Critical without Cooking

There is a tide in the affairs of men

2011-05-21T17:11:00.001+08:00

Its with great sadness that I hereby announce Critical without Cooking will be closing down. Its been a great pleasure and privilege to have eaten good food and shared those stories with all of you; my readers. Work and personal matters have left me with less time to blog these days. So I leave the blogging scene to younger blood who will definitely continue to eat and grow fat :p

Thank you to everyone who have supported me through this awesome journey this past years. All good things come to an end. But that just leaves us the space to start something new in our lives.

Even so, continue eating awesome food! And screw those who serve bad food! Cuz that's what I'll be doing ;)

rubinho signing out..

There is a tide in the affairs of men.

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

On such a full sea are we now afloat,

And we must take the current when it serves,

Or lose our ventures.

-Shakespeare-

Ribs King @ Asia Cafe, Subang SS15

2011-02-21T12:01:00.002+08:00

It definitely has a catchy tune to it. But to be the king, you must have something really good to back it up. So lets see ever Ribs King really is the king of ribs. Located in Asia Cafe food court of SS15, they cater mainly to the students of nearby colleges such as Taylor's and Inti.

And to satisfy these teenagers' cravings, Ribs King offers pork chunks or pork ribs cooked in various styles including traditional rib sauce, butter, sambal, and many others.

We tried the Sambal Spare Ribs (left/RM8.90) and the Spicy Butter Spare Ribs (right/RM7.90). The ribs are served with rice, fried egg, and steamed vegetables. Portion wise they are quite hearty with everything a student needs :p The ribs served was quite decent in terms of taste and freshness. Although I found the Spicy Butter sauce a bit too starchy, the Sambal Spare Ribs oozed flavor and provided a nice level of heat.

With so many flavors and styles to choose from, its an ideal dinning option for students there.

Ribs King

Asia Cafe, Jalan SS 15/8

Subang Jaya, Selangor

Rosedale Bistro @ Cameron Highlands (Part 2)

2011-02-13T17:15:00.002+08:00

Our second visit during lunchtime was not bad either. Available were a variety of Western and Asian dishes to chose from. The Western set meals were very tempting at only RM 13.90.

Each set meal comes with soup of the day and bread with butter, a drink, and a main course.

The main course is either Chicken or Lamb Chop with your choice of black pepper or mushroom sauce. For that price, the portions were more than satisfying and also taste good; not too dry, not too salty.

You have to be careful these days as there are just too many Western outlet wannabes out there serving disgraceful chicken and lamb chops.

SS and I decided to share a Honey Glazed Chicken Chop (RM12) which is not among the set meal options. The chicken was delicious; juicy interior with sweet caramelized exterior. And for that price, definitely value for money.

If there is one single fruit that draws tourists by the droves to Cameron Highlands, it is the strawberry. With tens to probably over a hundred farms all over Camerons, one might get a headache deciding where to get the best bunch from because not all of them will be of the best quality. On my visit there, the tastiest strawberries were purchased from the Brinchang daily street market.

Rosedale's Sliced Strawberries with Ice Cream (RM9) offers you the same strawberry-licious delight in comfort with fresh, sweet, and succulent strawberries used.

So if you are in Tanah Rata with no idea where to dine, there is no harm in giving round one to Rosedale. Just don't go there too late just in case the place crowds up.

Rosedale Bistro

42-A, Jalan Besar

Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands

Pahang

Tel: 05-4913159

Get cosy & comfortable @ Upstairs Cafe, Subang SS12

2011-02-10T00:07:00.007+08:00

After some pestering, I bowed to the pressure and joined my new housemates for some Friday tea. The weather was perfect with the sun failing to pierce the clouds but providing just enough brightness.

The time called for something comfortable. Somewhere you can just sit and watch the world pass by. Come upstairs then, because Upstairs Cafe is a more than ideal place to relax and unwind with your friends.

Located opposite Subang Jaya Medical Center (SJMC), Upstairs Cafe is supposedly run by the son of the owner of the establishment downstairs; Kafe Bawang Merah which according to a lot of reviews, serves one of the best home-cooked Malay cuisine in town! Then I guess I have to try that one of these days ;)

Back upstairs, Upstairs Cafe offers great ambiance and comfort inside and also 3 tables on its balcony for those who prefer the fresh air and outside view. If I had to compare it to something more known, Upstairs would be like Secret Recipe dining meet Starbucks interior design.

Upstairs serves a variety of items to munch on including fruit and nut cakes, cheese cakes, pies, and pastries. To go with them; a selection of coffees, teas, hot and cold beverages with most of them unique and not the standard brands you see at other coffee shops. Cakes, pies and pastries range anywhere between RM3 and RM8. Not the cheapest, but definitely taste good and authentic.

Fluffy Carrot Cake with assortment of fresh and crunchy nuts

Moist traditional-styled Chicken Pie

This was basically what we had for tea. But during lunch and dinner, you may order from the chef's personal range of pasta dishes which are priced very reasonably.

Kafe Bawang and Upstairs Cafe are a unique father-son business establishment which seems to be striking silver. Traditional Malay cuisine meets modern contemporary cafe.

Upstairs Cafe

1st Flr, 12A, Jalan SS12/18

Subang Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hours: 3:00pm-11:00pm, Mon-Sat

Closed: Sun

Tel: 03-5611 9171

Rosedale Bistro @ Cameron Highlands (Part 1)

2011-01-30T13:27:00.001+08:00

A bit of a backlog, for the Christmas of 2010 I was invited by SS' family for a trip up Cameron Highlands. I always thought I was good dealing with cold temperatures. I guess not anymore. It was freaking cold! Jacket, jeans, and socks couldn't insulate me enough from Cameron's sub-15 degrees weather. Well its good to know that such climates can still be enjoyed in Malaysia considering the amount of deforestation and pollution occurring everywhere. I guess the recent cold spell over Malaysia must have also played a part. As I post this, its a cold and rainy Sunday morning, a weather spell that seems likely to continue into the Chinese New Year. Winter New Year anyone? ;)

Anyway back to the highlands, Rosedale Bistro is an establishment in Tanah Rata that we visited twice in our 3 day stay. Word has it this place has been operational for over a couple of decades. Besides serving dishes, they also have a small bar serving beers. Not a bad stopover for a group of friends just looking to chill and have a drink.

Tanah Rata and the other towns along the way have developed so much over the years, lending to terrible traffic standstills. A word of warning; never access Cameron Highlands through Simpang Pulai as a 1 hour journey can easily turn into a 3 hour nightmare as traffic clogs up the 4 or 5 towns on the way up, especially during public holidays and weekends. A safer bet would be the road up from Tapah.

Rosedale Bistro offers a clean and warm ambiance with nice decorations and wall fixtures. Christmas spirit gave its extra touch this time of year. The upper level of the establishment also has a small balcony, offering dinners some of that cold fresh air.

Our first visit to Rosedale was the day we arrived and on a cold and rainy night, the best cure is a hot and boiling pot of steamboat. Rosedale's steamboat may not be as great as major establishments in the Klang Valley, but on a cold night, hot soup never tasted so good ;)

Soups are a choice of Chinese Herbal Soup, Chicken Soup, Tom Yam or a combination of them.

Ingredients offered were reasonable enough but nothing to shout about. Prices are RM18 per head or RM17 per head for 3 or more dinners. An option would be to order a smaller pot to share and order other dishes to compliment it. Waiting times might be an issue though. As it was Christmas, they seemed to be understaffed and this poor waiter guy had to handle 6 or more tables by himself, including taking orders, serving dishes, and cleaning up.

Our second visit during lunchtime was a breeze though. More dishes on that in Part 2 :)

Rosedale Bistro

42-A, Jalan Besar

Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands

Pahang

Tel: 05-4913159

Restoran S. Sukumaran @ Subang Jaya SS14 (Updated)

2011-01-22T17:35:00.003+08:00

Time to chow down on some Subang delight! I've settled down in my new room which comes with a pet golden retriever! How awesome is that!

I'm relatively new to Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya but with the wonders of the internet, you can feel instantly knowledgeable :p Anyhow, this is one Indian restaurant I've been to several times before and I must say that the taste and quality of their food hasn't dipped in a few years. That is a sign of a very good establishment.

Restoran S. Sukumaran is located along the row of shop houses on the left as you drive along SS14. I'm sorry I don't have much pictures on this place. I feel a bit weird when it comes to taking pictures in an Indian restaurant. Maybe its because I'm conscious on what they'll be thinking; an Indian guy taking pictures of Indian food? Is he stealing ideas for his restaurant or just crazy? Well I got this plate of awesome fried onions as a teaser for you :)

Their Chicken Varuval and Mutton Masala are also quite tasty and they have more than your typical vegetable selection during lunchtime.

On my next visit here for dinner, I decided to try their breads. Garlic Ghee Naan served with green bean gravy was not bad. Plenty of garlic to go around.

Their Raava Thosai was also satisfactory but I made the mistake of asking it to be extra crispy as it came close to burned. So I shall stick to the normal order next time :) Credit for their coconut and chili chutney. Better than most places out there.

I however advise those dining here at night to avoid taking fried items from the warmer as they mite have been there for a while. I say this because the fried chicken I took was pretty dry and cold. Don't get me wrong. These same items are tasty and awesome during lunchtime when they are hot and fresh.

Citrus Plus Cafe & Restaurant @ Subang Jaya SS15

2011-01-19T20:18:00.004+08:00

Well, my city-life food exploration has officially begun! First place up is Citrus Plus Cafe & Restaurant. Recommended by a friend, this place has its roots from Sarawak and this can be seen in certain dishes on the menu which is infused with Sarawak's much hailed black pepper. I'm a pepper maniac, so this is right up my alley.

Nothing much to shout about the ambiance of the place and also a bit too dim for my liking. The picture above needed loads of lighting up :p Citrus Plus' menu is quite extensive and covers everything from soups, pastas, and pizzas to chops, seafood and baked rice. But one thing they specialize more on are burgers. And for good reason.

I haven't tasted Secret Recipe's Shepherd's Pie before but I'm sure it can't beat this one! Citrus Plus' Shepherd's Pie (RM8.50) is flavorful, sinful and satisfying with each scoop. Juicy minced meat covered with mashed potato, topped with cheese and baked till pipping hot, definitely one to share and enjoy. Don't let its small size fool you. It really is filling.

I took forever to decide what to eat and in the end since it was a Sarawak-influenced eatery, I decided to try the Smok'in Burger (RM11.90); consisting of a crispy patty topped with cheese and caramelized onions and smothered with a layer of awesome Sarawak black pepper sauce. This sauce made the burger! That is why Sarawak black pepper is freaking awesome! Oh before I forget, the burger is served with fries and coleslaw :p

Thankfully we canceled an order of Seafood Breadbowl (RM9) as we were already full with the 2 dishes. But this dish comes highly recommended as well and so I shall try it on my next visit here. There's also an ongoing promotion till January 31st. Click here for more details.

Food exploration in this part of the city is off to a good start. What's next?

Citrus Plus Cafe & Restaurant

45, Jalan SS15/4D

Subang Jaya

Tel: 03-56211249

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T23:20:00.001+08:00

I'm not good with speeches but I'll give it a shot..

Its been a mixed year for me. I'm sure it has been a mixed year for all of us. There would have been tears of sadness and tears of joy. As a new calender approaches, it gives us all a new opportunity to fill in dates for what we can do with our lives starting from January all the way to December. Make the best out of it.

Resolutions are easier said than done, so make sure come end December 2011, look back and tell yourself; I made a good year for myself. I wish health, peace, and togetherness for all my family, friends, and everyone out there..

A special thanks to my readers who have supported and taken interest in this blog. May 2011 present even more glorious food for all of us to savor and indulge in :)

Happy 2011!

Merry Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-24T19:58:00.001+08:00

To all my dear friends and readers of CwC, I wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas. May your perseverance and strength guide you in achieving your dreams and ambitions. These are trying times in uncertain times, so have faith and look for hope for the future.

May this time of giving also bring out the best in us to share our love and joy with those who might not be as fortunate as us. Credit to my friends (Evelyn and co.) for starting a charity drive for a welfare home here in Kajang. More details at their facebook page.

Take care and till the new year comes around..

Boat Restaurant @ Pantai Tengah, Langkawi

2010-12-24T15:08:00.003+08:00

Langkawi is renowned for its white beaches and clear waters, green padi fields sprawling fish farms. But it is not renowned for its food. Before heading to Langkawi, I spent close to 6 hours on good eateries to go to but came up with so few of them. So armed with the limited information, I and my cousins decided to hunt them down :)

On the first night, we traveled south of Cenang Beach towards Tengah Beach to try Boat Restaurant. There are loads of restaurants and eateries along Cenang and Tengah Beach, ranging from fine dining to simple roadside eateries. Choosing one without prior knowledge can be a nightmare if you're someone like me. Boat Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant located just opposite of Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa. So, it shouldn't be too hard to find if you just head towards the resort following the many tourist maps available at the airport or jetty.

Since Langkawi is an island, all seafood are fresh from local fisheries and the only available fish are the more expensive saltwater varities such as Sea Bass, Snapper, and Grouper. You therefore wont find local freshwater favorites such as the Talapia in Langkawi.

Garlic Kailan (RM8)

Kangkung Belacan (RM8)

Deep Fried Squid (RM18) was reasonable and not overloaded with flour.

Butter Prawns (RM20) was a miserable plate of 6 tiny prawns and one to definitely avoid. Who makes butter prawns using these tiny prawns?

Steamed Thai-style Sea Bass (RM30) was a good 600g portion but tasted rather flat and bland. It lacked the essence of Thai cuisine whereby spiciness, sourness, and sweetness blend together at correct proportions to give that great taste. Fish was nether less fresh.

Total bill came to RM106 for 5 people. Boat Restaurant is one of the cheaper restaurants on the island and a favorite among foreign tourists. They also serve western dishes. But for someone who has eaten really good Chinese food in the Klang Valley, Boat Restaurant falls short of my expectation.

Boat Restaurant (Opposite Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa)

2013 Jalan Telok Baru

Pantai Tengah, Langkawi

Tel: 012-4755662 ‎

What are you doing for Christmas? (Updated!)

2010-12-17T16:33:00.010+08:00

You may be cooking in with the family or heading for a romantic dinner for two this Christmas. Either way, here are rubinho's recommended to make your Christmas preparations this year a bit easier ;)

Hotel Fine Dining (Course Meal & Buffet)

Delicate Cheese & Wine

Romantic Course Meals

Scrumptious Buffets

Sweet Home Desserts

Succulent Beef Ribs

Turkey & Lamb Takeaways

This page will be updated as new promotions come in. If you are looking for anything particular, do let me know. Till then, enjoy planning and preparing with your loved ones :)

Junes Vacation Apartment @ The Maple At Sentul West

2010-12-15T20:06:00.002+08:00

While attending my cousin's wedding in Sentul, I got the chance to stay at The Maple; a beautiful and high-end condominium residence down in Sentul West. Junes Vacation Apartment is a collective of condominium units here at The Maple managed by the husband and wife couple of Peter and June. They manage and rent out selected units here to vacation-goers on behalf of the owners of the units. Details and rates can be obtained from their website.

First and foremost, I have to say this is the best condominium I have walked into in my life! It was more of a hotel suite than a condominium unit. Each unit comprises of:

- Spacious living room with long couches, flat panel TV, stereo sub woofer system, DVD player, and wireless router with internet access

- Balcony with sliding sound-resistant glass door

- 3 bedrooms with up to 8-person sleeping capacity
- 2 bathrooms with 1 bathtub and hot-water ready

- Kitchen counter with basic amenities provided
- Items such as bottled water and carbonated drinks are charged separately

A peek out the balcony and you can see what The Maple has to offer in terms of outdoor activity. Swimming pools, jacuzzi, tennis and squash courts are among the facilities available here and they are all kept in good condition. For an apartment that has been up and running for 5 years, I'm amazed by its cleanliness and tidiness of its surroundings.

A kids maze aka Potter's Maze and green walking paths add to the natural feel of the area which lies on the 3rd floor of the condominium.

If The Maple was a cake, then the infinity pool has to be its icing. Overlooking Sentul Park and with relaxing beds provided just next to the pool, its an ideal place to de-stress and relax. That's if there's no kids splashing around :p

Located just next to Sentul Park, The Maple offers joggers a fantastic jogging-track among lush greenery and lively pockets of ponds teeming wit ducks, fishes, and even aquatic terrapins.

At Sentul Park, you can also find the beloved Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre or KLPAC. Now a night of acting and musical is only a 10-minute walk away. The picture on the right above shows The Maple from KLPAC.

An ideal location for enthusiastic photographers to capture unique structures and surroundings.

Also in Sentul Park, the Koi Centre and a Japanese eatery within its grounds.

The Maple is definitely there when it comes to excellent condominium living. But it comes at a higher price which justifies what you get. Security here is also very tight with 2 guard houses to pass through and doors on each level that are only accessible by the unit owner's card.

So if you happen to be looking for a place to put up with your group of friends or family, do consider Junes Vacation Apartment. Peter and June are both very friendly and will attend to your every need promptly and swiftly.

I must thank my aunt Vasantha and cousin Andrew for the chance to check this place out.

Sentul Famous Dim Sum Row @ Jalan Ipoh

2010-12-15T13:43:00.003+08:00

This stretch of Jalan Ipoh supposedly houses a few of the best dim sum shops in Kuala Lumpur. So since I was with my relatives in Sentul to attend my cousin's wedding, what better way to start the day with dim sum for breakfast.

Along this row, there are 2 dim sum shops located next to each other that are the most crowded. You can easily see this if you're driving slowly at the side of the road.

I decided to try Kedai Kopi Mee Bon although the two shops appear not that different from one another. To my dismay, Mee Bon didn't have much variety when it came to their steamed dim sum and also did not serve any fried varieties. They didn't have proper Siew Mai as well. What a bummer!

To make matters worse, they all tasted well below average. I would have got better tasting dim sum at Taman Connaught in Cheras.

Variety was so short that we packed some fried varieties from the neighboring shop.

And so, I'm quite perplexed as how this row got its famous name when I couldn't take anything positive from this visit. Any comments? And any recommendations for really good dim sum around Kuala Lumpur? ;)

Kedai Kopi Mee Bon

491 Jalan Ipoh

Kuala Lumpur

Double Birthday Bash @ Brussels, Jaya One

2010-12-09T18:07:00.002+08:00

SS celebrated my birthday a month back and now together with current birthday boy Edwin, the rest of the gang decided to throw us a surprise double birthday dinner at Brussels Beer Cafe.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and its not surprising that everything Belgian can be found here. From gourmet sausages and liquor-infused seafood to the widest variety of beer I've seen anywhere. The name 'beer cafe' can find no better home. Brussels serves 9 draft beers, 7 German beers, 3 varieties of Leffe, and 2 varieties of Hoegaarden. Prices here are also very reasonable and you can opt for smaller portions of 330ml as well, suitable if you're on a beer-tasting trip.

As much as the variety of beers was tempting, this was a purely foody occasion as we had 6 hungry mouths to feed at the table :p We opted to order a couple of dishes to share out and this included a Weekend Dinner 3-Course Meal (RM35) which includes your choice of starter, main course, and dessert. Ours was Brushetta, Lamb Shank, and Orange Waffles.

A side serving of Mushroom Soup (RM9.80); thick and creamy but a bit too sweet for my taste.

The Belgian Sausage Platter (RM28.80) is a good choice for sharing with 3 varieties of sliced Belgian sausages served with some mashed potatoes and 2 dipping sauces. The two fat sausages had good flavor and a nice salty touch to them while the thinner one was a bit on the average side.

A Belgian eatery serving better Fettucini than Italiannies? You got that right! Brussels' Carbonara Fettucini (RM20.80) is to die for and I rate it a 5 out of 5 and one that you should not miss on your visit here!

The Lamb Shank from the 3-course meal was good value with sizable amounts of tender and juicy meat served with mashed potatoes and pickled capsicum (stoemp).

Brussels' Pork Knuckle (RM48.80) is a humongous serving of pork layers from its crispy crackling skin, to its sinful fatty layer, and down to its lean meaty depths. Definitely not for those who can't stomach a lot of meat but although its was good, I'm sure its not the best pork knuckle out there. I also prefer my pork knuckles uncut. I like fighting and chopping up my meat, the way nature intended it to be :)

To finish off the 3-course meal, Orange Waffles; a small piece of waffle topped with vanilla ice cream and doused with orange essence and garnishing. A simple, sweet, and satisfying dessert.

Oh wait, there's more! Complimentary chocolate brownies for the birthday boys! Rich and delightful, I was full after a couple of bites. Luckily I have some heavy eaters as friends :p

Overall, it was a good dining experience at Brussels Beer Cafe. The weekend dinner 3-course meal is a real value for money deal and can easily be shared by 2, leaving room for some of Brussels extensive choice of premium beers. Thank you dear friends for the planning that went into this and next time we shall come here for the beers instead aite? ;)

Happy shopping and getting prepared for Christmas everyone! You know its that time of the year when every restaurant comes out with their Christmas menus and roast turkey takeaways ;)

Brussels Beer Cafe

L-20-G, Block L, Jaya One

Petaling Jaya

Tel: 03-79542000

Dirt Cheap Beers of Langkawi!

2010-12-07T13:40:00.004+08:00

Well as you know, I just got back from Langkawi and that's right, duty-free baby! And so I decided to go on a beer-tasting spree. Sadly, I only tried 4 brands as I couldn't find a duty-free store that sold more beer varieties.

And to start off; Heineken. I guess this is the baseline right? Who needs a Carlsberg or Tiger in Langkawi when you can get this for only RM2.70! On the beach under the warm Sun, an ice-chilled Heineken is the only other thing you'll ever need ;)

Next up is the king of beers? Maybe in the US as its the highest selling beer there; the Budweiser. At RM2.80, I still prefer that ice-chilled Heineken.

I would have killed myself if I didn't try a Hoegaarden in Langkawi. Heck its only RM3.50! A recent check at the local supermarket puts Hoegaarden at a ridiculous RM12.55 per bottle! That's 9 ringgit worth of rubbish tax. What a waste.

Smooth white beer goodness with Curacao orange peel hovering at the bottom of the bottle, distinctive of a Hoegaarden white. Its smoothness can be really tasted if you drink it after having some sharper beers such as Tiger or stouts. Packed 6 of these babies back home to share among friends.

Last but not least, my cousin Andrew recommended I try a Strongbow at RM4.20. And so I did. This had to be the best of the lot. Even though its more apple cider than beer, Strongbow Dry Cider is highly refreshing and a killer drink in taste with also a higher alcohol content of 5.3%. I regret only buying one of these :(

Anyhow, that was the beer portion of my Langkawi trip. Next up, the eateries of Langkawi! Stay tuned!

Frontera Sol of Mexico @ Jaya One

2010-11-26T15:19:00.004+08:00

I celebrated my birthday a couple of weeks back and SS treated me to some awesome Mexican stuff. Thanks gal! :) After experiencing a highly satisfying Mexican delight at Las Carretas last month, it was hard to think anything could top that. And was I wrong about that.

Although the atmosphere at Las Carretas excelled at bringing out the best of Mexico, Frontera showed its Mexican passion in its authentic dishes and tequila-infused drinks. Burritos, chipotle, fajitas, chilli con corne, enchiladas, and cheeseburgers are the order with the day together with a variety of margaritas and no less than 6 types of tequilas to choose from!

Dining area is reasonably lit but it could have borrowed more from the Mexican theme as how Las Carretas has done.

You can't go to a Mexican place and not order a margarita. Hence, introducing the Horny Margarita (RM22.95). A weird name for a margarita but besides that, the HM is a real knocker; infused with Sauza Hornitos 100% blue agave tequila and good till the last drop! Frontera supposedly serves the best margaritas in town, and by the taste of the HM alone, I can only conclude that to be true. There are about 4-5 other margaritas to choose from which are pricier than this, which can only mean better.

To start off things, we ordered the Frontera Fiesta Platter (RM34.95) which comprises of (clockwork from top) Stuffed Jalapenos, Habanero Hot Wings, Golden Chicken Tender, and Taquitos de Pollo served with salsa verde, honey mustard, and blue cheese dips. The stuffed jalapenos at Frontera are way spicier than those at Las Carretas and my guess is the seeds are left intact, giving it a real spice kick. Golden chicken tender were some reasonable boneless fried chicken that went very well with the dips, and the famous Taquitos de Pollo are hand-wrapped corn tortillas filled with chicken and then flash fried. A highly recommended starter, especially if you're in groups of 3-4.

Oh wait, I missed one more. Habanero hot wings! Its literally hell on Earth! There's 3 levels of spiciness to choose from but I can only remember the one that mattered.. The spiciest.. The Inferno! I know I know.. It might blow a hole in my tummy or intestines, but how can I leave this place without trying the hottest wings in Malaysia?! And then the moment of truth. After your first bite, you might feel you have this monster under control, but after a while it hits you with all guns ablaze! Frontera's Habanero hot wings is not only damn hot, it taste good as well. I would have eaten my second piece of wing, but I didn't want to order too much water :p Order this with your crazy friends, and watch them cry. Remember.. Inferno!

We also ordered their Chili Cheese Burger (RM22.95) upon the waiter's recommendation. Big, juicy, spicy, and tasteful; a burger that could easily fill 2 tummies, the CCB is topped off with a layer of cheese and the best chili con corne I have tasted in my life! Forget Chili's non-spicy or Wendy's watery version, the chili con corne here is spicy, chunky, and the way a good chili con corne is meant to be. You can also order their chili con corne separately which is served with onions and nachos.

On the house for the birthday boy; chocolate brownie with ice cream :) At this point, I was too full. But what can I say, it was good :)

Lets just say it didn't end there. Although she denies it wholeheartedly, it felt like SS was getting her sweet revenge for me making her down that tequila on her last birthday :p Anyways, with 6 types of tequilas to choose from, here's the Sauza Gold (RM14). Clear and easy going stuff.

Being me with itchy fingers, I was wondering how would the Sauza Gold compare to the others. So I decided to try a shot of 1800 Anejo (RM16). If the Sauza Gold tasted lighter and clearer, the 1800 was stronger and richer in taste. Frontera tend to have promotions on their tequila shots which can go as low as RM50 for 6 shots. So do look out for them.

Overall it was an awesome birthday dinner and one that I wont be forgetting anytime soon ;) If I had to compare Frontera to Las Carretas, I would say Las Carretas gets my thumbs up for their ambiance,decor, and superior customer service, whereas Frontera nudges ahead in the dining and drinking department, but both represent excellent Mexican dining destinations in town.

Frontera Sol of Mexico

18-G-2, Blok L, Jaya One

Jalan Universiti

Petaling Jaya

Tel: 03-79588515

Sushi Zanmai @ The Gardens

2010-11-18T16:18:00.001+08:00

I just celebrated my birthday last week and I would like to thank my friends and family for the presents and good food. Before we go there, last month we celebrated a friend's birthday with some salmon galore! Brenda is a sucker for anything Japanese and so, we surprised her with a trip to Sushi Zanmai.

Coincidentally, its also my first visit to the franchise and boy was it a welcome change from Sushi King. After the last disappointing RM2 Bonanza, I was getting pretty bored with Sushi King. Now, I have something better to look forward to. First of all, I must thank Suzanne for allowing me to take these wonderful pictures using her Canon EOS550D. I had a blast with it and even although I do not own a DSLR yet, these shots turned out good enough :)

This Sushi Zanmai branch at The Gardens exudes Japanese from the get go. The entrance, the welcoming staff, the lighting, wooden panels, and ambiance made me feel like I was in Japan for real.

Some sushi from the belt as a warm up; Unagi Sushi (RM6.80) is served with big slices of succulent and tasty eel goodness. Freshwater eel population is in swift decline and its only a matter of time before unagi dishes disappear entirely from Japanese restaurants. Its sad but true.

This is another sushi item from the belt. Didn't try it though, so I have no idea what it is :p As a red-plate, its also RM6.80.

Chicken Yakitori (RM6.80) is another appetizer with juicy and tender skewered chicken pieces.

Soft Shell Crab Maki (RM6.80) is a true delight with the fried crab going well with the rice and salmon roe exterior.

We had 2 orders of Sukiyaki (RM15.80) on our table of 6. A crowd favorite at Sushi Zanmai; thin slices of beef is served with a boiling mini gas-stove powered pot of miso soup, vegetables and wild mushrooms. The beef slices are so thin that they only require only 3 dips before it can be eaten. A refined and hearty Japanese dish.

I know I know. I got a bashing for ordering Chicken Katsudon (RM8.80). I wasn't sure what to eat and just felt like eating chicken and rice. I learned my lesson. Don't order chicken in a Japanese restaurant. I'm not saying the dish was bad. On the contrary. The dish was fulfilling with good portions of deep fried battered chicken served with egg and rice but the truth was, Sushi Zanmai's other dishes were so good, this pales in comparison.

If there had to be a creme de la creme for Sushi Zanmai, it has to be their Salmon Sashimi (RM13.80). This large plate serves 7 slices of the best salmon meat I have tasted in my life! A true melt in the mouth delight and exhibits Sushi Zanmai's quality for a dish that requires ultimate freshness. Since we couldn't get enough of this, we ordered another medium plate for RM10.80 :)

And just when we though nothing could top that, the Spider Roll (RM12.80) knocked us off our seats! Soft shell crab roll topped with avocado and cod roe mayonnaise, I cannot recommend anything better than this!

It was truly a wonderful Japanese experience and I'm sure even the birthday girl went back happy. Heck, she ate nearly a whole plate of salmon! If that doesn't make her happy, nothing will ;) And so again, Happy Birthday Brenda!

People mostly assume Sushi Zanmai is a pricier version of Sushi King. This could be due to Zanmai's more classy appearance but this is far from the truth. Zanmai prices are nearly similar with SK and some items are even cheaper. With SK standards dropping these days and Zanmai serving better on quality and quantity, I highly recommend Sushi Zanmai over Sushi King on any day.

Barbican Non-alcoholic Beer

2010-11-10T18:39:00.000+08:00

Say what? Non-alcoholic beer? I know I know, for you beer drinkers out there, this is a scam! a rip-off! or a drink for sissies! Well, true or false, lets see whats the fuss all about. Although it has been on shelves for quite a while, I only recently purchased one from the local supermarket with a price of RM 2.90.

Made in Dubai, Barbican contains almost similar ingredients to beer such as malt and hops but importantly lacks the fermentation process that makes traditional alcoholic beers. Barbican also comes in a variety of flavors namely apple, lemon, and raspberry to name a few.

But if you really want to get the taste of beer, I recommend you go with the original as the other fruity flavors taste more like fizzy drinks with barely any hint of beer. Served very cold, it doesn't taste too bad if you can get over the fact that there's no alcohol in it. Not a bad casual drink in a non-drinkers party and I would say its healthier than carbonated drinks, just like regular beer ;)

A Happy & Prosperous Deepavali

2010-11-05T00:43:00.003+08:00

Looking forward to this later in the morning.. Crispy thosai.. Pipping hot chicken curry.. Subtle yet spicy coconut chutney.. Nothing beats that on any Deepavali morning!

Too bad there will be no open house this time around as my mum just returned from Saudi today :) So, its going to be more of a quiet get together, good food, and nice TV shows? Haha, I'm not sure with that last one.

Anyways, I wish all my Hindu readers a happy and prosperous Deepavali and the rest of ya, a happy visiting and eating spree! ;) For those opting for a quieter and home-based celebration like me, enjoy the bond and good times with your family and loved ones. Open your hearts out to the celebration of light, unity, and togetherness this 5th of November.. Happy Deepavali from rubinho and CwC

Ice Room @ Bandar Baru Bangi

2010-11-03T02:30:00.002+08:00

Bangi is currently developing well with new shop lots opening in every corner. And with new shop lots, you get new eating places! And among the newest are PappaRich and Ice Room.

Decided to give Ice Room a try since the weather was hot and I've heard quite a bit of their desserts. Located on the same row as PappaRich and a few other modern cafe-like outlets, Ice Room stands out with their green exterior. If I'm not mistaken, this same outlet can be found at Lot 10's Hutong, which means it had to be something special. There's also a frame commemorating a visit from the local food show; Jalan-jalan Cari Makan. And check out the interior art; aren't those the cutest ants you have ever seen?

Well, lets see how they fare in terms of food. Ice Room serves nearly similar types of dishes you can find at places such as Old Town, PappaRich, and Uncle John's. Nasi Lemak (RM7.90), Tomyam (RM8.90), Spaghetti (RM8.90), Fried Rice, and Toasts are your standard fare, nothing to shout and nothing to complain about. But price wise, there are about a ringgit cheaper than the previously mentioned outlets.

Besides these, they also have a wide variety of other dishes to choose from; western and Asian included. But there's one thing that separates Ice Room from the rest...

Shaved flavored ice topped with fruity toppings and served extremely cold! This thing right here challenges Malacca Jonker 88's cendol for the trophy of best dessert! Its that good! There's loads of flavors to choose from and we opted for the Passion Fruit & Mango Snow Ice (RM7.90). It was de-wait for it-lightful! Yes, too much of Barney Stinson for me ;) If you want winter heaven with each scoop, this is the gateway there. I'm not sure how the other flavors fare, but reviews from my friends tend to lean on Passion Fruit & Mango and Mango Pamelo Snow Ice as the best on offer.

Reminds me of that famous 90s hit; Ice Ice Baby!

Ice Room Bangi

45, Jalan Medan Pusat 2D

Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

Las Carretas Restaurant & Bar @ Ampang

2010-10-22T00:27:00.006+08:00

Forget Chili's! This is my new favorite Mexican restaurant! How could I have missed it all my life!

I've been wanting to visit this joint for a while now and I finally did. Since it was a special occasion for me and SS, I was quiet eager to give Las Carretas a try, and so we headed to their Ampang outlet.

A slightly dim but colourful atmosphere greets you, Las Carretas' Ampang outlet is comparatively smaller but makes up for it with loads of memorabilia and Mexican-themed artifacts. No corner on the wall were left-untouched and you really get that Mexican feel.

Complimentary nachos! What the.. I had to fork out RM10 for these in Chili's! And they even taste better! Jumbo Margarita (RM27) serves two and is ideal for sharing. But this is by no means child's play. Even though Las Carretas has several other more potent margaritas on offer, I was surprised this one had quite a good kick to it, testament to the quality of tequila used I suppose. Las Carretas also serves a variety of other cocktails, beers, coffees, liquors, and wines at reasonable prices.

One item that caught my eye on the menu was Poppers; deep fried battered Jalapenos stuffed with four types of cheese. Why wouldn't I try it! You could either have 3 pieces (RM9.90) or 6 pieces (RM16.90). It was a perfect starter with hot melting cheese oozing out with each bite. I only wished the Jalapenos were hotter. Habanero version perhaps? :p Crema Campinones (RM9) was one of the best mushroom soups I've tasted with fresh ingredients and chunks of mushrooms giving a flavorful and authentic taste to it.

Main course was Mixed Fajitas (RM30.90). You can choose your fajitas to come with either chicken, beef, prawn, lamb loin, or a mix of chicken and beef. Whichever you choose, you can bet it comes juicy and tender. Together with the other condiments of onions, peppers, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese rolled into a tortilla, this is another I feel beats Chili's version. Las Carretas also serves a wide variety of steaks and frequently holds offers for high quality meat and seafood on their website.

It was a truly memorable first visit to Las Carretas. Food aside, the best thing we enjoyed had to be their excellent service! From the time we set foot into the restaurant, the friendly and attentive waiters made you feel comfortable and pampered. And if you are celebrating a birthday, you can have one of them wear those huge Mexican hats and play happy birthday on a guitar! Now how cool is that! Las Carretas may not be as famous as Chili's, but if you ever cross paths with them in Ampang, Subang, or Damansara Heights, I can bet you'll get a better Mexican experience.

Las Carretas Restaurant & Bar

22 Persiaran Ampang

Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-42571668

Web : Las Carretas

Picture Roll : Kissaten @ IOI Boulevard, Puchong

2010-10-13T19:23:00.004+08:00

Ambiance : 8/10

Food : 8/10

Value : 6/10

Kissaten Coffee & Restaurant

D-G-57 & 58, Block D, IOI Boulevard
Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong

Sushi King RM2 Bonanza @ Alamanda Putrjaya (Updated!)

2010-10-13T02:59:00.007+08:00

As most of you should already know, this week is the Sushi King RM2 Bonanza in Peninsular Malaysia which will be followed by the same promo in Sabah and Sarawak. I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for this period, holding back your sushi urges just to have your fill here and now ;)

As great as the promotion is, I didn't really raise my expectations too high. I've been reading scientific articles whereby freshwater eels which are used to make Unagi Nigiri (Eel Sushi) are extremely endangered and their numbers are fast depleting. The same goes for Blue-fin Tuna. Its sad that these animals and not to mention the thousands others around the world are facing extinction, mainly due to our very species.

Oh sorry, back to sushi matters :p Anyways, 4 of us decided to head to Sushi King's Alamanda branch. And true enough, Unagi Kabayaki Nigiri was a no-show. I'm referring to the rarer-grilled-skin-cuts as sliced unagi is still available albeit less tasty :) The other sushi available were your normal fare and usually nothing to complain or scream about. Oddly enough, the rice in all the sushi we ate had a hard time staying together. They were falling apart easily and making a mess of the table. Thankfully the Ebi Ten (Tempura Prawns) came out just before we left. Sadly, they were half the size of the last prawns I ate at Sushi King. Absolutely abysmal!

Sake Nigiri (Salmon Sushi) was the only one which I felt was worth the effort. I'm not sure ever its the same at every Sushi King outlet, but you could try and let me know ;) Till then, go settle your Japanese cravings while the promotion is still on!

Just came back from Sushi King's Mines outlet, and the items there were bigger and tastier! Last 4 trays of the day comprised of Unagi Nigiri and Ebi Ten :) Tomorrow is your last bonanza day!

Little 7 Wonders Kitchen @ Kajang

2010-10-12T03:27:00.006+08:00

Kajang folks should know this outlet quite well. Some of you probably grew up eating their dishes. Now relocated to the shop lots just next to Convent Kajang, they became popular when their small shop was near the Kajang wet market. They are popular for the variety of dishes on offer at affordable prices.

Among their crowd favorites are Butter Chicken Rice (bottom left), ZhaCheong Ramen, Pineapple Fried Rice, and Nasi Goreng Ibu (Mother's Fried Rice). Prices for the dishes range between RM4 and RM6 unless you opt for some chicken chop combo (top left) which will set you back about RM9. But it was rather disappointing and I suggest you stick to their much better rice and noodle offerings :)

Little Seven Wonders Kitchen
18-1, Ground Floor

Section 10, Off Jalan Bukit

Kajang, Selangor

Tel: 012-2268433, 019-3827383

GPS: N2.98949, E101.791033

'Night Only' Nasi Lemak @ Taman Prima Kajang

2010-10-12T02:42:00.004+08:00

I know my flogging rate has been kind of slow these days. Been busy with my thesis which will be done by the end of November! :) In the meantime, I have a lot of posts to clear up. So lets start with this, my dad and sis dropped by this place and they liked it. So I thought I'll give it a try. Malam Sahaja Nasi Lemak is located behind Maybank in Taman Prima Kajang and is part of a shop lot with other hawkers as well.

I'm not sure ever I'm reading the signs properly or what, but there seems to be a big emphasis on 'malam sahaja' (night only). Did they register the shop under that name? :p Anyway, this stall is manned by this presumably Indian husband and wife team. You have a lot of choices to go with your nasi lemak. Among them, fried fish, chicken curry, chicken rendang, mutton, fried and hard-boiled eggs, long beans, cockles sambal, and squid sambal. Although some items like mutton might not be served everyday. But by the far the hottest item on the menu is their fried chicken.

Legend has it, as soon as the chicken leaves the hot oil, they are swarmed by starving and snappy aunties who seem like they mite die if they don't get their hands on it. Anyway I was packing so I took a fried chicken, fried egg, and long beans. Onion sambal, nuts, and cucumber are the usual addons.

The nasi lemak is a mix of hits and misses. Its not bad, but it could have been great. We start with the hits; the rice was aromatic and top notch nasi lemak material. The sambal was spicy and flavorful and has that Indian spice touch to it. Malaysian should already know Malays, Chinese, and Indians cook their sambal differently from each other. Malays tend to be on the sweeter side, Indians on the spicier, and Chinese somewhere in the middle of the two :p Anyway with all the hype surrounding the fried chicken, I only found it to be average. Besides being tender and juicy, its seasoning was rather plain. However, from my excessive drinking of water, I believe they use quite a bit of MSG. I did see them using it when cooking the long beans. Maybe I'll ask them to reduce it on my next visit :)

If you are in the area and in the mood for some spicy nasi lemak, this is the place for you. The rice and sambal is excellent. Oh did I mention, its also dirt cheap. Nasi lemak with egg and long beans with 3 pieces of chicken came to just RM9! Just don't mind the oil, heck its already called NASI LEMAK!

Malam Sahaja Nasi Lemak

Jalan KP1/1

Taman Kajang Prima
Kajang, Selangor

GPS: N2.981968, E101.816589

KK - Other Places of Interest

2010-09-24T01:29:00.003+08:00

Tanjung Aru Beach

Located only 6km away from KK town and a stone throw away for most people here, Tanjung Aru is famous
for its long stretch of coast coupled with a serene and relaxing atmosphere. Families throng here for the weekends and are welcomed by a beach-facing food court which served an assorted of local delicacies. Among the most noticeable are, fresh and pickled fruits, steamed nuts, grilled seafood, and your must have fresh coconut. On a nice day, one can bask in the beautiful skyline and the soft sandy beach teaming with hundreds if not thousands of those tiny sand bubbler crabs.

Yayasan Sabah Tower

Built in 1977 and the 2nd tallest building in Borneo, the Yayasan Sabah Tower is a 30 floor glass sculpture. Its also home to a restaurant on the 18th floor which rotates one complete cycle every hour, giving a complete view of Likas Harbour.

Gaya Street

Gaya Street is the most famous street in the town of Kota Kinabalu mainly due to its closure to traffic every Sunday from 6.30am to 1.00pm to make way for a mega Sunday Market. This Sunday Market sells everything from fruits to vegetables, coffee to snacks, puppies to rabbits, handicraft to sea shells, and everything else imaginable. Its the must place to be on a Sunday morning in KK. You can even feast yourself with delightful Chinese breakfast fare at the shops located along Gaya Street.

Waterfront

The KK Waterfront encompass the stretch which include hotels, clubs, bars, restaurants, and a large handicraft center. At night, the clubs, bars, and restaurants attract a large number of young locals and foreigners. I've been warned about being here at night as pickpocketing is a high possibility. So do take care of your belongings. The handicraft center is extremely extensive and obtains much of its materials from the sea in the form of sea shells. A wide variety of dried fish and seafood are also sold nearby.

Tip of Borneo

Located in the district of Kudat and being the northern-most tip of the Borneo Island, the Tip of Borneo is a whooping 3 and half hour drive from KK town. A large comfortable vehicle, usually in the form of a four-wheel drive is recommended. From the Tip of Borneo, the sea is as far as the eye can see. The mainland and certain island of the Philippines can also be seen on a clear day. This is a worthwhile place to visit if you have a day to spare. A musical event is also held yearly to promote the Tip of Borneo as a tourist destination.

Mount Kinabalu

Last but definitely not least is the majestic mountain itself; Mount Kinabalu. Climbing Mount Kinabalu is the pinnacle experience of any trip to Sabah. I did not climb the mountain this time, but just the sight of it will drive me to come back here and scale its peak. Those who are unable or unwilling to scale this beast, a visit to the Kinabalu National Park would be the best deal as it offers a great closeup view of Mount KK and the surrounding wilderness. A must go and see destination!

Of Rendangs and Ketupats

2010-09-09T20:34:00.000+08:00

pic courtesy of southernlegionasia

Wishing all my Muslim friends and readers a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Be safe on the road, be it a short or long one. So in the end of the day, you can enjoy the gorgeous rendangs and ketupats with your loved ones.

KK - Noodles of Sabah

2010-09-04T14:20:00.013+08:00

If Kuching was the capital of Malaysia for pork, then Kota Kinabalu has to be the capital of Malaysia for noodles! I have not seen such a variety of noodles anywhere in the country. And they just don't differ in shape in size, but in taste and texture as well. Noodles in KK are a very local and personal affair, so our host Brenda was key to understanding the different types of noodles available here.

First up is Beaufort Noodles. This homemade noodles gets its name from the district it was created in; Beaufort. At Kim Fah Restaurant located in Plaza Grand Millennium, Penampang, Beaufort Fried Noodles is stir fried with your usual ingredients of vegetables and healthy portions of pork chunks and slices.

I'm no expert when it comes to defining how noodles taste like, but I would say this dish brought out a nice smoky flavor to the noodles.

Be aware that portions in KK tend to be very large. A bowl of noodles of RM 5 or 6 can easily feed two small to medium eaters, especially those with small breakfast appetites.

At Jia Siang Coffeehouse at Lintas Plaza, Penampang, you can get the local favorite of Sang Nyuk Mien. Here, your choice of noodles is served with a bowl full of pork chunks, pork balls, and a broth that smells full of pork goodness! They also serve other dishes such as a delightful dish of homemade taufoo and dry and wet noodles.

Mui Hiong Coffeehouse in Lintas is home to another famous variant and crowd favorite; Roasted Duck Noodles. I personally like duck. Maybe because I'm bored of eating chicken all the time. Haha, but there's something about the toughness and aroma of duck meat that always draws me to it. Anyways, duck meat and noodles? Definitely can't go wrong. But wait, whats this white thing? Pork roll; available only in Sabah is literally ground pork wrapped with egg. You got to try it if you are here as you wont find it anywhere else.

If there has to be a piece de resistance for the noodles of Sabah, it has to be this! Ye Fung Coffeehouse along Gaya Street serves Laksa that is to die for! The laksa here differs from other laksa in Malaysia such as in Penang and Sarawak as they add a lot more coconut milk, giving it a richer and more curry-like flavor. But kid me not, this has to be the best laksa i have tasted in my life! Don't you dare leave KK without trying it! Gaya Street is located in the heart of KK town and hosts a big bazaar along its entire street every Sunday morning. More on that later.

Tom Yam is another popular dish here in Sabah. Like the laksa, tom yam here is infused with more coconut milk. Together with large fresh prawns and fried fish, Dat Seng Coffeehouse in Inanam Bussiness Centre servers an excellent combination of sour and spicy tom yam noodles.

Like Beaufort, the district of Tuaran is home to noodles of their own. We had the privilege of having our host's mum cook us Tuaran Noodles and again what you get is another type of noodles which taste different from all the others tried before.Thank you aunty! :)

On our final morning in KK, Brenda brought us to our final meal. Sob Sob :(

This is another must try. Homemade noodles served with your choice of pork meats, innards or sausages, and dressed with a light sauce. This dish is really something. It may look simple but the tenderness of the noodles was amazing and it went superbly with the light dressing. This was one noodles in KK I could have had a second round of. Unfortunately, we were rushing for our flight back. But for the rest of you, remember to stop by Wah Juan Coffeehouse in Tanjung Aru along the road heading to KK airport. But be warned, they are packed in the mornings, so do remember to allocate more time ;)

KK and Sabah is home to a wide variety of noodles as we have seen here. Its safe to say that noodles are the staple food of modern day Sabahans with each district famous for their own local specialty. The coffeehouses we visited were among the countless scattered all across the land. For those not familiar with KK, I shall try to get the coordinates for these locations. Till then, happy drooling :)

KK - Bubble Tea

2010-08-14T23:43:00.006+08:00

Its the equilavent to mamak shops..

Its the equilavent to milo ais..

Its where young Sabahans go to chill out after school or tuition classes..

Bubble tea is weaven into the childhoods and lifestlye of Sabahan's young as good as how it taste, which is quite good ;) Easyway, Frenz Cafe, and household name Yoyo Cafe are bubble tea outlets that stay alive till the wee hours of the morning serving those drinking delights with other snacks and desserts. Its the "in" place to hang out and meet your friends. Peak hours at Yoyo Cafe for example includes a non-stop bubble tea-making production chain for lines of customers up till the point they run out of pearls!

Its quite surprising how a simple milky drink with chewy pearls and fruits could create a subculture around it as how bubble tea has done with Kota Kinabalu..

Restoran Pecel Lele Ann & Dila @ Perhentian Kajang

2010-08-12T22:45:00.005+08:00

I can't be having mamak food for lunch everyday right? So it was the day to revisit my friend; the catfish. Usually demoted to the 2nd or 3rd tier of fish dining, this one however deserves your attention.

The dish of pecel lele hails from Indonesia and has been a mainstay here among the Malay population. But something tells me its not the easiest dish in the world to cook. Having to deal with a fish with strong bones yet come out with a crispy and crackling skin with soft tender meat must need special attention. Ann & Dila (sisters or mother and daughter?) serve their fish in this manner. Combined with an addictive and spicy sambal, its trully a 1-2 knockout punch!

They do serve a chicken variation and a few other dishes, but I would recommend nothing but this! The only downer is I'm not a fan of plain steamed vegetables :p Restoran Pecel Lele Ann & Dila is located in the vicinity of Perhentian Kajang, midway between Kajang and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Pizza Hut's Hoax!

2010-08-04T00:54:00.012+08:00

Man oh man, why did you all have to do this?

Did you think I could not differentiate between bread sticks and chopped up garlic bread?

You judge for yourself. If you don't have bread sticks, then say so. Don't chop up garlic bread and try to trick me! Is this what franchises have resorted to? Trickery? Bad enough their marketing is full of illustrations meant to deceive the general public, now they turn to making customers feel dumb? Pizza Hut, you should be ashamed of yourselves..

Look at this personal super supreme pizza. Notice that the dough barely crosses the halfway thickness of the pan and the huge gap between the crust and the pan? You guys are good with your shrink rays now I see!

We all know times are hard. But when a customer pays well for food, one deserves to have a certain level of quality maintained. Not this. Just look at those pathetic pieces of capsicum? How much you think those tiny pieces cost? Pizza Hut's quantity of toppings is a disgrace to pizza itself!

Service and quality at Pizza Hut has dropped dramatically since the days we were kids. Stop wasting time coming up with new dishes, crazy toppings, and flashy advertisements and just concentrate on making good quality pizza.

For those in search of good quality and authentic pizza here in Malaysia, I recommend Canadian Pizza, Yellow Cab Pizza and a host of good Italian restaurants all around the country. There's even a few Italian dinners opening with their very own wood fire oven, capable of cooking delicious pizzas in a matter of minutes :)

At the time of this posting, I also lodged a complain at Pizza Hut's online feedback system. The next morning they gave me a call concerning my complain. It seems the old bread stick was coated with cheese but this is now replaced with garlic bread sticks. Upon hearing this, I asked ever was this to save cost? He said yes!

I rather them increase the price than serving below par food items. Why not just remove the pathetic garlic bread sticks and serve their traditional garlic bread which we all love?

KK - Monsopiad & Tamu

2010-07-28T02:20:00.001+08:00

On the third day, we visit two places in KK of cultural significance. First up is the Monsopiad Cultural Village in Penampang. Similar to Sarawak's Cultural Village in Damai albeit smaller, the village aims to introduce tourists and modern locals alike to the way of life and traditions of Sabah's various tribes.

There are many activities to be done here. Besides watching a collection of tribal dances put together by their dances and percussionists, and walking through replicas of bamboo and wooden structures of their everyday society, one can also take part in darting using those long bamboo sticks, walking on bamboo stilts, and sampling a very special local delicacy. More on that later ;)

There is also this "a bit spooky" HOUSE OF SKULLS!

Anyways, back to the delicacy; its served with either tomato salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.. Yea right, dream on!.. You hold it!.. You bite it!.. You chew it!.. All while you can feel it wiggling and squirming on your tongue!

These sago worms or locally known as "butod" is a delicacy among the indigenous and its best eaten while its alive. I know I know, its Fear Factor all over again for those faint at heart. But I told myself before I boarded the flight to KK, if I ever crossed paths with one of these, its going to end up in my stomach! That dare was just what I needed to get over the initial hesitation.

Be mindful these things pack quite a bit of muscle. They can bite your fingers. But its more like a very sharp pinch :) All you need to do is hold it firmly by its neck and bite if from behind, and the rest is history. Surprisingly, there wasn't anything disgusting to mention about its taste. It was fairly neutral with the juicy interior mirroring a mixture of oil and coconut water :)

Now your turn!

Whats a snack if you don't down it with some alcohol. Rice wine is as popular in Sabah as it is in Sarawak and many other Southeast Asian countries. Made from glutinous rice, its variations depends on yeast and added ingredients used. The first distillation produces Lihing; the sweeter and generally accepted version of Sabah's rice wine. Its alcohol content varies between 15 and 20 percent. The second distillation produces Talak; a clearly stronger and neutral tasting liquor with up to 40 percent in alcohol. A type of tree bark is then added to make Sikat; a more flavorful version of Talak.

Without getting ourselves too drunk, we head to the nearest "pasar tamu" in town. Tamu is a bit different from your typical market as the products sold here are directly from the fishermen, farmers, and forest gatherers of places possibly far away inland. They showcase their products here on the Thursday and Friday of every week. Items here tends to be fresher and cheaper, and certain items like "butod" can't be found anywhere else but here :)

KK - Manukan Island

2010-07-25T00:48:00.010+08:00

The next day, we're off for some clear water, sunshine, and white sand. Manukan Island is one of 5 islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The others are Mamutik, Gaya, Sapi, and Sulug. Mamutik, Manukan, and Sapi are the prime snorkeling islands for most tourists. All islands are around 20 minutes from Jesselton Point in KK town. Do bring your student card as rates can be considerably cheaper.

The small high-powered ferries are ideal to soak up the scenery and the sea water smell :p We drop off tourists at Mamutik Island (top) on our way to Manukan. Tourists may opt to go to a specific island or be part of an island-hopping package. Even from here, you can see how clear the beach and water are.

Once on Manukan, we rent our gear and head off in search of a quite and shady spot to settle down. Goggles and life jackets are recommended, but you can skip on the flippers as they really aren't much help in the shallow waters. For those who like sun-bathing, the fine sand here is a real joy to doze off on.

Fishes literally swim up to shore here. You can walk a meter into the water and start snapping away. Just don't fall into the water while holding your camera :p The water is so clear that you don't need to worry about waves of sand filling your swimwear like in Port Dickson or Batu Ferringhi.

On a hind side, the shoreline is full of washed up coral. And even if you swim further away, you'll notice much of the corals have disappeared, leaving behind only small schools of fish and sea cucumbers. I guess the influx of tourists stepping on the coral has slowly destroyed it. I would not know the coral condition on Mamutik and Sapi though. So, perhaps island-hopping is a good option to compare the health and diversity of the corals here.

Overall it was still a good and wet trip ;) Beats Langkawi beaches by a long shot! Jesselton Point also provides ferry rides to the world-famous diving site at Sipadan Island and Survivor's Tiga Island. Still remember that reality show?

Anyways, time for a shower and food now! :)

KK - Arrival, Tea & Beautiful Sunset

2010-07-24T19:57:00.003+08:00

What better way to blog my recent KK adventure with a new layout for my beloved blog. I think it was long due for a revamp anyway :) Hope you all like it!

KK is my furthest travel destination to date, the previous being Kuching. Talk about the East Coast ;) 6 days may seem long, but sadly its not enough if you truly want to experience everything Sabahan.

Imagine what life would have been without AirAsia.. Since its officially my vacation, I couldn't keep my itchy fingers away from the cabin food of theirs. Hence I and SS decided to share Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak (RM9). Yes! I'm traveling with SS! :) The meal was satisfactory, but nothing like how it was advertised; typical. Anyway, the 2 1/2 hours was spent eating, sleeping, and UNO-ing.

Upon arrival, we were picked up by our host; Brenda who we will be staying and traveling with the next 6 days. We were a bit hungry, so decided to stop at one of the local tea scenes in Penampang. The sight of "cakui kahwin" immediately grabbed my attention! Freshly fried cakui sliced in the middle and doused with butter and kaya, sinful goodness! Their Char Siew Pau was another treat, meatier and more red in colour as compared to most West Malaysian versions. A good start for my tummy I must say :)

As it was approaching late evening, we headed to Sutera Harbour Resort in KK town to catch perhaps the best sunset I've caught in the whole of Malaysia. The clear and unobstructed view from here is both amazing and breathtaking. One should not miss it if you're in the vicinity of the area. More sunset pictures here.

Keep watching for upcoming posts on the sights and tastes of Sabah.

SAY NO to Kajang's Sri Paandi

2010-07-22T01:10:00.004+08:00

On the local scene, my patience has steadily been wearing thin when it comes to Kajang's Sri Paandi which is located right next to the Shell station in the middle of town.

Food quality and service have deteriorated to such an extend I would rather sit in my room and munch on biscuits!

Kajang is suffering from a serious lack of good Indian restaurants. Besides Sri Paandi, the only other is Ravi's along Jalan Reko, and another is located next to the Billion supermarket in town.

Ravi's is a family run business, be it a badly run one. Service is slow and the food only average. The one next to Billion barely serve any greens and the rest of their dishes look monotonously red or orange.

With such lack of competition, Sri Paandi has managed to ride on just its famous name to woo customers in even with their poor food and service.

Among their major shortcomings include;

1) Cold curries
2) Soggy cucumber salads
3) Same old vegetable day after day
4) Puree fried in dirty overused oil (upon question, the waiter says its normal)
5) Smaller thosais
6) Price increase that does not justify the smaller portions
7) Waiters who are so care-free as they wander around seemingly not bothered to attend to customers in a professional manner
8) Drinks that take forever to reach as they are sitting at the back there with no waiter even bothered to serve them

If I had a better grasp of Tamil, they would have gotten more than my piece of mind! So I hereby advice those who would like to have a wholesome and tasty Indian dining experience to skip these outlets and head to ones such as Sri Nirvana Maju and Devi's Corner in Bangsar and many other prominent ones around PJ and KL.

Sometimes good food requires that bit of travel.. Its sad when restaurant owners just do not take the initiative to maintain their standards. Hopefully, reduced flow of customers will force restaurants such as Sri Paandi to make drastic changes.

Road to Kota Kinabalu

2010-07-09T03:27:00.006+08:00

Just over a week ago I returned from a really good holiday with SS. We spent 6 days exploring this place blessed with perhaps the best sunset in the whole of Malaysia.. Kota Kinabalu..

More stories, tastes, and sights from this side of Sabah in the coming weeks.. First I have to sort the 1000 over pictures from this trip! :p

Why haven't I seen this in any Tourism Malaysia advert or brochure before? This is national treasure material!

My thanks to SS for her delightful sunset pictures.. Truly mesmerizing..

Stay tuned =)

Soph's Birthday @ Pavillion & Paradize Poolside Coffee House

2010-06-20T16:29:00.005+08:00

It was Sophia's 23rd birthday, and the gang had something in store for her. First of all, Happy 23rd Birthday to you again Soph :)

Most of you are already aware of the variety of food available at Pavilion KL's Food Republic. You see visit my previous visit here. After luring Soph to the western corner of Food Republic, we delved into their wide array of dishes immediately as we were all starving as hell. Sorry Soph, I didn't get to take a picture of your "maggi mee" tom yam soup :p

From the western corner (clockwise); we ordered fettucine carbonara, lemon dill fish, pizza (forgot which flavor), and beef & mushroom fettucine. The western and Italian-themed dishes here are relatively cheap but tasty at the same time. This is one food court you must not underestimate. Perhaps because this chain is from Singapore ;p

After satisfying our stomachs, we took a short drive over the corner to Paradize Poolside Coffee House, located in the compound of the KL Lodge Hotel. Paradize is nicely set up with a small pool outside surrounded with wooden chairs and tables, and a fair amount of greenery.

Venture inside and its time to shake your body with some latin music! Every Fridays at Paradize is Latin Night! Dance Bachata, Merengue, and Salsa to their latin beats on a very nice and open dancing space. Expect a lot of good and seasonal dancers here. Do not be overwhelmed by your inexperience as there are also beginners around including myself :p

Entry is charged based on your choice of beverage; RM10 for a mineral water, RM15 for a Tiger, or RM20 for a Corona. Ironically Paradize Coffee House is known for their Teo Chew Porridge, but perhaps another time when we're not dancing :)

Overall it was a good night; good dancing and good sweating.. The most fun way to loose weight.. Dancing..

Paradize Poolside Coffee House

KL Lodge Hotel

2 Jalan Tengah
Corner Jalan Raja Chulan & Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur

Hoi Tong Steamboat Restaurant @ Seri Kembangan

2010-06-20T00:11:00.004+08:00

With steamboat buffets being the "in" thing these past few months, restaurants such as Yuen of Sunway and Hoi Tong of Seri Kembangan come to mind. The former is known for their famous and succulent barbecued chicken wings.

Being probably one of the last people to try this kind of buffet, I joined SS' family to first locate Hoi Tong which is located in the older side of Seri Kembangan. No matter what day it is; Mother's Day, Father's Day, a public holiday, weekend, or even just another weekday, please make a reservation before coming here as they are the hottest destination in the steamboat buffet scene.

Hoi Tong beats out other steamboat buffet scenes with just one word; variety. Their seafood alone comprises of crabs, prawns, squids, mantis prawns, and an assortment of clams and mussels. The pictures below show the rest of Hoi Tong's buffet spread.

As far as freshness goes, it would be best to smell them and judge for yourself as freshness levels might change from day to day, but those sensitive to allergy from non-fresh seafood are advised to stay away from the crabs. The freshness of their fish, squids, clams, and prawns shouldn't be a problem as they are consumed in big amounts on a daily basis. Calms and mussels will also require you to clean them before eating.

After a few hours, whats left are sweaty people and a very messy table..

To cool down after heaps of hot tom yam soup, you can choose between fresh fruits, iced Chinese tea, jelly, or ice cream.

Hoi Tong Steamboat

Lot 12, Sri Kembangan Tambahan

43300 Sri Kembangan, Selangor

03-8943 6580

019-258 2509

012-228 3954

GPS Coordinates: N 03°01.534′ E101°41.972′

Mother's Day @ Piccadilly & Bangkok Masala, Milennium Square

2010-06-16T01:12:00.006+08:00

Located just under the condominium that Millennium Square sits are two kitchens that serves the same dining space; Piccadilly and Bangkok Masala. Most in PJ know this place as just Piccadilly and its easy to see why; sounds cooler? Anyhow, the two restaurants are worlds apart. Piccadilly serves mainly western dishes including chops, pastas, burgers, and anything that would go with football by the look of its menu. Bangkok Masala on the other hand serves a wide variety of Asian-themed cuisines.

The dining area is well spaced with nice wooden furniture and ambient lighting. As you can see, loads of television sets occupy the space and sporting telecasts is the main draw here. I'm reckoning this place is a full house during the entire course of the ongoing 2010 World Cup. The place also offers beers at relatively cheap prices.

From Piccadilly, we ordered a couple of Lamb Shoulder Chops (RM14.90); two medium-sized lamb shoulders served with fries and long beans. Yes, you heard me right; long beans. The only reason they would have resorted to this is if long beans is actually cheaper than corn and peas; a terrible side. The lamp meat was slightly thin and also slightly salty. Otherwise, it was only an average dish considering its cheaper price. The health-conscious might want to give this dish a skip; a lot of oil.

From Bangkok Masala; Plain Naan (RM2.50) which was quite nice. The naans here are thinner than usual, but this made it easier to eat, and not make you fill your tummy too fast.

The naans paired excellently with the next two dishes from Bangkok Masala; Tandoori Chicken (RM5) and Butter Chicken (RM12.50). The mint sauce served with the tandoori compliments the chicken and the naan well. Perhaps saving the best for last, the butter chicken saved the day. Although I would have guessed that the dish turn out yellow in color, this butter incarnation has Northern Indian influence written all over it. Packed with chili but also having that thick butter cream texture, this is the absolute best dip for our naans: highly recommended.

Of the two, Bangkok Masala gets my vote over Piccadilly. Piccadilly could likely satisfy most of the sport-lovers who throng the place as they wouldn't give a d*** much on how the food taste like. Anything fried in oil, and you have a winner :p Bangkok Masala's dishes on the other hand feels more refined and the different Asian cooking influences gives you more variety to choose from. Dining here also includes a 10% service charge.

Oh yea, before I forget.. Happy Mother's Day mum :) Or is that super belated by now? :p

Piccadilly & Bangkok Masala

Millennium Square, Dataran Millennium PJ
98, Jalan 14/1, 46100 Petaling Jaya

03-7955 3655

Nasi Bojari @ Madam Kwan's

2010-06-15T23:26:00.006+08:00

Madam Kwan's is now a common sight at most malls across the country. Serving mostly Malaysian delights across the cultures of Malay, Chinese, and Indian mix and a douse of oriental and western dishes, it is an ideal destination for foreigners who are not comfortable with the hot and humid outdoors of our street shops. Although the best food might still come from the streets, Madam Kwan's quality of dining has been high and has remained there for quite some time. And one of Madam Kwan's signature dish has to be Nasi Bojari (~RM21).

I'm not too well informed on the history of this dish, but I believe it has its roots from Indonesia. Lightly colored and flavored rice served with sambal prawns, beef rendang, and pieces of crispy outside tender inside fried chicken makes up this dish ideal for 2 moderate eaters. The rice smells so aromatic, you could actually skip on eating it. The sambal and rendang sides are a delightful affair and surprisingly low in oil. The fried chicken achieves the balance of taste, juiciness, and crispiness that KFC should be envious of.

I also highly recommend their Sago Gula Melaka (RM5.50) for those who would like to end with a sweet touch. Sago in a bowl of coconut milk served with a generous portion of thick brown Malaccan syrup; delightful :)

Evening by the Beach & Kensington Revisited

2010-06-02T00:36:00.009+08:00

Its a day we've been deprived of a very long time.. A quiet time by the beach with the sound of waves crashing the rocks, the salty sea breeze, the orange radiance of the sun lightning up the seas and trees, and the company of each other..

Darn.. Those clouds had to put a dampen on things..Depending on which time of the year you visit these shores, the position of the sun can change quite dramatically.

This stretch of stony ground complete with benches, a small playground, public restroom, and a bridge spanning a small bay is excellent for soaking in the sight of the setting sun. Even noticed a number of people fishing. There's also a long stretch of sandy beach next to this area and for Port Dickson standards, it is quite clean.

Picked up some small delights on the way; this 'apparently' is chocolate fudge. I recommend not going to this bakery located opposite the Port Dickson Hospital :)

Standing on the bridge which is said to connect the land to Pulau Burung (Bird Island). I'm assuming those marshes in the background is the island or what remains of it during high tide.

The sun looks sad behind those cloud covers.. Hopefully it would be more cheerful on our next visit :)

The colors of the evening sky never seize to amaze me.. The variety of colors blends together to perfection and exudes the feeling of calm and content.. But for us, content is never without food! :) On the way back from PD, there's only one place we'd stop at.. The special place..

Kensington has remained largely the same since our last visit here.. The heavy rain upon arrival, the white cloths covering the tables and chairs, the warm water in clear glasses, and the indecisive looks on our faces as we want to try every item on the menu :)

Looking not to over-stuff our tummies, we ordered two to share; the first was Carbonara Pasta (RM14). The funny part came when I asked the waiter ever it was spaghetti or fettuccine, he said spaghetti. I like my carbonara with fettuccine and asked ever the chef could replace the pasta, and he said there's only spaghetti. So anyhow, when the dish came, it was fettuccine! Sweat! Why did I even waste my energy talking.. Haha.. Besides that, it was a creamy, yummy, and chicken sausage-filled delight :)

Next up was BBQ Lamb Rib (RM19.50). Typical to Kensington, the meat was very tender and fall off the bone. Easy for most to eat, but sometimes I like fighting with my meat. I must have been a carnivorous animal in my past life :p Anyhow, for a BBQ themed dish, the sauce was a bit more on the sweet and sour side.

Overall it was still a satisfying dinner at a very affordable price. The only thing that has changed is that prices on the highly rated dishes have gone up a bit. I'll give them a benefit of doubt on that. What isn't going up these days right? Oh wait, our salaries! :p At a lot of modern dining places, we pay more for the place than the actual food we eat. I could never eat peacefully in a restaurant with chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and lined with silver and gold in every corner. I'd feel out of place. Give me great food on a stool and I'm all yours! ;) Bottomline, Kensington offers you good food with a honest setup at a price that does justice to both.

Beach view

6th Mile, Beach Road

Port Dickson

Kensington

34, Jalan Era Square 3

70200 Seremban

06-7687288

Swensen's Revisited @ SS2, PJ

2010-06-01T22:34:00.006+08:00

I know its been ages since my last post. Am I really flogger material? Am I just too lazy? Haha.. Anyway, this post dates back to end of March.. The revisit of Swensen's..

Whenever I and SS are in this part of town, its hard to resist the temptation that is Swensen's. What to do.. SS is kinda hooked on their mint ice cream.. Like seriously hooked on it :p

Anyhow, Swensen's lunch offer is still quite an attractive, affordable, and satisfying one. This time I opted for something that resembled chicken chop and SS delved into her macaroni with cheese. This post has been delayed so long that I have forgotten the original name of the dishes :p Sadly I was unlucky this time around to have gotten my chicken undercooked. And when they took it away, I knew they were going to fry the same piece again, ruining my day :) And so I patiently ate my piece of rubber meat and stole some of SS' average macaroni.

Luckily what Swensen's is really good for, they remain really good for; ICE CREAM :)

With a small add-on, we both had to ourselves a pair of sundaes. Mine was butterscotch and SS' was mint flavored, but both excellent to the last slurp! Swensen's is still an excellent destination for those with a sweet tooth, but they have to do better with their entrees and main courses if they are to do attract more of them.

Swensen's
22 Jalan SS2/67, Petaling Jaya
47300 Selangor

A table for three, a bill for two @ Uncle Chilli's, PJ Hilton

2010-03-10T03:32:00.011+08:00

I know it has been eons since I last did a proper blog post. Inspiration to write has been running low this past months. Anyhow, SS managed to win herself some Red FM food vouchers for this place a lot of floggers are currently raving about and lucky me got to share some of that. Boasting a new menu, Uncle Chilli's is once again bringing out the fire at the PJ Hilton.

The interior is cosy yet vibrant, suitable for couples or small groups alike. The nightly performances can be screen through a class panel separating the dining area from the bar and stage.

For starters, we decided to delve into some Fried Calamari Rings with Chilli Salsa (RM19). Nothing to shout about yet but the chili salsa and mayonnaise dip made the dish. There are 7 other interesting starters to choose from.

I opted for their Burger (RM22) which has been getting attention due to its mammoth proportions. And believe me when I say, I think it taste better than Chili's version. A thick chicken patty, cheese, mushroom, beef bacon, turkey bacon, and fried egg with spicy salsa and guacamole makes this burger a mouthful. It doesn't stop there. The burger is served with relish, cherry tomatoes, salad and your choice of fries, wedges, or tortilla chips. After typing all that, now I'm quite sure its better than Chili's.

Other dishes in this price range include made to order sandwiches, pastas, and pizzas.

SS had her eyes fixed on one and one thing only; Lamb Chops (RM57). Three big cuts of char-grilled imported lamb meats, its texture and taste was a delight to the senses of the tongue. As you chew on each cut, you can feel small amount of fat slowly melting and oozing out those awesome flavors. Served with your choice of rosemary potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries, or wedges, I highly recommend it.

And as for dessert; Warm Chocolate & Amarula Pudding (RM19) with macadamia nut ice cream and peanut butter crunch . I'm no dessert expert, but what I enjoyed about this dish was you could get three different textures with three different taste in every spoonful. A delightful blend in a beautiful presentation.

For those who are new to Uncle Chilli's, this is the best time to try out their various new dishes with your friends or loved ones.

Welcome to the Year of Claws & Fangs

2010-02-13T12:24:00.010+08:00

*picture courtesy of The Holiday Spot

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To all readers of Critical without Cooking

Have a happy and prosperous

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

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May the tiger in your life push forward through hurdles and challenges and be suitably rewarded for its efforts

Be it meat or money ;)

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English Herb Chicken

2010-01-31T21:24:00.001+08:00

Back home for the weekend and usually its grilled chicken every Sunday night with my family. Mum prepares the raw chicken and I decide what goes into the marinate :)

This week, we decided we'll try a mild English-styled herb chicken.

For the marinate; ground ginger, a squeeze of lemon, garlic, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of oregano, 1 tablespoon of thyme, salt and pepper. My herb of choice would have been rosemary. But since I did not have any of it, I resorted to a combination of oregano and thyme :)

The marinated chicken is left in the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours. Pop it out to let the chicken return to room temperature before grilling it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and grill the chicken for about 45 minutes. Halfway through, glaze the chicken with some olive oil and add sliced tomatoes and capsicum and also some boiled potatoes into the mix for that healthy dose of vegetables.

For a light sauce, combine the leftover marinate with a dose of mustard, lemon, vinegar, and a bit of sugar and pepper. You could mix and match to come up with your own version of it. There is never a set recipe :)

And there you have it, English-styled herb chicken.

Ikea Meatballs + Italiannies 2 Course Meal

2010-01-08T16:15:00.004+08:00

This is one of my late 2009 backlogs; before watching the premier of New Moon, SS, Soph and I decided to fill our stomachs up a bit, starting with a bit of Ikea delight. We came here to try its much talked about meatballs. Other dishes on offer include roasted chicken, pasta, and desserts to name a few.

Their Swedish dishes look inviting on appearance but are a bit small on serving size. So its best eaten in between meals if you find yourself hungry.

I can't remember whats its full name but what you get is 10 meatballs coated with a mushroom sauce and served with fries and raspberry puree. Or was it blackberry? Need to check back on that. Nether less, it was actually a not too bad of a combo. For a price of about RM10, this is an ideal meal to be shared between 2 or 3 people as an appetizer. And yes, it tastes as good as it looks :) Bottomless cappuccino or coffee goes for RM2 a cup.

Next stop was Italiannies to try their latest 2 course meal offer, modeled after TGIF's.

This way, customers will be able to try multiple dishes on the cheaper side or share them among friends. On the downside, dishes here may be altered in terms of ingredients used to lower cost. For example, the Spaghetti Carbonara is served with with chicken sausage cuts instead of bacon strips. I would have preferred if they maintained the bacon strips but decreased the serving size to justify the lower pricing. That way, its taste and quality is maintained.

Your complimentary warm bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; never gets old.

For the appetizer, we ordered the Pizza Caprese; a medium sized crispy and thin bread dough served with onions, sliced tomatoes, herbs, and cuts of Parmesan cheese. This dish has seriously nothing to shout about, a third of the bread will have to be forced down your throat due to the inadequate toppings.

You could try the Toasted Bruschetta if you prefer a wetter taste to your bread.

Here you have the Spaghetti Carbonara lacking the all-important bacon strips that made this dish a household Italiannies name. Credit-wise, it was still a decent meal. And a filling one at that :)

Awaiting the premier..

I like Edward Cullen's eyes and also wolves. So where do I stand? Team Edward or Team Jacob? The answer is.. neither :)

Italiannies

The Curve, Mutiara Damansara

Petaling Jaya, Selangor

03-77281715

Memoirs of 2009

2009-12-31T17:20:00.003+08:00

Welcoming 2009 with SS

Bidding farewell to Australia-bound Bryan

Valentine's Day with something and someone sweet

Tenji buffet indulgence

My first laptop ~ Dell XPS 1530

X-Men Premier & La Bodega intoxication

Mother's Day @ Italiannies

Teluk Kemang outing with working colleagues & students

Bagan Lalang outing with SS, Soph, Alf & Ivor

Crab night out!

Aaron & Stephanie Engagement Dinner ~ Congratulations bro!

My virgin Swensen's trip

33rd Malaysian Bon Odori Festival

Get together dinner with Jeslyn

UK aunt Vasantha's trip down to Malaysia

My movie of the year ~ The Ugly Truth

SS' 22nd Birthday ~ What a mess :p

Our 'I' year anniversary :)

My 22nd Birthday ~ Thanks to SS, Soph, Ed, Josh & Buba Baby

New Moon Premier with SS, Soph & Ed

Nirvana Maju Banana Leaf with SS, Soph & the returning prodigal son; Bryan

Although I feel 2009 has been a quieter year for me as compared to my other years, I am nether less happy to have spend it with people who are important and close to my heart

To all my readers, do not despair if you have had a hard or stumbling year. Let it be buried by the stoke of 12 and let a new wave sweep you off your feet and bring you to greater heights

Every year is a new chance for us to make a difference in our lives, the lives of the people close to us, and the world

Happy 2010 and may it be another year of chance, hope, forgiveness, and peace for this wonderful home we call Earth

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

Xmas Greetings

2009-12-25T02:12:00.022+08:00

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rubinho and SS would like to wish you a warm and delightful

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Merry Christmas !!

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may the openness of our hearts and the taste of

turkey and lamb

welcome stronger bonds of family and friendship

in this time of year

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Sri Nirvana Maju @ Bangsar

2009-12-05T14:41:00.014+08:00

Good Indian banana leaf cuisine is so hard to find these days. Its an easy dish to serve, but these days restaurants are more into profit and neglect what makes a tasty and satisfying banana leaf cuisine. Even the standards at the famous Kanna Curry House in PJ have deteriorated over time.

One Indian restaurant I've been hearing quite a bit about is Sri Nirvana Maju. Located in the heart of Bangsar, this is the first place I have heard of that serves banana leaf cuisine up to the wee hours of the morning. Yes, you hear me right. People come here for banana leaf up to 2 o'clock in the morning! Every customer-full table is covered with banana leaves and customers range from foreigners and business folks to classy Bangsar diners.

The interior is well presented with hanging artificial flowers and yellow lighting. For a restaurant that is located among Bangsar's higher end establishments, it pries on a very simple and humble setup.

From top down: Rawa Thosai, Fried Spicy Chicken, and Onion Ghee Thosai

Besides the banana leaf set, Nirvana Maju serves your typical Indian fare including thosai, puree, and roti canai. Their thosais are excellent! The Rawa thosai I tried was crispy and so good that it makes me crave just thinking about it. Fried Spicy Chicken (RM5) is a spicy variant of your average fried chicken and a tasty one at that. But 90% of their customers come for the goods below.

Clockwork from top: Fried bitter gourd, fried cabbage, cucumber salad, long beans acar, and rice

Nirvana Maju's Banana Leaf Set (RM5) is fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. The addictive fried bitter gourd, crunchy cabbage, fresh cucumber salad, and spicy long beans acar coupled with a triple dose of dhall, chicken, and fish curry makes this a simple yet hearty meal. The set is accompanied by papadam and rasam for that sour kick.

Alongside the banana leaf set, you can also order other sides consisting mainly of meats. SS was dying for some squid, hence their Fried Spicy Squid (RM10 for 2). Its also not your average deep fried squid. The ones here are fried with an extra spicy marinate together with curry leaves and chili and finally doused with lime. Other customer favorites include Fried Spicy Chicken and Fried Fish. Don't be surprised when you see foreigners with the banana leaf set with chicken, fish, and squid. For them, this is heavenly cuisine. And I wont deny it. If you are not sure what to choose from, you can have a look at what they have at the back in the warmers.

An empty leaf is a happy leaf. Do remember to fold the leaf inwards to show your appreciation and that you will be coming back again ;)

So if you are fed up with below average banana leaf cuisines, give Sri Nirvana Maju a try. Sri Nirvana Maju also provides catering service.

Thank you to SS for her recommendation on this place.

Restoran Sri Nirvana Maju

43 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar

59100 Kuala Lumpur

03-22878445

Ken-Well Seafood Restaurant @ Cheras

2009-11-30T23:46:00.015+08:00

Celebrated mum's birthday on the 3rd of November. She likes nothing but Chinese food, so picking a destination usually isn't hard :) Choice of the day was Ken-Well Seafood Restaurant in Cheras, considering another first choice was closed. For those who are familiar with Cheras Selatan, this restaurant is located in the same shop lots area as Milwaukee Steakhouse.

You can't go wrong with the spicy Kankung Belacan (RM10)

Paired with the hot and tongue-burning Sizzling Taufoo (RM12)

This had to be the dish of the day; Marmite Pork Ribs (RM15). The meat is first deep fried and then stirred with a tasty and tangy marmite sauce. Although I ordered ribs, they served pork belly and meat portions instead, which turned out to be a good thing anyway. I don't need to tell you how deep fried pork belly taste like now, do I? Heavenly..

And specially for mum; crabs. RM28 per kilo of red crabs ala Kam Heong style. The gravy was awesomely spicy and addictive! But sadly the same could not be said about the crabs. The crabs were either cooked too fast or under too high heat as the meat was literally all sticking to the shell. What a shame..

For an overall of RM70 for 4 people inclusive of rice and Chinese tea, the prices here are quite reasonable. I have also noticed a number of people coming here for their fish dishes, be it the fried or steamed varieties.

Ken-Well Seafood Restaurant

B-G-7, Jalan Kasturi 6

Taman Kasturi, Batu 11

43200 Cheras, Selangor

016-3942588

019-2180331

012-3246367

Plus One Shabu Shabu @ 1U

2009-11-27T19:30:00.040+08:00

Its been too long I know. I have been occupied with dance practices for an upcoming Latin ballroom dance competition. Dancing is the only activity I have tried that actually flattens my tummy! Amazing!

Anyways, back to the food scene, SS brought me to this place about a month ago. I guess we got bored of the same old Chinese steamboat that we decided to give this Japanese twist a go. Do look out for their student discount which allows you have their individual set for an affordable RM9.

Located at One Utama, Plus One Shabu Shabu serves steamboat ala individual pots of boiling soup. This way, everyone can experiment and destroy their soups at their own expense :p There are about 5 different soups to choose from; spicy beef, tom yam, and herbal being among them. Their dipping sauces takes variety to a whole new level. Provided are up to 18 dipping sauces or add ons to make your soup specially tailored to your own taste buds.

This is actually a recipe for disaster! 5 types of soup with 18 sauces and the majority of people having itchy fingers..a perfect example; I messed my soup up too! But the fun of just trying every sauce and see what happens is just too tempting ;p

As you can see above, each individual set is not bad in quantity and quality; high on non-processed sea protein coupled with vegetables, egg, and noodles.

Overall it was an average tasting with a nice ambiance experience. There are loads of other meat and seafood add ons available upon your order. For those who get a kick from having their pots served individually, no harm giving this place a try. If not, you'd still prefer your traditional steamboat affair.

Plus One Shabu Shabu
1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1 Lebuh Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama

03-77253322‎

Tony Romas's Christmas Voucher

2009-11-23T16:26:00.009+08:00

*picture courtesy of foodpromotions*
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Its that time of the year again

Celebrate this Christmas at Tony Roma's with their special thought of a RM10 dining voucher

Valid till 3rd January 2010
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Shi Fu Wan Tan Mee @ Cheras

2009-10-30T12:52:00.012+08:00

One of this month's backlogs, sorry I have been away for a while. University assignments are time-consuming, boring, and brain-sapping :p Well, one fine morning after accompanying SS to her dentist, we walked around looking for something to grab for lunch and tumbled upon this neat-looking place.

My usual policy is to not get something at a franchise or high-end place which you can get at a hawker stall. A hawker stall will most likely get you a more value for money dish, if not tastier most of the time. "MOST" of the time :p I though ill excuse myself from the rule this time.

As its name implies, Shi Fu Wan Tan Mee specializes in Wan Tan Mee but also serves a variety of other Chinese-based rice and noodle dishes.

One thing you have to have here no matter what dish you are having is its side chilies; Nice vinegary green chilies and addictively hot and spicy ground oily red chilies. This burn in your mouth and ar** stuff is to die for! :)

Wan Tan Mee here is served in 4 variants; thick or thin noodles and wet or dry. Wet and dry refers to the typical soya sauce or soup serving of course and thick or thin refers to the traditional thin noodles or a broad yet thin noodles that resembles Kuay Teow but not its taste nor soft texture.

Both thick and thin versions were tasty in their own right, but I prefer the traditional thin version. Succulent barbecued sweet pork and minced pork are well proportioned and tasted good. A healthy dose of vegetable completes the dish.

Not to forget the soup and dumplings; fresh prawns and a clear soup ideal for drowning away the oils.

Overall, the dishes we ate here were good. The basic noodle dishes are priced at RM5 with addons, variants and other dishes priced above that. It is on the higher end in terms of price, but if you are having a headache on where to have a good Wan Tan Mee and not worry of its quality and cleanliness, this is the place for you. If not, just head to your nearest hawker stall :)

Shi Fu Wan Tan Mee
Jalan Manis 3, Taman Segar
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

Happy Deepavali 2009

2009-10-17T23:26:00.012+08:00

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Wishing all a happy and prosperous Deepavali celebration

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May your day be filled with peace, tolerance, and understanding

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Kensington @ Era Square, Seremban

2009-10-06T02:04:00.041+08:00

Sometimes KL just becomes a tad boring when you are on the lookout for a good place to dine. Combined with the traffic and expensive car parks, it can really ruin the evening. So on a special day, I and SS decided to head south instead; to Seremban. Nestled in this relatively new and quite part of Seremban town is Era Square, and the host of the night; Kensington Western Restaurant.

Era Square is Seremban's version of KL's CapSquare; quiet and hidden location in the heart of the city, cheap car parks, and a good place to open a new dining experience.

Kensington serves primarily western cuisines ranging from soups, chicken, seafoods, to lamb, venison, steaks, and even Canadian-flown fresh oysters. One thing really noticeable when you browse upon their slightly old-looking menus are the prices; which are dirt cheap! Just as an indication, Carlsberg and Tiger beers go for RM8!

A very nice and calm ambiance and setting greets the diners. White cloth covers every table and chair, giving it a fine dining touch. To cap it off, warm water is served.

When was the last time you were served warm water? Credit to the owner and staff for this simple yet wonderful gesture. Water is often overlooked. Most restaurants would rather have diners order more expensive drinks. But some diners like me would rather pay more for the food and not waste it on drinks ;)

Kensington has been grabbing headlines in Seremban for its affordable yet tasty dishes. Time to put the mettle to the test.

First up; MUSHROOM SOUP (RM3.80). Boy oh boy.. Expecting an awesome bowl of mushroom goodness after reading about it on a few other blogs, I was quite disappointed. I'll not lie when I say it tasted pretty similar to Vono's instant soup (with a few other ingredients added). Off on the wrong foot.

If that was the worst dish on the menu, Kensington's PRAWN MANGO SALAD (RM18) has to be one of the best! This appetizer serves 2-3 people with 9 juicy prawns cooked in a sweet, sour and spicy sauce and served with salad and mango cuts. Highly recommended!

Last but not least, the BLACK PEPPER LAMB SHANK (RM18.50). A lamb shank at that price, definitely worth it. Taste did not disappoint as well, the black pepper sauce had a wassabi-like kick to it.

There's plenty of other dishes to try at Kensington. Chicken Veronique; chicken breast cooked with grapes, cream, and white wine, Baked Potato Skin, Seafood Platters and Sizzling Steaks are among others.

Portions at Kensington are big and for its price; a good evening destination, even for KL folks. You avoid the jam and the headache. A 40 minutes highway ride is not a bad trade off.

I would really like Kensington to maintain their quality and quantity. Family outing on the cards soon :)

Kensington Western Restaurant
34, Jalan Era Square 3
Era Square
70200 Seremban
Negeri Sembilan
06-7687288

The Midnight Milo

2009-10-04T23:54:00.012+08:00

Burning the late night oil?
What do you do when your average Milo doesn't cut it?
Well, just add some ethanol power!

The Midnight Milo

4 teaspoons Milo
2 teaspoons milk powder/evaporated milk
1 shot Baileys Mint Chocolate
3 shots water
ice cubes

Its that time of the year again

2009-09-16T19:37:00.033+08:00

When there is not such thing as 'a glass of water please'

When there is no such thing as a dry shirt or dress

When there is no longer such thing as half or one pint

When girls start whooping your arss at downing!

OKTOBERFEST !!

Alright, before heading straight down to Euro Deli for their special Octoberfest Buffet Promotion, you might want to read up a little on what does Oktoberfest really mean to this diverse, spirited and wonderful Bavarian city of Munich. Knowing why you are celebrating this all-around-beer party is not a bad thing. Nobody wants to be a dumb blond right? :)

HAPPY OKTOBERFEST !!

Official Oktoberfest Website
Euro Deli Malaysia

- drink and drive safe -

Euro Deli Grill
No. 29, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450 Kuala Lumpur

03-2162 6991

The Star :

According to Euro Deli Grill head chef Chong King Lee, the Veal Bratwurst cooked in warm milk is a specially prepared traditional German dish, which is only available at the restaurant for the festival. “This is a must have during the occasion and we have it every time to celebrate the festival.

“The veal sausages with herbs is first seasoned with salt and pepper then boiled until it is fully cooked before it is transferred into the warm milk,” said Chong, adding that a traditional way of serving the dish was with Sweet German Mustard.

Other dishes served along with a complimentary glass of beer includes Sausage with Sauerkraut (Cabbage fermented with edible Lactic Acid Bacteria), Stir Fried Red Cabbage, Boiled Eisbein (Pork Knuckle), Roast Eisbein (Pork Knuckle), Braised Beef in Red Wine and Vinegar, Kassler Ham, Spatzle (a type of German Noodles) with Bacon, Fish Fillet in Bernaise Sauce and Chicken Escalope.

Just like any other buffet, it is not complete without dessert and the restaurant offers home-made specialities like the Apple Strudel and Black Forest Cake as well as specially imported German Chocolate Mousse and a selection of fruits.

During the dinner, patrons are also invited to participate in various games organised by the outlet such as beer drinking, sausage eating, dancing and arm wrestling.

The buffet dinner is only available on Saturdays and is priced at RM 65 ++ (Adults) and RM 32.50 ++ (Children). It will not be available on Oct 27.

Simplier things in life

2009-09-15T15:54:00.007+08:00

Light, easy going, and calming..

Who says floggers can't enjoy the simpler things in life..

:)

And the winner is

2009-09-02T23:54:00.011+08:00

Actually it was suppose to be more than this but then I realized I did not have pictures of all the franchises. Hence this shall be a more 'wordy' post :p

Dunkin' Donuts
www.dunkindonuts.com

Dough : 5/10
Sweetness : 7/10
Presentation : 6/10

Sometimes it feels Dunkin' Donuts has given up and raised the white flag after the emergence of Big Apple and J.CO. Their quality, taste, and promotions has not improved one bit. Hard and cold doughs and poor service at certain outlets compound their misery.

Big Apple
www.bigappledonuts.com

Dough : 9/10
Sweetness : 8/10
Presentation 8/10

Nothing much to complain about. Good tasting doughs with sometimes a bit too much sugar in their coatings. Attractive promotions and bright and colorful outlets.

J.CO
www.jcodonuts.com

Dough : 10/10
Sweetness : 9/10
Presentation : 9/10

If you thought Big Apple was perfect, then J.CO will blow you away! Audaciously soft and addictive dough, melts in your mouth with every bite. Their outlet at Pavilion KL is also a showcase of interior designing and presentation.

Krispy Kreme
www.krispykreme.com.my

Dough : 7/10
Sweetness : 7/10
Presentation : 8/10

Times Square was abuzz with excitement when it was announced Krispy Kreme will be opening an outlet there. Their first week was hectic. Everyone was caught up in the hype that Krispy Kreme is in fact the best donuts franchise in the world. But something happened when it landed here in Malaysia. Nearly everyone who has eaten their donuts have complained of how over the top sugary it is. They probably thought Malaysians love sugar to our diabetes-related-deaths. The dough left a lot to be desired as well. During my first visit to Krispy Kreme, I accidentally dropped my donut on the floor but was not dissapointed or sad. It must have been that bad..

Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the

KING OF THE DONUTS! is...... J.CO !!!

Wow.. Even I'm not surprised.. Adios people, Better queue up early. You know how long the lines there can get ;)

Rest 1 @ Taman Jasmin, Kajang

2009-08-26T15:22:00.016+08:00

Looking for a good dose of Garlic naan and Tandoori chicken?

If you are staying in the vicinity of Kajang or Semenyih, Rest 1, located at Taman Jasmin would be your ideal stop. Rest 1 is among the 2 or 3 Mamak restaurants operational around the indoor badminton court at the entrance of Taman Jasmin.

Its hard to get good Tandoori chicken these days. Most are dry and overloaded with seasoning. Rest 1 suffers from neither. What you get here is juicy, moderately sized chicken with the right amount of taste.

The spicy sauce that goes along with the Tandoori chicken is also another important aspect. Most are watery and mellowed down. At Rest 1, expect yourself be reaching for your milo ice as the thicker sauce served here is spicy! Addictive and finger-licking good to go along with that :)

Planning to check out another Mamak restaurant in Cheras rumoured to serve excellent Garlic naan and Tandoori chicken ;)

Till then, adios!

Restoran Rest 1
Jalan Kajang Prima 1/1
Taman Jasmin
43000 Kajang

King of the Donuts!

2009-08-22T23:35:00.024+08:00

Dunkin

Big Apple

J.CO

Krispy Kreme

All names synonymous with the local donuts scene..

But which does actually serve the best donuts in Malaysia?

The upcoming post shall examine them one by one and the winner will be determined!

Crowned KING OF THE DONUTS! ... Malaysian Edition!

*rubinho's ratings are based on his personal opinion and need not reflect the views of the public

33rd Bon Odori @ Shah Alam

2009-08-09T19:03:00.021+08:00

Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves.

Also called the Feast of Lanterns, it has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori.

The celebration here at the Panasonic Sports Complex in Shah Alam was organised by The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur and the Japan Embassy on the 18th of July.

Drums aside, there were also the Japanese delicacies to be enjoyed. Don't ask me about Japanese cuisine, that's SS's department. I shall just be the guy that holds all the stuff while she buys them.

Lets see whats on offer shall we..

Unagi Tama Don..

Grilled Squid and Salmon Yakitori..

Sushi King.. The Star Newspaper seemed very interested to report that they brought a conveyor belt along to the place..

Japanese ice cream..

Woohoo! They had beer too! Foster's was the only brand I remember. There was another European brand and also a Japanese brand.

Fashion scenes..

Lets get back to the food before the queue peaks up..

This is what SS, her dad and sis, and myself chowed down. Do note that the prices of foods and drinks at this event are higher than its usual price.

Octopus Balls..

Surprisingly tasty and crunchy skewered chicken..

Baby Octopus..

Becca's choice of Unagi Don..

SS's choice looked way more chun. Tasted better too ;)

Salmon Yakitori.. but dry and burnt..

Refreshing and cool peach-flavored green tea.. *ignores the Nicholas Teo advert at the bottom*

Because it is a cultural event, you are bound to expect a lot of people soaked up in Japanese euphoria. Yukata, manga, and goth were the order of the day.

Take 1 : The uncle looks like the dad from American Pie.. :p

Take 2 : If he knew ninja, I'd be afraid to be his son. He looks like he's ready to kill!

Take 3 : Mamma mia! I hope shes going for that fly and not my camera!

This what happens when you have 30,000 people stampeding for food. A few hundred camera lenses would have had asthma attack after this event.

Shaved ice to round things up.. Please note that the longest queue in the entire venue was to get this! Ice! Make that 1 hour waiting time.

The Bon-Odori was broken up into 4 segments. And each time the dance began, more and more people gathered in a circle around the stage to follow the dance and movement. It was truly interesting and worthwhile to take part in the procession. Especially when I accidentally slapped my fan into a gal's face!

She happened to be walking aimlessly in a crowd of this magnitude. Not a good idea when the dance is in motion :p

A random tree in a light-filled sky outside the premises. Surprisingly similar to a tree from a Japanese winter..

Thanks to SS and family for inviting me for the event. Time to cough out the dust :)

Swensen's @ SS2, PJ

2009-08-07T12:51:00.015+08:00

Believe it or not, it is my first visit to Swensen's. I've heard so much about this place and its ice creams. But today shall just be a lunch stopover. Ice cream madness shall have to wait for another day :)

Malaysia does not seem to have a Swensen's website. So you can check out the quite polished up Singapore version; Swensen's Singapore. To my surprise, Swensen's has a lot more going on than just ice cream. From caesar salads, soups, pastas and sandwiches to burgers, pizzas, seafoods and steaks, you would forget Swensen's roots started from ice cream.

Although many outlets have closed down in Malaysia over the years, lets hope the ones remaining like this in SS2 stays open for the foreseeable future.

Fish & Chips; crispy deep fried fillet served with generous amount of fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce. I wouldn't say its the best Fish & Chips you'll find, but its ok for a sub-RM15 dish.

Grilled Fish Sambal; this time the fillet is baked and served with mashed potatoes and a sambal dipping sauce. Again, good but not great.

SS would not leave the place without an ice cream, hence the Mint Chocolate Sundae. When it comes to ice cream, I wonder how girls can continue eating and eating. I think they have a special mechanism to chow down on all those creamy sugar. Well, I know I still owe her an Earthquake. So another visit to Swensen's is still on the cards *sweat* :p

Swensen's
22 Jalan SS2/67, Petaling Jaya
47300 Selangor

Little Havana No More

2009-07-31T12:03:00.007+08:00

Its sad to say that Little Havana is no more.. I liked the place a lot as it was one of my first real nightlife stops..

The site is currently under renovation with possibly new owners. I had a chat with the man handling the jockey parking there. He says the new place will be almost similar but it will now be Mexican inspired!

Looking forward to its opening possibly in August or September 2009.

Finnegan's @ Midvalley

2009-07-16T23:08:00.030+08:00

Time to clear the backlog closet! My first visit to Finnegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant..

I don't know why, but I've always liked anything and everything Irish.. The green Irish countryside, Irish pubs, Irish ales, Irish bagpipes, Braveheart, Roy Keane, Irish tap dance, The Corrs, Irish accent, and Irish girls.. ;)

I must have been Irish in one of my past lives :)

At the time of my visit, Finnegan's were having their Kilkenny Promotion; RM23 for 1 pint. I ain't a beer drinker, but what the hell right? With my shallow knowledge of beer-drinking, Ill describe Kilkenny Irish Ale as a rich, creamy and generally smooth variety.

Calamari & Onion Rings (RM12) as appetizers; hot and crispy, accompanied with a pleasant tartar sauce.

If everyday could be filled with a bit of Finnegan's, the world would be a better place :) So lets eat, drink, dance and cheers to all things that's great on this wonderful planet we call home!

Finnegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Mid Valley Megamall

G(e)003 Lingkaran Syed Putra

59200 Kuala Lumpur

03-2284-8157

Busy times

2009-07-12T17:09:00.007+08:00

Hey ya'll,

I apologize for the lack of updates recently. I have just started my Masters last week. And so, everything is still hectic with all the registrations and paperwork, leaving no time for me to do anything else.

I hope to get settled in as soon as possible and back to searching for good food once again :)

Till then, do checkout my sidebar for updates on the other blogs on offer.

Adios!

-rubinho-

Mother's Day ~ Italiannies @ The Gardens

2009-05-25T14:46:00.028+08:00

When I say that my mum is hard to please, I mean it. Think family and you think 'Italiannies'. There's no other place that I know that combines ambiance, family-sized Italian cooking, hospitality in a warm and cozy setting. Welcome to Italiannies!

Calamari Caesar Salad ~ 10/10
RM25.90

Me and my family loved it! Authentic, fresh, and delicious! Tomatoes, olives, fresh salad leaves, artichokes, perfect deep fried squids, bread sticks, and an awesome tasting dressing!

Classic Cabonara (Non-Beef) ~ 6/10
RM29.90

Never order a Classic Cabonara without beef bacon. Although the dish is packed with creamy sauce and Parmesan cheese, its tasteless. The beef bacon was replaced with chicken stripes and Portobello mushrooms. Even so, it could not replace the taste and flavor the beef bacon offers.

Italiannies should consider lowering or standardizing the price of their Seafood Cioppino which has slowly risen from sub RM30 to RM38 now.

Since Italiannies were having their Mother's Day promotion by which the mother's main dish shall be discounted by her age, I planned to get her the famous Grilled Salmon Oreganetto. To my disappointment, they were all sold out. And it was only 7.30pm. Sob sob..

And so its replacement,

Chicken Milanese ~ 8/10
RM26.90

A perfectly grilled boneless chicken paired with a cream based sauce and topped with a Tomato Capper relish. A truly colorful and eye-popping dish.

The meat taste good even on its own because of how gently it was grilled. Tender and juicy with a lightly charred skin.

Tiramisu ~ 10/10
RM16.90

To top it all off; Tiramisu. First things first, this dish is outrageous! One bite sends you into delirium! In no particular order; chocolate syrup, vanilla sponge cake, brandy/rum liquor, and topped with chocolate powder.

This dessert can make your day no matter what. Reserve them, as it always runs out. Thankfully I did :)

All in all, everyone enjoyed a satisfying and colorful dinner. Hopefully mum did as well. Happy Mother's Day!

Credit to Italiannies for a good kitchen performance and friendly table service for the day. Even after so many visits to this franchise, it doesn't bore me to pay them another visit. I love Italian food and service, and Italiannies does not disappoint on that account.

Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino

The Gardens

S209 Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur

03-22833675

Tappers Caffe @ CapSquare

2009-05-14T12:38:00.027+08:00

Located in the quieter section of Kuala Lumpur city center is Capital Square; a newly built social and dining destination. Located along Jalan Mushi Abdullah, Capital Square provides adequate and cheap underground parking of RM2 (FREE if you watch a movie at TGV CapSquare).

To live up to its name of the latest dining experience in town, CapSquare boasts outlets such as Modesto, Tappers Caffe, Coffee Bean, Starbucks, Jarrod & Rawlins, Four Seasons Chinese Restraurant, Kohinoor Indian Restaurant, Bayernhaus, Thai La, and Urbanatic.

Although the list seems impressive, there are still many empty lots, and because the flow of people there is not heavy, it can get really quiet at night. But if you are looking for a quiet place to walk around, have a meal, and watch a movie, this is your place.

Earth Hour Walk 2009 was held here back in March. It provided CapSquare with much needed publicity. Due to its location and lack of entertainment outlets, most people are still drawn to KLCC which is located only 1km away.

Back to the food road; Tappers Caffe. A hearty meal required before catching X-Men Origins! :)

Hot Coffee ~ RM2.50

Tappers Caffe is a modern version of an old coffee shop selling a fusion of dishes with Malaysian roots. A hot cup of coffee to start things up. Thick and savory.

Mutton Rendang Rice ~ RM11(approx)

Since it was only the two of us, SS being the other, we decided to get 2 dishes and share them. First up, Mutton Rendang Rice. I wouldn't had imagine any place outside home that would serve mutton like Tappers did. Fat-less mutton chunks cooked to tender perfection and encrusted with rich rendang flavor. I was truly amazed. Being an Indian, my taste buds are all hot and spicy, but the dish did not disappoint. Rice is served with prawn crackers, cucumber slices, egg, and a light onion garnishing.

Hainanese Chicken Chop ~ RM10(approx)

Next up, a nothern Hainanese influenced Chicken Chop. Ironicly, Yut Kee Coffeeshop, famous for its Hainanese Chops, is located not far from here (going soon!) Its very hard to get authentic Hainanese Chops these days. Tappers Caffe's version of the dish was not bad. 2 pieces of chicken deep fried till golden-crusted and topped off wit steamed potatoes and vegetables, and a tomato-based sauce. The sauce could have been thicker and less sweet. Well not the best chops you'll find around, but a satisfactory meal :)

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I'm drinking to remember... - Wolverine

Tappers Caffe
G21, Persiaran CapSquare
Capital Square
50100 Kuala Lumpur
03-2691 2888

Tenji @ SohoKL - Part V - Dessert Corner

2009-05-11T14:05:00.020+08:00

Last and most importantly; dessert. A place that serves unlimited amounts of Haagen-Dazs ice cream surely earns extra points, although the limited amount of flavors available. Tenji's Dessert Corner is not as extensive as one would imagine, but its not a total disaster.

Clockwise from top left : Tiramisu, Chocolate Ball, Chocolate Moose, Coffee Cheesecake, and Mango Mochi. Average and nothing much to shout about.

Fresh Young Coconut and Chocolate Fondue counter.

Chocolate Fondue - 4/5

Mouthwatering chocolate goodness!

Freshly skewered fruits. Addictive!

Bread sticks to add a crunchy flavor to the mix!

Popcorn machine!

Tenji Japanese Buffet Restaurant
Lot L-01-01 SohoKL
Solaris Mont Kiara
No 2, Jalan Solaris
50480 Kuala Lumpur
1700-80-1818

Lunch 11.30am-4.00pm
Dinner 5.30pm-9.30pm
Supper 9.30pm-12.30am

Tenji @ SohoKL - Part IV - Chinese Corner

2009-05-03T12:10:00.006+08:00

Onto the better faring Chinese Counter, it oozes the variety synonymous with the Chinese culture of cooking.

Clams in Superior Stock - 3.5/5

The stock was quite tasty but a bit hard to scoop up as there were more clams than stock on the serving tray. Overall an average tasting dish.

Steamed Talapia - 2/5

Never try a dish you know you can get better at your regular Chinese Restaurant. The fish was not very fresh and the sesame laden sauce unappetizing. One to pass.

Marmite Prawns - 4/5

Big, spicy, and tasteful marmite goodness.

Bamboo Clam w Garlic Sauce - 3/5

The clams were a bit too hard and chewy, accompanied with an average garlic sauce.

Bamboo Clam w Garlic Sauce - 4.5/5

One dish saved them all; Crispy Strawberry Prawns. 5 for presentation and 4 for taste. I was a bit skeptical of the strawberry sauce at first, but I decided to give it a try anyway. The chef managed to pull this one off elegantly. The fried prawns went very well with the strawberry sauce. And the rest is history.

Coming up next : Part V - Dessert Corner

Tenji @ SohoKL - Part III - Western Corner

2009-04-30T10:17:00.004+08:00

Sorry for the late update, been pretty demotivated and tired of late :p Anyways, continuing with my review of Tenji; the Western Corner. Any buffet can't live without western cuisine. As for Tenji, I must say that their Western Corner is below par as compared to their other cuisines

Monster ovens for grilling and baking seafood and meat are nicely tucked in the layout.

Stewed Lamb w Mint Sauce - 4/5

Perhaps the only dish worth trying at the Western Corner. Tender, juicy, and a balanced flavor. Although I am not sure where does the mint sauce come in.

Grilled Prawn & Mussel w Cheese - 1/5

Probably the worst item I tried here. Tasteless and not to mention its puny size, it took them 20 minutes to whoop this out of the oven. Other dishes available at the western corner are the Baked Fish, and Grilled Beef, and Carbonara Pasta. Pasta is best avoided as it will fill you up very fast.

This huge clunk of lamb goodness is to be roasted for the Dinner Buffet. Too bad they don't have it for the Lunch Buffet :p

Coming up next : Part IV - Chinese Corner

Tenji @ SohoKL - Part II - Japanese Corner

2009-03-24T11:40:00.004+08:00

Since its a Japanese buffet restaurant, you'd expect nothing but the best from their Japanese counter. And I think they did not fare too bad. I must say I like the layout of the items. Sashimi tidily laid out and ready to be picked with long metal tweezers, sushi elegantly arranged on wooden carvings, and the sinful oysters on ice.

Fresh Oysters - 4/5

Salmon Sashimi - 5/5

Tuna Sashimi - 3/5

Butter Fish Sashimi -5/5

Octopus Sashimi - 3/5

Unagi Sushi

Shrimp Sushi

Keeping things fresh is of absolute importance in this counter as the taste literally depends on it. Tenji's sashimi are by far the freshest I've tasted so far.

The octopus sashimi was very chewy and a bit lacking in natural flavor. Needed soya sauce to down it with. The salmon sashimi was a delight; soft, tender, and full of flavor. My personal favorite has to be butter fish sashimi. A wonderful melt-in-your-mouth affair which has fatty oils melting onto your tongue once u have it in there, awesome!

Grilled Unagi - 4.5/5

One of the better tasting dishes at the Teppanyaki counter, these eels are marinated and packed elsewhere(I think foreign) and shipped to Tenji in white box trays. This and most of the non-raw Japanese dishes requires you to place your table pins into their respective bowls for them to prepare your dishes on the spot. Grilled and teppanyaki style cooking has to be eaten hot to be fully enjoyed. My only comment on the unagi was that it had a slight bitter aftertaste to it. Is it common to unagi? But besides that, a sweet and flavorful dish to whip up your appetite. Recommended appetizer!

Fried Soft Shell Crab - 5/5

This is another tasty affair, fried so crispy you can enjoy eating the entire piece, even with the shell.

Grilled Fish - 4/5

Crispy on the inside, soft on the inside. Nothing great, but a fresh tasting piece of fish. Not too sure what fish was used exactly though.

Grilled Prawns - 2/5

Tiny, bland, and not interesting to say the least. One to pass.

Clockwork from top : Crab, Teriyaki Chicken, Fish (Yaki), Prawn Tempura

The teriyaki chicken was not bad at all, sweet and spicy flavored tender skewered chicken, but I found the tempura rather tasteless even with the accompanying sauce. Therefore I find it weird as to why the tempura is the hottest item at the Japanese counter.

My first attempt at oysters. Frankly I was scared. I haven't tried something this raw before. I'm not too sure even how to eat them. Just so you know, I took the smallest oysters there, just to try. The others were huge. Tenji has been known to serve giant oysters. But as far as taste goes, you need to find someone who lives on eating these aphrodisiacs.

After a squeeze of lime (forgot about the tobasco sauce), I and SS looked at each other as to who can down it first without laughing while also dreading how it taste like. The meat slid surprisingly easily off the shell. After a light chew, a quick gulp followed. It tasted okay, but I guess I need to try it at different eateries to know the difference.

That wraps up the Japanese counter. There were still quite of items I did not try as I was saving room for others. Most notably were the sushi, custom made-to-order miso soup available with prawns, crab meat and noodles, and a few other teppanyaki-style meats.

Coming up next : Part III - Western Counter

Tenji @ SohoKL - Part I - Scenery

2009-03-18T21:41:00.026+08:00

After all the dust and hype has settled down over the past months, I finally make my way to Tenji. Its the first time I have ventured out to this part of town. Mont Kiara is an awesome place. The Sprint Highway was full of greenery all the way, the rain just before gave an awesome morning weather to travel in, and finally Mont Kiara.. littered with so many beautiful mansions, condos, and malls.

Solaris Mont Kiara is like a shop & dine area from a neighboring country. The smooth and impressive looking roads, specialty shops you can't find anywhere else, reserved customer parking, and last but not least, the proudly standing SohoKL. It is rightly labeled the newest dinning experience in town, if not exquisite.

Competing with other Japanese eateries currently offering buffets, like Rakuzen and Yaki-Yaki, Tenji slashed prices to offer their buffets at RM49.90 for lunch (11.30am to 4.00pm) and RM39.90 for supper (9.30pm-12.30am) for the month of March.

I'm new to Japanese cuisine, so I guess a Japanese buffet is the best place to sample the variety of dishes this slate can offer. The area just outside Tenji offers a pleasant view of KL, from Genting Highlands to the KL and Twin Towers all within sight.

The layout at Tenji is quite pleasant, a small walkway from the receptionist where you pay upon entry leads you to a small waterfall and this open air walkway which is mainly for smoking customers.

Another point of information, the restrooms in Tenji are nice.. I think they are nicer at night with the lit candles ;)

Red carpet and red flowers for the ladies..

Fresh Young Coconut - 4/5

Let the feast begin! Before that, a cooling slurp of fresh young coconut to wet the throat :)

Coming up next : Part II - Japanese Corner

Tenji Gourmet Sensation

2009-03-06T21:00:00.012+08:00

Seems like a growing trend that all major Japanese eateries are giving out buffet promotions and competition is stiffer than ever. With that, Tenji has once again brought up another sensation; The Tenji Gourmet Sensation.

Oh yea, I am a complete newbie when it comes to Japanese cuisine. But I guess its never too late to start learning ;)

*picture courtesy of www.goeatout.com.my

Surprisingly got through the reservation line quite easily.

Don't miss it =)

2009 New Year BBQ

2009-02-23T08:58:00.012+08:00

Okay this is going to be massive backlogging, starting with the New Year's BBQ at home with my family :)

Perfect weather after a period of rain in the afternoon. Now for the customary lighting up of amber.

Fire in motion..

I'm no BBQ extraordinaire but these are the dishes I came up with..

Grilled Lamb Shoulder
marinated with ginger, chili powder, and black pepper

Whats in store..

Grilled Greek Peppers
sliced green capsicums grilled with herb butter and mozzarella cheese

Grilled Baby Back Ribs
marinated with Lee Kum Kee spare ribs sauce, honey, and black pepper

Sorry Max, you ain't getting any from my plate..

Winding down the evening with Claret Red Wine..

And the stillness and calm of the dark sky..

Oh yea, it rained again after that.. Haha, good weather to sleep in ;)

Come February 14

2009-02-05T20:25:00.020+08:00

Chinese :: 我爱你...

Dutch :: Ik hou van jou...

English :: I love you...

French :: Je t'aime...

German :: Ich liebe dich...

Malay :: Saya cinta kamu...

Hindi :: मैं आपसे प्यार करता / करती हूँ...

Italian :: Ti amo...

Japanese :: 愛しています...

Spanish :: Te amo...

Food :: Mmmm...

There might be hundreds of languages to say "I love you...". But nothing can say it better than great sound, sight, and taste. That is why I'm sure most of you guys out there are already making dinner plans for your loved ones. Don't ask what I have planned. I'm hopelessly unromantic :p

KampungboyCitygal has already compiled 2 posts on good dining locations for you to choose from;

Part I : The Luxe

and

Part II : The Budget

Do check them out. For those seeking more exclusive Valentines' promotions and packages, do also check out my compilation below;

Romantic Meal-for-Two @ Enju

A Sparkling Valentine @ Bebe's Kitchen

Valentine's Buffet Dinner @ Latest Recipe

Be My Valentine @ Revolving Bintang

Love is in the Air @ TGIF

Valentine's Day Dinner @ Frangipani

Chocs-2-Die For-Soiree @ Schokolat

Special Valentine Menu @ Theobroma Chocolate Lounge

Valentine's Menu @ Swensens

Lover's Meal @ The Apartment

Updated February 7th!

Valentine's Day Set Menu + Bear @ Station One

Valentine Day's Special @ 4 Happy Seasons

Valentine's Day @ Telawi Street Bistro

Valentine's Day Dining Promo @ La Bodega

Valentine's Day Set Menu @ Friendster Cafe

The Swez Romance @ Swez Brasserie

Valentine Touches the Heart Buffet Dinner @ The Verandah

Valentine Churrasco BBQ @ Halia

Valentine's Under the Moonlight @ Courtyard Bar

Valentine Dinner @ The Zuup Soup Bar

Valentine's Menu @ Italiannies

Valentine's Promo @ Amarin Heavenly Thai

Have a great Valentine's Day...

Buffet Cravings

2009-02-03T10:39:00.031+08:00

I've suddenly found a craving for buffets and am now on the hunt for the best buffets in town. On the sidebar is a list of a few buffets I have narrowed down.

Bossa Nova :: Brazillian Grill Buffet Dinner ~ RM98++

Jogoya :: Japanese Buffet ~ RM90++

Lafite :: Fusion Buffet

Latest Recipe :: Fusion Buffet Dinner ~ RM88++

Lemon Garden :: Fusion Buffet

Revolving Bintang :: High Tea ~ RM45++

Swez Brassiere :: Fusion Buffet Lunch ~ RM58++

High Tea ~ RM 52++
Fusion Buffet Dinner ~ RM72++

Tenji :: Japanese Buffet

Terrace Poolside Bar & Grill :: BBQ Buffet

Lets pig out !!

=)

Happy Year of the Ox

2009-01-25T20:45:00.008+08:00

Dear 1985-ers, its our year once again! The Year of the Ox!

Yes.. Me and my batch of friends are 24 years old now. Wow, oldies.. Haha :p

Anyways..

Wishing all my Chinese friends and readers

A very Happy Chinese New Year

May the bull bring you prosperity, health, and boundless energy

To forge through the trials and challenges of 2009

XIN NIAN KUAI LE & GONG XI FA CAI !!

- rubinho

Happy New Year @ Chili's, KLCC

2009-01-08T22:52:00.020+08:00

Avenue K's Club Quattro

Wonderful weather over KLCC as a new dawn approaches. Cold clear skies, colorful lighting, and a buzz echoing from the groups of people gathering in and around KLCC.

Margarita Presidente

But first up, dinner with SS and a visit to one of my favorite spicy outlets; Chili's :)

Salty, Sweet, and Sour

Perhaps my year could really be summarized by this cocktail. The pain through the salt, the sweetness through the margarita, and the sourness through the lime. After steps 1,2, and 3, what do you do again? Yes, repeat it all over again. Why? Because life puts you through saltiness and sourness so that you appreciate its sweetness :)

Grilled Lamb Shoulder

The last time I came here, I totally missed this on the menu. Not again! Its so hard to find good lamb shoulders these days and Chili's did not disappoint. I actually asked for it to be well done but it came somewhat medium. I guess they were rushing with the number of customers queuing up at the entrance.

Oh yea, It took us close to 2 hours to secure a seat. We had to get in a queue just to sign in onto the waiting list. Haha.. But it was fun..

Oh back to the food.. Yes.. At just below RM25, the Grilled Lamb Shoulder is a feast fit for 2. As it was medium, the meat was pink and required a bit of chewing. But the taste, excellent! A light bloody liquid on top of the meat did not deter us but made the meat look shinning-ly tasty. Chili's wholesome and specially made mashed potato is a killer together with fresh vegetables and garlic bread to round up this experience.

Old Timer Burger w Chili & Cheese

Well I'm not too well versed with the burgers from Chili's. I was slightly disappointed with the dry Cajun Chicken Sandwhich I had the last time I was here. Well looks like lightning does strike twice! Old timer, although comprising of mostly lean meat, was far too dry for my taste buds. The additional chili and cheese did not help either. Hopefully third time is a charm ;)

Overall we had a good time. A good dinner and chat to end 2008. Then its time to head outside and join the hordes of aimless people who have come to witness the fiery skies.

Aimless dots

So tall yet so big

More beautiful than fireworks

And that is why all my fireworks' shots were horrendous! :p

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

TO MY FRIENDS & FAMILY

LOVED ONES

AND NOT FORGETTING

ALL MY DEAR READERS

Lets begin 09 with more sweetness, and less saltiness and sourness..

- rubinho

Chili's Grill & Bar

Lot 346 B, Level 3

Suria KLCC
50088 Kuala Lumpur

03-21641400