The Havelock Place Bungalow @ Colombo, Sri Lanka

Welcome to The Havelock Place Bungalow

I stumbled upon The Havelock Place Bungalow during one of those many google searches when I was in the apartment alone. Unable to find any further write ups or google images of what to expect (environment, food menu and prices, etc) except its own website, the best thing to do is pop by the place and check it out yourself.


A boutique hotel doubling up as a restaurant

The Havelock road was a little further from the place I stayed, I remembered calling for a cab instead of tuk-tuk. The main public transportation in Colombo is the tuk-tuk, and trust me taxis are so hard to come by, it's pretty impossible to flag for any without calling for a booking through the taxi company. I had imagine The Havelock Place to be exactly what was pictured in its website gallery... lush greenery, tranquil garden setting, warm wood furnitures that exudes colonial charm. The gallery pictures did not disappoint me.


Curled up butter & balsamic vinegar


Asparagus cappuccino with chargrilled garlic prawns - Rs 350


Caramelized onion and mushroom tart with garden salad - Rs 850

I chose to sit at the garden area, not a wise choice if you don't want to be bitten by mozzies. But if a little insect bite is the least of your worry, enjoy the sunshine and indulge in the warm weather. The menu is simple and straightforward, clearly written on a blackboard display (not too sure if things have changed since then). My choices of entree, mains and desserts were flawless, though nothing mind blowing but it was simple comfort food in a very peaceful and serene environment.

 
Papaya lime sorbet

If you are not a hotel guest, feel free to walk around and check out the bungalow. It has 7 bedrooms - 3 suites and 4 standards and comes available with what a luxury hotel would offer (and maybe more).

The Havelock Place Bungalow is in my Top 10 list of places to visit & dine in Colombo!



The Havelock Place Bungalow
No. 6-8, Havelock Place,
Colombo 5,
Sri Lanka.
Tel: +9411258191 / +94112506153 / +94112506154
Website: http://www.havelockbungalow.com/


* Visuals by Sony T series

[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.]

Nihonbashi @ Colombo, Sri Lanka

First restaurant in the world to use the iPad as an interactive menu - just 9 days after the launch in the US!

Every now and then, I would reminisce the times I had in Sri Lanka where it was 3 months of stress free 'work-cation' (note: this could be the longest backlog I have - these were all eaten 2 years ago!). The only worry I had was where and what should I have for dinner after work since I was staying alone. I was constantly looking out for new food places by googling - and googling alot. Alas, I came across Nihonbashi. There honestly wasn't much write ups on the internet but there were a few articles that were all praises and it did seem like a must-visit.

After multiple visits to sample all it has to offer, I also made friends with the man behind Nihonbashi himself, and here's the write up which has been sitting in the drafts for far too long.


Appetizer Platters - Rs 1,060
Left - Sakura (a trio of cold appetizers, endamame, kani no ponzu soe (crab meat), and yasai no goma ae
Right - Tsubaki (warm appetizer trio, chargrilled tiger prawn tempura, chargrilled tsukune (minced chicken meat), and daikon radish slow cooked in chicken broth


Nom nom and slurp slurp
Left - Grilled river prawns - Rs 680
Right - Dobin mushi (seafood and mushroom soup made using fresh shitake mushrooms served in a dobin pot) - Rs 680

I remember having a pretty hard time trying to locate Nihonbashi as the tuk-tuk driver did not seem to know the restaurant or maybe didn't know what I was talking about? But alas, he managed to drop me right at the entrance and I was instantly thrilled for you can tell this could be an authentic Japanese restaurant unlike the ones in Hilton (Ginza Hohsen) or Cinammon Lakeside (Sushi Bar).


Can't remember what fish these were, but it was so good I had it all by myself!


Sushi & sashimi
Left - Shake no aburi sushi (marinated norwegian salmon sushi, blowtorched) - Rs 580
Right - Sashimi moriawase


Small plates
Left - Not in menu, it's pieces of tuna with excellent marbling and fat that just melts in your mouth
Right - Gyuu no tataki (this is beef from Sri Lanka, thinly sliced and heavenly) - Rs 580


Greens are good
Left - Can't remember the name, but it was a medley of seaweed-like vege in a wasabi-like dressing
Right - Karapincha tempura (traditional Sri Lankan curry leaf tempura) - Rs 380


Healthy eats, greens and soy
Left - Namaharumaki (fresh spring rolls)
Right - Agedashi tofu - Rs 580


Dinner course for one - Rs 2,680
Shake no aburi teriyaki (blow torched teriyaki salmon) with kani cha-han (crab fried rice) and miso soup


Kani cha-han (Japanense style crab fried rice) - Rs 1,180

I have read about the famed crab fried rice and it was my first dish at Nihonbashi - just as it was raved in the articles, it truly was delicious! Since then, I had returned multiple times during my 3 months stay in Colombo, taking my family and friend who visited to the restaurant. In fact, Nihonbashi was my most frequented restaurant in Colombo!

It was also during the first visit that I met the founder-owner-chef, Dharshan Munidasa in person himself. You would be curious how a Sri Lankan could whip up such amazing and authentic Japanese cuisine - the answer lies in his blood! Dharshan is of mixed parentage, his father a Sri Lankan, and mother a Japanese and he actually majored in computer engineering, not culinary! We chatted quite a bit and I quickly learnt more about him and his inspiration to starting up Nihonbashi.


Yakitori from the charcoal grill
Left - Ebi shio yaki (salt grilled prawn) - Rs 300
Right - Can't remember if it was chicken?


Steamed fresh Sri Lankan crabs and teppan grilled vegetables


Japanese pancake and a Nihonbashi special
Left - Okonomiyaki
Right - Garlic rice maki (a Nihonbashi original dish sees garlic rice rolled in nori and placed on a sizzling rock to crust, splashed with soy sauce) - Rs 980


Who and what inspires Nihonbashi?
Dharshan was in the US doing his computer engineering degree, and I suppose like many who studied abroad, he soon started cooking for himself and then for others and before he knows it, culinary and a passion for food started boiling over and he knew this is what he wants to do. He returned to Colombo and started Nihonbashi, and that was almost 18 years ago. The foodscene in Colombo was uninspiring (the civil war halted development) and as he told me it was a tough time to bring and introduce a new dining perspective to local Sri Lankans. Alas, the effort and sacrifices paid off as Nihonbashi celebrated it's 17 years anniversary last year. The restaurant is also making heads turn and riding the waves to being one out of two restaurants in Sri Lanka listed in the 2011/2012 Miele Guide (Asia's independent restaurant guide ranking the Top 500 restaurants in Asia).


Of handrolls and tempura
Left - Ten Sabi Temaki (hot tempura tiger prawn, cold vinegared rice and handrolled) - Rs 460
Right - Kaki age tempura - Rs 940


Yosanabe - Rs 2,980

You'll find yourself dining in a zen-like environment, I have personally dined in a few areas of the restaurant; the common area, a private dining room that seats about 10 pax, and the special wine room that comes with the chef's personal choice of music (i.e. the ipod playlist). The food is nothing less than amazing every single time. Freshest of ingredients, although not everything was air flown from the famous Tsukiji fish market (you would end up paying for the airfreight instead of the meat), Dharshan walks the local Colombo market everyday to scout for the freshest. However, Dharshan also flies frequently to Tokyo to stock up on the fresh harvest from the Japanese waters.

It is ironic that when people ask me what food in Sri Lanka was like and what was my favourite, Nihonbashi sits on top of the list and Chesa Swiss a close second - which both are non-Sri Lankan staple / local cuisine! If you happen to pop by Nihonbashi, be sure to tell Dharshan that I miss the food there!


Nihonbashi Honten
11, Galle Face Terrace,
Colombo 3,
Sri Lanka.
Tel: +94112323847
Website: http://www.nihonbashi.lk/honten.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Nihonbashi?fref=ts


* Visuals by Sony T series

[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.]

Milk and Butter @ Jln Telawi, Bangsar

Milk and Butter

Jln Telawi, we're on a roll! Another new outlet to surface at the Telawi Street in Bangsar is Milk and Butter. Not too sure which shop it took over but it's at a very strategic location, opposite Antipodean and a pebble's throw from Bangsar Village. The outlet is twice the size of Antipodean - I do like the latter too, but it's always so packed and a great disliking for the blackboard menu!


Wild mushroom soup - RM11

Well, if you find yourself feeling the same (packed outlet, long queue to be seated, non-existant paper menu... or genuinely wants to try some place new), head on to Milk and Butter and be sure to order this zuppa of wild mushroom soup! It is unarguably one of the best(est) version of mushroom soup simply because of the extra flavours of bites of walnuts and julienned ham. We credit the chef for the ingenuity!


Egg benedict with turkey ham - RM16
Brioche bread, saute asparagus, poached egg, turkey ham and hollandaise


Smoke salmon & grill chicken crostini with mushroom crostini - RM20
Brioche bread, turkey ham, tomato slice, mango salsa, sundried tomato, goat cheese, chopped black olive & salad


Escargot a la creme with asparagus - RM21
French escargot, mini vol-au-vent, creme sauce and asparagus

The smoke salmon and grill chicken crostini fared okay - nothing over the moon, but no complains. The 'main-appetizer' of escargots in vol-au-vent (small hollow case of puff pastry) was something different but the cream could be quite overwhelming if you try to finish it all by yourself. Not all were hits, as we find the anticipated egg benedict bland... in fact, very bland. Last we checked, we weren't in a hospital. Not sure if a pinch of salt was missed out or bland is the new trend?


Latte for 2

We love milk, we love butter, we definitely love the mushroom soup and we will return!


Milk and Butter
25G, Jalan Telawi 2,
Bangsar Baru,
Kuala Lumpur.


* 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.] 

BAIT @ Jln Telawi Bangsar

Prawn and mango salad - RM24

We got BAITed! Fits-no-more-than-say... 25 pax (??), BAIT is another new kid on the block that did not fail to impress at Telawi Street in Bangsar (facing BV2, same row as The Social / El Meson / Smokehouse).


Baked potatoes with blue cheese and bacon bits - RM20++

Menu is not too extensive (though reading it under the dim lights will need some squinting). The prawn and mango salad was refreshing but could be slightly expensive. Those who love the acquired taste of blue cheese MUST order the baked potato with blue cheese appetizer. Makes a great addictive starter - mmmmm mmmmm lovely combination of protein, calcium and carbs.

 
Rock cod - RM34


Seafood aglio olio - RM20++


Butter poached salmon - RM30

For the mains, I plea and urge that everyone orders the butter poached salmon! Done sous vide (water bath), the natural flavours are sealed and melts in your mouth. I would return to have this (& the blue cheese baked potatoes of course). Nothing extraordinary for the pasta and and no complains for the cod.

Oysters (baked or fresh) is also available in the menu but with minimum order of 6 pieces. The prices are on the higher end, but the quality justifies and the service is excellent too -- I appreciate service staff who can & have the courage to recommend us their favourites from the menu. Note to self: A revisit is a must!


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.] 

The Gastro Project @ Section 17, PJ

The Gastro Project bar

Joining the buzzing foodscene in PJ's Section 17 is The Gastro Project. It is located at the visible corner lot of the new block of shops next to Decanter / Bistro à Table / Verona Trattoria. PJ folks are really lucky that more quality eateries are sprucing up, so there is no need to drive all the way to KL for that good bite of food and good sip of drinks.


Project 'Ade' (mango, lychee, tea) & Passionade - RM8


Prawn bisque - RM15


Roasted tomatoes stuffed with mince lamb - RM15

Just opened for about a fortnight, the menu looks promising- offering simple and nothing too complicated selections of entrees, mains and desserts. Choices are not aplenty, but sometimes the lack of it can make food ordering a lot more easy and faster. Our choices of prawn bisque and roasted tomatoes were excellent. One of the better versions of prawn bisque that is creamy in texture but has deep flavour of roasted prawn shells (wish the bowl was deeper!) The roasted tomatoes was good too but felt that the price could be too steep for just 3 cherry tomatoes.


Greek Pizza (feta, olives, roasted artichokes, sun dried tomatoes) - RM25


Crabmeat aglio-olio with chilli flakes - RM20


Meat tortellini in cream sauce - RM20


Fried steak and onion pie - RM20

No flaws in the mains, we love the pizza though unfortunately the kitchen ran out of artichokes and we were not informed. We feedbacked accordingly (afterall, artichokes is the main ingredient of the pizza... and they're expensive too), and got this off the bill. The pastas were executed well - crabmeat aglio olio was well loaded although the meat tortellini was just ordinary. The fried steak and onion pie caught our eye, pastry was nice though the filling were a little heavy on black pepper.


Chocolate rum ball - RM15

Stuffed but 3 little chocolate rum balls will do no harm. The rum balls were too mild (not for Alcoholics!) and again, felt this was also a little pricey.

Happy hour starts from 5-8pm and overall food and drink prices are reasonable. Unlike a project which has a time period of start to end, we hope The Gastro Project doesn't and looking forward to return!



The Gastro Project
No. 25, Jalan 17/56,
Section 17, Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
(new block of shops, same row as Decanter PJ)


* 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.]

Doraku @ KL Life Center

After a (pretty) long hiatus, I'm reviving the food blog once more. I did initially thought of retiring from blogging but as they say, "never say never". January 20th, perhaps a good day and date to put up my first post for the year.


Agedashi Tofu - RM18

Since the inception and launch of group-buying sites like Groupon, Living Social, Dealmates, etc. in the online-sphere, I've unashamedly became one of 'em who downloads all the apps and check on the latest deals everyday! However, I must say some of the deals especially F&B are pretty good buys, like this 50% off cash vouchers for Doraku from Living Social.

Ahi Hawaiian Poke - RM36

Fresh Ahi tuna, sweet onion, seaweed mix and nuts, marinated in Doraku special sauce (sesame-ish)

A quick search on Doraku revealed that it's a modern Japanese-American concept. Founded by Kevin Aoki (doesn't the 'Aoki' family name rings a bell? Steve Aoki - the house musician or Devon Aoki - the Hollywood actress, they're all siblings). Anyway, with all the famous connections and 50% vouchers, we hit Doraku for dinner! 

Sashimi Moriawase - RM55
4 slices of 4 variants of maguro, shiba saba, tako, hotate

 
Sirloin Garlic Steak - RM48
200g grilled sirloin with ginger garlic sauce


Emperor Roll - RM38
Tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp & avocado rolled then crusted in Panko breadcrumbs and then flash fried served over a bed of greens and tempura sweet onion finished with special Aioli sauce


Doraku Roll - RM30
Crabmeat and avocado roll topped with seared tuna, Daikon radish, Shiso leaf and crispy garlic chips, finished with special Wasabi Yuzu Citrus sauce


Sweet Philly Roll - RM45
Marinated salmon, cream cheese and avocado laced with deep fried sweet potato strings and finished with eel sauce

Doraku reminds me of Sushi Groove (if you remember, later became Tokyo G) where you will find the menu is focused on creative and fusion rolls. Ingredients are fresh but unfortunately not everything was mind blowing - we love the Ahi Hawaiian Poke, the sesame-ish flavour sauce complimented the cold dish with thick generous cuts of Ahi tuna. The other favourite was the Sweet Philly Roll - I love the deep fried sweet potato strings, so crispy and addictive! The sashimi was fresh but the restaurant seemed to run out of salmon, so maybe that's why we got the cured mackerel which normally doesn't appear in sashimi platters? The rest fared in between ok and so-so. I expected more from the Emperor and Doraku Roll but they didn't impress much.

With half price vouchers, it's well worth. At full price, I would have expected more.



Doraku Sushi & Sake Bar
Mezzanine Floor, Life Center,
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-21814828


* 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.

Urban Spoon Bistro @ Sri Hartamas

Urban Spoon Bistro

About a month ago, I received an email from Sean of Urban Spoon Bistro for an invitation to have a taste of what Urban Spoon has to offer. Little did I know that in fact my sisters also received the same invitation, so we picked a date and did this together.

It's relatively quite easy to look out for Urban Spoon as they are at the new Plaza Damas 3, just opposite Hartamas Shopping Center and facing the main road. For that, I don't think they have problems with getting walk-in customers.


Cocktails - Apple Mojito, Watermelon Margharita, Soho La, Lychee Gimlet (RM25 each)

We were greeted by Sean who is the co-owner of this new establishment which is about a quarter-of-the-year-old. With the play of colours - stripey blue diner booth-style seats, brick walls at a corner, a bar counter that's grey but not gloomy, and curtain laced walls, Urban Spoon did not fail to impress at first glance.

After we were comfortably seated, the waiter whipped out the menus to us. Of course, we studied the menu to see what are the 'extraordinary' dishes that no other restaurants would have attempted - but decided that we will leave it to the chef to decide what goes in our stomach that day. We took the liberty to order the drinks though.


Soft shell crab tempura (RM18)
with apple-papaya som-tam, garlic lime dressing


Stuffed Jalepenos (RM18)
with cream cheese


Roast beef salad (RM18)
with French beans, shallot, lemongrass, chilli, eggplant, with lime & fish sauce dressing

The starters that Chef Steven picked were soft shell crab tempura salad, stuffed jalapenos and the roast beef salad. We enjoyed all three starters as they really whet our appetite with the potpourri of sourness (that comes from the fish sauce) and spicyness. Sensing that the roast beef must be some really good meat, we asked Chef Steven what type of beef was used - he said it is a aged beef and they are all hand sliced, there is no sight of a slicer in the kitchen! Wow, talk about skills!


Carrot and orange bisque (RM14)
with seafood ceviche and braised leeks

The soup was very delicious too, creamy, slightly thick but not starchy and came piping hot. It would have been mistaken for a pumpkin soup from the colour. I like the use of caramelised shallots and leeks which gives a crunch to the soup.


Emperor Tang duck confit (RM38)
with roasted potato, seasonal vegetables, maltose, soy, calamanzi reduction


Pandan chicken & 'kam heong' angel hair (RM28)
with guacamole, leek compote, baked onion


Yaki fillet of cod (RM55)
with sauteed tomato, oyster mushroom, seasonal vegetables, wasabi mayo, anise-mirin glaze, bonito flakes


Cajun wagyu beef burger (RM38)
with homemade spicy tomato chutney, cheese, fried egg


Sunshine is halved

Chef Steven's pick for us for the main courses were a duck confit, cod fish, angel hair pasta, and beef burger. That's quite a balance of seafood, poulty, carb and protein. The mains bear more of a fusion theme, i.e. the duck confit which not only named after a chinese emperor but the method of preparing this is through steaming. Unfortunately, it didn't go too well as the meat was stiff though I did read elsewhere that somebody else had a good experience with this dish.

The kam heong angel hair pasta was something different, the guacamole was the saving grace from the too-dry pandan chicken (according to the menu, soft shell crab is used, but Chef changed it to a chicken side as we already had the crab for starters). The cod fish was alright, though in my humble opinion cod fish is still best cooked via the chinese way of steaming and soy sauce! The best mains of the day had to be the wagyu beef burger which all of us really enjoyed. The minced patty is perfect, sunny side up was a bonus and the buns was soft - a must order.


Zesty crepe with vanilla ice cream (not in menu)


Black pepper tamarind macerated strawberry & peach (RM14)
with chardonnay au gratin & watermelon-basil slashy




Chocolate cherry fondant (RM18)
with vanilla ice cream and alcoholic option

Desserts time! We were first served with the crepe & vanilla ice cream which was not in the menu. Then we got to taste the dessert that caught out eye in the menu due to the complicated name 'Black pepper tamarind macerated strawberry & peach'. It does look like a very complex dessert, appearance wise it looks like mochi but actually it's crepe covered with what I think are breadcrumbs and underneath there's foam, peaches, and strawberries. With this, there's the watermelon slash to go with it. Interesting, but complex.

The other more straight forward dessert is the choc cherry fondant that will make any chocolate desserts lover squel in delight. Warm and chocolate oozing centre, pair it with the cold ice cream and cherry chunks - sinful. Make it a double sinful dessert with the alcoholic option where Grand Marnier is used as an ingredient for this dessert.


Cafe latte (RM10)

We ended the lunch with coffee and exchanging stories about kitchen affairs with the chef. Overall, there are some hits and misses. Improvements I'd like to see is the expansion of the desserts menu and hope the consistency issue can be addressed.



Urban Spoon Bistro
Plaza Damas 3,
Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6201 2108
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/urbanspoonbistro
Business hours: Mon - Sun 11:am - 11:00pm


* 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.]