Monday, October 30, 2017

SWEET ON BUTTERFLY DESSERT CAFÉ



Afternoon tea at the Butterfly Dessert Café is a nice way to escape the crazy traffic choked madness of Sri Petaling. Parking is available at the multi-storey carpark nearby but Malaysians are too stingy/lazy/selfish (pick one or all) to bother hence the double/triple parking nightmare within the commercial area.

Our frazzled nerves were instantly calmed when we stepped into Butterfly Dessert Café which is one floor up down a lane of shoplots and a boutique hotel. Modern bulbous pendant lights and multi-pronged chandeliers add a touch of class to the minimalist interior. A towering floral arrangement at the display counter lends a cheery touch whilst clusters of tables and chairs are found throughout the elongated space.

Opened in April this year, Madame Butterfly (as the owner prefers to be known) told us Butterfly Dessert Café is a tribute to their mother who had a penchant for dessert.

“We grew up eating Mom’s tong sui (dessert broth) and both of us eventually morphed into avid home bakers,” she said. “Like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, we have now transformed to become café owners. Our aim is to attract social butterflies to come and enjoy our lovely dessert at Butterfly Dessert Café.”

Besides plated desserts and afternoon tea, the sisters also accept orders for customised cakes and caters to small private parties on the café premise.

“Our Afternoon Tea set proffers savouries and sweets at RM48 for two persons. Available on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, the set includes a pot of tea of their choice but customers can change it to any beverage of their choice at extra surcharge.”

Presented on a triple tier stand, the assortment of savouries and sweets may look dainty but our first-hand experience proved the selection was no lightweight fluff.

We relished the lush deliciousness of the triangular crust-less Egg Mayo Sandwich and Cucumber Cheese Sandwich – a classic afternoon tea mainstay.

My personal favourite was the feather-light, subtly tangy Lemon Macarons. Similar fresh tangy-sweetness was noticeable in the juicy Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, helping us to refresh our palate before we sampled the remaining morsels.
Madame Butterfly explained they take great pride in making light, flaky Croissants. We love the crisp, extremely flaky outer crust that shattered once we bit into it. The buttery taste was delicate yet discernible whilst the internal warren of tender, stretchy layers was good enough to eat minus butter or jam.
We smeared the house-made strawberry preserve and butter onto the Scones instead. Although clotted cream won’t be remiss with the burnished gold goodie, Madame Butterfly explained it was impossible to serve such a luxurious item due to its high cost.
Luckily, sweet distractions came in the triumvirate of Passionfruit Meringue, Earl Grey Cheesecake and Orange-Mango Trifle. Each of the offerings stood out for their playful flavours, tickling our tastebuds with fruity overtones juxtaposed against a mildly creamy canvas.
Saving the American Chocolate Cake for the finale proved wise as the voluptuous cocoa taste easily eclipsed lighter nuances. This was the perfect counterpoint to cups of freshly brewed tea. Take your pick from English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Spring Green Tea, Kiwi Berry, Chamomile Blossoms, Lemongrass Ginger or Genmaicha.
For reservations, please call BUTTERFLY DESSERT CAFÉ, tel: 03-9054 0289. Address: Unit 3-1, Jalan Radin Bagus 6, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. Open daily except Wednesday from 2pm to 10pm

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

APPETHAIZING CROWD-PLEASERS AT SUPERTHAI



Opened in May last year, Superthai is a no-frills but air-conditioned restaurant specialising in crowd-pleasing Thai fare. Tucked upstairs in one of the many shops in Uptown Damansara, Superthai evokes modern industrial vibes with practical furnishing designed for the serving and enjoyment of simple, quick meals.
White collar workers in a hurry will find the Superthai Set (RM20 + a free drink) good enough and adequately hearty for a fast lunch. The substantial platter comprises various dishes: mango salad, Thai green chicken curry, salt & pepper squid, crispy egg, tom yum soup, BBQ pork belly and seafood sauce. Trust us, some light eaters may even find this ample enough to share.
Prefer to stick to homely options reminiscent of Mom's cooking? Perhaps the Thai Pork Leg Rice (RM17) will hit the spot better thanks to its similarity to Chinese braised pork in soya sauce. Besides the braised pork meat, a serving of this rice platter includes ham choi (salted mustard), hard-boiled egg, sliced beancurd, greens and soup. Taste-wise, the pork tastes passable albeit blander compared to other no-frills Thai eateries I had patronised.

Small groups may find it feasible to sample Pineapple Fried Rice (RM18) with luncheon meat dices. Raisins and peanuts add textural interest to the rice. It's a good foil for some familiar favourites such as Tom Yum Kai Lan (RM15), Tom Yum Seafood (RM27) and Crispy Omelette (RM12).


Surprisingly, the tom yum soup (ample for 3-4 persons) isn't too hot but I guess majority of Superthai patrons is ok with it being less kick-ass spicy. We all like the fluffy omelette with its crispy edges though so this is one of the more notable choices worth considering. As for the greens, I wish the dish lacks the punchy hot & sour accent usually associated with tom yum but don't let me stop you from trying this.


Interestingly, the Pork Knuckle in Sweet & Sour Sauce (RM55) garners rather divergent response from our dining party. Some like it, some don't. I think it's the kind of dish that grows on you after several mouthfuls. The pork knuckle is first deep-fried then doused in sweet & sour sauce with a house-made coriander sauce. Freshly chopped coriander, red & green capsicum and onion pretty up the overall offering. Die-hard pork lovers should give this a go.

Pork holds sway at Superthai as we discovered the resto's best-selling items include Basil Leaf Minced Meat (RM18) and Flame Grilled Pork Neck (RM28). The first passes muster - the basil fragrance noticeably discernible when you sample the minced pork. My only grouse is the saltiness but admittedly, I've a much lower tolerance for sodium than most. I had the same issue with the second although the speciality comes up to scratch.



Not big on pork? Luckily, there are plenty of fish and seafood options to reel you in. We highly recommend the tantalising Stuffed Squid (RM29). Steamed in bright, tangy mixture of chilli-garlic-lime juice, the minced pork and prawn stuffing inside the pair of squids boasts extra zest from the fresh coriander sauce on top. A drool-worthy speciality guarantees to whet the appetite.


Alternatively, try the Steamed Fish with Lime Sauce (RM48) and Thai Steamed Prawns with Glass Noodles (RM28). Best accompanied by plain rice in order to appreciate the strong flavours.

Dessert choices produce no surprises as you either load up on Mango Sticky Rice (RM10) or Coconut Ice Cream (RM10). The former again seems pedestrian while the latter comes prettied up with diced 'red rubies' (waterchestnut), jackfruit strips and strangely, raisins.
 

For reservations, please call Superthai Restaurant, tel: 03-7710 5888. Address: 29-M, Jalan SS21/1a, Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Biz hours: Tuesday – Sunday 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm


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