1.
Except for my dad who grew up on berries and boars on the plantations of Sungai Siput, the rest of us in the family have had less than solid stomachs. The whole family has a loyalty card at Pantai (buy 10 surgeries, free 2) and a parking lot right next to the lift reserved for the most frequent visitors. So when it came to planning a birthday dinner for mum (born in the Year of the Pig), we knew that the task was bigger than it seemed. We had to prevent another visit to Pantai at all cost as they had ceased their loyalty scheme. (They said they were losing money thanks to our last barbequed lamb fiasco.)
Nothing can go wrong with pork. As I write this, all is well at home, and their faces are still plastered with happy grins, stomachs intact. Yes, El Cerdo delivered.
We ordered a few starters and mains to share. The tomato soup with fine bits of pork was complimentary. The Jamon Serrano, basically air dried ham with slices of rockmelon (RM38 for one portion, we ordered two), was a play of salty and sweet, a little bit of country and a little bit of rock n’ roll. I embraced the flavours with the same excitement shown by my five year old nephew when he receives a hammer for a present (i.e.pure smashing ecstacy), while my mum politely smiled and said, “I thought we were going to have pork chops”.
Patience, I muttered.
I silently prayed. Please let the next item look like a pork chop.
Voila. Two servings of Iberico BBQ pork spare ribs (RM68 for one portion). Black pigs that have fed on a diet of greens and acorns along the southern border of Spain and Portugal (which basically means they’ve done a fair bit of exercising before their almost definite death at the chopping board of some spanish man with a long curly moustache) and are supposedly healthier, leaner, meaner pigs compared to the fat slobs roaming Kampung Baru Di Selatan Sana who feed on belacan and durians. And frankly, this was the best porker I had ever tasted. The pork ribs would have made a cannibal change his ways – the slightly salty, savoury marinade enhanced the juicy tender and yes, lean meat, and made the experience mindblowing. So it wasn’t a pork chop. Thankfully, mum had forgotten her mantra. We all resorted to using our fingers cavemanlike as a tribute to this wonderful animal.
It got better. Shhhhh, keep this to yourself – the waiters at El Cerdo are actually actors who didn’t get roles in RTM2’s Drama Minggu Ini. Yes, El Cerdo has its own showtime. I won’t elaborate, although many of you are probably aware of the special performance, but suffice to say that the little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home and got one helluva beating from mummy and daddy.
The skin of the suckling pig (RM215 for a whole pig) was thin and crisp, and there was quite a bit of meat to feed 7 of us even though the menu said 4. It was the best roasted suckling pig I had ever tasted. My family concurs.
The paella with seafood, chicken, chorizo and pork (RM88) was an excellent tummy filler. The rice was cooked to perfection. My compliments to the chef.
And the birthday cake? It could only be Death by Chocolate from Just Heavenly – a sweet, chocolatey ending to a celebration enhanced by the sound of smashing plates and oinks. Music to my ears.
Elcerdo (www.elcerdokl.com)
43 & 45, Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2145 0511
2.
And while we are on the topic of birthdays, on 27 August 2007, Kenny Mah wrote me a wonderful collection of stories as a birthday gift and put it up on his blog. It was definitely a labour of love and something that touched my heart. Today, my friend turns 29. I wrote the following poem, specially for this friend who came into my life nine months ago and has refused to leave ever since. Does anyone know of a good poison?
Why you so liddat?
Why you tease me so?
You say my voice sexy
Y’mean better than Nipple Joe?
How can I forget
The first time when we met
I swear I saw the sparks
Between you and that slutty baguette!
Don’t lie, it’s true
It’s not me you want
I can’t compete
With that baked runt
Happy Birthday,my love
Embrace your age
You’re old, I know
You’re almost a sage
Your hair will grey
Your teeth will fall
When that bun leaves ya
You have my number to call
Coz our friendship lives
Got nine months mah
If babies are forever
We’re forever and ever. errr. lah
Aiyoyo sami
I can’t rhyme for nuts
This is disastrous
I’d better shop for cards.
At least you know I didn’t plagiarize this poem.
Haha. Nice poem!
The food looks gorgeous! It’s expensive though, but i bet it worth the price paid. =)
that’s good looking pork … your mom sounds like mine! LOL
Jojo: Yep, it’s definitely worth paying so much. I’d do it all over again. 🙂
neko-hime: LOL. Mothers are the same all over the world, eh?
you are so romantic!!!! lots of love to your old man too
I received an email from a friend, commenting about the plagiarized poem made by her.
Sigh.
Who said plagiarism is taken seriously only when you were back in University? No no no.
probably one of your silent readers,
– dD.
biblio: Hehe. It certainly wasn’t meant to be romantic. I’d much rather sweep him up with a broom and throw him into a dustbin with all the other 29 year olds who refuse to move to 30.
dD: Thanks for dropping by! 🙂 Yeah, plagiarism is a big deal, even if it’s about a children’s book.
Did you all see that vid of her singing pissed off to Jamie Foxx? I didn’t even notice that it was a song. Plus, that’s one freaky thing. Screaming at a man like that, thinking it was a song. He should have just ran. That girl is crazy.
Owh no, I have finally left a comment on LL’s blog.
This is blasphemous if you take my policy into consideration.
Oink Oink Oink!! What a feast! Now you made me crave for some porky pork now. Next time you go, remember to try Ox Tail Stew, absolutely DELICIOUS!
By the way..NICE POEM! HAHAHA!! Good effort!
Pingback: All information » El Cerdo, Changkat Bukit Bintang - Of birthday celebrations, and a tribute to the original HSS
Zah..ummm…nevermind: What video? Show me next time. 🙂 And yeah, absolutely blasphemous, but we’ll make an exception. I promise not to tell anyone. 😛
Precious Sista: Oink2 back at ya! Yeah, so much pork, eh? The place was crowded, man! Nice poem? Thanks girl. 😛 I should stick to my dayjob, I’m sure.
Ahhh..envy..!! pretty sure i ain’t gonna get anything like this here for sure.
spare ribs = pork chops? or what happened to the real pork chops eh?..
makes me want to go here for CNY reunion dinner..what a twist kekeke
*not poem”ing” this round…the stage is yours…haha!”
Ohhh…so, that emotionally-charged, gripping story was about you lar…your poem is ok lar…but by giving Kenny a treat at al cerdo will be even better :). The suckling pig’s too much for you both, eh? *hint hint*
I am speechless.
Actually, no. I’m never speechless. 😛
What I mean, using far more erudite terms, is simply:
Wow.
…and…
Thank you.
Now everyone around me is wondering why I’m grinning from ear to ear. Heh. My post of the birthday dinner will be up soon. As in as soon as a certain Lyrical Lady sends me the photos. Ahem.
Ta!
Happy Birthday Aunty! My family of four won’t be able to finish the piglah…do they do half servings?
I have been thinking about this place, and didn’t know that feeding a piggy could be such rocket science. From where I am reading this I could not see the pics, but just by reading, I could already taste the piggy jo…
I just came across your site and I have to say it looks great!! Your photos are beautiful…and this meal at El Cerdo looks divine…I just started blogging a few months back and so I’m always looking for new blogs to inspire me and yours certainly does! I’m adding you to the list of blogs I adore 🙂
i have yet to visit el-cerdo! 🙁 heard so much but never get to try… poor me! sobzzz… anyways, that’s such a romantic poem… nice one! 🙂
Cruchasaurus Rex: I’m sure you get really good stuff like this where you are. 🙂
lotsofcravings: doubt if you’ll be forgiven for choosing this as a venue for reunion dinner. hahaha.
Nic: Call me next time u’re in KL, and we’ll go to El Cerdo. I wouldn’t mind trying that yummy Iberian pig again. heehee. And NO, those “jiwa” stories were not ABOUT me la. They were FOR me. An important difference, if you asked me. 😛
Kenny: Awwww you’re welcome sweetie. And I’ve given u the pics, so am waiting for ur post now. FASTER!! *whip*
unkaleong: Thanks, on behalf of my mum. Yes, they do half piglet for little over a hundred bucks. Yummmmm. I want.
Bernsy: The pictures don’t do any justice to the food man. It was GOOOOOOOD.
Alexandra: Thank you!! I am flattered. 🙂 You have a great blog too. 🙂
MeiyeN: Awww, I hope you get to try it soon. Go with more people so you can share the food around. The portions are large.
el cerdo!!! best porky in town! slurp~ suckling pig.. heart it!
What a great feast! Was that tequila shot you guys had before the meal? What a celebration!
Pingback: My Happy Birthday « KennyMah.net » Life for Beginners
horhorhor, you guys can actually bankrupt an eating establishment, impressive……wish I could eat that much
A family feast! Lots of joy…..Do I see a kid in the pic? The kid has a had a tequila shot too???
Happy Belated Birthday to Aunty and Kenny 🙂
I can’t stop myself from giggling while reading the poem ^^
yammylicious: You got that right, girl!
Lianne: Actually, that was the after-dinner drinks – a concoction of wine and some spirits with lime juice. very nice.
Henry: Impossible. We paid thru our noses. They’re very lucky to have us. haha.
wmw: Always a joy! 🙂 Yeah, that’s a kid, but he was just observing. (I’m sure he was dying to take a sip tho)
jason: hahaha. Always happy to entertain, dude!
oh lovely! looks like your mum got more than what she asked for LOL.
Hi,
What should i said that i really admire all the photos shooting in your site here!
I been actually visiting your site ever since a blogger friend (big boys oven) introduced to me when we were talking about photo shooting… you really giving me the guts to make my blog a change. I come up here in your blog whever i’m online… your photos are too “eyes attrative”!
Added you in my list since that… 🙂
Wow, are the pork dishes really that good? I’m feeling so hungry now. We really should try it out!
daphne: She didn’t get what she asked for, though. hehe.
BigFish: You’re really sweet! thank you!! I’m glad you’re going for it…blogging and beautifying a blog is really satisfying, dontcha think? 🙂 Thanks for visiting and thanks to BBO for introducing my site to you. 🙂
Sugar Bean: Yes, they’re really that good!! Yummy!!
aww… so sweet of you! Nice poem! 🙂
I was laughing and enjoyed reading it ;P
Ha ha, LL. Nice one for ol’ Kenny. What an old man, geezer almost! You’re a most poetic bean counter.
Waaaaah! salivationg now… I will defintely go for the crispy pork skin!!!lol!
Always read your blog: first time poster.
Iberian pigs (a different race) cannot be raised in captivity, like traditional farms, but free range on huge areas called “dehesas”, hence both the race and “exercise” lead to the excellent quality of pork.
The jamon from your picture looked pretty ordinary quality, so if you liked that, think of when you try the real stuff! It was also serrano (form the ordinary white pig), so is the more everyday kind.
you can learn more about it at
http://www.jamondepatanegra.com/tienda/el_cerdo_iberico.php
Christine: Thank you. 🙂 Laughing? Hehe. Well, I’m glad. A lot thought it was romantic. 😛
Argus: You make “bean counter” sound almost like a bad word. 😛
BBO: Oh yes, I’d go back there for that too!
bebe nanno: Thank you for the information. Now I’m salivating for the real stuff. MMmmmmm.
Exquisite shooting 🙂 Great job!
GONG XI FA CAI!!
Hello!! wonderfully chanced upon your blog when i googled “nice restaurants in KL for birthdays”. wonderfully cos my partner is an absolute sucker for pork. made my reservation and as you described so aptly, El Cerdo definitely delivered. All of us were made porkers by the end of the meal. Thanks! and yes, this is in 2012. 😀 love the way you write! will be stalking you from now! :b
Hi Livia! Glad you had a good time there. Loads more wonderful restaurants in KL! Thanks for stalking! 😀