Leonardo's Dining Room & Wine Loft

I had a chance to dine in this hidden, beautiful and romantic place for my recent birthday dinner. Thanks to my dearie, who have scouted this cozy fine dining place. When I stepped into the place, there was a staircase leading upstairs. It was romantically lit with candles along the steps. We were shown to our seat and ordered mineral water before taking our orders.

ACQUA PANNA- this is the mineral water which we were served. Probably the most expensive mineral water I have ever tasted. Imported from Italy and only supposed to be available for sale in Australia. When we flipped open the menu, we were shocked to learnt that it costs us RM 24.00. Better order the Evian if possible as it was also on the menu. If you leave it to them, this is what you will be served. Unless if, of course you intend to have a little taste of Italian water.

We were served buns with olive oil and vinegar while we waited for our food to come.

We ordered the cold plate platter as starters which consist of 4 different kind of pork. This is not on the menu.

Next, came the pork ribs with pineapple, corn and potato wedges as the main course. The ribs were tender and the sauce were sweet.

We ordered Ranjit's pasta as the second main course after it was highly recommended by the staff at Leonardo's. The pasta came in a creamy sauce, with a hint of spiciness. Other ingredients include mushrooms and bacon strips. I must say this is delicious!

As we were quite full after the 3 course dinner and endless sips of our expensive Italian water, we did not order desserts.

My dear has gotten me a gift and had sneaked cheeky grins when I check out the gift. Hmm...wonder if there is something inside there which is going to jump at me when I open it. Half excited and half curious and cautiously, I unwrapped the gift. The box was white with a silver apple icon. I was excited! iPhone 4s? But the launch isn't till November! Maybe he had gotten it from Singapore?

Alas...

                                                

iPhone 3GS???

No, actually its an empty iPhone 3GS box. Very funny of him.

Half hysterically laughing and puzzled, I read the birthday card attached. It says 'Sorry, iPhone 4S not launched yet so this is the closest I can find. We will buy the iPhone 4S for you once its launched in Malaysia.'

Hehe. As usual. My cheeky boyfriend and his ways. I love him anyhow. He has such sweet, romantic, funny and silly ways to show me his love.

My dear Stephen and I.

Leonardo's also dishes out local delicacies such as Ba Kut Teh, Hokkien Mee and porridge.

This place enjoys the crowd from nearby Bangsarians, Singaporeans and PJ-lites. Many were seen enjoying their dinner with a glass of chilled wine and the atmosphere was laid back. Planning to bring your girl to a romantic fine dining dinner or just chill with your girlfriends? This is definately the place. The total bill came up to aroun RM 180 ++.

Address:

Leonardo's Dining & Wine Loft

61-2, Jalan Bangkung,

59100 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: 03- 20962266

Ka Soh @ Medan Damansara

I can fondly remember Ka Soh as one of the first place I went to for fish head noodles. They were well known for their signature fish head noodles. What I really like about Ka Soh is that they have the best thick bee hoon quality which goes very well with their soup. I can't find any other fish head noodles places which serves the same quality of thick bee hoon. Their head branch is located at Jalan Imbi and the other branch is at Medan Damansara, just behind the Victoria Station Steak House. I went back there again recently after finding myself longing for the familiar taste of a good bowl of hot fish head noodles. As I was dining alone, I ordered just their famous fish head noodles accompanied by a glass of hot chinese tea.

ABOVE: The fish fillet came in a combination of raw fish and fried fish fillet.

ABOVE: Ingredients found inside: Cabbage and fish fillet. Didn't have tomatoes or salted vegetables like the others.

The soup tasted milky, with a hint of perfect sourness. Aromatic with the tanginess of the fish.

ABOVE: Pair it up with red chili padi for extra spiciness.

ABOVE: The good quality thick beehoon. Yummy.

ABOVE: The fried fish, cooked to golden perfection.

I would definitely return again, and probably again for the noodles.

Pricing is definitely on the high side, RM 12 a bowl.

Address:

Ka Soh

136, Jalan Kasah, Medan Damansara,

50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Contact: 03-2093 7388

Imbi Outlet:

18, Jalan Delima (Off Jln Imbi)

55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Contact: 03-2148 0102

Nasi Lemak Cikgu, Kelana Jaya

I have heard so much about this famous nasi lemak place in Kelana Jaya called 'Nasi Lemak Cikgu.' It was previously located along the LDP highway and has since moved in to the new business area in Kelana Jaya. Have been meaning to give this place a try, but didn't had the opportunity to. Well, luck struck me last Saturday and I was there with two of my girl pals. It was highly recommended by one of them, who stayed nearby in Kelana Jaya.

We ordered the ayam rempah goreng which is Spice Fried chicken. The chicken was ok, but not as tasty as I have expected. According to my friend, the standard had since dropped ever since they shifted place. The spice was good but the texture of the chicken was a tad bit too lumpy. According to customers who frequent this place, also commented on the dropped of quality.



                              Another recommendation was their sotong sambal (squid sambal). This was good.

For me, I would say the best is still the sambal sauce. It has the right ratio of sweetness and spiceness to it.

ABOVE: The nasi lemak, with regular hard boiled egg, cucumber, nuts and ikan bilis (anchovies).

Address:Nasi Lemak CikguNo 14, Jalan SS5B/2,Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya. 



One Recipe Cafe, SS2

Yet another new Fish head noodles have opened its doors in PJ. One Recipe Cafe in SS2, opened on 31st August, 2011. I ordered the Fresh fish head noodles (RM 8.50). Sad that this shop only serve one type of bee hoon noodles, which is the thin type. I am a fan of the thick beehoon noodles, which I felt will go very well with this creamy looking fish head noodles.

The soup looked very whitish that the noodles were almost invincible. It is lightly garnished with fried onions and parsley. There were only a small piece of fish head and the rest were fish fillet meat. Somehow or rather, the fish didn't taste very fresh and was a tad too fishy in smell. It tasted quite blanch, with no hint of sour or sweet taste.

As with serving the PJ crowd, a plate was prepared for diners to throw away the fish bones.

Overall, I would say even in the PJ vicinity, there are far more tastier Fish head noodles that this. The price was a little on the high side considering the lack of taste, choice and quality. Don't think I would be back for this.

Address:

One Recipe Cafe

31, Jalan SS2/67,

47300 Petaling Jaya.

Commons Cafe, Phileo Damansara

Here is another post for English Breakfast. I just can't get enough of having English Breakfast, as it is one of my absolute favourite food for breakfast. I frequent this cafe for two reasons:

First, it is nearby my office. Second, they have a variety of breakfast sets at a value price. And they have many variation of English Breakfast! The sets can go from Set 1 to Set 11. Most of their sets are priced at RM 6.90 and it also comes with a hot cup of tea (tea tarik or black tea) or coffee (white coffee or black).

The omelette set is one of their award winning dish. The omelette is infused with sausages green peppers, button mushrooms,  and chopped onions. For side dish, you may either choose sausage and fried potato, or hash brown and baked beans.

The texture of the omelette is firm on the outside. Once you take a bite, you will feel and taste the runny cheesy texture inside. This is because, they wrap melting cheese inside. Yum yum!

This is Set 5, my favourite. It comes with a Sunny side egg, two pieces of white bread (wholemeal bread option available with a cost), mashed potato, ham, butter and jam. This set also cost RM 6.90 and comes with coffee or tea. Their sunny side egg is almost always perfectly cooked. Rounded and firm, yet still runny enough.

                                 ABOVE: Set 9. Consist of: French toast, mashed potatos and sausage.

They have many other options here which you may order. Foods are ordered at the counter and paid up front. You will be given a number to display on your table for the waitress to see and serve your breakfast when it is ready. This cafe is usually crowded with executives from The Star, Siemens and other corporate firms which surrounds this cafe. It is packed by lunch time where there is an even bigger choice of Chinese style food (halal) such as loh si fun, loh mee, dried chili chicken rice, and their choices of bento sets.

For value for money English Breakfast, this is definitely the place!

Address:

Commons Cafe

No. 106, Block B,

Phileo Damansara II

15 Jalan 16/11,

46350 Petaling Jaya

Selangor Darul Ehsan

The Meat Expert, Hartamas

I love pork! No matter it is Chinese style or western cuisine. I had an opportunity to try The Meat Expert at Hartamas Shopping Centre. I ordered their Big Breakfast (served all day long) which consist of  2 sausages, 2 slices of bacon, 2 slices of ham, 2 eggs, 2 slices of breads, grilled tomato and baked beans. This usually cost RM 21.90. Let me just add a note here: I have dined here before and ordered their fabulous TME Big Breakfast. I was satisfied, FULL and contented. It was a very filling breakfast which lasted me till dinner time. However, this round...I purchased a Groupon for RM 11, instead of the full price as I tried and knew the food was good. I decided to take this chance to savour their delicious breakfast again.

The food was okay, as the quality was compromised. In the Groupon, it stated 'Pay RM 11, instead of RM 21.90’ which gives us a promotion rate of up to 50%. I was delighted and can't wait for the breakfast to be served. Alas, it came.

The eggs, baked beans, ham and bacon was the same. What was lacking is the quality of the sausages given. I must say, I was rather annoyed and dismayed. They served us with regular Frankfurt sausages and wiener, rather than the juicy bratwurst sausages they normally served. Needless to say, I wasn't very full that day and only lasted me till 3 pm. (I dined there at 12 noon).

Overall, I would say their breakfast is definitely delicious if you paid the full price. I, for one, would take a break from this place for a while to get over my disappointment and lack of sincerity of the owner of the cafe.

Address:

G 15-16, Hartamas Shopping Centre,

60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,

Kuala Lumpur

Contact no:

03- 62052577

Non- Halal

Sushi Tei, Tropicana City Mall

Sushi Tei, a Japanese restaurant which originated from Singapore, opened its doors at Tropicana City Mall since the shopping centre's opening. 'A good deal of sushi' is its tag line. The restaurant is located at the ground floor of Tropicana City Mall, just next to Kenny Rogers and opposite MBG fruits store. The other two outlets in Malaysia are located at Gardens Mall and Pavilion in KL.

Getting a seat here can prove to be a difficult task and advanced booking is recommended even on a weekday night.

We started the dinner with a hot cup of ocha (green tea) and plates of edamame just to kick in our appetite.

Next, came the tuna maki with avocado. Dragon Roll, Salmon sushi, sushi platter, and salmon salad. I must say, their speciality is really their sushi in all forms- maki, roll and salad. The food presentation was tantalising and beautifully arranged. Taste good too. Yummy!

Their wakame ramen and sukiyaki tasted okay and quite normal. The kind you will find in most Japanese chain restaurants. I still root for their sushi though.

Chocolate ice cream (MUST TRY!) The taste is simply exquisite!

Above: Green tea ice cream with waffle

Above: Sherbet and green tea ice cream (house favourite)

The total bill comes up to RM 400.00. Great if you dine with a group of 6-10 people. Overall, applause to their selection and taste of sushi. It certainly is 'A good deal of sushi' --- compared with many chain restaurants, their sushi really tasted good with a slightly higher price than other Japanese chain restaurants but certainly not as pricey as the high end Japanese restaurants.

Address:

Sushi Tei

Lot G-16, Ground Floor,

Tropicana City Mall,

No 3 Jalan SS20/27,

47400 Petaling Jaya

Contact no: 03- 7728 4299