THE FILL-UP GAME AT THE STICKY WICKET

 

Cricket enthusiasts will be seventh heaven when they step into this quintessential British pub where prized cricket memorabilia takes pride of place.

A cosily furnished VIP lounge and intimate private dining room tucked away upstairs are ideal for special events or celebratory parties. With Happy Hours taking place Monday to Saturday from 12noon to 7pm and around the clock on Sunday, The Sticky Wicket is just the place to wet your whistle with a Gin & Tonic (RM9.80++ per glass).

Also helping to keep spirits up is the Gin Buffet (RM75++ for 3 glasses, RM120++ for 5 glasses) featuring a choice of 8 premium gin: Hendrick’s, The Botanist, Gin Mare, Citadelle, Rutte, St George Spirits, Poli 1898 and The Bitter Truth — you can enjoy it neat, on the rocks or mixed with tonic (RM9-RM17).

Otherwise, resident bartender S.Roy is always happy to rustle up a Whisky Sour (he bowls a mean one too) or a cocktail or two to ensure things go with a smooth flow.

 

My personal pick of the crop is Somerset (RM29), a gin and tonic reminiscent of a boozy, liquidy apple pie — it’s spiked with fresh green apple juice, organic apple cider vinegar and house-made cinnamon syrup.

Fancy a tall one as how legendary cricket umpire Harold Dickie Bird likes it? Then stump up for Dickie Bird (RM39), a crisp and dry marriage of Monkey 47 sloe gin and Campari balanced with fresh lemon juice, Yorkshire tea syrup and a splash of apple juice.

More batty tipples to slake the thirst of cricket-mad fans include The Bowler (RM39) and The Record Breaker (RM48). The former is named after Australian cricketer Sydney Barnes; a concoction of pear infused vodka, Campari, guava, candy floss cloud and Peychaud bitter shower whilst the latter comprises Beefeater, elderflower, honey-infused beer, fresh grapes and pineapple juice.

 

Classic pub grub with subtle Asian tweaks is the name of the game here. Designed for easy eating and as accompaniment for a cold beer, crowd-pleasing nibbles such as Salted Egg Yolk with Calamari (RM35), and Pulled Beef or Chicken Poutine (RM36) are conceived for sharing.

Tossed with salted egg yolk sauce and curry leaves, the deep-fried squid rings prove on-point whilst the pulled beef brisket or shredded chicken over chips smothered with cheese and gravy seems hearty enough to be a meal on its own. Although we have some misgiving about the runny egg on top, other patrons may like the extra richness it bestows.

Partial to a Pommie fry-up? Then go the whole hog with The Full English (RM38), the house all-day brekkie with the works: 2 sunny side up eggs, beef bacon, sausages, mushroom, tomatoes, fried bread and baked beans. Had it not been for the chucks of beef bacon and shrivelled mushroom, it would have been a full toss.

The captain’s innings on this occasion comes from the scrumptious Fish & Chips (Cod RM60/Pollock RM36). Served piping hot with thick-cut chips and mushy peas, the sweet, flaky beer-battered cod fillet is easy bait to fall hook, line and sinker for.

Comparable to a marvellous display of glovesmanship, The Sticky Wicket Beef Rib Burger (RM42) is worth making tummy space for. Instead of regular burger patty, you get a delectable mound of braised beef short rib pulled and placed on a burger bun alongside caramelised onion, fresh rocket and a mac & cheese waffle.

De Silva’s Crab Kottu (RM36) also strikes a resonant chord as Sri Lanka’s kottu roti with zingy-hot crab meat curry and crispy soft shell crab isn’t your average pub bill of fare.

 

 

Playing on to tempt punters are Fried Leg Stump (RM32), juicy golden brown chicken leg smothered with mushroom sauce, mashed potato, salad and mixed vegetables; Crispy Lamb Shank (RM58) served on herb-infused mash and naughty bean sauce; and Springbok Boerewers (RM69), half a kilo of chunky sausage meat sizzling in spicy curry sauce.

 

For a sweet taste of victory, plump for Sticky Date Pudding (RM22) with Madagascar vanilla bean sauce crème anglaise or Sweet Appam (RM8), crisp and delicate Sri Lankan pancakes with a fluffy soft centre, drizzled with coconut milk and gula Melaka or a scoop of chocolate ice cream (RM5).

For reservations at THE STICKY WICKET, call tel: 03-2011 5378 or 012-444 2957. Address: 34, Plaza Damansara , Medan Setia 2 , Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 12 noon to 2 am daily.

GRUB UP FOR GRABS AT DONKEY & CROW IRISH PUB

Irish eyes are bound to smile when they spy a comforting dish of Dublin Coddle (RM33). Rich and hearty, this salubrious stew of potatoes, root vegetables and Irish sausage is a signature speciality at Donkey & Crow Irish Pub in KL. Served with rustic bread slices, the offering may look unassuming but taste-wise, it’s heartwarming succour that satisfies the soul.

We enjoy the simple dish at Donkey & Crow, a laidback Irish pub which has two outlets: TREC KL and Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). Established in 2015, we learn the choice of name combining Donkey to denote perseverance and strength and the Crow to symbolise fearlessness and courage. These characteristics are firmly held by the Donkey & Crow team in their quest to be the Best Irish Pub in the region.

Historically, pubs (a contraction of public house in the old days) is a welcoming, go-to folksy outpost for a casual bite, a couple of pints and some jolly good time. Likewise, Donkey & Crow strikes a similar path for today’s white collar professionals, expatriates and urban families.

 

Newer than the TREC KL outpost, the BSC outlet exudes an old-world charm interior-wise. A colourful, mosaic-laid mural serves as the focal point at the heart of the pub while the shaded patio with high stools and tables is a hot hanging out space at dusk. 

There's even a hideaway private room in addition to a pool table right at the entrance. Besides beer, liquor and spirits, the beverage menu proffers an interesting selection of beer-fused concoctions like Beejito (RM38 nett), cocktails and mocktails.

While I had eaten Scotch eggs as a child, I didn’t know it was a popular picnic staple and convenient snack in the UK. Basically, it’s a whole hardboiled egg swaddled with mince or sausage meat with an outer, deep-fried breadcrumb coating. Interestingly, Wikipedia mentioned Belgium and the Netherlands have them too. In Malaysia, Scotch egg falls into the same milieu of colonial fare as chicken chop and mulligatawny.

We were a little perturbed by the frontliner's raised eyebrow when we ordered 2 servings of Scotch Egg (RM23 nett) and we soon discovered why. The Donkey & Crow’s version is huge and a meal in itself! Personally, I find it too salty for my liking but for the Caucasian pub regulars here, the offering accompanied with mustard sauce heralds a taste of home.

 

Pale and plain, the Blue Cheese Mushroom (RM23) looks deceptively nondescript until its lush flavour hits your palate. We thoroughly enjoy every mouthful of the tender button mushrooms in creamy blue cheese sauce with toast. Cooked down to velvety richness, the savoury white sauce has a subtle, well-rounded ‘bite’ to it.

The Snacks Platter (RM68) may be a viable curtain-raiser for small groups as the selection of Pigs in Blanket, Smoked Duck Breast, Nachos Bacon, Onion Rings and Chips is ample enough for 2-3 persons to share. Most of the options hit the spot although our bowl of nachos was somewhat dry and underwhelming. 

For main course, we readily vouch for Grilled Pork Ribs with Whiskey Sauce (RM49). Although a stronger boozy overtone is desirable for the whiskey sauce, the ribs with corn, roast potatoes and salad prove noteworthy.

Sweet-toothed diners will find the ho-hum Brownies with Ice Cream isn’t something to write home about. You’re better off with another pint or cocktail before hitting the road.

For reservations, call Donkey & Crow Irish Pub, tel: 03-2011 1868 (BSC) or 03-2110 5349 (TREC KL). Address: 1) G130, Ground Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur; 2) E-G-05, Electric Boulevard, TREC, Lot 434, Seksyen 90, Jalan Tun Razak, KL.