Happy Birthday, Monkey. Cava. Jalan Bangkung, KL.

from Paranoid Android

(no pork served)

"True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice."
- Samuel Johnston

Aubergine dip and Bread, Cava.

Dear alittlefatmonkey,

When Ciki told me that we were having a small, little Birthday do for you, I put everything aside for that evening and made sure I attended. I have to admit that when I first met you, I was a little bit taken aback. You were the complete antithesis of what I was. You were loud, gregarious and you talked straight. I was the polar opposite, not by my own choice but by the little nucleotides that make up my DNA. Unfamiliar surroundings make me fidgety, fretful and uncomfortable. Strange people make me clam up and aloof, just to hide my insecurities.

And there you were, larger than life. The writer of a blog I secretly followed and read. The story of food is peppered by your wit and an uncanny eye for little details of life. The details that may strike others as mundane or insignificant. These details were captured by you, each nuance that breathed life into the protagonists of your tales, and from there you spun a comic strip. A montage that not only tells the story of food but food in it's resplendent glory. Food consumed and shared by a group of people who share the same enthusiasm. A story of how food brings people together, sharing not only the nourishment and the excellent taste, but also love, friendship and camaraderie, all liberally injected with your infectious sense of humour.

As I got to know you, I discovered that your creativity, boundless perfectionist passion and diligence was not the most endearing of your qualities. Your most amazing quality is your capacity to love your friends, you eagerness to care and your almost child-like innocence approach to friendship. You are the first and remains to date the only one who called me a prudish prune (which by the way, I agree whole heartedly) straight in my face. Honesty and Friendship is something sorely lacking in this world but you offered it in abundance.

As you enter another important threshold in life, the big 30, I can only wish you good health and a long life, and some thing you truly deserve, a life filled with lots and lots of love and joy.

Paranoid Android.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Toro Bravo Clams 2. Monkey proving that he clips his nose hair 3. Sauteed Mushroom 4. Birthday Boy and Birthday organizer 5. Pil Pil 6. Date Pudding

Spain evokes a memory of a land filled with passion, colour and romance. The Flamenco bars of Seville are dingy, smokey and dim with a solo guitar player and a middle aged women, dressed in gaudy red. Flamenco singers have very expressive voice and my laughably rudimentary skills in Spanish did not limit my enjoyment. Each well timed gutural stop from the throat a sigh, punctuating her tale of unrequited love and her yearning expressed with a lingering thrill at the end of a phrase.

As with flamenco, Moorish influences also can be seen in Spanish cuisine. Despite being outshined by their Italian cousins, Spanish food is making it's mark in KL. Jalan Bangkung was very easy to find, even for a geographically challenged person like me. A row of shophouses next to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Pantai is now known as the Bangkung row.

Clockwise from top left: 1 and 2. Cava 3. Kataifi Oyster 4. Re-cycle and Re-use. 5. Honey Glazed Smkoed Duck with Mango.

Cava makes no pretensions about itself. It is not a Fine Dining restaurant. It is a neighborhood place for relaxing which has some of the most obliging and enthusiastic service crew in KL. It is a place for people to chill in it's dark, romantic environment and have a conversation without having their ears blasted by loud music. Their bar is incredibly well stocked.

What better way to chat and catch up with friends than on Tapas. Small morsels of delectably attractive food that is not distracting but yet still packs a decent punch in taste. Their Deep Fried Kataifi Oytser in Spicy Mint Sauce was excellent. Two oysters in a plate, wrapped in thread thin batter fired to perfection. The oysters were still cold and succulent and the taste was enhanced by a small dollop of sauce. It was a wonderful play of textures and temperature.

Another tapas dish that deserves special mention will be the Smoked Duck with Mango, a wonderful pairing that was simple. The suck meat was lightly grilled and was delightfully smokey and not dried out.

Paella from Cava

We were not impressed with the Lamb Boulette and the Black Pepper Beef as they were both smothered too heavily with sauce. The Toro Bravo Clam, Sauteed Mushrooms, Pil Pil Grilled Prawns and Barbequed Calamari were are decent enough as accompaniments, but did not shine as a flamenco diva. Noticeably missing from the Tapas Menu was olives.

The Tapas were priced between RM 12 to 18 ordered a la carte. If you manage to get to Cava before 8 pm, there is a special price of RM 75 for a set of 8 tapas, which is more than reasonable.


Sexy looking Rabbit Food from Cava. The dressing was excellently tangy and fresh (Orange Dressing)

Their Paella was pretty decent as well. We tried the Paella Valencia which was Bomba rice simmered in seafood stock with a mixture of different seafood. The stock had a heady scent of Rosemary, though it could do with some Saffron. It was one of the better Paellas to be found in town.

I was also curious to try out their lunch menu. Extremely affordable too, with a choice of Salad or Soup of the day, a choice of main courses and coffee or tea for RM35. Desserts are optional.

Pierna de pollo asado Spicy Barbequed Boneless Chicken Leg

When I was there for lunch, I ordered the chicken which was barbequed to perfection and drizzled with their home made BBQ sauce which was light and slightly sourish.

Creme Brulee from Cava

The let down at this place is their desserts. During alittlefatmonkey's birthday, I had the date pudding which was a little too sweet and failed to impress me. For lunch, I had the crema catalan, which was their creme brulee.

Food was fairly impressive with more hits than misses and the prices were extremely reasonable.

I just can't get today's lunch out of my head, because it was perfect. Perfection to a P. Unfortunately, it was at Sage. If you could bear with me, let me share with you why I was blown over.

Cold Somen with Tuna Choturo and Avruga. Sage

The meal started off with some Cold Somen, the perfect panacea for the heat wave. Served with thick chunks of Tuna Chutoro (which is the belly area), laced with Ebiko and Avruga Caviar and laid out on a piece of refreshing Oba Leaf at the bottom. It was beautiful. Everything was in place and bursting with flavour. Lunch at Sage is RM100 for 1 entree, mains, dessert and coffee, which is pretty reasonable. I went to Hajime recently, and paid RM40 for a piece of Tuna Choturo.

Terrine of Foie Gras with Brioche Toaste, Scallop Royale. Sage.

Next was the Terrine of Foie Gras, Served with Biroche toast and Scallop Royale soup. The soup was poured over some steamed eggs in a cup. I used to have a fairly low opinion of Foie Gras Terrine. But this one was marvelous. None of that metallic taste but was both creamy and unctuous. Oh La La! Forget your truffle butter, dump your olive butter and Thrash your seaweed Butter. If there is a reason to commit the ultimate sacrilege in an Atkin's Plan, this is it! The creaminess of the Terrine with the crunchy butter toast paired with the incredibly rich tasting yet light and clear soup was magical!

Etuvee of Star Garoupa with Baby Tiger Prawn in Clam Jus.

The Star of the show did not disappoint as well. The Garoupa was excellently fresh, and obviously worked out at Fitness First before landing in the frying pan. Muscular yet flaky, it absorbed th Clam Jus so well. Dieters will probably munch without worrying because this dish was so light.

Lunch was rounded up by their famous Earl Gray Bavaorois, which I have blogged about sometime ago. Some say that the food in Sage is pretentious and unaccesible. But say what you may, Sage was nearly full for lunch today. This is not an easy task given the economic climate and their pricing for lunch. This speaks volumes for the food there and also the excellent team. I am very very glad that they are doing very well, but unfortunately now I have lost a quiet place to lunch. Sigh!

Definitely one of the most memorable lunches this year (I have lunches outside 6 days a week) and available until the 6th of August.

Cava
71 Jalan Bangkung
59110 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 2093 6637

Maps and directions from www.cava.my

Truffle Xiao Long Bao And Much More @ Din Tai Fung, The Gardens, Kuala Lumpur

In Asia, a name Din Tai Fung is synonymous with tasty dumplings (xiao prolonged bao in particular) as well as Shanghainese cuisine. This sequence grill have two outlets in Malaysia, a single in The Gardens as well as an additional in Pavilion KL. A brand new opening will be opening in February 2011 in Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang.


Simply a best xiao prolonged bao...

I still remember a initial time we ate xiao prolonged bao (steamed soup dumplings) during Din Tai Fung. Each morsel was a delight. With a unclouded ethereal skin, luscious pig stuffing as well as flavoursome broth, a xiao prolonged bao's here have been pure perfection. It set a high benchmark for xiao prolonged baos we would find myself eating in future. Since afterwards we have tasted numerous xiao prolonged bao's in Malaysia, as well as we have to say, nobody does it utterly similar to Din Tai Fung.



Din Tai Fung's xiao prolonged bao includes meat, soup as well as a Michelin Star.




Din Tai Fung's dedication to formulating a undiluted xiao prolonged bao has garnered them a Michelin Star in Hong Kong as well as is additionally ranked as a single of a world's top 10 restaurants by a New York Times.

I was not prolonged ago invited to a newly refurbished Din Tai Fung in The Gardens to sample their brand new truffle xiao prolonged bao, duck xiao prolonged bao, baby xiao prolonged bao as well as a brand new appetizer. We were hosted by a gracious Ms Lim, owner of a Malaysia franchise.



The menus here have been illustrated with pleasing cinema as well as short descriptions, to assist diners when creation their choice.


When we arrived during 10am, there were already 8 tables seated (the grill just barely non-stop a doors). The place filled up in no time during all, as well as during lunch time, we will see a prolonged queue forming outward a restaurant. Thankfully, they have a unequivocally good watchful complement here, where a single gets a number as well as waits for a number to be called. While waiting, a diners can tick off what they want upon a sequence sheet so they get served quickly when they have been seated. The government have additionally considerately provided celebration H2O as well as seats for those waiting.




Appetizing appetizers...

To start a meal, we were treated to a selection of Shanghainese appetizers to smooth a appetite. The Chinese believe that with a punch of something cold, something sweet, something green as well as something spicy, a palates have been awakened to punch a next dish. With this in mind, Ms Lim has delicately comparison a following appetizers for us to try.

Japanese cucumber (RM3.80), that has been preserved with garlic, red chilli, chilli oil as well as sesame oil was a refreshing appetiser with a good break as well as tasted somewhat spicy.



Spicy Jelly Fish (RM7.00) was an additional sharp appetiser served, with a good crunchy punch to it.



The House Special Appetizer (Xiao Cai) (RM3.80) of sharp vermicelli noodles churned with seaweed, bean sprout, dry beancurd, sesame oil as well as chilli oil tastes a small sourish as well as has utterly a few opposite textures. In appearance, this might appear similar to a elementary plate though in fact, a credentials process is rsther than laborious.



The Golden Pumpkin with Salted Egg (RM3.80) is a new appetiser introduced to a menu. This was my prime appetiser of a lot. we desired a multiple of a honeyed pumpkin as well as pickled eggs batter. Delectable!



The Stewed Beancurd with Honey Sauce (Kaofu) (RM7.00) resembles tofu puff, though tastes nothing similar to it. Thank God, as we be vexed tofu smoke unequivocally much. Instead, this had a lovely hardness same to bread. Ms Lim explains that a beancurd is alien from Shanghai as well as is done with high protein wheatflour. It is initial boiled in oil, afterwards boiled again in sugar though surprisingly, this plate is not greasy during all despite being stand in fried. To supplement hardness to this dish, there is black fungus (mok yee), mushroom, bamboo shoots as well as edamame. A unequivocally tasty dish.



We additionally tried the Shanghainese Drunken Chicken (RM12.80), that has been somewhat modified. A total Kampung duck drumstick is right away marinated in 2 sorts of cooking booze (instead of 1 previously) for 48 hours to enhance a flavours. To be honest, we am not m! ost of a "chicken skin" person, though we braved myself as well as ate a skin. Surprisingly, it didn't ambience as well bad... in fact, a skin was crunchy due to a booze marination so it was utterly pleasant to eat. The duck meat, nicely deboned was tender as well as we can unequivocally ambience a healthy benevolence of a chicken.




And right away we pierce upon to a world important xiao prolonged bao...


Din Tai Fung produces consistently good xiao prolonged baos.

Xiao prolonged bao have been served with julienned ginger.


Add 1 part soy sauce to 3 parts of old wine to a ginger.



Din Tai Fung has introduced 3 brand new sorts of xiao prolonged bao; a duck xiao prolonged bao, baby xiao prolonged bao as well as truffle xiao prolonged bao.

The chicken xiao prolonged bao (RM9.80 for 6 pieces) was introduced to cater for a some-more health-conscious. It is somewhat reduction soupy than a original xiao prolonged bao (ie with pig filling). Similar to a original xiao prolonged bao, each dumpling has 18 folds, ethereal unclouded skin as well as prohibited porky broth. Do eat it while it's prohibited prior to a skin hardens.





Delightful small things



The baby xiao prolonged bao (RM13.80 for twelve pieces) have been miniature version of a original xiao prolonged bao. Small as well as cute, they have been about half a distance of a original as well as do not have a 18 folds. The folds have been inverted, ie confronting downwards.




Baby xiao prolonged bao is served with a play of superior duck gas that has been simmered for during least 6 hours. The soup is garnished with shredded egg yolk.



The baby xiao prolonged bao is only accessible exclusively during Din Tai Fung, Pavillion opening (serving times 2pm to 6pm weekdays as well as 11am-1pm weekends).




The star of a day...

Without a doubt, a star of a day was a truffle xiao prolonged bao (RM12 for 2 pcs). It was a compare done in heaven. Amazingly flavoursome, a truffle as well as a luscious pig stuffing worked in undiluted harmony.


Little parcels packed full of flavour




This is what we would call a gourmet xiao prolonged bao... all was just perfect, from a skin to a stuffing to a soup. The pig stuffing has been churned with a mix of white as well as black truffle pulp to explain a somewhat (but not overpowering) worldly flavour to a pork. A sl! ice of b lack truffle tops a pig filling. The truffles have been sourced from France.


Eat this upon a own but any vinegared ginger to fully enjoy a truffles.



As we took my initial punch into a ethereal morsels, a inviting smell of truffle followed by a tasty stuffing was simply wonderful. Gorgeous, oh so gorgeous!



Even a boiled rice here is excellent. Known as Golden Rice, a rice is coated in a thin covering of egg yolk, as well as boiled with a dash of oil for a silken finish. The Shrimp as well as Pork Fried Rice (RM15) was perfumed as well as deliciously flavourful. The prawns were big as well as juicy.



Time for desserts....


The Mini Sesame Buns (RM5.50 for 3 pcs) were some-more dense than feathery (in a good way) with a bitter-sweet black as well as white sesame pulp stuffing alien from Taiwan.



The Yam Paste Dumplings (RM7.50 for 6 pcs) was my second a one preferred plate after a truffle xiao prolonged bao. The yam pulp was smooth, tawny as well as absolutely divine. we unequivocally desired it!

Dainty dumplings



An awesome dessert



A visit to Din Tai Fung is not complete but a look into their open kitchen... watch those chef with their nimble hands.



Xiao prolonged bao here have been done with such courtesy to detail. Truly a work of art.




The chef creation truffle xiao prolonged bao.. my favorite!


Experts during work



Many thanks to Ken of foodpoi.com as well as Ms Lim of Din Tai Fung for a invitation.


*Set lunch accessible Monday to Friday prior to 6pm. Priced during RM19.80++.



Opening times: 10am to 10pm daily.

Location: Din Tai Fung, Lot LG-207, Lower Ground Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2283 2292
See Some Cool, Strange & Funny Stuffs

Party Time with Organic Berkshire Roast Pork from Canada

golden soundness

Ah, a final month of a year is eventually here...welcome December!! I'm certain everybody has been waiting for it since it signifies parties, parties as well as some-more parties to celebrate a year end.

salad as well as feathery potatoes
I was advantageous enough to get a conduct begin upon a partying as good friends, M & G hosted cooking during their place recently. The star of a show was a large 3kg Berkshire pork roasted to golden perfection. Flown in specifically by their crony Mitch from Toronto, this was definitely a idealisation take a mangle for porky fans.
large slabs of fry pork
Roasted ideally by a host, a organic pig melts in your mouth with a honeyed taste. Leave a most appropriate for a final as a crackling is crunchy as well as to-die-for. Gorgeous just eaten upon its own or drizzled with apple sauce, we reckon they have set a bar for a most appropriate ever fry pig I've tasted.
divine Valrhona chocolate volcanoes
Don't worry, we did conduct to eat alternative things too, feathery potatoes for a small carbo as well as of course, salad leaves to alleviate a oil. Prior to a grand plate arriving, we tucked in to smashing savoury thick mushroom soup done with dried porcini, dried trumpets, symbol as well as portobello mushrooms.
decadent chocolate! y heaven
Dinner parties always must finish with a gorgeous showpiece as well as a hosts outdid themselves with their superb Valrhona chocolate volcanoes. Made purely from Valrhona Manjari 64% chocolate, it was chocolate sky when we dug into to oozing chocolate salsa with Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream.

Thanks to hosts M & G, it was a smashing dinner. Am celebrated we asked me to share with we a small of that precious Berkshire pork. So nice to encounter Mitch as well as hopefully he's starting to begin creation quarterly trips to Malaysia together with precious load similar to this. More pictures can be found in the Flickr set.

So what's your party plans for a gratifying season? Homecooked dishes to celebrate a occasion or celebration marathons during each bar in town? Or are a little of we taking that prevalent holiday mangle as well as flying off to somewhere smashing to celebrate a finish of 2010? Do share your stories as we flog off a single whole month of celebrations as well as recover in Jan 2011 prior to an additional party starts in Feb with Chinese New Year.
Living & Leisure Buzz

Looking for light

romanesco unfeeling pinkish turnip

Trying to find light in our brand new space. Hello everyone! we have not had time to take most cinema yet. There have been lots of boxes still to unpack.

But one pass thing. we feel very propitious to have a brand new kitchen where we already love to cook.

Inspired.

Thats a first as well as usually design we so far took. There has to be beginnings, non?

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