Yummy Malaysiana: Paradise Inn, Sunway Pyramid

Paradise Inn, Sunway Pyramid

2012 seems to be the year for the invasion of Singaporean F & B franchises; with The Soup Restaurantand Putienopening @1 Utama and now Paradise Inn at Sunway Pyramid.

Though I heard of Paradise Inn first (even before The Soup Restaurant or Putien) via fellow food blogger Sean, it took me a while to step in here as the location wasnt as convenient as 1 Utama for me.

Lavender, Rosemary, Dried Longan & Chrysanthemum (RM6.80/person).

Here, inns that were once an integral part of Chinese folk life is rediscovered as Paradise Inntakes on the role of a restaurant, teahouse and dessert house all in one.

Paradise Inn is a place to relish in classic Chinese dishes, signature double-boiled soupsand wide array of flower teas. But in keeping with the modern times, delectable fusionfares are also available.

Lemongrass & Lychee Iced Tea,Very Berries Iced Tea, RM8.80per glass.

We started dinner with some light appetizers. These unrecognizableCrisp-fried Fish with Preserved Bean Paste, RM12.90 are dory fillets which I personally felt was a tad too salty. But no one else complained so it must be my sodium-intolerance tastebuds at work again.

Since my ailing health (gosh, that sounds like Im dying ;p) requires much nourishing and wholesome food, I have been diligently drinking double-boiled soups every week. Trust me, good ones that are worth the money youre paying for are few. Just because its labelled double boiled soup , and pricedludicrously much higher than any other soups on the menu doesnt mean it has the potency as advertised.

I had high expectations of the soups in Paradise Inn since its a Singaporean franchise and its a classic Chinese cuisine restaurant. A classic Chinese restaurant should get their soups right.
That evening I sampled 2; a! Double-boiled Sea Whelk with Spare Ribs and Chinese Yam, andDouble-boiled Water Goby with Spare Ribs and Fresh Apple.Each pot priced atRM39.90++easilyfeeds 3-4 pax.

I know the match of ingredients came across as odd, but somehow it worked. Well, of course it would. Paradise Inn was established in 2002 and its first Seafood Paradise outlet opened in Singapore. The Paradise Group has since built afood and beverage empire of seven brands, and they include Taste Paradise, ParadisePavilion, Seafood Paradise, Paradise Dynasty, Kungfu Paradise, Paradise Inn and OneParadise (Catering).

Below: Both soups were good, and worth the price paid considering both the taste & portion. Taste-wise it was light, wholesome and sweet.The sea whelk soup with spare ribs & yamlists a host of health benefits: it improves eyesight, maintains youthfulness & nourishes the lungs & kidneys. Oh yea!

In Malaysia, Paradise Inn at Sunway Pyramid isParadise (F&B) Malaysia Sdn Bhds first outlet, withboth Kungfu Paradise and Paradise Dynasty to open in theall-new Paradigm mall in Petaling Jaya, tentatively in March 2013.

From what I sampled that night, 2 more outlets by 2013 should go without a hitch. Most dishes were stellar; like thePoached Chin! ese Spin ach with Egg Trio and Minced Pork in Superior Stock, RM16(S), RM24(M), RM32(L), which offiially triumphed any other versions I had before by simply striking the perfect balance of flavours from all 3 different eggs in the dish.

Prices here are not exactly wallet friendly for everyday meals but certain dishes are worth the splurge. For instance, I would order theBraised Vermicelli with Pork Trotters, RM19.90(s), RM29.90(m), RM39.90(L) and happily tuck into all of its fatty trotters and slurped every strand.

More porky goodness appeared in the form of the perennial favouriteStewed Pork Belly served with Lotus Bun (RM4.80/pc). The flavourful pork belly melted in the mouth, and was as good eaten on its own or wrapped in the fluffy lotus buns.

I enjoyed theSliced Tea-Smoked Duck, RM12.90 as well, which wasnt too salty.

As I have mentioned earlier, Paradise Inn in keeping with the modern times has some delectable fusionfares as well. TheCrisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Sauce, RM29.90, RM49.90(m), RM59.90(L) is one example.

The Coffee Pork Ribs (RM19.90) was too sweet for me though I enjoyed the present ofcoffeeflavour in my pork. Something slightly unusual is always welcomed when the ordinary gets boring.

Another prawn dish, theCrisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Salted Egg Yolk, RM29.90, RM49.90(m), RM59.90(L) didnt disappoint either.

The Supreme Seafood Fried Rice, RM19.90(s), RM29.90(m), RM39.90(L) wasnt exactly supreme tasting but it was very well fried nonetheless, non-oily with nice fluffy individual grains of rice. Some of us appreciated the addition of ebiko (fish roe).

I was too stuffed to try these. There were no complains from the rest so it must have been good!
Crisp-fried Shrimp Paste Chicken, RM18(s), RM27(m), RM36(L).

Braised Tofu with Crystal Prawns, RM25(s), RM37.50(M), RM50(L). Whats with Chinese restaurants and crystal prawns?? Are they some kind of new species?

I kid. I think crystal prawns refers to..well, honestly I dont know.

Desserts time!!

This was mine -Double-boil Hashima with Red Dates and Dried Longan(warm/chilled), RM12 per bowl. A good choice, as it was refreshing with the perfect level of sweetness. Not a big bowl I agree, but loaded with so much hasma that I couldnt complain. Another characteristic worth noting, the soup was impressively clean and clear.

There were bits of ginseng too; which contributes to the slight bitter aftertaste. I love it!

As a dessert house, Paradise Inn prides itself in making their desserts the true,traditional and authentic way. With that, their desserts are made fresh, and it has thetraditional taste and texture as how classic desserts of yesteryears should be.

Chilled Lemongrass Jelly with Lemonade (chilled), RM6 per bowl.