Malaya Hainan @Petaling Street China Town Kuala Lumpur - Authentic Nyonya Peranakan Dishes Down Memory Lane Review

Feeling nostalgia of late, Best Restaurant To Eat was invited to review Malaya Hainan @ Petaling Street - a new yesteryear kopitiam style of the 1950's era located at Lot 16, Section 24, Jalan Panggong 50000 Kuala Lumpur, a stone throw away from the famous Petaling Street.

Upon entering this restaurant, it brings back many memories of the days that I used to hang and play around; as a kid of 5 to 6 years old. I used to loiter around the Petaling Street area during its hey days which was a trading hub for many Chinese businesses.

This site where the restaurant sits, is the post office of those days, where there are many bustling business around the area. It has since been abandoned for a while and recently the management of Malaya Hainan have taken over and refurbished it to the charm of this forgotten era.

Sipping a cup of hot Hainan Coffee by the marble table, sitting on a redesign kopitiam chair, marvelling the decor and memorabilia, one can easily be transported back to the period where life was much simpler and carefree.

We started the dinner review with the ROTI JALA WITH POTATO CURRY CHICKEN (RM6.90). A Malaysian favourite snack food.

The texture of the Roti Jala was soft and fluffy, which the chef uses pure pandan juice which are added to the batter and then made into the jala shape and serves with a bowl of Curry Chicken.

The potato chicken curries was cooked with a unique combination of spices and herbs, which was perfectly blended and cook till a strong aroma and fragrant and was perfect for the Roti Jala

Next, we had the SPECIAL KERABU MANGO (not on menu) - (RM7.00), which was infused with the finely shredded dried shrimp mix with chicken meat, shrimp and topped with freshly slice green mango was a delightful starter treat.

Taste wise, it was not overly sourish while the green mango still have the distinct crisp and fresh feel while the strong aroma of the Bunga Kantan leaves your taste-bud tingling.

This is then followed by the NYONYA FRIED RICE - (RM9.50) - It is a belacan infused fried rice. According to the chef, there are more than 15 condiments that are added into this special Fried Rice.

The strong aroma of the condiments and spices are very apparent in every spoonful that we have eaten. The additional spiciness of the sambal belacan and flavourful special fried dried shrimp enhances the whole Fried Rice dish.

Another special rice that was dished out by the Chef is the YAM FRIED RICE - (RM9.50). The YAM are first steamed to a soft texture and dice into little cube shapes before adding to the rice and fried.

You are able to taste the natural sweetness of the yam, which was totally blended with the chicken meat to extract out the flavours. It has this special distinct taste that you can't stop eating it. One of the thing that we noticed from the 2 Fried Rice, is that these rice are not overly coated with oil.

Malaya Hainan@ Petaling Street, is a Pork Free restaurant, so to improvise, the Chef has created ROTI AYAM (RM6.50), which is a rendition of Peranakan famous ROTI BABI.

The preparation is similar to that of ROTI BABI (but of course there are also some that deep fried the whole bread too), in that the bread are coated with a layer of battered eggs and then toasted on the pan and eaten with a dash of Lea Perrin sauce and coleslaw topping.

The last dish for the night is the ASSAM LAKSA (RM9.90). This is a real test as there are many restaurants and chefs that has claimed to be able to dish out the best ASSAM LAKSA.

So, when the noodle arrive, the first taste of the soup was the test; which has a strong aroma but not too overly sourish, the kembong fish which was used still retains a soft texture which we were a little surprise as most places the fish tends to be a little hard. Moreover the soup was not of the watery type and was very florally flavoured by the Bunga Kantan, Fresh Mint Leaves and the strong fish broth.

This has got to be one of the better ASSAM LAKSA that I have tasted and would definitely be one of the dishes that I will come back for. So, for those real fan of this noodle, give this a try and let me know your comment.

For those that would like to be mesmerised and to enjoy that tranquility of that bygone era, make a stopover at Malaya Hainan @ Petaling Street to reminiscent and savour the past while sipping your cup of Hot Hainan coffee and enjoy the delicious Peranakan and Malaysia local favourites here.

Bistro Richard @Jalan Ipoh Sentul Park Classic European Dining In The Heart Of Kuala Lumpur Review

Best Restaurant To Eat have discovered a quiet Classic European enclave restaurant in the heart of Kuala Lumpur i.e. Bistro Richard strategically located at Lot 268, Jalan Strachan, Off Jalan Ipoh, 51100 Kuala Lumpur, at KL Performing Art Center (KLPAC) Sentul Park West area.

Although centrally located in Kuala Lumpur, after sometime in the restaurant you will be forget that you are in the city centre as this place is very quiet, with nice soothing music and the sound of the cascading water from the fountain of the koi pond besides the restaurant.

The main theme of the Bistro Richard @Jalan Ipoh Sentul Park is one of Classic European style with stain glass lamp shades and European furniture and décor.

The night started off with a soup which is CREAME OF WILD MUSHROOM SOUP (RM18.00) – it is a homemade soup with wild mushroom served with garlic baguette makes it a tasty, starter dish.

The texture of the soup was smooth, blended well with the earthy flavour of the wild mushroom and the natural milky taste of the cream.

It is then followed with the French style OVEN BAKED ESCARGOT WITH GARLIC BUTTER (RM28.00).

Each Escargot was buttered up with finely chopped garlic and herbs. The combination fragrant of the butter and garlic was very balanced with the chewy and musky taste of the escargot.

We then move to taste a Spanish delight which was the SEAFOOD PAELLA – (RM85.00) – it has the florally taste of the saffron and the spicy taste of the smoked paprika combined with the natural taste of the mussels, prawns, squids and clams.

This tasty paella has a bit of everything! Wonderfully comforting, flavoursome and colourful. The paella rice that was used is the fat and roundish type; the rice was rich, wet out and firm inside, caramelised slightly with the sauce.

Another French dish for the night is the COQ AU VIN (RM38.00)- it is a Braised chicken with red wine burgundy, bacon, mushroom and broccoli.

From the browning bits of the fragrant of the bacon to the golden crisp skin of the chicken and the fruity aroma of the burgundy red wine, leaves our taste-bud tantalized.

Next, we had the ROASTED SALMON (RM48.00). This dish is where the oven roasted salmon is topped with lemon butter sauce and served with steam vegetables & mashed potato.

The evenly and balanced roasting of the fresh salmon is evidently shown in each flakes of the salmon meat, while the lemon butter sauce add a zesty taste to balance off any fishy taste of the salmon meat.

The last main dish for the night was the BRAISED LAMB SHANK – (RM68.00). This Lamb Shanks is served with red wine sauce, tomatoes, fresh herbs and mushroom risotto.

The strong aromatic herbal taste of the gravy was subtle and infused into the tender firm meat of the Lamb Shanks. The meat does not have any gamey smells while the meat was of the right texture and flavourful perfectly matched with the mushroom risotto.

For desserts, we had the French CRÈME BRÛLÉE – (RM17.00) - It is a light and smooth vanilla custard where you are able to taste the strong vanilla taste, eggs and the milk flavours with just the right thickness of the caramelized burnt sugar on top of it.

For me, Bistro Richard @Jalan Ipoh Sentul Park would be an ideal place for you to have a quiet business chat over dinner or with your loved one to enjoy the relaxing ambience and food that are served.

More Review of Café By Best Restaurant. Pls click Here

Sentul - Best Restaurant Other Review in Sentul. Pls Click Here

2015 Year of Wood Goat Chinese New Year Set Menu and Reunion Dinner at ROYAL GOURMET @HOTEL PREMIERE BANDAR BUKIT TINGGI KLANG

Reunion Dinner for the Chinese is a very important meal for the year. All family members will gather and have this special dinner together. Best Restaurant To Eat had the honour to be invited for this special Chinese New Year, for the Year Of The Golden Goat and Reunion Dinner set menu review at Royal Gourmet @ Hotel Premiere Bandar Bukit Tinggi in Klang.

To welcome and kick start the Golden Goat 2015, Royal Gourmet @ Hotel Premiere Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang is proud to present three different Chinese New Year set menus, priced at RM1,188+, RM1,688+ and RM2,998+ for a table of 10 persons. Each set menu comes with one bottle of complimentary red wine.

As usual in any Chinese New Year meal, Yee Sang will be the main starting meals where everyone will be able to participate in the Lou Sang festivities.

The Yee Sang that we had was the super ABUNDANCE OF NOBILITY SALMON AND ABALONE Yee Sang. Unlike, many that we had over the years, this Yee Sang has a unique taste which makes this Yee Sang special. A check with Chef Johnson reveals that there is a special ingredient which he has included; which is a thinly slice of daun limau purut and henceforth exudes out a special flavour when eaten with.

 He also mention that the special Yee Sang zesty sauce has been fine tuned to offer a unique blend and gives the Yee Sang the right balance texture, flavours and taste.

Next, we had the PREMIERE FIVE HOT AND COLD COMBINATIONS. To give this dish that extra zest, the chef had used top quality seafood ingredients to cook up a storm for this dish.

The use of smoked duck adds a different dimension while the Fresh Scallops cooked in clear sauce retains the natural sweetness of the scallops while the dried scallops served on the main casserole which was stir fried with green beans add a crunch to one of the hot dishes. 

For this combination dish, the use of different ingredient especially the seafood allows you to taste the different kind of food texture and different taste all in one dish.

After experiencing this superb gourmet dish, the next was the BRAISED SUPERIOR SHARK’S FIN WITH FOUR TREASURES.

The Four Treasures in the soup was the Crab Meat, Fresh Scallops, Sea Cucumber and Fish Lip which are all thinly sliced strip, gives you a special slippery and slurpee tasty feel.

The shark fin that were used for the soup, are those of the special shark which exudes a very flavoursome and a special unique fragrant aroma into the soup.

After the soup, it was then followed by the STEAMED TIGER GROUPER IN HOME COOKED STYLE. 

Again, this dish although looking quite plain, was very flavourful. The freshness of the Tiger Grouper was evident from the texture and the taste from each bite of the fish meat. 

It was a very well balanced package with the interesting use of bean curd skin which has absorbs the home style light soya based sauce into it. Finally the use of the black fungus gives you a sense of homely style ingredient. 

After the fish dish, the next one was the FRESH WATER KING PRAWNS in 2 flavours. One of the best part of the Fresh Water King Prawns is its’ head. Normally the head is more than half the size of the prawns. The head of the King Prawns is the best part of the prawn as most of the head has the roe in it. 

The chef, cook this Special big prawn head by frying it and topping it up with a special sauce topping of garlic, finely cut fresh chillies and spring onions. This way of cooking retains the special aroma of the fried prawn roe, which was heavenly although a little sinful of the cholesterol level.

The body was cooked in another special home made sauce that leaves the springy prawn meat lightly coated with the gravy for us to enjoy the natural sweetness taste of the fresh prawns.

Of the many dishes serves during Chinese New Year, wax meat rice is a must have dish. At Royal Gourmet, the version of wax meat rice that was served is the STEAMED GLUTINOUS RICE WITH WAXED DUCK IN LOTUS LEAF. 

I am not a real fan of waxed meat but I find the one serves here to be very flavourful. Although a tad of saltiness was evident, the waxed meat taste was very much infused into the glutinous rice which makes it very flavourful. 

Moreover, the chef have cooked the waxed meat into a soft texture which makes it easier and wholesome to eat unlike some which serves a much harder texture waxed meat.

For desserts, we had the Fried Golden New Year Cake which was in house made and are sandwiched with 2 pieces of taro. The Golden New Year Cake has a special soft gooey texture (like those of the flowing cheese in a pizza) and has a right balance of sweetness and taste. 

For some who loves to have an all in one type dish i.e. the popular Poon Choy style, Royal Gourmet @Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang has also a special PREMIERE PROSPEROUS ABALONE TREASURE POT. This pot of heavenly goodness are priced at RM688+ and can serves up to 10 persons.

This special pot has a treasure trove of exquisite top quality Chinese wholesome foods which includes the Braised 16-Headed Whole Abalone, Supreme Sea Cucumber, Japanese Dried Scallops, Canadian Fresh Scallops, Golden Dried Oyster, Premium Flower Mushroom, Tiger Prawns, Hong Kong Roast Duck, Roast Chicken, Fish Maw, Beancurd Skin and Quality Vegetable.

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, there will be a Chinese musical performance during Chinese New Eve Reunion dinner at Royal Gourmet @Hotel Premiere Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang Grand Ballroom. The musical performance features Gu Zheng, Yang Qin and Er Hu from 6pm to 9pm. 

Also, on the 7th Day of Chinese New Year (Yan Yat – everybody birthday), there will be a Lion Dance performance starting at 10am to celebrate this Special Chinese New Year of the Golden Goat 2015.

For those who wants to feast for this coming Chinese New Year. You better make an early date or reservations for your reunion dinner and celebrate this YEAR OF GOLDEN GOAT in style at Royal Gourmet @Hotel Premiere Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang. For enquiries and reservations, please contact 603-3325-6868 or email fnb@premiere-hotels.wct.my

Check out our other review of Royal Gourmet @ Hotel Premiere Klang

Royal Gourmet All You Can Eat Buffet Chinese Dim Sum Bandar Bukit Tinggi Klang 

Sumptuous Fine Chinese Dining at Royal Gourmet Bandar Bukit Tinggi Klang

Durian Moon Cake Snow Skin By Royal Gourmet Hotel Premiere Klang