KAMPUNGBOYCITYGAL A MALAYSIAN FOOD & TRAVEL BLOG

Nestled in a 100-year-old building in the heart of Chinatown, Ril’s Steakhouse opened its door last December with the aim of providing KL-ites with the best meat in the city. We chose to have our Christmas dinner here after hearing some good comments about the food. Parking could be an issue. We parked at an open car park on a back alley about 50 meters before Ril’s Steakhouse and the 50 meters walk was pretty terrifying. We felt as if we could get robbed/mugged any time because Jalan Tun HS Lee was dead quiet at night.

Taking the parking issue aside, The Warehouse Gallery and Cafe which houses Ril’s Steakhouse is a nice place. One can take a stroll to admire the art work on display or simply enjoy a cuppa.

When the proprietor Tunku Khairil Ibrahim and his wife Laurie first spotted this old shop lot, they immediately fell in love with the space and decided it would be criminal to waste such a beautiful building. I felt the same too!

Stepping into Ril’s Steakhouse, one will be easily attracted by the soaring ceilings, cosy leather furniture, and raw industrial accents amidst the rustic decor. White tablecloths and the hanging chandelier create a classy feel.

Ril’s Steakhouse menu features simple yet refined steakhouse classics with a selection of mouth watering starters, mains, sides and desserts. Head Chef and Owner, Tunku Khairil Ibrahim knows meat and just how to cook it. The steak at Ril’s Steakhouse is either Malaysia-reared Gemas Gold or air-flown Australian Angus steaks – we love the fact we know where our meet is coming from.

The types of butter they serve here reminds me of Prime @ Le Meridien.

We loved the bread roll too! It was so flavourful and dense! We tried not to eat too much but it’s awfully hard to resist the wonderful aroma of the freshly baked bread roll.

We started our meal with Lobster Bisque (RM 24) which combines the best flavour of the ocean. It was so creamy and every mouthful was bursting with flavour.

Ril’s Tiga Rasa Scallop (RM 24) was served in three unique ways, with an intense flavour profile moving from sweet to sour to salty. It brings out the best flavour of these plump and juicy scallops.

Slightly charred on the outside and vibrantly pink on the inside, our order of rib eye (RM 99, 500g) was incredibly tender, perfectly seasoned and rich with flavour. It is best to eat without speaking, savouring ever mouthful. The generous portion can easily feed two too. We made a wise decision of sharing the 500g portion. There’s also lady’s portion available for sale at RM 68, 300g.

Just like any other steak house, patrons can choose from the sides available; be it spinach, mushroom, fries, onion rings or baked potatoes (from RM 10 to RM 18).

Our order of Double Baked Potato Royale, Truffled (RM 18) was way beyond excellence! The potatoes were baked and cooked until done. The potatoes were then sliced and the contents were scooped out, leaving the skin to form a shell. The contents were then mixed with butter, cream, truffle and seasonings to achieve a creamy consistency. Place them back onto the shell, sprinkle on some cheese and return the potatoes to the oven. So much work but tasted so good!

Each of us got a complimentary mulled wine from the restaurant manager. It is a traditional drink during Christmas in the Germany. It is actually red wine combined with spices and  served warm.

Dessert was Salted Gula Melaka Ice Cream (RM 12) from The Last Polka. Good ice cream although a tad too sweet for our likings.

If you want incredible steak then this is the place for you, with great ambiance, attentive and friendly services, best quality steak and reasonable pricing. In terms of value for money, Ril’s Steakhouse is pretty hard to beat. KampungBoy thought it was the best RM 200 spent on a satisfactory dinner as such.

Ril’s Steakhouse.
The Warehouse Gallery & Cafe,
Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2022-0528.

Ril’s Steakhouse is open from 4.30pm to midnight daily, Tuesday to Sunday. Between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays, the Ril’s Happy Hour offers 2for1 cocktails, RM30 jugs of beer and RM60 jugs of frozen margarita, with the irresistible allure of free steak sandwiches. It is also open for lunch from 12pm onwards on Friday and Saturday, and for champagne brunch on Sundays from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

For reservations call +60) 3 2022 0528, email info@thewarehouse.com.my or visit www.thewarehouse.com.my

Antipodean – pronounced “an·tip·o·de·an” (adj)

means

(1) coming from or relating to Australia or New Zealand

(2) Ancient Greek: anti “opposed” pous “foot” opposite points on the globe.

Antipodean is a kiwi style cafe that has taken the city by storm.Serving good coffee and delicious breakfast spread, this little premise is packed to the brim almost every morning. Expect to see expats with kids and/or their pets in tow, as this place is extremely child/animal friendly. Hence securing a table can be a difficult matter, so it is better to come in a group of 2-4 as they have only 2 tables which catered to a bigger group.

Antipodean Cafe carries an Aussie vibe – filled with lifting coffee aroma, cramped but cozy interior and buzzing with activities.

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Benjaming Yong has done it again, Ben’s General Food Store being his latest venture replicating the success of For Goodness Sake, Ben’s, Canoodling, Plan B & T Forty Two.

Occupying almost one third of the menu, Ben’s General Food Store specializes in both sweet and savoury wood-fire pizzas. The simple one page menu also features salads, hot deli item and some dessert selection.

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Gourmands celebrate the opening of Samplings on the Fourteen in Berjaya Time Square Hotel six months back. It wasn’t until recently that we finally stepped into the restaurant upon Siew Yee’s gracious invitation.

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F is a big, bad word, some says. So much so that mentioning the “F-Words” is enough to cause a person to be looked at with suspicion, disbelief, and disgust. However F means fun-filled food at this little dining gem located above the ever bustling Chawan on the corner of Jalan Telawi 3.

Don’t let their obscure location or quiet weekday ambiance fool you because the aesthetically decorated restaurant has a charm and aura of its own.

First, we were first fascinated by the steps leading up to the restaurant which were chalked with various “F-Words”.

Then we push through the door to be greeted by an open kitchen with Buffalo brand pots and pans hanging on top.

There’s a sophisticated cheeriness about the in door dining area, with its polished floors and light-wood dining tables.

We were seated at the “library area”, an intimate corner donned by books and magazines.

F Concept has expansive outdoor seating, making the area good for people watching too!

The sleek and functional bar, where all the action is (when nigh falls), with flair bartenders, flaming cocktails and a killer menu.

The menu, like the restaurant, is compact, but that doesn’t make it any easier to decide what to order.

Kampungboy is contemplating a spring roasted chicken, a thick chunk of grilled beef or just a simple pasta dish.

gotta love free water!

The wait staff brought out a warm, fluffy basket of bread after we placed our order.

2 Way Crab (RM 18) – Fresh herbs, fish sauce, and chili sauce are combined with crab meat to create this Asian-inspired crab cakes that is bursting with flavor. The soft shell crab, on the other hand was crispy, juicy and non oily. My only complaint here was the meager portion size.

Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce (RM 25) – The gnocchi were not too soft, not too chewy, almost creamy in texture. Paired with a tangy tomato sauce, it was heavenly made! Who could ask for more at the end of a hard day?

Our main course sea bass, had been equally impressive. Perfectly cooked, spiced, and sauced with a beautiful presentation and over the top delicious!

The passion fruit hazelnut cake (RM 12) was nothing to shout about. We had a mediocre chocolate peanut butter cake before this too. So stick to our advice and skip the dessert.

Despite the limited dessert selection, I didn’t regret coming by for a dinner fix, for the service is fabulous and the ambiance of this place is lovely.

F Concept Dining by Buffalo Kitchens,
69-1, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru.
Tel: 2201-1710
Opening times: Open daily, 12noon-12midnight
Located above Chawan and opposite Bangsar Village.

Located at a quieter part of Bangsar, Opus Bistro is a homey, long-standing Italian restaurant that attracts a loyal group of regulars with its classic offerings. The restaurant has been there, in the same place, since forever ago. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary here, and now we are going into our 7th year. Time flies and it is also a true testament to Opus Bistro’s great food and attentive services.

Risotto Ball. With the golden fried breadcrumb coating around the risotto center, how could anyone resist something that looks so downright sinful?

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