Tag: food review

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Tourism Malaysia

Kalamazoo Restaurant & Cafe

December 5, 2013 at 7:28 pm

Recently, a close friend of mine went back to the States for a family vacation. As we were talking about her trip, she mentioned that she took the opportunity to visit all her favourite restaurants that she frequented when she stayed there previously. Though some of the types of food can be found here in Malaysia, there is just something different about it when it is prepared there. I bet she would be one happy woman if they ever decide to open an outlet here in Kuala Lumpur.

One of the items that you should try is their delicious brownies!

I recalled that conversation as I was sitting in Kalamazoo Restaurant Café not too long ago. For those of you who have not heard of Kalamazoo, it is located at Aman Suria, Damansara. The restaurant was born out of the fond memories that the 4 partners had of the food they tasted when they were studying in Kalamazoo, Michigan. What’s even amazing is that none of them were Hospitality major graduates.

It is a quiet and cosy atmosphere as you step into the restaurant

The food served at Kalamazoo Restaurant Café is simple, hearty and delicious. Most of it is similar to those that the owners themselves favoured when they were there, especially the milkshakes. There is the Classic Vanilla or Chocolate shake and other equally delicious flavours up for offer. My friends and I tried their Peanut Butter with Chocolate and Oreo Vanilla. Both were yummy right down to the last drop, but somehow the Peanut Butter and Chocolate shake called out to me more. The outlet also serves a knockout Rootbeer Float and refreshing Lemonade to wash your palate. Don’t worry if you are not a fan of sour stuff because the lemonade was made just right – not too sour and not too sweet.

Root Beer Float

The delicious and sinful Peanut Butter Chocolate Milkshake

Another favourite – Oreo Vanilla Milkshake

The food… ah… how can I ever forget the food that we had there. We tried Kalamazoo’s Alabama BBQ Ribs and their Signature Pork Burger. Suffice to say that I will definitely be headed back there for seconds! The pork patty was well marinated, so much so that you could taste the flavours in every bite. The one thing that got my attention was the bun. The bun was still soft and delicious even after we subjected the burger to an extended round of photo shoot. The entire burger was well put together, its individual ingredients coming together to form a well-rounded and memorable delight.

Signature Pork Burger

The BBQ ribs were still tender even though it was already at room temperature when we tucked into it. The meat practically came off the bones without much prodding and every bite was heavenly even though I tasted it without the special sauce that is served with it. This is one dish that I would definitely recommend to my pork-loving friends. The Aglio Olio Pork Bacon packs a punch in taste although it looks simple. I have tasted some Aglio Olio dishes where it is either bland or oily, but the one done by the restaurant is just nice. I can still taste the bacon in the oil and the bits are not fried till they are too crispy.

Aglio Olio Pork Bacon

The juicy Alabama BBQ Ribs

Another thing that I really like about this restaurant is that it is one of the few places in Klang Valley that is furkid friendly. Certain areas of the restaurant are designated as furkid area so that the owners can have their dogs seated in case the other customers become wary of the dogs. They also provide knee height chairs for customers to sit their dogs. Though I may not own any dogs for now, I do know where to head to for my meal with my pet in the future!

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Tourism Malaysia

Chilling Out at The Norse Bar & Bistro, BB Park

March 5, 2013 at 5:33 pm

Where is your favourite place to hang out and relax after a long day’s work? For some, it could be as simple as lounging on a cosy sofa at home whereas others may need to boogie their stress away. For me, I love sitting at a bar and observe the good people of Kuala Lumpur go about their daily life. And there is no better place to do this than at The Norse Bar Bistro at BB Park, Kuala Lumpur.

The cosy yet spacious settings is definitely a plus point for many of the bar’s regular patrons

The bar’s special wine ‘cellar’

You can also celebrate any special occasion in the bar’s private room

Situated within BB Park, The Norse Bar Bistro not only offers a good selection of beer and liquor but also a wide range of food items. There is a classy yet cosy dining area on the first floor of the bar for those private moments with family and loved ones. The bar is located on the ground floor and is where most people hang out to chat and drink. The Norse Bar Bistro also engages amateur singers to perform for its patrons on certain nights. Live band performances during the weekends liven up the place even more, making it a great place to just chill and hang loose.

Anyone up for a round of darts?

There is also live entertainment for The Norse Bar Bistro’s guests on certain nights

The atmosphere is just nice to hang out and chill with your friends and family too!

As the bar is open from afternoon till late, the bistro’s menu caters for meals that suit everyone at any hour of the day. You basically can find dishes like appetisers and salads to main course servings like fried rice or pasta dishes. There are also Western food like soups, steaks and chops for those who are looking for a light but filling meal at night.

Delicious Garlic Bread

The bar’s Hong Kong Style Chicken Wings is bound to whet your appetite for more

Euro Banger Sausage

During the few times that I was there, I noticed one interesting thing about The Norse’s patrons – most of them know each other very well. Though it may be a public place, but the greetings that were going around made me feel like I was in a home party instead of just another bar. The laughter and smiles, the jokes and the chatter floating around made the atmosphere much livelier than it already is.

Salmon Caesar Salad

Wild Mushroom Fettucine is a good alternative for a lighter yet filling meal

The Hockkieniese Fried Rice with Roasted Pork is one of the many creations of the bistro’s Executive Chef

The Norse Bar Bistro serves a good range of local and imported beer as well as wines. Other than the local beer favourites like Carlsberg, Tiger and Guinness, the outlet also serves other brands such as Corona, Tuborg, Heineken, Stella Artois and Konig Ludwig. Everything is reasonably priced, which will explain why there are so many regulars. It is easy to just sit and while the hours away, what with the live entertainment and your group of friends. As the day progresses on, BB Park comes alive as more people flock to the many restaurants and The Norse Bar Bistro for a relaxing evening.

Pan Grilled Lamb Rack – grilled to perfection!

Spaghetti Vongole

Looking for something to go with your drink? Why not try out The Norse Bar Bistro’s Pork Knuckles instead

The only thing that I can consider as a downside to this experience is the parking factor. It being located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city, parking is always a headache for those who are unfamiliar with the area like me. But do not let such a trivial matter hinder you from paying The Norse Bar Bistro a visit. Take the chance and you will find that it is worth every moment of it.

This Dining With Moola experience is courtesy of Moola, the first-ever Cash-Back Lifestyle Programme specially designed for shoppers to enjoy free shopping, great savings and best deals in town. Moola is a mobile application that utilises QR code technology for all interactions; from member registration, Moola accumulation and redemption, to the actual shopping.

Moola Frenz who dine at Norse Bar Bistro are entitled to a 10% cash back everytime! What’s more, you can also grab FreeMakan vouchers for even MORE savings here!

Moola is completely hassle-free; no administrative effort; no joining fee; no cards; and comes with even greater flexibility for shoppers to enjoy the variety of rewards for redemption. Visit www.moola.my for more information and download the Moola app today! Apple, Android and Blackberry phones supported.

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Tourism Malaysia

Yashiki Yakitori Bar @ Viva Home Shopping Mall

January 29, 2013 at 3:18 pm

There are many times in my life where I wished I was a braver person. I wish I was brave enough to sit through a horror movie without having to use my hands as a shield at certain parts of the movie. I also wish that I am not easily daunted by the appearance of a restaurant. You know how the situation goes – you walk past an interesting looking restaurant, you take a peek inside and suddenly a hundred and one thoughts flood your mind. Is the food nice? Is it another overcharged restaurant where portions are way too small and bland? Will I regret this decision? These are but some of the many thoughts that comes to my mind.

Yashiki Yakitori Bar at Viva Home Shopping Mall, Cheras

Yashiki Yakitori Bar’s Salmon Yee Shang is priced at RM55++ and is good for 3-4 people

A squeeze of lime juice gives this traditional dish an interesting twist of flavour and taste

If left to my own devices, there would be a high chance that I may not have visited Yashiki Yakitori Bar. But I am glad that I stepped into the outlet, for I would have definitely missed out the many great dishes that it has to offer if I had not gone in. It was part of the dining experience by Moola, the first ever homegrown Cash-Back Lifestyle programme by ICT Utopia. During my visit, I tried the Yee Sang promotion. With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, Yashiki Yakitori Bar is currently offering 5 different types of Yee Sang for its customers. From vegetarians to sashimi lovers, there is definitely a winner for everyone. My friends and I opted for the Salmon Sashimi Yee Sang with generous slices of fresh salmon. I must say, this yee sang is very much more different than the ones that I have tasted before. The lime oil together with the lime leaves and plum sauce used to toss with the raw vegetables gives it a tangy and refreshing taste that complements the salmon very well. Absolutely a must try for those who are dining at the restaurant.

Emily Tang, Eric Thong, Evelyn Ang spouse enjoying a good toss

The higher you toss, the more prosperous it is for you! So go on and toss it as high as you can!

Yashiki Yakitori Bar also serves a selection of Japanese sake and local beer to its customers. And what goes well with a mug of beer than a serving of baby pork ribs? Although the outlet incorporated baby pork ribs as part of its menu earlier, it is now a promotional item for limited time only. I strongly recommend the Baby Ribs Teriyaki to anyone who loves their pork ribs. The meat is tender and soft and falls off from the bones with just a nudge from a butter knife. It is the perfect meal to go with that mug of Tiger beer or that cup of sake in your hands.

Yashiki Yakitori Bar is also promoting their Baby Ribs Teriyaki to their customers, apart from the Yee Shang fare

Baby Ribs Teriyaki. A dish normally consists of either half rack (3 ribs) or full rack (6 ribs)

Of course, in a place such as Yashiki Yakitori Bar, one just does not only try the promotions and forget all the other delicious staple dishes of theirs. Read all about it in the second post coming soon…

This Dining With Moola experience is courtesy of Moola, the first-ever Cash-Back Lifestyle Programme specially designed for shoppers to enjoy free shopping, great savings and best deals in town. Moola is a mobile application that utilises QR code technology for all interactions; from member registration, Moola accumulation and redemption, to the actual shopping.

Moola Frenz who dine at Yashiki Yakitori Bar are entitled to a 10% cash back everytime! What’s more, you can also grab FreeMakan vouchers for even MORE savings here!

Moola is completely hassle-free; no administrative effort; no joining fee; no cards; and comes with even greater flexibility for shoppers to enjoy the variety of rewards for redemption. Visit www.moola.my for more information and download the Moola app today! Apple, Android and Blackberry phones supported.

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Tourism Malaysia

A taste of Szechuan with Moola

January 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm

How many times have we walked past a shop or a restaurant without realising what is offered in there? I know I do. In our haste to reach our destination on time, these shops have been reduced to blurry images that recede into the background. One such restaurant was Zhi Wei Yuan, located along Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.

Zhi Wei Yuan specialises in Szechuan cuisine, and as Chinese cuisines are a big mystery to me, I did not have any preconceived expectations prior to dining at this outlet. I was there with a couple of friends, including Emily Tang of Sunrise Emily blog and Evelyn Ang of Missyblurkit.com, courtesy of Moola, the first ever homegrown Cash-Back Lifestyle programme by ICT Utopia. The girls had a lot to say about their experience here, so please remember to see how it went for both of them!

Read: Emily’s first encounter of the Szechuan kind
Read: Evelyn loves it SPICY… for food of course

It turns out that Szechuan food is famous for its spicy dishes and the generous use of its Szechuan peppercorns in cooking. These peppercorns are known to possess a unique aroma and flavour that is very much unlike its more well-known counterparts, the black and white pepper. Regulars patrons who know exactly what they want can have their dishes customised according to their requests. Freshness is their main emphasis when it comes to choosing their ingredients to ensure quality dishes. Most of their basic ingredients used in preparation of their meals are brought in from China.

Our dishes for the evening looked pretty common, but let me tell you, this lot packs a punch taste wise! The manager offered us a very useful tip to fight off the heat from the peppercorns – that is to drink Wong Lo Kat (a type of Chinese sweet herbal drink) instead of the usual cold water to complement our meal. Our dinner started off with prawns fried in spicy sauce. The prawns were fresh, and it the first of many great tasting dishes that made the dinner great.

Surprisingly, Wong Lo Kat really does help cool down the spiciness of the Szechuan pepper!

To me, food is like songs and movies; you may encounter a great many of them throughout your life, but only a few will actually leave a lasting impression. For me, the Sichuan Style Braised Fish Fillet with Beancurd was one such dish. I never knew that a combination of simple ingredients like fish fillet, soft beancurd and salted preserved vegetable could become something so delicious. The taste of the soup is strong enough that it gives the whole dish its flavour, but not so strong that it overpowers the beancurd and fish fillet.

Sichuan Style Fried Prawn with Spicy Sauce – delicious down to the very last bite!

Sichuan Style Braised Fish Fillet with Beancurd – Though it may look simple, one taste of this dish and you will fall in love with it

We were also treated to a serving of Fried Spareribs in Sweet Sour Sauce and Chongqing Stir Fried Chicken with Dried Chilli. Unlike some restaurants where the colour of the sauce LOOKS delicious but in fact lacks in taste, this dish is just perfect – not too sweet, just enough hint of sourness to make it tender and yummy with every bite! Definitely a must try for lovers of pork spare ribs. For frog lovers, look out for the Dry Braised Spicy Edible Frog. Though it was slightly salty to the taste, the frog meat was fresh and tender, making this dish a great accompaniment with rice.

Fried Spareribs in Sweet Sour Sauce – a must try for spareribs lovers

Chongqing Stir Fried Chicken with Dried Chilli – spicy to the last morsel!

Dry Braised Spicy Edible Frog

The chef also made us a few other non-spicy dishes like the Sauteed Hand Ripped Cabbage, Xinjiang Boiled Lamb Cutlets, Sauteed Shredded Potato with Salted Egg Yolk. Again, do not be fooled by these simple looking dishes. The cabbage tastes absolutely scrumptious! The vegetable is crisp and tasty with a slight sweetness and a hint of vinegar added to it, yet there isn’t any of the raw vegetable taste that is present as a result of undercooking. If you were to ask the manager as to how the lamb is prepared, you’d be surprised with the answer. There isn’t any gamey taste and it doesn’t feel like you are chewing rubber with every bite.

Sauteed Hand Ripped Cabbage – the cabbage tastes crisp with a slight sweetness to it. One of the many favourites for the night

Xinjiang Boiled Lamb Cutlets – who knew that lamb could taste this wonderful cooked this way

Sauteed Shredded Potato with Salted Egg Yolk – looks like noodles right? It’s actually shredded potato coated with salted egg yolk. Another favourite for the night

By now, anyone would already be so full that it would seem impossible to take another bite. Maybe it was the rainy weather, or it could be the company that we had, we were definitely up for one more dish – the famous Sichuan Hot Pot. We chose the Spicy Fish Hot Pot. This item comes with 3 side dishes of your choice, 6 condiments and lots of fish meat underneath that bubbling soup. The condiments, which are raw garlic, spring onions, sesame seed oil, peppercorn oil, chopped red and cilantro, play a part in enhancing your eating experience.

Sichuan Hot Pot – Spicy Fish

The side dishes and condiments that comes together with the order of hot pot

Glutinous Rice Balls in Sweet Rice Wine Soup – a nice dessert to round up the night

Unlike the conventional hot pot where you drink large quantities of the soup, the soup for this hot pot can be a tad too spicy and oily for anyone. That is why one of the condiments given with every dish is sesame seed oil. When mixed with the other condiments of your choice, it will prevent the person from suffering from heartburn. A very useful tip indeed!

It was close to 11pm by the time our dinner ended. Everyone went back with a big smile on their faces and a slightly bigger waistline! Though eating at Zhi Wei Yuan can be slightly expensive, it was worth every dollar. It may seem that we have managed to taste quite a number of dishes today, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. I will definitely make Zhi Wei Yuan a stop in my continuing journey of exploring Szechuan cuisine.

This Dining With Moola experience is courtesy of Moola, the first-ever Cash-Back Lifestyle Programme specially designed for shoppers to enjoy free shopping, great savings and best deals in town. Moola is a mobile application that utilises QR code technology for all interactions; from member registration, Moola accumulation and redemption, to the actual shopping.

Moola Frenz who dine at Zhi Wei Yuan are entitled to a 10% cash back everytime! What’s more, you can also grab FreeMakan vouchers for even MORE savings here!

Moola is completely hassle-free; no administrative effort; no joining fee; no cards; and comes with even greater flexibility for shoppers to enjoy the variety of rewards for redemption. Visit www.moola.my for more information and download the Moola app today! Apple, Android and Blackberry phones supported.

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Categories
Wonderful Malaysia

Simply Mel’s, Malacca Portuguese Cuisine

It is safe to say that over the past year we have become regulars at family-run restaurant Simply Mel’s. We could easily be one of their first customers ever, and have visited the restaurant almost weekly since they started their business at The Sphere. Whenever relatives from The Netherlands are visiting us we bring them to Simply Mel’s. We also often bring our friends to the restaurant, just so they can try out the genuine Malacca Portuguese cuisine, usually for the first time in their lives.

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Simply Mel’s is located within The Sphere in an area called Bangsar South. We happen to live in Bangsar South, we were within the first to receive our keys of one of the units at Begonia Park Residences. We dropped by The Sphere once or two times a week to have a nice dinner at one of the restaurants. The office blocks behind The Sphere weren’t constructed at the time. Simply Mel’s was one of the last restaurants to open in The Sphere, but they were very quick in gaining attention. Not only did I notice many other raving reviews (mostly of food bloggers, but also from culinary magazines), Simply Mel’s was nominated at the Time Out KL Food Awards 2011.

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One of the reviews I read previously was actually from one of Mel’s daughters (she has three daughters that work at the restaurant, all of them always greeting you with warm smiles). I couldn’t agree more with what she wrote there:

The restaurant is a family effort, but it’s really my mum’s… Melba Majella Nunis. It’s her food, her personality, her passion for cooking, her desire to keep our Eurasian family recipes alive…
In a nutshell, it’s just her. It’s Simply Mel’s.

Her mother Mel is such a kind woman. Whenever she has some spare time (as she usually is cooking round the clock) she comes in and chats with everybody.

As I mentioned we often bring friends or relatives (when they are over) to Simply Mel’s. This is also great for us, as we are then able to try out numerous dishes we would otherwise skip. When we have our regular dinner at Mel’s we often go for our most favorite dishes. Over time we’ve come to love certain dishes, like the Devil’s Curry (RM12.90), the Mama Mercy’s Fish Croquettes (RM9.90), French Beans (10.90) and the Beef Curry Ladir (RM16.90).

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Other dishes we like are Chicken Curry Captain (RM12.90), Chicken Seybah (RM16.90), Beef Semur (RM16.90), Pinapple Prawn Sambal (RM17.90) and the absolutely delicious Crab Stuffing (RM21.90). Even after visiting Mel’s for almost a year now, there are still dishes we haven’t tried yet. We certainly will eventually.

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My friends usually go for the Bubur Pulut Hitam, the Cendol or for the ice cream. Mel often has freshly baked cakes, like Sugee Cake or Chocolate Cake, but though they too are delicious I always end up choosing my favorite dessert; Sago Biji Gula Melaka. One other thing why we love this place so much; they serve a great cup of Illy coffee.

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Location and contact details Simply Mel’s

Unit 1-1A, 1st Floor, The Sphere,
No. 1, Avenue 1, Bangsar South,
No. 8 Jalan Kerinchi 59200 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +6 03 2241 4525
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.simplymels.com

You can also contact them via Facebook or Twitter.

Opening hours are daily from 10am to 10pm. It’s a pork-free restaurant.

How to get to Simply Mel’s The Sphere

If you are driving on the Federal Highway, take the exit into Kampung Kerinchi and drive onto Jalan Kerinchi (exit at University LRT). Follow Jalan Kerinchi until you see the office buildings of The Horizon at your left. Right in front is The Sphere. Simply Mel’s is easily recognizable at the upper left side of the building.

If you are using public transport then exit at Kerinchi LRT station and use the overpass that leads to The Horizon (office buildings) and walk towards The Sphere.

Map Simply Mel’s

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