Category Archives: LOCATION: KUALA LUMPUR

House+Co and A Whiff of Kam Raslan

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sambal sotongI’m excited excited EXCITED! I can’t stop jumping up and down.Boing, boing, boing…..

nasi lemak Ummm. Food review. Yes, I was going to write a food review. One of my favourite foods too, the nasi lemak, in an elevated status. And this is important, because one has to realise that nasi lemak can be enjoyed in any form and anywhere. This meal, which once started off as simple fare of rice, cucumbers, anchovies and spicy sambal has since moved on to grander things. Sambal sotong (squid), sambal kerang (cockles), beef and chicken rendang have all been served with nasi lemak at one time or another. And really, should we only revere the makcik who sells nasi lemak by the roadside, with nary a utensil but her gnarled fingers to pack the various ingredients in a neatly folded triangular package, or should we open our minds and say, hey, I’m going to be objective about this? Even if it’s a RM15 plate of nasi lemak?

Boing, boing, boing…. How can I possibly describe this ecstacy?

Nasi lemak

The nasi lemak at House+Co easily took my breath away when I first saw it. The presentation resembled a work of art. Depending on what you choose, the beef, chicken or squid sambal (all absolutely delicous) is creatively placed on a banana flower (jantung pisang?). I loved the long grained rice placed on a piece of banana leaf. Two different sambals were given – one to be eaten with the rice, and the other, presumably as a dip for the cucumber, sliced lengthwise. Portions were undoubtedly rather substantial, possibly to justify the RM15 pricetag. My verdict? Well-worth the money spent.

I can’t contain this excitement! Boing, boing, boing……

Curry laksa

Another great dish is the nyonya curry laksa. Okay, there aren’t many items on the menu, so one can’t turn eating at House+Co into a daily affair. The nyonya curry laksa was served in a huge bowl, complete with my favourite ingredient – juicy cockles! The curry was a little on the thin side, but it merely meant that one could drink up to one’s heart’s content. Also priced at RM15.

Chicken pita

Other dishes included the Chicken Pita at RM12.

Syrup
Syrup for sweetening the drinks

House+Co (cafe located at the back of the shop)
Second Floor
Bangsar Shopping Centre
Kuala Lumpur.

Opening Time:
Tuesday—Sunday (closed on Monday)
Lunch: 10am—3pm / Tea time: 3pm—6pm(no reservations accepted)

Boing, boing, boing….

Well, the reason I’m excited is because I’ve been featured, together with KAM RASLAN, in the same article in KLue magazine. KAM RASLAN!! The man who made my toilet sessions a little more bearable, even if I was spending longer hours on the throne. (No Boss, it wasn’t period pain.) The man who turned me into a gentler person as I patiently waited for friends to turn up while I was deeply engrossed in his book, Confessions of an Old Boy: The Dato’ Hamid Adventures. The man whom I admired from a distance at literary events. How does one approach such a person? It seemed silly. What would I have said? “Harlow, my name is…errr…Lemongrass. No, not the edible kind. Lyrical. L-Y-R-I-C-A-L. Ah? Stoopid ar? OH,” I’d pause, “Anyway, can I have your autograph please? SIR?” And I’d probably walk away hurriedly in embarrassment, wondering why in the world I’d call anybody other than the Pope “Sir”. I digress. KAM RASLAN!!

*swoon*

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The good people of Abu Dhabi may view the pictures HERE.

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Pik Wah Restaurant, KL

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Nope. I don’t think I’m quite ready to say goodbye to you.14 years is a long time to know someone. Remember when you were my flatmate and you rushed to the kitchen when you heard my piercing scream? It was my first time cleaning a fish and I didn’t know how slimy it would be, and you took over my chore because I was whimpering.

When I got married, you were not just a bridesmaid to me, but also my friend and my confidante. When I was running late for my wedding, I couldn’t answer the impatient phonecalls from my parents (didn’t they know that the wedding couldn’t take place without the bride?), so you took the mobilephone firmly from my hand because you could see that I was getting hysterical, and calmly answered all subsequent phonecalls.

We’d laugh and gossip and chat everyday over a breakfast of nasi lemak or steamed bread. “Kak, Nescafe ais dua!”, we’d take turns ordering our daily staple. It will feel strange to order just one Nescafe ais.

Pattaya style Garoupa

At your farewell luncheon at Pik Wah Restaurant, we ate quietly, whispering and conspiring, knowing what would be ordered and how it would end because all farewell luncheons were approximately the same. The Pattaya style fish would definitely be on the menu because it was a house specialty.

Suckling Pig

I fretted because the suckling pig was not on the menu. It was served at Smokin’ SOB’s farewell, and I remember its crisp skin and delicious thin slices of meat.

Braised pork trotters

But you had something else that was very good too. The braised pork trotters were delicious, although I know you don’t care much for the layer of fat. The sauce, mopped up by the sweet buns, was a delight to eat.

Pretty Pui China is but a phonecall away. I think I won’t say goodbye to you.

After all, 14 years is a long time to know someone, isn’t it?

Please name your first child after me.

Restoran Pik Wah
MABA House, Basement Level Stadium Block
6, Jalan Hang Jebat, 50150 KL.

Tel: 03-2072 3668, 2078 3668

Robson Heights Seafood Restaurant

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1.

The mechanism was already in place. Change. Inevitable change. It had become clear to me that I was moving into a different phase of my life.2.

She leaves in a week. I tease her that she will miss us, but I know that it is only to mask my impending feeling of loneliness. We used to joke that we were like nomads – moving from friend to friend; never quite settled down. I suppose we’ll all survive in our new environments. Even if it’s 3,000km away. Despite that, I’ll probably be able to hear her cackle.

3.

Tonight, the first of many “makan” sessions marks her farewell. Robson Heights Seafood Restaurant in Taman Seputeh is one of our favourite seafood restaurants even if it lacks the seaside atmosphere or the smell of the ocean. Its close proximity to the city spells convenience and brings with it a waft of fumes.

salted egg yolk crabs

The Makan Club’s closeness hinges on many things, one of which is crabs. We ordered two types of preparations. The salted egg yolk crabs (RM59) were prepared in a thick sauce that clung to the shells, the saltiness mitigated slightly by a sweetness of taste that was probably due to the addition of sugar.

crabs in3 steamed egg white and superior soup

We loved the crabs steamed with egg white and chinese wine (RM63). The crabs were really fresh and sizeable, while the flesh was naturally sweet. The steamed egg white was plain on its own, but was immediately transformed when eaten with a little wine that had simmered with the crabs. The flavour of the dish was further enhanced by the large amount of shredded ginger thrown into it.

salt baked prawns

The salt-baked (fried?) prawns (RM30) were tasty but I thought it could be a little more crispy. Despite its freshness, the dish didn’t excite me.

black-pepper udon

One of the house specialities is the fried black pepper udon (RM20). The thick, wheat noodles dish was fried with lots of black pepper and tasted a little sweetish. Despite the peppery taste that irritated my sore throat, I nevertheless thought this dish was exceptional in spite of its simplicity.

mixed vegetables

The mixed vegetables (RM15) were also very good. I loved the sweetness of the water chestnuts that contrasted well with the other flavours. Also, the contrast of the textures made the dish very enjoyable.

Pretty Pui – thank you for a lovely meal!!

Robson Heights Seafood Restaurant
10B, Jalan Permai,
Off Jalan Syed Putra, 50460 KL.

Tel: 03-2274 6216

The good people of AD may view pics HERE.