DELICIOUS FINDS AT DELICIOUS

Guests of the E&O Residences Kuala Lumpur are spoiled for choice when it comes to satisying their culinary expectations. Several restaurants and bars at sited at St. Mary’s Place itself including Delicious, a casual dining haven exuding laidback, breezy vibes. 

 

 

Daily breakfast for E&O Residences KL guests are catered by the Delicious team but for a better grasp of what the resto can deliver, it’s better to pop in for lunch or dinner.

We did just that during our recent staycation, nabbing the banquette seats set against an Instagram-worthy feature wall. Cafe Manager Siow Kok Leong recommended some of the house thirst-quenchers and Deep-fried Salted Egg Fish Skin (RM17) for openers. Coated in creamy salted egg sauce and tufted with chicken floss, the crunchy bites amped up our anticipation for a Saturyay lunch to remember.

Not sure if it was our valiant attempt at healthy eating or was it the appeal of the dish’s simple, back-to-basics approach but the day's crowd-pleaser was the downhome Roasted Pumpkin Salad (RM25).

We love the pops of tanginess from the boba-like balsamic vinegar ‘caviar’ juxtaposed against the pumpkin’s delicate sweetness; imbuing bright, tantalising flavours to the melange of fresh baby spinach, arugula, toasted pine nuts, feta cubes, croutons and tomato strips.

According to Siow, the Nasi Kerabu with Ayam Percik (RM33) is a firm crowd fave with Delicious' patrons. Tinged blue with the juice of butterfly pea flower, the rice came surrounded by a whole grilled chicken drumstick smothered in a piquantly spicy sauce, a heap of chopped ulam (raw local herbs), fried keropok (crackers), half a salted egg and side dips of sambal belacan and budu (fermented fish sauce).

When the different components are mixed and eaten together, you'd find hot and zippy accents mingling cohesively with savoury and briny nuances amidst soft, crunchy, crispy and tender texures. What’s not to like?

 

The other sought-after local dish, Mee Goreng Mamak (RM28) also came up to scratch. Relying on its own tried-and-tested formula, Delicious augmented the spiced noodles with chicken, squid, tiger prawns, beancurd, tomatoes and cucur (fried fritters), to ensure hearty satisfaction.

Partial to more Western-oriented fare? We’d recommend Chicken Chop (RM28) – the slab of battered fried chicken fillet with tangy sauce, garden veges and fries got the stamp of approval from the Hainanese in our dining party.

 

Personally, I’m partial to the simpler, healthier Baked Salmon (RM38). The pared-down approach of pairing citrus and grapefruit segments with grapefruit reduction worked like a charm with the rich taste of the Norwegian salmon fillet.

A familiar fave to bank on is the Classic Cheeseburger (RM35). The scrumptious secret lies in the seared, juicy US Black Angus 80% meat and 20% fat ratio beef patty. Sandwiched between a sesame seed bun with cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles and a special house sauce, the burger proved on-point.

 

 

Sweet indulgent treats such as Pavlova (RM18), Onde Onde Cake (RM15) and Brownie with Ice Cream (RM18) should please dessert fans. They passed muster although I found the slice of cake underwhelming.

For reservations, call Delicious, tel: 03-2856 6136. Address: G-7 & G-8, Tower A, St Mary’s Place, No.1 Jalan Tengah, Off Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL.

3 BAGS FULL...OF GOOD FOOD & DRINKS

Inspired by a similar cafe in Melbourne, Australia, this cosy cafe cum restaurant in Kota Damansara is just the sort of place young couples would find comfort in for a quick bite or a cuppa.

Modern stripped wood and brick tile coupled with retro-inspired chairs lend the interior an uncluttered, relaxed ambience. Three sacks stuffed with mock wool sitting above some wall cabinets appear as an apt reminder of the outlet's whimsical name.

Originally conceived as a chocolate bar, 3 Bags Full has segued into part cafe, part resto in this trendy neighbourhood. Apart from java, it serves surprisingly good food that's above par; a definite plus over other coffee places of the same ilk.

You can't ignore the extensive drinks list which includes hot & cold coffee, chocolate, tea, smoothies, soda and gelato milkshakes. We spotted some unusual ones and curiosity led me to try the Iced Lavender Latte (RM12). The heady lavender fragrance is discernible when the drink arrived but no worries, the herb tasted subtle enough at first sip.

 

Chocoholics would love the decadent Double Chocolate Gelato Milkshake (RM15); its full-bodied richness is unmistakably sublime with a superbly smooth finish. Light and refreshing, the fizzy Lychee Peach Home Soda (RM9.50) is ideal for those into fruity flavoured drinks.

From the brunch menu comes a 3 Bags Full speciality of Waffle Teaser (above pix). After last year's cronut craze, this year apparently will see waffles take the food scene by storm. It's a surefire crowd-pleaser as the crisp-edged, airy waffle comes laden with smoked salmon, turkey ham, wilted spinach, scrambled egg, mayo and tomato confit.

If you want a one-dish meal that leave you replete, the hearty Baked Onion Soup (RM12) may do the trick.

 

Don't let its bewitchingly nut-brown darkness detract you. Topped with a slice of charcoal toast adorned with baked gruyere to give it extra textural interest, the broth's voluptuous richness and lush earthiness will spur you to lick the bowl clean.

 

 Those feeling guilt-ridden from all the temptations would be happy to find a viable option in the brunch menu, in the form of Granola Parfait. It's a filling serving that throws together plain Greek yoghurt with assorted fresh and dried fruits, nuts and seeds. Eat this and you'd feel like a saint for resisting those wickedly sinful offerings in the menu.

 

Another interesting find is Sizzling Prawn Platter (RM26) - a dish that's usually associated with most Chinese restos but here, Chef Beljian Neo has cleverly updated it his way. There's a little dramatic flair in the way it's presented too; the prawns come sizzling to the table in a cast iron skillet, doused with garlic infused buttermilk. The saucy hiss and wafts of garlicky fumes automatically sent our salivary glands into overdrive. Lightly battered, the prawns were delightfully succulent with sweetish tufts of chicken floss topping them.

 

Dating couples who want something exotic may like Escargot (RM17). Instead of herb garlic butter, the young chef tricked up the complementing sauce with the assertive inflection of blue cheese, rounded off with some cream to take a little of the sharp edge off. We love dipping the toasty triangles into the savoury sauce.

His six-year experience and passion for local/Asian fare is noticeable in the Thai-inspired red pepper pesto that stamped his touch onto the Griddled Salmon Fillet (RM39). The blend of peanuts, red pepper and Thai basil bestows the inherently oily fish with an exotically robust, nutty accents without being overly cloying.

Another notable main is New Zealand tenderloin (RM57), lightly seasoned with the house rub. The 250g steak is adorned with garlic flakes and crosstrax potatoes with garlic-pepper sauce served on the side.

 

Pasta of course is popular among customers at such eateries and here it's no different. Newer variations are chalked up on the board so keep your eyes peeled when you drop in. We sampled the chef's special of Squid Ink Pasta (RM33) and found it decent enough to rival some of the more renowned quick-service restos.

 

According to Chef Neo, the cafe has customers who come from miles away to savour the house dessert of Sizzling Brownie (RM17) after reading it online. We soon realised its appeal - it boils down to the clever gimmick which again stirs the senses - when the sauce is poured into the skillet, the liquid addition hissed and bubbled around the thick slab of homemade brownies with roasted walnut and double chocolate gelato. Now, that's sweet music to any dessert lovers' ears.

While most cafes tend to fall short in the food department, 3 Bags Full seems to have a capable grasp of this aspect. The menu is constantly being refined and improved so brace yourselves for more pleasant culinary surprises in the coming months. 

For reservations, call 3 Bags Full, tel: 03-6150 2831. Address: 38A-1, Jalan PJU5/10, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Selangor.