MALAYSIA TAKES A SHINE TO FRESH APPLES OF POLAND

European apples from Poland drew thousands of visitors at the recent Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair in Kuala Lumpur. The famous orchards of Grojec took centrestage at the beautiful Polish pavilion where a trade mission of Polish fruit growers interacted with trade fair attendees.

President of the Fruit Union Association, Piotr Janota (left) said: “After meeting with representatives of several large fruit importing companies, we are happy to know Malaysians are eager to buy Polish apples. After two years of marketing campaign, we will be able to increase the sales of Polish apples to Malaysia.” 

Poland is the biggest producer of apples in Europe and globally, its production is second only to China and on par with the US and Turkey. Good soil and mild climate make the country conducive for growing apples whilst cultivation technology and the growers’ know-how and experience help to Polish apples stand out in the international marketplace.

 

Co-financed by the European Union campaign “Gift from the Polish Orchards, Apples from the Heart of Europe”, Polish apples entered the Malaysian market last year. Currently, only Gala Apples – medium sized apples with smooth, slightly shiny and yellow-red skin are imported into Malaysia. The sweet taste and delicately crunchy flesh make it popular with locals.

As part of the campaign, an Apple Day event was held at Taman Tugu Park in June with the cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. Several hundred kilograms of Polish apples were distributed to park visitors; denoting Polish apples as a great companion for walks and as a travel-friendly snack.

Janota said Polish fruit growers take care of every production stage: from growing, sorting and packing to transportation. Environmental protection and sustainable production methods coupled with a rigorous control system ensure the eating quality and safety of the apples for consumer consumption.

For more information on Polish apples, visit: www.bestapples.eu

TIFA TOUTS ‘THREE IN ONE’ CONCEPT

Tifa means three in Latin. It’s also the name of veteran restaurateur Angie Hiew’s latest venture at Trillion KL.

Insisting her European-inspired restaurant should not be classified as a fine-dining outpost, Angie explains Tifa incorporates three different concepts under one roof.

“Opened last March, Tifa serves reasonably priced good food in cosy, modest surroundings. Every dish, from the mayonnaise to the sauces, is prepared from scratch by me using market-fresh ingredients.”

The restaurant straddles a spacious and well-shaded patio area where quick and affordable meals are served; an al fresco seating area next to an outdoor fountain area meant for chilling out over drinks, and a nicely decorated ‘by reservation only, private kitchen’ dining space.

Angie cut her teeth in the restaurant business when she was just 18 years old, learning the ropes at Movenpick Singapore which belonged to her late husband. She came into her own with the opening of Flamenco Spanish restaurant in 1995, setting the imagination of local food lovers alight with her signature paella, tapas and Spanish wine selection.

After that stellar decade, Angie took a short break before she pivoted into the restaurant consulting business. To date, she was instrumental in the successful openings of Sentidos Tapas at Starhill, and EQ Kuala Lumpur’s Sky 51 and Blue.

The passionate cook relishes being back in the thick of the kitchen action at Tifa. “Seeing people enjoy my cooking gives me great satisfaction. I also love taking care of my guests, and at Tifa, it’s like having friends over except we're in a restaurant environment. I enjoy the freedom and flexibility to curate menus to suit my guests’ preferences; I can customise dishes based on their food intolerances, dietary requirements, and budget. All I need is advance notice so that I’d have enough time to buy the ingredients and prepare whatever’s necessary. I believe people can have a good meal without paying the earth for it.”

As proof, Angie serves good-value lunch deals on weekdays (12pm-3pm) priced from RM25++ upwards per person at Tifa. Her four-course menu degustation starts from RM148++ per person (by advance reservations only).

We are astounded by the pretty as a picture appetiser: the succulent salmon slices with avocado cream and pine nuts tastes as good as they look.

The subsequent forest mushroom soup is lightly creamy with the discernible aroma of truffle oil. Grilled sliced boletus mushroom, cherry tomatoes and edible flowers piled atop a long slice of toast lend colour and textural contrast.

Less is more seems to be Angie’s approach for main courses. She has mango-red capsicum salsa bestowing subtle fruity sweetness to the smoked chicken breast with pommery mustard cream whilst a full-bodied Rioja is used to braise beef cheeks, suffusing the tender chunks of meat with rich, deep flavours. Accompanied by silky mashed potato, the dish leaves us replete.

Her artisan dessert is whimsically delightful to bring the curtains down on your visit to Tifa. Depending on her inclination, it could be a new-fangled black forest cake in the shape of a luscious, oversized ‘cherry’ atop crumbly chocolate ‘soil’, walnuts and fresh strawberries or a pink, heart-shaped lychee-raspberry mascarpone with chocolate flakes and cookie crumble.

Angie says, “I can rustle up whatever my customers fancy as long as they give me enough time to prepare before their intended visit or any occasion they plan to celebrate. Let me work around your budget and expectations. Anything is possible at Tifa.”

TIFA KL, Ground Floor, KL Trillion, 338, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 017-358 1338. Business hours: Monday – Saturday 11am to 11pm (last order 9.30pm). Closed on Sunday.

 

PORK HOGS THE LIMELIGHT AT DAVE'S BISTRO BAR GRILL

Dave’s Siew Yuk (RM29) still rules hogs the Bar Bites roost at the established Dave's Bistro Bar & Grill, a familiar outpost among One Utama patrons. Served with mustard and house-made chilli sauce, the signature roast pork belly boasts a juicy ratio of fat and lean meat, and deliciously crisp skin. It’s a match made in heaven with a cold beer such as Edelweiss.

In the last 2 years, prolonged movement restrictions caused by Covid-19 have aggravated challenges for F&B stakeholders including Dave's Bistro Bar & Grill. Fortunately, Dave’s loyal customers rallied to sustain the resto with their regular fix of favourites: ranging from the resto’s famed siew yuk (roast pork) to porkilicious pizza.

Staying true to its bistro roots, Dave’s expansive menu is a bid to expand its multi-generation and multi-dietary appeal. Hence amidst the predominantly Euro-centric porcine offerings imbued with some Asian influences, you’d find seafood and poultry items as well.

During the pre-pandemic days, Dave’s Anglo-French bar is a social haven for those seeking to slake their thirst, kick back after a day’s work or shopping, and a bite to eat. These days the lure has dampened slightly as people are less likely to linger in malls but the dining-out pace has picked up recently.

Coming in a close second on the Bar Bites popularity stakes is Dave’s Stuffed Mushrooms (RM24). Topped with chopped bacon and tomatoes, the grilled stuffed mushrooms pack a nice cohesiveness of tangy and savoury flavours. The wickedly moreish morsels are just the inducement to level up the enjoyment of your favourite tipple.

For the white-collar and family crowd, Dave’s tempts them with All Day Brunch options such as Croque Madame (RM27). This classic French sandwich should appeal to anyone partial to cheese as it comprises two bread slices with ham, dressed in bechamel sauce, then baked with Emmenthaler cheese.

Crowned with a sunny side up egg, the sandwich is accompanied by a side of fresh salad. The whole ensemble is hearty and filling; guarantee to leave a light eater replete as it can be rather rich and cloying due to the cheese and creamy sauce.  

An assortment of mussels, clams, prawns and squid are found in the plate of Olio Seafood Linguine (RM38). Scented with garlic, chilli, white wine, parsley and butter, the pasta passes muster. We find the dish underwhelming although it is deftly prepared – it lacks a little acidity or heat to amp up the appeal.

Overall, Dave’s has plenty to offer although the menu needs to be more streamlined and a refresh to keep up with current trends. In these increasingly tough times, it would make better sense to retain the crowd-pleasers and introduce newer items on a trial basis to attract new customers while seeking to inject fresh creativity into its current menu.

For reservations, call Dave’s Bistro Bar Grill, tel: 03-7725 4017. Address: Lot G209, The Promenade, One Utama Shopping Centre, Lebuh Bandar Utama 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

EAST MEETS WEST WITH FINESSE AT JAVA TREE, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Pineapple Prawn Curry. Salted Cod Fillet. Blackened Top Hats. Beef Wellington. Apom Bongkwa. East meets West with culinary aplomb at the new Java Tree restaurant, Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang, making it a notable outpost to dine in.

Named after a historical java tree planted in the hotel’s garden promenade even before the E&O Hotel was established in 1885, Java Tree sets a stately stage for the showcasing of Nyonya specialities and classic European dishes.

The iconic tree – immortalised on an expansive feature wall – draws the eye when you step into Java Tree. Accentuated with dark wood trims and sparkling chandeliers, the resto’s understated ambience is further enlivened by wall sconces, the occasional gilded columns, starched white linen-sheathed tables and earth toned upholstered chairs.

Otak Otak also available a la carte at Java Tree

An appetising trio of Blackened Top Hats (pastry shells stuffed with shredded jicama, carrot, cuttlefish and egg with salmon roe), Lobak (stuffed roll of chicken, shrimp, yam, shredded egg and salmon roe) and Otak Otak (steamed spiced local mackerel mousse with coconut cream, turmeric and kaffir lime leaves) from my Nyonya Signature Set (RM135) makes an great impression from the get-go. 

The Otak Otak deserves special mention as I find the mousse's spice quotient distinct on the palate, with subtle bursts of heat to set the tastebuds tingling. Spoonfuls of the soulful Itik Tim (pickled mustard vegetable with duck soup) summon up childhood memories of meals partaken at my grandparents’ house, a fond reminder that old is indeed gold.

More titillating temptations: Oxtail Gulai (braised oxtail, mustard seeds, vinegar and spices), Pineapple Prawn Curry (deep-sea tiger prawns with pineapple curry) and Terung Tempra (eggplant with lime, soya sauce and chilli) call for plain white rice – the best canvas to capture the dishes’ plethora of bright, piquant flavours. IMHO, the collective servings are generous enough for two light eaters.

A pretty floral shaped Sago Gula Melaka (sago pearls served with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup) brings the sumptuous meal to its sweet conclusion.

On the European Classics front, no appetiser evokes more nostalgia than Prawn Cocktail (RM30). Presented in a cocktail glass with tender romaine lettuce lining the base, Java Tree’s version has three cooked prawns in cocktail sauce (concocted from mayo, ketchup and lemon juice) perched over the rim. Mango dices and mustard sauce give the ensemble a touch of zippy sweetness.

Sweet caramelised onions makes the French Onion Soup (RM30) a siren’s song for the soul. Two gratinated gruyère toasts add depth and richness to the savoury broth, leaving us smacking our lips with satisfaction.

Poached in milk and wholegrain mustard, the signature Salted Cod Fillet (RM125) with baby spinach, poached egg and Hollandaise sauce is an on-point palate-pleaser. Although the dish sounds indulgent, any scepticism proves unfounded once you sample the fish’s lush yet delicate creaminess.

Meat lovers should sink their teeth into the scrumptious Entrecôte 10 oz Steak Café de Paris (RM80) with Baby Vegetables – my partner’s request for medium rare doneness is acquitted with aplomb. We also give thumbs up to the Butter Grilled Asparagus (RM30) with poached egg and truffled mushroom.

Other scrumptious options include Beef Wellington (RM85), Lamb Rump (RM75) and Chicken Fricasse (RM75) among others.

Remember to save stomach space for Java Tree’s seductive sweets from the dessert cart. Succumb to decadent creations of mildly tangy Lemon Tart or a sumptuous Paris-Brest – a circular shape choux pastry with praline-hazelnut crème, or the classic Crème Brûlée. Also recommended is the Apple Streusel Tart (RM28), a yummy crumble-topped treat with custardy apple worth the extra calories.

 

 

 

Currently, Java Tree is open for dine-in from 6.30pm to 10pm. For reservations, please call 016-419 8923 or click: http://bit.ly/JavaTree