GOOD EATS WITH HIGH SPIRITS AT D’ATAS BISTRO

Lunch started with a dramatic flair on our maiden visit to the newly opened D’Atas Bistro. Presented in a smoking cloche, the signature D’Atas Whisky Sour (RM40) left us smitten with its tangy, boozy taste with a tinge of smoky peat.

It was a captivating twist to the classic cocktail of John Jameson whiskey, fresh lemon juice, gula melaka syrup and Angostura bitters crowned with frothy egg white and a dried orange slice.

Ladies will adore Fly with Chan (RM38) – an Insta-worthy tipple of shaken gin, raspberry puree, limoncello, lavender syrup, lemon juice and egg white prettied up with edible flowers.

Teetotallers can seek solace in Curry Mama (RM18) – a creamy curry leaf-scented mocktail of coconut milk, coconut puree, and lime juice, with a topping of pineapple juice. Such an inventive and invigorating drink.

D’Atas (literally a contraction of Damansara Uptown in Malay) also serves Toddy (RM12 per glass, RM60 per bottle) – local palm wine sourced and tapped from the restaurant’s own palm trees in Nilai. This rare albeit delightful find tasted mildly sweet and fizzy with faint whiffs of fermented rice.

A refreshing tweak comes in the form of Connor’s Draught Stout & Toddy (RM16). It should go down well with those who prefer to have the palm wine tempering the stout’s inherent bitterness.

 

Made with butter roasted mushroom, the unctuous Cream of Mushroom (RM18) is one of the curtain-raisers here. Overall, I thought it was too peppery but hey, you should be the judge and jury of this popular mainstay.

Smoky and tender Grilled Lamb Skewers (RM20) drizzled with mint-mayo sauce got the thumbs up; the delectably moreish bites, well-spiced and on-point. Hardly surprising then it’s chalked up as one of D’Atas’ crowd-pleasers.

Instead of ho-hum tomato or mushroom bruschetta, D’Atas updates this appetiser with an Asian slant, featuring pan-fried sardines paired with chilli shrimp paste atop crusty slices of French bread.

The Shrimp Paste Sardines Bruschetta (RM11) were rather salty but in a good way; a perfect accompaniment with your favourite ‘poison’ from the bar.

Ikan Masak Lemak & Rice (RM28) stole the show with the boneless seabass fillets immersed in robustly spicy and lemak-rich coconut cream, bird’s eye and green chillies. The zingy-hot gravy together with white rice was a match made in culinary heaven.

Mutton Sub-Monster (RM32) – scrumptious mutton varuval with red onion, tomato, and fresh lettuce slathered with mint-mayo on a slab of crusty French baguette proved another winner in our books.

The thin-crust Kimchi Pizza (RM23) passed muster; the tart and distinctive pickled cabbage kicking the flavour quotient several notches up. A definite appealing option to go with boozy drinks.

Cooked cockles, tofu puffs, long beans, and a hard-boiled egg lend substance to Curry Laksa with Sambal Belacan (RM18). We didn’t fancy the yellow mee but it’s the only noodle option available. The aromatic curry gravy passed muster; a dollop of the sambal helped add greater depth and flavour.

Two grilled housemade beef patties with melted cheese, fried egg, onion rings, sliced tomato and gherkins in-between a sesame bun form the Smoking’ Double Beef Burger (RM33). Unfortunately, our beef patties were overcooked and dry but D'Atas promises this hiccup will be rectified.

Spice and chilli fiends will enjoy Asian Style Chilli Chicken Pasta (RM16) – spaghetti tossed with spicy-hot pan-fried chicken breast with chilli flakes, wild rocket and cherry tomatoes.

Topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, the Molten Lava Cake (RM18) hit our sweet spot with its airy-light chocolate cake oozing with luscious, melted dark chocolate at its core.

Lighter on the palate is Tri-Crepe Cakes (RM18) – soft, paper-thin crepes filled with a choice of durian, chempedak, blueberry cheese or red velvet sponge and cream. 

In its bid to draw the white collar crowd, D’Atas serves Set Lunch from 12pm – 2.45pm daily. Priced from RM16 upwards, diners can choose from 12 main course options and enjoy free flow of ice lemon tea.

 

Membership is available for regular patrons. Enrolment is easy and benefits await such as 15% discount for food & beverage at D'Atas.

For reservations, call D’Atas Bistro, hp: 010 248 1356. Address: 108G, SS21/39, Damansara Utama 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Business hours: 12 noon – 12 midnight daily

 

SELERA ASLI MALAYSIA TO BREAK FAST WITH AT CHATZ BRASSERIE

Sarawakian flavours dominate the buka puasa buffet at Chatz Brasserie this year. The Land of Hornbills is famous for its Sarawak laksa and the version dished up here by the Parkroyal chef hits the spot. The gravy and sambal are similar to what we had savoured in Kuching. So sedap we asked for repeat helpings.

 

Also available is Kolo Mee, the Sarawakian version of wantan mee (egg noodles) with chicken ‘char siew’. It’s served dry with the fragrance of deep-fried shallot oil bestowing the noodles with lush flavour.

A good variety of Sarawakian specialities: Umai (raw fish/prawn/squid marinated in lime juice), Manok Pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), Dayak Black Pepper Beef Stew, Fried Oyster Pancake, Nasi Goreng Dabai and colourful Kek Lapis gives us a delicious overview of the East Malaysia state. Local spices and herbs are discernible in the myriad of dishes, evoking bright, palate-pleasing depth of flavours.

 

On the local front, Chef Joseph Kuan and his team cook up a bountiful spread including an aromatic Nasi Kerabu speckled with finely cut herbs, complemented by assorted curries, main dishes and barbecued items.  

Culinary buka puasa gems worth sampling from the expansive spread range from Kerabu Jantung Pisang and Udang Masak Tempoyak (love the shelled prawns in the mellow, rounded fermented durian curry with hints of fresh turmeric leaves) to Gulai Tetel Melaka (slightly gristly but the meaty chunks in tangy curry are droolworthy).

Familiar faves of Gulai Siput Batang Keladi and Ayam Percik alongside Rendang Rusa (diced venison simmered to tender richness in toasty chilli-spice blend, coconut milk and kerisik) are also highly recommended.

Barbecue cravings are easily satisfied by the wide selection of freshly grilled meaty items: whole Roast Lamb, Satay, BBQ Giant Skewers of Beef and Chicken. These are cooked outside at hawker-style stalls by the patio so keep your eyes peeled for them.

Icy cold Sirap Bandung, Air Jagung, Cendol and Longan will help to wash the goodies down before you dive into dessert. A cornucopia of traditional and modern delights await, from a la minute Apam Balik and Kuih Lopes, to pretty Mango Pudding, fresh fruits and ice cream.

The Selera Asli Malaysia buka puasa buffet at Chatz Brasserie is served from 18 May to 14 June 2018. Price: RM148 nett per person and RM74 nett per child (4-11 years old).

For reservations at Chatz Brasserie, please call tel: 03-2782 8301. Address: Lower Lobby, Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL.