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Monday, 02 November 2009

Krispy Kreme, Midvalley & Papa's Cafe, Atria PJ

Was at Midvalley on Saturday and couldn't resist trying out the Krispy Kreme. Bought 2 pcs of Halloween themed donuts at RM2.80 each. Tried the ones in London but maybe it's the weather or that it was late at night, the donuts weren't as expected. It wasn't as smooth and melt-in-your-mouth as lots of people who have tried it before have told me. So I was disappointed as it was rather expensive (after converting from Pounds to RM). :P But to my great relief. The 2 donuts that I bought, freshly baked, were really nice! And cheaper too. HAHA. I liked that it wasn't too sweet, smooth, creamy and that it melts in your mouth. Yum yum...

For dinner, we went to try out cheap Western food at Papa's Cafe in the Atria Shopping Centre. There was a half price off promotion for October on their selected Western dishes. KW had the sizzling lamb (RM7.50), his dad and I both ordered a chicken chop (RM6.50) each and his mum went for the fish and chips (RM6.50). Can't quite recall the exact prices but it's about there. I expected the portions to be rather measly but the chicken chop and sizzling lamb turned out not too bad. However, the fish and chips was a real rip off. Overall, the food was quite tasty. But as the place was rather small, it felt really crowded in the restaurant.
Carnaval Churrascaria, D'sara Jaya PJ

It was our second year anniversary and we were craving for meat. Carnaval Churrascaria is a mere 5 minutes drive from my place and yet, I've never step foot in the restaurant before that day. I somehow had the perception that it was an expensive place to eat in. Not sure why I've never quite thought of doing a Google search on it before. Probably because I can never quite get the name spelling right to begin with. :P

So, curiosity got the better of me one day as we were thinking of a place to eat in and to celebrate our anniversary. Then I decided to just type in whatever I can recall into the Google search box. And out came suanie's review. I was salivating and itching to try it. Luckily KW said ok as it wasn't too expensive at RM48++ per pax. Quickly called up to make a reservation. And we were told to expect a big crowd on that night. But they were still able to accommodate us.

When we got there, parking was aplenty as the area is usually rather dead after working hours. As we got seated, we were explained on the system. We were quite familiar with it as we've eaten in a similar restaurant before in Langkawi. The advice given was to eat slowly (conserve the stamina) and to try everything at least once before deciding which to have more of. With that, we were recommended the caipirihna (mixture of rum, lime and sugar) and the honey lemon drink to wash down the meal.

There was a salad bar with an assortment of items such as coleslaw, potato salad, beans, pasta, beef stew, rice, etc. I can't quite recall the items as I was too busy devouring the meats. :)

Left: Coleslaw, potato salad, pasta and beef stew, Right: mint vinaigrette and lemon vinaigrette

Left: Lamb and garlic bread, Right: Curry spiced chicken and chicken ham

Left: Garlic beef and more garlic bread, Right: Lamb cutlet

Left: Rare steak, Right Grilled pineapple

Left: Beef shoulder and curry spiced dory fish, Right: Our drinks

Us devouring the food. I just love the killer garlic bread!

The meats were fresh and cooked really nicely...as they should be. Juicy and tender. Also, I am a big fan of garlic. So I couldn't get enough of the delicious garlic bread. Should keep a pack of Clorets in your bag for times like these. The Brazilian chef did a great job with the meats served being still warm and the waiters come round with the skewers often enough to keep our plates full most of the time. And the host kept checking on us to make sure we were alright.

Overall it was a great dinner. We were stuffed to the brim. And we didn't have to burn too deep a hole in our pockets. The full buffet meal cost us RM48 each and the drinks were RM16.80 (alcoholic) and RM7.80 (non alcoholic). There was a 15% discount (ladies' day promotion) off the total bill on Wednesdays for tables with at least one lady. So our bill came up to slightly above RM122. ;) Worth trying it out if you can really eat and if you like grilled meats.

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Handful of Honey: Away to the Palm Groves of Morocco and Algeria
By Annie Hawes
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Saturday, 17 October 2009

Little Taiwan, 1 Utama New Wing

Had an hour before our movie, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (it was hilarious!) and we didn't quite know what to eat for dinner in 1 Utama. Walked around a bit and went to check out a place opposite Penang Flavours and beside Teppanyaki which I recalled passing by numerous times but never tried. Found out it was Little Taiwan, of which I've tried but at the Gardens Midvalley outlet. Saw the delicious looking beef selections and we settled into one of the booths happily.

A quick flip through the menu and I saw their specialty beef dishes up front with many other noodle selections following that. Also, many choices of appetizers cum snacks and beverage selections. I ordered the spicy hot ramen (RM9.90) with a honey Jasmine tea (RM4.90) while KW went for the special beef shank rice (RM13.90) and a fresh watermelon juice (RM5.90). We ordered an extra appetizer - the four colour roll (RM6.80), when we saw the portions on KW's rice.

Left: Our drinks, Right: The four color roll of fish paste, crab stick, seaweed and parsley

Left: Spicy hot ramen, Right: Special beef shank rice

My honey Jasmine tea tasted like it came straight from a tap and mixed with honey. Rather evident from the froth. I'd very much prefer freshly made tea. It was too sweet for my liking as well. The four colour roll was good with a crispy skin and flavorsome filling. My spicy hot ramen was...spicy hot. Yum yum. Hehe. And KW's beef shank was superb. It melts in your mouth! Although, they could be a tad bit more generous with the portions.

Overall ambience was alright. The waiters were prompt however the kitchen was a little slow despite there not being many other customers then. Our bill came very fast though. Haha. It was RM45.55 in total (including the 10% service charge). And off we skipped merrily for some laughs. :)

Monday, 05 October 2009

One Noodle Restaurant, SS2 PJ

KW and I wanted to survey some bridal studios nearby and where else better to do that than in SS2? So we decided to have lunch in One Noodle Restaurant (same row as KFC). Have previously tried the dim sum there but it was so long ago that I can't recall. Maybe the girls might but I doubt so.

Anyways, we were interested to try the la mien noodles. So I went for the Beijing sour and spicy la mien with a watercress drink while KW ordered the pork dumpling soup la mien and a hot tea. There was an ongoing promotion on the dim sum - 50% discount on all items from Mondays to Saturdays and 30% discount on Sundays. So I couldn't resist ordering a salted egg yolk steamed bun.

Left: Hot tea and watercress drink, Right: Salted egg yolk steamed bun

Left: Pork dumpling soup la mien, Right: Beijing sour and spicy la mien

Food was alright. Nothing spectacular. The steamed bun was rather good though. As well as the watercress drink. Our bill came up to RM30+. The noodles were RM8.90 each. I would probably go back to try some dim sum with the current ongoing promotion. Prices of the dim sum ranges from RM6.00 and above. Rather pricey if not for the discount. I guess I might have to go back soon then. Anyone care to join me? :)
Ichiban Boshi, Pavilion KL

KW and I took the rare opportunity to spend some time in KL during the Raya break where it normally takes an hour stuck in traffic jams to drive down to KL, took us only 15 minutes then. So we decided to pop by Pavilion for lunch and some window shopping after that. Not being frequent visitors to Pavilion, we walked around a bit to survey the available eateries that we've yet to try in our previous visits.

Spotted a man garbed in Japanese overalls working his magic on what seemed to be the Japanese restaurant's famed buckwheat noodle in a display window. Not that seeing a stranger working his sweat into a potential bowl of noodle soup, that I would be slurping down, whets my appetite but I couldn't take my eyes off the long conveyor belt at the sushi bar which was filled with yummy looking sushi of every kind imaginable.

The restaurant's menu is rather extensive too. I think we spent 15 minutes poring through the menu front and back trying to decide which of so many delicious looking options to try. I settled on a bento set of soba noodle, sushi and sashimi while KW went with the beef soup ramen. And we both had hot green tea as well as a California roll and a combination of three salad (baby squid, clam and jelly fish).

Left: Bento sets and ramen, Right: Sashimi and sushi

Left: The conveyor belt at our table, Right: Green tea

Left: My bento set, Right: KW's beef soup ramen

Happy customer

My bento set was alright. Have tasted better. KW's beef soup ramen was delicious. Tender beef slices and large sized meatballs served with buckwheat noodle in a fragrant beef broth. As it was quite a while back, I can't quite recall the prices. This place wouldn't be on my list of favourites as the sushi and sashimi were so-so only. Oh well...never try, never know. ;)