Suzi’s Corner – Ampang Point

On the Saturday after Chinese New Year we stopped by at Suzi’s Corner. It's little changed over the years with a new signboard, new plastic table cloths and few new stalls about the only visible changes.
 
Unfortunately the Steak Hut was closed but there were plenty of other nice things to try.

I had read an article in The Star which recommended the the mutton biryani so i thought that i'd give it a try. This biryani is served in a claypot and I added cheese nann and my wife had Ikan Bakar Tiga Rasa with some white rice.






The food was very tasty and just as were were finishing the heavens opened and tropical downpour started. What better excuse is there to stay put for a while and get and relax over a few more bottles of beer.



When the bill came they charged me RM187 which was rather a shock and from memory the prices were:

Mutton Birayani RM25
Cheese Nann RM15
Ikan Bakar RM60
Nasi Puetih (RM??)
Beer RM75 (RM25 ea)
Soft drink (RM??)

The food was very good and I’ll return soon for some steak and double checking the prices at the same time.

Sunday Roast - Healy Macs at Publika

Sometimes I find I can go years without visiting a local place, Publika Mall being one of them and recently lightning struck twice during a weekend when I had to visit on both a Saturday and Sunday.

Publika is an upscale neighbourhood shopping mall located in Solaris Dutamas, Sri Hartamas, a sprawling up-and-coming residential development. The basic layout consists of a mall and some shop lots on each side of it but at different levels due to the hilly nature of the adjoining land.

I was due to meet some friends for lunch at a cafe and other than the name and that its in block D I had no idea where exactly the cafe was so I tried checking the website only to find that it was down. Upon arrival at the mall I found that the information screens were also down and when I approached a security/info counter their outlet list is only for units inside the main mall and not in the adjoining shop units.

The next day I had to return for something and decided to stop for late lunch. After looking for somewhere to eat, deciding to try Red Bean Bag, then being perplexed that it shuts its kitchen from 4-6, we then found an outlet of Healy Mac’s and to our delight they were serving Sunday roast.

After taking our seats and being given a menu the issues began. A common problem I find in KL is that when a restaurant isn’t particularly busy the staff become oblivious to what is happening around them and that day we seemed to just become invisible. The staff seemed to be a mix of different nationalities (usual places) who didn’t really gel together and communicate well which compounded the problems.

Eventually we managed to call somebody over and asked him where there menu for the Sunday Roast however he had no idea what a Sunday roast actually was. After getting some help he finally took the order and a while later the chef came out to see us and check what we actually wanted due to the clueless waiter getting it all wrong.

I’m certainly no connoisseur of Sunday roasts however what was served up wasn’t impressive. The 2 slices of beer were cut so think they were like gristly steaks accompanied by 2 mini potatoes, 2 mini mash scoops and some other veg.



It tasted average I have to say I wasn’t impressed and will be in no hurry to order another one from here. The service didn’t improve after the meal and the staff were happy walking around ignoring people and forgetting orders.

On the positive side live Irish music was provided a group of people who seemed to just turn up, sit at a table and jam which was pleasent and the Guinness wasn’t bad either.

Wensleydale Cheese With Mince Pie

Ever since a young age I've been rather partial to some cheese, especially a strong cheddar or perhaps some Wensleydale with cranberries.

Whilst recently browsing the cheese room in an outlet of Jason’s Gourmet Grocer (and trying the free samples) I stumbled across some Wensleydale cheese with mince pie.



Owing to the extortionate pricing of cheese in Singapore I tend shy away from buying anything but the most basic items however this really caught my imagination. Whilst I'm a big fan of mince pies and enjoy my cheese I admit to being sceptical as to whether this would work.

I'm pleased to say that it was absolutely delicious and highly recommend it, even if we are well past the Christmas period.

Clearance Corner

Western imported good are pretty expensive in Malaysia so any opportunity to pick up some on the cheap its welcomed.

Having previously worked in the retail industry I’m well aware what food labels or date codes mean and their associated risks. Almost everything these days has to have a best before date however most non perishable food is usually ok to consume for considerable amount of time afterwards.

Cold Storage is a large retail chain carrying a large selection of imported goods with many supermarkets in both Malaysia and Singapore. It always amuses me that Cold Storage stock a range of imported Waitrose budget products and sell them at a premium price. Seriously who would pay a premium for tins of economy veg or packets of frozen french fries?

In almost every outlet located somewhere is a section displaying goods approaching their best before date and in some cases there some absolute bargains to be had especially the Waitrose goods.



I think in developing an addiction to buying marked down goods because its now the first place I visit whilst my wife is picking up the usual groceries.

KFC Malaysia - Restricted Menu

KFC in Malaysia is hardly the greatest advertisement of the KFC brand.

The service is often poor due to the staff being being slow and just larking around with their colleagues. To compound the problem the staff have such short term memory loss that they typically are unable to remember more then one item for example they have to keep checking the counter to see what we ordered 1 Zinger burger err what next?... err a coke, what next? ... errr wedges, hence the reason for the queues.  Owing to press reports of past incidents of staff attacking customers who complain its probably best to just keep quiet.

In addition a big concern is the hygiene standard because many of their restaurants I visited had dirty tables and a floor that was full of dirty marks and dropped food. Unlike some fast food outlets, KFC Malaysia don't seem to prioritise cleaning and housekeeping.

During the CNY holiday I visited an outlet in Wangsa Maju and was disappointed to find that the menu had been restricted from 9-17 Feb.



I've never experienced KFC UK, Singapore or Thailand doing this to why do KFC Malaysia do this?

Yet another feather in their cap of bad service awards.

Ikea Restaurant in Malaysia

I recently got dragged to Ikea in Malaysia during the recent Chinese New Year holiday long holiday. As expected the store was quite busy but bearable.

One thing I've never understood is the attraction of their restaurant considering the abundance of good affordable food.

On the particular day that I visited the queue stretched the full length of the restaurant which has to be the longest I've seen there.

Now if the food was fantastic or very very cheap then I may just see the logic of queuing for hours but hello this is Ikea, hardly the gastronomic paradise of Malaysia.

I really don't get it so perhaps somebody could help explain this attraction to me?

River View Seafood Restaurant @ Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor

I remember the first time I visited Kuala Selangor back in 2000 to see the fireflys at Kg. Kuantan. After taking quick walk around Bukit Melawati as the sun was setting we set off I noticed some rustic looking buildings in the distance, some on stilts jutting out into the river. Due to the absence of a decent map and the desire to find the firefly’s at I didn’t explore further.

During another visit in 2001 I decided to drive around and explore and found myself in Pasir Penambang. One particular restaurant called River View Seafood Restaurant looked busy, had a sunset view and despite not being hungry we stopped to check it out. We enjoyed our snack and cold beer whilst watching the sun set and returned many times over the years when guests have visited.

Over years the place has become more touristy and is popular with most Malaysians due to its pork free status. The prices seemed to have increased but reasonable and the food/ambiance is still the same which is pleasing.  

We recently took some guests to Kuala Selangor and with the new KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR Expressway) the journey is much quicker and easier. Naturally makan makan at Roverview was on the agenda.
 

  Easy to spot but parking can be an issue. 

 

The spacious and open interior. There is also a small upper floor available

Steamed fish

 Crab and cockles

 Pineapple rice and mixed veggies

Sweet Bread to soak up the crab’s chilli sauce

River view and sunset

Soon after sunset we departed for Kg. Kuantan and I couldn't help reflect on how hard it used to be to navigate the small and dark roads in the days before GPS was available for cars.

We enjoyed our meal at River View look forward to returning again soon for another sunset experience.

Food/Beverage: 9
Ambiance: 9
Value: 8
Service: 7

River View Seafood Restaurant
No. 1 Jalan Pasir Penambang
45000 Kuala Selangor
Tel: +60 3 3289 2238
http://www.rsrv.biz.ly

Suzi’s Corner @Ampang Point, KL

After another long break since my last visit I recently visited Suzi’s corner one Saturday evening. Nothing much has changed since my last visit, the steaks were as tasty as ever and the diverse crowed makes it a nice place to hang out for a while.



Served with fries, green beans and a steak sauce





Medium cooked which is just the way I like it







Yes I know its greedy but the cheese nann is good to help soak up the steak sauce





Something to help keep me cool



The only criticism I had was that the service by the staff who provide the drinks and other (non steak) food was slow and disorganised for some reason that night.

Food/Beverage: 9
Ambiance: 9
Value: 9
Service: 6

Previous review: http://www.maninseat12a.com/2011/03/steak-hut-suzis-corner-ampang-point-kl.html

Suzi’s Corner
213/26 Jalan Ampang batu 4 1/2,
Jalan ulu kelang
Ampang, Malaysia, 68000
17:00-05:00
Please note: The Steak Hut stall is only 18:00-23:00 and is closed on Tuesdays
Tel: 03-42566720

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/suzis-corner/187090090532?v=info

Tony Roma’s @ One Mont Kiara

On a Saturday 25th Feb we visited the Mont Kiara branch of Tony Roma’s for lunch and to shelter the rain.

I’m not a regular at Roma’s so I was looking forward to something different. Upon entering via the front entrance the staff seemed busy and disorganised and it was a while before we were attended to.

The choice of tables offered was limited not because it was busy but rather because so many tables were uncleaned and dirty.

Eventually a table was cleared and a menu given although after being left for a while it took several attempts to contact the staff to place the order for our food & drinks.

Now a point to make is that next to my wife's chair was a large splat of food on the floor from a previous diner and despite several requests to clear it no action was taken.

We ordered the chicken cesar flatbread pizza and a chicken swiss & beef bacon sandwich. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures of the food but what I will say is that the flatbread was delicious and the sandwich was hearty and filling. The beer was on a 1 for 1 promo which is always a nice bonus.

Despite the food being good it was rather a disappointing event because of the poor service and cleanliness whereby many tables were left uncleared for a long time ( 20> mins).

The staff said that they had been busy due to a voucher promo and the upper section of the restaurant was closed for some reason but their headless chicken impersonations made things worse.

There is also a complete back of background noise, perhaps the lack of music or TV noise is the issue but it created a strange ambiance.

Overall if it was pretty mixed bag with good food but poor service and cleanliness.

Food/Beverage 8
Ambiance 3
Value 7.5
Service 4

One Mont Kiara
Lot G-23A, Grd Flr, 1 Mon't Kiara,
No.1, Jalan Kiara, Mon't Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-6203 0580
Fax: 603-6203 0601
http://www.tonyromas.com.my

Tamarind Springs – Ampang

In November my family visited Malaysia so it was an opportunity to try some places that I’d been meaning to visit for years but had never got round to going to.

One such place was Tamarind Springs located in Ampang which is just a short drive from KL (traffic permitting!!). The restaurant is a classy venue set in a natural forest reserve and contains a mixture of rustic Asians treasures and furnishings.

The menu offers fine contemporary Indochinese food which is a level or two above that found in other places within the Klang Valley.  On of the great plus points is the absolutely delightful location, being set on the edge of a natural jungle and at night its extremely atmospheric.

As well as great outdoor setting the interior is tastefully finished to provide a nice ambiance.


We enjoyed the food so much that we visited again the following week. Unfortunately I only have a few photo’s of the food however I can confirm that the dishes suggested by the waiter are thoroughly recommended.


Food/Beverage 9
Ambiance 9.5
Value 8
Service 8.5

Jalan 1,
Taman Tun Abdul Razak (TAR),
68000, Ampang,
Selangor
Malaysia
http://samadhiretreats.com
Tel.: +60 3 4256 9300

House Frankfurt @ Bangsar

My first week in Malaysia back in September 2000 was somewhat what of a whirlwind. Coupled with the excitement of exploring the nightlife in my new home and my London colleagues travelling on a business trip to KL at the same time it was a absolutely manic. One of the first places we visited was House Frankfurt in Bangsar Baru and I still remember my lack of enthusiasm as a brit having to visit a German restaurant and bar in Malaysia.

I remember that I enjoyed the food and atmosphere and subsequently returned several times over the following years and was never disappointed.

Bangsar has gone through many changes over the years and despite the nightlife scene effectively ending in 2003/4 there are still some good places to eat and drink and House Frankfurt is one of them still going strong.

I often walk past in the afternoon and see Peter (the owner) give me a wave and feel somewhat guilty that we don’t visit anywhere near as often as we should.

We recently found ourselves in Bangsar early one Saturday evening and decided to call in. A warm welcome was received from Peter and decided to sit at the bar

The drinks selection is not as extensive as some other speciality bars and restaurants although there was no complaints from myself.

For dinner I ordered a bruschetta as an appetiser and a chicken schnitzel as the main course.

The bruschetta was a little plain being serviced on sliced bread but schnitzel and the accompanying potatoes were tasty.

My wife ordered the beef goulash for the appetiser and seafood spaghetti as the main course and found the food tasty. I helped finish the appetiser and concur that it was delicious.

Overall I enjoyed my visit and will return again, hopefully on a more frequent basis

Food/Beverage 8
Ambiance 8.5
Value 8
Service 9

12, Jalan Telawi 5
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel.: +60 (3) 2284 16
http://www.housefrankfurt.com
Note: Non Halal

Jom Makan @ Westfield, Shepherds Bush, London

People often ask me if I miss the food in the UK and the question usually provokes some deep thought. Whilst I enjoy some of the food especially of the home cooked variety I’m so used to food with full flavours and spices that after a few days back in the UK I feel that something is missing.

After a couple of days back in the UK last March we finally got around to visiting the Westfield mall at Shepherds Bush and I have to confess I wasn’t disappointed. In and around KL we seem to be spoilt with the ever increasing number of mega malls which start to remember integrated cities and usually contain an entrainment centre along with amenities such as valet parking and concierge.

Now finally London has a decent mall it can be proud of and many aspects of Westfield made it feel like I was back home in Singapore or KL especially the huge number or Asian tourists who visit.

As lunch time approached we started looking at what we could eat and my eyes lit up when I found Jom Makan which is a Malaysian restaurant. After a quick scan of the menu I was happy that some of my favourite dishes listed.

Jom Makan  has a sister branch at Pall Mall and I understand that its owned by a malaysian business man however I didn't any remotely Malaysian staff at the restaurant.

The restaurant was very quiet however the interior was pleasant with artistic pictures of Malaysia on the walls and table mats.

I ordered a kari kambing lamb curry) and a roti canai and my wife went for the nasi lamak to be washed down by a teh tarik (hot milky tea

Kari Kambing

Nasi Lemak

So how was the food?

Whilst I enjoyed my lunch I have to confess that the food was far from perfect. The lamb was very tender and lean however the sauce tasted like it had come from a packet and seemed to be missing some real flavour.

The roti canai was disappointing and I believe that a frozen quick cook product was used which is very poor.

The teh tarik was also a let down and tasted that that made from a packet as opposed to real 1m high teh tarik.

My wife said the nasi lemak was good and that that the quality was generally better than most places in KL.

Whilst I’m critical I have to say that overall it was ok and would probably return but with different expectations and perhaps some things such as the roti I wouldn't order again.

The service was ok although not particularly friendly or engaging which was a shame.

I may return next time I’m in London if I need a food fix but the problem is I’m used to the real kampung food and this doesn’t live up to that and I'm sure that there is better malaysian food in London.

Food/Beverage 6.5
Ambiance 6
Value 6
Service 6.5

Jom Makan (Westfield) Restaurant.
Southern Terrace,
Westfield Shopping Centre,
London W12 7GA
Tel: 020 8735 5870