Pastis Cafe, The Gardens Mid Valley

The deal was too good to miss. RM20 for a Starter + Main Course (Lamb Shank on Bed of Potatoes / Dory Fish Orange-Flavoured with Vegetable and Butter Rice / Honey Grilled Chicken with Butter Rice) + Dessert + Free Flow Drinks at Pastis Cafe in the Gardens, Mid Valley. 

The free flow of drinks consisted of a choice of juices (apple/orange), lemon tinged water and sirap bandung (rose syrup with milk).  It was self-serve from an island (pic above).

The food was less than mediocre. For something worth over RM60, we got creamy unidentifiable soup (it looked like pea soup), bland mains and cheapo desserts (sago with coconut milk)

 

Vegetable soup

Dory fish orange-flavoured with vegetable and butter rice – the fish was too ‘fishy and the vegetable was a combination of pickled carrot, zucchini and cherry tomatoes.

Honey grilled chicken with butter rice – this dish was marginally better than the dory fish as it was very mildly flavoured.

Dessert – sigh, amongst all the beautiful dessert placed at the cake counter, we were given two servings of sago with coconut milk.  It would have been ideal if this deal was served with fresh coconut milk instead of the packet freeze-dried version.

We also took the opportunity to try other items from the menu:

Nasi lemak – a little overpriced at RM24.  The rice was fragrant with coconut milk but the rendang chicken was bland.  The sambal saved the day.

Roti john – served with ample amount of onion rings (with very thick batter), salad and thai sweet chili sauce.  This is certainly a tummy filler enough to feed 2 people.

Caesar salad – nothing out of the ordinary here.  Just salad and caesar salad dressing.

 

Overall, service was super slow and we had to make our order at the cashier’s counter and follow through with additional requests for cutlery etc on our own.

So, unless you are on the lookout for overpriced, lackluster food, give this place a miss.

Esplanad Dim Sum

4 plates of dim sum for RM10 sounded like a deal too good to miss.  This restaurant is nestled along the Aked Esplanad stretch in Bukit Jalil.  While enjoying your meal, you could even have your car washed across the street at the local car wash joint.

 

 

The entrance of the restaurant.  Look out for the Esplanad Seafood Restaurant instead of Esplanad Dim Sum.

Woo Kok – the yam pastry was light and the filling sweet and tasty.

Fried carrot cake – alas, this simple dish was lackluster, probably due to the fact it was served cold.

Har gao – absolutely delicious!  The skin was light and the fresh prawn boosted its delicate flavour.

 

Fish ball in beancurd skin

Char siew chee cheong fan – the steamed wrap was too thick and there was hardly any filling (char siew) in this dish.  The accompanying shrimp chili sauce tasted very bland.

Siew mai – a good combination of flour and meat but instead of caviar for garnishing, there was this red jelly like pieces on top!

Fried fish ball – tasty with a tinge of spice from the chili inside

Steamed fish ball – made just right – light and spongy.

Teochew siew mai – a variant of the original siew mai with chives for flavour

Loh mai kai – glutinous rice never felt so grainy.  There was a piece of chinese sausage, chicken and mushroom for garnishing.

Steamed prawn dumpling – an all-time favourite.

Overall, the restaurant’s fare was good as there was very little MSG.  Service was prompt and efficient.  Additional dishes can be ordered for a mere RM3.50 per plate.  A pot of Chinese tea plus a bucket of ice costs RM4.00 and is paid separately.

Purelife Organic

This organic shop in Kajang also serves a delicious meal.  Naturally, all ingredients were organic vegetables.  The vegetarian meal left us all feeling full without the guilt of eating meat :)

Salad – fresh greens with light mayonaise

Coleslaw – absolutely yummy.

Fried rice – a treat for the whole family.

Spaghetti bolognese – minus meat of course.  The tomato paste was very fresh and light.

 

Rojak – a typically fresh Malaysian concoction of mixed fruits blended with dark sauce and lots of crushed peanuts. YUMMY!

Hot chocolate

Water

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at this place and would recommend it to anyone seeking a healthy meat-free meal.. 

It is opened Tuesday to Sundays (7am to 4pm) and is closed on Mondays.  The restaurant/shop is located at No. 7 Jalan 1, Taman Desa Billion, Off Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang (Tel/Fax: 8733 6109; Hotline: 019 727 3169; Email: organicpurelife@yahoo.com).

Restoran Hakka Ren, Bandar Mahkota Cheras

This unassuming restaurant in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (facing Jusco) serves delightfully delicious meals.  Prices are reasonable and the taste is very similar to a home-cooked meal!

Sweet and sour chicken – a family favourite.  The mildly flavoured sauce was topped with a generous helping of pineapples, cucumber, capsicum.   It went very well with plain rice.

Yong tau foo – ample amount of fish paste stuffed in the brinjal and tofu pieces.  The accompanying brown sauce was tasty and complemented this dish.

Stewed pork with seasoned vegetables – alas, this was a disappointment as the meat was not left to boil in the gravy long enough for it to absorb the taste.

Stir fried sweet potato leaves – a simple, fresh, fuss-free dish.

Service was good as we were the only occupants on a quiet Saturday afternoon.  Food and ambience comfortable for the whole family.  Worthy of repeat visits.

One Pot Cafe, Seri Kembangan

This restaurant is tucked in the corner of busy main street.  If not for the huge signage from the main road which points to the restaurant, one would never have known it existed below some shophouses.

Once inside though, the cozy ambience is a pleasant change from the hustle and bustle of the busy road.

 

Iced lemon drink and green tea

Salted Vege Taiwanese Noodle – an acquired taste but tasty nonetheless.

   Stir-fried chicken and ginger – this dish was simple and tasty.

So if you are on the lookout for a quiet retreat within bustling Seri Kembangan town, head on over to this restaurant for quick tummy filler.

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