Sik Thong Ba @ Cheras Traders Square

Sik Thong Ba @ Cheras Traders Square was our next destination for dessert after our wonderful Japanese meal at Two Chefs Lab because of its convenient proximity.  It was already 10.30 pm then but we were shocked to see a queue when we got there (but it turned out to be just a short wait only).  Wow, people still eat dessert at such a late hour? O_o

Well, I guess so...since we were also there to sik thong ba which literally means eat sugar lah! ;D  Actually, not really...we just wanted to adjourn somewhere so that we could chat some more.

Since they converse mainly in Chinese/Mandarin, I got my friend to make the orders at the counter.  We got this Eight Treasures in Ginger Soup or Soya @ RM13.90 and we chose a soya & tau fu fah base with brown sugar syrup.  It was a visual feast for our eyes as well as our palates.

Since there was no detailed description in the menu, the eight treasures I'm guessing are taro, purple & orange sweet potato balls (more like rectangles), boba pearls, red beans, peach gum, soya/tau fu fah base and brown sugar syrup.

The tau fu fah was smooth and slurp-worthy.  We added on black sesame rice balls (3 pcs) for an additional RM4.50 coz my friend requested for the add-on as it's her favourite (well, mine too). ^_~  The balls were chewy and delish with a fragrant sesame filling.

Taking a bit of everything, we each customised our own bowl and could tweak the sweetness to our liking since the brown sugar syrup was served on the side.  I enjoyed the silky smooth soy pudding base with only a tiny bit of the syrup as the chewy taro balls, black sesame rice balls, tapioca pearls, refreshing peach gum and sweet adzuki beans provided the natural sweetness needed. ^.^

Our next dessert for sharing was not on their regular menu when we were there in (apparently it's a limited edition) but I saw a pic of it online, so we enquired and was pleased to find out that it was available that day...the Matcha Black Glutinous Ice @ RM18.90 (perhaps it's on the permanent menu now).

It featured a matcha ice cream, a match pudding, black glutinous rice, mini rice balls and soy milk ice.  My friends, being matcha fans, absolutely loved the matcha ice cream and (wobbly) pudding.  The texture of the pudding and creamy ice cream was done right...the matcha flavour was quite pronounced for me (and that's because I'm not that big a matcha fan).

So I left most of it to my friends while I enjoyed the smooth soy milk shaved ice with the soft, chewy black glutinous rice and mini rice balls...and partaked in more of the earlier dessert (which I preferred).  Due to the mild, pleasant bitterness of matcha, this dessert will be embraced by those who don't like their desserts to be excessively sweet.  Durian lovers can opt for durian flavour which comes with durian ice cream & durian flesh.  There's also mango flavour which comes with mango ice cream and mango cubes.

P/S: Sorry for the weird colour background in the photos...don't understand why it turned out that way (two different coloured background based on two different desserts - one orangey and one bluish)...probably due to my phone camera (though my friend's phone camera also had a similar result) or the place's lightings (more likely) that made the photos that way.

My Personal Opinion

These little bowls of happiness was a happy ending to our earlier wonderful Japanese meal.  It truly affirms their high ratings and reviews...a testimony to their popularity (and the many branches all across Klang Valley).  I think it's also partly due to their very reasonable pricing with many of their desserts coming in at around RM10 or under and the more special ones not costing more than RM20.

The next time you need a sugar rush, Sik Thong Ba may be your answer.  Well, as Annie Lennox said "Sweet dreams are made of this.  Who am I to disagree?"...and that should be that! ^o^

Sik Thong Ba

37G Jalan Dataran Cheras 2

Cheras Traders Square

43200 Balakong

Selangor

Pizza Duo @ Bamboo Hills

Co-existing and sharing the same space with Tap Room (along with PaperKite beer and cocktail bar Tap Tap) is Pizza Duo @ Bamboo Hills.  We enjoyed the ambience, experience and food at Tap Room very much during our first visit and vowed to return to try the pizzas.

Moreover, a friend of mine was interested to return at night to feel the ambience after seeing the beautiful and serene surroundings when we were here for lunch before (it was indeed pretty as a picture as night fell). The atmosphere seems even more lively at night.  Luckily we made prior reservations as the place was brimming with waiting patrons.

Pizza Duo specialises in Neapolitan pizzas, an authentic Italian pizza originating from Naples, known for its thin, soft crust with simple toppings cooked under high heat in a wood-fired oven.  That impressive-looking oven is apparently called a Stefano Ferrara oven...and apparently it's also currently the largest Stefano Ferrara oven in Malaysia.

And, for this visit, we came specifically for that! ;)  But, before we get to the pizzas, let's start with a couple of starters and bites...beginning with something that's part of their signature menu, the Chilli Lava Crab @ RM48.80 which unquestionably did not disappoint.  It knocked it out of the park! ^.^

Featuring crab meat in a spicy chili/sweet & sour crab sauce, this dish is distinctively Malaysian, a highly sought-after dish in Chinese seafood restaurants, except this one you don't have to get your hands messy and dirty to get at the crab meat.  It's already done for you...what better way to eat crab than to have all the meat picked out for you, right?  I would say yessss to that! ;D

The crab meat was super fresh and the sauce well balanced with a spicy kick.  Served with golden mantou and crispy youtiao which were the perfect vehicles to soak up all that awesome sauce.  We used it (and wished we had more) to mop up every single last drop of that rich, flavourful sauce.  We couldn't get enough...it was beyond what I expected (and my friends loved it too).

Up next was a dish we did not get to sample on our last visit here, the Grilled Padron Peppers @ RM25.80 as it wasn't available then.  Padron peppers, a Spanish tapas staple, are typically mild and slightly sweet although occasionally you'll get one that packs a spicy punch.  The unpredictable spice level of each pepper adds that element of surprise and fun to eating them (no wonder I got one that was really spicy)! >_<

Blistered and charred to perfection and tossed in shrimp floss, they're best eaten dipped in the accompanying creamy shrimp paste sauce that tasted somewhat like a spicy Thousand Island sauce.  This was something different that we tried...and it was another winning dish.

We remember liking the simple, refreshing take on this dish the last time we were here, so we just had to order the Watermelon Meze @ RM13.80 again with chuka wakame and crushed peanuts tossed in Thai dressing.

Now, onto the main event, the very reason we made this return trip for...especially after seeing their impressive wood-fired oven that's touted to produce the best-tasting pizzas due to the high temperatures and unique flavour imparted by the wood which produces a smoky, rich flavour that's hard to replicate in other types of ovens.

We started with one of its most popular pizzas, a speciality of theirs, the Shroomami Pizza @ RM72 (which also happens to be the most expensive pizza on their menu) with Parmigiana fondue, truffle salsa, fior di latte (fresh cheese), portobellini mushrooms, ricotta and truffle oil.  Hands-down, this has to go down as the best pizza I've eaten thus far.  Being a non-fan of cheese (as many of my readers already know)...but this one I super enjoyed.  Apparently I enjoy cheese if it's good Italian cheese like Parmigiana Regianno (especially), Fior di Latte and Riccota...hehe! ^_~

The intense heat and flames cooks the pizza quickly (like maybe in just 90 secs depending on the pizza's thickness and oven temperature).  And because the pizza cooks so quickly, the crust is still moist with a slightly chewy interior...and not dry, hardened or overly crispy like many others that I've eaten before.  I used to leave the crust behind for those that fell short but this one...I wanted more! ^o^

Just look at the super puffed up and perfectly charred crust with its super light and airy texture and its umami filling of portobellini mushrooms and truffle...so, so good!  I once heard a Top Chef contestant say "that puffed up, charred crust can only be achieved if you use a wood-fired oven" (and he's right, of course).  

After tasting our first pizza, we immediately ordered a second.  This time we placed an order for a simple, classic Pizza Margherita 2.0 @ RM44 filled with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, parmigiano reggiano, semi-dried cherry tomatoes and basil oil.  You can't go wrong with the classics! ;)

Again, the slightly charred, soft, thin crust gives it a distinct smoky flavour that makes it absolutely out of this world.  A good pizza doesn't need to go overboard with all its many toppings...just a good crust and simple, fresh, high-quality ingredients for Neapolitan perfection!

After stuffing ourselves silly with two awesome pizzas, we still had room for dessert...and we kicked off with the Molten PB Choco @ RM26.80 which featured a chocolate and peanut butter lava cake served with vanilla ice cream, granola, fresh strawberries and blueberries.

The chocolate and peanut butter lava cake did live up to its name....the molten chocolate centre, with its intense chocolate flavour, flowed out when cut into (sorry, forgot to take a photo of the gooey, flowing lava). This is certainly a delight for chocolate lovers.

Our second plated dessert was something similar to the Orange Souffle Waffle we had on our earlier visit. Since we enjoyed it the last time round, we ordered the Lemon Souffle Waffle @ RM19.80 this time.

The only difference was that it was served with earl grey (instead of vanilla) ice cream and a lemon (instead of orange) reduction.  I particularly liked the intense lemon-flavoured reduction with the souffle and waffle.

Finally, to wash all that good food down, you need good beer...and we ordered the PaperKite Flight @ RM58 featuring 4 types of (mini-sized) craft beer...Pale Ale, Copper Ale, Oatmeal Stout and IPA for sharing.

I also had a Iced Caffe Latte @ RM16.  A friend also had a cocktail, Day & Night (Sake/Peach/Yuzu/Lemon) @ RM30.

My Personal Opinion

If you're a lover of pizza or haven't had a good one thus far, make sure you have a go at this one...made with the finest ingredients like fior di latte, San Marzano tomatoes and Italian flour, it's no wonder that this was by far the best tasting pizza experience I've had in a long while.  I've a new found love of pizza (and cheese) if it's this good...and the Shroomami comes highly recommended as your first choice.  Just the mere thought of it at the time of writing makes me yearn for it with such great desire! ;)

Not only that but the fact that Pizza Duo shares a space with Tap Room makes eating here a double joy as you can cross order from both fabulous menus.  So far Tap Room's starters and light bites have not disappointed one bit and this visit's choices of Chili Lava Crab and Grilled Padron Peppers added two more to that fantastic list.

Tap Room's menu is rather extensive and together with Pizza Duo's many other pizza options as well, there are still lots more to try here...and we look forward eagerly to yet another visit. ^.^

Pizza Duo @ Tap Room

Lot P10 Bamboo Hills

Taman Bukit Bambu

Off Lebuhraya Duta-Ulu Kelang (DUKE)

51200 Kuala Lumpur

Tap Room @ Bamboo Hills

Bamboo Hills is a culinary haven and home to a unique dining concept within a green landscaped setting housing many restaurants in one place like Ginger, Locarasa, Potager, The Qing Banquet, Botanica+Co, Hanam BBQ, Nok Yung Thai, Tap Room, Pizza Duo and Kampai Yakiniku which we had the pleasure of visiting recently.

Most of the restaurants here give you a front-row seat (some better than others) to the beauty of its landscaping amidst serene and lush surroundings with a scenic bamboo garden and waterfalls at the centre of it all.

The lush greenery and water feature is a sight to behold as we took a little walk to take in all that charming surroundings (it was like a picture off a postcard!).  No wonder you see many people taking selfies and wefies at the many instagram-worthy spots here.  I can just imagine the surroundings being possibly even more attractive at night when the place is lighted up.

After our sumptuous and gratifying wagyu meal at Kampai Yakiniku, we proceeded to our next destination, the Tap Room @ Bamboo Hills to chill, chat...and chomp further!

There's alfresco dining if you so choose where you can dine amidst all the breathtaking scenery.  I can just imagine the ambience when night falls...but since it was midday, we chose to sit inside, safe from the heat.

As we've already had lunch, it was time for something light...coffees and desserts is a must...and a couple of snacks won't hurt either.  The first was this refreshing starter of Watermelon Meze @ RM13.80, the flavours of which caught me by surprise, not that it's bold or anything like that but just so delicate and light that it was a joy to eat.

It is a very simple dish of juicy watermelon cubes with some crunchy wakame and crushed peanuts tossed in an equally light Thai dressing.  If you're a light eater or want something truly refreshing after a heavy meal, this is perfect! ;)  All of us enjoyed this tremendously...a wonderful starter (on a hot afternoon), for sure, and certainly one we won't hesitate to order again.

Next was these Sole Fish Tacos @ RM29.80 featuring lightly battered and fried sole fish (locally sourced, the menu says from the shores of Kuala Terengganu) with guacamole, tomato salsa, purple slaw, tartar sauce and sriracha sauce.  Served with a wedge of lime, the tacos were finished with some micro greens and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper (or paprika).

A squeeze of lime over the top...and it's ready to eat!  As you can see from the photo, they were light-handed with the dressing of guacamole (mashed avocado) and tartar sauce which I really appreciated.  Good choice for a light meal or as a shared starter.

My third pick was supposed to be the charred, grilled chilli peppers but the server came back to inform us that it wasn't available that day, so I replaced that with SuperShrooms @ RM26.80 which were just deep-fried enoki and white button mushrooms served with two sauces, a spicy-sweet Thai chilli sauce and a creamy mushroom sauce.

Nothing to fault as the mushrooms had a light batter coating and were fried to crispy perfection.  A great snack with beer.  I especially liked the button mushrooms coz they were extra juicy to the bite.  Between the two sauces, I preferred the creamy mushroom over the common dip of sweet Thai chilli.

It's been a while since I had a "real" dessert...and sharing it with 3 friends is a good thing if you're trying to limit sugar intake coz that means you'll probably get only 2 bites (or 2 tsp)...lol!  I chose the Flourless Chocolate Cake @ RM26.80 (my friends are chocolate lovers) with raspberry ice cream, oreo crumbs, granola and a mixed berries compote finished with some fresh strawberries and blueberries on top.

The flourless chocolate cake was rich and fudgy with an intense chocolate flavour.  It was very good (even for a non-chocolate lover like me) as everything went so well together.  It was a symphony of textures and flavours with the bold, rich flavours of the chocolate together with the tanginess of the raspberry ice cream, lightly sweet + tart berries compote and granola offering a crunch! ^.^

The final dessert of Orange Souffle Waffle @ RM19.80 was served with vanilla ice cream and an orange reduction.  The souffle was high and mighty when it arrived (sorry it deflated a little by the time we got to it) and the texture light and airy.

I enjoyed the tanginess of the orange reduction with the nice, crisp waffles.  It also offered a good contrast to the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream.  All in all, it was still a very decent dessert, just that it didn't quite match the highs of the previous flourless chocolate cake which was flawless in execution and superb in taste.

Of course where there are desserts, there must be coffees...and two of us went with an Iced Caffe Latte @ RM16, one had a hot Cappuccino @ RM16 while another had a Detox drink @ RM18.

Was that all?...not quite!  You can't come to the Tap Room and not order a PaperKite, a local craft beer brand that's brewed in small batches and proudly made in Malaysia (which even won Gold at the 2023 Word Beer Awards).

So, we ordered two beers, one a Pale Ale @ RM23 and another Happy Lager also @ RM23.  Yes, craft beer is more expensive than regular, mass-produced beer but they also taste far superior (and my friends can attest to that)! ;)

My Personal Opinion

The menu at Tap Room is quite extensive from brunch offerings to pastas, burgers, sando, superbowls, soups, snacks and desserts, along with food that have Asian, Spanish and western influences, with even a section for carnivores.

We thoroughly enjoyed the few dishes we tried with the absolutely simple but refreshingly delightful watermelon meze being the highlight for me.  I thought their plated desserts were especially impressive (for a joint that isn't a dedicated cafe/bakery/dessert place).  Probably the most endearing are their affordable prices (there are a lot of choices priced around RM30)...and let's not forget the awesome view and ambience of the surroundings, more so if you're dining alfresco.

Just as you can't come to the Tap Room and not try one of their local craft beers...you also can't come to the Tap Room and not try one of their pizzas!  Reputedly good (they look absolutely gorgeous in photos)...but we were too stuffed already from the earlier lunch, so these pizzas will have to wait until we return.  This place is a wonderful choice for a get-together with friends as the food, desserts, coffees and beers (even the prices) were all above expectations.

Tap Room

Unit P10-01 & P10-02 Bamboo Hills

Taman Bukit Bambu

Off Lebuhraya Duta-Ulu Kelang (DUKE)

51200 Kuala Lumpur

I Cheated on My Birthday!!

I cheated on my birthday (which fell on a weekday...and this was some time last month)!!  For some reason, I craved for cake...which is so unlike me.  Those who have followed my blog long enough will know that I don't even fancy cakes all that much.  I guess not being able to indulge in carbs...and sweet stuff (or choose not to in my restrictive diet) made me crave for it even more. >_<

I reassured myself that since I was so kwai (obedient) to follow my restrictive diet for the past 10 months, I was entitled to give myself a little treat on my birthday, don't you agree? ;D  I wasn't even looking for a special or good meal on my birthday (like we do every year) but something forbidden.  You know the saying, the forbidden fruit always tastes sweeter! ;P

So, I went out and got myself these from my neighbourhood bakery (Grab Bread Bakery or GBB) in short)...a bun (not one but two!) and a cake (again, not one by two slices!) + a pastry (ok, this last one was an Ikea curry puff left over from the day before).  I was greedy obviously...and I thought I could finish all these in one meal.

Those who know me will know that I love bread (or buns) more than anything else...they're the most difficult carb to give up (I can even give up rice but find it extremely difficult to give up bread).  This is the ikan bilis bun (RM3.80) and sardine bun (RM3.80), two of my favourites from the bakery...which I used to patronise regularly! T_T  I love (some of) the buns and cakes here.

I thought I could eat all in one sitting but, having cut back on carbs, it looks like I don't need that much carbs to make me full.  In the end, I managed to eat just one of the buns (the ikan bilis bun), half of each slice of cake and finished it with a glass of iced coffee as my cheat meal.

I wanted to get the pandan layer cake (which I had before) as you know I like simple cakes without all that fancy cream and toppings.  But alas, they didn't have it that day.  So I got these two slices instead...a tiramisu and a sesame & red bean cake.

I've always liked the taste of black sesame (evidenced by the greyish colour of the cake), so decided to try the sesame & red bean cake (RM7.80).  The black sesame taste was very subtle but I could not taste any red bean.  I scrapped away the excessive cream on top to find the cake very fluffy and moist to eat with light sweetness.  I really enjoyed this one and would buy it again if I've another cheat day.

Who new another cheat day would come sooner than expected.  I got another sesame & red bean cake (again)...oops!  I'm sorry but I've been deprived of cake for s...o......l...o.....n........g that I was really longing to eat the cake again (and this, incidentally, was only my third slice in 10 months).  I asked the bakery staff if there are any red beans in the cake (since I didn't notice any the first time, either that or I ate too fast to notice...hehe) and she said the red beans are studded in the cream layer in between the cake (no wonder lah, I thought the red beans was infused into the cake mixture).

This time you can see the cake looks slightly different...the top layer of cream is much thinner (I bought this from another GBB branch) but the cream layers between the cake much thicker (and the red beans were more visible in the layers).  There were a lot more red beans too because of the thicker cream between the cake.  I ended up having to scrape off some of the cream in between the cake but was able to taste the red beans this time.

The tiramisu cake, on the other hand, was just acceptable...not as good as some of the really great ones I've had in cafes (which is understandable since this one is from a bakery) but when you haven't had a tiramisu cake for so long, any will do...lol!

This one is less sweet of the two simply because of a layer of bitter coffee (I presume, in between the cake) which tasted almost like a dark chocolate crumb as well as the cocoa powder dusting (on top).

As with any sweet desserts/cakes/pastries, you need to wash it down with a cup or glass of coffee (no sugar) to enjoy it to the fullest.  This was only my third glass of coffee in the past 10 months.  Giving up or staying away from coffee has been the hardest...and this is coming from someone who used to have at least 2 cups a day....to zero now!! T_T

I ate the sardine bun and the balance half of the cakes for dinner (and returned the Ikea curry puff back to the fridge)....but with a cup of hot Chinese tea instead (haiz, so not ngam...and boring! >.<).  Ok, bread/sweet craving satisfied.....for now......until the next time! ^_~