TOP PICKS FOR RAMADAN PART 1

FEAST FIT FOR A KING

Spicy, creamy yet mildly tangy...gulai asam tempoyak ikan patin from the Centre rules!

Homesick for true-blue kampung food? Aaahhh, you can't go wrong with the extravagant line-up at the Centre. Top 3 picks:  1. gulai asam tempoyak ikan patin - packs a spicy, tangy punch with creamy finish. Fresh chunks of patin adds sweetness...souse the gravy over white rice and you'd be in gustatory heaven! 

 

2. nasi briyani kambing - not all briyanis are created equal. Perfumed by exotic spices, the fluffy grains are good enough to be enjoyed on their own. But heck, nobody can resist a slice or two of juicy roast lamb right? 

3. serawa durian - if you can't have the real King of Fruits, this unctuously rich version is a darn good substitute. Every durian lover's dream ;-p (sorry, no pix...)

The lavish spread is worth every sen of that RM99++ per person (Ramadan Al-Mubarak menu) and RM135++ per person (Ramadan Al-Kareem menu).

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2333 2888

*****

TRULY ASIAN EATS

Fire up your tastebuds with Malay and multi-racial cuisine at Latest Recipe. Celebrity Chef Zubir Md Zain makes a special comeback, bringing wickedly delectable Malay dishes to the fold in addition to the lavish parade of Japanese, Indian, Western and Chinese fare. 

Top 3 Picks: 1. rendang pulau Jawa daun salam - generously spiced and brimming with enough heat to leave you hot under the collar in a good way. Basil leaves give this tasty rendang additional aroma and nuance.

2. red snapper with Portuguese sauce - love the piquantly robust sauce atop the perfectly cooked snapper. Moist and sweet, the melding of delicate and strong flavours makes this a winner in my book.

3. teppan-cooked prawns - the Japanese section is always a hit with diners here and the prawns are highly recommended. Slightly peppery with some creamy sauce, their springiness and inherent sweetness are raveworthy indeed.

You'd have a hard time deciding what to eat as the buffet is laden with too many irresistible choices. We love the nostalgic offerings featured: sup gearbox, keli salai masak tempoyak (catfish with fermented durian gravy), putu piring, putu mayam, roti jala with kuah durian, local agar-agar jelly with basil seeds and coconut flesh, and crispy banana, breadfruit and sweet potato fritters.

Price: RM138++ per adult on weekdays; RM128++ per adult on weekends. 

Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, 2, Jalan Stesen Sentral, KL Sentral. Tel: 03-2263 7434

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RETRO NOSTALGIA

Comfort food that evokes childhood memories and age-old recipes that stir up a sense of nostalgia are the crowd-pulling factor at Concorde KL. Diners can break fast at the Ballroom transformed into a typical kampung setting while Melting Pot Cafe is decked in festive finery for Ramadan.

Top 3 picks from here: 1) lamb chop kurma - tender and flavoursome from a medley of fragrant spices, these chops are finger-licking down to the last bone.

2) umbut kelapa masak lemak putih - crunchy palm hearts redolent with turmeric flavour and scent, bathed in a rich coconut milk-based gravy...yummy!

3) ayam pencen rendang - lean, mean and firm village-bred chicken simmered in a complex spice blend to robust perfection

Of course, few can resist the perennial delights of fish head curry, siput sedut, sotong kunyit, lidah lembu bakar air asam, daging salai masak belimbing...and we haven't even touch on the remaining mind-boggling plethora of rice, dessert and thirst-quenching drinks yet!

Price: Concorde Ballroom (until 25 July) - RM98++ per person; Melting Pot (until 27 July) - RM118++ per person

Concorde Hotel KL, Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL. Tel: 03-2717 2233 or 2144 2200 x 2337

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SELAMAT BERBUKA PUASA TO ALL MUSLIM FRIENDS AND JOM MAKAN READERS!

Watch out for part 2 of Top Picks for Ramadan from

Aloft KL, Chakri Palace and InterContinental KL

DIAL 'M' FOR MUUGU

Grill, garden bistro and bar - that's what Muugu set out to be when it opened in a restored bungalow just a stone's throw from the glitzy hotel and shopping belt of Bukit Bintang. Tucked discreetly away in a quiet nook of KL, the restaurant draws the time-pressed office crowd with its reasonably priced set lunch (RM17 to RM35 depending on the choice of main course) that includes soup or salad and a glass of soft drink or coffee/tea.

Incredibly, parking is a breeze here and there's an al-fresco patio that overlooks a patch of green where one can enjoy a glass of wine and a puff without causing any consternation. For heat-averse people like us, the cool air-cond space inside is the perfect refuge especially in the sweltering weather.

I never order fries on the side when I dine out until I had the golden finger-thick Truffle Fries (RM8) at Muugu. Flecked with fine shavings of cheese and chopped parsley, the truffle oil-scented fries are so sinfully delish and incredibly addictive that we forgot to snap a pix. This snapshot was kindly on loan from PureGlutton.com (thanks Chris!)

If carbs are strictly off-limits, then go for the Pan-seared Scallops with Quail Eggs (RM23). Topped with a pint-sized fried sunny-side up quail egg on each one, the scallops make sublime mouthfuls that beg you to lick the plate clean.

For a light boozy kick to whet your appetite, I'd recommend the Mussels in White Wine Broth (RM19). Prepped with lashings of white wine, the shellfish are toothsomely tender. Don't forget to soak up the salubrious sauce with slices of crusty baguette.

Soup lovers will lap up every dollop of the Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup (RM12). The broth has just the right degree of creaminess, woody aroma and rustic voluptuousness to it.

Health nuts may prefer to graze on the classic Wild Rocket and Pear Salad (RM16) which has peppery rocket tossed with sweet pear wedges, crunchy walnuts, plump raisins and cheese shavings in a mildly tart dressing.

Want something to nibble on with your fave tipple? The sweet solution is succulent Honey Glazed Chicken Wings (RM15) bursting with such irresistible flavours that you'd be asking for more.

 

Air-flown Australian steaks are seared on volcanic rock at Muugu

Muugu takes pride in their Australian steaks and beef lovers will do well with either Ribeye (RM42) or Tenderloin (RM55) done medium rare. Grilled to order on volcanic rock, the meat tastes best sans sauce. Accompaniments of fries, mashed or sautéed potato, greens (ratatouille or mixed greens) and red wine, black pepper, brown or mushroom sauce are proffered to complement their steak.

Hearty eaters would be amply satisfied with Braised Lamb Shank (RM35) as the hefty portion comes with similar sides. The meat is delectably tender without being mushy; the lamb jus lending depth and body to the braising gravy.

Other protein options here include Pan-fried Salmon Fillet (RM29) and an unexpectedly outstanding Roasted Chicken Thigh (RM23) smothered in a rich, wine-based sauce or check what's the catch of the day.

Happily, the Seafood Risotto (RM27) and Pasta Aglio Olio (RM17) also measured up with both dishes adroitly acquitted during our visit.

Bring down the curtains on your meal with Chocolate Fondant Cake with Vanilla Ice-cream (RM13), Cheesecake (RM12), Tiramisu (RM12) or Strawberry Granita (RM9). 

The runaway best-seller is the molten choc cake - possibly because sweet-toothed diners simply melt at the mere sight of all that gooey goodness! My only grouse is the 'teetotaller' Italian 'pick me upper' tastes far too sedate but hey, don't let me rain on your parade if you're a fan of that luscious treat.

For reservations, call 03-2110-3603. Muugu Garden Bistro & Bar is located at 32 Jalan Jati, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

GOOD FOOD ENCLAVE

Unthinkable as it sounds, local street food in the city would probably be extinct by the next decade or so, steamrolled into the sands of time by the fast and furious pace of development. Already the number of independently run kopi tiams are dwindling by the day; their places usurped by shinier, air-conditioned local coffee franchises. Hence when entrepreneurs like Willie Tay of Grandeur Gourmet come a-calling and inviting old-time established hawkers and street food vendors into modern food courts (Tay prefers to call his ventures food atriums), the savvier ones find the offer too irresistible for words.

That's why you'd find familiar names like Heun Kee Claypot Rice and Sentul Ah Yap Charcoal Hokkien Mee inside Taste Enclave, an ultra-modern yet cosy food haven in Avenue K. With 16 stalls and 4 mini restaurants nestled within, diners are naturally spoilt for choice.

The spacious 550-seat space is adorned with lush faux foliage and tactile decoration in the forms of whimsical bunnies, topiary and running water feature, to create an indoor serene garden setting and a comfy area to dine in.

 

One of the mini restaurants here is Grandeur Teppanyaki, a designated section specialising in beef, chicken or seafood teppanyaki that's prepared a la minute.  We love the shrimp, squid and scallop combo (RM17.90) which came piping hot, flecked with freshly ground black pepper and doused with sticky, buttery and briny sauce.

 

 To balance that rich serving of seafood, you may want to order a plate of the refreshingly minty Vietnamese Mango Salad (RM6.90) from Ythu Wendy Vietnam Cuisine. Although the bracing salad bears some similarity to the Thai version, the inclusion of crushed peanut, fresh mint and nuoc cham makes it somewhat different.

Sometimes local food tends to fall short at modern food courts but Mandarin Chicken Rice proves that its signature chicken rice can rival even the home-cooked version. Not only is the chicken marble smooth and succulently tender, the flavourful rice and piquant chilli dip also got the nod from the Hainanese gastronomes in our dining party.

You can also add a meaty boost to your meal with delectable siew yoke (crispy roast pork) and char siu (honey glazed BBQ pork) from Tong's Roast. Having made their cut at the Pudu market for three decades, this family-run enterprise is now moving with the times and winning over a new generation of food lovers with their delicious offerings.

Rice loving diners will go potty over Heun Kee Claypot Rice (RM19.80 for a set inclusive of soup, vegetable and seafood beancurd) - an evergreen favourite with foodies who venture into the Pudu area. Served with a dish of mui hiong salted fish on the side, the comforting rice dish is further enriched by sliced Chinese sausages, chunks of chicken, lashings of dark and light soya sauces, and freshly chopped spring onion. Trust us, it's so good that you'd be scraping the bottom of the crusty pot in no time at all.

Taste Enclave is a rice haven for farn toong (rice fiends). Besides the Chinese fare we sampled, the Wrap Time and Jalan Kayu Prata stalls also take pride in their rice dishes. The tasty Mediterranean Rice (RM11.40) from Wrap Time is well-scented by myriad aromatic herbs and spices that's used to cook it. Side servings of fresh salad and chick peas make the platter a complete meal by itself.

Closer to home is Dum Briyani Chicken (RM14.90) which has quarter of a chicken and a hard-boiled egg buried in fragrant, fluffy long grain rice perfumed by a heady spice mix. Pickles, deep-fried crackers and a side dish of curry ensure every inch of your tummy space is adequately filled once you polish off the serving. By the way, the Roti Prata deserves special mention for its flaky softness and sublime fish curry.

Besides smoky charcoal-fried Sentul Ah Yap Hokkien Mee (RM9.90), noodle enthusiasts can find ample satisfaction from Stall No.21 Beef Noodles, a spin-off from the famous Soong Kee Beef Noodles. Brimming with rich, deep-seated beefy nuances, the Beef Balls with Tripe Noodle Soup (RM9) is comfortingly simple yet slurpilicious; a complementary combination of different textures: springy, smooth, chewy, gristly and soft in a bowl.

The second mini resto is Svea Cafe which adds some Swedish slant to the premise with casual but popular crowd-pleasers such as pastas, pizzas and burgers. Delighted by the lightly flaky, moist Grilled Salmon with Baked Mashed Potato (RM19.80), we promised ourselves that we'd return some day to sample the meatballs and pork chops.

This is possibly the only food atrium where live seafood can be prepared upon request. Besides hallmark dishes such as Singapore Chilli Crabs or Black Pepper Crabs, Xi Qing Seafood whips up a mean Marmite Short Pork Ribs too. Wickedly scrumptious, these porcine pieces are worth sinking your teeth into.

Fancy firing up your tastebuds? Then Golden Hot Pot's Ma La Golden Hot Pot (RM6 onwards) should set them ablaze. A sizzling hodge-podge of prawns, lotus root, mushroom, peanuts, vegetable and black fungus, the tongue-numbing speciality from China has about 27 different spices in it. Depending on your preference, the hotness level can be moderated or ramped up - just inform the chef when you order.

Taste Enclave
Level 2, Avenue K
156 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2181-8888
Opens 10.00am till 10.00pm - See more at: http://pureglutton.com/taste-enclave-avenue-k-kuala-lumpur#sthash.9Q0xwSto.dpuf

TASTE ENCLAVE, Level 2, Avenue K Shopping Centre, Jalan Ampang, KL. Opening hours: Sun - Thurs & PHs 10 am-10 pm; Fri, Sat & eve of PHs 10 am - 11 pm.