General Archives - Page 2 of 15

ELITE Review: Tamarind Hill KL, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

03 April 201818 June 2018General, TableApp, TableApp IdeasJalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, signature dishes, TABLEAPP ELITE, Tamarind Hill, what to eat, where to eat, where to goLeave a Comment

Last week I received a surprise visit from my mom. (Yes, our moms are always like that!) I decided to treat her to a nice place in town where we can chill and enjoy delectable and exotic foods. Thai food was our choice this time as the mixture of Thai spices and herbs would make us feel reinvigorated. My mom finally agreed to go for the 2017 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award – Tamarind Hill Kuala Lumpur at Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Click here to view image — Tamarind Hill’s tranquil ambience exudes the illusion of being ‘out-of-town’.

Scrumptious authentic Thai food with great tranquil ambience, the restaurant is truly a place to be “out-of-town” right in the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur.
Of course I took advantage of my ELITE Membership which enables me to redeem free signature dishes here! Saving more money while treating my Mom to exquisite delights, why not?

1/ Tamarind Hill Platter (RM 53+)

Our first dish was a beautiful platter of 4 enticing kinds of appetizer including fried tiger prawns and kangkung, fresh spring rolls, grilled satay and last but not least, chicken balls and orange. The dish immediately captured my attention with its vibrant colors and an irresistible smell. I couldn’t wait anymore to savour the first piece – the fried tiger prawn and kangkung!

The incredibly crunchy popiah skin was coated with a combination of Thai peanut sauce and plum sauce which resulted in a delicately sweet and sour taste. It was mind-blowing to know that the restaurant carefully handpicked small and fresh peanuts to get the best taste of the Thai peanut sauce. The prawn was a true star with its moist and firm flesh. It brought a clean, brisk and sweet flavor which then lingered in my mouth. Tasty!

Next came the fresh spring rolls which impressed me with its luscious and non-overpowering spiciness. With a perfect combination of herbs, chili and homemade Thai seafood sauce, the rolls made us feel rejuvenated. The vegetables were absolutely fresh, the herbs were aromatic and the unique spicy and sour taste made me yearn for more!

The grilled satay with authentic Thai tamarind sauce was tender and flavoursome.

After savoring the other enthralling delights, I knew this satay would be something special! The grilled chicken was impeccably soft and the tamarind sauce really won my heart! I could still vividly remember its flavorsome and sweet taste which I believe could only come from the authentic Thai sauce! A bit of chili flake and pepper was added to bring a hot and strong flavor to the satay which will be balanced out by the piece of cucumber that came along. I would say it was one of the best satays I had ever tried.

The chicken-peanut ball was like a candy, exuding a delicately sweet taste in my mouth.

Last came a jaw-dropping delight! At the first glimpse, the decoration was impressively eye-catching as it was akin to a phoenix for me. I took one piece of the chicken-peanut ball with orange and “wow” was the word came out of my mouth! There was a touch of acidity from the orange which blended beautifully with the delicately sweetness of the chicken mixed with peanuts. The chicken ball was similar to a piece of candy which quickly melt in your mouth. It was incredibly fresh and it made me close my eyes in mere satisfaction!

2/ Beef Ribs served in a Dry Green Curry (RM 85+)

Here comes my favorite dish of the day! Appeared in such an unpretentious presentation, it totally blew my mind. The dish emanated a hint of sweetness from the coconut milk and a bit of freshness from the Thai basil. You might look at it and say: “Well, just beef and green curry, what’s special about it anyway?” and that was my first thought! Right afterwards, I knew I was wrong.

Every shred of the meat relished a succulent taste. I couldn’t keep myself from excitement in every bite. As the coconut milk was made freshly, its taste was unique and flavorful. A lingering sweetness and freshness coming from the herbs blended in the green curry. This lusciously green curry would stun you for its taste that’s rich in both flavor and nutrients. A real winner in the taste and totally worth the money spent!

3/ Deep-Fried River Lobster served with Tamarind Sauce (RM 80+)

Finally, we ended with an equally palatable dish of Deep-Fried River Lobster. I love the fact that the lobster along with the tamarind were imported from Thailand. Frozen lobster would end up becoming tough and rubbery so a fresh lobster would be a perfect choice. Thai tamarind is something I am always in love with as its pleasant smell and sweet taste stand out compared to other tamarind sauce. The dish presentation was striking and I was so eager to have my first piece. The lobster’s fresh and bouncy flesh truly laces the palate with a umami and savoury flavor. The ‘meat-ilicious’ river lobster paired perfectly and drenched with the delectable tamarind sauce. A highly addictive and flavorful indulgence. It’s definitely a desirable dish.

If you love to give Tamarind Hill Kuala Lumpur a try, you can make a booking for the restaurant here.

And well, someone might wonder how I redeem the signature dish for free and I won’t keep it my own secret. If you want to know more, you can read more about the ELITE Membership here.

Tamarind Hill Kuala Lumpur

19A Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.

Mon – Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sat & Sun: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

TABLEAPP ELITE Launches A New 3-Month Membership for Only RM99

02 April 201803 April 2018General3-month membership, dining membership, press release, TABLEAPP ELITELeave a Comment

TABLEAPP ELITE is launching a new 3-month membership

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3, 2018 – Dining out at premium restaurants have never been so affordable! Yes, it’s the TABLEAPPP ELITE new 3-month membership, a premium dining pass which opens the door to a world of free 5-star quality dishes. This new membership will be officially launched today and is priced at only RM99 for a 3-month subscription to over 300 FREE signature dishes at 100 top restaurants in Klang Valley. The 3-month ELITE membership is a new addition to TABLEAPP current 1-year annual membership which was launched last September 2017.

If you have always enjoyed premium dishes at top restaurants but don’t want to spend a fortune, then this ELITE membership is for you. For just RM99, ELITE members can get a dining membership that allows them access to a long list of 5-star dishes to be redeemed for free at our partnered restaurants. On top of that, members are also entitled to exclusive access to special dining events, private wine pairing events, wine tasting events, invitation-only dining events, and customised gifts.

TABLEAPP ELITE members can expect to enjoy the same benefits from this 3-month membership as to the current 1-year membership. From now onwards, members can dine out more affordably at popular casual dining restaurants like Naughty Nuri’s and ANTE or having luxurious dining experience at award-winning restaurants like enfin by James Won, Babe, Sushi Azabu and Soleil.

Elite members get to dine out at popular casual dining restaurant and enjoy luxurious dining experience at award-winning restaurants

Benson Chang, the founder of TABLEAPP, explains the inspiration behind starting this new 3-month ELITE membership, “I’ve spoken to many customers, one of the common issues facing them is not every customer is open to a 1-year membership programme priced at RM199, before giving it a test drive. Therefore, the new 3-month ELITE membership programme will open the door to welcome customers that would love to experience this amazing dining membership. At just RM99, TABLEAPP ELITE members can experience the same benefits as our 1-year membership programme offer, in other words it provides great value at an amazing price.”

From now until 31st of May, 100 ELITE Members can get a bottle of customized premium champagne.

Speaking of gift, TABLEAPP ELITE members can stand a chance to win their very own limited edition personalize Mini Moët champagne with their favourite photo as the champagne label. From now until 31st May 2018, 100 TABLEAPP ELITE members with the most number of redemptions will be able to customise a bottle of Mini Moët with a picture of their choice which will be delivered to their doorstep in a classy package – easy and fuss-free. Interested members can join this Win-a-Moet contest online and stand a chance to win this Mini Moët, creating the-one-and-only limited version of their own.

To experience an elite dining experience, join TABLEAPP ELITE via TABLEAPP mobile app available on App Store and Google Play, or visit www.tableapp.com/elite. The new 3-month membership is priced at only RM99 per membership and can be used instantly to redeem free dishes upon activation.

ELITE Review: Neo Tamarind, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

28 March 201818 June 2018General, Review, TableAppELITE, food review, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Neo Tamarind, signature dishes, what to eat, where to eatLeave a Comment

It was such a hectic week for my colleagues and I that we couldn’t even recognize ourselves in the mirror! “It’s time to refresh ourselves!”, we all agreed. It didn’t take us long to figure out the best restaurant for us this time – Neo Tamarind at Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur yet hidden by green foliage, the tranquil ambiance here helps chasing our stress away to a true peaceful state of mind. The restaurant’s menu is innovative with Asian flavors using European techniques. Its galactic bar, electro-chill music and hypnotic liquid walls brought us the ‘NEO-rotic’ vibe that we were longing for.

Of course, we were so glad to have our ELITE Membership as we could use it to redeem one of the 3 free signature dishes here this time.

1/ Duck Confit – RM50+

Our first choice was a scrumptious dish of Duck Confit as I’m an advocate of this traditional and hearty French dish. Duck Confit (pronounced as Kon – Fee) is simply a technique of using salt to cure the duck and gently cooked it in its own fat. As disclosed by the chef, the duck here was brined with Himalayan rock salt for 24 hours which was mind-blowing! Presented nicely, the dish fed our hungry eyes with its vibrant colors – the golden brown color of duck confit blended well with the fresh green broccoli in bite-sized pieces and the mesmerizingly burnt color from the grilled lemon and sweet corn. The charred lemon was a brilliant choice as it will robust the lemon’s acidity and enhance its sweetness.

After squeezing a bit of the charred lemon of top of the duck, we carefully sliced through the duck and were delightful to hear a crack – its skin was incredibly crispy! In contrast with the skin, the duck’s meat was meltingly tender as our fork can go through every shred of it! I tasted the creamy mustard sauce which was set aside, its creaminess and mellow flavor were to dream for. I personally think it’s an excellent combination of the duck and the mustard sauce as your nostrils will gently flare while your taste buds are pampered with the melt-in-the-mouth piece of duck. The mustard’s slight saltiness went ideally well with the juicy duck meat and totally enhanced its flavor. On the other hand, a big hand to the chef for the creamy mashed potato too. You should also taste the crunchy broccoli and the sweet corn which were also cooked to perfection.

2/ Braised Lamb Shank – RM 50+

The Braised Lamb Shank was another dish that won my heart right at the first sight by its tangy smell and elegant look. A big chunk of lamb shank was put nicely alongside truffle-infused mushrooms and beautiful wedges of fried potatoes. Underneath the lamb shank was a bed of thick red wine and lamb jus, which was cooked for 3 days – this fact made my eyes open widely! To be honest, I am quite doubtful whenever it comes to lamb shank. As simple as it seems, a lamb shank can be a tough challenge and it requires skillful hands to bring the texture and taste to perfection.

So how was the lamb shank here? Of course Neo Tamarind did not let us down at all! It was a molten goodness – glistening, rich and full of flavor. The lamb was spectacularly tender and its mild sweetness was pleasant. After being slowly cooked, the lamb’s collagen turned into rich gelatin which made it amazingly nutritious! When mixing with the sauce, it became even more succulent. The sauce’s rich aroma with its non-overpowering taste was a perfect complement to the tender lamb shank. I personally love the fried potatoes as it was crisply good outside yet so soft and tasty inside while my friend loves the truffle-infused mushroom for its interesting earthy taste.

3/ Lobster Ravioli – RM 61+

Our last dish was a heart-warming lobster ravioli. The dish came off with such a pleasant and alluring smell that we could wait no more to savour this artistic beauty. Simply garnished with some herbs on top, the ravioli was set beautifully with pieces of lobsters in an eye-catching stock – a light and vibrant dish. We were all fascinated to find out the raviolis were handmade daily and the lobster was freshly imported from Thailand. What’s more? The lobster head was cooked with some Brandy to make the stock! It was not only impressive but also made the lobster ravioli a true delight as there was so much effort needed to make such a dish.

I grabbed the first piece of lobster as it was too tempting. To my expectation, the lobster was beautifully cooked! It still maintained the spongy texture but not too chewy or flaky. A briny taste accompanied with the natural sweetness from the lobster made it so satisfying. The stock was moderately seasoned and carried subtle sweetness. I was overwhelmed as the sweet stock burst out in my mouth when I took a bite into a piece of ravioli. It was an interesting moment and the dish was, in overall, irresistible!

If you would love to view more dishes and enjoy a good time chilling at this ‘neo-rotic’ dining destination, feel free to click here to book a table.

Of course, you can choose to save your money by using ELITE Membership when dining here as only ELITE members will get free dishes. For more information, find out here.

Neo Tamarind

19, Jalan Sultan Ismail,

50250 Kuala Lumpur.

Daily: 6:00pm – 11:00pm

Top 12 Restaurants to Celebrate Easter Day 2018 in Malaysia

23 March 201828 March 2018General, TableApp IdeasBabe, Drift Dining and Bar, Easter 2018, Easter Brunch, Easter Day, El Cerdo, Gobo Chit Chat, Makan Kitchen, sapore, Soleil, Tosca Italian Kitchen, what to eat, where to eat, where to goLeave a Comment

Easter or Pascha is the time of the year to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Day 2018 is coming soon and we expect this year’s Easter will be filled with a lot of egg-tivities as usual. We have handpicked a few exciting Easter menus for you and all you need to do is decide which to go!

Are you ready to celebrate this special time of the year? Check out these restaurants with delectable dishes and fun egg-tivities!

1. A Chilling Pool Deck Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch at Babe

A brand new pool deck style brunch is waiting for you at Babe! From 12pm – 3pm on Easter Sunday, be there to savour an incredible line-up of Babe’s best canapés while relaxing to the chill tunes being played by Babe‘s DJ. If you feel like splurging, top up for another RM250++ to enjoy free flow of Perrier-Jouët Champagne (original price is RM700/bottle!), wine and soft drinks.

And wait! Another great news: all TABLEAPP ELITE Members will receive 10% off the food bill in this special Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch!

Limited spots. Reservation is required.

Price:
RM300++ per person for food only (10% off for TABLEAPP ELITE Members)
Additional RM250++ per person for free flow of Perrier-Jouët Champagne, wine and soft drinks

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Location:
11th Floor, Work @ Clearwater, Jalan Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to make a reservation at Babe

2. A Tex-Mex Easter Fiesta Brunch Buffet at Sentidos Gastrobar – The Latin Grill

Sentidos Gastrobar has always been delighting its diners with their unique Latin cuisine at a hip and vibrant atmosphere. This trendy-looking restaurant will be offering Easter Fiesta Brunch Buffet on this Easter Sunday featuring cold cuts, tapas, fajitas and other exciting goodies.

Also, we are dropping a TABLEAPP-only exclusive discount: enjoy a 20% off for Easter Fiesta Brunch Buffet if you make a reservation via TABLEAPP. How can you resist this?

Price: (20% off for reservations made via TABLEAPP)
Before Promo: RM128 nett per adult, RM64 nett per child (aged 6 – 12)
After Promo: RM102.4 nett per adult with free-flow alcohol, RM51.20 nett per child (aged 6 – 12)

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Location:
Feast Village, Starhill Gallery at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to book a table at Sentidos Gastrobar – The Latin Grill

3. A Fun Feast with Easter Seafood Sunday Brunch at Shook! (Free for children below 6)

Come to this modern open-concept restaurant to please all of the senses with exquisite cuisine while being serenaded by a stunning live music performance this Easter Day! Fun activities are waiting for you to egg-plore such as egg hunt and egg painting! Children below 6 can dine for free!

Price:
RM208 per adult, RM94 per child (aged 6 – 12)
Optional add-on:
Wine, Beer and Cocktails: RM128; Prosecco: RM198

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Location:
Feast Village, Starhill Gallery at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to book a table at Shook!

4. Fun Easter Sunday Brunch with A Bouncy Castle at Drift Dining and Bar

Drop by Drift Dining and Bar to enjoy free flow of drinks and listen to live music while savoring the food here. The restaurant has even prepared a bouncy castle outside on the veranda for the kids which means a great day out! On the menu we spot pretty good indulgences like Fine D Clair Oyster, Tiger Prawn, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Chicken Tortilla, Roasted Lamb, Easter Cheese Cake (gasp!) and more.

At the time of writing, Drift is almost fully booked. So hurry up to book!

Price:
RM120++ per person (food only);
RM250++ per person (food & free flow of wine, beer, Bloody Mary;
RM350++ per person (food & free flow of Bubbles (Cava))

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Location:
38 Bidara, Jalan Bedara, Off Jalan Nagasari, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.

>> For reservation at Drift Dining and Bar, click here

5. A Porkylicious & Bubblylicious Easter Sunday Brunch at El Cerdo

Click here to view menu — Be ready for a bubblylicious brunch at El Cerdo!

The Easter bunnies are waiting for you at El Cerdo with lots of egg-citing activities. Of course, porkylicious food will be served because this is what El Cerdo is famed for. The all-you-can-eat pork menu includes roast baby back ribs, seafood spaghetti, pork belly fettucini and pork steak. On this special day, kids will get to meet the clown, have some egg guessing game, and oh, everyone will get a chocolate egg too!

Price:
RM58 nett per child aged 6 – 12 years old;
RM118 nett per adult (without alcohol);
RM198 nett per adult (with free flow Cava, house red & white wine, Tiger draught, soft drinks & chilled juices)

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 2:30pm

Location:
43 & 45, Changkat Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here for a table booking at El Cerdo KL

6. Buy 4 Free 1 for Easter Sunday Brunch at Gobo Chit Chat

Gobo Chit Chat is preparing for a great Easter Sunday Brunch.

As one of the best international buffet restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Gobo Chit Chat at Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a favourite dining spot for locals and tourists. On April 1st, Easter Bunnies are hopping around Gobo Chit Chat and we have spotted good news from the restaurant! You can dine for FREE if you go in a group of 5 people!

Price:
RM98 nett per person

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 2:30pm

Location:
Level 5, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.

>> For reservation at Gobo Chit Chat, click here

7. A European Easter Brunch with Easter Egg Hunt at Soleil

If you are looking for fun activities with your little loved ones, Soleil is a must-go restaurant! Keep your little ones excited with a number of full-of-surprise activities such as Easter egg hunt, coloring contest and a lot more while enjoying unlimited orders from starters, main courses to desserts including duck confit, Belgian mussel pot, roasted lamb leg, oven baked salmon, mini strawberry pavlova, Easter cupcake, and more.

Price:
RM160++ per adult
RM80++ per child aged 6 – 12 years old.

Time:
1st April 2018, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Location:
Lot 13A & 15, 2nd Floor, Damansara City Mall, Damansara City, 6 Jalan Damanlela, 50490 Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to book a table at Soleil

8. A Quaintly Traditional Italian Easter Lunch at Neroteca Bukit Ceylon

If you are in search of a unique friendly atmosphere to savour the freshest homemade dishes for this Easter Day then Neroteca at Bukit Ceylon would be the perfect dining spot for you! There are a variety of hearty and tantalizing mains such as Homemade Fettuccine With Speck and Radicchio or the delightfully sumptuous signature dish Classic Porchetta which you won’t want to miss!

Price:
RM120 for food and soft drinks,
RM220 for alcohol free flow.

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:000m – 4:00pm

Location:
Unit G-1, Seri Bukit Ceylon, No.8, Lorong Ceylon, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to view menu and book a table at Neroteca Bukit Ceylon

9. 4-Course Italian Easter Menu at Sapore

Head to Sapore if you want to truly indulge yourself in great Spanish and Italian food during this special time. Walk through a variety of delights from cold cut platter to pasta, Iberico pork shoulder and sumptuous desserts such as Easter chocolates.

Price:
RM120++ per person

Time:
31st March – 1st April 2018

Location:
18, Persiaran Ampang, Desa Pahlawan, Ampang, 55000 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to make a reservation at Sapore

10. Easter Sunday Dim Sum Brunch with An Asian Twist at Toh Yuen Chinese Restaurant

An Easter Dim Sum Brunch, you ask for? Buckle up and head to Toh Yuen at Hilton Petaling Jaya! Easter here comes with a delightful twist with Dim Sum Chef Yat’s Special Handmade Bunny Mochi with 4 flavours to choose from! Dive into freshly made ala-carte buffet style dim sum including your all-time favourite Creamy Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun and Har Gao. Remember to take a bag of Easter egg candies and traditional Chinese bunny biscuits too before heading home!

Price:
RM88 nett per adult;
RM48 nett per child aged 6 – 12 years old.

Time:
1st April 2018, 11:30am – 2:30pm

Location:
Level 1, Hilton Petaling Jaya, 2, Jalan Barat, PJS 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

>> Click here to book a table at Toh Yuen

11 & 12. Easter Hi-Tea Buffet at Makan Kitchen & Tosca Italian Restaurant at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru

If you are staying at Johor Bahru, join DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru at Makan Kitchen and Tosca Italian Restaurant for a fun-filled Easter weekend!

Easter Hi-Tea Buffet at Makan Kitchen

Makan Kitchen is an eclectic all-day dining restaurant which serves famous local specialities and is a must-visit restaurant if you want to experience some of Malaysia’s finest cuisine in Johor Bahru.

Price:
RM108 nett per adult;
RM54 nett per child aged 6 – 12 years old.

Time:
30th March – 1st April 2018, 12:30pm – 4:00pm

>> For reservation at Makan Kitchen, click here

Easter Hi-Tea Buffet at Tosca Italian Restaurant

Tosca Italian Restaurant will surprise you with their rustic Italian food prepared with contemporary flair for this time of the year. Treat yourself and your loved ones to stunning views over the Straits of Johor and delicious dishes here.

Price:
RM120 nett per adult;
RM 60 nett per child aged 6 – 12 years old.

Time:
1st April 2018, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

>> Click here to make a reservation at Tosca

Location of Makan Kitchen & Tosca Italian Restaurant:
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, No. 12, Jalan Ngee Heng, 80000 Johor Bahru.

ELITE Review: Kimi-Ya, Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

14 March 201818 June 2018General, ReviewELITE, food review, free dish, Japanese, kimi-ya, signature dish, what to eat, where to eat, where to goLeave a Comment

“You are in for a treat!” – said my friend after she knew that she got promoted. Of course I was more than excited to accept this invitation and after discussing, we decided to go to Kimi-Ya to relax and enjoy the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine. Why Kimi-Ya? You may ask. The restaurant is a casual dining which serves premium high-quality foods yet at affordable price. The restaurant features a relaxed and posh dining space including private rooms for diners. We also need to take advantage of our ELITE Membership as we are entitled to redeem signature dishes for free at this restaurant. We could not wait to savour the best dishes here.

I/ Ume Sashimi Moriawase (7 types) (RM 170++)

We chose a seat at the sushi counter as it would be more exciting to see how the dish was prepared. Fresh pieces of sashimi lied up nicely right in front of our eyes. We were in awe to know the fish were air-flown all the way from Hokkaido, Japan to KIMI-YA. In the blink of an eye, the teppanyaki chef masterfully handled 7 types of seasonal sashimi skillfully and had such smooth cuts that I could literally feel how soft they were just by watching. The sashimi was presented simply yet sophisticatedly on a bed of ice as the meals here are demonstrations of why less is more. I quickly took the first bite as it was way too tempting.

One tip to eat sashimi is you should eat from lean to fatty ones as the taste will be stronger after each bite. My first bite was white Bluefin tuna which was sweet and cooling. I continued to savour the kampachi, its sweetness and smoothness are what you would dream for. The Otoro of course did not let us down with its satisfactory fatness. Next came octopus which was crunchy with a mix of briny and sweet taste. Finally were my three favorite sashimi of the day – Amaebi prawns, scallop and salmon! The amaebi prawns captured my heart with its buttery, creamy texture and the melt-in-the-mouth feeling. The scallop was so soft and smooth like velvet that I would eat it over and over again. And the salmon was titillating with its subtle sweet and refreshing taste which equaled to no other fish.

II/ Goushuu No Wagyu Steak 120 gm (RM 180++)

Right after we thought we had the best of all, we quickly fell in love with the next dish which was a sizzling hot dish of A5 Wagyu steak – which is the highest quality grade given only to the finest beef! This A5 Wagyu beef was imported from Yamagata – the Japanese renowned area for the best Wagyu. We looked at each other in mere excitement – these pieces of Wagyu beef looked too appetizing! We were hypnotized by the gorgeous marbling on the beef and its delicious pink flesh. Not to mention its smell was so aromatic and delectable that could trigger your involuntary salivation in just a few seconds.

The sizzling sound also made my mouth water. The Wagyu beef had such an amazingly palatable fatness and sweetness which quickly dissolved in my mouth and filled my heart with love. Its intense beefiness and richness were definitely for those who seek decadence and over-the-top presentation. What I like as well were the crunchy vegetables served along to reduce the greasiness the dish might have. This dish is the real winner of taste and value-for-money department. Blended perfectly in a non-powering manner.

III/ Yaki Taraba Kani (300g) (RM190++)

The dish made its way to our table with an irresistible sweet and briny smell. Pieces of Alaskan King crab legs lied neatly atop some leaves and were garnished with nice petals. The crab will be cooked to perfection to maintain its high-quality protein as well as the sweet flavor which made it the king of all crabs. We were thrilled to savour this delicacy and were all filled with whimsical delights. The Alaskan King Crab is truly a gift from the ocean. Its mild taste was a refreshing and warm-hearting treat for us all. Its succulent meat was flavorful, soft and juicy. No wonder why it is the most highly sought-after crab in the world! A comforting concoction of flavors that you should try once in your life!

If you would love to enjoy the fresh ingredients from Hokkaido and premium high-quality Japanese dishes at Kimi-Ya, you can reserve a table here.

You probably wonder how I can savour such dishes for free. Of course I don’t mind to share to you my secret. You can sign up for ELITE Membership and enjoy free dishes at more than 100 participating restaurant. You can read more information about TABLEAPP ELITE Membership here.

Kimi-Ya

G-2, Avantas Residences,
162, Jalan Klang Lama,
58000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours:
Mon – Thu: 2 PM – 3 PM; 6 PM – 10:30 PM
Fri – Sun: 11:30 AM – 3 PM; 6 PM – 11 PM

ELITE Review: Ishin Japanese Dining, Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

09 March 201818 June 2018General, ReviewELITE, featured, food review, free dish, Ishin Japanese Dining, Japanese, signature dish, what to eat, where to eat, where to goLeave a Comment

To be honest, I am in love with Japan’s wonderful cuisine and that goes without saying to most of my friends as well. Last weekend, I was enthusiastic to, again, indulge myself in a Japanese gastronomical delight. Ishin Japanese Dining, located along Old Klang Road, was my choice this time. The restaurant, for 2 years consecutive of 2016 and 2017, won the Travellers’ Choice of TripAdvisor for its authentic Japanese cuisine and superb service.

Private rooms are available upstairs for group gatherings, one of which overlooks the KL traffic which left us impressed. The friendly staff directed us to a seat right at the sushi counter at the first floor to watch the performance artistry of the chefs who masterfully handles the finest cuts of the food. Who would not enjoy that?

I/ Chef Special Sashimi (RM 160)

Gorgeous pieces of seafood lined up beautifully at the counter immediately whetted our appetite. We embarked on calling our first dish – the Chef Special Sashimi. It is a chef selection of 7 kinds of freshest and finest air-flown seasonal sashimi from Japan’s famous Tsukiji market. The chef began to amaze us with the beautiful kinki or thornhead fish which is a rare fish that tastes best during winter – this time of the year in Japan (well, not in Malaysia of course) as it is akin to the fat part “chu-toro” of tuna. Every little bone was meticulously taken from the piece of fish and its bone was used as a part of the dish decoration.

7 kinds of sashimi all came reclined seductively on a bed of ice with a stunning ice sphere. The decoration may pause you for a while to snap a few shots before you can continue to savour this delicacy. I started with the kikin as the chef’s introduction was way too impressive. It did not let me down at all as its slight sweet taste blended so well with the considered “the best wasabi in Japan” by the chef. Next came kampachi, shimaaji and scallop which were all so fresh and smooth that you might literally find yourself kissing the sea for a moment. I ended up with the palate-pleasing amaebi and salmon belly. If you are a true Japanese cuisine fan, you would definitely never forget the rich and creaminess of the salmon belly and the melt-in-the-mouth taste of emaebi. The dish is just splendid!

2. Sushi Deluxe (RM 93)
As posh and luxurious as it sounds, the dish came out with 8 chef-selected kinds of seasonal sushi. With his 23-year experience, head chef William, mastered his skills and made 8 beautiful pieces of sushi including kikin, tuna, butterfish, salmon roe, sea urchin, sweet prawns, salmon belly and egg sushi in just the blink of an eye.

Some sushi were garnished with interesting toppings such as the kikin sushi paired with white radish sprouts which brought a slight hint of pleasant spiciness. The butterfish with its mesmerizing pink flesh was one decked with the luxurious black caviar and one with kinome leaf. Its mild pepper-mint-lime taste tingled my tongue and really enhanced the flavor of the soft and fresh butterfish.

The salmon was no doubt one of my favorites as its flavor matched well with the tangy yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit) skin atop. How about the salmon roe and sea urchin? The roe will pop in your mouth with its briny yet sweet coastal taste. The sea urchin, as always, made me melted in heaven. Its mildly nutty taste and custard-like texture was too fascinating that I could not stop myself from admiring. Served with freshly grated wasabi, the dish will make you relish everything about it!

3. Wagyu Stone Grill (RM 250)

As we had pampered ourselves with some gifts of the ocean, we decided it was time to get our tummy warm. Of course, the best choice is to indulge ourselves in the Wagyu Stone Grill. 100 gram of stunning Wagyu beef was presented nicely next to a Stone grill set. The A5 Wagyu beef (the highest quality) pleased our eyes with its flawless and gorgeous marbling. The chef continued to wow us with another secret – all the vein was cut off to reserve the smoothest texture of the beef which means only 50% of the meat is used for the best quality.

The beef, interestingly, will be cooked at the table directly with the help from the restaurant’s staff. As the marvelous Wagyu was put on the hot stone, its sizzling sounds were so satisfying that we could not keep ourselves from silently screaming in excitement. The premium quality beef of course did not let us down at any point. It offered the best of both worlds for its heavenly delicious taste. The rich, fat-friendly and savory Wagyu beef blew us away with its juiciness, softness and smoothness. It will entice you to take another bite! The dish totally blew us away!

—

You can book a table in advance using TABLEAPP if you do not want to waste your time queuing.

Did you know all of these signature dishes are free with the use of TABLEAPP ELITE Membership? Yes! I was not joking! If you want to dine in Ishin Japanese Dining, I would not want you to miss this privilege at all. There are more than 300 other dishes for you to consider as well and you can find more information about TABLEAPP ELITE here.

ISHIN JAPANESE DINING

No. 202, Persiaran Klang,
Off Jalan Klang Lama,
58000 Kuala Lumpur.

Daily:
Lunch: 12PM – 3PM
Dinner: 6PM – 11PM

ELITE Review: The Steakhouse, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

06 March 201818 June 2018General, Reviewchangkat bukit bintang, ELITE, elite review, featured, food review, free dish, signature dish, The Steakhouse, what to eat, where to eat, where to goLeave a Comment

Who would ever feel happy getting stuck in the rain? I would because I had such a great experience getting stuck in a heavy rain last week in the busy street Changkat Bukit Bintang. As the rain was lashing, it somehow brought my friends and me to The Steakhouse – a 40-seater steak joint located along this notable street and adjacent to The Whisky Bar. The staff were friendly and the restaurant’s warm and lush interior quickly caught my attention so we decided to have our dinner in this cozy and intimate ambiance. With our ELITE Membership, we can redeem free signature dishes here, so why not? Of course, we had a lot of expectation as well because The Steakhouse is known as the true heaven for beef lovers.

1/ Josper Charcoal Grilled Premium Grass Fed Rib Eye (RM 139)

Rib eye is the juiciest and most flavorful steak among all and it is definitely the choice of real steak aficionados. The rib eye here is 100% grass-fed imported from Australia which means it is high-quality meat with amazingly fat marbling. The dish looked uncomplicated yet enough to whet our appetite. On a bed of sautéed vegetable and next to creamy mashed potato was the steak with some golden crispy onion rings atop. The rib eye was smoky as it was grilled using the Josper Oven – which you will not easily see in many restaurants in KL. The charcoal heat from the oven will make the steak juicy and create impeccable char along with caramelized crust, striated texture.

Fat outside yet so tender inside, the steak’s flavor, tenderness and juiciness blended well together in a combination equaled by no other meat. I took a bite into the sautéed vegetables, they were quite crunchy and palatable. You can choose up to 4 different types of potato like wedges, fries, mashed potato or baked potato. And don’t be overwhelmed yet because there are a lot more! The dish will be served along with 5 types of salt including garden salt, chili salt, garlic salt, sea salt and onion salt and 3 types of mustard which are Dijon – salty, Horseradish – spicy and sour, and Medium-hot mustard – sour and bitter. I would recommend you to try the Horseradish mustard which has a comfortable hint of spiciness and it blends well with the steak.

2. BBQ Short Ribs (RM 129)

Here comes my favorite dish of the day – the BBQ Short Ribs! Beef short ribs are often-overlooked cuts yet I am truly interested in it, simply because it has the best of both worlds – beautiful marbling of rib steaks and a deep beefy flavor of chuck roast. A real indulgent treat for anyone who loves beef. As disclosed by the staff, the ribs were cooked using sous-vide technique to create the perfect texture. The magic of sous-vide is that it transformed a tough, rugged texture of short ribs into fork-tender meat. I have to say that the short ribs at The Steakhouse will melt the heart of any beef lovers for its irresistible tenderness and meaty texture.

I could not take my eyes off this enthralling piece especially when I cut through it! Its pink flesh was so mesmerizing that I couldn’t stop admiring. Every shred of the beef will melt in your mouth and you would not be able to do it without closing your eyes in mere satisfaction. The beef was one of the most delicious morsels given to me. It is the fulfillment of my gustatory dream!

3. Beef Bourguignon (RM 108)

We ended with a hearty French comfort food which is the Beef Bourguignon. Put nicely in a small pot, the beef was served with Fettuccine – a type of pasta popular in Roman and Tuscan cuisine. I was excited to know the scrumptious beef belly was marinated for one night with liquid seasoning. Red wine and gin were added to bring a deep and rich flavor taste for the beef. I could not wait any further but quickly savored this delicacy. The cubes of beef mingled with carrots, Cipollini onions, bread and button mushroom in a rich and savory stock. This flavorful sauce blended so well with the appetizing pasta which was cooked to perfection. I love how fresh and smooth the pasta was! Don’t hesitate to give the Cipollini onion a bite as its tangy, sweet and mild flavor will comfortably linger in your mouth for a while. This rustic peasant-style yet hearty French dish won my heart. It is a truly heart-warming dish for a rainy day.

If you would love to dine at The Steakhouse, please notice that the restaurants are often filled with crowds every day. You can reserve a table in advance here.

Of course, we would want you to get free signature dishes like how we did. You can check out information about the ELITE Membership here.

The Steakhouse
48, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.

Daily: 6 PM – 12 AM

Food Review: Neroteca Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

14 February 2018General, Reviewbukit ceylon, ELITE, food review, Italian, Italian cuisine, Neroteca, signature dishesLeave a Comment

Known as the first authentic Italian restaurant to serve pork in KL, Neroteca Bukit Ceylon has been in operation for over 11 years, tucked away within the Seri Bukit Ceylon Serviced Residence. Its warm and cosy interior accompanied by friendly staffs sets the mood for a laid-back dining experience.

Notice that there are some interesting decorations of pots, garlic and preserved sausages hanging on top the restaurant.

The restaurant decoration featured many Italian products such as pasta, drinks and a vast selection of liquor which they serve. Another highlight are their impressive assortment of deli and cheese imported from Italy that's on display, which is also for sale. Once entered, we can immediately smell the aroma of hearty Italian food lingering in the air drifting from the open kitchen which we appreciate. Judging from our first impression we have already fallen in love with the ambience of the restaurant.

1. La Porchetta (RM65++)

Beautifully plated La Porchetta drizzled with demi-glace sauce.

Now that we have settled down, we were served by the waiter and he recommended us to try Neroteca’s signature dishes. After a friendly chat with the waiter, we decided to proceed with three of their signature dishes. First up was Neroteca’s La Porchetta, slices of porchetta beautifully plated on a wooden board and drizzle with rich demi-glacé sauce.

On the side are perfectly sautéed baby potatoes and generous slices of house-made bread. The bread is namely, Roman Focaccia and Rustic Bread which are made fresh daily and taste amazing too. Now back to our main character which is the slices of La Porchetta, crispy on the outside and tender in the inside, leaving us speechless while savouring the delicious herbs infused meat. We must say that the first dish itself already leave us wanting more.

2. Homemade Tortellini Pasticciati (RM48++)

Homemade Tortellini Pasticciati served atop a trail of delicious beef ragu.

Just as we finish up on the La Porchetta, our second dish arrived. Neroteca’s Homemade Tortellini Pasticciati which we were slightly confused by the simplistic plating having seen the nicely decorated La Porchetta beforehand. The Tortellini is served atop of a trail of beef ragu sauce which is a meat-based sauce, in this case, beef was used. The first bite caught us by surprise as we didn’t expect much. This is a good lesson on don’t judge a book by its cover, the tortellini although didn’t look imposing but the taste doesn’t disappoint.

The tortellini was very flavourful with a filling of grounded salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, grated parmesan, grated nutmeg and egg. To balance out the powerful taste of tortellini we recommend eating with the milder beef ragu sauce. Overall, the Tortellini Pasticciati is a well-thought-out dish combining the stronger flavour of tortellini with a milder beef ragu sauce. However, the presentation of the dish could have been a tad better.

3. Neroteca’s Classic Tiramisu (RM29++)

Neroteca's refreshing Classic Tiramisu topped with fresh strawberry, blueberry, mint leaves and a slice of dried orange.

After a roller coaster taste adventure, what better way to finish off our meal than with dessert, Neroteca’s Classic Tiramisu. Upon serving we notice that the tiramisu is served in a small glass jar which is cute and is topped with fresh strawberry, blueberry and a slice of dried orange. The Classic Tiramisu is well-balanced of sweet and bitter, which is refreshing and the ideal way to end a meal.

To conclude, we are a strong believer that a good restaurant not only need to serve good food, but it should have a conducive dining environment, good music and of course great services. Having said that, Neroteca has fulfilled those requirements and we are happy to have dined here.

If you would love to experience dining at Neroteca, you can reserve a table here.

You can also redeem these signature dishes for free by joining TABLEAPP ELITE Membership! Sign up here.

Already an ELITE member? Here's how you could win a limited edition Mini Moët. From now till 31 March 2018, TOP 100 TABLEAPP ELITE members with the Most Dish Redemptions will stand a chance to win a personalised Mini Moët.

NEROTECA BUKIT CEYLON
Unit G-1, Seri Bukit Ceylon,
No 8, Lorong Ceylon,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.

Daily:
11:00am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm

TABLEAPP LAUNCHES PREMIUM DINING PASS WHICH MAKES MEMBERS DINE OUT 5-STAR DISHES FOR FREE

10 February 201812 March 2018GeneralELITE, free dish, premium dining pass, signature dishLeave a Comment

Click here to view Rib Eye Steak — TABLEAPP ELITE members now can enjoy dishes like Lobster and Rib Eye Steak at zero cost!

KUALA LUMPUR, February 09, 2018 – Always want to have a premium dining experience but can’t help to worry about your bank account? TABLEAPP now opens the door to a world of free 5-star quality dishes! TABLEAPP ELITE membership is a whole new dining membership programme which has been newly launched in September 2017 by TABLEAPP and its community has been growing fast ever since. Members that have subscribed to TABLEAPP ELITE membership are mostly attracted by the unique dining experience and benefits which entitles them to access premium quality food for free when they dine out at participating restaurants in the Klang Valley.

What TABLEAPP ELITE members can expect is eating out more affordably at popular casual dining restaurants like Naughty Nuri’s and ANTE, having luxurious dining experience at award-winning restaurants like enfin by James Won, Babe, Sushi Azabu and Soleil. Members are also pampered like royalty at Newens Tea House serving The Original Maids of Honour Afternoon Tea prepared from a recipe dated back to the time of Henry VIII, King of England (1509-1547).

Benson Chang, the founder of TABLEAPP, explains the inspiration for starting this membership, “I’ve spoken to many restaurants owners, one of the common issues facing them is not every guest orders their signature dishes. They are very confident that the customers will come back as regulars once the customers tried their signature dishes. That gives us the idea of TABLEAPP ELITE membership. Restaurants give complimentary signature dishes to our TABLEAPP ELITE members if the members have spent a minimum spending at the restaurant. On the other hand, TABLEAPP ELITE members can redeem free signature dishes vary from casual dining restaurants to fine dining restaurants. The membership programme is a win-win situation for both our members and partner restaurants. “

Apart from accessing to a long list of 5-star dishes to be redeemed for free, members are also entitled for exclusive invitations to fine dining events, private wine pairing events, wine tasting events, invitation-only dining events, customised gifts, and now, personalised Mini Moët champagne of their own with their favourite photo as the champagne label for the top members.

From now until 31st March 2018, 100 TABLEAPP ELITE members with the most number of redemptions will be able to customise a bottle of Mini Moët with a picture of their choice which will be delivered to their doorstep in a classy package – easy and fuss-free. Interested members can join this Win-a-Moët contest online and stand a chance to win this Mini Moët, creating the-one-and-only limited version of their own.

To experience an elite dining experience, join TABLEAPP ELITE via TABLEAPP mobile app available on App Store and Google Play, or visit www.tableapp.com/elite. The membership is priced at RM199 per annual membership and can be used instantly to redeem free dishes upon activation.