SanBanTo (a.k.a. The Pork Place) @ IOI Boulevard, Puchong

March 31, 2013 - This round let our tour brings you to a yummy porky meal (non-halal) at SanBanTo (a.k.a. The Pork Place) located in the heart of Puchong. There are not many restaurant specializes in serving full-fledged pork meal and I can assure you that SanBanTou is one of them that you wouldn't want to miss out. Out of the varieties of pork selections, we have picked the "Pork Nachos", "Pigs In Blanket" (cocktail sausages with bacon strips) and "Pork Kanom Pang" (fried bread with minced pork spread) as our appetizers. Among the few,  I prefer "Pork Kanom Pang", which was served with Thai chili sauce. A light and yummy, porky appetizer that prepares you for the main course.

To try out both their Asian and Western style of porky meals, we have ordered the the "Meatball Napolitan" (Pasta), "Braised Pork Leg with Rice", "Pork Chop", and "Pork Burger".  I would say all the pork were fresh and juicy. The richness of the meat satisfy your mouth with a deep and yummy porky taste in every bite.

For first timer and if you're hesitating which one to go for, I would recommend their western style and I must say that, their meatball is one of the richest and best I've ever tried.

The ambiance of the restaurant is also fantastically cool for you to enjoy your pork meal. As depicted above, the brick walls are decorated with some art pieces of boar. Besides, they also have a wine bar at the back of restaurant for those who like to have a few sips while enjoy your porky meal. Not to forget, there is also a fresh meat store that is hygienically managed in a segmented area at the center of the restaurant. Fresh meat, bacon, ham, sausages, meatball and other pork products can be conveniently bought here. Being a far sighted food lover and planner, I have brought back their fresh "Jumbo Hot Dog". I guess that will make some magic turning my instant noodle supper from ordinary to luxury. Slurrp~

Location

Lot 31, IOI Boulevard,
Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya.
47100 Selangor Darul Ehsan.
T: +603-8076 9608

Unagi Kamameshi (a.k.a. "Unagi Iron Pot Rice") @ Watami Casual Restaurant, Paradigm Mall

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March 16, 2013 - Unagi is always my favourite when it comes Japanese food and this round our tour proudly brings you another special dish called the "Unagi Kamameshi" at Watami Casual Restaurant located in Paradigm Mall, Kelana Jaya. "Unagi Kamameshi" basically means iron pot rice with eel. If you don't like unagi, this iron pot rice also comes in chicken & salmon (i.e., "Gomoku Kamameshi") and crab meat (i.e., "Kani Kamameshi"). The "Kamameshi" comes in a burning hot iron pot and cooked on the dining table. Hence, you have to be patiently wait for 20 minutes for the rice to be cooked right in front of you. The smell could be very tempting while the rice being cooked but do not try to open the lid or your "Kamameshi" may not be well-cooked. It definitely worth the 20 minutes wait for the fresh and yummy "Kamameshi". For those who like a little spicy, you will also be provided a bottle of pepper for the add-on. Slurrp~

Watami Casual Restaurant which originated from Singapore also serve a variety of food and desserts that values for your money. While the "Kamameshi" only cost RM24.90 - RM28.90 for ala-carte, Watami also offer a long list of set meal and combo. While there are too many of them for 1 go, we only manage to try their "Hotate Butter Yaki" @ RM18.90 (a.k.a . "Baked Scallop with Butter") and "Hokkai Shio Chanko Nabe" @ RM27.90 ("a.k.a. Hokkaido Sumo Wrestler Hot Pot") this round. The "Hotate Butter Yaki" which served with enoki mushroom was well baked with butter. With a bit of lemon squeeze as taste enhancer, it makes a perfect light appetizer while waiting for the "Kamameshi" to be cooked. For dessert, do check out their "Hot Chocolate Brownie" and a variety "Parfeit" in their menu. We're too full to try and show it here this round but I can guarantee that they will make an appeal. The environment, lighting and music in Watami also creates a perfect japanese dining ambiance that is ideal for loving couple to share a great dining time together.

Revisit

March 30, 2013 - We've made a return in the same month to try their irresistible dessert. Out of their premium dessert selection, we've picked the hot chocolate brownie. At the price of RM 14.90++, we've got ourselves 5 pieces of brownie cake with 2 small scoop of ice cream which are served with chocolate sauce in a separate jar. The brownies were perfectly moist and firm, and not too sweet either. We give their dessert a thumbs up!

Location

Watami Malaysia @ Paradigm Mall
Lot 07, Level 1, Paradigm Mall,
1, Jalan SS7/ 26A, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
T: +603-7886 9661

The Gift Tilapia Restaurant @ Asia Cafe, Puchong

March 10, 2013 - For fish lover, our tour this round brings you to a cheap and yummy tilapia fish located in Asia Cafe, Puchong. One may be surprised to find such a great food restaurant operating in a small setup among the many food stalls in the middle of Asia Cafe Food Court. While their main branch is located in Seremban, this is probably their kick-start to mark their presence in Kuala Lumpur. Cultivated and grown in their own farm, Gift Tilapia's fishes are tranported fresh from Seremban daily. For the first try, we have ordered their signature "Grilled Tilapia with Soy Sauce", "Portugese Grilled Tilapia" and "Steam Tilapia". The claims were indeed very true as the fishes were fresh and tasty. Most importantly, the tilapia fishes do not give a muddy taste. In temperature control and timing, Gift Tilapia has mastered the skill perfectly as the fishes were not being over/undercooked. For "sambal" lover, the sauce used in their portugese grill was also tasted great that you may finish your rice just with it alone.

Price from only RM15-17,  the fishes are indeed value for the money as they are fresh, tasty and reasonably big. Apart from their premium tilapia fish, Gift Tilapia restaurant also serve tiger prawn, tofu and several vegetables dishes. Yes, the prawns are also fresh. Try it someday~

Location:

Gift Tilapia
Asia Cafe @ Puchong, 1, Jalan OP 1/3, Pusat
Perdagangan One Puchong
Puchong, 47100
Tel : 016-634 1312

Charcoal Burger @ myBurgerLab, Seapark

March 8, 2013 - This round, our food tour brings you for a juicy and yummy burger session at myBurgerLab located in Seapark, Petaling Jaya. It's not difficult to find the shop as it's the only in the row that is crowded by people. According to some sources, myBurgerLab was  started by a group of young oversea graduates who aspired to deliver a high quality juicy burger to fellow Malaysians.

While the price is slightly higher compare to other fast food restaurant and burger shops, myBurgerLab is indeed unique and oustand many other burgers in town. On top of their own baked charcoal bun (which made it black), the paties are made from 100% grass fed Australian beef. We're also amazed by the varieties in the menu, each with their own cool and creative names such as "Say Cheese", "Beautiful Mess" , "A+", "Hangover" and  "Kick In The Face". Without hesitating further, I walked straight to the counter and asked their crew which one is their signature and I was recommended the "Beautiful Mess" and "A+" burger with a choice of chicken or beef. Can't wait to try them all, we have took the "Beef Beautiful Mess", "Beef A+" and "Chicken A+". The price ranged from RM11-18 and with a top-up of RM6, you can make it a set that comes with crispy fries and a free-refill bottomless soft drink.With the melted cheese on the thick and juicy beef/chicken paties served with sunny side up, fried portabella mushroom and freshly baked charcoal bun, every bite was indeed satisfying and mouth watering.

As myBurgerLab only operates from Tuesday - Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. , make sure you be there early to secure your seat if you opt to dine-in. You may see BurgerLab's fans already started queing even before their door opens. Nevertheless, BurgerLab's managed its queue and burger production in a systematic and effiecient way that you don't have to worry about the wait. What impressed me the most, BurgerLab doesn't only focus on selling their burgers but making a great effort in customer relationship management and quality assurance. Don't get the wrong message if one their sweet looking crew asked for your name as it will be printed on your your receipt/queue number building a better rapport with their customer. At the collection counter, you'll also see one of their crew leader busy performing a QC check, making sure every burger achieved myBurgerLab standard before it is handed over to their customer. I will definitely return again to get a "Kick In the Face" or  perhaps "Vivien's Husband" next round.

Location:

My Burger Lab
No.14, Jalan 21/22 Seapark
46300 PJ Selangor
Business hours: 5pm - 10.30pm (Closed on Monday)