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Friday 10 July 2020

GravyBaby @ Pavilion

No, I've not dined out yet (at least not at malls, enclosed air-conditioned environments or anything like that yet) but yes, I've dined out already (at mostly non-air-conditioned shops...hee..hee...baby steps!) ;P  So, this is obviously an old (but hopefully not stale)....post! :D  This was some time before Chinese New Year when I was out and about doing some last minute shopping...and was ultimately attracted by the bright lights of stardom GravyBaby @ Pavilion.

I'm not sure how many bulbs were used in the making of their bar and restaurant or what their monthly electricity bill is like but I do know that there are people who are attracted by bright lights! ;D  Well, I know of at least one such person....more on that side story a little later.

Touted to be "famous for cocktails & pies", I obviously went for one of their infamous gravybaby pies since it was only late morning and too early for a cocktail (though some might disagree)...lol! 

I had my pie with an invigorating Fresh Pineapple Juice @ RM13.  It was really good, no complaints at all as it was nicely sweet and lightly sour.

Their extensive menu encompasses a selection of toast, eggs, gourmet breakfasts, tacos, sandwiches & wraps, chicken wings, burgers, pizzas, rustic flatbreads, pastas, steaks, roast chicken, Sunday roast, fish & chips, hot dogs, soups, salads, a grazing menu of light bites, waffles, ice cream, cakes, sweet pies and pudding.

But pies are their speciality and they have a few on their menu like Chicken, Mushroom & Tarragon Pie, Braised Steak & Ale Pie, Lamb Shepherd's Pie, Creamy Fish Pie, Pumpkin & Apricot Pie and Steak & Wild Mushroom Pie.  All pies are priced at RM24 for just Pie & Gravy and RM32 with a choice of Buttery Mash, Chunky Chips or Fries + Peas or BBQ Beans + Gravy.

I chose the Steak & Wild Mushroom Pie @ RM32 with sides of buttery mash and minted mushy peas.  For gravies, you have a selection of Original British Meat Gravy, Traditional Vegetable Gravy or Traditional London East End Parsley Liquor.  This was a much easier choice...I went with the first one as liquor is a no-no (for me) + who wants vegetable gravy, right? ;P

When my food arrived, I was a bit disappointed by the size of the pie in proportion to the mash and peas (which were in bigger portions in comparison to the pie).  The pastry dough of this pie is of a thicker, denser version.  If you're one who prefers a lighter, crisp, flaky pie crust....this one's not for you.

The flavours of the tender, shredded beef/steak wasn't too bad, with bits of carrots and onions, though I found only one piece of fresh button mushroom inside (I can't remember if it was only half or a whole mushroom but I obviously wanted...and needed more!).

The buttery mash wasn't all that buttery...and also not quite as fine and smooth as some I've had before while the minted mushy peas had this unappetising green taste to it.

The Original British Meat Gravy wasn't a standout either with flavours failing to impress.  Worst still was, as the meal progressed, the gravy congealed as it cooled, the gelatinous texture of which made me feel like the sauce had been thickened by some sort of thickening agent and not properly reduced like a good sauce should be.

For the price paid (RM32), I was expecting a little bit more from the pie in terms of portion and taste.  It was as if they were trying to bulk us up with gigantic portions of mash and peas to make up for the size of the pie.  In the end, I left both the mash and peas unfinished as it was just too much + they weren't all that pleasant-tasting (especially the peas!). >_<

Now for my little side story.  When I was seated waiting for my food to arrive, I noticed a young lady walking in to the front of the restaurant.  She whipped out her handphone and took some photos of the place (nothing weird at this point + like I've said before, the bright lights were captivating).  Then she asked one of the service staff to take a photo (maybe photos) of her in the surroundings.  What did you think happened next?  Well, she walked out of the restaurant after that! O_o  I was expecting her to at least sit down and dine there (or have a drink at the minimum) after what transpired.

When I walked in, the place was deserted at that time (except for one other table) and I felt the eyes of the service staff fixated on me, so I was too shy to even take a proper frontage photo of the place (and I was dining there!).  Would you be thick-skinned enough to do something like she did?  Obviously there are people who could and would, especially those who want to be 'seen' at cool and happening places to post on their Facebook and Instagram accounts but too 'cheapskate' to actually dine there...haha! :D  Why not, there are even people who would dice with death just to take a hip photo for social media.

My Personal Opinion

As their menu is so extensive and I've only tried one thing (which, incidentally, is the one thing they're famous for), it's only right that I should reserve my judgement on them but I'm sure of one thing though...I won't be coming back for their pies...or their gravy, baby!

I wonder if they bit off more than they can chew with such an elaborate menu and lost focus in their speciality.  Well, they have four other branches in KLCC, Bangsar, Damansara Heights and Melaka (besides the one in Pavilion and with some overseas outlets due to open in the pipeline) which prove that they're doing something right at least.  Perhaps, my tongue is the odd one out!  So, don't take my word for it, try it out for yourself. ^_~

GravyBaby
Lot C3.10.04 Level 3
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2113 0133

14 comments:

  1. What a disappointing meal but at least the pineapple juice was super! My first impression of pies since young is that it is eaten neat, no gravy and no accompaniments. When I had my first pie at a restaurant many years ago (at Dave's Deli) I almost screamed (hah..hah...) when the server poured gravy onto my pie. It was served with mashed potatoes and suffice to say that pie was not impressive. I wonder how GravyBaby's other meals fare, maybe you are game to revisit, perhaps with company to try.

    There is a pie outlet, A Pie Thing in Damansara Uptown that sells pricey pies and I have yet to try any of their pies. Maybe I should but will they think it weird if I say I don't want gravy? hah..hah..

    That young lady was very bold and boh paiseh at all. I would never have the nerve to do such a thing. And like you in the same situation, alone and if eyes are on me (real or perceived) I wouldn't feel comfortable to snap photos of the surroundings.

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    1. I'm ok with pies that come with gravy...as long as the gravy is nice. These kind of chunky pies need gravy (in my opinion) + there's the mash & mushy peas which need it too.

      Yeah, I've heard of A Pie Thing. They have good reviews and the fact that they've been around for more than 5 years means that they're on the right track, I suppose. You should give it a try (since it's in your neighbourhood) + they've got sweet pies too! ;)

      The nerve, right? Guess we're those shy-shy to take photos type...kekeke! ^_~

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  2. There's no such thing like too early for cocktail/wine/beer for me, LOL
    Hubby mentioned about their expensive breakfast to me which he had at their Bangsar outtlet.
    Eventually the Traditional London East End Parsley Liquor contains no liquor in it, after I Google it :P
    There's a pie specialty in Damansara Uptown, have you tried it? I didn't because, I do not fancy pies =.="

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    1. Ooo, I didn't know you're the 'drinker-type'...hehehe! ;) That's what drinkers would say...anytime is a good time for a drink :)
      What?...the liquor gravy has no liqour in it! O_o
      No, I've not tried A Pie Thing. Don't fancy savoury pies? What about sweet pies? ^_*

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    2. Kris, you know me rather well huh, sweet pies, definitely a yes for me!

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  3. it's been four years since gravybaby originally opened in taman desa, and it was pretty promising back then, with a british exec chef to make sure everything tasted properly english. i haven't tried it again since then, but it does seem to be more commercialised and 'processed' now ... guess it's hard to become a pie franchise without losing some of the authenticity ...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, I didn't know it was a franchise...that could mean the taste might differ in different stores + it's easy to lose focus with such an elaborate menu. I believe their original Taman Desa branch has since closed.

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  4. That's one smart instagrammer you met, probably. hahahaha.

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    1. That's one way to look at it...the other would be cheap! Wuahahahaha! :D

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  5. I was cracking my head as I thought this place sounded or looked familiar. I definitely did not go to Pavilion and the above comments that it was in Taman Desa! Aha! That's where I still hang out often. Their many light bulbs design is very American Broadway style to me like during the era of James Dean and the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

    I have very fussy taste when it comes to pies as the crusts must have excellent crispy pastry that looks fluffy like a phone directory. The gravy must be served in a bowl for my own dipping.

    I think I am a very bold and thicker skinned person compared to that lady customer. Someone told me that, when he had a shock to hear that I am selling bereavement needs! LOLOL

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Why do you say you're thick-skinned when you sell bereavement needs? If sales is a way of making money, why not? ;)

      Ah, I see you like your pie to have layers of crisp pastry, then the type here is not for you.

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  6. I really think patio dining or open-air dining is the safest way to go at the moment. I am still a bit nervous about dining in enclosed spaces.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Like you, I'm also a bit cautious about dining in enclosed air-conditioned spaces but I've taken baby steps and have started dining out slowly starting with open-air or non-air-conditioned places first...hee..hee! ^_*

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