KYOMO KOHI BREWS UP DELISH EATS

 

“Kyomo” in Japanese means today or daily, the essence behind Kyomo Kohi, the minimalist Japanese-inspired café at New Ocean Fine Food City. Channelling Japanese artisan café vibes, Kyomo Kohi takes pride in serving artisanal coffee drinks, creative beverages, and artfully prepared East meets West dishes as well as tempting cakes and pastries as its drawcards.

We felt at ease instantly within the bright, cheery and clean-lined interior. Coupled with friendly service and the stellar selection of good eats, we were charmed by this trendy outpost.

Finger-thick, lightly battered Japanese Sweet Potato (RM18) stirred our interest prior to our mains’ arrival. Drizzled with Thai brown sugar syrup, the yummy sweet potato fingerlings severely tested our restraint from gobbling up the whole lot in one go.

Slaking our thirst with chilled Cantaloupe Yuzu (RM17) and the newer Matcha Strawberry Latte and Tiramisu Latte, we found fresh appeal from the first drink’s citrusy yuzu accent while the other beverages’ fruity and creamy coffee appeal kept our animated conversation flowing.

Gyukatsu Don (RM65), headlined by a panko-crusted, 110-g Aussie wagyu cutlet emerged as the day’s favourite ‘must try’ dish. Done medium rare, the slab of tender beef accompanied by Japanese rice, miso soup, fresh mixed salad, house-made curry sauce and potato salad was not only great value but also delectable to boot.

Coming in a close second was the soulful Salmon Ochazuke Yuzu Spice (RM30). We love relishing the comforting succour of the hot seasoned dashi, poured over grilled salmon fillet and Japanese rice. Ikura (salmon roe) and bonito furikake (flavoured rice puffs and seaweed flakes) bestowed bursts of briny and savoury flavours.

 
Thick, rich and lightly spiced Japanese curry with well-balanced savoury-sweet accents complemented crispy fried chicken to create a most delicious Chicken Karaage Curry Rice (RM28). Along with a runny soft-boiled egg and sweet corn kernels, it was one of the better versions we had sampled. Even though I’m not a fan of Japanese curry, I found this likeable.

Go for breakfast (7am to 3pm) and you’d find a notable start to the day with spongy-light Buttermilk Pancakes (RM20). Served with seasonal fruits, berry coulis, Chantilly cream and maple syrup, the pancakes were deftly made and went like a dream with the various accompaniments.

 
Playful sweet-savoury nuances teased our tastebuds when we dug into the Brioche Blossom French Toast (RM26). Topped with supple slices of smoked salmon, fresh rocket salad, a medley of fresh fruits, grated cheese and maple syrup, the thick-cut toast came up to mark.

We left no scone unturned and succumbed to the delightful Lemon Scone (RM9). Buttery with just the right amount of crumbly and airy lightness, we enjoyed smearing it with clotted cream and lemon curd.

Kyomo Kohi is definitely a noteworthy outpost for coffee and good food in our books.

For reservations at Kyomo Kohi, please call tel: 03-8408 8021. Address: L1 - 01, Level 1, New Ocean World Fine Food City, 15, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 8pm; Sat, Sun & public holidays 7am to 8pm
 

BOWLED OVER BY SIXTEEN

In years past, Les Deux Garcon was a reliable outpost for flaky croissants and freshly baked scones as well as hearty breakfast fare. Now the café is simply known as Sixteen – a trendier name in keeping with changing times but fret not, familiar staples such as Almond Croissant (RM12) and Raisin Roll (RM10) remain just as good.

The refreshed interior includes a little green nook next to the entrance: assorted potted plants clustered together with some hung overhead beside the glass picture window. Outside the walkway are more oversize pots of foliage, evoking a sense of tranquility.

Instead of run-of-the-mill ‘big breakfast’ fare of sausages, eggs and beans, we feasted on Golden Harvest (RM23) comprising two slabs of delicious sweetcorn fritters. 

Adorned with a rosette of smoked salmon and a wobbly poached egg alongside pineapple salsa and chilli oil, this new offering was akin to bursts of heartwarming sunshine albeit on the palate.

Striving to please office workers and residents from the nearby suburb, Sixteen has various poke bowl-inspired creations for lunch. Red and basmathi rice amp up the healthy, wholesomeness factor in place of white rice.

 

The Taste of Delhi (RM35) creation took us on a culinary passage to India, featuring tender cubes of lamb in an aromatic and mildly rich curry with fluffy, pea-studded pilau basmathi. Cucumber mint raita, boiled egg, diced fried tofu and crunchy papadum added textural appeal to the stellar serving.

Daun kesum (polygonum minus) was the key herb flavouring Sixteen’s special house recipe of Ayam Kesum Chilli (RM25). The bowl of Spanish rice complemented by the fragrant chicken curry was scrumptious. Tempeh, hardboiled egg, pineapple salsa, fried tofu and ulam (blanched long beans and raw local herbs) provided further enhancement in terms of textures and flavours.

 

A cohesive combo of red rice with diced seared tuna, avocado, edamame, and cucumber formed the Japanese-influenced Nippon (RM36). More alluring nuances were discernible with the inclusion of wakame, pickled ginger, spicy mayo, furikake and mildly sweetish gyoza sauce (concocted using soya sauce, lemon juice, honey and chopped spring onion).

 

Fruity-sweet pomegranate seeds and the judicious use of honey soya sesame dressing made the Buddha Bowl (RM23) comprising red rice, fried tofu, tempeh, wakame, edamame, black beans, lettuce and mushroom into a winsome vegetarian-friendly meal.

Baked fresh on premise, the splendid Scone - served with house made Strawberry Jam and Cream (RM7), and buttery Marble or Orange Cake (RM6 per slice) are compelling dessert choices, ideal as a self-pampering treat or for wrapping up your visit to Sixteen on a subtly sweet note.

For reservations and more information call SIXTEEN, tel: 03 7980 0200. Address: 16, Jalan 2/109E, Desa Business Park, Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 8am to 930pm daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTERNOON TEA APPEAL AT PALM COURT, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Tea time at the new Palm Court of Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) Penang harks back to the halcyon days when well-heeled ladies, lovey-dovey couples and even an immaculately garbed gentleman or two gather for a cuppa and light refreshments prior to dinner.

Named after the legendary Palm Court Bar that used to operate below the echo dome in the lobby during the Sarkies Brothers’ era, the new Palm Court retains its charming old world ambience: overstuffed sofa lounges, wingback chairs, ottomans and coffee tables intersperse with starched white tableclothed tables make it a welcoming haven to escape the tropical weather.

 

In the old days, bachelors, planters, traders and sailors converge at the Palm Court for their glass of stengah (equal measures of whisky and soda water, served over ice), today it's business and leisure travellers, close girlfriends and small families who are drawn to the resto's a la carte assortment of Indian and Malay inspired dishes, Chinese noodles and casual international favourites for lunch or dinner.

The Afternoon Tea (RM88 nett per person) is a favourite mainstay here, featuring triple-tier stands of finger sandwiches and dainty pastries. For a touch of luxe, the Champagne English Afternoon Tea is RM168 nett per person inclusive of 1 glass of champagne. 

Out of the 13 varieties of tea, we selected Orange Passionfruit, Japanese Sencha and Organic Earl Grey to accompany our selection of savoury and sweet temptations.

From the appealing assortment of sandwiches presented, it was obvious much thought has gone into the whole repertoire. Upping the ante on the plain ol’ cucumber sandwich, the Palm Court team proffered Cucumber, Dill and Cream Cheese Pullman Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Tartare Wholemeal Finger Sandwich, Marinated Tuna Flake Sandwich, Crab Meat Slaw Sandwich, Corn Fed Chicken Ragout Gougères (cheese choux pastry), Truffle Scented Egg on Poppy Seed Butter Bun, and Organic Spinach Quiche to set the ball rolling.

Being waited on hand and foot, luxuriating in the hallowed setting made the experience thoroughly enjoyable. After the on-point savoury appetite pleasers, we made short work of the Raisin and Plain Scones with clotted cream, house-made strawberry jam and for a touch of the tropics, pineapple jam.

By the time we were ready to hit on the Red Velvet, Opera Cake and Fruit Cake, we had struggled a little. There were still Fruit Tartlets and Millefeuille to contend with but alas, it was a lost cause as having downed copious cups of our tea, we were hard pressed to make short work of everything. Overall, it was an exceptional afternoon to remember.

Note: Review conducted prior to Malaysia's Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The English Afternoon Tea is now available every Saturday & Sunday from 3pm to 5pm at Palm Court, E & O Hotel Penang.  Limited seats available; to reserve click: http://bit.ly/PalmCourtBooking