Republic of briyani
Harmony is the perfect word to describe briyani. The bond between spices, the magical blend of flavours and the angelic combination of fragrant briyani rice with curry is simply amazing. This March, Melting Pot at Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur is showcasing five tempting types of briyani – Nasi Briyani Arab with Lamb, Nasi Briyani Gam with Chicken, Nasi Briyani Bukhari served with Short Ribs, Nasi Briyani Kepala Ikan or Nasi Briyani Burung Puyuh, each served with scrumptious condiments. Nasi briyani is a wholesome rice-based dish prepared with basmati rice, meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. The main spices used are ghee, nutmeg, mace, cumin, pepper, cloves, cardamom, cinnammon, bay leaves, corinder, mint leaves, ginger, onions and garlic. Each night, Malay chef Abbas Ali displays several briyani types as part of the nightly buffet. Enjoy a plate of briyani along with mango chutney, achar and tasty curries. This promotion is available for dinner daily until March 30. Buffet dinner is priced from RM85++ per person. For reservations, call 03-2144 2200 ext 2337.
Lamb Kut Teh
“Bak Kut Teh”is a Chinese herbal soup and has always been a favourite of Malaysians. Enjoy this savoury dish until March 31 at Imperial Rama, Highlands Hotel, as it entices tastebuds with its very special “Lamb Kut Teh”. Chef Eric Lee uses special Xinjiang lamb which contains less fat compared to other mutton for this dish. The meat is tender and is said to be good for improving blood circulation. Simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices such as ginseng, red dates, bei qi, dang shen, huai shan, wolfberry, cordyceps flowers, garlic, rock sugar and lo han guo, the concoction is put on the boil for five hours. The restaurant’s ‘Lamb Kut Teh’was showcased during last year Malaysia International Gourmet Festival (MIGF) and won many praises. Priced at RM28++ per serving, the dish is served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Imperial Rama opens from noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9.30pm. For reservations, call 03-6101 1118 or visit www.rwgenting.com.
Hazelnut Truffle
Lovers of chocolates and hazelnuts should make a beeline to Lobby Lounge of Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, for its cake of the month – Hazelnut Truffle. Made from alternate layers of chocolate Gianduja cream and hazelnut sponge, this delicious creation is then topped with a glossy layer of smooth chocolate glaze. Perfect with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, the Hazelnut Truffle is available throughout March and is priced at RM9++ per slice or RM90++ for the whole cake. Lobby Lounge is the ideal venue for a relaxing tete-a-tete with friends or discussion with business associates. For orders, call 03-4042 9888 ext 9014, fax at 03 4043 8602 or e-mail dinesph@sunwayhotels.com.
WOODS MACROBIOTICS, 54, Jalan SS2/72, PJ. (Tel: 03-7960 0260) Business hours: 11am to 9.30pm. Closed on Mondays. This place was established in 1993 and is reputed to be the first Malaysian Macrobiotic total health and healing centre, providing vegan Macrobiotic organic food including beverages, fresh produce, grocery, health books, magazines, healing CDs, health cooking classes and diet consultation service. Some of the dishes worth a try are Fried Meehoon with Black Bean Sauce, Ume Plum Soy Soup Meehoon, Miso Udon, Fried Udon, Turmeric Fried Rice, Pine Seed Fried Rice, Tempe Fried Rice and lots more.
DANCING FISH MALAY-INDO CUISINE, 3rd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL. (Tel: 2095-6663). The restaurant serves Indonesian favourites such as Bebek Goreng Bali, Emping Melinjo, Gulai Pucuk Paku, Terong Sambal and their star dish, the Dancing Fish.
KHAANA PEENA, E01-04 & 05 Block E, Plaza Mont’ Kiara 2, Jalan Kiara, Mont’ Kiara, KL. (Tel: 03-6201 3355). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-3pm) & (6pm-10.30pm). Specialises in Northern Indian cuisine using only the finest natural ingredients for its delicious and nutritious specialities. XENRI JAPANESE CUISINE, 9 Wisma Elken, Lorong 4/137C, Batu 5, Old Klang Road, KL. (Tel: 03-7783 8118). Business Hrs: Mon-Sat, (noon to 10.30pm); Sun (noon to 3pm) and (6pm to 10.30pm). It serves Japanese cuisine using premium ingredients and raw products flown in from Japan. The eat-all-you-want Sunday buffet lunch is priced at RM55++.
PASTA ZANMAI, G210B, Ground Floor Promenade, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, No 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, PJ. (Tel: 03-7728 1210). Business Hrs: Sun-Thurs (10am-10pm); Fri-Sat (10am-10.30pm). Serves an interesting array of over 50 pasta dishes using Japanese spaghetti. Rice and pizza are cooked using Japanese ingredients such as seaweed, miso and sesame.
MIRAKU, Lot GB02, Ground Floor, Paradigm Mall, 1, Jalan SS7/26A, Kelana Jaya, PJ. (Tel: 03-7886 9931). Business hours: 11.30am to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm (Monday to Thursday); noon to 11pm (Friday to Sunday). Pork free. This fine-dining restaurant features fresh air-flown sashimi from Japan, which arrives in Miraku every Tuesday and Friday. The restaurant also offers kaiseki, a multi-course Japanese meal, priced at RM100, RM150 and RM200.
BELLYGOOD RESTAURANT, 20 Jalan PJS8/18, Dataran Sunway Mentari, PJ (Tel: 03-5630 1699). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-11pm). Closed on Monday. Non-halal. Popular for its variety of pork dishes such as Spaghetti Cabonara prepared using real pork bacon, Pork Chop Pasta, Flame Grilled Spicy Garlic Pork Ribs, Deep-fried Pork Sandwiches and lots more!
MICHELANGELO’S RESTAURANTE & BAR M, Lot J-OG-03 & J-OG-04, Soho KL, No. 2, Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont Kiara, KL (Tel: 03-6203 7734). Business Hrs: Sun-Thurs (11am till midnight); Friday and Saturday (11am till 1am, kitchen closes at 11.45pm). An upscale casual restaurant with classy interior design featuring its signature Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam on its wall. Serves a lavish Italian fare from appetisers, main courses and desserts.
SVAGO CUCINA E MUSICA, Lot G45B-136, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, KL. (Tel: 03-2163 0188). Business hours: Daily from noon to midnight. Pork free. The menu is a complete one with appetisers such as Warm Softshell Crab on Cream Herb Mayonnaise and Pan-fried Gnocchi to mains like wagyu, veal and turbot. It also features a classic dessert selection.
ROYAL CHINA, 239 1st Floor, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL (Tel: 03-2142 2625). Business Hrs: Mon-Sat (11.30am-2.30pm) & (6pm-10.30pm); Sun & Public Hols (10am-2.30pm) and (6pm-10.30pm). Non-halal. Known for its Cantonese cuisine in the heart of the city. Some of its popular dishes are Oriental Crispy Chicken Crepe, French Style Pork Ribs with Champagne, Stir-fried Mixed Mushroom with Fish Fillet and Chicken Breast with Black Salted Turnip.
H&H Restaurant, 25 Jalan PJU5/12, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara (Tel: 03-6141 8911). Business Hrs: Daily (11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10pm). Halal. Serves dishes like Curry Fish Head/Assam Fish Head, Kapitan Chicken/Claypot Chicken, Fried Crispy Sotong/Baked Towfoo, vegetables and rice. Available daily for lunch and dinner. CHINA WOK, A3-G1-3A, Solaris Dutamas (Mont Kiara),1 Jalan Dutamas, KL. (Tel: 03-6207 9598). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-9pm) (Non-Halal). Serves homemade delicious recipes such as Fish Head Noodles, Charcoal Roasted Duck and Char Siew, award-winning Chicken Rice, Curry Fish Head, and Claypot LaLa Pepper Soup.
SRI NYONYA RESTAURANT, 14 Jalan 22/49, PJ. (Tel: 03-7875 1031). Business Hours: Tues-Sun (noon to 2.30pm) and (6.30pm to 9.30pm). Closed on Monday. Pork-free. Family recipes such as the Sri Nyonya Fried Chicken and Perut Ikan span four generations.
RESTORAN MAKAN MAKAN, 5 Jalan Anggerik Vanilla M 31/M, Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam. (Tel: 03-5121 7717). Business Hrs: Mon, Tues, Thurs to Sun (8am to 9.30pm). Wed (8am to 6pm). Pork free. Some of the its best-sellers are Yam Cake, Tong Shui and Nasi Lemak Chicken Rendang.
KHUNTAI RESTAURANT, 6 Jalan 5/44, Petaling Garden, off Jalan Gasing, PJ. (Tel: 03-7781 7523). Business Hrs: Daily (10am-3pm) & (5pm-midnight). Pork-free. A surprise find among a cluster of banana leaf restaurants and unassuming in appearance. Start your meal with Mieng Kam. Then, move on to White Tomyam, Steamed Fish Lemon Style, Deep-fried Kangkung and Green Curry Chicken. The thirst quencher, a blend of freshly squeezed ambarella fruit and sour plum, is the ideal drink on a blistering day.
KAFE SAKURA KRISTAL, 301 Jalan Bandar 11, Taman Melawati, KL. (Tel: 03-4108 5897). Business Hrs: Mon-Sat (noon-11.30pm); Sun (4pm -11.30pm). Halal. Asian, Thai, Western and Malaysian cuisine with enough options for vegetarians too. DECANTER 3, 5 Jalan 17/56, PJ (Tel: 03-7968 1300). Business Hrs: Mon-Sat (noon-midnight), closed on Sunday. DECANTER 1, 7 Jalan Setiakasih 5, Bukit Damansara, KL (Tel: 03-2095 2507). Business Hrs: Mon-Sat (noon to midnight), closed on Sunday). DECANTER 4, No. 67, Jalan Setiabakti, Bukit Damansara. (Tel: 03-2095 3919) Business Hrs: Mon-Sat: 7.30am to 10.30pm, Sat & Sun: 9am to 10.30pm. Halal. Choose from over 80 Western and local favourites. Popular for its Oxtail Stew and Penang Assam Laksa.
To submit food listings and food-related queries, please email to metrocfood@gmail.com or call 03-79671388 ext 1322.
