Bangsar Archives

In Bangsar By Taufulou 2 Mins Read

Corona Sunsets Hours @ Mantra Bar & Lounge, Bangsar

07/09/2016 No Comments

Little did I know that, there is a hidden bar right above Bangsar Village – Mantra Bar & Lounge that made them a roof top bar. It was a recent discovery over Corona Sunset Hour launch that happened at that bar.

Corona Sunsets Hour was brought to life by an activation part of “This is Living” global campaign, which is Corona’s everyday take on the happy hour. Mantra Bar & Lounge is a perfect venue to be part of it by enjoying the sunset on a rooftop can be a great escape from the busy city’s hustle and bustle. So, Corona took it up a notch with Sunsets rooftop celebration where guests joined the immersive concept consisting of a unique blend of specially commissioned soundtracks, bespoke interiors. To embody the spirit of ‘Sunsets’ Hour, guests were encouraged to #sharethesunset by wearing Corona Sunsets Tattoos and got their faces painted, to stand a chance to win a personalised Corona Sunsets Moment worth RM2000! Adding icing to the cake, the versatility of the brew’s flavours were showcased by concocting two enticing cocktails Corona Sour and Corojito mixed with a medley of spirits and liqueurs, all with Corona as their base.

Love the ambiance of the bar and the interior of it. Look posh and comfy. They have 2 seating area. Indoor and outdoor.

Cabana zone that overlook to KL city Center.

We were then pamper with some live music.

For all of you folks to enjoy the special edition, there are two special cocktails that is tailored made available only at Matra. Do check them out.

In Bangsar By Taufulou 4 Mins Read

Portofino @ Lucky Garden, Bangsar KL

21/08/2016 2 Comments

Portofino is one of a hidden gem in Lucky Garden, Bangsar. Although they sits right at the corner with very big prominent signage, this restaurant actually serve authentic Italian food.

It is a very spacious dining restaurant with comfortable seating area and space in between to have your privacy.

We were introduce with something classic and simple to start off with – Carpaccio di Manzo – Australian grass fed chilled tenderloin carpaccio served with rocket salad, cherry tomato, parmigiano Reggiano, fresh button mushrooms, lemon wedge and toasted bread @ RM 28

Next is Carpaccio di Salmone – Slice of Norwegian smoked salmon served with romaine lettuce, black lives, carrots, fresh orange slices, toasted bread with an in house dressing @ RM 28

I have learnt to enjoy this along the way as Bruchetta Toascana is one of my favourite. Toasted Bread with Chicken Liver Pate where the pate is just nice, not too thick with strong chicken liver smell and they have some seasoning to balance it out. Loving it. @ RM 12 – Recommended

Learnt that, all their pasta are made fresh daily, as we kick off our mains with Capelli d’Angelo – Angle hair green pasta sauteed with garlic, chili flakes, cherry tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil, fresh prawns and zucchini @ RM 38. Something classic with a hint of spiciness.

Spaghetti Portofino @ RM 38 – homemade seafood spagheti sauteed in olive oil, garlic, chili, basil, prawns, squid, baby octopus, mussles, clams, scallops in fresh home made fish stock

This is one of my favourite in one of the mains. Gnocchi al Gorgonzola – potato dumplings served with combination of cream, gorgonzola cheese, mushrooms and grilled marinated slices of chicken @ RM 36. Gnocchi is done to perfection where it is soft enough yet not overcook, with a little hint of strong cheese taste like blue cheese is just perfect to make the dish stand out. Creamy enough to my liking for a portion for myself, I guess some of you might want to share as the cream might be too thick for you.

Too much cooking show, so whenever in a Italian restaurant – Risotto is a must order for me. So I pick Risotto ai Funghi – with porcini mushrooms served with grilled marinated chicken. Cook to perfection where risotto is not over cook yet with grains texture is there and the stock cook in it do enhance the sweetness of the taste. @ RM 36

Coscia di Pollo alla Diavola @ RM 36 – Grileld boneless chicken leg, marrinated with paprika, black pepper, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, served with colour mix of sauteed vegetable

Agnello in Umido @ RM 48 – imported lamb slow braised in oven fire with mushroom and Italian herbs till tender cooked. Served in lamb reduction gravy and mashed potato. A portion that worth to order and share as the mash is so good, soft and airy. With lamb is so soft, tender and juicy.

Back to classic too with Pizza Napoletana – Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, anchovies, black olives, capers and cheery tomato @ RM 34. Something simple to dive into and must eat with their chef special homemade chili sauce. It is not Tabasco but its one of a awesome sauce, mild spicy with a bit fragrant of herbs. The chef to sell it too. As you finish up the pizza, you will be greeted with classic pizza ingredients at the end.

Love their housewine pouring too. If your friends are not keen to drink, you can order by glasses. They use Chilean wine.

Love their Pannacotta as it is so wobbly like a jelly dancing if you shake the plate. @ RM 14, Soft texture, fragrant with the panna cotta that just melts in your mouth. love it.

Creme Brulee @ RM 16

Among those that we ordered, this is my favourite. Tiramisu – made with coffee, almond liqueur combined with mascarpone cheese @ RM 16. One of the best that I can find . Creamy enough with the best is still moist where mascaropone cheese taste is still prominent and cocoa powder still can be tested. A well balance of taste and a Must order!

With Chef Keli, his partner and brother as they are expat from Italy.

One of a restaurant worth to try if you are looking for authentic Italian dishes.

Location:
Portofino Restaurant
No. 1, Persiaran Ara Kiri,
Lucky Garden,
Bangsar 59100
Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2094 8490
Email:[email protected]

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00am – 11:00pm

In Bangsar By Taufulou 5 Mins Read

Breakfast Thief @ AWP, Bangsar

15/08/2016 No Comments

Sunday usually ends up in some cafe hunting and was out of idea on which cafe to hit on. My best friend recommended this new cafe place in Bangsar which is operating next to PULP is this Breakfast Thief. A new cafe that just operates its door to public for less than a month that serve Melbourne inspired menu. I have read many place that is Melbourne inspired menu but many never came close except for this. Breakfast Thief hit both mark on my list to make them one of the new cafe boys to mark for.

love their build up concept with modern factory style
Menu/ food serve is very technical, filled with bold flavor and modern twist.

With less than a month in operations, they queue is crazy. I was told average waiting time is about 30 minutes – 60 minutes, except for weekdays. If you do plan to visit this cafe, do prepare for the long wait as yesterday morning I waited for about 35 minutes for my table. It was nice enough for the owner to keep serving cold water for all the waiting patrons.

Little did I know that Malaysians start to enjoy outdoor dining version in our hot solid weather.

This is what I mean with bold flavors with technique, where you can read it in their food descriptions.

I ordered Mocha @ RM 12 and Hot Latte @ RM 11. Love their coffee version as it is just nice to my palate. Mild bitter taste to kicks in, follow suit by mild acidic. Mocha is decent where you can taste both caffine bitterness and also cocoa powder that did not overpower each other.

I am not too sure what had happen as both of our dishes was serve less than 5 minutes where it seems every thing was pre cook, with order came in they just plate it and serve. Many did recommend their Mr.Terry Benedict @ RM 29 is a bomb and here you go. Presentation is amazing as it is served with 24 hours braised beef cheeks, in green peppercorn, smoked paprika charred cauliflower, honey apple compote, poached eggs with yuzu-hollandaise on toast.

Every of the elements is a well balance that did not over power each other, with a very prominent taste is their yuzu-hollandaise with note of sour bitter that yuzu should have, pairs well with others.

This was another recommended dish by online feedback is Gypsy King @ RM 29. Served with Crisp garlic rosemery polanta bars with beetroot & citrus cured salmon trout, cauliflower & paramesan puree, roasted mushroom, charred onion & poached eggs. What stand out in this dish is their sauce and puree. it is done to perfection where it is smooth and pack with flavour, although the salmon has lack of taste as per description but overall flavour combination is good with rooms of improvement to make it better.

At first, I would want to order my third dish – The Legend where their description do look pretty good and with picture from another blogger do look salivating, but since it is an ending, then decided to order My French Lady @ RM 26 as what I read in Spicysharon.com blog on 30/7, where the presentation was decently attractive, with thick glace chocolate sauce, some chocolate sand and nice curd or puree to complement with.

served with perfumed strawberry & thyme, 55% salted dark chocolate soil, lemon curd, raspberry cream & mixed sesame shards.

What I got yesterday was a 2 different level of presentation where I believe they have changed their style of platting. It looks very obvious that there are ingredients cut corners as per compare what they have served 2 weeks ago. With only 5 cubes of french and indeed chocolate soil was more like dirt on the plate. It was quite disappointing though. Do avoid this dish unless you do not mind paying for it where I considered it quite steep for such a presentation!

Another glass of Ice Latte before we go off. While seating and waiting for this to arrive, then only I notice the ingredients in my portion Mr.Terry Benedict fell far short from both the tables next to me. Tracking back to my picture, and indeed it is true. My plate is missing one egg and the braised beef is like half the portion from what I had, where the lady sitting next to me, her portion of braised beef is like moutain high.

Upon paying, I raised my disappointment to the cashier and it seems that his reactions told me that it is pretty common that they made an error where I was giving 10% off from my bill.

Note: No doubt that they are still pretty new, with alot of improvement especially in serving portions to be more consistent. They certainly need to buck up immediately for the next 1 month, or maybe there is a reason with the word thief there. 😀

Still one of a place to visit if you have not tried.

*PORK FREE

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 6.5/10, Food is good, as they need to buck up their consistency to raise my overall food ratings~ -Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
Breakfast Thieves
Lot M, 29-5 Jalan Riong, Paper Plates,
Art Printing Works APW Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
(Located right next to Pulp Bangsar)

Phone: 03-2788-3548

Opening Hours:
9am – 5pm Daily.
Closed Monday.

In Bangsar By Taufulou 3 Mins Read

Hong Kong Hot Pot 香港热锅 @ Bangsar

04/08/2016 5 Comments

There are a few recommendations by my friend that I should visit Hong Kong Hot Pot (香港热锅) at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar a try, where their ingredients are made fresh along with their amazing soup. I have to agree with most of my friends after paying them a visit.

Hong Kong hot pot ambiance certainly reflect to those shop in Hong Kong where seating area is very tight, feels like you have to cramp into a small space with tight moving space too.

You will be handed a paper menu to circle your order into it for a placement order.

Their herbal tea of the day is rather interesting where Sai Yeong Choy is usually a soup base but the change it to a herbal tea by infusing with sugarcane.

Love this item as it is a must order where is imported – Hong Kong Bean Curd Roll. to eat this, you just need to dip it for 5-8 seconds where it turn soft like sponge and love the texture of it.

Other usual ingredient to highlight is Hong Kong Yee Mee is also a must order.

Their In house sauce with variety of flavours available for your liking and I asked them what is the house special sauce mixer where the lady box mixed it for me.

The main 2 mixer is their “Fu Yu” & ” Jar Chiang” sauce as the base, then add on with their fiery chili sauce and mix along.

Fresh fish paste that made daily and some of the fish balls that have fish roe fillings in it.

Soup base ordered “Ma lat” and “pork bone soup” Love both the soup base as it is pack with flavour, both with hint of herbal taste and follow by their own spices.

Hong Kong Luncheon meat

Must dip with their sauce as I had 2 rounds of this. It gives you hint of spiciness, with mild fuyu taste and jar jiang sauce give you the salty taste of it. great stuff.

Their tasty fish ball with fish roe in it.

Their soup base is by keep adding in their house special pork base for both soup.

End of the meal, you got a complimentary jelly to cool your body down. Certainly this is a great place for steamboat if you do not mind the service is slightly slow and paying more than other steamboat players, then it is worth to consider as I paid for my meal 2 pax is RM 180.

Items to order: Yee Mee, Fish ball with fish roe, HK bean curd roll

*NON-HALAL

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 8.5/10, one of my favourite shop~ -Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
Hong Kong Hot Pot Restaurant
No.39, Lot 109,
Level 2, Telawi Square,
Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.

(Located above Tour le Jour)

Tel: 03-2280 0242

Business hours: 4pm till midnight

In Bangsar By Taufulou 5 Mins Read

Botanica + Co Restaurant & Bar @ The Verticals, Bangsar South

27/07/2016 2 Comments

Last Sunday, I was introduce to this brand new place for super late lunch where the original intention was,to eat healthy. By the name of the restaurant, Botanica + Co, Restaurant & Bar, attracted me with a perception that it is going to be a healthy joint. This restaurant is actually one of a new residence in this newly completed building at The Verticals, Bangsar South.

They are operating 2 different concept side by side where Botanica Deli serve sandwich, soup and coffee, as I will explore on that side of it where the menu looks pretty interesting.

Digging more info, this both outlet is actually lead by a Singaporean Chef.

In love with Botanica & Co interior design where they have both bar seating area and also normal dining area where they have 2 tress inside the outlet to make you feel like dining in a garden. Great place to hang out for coffee or a chat.

We kick off our late lunch with The Bo+Co Truffle Fries @ RM 24 – crispy USA shoe string fries tossed with truffle oil & grated Parmesan cheese. It smells good at first and however we were confuse after that where the fries tasted normal, and cheese is infuse with truffle oil, seems like they put it the other way round from the description.

Since we going to have Italian food the next day, so we decided to try out The Botanica Burger @ RM 36 – Home – made All beef patty, served with steak fries, mushroom ragout, melted Cheddar, mustard mayo, onion rings in a toasted bun.

Overall, we both find that they are rooms for improvement on the burger, where the meat is still abit lose as you can see that the meat is falling off, with description on the item did match my imagination such as onion rings in a toasted bun where my perception the onion rings will be inside the bun (or please pardon me on my understanding of English.). No doubht that the portion is quite genrous with thick patty but for RM 36, I sure do expect more where I think TGI/ Chili beats them easily.

With 2 items are down from my expectation, and was curious why my soup is coming after those 2 dishes were serve only realise that my soup do have a puff pastries (where in the menu should put in takes 10-15 minutes). For their Slipper Lobster Bisque @ RM 20 – a creamy rich broth of slipper lobster and seafood with puff pastries on the top do smells amazing.

After slicing thru the puff, it has the nice aroma of buttery smell where it would have been more perfect to sit in the oven for about 2-4 minutes more to allow the inner parts of the pastries to form out better. After digging the soup out, I am totally impress with the silky smooth soup texture, where it is a huge bonus point. Love the aroma of it where it is pungent enough that you can taste the sweetness of both shell and seafood, creaminess of it hit right on the spot. This would stay one of my recommended soup to be in my list for Lobster bisque.

After disappointment of some dishes, we decided to try out their desserts. Looking at next table where they did not finish their cake where we believe is Banana Butter Scotch cake, we then try out their Mango Meringue Pie @ RM 16 & Rum and Raisins Milkshake @ RM 29

The mango meringue pie was a let down where the crust is too thick, and the mango puree had harden where it do not give you the fresh impression that I had in my mind. The good side is, their meringue is done to perfection where the smoothness and sweetness of it is top notch where the colour of it is burn to perfection.

For Rum & Raisin, the amount of Rum is quite prominent and for RM 29, I would not mind to pay for cocktail as top up.

Oh well, I believe this restaurant is still rather new where they still do need time to improve. We also believe we order the wrong item in the menu where, most of other customers order their spaghetti and also realize that they are more well know for their salad.

Would advise, to ask the waiter recommendations. 🙂

*Pork Free

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 5.5/10, need time to further improve ~ -Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
Botanica + Co
The Verticals, Ground Floor Podium, Jalan Kerinchi,
Bangsar South, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
(opposite NExus building)

Tel: +60 16-965 6422

Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday : 11.30am – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9.30am – 10pm

In Bangsar By Taufulou 4 Mins Read

Roost serve From Farm to Fork @ Bangsar

05/05/2016 1 Comment

I did came to this restaurant before it changed to Roost and visited this restaurant during an event that was held there recently. Impress with their food and decided to host my friends birthday dinner in this place. Got to further understand this place where the owner uses fresh local produce to cook their dishes to showcase minimalist, rustic, with a final touch into modern European cuisine, hence the tag line “From Farm to Fork”.

Love their open concept kitchen where you get to see their chef in action.

It is rather a simple 2-page menu comprises of snacks, appetizers, pasta, mains, burger and dessert where they have just recently changed their menu from 15th April 2016 onwards.

Start off by ordering some of their cocktails and find it decent only where if you love strong taste of it, then you might have to consider skipping their cocktail series.

Ordered one of my favourite to go with is where Liver Mousse Pate @ Rm 22. Love its smooth spread of pate that do not have the strong smell of chicken liver and it is creamy. add on with their wild honey and sea salt enhance the taste of it. I ended up having this whole deck myself and other another 2 more for the rest to try.

Next while waiting for the rest to arrive, we were introduce to order Polenta Fries @ RM 16. Love it soft polenta that have been fried well that remains inside still soft with mild chewy and aromatic.

One of their signature is Duck Breast @ RM25 – smoked, cauliflower, pomogranate. One of my friends favourite.

This salad was gone in 60 seconds as you have the unique sourish taste, fresh pomegranate top on it and it is something to start off with.

Mangrove Crab Ravioli @ RM 38 – crab bisque and crab.

Love the unique taste of it as it feels like lobster bisque had a twist influence from Thai. Sourish enough to entice our toungue and one of a perfect soup to start off with. Shell Fish Soup @ RM 26

Seabass @ RM 38 – beetroot Risotto.

Free Range Chicken Breast @ RM 38 – onion puree, king oyster. – soft and juicy meat.

This is one of my favourite for their pasta range is this Duck Ragout Pappardelle @ RM 32 with fresh cheese.

Farmed Red Prawn Linguine @ RM 40 – semi dried tomato, gremolata

Angus Rib Eye @ RM 76 (200g) is one of the better choice for the night. Grilled to perfection that their medium well is done to my liking.

This was also recommended by their manager is this Baby Lamb Cutlet @ RM 52 – Peas , Zucchini

Veal Cheek @ RM 72 – mash and beets. super soft mash potato with 2 super soft veal.

Desserts we ordered all which is Chocolate Gateau – Pineapple coulis , lemongrass @ RM 24.

Cheesecake @ RM 24 – rose apple, crunch

One of my favourite where currently I rate one of the best that I have come across is their super wobbly Panna Cotta – coconut & passion fruit @ RM 20. So soft that is quite near to taufufa yet it is a clever combination of chocolate crush powder with passion fruit to balance up the sourness and sweetness of it.

If you prefer some where cozy and slightly digging more into your pocket, then Roost will be one of a choice you can consider as their food is good!. We nearly ordered the whole menu as most of the recommended dish by the manager, we have ordered 80% of it where our bill is standing around RM1,200.

If you are lost and I would recommend this few you to be less headache: Liver Mousse Pate, Polenta Fries, Shell Fish Soup, Angus Rib Eye, Duck Ragout Pappardelle & Panna Cotta

*Pork Free

-= KA CHING =-

Food rating 8/10 , for the kind of price tag, its consider good! -Stamped-

-WARNING –This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:

ROOST KL

69-1, Jalan Telawi 3 Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: 03-22011710

Opening Hours:

Tue – Sun | 11.30am – 11.30pm

Bangsar

Corona Sunsets Hours @ Mantra Bar & Lounge, Bangsar

Portofino @ Lucky Garden, Bangsar KL

Breakfast Thief @ AWP, Bangsar

served with perfumed strawberry & thyme, 55% salted dark chocolate soil, lemon curd, raspberry cream & mixed sesame shards.

Hong Kong Hot Pot 香港热锅 @ Bangsar

Botanica + Co Restaurant & Bar @ The Verticals, Bangsar South

Roost serve From Farm to Fork @ Bangsar

Curate Coffee Roaster at SS2

Famous Kavitha Banana Leaf Rice, PJ Old Town

Artbox Malaysia 2023

Sushi Mastro Nikkei Flagship Maluri, KL

Curate Coffee Roaster at SS2

Famous Kavitha Banana Leaf Rice, PJ Old Town

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Hong Kong Disneyland