Friedchillies Annual Foodster Awards 2010 - Results! :)

Appreciation and love for all the uncles/ aunties/ pakciks/ makciks who toil to bring yumminess into our lives :)....

Ah, Friedchillies - can't imagine that it's been around since 1998!
(How times flies...)

FuelLed by passion for all things yum, it started off as a website/ forum and has now evolved into a mix media powerhouse covering everything from the web to tv.
(Wow!)

In recent years, they came up with their Annual Foodster Awards, focusing on Malaysian Streetfood... As with last year, the LYSF (Love Your Street Food) campaign resulted in an interesting round up of nominees and winners, all from online voting:
(Power to the people!)

- Best Pisang Goreng - SS2 Goreng Pisang Stall
Nominees: Azmi Pisang Goreng, Mr. Chiam's Stall in Brickfields

- Best Satay - O Mulia Satay
Nominees: Hj Samuri, Satay Malaysia

- Best Crabs - Fatty Crab
Nominees: Nong & Jimmy Thai Seafood, King Crab

- Best Nasi Lemak - Village Park
Nominees: Tanglin, Nasi Lemak Famous

- Best Kopitiam - Yut Kee
Nominees: Sin Seng Nam, Chawan

- Best Assam Laksa - O&S, Paramount Garden
Nominees: Mark's Assam Laksa, Alisan Laksa

- Best Maggi Goreng - Stevens Corner
Nominees: Nasi Kandar Bestari, Lotus Family Restaurant

- Best Roti Canai - Valentine Roti
Raju's, Restoran Kayu Nasi Kandar

- Best Char Kuey Teow - Aunty Gemuk FAM
Nominees: Restaurant Soon Leong, Restoran Seng Lee

- Best Chicken Rice - Restaurant Satellite Chicken Rice
Nominees: New Ipoh Chicken Rice, Nam Heong

- Best Burger - OM Burger
Nominees: Burger TTDI, Jackson Burger

- Best Banana Leaf Rice - Kanna Curry House
Nominees: Restoran Sri Nirwarna Maju, Vishal Chettinad Mess

I have to admit: I have only tried a few of the above but I'm really looking forward to trying them all out soon - this is my new "To Eat" list. :)
(If you want details of their locations, etc... do head over to the Official LYSF 2010 Website)

Note:
I have been really lazy, again, and just copied and pasted this whole list from alilfatmonkey. Do check out what he thinks of the event: Click here or go read the "official" write up on Friedchillies - Click here)

Thanks so VERY much to Adly, Honey, Alexandra and the rest of the Friedchillies team for the invite and great night at the Awards night in Wau Penyu...
(Good food, great company, fun night! - can't wait till the next round!)
(Ooh, and the videos were HILARIOUS. Can't get over the Old Spice Guy parody and the Char Kuey Teow Addict one too)
:)

J

TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal

Akari @ Solaris, Mont Kiara

Yet another Japanese place in Solaris? :)....

Warning: I don't feel wordy today. *sulk*
(It's my annual, recurring condition called: Year End Blues)

Went to Solaris Mont Kiara for lunch, felt like Japanese - chanced upon this place called Akari.
(It's not new (1+ years old?) and is located more or less on top of Dr Cafe)

Inside, it's small - half a tiny lounge/ bar and the other half a restaurant:
(Still, modern and comfy)
The restaurant half...
Selection on the la carte menu is decent (not huge variety but it's enough) with a few lunch sets too.
(We went for a la carte that day)

- Agedashi tofu (RM 12+):
Healthy but unhealthy...
Nice/ Worth trying.
Smooth tofu cubes enveloped with batter and doused with a salty enough but not overpowering sauce.

- Dragon King Roll (RM 32+)
Rice, eel, prawn...
OK.
Rice was just a little bit too moist (for my tastebuds) and felt like something was missing.
(Fresh ingredients, but the contrast of textures and flavors not outstanding)

- Garlic Fried Rice (RM 10+)
Carbs...
Fragrant but I thought it was kinda pricey considering the serving size.

- Salmon Kimuchi Nabe (RM 26+)
Spicy, sour, delicious...
Yum.
Tasty, and not just because I like kimchi, and I like soup.
(Nice balance of flavors without being too "in your face")
:)

- Tempura Moriwase (RM 28+)
Deep fried prawns and veggies ...
Nice.
Light crispy batter and fresh ingredients.

- Goma Ice Cream (RM 12+)
Just one scoop of indulgence ...
Not bad.
Creamy and not too sweet.

I promise I'll try to snap out of "bleh" mood as quickly as possible. It usually only lasts about a month anyway, so bear with me, ok?
(Thanks....)

PS/ Sorry about how blur the photos are - I forgot my camera so I had to use my phone camera, and it was kinda dark in the reaturant.

So it's: Small, modern and cosy Japanese restaurant in Solaris Mont Kiara, friendly service and fair selection of food BUT interior can be a little bit cramped, and really nothing else bad to say... :)

Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:

Akari @ Solaris, Mont Kiara, KL

19-1, Jalan Solaris Mont Kiara 4, Solaris Mont Kiara

Taste: 6
Ambience : 7
Service : 7
Price** : RM 50+ per person
Parking: Limited ***

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
***Try parking inside the Solaris basement parking instead...

Telephone No.: 03-6203 6885
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 11.30am till 2.30pm and 6.30pm till 10pm

NO PORK SERVED

OTHER REVIEWS:
- Kelly C
- Chocolate Memoirs
- Black Tie White Lie


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Hartamas, Mont Kiara, Solaris, Akari, Japanese, KL, Kuala Lumpur

Il Lido Lounge Bar @ Jalan Yap Kwan Seng

A cool new place to chill out in KL :)....

There's just something about rooftop bars...
(In particular, the view)

At first, I thought that the view from Il Lido wouldn't be very "special" if compared to other already famous rooftop bars in KL but despite their very much shorter stature, it was actually very nice!:
KLCC - do pretty at night!...
Oh, I was actually there for the launch night so there were lots of very hot people chilling out/ partying in the area - Thanks for the invite, Lyla! *hugs*:
(BTW, don't worry about the weather - they have a canopy covering the main area of the bar so you party undisturbed)
Covered area...
See. Hot, right?:
(Ciki, Marcky, Bangsar Babe and some guy)

(PhotoS from michael yip, the event photographer)...
If you were wondering, the music was also really good!
(Funky tunes, with a thumping base for those who like to dance yet catchy melodies for those who like singing along after a couple of drinks)
(Photo taken from michael yip, the event photographer)...
Anyway, definitely had a great time that night. :)
... and I think this really rounds up the Il Lido KL package - you can enjoy a yummy food in a sophisticated environment downstairs, then proceed upstairs to have a couple of drinks and dance the calories away!

Here are some Current Highlights/ Promotions:
- Every day!: Happy Hour
1 for 1 Carlsberg draught, house pours and wine by the glass.

- Wednesdays: Ladies Nights
(Music: MUSE featuring Soundcheckmasters DJ Chris O and DJ Phinans - funky house)
Ladies enjoy 1 for 1 Bellinis all night or a bottle of prosecco at RM128 (U.P. RM165).

- Opening Special: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve at RM 488++ or RM 888++ for 2 bottles, and Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial at RM 298++.

Other than that, music wise:
- Funken Fridays with DJs Shazan, Azran and Victor G
(Groovy, sexy house)

- Saturday Sunsets by DJ deRajj
(eclectic mix: electro house, contemporary club anthems and old school beats)

For info and updates, you can check out Il Lido's Facebook Page or official website.

Summary Information:
Il Lido Lounge Bar @ Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours:
Everyday 5pm - 1am (bar),
Sun - Fri Lunch and Dinner, Sat Dinner only (restaurant).
Phone: 603-2161 2291
Address: 183, Jalan Mayang (off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng), 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

NOT HALAL (the restaurant)

MAP:

View Larger Map


OTHER REVIEWS:
- Cumi dan Ciki
- Adventures of a Tom Cat


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Rooftop Bar, Il Lido, Italian, KL, Kuala Lumpur

Reminisce @ Midvalley Megamall, KL

A new non Halal food option in Midvalley :)....

Reminisce is one of the newest (Asian) non Halal food choice in the Midvalley Shopping Centre area, having just opened a few months ago:
(It's next to the also very new and non Halal Brotzeit, and kinda strangely, the Midvalley police station booth)
Outside the restaurant....
It feels spacious inside (due to the high ceiling?) with a contrast of simple tables and chairs against stark exposed pipes and some posters of cartoons (eg. Dragonball):
Restaurant interior....
Looking at the menu, they have some rice and noodle dishes and a good array of snacks and street food and dessert options (eg. fried carrot cake, deep fried nian gao, loh mai kai, yam cake, etc).

- Stuffed pork balls with satay sauce (RM 5.90+):
Bouncey pork balls....
While the texture was definitely bouncey enough, it was just a tad too hard. Otherwise, it was a nice snack, with the combination of the fish paste, pork stuffing and chunky satay sauce going pretty well together....

Cross section - pork makes everything better :)....
- BBQ Taiwan Sausage (RM 6.90+)
2 sausages....
... Well, the sausage was ok.
(Nothing particularly bad or good about it....)

- Stuffed Char Leong (RM 3.90+):
My bowl of Beef Noodles....
Not bad.
Other than being just a tad hard (dense texture, was a bit tough to bite through/ chew),the combination of yau char kuai stuffed with fish paste and refried was fairly fragrant and had a decent amount of stuffing.

- Crispy Spring Rolls (RM 2.90+)
Yum....
The combination of thin, crisp spring roll skin (filo pastry?) and creamy chicken filling was simple but effective - liked this and wouldn't miond ordering again.
:)

- Toasted Bun with Bak Kwa and Meat Floss (RM 7.90+)
Chinese sandwich....
After ordering that many little "snacks" I just wanted something lighter for my main. :)

It's just a simple Chinese styled sandwich with some bak kwa (grilled minced pork slices), fried egg and veggies nestled in between 2 fluffy buns.
(Not bad)

- Dry Curry Chicken Noodles (RM 7.90+)
Noodles....
The noodles were springy and fragrant (a little bit like Indomee goreng) and the Chicken Curry was tasty and fairly tender.
(Also not bad but the serving may be a bit small for some)

Overall, some dishes were nice but not everything is fantastic... Still, I think the pricing is very decent for the Midvalley area - I won't think twice about going back if I am looking for some good non Halal Asian food in Midvalley.
(Great place to have a drink and some light snacks too)

So it's: Non-halal Asian food and Malaysian street snacks, comfortable ambience, reasonable prices BUT nothing bad really, just a few slight "misses" on the menu so far :)....

Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:

Reminisce @ Mid Valley
Lot (G)E-019, Ground External Floor, Midvalley Megamall, Midvalley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur

Taste: 6
Ambience : 6
Service : 6
Price** : RM 17/+ per person
Parking: Difficult on weekends

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks
Telephone No.: 03-2201 8168
Opening Hours: Mon till Sat 7.30 am to 11.00 pm, Sun 9am to 10pm

NOT HALAL

OTHER REVIEWS:
- Food Point of Interest
- Everyday Food I Love
- iamthewitch.com
- lionel ong's phlog


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Midvalley Megamall, MidValley, The Gardens, Local food, Chinese, Reminisce, Shopping Centre, KL, Kuala Lumpur

Fatty Crab @ Taman Megah, PJ

Super popular even after all these years....

"How strange!", I thought, as I was driving back from the gym one night.
(After just getting off the phone with my mum)

First of all: It's so rare that my parents eat dinner past 7pm, and Fatty Crab? - What a specific and random craving (considering we hadn't been there for YEARS).

Still, who am I to say no to them? :)
(Cannot, cannot...or I will be labeled with that dreaded title of Unfilial Daughter. Lol.)

I was pretty shocked to see the hordes waiting outside the restaurant though:
(It was 9+ pm! This is not exactly the normal peak dinner time)
Outside the restaurant...
Luckily they had a bunch of spare chairs outside for the waiting hordes (which we were a small part of)... and we all sat there looking furtively at the hordes eating inside:
Patience...
Thankfully, they managed to seat us quite quickly (about 15 minutes later?) but there were no tables inside, so we were ushered to the al fresco area**. I don't know whether we were just lucky/ easy to seat because there were only 3 of us, but I would STRONGLY suggest booking first if you want to go there:
(**On the sidewalk, by the drain. Ah, the quintessential Malaysian dining experience)
Ah the ambience...
You may have heard about this quirk of Fatty Crab before, but yeah it's completely true that they have a severely limited menu selection - 2 kinds of crabs (steamed or sweet and sour sauce), 2 kinds of prawns (steamed or butter style), 2 kinds of fish (steamed or teochew style), fried rice, fried noodles, chicken wings, satay and maybe 2 kinds of vegetables:
(There you have it, pretty much the whole menu in one short paragraph - do tell me if I've missed anything out)
Tools of the trade...
First up, the Fried rice - small serving (RM 5+):
Fried rice...
Overall, ok but nothing exemplary.
(Good texture - not starchy but no "wok hei")

- Sweet and sour chili Crabs (RM 60+):
About 2 kg of crabs...
Overall, the crabs were fresh enough but I found the sauce just a tad too watery.

- Steamed Fish Teo Chew style (RM 36+):
Simple fish on a dish...
The fish was also pretty fresh and the taste was quite appetising when doused with the sour, salty and slightly sweet sauce.
(Some may find it a tad too sour though)

- Chicken Wings (RM 3 per wing+):
Tasty wings...
Strangely, these were my favourite dish of the night as they were crisp on the outside, not too greasy with the flesh still tender and tasty.
:D

At the end of the day, it wasn't a bad meal but I can't see what all the hype is about..... Still, wouldn't mind heading back for some of those chicken wings...
(Mmmmm. Love chicken wings)

So, it's: Simple coffeeshop setting, convenient location for PJ folk BUT limited food selection and please be prepared to wait for a table, whatever the time (better to book first)...

Summary Information:
Fatty Crab @ Taman Megah, Petaling Jaya

Opening Hours: 5.30pm - 11pm
(Closed Mondays. Warning: Open on Sunday but that's pasar malam night)
Phone: 603-7804 5758
Address: No 2, Jln SS 24/13, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya

NO PORK SERVED

MAP:

View Larger Map

OTHER REVIEWS:
- Eric Yong's Blog
- Discover | Explore | Savour Great Food At Any Time!
- Foodhunt
- I Come, I See, I Hunt and I Chiak
- Shah's Ramblings


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Coffeeshop, Taman Megah, Restoran Fatty Crab, PJ, Petaling Jaya, Chinese Food, Seafood, KL, Kuala Lumpur

Bizarre or Genius?

Dare to try it?....

I think that I am easy to please, when it comes to souvenirs.
:)

First of all, I don't expect one... but if you do take the time/ effort/ money to buy one for me, it is a lovely bonus and I will be happy no matter what it is.
(Really!)

... When Nina came back from her USA trip with 2 bars of Vosges' special Mo's Dark Choc Bar though, I was overjoyed.
(Pssst: THANK YOU, NINA! *HUGS*)

Why?
Well, I love bacon... AND I love chocolate....

So, why not try it together, right?? :D
Afraid/ amazed...
LOL.

I had read very mixed reviews about this particular chocolate bar online before (it appears to be a love it or hate it kinda thing) so, honestly I was a little bit afraid of eating it.

Still, I just HAD to try it (of course):
NOM...
...
..
.

So, what's the verdict?: I liked it! :)

Overall the semi dark chocolate (about 60-40 blend) was smooth and creamy without being too sweet and it balanced surprisingly well with the salty flavours of the added bits of Alderwood smoked salt and Applewood smoked bacon.
(The bacon bits were kinda small though, so the taste of pork/ bacon is actually really mild)

Sigh.
As far as I know, this brand is not available here in Malaysia though... and they don't deliver to Asia in general... :(

... but if you are venturing to the USA, this is something you can look out for!
(Hope you enjoy it)


Intrigued,
J

TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal

TOKL Awards 2010 - Results!

The "Academy Awards" for Fine Dining in KL? :)....

Just last week, I got to attend the TOKL Food Awards Ceremony 2010, held at the new MAPKL in Solaris Dutamas:
(... hosted by the gorgeous Joanne de Rozario and Will Quah)

I had never attended an awards ceremony before, AND it was all about food/ restaurants in KL, so I was really looking forward to it....
(Thank you so much, Nazeen and everyone at TOKL for inviting me - So happy!)

:)

The arty area was bustling with the famous and the important, mostly dressed to the nines in sharp suits and sexy cocktail dresses (which kinda made me feel so underdressed since I came straight from office. *lol*).

There was also a lot of bubbly, which of course can never be a bad thing in my books:
(Never tried this brand before, Lombard Brut, but YUM, will definitely look out for it in future - love that it has just the right balance of bubbles without being too sweet or too dry)


ANYWAY, :) here's the full list of the nominees and winners:

- Best Chinese | Chynna (Hilton KL)
[other nominees: A Little Dim Sum Place, Celestial Court (Sheraton Imperial KL), Li Yen (Ritz-Carlton KL) and Zuan Yuan (One World Hotel)]

- Best Continental | La Bodega
Specially Commended | El Cerdo
[other nominees: The Apartment, Bijou, Cafe Cafe, Hakka Republic, and twentyone kitchen+bar]

- Best Healthy Eating/Vegetarian | Marmalade
[other nominees: Annalakshimi, Country Farm Organics, FitFor2 and The Yogitree]

- Best Indian | Bombay Palace
[other nominees: Kanna Curry House, Saravana Bhavan, Spice of India and Sri Nirwana Maju]

- Best Italian | Prego (The Westin KL)
[other nominees: Bar Italia, La Risata, Nerofico, Sassarosso, Tatto and Villa Danieli (Sheraton Imperial KL)]

- Best Japanese | Fukuharu (Terrace @ Hock Choon)
[other nominees: Gonbei, Hajime, Kampachi and Rakuzen]

- Best Malay | Bijan
Specially Commended | Enak, Starhill Gallery
[other nominees: D'Cengkih, Makan Kitchen (Doubletree by Hilton), and Restauran Rebung Chef Ismail]

- Best Middle Eastern | Al Amar
Specially Commended | Tarbush
[other nominees: Al-Andalus, Al-Rawsha, and Hadramawt]

- Best Seafood | High Tide
[other nominees: Bangsar Seafood Garden Restaurant, Fisherman's Cove, Restaurant Fatty Crab, and Restaurant Green View]

- Best Steak House | Prime (Le Meridien KL)
Specially Commended | Qba, The Westin KL
[other nominees: Angus Steakhouse, DISH, Meatworks, and Tony Roma's]

- Best Thai/Indochinese | Tamarind Springs
[other nominees: Basil Leaf, Kinnaree Thai Restaurant, MyThai, Rama V and Sao Nam]

- Best Mamak/Hawker | Nasi Kandar Pelita
[other nominees: Hutong Lot 10, Murni's, Suzy's Corner and Yut Kee]

- Best Pub Grub | Jarrod & Rawlins
Specially Commended | Sid's Pub
[other nominees: Finnegan's, George & The Dragon, and The Green Man]

- Best Fine Dining | Lafite (Shangri-la)
[other nominees: Frangipani, High Tide, Sage (The Garden Hotel & Residence) and Senses (Hilton KL)]

- Best New Restaurant | The Pressroom
[other nominees: Albion KL, Giovino, High Tide, Il Lido, and Mandrin Grill (Mandarin Oriental KL)]

- Best Independent Restaurant | Albion KL
Specially Commended | Rama V, Jalan U-Thant
[other nominees: A Little Dim Sum Place, Al-Amar, and Cafe Cafe]

- Best Restaurateur | Edward Hyde (Gastrodome - La Bodega, the Pressroom, Espressamente Illy)
Specially Commended | Benj Conway of the Nero Group (Nerovivo, Neroteca, Nerofico, High Tide)
[other nominees: Werner Kuhn (El Cerdo, El Cerdito, Werner's), Rudy Stecca (Ciao, Ciccio, Cipolla) and Benjamin Yong (The Delicious Group)]

- Outstanding Chef of the Year | Chef David King (Prego, The Westin KL)
[other nominees: Chef Nathalie Arbefeuille (Nathalie's Gourmet Studio), Chef Pierre Chahda (Al-Amar), Chef Cedric Darthial (Mandarin Grill), Chef Michael Elfwing (Senses Hilton KL), and Chef Evert Onderbeke (High Tide)]

I can't say that I agree with all the final nominees/ winners... but well, the public has chosen... and I guess as they say: One man's meat is another man's poison.
(There were one or two which inspired a raised eyebrow and general "WTH???" feeling.... but any case, it was so much fun sitting there and cheering for my favourite places/ people, whether or not they actually won....)

(I have been really lazy and just copy and pasted this whole list from alilfatmonkey. Do check out what he thinks of the event: Click here)

... OR you could just go out to the nearest reputable news stand and grab the December edition of TOKL, which will have all the results and more. :)


HUGS,
J

TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal

Marufuku Udon @ Jaya 1, Petaling Jaya

Udon-licious...

Whilst it may be new and slightly hidden, at the back of a passageway in Jaya 1 (sort of behind Fronterra/ under the PJLA),... Marufuku Udon has already been getting quite a lot of attention online:
(Especially since it is sort of a branch of the more established Sanuki Udon in Taman Desa)
The passageway to Marufuku....
Personally, I have never been to Sanuki, but I have been told that Marufuku is more geared to being a self service, fast food type eatery** where you line up and order at the counter, then take your noodles by yourself:
(Note: The servers are very friendly there though. If it's quiet they will be more than happy to serve you instead, as they did for us that night)
Inside the restaurant....

As for the menu, they have quite a variety of different udons (about 10 types?) as well as a few side dishes like grilled items (yakitori), desserts and beer/ booze to go along with your food.

First up, the yakitori we tried that night:
- Chicken (RM 3)
Japanese chicken satay....
- Ladies Fingers (RM 2) and Shitake (RM 2)
Some of the vegetable grilled dishes....
Tastewise, they were all pretty good - the chicken was fairly tender and tasty, while the ladies fingers and shitake were fresh and fragrant.

The most amazing thing (to me) though is their exceptionally reasonable pricing - all of the grilled items are only either RM 2 or RM 3 per stick.

As for the mains, we tried the House Special Udon - hot (RM 6):
(Note: This udon can be served cold as well)
The house special udon....
You can also stir in some of the fragrant chili oil (served in a little canister on the side) and then it ends up looking (and tasting) a bit like chili pan mee instead:
After mixing with the Chili....
Overall, this is a simple dish that depends on the quality of the noodles... and thankfully, Marufuku managed to pull it off - thick yet not starchy, and with the right amount of "bounce" vs moistness....
(Warning though: If you are a meat lover, like Gary who ordered this, you will not be satisfied as there will be nothing to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. Of course, this is easily fixed by ordering some chicken yakitori...)

I'm much more of a soup person though, so I perferred the Niku Soup Udon (RM 10):
Japanese Beef noodles....
The slices of beef could have been just a tad more tender, but otherwise, I enjoyed the hearty soup matched with the thick udon noodles that had the perfect level of bite. :)

Between the 2 soupy dishes we tried that night, my favourite was the Nabeyaki Udon (RM 10):
Comfort food....
:) :) :)
The soup was slightly thick and oh so hearty, complementing the udon well - great stuff on a cold, rainy day. There was also a good amount of deep fried goodies like tempura prawn, a dumpling and some tofu, making it a filling meal despite it being a fairly small serving.

To be completely fair, the serving sizes there are generally pretty small. I kinda like that though, because I can have a smaller noodle serving for a cheaper price and have just add on some side dishes if I feel like it,... as opposed to having a massive serving which costs more and I feel too stuffed later/ end up wasting it because cannot finish.
:)

So, it's: Small, cosy eatery serving a variety of freshly made udon and some side dishes for a very reasonable price, friendly service BUT nothing bad really, its just that if you don't like Udon then you won't find much to eat here (Beer + Yakitori is a good combo tho)...

Summary Sheet:

Marufuku Udon @ Jaya 1, Petaling Jaya
L-18-G-1, Ground Floor,
Palm Square, Jaya One,
72A, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya.

Taste: 7
Ambience : 6
Service : 7
Price** : RM 15 per person
Parking: OK

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks

Telephone No.: 03-7957 6368
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm

NO PORK SERVED

OTHER REVIEWS:
- Masak-Masak
- Cumi Dan Ciki
- A Whiff Of Lemongrass
- Black Tie White Lie
- Highway In The Forest


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Marufuku Udon, Japanese, PJ, Petaling Jaya, Jaya 1

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1

A saga is coming to an end....

I actually quite like the Harry Potter series, having started reading the books all those years ago... and I thought most of the movies were quite good too.
(Goblet Of Fire was my fave, both the book and the movie)

- One of the movie posters:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is on fire
... but how ah?
*sigh*

I was really looking forward to Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, but in the end I walked away feeling disappointed.
(Hmmm. Will I be flamed by HP die hard fans after this, I wonder?)

- A quieter moment for the 3 heroic friends:
Study group?...

Ok. It's not like the movie (which is actually the half of the 7th and last book) is COMPLETELY HORRIBLE....

Good points:
- It's dark and raw without being completely overwhelming,
- There are some twists and "real" elements like betrayal and guilt,
- You can see how much the characters have grown, both in the literal (physical) sense and also in terms of their outlook and behaviour.

- He Who Must Not Be Named (HWMNBN) aka Tom Marvolo Riddle aka Lord Voldemort:
So many names, for one who must not be named *lol*...
Bad Points:
- OMG. Out of 3 hours, almost 1 hour is draggy filler fluff.
(I am referring to pretty much ALL the time they spent in That Bloody Tent and some other scenes where they wander around, whining)
- Completely overlooked and under utilised supporting characters,
(What? They needed more screen time for Harry, Ron and Hermione to hang around That Bloody Tent so they couldn't afford to have more time for other much loved characters like Hagrid?)
- Some parts were just darn corny and the slight (sort of) nude scene was just completely gratuitous.
(Fan service, maybe? Oh well...)

- That Bloody Tent:
THE Tent of tedious BOREDOM...

So?:
Don't let me stop you from watching it, just don't expect it to be super awesome like I did and you will be fine.



Main characters:
- Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
- Emma Watson as Hermione Granger <-- The brains of the trio
- Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
- Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
- Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange
- Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
- Alan Rickman as Professor Severus Snape
- Julie Walters as Molly Weasley
- Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley


Synopsis:
In this seventh and final installment of the beloved Harry Potter series, Harry faces new troubles; he must collect all of the Horcruxes that the evil Lord Voldemort has left behind. He has no idea where these are and he has to destroy them all, even without the faintest idea how to do so....

(Note: Synopsis adapted/borrowed from Rotten Tomatoes, which gave this movie a good rating of 78% fresh!)


Here's what some others thought of the movie:
- joshuaongys.com A PK's Life
- rabiatuladawiyah.com Love in a Blog
- - Bgurl Still Alive -


Yes I will still watch the final movie when it comes out :P,
J


TAGS: Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, KL, Kuala Lumpur, Personal

Western & Pasta @ Restoran Yu Yiee, Damansara Jaya

Short post on another good option for coffeeshop Western food :)....

My friends who live in Damansara Jaya have long told me about their favourite neighbourhood coffeeshop Western food stall, but for one reason or another I never got around to trying it out till last week.
(Located in Restoren Yu Yiee, a fairly unassuming corner shop lot just behind the Kolej Damansara Utama aka. KDU):
Outside the "restaurant"...
Of course being a coffeeshop, the setting inside is basic:
(Note: The ventilation inside there is not great - It is likely you will leave smelling like food)
Basic coffeeshop setting...
That night I tried the highly recommended Lamb chops with pasta and chips (RM 10):
(You can have the lamb with just the olio pasta or just the fries but Sooj suggested that I try the "half and half" option)
My dinner...
So, was it the best lamb chop and spaghetti I have ever eaten in my whole life?

Well, no.... :P
... but here's the thing: RM 10 nett for 3 pretty big pieces of (fairly) tender and tasty lamb chops, with crispy shoe string fries as well as some fragrant, al dente aglio olio pasta on the side?

AWESOME. :)
(I was surprised how much I liked the pasta - it was slightly dry but deliciously garlicky and accentuated by the generous sprinkling of herbs)

There are also some other really affordable choices at this stall (Ham & Cheese Toast for RM 2.80, Spaghetti Bolognese for RM 6.50, etc) as well as 3 other stalls for you to choose from (one serving fried chicken, one serves fried rice and noodles and some other Chinese dishes (mini tai chow), and another serving bak kut teh).

So, it's: Simple coffeeshop setting, quite limited selection but decent tasting Western food at decent prices, convenient location for PJ folk BUT ventilation is bad there, so you may leave smelling like food... and nothing else bad, just please don't expect it to be as nice as a proper restaurant - it's cheap! :)...

Summary Information:;
Western & Pasta @ Restoran Yu Yiee, Damansara Jaya

Opening Hours:
- Western food (approx) 6pm to 9pm.
- Various other stalls (approx) 10am to 3pm
Phone: ?
Address: Corner coffee shop, Jalan SS22/11, Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Selangor 47400.

NO PORK SERVED (at this Western stall)
NOT HALAL (some of the other stalls)

MAP:

View Restoren Yu Yiee in a larger map


OTHER REVIEWS:
- Simon Says


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Coffeeshop, Damansara Jaya, Restoran Yu Yiee, KDU, PJ, Petaling Jaya, Western Food, Cheap Eats, KL, Kuala Lumpur

Peko Peko @ Wells Street, Melbourne

Melbourne 2010 Post #7: What? Cute little Taiwanese restaurant that serves pannacotta?...

C: "You're the one in the black jacket and jeans at the Domain Interchange (tram station)? I think I see you from my office..." *Cheng squints*
J: "Yup. You're in the round-ish building, right? See you in a minute.." *J strides confidently ahead*
C: "WaitWaitWait. You're going the wrong way! It's on your right."
*J turns right*
C:"A bit more... "
*turn turn turn*
C: "Ah ok ok stop! Now keep walking straight. Cross the road - will meet you there."

LOL.
(I guess my sense of direction sucks?)

Anyway,.... it was my second last day in Melbourne and it was very kind of Cheng to spare some time during his lunch break to try out a fairly popular Taiwanese restaurant called Peko Peko (which is very near his office):
Small shop lot...
Yes, I realise it's Asian food (again)... :)
... but the pannacotta here came highly recommended by Mr Alex Lobov (who had very kindly taken the time to give me an extensive list of "Must Eat" places in Melbourne), so I just had to try it.

It is simple and cosy inside Peko Peko with its dark but whimsical paintings on the wall:
(Important note: Do not be fooled by the following photo, as it usually PACKED during peak hours. However, the weekday lunch crowd is mostly from the nearby offices so they cleared out almost immediately at 1.30pm)
Inside Peko Peko...
They have a pretty extensive menu of Taiwanese food and some fusion desserts, but the popular choice are the bento sets (box sets) so we tried those that day.

First up, the Honey beef bento (about AUD $12):
Crispy beef slices...
The beef slices were definitely very fragrant and crispy.... but sadly I found them way too sweet for my tastebuds, unless I paired each bite with huge mouthfuls of the rice....

Other than that, we had the Crispy pork bento (about AUD $12):
Crispy meat slices...
Mmmmm.
Again, the slices of meat were definitely very crispy.... but this time it was a tad too salty (although there was a nice fragrance of spices) and not meat-y enough.

By this time, I was fairly disappointed.... but I thought I should try the Earl Grey Pannacotta (about AUD $7) anyway:
Jiggly pannacotta...
Oh man......
Thank goodness I didn't decide to just skip it! :D

The texture was just nice, kinda wobbly like a jelly but still with a creamy enough texture... and a wonderfully delicate flavour of Earl Grey** accentuated by the added vanilla beans.
(**Slightly sweet, fragrant yet with a sliiiiiiight bitter tea flavour - awesome!)
(Note: It is usually served with a much raved about black sesame ice cream, but they had ran out that day and replaced it with a pretty good green tea ice cream)

The dessert really saved the day for me. :) :) :)
To be fair, I don't think the food at Peko Peko was bad.... It's probably just that my expectations are way too high when it comes to Asian food.


SHOUT OUT:
Thanks for taking the time out of your hectic schedule to have lunch with me, Cheng!
(And thanks so much for offering the chocolate fountain to me. It's just a pity I couldn't find any way to fit it into my luggage...)


PS/ After you have gorged yourself on the food there, you can amble over to the Shrine of Remembrance and Melbourne Royal Botanical Garderns, which are both just a stone's throw away.

So, it's: Friendly service, cosy ambience, wide range of Taiwanese food and AWESOME desserts for reasonable prices BUT very crowded during peak hours and dammit the bloody AUD to MYR forex hurts....

Summary Information:
Peko Peko @ Wells Street, Melbourne

Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Phone: +61 3 9686 1109
Address: 190 Wells St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Map: (Below)
Website: -

NOT HALAL

MAP:

View Larger Map


OTHER REVIEWS:
- MSG: The Melbourne Social Guide
- m1rr0r's life
- Food Rehab The Tastebud Diaries


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, Peko Peko, Taiwanese, Asian food, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Melbourne