A Very Porky Christmas!

(NON-HALAL)

Folks, I've been busy and currently swamped with errands to do before the year ends. So, another quick post from me (not something from my archive but on dinner I had with my family two days ago). The family had an additional belated Christmas dinner this year as we celebrated Ethan's birthday too. Big Bro made plans to give Ethan his first taste of beer since he will officially be of legal age to drink in a public establishment! Hahaha.... So, the family went with Big Bro's decision and off we headed to Bavarian Bierhaus at The Curve.

With all that advertisements, we succumbed to its calling and ordered Paulaner to go with our porky meal.

It's kinda hard taking photos here as the place is rather dim...I had to keep my hands steady and also take the pics as fast as I can as I had 7 other people waiting for me to get it done and over with so that they can eat! ;p

My Sis-in-law's Pancetta Salad (RM18)


Baby Pork Ribs (RM56). This still had a lingering porky taste and wasn't my cup of tea (cos I had Paulaner!)

Ham Pschorr Natural (RM31). This came served with some home made honey mustard sauce which I really liked and was "attacked" by us all and gone in a jiffy. Great stuff!


Pork Knuckles with Garlic and Mixed Ham (RM56). The stabbed piece of meat had a wonderful crackling for us to attack and was a well balance of lean and fat meat.


Pork Knuckles with Smoked Bacon Ham (RM55). This was pretty much the same as the other pork knuckles that we had. Once again, I enjoyed crunching down on the crackling and was responsible for making sure there was none left :p. Not a problem as I love this kinda stuff!


Mixed Sausages (RM68). These were cut up by me and divided for the 8 of us and it came to a point that I didn't really know what sort of sausages I was eating! An "okay" order.

Ethan, CHEERS!

and to everyone else,

HERE'S TO A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR AHEAD

Folks who ate the oink here too :-

Callie

Lisan



Bavarian Bierhaus German Restaurant & Bar
Curve, Mutiara Damansara<
Lot G66, Ground Floor
6 Jalan PJU 7/3<
Petaling Jaya
Tel : 03-77288269

It's The Season To Be Jolly!

&

Warmest Wishes
To Everyone,
WMW

Sushi Zanmai @ The Gardens, Mid Valley

Lately my life seems to be in the fast lane; starting the day and ending one before I know it. When it comes to times like this, I find myself having quick meals - before running off to tend to some other stuff. Whenever I need to do that when I'm in a shopping mall, I end up at Sushi Zanmai (either at The Gardens or the outlet in 1Utama).

Well, it's a place I go to for a quick meal like I said, not so much of it being for good food. I do find the food here while pleasing to the eye and at reasonable prices - mediocre. There are a couple of items that I do like though. Of course I'm one who never eats sashimi, so I'm unable to comment on that. When it comes to the rest of the food, it's a meal of convenience to me.

Gyudon - a tiny bowl. Good for those going on a diet or trying not to take too much carbo. Obviously it's not enough for me! Hahaha...I find the beef not marinated well enough.

One thing I started to eat only recently - unagi! The Caterpillar Roll Maki is a sushi one would love at first sight (lovely looking avocado slices on top) but unfortunately wasn't that tasty to me. Maybe I have been comparing it to the Volcano Roll, something of a higher and different level? One too high perhaps?

Something ordered quite frequently; the Soft Shell Crab Maki. If I have to choose one maki that tasted good in Sushi Zanmai, it would be this.

Inari Sakura with Shiitake mushrooms and sweet fish floss topping. Another sushi that I do like ordering when I eat here. I love mushrooms, I will eat anything that has mushrooms apart from the poisonous ones :p But then, one day when I do find out, it'll be too late! Hahaha...

I do like interior here albeit a simple one, Sushi Zanmai at The Gardens definitely has a better layout than the one that's in 1 Utama.

Yes, definitely a meal for me when I'm on the go!

Read what Simon has to say about his trip HERE
& how dinner is served HERE
& what Ling239 ate HERE


Sushi Zanmai
Lot T-217, 3rd Floor
The Gardens, Mid Valley City
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 - 2282 1160

"In Mexico we have a word for sushi : Bait."
- Jose Simon

Michelangelo's @ SOHO KL, Solaris Mont Kiara

Digging back the archives not too long ago, the one with the handbag and the one with the bracelet called me out for dinner. It has been awhile since we caught up with each other and though the journey to Solaris was "memorable" for other reasons (it rained the whole day and the traffic jam was horrendous!), we made ourselves feel better with food!

Solaris Mont Kiara has been "invaded" with quite a number of promising restaurants nestled in an area, SOHO KL. It had been rather deserted when I had gone there previously about 5 months ago but it was a hive of activity when I went there again a month back.

They decided on doing dinner in Michelangelo's and I had just had my fair share of pasta from Italiannies' new line up just the day before. I knew I just couldn't take pasta again and wondered if I could find something that would be different and interesting at the same time.

Michelangelo's Creation of Adam

The one with the handbag was her usual health conscious self and went with Insalata Cesare (RM17.90)- Ceasar's Salad! No croutons but larger slices of toasted baguette with pestos sauce. The romaine lettuce was fresh and she seemed to really enjoy her salad! I personally felt that the portion should have been bigger though.

The one with the bracelet wanted something simple and ordered the Spaghetti Aglio Olio (RM18.90). The spaghetti was al-dente but tasted average overall....well, she did get what she want ;p

We also ordered Con Funghi - Mushroom Pizza (RM24.90) and enjoyed its thin crust. Whilst I found the cheese topping adequate, they were not generous enough with the mushroom topping (which happens to be one of my favourite food). My vote for favourite pizza though would be Chicken Fajita from Canadian Pizza, it's easy to indulge in one as it's just a phone call away).

My Pollo ala Marsala (RM35.90) was just what I was looking for; meat. Chicken breast meat infused with Marsala wine and a slight sourish sweet gravy with prunes. It was a first for me, having chicken with prunes and I was pleasantly surprised that the combo worked well. Well enough for me to think of cooking my own version of chicken with prunes!

Of course though we were full, no meal is complete without desserts ;o)...

Torta di Cioccolata (RM15.90)- Molten Lava Choc Cake ....Good but FBB's similar version (Flourless Chocolate Cake with molten centre) that I had the privilege to try was better than Michelangelo's version.

The Tiramisu (RM15.90) didn't fare as well as I thought it would. Nevertheless, it was quite good but I found something still lacking which I couldn't quite put my finger on. There isn't an overkill of mascarpone cream and its sweetness was spot on for me but I felt that it was not moist enough.

The ambiance is nice (I like the high ceiling) but the service was somewhat lacking with futile attempts at getting the staff's attention time and time again making us somewhat exasperated. I will be visiting here again in time and hope service changes for the better to improve the overall dining experience.

Michelangelo's
Lot J-OC-03 & 04, Soho KL
No. 2 Jalan Solaris
Solaris Mont Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 603-6203 7734
Opens 11am-11pm (Fri & Sat till midnight)

Other reviews : -
Ling239

Sweet Memories

Love rules without rules.

~ Italian Proverb

Weekend's Here Again - Have A Break!

Rock Melon Flavoured Kit Kat from Japan. It's really so rock melon chocolicious!



Here's to the weekend - or what's left of it! ;o)

Tong Kee Butter Egg Tarts - Damansara Utama

Been really busy of late and thought it was good time to put up this short post. I had stumbled upon Tong Kee's latest outlet in Damansara Utama one evening while driving past the area. My heart skipped a beat and I did a little dance in my car (sitting down of course!) when I realised I could now get my favourite egg tarts easily with the newest outlet being so near to me now. The last time I had delicious egg tarts was when I was good food hunting in Ipoh and had stopped by Choy Kee in Simee Market. Tong Kee's egg tarts have always been my favourite though...

Butter Egg Tarts - since I didn't take any photos at the outlet itself (I had thought that bakeries usually don't allow photography but seems I was mistaken about this outlet as KampungBoyCityGal was able to take some when they found this outlet last month too!), I packed three of these yummy babies home and did the photoshooting later.

I personally prefer the butter egg tarts (RM1.50 each) over the original RM(1.30). I find it more fragrant. The crispy and flaky pastry isn't brittle but yet distinctively layered. A bite into one of these; the pastry and wonderful custard ensemble, would stop the clock for a split second before one devours the whole egg tart up in glee (at least it did for me and JC!)....hahaha! I discovered this place in mid Nov and have been back several times though I have not made any visits in the month of December. They were giving out 20% discount off the egg tarts then (not sure if it applied to all the other pastries/bread because I have only been buying the butter egg tarts!). I wonder if the promo is still on in December. Only one way to find out....time for another visit! :o)

Tong Kee's TK Bread & Tarts (Non-Halal)

No. 61G, Jalan SS21/60
Damansara utama
47400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 03-7726 6133

Opens from 8 am to 9pm
Closed on Mondays

Have A Great Weekend!

Was supposed to continue on my picnic trip in LakeEdge Puchong when I last went there on 30 August but had forgotten about it till now. It's been three months since then - Thanks to Czar again, I gladly joined in the fun as they rounded up the family (I've been adopted by them!) for a "nearby" getaway for fun and food.

Before we laid out the picnic spread, the adults took a walk around the area enjoying the scenery. The kids' laughter which broke the silence every once in awhile made that a true family moment. I really like the tranquility and the landscape here. How nice would it be if I had a weekend house here in LakeEdge, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The kids were enjoying themselves; first swimming, then basketball and finally with the younger ones taking shots at Big Bro with some penalty kicks! Of course, little bro kicked with more gusto than sis.

Here are more pics from that day's outing

"Salem High Country" pose for the camera, remember that ad?

I love LakeEdge!

Our simple picnic spread (according to Czar). From Top Left : Keropok Lekor, Sweet Corn, Fried Bee Hoon, Bruschetta (my absolute fave!), Home made sausage buns and sausage sticks. Peach Custard Tarts (melted a bit from the heat but was good stuff nevertheless) and finally tong sui - white fungus, lychee and other assorted stuff. Czar and cousin are good and fast cooks and though they regard this is as simple fare, it would have taken me ages to get the food ready where it might turn out inedible in the end. Hahahah...

Whatever it is, I want more WEEKENDS!!! Don't we all ? Weekends that are totally free from any work and when I can "laze around like a vegetable" if I choose to vegetate! That's bliss ;p. Have a great weekend!

Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week.
~ Joseph Addison

One For The Blog - Smiling Moon

This alignment will take place again in the year 2036.

Smiley Face Moon - Dec 1, 2008

Jupiter, Venus and The Moon


The view from my apartment window



A closer look at the smiling face : ) I've cropped and highlighted it with a circle so that the smiling face is easier to identify. The right Jupiter is dimmer than Venus on the left. This rare sight was gone not long after.

I'm glad I got to see this, thanks Jason for letting me know. It's an awe inspiring moment for me.



Men should take their knowledge from the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Frontera Bar & Grill, Jaya One Petaling Jaya

It was one of those nights where Czar had some "free" (husband and children free) time to herself and called me out for some drinks and dinner and we found ourselves in Jaya One. Sorry, not to say that "free" night of hers was a cause for celebration but you know what I mean, Mr. Czar and kids! :o)

We ended up in Frontera, trying out the Tex Mex food as we wanted some different. The place is rather dim and that night, we chose to sit in a little corner, perfect for chatting and a food blogger to take photos as inconspicuously as possible. Hahaha....but not for long. Larry H. Martin, the owner, came around during our meal and chatted with us about anything and almost everything - from Mexican & Tex Mex food, the "ways" of Malaysians and right down to American politics!

We were given a basket of nacho chips and salsa. The salsa dip is made in house and is one of the best dips I've tasted. The salsa was thick and spicy (a plus for spicy food lovers) and both of us snacked on it non-stop till it was all gone! Real addictive!

The Margarita had a real kick - not watered down but fully loaded! I have been here a few times, on one occasion I had two of these and a mug of beer and my head was thumping not long after! Hahaha....Frontera prides itself with serving the best Margarita in town. If you feel that the Margarita is not up to your expectation, Larry will ensure that your expectation is met, he treats it very seriously!

The Taquitos de Pollo (RM19.95) was an interesting snack - hand wrapped corn tortillas filled with chicken and then flash fried and served with Salsa Verde (yes, the green version) and sour cream. The dip went very well with the crispy rolls.

I ordered the Pollo Frontera(RM26.95) - Mesquite grilled chicken breast topped with sauteed spinach, mushrooms, San Antonio style cilantro cream sauce served with Mexican rice and fresh vegetables. The chicken actually came smothered with the sauce but I decided to push the sauce aside to show the spinach and mushroom that was buried underneath. Though the chicken breast was tender, I felt that it wasn't smokey flavoured enough. However, the flavourful cream sauce made a favourable difference to it and I polished everything clean off the plate.


Czar's Camarones Chipotle (RM32.95) - Marinated prawn sauteed with fresh garlic, lime and chipotle chillies. Czar absolutely love her first encounter with the chipotle chillies (smoked dried jalapeno) and her only gripe was that the prawns could have been bigger.

For dessert, Larry got us to try the Cheesecake Chimichanga (RM12.95); praline cheesecake wrapped in flour tortilla that is flash fried. This was a unique dessert but a tad sweet for me. I had wanted to try Frontera's Homemade Pecan Pie but it was sold out on the two occasions when I tried to order it! :o(

This is one of those places where you can dine and hang back/chill out in a laid-back atmosphere. Hmmm ....Margarita sounds good right now. Czar, do you have some free time coming up soon? :p

Those who have chilled out here : -

sixthseal

Masak-masak

Frontera Bar & Grill
18-G-2, Block L
Palm Square, Jaya One
72A, Jalan Universiti

Tel : 03-7958 8515

Opens daily from 10 am - 10 pm

It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must know how to fall
~ Mexican Proverb