Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Yeast Bistronomy (Revisit) @ Jln Telawi, Bangsar

Complimentary bread
Complimentary assorted from the boulangerie

So long gone are days when we crack our heads to find that extra special place for that extra special yearly occasion (February 14th.......). Well, I'm just glad we no longer need to do that.

"Let's give Yeast's dinner menu a try for V's dinner?"
"Sure!"

And that was it.

This is a revisit. Read our first visit here.


Gateaux de Crabe
Gateaux de Crabe - RM28
Crispy crab cakes, green apple, cranberries, toasted walnut, roquette, and garlic aioli

Seared salmon
Saumon Poele Bordelaise-Bearnaise - RM45
Seared salmon with red wine & Bearnaise sauce with creamed spinach

Beef Bour
Beef Bourguignon -RM58
Tender braised beef short ribs with red wine, root vegetable puree

Red wine & Rose
Red for him and Rose for her - about RM20 per glass

The crab cakes were delicious, accurately described in the menu as crispy and with solid crab meat. We wish there was more than 1 piece per person or it wasn't so expensive so that we could afford 2 portions! No complains on the salmon for me, though there was really nothing to shout about. The Bearnaise sauce is the same sauce being used in the breakfast menu for the Eggs Ben (similar to Hollandaise). The beef bourguignon was very well executed. The meat was fork-tender and every bite of the braised beef was flavourful - recommended! Wines are available by glass and at about RM20 affordability level, they were pretty decent.




Yeast Bistronomy
24G, Jalan Telawi 2,
Bangsar, 59100,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-22820118
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yeast-Bistronomy/351724934917371


* Visuals by iPhone 4

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Ril's Steakhouse @ Jln Tun HS Lee

IMG_6047
Ril's dining setting

Winner of the Time Out KL Food Awards for the category of 'Best for Meat' instantly upgrades Ril's from a previously unknown hidden steakhouse housed in a pre-war upper shoplot along Jalan Tun HS Lee (just about a stone's throw from Petaling Street). The ground floor is set up as an art gallery and cafe (The Last Polka ice cream is available here). From the ground floor, a black metal (very) steep staircase leads you to Ril's. If you've read it elsewhere to be cautious of the staircase, I'd like to repeat the same warning too... ladies, do not attempt to wear your 4-inch stilletos.

IMG_6036
Assorted butter to go with your bread

IMG_6035
Lobster bisque - RM28

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Tuna tartare - RM28
Finely chopped raw tuna with spicy marinated onions, served with dragonfruit compote and ginger soy vinaigrette

IMG_6469
Green goddess - RM22
Crisp baby romaine hearts served with a tangy and delicious anchovy-tarragon dressing

IMG_6474
Tuna tataki - RM28
Slices of seared tuna with a velvety rich butter and soy reduction, served with candied cinammon apple and a ginger chilli jam

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Mac and cheese with truffled oil - RM28

IMG_6049
Wagyu rib-eye (300g) - RM168

IMG_6048
Mmmmmm.....

IMG_6481
Rib-eye (ladies portion - 300g) - RM72

We've visited Ril's twice - thanks to 50% off cash vouchers sold off on Livingsocial (though I have a very bad experience with the Gaucho Grill vouchers bought - outlet closed down but refusal of a refund, but that's another story altogether).

Most of the appetizers and salads are priced about RM22 - RM30, while steaks start at RM76 with sides costing at least RM10, other non-steak mains ranging between RM28 - RM72 and desserts at RM16 - RM26. The appetizers were ok - not great. Amongst the few selections of appetizers we sampled, I would recommend the lobster bisque, though at RM28, it's not exactly the most affordable! Mac and cheese was good, portion just right to let you some room to 'steal' some meat from others. The wagyu rib-eye is perhaps the most expensive item on the menu and made affordable with the 50% off voucher but still not without making a dent in the wallet. We requested it for medium-rare and it was just a heavenly piece of beef... a little fat fringing the meat offering a melt-in-your-mouth ecstatic-ism. On my second visit, I tried the rib-eye (without the wagyu word - costing less than half the price!), had it done medium but disappointed it came out raw-ish since it was a thick cut and after it returned again from the kitchen, the juice was lost.

Would love to see Ril live up to its name of 'Best for Meat' in KL, but consistency needs to be a focus and perhaps we will return when those 50% off vouchers are available again, else this would go to 'The List of Places to Dine When There's Spare Cash or Special Occasions'.



Ril's @ The Warehouse
198, Jln Tun HS Lee,
50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-20220528
Biz hours: 10.00am - 1.00am, closed on Mondays
Website: http://www.thewarehouse.com.my/rils-steakhouse/restaurant/
View Ril's menu


* Visuals by iPhone 4

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.] 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Hit & Mrs @ Lorong Kurau, Bangsar

Hit & Mrs
Dark always spells elegance - ground floor interior of dining & kitchen area

The BIG Group is always coming up with new F&B concepts to surprise us. While some of us have already mastered the skills to tell if a new eatery is BIG-associated, the Ben siblings never fail to surprise us with the unthinkable... like this new concept restaurant & bar, quirky-ly named 'Hit & Mrs', a homophone to Hit & Misses -- a general expression writers or bloggers use to put a verdict to food reviewed.

Hit & Mrs menu
The dinner tasting menu @ RM175/pax (additional RM10 if you opt for the 'pricier' mains) & the drinks menu

I had the pleasure to give the dinner tasting menu a try as a birthday treat in December last year. The restaurant was still relatively new, but word of mouth has spread like wildfire of this new BIG venture. The restaurant seats not more than 30, and has 2 sessions per night - either 7pm or 9pm.

How it works? 
You can have the option to order the dishes in the dinner menu as an alacarte item (portions will be appropriately adjusted) or go for the tasting menu, with 2 choices from small plate (appetizer), 2 from main plate (mains) and 2 from sweet plate (desserts), + 2 surprise chef's special.

Bread & butter
Bread and butter

Amuse bouche
Amuse bouche - can't remember exactly what this was?

Small Plate - Beetroot, orange
Small Plate - Beetroot, Orange

Small Plate - Scallop, paprika, confit of potato
Small Plate - Scallop, Paprika, Confit of Potato

Small plate - Foie gras parfait, brioche, cranberry
Small Plate - Foie gras parfait, Brioche, Cranberry

Small Plate - Salmon, horseradish, celery
Small Plate - Salmon, Horseradish, Celery

Small plate - Pan seared Foie gras, peanut butter, jam
Chef's special #1 - Pan seared foie gras, peanut crumbs, raspberry jam

The appetizers were done up nicely - playing with flavours and texture. I don't usually willingly opt for anything with beetroot, but this combination is really refreshing maybe because of the strong citrus taste. The other favourite is the salmon which was done sous vide (actually we notice that all the meat and fish are done sous vide before being seared, grilled or pan fried, etc), hence the incredibly smooth and soft texture. The salmon is a melt-in-your-mouth! Foie gras parfait was a very different experience - foie gras (savoury) in ice cream format. First taste was unique... but once you acquire the taste, there's no reason to dislike it. No complains on the scallops and very delighted with the bonus of pan seared foie gras :)

Big Plate - Lamb, barley, peas
Big Plate - Lamb, Barley, Peas

Big Plate - Fish of the day,
Big Plate - Fish of the day, Brown Butter, Chestnut
* additional RM10

Big Plate - Grain fed tenderloin, BBQ gnocchi, onion toffee
Big Plate - Grain fed tenderloin, BBQ gnocchi, Onion toffee
* additional RM10

Big Plate - Chicken, Trufflondaise, quinoa
Big Plate - Chicken, Trufflondaise, Quinoa

Palate cleanser - Brie, soy, barley
Chef's special #2 - Brie, barley, mushrooms

The sous vide method was genius on the salmon, but didn't quite work for the lamb. We had to send back the first serving as it was not the texture we were expecting (still raw-ish, even after grilled). The second serving that came back from the kitchen was much better but the enthusiasm was gone. The fish and chicken dish was nothing memorable (I don't really like quinoa - the black grain-like seed). The beef tenderloin was okay, though again expectations were high especially on the poultry and unfortunately the expectations weren't met.

The second chef's special which was aimed to be a palate cleanser before moving on to desserts was quite ingenious. Who would have thought these 3 (rather) independent ingredients can jive so perfectly. 

Sweet Plate - Peanut butter, chocolate
Sweet Plate - Peanut butter, Chocolate

Sweet Plate - Lemon custard, raspberry
Sweet Plate - Lemon custard, Raspberry

Sweet Plate - Tiramisu, mixed
Small Plate - Tiramisu, Mixed berry sabayon

Desserts were presented in a 'deconstructed' manner, but unfortunately nothing over the moon. If you're a fan of peanut butter, then you may like the peanut butter & choc combo as it's rich and filling. 

Punch - Tequila watermelon
Tequila watermelon punch - RM90
Tequila, agave nectar, watermelon, lime, soda, aloe vera

Drinks are not easy on the pocket with cocktails starting at RM30 - RM40 per fix and punches in jug ranging from RM90 - RM240.

Perhaps aptly named, we find the food somewhat refreshing and interesting but not all were inspiring and memorable (prices are steep too). We heard that lunch is now available and we'll see if it renders for a return...



Hit & Mrs
15, Lorong Kurau,
Taman Weng Lock,
Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Biz hours: 6 - 10.30pm, closed on Mondays
Tel: 03-2282357


* Visuals by iPhone 4 & 5

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

BAIT (Revisit) @ Jln Telawi Bangsar

BAIT
BAIT

This is a revisit. Read our first visit here.

Whitebait
Whitebait - RM24

Seafood chowder
Seafood chowder - RM17

Lager steamed mussels
Lager steamed mussels - RM29

We weren't that famished, so this time around it was a 3-course meal to share. Starting with the bowl of lightly fried whitebait, we chomped these little fishies down with an imaginary glass of beer. At RM24 for a bowl of these pub-grub, price was perhaps a little steep. Our 2nd course of seafood chowder - Bait whips up a slightly different version of this popular used-to-be "poor man's food". It has the usual suspects of mussels, shrimps, clams and potatoes that makes the broth thick. A slice of lime does the trick to carry a mild sourish flavour. We wouldn't say it's the best, but it's definitely different. Our mains of lager steamed mussels was polished off to the last drop! Traces of lager or beer was strong as we could instantly smelt it the moment the dish arrived. The broth has flavours and bites of leek, mustard seed, oregano, and beef chorizo.

Bait could however improve on the bread - we would welcome a little creativity instead of normal plain toasted baguette.

Once again, Bait has managed to hooked and reeled us in for possibly a 3rd and many visits to come.



Bait
65, Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-22018187


* Visuals by iPhone 4

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Artisan Coffee Bar @ Bangsar Village

AR Coffee
The artisans at work

We've become quite fond of a good cuppa latte and would give any cafe a shot if we were told (or often, read about it) that "the coffee's good". To be honest, when it comes to coffee, I am like many, amateurs who sometimes pretend (or tries to anyway) to know a little bit about coffee but my knowledge would have stopped at just knowing there are several ways coffee can be brewed - siphon, aeropress, french press, and err... 3-in-1 (??!) and the person who makes your coffee is called a 'barista'. Yup, that's about it.

Oh and erm, I do know the difference between a piccolo, latte and flat white :)

Latte for two
Latte - RM11

The coffee fad has just caught up with us KL-ites in just the recent 2 to 3 years. If we could time travel back to the early - mid 2000s, having coffee could possibly mean having it at Starbucks or CBTL or 'kopi-o' at the kopitiams (the cheaper alternative). These mushrooming indie coffee joints would have been unheard of, and possibly fighting a tough battle against the American coffee franchises. Though Starbucks and CBTL are still widely recognized and appealing especially when there's an outlet at every corner with free wifi, there's a little community within that community that has ventured out to patronizing these new indie coffee joints for a whole new different 'coffee experience'.

We have these indie coffee houses to thank for bringing a better alternative to the coffee drinking KL-ites ensuring it's not a rip off, but real quality coffee with individual character, and Artisan is one of them.


Coffee grinder like a sir
Coffee grinder - like a sir!

I am perhaps one of the last people who have just given Artisan a visit at its BV premises. The coffee is good, that's all I can say - because I don't know what other adjectives I could use to describe and certainly am not gonna try to pretend that I do. The Last Polka handcrafted ice creams are also available here with some other varieties of cakes as well.

Have (good) coffee will write.



Artisan Coffee Bar
UG, Bangsar Village 2,
2, Jalan Telawi 1,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Website: http://www.artisanroast.com.my/
* Artisan's first outlet is at TTDI


Visuals by iPhone 4

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Yokotaya @ Section 17, PJ

Maguro zuke don
Maguro zuke don - RM31.80
Sashimi tuna on rice


This is fresh from lunch today. We went to check out the Japanese place that opened up along the row of shops where The Gastro Project is. Yokotaya occupies 2 shoplots, making it very spacious with few formats of seating, i.e. tatami-style, diner-style or simple table & chairs.

Nigiri and zaru soba set
Nigiri and zaru soba set - RM44.80

The menu is pretty extensive with multiple choices of ala carte and sets available. We picked the maguro don (tuna sashimi on rice) and a set that has both cold soba and assorted sushi. Service was a bit slow event though there was just 2 tables. Food was ok, not superbly great. The maguro don was nicely done but does not justify the > RM30 pricetag. Actually neither does the sushi and soba set. Prices are definitely too steep for common Japanese fare, which the likes of Sushi Tei could compare... at probably 1/4 of price less.

Chawan Mushi
Chawan mushi

Still, I suppose it's a nice new addition to the nearby neighborhood and places to splurge... if it's on anyone else's budget but your own ;-)



Yokotaya
17G, Jalan 17/56,
Section 17,
Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-79317003


Visuals by iPhone 4

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]

Friday, February 1, 2013

Menya Musashi @ 1 Utama

& Kuro (special fried shallot and onion oil)

Not a fan of ramen, my favourite Japanese noodle would be the cold soba, but we gave this a shot anyway. Quite hard to be missed by all the actions in the kitchen, Menya Musashi made its mark with the first outlet in 1 Utama, hidden within the Eat Paradise section of Isetan.


Shiro (onion oil)
Shiro (onion oil with 3 pieces of pork slices) - RM26

Kuro (special fried shallot and onion oil)
Kuro (with special fried shallot broth and 2 pieces of pork slices) - RM24

Ramen has never been cheap even at the mass ramen outlets like Ajisen Ramen. The other famous ramen eatery that we have is Marutama Ramen at Empire Shopping Centre. A bowl of the most basic (i.e. 2 slices of pork, half lava egg, clear broth) will sure to set you back at least RM20. We tried 2 variants, one with clear shallot oil broth and the other with special fried shallot (black broth looks a little scary though). Our overall verdict? It's ok, broth is flavourful but since neither of us are fans of this Japanese noodle, I think we'll give it a pass for a second visit.

Instead, we'll spend the same RM20 savouring 4 pieces of sushies at Ichiro!



Menya Musashi
Eat Paradise
2nd floor Isetan,
1 Utama Shopping Center (old wing),
Petaling Jaya.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MenyaMusashiMalaysia


Visuals by iPhone 4

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. Please don't sue me, I don't have money. Kthxbye.]
 
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