Taste Enclave (Grandeur Teppanyaki) @ Avenue K

Taste Enclave is a modern food atrium that offers diners quality food in a clean, spacious and air-conditioned environment.  This comfortable food court has more than 16 nostalgic hawker-type stalls (specially hand picked to showcase Kuala Lumpur's and Singapore's famous hawker fares) and 4 mini restaurants featuring a wide range of local and international food choices.

With so many choices, we decided to start with 1 of the 4 mini restaurants...Grandeur Teppanyaki @ Avenue K's Taste Enclave.  They have a number of sets on their menu, which are more value-for-money, that come with miso soup, rice and vegetables but I decided to order a la carte (in the hope of getting a 'bigger' portion of the protein of choice :D)!

The Teppanyaki Salmon Fillet @ RM17.90 comprised of 2 slices of salmon with bits of chopped garlic, scallions and bird's eye chilli served with their house made light brown sauce (not sure what's the sauce made of but it was tasty enough).

Although the salmon pieces tasted alright, the portion size was pretty small and, if you're guy, this serving is definitely not enough to make a full meal.

The Assorted Seafood Teppanyaki @ RM17.90 was made up of prawns, squid and scallops cooked on the teppanyaki grill with some thinly sliced onions.

At this price, the portion size is reasonable as you get 3 pcs of scallops, 4 prawns and a fair amount of squid slices.  The seafood was nicely grilled, with a good char on it, and came drizzled with the same sauce as the salmon.

The scallops, with a nice char, were a bit small (understandable coz they're not cheap) and rubbery (from overcooking coz they're so small) but still acceptable nonetheless.

The prawns (albeit a tad small in size) and squid pieces were fresh and grilled perfectly...I liked the fact that it had nice grill marks on them.  The a la carte rice costs RM1.50 a bowl.

I've seen good reviews on this dish but could not find the item on the menu, so I described the dish to the guy taking the order.  The Mushroom Omelette @ RM8.90 is actually 2 omelettes filled with bean sprouts, shimeji and sliced shitake mushrooms, and topped with bonito flakes.

The crunchy bean sprouts and the sautéed mushrooms, coupled with the delicious tangy mayo-like sauce, made the omelette a delight to eat.

My Personal Opinion

What's not to like about teppanyaki?  It's healthy, it's light....and it's grilled ;)

A simple teppanyaki meal that you can get at a reasonable price and yet tastes above average.  Only complaint is that the portions may be a wee bit small and, unless you're a small-eater, you're gonna need more than 1 dish to satisfy your stomach.

There are so many food options in Taste Enclave that you'll probably need a month (at least) to try everything.....so, I'll be back to taste more!

Grandeur Teppanyaki @ Taste Enclave

2nd Floor Avenue K

156 Jalan Ampang

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2181 8888

#ewew makes (Barefoot Contessa Inspired) Chicken Salad Veronique

I like to eat salads a lot (plus they're really healthy) and I usually eat them as a light lunch.  The salad I'm referring to is the Chicken Salad Veronique and it's inspired by Ina Garten (one of my favourite chefs on Food Network) in one of her shows on Barefoot Contessa.  I absolutely love her shows where she gives tips on table setting and decorating, home entertaining and, of course, cooking!

The Chicken Salad Veronique is just a French dish using chicken and grapes as the main ingredients.  The name just sounds fancy but the preparation is not.

Ingredients:

5 strips of chicken fillet

1 stalk celery

1 cup seedless green grapes

1 - 2 stalks fresh parsley

1 - 2 tbsp mayo

Salt & black pepper to taste

Preparation:

Season your chicken strips with salt and black pepper.

Dice one stalk of celery (I use US celery).

Cut the seedless green grapes into half.

Pick the leaves off the stalk of parsley and chop finely.  [#Tip: Ina Garten uses chopped tarragon but I couldn't find any from the supermarket, so I just substituted it with some fresh parsley.]

Method:

Pan-fry your chicken fillets (in olive oil) on medium heat in a non-stick pan.  Once the chicken gets a nice sear and is cooked, transfer to a plate and let it cool.

Once cooled, dice into I/2 inch cubes.  And you're done.....that's all the cooking you need to do...how easy was that!

Now you're ready to assemble the salad.  Combine the diced celery, cooked chicken fillets, grapes and sprinkle some finely chopped fresh parsley.  Toss everything with as much or as little mayo as you wish (for this, I used about 1 tbsp as I don't like my salads overdressed).

This salad is perfect for those wanting to eat something healthy, those watching their weight or as a light lunch...but only if you really like celery (coz some definitely won't like the bitter taste).

The bitterness and crunch of the celery, the sweetness of the grapes and the slightly creamy mayo all worked well together to deliver a truly refreshing salad.  And what's even better, if you made too much and can't finish the salad at one go, put the balance in the fridge and it's still as good eating it chilled (some might actually prefer it this way).

This is a really fresh, healthy and simple salad to put together with just 3 ingredients...it's so simple everyone can do this!

Serves 1 (or 2 small-eaters) as a light lunch or 2 - 3 as a side dish to your main course.

Tony Roma's @ Pavilion

Tony Roma's serves Ribs.Seafood.Steak but it's their world famous beef ribs that everyone is drawn to (and they're especially popular with Malaysia's Muslim population).  They have opened 7 outlets in the Klang Valley (the latest being the one in Nu Sentral) with plans to open one in Putrajaya and Johor by the end of the year.

But my return visit to Tony Roma's @ Pavilion this time was to try their Fisherman's Wharf promotion (from 22 Sept - 26 Oct) which offers 4 different grilled salmon dishes.

Once you've made your orders, you'll be served with some complimentary bread with herbed butter...nothing exciting but purposeful to keep your hunger pangs at bay while waiting for your food to arrive!

This was the BBQ Rubbed Salmon with Sriracha Butter @ RM44.90 served with a choice of 2 sides (rice, fresh vegetables, fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob, fire-roasted vegetables, baked or mashed potatoes).  The choices were rice (cooked with turmeric powder and butter) and fire-roasted vegetables.  The salmon was rubbed with their signature dried spices before it was flamed grilled.  The salmon was nicely grilled (to medium doneness) with good sear marks on the outside and tender fillet on the inside. 

It was served with a sriracha butter sauce that looked and tasted greasy.  [#Tip: Sriracha is a type of hot sauce or chilli sauce made from a paste of chilli peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt.]  The sauce didn't taste spicy at all, just very buttery and oily.  Luckily, the salmon, which was already marinated with some dried spices, was flavourful enough without the sauce (I'm not keen on any type of butter sauce as I find it too oily for my palate).

The other dishes on their Fisherman's Wharf promotion are Salmon with Walnut Maple Butter, Avocado and Mandarin Orange Salmon and the Salmon with Shrimp in Lemon Sauce (their current best seller).  However, the Salmon with Walnut Maple Butter and Salmon with Sriracha Butter will not be available after their promotion ends on 26 Oct.

Of course, you can't come to Tony Roma's and not be tempted (again) to order their ribs.  These are my beautifully glazed Bountiful Beef Ribs @ RM53.90 (Roma Rack which means you get 3 ribs...more than enough for 1 person or Full Slab for sharing @ RM78.90).

These babies are seasoned with select spices, slow-smoked to mouth-watering perfection and basted with your choice of one of their signature sauces: TR's Original BBQ Sauce, Carolina Honeys, Blue Ridge Smokies™, Tennessee BBQ or TR’s Red Hots.  I've only tried the first 2 sauces and I definitely preferred TR's Original BBQ sauce.  Not to worry, they bring you 4 types of sauces (in squidgy bottles) should you have the need for even more sauce but, for me, less is more!

The ribs were juicy and tender (could be a tad more tender though) and the slightly sweet TR Original BBQ sauce complemented the smokiness of the ribs...they were lip smacking good though not as good as the ones from Jake's but (then again) those were like double the price.

All entrées include 2 side dishes and my choices were Mashed Potatoes & Coleslaw.  The mashed potatoes, flavoured with beef bacon bits, were soft and creamy and came in a sizeable portion (if your kid likes mashed potatoes, this portion is enough to feed the both of you).

The coleslaw was crunchy but ordinary.

Our drinks of Orange & Mango Juice @ RM8.90 each were obviously not the 'fresh' kind...and pretty diluted (understandable since it's refillable).

Some of the pics (from my previous visits) captured with my 'old faithful' (so please excuse the poor quality).  Of these, I would recommend the Kickin' Shrimps (Pics 3 & 4).  These are fried shrimps tossed in a spicy cream sauce (much like Shrimp Cocktail).  Their signature Onion Loaf, even for Half Loaf (Pic 2), is way too filling as a starter (so make sure you have a party of at least 4 persons before you attempt to order this).  For variety, you can go for the Roma's Sampler (Pic 5) which gives you a trio of appetisers: Hot Buffalo Wings, Potato Skins and Half Onion Loaf (again best shared with a party-of-at-least-4).  As for the Pacific Cod with Garlic Scampi Butter (Pic 6)...I didn't like the oily sauce.

My Personal Opinion

Although I find their ribs to be pretty good, to be honest, I was more excited about their recent salmon promotion this time...maybe it was too much meat in one sitting!

Eating here will set you back at least RM70 per person, not entirely cheap but the portions are huge, and still cheaper than if you were to go to a steakhouse.

I'd like to return to try the other salmon dishes on their menu.

Tony Roma's Restaurant

Lot No LG1.15 Level 1
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2143 3278

#ewew makes Mamee Chef Curry Laksa

Ever since I began on "the journey (aiyah, not the movie lah) of discovery (and tasting)" of the latest instant noodles that came out in the market like Maggi Royale Penang Seafood Curry, MyKuali's Penang White Curry Noodles and Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle, I've been 'bitten by the bug' of wanting to discover (though some of them may not be new) and taste even more instant noodles.

My husband said that his colleague's favourite curry noodle is Mamee Chef Curry Laksa.  This particular brand of noodle is endorsed by one of Malaysia's well-known chefs...Chef Ismail (although not as renowned as Chef Wan)!

And, based on that remark, I went out and got myself a pack of Mamee Chef Curry Laksa, which retails at around RM5.99 for 4 packets, thus making it the cheapest of the 4 that I've blogged about previously.

It comes with 3 sachets of seasoning........

.....a seasoning powder for the soup, a cooked chilli paste and garnishes of dried (or dehydrated) tofu puffs, red chillies and spring onions.

This is how the dried instant noodles look like.  At a glance, you'd realise that the noodle is rounded in shape, unlike the others which usually comes in squares.  This, I feel, deserves an extra 'brownie point' ;)

I usually cook the chilli paste in water first to ensure the paste is fully dissolved.  Then, I would add instant noodles and the dried tofu puffs/sliced red chillies/spring onions to rehydrate them.

Or you can add all 3 at one go (as per the prescribed directions)...if you're just plain lazy (like I am at times)!  Now, you'll understand why the noodles get an extra 'brownie point' from me....you see, I use a Pyrex jug to cook my noodles in my microwave oven and a round noodle sits perfectly in it and I don't have to press the noodles into the water (midway through the cooking process) like those darn square ones!

This is my bowl of Mamee Chef Curry Laksa....ready for slurrppping!!  I must say that I do like the taste of this one coz it has a tangy flavour to it (which the others didn't have).  Eating this, one feels less "jelat" (cloying) and the addition of the garnishes was a nice touch. 

Also, I found the noodles texture to be better than MyKuali's but not as good as Maggi's...after all, they boast of a "pulled noodles technology" that's different from the norm.

For a (slightly) more decadent bowl of Mamee Chef Curry Laksa, add some fried egg and vegetables (like long beans or cabbage).  This one is with "sang choy".....I know, I know...who puts Chinese lettuce in curry....I'm sorry but that was all I could find in my fridge then.

With all the hype about MyKuali Penang White Curry Noodles, I'm going to 'go out on a limb' and say that I prefer this more understated one, Mamee Chef Curry Laksa, although my undisputed favourite (for now) is still Maggi Royale Penang Seafood Curry.

Continuing with my instant noodles journey.....till my next find!
 

Kim Gary @ Jusco Maluri

Who haven't been to Kim Gary, right?  Practically, everyone has at one point or another.  It was, after all, one of the first (if not the first) Hong Kong type "char chan teng" (teahouses) to open in Malaysia which led to the opening (and closing) of many other "char chan teng" type eateries here.

I remembered when Kim Gary first opened in Sungei Wang Plaza (in 1992), it was the talk of the town with long queues during peak hours.  Kim Gary's taste has practically remained the same through the years (with the Sungei Wang Plaza outlet offering the best taste, I think).  And, for me, all the other "char chan teng" (especially Wong Kok) pale in comparison to Kim Gary.

It's been a long while since I've eaten at Sungei Wang Plaza as I now usually eat at Kim Gary @ Jusco Maluri whenever I'm there shopping for groceries.  I know, I know...why blog about this place which everyone is already so familiar with.  Why not?  It's still my favourite "char chan teng" offering wholesome, comfort food that we are all so familiar with....and, better still, it comes with a very affordable price tag.

Their food needs no description and here are some of their signature dishes (and my all-time favourites).

Fried Pork Chop with Shanghai Style Vegetable Rice @ RM10.90 or

Roasted Honey Spare Ribs with Shanghai Style Vegetable Rice @ RM10.90 (no pic)

Wrapped Fish in Egg with Shanghai Vegetable Rice @ RM11.50

Fried Spaghetti with Pork (or Beef) Fillet in 'Hong Kong' Style @ RM12.50

Of course, they are also well known for their Cheese Baked Rice (with a choice of pork chop/chicken chop/fish fillet/beef slice) but, you know me, I don't like cheese!

If you want a bowl of steaming hot noodles, what's more comforting than a bowl of Nissin (or instant) noodles, perked up with some extra ingredients, especially those from a can ;)

Nissin Noodles in Herbal Chicken Soup @ RM12.90

(good herbal flavour in the soup)

Nissin Soup Noodles with Hot & Spicy Pork Dices @ RM9.50

(what can I say, I like meat that comes out from a can)

Nissin Soup Noodles with Fried Egg & Luncheon Meat @ RM8.90

(who doesn't like luncheon meat and an oozy egg...kids especially and adults too :D)

One of the best comfort foods that we all grew up eating is none other than fried rice and the ones here are pretty decent.

Fried Rice with Ginger & Egg @ RM10.90

(order this only if you truly adore ginger, like me...it never fails to lift up my appetite)

Fried Rice with Hot & Spicy Pork Dices @ RM11.90

(watch out, this one can be quite spicy)

I guess just about any Fried Rice will do =)
(can't even remember what fried rice this is)

And who can forget the Borsch Soup @ RM4.50, a simple soup that resembles a western tomato soup but tweaked to local taste buds.  I've managed to replicate this soup at home...quite successfully, I might add (will post recipe later).

Coffee in Hong Kong Style @ RM3.50

(my all-time favourite drink)

Fresh Orange & Celery Juice @ RM5.90

(love the subtle taste of celery in this juice)

Fresh Orange & Carrot Juice @ RM5.90

(very refreshing and you know it's good for you)

Not to mention, a number of these dishes are available as a set (that comes with a drink and a soup) at a real value-for-money promotional price.

What's more, you get a 10% discount and a monthly free meal item with the yearly membership card (which cost just RM5, if it's a renewal, and RM10, the first time round)...and that's a real bargain!  You don't have to eat all the 12 free items (which translates to you having to go every month), just choose the ones you like and discard the rest (that's what I do).  And, let me just say, the free items are not crappy stuff, they're quite decent (notable ones this year include Vietnamese Style Lemongrass Skewers, Mini Spring Rolls & Stuffed Capsicums).

My Personal Opinion

This is comfort food that's really easy on the pocket...simple but good for a quickie lunch or dinner fix. 

If you're not cooking, this is a good substitute...it's everything you'd want in a bowl...rice, protein, vegetables and gravy all-in-one!  Plus, it's also easy to get your kids on board with the type of food served here....which kid doesn't like Fried Rice and Instant Noodles, right?

Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant
Ground Floor Jusco Taman Maluri
Jalan Jejaka
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-9282 9208