Schokolart. SohoKL, Solaris Mont Kiara, KL. Willie Wonka's Factory in KL.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(No Pork Served)

Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim Friends and Maaf Zahir Batin!

Chocolate... The sticky gooey, sweet glob that had the ancient Aztecs driven to frenzy and lust. A dirty word to Matronly Chinese Aunts who have blamed it for rotten tooth, sore throat, pimples and cough adding guilt when indulging in this intriguing blend of cocoa and milk. When I read about it from LL's blog, I groaned to myself. Not another Max Brenner clone with cocoa powder on fries i hope? One fine Sunday, I hopped from work early and punched in my GPS and surprisingly got there in a jiffy! Anyway, I loved the catchphrase in their website. Hedonism is Schokolart!


The place was surprisingly quiet for a weekend and I sat at the patio, which had a great view of the new DUKE highway and a view of the infamous Matrade Building. The evening breeze was lulled me and I felt like taking a snooze there! They had a lot of varieties of chocolates there, from curry to sesame and the pastry selection drove my heart aflutter. It seemed Willie Wonka had found KL and had a free hand in making this place his factory.


My fear was unfounded and they were not over the top with their chocolatey concoctions a la Brenner. No cocoa dusted fries here! The Roesti seemed to be featured prominently here but Carbs are getting a bad hype and I chose the Chocolate Satay instead. It was the most exotic item in the menu and was recommended by Sean. Other items are Roesti, Lucerne Pie, Deep Fried Chicken with Chocolate Dip and De La Mer.

The chicken pieces were marinated in Chocolate and the Satay Sauce was kind of like a peanut butter blend which was spicy as well. I was a bit skeptical because Satay is kind of like a National Institution here. But it was not too bad at all! Very hard to describe the taste, but the chocolate did not overpower the still moist and succulent meat... And it came with the Man Tou thingy. I was surprised it. Ha ha... Something new everyday! Will go back there to indulge in some hedonistic gastronomic orgy aka to stuff my face...

Schokolart

Block K-01-05, Soho KL @ Solaris Mont Kiara
2 Jalan Solaris
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6.03.62.03.09.68

Pacifica. Mandarin Oriental, KL. Midnight Underwater Dining.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

I have never found a compelling reason to dine frequently at any hotels in KL until now, except for Sage at Gardens. The opening hours of Pacifica has always attracted me but I have to brave the really horrible underground car park in order to dine there and after musterring some fortitude, I proceeded there after waking up at 10.30 PM, attacked by hunger pangs.


The theme of the restaurant is the sea, and 80% of the menu comprises of seafood. The decor is a bit tacky and designed to give diners an under the sea kind of ambiance and the blue circles you see on the orange walls are actually aquariums (total of 350) but the tanks are filled with freshwater fishes. ??


The amuse bouche did bring a smile on my face. I was totally famished by the time I got there and the Oatmeal oyster, oyster with citrus dressing and mango salad filled me up as a prelude.


Mussels mariniere for starters. The celery and onion based broth with white wine was slightly wimpy and lacked the herbal punch it requires for vibrancy. A few mussels did not taste too fresh. Adequate, but hardly a revealing dish.


The pan seared Gindara (black cod/butterfish) Prince Murat was served with cherry tomatoes, small crystal wax onions, artichokes and baby potatoes. The fish was fresh and creamy, but bland and would have benefited from a more generous portion of Parsley Jus. Not a particularly outstanding dish.


The star of the show must be the beautiful Praline Soufflé. The choice of desserts are limited. But the soufflé was really lovely. Beautiful airy consistency that did not fall flat, filled with the rich taste of nutty praline. I broke the top a bit to pour n the sauce. One of the best soufflés I have ever tasted!


For the wines, both whites, to match the food and both almost the same straw colour. To the right is the Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2007 which I paired with the Mussels. It was clean, slightly citrusy and acidic. Fresh and light bodied and youthful. And on the left is the 2008 Macon Villages Borgogne Blanc (Chardonnay). The menu stated 2006. This was a slightly more elegant white, but I don't think there was enough time for the malolactic degradation to produce the desired creaminess yet. It had a nose of peaches/nectarines and was light bodied as well, with a very balanced acidity that matched well with the butter fish. Perhaps next year would be a better time to taste it.

Service was excellent and friendly, but food fuss free, but unenthusiastic. They will be changing their menu next month. It would be interesting to note that they serve a variety of caviars here. Many cuts of Kobe steaks are also available in their grill. Dining there was a tad expensive and the cost of my indiscretion with the wines, a macchiato and a small bottle of Perrier was RM 386 which made it one of the most expensive but unfortunately except for the excellent dessert, unmemorable suppers I've ever had.

Read Curiosity Feeds the Cat's post here, and Cumi and Ciki's post here.

Pacifica
Ground Floor
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
KLCC
50088 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6.03.23.80.88.88

Le Bouchon. Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. Return Visit, Mixed Feelings.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

Le Bouchon has 2 "gourmet" set menus. During the previous visit here, I tried the RM148 menu and for this visit, I chose the RM 88 menu. The frontage of the restaurant has undergone a change and it now houses a pub called l'armitage at the entrance.


For starters I was served with Escargot de Bourgogne which was Burgundy Snails baked with fresh herbs. garlic and pastis butter. Not particularly remarkable, it was bland and the anise based pastis did not glimmer through the oily, buttery sauce. The herbs were slightly discordant and garlic overpowered the whole dish.


Next was the Terrine the legumés provençal au basilic or Provencal Vegetables Terrine, scented with Basil served with a raosted tomato vinigeraitte. This was fresh and lively sourish dish and filled with the right cadences to make this a lovely summer dish. Their terrine was a cold terrine, not baked and the dressing was a refreshing change.


I tried their chicken which was poulette grillé aux morilles, risotto aux herbs fraische et carottes caramélisées. The chicken was freshly succulent and well grilled with lovely mushrooms, and the carrots divine. But the Risotto was not of the correct consistency and overpoweringly salty and the chef was a bit heavy handed with the herbs. The taste is not unlike salty mushroom soup mixed with partially cooked rice.


Desserts was Tarte aux fraises et glaice à la cannelle, or fresh strawberry tart with cinnamon ice cream. Desserts heve never been a forte at Le Bouchon. The Pastry was slightly taut through still crunchy but the cinnamon was overpowering.

Overall dining experience was good, with attentive service. Maybe I caught them on an "off" day as the cooking lacked enthusiasm and the chef lent too heavy a hand in the herbs and salt. I would recommend the RM148 menu over the RM88 based on today's experience.

Le Bouchon

14 and 16 Changkat Bukit Bintang

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

+603 2142 7633

url: www.lebouchonrestaurant.com

Chef: Jerome Carrouee

Sage. Gardens, Midvalley. Lunch Menu, 23rd to 25th Sept, 2009. Welcome Home!

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. During my absence, I have been pining for Sage, for it's understated charm and the brilliant serving team that makes me feel welcome during my visits. This week's menu would showcase what I have been missing for the past 3 weeks. Some may complain about the almost Omakasen like austerity of choice (only 2 choices for each course), but I have yet to be disappointed.


Fedelini Pasta with Mushroom Ragout and Shaved Wagyu. Harmonious blend of woody and earthy mushrooms with soft and gently seared waygu slices makes this dish a perfect start for lunch. All the tastes were masterfully blended and accentuated in this faultless pasta with nary a discordant note. Heavenly.


Roasted Lamb with Ratatouille and Natural Jus. Lovingly grilled with all the natural flavours intact and gently coaxed to release it's natural jus, the Lamb meat remained so tender that an edentulous matron would be beaming for joy. The vegetable stew (Ratatouille) with Zucchini, Aubergines, Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic was flavoured subtly with Garden herbs and was slightly sourish. Sublime.


I have always been delightfully surprised by the Desserts and sage and today was no different. Apples baked with cheese and then folded with Calvados (Apple Brandy) Sabayon that was light, fluffy and airy. Topped with sinfully fragrant Honey Ice Cream (Gratinated Fuji Apples with Calvados Sabayon and Honey Ice Cream). Great ending.


My favourite table at Sage. Another beautiful lunch.

Other choices

1. Tartare of Smoked Salmon with Hokkaido Scallop and Asparagus for Starters

2. Steamed Seabass with Piqued of Anchovy and Spinach Puree for Mains.

Sage
Gardens Hotel and Residences

Tel: +6.03.22.68.13.28

Twenty One, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. Lazy Saturday Afternoon.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

Ever had one of those days when it is a big effort even to move your butt? Well, today was one of those days for me. Had a minor argument with someone, and that totally cheesed me off. I hate to go to bed in a bad mood. Hrmphhh! Woke up at noon, and completely missed the wet market at Imbi Road. Strolled down Changkat Bukit Bintang and the entire street was so quiet on a Saturday afternoon. I always thought that Twentyone was a club, because when I walked past it at night, it was always reverbrating with music. Thump! Thump! Strange to see it so quiet in the afternoon, a little melancholic even. Probably an after effect of watching "The Bicycle Thief" last night.


They do serve lunch here everyday! And the menuwas not too extensive, but reasonably priced. Mains between 10 to 22 and comes with a free drink. They serve illy coffee and desserts as well.


The complimentary bread platter came with Olive Oil and a plate of chopped nuts (Almonds, Pistachio and Walnut).


Spaghetti Alia Olio with Chili, Coriander and Beef Bacon Strips. Light and garlicky with a nice balance of Olive Oil.


Mango compote. Luscious Chopped Mango with perfectly light and crunchy phyllo pastry, served with a dollop of Vanilla Ice cream. I have to say that the place has a beautiful ambiance in the afternoon and the most surprising thing is that this little club bunny can cook as well. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about the meal is the price. The pasta came with a tall glass of iced lemon tea, the dessert plus a macchiato set me back by RM36.

After a short break at Low Yatt to hunt for some computer peripherals, I then went to Engka Portobello for some tapas, Smashed Peach Bourbon and Corretto (Grappa with Coffee). There. Lunch started from 12.30 till 2.45pm. Tea from 4.00pm to 6.30pm. A very lazy and self indulgent day.

Twentyone Kitchen and Bar
20-1 Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200
Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6.03.21.42.00.21

Previous posts on Engka Portobello here and here.

Sage. Gardens Midvalley. Lunch Menu, 28th Sept to 2nd Oct, 2009. Myth of a Controlled Dining Ambiance Shattered.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

At the entrance of Sage, there is a small little sign that says that there are certain rules that diners should abide by while enjoying their food at Sage. Children under 6 to be supervised by adults and phones in silent mode. Anybody with half a brain will be able to interpret that the Management of Sage places emphasis on the comfort of their diners. Being assaulted by high pitched, loud and animated conversation and loud laughter from a table of 8 is not comfortable. Rules are absolutely unnecessary if only people are considerate to the needs of others. There is a time or place for everything. I'm sure you wouldn't raise a toast and Yam Seng at a fine dining western restaurant.

Note to inconsiderate Diners. If you have a loud voice, tone it down. Use your larynx intelligently, it can be controlled to decrease the volume of your voice. Keep your conversation to your table. As interesting as the story may sound to you, I am not interested in your office politics and where your boss parks his private parts during leisure. Please respect the others around you, other diners might want a quiet and enjoyable meal. There is a place for everything. If you fellowship during meal means telling bawdy, off coloured jokes or loud conversation with 3 threads going on at the same time, book a table in a private room. Or dine in a loud Chinese restaurant. Plenty of dining options available. I know it is difficult for the serving staff to tell customers off without offending anyone, but the customers themselves should be considerate and have some respect for the other diners.

Before you throw a plate of Foie at me, and comment that I am a snobbish, snooty and grumpy old fool, just look back on your previous dining experiences and see if you have been appalled by the lack of consideration of ther diners? It was unbearably noisy when I dined there today. So loud, I could no hear what the waiter was saying to me when I wanted to select the Cheese. Sigh!

This weeks menu at Sage is:

Sarters:

1. Mousselline of Scallop with King prawns and Lily Bulb.


Lovely Scallops with springy consistency and seared just right, served with mousseline (sauce folded with egg whites and cream) which further enhanced the already rich Prawn Flavoured Sauce.

or

2. Warm Salad of Quail with Foie Gras and Asian Greens


Probably another crowd favourite at Sage. Beautifully seared Foie with tender Quail meat. Served with Balsamic Dressing.

Mains:

1. Pan Fried Red Star Garoupa with Aubergine and Red Wine Reduction


Baurtifully Pan Fried Garoupa with an almost raw centre, served with 2 types of Sauces. Creamy and the Red Wine Reduction had a terriyaki like taste that was a bit strange.

or

2. Grilled Angus Beef, Sauteed Mushrooms and Taragon Butter.


Faultless beef that was served with some of the most incredible tasting stir fried mushrooms and potatoes.

Desserts:

1. Miile Feuille of Strawberry with Vanilla Ice Cream and Lime Zest.


A slightly more disappointing dessert from Sage when compared to the more illustrious offerings previously. The lime Zest could hardly be tasted at all but the Phyllo Pastry was well prepared.

or

2. French Farm Cheese

The cheese is at the bottom right and not the top, who are the lovely couple I met from FBB's Bangsar outing and the Hari Raya do. They displayed beautiful dining manners. Although there were later joined by friends for a bash, the level of conversation from their table was hardly audible. Compared with the din from the other tables half a restaurant away, they were god send! It does show that the young can be better behaved than the old.



View of KL from my table. Edited with GIMP for that toy town aka Godzilla town look. I will be taking a break from blogging about lunches at Sage as I think i have completed their Menu cycle rotation.

Sage
Gardens Hotel and Residences

Tel: +6.03.22.68.13.28

Still Waters. Hotel Maya, Jalan Ampang, KL. Still Water Runs deep.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

Located right in the heart of KL, Hotel Maya is very beautifully designed with a lot of water based themes and caters to a lot of business guests due to it's location near the KLCC. Their Chinese restaurant, Still Waters, offers menu that runs on a fusion theme and they offer bento sets as well.


Still Waters is located one level below the lobby area and is an open restaurant. The Waterfall is a real beauty. As the water flows down, there is a pattern of clouds etched into the water as it flows down. It was rather hypnotic for me, and I could have spent hours watching it flow. The restaurant area is dimly lit and with the central water wall, it offers a calm respite from the Buzz of the city. My lunch that day was courtesy of somebody who was trying to pitch something to me. Please forgive the lack of photos as I do not want to seem to preoccupied with the meal during the pitch.


Fusion Chinese Cuisine is not new in KL. Chef Alex combines mainly Japanese influences in his Cantonese Cuisine. The food comes in individual portions like western dining and not a big common plate. Lunch Prices are pretty reasonable, at RM 50++, 55++ and 60++. Be forewarned that the dishes are served pretty slowly, therefore, allow at least 90 minutes to complete lunch. We had the RM 60++ lunch which includes an Amuse Bouche, 5 set dishes (no choices) and a dessert from the dessert menu.


The amuse bouche which was spring roll like with some seaweed. The next dish was Lobster fruit salad which came smothered in some mayonaisse which was not too impressive except that the lobster was of the right consistnecy. Not over cooked. The double boiled shark's fin soup was nothing extraordinary and perfunctory. Veges were stir fried asparagus which was one of the best I have tasted in a hotel, crunchy and not overcooked and coated with a light layer of oil.


The best dish has to be the Home Style Steamed Chilean Sea Bass. Not terribly fond of fish, this Sea Bass had me screaming for more. Tender and fragrant, the sauce and the fungus shrooms enhanced the taste if the fresh Seabass exquisitely. This dish was so good, I actually stopped my dining companion and excused myself to take a shot of the fish.


The Miso with rib eye was also a beautiful noodle based filler. And the dessert was good. Coconut Ice Cream with Avvocado Cream that was rich and flavourful and served with some fresh coconut meat.

The food here is generally good, but not to the point of epiphanic. All of the dishes were well prepared with fresh ingredients. Service was faultless and the ambiance a bit stark, but I liked it. But parking is horrendous at the Hotel, which makes me wonder, why are most hotel car parks in KL so horrid? My dining companion was successful with his pitch.

Still Waters
Hotel Maya
138, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

+6.03.27.11.88.66

Soon Tong Restaurant. Southern Park, Klang. The Perfect Oyster Omelette.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

Chinese "Dai Chows" are an ubiquitous and inseparable part of the Chinese Dining in Malaysia. Often located in housing estates, it serves as an economical alternative to dining at home and is usually busy at peak hours and offer fuss free dining, with no reservations required, in a casual and simple environment. Most of them serve perennial favourites like Sweet and Sour Pork, Steamed Fish (various styles) and stir-fried vegetables. Most of their menu hardly raises any eyebrows nor send an adrenaline rush of excitement that drives me to stratospheric frenzy, but Soon Tong's menu seem to be a different genre altogether.

Nestled in Southern Park, one of the small housing estates in Klang, it offers a refreshing difference to the usual Dai Chow menu. I have to admit I was a bit sceptical when I was invited to dine there. Their Sizzling Or-Chien or Chinese Oyster Omelette was supposed to be good. "So? It's just Or-Chien. I can get that anywhere", I thought to myself cynically. That is until I saw this.


A sizzling plate of still runny eggs and flour, topped with lots of luscious oysters which was in turn, topped with scallions, fried shallots, fresh chilli and onions. It smelled heavenly, and I greedily went for a piece of the action. The taste and consistency was perfect! A dash of chinese wine did wonders to get rid of the over briney smell of the oysters and the play of texture of the runny eggs and sticky flour based batter was transcendental. The peppery topping played beautifully and danced along with the prima donna. Those who complain about the lack of oysters in their Or-Chien should come here and stuff yourselves silly by ordering the "Tid-Pan-How Cheen" or Sizzling Oyster Omelette. The owners are Cantonese.


The Double Boiled Herbal Chicken Soup would have tasted better if they used free range chicken, but the soup itself was full of natural sweetness and enhanced with some Chinese herbs and wolfberries. There was a generous amount of fish maw and Godzilla sized mushrooms in this delicious soup which would not have felt out of place in any fancy Chinese restaurant in KL.


The Smoked Tea Duck was wonderful. The duck was cured and smoked with some imported wood and the result is a moist, tender, flavourful and aromatic duck that tasted slightly like ham, but with a more intense smokey flavour. The meat is almost devoid of fat and the dish literally screamed for a muscular, full bodied Pinot to accompany it. The Smoked Duck was so good, I packed some unchopped duck to keep in my freezer, ready to be thawed and enjoyed in a jiffy. I already have some ideas on how to dish out the duck at home. Blanch some cherry tomatoes, remove the skin and mash it up, add some chopped onions, argula leaves, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, serve it on a toasted baguette and top it with the duck. If it tastes good, I'll let you guys know.


The Seafood Pot is a delectable pot of fish maw, abalone, dried oysters and some bak choy, simmered in chicken superior stock with whole garlic bulbs. It tasted lovely and rich and the collagen in fish maw may have given me an artificial face lift and lifted my saggy bum! Although this dish was good, conspicuously absent was the obligatory dried sea cucumber and large dried scallops which would have made made the dish spectacular which can be overlooked as well, bearing in mind that this is a dai chow and not some expensive fine dining Chinese. This would have probably driven the price up. Although lacking in expensive ingredients, the seafood pot did not falter because of the superb chicken stock.

The price for 3 diners, plus some stir fried vegetables and drinks (non-alcoholic) was only a miserly RM 110. This place was very clean but slightly shabby but fortunately the food made up for it. With some inventive twists and turns to make it stand out among the crowd, I'll be back for more. How often do I wax lyrical over dai chow food?

This place is a bit hard to find, for those who are not familiar with Klang. If you are exiting through Kesas, drive along Jalan Banting until you pass Aeon Jusco, Bukit Tinggi entrance and the General Hospital. Once you see a Shell Petrol Station on your right, be prepared to turn left at the next traffice light which is located opposite an Esso Station. Once you take the turn, you will notice a 7-11 store. Turn left again at the next junction and drive along the road till the end. Soon Tong is located n your right hand, opposite a bungalow.

Restoran Soon Tong
No. 1, Jalan Rengas
Taman Selatan
Klang
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: +6.03.33.73.27.80

GPS: 3°01'34.37"N, 101°26'28.46"E

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Canton-i, Gardens MidValley. The week that was.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

OK, I admit. I am running low on steam and am finding it hard to get new ideas on what to blog about. Feeling a bit tired too, and am having backaches and headaches. Probably due the change in Medication recently. Moreover, the list of unread books have grown to more than 10. Now, that gets to my nerve more than anything else! Hence, just a brief run down on the week that was.

Firstly, lunch at Gardens. Wanted a change from my usual haunt at Sage, and henceforth twittered for some ideas. Joe (lotsofcravings) suggested Ri Yaki-Tori, but they are only open from 5pm onwards. The Android Craved for some dim sum and landed at Canton-i.

Clockwise from top: 1. Duck Floss in fried spring rolls 2. Steamed Fish Maw with fishpaste and 3. Conch with American Ginseng Soup.

The restaurant claims to offer authentic Cantonese cuisine as they have employed two chefs from Hong Kong and that piqued my interest as I am a big fan of Dim Sum. The Duck Spring Rolls were perfectly fried, with just a light trace of oil, but the savoury filling was a tad too salty and very dry. Steamed fish maw with minced pork and fish paste was an interesting twist to the normal dim sum offeerd elsewhere. Not spectacular, but adequate.

Clockwise from top left 1. Seven Belle Tea (The Jasmine Pops up!), 2. Double Boiled Milk 3. Pea Sprout and Scallop Dim Sum 4. Har Gao

The har gao or prawn dumplings were RM 10 per plate, which is a bit on the pricier side. The skin was perfect, not too sticky and soft nor was it tough. The most interesting of the lot was probably the pea sprout, spinach and sliced scallop dim sum which was filled with crunchy pea sprouts that offered a textural contrast to the otherwise uninspiring array of Dim Sum offered.

The Conch and American Soup was salty, but palatable. The double boiled fresh milk dessert with gnger sauce was beautiful and the most memorable of the dishes. I would have to mention that a lot of the items in the menu ar not available. No roast goose,I had to change my dessert 3 times before they found something that was available, and of the 6 varieties of soup offered, only one was available. Kind of disappointing. Do ask first before ordering to avoid disappointment.

Canton-i
Mid Valley City LG 202, 203 A
Lower Ground Floor
Lingkaran Syed Putra
Kuala Lumpur
+6.03.22.84.68.88

The rest of the week was unremarkable except for a few boring dinners with my Boss. Lunch this week at Sage was excellent.


The Cold Cappelini pasta with Salmon Confit and Baby Herbs brought tears of joy to my eyes. The stark simplicity of the taste and the freshness of the Salmon was astounding. The Aiguilette of Duck and Green Pepper Sauce with Foie Gras has probably been done to death elsewhere, but at Sage, the Duck breast (Aiguilette means sliced lean pieces) was done to perfection and topped with beautiful foie. Dessert was Baked Chestnut which retained a slight bitter edge from the skin, tempered down with almond flakes and vanilla ice cream.

Since Lots of Cravings Joe has been moaning about Pad Thai, I am posting the picture below, taken from Somtam Seafood at Jalan Alor. The best Pad Thai in KL.


Notice the chopped peanuts and Raw Bean Sprouts in the background? Squeeze the lime, give the al dente, full of wok hei noodles a toss. Close your eyes and munch. You are now in Bangkok. As good as the stall below my apartment in Sukhumvit. :D

That was my week, and hope you guys have a great one ahead too!

Neo. Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL. 3 Monkeys and an Android Hitting a New Joint.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

Neo. No, this restaurant was not opened by Keanu Reeves who played Neo in the "brain in a vat" thought experiment, transfromed by the Wachowski brothers into Matrix, the Movie. Nor does it refer to Neo Rauch, the German Social Surrealist Painter. Nor does it refer to Near Earth Objects (though you may feel like a NEO after a couple of hits of cocktails) or New European Order. In this case, the owners were probably using it to mean New, or Revival of something old. The premises used to house among other things, an Italian Restaurant and a club. I hope the new owners will revive it, because this joint is beautiful.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Scallop Asparagus thingy 2. Ciki hiding her disappointment upon discovering the MIGF was not available 3. A li'l fat monkey trying very hard to smile after discovering that there were no Banana inspired Tapas 4. Fussili Portobello served Dai Chow noodles style 5. The Übercool interior and exterior of the restaurant.

It was one of those miserable days. I nuked my Blackberry while trying to install the Neo v5.0 software, and in and spent 45 minutes trying to resuscitate it to discover that I jammed up the track ball as well. Had to meet with some fussy, Neolithic Neanderthal clients who had difficulty understanding any words with more than 2 syllables, when my phone buzzed with a message asking if I was free for dinner tonight at Neo. "Anything to escape this dreary cycle!", I thought to myself and proceeded to Neo after a mad dash to Low Yat to get a Neo BB.

"Huff, huff! I'm late for a very important date!", the Android Mad Hatter Hare declared and scampered up the stairs together with the Monkey Couple, Cumi and Ciki to find A Li'l Fat Monkey drowning his sorrow with a big bottle of Mineral Water. Apparently he is allergic to C2H5OH. I immediately struck him off my will.

Housed in a bungalow perched upon a hillside, Neo brands itself as serving Global Tapas. The whole place is like a Sistine Chapel of Hedonism. Beautiful water inspired themes culminating in a waterfall adorning the wall of the main dining area which is lighted up in a severe and stark black chandelier , the interior is breath taking. We were disappointed to discover that the MIGF menu was not available that evening, and we settled to order from the a la carte menu.

Bearing in mind that this place was new as in gestating in a womb, the service was a bit haphazard and the serving staff seemed to be overwhelmed, and probably with a bit of time, they might mature to be like their sister restaurant Tamarind Hills, where the service is polished. In fact, that night, a few of the staff from Tamarind Hills were helping out at Neo.

Clockwise, from top. 1. The hilarious, rib tickling amuse bouche (tuna) 2. Lamb Shank with Couscous 3. Duck with Risotto and Tangerine Sauce

It is a new place, they may not gotten their act together yet in the kitchen. It was the first time in my life that an amuse bouche did what it was supposed to do. We were literally laughing out loud when it arrived. It was some tune, and the size was slightly bigger than a 2 carat diamond. Much much too small for the cutlery. Try to spear it with a fork, you'll probably squish it. Ciki even put her bling on the plate to compare.

The Portobello Fussili was lovely, but came out so haphazard that it resembled a plate of noodles from the Dai Chow stall. Cumi brilliantly suggested that they be put on small serving plates. The pasta was al dente and the portobello mushrooms tasted beautiful in the creamy pasta sauce. The Scallop and Asparagus was too bland. The Duck and risotto was lightly dressed with a slightly tangy tangerine sauce. The texture of the risotto was right. And the best Tapas would have to be Lamb Shank with couscous, with beautifully marinated, tender lamb lying on top of some fluffy semolina wheat couscous.

The Dessert menu was not convincing enough for us to partake in anymore sinful pursuits, but the groove at the bar beckoned us over for some after dinner drinks. A beautiful evening where the food was overshadowed by the company. Ciki who embodies intelligence and beauty, Jon (Fat Monkey) with his infectious ebullient sense of humour and Cumi whose stoic calmness camouflages an admirable zest for life. Thanks for transforming a dreary day, guys!

Neo
19, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Just before Wisma KFC
Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6.03.21.48.37.00

Ri Yakitori. Gardens MidValley, KL. No parts spared.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

Yaki-Tori. Japanese satay? Somehow or another, whenever i hear that word, it always reminds me of Margaret Thatcher, ex PM of England from the Conservative Party (UK's equivalent to the Republicans), aka Tory Party. Till today, most of the Tories are still pretty Yucky. Located at the 7th floor of the Gardens Hotel, it felt a bit intimidating to tip toe past the reception to access the elevators to the 7th Floor. When I arrived there at 10.30 pm, Ri was almost deserted save for a group of Japanese having their post dinner Sake. I can almost imagine them belting out "My Way" when given a mike.

The interior is rather Spartan, but comfortable with a beautiful view of the KL skyline. The Menu was also fuss free as well. There is a dinner set, and some yaki tori. The most amazing thing about the menu is that it focuses on chicken. All the parts except the feather. Breast, wings, thighs (shaven), knuckles, intestines, spleen, liver, cartilage, skin, etc... Other than chicken, they have Wagyu beef, beef tongue (french kissing a cow?) and king prawns, scallops, vegetables and mushrooms.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Scallop and Chicken Thighs 2. Wagyu beef 3. Shitake mushroom 4. Asparagus 5. B cup Chicken Breasts

Upon being seated I was served with complimentary salad, and some appetizers which was chicken skin, which i absolutely abhor. I tried it, but the cold, slimey, gritty and oily texture just puts me off. It has nothing to do with the quality of the food though. It's just a manufacturing defect of the Paranoid Android. The Salad came with Tangy Sashimi sauce.

The Yaki Tories were served with some chili salt and the Chef's version of Tare Sauce, which is flavoured with some Yuzu. Of all the sticks of yaki tori I had, the best was the Wagyu beef, that was extra succulent, the heavenly, aromatic shitake mushroom and the miniscule chicken breast each served with a small dollop of wasabi resembling small green nipples.

Clockwise, from top left. 1. The Beautiful Motif on the plate 2. Sake, sake... sucky me 3. Half cooked egg, rice and chicken stew 4. Soup 5. Duck Breast with Mustard

And being the gluttonous Android that I am, I could not let the evening pass by without sampling the a la carte menu. I had the Duck Breast (oh no! breast again? some abnormal fixation going on here) which was definitely more voluptious than the chicken's who were still in training bras. The breast came with some Wasabi and Mustard, just to help me clear up my stuffed sinuses. The breast tasted smokey and good, not unlike the one I had in Sun Tong. Heck it could be the duck I had at Sun Tong which was definitely cheaper. I'll bring a tube of Wasabi and some mustard next time I hit that Dai Chow joint.

The half cooked egg with stewed chicken (and skin) served on top of rice was as descibed in the menu. Since carbo is the new "F" word for health freaks this dish would be termed as sinful pleasure. However, I picked out the chicken skin and savoured the rest with relish. As for dessert, I was really spoiled for choice. The dessert menu only had 1 item, fresh fruits. Ha ha ha!. Heck, this is a Yaki Tori joint. Who comes here for Creme Brulle anyway. Just tuck in the satays and drown your sorrow with Sake. This place closes at 1am, but the kitchen closes at 11.30pm. Service was attentive and fast.

Ri Yakitori
7th Floor
Gardens Hotel and Residences

I have been called among other things, a hateful intellectual snob. But who cares? I will now disclose the reason for my absence during this period. Besides work, these 4 wonderful books.


Clockwise from top left:

1. What Great Paintings Say (2 volumes inside) which is a ravishing grand tour of the important landmarks in the History of Art. Written by Rose Marie and Rainer Hagen, Published by the German Publishing Giant Taschen. Ravishingly beautiful and informative. Worth every single cent of the Price Tag of RM 123.90. From MPH, Mid Valley.

2. Selected Works of Goethe. The towering German author and philosopher. Faust, Werther and Italian journey in a single volume. The translators include illuminiaries like WH Auden. Hard Cover, from Kinokuniya. RM 120.66

3. The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol. Explore the beautiful lyricism of Nikolai Gogol which has been beautifully translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky in this hardcover edition available from Kinokuniya. RM 85.90

4. Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos H. Papadimitriou. Graphic novel. Beautifully drawn and illustrated. If there is a comic you will read this year, this has to be it. Searching for the ultimate truth in Mathematics and Logic, it explores the life and thought of Bertrand Russel as he argues in his mind with Frege, Goedel and Hilbert and wrestles with himself and circumstances. Kinokuniya. RM 92.50.

Bunga Emas. Royal Chulan Hotel, KL. Beautiful Malay Fusion Food.

from Paranoid Android by Paranoid Android

(halal)

Malay Food. Often overlooked and dismissed in the annals of fine dining. The Grand Doyen of Malay fine dining is actually Ibunda, which so far serves the best and priciest fusion Malay-Western food, albeit for dinner only. Bijan, over at Ceylon Hill will probably best termed as Malay Food toned perfunctorily to Western taste buds served in obligatory tropical inspired beautiful surroundings. Enak is posh and fine, but has not been able to pique my interest after two outings. Seeing that it is MIGF season, I was a bit surprised to find the lack of Malay food featured in the Menus. After failing to secure a reservation at Ibunda last night and cancelled plans to check Teeq out, I was surprised to find another restaurant offering Malay Food in the MIGF. The icing on the cake was that they could accommodate the menu for lunch. And behold, what a pleasant surprise awaited me.


The interior is tastefully opulent, evoking some nostalgia even. I can imagine Sean Ghazi crooning in the centre. There are private function rooms and even two tatami rooms, with floor sitting. I was in luck because the restaurant was fairly empty in the afternoon and I could choose anywhere to sit. The waiter was very very friendly and helpful and obliging.

Appetizer:

Udang Kara Kerdil Limau Bali
Baby Rock Lobster Salad, Citrus Fruits, Pandan Froth, Aren'kha Caviar, Pomegranate Compote

The Baby Lobster Salad was marvellous. Light and crisp pomegranate compote and seeds lingered on the palate with a touch loving coyness. Arenkha Caviar is poor man's caviar, made from Smoked Herring which was not as lush as Sturgeron Caviar. Which was fine as it complimented the dish adequately. An ingenious and whimsical concoction, which can really be termed an amuse bouche or a palate cleanser.

Starter:

Darat dan Lautan (Land and Sea)
Grilled Salmon, Mashed Potato, Roulade of Quail, Chiku Chutney


A very witty play of name. The Sea was represented by the Salmon, which was grilled and served with some mashed potatoes and dressed with local tangerines. Inventive play of different temperatures and textures. The Quail was not a roulade. because it did not come rolled in Proscuitto nor could I detect any forcemeat. Nonetheless, it was tender and the Chiku Chutney surprisingly paired magically with quail.

Soup

Sup Ketam Labu Kundur
Flower Crab Broth With Wintermelon


The broth was sublimely flavoured with crab, but I found it a little bit too salty. The crab meat was rolled into a cavity carved in the wintermelon. Probably a slight Chinese influence to this dish.

Intermezzo

Dadih Mempelam
Silky Smooth Mango Custard


A beautiful Custard with a taste redolent of Mango and Caramel. Served with Roselle and fresh Mango cubes. And as described, silky smooth and beautiful texture and consistency. But why it was served at this point in the meal astounds me. It was too rich and a Sorbet would have been more appropriate as a palate cleanser.

Mains

Kerapu merah Pais Kelapa (Baked Garoupa fish rolled around Chilli Coconut Paste)
Sendi Kambing Beriyani (Lamb Shank with Briyani Paste),
Acar Limau (Lime Chutney)
Nasi Pandan Gajus (Screwpine Leaf Rice with Cashew Nuts)


The mains was slightly more disappointing. The lamb was beautifully tender, but the Briyani Sauce was a tad too overpowering, spicy and oily. The Chutney was not lime, but some preserved fruit which was overwhelmingly sweet, making it a let down. The fish was delightfully fresh and the rice was slightly scented with Pandanus leaves.

Dessert

Manisan Bunga Emas
Warm Chocolate Hazlenut Pudding, Anise Flavoured Tea Cream and Young Coconut Ice Cream


The desserts were a lovely way to end the meal. Although the pudding was slightly too dry, the cream made up for it and the ice cream came with tender, fresh coconut meat.

Overall dining experience was wonderful. The cost of the meal was RM 159++ without wine. It's high time that Malay Cuisine come of age and be given it's due recognition. The current new generation of chefs are probably working in that right direction. It would be interesting to see if the Chef here could work with Foie and other exotic ingredients as Chef Zabidi does at Ibunda.

Bunga Emas
The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur
6 Jalan Conlay
50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : +6.03.26.88.96.88