Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bob's Bar,
Luxury 6 Star, Martini, Singapore
It's wonderful how Arlene and Kelvin always seem to know the coolest little spots in Singapore - ones that me and Jo would definitely not have found by ourselves.
:)
One of the really cool places they brought us to during our last visit was Bob's Bar, at the uber exclusive 6 star** Hotel Capella, on Sentosa Island.
(** Not a typo! I also didn't know there was anything higher than a 5 star rating but apparently, there is...)
The main bar area is small and cosy, with a great view of the sea/ horizon from it's lush chairs/ sofas:
I much prefer the outdoor seating, where you can sit and soak in some sun on the cushioned deck chair/ couches:
However, if you are allergic to too much sunshine, you can chill out in the covered lounge area:
Being a 6 star hotel, even the bar snacks/ nibbles they serve are not just any normal kind (of nuts). Look!:
(A high quality mix of yummy, lightly salted whole macadamia, cashew, hazel nuts and a side of dried apricots... *LOVE*)
Being the gluttons we are, we ordered the Mixed Food Platter/ Sampler (approx. SGD 35++):
Hmmmm, I wasn't so impressed with this platter.
While it was an interesting mix of things like sliced premium ham (pork - prosciutto, I think), olives and various bite sized morsels, it tasted very normal.
(In fact, some of the filling of the deep fried cubes tasted like Campbell's Mushroom soup...)
Luckily, the Grilled Prawns (approx. SGD 22++) we ordered were really delicious:
First of all, the prawns were really big and fresh (perfectly firm yet bouncey flesh), and were perfectly cooked with the fragrant but not overpowering combination of olive oil, garlic slices and chili.
(I also love that they shelled them so it was super easy to eat)
It didn't matter that it was early in the afternoon - we were on holiday! So, we ordered some Gin & Tonic (approx. SGD 18++), which Kelvin had recommended:
The added cucumber is optional, but the mix was surprisingly refreshing - the slight hint of the "green" flavour from the cucumber left a nice aftertaste to this classic drink.
(They also managed to balance out the flavor/ kick from the gin - not too strong but you can taste it)
Also nice, was the Berry Cocktail (approx. SGD 32++, serves 2) that Sue and I shared:
Doesn't it look like a icy dessert? :)
(It was everything I like in a cocktail - refreshing, with berry flavours and a slight bit of fizz, but without being too sweet)
Overall, had a great day there - while it was sunny, it was not hot as the lounge area was well ventilated.... and of course, I had such excellent company.
:)
After our "tea time" there, we walked around to have a look at the other parts of the hotel:
- The main/front facade of the hotel:
(Colonial style mansion - a contrast against the other half of the hotel which looks quite modern)
- Beautiful pool!:
(Small but perfect for lazing the day away)
- Hidden corner near the spa:
(The ambience here reminds me of Japan....)
Note - Special Lunch and Dinner Entrance Fee to Sentosa:
(Monday to Friday)
Noon till 2 pm: $2 per car
7:01 pm onwards: $2 per car
So, it's: Beautiful 6 star hotel on Sentosa Island with an interesting ambience (mix of old/ modern, Western/ Asian), friendly service BUT well, 6 star means it's quite expensive lorr :) (Still, the food + drinks are not exorbitantly priced.. It's a nice place to chill out and relax, even if you can't afford to stay the night)....
Summary Information:
Bob's Bar @ Hotel Capella, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Opening Hours: 9am till late
Phone: +65 6377 8888
Address: Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Map: CLICK HERE
NOT HALAL
Bob's Bar @ Hotel Capella, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Opening Hours: 9am till late
Phone: +65 6377 8888
Address: Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Map: CLICK HERE
NOT HALAL
OTHER REVIEWS:
-
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, Sentosa Island, Capella Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bob's Bar,
Luxury 6 Star, Martini, Singapore
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Long Table @ Plaza Glomac, PJ
Non-Halal Nyonya food in Plaza Glomac, Kelana Jaya...
I love my parents, but getting them to try out a new restaurant can be like pulling teeth. *sigh*
First of all, they dislike Western food, so Italian, Spanish, Tex/ Mex, etc are out of the question.
(Well, it's not like they won't go if I INSIST... but I know they won't enjoy it as much if there's no rice & Asian dishes)
Also, they seem to think that THAT place in SS2 (Wang Chiew) or THE OTHER place in Paramount (Loong Foong) are the best by far* and usually refuse to go anywhere else.
(* For no frills everyday dining)
Anyway, after some (minor) arm twisting, I managed to convince them that we should try out Long Table, a fairly new non-Halal Nyonya restaurant in the SS7/ Kelana Jaya area:
Outside Long Table....
Long Table is located in the corner lot of the fairly new Block D of Plaza Glomac (which is across the road from the original office blocks).
Actually, it is REALLY easy to find once you know where it is, but we went round a couple of times before figuring it out <--- almost="" and="" br="" car.="" course="" grumbling="" in="" inspired="" mutiny="" of="" the="" this="">(I have attached a map at the bottom of my post, so that hopefully you can find it more easily)
Inside, it was comfortable (air conditioned) and spacious... with a simple, traditional concept - tiled floor, marble topped tables and dark rosewood furniture:
Inside Long Table....
Since there were only 3 of us, we didn't get to eat many things but I'll list them in order of how much I liked them (least, to most):
- OK LAH: Kacang Botol with Belacan (RM 12)
Fried four angle beans....
While the kacang botol (four angled beans) were fresh and crunchy, they fried it with too much sambal belacan, so it was a tad too salty.
(Fedback to the restaurant.... Hopefully they will adjust this)
- NICE: Inche Kabin (RM 16)
Nyonya style fried chicken....
A good effort at the traditional Nyonya styled fried chicken - well marinated chunks of tender chicken, fragrant with spices and slightly crisp on the outside.
- YUMMY!: Gulai Tumis / Assam Fish (RM 20)
Yummy Assam fish....
The fish was fresh (good) but what really sold it was the wonderful sauce - great balance of sour/spicy infused with the aromatic but not overpowering fragrance of spices.
(Went so well with the rice)
Worth a mention are the drinks we tried, the Nutmeg Cooler (RM 4) and the Leong Fun (RM 2.50):
Refreshing drinks....
They had a nice home made taste, not too sweet and were really refreshing. :)
(I thought the prices were really decent too)
The friendly manager/ boss lady gave us some of their Cekodok Pisang to try:
My cekodok....
As we munched on the fluffy and slightly crisp balls of cekodok**, she explained that we should try to come back on Sundays as that's when they usually prepare their special Nasi Ulam (which my dad loves).
(** Could have been more banana-ey but it was free lah - No complaints...)
They also have a few interesting pork dishes*** on the regular menu so I'm really looking forward to going back soon.
(*** Pork curry! - I wanted to try but my parents wanted fried chicken that night)
So, it's: Simple but comfortable ambience, friendly service, fairly wide range of non-Halal nyonya food at reasonable prices BUT nothing bad to say loh. :)....
MAP:
The new block of Plaza Glomac, Block D, does not appear on Google Map... but it's roughly here. Hope it helps :)
View Larger Map
OTHER REVIEWS:
- My Life
- Feed Me Lah
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Plaza Glomac, Nyonya, Long Table, KJ, Kelana Jaya
I love my parents, but getting them to try out a new restaurant can be like pulling teeth. *sigh*
First of all, they dislike Western food, so Italian, Spanish, Tex/ Mex, etc are out of the question.
(Well, it's not like they won't go if I INSIST... but I know they won't enjoy it as much if there's no rice & Asian dishes)
Also, they seem to think that THAT place in SS2 (Wang Chiew) or THE OTHER place in Paramount (Loong Foong) are the best by far* and usually refuse to go anywhere else.
(* For no frills everyday dining)
Anyway, after some (minor) arm twisting, I managed to convince them that we should try out Long Table, a fairly new non-Halal Nyonya restaurant in the SS7/ Kelana Jaya area:
Long Table is located in the corner lot of the fairly new Block D of Plaza Glomac (which is across the road from the original office blocks).
Actually, it is REALLY easy to find once you know where it is, but we went round a couple of times before figuring it out <--- almost="" and="" br="" car.="" course="" grumbling="" in="" inspired="" mutiny="" of="" the="" this="">(I have attached a map at the bottom of my post, so that hopefully you can find it more easily)
Inside, it was comfortable (air conditioned) and spacious... with a simple, traditional concept - tiled floor, marble topped tables and dark rosewood furniture:
Since there were only 3 of us, we didn't get to eat many things but I'll list them in order of how much I liked them (least, to most):
- OK LAH: Kacang Botol with Belacan (RM 12)
While the kacang botol (four angled beans) were fresh and crunchy, they fried it with too much sambal belacan, so it was a tad too salty.
(Fedback to the restaurant.... Hopefully they will adjust this)
- NICE: Inche Kabin (RM 16)
A good effort at the traditional Nyonya styled fried chicken - well marinated chunks of tender chicken, fragrant with spices and slightly crisp on the outside.
- YUMMY!: Gulai Tumis / Assam Fish (RM 20)
The fish was fresh (good) but what really sold it was the wonderful sauce - great balance of sour/spicy infused with the aromatic but not overpowering fragrance of spices.
(Went so well with the rice)
Worth a mention are the drinks we tried, the Nutmeg Cooler (RM 4) and the Leong Fun (RM 2.50):
They had a nice home made taste, not too sweet and were really refreshing. :)
(I thought the prices were really decent too)
The friendly manager/ boss lady gave us some of their Cekodok Pisang to try:
As we munched on the fluffy and slightly crisp balls of cekodok**, she explained that we should try to come back on Sundays as that's when they usually prepare their special Nasi Ulam (which my dad loves).
(** Could have been more banana-ey but it was free lah - No complaints...)
They also have a few interesting pork dishes*** on the regular menu so I'm really looking forward to going back soon.
(*** Pork curry! - I wanted to try but my parents wanted fried chicken that night)
So, it's: Simple but comfortable ambience, friendly service, fairly wide range of non-Halal nyonya food at reasonable prices BUT nothing bad to say loh. :)....
Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:
Long Table @ Plaza Glomac, PJ
D02-1/D03-1, Jalan SS7/19, Plaza Glomac, Kelana Jaya, 47100 Petaling Jaya.
Taste: 6
Ambience : 6
Service : 7
Price** : RM 25 per person
Parking: OK
** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 012-2469928
Opening Hours: 11.30am till 3pm, 6pm till 10pm (Closed on Saturday)
NOT HALAL
Summary Sheet:
Long Table @ Plaza Glomac, PJ
D02-1/D03-1, Jalan SS7/19, Plaza Glomac, Kelana Jaya, 47100 Petaling Jaya.
Taste: 6
Ambience : 6
Service : 7
Price** : RM 25 per person
Parking: OK
** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 012-2469928
Opening Hours: 11.30am till 3pm, 6pm till 10pm (Closed on Saturday)
NOT HALAL
MAP:
The new block of Plaza Glomac, Block D, does not appear on Google Map... but it's roughly here. Hope it helps :)
View Larger Map
OTHER REVIEWS:
- My Life
- Feed Me Lah
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Plaza Glomac, Nyonya, Long Table, KJ, Kelana Jaya
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Coraline
Be careful what you wish for....
Last week I OD-ed on food at buffets so I'll start off this week with a movie review, if you don't mind. :)
*clears throat*
If you think cartoons/ animated movies are just for kids, please reconsider and watch Coraline (which I hope will help change your mind at least a bit).
The movie is actually based on a novel written by my favourite literary genius**, Neil Gaiman:
(** I don't care what people may say - To me, comics are part of the modern literary landscape, and Neil Gaiman is behind the Sandman comics, so he's a literary genius. If you want to be fussy, he has also written several books so actually, he's covered, either way...)
Normal girl in a fantastical parallel world...
I admit that I felt a bit wary, as movie adaptations of books/ comics tend to disappoint... but Henry Selick who wrote the screenplay/ directed it did a FANTASTIC job.
(Well, he did direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, so I guess I shouldn't have even doubted him even for a moment...)
On the surface, the storyline seems pretty simple and not at all unique - just a story of a little girl who discovers a wonderful, magical parallel world...
... but to me, it stands out through the complex layering of that classic story element with beautiful visuals, good character development and a dark undertone:
"I wonder where this door leads to?"...
Honestly, even the opening sequence sort of creeped me out - it seems innocent enough (Someone sewing a doll) but the movements and tone hinted of something menacing:
Doll Making Class 101...
... and this element flows through out the film, where there are (at first) small details that hint of something not quite right:
"What's wrong, honey?"...
All in all?
(Like I said) Watch it please! :)
The storyline might be simple but it's an interesting movie to watch.
(It lost to Up in the 2009 Academy Award's Animated Movie category but I think it gave it a good fight for the title - It probably fell short because the movie had a lot less of a soppy, feel good factor)
Note: Don't be fooled - It's not CGI!
Of course they had to embellish here and there with some CGI... but for the most part, it's actually painstakingly detailed stop motion animation:
Teeny tiny but beautifully detailed set...
Main characters:
- Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones (voice)
- Teri Hatcher as Mel Jones/ Other Mother/ Beldam (voice) <--- Good work, Desperate Housewife! :)
- Jennifer Saunders as Miss April Spink/ Other Spink (voice)
- Dawn French as Miss Miriam Forcible/ Other Forcible (voice)
- Keith David as The Cat (voice)
- John Hodgman as Charlie Jones/ Other Father (voice)
- Robert Bailey Jr. as Wyborne 'Wybie' Lovat (voice)
- Ian McShane as Mr. Sergei Alexander Bobinsky/ Other Bobinsky (voice)
Synopsis:
A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life - only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous... and Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery......
(Note: Synopsis adapted/borrowed from Rotten Tomatoes, which gave this movie a great rating of 89% fresh!)
Here's what some others thought of the movie:
- joshuatly.com v2
- k0k bL0k: Koumpounophobia
- 加油站
I LOVE NEIL GAIMAN,
J
TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal
Last week I OD-ed on food at buffets so I'll start off this week with a movie review, if you don't mind. :)
*clears throat*
If you think cartoons/ animated movies are just for kids, please reconsider and watch Coraline (which I hope will help change your mind at least a bit).
The movie is actually based on a novel written by my favourite literary genius**, Neil Gaiman:
(** I don't care what people may say - To me, comics are part of the modern literary landscape, and Neil Gaiman is behind the Sandman comics, so he's a literary genius. If you want to be fussy, he has also written several books so actually, he's covered, either way...)
I admit that I felt a bit wary, as movie adaptations of books/ comics tend to disappoint... but Henry Selick who wrote the screenplay/ directed it did a FANTASTIC job.
(Well, he did direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, so I guess I shouldn't have even doubted him even for a moment...)
On the surface, the storyline seems pretty simple and not at all unique - just a story of a little girl who discovers a wonderful, magical parallel world...
... but to me, it stands out through the complex layering of that classic story element with beautiful visuals, good character development and a dark undertone:
Honestly, even the opening sequence sort of creeped me out - it seems innocent enough (Someone sewing a doll) but the movements and tone hinted of something menacing:
... and this element flows through out the film, where there are (at first) small details that hint of something not quite right:
All in all?
(Like I said) Watch it please! :)
The storyline might be simple but it's an interesting movie to watch.
(It lost to Up in the 2009 Academy Award's Animated Movie category but I think it gave it a good fight for the title - It probably fell short because the movie had a lot less of a soppy, feel good factor)
Note: Don't be fooled - It's not CGI!
Of course they had to embellish here and there with some CGI... but for the most part, it's actually painstakingly detailed stop motion animation:
Main characters:
- Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones (voice)
- Teri Hatcher as Mel Jones/ Other Mother/ Beldam (voice) <--- Good work, Desperate Housewife! :)
- Jennifer Saunders as Miss April Spink/ Other Spink (voice)
- Dawn French as Miss Miriam Forcible/ Other Forcible (voice)
- Keith David as The Cat (voice)
- John Hodgman as Charlie Jones/ Other Father (voice)
- Robert Bailey Jr. as Wyborne 'Wybie' Lovat (voice)
- Ian McShane as Mr. Sergei Alexander Bobinsky/ Other Bobinsky (voice)
Synopsis:
A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life - only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous... and Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery......
(Note: Synopsis adapted/borrowed from Rotten Tomatoes, which gave this movie a great rating of 89% fresh!)
Here's what some others thought of the movie:
- joshuatly.com v2
- k0k bL0k: Koumpounophobia
- 加油站
I LOVE NEIL GAIMAN,
J
TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Buka Puasa @ Rama V, KL
Buka Puasa Series 2010! - Part 3...
Wow. Another invited review? :)
(3 in a week! That's a record breaker for me. LOL)
Anyway, here are my usual disclaimers:
1) I have not been paid to write this, but neither have I paid a cent for my meal,
2) I will still be as objective as possible re. the food/ restaurant, and
3) If I go back to the restaurant incognito and find that the food/service is horribly different from this experience, I will amend my ratings here...
Set!
Some would consider Rama V (one of) the crowning glories of Thai cuisine in Kuala Lumpur, if not Malaysia:
(So I just had to go sample their Ramadhan Buka Puasa)
Looking up at Rama V....
Looking at it, the buffet line might seem limited as compared to the insane amount of variety offered at most hotel buffets, but their selling point is not so much based around quantity :)
Part of the buffet line....
First of all, whilst hotel buffets can be packed and a bit frantic, it was nice that Rama V maintained that calm, resort-like ambience (that I have come to love):
Beautiful setting....
Of course it's not just the ambience that sells this place, it's also the quality of food.
The salads served that day were everything that you can ask for from a Thai salad - piquant and spicy (but not too spicy) mix of fruits/ vegetables and some tender meat... Very appetising! :)
The heavenly Angel Hair pasta....
The soup they were serving that day was the soothing yet spicy Tom Kar Kai... and man, did it hit all the right spots!
(Good stuff!)
It was just so wonderfully balanced - spicy, sour and creamy from the coconut milk yet not cloying:
Tom Kar Kai - Thai Chicken Soup for the soul....
The prawn otak-otak they served that day were awesome.
(AWESOME!)
I don't know how they do it but Rama V always nails any kind of otak-otak they make - the perfect texture of moist and soft yet still firm but not too hard/ "bouncey", with a wonderful fragrance of herbs and spices that only accentuates, not overpowers :D
Delicious little parcels of otak-otak....
Also served were another of the specialities, the pretty blue Chor Ladda (flower shaped dumplings):
Blissful blue....
There were also some HUGE fresh oysters served that day, which you can top with their secret recipe Special Rama V spicy sauce :)
Besarnyaaaaa....
The curries served were also really good, my favourite being the Beef Mussaman curry - tender chunks of beef in a savoury red curry.
(This, of course, went way too well with rice... *sigh*... Yeah, I ate too much yet again! LOL)
- Serene buddha watching over the sambal belacan:
Ommmmm....
Oh, and if you were wondering - yes, they also serve (imported) dates during the buffet, for those of you who like to start off your buka puasa with it:
Healthy start....
There wasn't anything chocolatey for dessert that night, but I didn't mind. I went straight for the Mango with Sticky Rice - perfectly ripe, sweet yet firm pieces of mango that matched so well with the glutinous rice:
Sweet ending....
Price-wise, I think it's pretty reasonable:
- RM 75++ (adults)
- RM 36++ (kids under 12)
(NOTE: If you have a Standard Charted or Citibank Credit Card, do bring it along - discounts range from 15% to 30% when you use it!)
The food items I highlighted above were some of the stand out items for me, but of course the menu at the buffet was much more extensive:
Buffet menu from that night:
(Actually it's quite a lot of stuff!)
(Oh, and don't worry, apparently they change the menu items everyday)
Appetizers
Chả Giò - Spring Roll,
Tod Mun Pla Krai - Fish Cake,
Chor Ladda - Flower shaped dumplings stuffed with minced chicken and peanut,
Thung Ngen Young - Deep fried minced chicken and shrimp wrapped in bean curd,
Fresh Oysters - Imported Fresh Oyster with Thai Sauce,
Fresh Green Mussels - New Zealand Steamed Mussel,
Kurma - Imported Turkish Dates,
Salads
Som Tam - Spicy papaya salad with peanuts,
Yam Nue - Egg Plant beef salad,
Yam Yai - Mixed vegetable salad served with shrimp and chicken,
Ulam-ulam - Fresh Green Vegetables
Soup
Tom Kar Kai - Spicy chicken soup with coconut milk
Main Courses
Kao Ob Sab Pa Rod - Stir-fried pineapple rice with shrimp coral,
Pad Thai Kai - Thai fried noodles with shrimps,
Steamed Rice - Pra Chon Pad Prik King,
Crispy fried fish with Rama V sweet dried chili sauce,
Kai Pad Mamuam - Chicken fried with cashewnut & dry chili,
Gaeng Ka Ree Kai - Yellow chicken curry with sweet potato,
Hor Mok Kung - Otak-otak prawns,
Mussaman Nue - Mussaman style beef,
Ka Na Pra Kem - Stir-fried Four Angel Beans with Belacan,
Pra Meong Tod Krathiam - Kailan fried with salted fish,
Deep fried squid with garlic.
Desserts
Assorted Mixed Fruits, Jelly, Mango Sticky Rice.
PS/
Thanks (and *HUGS*) to the gorgeous Ciki for extending the invite and of course, to the ever so charming Andre Shum of Rama V for being such a good host.
(Also to everyone who was there that night *waves excitedly*: What a fun night! Thanks for being such excellent company! *HUGS*)
So, it's: Smaller selection than the hotels but at a more affordable price, beautiful resort-like ambience, delicious Thai food BUT nothing bad to say really, if you like Thai food, you'll LOVE Rama V....
OTHER REVIEWS:
- Cumi Dan Ciki
- Pillow Talk with Bangsar-bAbE
- aly's wonderland
- Have Your Cake And Eat It Too
- chaokar smokes
- a whiff of lemongrass
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan U-Thant, Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine, Buka Puasa Buffet
Wow. Another invited review? :)
(3 in a week! That's a record breaker for me. LOL)
Anyway, here are my usual disclaimers:
1) I have not been paid to write this, but neither have I paid a cent for my meal,
2) I will still be as objective as possible re. the food/ restaurant, and
3) If I go back to the restaurant incognito and find that the food/service is horribly different from this experience, I will amend my ratings here...
Set!
Some would consider Rama V (one of) the crowning glories of Thai cuisine in Kuala Lumpur, if not Malaysia:
(So I just had to go sample their Ramadhan Buka Puasa)
Looking at it, the buffet line might seem limited as compared to the insane amount of variety offered at most hotel buffets, but their selling point is not so much based around quantity :)
First of all, whilst hotel buffets can be packed and a bit frantic, it was nice that Rama V maintained that calm, resort-like ambience (that I have come to love):
Of course it's not just the ambience that sells this place, it's also the quality of food.
The salads served that day were everything that you can ask for from a Thai salad - piquant and spicy (but not too spicy) mix of fruits/ vegetables and some tender meat... Very appetising! :)
The soup they were serving that day was the soothing yet spicy Tom Kar Kai... and man, did it hit all the right spots!
(Good stuff!)
It was just so wonderfully balanced - spicy, sour and creamy from the coconut milk yet not cloying:
The prawn otak-otak they served that day were awesome.
(AWESOME!)
I don't know how they do it but Rama V always nails any kind of otak-otak they make - the perfect texture of moist and soft yet still firm but not too hard/ "bouncey", with a wonderful fragrance of herbs and spices that only accentuates, not overpowers :D
Also served were another of the specialities, the pretty blue Chor Ladda (flower shaped dumplings):
There were also some HUGE fresh oysters served that day, which you can top with their secret recipe Special Rama V spicy sauce :)
The curries served were also really good, my favourite being the Beef Mussaman curry - tender chunks of beef in a savoury red curry.
(This, of course, went way too well with rice... *sigh*... Yeah, I ate too much yet again! LOL)
- Serene buddha watching over the sambal belacan:
Oh, and if you were wondering - yes, they also serve (imported) dates during the buffet, for those of you who like to start off your buka puasa with it:
There wasn't anything chocolatey for dessert that night, but I didn't mind. I went straight for the Mango with Sticky Rice - perfectly ripe, sweet yet firm pieces of mango that matched so well with the glutinous rice:
Price-wise, I think it's pretty reasonable:
- RM 75++ (adults)
- RM 36++ (kids under 12)
(NOTE: If you have a Standard Charted or Citibank Credit Card, do bring it along - discounts range from 15% to 30% when you use it!)
The food items I highlighted above were some of the stand out items for me, but of course the menu at the buffet was much more extensive:
Buffet menu from that night:
(Actually it's quite a lot of stuff!)
(Oh, and don't worry, apparently they change the menu items everyday)
Appetizers
Chả Giò - Spring Roll,
Tod Mun Pla Krai - Fish Cake,
Chor Ladda - Flower shaped dumplings stuffed with minced chicken and peanut,
Thung Ngen Young - Deep fried minced chicken and shrimp wrapped in bean curd,
Fresh Oysters - Imported Fresh Oyster with Thai Sauce,
Fresh Green Mussels - New Zealand Steamed Mussel,
Kurma - Imported Turkish Dates,
Salads
Som Tam - Spicy papaya salad with peanuts,
Yam Nue - Egg Plant beef salad,
Yam Yai - Mixed vegetable salad served with shrimp and chicken,
Ulam-ulam - Fresh Green Vegetables
Soup
Tom Kar Kai - Spicy chicken soup with coconut milk
Main Courses
Kao Ob Sab Pa Rod - Stir-fried pineapple rice with shrimp coral,
Pad Thai Kai - Thai fried noodles with shrimps,
Steamed Rice - Pra Chon Pad Prik King,
Crispy fried fish with Rama V sweet dried chili sauce,
Kai Pad Mamuam - Chicken fried with cashewnut & dry chili,
Gaeng Ka Ree Kai - Yellow chicken curry with sweet potato,
Hor Mok Kung - Otak-otak prawns,
Mussaman Nue - Mussaman style beef,
Ka Na Pra Kem - Stir-fried Four Angel Beans with Belacan,
Pra Meong Tod Krathiam - Kailan fried with salted fish,
Deep fried squid with garlic.
Desserts
Assorted Mixed Fruits, Jelly, Mango Sticky Rice.
PS/
Thanks (and *HUGS*) to the gorgeous Ciki for extending the invite and of course, to the ever so charming Andre Shum of Rama V for being such a good host.
(Also to everyone who was there that night *waves excitedly*: What a fun night! Thanks for being such excellent company! *HUGS*)
So, it's: Smaller selection than the hotels but at a more affordable price, beautiful resort-like ambience, delicious Thai food BUT nothing bad to say really, if you like Thai food, you'll LOVE Rama V....
Summary Information:
Buka Puasa @ Rama V, KL
Opening Hours: For the Buka Puasa - 6pm onwards
Phone: 603-2143 2428
Address: 5, Jalan U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur
NO PORK SERVED
Buka Puasa @ Rama V, KL
Opening Hours: For the Buka Puasa - 6pm onwards
Phone: 603-2143 2428
Address: 5, Jalan U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur
NO PORK SERVED
OTHER REVIEWS:
- Cumi Dan Ciki
- Pillow Talk with Bangsar-bAbE
- aly's wonderland
- Have Your Cake And Eat It Too
- chaokar smokes
- a whiff of lemongrass
TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan U-Thant, Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine, Buka Puasa Buffet
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