Monthly Archives: April 2009

Sri Paandi, Section 11 PJ

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Banana leaf rice – Indian fast food.  Environmentally friendly.

At Sri Paandi, service is efficient and quick.  You WILL be ambushed by men in purple before you can text “Ciki, save me!!”.

Once seated, allow the warmth of the service to envelope you.  Say “Nandri” (thank you) with a wiggle of the head each time something is presented before you.  “Chicken varuvel?”  “Nandri.” *wiggle*  “Thairu?”  “Nandri.”  *wiggle*  “Fish curry?”  “Nandri.” *wiggle*  “Fried bittergourd?”  “Nandri.” *wiggle*

You get the idea.  Of course, if you can’t see your partner’s face thanks to the mound of rice on your banana leaf, yell “Pothummmm!!“.  (enough)

*wiggle* 

paandi

Paandi

To indicate contentment, burp.

Sri Paandi
Jalan Dato Mahmud 11/4
Off Jalan Universiti, PJ

Acknowledgement: Concept and words inspired by my bff, ALilFatMonkey.  Rest assured that I will not be embarking on a career as a cartoonist in the near, or distant, future.

Oh, and real men wear purple.

Ribs by Vintry, Damansara Heights

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Barbarian Ribs

Barbarian Ribs

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Barbarian Ribs?  BARBARIAN Ribs?

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Barbarian Ribs

Barbarian Ribs

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Yup. Barbarian Ribs.  I’m not kidding.  Eat it with your fingers (and ruin your manicure).  Tear the meat apart with your teeth (and wonder why it doesn’t take any effort when the meat literally falls off the bones).  Lick that delicious barbecue sauce that clings to the meat.

Leave some for me?

The best dressed pork at Ribs by Vintry.

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Interior at Ribs by Vintry

Interior

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The interior is rustic . But it isn’t old fashioned, and the lighting is warm but not dim.  A nice place for friends to get together.  An extensive wine collection is available, just like at Vintry’s a couple of doors away.

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Braised ribs

Braised ribs

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Some of the items on the menu are similar to Vintry’s, although it is clear that most of the customers come here for the gargantuan pork ribs.  The braised ribs paled in comparison to the barbarian ribs; there was this powdery taste that I couldn’t quite figure out.   It was more in the meat than in the sauce, which was even more perplexing.  A curious case, indeed.  The brown sauce and the accompanying roasted potatoes which soaked up all the wonderful flavour was lovely.

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Tom yam spaghetti

Tom yam spaghetti

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And then there are some who like to be different.  Perhaps a reflection of their past life in that vibrant country north of Malaysia.  And whilst it is such an unlikely combination, and perhaps one that would make purists balk, the resultant marrying of east and west is one that tastes quite…comforting.   Oh, did I mention that there are bits of crispy pork lard in the dish?  Heaven.

The service was good.  Attentive.  Water glasses were refilled quickly.  Orders were taken politely.  Recommendations?  Perhaps not quite so well done (“Please refer to the board for our recommendations, Miss!”).  Not a big problem, of course.

 

Ribs by Vintry (website HERE)

120-122, Jalan Kasah,

Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2096 1645

Opening hours: Noon till late. Kitchen closes 3.00pm to 6.00pm. Closed on Sundays and certain public holidays. Call to enquire.

(Note: We went there on a Sunday, and it was open, so I’m not sure if it was an exceptional case. Anyhow, I’d recommend calling first.)

Also check out:

Kenny’s Journey of Life

Jacko.MY

MissMynx

I can’t decide!

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claypot fish head noodles

On one hand, I’ve always maintained that Goon Wah is the fish head noodles place to visit, and then about a couple of months ago, I tried the fish head noodles at Soon Lei, just a few doors down the road from Goon Wah.  I thought it was really tasty, so I dragged HairyBerry there one weekend for a second taste.  Even before the dish was placed on our table, I could already smell the aroma of the wine simmering in the bowl of seafood broth.  Inside were thick chunks of fried fish head, preserved vegetables, tomatoes and yam.  All very good, of course.

claypot lou shue fan

Then there’s the claypot lou shu fan (rat tail noodles), dark and sticky, with minced pork and dried shrimps, also very good.

noodles with pumpkin and salted egg yolk

One of the better dishes is the stir fried noodles with pumpkin and salted egg yolk. A strange combination, no doubt, and perhaps the generous portion of pumpkin is an overkill, and perhaps less is more, but still…very…good.

goon wah

So I paid Goon Wah a visit last week.  I had to make up my mind.   Indecision wouldn’t do.  Equipped with just my trusty iPhone to take pictures, Ecstatic Eeyore and I ordered three dishes, and we tucked in.  We left an hour later, bloated with soup, and still confused.  To be honest, I prefer the claypot lou shu fun in Goon Wah, because it is a little more charred and black, the way I like it, but it doesn’t make it better than Soon Lei’s version.  I still love the fish head noodles in GW, although the aroma of wine is a little more faint in GW’s version as compared to SL’s, but that is compensated with the generous portion of fish head in GW.   The fried intestines in GW is still a must-have; it is not the crunchy deep fried type, but more chewy and its strong smell is masked quite a bit by the fried dried shrimps and other sauces.  But I do like that orange noodles in SL.   Hmmmm.

To cut a long story short, I have failed in deciding which one I prefer.

Perhaps it isn’t important to decide.  Choice is always a good thing.  And this world is certainly big enough for two good fish head noodle restaurants…or ten.

Kedai Makanan & Minuman Soon Lei
G7, Blok KPI, Jalan 3/115C
Taman Kuchai Jaya
58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 016-608 7282/016-273 5369
Open MONDAY TO SATURDAY 8.15am to 4.30pm.  CLOSED SUNDAY.