Tony Roma's Ribs, Seafood and Steaks @ Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur

Since lately I've been posting haphazardly, with most posts hanging without an ending, and the words "to be continued ...." rather misleading and somewhat abused, I pledge to conclude all the infamous sagas, before starting anew.

Good. With that out of my chest, let's backtrack slightly to the Moussandra post and move on from there, shall we?

Privacy ensured in the sense that the high seats hinder the nosy neighbours from prying on your meal ... or eavesdropping on your conversation. =P

Since the last visit to Tony Roma's was sometime during the Jurassic age (ie : when they opened their 1st outlet in Pavilion, and offering 'cheap' set lunches from RM16.90 onwards), I proposed (no, not THAT form of proposing) to have dinner at Tony Roma's over at Pavilion, again. Of course, I can't be selfish since the other 4 pretties (loosely used term, this one) have not stepped into the joint yet.

Fish & Chips (RM26.90)

I still remember my 1st visit to Tony Roma's back then. The service was chaotic, the staff who was on duty to usher the patrons was rather lost in the cloud, walking behind us, instead of showing us to our seats. And no, she was not helping and left us wandering all over before settling down on a table closest to us. Hmm. But surprisingly, she's improved, by leaps and bounds (again, another loosely-used term here) this time around. Yup, she's still there, better than ever! (I'm hopeless here) Of course, her performance scored higher marks when paired with not one, not two, not three, but a WHOLE LOTTA usherers welcoming us at the door! I felt as though the red carpet was awaiting to be rolled out and 'kompang' to be sounded any minute then!

But of course, I was being hopeful, and delusional. But they sure were cheery that evening!

Onion Loaf (Half portion : RM12.90)

We started off with half an onion loaf, which was suitably greasy enough to be indulging, yet tasty at the same time, especially when dipped into the accompanying BBQ sauce. But a little soggy, when ideally the rings should have been crispy. Half a loaf would do the trick, thus don't go overboard if you're not fond of fried, and filling starters.

Complimentary Loaf with Garlic Butter

Their serving of bread which resembled baguette was soft and fluffy when warm, but turned hard rather fast. Highly advisable to eat them while they're still warm.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta (RM31.90)

The portions at Tony Roma's are HUGE. Just like any other American diners out there, eg. Friday's and Chili's. Definitely meant for sharing for light eaters. If the meats don't stuff the hell outta you, the accompanying fries definitely would!

But do take note that the serving will be downsized considerably if you're ordering their set lunches. Understandable, as the sets come with other bells and whistles (soup, and desserts), and at rather reasonable prices.

Chicken Tenderloin Platter (RM28.90)

The chicken tenderloin platter came in a shocking serving of FIVE pieces of palm-sized batter-fried chicken meat. With tonnes of fries (with hints of skins; a good sign as they're not using the average shoestrings from the supermarket), a bowl of coleslaw to balance out the cholesterol (haha .. as if) and a dipping sauce of honey mustard. Though from the appearance the meat looked dry and bland, they were pleasantly juicy, and crispy at the same time. If only they offer a half portion instead .....

The Fish & Chips was equally good, though far from spectacular. With half a wedge of lemon, and the compulsory mayo and chilli (or was it tomato?) sauce.

The shrimp scampi pasta (real name forgotten, sorry!) arrived in its splendour, with more shrimps thrown in than one could count! They were really generous with their ingredients, and not mere small, frozen shrimps, but succulent, M-sized ones were served.

Bountiful Beef Ribs (Roma Rack : RM49.90)

But of course, Tony Roma's famous for their ribs. No, not the staff's, but the grilled ones. Though the outlets in Malaysia are branded HALAL, thus no pork ribs are served. Only beef, which surprisingly managed to irk most of the foodies over here, given the fact that the pork version has garnered quite a following in neighbouring countries.

The beef ribs can be served in two ways. Full rack, or Roma rack. The latter came in smaller portion, 3 gigantic pieces of Char-grilled 'Carnivorous'-wet-dreams-come-true' beef ribs, smothered with their signature sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, and served with plentiful of fries and coleslaw. Tastewise? The tender meat falling off the bone? Checked. Hunger pangs satiated? Checked. Carnivorous appetite appeased? Checked. Juicy and succulent flesh? Checked. Wait, make that half-checked. Though the meat was far from dry, they could've smothered the ribs with more sauce, OR provided a side serving of the BBQ sauce, to 'moisten' the meat, so to speak.

Imagine lying on one's bed, with a almost picture perfect view of KL's skyline. Enlightened?

On the whole, the meal was beyond satisfactory. And I came away feeling as bloated as a puffer. Or something along the line ...

Location : Tony Roma's Ribs, Seafood, Steaks Restaurant @ Lot No LG1.15, Level 1, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel No : 603-2143 3378.

KLCC - Still the tallest TWIN buildings in the world. Boleh eh?


The renewed interest in travelling options for the KL-IPOH route. Thanks to KTM Berhad

A short note : The journey by train from KL Sentral to Ipoh takes approximately 3 hours. Yup, right on time, no delays or other nonsense. No pestering from hawkers selling their 'kuih-muih' on board, but instead the staff from the cafeteria in the train will push their cart ala flight attendants. And they even showed Harry Potter (forgot which chapter though) on the LCD screen throughout the journey. Not bad, considering I paid a mere RM18 for the one-way trip. Go to www.ktmb.com.my for more information.

A Chocolatey-Rich Finale & A Delicious Beginning .... (Theobroma Chocolate Lounge & Delicious)

My last meal (more like desserts ....) for 2008 and my (un)officially first meal to appease that sweet tooth for 2009 (sans that lacklustre TENJI experience!) ....

THEOBROMA CHOCOLATE LOUNGE @ PAVILION

Food of the GODS?!!! Wow .... I worship thee, oh chocolatey goddess!!!

Dark Chocolate Frappe (or something along the line ...) RM12.90

Chocolate Souffle de Paris (RM14.90)

Theobroma Chocolate Lounge has been on the blogosphere since last year, when the pioneer outlet opened in 1Utama. Since then they've opened another outlet in Pavilion, and has been gaining steam. Sort of.

The strawberries drizzled with luscious, milky and thick chocolate sauce

Of course, with a name like Theobroma CHOCOLATE Lounge, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what type of food they serve. Mostly desserts, with some savoury options, if you're not a fan of the cocoa, or something sweet, stay away.

The souffle was a disappointment. I was expecting the soft, crumbly type of souffle, but instead the chocolate souffle resembled a chocolate muffin at most. Yup, a little dry, though the dark chocolate was sweeter than I'd imagined. Fortunately, the chocolate sauce drizzled onto the strawberries was luscious, though left us hanging; Chocolate cravings un-satiated.

Thankfully, the Dark Chocolate Frappe saved the day. With a tinge of bitterness amidst the sweet concoction, with just enough whipped cream to not overwhelm the flavour, the beverage was rather filling. Had it been a tad thicker, with extra chocolatey-oomph, it'd be a perfect chocolate drink.

Fast Forward 2 days .... into 2009 !!!!

DELICIOUS CAFE @ 1UTAMA

Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream


Blueberry and Apple Crumble

Where else for satisfying desserts, and a chatter under the shining spotlights, than at Delicious? The sinful chocolate cake still had me singing praises (click HERE for the virginal experience), and this time around, the sweetness was slightly toned down (thank goodness!), but still managed to evoke that sense of guilt+satisfaction, the instant the warm chocolate cake paired with the cold, creamy vanilla ice-cream entered your mouth.

Since most items on the menu were not available that evening, we had to rely on the waitress' recommendation for a blueberry and apple crumble. Still prefer the peach and apple version, as the tartness of the blueberries, contrasting to the sweet vanilla ice-cream, and the warm crumbles may not bode well with some.

Here's to a DELICIOUS 2009 !!! =)

Location : Theobroma Chocolate Lounge @ Lot C4.05.02, Level 4, Pavilion KL. Tel No : 603-2143 4149.

Location : Delicious Cafe @ Lot G316, Ground Floor,1 Utama Phase 2 (New Wing), Bandar Utama. Tel : 603-77241086

Got Me Sayin' ICHIBAN-desu !!! (Ichiban Boshi @ Pavilion, KL)

Back to a KL post for today. A slow .... soul-less Monday. Imagine an office with less than 50% capacity. Maybe 20-30% inhabitants only. Holidays come early for most?

Not unlike the conventional conveyor belt sushi outlet ... albeit with a twist

Eating out in Pavilion can be a chore. Especially peak hours on weekends/public holidays where everywhere's crowded. From Madam Kwan's to Tony Roma's, and a snaking line (though not as obvious as few months back) at JCo's, and the ever-congested Food Republic, choosing a place for lunch can be rather ... indecisive.

Thus, we settled for Ichiban Boshi. Have yet to step into the Japanese restaurant, but judging from the overwhelming business on most days, can't be any worse than Sushi King/Sakae Sushi/Genki Sushi right?

Salmon (smoked, maybe) sushi with melted cheese and roes

Salmon Avocado Roll

Starting off with some sushi, the salmon and cheese combination may sound weird on paper, but worked just fine. The creamy cheese complemented the smoked salmon well, though one can't really taste the freshness and natural sweetness of the fish. But I'm all for fusion-ized items.

The salmon and avocado temaki roll was good, though sucked presentation-wise. Clever combination of diced fresh salmon with creamy avocado bits and served generously with mayonaise, the portion was slightly larger than the other contenders' abysmal, mini versions. Still remember the last time I had a temaki in Sushi King, and the rice outweighed the fillings by a whole lot.

Egg Crepe Roll with Bacon and Lettuce

A case of 'over-fusionized', the temaki rolled with thin egg layer, and consisting of rice, lettuce and bacon did not fare as well. And dipping the roll into the shoyu did not result in a positive outcome either. Probably should have asked for more mayo instead.

Hiyashi Chuka Soba (RM14.90)

Ichiban Boshi's trump card lies in their freshly made-on-the-spot soba, or buckwheat noodles. The display counter at the front end of the restaurant functions to exhibit the chef's skills in making the aforementioned noodles, but photography is not allowed. =(

Served either cold, or in a bowl of piping hot soup, the noodles are springy, light, and deemed nutritious. The Hiyashi Chuka Soba consisted of cold buckwheat noodles served with duck meat, crab stick, julienned cucumber and tomatoes, as well as eggs. A bowl of cold and spicy sauce accompanied the serving of noodles on the side, hence you have the option of either dipping the noodles into the sauce, OR pouring the whole bowl of sauce into the noodles. I did the latter, and the resulting concoction had me smacking my lips in recollection.

Thin, springy (QQ) buckwheat noodles with multiple garnishing and ingredients thrown in

The strips of duck meat were not chewy, nor gamey. Sprinkled with lots of sesame seeds, the shredded meat and vegetables were perfect companion to the cold noodles, and the slightly spicy and sour sauce enhanced the overall experience a notch. Recommended, for the noodles alone.

Tempura Moriawase (RM13.90)

A plate of mixed tempura consisted of 2 big prawns, and the usual suspects of sweet potato, brinjal, capsicum and such, coated with tempura batter and fried to a crisp. Yet, managed to retain the moisture of the ingredients within. Nothing out of the ordinary, but deserving of a mention here is the attentive and accomodating service, whereby I requested for another bowl of the tentsuyu sauce, and the waiter gladly complied, returning with a steaming hot bowl of it.

Kushiyaki Moriawase (RM15.90) for 6 pcs

The mixed grilled items on skewers came on a sparsely-presented plate. With a lemon wedge for that extra zing, the 6 pcs of grilled meat/vege on skewers were lip-smacking, mostly. The shishamo (grilled smelt) was packed with enough eggs, yet none of the repulsive fishy taste. The yakitori and black pepper yakitori (grilled chicken meat) were both tender, succulent and juicy enough on its own, but drizzled with the slightly sweet tare sauce, the flavour of the meat was subtly punctuated.

The tsukune (chicken meatballs) were the best of the lot, marinated well and very tasty. But only 3 were served on a skewer. Of course, one can opt for the items separately. The shitake mushrooms and tebasaki (chicken wings) were good in their own rights.

What's attractive was that .... it didn't cost us an arm and a leg to eat here. The meal for two costed only RM67.50 (after 5% gov tax, 10% service charge). I may return for more, in the near future, as they gave a Rewards Card, expiring on 30/4/2009, where I can get a stamp for every RM30 spent, and 3 stamps net a California Handroll, 5 will net you a RM15 voucher ... and so forth.

Location : ICHIBAN BOSHI @ Lot 1.14, Pavilion, 168, Jln Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. On the lowest floor with Food Republic and the infinite eateries there. Tel : 603-2141 6621.

Merry Xmas .... in Advance.

Shopaholics out in full force. No holding back amidst the economic crisis. Or was there ever one?

MOF Japanese Sweets & Coffee @ Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur - Satiates That Nagging Sweet Cravings?

If you're bogged down by the promises made by the (in)competent ministries in our country, promising the heavens but instead delivering lowly dirts, then you're probably not alone.

But seek solace in the Ministry of Food, a refreshing paradigm shift, a light at the end of the tunnel, a requiem for the masses. OK, for the sweet-toothed ones, at the very least. ;)

Ladies & gentlemen, the newest (or at least, new to me!) addition to the ever-expanding line up of eateries in Pavilion, the MINISTRY OF FOOD !!!

Read about this chic cafe serving Japanese style desserts and beverages from other food blogs over the past few months. A timely resurgence of interest to Pavilion's rather lacklustre range of restaurants and simple cafes. 'Twas either too taxing on the wallet (restaurants on top floor, especially), or the meagre run-of-the-mill outlets at the lower ground floor.

Of course I can't deny the appeal of some, the new Mr Baoz from Taiwan is interesting, but mixed reviews had me doubting. And when one's craving for some snacks/desserts, it's either JCo's donuts (there's a limit to the fresh appeal of the doughnut craze, and I've reached that long time ago), The Loaf's pastries and still-delectable Uh-Hu-Hu Cheesecakes, and John King's egg tarts.

Place your order and pay at the counter before you're served

MOF (Ministry of Food) hailed from Singapore, and practising a rather interesting concept, serving Japanese styled desserts (Hokkaido gelato ice-cream, Kakigori/Shaved Ice, Imo/Japanese sweet potaotes, Sundae etc) and beverages (green tea shakes, anyone?).

Cozy and bright ambience

The shop's located next to Pastamania on Level 1, which in fact is the lower ground floor where Food Republic's at. MOF faces Mercato Supermarket, so if you're at Carl's JR's side, then you're at the opposite end. The selection of desserts are mind-boggling, easily appeasing any dessert-lovers, and may convert a doubter into one.

Pick your spot, listen to 'cheerful' (yet half-hearted) attempts of Irrashaimase (Welcome, in Japanese) and browse the menu conveniently placed under the table. The order tabs and a pencil are on the table itself, hence jot down your preference(s) and pay at the counter. They DO NOT charge Service Charge, so don't grumble. =P

Shira Sesame Hokkaido Gelato Mini (RM9)

A variety of flavours are available with regards to the ice-cream options, and we picked the black sesame. The rich and creamy black sesame sauce drizzled on the smooth, cold yet not tooth-numbingly freezing black sesame ice-cream offered a thoroughly delightful experience altogether. Every spoonful evoked child-like glee & satisfaction, and paired with the chewy/springy Japanese glutinous balls, the combination of texture and flavours worked wonders. The crispy waffle and the cherry were mere eye-candies, complementing the sensory appeal.

Macha Mixed Imo (Soft serve with green tea sauce, red bean paste, yam and Japanese sweet potato) @ RM11

A top selection at MOF, and highly recommended by floggers alike, the Matcha Mixed Imo was served in a boat-like serving bowl, aesthetically-pleasing and leaving a lasting impression on the senses. The smooth and almost liquid-like texture of the soft serve (the soft ice cream made from Hokkaido milk, akin to McD's soft vanilla ice-cream, but a bit smoother and none of the overpowering vanilla flavour) glided down the throat effortlessly, and the melting green tea sauce and sweet red bean paste intensified the flavours and complemented each other so well.

Imo refers to the imported Japanese sweet potatoes, and they're deep-fried with light batter. The warm sweet potato and yam provided a hot and cold sensation when eaten with spoonfuls of the others. Blissful. But I'd recommend the sweet potatoes over the yam. (Note : you can have BOTH morsels of sweet potatoes, or BOTH yams, for the same price, if desired)

Location : MOF Japanese Sweets and Coffee @ Pavilion, Lot 1.02.00, Level 1, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03- 2144 1489

Those who helped in spreading the lurve : Masak-masak, Shell Food Station, and Yowazzup?

All By Myself @ Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur & The Carl's Jr Saga Continues ...

"Ahem, pray we dun sneeze ... or our cover's blown!"

Question : What do you do, if you're alone on a weekday, at Pavilion? Do you ....

Pose with human mannequins and run your itchy fingers all over the "statues"?

Join the crowd (it's a Monday, mind you!) and queue for sickly sweet indulgences, nightmare for the diabetic souls ....

Or find requiem by tucking yourself in a corner, watching gluttons smearing their faces with sauces and relish, and satiate your hollow stomach, begging for rations ... ?

Unlimited relish, dipping sauces, bottomless soft drinks - What more can you ask for?

Walking around in circle in Pavilion, I found myself drawn to various eateries, and even Food Republic. But, luncheon alone is not so acceptable in our country, unless you deviate your attention from the prying eyes, who may be wondering what's the monster next table's up to, ordering a meal fit for a crowd, and yet dining alone.

Crisp, freshly fried and hot French fries, showing some "skins" ....

Restaurants in Pavilion are a dime a dozen. From the posh Japanese outlet (Kampachi), Chinese fine dining (Silk Road) and steak house (Angus), to mid-range varieties such as Tony Roma's, Madam Kwan's, and Crystal Jade, you're bound to find something that suits your palate and mood, on any given day.

However, fast food options are lacking, other than Nando's, KFC, and Carl's Jr, there's basically nothing much to feed the junkie souls/teenagers/students. Food Republic may be a viable option, with the amazing array of culinary delights, but I seldom choose food courts, due to endless unfavourable experiences.

(=P) ... Even the burger's sticking out its tongue? Teasing poor, lonely me?

After much deliberation, I decided to park my derriere in Carl's Jr, my second visit to the outlet here, in Pavilion. (The 1st outing was aeons ago, but I wasnt a blogger yet, therefore no pics, sorry!). Still remember the Chili Cheeseburger was pretty interesting (not necessarily delish, but interesting nevertheless!), while the Guacamole beefburger was forgettable.

In case you didn't know, the "fast-food" here is a wee different from your usual McD, and Burger King. A full set for one, will set you back at around RM20-RM30/set, depending on your choice. Of course, the basic Cheeseburger set is slightly cheaper. Just slightly.

Western Bacon Cheeseburger - RM20.50 (Medium)

This time around, I opted for the Western Bacon Cheeseburger set, which came with regular fries and a medium-sized empty paper cup. Of course, I made a mistake. A small set costs less, around RM18 (before tax), but I accidentally pointed to the medium set, additional RM1.50 for a few more sticks of fries, and a larger cup. Why I felt stupid was because the drink's refillable. Why on earth would I need a bigger cup? (Unless you're a lazybum who can't be bother to refill your cup, OR you prefer drinking from giant-sized cups, fine ... )

Tastewise? The bacons were crispy, and the beef patty was good. Juicy, and flavourful. Unlike the previous visit. And the cheese was oozing out, PLUS there's a whole fried onion rings sandwiched between the buns. It IS filling, don't let my picture fools you. The fries on the other hand, were just heavenly. With bits of potato skins intact, and lightly salted, eat them with the salsa relish from the sauces counter. Addictive stuff. (Though it all adds up on the waist). Drinks choices include soft drinks, and iced lemon tea. Drink to your heart's content ... Or til your bladder can't hold.

Location : Carl's JR @ Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, on Lower Ground Floor. Next to KFC, Pizza Hut, and Nando's. Easy to find, no worries. If you're lost, go eat sand. I mean, go ask the kind staff at the help desk on ground floor. Or get a directory.

Question : What do you do after a full meal, when your belly's weighing you down?

Go jump from this height. Kidding.

Watch and savour the camaraderie of people dancing, prancing around, and drums a-beating, feeling the beats from all over the world ....

It so happened on that day, the Malaysian Drum Festival was kicking in full force. Teams from all over the world were performing, ala street style, entertaining the casual shoppers, and curious on-lookers. (Btw, the event ended on Aug 2nd at Stadium Merdeka). Amazing performances, mind you. These guys (and gals) are professionals, beating their drums with such passion and flair, hundreds were watching, clapping, and some foreigners were eagerly dancing along, basking in the sense of festivity.

What a befitting way, to end my solemn, lonely and long-overdue soul-searching that Monday afternoon. Sometimes, walking around aimlessly IS therapeutic after all ....

P/S : I'll be gone to Cameron Highlands over the weekend, followed by another round of KL visit-cum-work-cum-food tour (!!) until Wednesday. Staying near Jln Universiti, PJ area. Any recommendations for good food? ;)

The Loaf "U hu! hu!" Cheesecakes @ Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur

Decided to do a DOUBLE posts today, trying to forget the disastrous outing at Alexis (refer previous post HERE).

Funny name for some fancy cheese cakes?

Since reading various posts by other floggers on The Loaf's amazing Japanese-style cheese-cupcakes, I knew I had to try them someday. Ladies & gentlemen, D-Day has arrived, in style.

??? Orange - Forgot the full name, but citrus-y, tangy, and sweet. (3.5/5)

Durian Obsession - Probably the most obnoxious/smelly/fragrant/flavourful of the lot, sure to attract durian-lovers. The soft, crumbly layer on top has an uncanny resemblance to pavlova/meringue texture. (4/5)

Tangy Lemon - The plain Jane of the pack. Slight hint of lemon aftertaste. (3/5)

Refreshing Longan - Bland, with a pair of longan fruits embedded underneath, but the crunchy almond flakes save the day. (3.5/5)

Glitzy Strawberries - Presentable, dazzling, albeit stingy pistachio bits, no doubt the superstar of the lot, stealing the limelight from the otherwise dark/gloomy/pale colours of the others. Sweet, typical strawberry jam flavour. (4/5)

Luxurious Chocolate - Luscious, decadent, not run-of-the-mill type of cocoa powder. Possible best of the lot. Simple, but got the job done. (4.5/5)

The whole half dozen of fluffy goodness (RM25)

A saving grace, after the Alexis episode. RM5 per piece, but BUY 5 FREE 1 promotion. Get them while they're still around. Various flavours available for picking. Sweet tooth FINALLY satisfied. Time to move on to some meatier deals in following posts .... G'nite. v_v

Location : The Loaf @ Lot 3.13.00 on 3rd floor of Pavilion, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.