so, I finally got to try this place that I've been eyeing for quite a while. Whenever we go to the Gardens generally I'd head on to Din Tai Fung, or maybe the Malay or Thai restaurants or even Shihlin. Finally today I got the chance to try this place out.
First, the good news. Right now they're having a promotion on their sake sashimi (raw salmon), the usual price is RM15 but they're offering it now for RM7.50. Since I love that dish, how could I pass it up? The salmon was sliced thick and was fresh enough (but not the best I've had, but it was okay). So, the salmon sashimi was great value, 7 thick juicy slices of salmon for RM7.50.
Then it all went downhill. In addition to the sashimi, we also ordered an oyako don (cooked chicken and egg on rice) and a beef curry rice dish. The sashimi came quite quickly (I mean, how long could it take to slice 7 slices of fish?). Then we waited.
and waited.
and waited.
the restaurant was far from being full, even at the most it was barely half full. Most of the cooks in the kitchen (open kitchen concept) weren't really doing much (although, I do appreciate that, if you're a sashimi chef, you wouldn't really be expected to be frying tempura and all).
My oyako don came after 45 minutes, after having to bug the waiter a couple of times. It was alright, not great, but edible at least. Still no sign of the beef curry. I was trying to eat slowly, Alice was practically dying of hunger already. So we continued to wait.
and wait.
and wait.
After ONE HOUR, we bug the waiter again. He called into the kitchen to find out what was going on. No change in kitchen activity, and there was no return of the waiter to reassure us that our food was going to come. At the very least he could have come back and told us that they were swamped and they would try to get it out ASAP? Nothing of the sort.
Finally, after one hour, we just decided to forget it and told them to cancel the order. As expected (ALL restaurants try this) they said it was being prepared, but we wouldn't have any of it, we insisted that they cancel the order and we paid for whatever we had already consumed and left. Honestly, I don't see how they could take so long just to prepare on rice dish. Even if there are technical difficulties, at least have the courtesy to reassure the patrons that action is being taken, etc.
All in all? Usually I can forgive most places for a one-off visit and generally give places a second chance. This is one place that doesn't deserve one. No second visit for me (I'll stick to Din Tai Fung, or try out Canton-i which just opened)
3.2/10 from me, and that's only because of the sashimi, otherwise it would have gotten much lower. 2/10 for service and that's only because they were at least civil and apologetic, and not downright rude like some other places.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A plea
In my head, questions, so many questions
What happened to the dreams?
What happened to the hope?
What happened to the talent everybody said you had?
You have been blessed, yes you have. A loving wife, two affectionate dogs, good parents, a comfy home, a nice car, a stable decent-paying job.
But questions, still so many questions.
What am I doing?
What should I be doing?
I don't know.
What happened to life?
What happened to the dreams?
What happened to the hope?
What happened to the talent everybody said you had?
You have been blessed, yes you have. A loving wife, two affectionate dogs, good parents, a comfy home, a nice car, a stable decent-paying job.
But questions, still so many questions.
What am I doing?
What should I be doing?
I don't know.
What happened to life?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Urgent! Zander missing
This cute l'il fella is missing!
He was last seen at SS1 (Kg. Tunku) area and escaped from his home (supposedly). His name is Zander and he's a wire-coat Jack Russell Terrier. He's the brother to my Kirby (well, the biological brother) and has been missing since last Wednesday (October 15th).
It's urgent, and this puppy's life is in greater danger by the day, especially now that it's the rainy season and the weather is so unpredictable. Even more dangerous are the roads (especially with the crappy malaysian drivers) and the immigrant workers who consider puppy meat a delicacy.
Please pray for this cute guy's safe return, I know the chances are slimmer and slimmer each day but I really hope that he'll be returned safe and sound to the rightful owners.
Any information or questions concerning this puppy, please do call (012) 415-1524 or (012) 770-7490. Thanks a bunch!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
on the plate - KAMPACHI!!!
Kampachi! After so many years of hearing about this place, I finally get to go, on a Sunday lunch buffet... Kampachi is located in Equatorial Hotel in KL and Bangi, and also has a restaurant in Pavilion KL.
but we went to the one at the Equatorial KL. I guess they don't have buffets all the time, only on Sunday lunch apparently.
first impressions was that it was rather messy. The dining area spilled out of the actual restaurant (due to demand, I guess) and just outside Chalet (their Swiss restaurant) and all the buffet lines were also located outside the actual restaurant.
to be honest, I had heard good things about this place many times and (probably unwisely) had high expectations of this place. Honest to goodness though, this place didn't disappoint!
starting off with some lovely fried chicken wings and corokke (croquettes), the chicken wings fried to juicy and crispy perfection while the corokke was, well, juicy and crispy too!
and then there was sashimi...
and some sashimi it was. Nice, fresh, smooth sashimi. The tuna sashimi was a little rough though, but the salmon and butter fish were absolutely lovely. Don't mind that black looking thing on the slice of butter fish, it looks like a fly but it's not, it's actually a stray piece of teriyaki sauce from some teriyaki chicken. No worries ;)
next we have some hand rolls...
unagi and soft shelled crab hand rolls. Good stuff, but nothing really out of the ordinary, honestly.
and the absolute star of the show, the teppanyaki counter. Most teppanyaki counters are standard fare, not very great (exception being Momo's beef teppayaki, but even that is mass-produced). This place had all teppanyaki made to order, and it was absolutely delicious!
the salmon teppanyaki was crispy on the outside with a nice buttery taste, while the inside was smooth and yummy and not even the slightest hint of fishiness. And the skin was crispy (yes, the place with all the Omega-3)
and the beef teppanyaki was done to order as well, I had mine medium. Pink on the inside, it was better than most steaks I've had. No frills, just the wonderful natural flavor of the meat with some butter for a bit of kick. Who could resist?
and the orange juice... pure, fresh squeezed orange juice with no sugar and no water added. They've got an industrial strength machine there that takes entire oranges (without needing to peel them) and voila! out comes natural orange juice, hassle free. I'd love to have one of those, but unfortunately, one machine like that would probably take up an entire dining table.
they've even got fresh dorayaki (Japanese pancakes) with red bean or peanut butter filling. Also made to order :)
so! The damage for two people was a lot less then I thought it would be. About RM172 nett for two people making it work out to about RM86 nett per person. Much better value than places like Shogun which serve up great variety but crap quality. Almost everything here was top notch and those that weren't, at least were on par with most other decent Japanese places.
Verdict? 8.5/10 and I'd definitely come back again. Definitely!
but we went to the one at the Equatorial KL. I guess they don't have buffets all the time, only on Sunday lunch apparently.
first impressions was that it was rather messy. The dining area spilled out of the actual restaurant (due to demand, I guess) and just outside Chalet (their Swiss restaurant) and all the buffet lines were also located outside the actual restaurant.
to be honest, I had heard good things about this place many times and (probably unwisely) had high expectations of this place. Honest to goodness though, this place didn't disappoint!
starting off with some lovely fried chicken wings and corokke (croquettes), the chicken wings fried to juicy and crispy perfection while the corokke was, well, juicy and crispy too!
and then there was sashimi...
and some sashimi it was. Nice, fresh, smooth sashimi. The tuna sashimi was a little rough though, but the salmon and butter fish were absolutely lovely. Don't mind that black looking thing on the slice of butter fish, it looks like a fly but it's not, it's actually a stray piece of teriyaki sauce from some teriyaki chicken. No worries ;)next we have some hand rolls...
unagi and soft shelled crab hand rolls. Good stuff, but nothing really out of the ordinary, honestly.and the absolute star of the show, the teppanyaki counter. Most teppanyaki counters are standard fare, not very great (exception being Momo's beef teppayaki, but even that is mass-produced). This place had all teppanyaki made to order, and it was absolutely delicious!
the salmon teppanyaki was crispy on the outside with a nice buttery taste, while the inside was smooth and yummy and not even the slightest hint of fishiness. And the skin was crispy (yes, the place with all the Omega-3)
and the beef teppanyaki was done to order as well, I had mine medium. Pink on the inside, it was better than most steaks I've had. No frills, just the wonderful natural flavor of the meat with some butter for a bit of kick. Who could resist?and the orange juice... pure, fresh squeezed orange juice with no sugar and no water added. They've got an industrial strength machine there that takes entire oranges (without needing to peel them) and voila! out comes natural orange juice, hassle free. I'd love to have one of those, but unfortunately, one machine like that would probably take up an entire dining table.
they've even got fresh dorayaki (Japanese pancakes) with red bean or peanut butter filling. Also made to order :)
so! The damage for two people was a lot less then I thought it would be. About RM172 nett for two people making it work out to about RM86 nett per person. Much better value than places like Shogun which serve up great variety but crap quality. Almost everything here was top notch and those that weren't, at least were on par with most other decent Japanese places.
Verdict? 8.5/10 and I'd definitely come back again. Definitely!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
another month
and yes, I haven't updated in over a month again.
don't blame me, I've been busy
just for the uninformed, I've started work teaching music at elc International School. It's a school in Sg. Buloh following the British National Curriculum.
so far, it's going alright. Quite a challenge as it's a huge difference from lecturing at the university, but I guess I'll be able to adapt. The only thing is that sometimes the little kids drive me up the wall. If this job was supposed to teach me patience, it's severely not working! :p
also, the challenge of waking up early. Now I have to wake up just as the sun rises, whereas that used to be the time I'd be going to bed!
for all those who sent in birthday wishes last month, sorry this is late, but thank you all so much for your wishes. I'm sorry I couldn't respond to everybody personally, but do know that every e-mail, facebook post, and text message is appreciated.
for now, it's a Saturday night and a good night to be able to stay up late :) Just came back from a wedding at Parkroyal Hotel in KL. The food wasn't very impressive at all, except for maybe the fried rice. When the fried rice is the best thing at a wedding banquet, something is seriously wrong with the food!
tomorrow Jap buffet lunch at Kampachi, Equatorial Hotel KL. Sashimi, here I come!
don't blame me, I've been busy
just for the uninformed, I've started work teaching music at elc International School. It's a school in Sg. Buloh following the British National Curriculum.
so far, it's going alright. Quite a challenge as it's a huge difference from lecturing at the university, but I guess I'll be able to adapt. The only thing is that sometimes the little kids drive me up the wall. If this job was supposed to teach me patience, it's severely not working! :p
also, the challenge of waking up early. Now I have to wake up just as the sun rises, whereas that used to be the time I'd be going to bed!
for all those who sent in birthday wishes last month, sorry this is late, but thank you all so much for your wishes. I'm sorry I couldn't respond to everybody personally, but do know that every e-mail, facebook post, and text message is appreciated.
for now, it's a Saturday night and a good night to be able to stay up late :) Just came back from a wedding at Parkroyal Hotel in KL. The food wasn't very impressive at all, except for maybe the fried rice. When the fried rice is the best thing at a wedding banquet, something is seriously wrong with the food!
tomorrow Jap buffet lunch at Kampachi, Equatorial Hotel KL. Sashimi, here I come!
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