CAJUN-CREOLE INSPIRATIONS FUEL FATFIRE

 

The Three Witches of Mardi Gras were immortalised on a striking mural within FatFire, an all-American diner at LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre.

Also featured in that expansive wall art are mystical fire butterflies and gecko motifs to symbolise the restaurant's transformative adaptability.

Here, the word "fat" in the restaurant name embodies feast, fun, and fulfilment; to reflect an immersive experience to satisfy one’s stomach and soul. Fire essentially refers to the use of grill and other cooking methods.

Our hunger pangs were banished by delicious bite-size pieces of Tilapia Popcorn (RM27). Lightly coated in spiced batter, the moreish morsels were addictive when dipped in some Cajun mayo and remoulade sauce.

Marinated in Cajun spices then lightly breaded and deep-fried, the crunchy-crisp Mississippi Fried Calamari (RM32) proved equally winsome.

Fiery hot sauce coating the tender Flyin' High Buffalo Wings (RM28) left a blazing trail on our tongue. Thankfully we had three classic cocktails: Sangria (brandy, rum, red wine, and fruits), Moscow Mule (vodka, lime juice, and ginger ale) and Cosmopolitan (vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice) to douse the heat. Those three tipples only cost us RM70 whilst individually, each cocktail costs RM24.90 so that was a fab deal.

We went ga-ga over the palate-pleasing Prawn-tastic Tacos (RM30) which came heaped with mango salsa, diced avocados, shredded red cabbage, and spiced tiger prawns. Sides of mildly spicy slaw and guacamole added to their appeal.

Coated in piquantly spiced batter, the house special of Catfish & Chips (RM37) hit the spot too thanks to the fish’s delicately sweet texture. Apple slaw, salad, and creamy remoulade sauce provided additional textural and flavour interest to the dish.

A scrumptious, juicy grilled lamb patty with melted cheese sandwiched between a toasted burger bun left us instantly smitten by Mary’s Not So Little Lamb (RM37). Piling on the tastiness were caramelised onion, fresh lettuce, tomato, and grilled pineapple.

Rich jambalaya sauce comprising tomatoes blended with the staples of Creole cooking: onions, bell peppers, and celery bestowed tantalising flavours to FatFire Jambalicious Pasta (RM37). Extra textural interest came from chunks of tender grilled chicken, sliced sausage, and capsicum strips nestled among strands of spaghetti.

The graham cracker crust and zesty, creamy filling of the Key Lime Pie (RM18) meant it was something to write home about. Well-balanced sweetness with hints of fresh citrus, it was one of the more notable dessert I’d eaten in a while.

Dusted with icing sugar and served with chocolate sauce, the golden fried dough pillows known as New Orleans Beignets (RM18) brought the curtains down to our meal. Perfect to round off our All-American diner experience.

For reservations at FATFIRE ALL AMERICAN DINING, call tel: 012-848 4094. Address: Lot G-73, Ground Floor, Mitsui Shopping Park, LaLaport BBCC, 2, Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur

 

GET CRACKING AT CRAB FACTORY

Searing hot, tart and salty accents raced across our tongues and caused us to break out into a sweat the minute we had a dose of the Death Valley hot sauce. Just the vapours emanating from the bag of steamed prawns in that lethal sauce alone left our eyes tearing and throats rasping.

 

But that is exactly what made getting down and dirty at PJ's latest crab restaurant - Crab Factory Original Louisiana Boil such fun. Forget about dining utensils and tableware; brace yourselves for a fun albeit messy hands-on affair with back-to-basic serving style i.e. pour the food out onto plastic sheet-covered tables.

No need to mind your Ps and Qs here as the Crab Factory invites you to embrace the no-frills simplicity yet unrestrained robustness of Creole and Cajun cooking where casual backyard seafood boils are the norm rather than the exception.

 

This novel dining experience from Louisiana - the home of Jazz and Blues struck such a resonant chord with T.Y. Ooi and her pals after their adventurous road trip to the U.S. that they decided to replicate it for fellow Malaysians. Decked in industrial chic elements and rustic wood accents, the brightly-lit restaurant evokes a laidback casualness that puts diners instantly at ease.

While perusing the menu, nibble on irresistible starters such as crispy House Fried Baby Squid (available in Garlic or Cajun flavours, RM10.90) and Southern Chicken Wings (Garlic or Cajun). Both are incredibly addictive thanks to their crunchy batter coating that's either garlicky or zingy hot.

 

 

I can't put my finger on it but there's something about Gumbo that I like. Laden with rice, beans, corn, shredded chicken and sausage, the heartwarming Southern broth had me slurping up to the last spoonful.

If you have kids in tow, the Pollock Fish Fingers with Garlic Fries would be a surefire hit. Bite into the light batter coating and be rewarded with sweet, flaky white fish that went like a dream with the house made mayo dip.

 

 

Conversation literally ceased the minute we were inundated by bags of king crabs, yabbies, meat crabs, Japanese snails, prawns and mussels in quick succession. Steamed with different house sauces: zesty lemon pepper, garlic butter or Southern hot sauce, each of us inevitably found a variant or two that hit the spot. There's no charge for mild or medium hot sauce while the O'ly Crab or Death Valley hot version will incur a token charge of RM5.

 

The dining experience was unabashedly fun with everyone throwing caution to the wind and getting their hands dirty in their concentrated attempts to crack, pry open and extract the sweet, chunky morsels from shells and carapaces.

 

According to Ooi, she sources and imports the seafood for Crab Factory from different countries to ensure maximum freshness. "Depending on your choice of seafood, the items are charged according to prevailing market prices. These are listed on our menu boards for easy reference."

 

Regardless of the seafood you choose, Ooi recommends substantiating each order with some 'bag buddies' (RM4-RM7.90): chicken sausages, potatoes, corn cob and button, king or enoki mushrooms.

Crab Factory is worth a visit for those who wants a change from local seafood preparations.

CRAB FACTORY ORIGINAL LOUISIANA BOIL, 21, Jalan SS2/64, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7865 5850. Business hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 3pm - 11pm, Fri, Sat &Sun: 11am - 11pm. Close on Tuesdays.