The all-you-can get premium ingredients is from The Rare Food Company in Empire Residence. The Rare Food Company serves premium ingredients from different regions, offering engaging food produce and premium selections of alcoholic beverages in town.

A team of wild fire chefs, meticulously produce the finest plate before expediting, flare and flare non-stop. You will be able to see the finest cut of meat being slice, fresh octopus being plate on. Sound and aroma of the sizzling pan from the kitchen really arose the appetite.

If you notice, ratio of the seats are mostly alfresco rather than indoor. Glad that it wasn't that hot or humid choosing seats at the alfresco area because there's sufficient high-powered wall fans around the structure coupled with natural outdoor wind. The alfresco seats overlooking the beautiful residential view of Damansara Perdana.

Started with the appetizer - Pan-seared Iberico Gyozas (RM 28.00). Not the usual typical minced meat fillings inside the skin. They used the premium Iberico that was used for the filling then pan-seared gracefully at the right temperature to retain the succulent inside. The gyozas served with jungle garlic sauce for dipping. For me the gyozas has no difference if I were to compared them against any other gyozas from the Japanese restaurants. Unsure why this dish is in high demand?

Second appetiser for that night - Japanese Oyster Omelette (RM 29.00). A plate of omelette size of a hand palm, moist texture that was cooked right. Topped with fresh Japanese Oysters then highlight with the organic Yuzu and chilli. This dish you will enjoy the acidity and heat from the yuzu and chili, fresh ocean from the oysters.

The third dish that comes in with surprise - Pulpo (RM 78.00). The Spanish Octopus chargrilled to perfection (not rubbery but tender), beautifully charred drizzled gracefully with olive oil & paprika and served with smoked sauce to give a little heat to it. Highly reckon on this! Even the size of it is quite big.

Want some carbs? This is the Wagyu Bacon Don, served with pickled Kyuri & Shitake with Kombu Butter (RM 38.00). It is a small sized rice bowl that they make sure you don't outrun your calories calculator. Portion is just right, kombu smells great, together with the wagyu bacon slices.

The star and limited edition dish is the Uni Scallop Truffle Capellini. No doubt that the uni, scallops and roe are very fresh and delicate to enjoy with the capellini, however, the flavour of the broth seems to be lacking on my taste bud. Until they improvise the flavour, I will still recommend Darren Chin's signature somen. 

-Reservation is required.

-A place to impress your date with alfresco dining overlooking the beautiful view within Damansara Perdana.

-Be mindful of the portion as well as the price.

-Highly recommended dish: Pulpo 

-Consider twice on: Pan-seared Iberico Gyozas & Uni Scallop Truffle Pasta

Kepong's favourite - D'Fotune Western is one of the most happening restaurant and best cheap eat in Pusat Bandar Menjalara, that has been serving the community for quite number of years at a very affordable price in the neighbourhood.

From afar, it may look like a mamak restaurant due to the typical signage design & color used, the dining area expanded towards outdoor area as if it really looks like one, well the truth about it is that the restaurant is always full inside out regardless of occasion. Not to forget that most of the food items are cheap and big in portion.

 

Oven Baked Escargot (RM 16.80 for 6 pieces). Spicy escargot baked with herb butter and melted cheese all over. Taste yummy like seriously, well baked. The combination from the melted cheese is impressive.

Grilled Chicken Chop (RM 17.80) served with daily vegetable and French Fries, mushroom sauce. Tender piece of protein, delicious mushroom gravy. The rest, french fries and daily vegetables are quite straightforward.

Personal Summary: If you are looking for cheap eat, especially on western cuisine, this place is amazing BUT can be crowded during peak hours. Be there early to avoid stuck in a traffic congestion and to get better carpark nearby the restaurant.

Every country, place or even the universe - has its own best kept secret. Soon Heng Social Club is one of them, amassed their reputation with discreet way of conveying their messages through old, funky, or you can call it mystifying decorations, posters or props on the online platforms.

To be part of their social club member, it will take awhile to apply. Some said it took them a week, some may say a month or even dreadful, some gave up applying (not exaggerating) . The key to success is on the luck, timing and persistence. In fact, right into RMCO phase, I got my approval as soon as they posted up on their reopening.

Yes, mind you - by invitation only.

It was the exotic props - wrapping the patrons back to the old days, bringing em' back the memories as you dine. In fact, some corners are dark with supernatural" elements. Beware.

On the left is the Nutmeg Sour (RM 6) and on the right was the Artisan Hawthorn Berry (RM 8). The beverages did brought me back to my humble beginning before stepping into city, however, I realised, both drinks were a little too sweet. Feedback were given after payment.

An urban chic Japanese-Spanish inspired yakitori nestled along Jalan Mesui, not far away from the hotspot areas like Bukit Bintang and such. Tired of food in the shopping mall? Wanted something different? This Palillos Yakitori Bar may be your new discovery.

Warm and inviting indoor interiors which cladded with the Japanese wood finishing. If indoors seems tight for you, there's alfresco courtyard (outdoor) at the entrance, suitable for smokers and great for those seeking for outdoor vibes.

Deep inside Palillos, you can see the kitchen crews are busy grilling at the yakitori bar, a traditional method of grilling the skewers with the heat of imported charcoals - to have the skewers charred and smoky from the charcoal as well as elevating the skewers in terms of flavours and taste.

Started off with the Kampachi Carpaccio (RM 35.00) - a long plate of white fish slices crowned with black truffle, olive oil drizzle and sea salt, topped with chopped scallions. Absolutely love it! Glad to have it at the very beginning. Stunning compliment of every component you see on the plate.

Meatball "pork & chicken skewer" (RM 7/stick) - Yeap... basically pork and chicken meats blended together as one. Well marinated and seasoned, very delicious! Sounds simple but I think the key ingredient is from the spices which remains unknown.

Spanish Chistorra Chorizo (RM 10/stick) served with Romesco Sauce. Great taste on its own but nothing special to shout about it (even if it dipped with the romesco sauce).

Iberico pork belly (RM 12/stick) - Good bite, mild wasabi, perfectly seasoned. However, nothing special to shout about as well.

Duck Foie Gras with Honey (RM 19/serving) - a bread toast served with Duck Foie Gras drizzled with honey. This one will give you the wow factor at a very decent price for a quick bite. Perfectly grilled charred foie gras that matched well with the honey.

Spanish Melon with Serrano Ham (RM 35) - Ah ha! Special item from the menu. Slice of melon wrapped with Serrano Ham. The mixture of sweet & salty component, not many able to accept this, but I find this truly unique. A great reason to be here. Delicious.

Personal Summary: Great "quick bite" spot in KL city. Inside the restaurant can be a little hyper due to groups dine-in for celebrations or after work hours. Service was slow during my visit due to peak hours. Price of the quick bite menu can be perceived as expensive for certain group of customers. 

Palillos Yakitori Bar

23, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

Saturday to Friday : 4pm - 12am

Close on Sundays.

The Farm Foodcraft nestled inside The Sphere Bangsar South, serving their very own grown and fresh harvest greens with desire to change one's lives to a healthier lifestyle. Yes, they do have their own eco-farm lab inside the restaurant to produce their own resources, hence it is pretty amazing to look at.

As you walk in, you can see greens inside out of the premise - every corners are well decorated with different types of greens and flowers. Dining area quite spacious, good for groups - noise from the crowd won't overlap and clash.

Started my breakfast with the Truffle & Portobello Soup (RM 25.00), a bowl of creamy Portobello and mixed mushroom soup infused with Italian truffle mushroom paste, served in char-grilled country bread. Taste wise was fine but couldn't feel much from the truffle, was guessing mushroom soup was too creamy and thick that it masked the truffle. Char-grilled country bread was okay. Portion was big, can share up to 4 eater surprisingly.

On the healthier approached, you can have this Farmer's Portobello & Avocado (RM 36.00). A big wooden pan that consists of char-grilled King Portobello Mushrooms drizzled with Summer Truffle Oil, served with half avocado grilled, Pomegranate Mesclun mixed salad and 100% pure sweet potato puree. Definitely very green and healthy. Delicious? I can say very subjective to individual palate but vegetarians will love it.

Started the evening with Marta's wide choice of Spanish tapas. One of the special tapa from the menu was the Fish & Chips with Squid Ink Aioli (RM 30.00). The fish meat was fresh and big, love the crisp battered that was well fried to golden perfection. Having Squid Ink Aioli at the side to enhance the taste of the fish and chip as it brings salty taste to it. 

The other tapa that was on table, Pinchos Morunos (RM 20.00) that was marinated pork kebabs that uses the best mixed spices from Spain. Honestly, nothing special about the mixed spices and it did feels bland after eating the pork kebabs. It needs more seasoning.

Many reckons that the paella is a must to try when you are in a Spanish or Valencian restaurant. Here in Marta's Kitchen, the best selling menu item goes to Squid Ink Paella (RM 37.00). The dish was perfect to me as the rice was cooked to al-dente. The flavors are bold and rich. The dish stood even better when there's a dollop of cream fresh and a fresh large prawn on top.

Another dish that I highly recommend is the Juicy Iberico Pork Rib (Half Rack - RM 85.00). The juicy pork rib that is marinated with sweet & sour sauce, served with hot spicy sauce at the side as a compliment to each other. In my opinion this half rack portion also sufficient up to 4 pax.

My personal summary: 

Better to make advance reservation to avoid disappointment (Crowd comes in during peak hours). Overall service is good. Certain tapas lack of seasoning, however, very subjective to individual palette. Recommended the Squid Ink Paella and Juicy Pork Rib.