Mighty Monster @ MyTown Shopping Centre

Till now, I don't find MyTown's F&B options very exciting nor original.  Filled with the usual 'suspects' that I've already eaten in other shopping malls like Boat Noodles, Bari Uma, Pho Street, Sakae Sushi, Go Noodle House, Suki-Ya, Nam Heong, Juan Valdez, Kyochon 1991, Nyonya Colors, Sushi Zanmai, just to name a few.

So, I was excited to see a new entry, an Australian inspired brunch cafe and bar, Mighty Monster @ MyTown Shopping Centre, joining the list of eateries in this mall.

Well, it looks like they're a character cafe with that Monster (on the wall) that looks like the fuzzy, furry, huggable Sulley from Monster Inc.  Walking in, we were greeted enthusiastically by a few of the servers, one of whom asked where we'd like to sit.  You see, you have an option of three sections (actually four if you include the small alfresco area)...there's one that's just at the entrance of the cafe (great for people-watching), a middle (raised) section and a spacious inner dining area nearer the bar (we chose this).

Bottles seem to be the main theme of their decor (you'll find it on the walls or hanging from the ceiling).

Looking at the cutlery that was brought to our table...I thought, my, my, golden knife and fork...so classy.  I was excited...I'm in for a treat, or so I thought.

If I remember correctly, there are three parts to the menu...a small bites menu that's available all day long, a breakfast & brunch menu (until 4 pm) and a dinner menu.

Since the two of us were here for an early dinner and it was our first time, we weren't sure of the portion sizes, so we ordered one starter and two mains for sharing.  From the small bites menu, we initially wanted the Crab Croquetas (RM19) but was later told that they have run out...so soon into dinner time?  We opted for the Puff Prawn instead (this actually arrived last after our mains were served, so I'll write about this one later).

Our first main (from the dinner menu) was the Gyutan @ RM34, a word we're now very familiar with since our first unforgettable tasting of ox tongue.  Their version of this Japanese inspired rice bowl, topped with grilled beef tongue and a 65-degree egg with alfalfa sprouts, chopped spring onions, ginger scallion oil and homemade chilli jam, looked really enticing when it arrived.

Unfortunately, the taste of this ox tongue was nothing like the super tender, awesome ones I had at Momotalo Yakiniku before.  Even the Gyutandon I had at Eatomo was more tender if I were to make a direct comparison.  And the accompanying 65-degree egg was served cold.  Although I'm aware that onsen tamago can be served cold and I have eaten it served with a chilled dashi-based soy sauce (on its own), I think it's better to serve it warm with something like a (warm) rice dish, don't you think?  Plus this 65-degree egg, the yolk is almost set...is this how it should be?  If so, then I'd prefer a 63-degree egg where the yolk is still runny.

My main of Cured Salmon Fillet @ RM49 was described as in-house miso cured salmon fillet with squid ink potato mash, yellow zucchini spaghetti, pickled green zucchini, alfalfa sprouts and crunchy parmesan tuile.

It sounded promising on paper but didn't quite deliver on the plate.  First of all, there was no squid ink potato mash in sight, just the usual mash potatoes that tasted too heavy on the butter.  Mind you, I do like a buttery mash but this one, the taste was off, maybe it's down to the quality of the butter?  I don't know.  And what they described as zucchini spaghetti was actually a small portion of shredded pickled yellow zucchini (and here I thought there'd be some kind of pasta made with zucchini!).  Finally, the crunchy parmesan tuile as claimed (probably the easiest thing to execute) wasn't crispy throughout (only around the edges).

As for the salmon, it did have a crispy skin (though one end of it was more charred than it should be) and the salmon was also cooked all the way through.  And the salmon tasted odd.  My first thought was that it wasn't all that fresh but when I read the description on the menu again, it said miso cured salmon.  Perhaps that was the cause for the odd taste though I didn't get any miso taste but tasted something vinegary instead that made the fish taste funky (or maybe my tongue is 'broken'!) :D

Finally our appetiser of Puff Prawn @ RM23, served with wasabi mayo, made an appearance after our mains.

The mere mention of poached prawns wrapped in puff pastry conjures a vision of a crispy, flaky pastry enveloping a prawn inside...and it did look the part when it arrived.

But that was before I tried to cut into the pastry....and realised, to my horror, that the puff pastry wasn't crispy except for a slight crisp on the outermost layer.  So, that prompted me to cut open the layer of pastry only to reveal an uncooked pastry on the inside! >_<

I thought maybe I was just unlucky with this one and proceeded to cut open the second prawn.  Still the same.  The fact that you can see some of the prawn meat sticking to the pastry is proof that the doughy, sticky pastry is not cooked.

As to whether the prawn was fresh, I let you be the judge of that.  Just look closely at the prawn head...it's black....and it's not from charring! O_o  It was at this point that I decided to raise a complaint.  What happened next will shock you to your core!

#Shocking Story

I gestured to one of the servers to come over and explained to him that the pastry is not cooked and the prawns are not fresh...and asked him to convey that to the kitchen.  He said ok....and left...without taking the plate with him.

What?!!  I was dumbfounded.  How on earth is the kitchen going to know about this undercooked pastry without seeing it?  Maybe they're just going to take my word for it.

So, I waited...and waited....for the server to get back to me.  But instead he just walked past our table a couple of times, sometimes throwing awkward glances in our direction...that's it, he didn't come round to say a word to me.

In the end, I couldn't wait any longer and gestured the same server over.  I asked if my message was conveyed to the kitchen.  He said yes...and that's it...and walked away...no apology offered for the failed dish, no taking back the dish and re-firing a new one, no asking us if we'd like to replace the dish with something else, no offer to reimburse us for the disastrous dish, no nothing!! >:(

It was then that I realised no action will be forthcoming to rectify this.  So, I thought I might just as well open up the third prawn and eat up the prawn meat even though it wasn't as fresh but it wasn't overly mushy either, so it'd be quite safe to consume.  So, I ate up that little bit of meat.  After all, I paid good money for it.

And then I got to the fourth prawn.....and I gave up!  I guess I was too disheartened (and angry) to even bother.

As for the drinks, we had this Purple Rain Cooler @ RM13, a refreshing lemonade infused with lavender.  The purple must mean the colour of lavender as the drink wasn't purplish in colour! :P

I had an Iced Cappuccino @ RM14 and was surprised to find it served in a short glass that's more suited for cocktails...and without a straw.  Now how does one drink iced coffee without a straw? *scratch head*  So, I asked for one.  Obviously the straw was not meant for a short glass as it towered over the glass (so I can see why it was omitted).  Mind you, the price of this coffee isn't all that cheap, so why such a small glass? >.<

And when we asked for the bill, we had one more surprise waiting for us...we were asked to pay in cash. The food prices here ain't cheap where a meal can easily cost RM75 - RM100 per person...and you open a restaurant & bar without getting that sorted out first?

When we left, there was none of that friendly goodbye and please come again like the enthusiastic greeting we got when we arrived.  Instead, we see the servers avoiding eye contact, cowering and whispering as we passed by the cashier's counter on our way out...it made me very uncomfortable.  If this happens to be the server's wrongdoing for not rectifying the situation, I think the management (or owners) needs to share some of the fault for not training their service staff well.

My Personal Opinion

Just three dishes into the menu, I already knew I won't be back.  Even if I didn't try the right dishes, even if their other dishes taste better, even if they improved their food...I am never ever coming back....their service and attitude sucks!  In the words of Taylor Swift....we are never ever...ever getting back together. Like, ever.....:P

The place may look good, I may like the cute Monster but I think they have a Mighty tall order to get their cooking and service right...and you don't do that by simply ignoring your customer's complaint.....aargh!!! >:(

Mighty Monster
G-019 MyTown Shopping Centre
Cheras
55100 Kuala Lumpur