16 posts tagged “restaurant review”

RESTAURANT REVIEWS : MY ELEPHANT AND FOOD FOUNDRY @ SECTION 17 (Halal)

This week we were introduced to two great restaurants hidden within the Happy Mansion's ground level shoplots at Section 17, Petaling Jaya. It may not be easibly visible when you pass by the Happy Mansion, so just drive in and explore yourself. Here's the map to the place to help you:

My Elephant serves Thai food. It was a Friday night and the place was buzzing with crowd. There were people waiting to be seated the whole night we were there. The place wasn't extravagant in terms of deco, but definitely cosy enough.

We were seated at the elevated space at one corner where you'd sit like the Japanese. We ordered their Pandan drinks which were great. Food came a little late, and dishes came one by one, which we didn't really like. But to make it up, the taste was good.

Funny thing is they serve brown rice instead of the usual fragant Thai rice. Perhaps it'll appeal to a lot of people who're health conscious nowadays, but for me I'd still prefer the usual fragant rice when I have my Thai food.

They serve pretty good Tom Yum. We were recommended the clear soup version, and it was good. They even put cuts of starfruits in their Tom Yum! Green curry was good as well. I suppose the best part of having a restaurant located at places like these is, their prices come very reasonable. Definitely a recommended place for a good dinner.

Restaurant Details : Address - Block C-G4, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Section 17 46400 Petaling Jaya / Contact - 012 328 5028 (Patrick), 019 360 8911 (James), 016 379 5759 (Soong), 016 345 9298 (Kom)

Rating : B+

After dinner we adjourned to another food outlet nearby, in another block at Happy Mansion, called Food Foundry.

This is another place I have to come back again. Their menu looks interesting, serving western food, pasta, soups and also local dishes like nasi lemak. We were only there for coffee and desserts, so they recommended us their signature Milli Crepes, '20 thin layers of French crepe layered with fresh, smooth custard-cream', as how they advertised. Although I was full, I could not resist but to order their button mushrooms as well.

While their coffee was nothing spectacular, the crepes were alright. Not too sweet and you can actually taste the fine layers. They have them in Strawberry, Chocolate, Orange and Vanilla flavours. You know we always find desserts which are too rich and sweet most of the time, well this would do just fine for a change. The button mushrooms were good as well. The rating we would give on Food Foundry this round may not be very thorough, since we had not tried their main courses yet.

Check out their website, they also have another outlet in Bangsar.

Restaurant Details : Address - BG-8, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, 46400 Petaling Jaya / Contact - 603-7955 3885

Rating : B

RESTAURANT REVIEW : JIN SHAN CHENG RESTAURANT @ SUNWAY MENTARI (Non-Halal)

I bumped into this restaurant during my dental visit at Sunway Mentari. Apparently this place has been there for a year now, having moved from Sunwaymas. It is located in one of the shophouses you see opposite of Sunway Pyramid. Look for McDonald's, it is located on the same row. Jin Shan Cheng serves Szechuan food, so you'll get a lot of China food like Ma-La dishes. They also display at the entrance pictures taken of their famous customers (celebrities/politicians) who have patronized the place.

The chef and the staff are all from China, so be prepared to speak in Mandarin when you make your orders there.

The ambience is pretty much like any typical chinese restaurants, but because it's air-conditioned, at least you won't be showered with sweat when you try their spicy Ma-La dishes! There was only two of us this meal so we did not get to try their famous Ma-La Style SteamBoat, must do that when I visit the place again. Apparently they serve steamboat with a choice of Ma-La and herbal soup, and I love steamboat with herbal soup! This time we ordered rice and dishes.

What I really love was their Herbal Fish (1st from left above, as you can tell I am a huge herbal fan), it was superb! Highly recommended for those who like herbal dishes like me. They have quite an extensive list for their menu, mostly Szechuan food. They also have Ma-La dumpling which is very rare (1st from right above). Price came up to RM28 per person. From what I heard, their steamboat meals will also come up to approximately RM30 per person.

Restaurant Details : Address - No. 42A-2, Jalan PJS 8/2, Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor / Contact Number - 603 5631 8220

Rating : B

RESTAURANT REVIEW : KIKU ZAKURA @ AVENUE K, JALAN AMPANG (Halal)

Kiku Zakura has three outlets, namely (1) Avenue K, Jalan Ampang (2) Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi and (3) Mid-Valley. This is my first visit to Avenue K's outlet. The deco in all three outlets are very much the same, bright yellow-lighted ambience with tidy settings.

 

This time round all of us ordered set meals, and I ordered as usual (I know!) the Unagi set. Not too bad, they have daily special sets and my Unagi set was their special on that day. I'd say for the price of approximately RM30, you get quite a serving with the daily specials, as mine also came with some salmon. The rest of the set meals were OK, I quite liked their Chicken Teriyaki as well.

The only problem I think this outlet has is the location. Avenue K to me is a dead mall, and I for one would not go all the way there for a meal, plus it's in the middle of Jalan Ampang, the high-traffic area. Perhaps most of their crowd comes from those working in the vicinity like KLCC, and also those who happen to pass by.

Restaurant Details : Address - Lot UC-16A, Upper Concourse Level, Avenue K,156, Jalan Ampang,50450 Kuala Lumpur / Contact Details - 603-2166 6186

Rating : B-

RESTAURANT REVIEW : BIBIWOK RESTAURANT @ BANDAR PUTERI, PUCHONG (Halal)

Bandar Puteri in Puchong has been mushrooming with many shoplots filled with offices, shops and most importantly food outlets. 2M1F earlier blogged about Bumbu Bali there, and this time we'll review on the Thai restaurant next to Bumbu Bali, called Bibiwok Restaurant.

The deco is pretty simple, not as detailed as Bumbu Bali, but cosy enough. They also have a smoking section where you can sit outside the walkway of the restaurant's entrance. Bibiwok serves a combination of Thai and Nyonya food. I love Nyonya food.

For drinks I ordered Cucumber & Calamansi, quite refreshing. For appetizer we ordered their fish cakes (1st from right, above). Nothing special.

One of their specialties is Nasi Bibi Special (above), where you can have with either Rendang Daging or Rendang Ayam. It is served with glutenous rice comparable to our local Nasi Dagang. Their Rendang is not too bad.

Their Asam Fish (1st from left, above) is quite nice, but my advice is not to have it with their Nasi Bibi, as you won't be able to really taste the Assam gravy. We also ordered Ayam Api-Api (2nd from left, above), this is chicken cuts deep fried with herbs and dried chillies, very similar to the one they serve at Dragon-i, only that Dragon-i's is much better. Their Pucuk Paku (1st from right, above) was pretty ordinary.

The servings are quite big, so we ended up with food enough for 4-5 pax instead of 3. We paid approximately RM35 per pax, which would have been lesser if we ordered just the right amount. Hence price wise it's quite reasonable.

Restaurant Details : Address - 16 Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1 Bandar Puteri, Puchong / Contact Number - 03-80607659

Rating : C-

RESTAURANT REVIEW : BORA ASMARA @ KG. SG. PENCHALA (Halal)

 

Hidden in Kampung Sg.Penchala, this gem secretly boasts one the most romantic and lovely ambience to dine and have a cosy night-out with your friends. If you are travelling on the LDP Highway (from Puchong towards Sungai Buloh), you will pass by One-U on your left, and soon reach Mutiara Damansara on your left. Right opposite Mutiara Damansara you will see buildings like Honda & Mofaz, and Bora Asmara is just hidden behind them. Take the Kg. Sg. Penchala exit from LDP, to turn right towards Mofaz & Honda.

 

 

This place is a wonder. Once you enter the rather modest entrance, you will find yourself entering into a different world altogether, witnessing a huge piece of land lighted up in Balinese deco and settings. Definitely a great place to dine and chit-chat all night.

 

Inner View5 right above is actually the entrance to their wash room LOL even that was given heed to give customers a different feel. Apparently this place is owned by the same folks of Bora Ombak in Ampang Point, but I couldn't give any comparisons as I've not been to Bora Ombak.

One of the highlights in this place is their private huts called Bisik-Bisik, allowing customers to dine in private comfort with beautiful Balinese settings. Don't forget you'll need to make prior reservations for a seat at the Bisik-Bisik. Minimum 6 pax.

I have to be honest, food here is just ordinary. They serve Asian, Western and fusion food. You'll also find one of their signature drink called Bandrek (the yellow drink in the 1st pic of the left above), a Balinese traditional drink with ginger.

One particular dish that interests me is their Otak-Otak, served in a flaming foil shaped of a swan. Their Otak-Otak is rather different, and you'll find other ingredients served in it like prawns, lala and fishballs. Taste wise, not too bad.

As for their desserts, nothing to shout about. We ordered Cendol, Banana Boat and Balinese Goreng Pisang With Vanilla Ice-Cream. Very, very ordinary.

 

 

What sets Bora Asmara apart from the rest is definitely not their food. If you're looking for Balinese food I would advise you to go to Bumbu Bali. But what Bora Asmara offers is the ambience, the getaway into the Balinese world, and have a romantic night dining under the stars accompanied by cosy Balinese deco and soothing music by their live accoustic band. Their also opened for lunch everyday except Friday.

Restaurant Details : Address - Lot 3330, Kg. Sg. Penchala, Jalan Damansara 60000 Kuala Lumpur / Contact Details - 603-7726 0964

Rating : B (moreso on an overall basis, plus factor for its deco and ambience, and not so much for the food)

RESTAURANT REVIEW : FLYING CHILLIES @ THE GARDENS, MIDVALLEY CITY (Halal)

 

Located on the third floor of the renowned shopping mall The Gardens, Flying Chillies is another addition to the family of Rain Nudle House, Amarin Heavenly Thai and Good Evening Bangkok. The restaurant is not too big, displaying quite a warm, modern and cosy settings for the customers.

Frankly the menu at one glance does remind you of its other sister-restaurants. Taste wise,very similar as well.

I would recommend their mango salad with catfish (above, 3rd from right), it was the best dish for me for that meal.

The tomyum is OK as well, served in a steamboat pot, and the green curry chicken is pretty much within their usual standards.

Restaurant Details : Address - T219 Third Floor The Gardens, MidValley City, Kuala Lumpur / Contact Number - 03-2287 7708

Rating : C

RESTAURANT REVIEW : BAKERZIN @ ISETAN KUALA LUMPUR (Halal)

The outlet at Isetan KLCC is really hidden, at one far away corner on the 3rd floor at KLCC Shopping Mall (near Sun Moulin Bakery). What I've always liked about Bakerzin is their desserts and pastries, but they also serve main courses, from pastas to curry chicken & toast bread. The ambience at this outlet is quite nite, small but comfy. I like the row of individual cubicles on the right side of the outlet, it's more private.

The set lunch is quite a nice deal, costs RM20+ which includes three choices from their appetizers selection (small portions each), a main course, a dessert plus coffee/tea. There were four of us, we ordered 2 set lunches, added another individual main course, and it was more than enough. Prices are reasonable.

Bakerzin also has outlets at 1Utama (new wing), Bangsar Village & The Gardens.

Restaurant details : Address - 3rd Floor, Isetan KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre 50088 / Contact Number 603-2166 8948

Rating : Overall C+ / Desserts & Pastries B

RESTAURANT REVIEW : THE MILL RESTAURANT @ MILLENIUM HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR (Halal)

This was my 2nd visit to the restaurant, located in Millenium Hotel, along Jalan Bukit Bintang (next to Pavillion Shopping Centre). After a long day at work especially when I had to skip lunch to rush work, it was definitely a treat to pamper myself with a nice buffet dinner.

When you enter the main lobby, take the lift to the 1st Floor. The place is cosy & spacious to spend an evening dining and chit-chatting with friends/families.. I'd say the range of food offerred in their buffet is not very wide, but it is still a good meal to pay as they make it up to you in their quality and taste.

 

There's oysters, shashimi bar, very nice BBQ selection, oriental noodles, prawns and crabs to name a few. I like their oysters and salmon - fresh. And their BBQ is a must try. I was being a glutton when I decided to take my 5th serving as I approached the bar for oriental noodles. The chef recommended me their prawn mee, and it turned out quite good actually.

As for the desserts, not so good. They do have chocolate fountain, quite a bit of fruits selection, fair bit of cakes choices and ice cream. But most of them failed to impress taste wise. My advise is that you do not need to spare too much a space when you're having the main courses, no point since the desserts are not that great.

 

Price wise it's reasonable, espcially if you have Maybank credit card. During my first visit, they had a very good offer, giving 50% discount for any maybank credit card. So we only ended up paying slightly less than RM40 per pax! As for last night's visit, they only had offers for Maybank Amex cardholders, and we got a 30% discount. Normal price per pax is RM79++.

Restaurant Details : Address - Grand Millenium Hotel, 1st Floor, 160 Jalan Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur / Contact Number - 603-2117-4888

Rating : A-

RESTAURANT REVIEW : KURA RESTAURANT @ ONE WORLD HOTEL , BANDAR UTAMA (Halal)

When I found out that Kura Restaurant in One World Hotel is under the same management with my favourite Rakuzen, I could not wait to try it out. Went with my parents, and it was worth the visit.

The deco was similar to Rakuzen, they had the same theme which I liked, only here it is much bigger and spacious. But for some this place can be quite a maze, so careful not to get lost when you're dining there ;-)

 

The price range is slightly more expensive compared to Rakuzen, fair for such since it is after all situated inside a posh hotel. However, as a tip, take notice they do have set of the week, where they have a few selection of set meals offerred for quite reasonable prices, ranging from RM25-RM40+.

 

 

The food here is as good as Rakuzen, if not better. Quality is definitely there. Some dishes came with generous amounts of caviar. Salmon is a must for me and theirs did not disappoint. There were three of us, we ordered two main set meals, two rolls and one garlic fried rice. It was more than sufficient. Bill came up to approximately RM160, worth every penny :-)

Restaurant details : Address - One World Hotel, First Avenue, Bandar Utama City Centre 47800 Petaling Jaya / Contact Number - 603-7681-1160 

Rating : A

RESTAURANT REVIEW - DAE JANG KUM @ JALAN AMPANG, KL (Non-Halal)

OK, it's been some time now since I've blogged about FOOD, and I'm sorry I won't be able to provide the restaurant details of DAE JANG KUM, somehow forgot to get their business card when I was there, and it wasn't easy to find info on this restaurant online.

 

Basically we know there is a place along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur called Little Korea, and we have heaps of good Korean food there, and DAE JANG KUM is one of the restaurants that's so easy to find as it's just along the main road of Jalan Ampang.