Dining Out @ Bistro a Table, Section 17, Petaling Jaya

We have been haunting this little bistro tucked away in Petaling Jaya ever since it opened last week. Run by private chef Isadora Chai, food here is wholesome and cooked with a lot of heart. Occupying Patrick Teoh's former Music Machine's premises, the place has been done up in a simple yet effective manner - suspended lightbulbs on closer look resemble flowers from below with their draping wires, hanging glass vases, French themed prints, black mosaic tiles and a quirky door frame with their name. ! Don't al so forget the Francophile theme as the inside doors and the front step get a slick of the red, blue and white colours from the French flag.
Back to food. It's simple with a one page menu for appetisers, mains and desserts that does change accordingly to what's fresh in the market. While it does not rapidly change daily, if you dine here regularly enough you may find some favourites making way for other dishes that Isadora wants to introduce to you. In a way, it's a good thing as she's got quite a wide repertoire of yummy dishes. Do leave room for desserts as they're all divine. Being a good girl, I won't dive into desserts yet but start in a proper manner with appetisers.
Zoom in on the one-of-the-kind Caesar Salad soup (RM18), Isadora's quirky creation. It's essentially a deconstructed dish - cos salad soup, soft egg hidden behind a wall of sliced toast, duck prosciutto slices, parmesan crisp with a dollop of cream. Simply divine and makes you feel happier to have eaten your greens with a spoon! We also loved the creamy duck liver parfait (RM19) that we hoovered quickly through with our soft and crusty topped baguettes. Equally good is the coddled egg with maple syrup served with an asparagus spear and crouton dust (RM16). For heartier appetites, there's also the seafood (mantis prawn and lobster) bisque topped with a gruyere souffle (RM35).
We move on the mains (and one step closer to desserts). Splashie Boy loved the gnocchi with burnt butter, tomatoes and zucchini (RM28). The gnocchi has a pillow soft texture that paired well with the fragrant brown butter, while the vegetables helped cut through the richness. A specialty here is the traditional duck cassoulet (RM48) - slow cooked duck for 8 hours with beans. It's a very hearty dish that you will keep spooning down your throat. It can be a teeny weeny bit salty though but I reckon it'll be perfect with a glas! s of whi te wine. For decadent palates, go for the slipper lobster and sea urchin tagliatelle (RM119) - a super rich concoction laced with a decadent lobster oil. The second time we dined here, the steak had been changed to a herbed crust lamb rack (RM96) that was cooked perfectly with a red wine sauce on the side and creamy mash potatoes. We had also ordered side dishes: truffled mash (RM12) and steamed French beans with hazelnuts in vinaigrette (RM10).
Finally we reach desserts, always a high point for me. We love the warm chocolate fondant with its oozing chocolate centre that melds with the vanilla creme anglaise (RM18) that hugs it. My other favourite was the dragonfruit coconut pavlova topped with candied ginger (RM14). The combination of the lightly coconut scented cream with the ginger is perfect with the crunch from the meringue. For a very rich end to your meal, you have two choices of tiramisu - an alcohol drenched one (RM29) or the deconstructed version (RM18) that is extremely chocolate-ly. Oh and don't forget one of my personal favourites, the kaffir lime and lemon tart (RM15, one of the best citrus themed tarts in town with a slightly soft centre.
The place is still very very new and feeling their way around. There's also plans to introduce a degustation menu. Do pop by and get a feel of the place and try the food. You'll find a friendly cosy place that reminds one of dining overseas. For the adventurous, try the long communal table in the middle. Who knows, you may end up chatting with your fellow diners and discover you know each other.


Bistro a Table
6, Jalan 17/54
Petaling Jaya


Tel: 03-7931 2831


(Pork Free. Place is behind Dec! anter at Section 17. Closed on Mondays. Open for dinnertime at the moment. Call for bookings. More pictures are in the Flickr set.)


*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. This review is time sensitive; changes may occur to the place later on that can affect this opinion. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from this place for writing the review.

Italiannies @ The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur

The best way to enjoy Italiannies - bring friends and a big appetite.

And that was what we did. We brought our family for lunch one weekend - that's 5 hungry mouths to feed!

It's been a while since we've visited this outlet, but I was glad that their service and food was still good. It pays to visit the restaurant early since service is considerably more attentive.

Complimentary bread was served while we waited for our food to arrive.

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil to dip the bread in.

For starters, we ordered a Quattro Platter (RM27.90) to share. A combination of deep fried risotto balls, calamari, fried lemon cheesy balls, and zucchini strings, along with marinara and alfredo dips, it was a very indulgent starter. However, not ideal for anyone on a diet since everything was deep fried. This was definitely more than sufficient for 4 adults to share. Baby C loved the calamari and keeps sneaking another piece into her mouth when (she thinks) we weren't looking. My favorite was t! he fried lemon cheesy balls, though it is quite rich and one can't have too many of them.

Everything deep fried!

Lemon cheesy ball

The Caesar Salad (RM16.90) was decent, fresh salad leaves served with toasted foccacia croutons. After all that deep fried stuff, we needed this to balance it all.

For every adult main course purchased, you are entitled to a kids main course for FREE! Choose from magherita pizza, parmesan fish fillet, and several types of pasta. We went for the spaghetti alfredo (worth RM7.90), which is Italiannies favorite sauce. Though this photo of the pasta does not look like much, but the pasta was actually quite nice. We loved the rich and creamy sauce and how it coats every strand of pasta. (OK I ate more of this than Baby C!)

My personal favorite from lunch that afternoon was the 4 Cheese Pizza (RM17.90). A lovely thin crust pizza topped with Philadelphia cream, mozzarella, Parmesan and gorgonzola cheese. Simple yet so delicious.

The seafood risotto (RM31.90) came laden with quite an impressive amount of seafood such as mussels, prawns, scallops and squid, though the mussels were puny. The seafood has been sauteed in white wine and then added to the Arborio rice which has been simmered with clam and chicken broth. This dish was actually quite tasty... BUT I wouldn't class it as a risotto. For me, it tasted more like a paella than a risotto. But as I said, if you blindfolded me and asked me to eat this dish without telling me its name, I would happily eat it all. I would say that it is well worth the price that we paid for the portion and amount of seafood.

For every RM100 spent in Italiannies from Mondays to Fridays (all day long), you are entitled to a free bread and pudding. Luckily for us, we were holders of The Gardens Club card so we got to enjoy this promotion too (note: we were here on a Sat).

The bread and butter pudding was moist and soft, and was served warm with cream/custard.

For an Italian restaurant located in a shopping mall, the food standard is pretty good. Prices are quite reasonable, unless you go for a meat main course. There is currently an ongoing lunch promotion on weekdays (12pm-5pm); prices start from RM15.90.

Price: Total bill was RM145.90, which includes 4 drinks.

Location: Italiannies, Lot S209, Second Floor, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2283 3675

Website: http://www.italiannies.com.my/index.html

Joy the Baker Podcast, Episode 4!

Yes. Believe it.

Believe it because Tracy and I wont quit.

Were podcasting again!

This time, were taking your questions! You want to know about blogging, and photography! You also want to know about what to do when youre dating a boy who doesnt eat. Thats weird. Or!! What to do when the boy you like, doesnt like cake. Suspicious. At best.

Its ridiculous. Its sometimes funny. Episode 4. Its happening.

Toastina

Toastina: Round Two. Earlier entry: April 11.

We've been feeding our current sandwich addiction here with mega-bites such as this monumental medley of mushrooms. Exceptionally earthy, laced with walnuts & cheese. Wish someone had sprinkled some truffle oil on this though.

Chicken ham & eggs in croissant. A creamy combo _ so simple, but astonishingly addictive. Sounds like something that Delifrance might serve, but well, this photo speaks for itself.

Hot salted beef with gruyere cheese & arugula. Succulent slices of meat, bundled in a convenient ciabatta loaf for both carnivores and carb-lovers on the move.

Bacon, egg & tomato. Tasted lovingly home-made, with a mound of boil! ed eggs, all chopped up for gooey goodness' sake.

Jalapeno chicken & lettuce in croissant. Bland; maybe the word 'jalapeno' made us anticipate something exotic and fiery.

Smoked roasted salmon with caper berries, tomato confit, wild rocket & horseradish. One of Toastina's pricier sandwiches at RM24++; healthy and hearty, stuffed in charcoal bread, but forgettable in flavor.

Asparagus, artichoke hearts & garlic aioli. These sandwiches are ready-to-sell items, not prepared to order; so if you can wait, order a freshly made customized sandwich instead, with your own choice of fillings (though that'll cost more).

Toastina's desserts are super-sweet but otherwise irreproachable, especially this "crimble crumble" (similar to a mince pie, packed with sticky fruit bits & spices, but no meat) & humongous white chocolate muffin, which boasts an alluring aroma of vanilla, a finger-lickin'-good frosting and a straight-from-the-oven texture.

Apple frangipane tart & cappuccino eclair. The former was a fruity, nutty pleasure, but we particularly loved the latter, with its rich, decadent filling.

Sheraton's own 'Zest' dark chocolate with lemon & candied ginger. An acquired taste, with a tangy zip and bitter cocoa flavor. Might be better if it were a a bit milkier.

Wine, wonderful wine.

Toastina,

Faber Imperial Court,

Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

Mixed Berries Sorbet with Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

When I called my mother yesterday I had a burning question to ask her. As soon as we started talking, I completely forgot. I was outside on the deck and heard a plane over my head. Felt a cool breeze...

Visit my blog for the rest of the story, pictures and delicious recipes!

Seeking Comfort with an Avocado, Apple and Poached Salmon Soup

If you have been following this blog for some time, it will be no surprise to you that I have a tremendous sense of melancholy and nostalgia when it comes to food and all memories associated with it.

I very much romanticize about the act of cooking and eating.



Through the process of writing this book, I have dug deep into my childhood and growing up in a family of cooks. It seems as though every important event in my life has an aroma and taste associated with it. Whether it may be the smell of wet dirt still attached to the roots of leeks in the winter or the crackling sound of olive oil poached potatoes, food is the background of many of the stories of my life.

The soundtrack of my life. Yo La Tengo and food.



I spent large part of last week writing food-related stories, both past and current. I felt the connection to my past and I recognized an enhanced romanticism when I wrote about it.

"Was it all this wonderful?" I thought to myself. So hard to distinguish sometimes. I thought about it a lot over the weekend. I'm sure you relate to this feeling as well.



I can be in my head quite a bit sometimes and by Saturday, I started to feel a bit homesick. Too much thinking and too much writing drove me to the edge of exhaustion.

I called my best friend Jill who even from Italy, manages to sense how I am doing. "I cannot read your blog sometimes" she said. "I know you too well for that".

I got it. I knew what she meant.



I had finished and submitted another book chapter to my editor by Saturday, so I took the weekend off from thinking, writing, editing, and all things work-related.

I quickly blended a soup of avocados, cucumber, and apple. Served it with olive oil-poached salmon, radishes, and watercress.

For dessert, last year's apricot tart. The simplest tart you can make.



I needed to experience cooking and food in a practical way, not always needing to associate it to an emotion or a feeling.

But is that even possible?

Not sure I am good at that, especially when I end up photographing what I have cooked. Then, food takes another dimension once again as photographing means recreating the moment, the mood in which this dish was created. Photographing means creating an emotion.

I just cannot escape it.



Avocado and Apple Soup with Poached Salmon

Serves 4

8 oz salmon
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

2 ripe avocados, peeled, pit removed and diced
1 medium green apple, peeled, cored and diced
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1/4 cup diced yellow onion
Juice of half a lemon
2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
1/4 cup sliced green onions
Watercress

Season the salmon with salt and pepper. In a small saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until warm. Submerge the salmon and let it cook slowly for 5 to 7 minutes until the outside is no longer opaque but center is still slightly pink.

Meanwhile, puree the avocados, apple, cucumber, onion, vegetable stock, salt and pepper in a blender. Adjust seasoning. It will be thick. Add more! stock i f desired.

Serve the soup at room temperature with the flaked salmon, radishes, green onions and some watercress leaves.