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Right before Raya, I was privilege to get an invitation to attend one event with pretty well known person, Chef Amia El Shafei if you do watch Masterchef Australia in this meet and greet session. I have to thank Nuffnang for extending the invites to me that attended at Blu Med, Mid Valley.

[UPDATE: Close down since 2015 Jan]

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 The event took place in one of a new restaurant, Blu Med Ristorante at The Gardens.

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Some Buffet Spread dishes being prepared for all the guess that arriving.

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 Food were pretty decent.

masterchef (4) Those of you who watch Masterchef Australia which is aired on Astro Lifetime Channel, this person certainly would not be stranger to you as after being as a contestant in Master Chef Australia, Season 4, she have huge follwers worldwide since then with her bubbly personality and leads her to win ‘Woman of the Year Award’ in Australia. masterchef (5) Born from mixblood that Dad is Egyptian and mom is from South Korea, Chef Amina learn quite a good recipe from both country. Her great culinary skills that impress by family members that had encourage her to apply in this show. masterchef (8) Well, in this event we are being thought how to cook simple meal that can be prepared just within short time frame. masterchef (9)

Tamarind, Chili and Lemongrass Prawns

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To prepare this great dish, all we need to hunt is fresh tiger prawns, follow by just pan fried it.

masterchef (11) I love the taste of the prawn which is juicy and succulent with the tamarind sauce his slight sour and spicy that makes it a perfect dish to go along. Near to our Prawn sambal but this have its own kick. masterchef (16)

 Here you go on the recipe for you to cook along on this dish.

masterchef (13) Next dish to be cook is Pandan Cake dessert, and she randomly ask one of the crowd to assist her in scooping out the pandan cake from the Chinese tea cup. If you mix it in a right way also by spreading some oil in the cup, it should not be sticking on the cup and easy to come out with a gentle push. masterchef (14) Masterchef Australia Amina El Shafei preparing Steamed Pandan Cake with Lychee, Rambutan and Longan. However I think its something similar to our Chinese version of Huat Kuih, the pinky type. masterchef (17)

 Another recipe for you to follow ..

masterchef (15) Its a pleasure to meet such a well known chef as when I posted up in my Instagram (taufulou) my friend were like OMG, you are with her, please tell her I love her. . This is how well know is she to the MasterChef Fans. Those of you who love cooking, chef Amina wishes to write a recipe book and host cooking lessons. Not only that, as one of her wish is to open a Middle Eastern mezze restaurant with her sister, Eman. Catch MasterChef Australia, first and exclusive on weekdays at 7pm, with same-day repeats at 11pm on Astro Lifetime Channel 709.

In Changkat Bukit Bintang surely is a well known street to many of you. Street party, Bar HOpping & good food is where all those headline would fall into this one street. By strolling up and down this street you will find yourself being harrest by all these aggressive bar people to get you into their outlet. Of course there are some other outlets that approach you in a more friendly polite manner. IT really depends.

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One of the most recent visit is The Steakhouse by Werner Kuhn’s establishment and I am sure many of you have heard this well known pork place in the area – El Cerdo. Its the same owner as you just need to walk across the street. This place would be my second visit and make no surprise to me that on weekdays the restaurant is on 80% capacity also known as one of the best place to hunt for steak in Changkat Bukit Bintang.

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If you are looking for a place with 1 stone kill 2 bird then The Steakhouse is one of the restaurant to consider as it is also part of The Whiskey Bar that seriously offer lots of whiskey that my jaw would drop off. If you look/ read thru their list you will be amazed on what kind range they are providing.

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Its a connected place whereby one outlet offer classy bar seating area and next door is more for dining.

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This is what I mean that they have a few cabinate that display most of their available Whisky and they have a lot of classic and 25 years old or even more than that available in here.

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AT their bar counter, there are mountains of opened whisky that you can order by shots.

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Not only that, if you love cigars then they do have it here and you will enjoy it by sipping on your whisky.

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Heading back to The Steakhouse as the menu is pretty straight forward. As what You see now is the only menu that they are offering. 3 pages as the last page is desserts.

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Being at such a bar before heading to Whisky, I started off with Cocktail ..

1) Margarita @ RM28 pretty decent as I find that the alcohol is very much strong and hint of lime is slightly visible.

2) Whisky Sour is one of my favorite drink. Easy to drink and lemon skin slices being added in to enhance on the taste. It pairs well with most of my starters. I had 3 glass. 😀 @ RM28

3) Classic Mojito @ RM28 is a well balance alcohol with mint leaves is sufficient enough to pull up the taste of it. .

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Next I ask the floor manager what is good to have next then he introduce drinks from Spain.

1) Rose Raspberry Sangria @ RM28

2) White Wine Pear Sangria @ RM28

Both are equally good and consider one of the best I have tried so far or maybe it suits my taste bud. A well balance of alcohol with fruits and among that 2 I prefer the White wine Pear Sangria more as its a bit alcoholic yet I can still taste the sweetness of the fruits being added in. Not only that, its chill enough and pretty refreshing. It goes well with my salad, Oyster and very very well with my escargot.

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Upon ordering our starters, we do not know what to get and the manager highly recommend us to get their Oyster as its fresh and flown in a day ago. We order without any hesitation and no regret after all. I am not a big fan of oyster but I ended up having 5 pieces myself. ITs so sweet and tasty just with squeezing a bit of lemon and 2 drops of tosbasco.  1 Fresh Live Oyster on ice with Shallot-Wine Vinaigrette RM9/piece. If you pair this with the right choice of white wine, it will be a bomb!

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Came next is Portobello mushroom with spinach & seafood @ RM26 per piece which I find it reasonable as coated with aromatic baked cheese serve along with big size mushroom and prawns.

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Something tone down abit your taste bud would be Caesar salad as they served their version here slightly different. Instead of using bacon, they are using smoked duck to enhance the taste of it also its slight chewy. One of the reason they using this also wanted to hold onto their Pork FREE status.. RM26

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Wow wow.. Looking at this picture makes me droll again as this is one of the places that serve really good escargots. It was baked perfectly with garlic herb butter and cheese. It was so aromatic upon it was serve and its perfect in taste as it smells that the snail is a bit chewy and did not over cook it and we drink the whole thing especially on the garlic herbs sauce that left behind. A MUST ORDER! RM 12 per peice

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Before we head into our red med, Duck Foie Gras is the last to serve. Nicely done = and the foie gras are still moist paired in chef’s special sauce. RM42

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The soup are prepared ahead and then baked in oven with melted cheese on top of the croutons.  RM22

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Mushroom soup with olive oil @ RM 20

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Beef Stroganoff @ RM48

This is one of the dish would falls into my very highly RECOMMENDED dish. I love this dish as I have tried a very good one over sea and locally its still hard for me to find one and I must say, finally I have found something that I like. YOu must not miss this dish when you are here as the potato rosti being pan fried till crips on both side and soft in the inside also as the side serve with beef stripes are tender and. Mushroom sauce taste pretty good too.

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BBQ Short Ribs @ RM78

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On my last visit, I did order this and this round order this again as I find it very good. Season well, then went into grill till the outer layer end up with grill mark yet inside is cook just nice. The meat is so soft that just by using fork, it easily tear off.

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Grilled Black Cod Fish @ RM58

Thick black cod fish fillet served with parsley, potato, mushroom and creamy wasabi pesto sauce

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First read to appear is Charcoal Grilled Australian Grain Fed Beef Medallion @ RM88

A medallion shaped cut beef and then charcoal grilled then place on hot plates upon serving to the customer

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Black Angus Tenderloin @ RM98

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Cook to the condition as I like medium rare and the steak is still juicy with the mark left behind too as the hot plate is still grilling on the beef while you are eating. Juicy and tender.

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I am very full till now then flipping thru what whisky set I should try, Full Japanese series or full 18 years old series. Ended up trying both.

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Serving the whisky takes a bit long as you all might know that its just pouring on a shot or 2. Well, one of the reason as they have this very unique kinetic mechine help to shape ice, just by putting a square cube of blog ice in the middle then let the top cover do its magic.

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Tadaa… after about 3 minutes it had been shape up like that to be added into the glass and serve with the set.

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Japanese Tasting Set which consist 4 different years whiskey on your tasting tray. Each were explained on its characteristic and tasting method. Please do not spoil this great whisky with coke as many of you do. ITs either on neat or mix with water. On this tasting series is the Japanese Suntory distillery’s famous Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu ranging from 12 to 22 years. In here still Yamazaki is the winner for me.

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Next tray is Perfect 18 means 5 taster of 18 years old whisky from 5 different whisky disstealeries

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Last but not least, when you are full till like a fat pig could not walk, who say you cant eat anymore! There is always room for dessert no matter how your full condition is. Love the Mango taste and the original is not bad too.

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Tiramisu @ RM22.50

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Baked Cheese Cake is pretty decent as its soft that can still taste on the cheese not too thick either. @ RM22.50

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Looking at their own dessert signature series, Andreas Special on the left come with difference ice cream! It come with white chocolate ice cream, milky chocolate mousse, chocolate crumble, banana in passion fruit and pear in red wine. If you are slightly adventurous and would want a slightly well balance taste then don miss this. AS Andres special (left) have a quite well balance taste with sour, sweet, and slightly bitter end then you must hunt this down!

 

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Werner and Andreas Special @  RM22.50 each

As the dining came to an end I discover that their most expensive beef is not the best I have had and I find that The Steakhouse have its advantage as the one slightly cheaper taste better for me. Moist, juicy and just right! Since everything is juicy, our receipt also very juicy.

Location:
The Steakhouse KL
No.48, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur

GPS: 3.14748, 101.70822

Tel: 03-2143 2268

I guess the hype of burger will never cool down in blogsphere. First you have a big buzz on pork burger over the years and one of the most recent buzz is homemade American burger style. I bet many of you have read reviews about this place before, MyBurgerLab that had made a huge buzz over the blogsphere for the past 2-3 months.

After bugging from my friend and finally I decided to drop by. I thought the huge buzz of this will cool down over the months, I guess it just proof me wrong, as they have strong crowd of loyal customers and I do even have friends that go every week as their burger is just addictive according to one of them. Beware, as their operating times are very limited.

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A new outlet that recently open by 3 buddies that had made burger ventures into new dimension. MyBurgerlab is like an experimental lab for them, or more like a food playground that their creative creation being put onto the menu for customers to hunt for.

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I am here as early as 6.30pm on weekdays and look at the crowd. Its Crazy and people are queuing out thru the door to order their favourite burger. Some people are hunting for seats. Its a small area, I would best advise you order and make a take away.

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Calling number is 77 and the order number had went up to 130. Average waiting time for your burger could take up 45minutes – 70 minutes. So be patient while waiting for your burger as if you do come here and dine, do expect to wait.

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Their menu are pretty straight forward with a few choices to choose from the either Beef, Chicken or Vege.

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Everything is prepare fresh from the kitchen. . . Even their charcoal bun they made themselves.

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Beef A++ @ RM15

Sharp Cheddar , Caramelised Onions, Shiitake and Enoki Mushrooms

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Elvis Presley is not display on their menu, order upon request. 😀

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One of the best burger I have come accross that its not too dry and peanut bugger mix pretty well with the jam that create the extra umph of it.

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It is advisable that treat this burger as a desert burger, as once you eat this burger, you cant really taste other burger as the taste of peanut will cover the rest of it.

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Say cheeseChicken with cheddar @ RM 11. Something light and delightful. Sure enough to satisfy you.

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Beautiful Mess @ RM18
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, Sunny Side Up, Mozarella Cheese. With the name itself, be assure that it is going to make a mess for you as you press slightly harder, the egg yolk will ooze out from the burger to make it a bit juicy moist and if do not hold it well, there goes your finger and next destination is basin to wash your hand.
This is how many burger we order for 5 pax.
I must say that burger here are damm awesome! Moist, not too hard as well prepare and every mouth bite is satisfying that the cheddar cheeze is melted on the patty with their own lab dressing, it just makes you want more. Now I understand why people are craving for it.
Personal favorite – Beautiful Mess and Elvis Presley.

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Here we are with the hungry hunters, Anna, Eunice and Me.

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and of course Immi, Ren and all the best to you in UK  see you soon eh~

To patron this place, it is highly advisable you eat something like before you come while waiting for it and please do come before 8pm as usually it sold out before 8pm on those signature.

People do come here queue as early as 4pm right before the shop opens as they operate only at night. If you are craving for nice homemade burgers, this would be definately one of the place I am recommending as the pricing of the buger is slightly higher and I am sure many people would not mind to pay as they have its class of its own. Just by Adding additional RM5 – you will get frieds and free flow soft drinks.

*PORK FREE

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 9/10, ~  very good- REcommended! -Stamped-

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

Location:
MyburgerLab
14, Jalan 21/22,
Seapark, Petaling Jaya, MY

Operating Hours:
17:00 – 22:30
(Close on MONDAY)

FB:http://www.facebook.com/myBurgerLab

I have been to Jakarta couple of times back in many years ago till this year I revisit the country as my friends wedding took place. I remembered that, Grand Indonesia had open not long ago at that time and my friend took me to this restaurant Crystal Jade which she loves it alot that located on the ground floor of its mall that was so pack with people and queuing up to go in few years back.

crystal jade (1) Since I am here again, decided to drop by at the restaurant again to have late lunch, reach here about 2.30pm on weekdays could have guess it that we no need to queue to get into the restaurant.  By the restaurant name itself, already known that its famous for Xiau  Long Bao and also La Mien. crystal jade (2)

Open Concept kitchen

crystal jade (3) These settings are pretty much similiar to the one we have in Malaysia.. crystal jade (4) crystal jade (5)

Price are very reasonable in terms of dining in restaurant here. .

crystal jade (6) Jus Alpukat which is avacodo blended that comes out thick and creamy with some chocolate taste. Rp 25,000 crystal jade (7)

Of course Xiao Long Bao is a must in this restaurant. . . RP 25,000

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Skin are quite thin and carefully wrap with the soup in there is just sweet. .

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Sichuan Lamian @ RP 40,000

crystal jade (10) It is not spicy as I thought so, filled with peanut and sesame taste that the soup is quite thick. Noodle is just nice. .

Overall, the food here is not bad but definitely better taste compare to the one in KL. Just wonder why.

Location:
Crystal Jade La Mian xiao Long Bao
Grand Indonesia, West Mall LG Fl Unit 1
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Jakarta

Phone: (021) 2358-0748

Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 – 21:30
Sunday & Public Holiday 09:30 – 21:30

A place that I have heard numerous good feedback is El Cerdo and always wanted to dine here if I have the opportunity, as always do not have a strong reason to come here. A place that is famous for plate breaking that will shoo your badluck away is one of their signature ceremony and when you dine here, often you will hear glass breaking sound.

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Well, El Cerdo is definitely a place to die for if you are a pork lover with its little quote ‘nose to tail eating’ which every part of pig can be eaten. A place that specialize in pork that is not stranger than El Cerdo also means ‘The Pig’ in Spannish and here you go by learning a new word. This restaurant serve Cochinillo Spanish cuisine that smack right in the heart of busy night spot at Changkat Bukit Bintang. One of the reason that this restaurant is quite famous because  they have a Award-Winning Master chef that specializes in home-cooked pork flavours from all over the world like Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico.

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Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted by a pig statue on the floor besides the friendly waiter that greet and ushering us to our table.

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In the restaurant, you can find many cute piggy icons, pictures, statues around it and this piggy means HUat arrrhhh~

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One of the reason they have so constant repeat customer is their quality and service also, that also won them a few awards. Now you know why~

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Even the menu also have a cute pig chef picture that ready to blast you with its food range.

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In the menu is pretty simple and straight forward with all the porky range that they have and everything looks tempting.

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Later we were served with a few Werner’s Special, as we leave our fate to the waiter to recommend us what drink is nice.

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A place that would be perfect for any special celebration as on that night itself, which is on weekdays already have a few birthday celebration in da restaurant and its quite pack too for a normal weekday business.

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We were then seated in a private room for 4 of us. 😀

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Jamon Serrano – Assortment of Jamon Serrano and Jamon Iberico with a Variety of Chorizo Sausages and Condiments @ RM 48

Serve with Imported High Quality Spanish Cured @ Air Dried Ham serve with Rock Melon and Salad

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This would be my first time dining a full range of ham, and never had I seen so much ham in one meal. This is one of their signature that feature many types of ham that being serve fresh, air tight bag and flown all the way from a few countries.

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To eat it, I always try a combo that one of a restaurant manager that taught me before is pair everything up on the plate that you can find as it is always a ingredient that they would go along and for me this round, I am taking a slice of ham, a vegetable and one rock melon, slide it into my mouth and it taste awesome.! Sweet yet refreshing and slight salty from the ham just pair the taste very well.

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Oven Roasted Iberico Spare Ribs

Serve with Pineapple Salsa

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When this was serve, Jason and Me Was like woahh!! and when it had landed on the table we cant stop drooling as the smell of the fresh roasted pork ribs trail on the air. Quickly we took the pictures and rape this ribs after that.

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Indeed, was well marinated along with perfect roast of temperature that make all the side crispy and every bite filled with crack sound. The meat is just so tender and we have to pull out the meat with our teeth, by enjoying every bite of it.

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We had not enough and we order another portion for big meat eater like us.

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Cochinillo Alestili Segoviano

Roasted Suckling Pig (Oink Oink)  

HALF PIGLET   @ RM188

WHOLE PIHLET   @ RM358

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This is one of the signature that all of you must not miss, the suckling pig.

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When the manager came over with the plate and told me that he can cut the suckling pig with the plate and I am so suprise till I ask him ‘ARe you SErious?’ he answered yes. One of the reason that it had been so easy that the pig had been marinated for a few hours before it was put to roast and that is how it ended up so crips and fresh.

Besides that, there is this Spanish tradition before you eat on this suckling pig which is like a little ceremonial to chop. 😀

You have to knock hard on the wooden board for 3 times before cutting it with the plate. Follow by cutting its head, body and tail as it means after chopping 3 times, it will transfer bad luck into the plate then you have to break the plate in the prepared wooden pail to cast away the bad luck and welcome Good Luck. Huat AHH!!!!

Hmm, didnt know that to eat a pig have this cute little ceremony to chase away bad luck. Its fun and you have to really try it yourself. One of the signature thing that many couples and friends do in this restaurant.

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Serve along with special gravy.

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And here you go, the well perfect cut of the roast skin, meat and everything. Smells just so good. One of the set back is, it has a bit pig smell that some of you might not like it. To us we find it good!

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The skin is super crispy, aromatic that makes me keep eating and eating, definitely it had different taste compare to our Chinese traditional suckling pig. Its different league I would say. Meat is soft and juicy and I prefer to eat it like this than along with the gravy. Its just perfect portion for 3 huge guys like us!

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Mountain Paella

Paelle Style Rice with Pork Bacon, Chicken and Fresh Mushroom @ RM 88

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Something special to end off our great dinner Werner’s Special – Fresh Strawberry in Mango Sauce with Chocolate Mousse and Wild Raspberry Sherbet . At first it looks weird to all of us that nobody wanted to touch it, and it doesnt bother me and Jason till our expression came up good then Eric only took it. Sourish taste just as my liking that is just perfect to end this meal with this great desert. RM22.50

Overall, I enjoy myself in this dining and if you are saying would I come back again, I will say, DEFINATELY YES! as one of a pork lover this is surely a place that you would not want to miss. Recommended Restaurant. Bare that the food here doesnt comes cheap that you might have to dig a bit into your wallet as easily can comes to RM80-RM120 per pax depending on what is your order. 🙂 Its well worth spend.

Location:
El Cerdo, Nose To Tail Eating
43 & 45, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.Tel: 03- 2145 0511
Fax: 03- 2145 1375Web: www.elcerdokl.comMap:

AS I was in Jakarta, I miss my friends there, and some of them arrange to meet at this new neighbourhood bar Hops & Malts as I Google it and some Indonesia bloggers do blog about this place as I quite worried that not many searchers will appear. Apparently this bar is also quite well known for their food as I did not try it out. Was here for a drink and chill with my friends here.

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Located in the new development around the area in Ruko Garden House, North Jakarta, smack with alot of F&B units and this is one of my friends, Ryard favorite hang out place. I also do observe that there are many young Indonesians hang out around here also.

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Love the ambiance of the bar which is simple with red brick wall design by playing R&B and house as background music at that time.

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simple casual seating area. .Casual also they do have games such as Beer Pong, Beer Dart and Beer Roulette for you to play along with your friends.

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and outdoor too as it was pretty empty on weekdays and I was about to leave it was full . .

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Price of the food are pretty reasonable ..

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So try out their local beer Anker – A deep golden pilsner with creamy foaming head, strong flavor, delicious well balanced bitter taste and full body, something like Tiger crossover with Carlsberg. In my own opinion. Kekeke .. (forgot to tale the bottle)

They have another funny name for the beer is called Kuda Putih (White Horse) and my friend do not like it so did not order.

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This is one hell of a great fries with bacon and bbq sauce top with some cheeze dressing on top and goes perfectly well with our beers.

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Its a nice small little neigbourhood bar to pop by after work or hang out with friends. Had a great time there by meeting some my friends there. It was a busy day for me as non stop meeting friends there. 😀

Location:
Hops & Malt
Ruko Garden House Blok B17-18 A
Pantai Indah Kapuk
North Jakarta
Ph. +6221 29033210

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