CLASSIC AMERICAN DINER EXPERIENCE AT KGB

 

Channelling retro American diner vibes in blue and white, the KGB Diner at Tropicana Gardens serves more than run-of-the-mill burgers. Once we stepped into the cheery, brightly lit outpost, the menu reveals a wide array of burgers with either flame-grilled beef or chicken patties, fried chicken fillets and even breakfast options for early birds.

Topping our list of ‘must try’ eats here is Cluck Cluck Baby (RM23.80), an offering sure to have diners seeking a novel spin clucking with approval. Dusted with Korean red pepper flakes, the two crispy fried chicken thigh patties sandwiched between spicy Jjapaguri (mixture of two South Korean instant noodles), tomato slices, fresh lettuce, melted mozzarella cheese and KGB’s secret sauce slaps; delivering a riot of robust flavours with each mouthful.

The generous portion is enough for us light eaters to share but younger diners will find utmost satisfaction from devouring it. Personally, I like the unexpectedly agreeable pairing of slightly spicy noodles with the hearty taste of fried chicken.

Another winsome feather in the KGB’s cap has to be Sizzling Buldak Wings (RM22.80). Served in a sizzling skillet of triple melted cheese, the spicy Korean soy glazed chicken wings look deceptively lethal but the demure heat quotient makes them alluring. Slathered on the creamy cheese sauce and the delish wings instantly hit the spot.

Cool aid comes in the form of Asamboi Lemon (RM7), lemonade spiked with salted preserved plums, or Pink Lemonade (RM7), strawberry purée and lemonade.

Parties of two may want to sample The Jabba Set (RM69.90 set for 2, RM49.90 a la carte), KGB’s festive twist on melding juicy burger with beef Wellington. A thin pastry crust encased a humongous burger of flame-grilled patty oozing with cheese, layered with tomato slices and fresh lettuce.

Complemented by cheese-drenched Texas jalapeno steak wedges and garden salad, this huge ensemble includes in two drinks of your choice (add RM5 for a milkshake). For those who eschew beef, feel free to ask KGB swap the beef patty to a grilled chicken patty.

Again, this oversized burger exceeds our expectations. The beef patty was deliciously juicy; its taste appeal dialled up by the cheese, tomato and lettuce. You’d be replete if you can polish off the serving of wedges in addition to drinks.

Those seeking a typical Americana experience should consider Philly Cheesesteak (RM16.90). Sink your teeth into two slices of toasted sourdough filled with pastrami (salt beef) slices, caramelised onion, mozzarella and garlic ranch sauce. A messy albeit yummy affair guaranteed.

Can’t get enough of that skillet of melted triple cheese? We suggest digging into KGB’s Skillet Cheese Burger (RM22.90 + RM2 for grilled 120g Angus beef patty or +RM6 for grilled 180g Angus beef patty). The scrumptious beef burger comes with fried onions and shack sauce atop a pool of burbling melted cheese.

Prefer the ‘less in more’ approach? You’d find the aptly named Big Daddy (RM25.80 double patty, RM19.80 single patty) ticks all the requisite boxes. Savour two flame-grilled patties dressed with zingy black pepper sauce sandwiched between soft yet sturdy brioche buns. A sprinkling of fresh onion adds fresh, sharp piquancy to the offering.

Wash it down with the house Oreo Milkshake (RM14.90), a towering concoction of milk, cookie and cream ice cream, cookie crumbs finished with Oreo cookies and whipped cream.

Complete your American diner experience with KGB collectibles from the Merchandise Corner. Take your pick of specially designed canvas tote bags and cute enamel pins as fond reminders of your visit to KGB Diner.

KGB Diner is located at Lot CC-83, Concourse Floor, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Lorong Tropicana Mall, Tropicana Indah, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

TIME TO RASA LOKAL AT EQ KUALA LUMPUR

 

To mark the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebration, EQ’s Rasa Lokal promotion will take centrestage until 30 September at Nipah restaurant. Traditional flavours of Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast, and the East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak will share the culinary stage at the Rasa Lokal lunch and dinner buffet.

Take your pick from 18 Chef’s Specials in addition to an expansive plethora of local salads, appetisers, grilled seafood and meat, rice and noodle dishes, assorted curries, drinks and dessert. The kaleidoscope of tempting specialities will leave diners spoiled for choice but selective food choices will ensure you’d derive maximum enjoyment out of the dining experience.

Right off the bat, we zoomed in on healthy, flavourful local salads such as Kerabu Betik, Kerabu Pegaga, Banana Flower Salad and Rojak Buah. We love the profusion of salty, tangy, spicy, savoury and mildly sweet accents from the various herb-laden salads.

Nipah is famous for its Satay and the delectable, well-marinated Beef and Chicken Satay with chunky peanut sauce were on-point. At the chef’s urging, we also sampled Sambal Kelapa Satay Perut, chewy-tender cow’s stomach with coconut sambal. It gave our jaw a good workout; try this if you’re partial to innards. 

The crowd-pleasing Ayam Golek was superbly tender; the juicy spice-rubbed roast chicken dialled up with a bright, bracing sauce blending turmeric and a myriad of spices. Equally notable were the nicely marinated Sotong Bakar Berempah (grilled spiced squid) and Pari Bakar (grilled stingray).

Slipper lobsters added a bougie spin to the speciality of Kari Laksa Udang Galah. IMHO, the rich and aromatic rempah gravy should be hotter as lukewarm broth for noodles just put a dampener on the dish’s appeal.

From the Indian section, Ketam 65 – fried spiced flower crabs – stood out for its satisfying spice profile. We highly recommend the salubrious Ekor Asam Pedas (sour-spicy oxtail) complemented by fluffy Biryani. Another worthy contender was Kari Kambing, mutton in fiery-red, tomato-infused curry gravy.

The Chinese-style Steamed Red Tilapia with soy sauce, garlic flakes, coriander and fragrant garlic oil was served table-side. It came too overdone for our liking, possibly due to its small size. There was no doubting the fish’s freshness though.

One of my favourites has to be Roti John which was prepped a la minute. The sandwich with omelette and minced beef or chicken had lashings of tomato and chilli sauce, and mayo in it. However, I only ate a small portion of it hence the pillow-soft sandwich was acceptable.

To finish, I sampled some local Kuih (a hit and miss affair) and Nipah’s classic Bread and Butter Pudding (sedap). You’d be spoiled for choice with Ais Kacang, freshly sliced fruits, dainty cakes (think Kek Batik and Lapis Sarawak), puddings, jellies and fruit pickles among others.

The Rasa Lokal buffet lunch is priced at RM148+ per adult, and RM74+ per child (6–12 years old). Buffet dinner is RM168+ per adult, and RM84+ per child from 6– 12 years.

Reservations for Rasa Lokal at Nipah can be made via email: dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com or WhatsApp +60 12 278 9239.

A Legacy of EQ-cellence

Celebrating its fifth decade in the hospitality industry, EQ has retained its #1 City Hotel in Malaysia spot at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific three years in a row since 2022. It is ranked #5 Travel + Leisure Readers' 15 Favourite City Hotels in Asia and #35 Travel + Leisure Readers' 100 Favourite Hotels in the World for 2023. EQ is also TripAdvisor’s #1 ranked hotel in Kuala Lumpur since 2019.

R-EEL DELIGHTS AT TIEN

 
Export-grade live eels from China took centrestage at Tien restaurant, prepared in four different ways as part of the month-long ‘Flavours of Suria’ dining experiences at Suria KLCC mall recently.

In keeping with its "Always Something New” tagline, Suria KLCC invited local media members to hands-on workshops and exclusive tastings at tenant restaurants: Din, Fuel Shack, Cili Kampung, TGI Fridays, Imperial Chakri Palace and Tien.

We sampled a special seasonal menu of fresh Chinese eels at Tien by Putien, where four distinctive eel dishes were served. Flown-in from Guangzhou, we learned the eels are also exported to Japan. 

Fed with codfish powder, the eels are raised in open-air, clean water ponds. Putien uses 70 cm long eels weighing 600-800g each as they are fleshier with better bite. It’s the second year Tien is promoting these eels and the promotional offerings will be available until end October.

Our lunch began with Fresh Eel Cooked in Spring Water. It only took about ten minutes to cook the eel in spring water with spring onion, goji berries and ginger. Once done, we tasted the eel chunks which were surprisingly chewy. Its natural clear sweetness was notable when we tasted the broth and meat.

Rich, savoury soybean sauce produced in the city of Puning was instrumental in the preparation of Baked Eel with Puning Bean Sauce. Stir-fried with garlic, ginger and onion, the delicately sweet eel chunks were superbly flavourful thanks to the beany sauce and aromatics. Not surprising it was the most popular dish last year with Tien diners.

Although the generous amount of garlic was welcomed, a lesser amount of Yangjiang soybean sauce for the Steamed Eel in Garlic and Soy Bean Sauce would have been great. But that’s my own preference as others may like how the chef prepped it.

Sichuan peppercorns, dried chillies, garlic and ginger bestowed this year’s new Spicy Pan-fried Eel with some tongue-tingling ‘ma la’ power and spicy heat. This was another crowd favourite as most of us enjoyed the dish’s robust chilli-hotness.

All the eel dishes are priced at RM138 for a regular portion and will be available until end October.

For reservations at Tien by Putien, call tel: 03 2181 2839. Address: Lot 434, 4^th Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre. For more information on Suria KLCC mall, visit www.suriaklcc.com.my or www.facebook.com/SuriaKLCCMall.