FRESHWATER PRAWNS RULE AT PRAWN DYNASTY

Fresh waterprawns, udang galah or tai thau har in Chinese take centrestage at Prawn Dynasty, a simple, air-conditioned restaurant in Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras.

Chef Kok Wah Bah or Ah Wah as he’s known to regular customers, whips up a plethora of raveworthy fresh waterprawn dishes that hit the spot for lunch and dinner. For now, the prawn dishes are priced at RM39.90 each — quite a steal as the crustaceans are sizeable and can be prepared in about 20 different enticing sauces.

Zingy hot, voluptuous buttery-rich flavours and aromatic curry leaves underscore the Kam Hiong Prawns with Buttermilk. Granted, the presentation is nothing to shout about but nobody is going to quibble as the natural prawny sweetness remains discernible amidst the onslaught on appetite-whetting flavours. 

The subsequent offering features salted egg sauce giving credence to its tongue-in-cheek name of Ham Sap Prawns. In Cantonese, ham sap means lascivious but there’s nothing lewd about this speciality. Just scrumptious prawn stars worth lusting after.

 

IMHO, the Black Pepper Prawns are rather ho-hum although Prawn Dynasty patrons may beg to differ as the crustaceans in sticky, peppery sauce will surely win them over. Go ahead and decide for yourself before bypassing this option.

There’s more to Prawn Dynasty than meets the eye as the menu includes numerous familiar go-to dishes of chicken, fish, clams and beancurd as well.

Mindful of the Chinese crowd who love fresh seafood and fish, Prawn Dynasty is bound to hit paydirt with its signature Ginger & Spring Onion Steamed Orange Roughy (RM8.80/100g).

A prized deep-sea catch from New Zealand, the highly nutritious fish is deftly prepared; its on-point doneness and delicate sweet flesh enhanced by the light, Shaoxing wine-laced soy sauce. A scattering of ginger strips and fresh coriander complete this splendid fish.

Another house speciality to get excited over is Excited Clams (RM25-small, RM40-large) — a claypot of la la clams doused in milky-buttery sauce spiked with chopped bird’s eye chilli and Chinese wine. The unexpected addition of belly pork slices lends extra appeal in terms of taste and texture.

 

Now, Saliva Chicken (RM40-S, RM78-L) may sound gross but the golden yellow skinned free-range chicken is eminently droolworthy. Smothered under fragrant fried minced garlic and shallot, the juicy, tender chicken is a gastronomic treat.

Ham Yue Fah Lam Pou

Popular palate-pleasing choices with mass appeal such as Ham Yue Fah Lam Pou (RM25-small, RM38-large) or sliced belly pork with salted fish in claypot and Three Cup Chicken (RM20-S, RM38-L) are up to scratch and best enjoyed with plain rice.

Despite their simplicity, both the Beancurd with Crabmeat & Enoki Mushroom (RM18-S, RM35-L) and Stir-fried French Beans with Seaweed (RM18-S, RM30-L) manage to hold their own in terms of textural and flavour context. Notable accompaniments to round up a decent, satisfying Chinese meal that won’t break the bank.

For reservations, please call Prawn Dynasty, tel: 03-2856 0765. Address: 26, Jalan  6/91, Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Kuala Lumpur. Biz hours: Daily 10.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm

RAMADAN BERSAMA CITARASA BONDA AT VE HOTEL & RESIDENCE

Inspired by Malaysia’s straits heritage and rich melting pot of culture, VE Hotel Residence has opted for “Ramadan Bersama Citarasa Bonda” theme for the buka puasa period in May.

The lavish buffet dinner at The Straits Estate all day dining restaurant will delight diners with an a myriad of traditional and local favourites. Set amidst the relaxing ambience combining indoor and al fresco dining areas overlooking the hotel’s garden and water feature, the VE Hotel & Residence chefs will pull out the stops for the buka puasa promotion.

 

Signature dishes to look out for include Asam Pedas (spicy tamarind fish), Kari Ayam Kapitan (Kapitan chicken curry), Portuguese Lamb, Siakap Teochew (Teochew-style seabass), Daging Kerutuk (spiced beef), Gulai Umbut Pisang (banana stem curry), Chicken Pongteh, Madras Lamb Masala, Lamb Roghanjosh, and Chicken and Apricot Tajine.

Various live hawker-type stalls serving Onde-Onde (glutinous rice balls coated with grated coconut and stuffed with palm sugar filling), Pie Tee (crispy top hat crisps filled with vegetables & prawns), Keria Gula Melaka (potato doughnuts slicked with palm sugar), Cakoi (fried crullers), Otak-Otak Daun Nipah (grilled fish paste wrapped in palm fronds) and Popiah (crispy spring rolls).

Luscious desserts to savour will include Sago Gula Melaka (sago pudding with palm sugar), Bubur Kacang Hijau with Durian (mung bean porridge with coconut milk and durian), Bubur Gandum Jagung (wheat porridge with coconut milk and corn), Ice Kacang, Dodol (sticky chewy treat of glutinous rice flour & palm sugar), Kurma (dates), Assorted Malay Kuih, and traditional festive cookies.

The “Ramadan Bersama Citarasa Bonda” buffet is available from 6 May 2019 till 4 June 2019 from 6.30pm till 10.30pm at RM108nett per person. VE Hotel & Residence offers 50% off the normal rate for senior citizens and children. Early bird vouchers are available from now till 26 April 2019 at RM88nett per adult and 44 nett per child for those who make advanced booking for the buka pausa dinner.

Located in Bangsar South, VE Hotel & Residence boasts 432 chic, modern hotel rooms and serviced residence. Accessible from KL Sentral, the city's main LRT/MRT transit hub, VE offers travellers modern comfort and convenience thanks to its comprehensive range of accommodation, amenities, social venues and meeting facilities. Also onsite are The Straits Estate all-day dining restaurant and Veranda Bar & Lounge by the pool.

For reservations or enquiries, please call VE Hotel & Residence, tel: 03-2246 2888 or email: dine@vehotel.com. Address: Bangsar South City, No.8, Jalan Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur.

JASON MRAZ GOOD VIBES TOUR LIVE IN MALAYSIA

Photo credit: Eric Morgensen

Multiple GRAMMY® Award winner JASON MRAZ will be bringing his Good Vibes Tour to Malaysia on Monday, 13 May@8.30pm at Axiata Arena.

In 2002, Jason Mraz shot to flame with his debut album Waiting For My Rocket To Come and since then, Jason Mraz has amassed a diverse fan-base around the globe, bringing his positive message and folk-pop sound to rapt audiences through his vibrant recordings, humorous live performances, and philanthropic efforts.

Jason Mraz has earned numerous platinum and awards for his various releases, made pop history with his record-breaking singles, “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up”, won two Grammy Awards, received the prestigious Songwriter Hall of Fame Hal David Award, and sold out amphitheatres and arenas across the globe (including sell-outs at The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, and London’s O2 Arena).

Jason Mraz first performed in Malaysia in 2009, followed by Tour Is A Four Letter Word in 2012. On playing for his Asian fans, Jason says: “I enjoy travelling to and performing for listeners in Asia. I feel a sense of gratitude and enthusiasm unlike anywhere else in the world, which makes a performance feel more like an event than a recital. The audience participation in Asia is harmonic and supersonic. I am thrilled to return, reconnect and re-experience the joy.”
 
The Good Vibes Tour announcement follows the release of Jason’s sixth studio album KNOW. on 10 August 2018, becoming his fifth consecutive studio album to debut in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.

Photo credit: Justin Bettman

Know. was produced by Andrew Wells, who brings an organic and groovy feel to the album’s classic, acoustic rock sound. “I see it as a sonic evolution from my last album, YES! ”Mraz says. “It’s just got a bit more caffeine, whereas my last album was a bit more herbal tea.” Know. reteams Mraz with his longtime collaborators, Raining Jane. “We thought it’d be fun to make ‘No’ as the follow -up to YES!, but instead of ‘N-O,’ the negative, it’d be the positive, ‘K-N-O-W.’”
 
The Good Vibes Tour started in North America last summer. This tour continues in Asia where Jason Mraz will perform in Manila, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei in May 2019. 

Catch Jason Mraz Good Vibes Tour live in Kuala Lumpur:
Date : Monday, 13 May 2019
Time : 8:30pm
Venue : Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Ticket prices : RM198, RM298, RM398, RM498, RM598 and RM698 (VIP)
Tickets are available NOW on www.myticket.asia