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

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.

Antipodean Cafe has got their menu all scribbled on the chalk board that spans across the wall. How I wish they have a hand out menu because I have to keep turning my head around to study it carefully.

sweet pastries on display

freshly baked cookies on display

Flat White – RM 8

Uses quality coffee beans roasted by Indonesia’s top specialty roaster, Merdeka Coffee; one can be assured of a good cuppa over here. My coffee packed a punch with its pungent coffee aroma.

Iced Mochachino – RM10

Cappuccino -RM8

Cafe Latte- RM8

Croissant Scrambled eggs with bacon – RM18

Snuggled up neatly inside the croissant was scrambled eggs (done right) and rocket. Every forkful of the trio combination revealed a pleasant taste and texture.

Smoked Salmon Omelette – RM20

Brimming with luscious smoked salmon, this sumptious and decently portioned omelette is a perfect brunch dish.

All Day Breakfast – RM18
Toast, choice of bacon, chicken, beef or pork sausages, baked beans, scrambled eggs & grilled tomatoes

Big Breakfast – RM18
Toast, choice of bacon, chicken, beef or pork sausages, mushrooms, hash brown & scrambled eggs.

Must order! It is a hearty and wholesome breakfast whereby servings are considered as quite generous even for a guy. The pork bacon/sausage stood out amongst the other for the smokey flavour and perfect texture. The scrambled eggs were so moist, with a nice buttery whiff. I also love the home made hash brown which packed a punch. It is a very substantial dish so I always share  a big breakfast + an side order of pork bacon together with a girl friend.

Pumpkin and Sweet Corn Fritter with Bacon (RM 18)

Somehow, I really like the corn fritters here (which I tried on separate occassion) too.  Soft in the middle and slightly crispy on the edge, every forkful reveals a generous amount of corns.

Kiwi Style Lamb Burger (RM 25). I tried this when I drop by for dinner one day. The patty was so juicy and flavourful but not too overpowering.

It is also a great place to satisfy a birthday girls’s big breakfast cravings. Happy Birthday to our dearest Christine and thanks to Ivy for the chocolate crumble cake.

All in all, Antipodean Cafe has all the makings of a great breakfast joint – great quality coffee and consistently good food. Breakfast is also served all day, so one can actually drop by for dinner to avoid the breakfast crowd. We have seen ourselves going back again and again over the weekends too – our favourite brunch place to date!

Antipodean Cafe
20, Jalan Telawi 2,
Bangsar, KL
Tel: 03-22820411
Open 8am- 10pm on all days

Credits to Chris for most of these awesome photos!

This cafeteria-like eatery is stunning in every way. The space is simple and clean, with long communal tables, metal chair and vintage(y) milk cartons that remind me of my old school days.

Pizza is No. 1 word search in Google? Is it? Look up and you can see puns, and witty quotes adorning the chalk boards.

Apple Crumble recipe for your perusal

B.I.G Lasagna (RM 18.90). It was huge indeed, with cheese and minced meat layered between lasagna cheese and drenched with a delicious pasta sauce. What an ultimate comfort food.

Every order of hot deli item comes with a side of salad. We chose the pineapple and codfish salad, but it was really bland

Salami Pizza (RM 19.90). It was great. The tomato sauce is neither too sweet nor acidic, the salami has a decent kick and the mozarella is served in a generous manner.

We were stuffed to the brim, but could not resist having something sweet. The carrot cake (RM 9.90) was dry and crumbly, which was disappointing.

There were hits & misses from the menu but Ben’s General Food Store is such a charming price that serves up simple, hearty fare with a decent price tag.

Bangsar Village I,
G17 & G18, Ground Floor,
No 1, Jalan Telawi Satu Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2284 8790
Website: http://www.thebiggroup.co/

Opening times: Open daily, 10.30am-10.30pm

Samplings on the Fourteen is a fine dining fusion outlet initially set up by Berjaya University College of Hospitality. It serves as a training ground for the students during day time while Chef Val and his team run the show when night falls.

The dining room offers a choice of plush booths and spacious tables with just the right level of intimacy for an important business lunch or dinner or romantic special occasion.

The restaurant features an open kitchen where patrons can see the cooks perspiring over the grill or flipping the pan.

Samplings on the Fourteen is also equipped with an unparalleled views of the city, making it a perfect place to take a first date

The ala-carte menu is simple but well covered with 7 courses, namely ‘To Begin’, ‘To Warm’, ‘To Grain’, ‘To Fish’, ‘To Meat’, ‘To Grill’ and ‘To Finish’. In conjunction with MIGF 2011, we were presented with the MIGF Festival Menu (4 courses) with wine pairing.

Appetizer
Combination of Seared Foie Gras, Tomato and Onion Tart &
US Scallops with Yellow Mushrooms, Chive Salad
****
Cloudy Bay, Chardonnay

Seared Foie Gras, Tomato and Onion Tart was so delicious that will inspire even the most discerning palates. The sweetness of the tomato and caramelised onion complemented the thick, velvety foie gras so well. The US scallop, pan seared over high heat helped retained its juiciness and natural sweetness. Another well executed appetizer!

Soup
Light Smoked Duck Essence
with Ginseng Root and Raviolini
****
Cloudy Bay, Chardonnay

The consomme was delightfully delicious. Ginseng root has lends its aroma to this luxurious soup. The raviolini has excellent filings but the skin just felt a bit too thick.

Sorbet
Celery Mint Sorbet

Patrons can also request for the favourite tune to be played while indulging in Chef Val’s culinary delights.

Main Dishes
Roasted Australian Pistachio Crusted Baby Veal Rack
served with Greens, Potato Comfit and Truffle Jus
****
Nicolas Catena Zapata, Malbec

The Baby Veal Rack is one of Chef Val’s signature dishes. Baby veal is the most tender and lightest in color of all veal; hence the light hint of redness. The meat was so juicy and tender that it requires minimal chewing.

Main Dishes

Cajun Spiced Black Cod
Seared Prawns, Vanilla Oil and Escarole Risotto
****
Puligny Montrachet

Impeccably fresh and juicy, the cod fish was a flaky perfection! The sauce was refreshing, accentuating the natural flavour of the lightly seared cod.

Dessert
Ricotta Cheese Cake
Chestnut Mousse with Raspberry Coulis and Almond Crisp
****
Peter Lehmann Barossa Art Late Harvest Frontignac

Dessert was quite a let down after such incredible starters and mains. Though creamy, the ricotta cheesecake was bland. Same goes for the chestnut mousse, I was expecting something nutty and sweeter.

Samplings on the Fourteen is the perfect combination of spectacular view, warm atmosphere and innovative cuisine.

As a MIGF participant this year, the restaurant is offering 3 special menus for the whole month of October:

Samplings on the Fourteen
14th Floor, East Tower,
1, Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 603- 2117 8000 ext 8131
Fax: 603- 2117 8155
Email: bth.samplings@berjayahotel.com

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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.

Seafood Antipasti Platter – baked scallops and prawns, fresh clams in white wine sauce and mussels in arabiatta sauce. Tempt your taste buds with these exotic flavours from the sea. I simple adore the fresh clams in white wine sauce; the sauce was so divine that I mopped up every last drop with the complementary bread!

Spaghetti alla Opus is “the dish that made us famous”, according to Opus Bistro. Brimmed with seafood favourites like prawns, squids, clams and mussels that impart a mild briny flavour of the sea to the sauce, it was an instant hit among us. The flavour was further accentuated by the finishing touch of fresh herbs.

Spinach Ravioli with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce – Paired with a creamy and mildly piquant gorgonzola sauce, this classic Italian home-made pasta dish makes a delicious vegetarian meal.

Linguini aglio olio with smoked duck – The smoke duck was very tender and the intense, smokey flavor goes very well with the plain aglio olio.

Grilled Lamb Cutlet with Red Wine Sauce – I had to give this a pass for having too much mutton with gamey taste in China last week. However, according to KY, it was all good!

Opus Famous Roasted Cod with choice of White Wine Sauce or Lemon Caper Sauce. It is an all time favourite dish of Opus Bistro’s regular. Impeccably fresh and juicy, the cod fish was a flaky perfection! The sauce was refreshing, accentuating the natural flavour of the lightly seared cod.

Bristot Coffee is something for the ultimate coffee pleasure.

We had Chef’s Special Tiramisu to end our meal on a sweet note. The mascarpone cream was right on – not too sweet, rich, creamy. The lady fingers were soaked perfectly and the coffee liquor kick was strong enough.

Remember to save some room for the Chocolate Desire the next time you are here.

One must crack through the chocolate molten cake to witness the hot lava slips down its gooey value. Then dig in and enjoy the juxtaposition of hot lava against cold ice cream in your mouth.

Our revisit has reaffirm the fact that Opus Bistro has got indisputable food quality, just like its reputable sister outlets at Jalan Bangkung. Though ‘glam’ dining as such is not light on the pocket (for us lar), but the food quality more than makes up for it.

The best part of this place were the cute drawings that adorned the walls.

Sam Hepburn’s cute and cheeky illustrations were spotted too.

Mocha (RM 9)

Flat White (RM 8.50)

Cappuccino (RM 7.50)

Haute Food Co,’s coffee is brewed from Genovese coffee beans from Melbourne.

Ice Honey Lemon Tea (RM 8.00)

They have a variety of freshly made sandwiches that taste great! The smoked salmon sandwich and the roast beef sandwich were our favourites.

Specials of the Day – Slow Roast Lamb Wrap with Mint Yoghurt Sauce (RM 18.90)

Smoked chicken, sundried tomato pesto & cheese (RM 11.90)

Smoked salmon, red onion, capers & cream cheese (RM 14.90)

Roast beef, caramelised onions & mizuna (RM 13.50)

Special of the Day – Penne Pasta, Chili, Garlic and Seafood (RM 15.90)

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Dark Chocolate with Whiskey Cherry

Scones with Clotted Cream & Jam

Oh, it’s my birthday!

Thank you for celebrating my birthday. You guys are simple the best friends that anyone could ever ask for!

Not to forget KampungBoy, the most amazing and perfect boyfriend in the world!

wonderful gift from my wonderful friends.

The Hauta Food Co. is a prime example of simple food done well.The breakfast menu ranges from your toasts, to croissants, cereals and sandwiches, all for under RM20. The dessert menu rotates daily; and some of the selection that we had that day were a tad too sweet for our liking. The scones, on the other hand, were moist, light and fluffy. The combination of great food at reasonable prices, served in a warm and friendly atmosphere, offers a perfect dining experience for us.

Getting Here:

The first one being my “prime” birthday celebration at Le Meridien KL. My birthday falls on the 7th of March; and both number 3 and 7 are prime numbers that have exactly two distinct natural number divisors: 1 and itself. Coupled with prime grill and prime wine, it was indeed a prime birthday celebration.

It was very sweet of KampungBoy for taking me out for a dinner at Prime, an upscale steak house that prides itself in serving only the finest imported beef and wines.

I stepped out of my apartment all dolled up just for the special occasion. Do expect more vain pictures of me because I hardly ever wear evening dresses, especially one that makes me walk around with my stomach sucked in all evening. *blushes*

We started off with some complimentary bread while browsing through the menu.

A bread basket with freshly baked Emmental Cheese & Black Pepper Bread and Walnut Bread greeted us. It was served together with three types of butter – Aragula, salted and dried fruits butter.

Soft, fluffy, and nicely spiced, together with a generous helping of butter; the bread has bowled us over. We tried not to eat too much but it’s awfully hard to resist the wonderful aroma of those freshly baked bread.

Foie gras experience (RM75)
Charcoal grilled, crème brûlée and terrine

Crème Brûlée – The foie gras was smooth and creamy with a great combination of sweet and savory taste, and it was topped with a toasty, caramelised top. So good!
Terrine – The richness of the foie gras was balanced with the tartness and crunchiness of the prunes.
Charcoal Grilled – With its side still glistening in its own fat, the foei gras looked all too pretty to eat! It was creamy and had none of the chalkiness or bloody taste.

Australian crab cakes, chili flakes, garlic sauce and mango salsa RM 55

Fried in a light crispy batter, the crab cakes were filled to the brim with soft, flaky crab. This is especially awesome for a crab lover like me, because picking strands of tasty flesh from the crab shell is a painful job!

the not-so-young-anymore CityGal

the ever-loving KampungBoy

Blackmore Wagyu Chuck Flap Tail 8oz / 220g RM 180

BLACKMORE is an Award Winning 100% Full Blood Japanese Wagyu Beef that achieves a consistent high marbling score of 9+ (Australian highest score). The marbling melts at room temperature, giving the meat its ‘melt in the mouth” moisture and tenderness. The meat itself has an intensely sweet, delicate and persistent flavour. However, slaughtering only 40 cattles each month, the availability of cuts are exclusive.

Chuck tail flap is next to the short ribs with rich flavor similar to short ribs. However, it is cut from the serratus ventralis which is a very highly marbled muscle which make the texture slightly tougher. Our steak was grilled to a perfect medium rare and it was nice and juicy inside with beautiful marbling. My only gripe was the occasional bite into the muscle fibers which requires some jaw exercise.

Sautéed Green Asparagus (RM 15) & Truffle Sauce.

Rich hot chocolate cake, chocolate sauce, stracciatella ice cream RM 30

Towards the end of dinner, I looked up to see the restaurant wait staff coming to the table with a birthday cake. And to my delight, they sang Happy Birthday to me. Thanks for the arrangement, KampungBoy.

It was a very memorable meal, with great service, great food and of course great companion! Prime is a classic dining spot for steaks and it is a place to go if you have some extra moolah to splurge on. I reckoned that one should do the Business Set Lunch for the same quality food that is lighter on the wallet. My lunch experiences has so far been very good, and with a price tag of RM 70 for 2 course meal and RM 85 for 3 course meal, it offers great value for money.

Prime, 5th Floor,
Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur,
2 Jalan Stesen Sentral,
50470 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
(Directly opposite KL Sentral station and next to KL Hilton)
Tel: 03- 2263 7555
Website: http://www.lemeridiendining.com.my
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 12.00pm to 2.30pm (Lunch); Monday to Sunday: 6.30pm to 11.00pm (Dinner)

And in Malaysia, we are having a month-long celebration from 1^st March 2011 to 31^st March 2011. ”,featuring an array of exciting parties, fun activities and a host of other GUINNESS® promotions.

On the 17th of March 2011, there is a street celebration at Changkat Bukit Bintang. Remember to be there to join in the fun, together with the entertainers, dancers, buskers and beautiful GUINNESS® ambassadors.

Thanks to Hui Ping and GUINNESS®, we had an early Saint Patrick’s Day celebration at Fitou Brasserie, a lovely bar cum restaurant located at the Water Front. They are running this St. Patrick’s Festival Celebration Menu at Fitou Brasserie where the following three ala-carte GUINNESS® infused dishes (RM 34++) comes with a FREE pint of Guinness @RM48 nett.

1) Irish Beef Stew with Guinness served with Carrots & Potatoes

The distinctively flavored Irish beef stew recipe is a favorite on St. Patrick’s Day. This is one hearty one dish meal and the stout beer really adds a great flavor. Although it is very flavorful, the beef chunks were quite tough that requires a certain extent of jaw exercise.

2) Sauteed Guinness Beef Chunks with French Beans & Carrot Sticks

The dish may looked simple but it was bursting with awesome goodness. Juicy and tender, the beef chunks were well prepared. . Using Guinness as the braising liquid adds a good, subtle flavor to the gravy too.

3) Pork Wellington stuffed with Apricots, served with Potatoes & Guinness Cream Sauce

The pork wellington is my favourite dish of all! A spin off from the usual beef wellington, the chef has done a very good job with the pork wellington. The pastry keeps the pork incredibly moist and juicy still just slightly pink in the center and the apricot bits gives it a tangy sweet flavour. Drench it with a generous amount of Guinness Cream Sauce and you are in heaven!

Chocolate Fondant

There’s nothing better than savouring a smooth and rich chocolate cake punctuated with plenty chocolate sauce. What a perfect sweet ending.

Creme Brulee

Topped with a crunchy, caramelized layer, the Creme Brulee was custardy and creamy.

Putting on hat and get our mood ready for the Saint Patrick’s Day!

On top of Fitou, these are some other outlets that feature St. Patrick’s Festival food such as:

798 Wine Bar, Tropicana City Mall
SOULed OUT
Deutches Gasthaus
Malones Irish Restaurant and Bar
Terrace Arms & Grill House
Sid’s Pubs
Jarrod & Rawlins
Finnegan’s

So remember to mark your calender and find out where Merry Goes Round this March with GUINNESS®. Check out facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia for more information

Fitou
Lot GF2, The Waterfront @ Park City, 5 Persiaran Residen, Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan, 52200
03-6280-8978

table for two

Our Valentine’s Day Set Meal For Two comprises of two shared starter, a huge main course platter, dessert and coffee or tea.

Mango, Avocado & Roast Chicken Salad

This looks like the perfect summery salad. Drizzled with a tangy dressing, this appealing salad makes a colorful and tasty alternative to the usual bowl of greens. The avocado slices were creamy and buttery, the cherry tomatoes and mango cubes were sweet and juicy and the greens were so fresh that I almost felt like a grazing cow.

Serrano Ham, Smoked Salmon, Chorizo, Pickles and Olives

The cold cuts sets us off well, whetting the appetite for our main courses.

Combination of Hickory Baby Back Ribs+Grilled Prime Rib Eye Steak+Seared Fish Fillet+Selection of Pork Sausages
with
Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Chunky Roast Vegetables, Dijob Mustard, Applesauce & Red Wine Glaze

Our eyes opened wide when the huge platter was presented right in front of us. Are you sure that the platter is meant for a couple, instead of 3-4 pax?

The Hickory Baby-Back Ribs is our old favourite. It was moist, full of smoky flavor and finger smackingly delicious!  And the charred bits along the edges are a smoky treat. I like the Dymatite sausage the best. It had great chilli kick, and was packed with juicy meat within. The grilled prime rib eye steak tasted great, but was a little too tough for me. The seared fish fillet was crispy on the outside and juicy within.

The starters and mains were great, but the dessert was bit of a let down though. The cakes turned out to be dry and crumbly.

top up RM 40+ to enjoy two glasses of house pouring wine.

J&R Damansara Heights is offering a V-Day Set Meal For 2 at RM 220+ per couple or RM 260+ per couple with wines. However, they are fully booked on the 14th, with some tables still available on the 13th. Tables are still available at the Hartamas outlet (RM 65+ per pax, different menu) and the Ampwalk outlet. Please call to make a reservation.

I’m wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone, no matter single or attached, will enjoy this special day with happiness and lots of love!

*thanks to Elaine and J&R for having us over

Desa Sri Hartamas
36, Ground Floor, Jalan 27/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel 03-2300 0708,
Fax : 03-2300 0706
Email: srihartamas@jarrod-rawlins.com

Damansara Heights
No.6 Lorong Dungun, Damansara Heights,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel 03-2093 0708,
Fax: 03-2095 3221
Email: damasara@jarrod-rawlins.com

Ampwalk Mall
Ampang Lot G08B, Ground Floor,
The Ampwalk, 218 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel : 03-2166 0708,
Fax: 03- 2166 7708.
Email: ampwalk@jarrod-rawlins.com

Kota Kinabalu
Block E-29 G & E-30 G, Times Square, Off Coastal Highway, 88100 Kota Kinabalu
Tel: 088-231 890 / 860

“OK, let’s go to Sukico Hainan Cafe then. Heard some good thing about em’”, he told me. I almost choked on my water, for obvious reasons.

Sukico Hainan Cafe has been in Damansara Uptown for as far as I can remember but it was only our first time there. The decor is simple and minimal, and the menu is pretty straightforward. The place had an old, musty smell that I don’t feel comfortable with. Maybe it’s just me and my sensitive nose.

I had a feeling that our Iced Hainanese Tea (RM 3.50) is going to be bad when I saw it being prepared by the foreign worker. You gotta trust a woman’s sixth sense – my hainanese tea was diluted, overly sweet and where is the thick frothy foam that sits on top? Nowhere to be seen.

KampungBoy ordered the signature Hainanese Chicken Chop (RM 12.80). Drenched in brown sauce and topped with a slice of cheddar cheese, the chicken chop coated in a crispy batter tasted really good! It came with a generous servings of fries and coleslaw too.

I really like the super decadent and rich Hainanese Lamb Stew (RM 14.80) too. The sauce is really thick and flavorful, with a light hint of star anise and cinnamon stick. The lamb was so tender, the meat fell right off the bones. It was so delicious that I’m getting every last bit of marrow out towards the end of our meal.

Taking the “smell” issue aside, we had a very satisfying lunch in Sukico Hainan Cafe. The Hainanese Chicken Chop and Hainanese Lamb Stew is really something! And I’m really glad that KampungBoy will have another place in mind the next time he wants to do Hainanese. Yay, no more Yut Kee all the way!

Sukico Hainan Cafe
26, Jalan SS21/39,
Damansara Utama,
47400 PJ.
Tel: +603 7728 8381

We sample a good chunk of tasty offerings such as the “toad in the hole”. J&R’s sausages were good as usual. The beautifully puffed up Yorkshire pudding proves to be a clear winner with its ultra crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior.

J&R Premium Beef Burger with Cheese (made with 180g Prime Beef Pattie)

The homemade patty was so compact and juicy that it will leave you bemoaning how terribly full you are after walloping one all by yourself.  The burger is meant to be shared! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

cross-sectional view

Chicken Mushroom & Leek Pie

I’ve always love J&R’s pies. The pastry was flakey and browned perfectly. Use a fork to flatten the pastry and let it sink into the creamy concoction of chicken, mushroom and leek. Dig in and you’ll get pleasures in every mouthful.

ultimate comfort food

Smoked Duck Pasta with Mushrooms & Rocket

The best pasta dish served that day. Smoky and moist tender smoked duck paired with al dente pasta with creamy sauce spells P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

Vegetarian Pasta with Garlic Zucchini, Capsicum, Tomato, Pesto & Wine

The pasta sauce was a tad too sour for my liking but the rest seemed to enjoy it. 

Prawn Pasta with Spiced Cream & Basil Pesto

We all love the  spicy twist given to the pesto sauce based pasta. Only gripe was that the prawns were not too fresh.

Fish Fillet with Parsley Sauce, Boiled Potatoes & Zucchini

Unfortunately the fish was overcooked, resulting in a dry and flaky texture.

Crème Brulee

After gorging in rich after richer savories, the chef fed us with this ultra rich version of creme brulee with perfect caramelized top. Ahhhh such pleasures in life!

Other NEW ITEMS that will be launched includes:

Linguini Gorgonzola with Radicchio & Toasted Pine Nuts
Roast Beef & Beetroot Salad with Horseradish & Sour Cream
Creamy Pea Soup with Ham & Bacon
Pork Cumberland Sausage served with Mustard, Mashed Potato & Coleslaw
Gammon Steak with Parsley Sauce & Boiled Potatoes
J&R Club Sandwich with Tomato, Lettuce, Ham, Bacon & Cheese
Whole Slab of Hickory Baby Back Ribs (approx. 1.2 kg) served with Baked Potato & Coleslaw
Selection of Creamy Milkshakes (Vanilla / Chocolate / Strawberry / Vanilla Malt)
Chocolate Mousse

Another good news for quick-lunch muncher:
Also check out their quick-and-easy J&R Takeaways; providing a 10% discount for all cold (non-cooked) takeaways, and an additional 10% if you’re a J&R cardmembers.
To become members, just drop by J&R to sign up.

For more updates on promotions, news, and events including occasional charity events, check out their Facebook Group page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=145748008998

Jarrod & Rawlins
Damansara Heights
No. 6, Lorong Dungun
Damansara Heights
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2093 0708
Fax: +603 2095 3221
Email: damansara@jarrod-rawlins.com

I love the interior of The Pink Sage; it is best to keep things simple and clean with a splash of trend or color here and there.

The place serves all day breakfast, from 8am until 6pm. We chose the ever popular Stacked Breakfast (RM17) with eggs (poached, scrambled or sunny side up), chicken or beef sausage, streaky beef brisket, roasted potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, beans and rye or white toast. It was really good and satisfying! The chicken sausage was bursting with flavor, and the streaky beef brisket being a replacement for bacon was crispy and juicy. I love the touch of rosemary here, in the baked beans. And not to forget that we enjoyed our potatoes and mushrooms very much.

Up size your stacked breakfst for an extra RM10 if you are a heavy eater, or if you wanted to share it with someone else.

Feeling greedy, we go for the American Classic Cheeseburger (RM21.50). The patty was intensely beefy and bursting with flavours, but I find it a tad dry. I love my burger patty to be really moist; the juicier the better.

some caffeine to start off the day (RM 7)

water is free <3

We loved the atmosphere and the simple food and were quite willing to add this restaurant to our list of “favourites”.

The Pink Sage Diner and Pantry,
A4-UG-01 Solaris Dutamas,
1 Jln Dutamas 1,
50480 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
+6016 205 2023

I’m glad that we have smokehouse here in KL; a cozy restaurant that exudes old English charm. The Smokehouse has came a long way. They started out in Cameron Highlands as Smokehouse Hotel & Restaurant and followed by the Ye Olde Smokehouse in Fraser’s Hill. In 1992, The Smokehouse made its debut in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng and last year Datuk Woo decided to relocate it to Bangsar.

Other than traditional English grubs such as beef wellington and yorkshire puddings, the Smokehouse in Bangsar takes pride in their extensive Thai menu. Our first thought was “Thai food in such a beautiful English setting?” but breathed a collective sigh of relief when we found out that their Thai chefs were previously with Rama V. That would give us some quality assurance.

The interior of Smokehouse screams beautiful taste.

Antique audio player, antique mirrors, antique silver,  fancy pottery, glassware, fireplaces and old pictures are to be discovered in every corner of the premise.

I can just sit here all day, sipping tea and reading a book provided that the fireplace is not lit up (it’s 30 degree Celsius out there!).

Let’s go to the food part, shall we? The restaurant manager, Dennis recommended Mieng Kam (RM15) to whet our appetite before the mains . The parcels were beautifully presented in shooter glasses. We added a bit of sauce on top, ate it on one bite and let the taste explode in our mouths.

Grilled Mushrooms with White Wine Sauce – RM15. The mushrooms were made extra flavorful with a little white wine and crushed garlic bits.

Chor Ladda – RM15. The blue colored flower shaped dumplings were beautifully presented. I loved the sweet-savory taste of the minced chicken and peanut filling but the skin was too thick for my liking.

Poo Nim Tod – RM18. The crispy soft shell crabs were deep fried to perfection. One bite into these crispy soft shell crabs relinquishes a subtly sweet taste and slightly soft centre.

We also had some some highly refreshing Hoegaarden for a hot, sticky afternoon.

“I can haz this beer”

One of our main courses were the Roast Lamb Shank (RM32). It was incredibly flavorful, succulent and fork-tender.

Beef Wellington – RM48. It requires a tedious preparation as the beef tenderloin were coated with pâté and duxelles, which is then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. It is a very special dish on its own but I thought the beef was lacked of flavor and texture.

Roast Sirloin of Steak with Yorkshire Pudding – RM38. Yorkshire Pudding is just so English!! It was light and airy, and the bottom was nice and crispy. The roast sirloin of steak too, was perfectly moist, tender and delicious.

The Chicken & Mushroom Pie (RM28) was one of the crowd’s favorite. The pie filling was so creamy and tasty while the pie crust stayed flaky and crisp. The chef has done his marvel by turning a simple pie into such a beautiful dish.

Signature Thai style Fried Rice.This delicious Thai fried rice features baby shrimp, shredded egg and bits of chicken as well as some healthy greens. Mix everything together, give it a good stir and enjoy the delicious fried rice.

Grilled Cod Fish – RM38. This delicious grilled cod was tender and buttery while the skin came out crackly crisp. Absolutely divine!

a long table feast!

Smokehouse’s version of Mango with Sticky Rice is top notch! The mango had a firm, velvety flesh and oozing with juice. The sticky rice had a creamy texture around a chewy center and the sesame seed gave it a delicate, aromatic flavor.

Bombe Alaska (RM28) is an intriguing dessert. The waiter splashed a generous amount of dark rum over the meringue layer of Baked Alaska with ice cream and sponge cake inside. Lights are then turned down and the whole dessert is flambeed while being served. It was deliciously light, not overly sweet and a perfect finish to be meal.

How could we missed out Smokehouse’s signature afternoon tea set, a three-tiered platter of exquisitely prepared sandwiches, scones and delicate pastries? The scones were light, flavorful and made from real butter. These were amazing! Seriously, the best scones. Try one.

While there are some misses (and more hits!) in the food that we had, I would still recommend this restaurant to any body who wish to have good food at good prices. Smokehouse is a great place to enlighten your taste buds with traditional British food and desserts, as well as some delectable Thai cuisine.

The Smokehouse
67, Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2288 1510
Business hours:
Weekdays -11am to 12am
Weekends – 11am to 2am
(located next to Chawan & Madam Kwan’s)

I love  the wait staffs cladded in Super Mario outfit. Uber cute!

It is sad to know that Craft Brew failed to obtain a license to brew their own beer. So the dream of having our very own microbrewery sort of “vanished”.

However, I love the fact that they took the effort to bring in Singaporean beer brand RedDot (the fame GREEN and RED coloured beer) and American brews, Flying Dogs (Old Scratch Amber Lager, In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen, etc) and Rogue (Brutal Bitter, Dead Guy, etc).

Something is always better than nothing right?

I also like how the food is seriously non halal. Pork ribs, pork burger, carbonara and etc; you name it, they have it. Even the complimentary soup is full of porcine goodness but it was too salty for my liking.

Honey Mustard Pork Ribs (RM28). I know how everyone loves their ribs to be “fork tender and falling off the bone easily”, but our honey mustard ribs were a bit too soft and mushy.

The lamb shank (RM28) was deep fried before it was braised or simmered to succulence (I think), which results in a slightly crispy skin. This delicious lamb dish has all the right flavours in place too! Thus, it comes highly recommended by KampungBoy.

The Craft Brews Pasta is a cream-based pasta with bacon strips and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Generous servings and they did not skimp on the ingredients.

We absolutely adore the Potato Wedges (RM12)! I really liked the crispy aspect of the wedges and the addition of some chili flakes was genius! It made a great beer snacks too.

We also sampled three types of home brew:

Monster Green Lagers that appears in translucent green is brewed and lagered with premium spirulina that gives the unique color and a whiff of fresh fragrance.

English Ale is for someone who likes stronger and full-bodied beer. It appears in ruby red and the flavour comes a bit complex with smoky, spicy and hop-py.

Weizen (Wheat Beer) appears in Golden and cloudy. With the fruity nose and spice flavour, you will find it light-bodied and refreshing.

*1/2 pint at RM15

“In Heat” Wheat Hefeweizen (RM18) is highly recommended for ladies and for those who find beers bitter

the partners in crime I – simon seow

the partners in crime II – chris, christine, aiwei, tingfang

The food was decent but for someone who prefers full flavoured beer, you might find the light and refreshing beers to be tasteless and odourless. It was ok for us, because we can drink them all night without falling over.

Craft Brews
Jalan PJU 7/2,
Mutiara Damansara,
47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.161031, 101.613761
Tel: 03-7722 3000

Happy hours are:
Mon – Sat: 12pm to 8pm
Sunday: All day

Restaurant/Bar closed from 2.30PM – 5PM daily.