Tim Ho Wan @ Mid Valley

Seeking respite from the rain after church service on a Sunday morning, we decided to head to a mall for our breakfast.  Now that the euphoria of this one Michelin star dim sum restaurant (for their Hong Kong branch) has died down, along with its well documented long queues, we finally paid a visit to Tim Ho Wan @ Mid Valley, one and a half years after it first burst into the scene (now with other outlets in 1 Utama and Melaka)...better late than never, I suppose! ;)

We were here at peak time on a weekend (a little after 10am).....and it was queue-free!  Although we got a table almost immediately, the restaurant was fully packed nonetheless...still raking in the customers (and money), I see!

We were given a one-page menu and an order chit as we took our seats.  A quick glance at the menu and you'll see a rather limited menu of about 25 dim sum items on offer (four of which are vermicelli rolls or "chee cheong fun") though the order chit has a couple more items.

Of course, right at the top of the menu are their four signature dishes listed as the "Big 4 Heavenly Kings"...and a dining experience here wouldn't be the same without ordering these dishes, I reckon.  So, we started with the Pan-Fried Carrot Cake @ RM10.50 featuring 3 pieces of carrot or radish cake.

Filled with bits of ham (maybe it's "lap cheong") inside, these were very soft in texture (obviously more radish than flour) as they broke apart easily when picked up with chopsticks.  Let's say this one did not blow me away as I found the texture too soft for my liking (I read from a blog that the ratio is 6:1 of radish to flour).  I'm going to go out on a limb here to say I actually prefer one with a slightly higher flour ratio for a firmer texture.  It was also bland tasting, bordering on tasteless, and crying out for a pinch of salt :P  I also detected a hint of bitterness in the radish mixture that morning (maybe it's one-off?).

Their next 'must-have' 4 Heavenly Kings is their Baked Bun with BBQ Pork @ RM11.50 (for three).  This one is a unique take on the more common BBQ buns we'd find in most dim sum places.  Instead of being steamed, the buns are baked rendering the bun's crust crispy, with a slightly sweet taste, though a bit on the oily side.

If you check their Facebook, there's a short clip that shows that they piped 'something' on top of their bun. This I believe is what gives it that sweet and flaky crust (obviously butter and sugar were part of that 'something').  The recipe of the absolutely delicious savoury-sweet minced BBQ pork inside was also a notch above the rest.

The third item in the 4 Heavenly Kings repertoire is their Steamed Egg Cake @ RM8.30, rather expensive (I must say) for something like a 3-inch square piece of simple cake.  It resembles the "ma lai koh" (Chinese steamed cake) but the texture of this one was incredibly light, airy and fluffy...and, more importantly, not sweet.  This is what I loved most here.....I can certainly eat many pieces of this (but not at that price)! O_o

To round up the taste of the 4 Heavenly Kings would be an order of Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver but since my family isn't quite into pig's liver, I went with the Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Pork @ RM13.60 instead.  I wasn't particularly fond of the vermicelli roll which wasn't all that thin....and, if you're hoping for some "ma lai chan lat chiew" (cooked chillies with shrimp paste) to go with it, you'll be sorely disappointed coz there isn't any!

Tim Ho Wan's Pork Dumpling with Shrimp @ RM11.50 is their version of "siew mai" made with a mixture of pork and shrimp.  My mother-in-law liked this very much as it wasn't dense but soft and fresh tasting.

The Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp @ RM8.30 had a translucent, smooth and delicate skin filled with lots of spinach (and some chopped up shrimps)....good, not great, but an option for spinach lovers for sure!

Equally respectable was the Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp @ RM9.30 in a nice and flavourful sauce.

The Signature 5 Treasures @ RM12.50 is their take on yong tau fu basically, with a piece each of green and red bell pepper, eggplant, bean curd puff and deep-fried soft tofu filled with a stuffing of chicken and shrimp, in the chef's signature black bean sauce (with a hint of black pepper).  Decent but not memorable...I've had better (and loads cheaper) dim sum-style yong tau fu.  The standout was the soft tofu with a deep-fried, frizzy and crisp exterior and a very soft centre (something similar to tauhu telur we eat at Indonesian restaurants).

Unveiling the steaming Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice @ RM13.60 of its fragrant content of immensely soft sticky rice, with its flavourful and tender meat inside (a combination of chicken and pork, I think), the meat was in proper slices and chunks (not minced like the usual versions I've had).  This was very good and I'd rank this as my third most favourite item.

There's no chilli or sweet sauce (like those you'd usually find in dim sum restaurants) to accompany your dim sum.  The only dipping condiments are soya sauce, worchestershire sauce and a sauce made with fermented yellow soybeans and chillies (similar to the one you'd find in Esquire Kitchen).  Not a fan of the sauce...by that, I mean Tim Ho Wan's, not Esquire Kitchen's.

#Side Story:
After the four of us were seated in a table (actually two tables joined together), a staff member came up to us and asked if we could move to another table (she actually said she got a bigger table for us) and pointed to somewhere behind me.  I couldn't see the table then and got up to move over there only to realise it was actually the same sized (two) tables joined together (which my husband already realised before we moved). The staff obviously wanted to move us to accommodate a larger group as there was another (similar) vacant table (that can seat four) next to us.  

He reminded me (when we left the place) to write about this as he was clearly not pleased.  If the staff wanted us to move (which, in the first place, they shouldn't do after seating us), she should have been more sincere about it and told us honestly (the reason) and not treat us as if we're so naive or stupid! @_@  If she had asked us nicely if we would mind changing tables and offered the 'real' reason, I don't think we'd be so uncooperative as to not give up the table (though we had every right to say no, of course).

At the end of the day, this tells me only one thing....and that they value making money (cha-ching) more than they value their customers well-being! >.<  This is further demonstrated by how small and cramped the tables are (and the serious lack of table space if you intend to order a lot) and by the 'rushed' service they provide (which could have been better to reflect the higher prices we have to pay).

My Personal Opinion

A plus point for their dim sum is that all of them arrived piping hot, fresh tasting and steamed just right...testimony to the fact that their dim sum is reputedly made to order...and not pre-steamed or left heating in the steamer for prolonged periods.

The use of fresh and quality ingredients certainly upped their taste and flavours...but it also comes at a price...a rather hefty one at that (the cheapest dim sum basket costs more than RM8 with most going for more than RM10).  Be prepared to pay at least RM50 per person (more if you're a big eater) if you want to leave here feeling partially or almost full...anything less and you'll be leaving with a half empty stomach! >.<

Those who like their dim sum with clean, fresh flavours and a more subtle, less robust taste...and who won't mind a very, very limited menu will certainly give Ho Tim Wan their stamp of approval (like my mother-in-law) but my family wasn't sold.  I was ok with it and my ultimate favourites were the Steamed Egg Cake and Baked Bun with BBQ Pork...these are worth lining up for...then again, you may not have to....just walk in and pack these two famed items to go (and eat them as soon as you get your hands on them).

Overall, the dim sum taste was more than pleasant with some unique dim sum on offer...yet I don't find myself yearning to return because the hurried, hectic and noisy dining experience isn't what I would term as a laid-back yum cha experience.  Maybe I'm just a traditionalist who prefer servers passing me by with their steamed (and fried) trolleys offering an insane variety of dim sum (I may not eat them all but I like the idea of variety) and sipping copious amounts of Chinese tea with family or friends in a large, spacious round table! ;D

But I'm glad that I tried it.....at least once :)

Tim Ho Wan Restaurant
27-G Ground Floor
The Boulevard Mid Valley City
Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2201 5081

Nyonya Colors @ KLCC & Mid Valley

Nyonya Colors @ KLCC & Mid Valley is best known for their local kuih-muih and they've a few other outlets in 1 Utama, The Curve, Empire Subang and more.  Their kuih is reputed to be made with fresh ingredients (and no preservatives are used), so customers are advised to consume them within the day of purchase.

The one in Mid Valley has recently been refurbished to reflect a more modern look with clean lines and a pastel-coloured (white, cream and baby blue) interior.  Personally, I think it has lost a bit of the old nyonya charm although it still has some nyonya knick knacks displayed (like those tiffin posters and nyonya tablewares).

On the other hand, the one in KLCC seems to have more of the nyonya feel as can be seen from their walls, tables and chairs.

The Chee Cheong Fun @ RM6.50 (which I had in KLCC) comes in 2 versions, either classic (with a combo of chilli and sweet sauce) or curry.  [#Note: When the server first brought it, he brought me the classic version and I told him that I ordered the curry.  I would have assumed that he would take my word for it but he looked at me as if he didn't believe me and asked to see my receipt.  At that point, I didn't know if the cashier had put in the right order as I didn't check the receipt after I paid.  Luckily, it said curry on the receipt.  It was then that I gave him back the 'look' and he quickly apologised and substituted it with the right order.  The moral of the story....always believe your customers.....or earn their wrath!!]

This is the Classic Chee Cheong Fun @ RM5.95 my spouse had in Mid Valley.  He prefers the classic version while I like the curry version.

The curry version, which is the tastier version of the two (in my opinion), comes in a creamy santan curry sauce, topped with fried shallots, dried prawns and pickled green chillies.  Although the chee cheong fun is not as thin or smooth as some others that I've had before, it's still one of my favourites here...besides the Nyonya kuih, of course.

The other usual order of mine is the Thai Mee Siam Packet @ RM3.30 that is already pre packed.

This Thai meehoon is pretty decent, with the pungent smell and flavour of shredded lime leaves (a common herb in Thai cooking), which some dislike though.  If you like something sourish with a strong lime leaf flavour, then you'll enjoy this dish.

My son would normally have his Nasi Lemak Packet @ RM3 but it's no where near good though compared to all the excellent nasi lemak we can get elsewhere.

I also tried the Mee Rebus @ RM10.85 which I found rather pleasant.  They didn't use the usual yellow mee but a thicker and less alkaline-tasting mee that resembles spaghetti somewhat.  That's probably the reason why I liked this and you've got to eat it with a squeeze of lime (it tastes a lot better).

This is the Cucur Udang @ RM2.90 a plate which I liked the least.  Those sold at hawker stalls are way better than this.

Of course, the main reason why anyone would want to visit Nyonya Colors is because of their nyonya kuih which (I think) is their best (and most saleable) items here.

And these are some of the kuih which I "tapau" (packed home)...the reason why you can see it so neatly arranged and photographed...otherwise, they'd be 'attacked' and gobbled up instantly....kekeke!!

This is the Talam Keladi @ RM1.10 with little tiny cubes of yam within the santan layer and a yam-flavoured top.

The Kuih Talam @ RM1.10 has a good dose of pandan flavour at the bottom and rich santan at the top that I liked....this is my favourite!

The Seri Muka @ RM1.10, on the other hand, also has a pandan-flavoured top with a blue glutinous rice bottom.  The pandan top is a bit sweeter to counter the (supposedly) slightly savoury, but turned out somewhat bland glutinous rice bottom.  I didn't like this as much.

The Steamed Tapioca @ RM1.10, with fresh coconut flakes, is not as sweet as some of the other kuih.

This is Sago Rose @ RM1 which comes with a very fragrant rose syrup taste and not overly sweet.  I just love anything with sago in it...hehehe!!

Another absolute favourite of ours is their Fried Radish Cake @ RM3 (for 2 pcs).  This one can rival some of the good ones in Chinese dim sum restaurants.

The Pulut Panggang @ RM1.20 is definitely among some of the best I've eaten.  The "pulut" (glutinous rice) is cooked right and salted (just enough) to give it the tinge of savouriness it needed (unlike many where the glutinous rice is pretty bland).  The first thing that hits you when you open the wrapped banana leaves is the "panggang" (roasted) smell...that fragrant, smoky, grilled banana leaf smell which makes eating it even more pleasurable.

And one is never enough.  On this plate, there's also the Bingka Ubi (made from a mixture of santan, eggs and tapioca), (more) Talam, Lapis Beras (the red multi-layered one) and Talam Ubi (the pretty pastel-coloured multi-layered one).  Other than the Talam, I enjoyed the Talam Ubi which had a nice dose of santan flavour.

The Iced Teh Tarik @ RM4 (I had in KLCC) was a tad sweet although I've asked for it to be less sweet (it's like they don't bother to listen to your requests).

Holy Moly *Stop Press*:

If I wasn't blogging, I wouldn't have found out that there's a price difference between the outlet in Mid Valley and the one in KLCC!  And so, I've finally discovered a reward for food blogging (albeit a small one...hehe) as I had to keep the receipts so that I can remember the prices when writing my blog.  That's how I stumbled upon the difference in prices of the same eatery.  Why it is such, I have no idea...but I don't think that it's ethical since they're one and the same (even if rental prices are different).  The prices are higher in KLCC (which I'm dumbfounded) as the outlet is smaller and more kiosk-like compared to the proper outlet in Mid Valley.  So, for your benefit, here are the differences if you'd like to know (but there could be more since I didn't sample everything):

1)  Thai Mee Siam & Nasi Lemak Packet - RM3.30 @ KLCC & RM3 @ MV
2)  Mee Rebus - RM11.50 @ KLCC & RM10.85 @ MV
3)  Classic Chee Cheong Fun - RM6.50 @ KLCC & RM5.95 @ MV
4)  Pulut Panggang - RM1.25 @ KLCC & RM1.20 @ MV 
     (the kuihs are the only items that seem to similarly priced)
5)  Iced Teh Tarik - RM4 @ KLCC & RM3.60 @ MV

Here's a pic of the menu (and prices) of the KLCC outlet.

My Personal Opinion

Most of the nyonya kuih here are pretty good and my favourites are the Talam, Sago Rose, Steamed Tapioca, Fried Radish Cake and Pulut Panggang.

But, if you intend to eat at Nyonya Colors, it'd be wise to eat at the branch in Mid Valley (because of the lower prices for the exact same food)!!

Nyonya Colors
K21 2nd Floor Suria KLCC or
LG 230A The Gardens 
Mid Valley City
Tel: 03-7728 2288

Milkcow @ Mid Valley

Welcome to a new year, people!  Just like how I ended with a 'sweet' post in 2014, I think I'll start the year with another 'sweet' post in 2015...but with quite different outcomes!

I've heard a lot of hype over this newly opened ice cream parlour, Milkcow @ Mid Valley, for some time now, and so, when I was at this mall for breakfast one Sunday morning, I decided to swing by to give it a taste.

This organic soft-serve ice cream specialist is located just opposite Cold Storage.  Their ice creams are reputedly made with premium ingredients of organic milk and natural honey.  As my family members are not that into ice cream, let alone expensive ones, I only had room to try just one (after our earlier breakfast).
 

From the menu, you can see that they've 11 different ice creams ranging from the cheapest (@ RM8) to the most expensive (@ RM13).  The cheapest one (Milky Way) is the most basic one of just the organic milk soft ice cream.  Then, you've the ones that comes with various toppings of natural honeycomb (Milky Cube), natural liquid honey (Milky Honey), cotton candy & jelly beans (Snow Drop), dark chocolate (Black Pearl), macaron (Macao Dream), oreo cookies & cream (Cookie & Cream), white chocolate (Golden Angel), red beans (Sweet Red Bean) and more.
 

Just look at all those gorgeous looking honeycomb...that looks fresh out of a beehive! :D

This is my order of Milky Cube @ RM13 which is a cup of Korean soft-serve ice cream that comes with natural honeycomb.  Yes, it's a very expensive cup of ice cream...and a pretty small cup at that!! :'(  [#Note: For me, even if it's expensive, I'd still try it...at least once!]

The soft-serve ice cream tasted like any other soft-serve ice cream to me (but, then again, I don't eat much ice cream) except, at the back of my mind, I know that they're made with organic milk.  So, when my nephew commented that some of his friends say that, after the first couple of spoonfuls, it tastes just like McD ice cream...kekeke....and (maybe) they're not totally wrong in saying that! :D  Ok, ok...I can also feel some people rolling their eyes at this remark.  But, hey....to each his own!

[#Note: It's probably like eating organic fruits and vegetables or organic anything, there's really no difference in taste except you know that they're healthier (and more premium), that's all!  Of course, some will swear that organic produce tastes better but (honestly) I can't taste the difference.  For me, organic produce stores better and has a longer shelf life plus we know it's nutritionally better...that's the main reason why I buy them in the first place (sometimes).]

As for me, I found the ice cream (which had a drizzle of natural liquid honey), though respectable, to be slightly on the sweet side....and not enough to make me go 'gaga' over it like a kid in a candy store! :D

The Milky Cube is served with a cube of natural honeycomb which was incredibly sweet (for my taste buds) and, when you bite into a bit of the honeycomb, it has this semi-hard sticky-sweet texture (much like a pc of candy nearing its end).
 

My Personal Opinion

I wasn't 'wowed' by Milkcow's ice cream to say the least.....but I did go 'wow' at the price!  Combining the natural honey chip and the organic milk ice cream made it both sweet and delicious for many (I'm sure)...but, for me, it was sweet (the honeycomb) on sweet (the soft-serve ice cream)!!

So, it's unlikely that I would want to try the other combinations....hey, I'm a 'sweet' gal at heart *wink wink* but this "sugar, oh, honey, honey".....is just too sweet for me :(

Milkcow Malaysia
LG K23 The Gardens Mall
(Opposite Cold Storage)
Mid Valley City
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-7726 7370
 

Madame Waffle @ Mid Valley

My friend and I came to Mid Valley for two reasons...1) we wanted to attend Boey's book signing event and 2) we planned to visit Pandora ;-)  So, on an eagerly anticipated Saturday afternoon, we found ourselves at Madame Waffle @ Mid Valley (a week after it opened) for a quick bite before Boey's book signing session.  As the name suggests, this place deals in.......waffles!
 

Their menu states that their Belgian-style waffles (made fresh in store daily) uses premium quality ingredients from Japan through the brand's tagline "Belgian waffles meet Japanese flavours".  [#Note: Initially, I didn't know what type of waffles they were but got this definition from Wikipedia..."the Liège waffle is a richer, denser, sweeter, and chewier waffle. Native to the greater Wallonia region of Eastern Belgium – they're an adaptation of brioche bread dough, featuring chunks of pearl sugar which caramelise on the outside of the waffle when baked. It is the most common type of waffle available in Belgium and prepared in plain, vanilla and cinnamon varieties by street vendors across the nation".]
 

First up, we ordered a Coffee Tiramisu @ RM16 which is a coffee waffle with a tiramisu gelato, served with coffee whipped cream and strawberries, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce at the bottom.  When the dish was brought to our table (you order and pay at the counter first), we could see that it was prettily presented.

If you enjoy coffee, you're sure gonna enjoy this tremendously ;)

The tiramisu gelato was nice and creamy...everyone loved it!

From their menu (which I think you can take away incidentally), your other options of waffles with gelato ice-cream (all priced at RM16) on offer here are:

1)  Classic (waffle with strawberries and bananas, topped with Belgian chocolate sauce and vanilla gelato)

2)  Signature Green Tea (green tea waffle with matcha gelato, strawberries, whipped cream and azuki beans)

3)  Banana Nutella (waffle, nutella, banana & double chocolate gelato, glazed with Belgian chocolate)
 

We also picked up a 6-pc Assorted Waffles @ RM36 where you can choose from their 7 types of waffles available.  The flavours include original, honey, cinnamon, matcha, coffee, white chocolate and dark chocolate (we left out the matcha flavoured one).  Strangely, the waffles came in a very nice take-away box (even though we were dining in).

Let me give you a sneak peak inside!  Unfortunately, the chocolaty ones looked a bit messy in the take-away box (as they've been squished together), so excuse the not-so-nice pic :(
 

As you can see, the 7 available flavours are printed on the box...and these are the different types of waffles if you were to order them separately.  As some of them looked pretty similar, and I can't remember the sequence of my pics, I hope I've paired the right flavour to the right pic (otherwise, my apologies if I've gotten them mixed up).
 

Original @ RM5.90 (vanilla infused waffle with pearl sugar)
 

Honey @ RM6.50 (pure honey glazed waffle)
 

Cinnamon @ RM6.50 (with cinnamon sugar topping)

Matcha @ RM6.50 (Japanese green tea infused waffle) - this is the one we chose to omit.

Coffee @ RM6.90 (coffee espresso infused waffle)

White Chocolate @ RM6.90 (with Belgian milk & white chocolate topping)

Dark Chocolate @ RM6.90 (with Belgian dark chocolate topping)

Overall, the waffles were crisp on the outside and fluffy and chewy on the inside....they were very good!  I think out of the 6 flavours I tried, I preferred the traditional flavours of vanilla, honey and cinnamon (though I enjoyed the original one the most).  The pearl sugar that had caramelised on the outside gave it the crispy, crunchy texture...it was a heavenly bite ;)  For chocolate lovers, I'm sure you'd find both the white and dark chocolate waffles to your liking (but a bit too rich for me towards the end and we had trouble finishing).  I guess we were too greedy and ordered too many to try.

My friend had the Flat White @ RM10.50.  Their coffee selections are fairly priced between RM7.50 - RM12.50.

I must say their house-blend speciality coffees here are pretty strong (leaning towards slightly bitter).
 

I went with the Piccolo Latte @ RM9.50.

If you're not into strong coffees, I suggest you go with the other drinks on offer like Japanese green tea (hot or ice), hot teas, hot or cold chocolate and homemade sodas, priced between RM8.50 - RM12.50.

We had actually planned to have dinner after our shopping at Pandora but we were too stuffed by then....don't underestimate the waffles, people!  They may look smallish and light but 7 waffles (+ ice cream and coffee) for 2 adults & 2 very young kids turned out to be too much for us.  But, we went home feeling utterly happy and satiated coz 1) we got our book signed, 2) we left Pandora with "something" and 3) we ate at Madame Waffle....triple yay!!

My Personal Opinion

If you have never tried a Belgian Liege waffle, then you should give this a try. They're really good!  But my utmost favourite had to be the one eaten with tiramisu gelato and strawberries.  It's the combination of ice-cream and strawberries (to cut through the sweetness of the waffles) that made it all work so well together.

Choose any one (or more) of your favourite flavours for take-aways or dine-in where you can enjoy them with their gelato ice-cream and speciality coffees...now that's a dream come true for any gal :)

Like their catch line.....these are "life's simple pleasures"....so, what are you waiting for?

It's the sweetest time of the year!

Madame Waffle
T045 Level 3 Mezzanine Floor

South Court Mid Valley Megamall

Mid Valley City

Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 016-716 1098