Omakase Sushi Course at Yuzu, The Gardens

Ever since I found out that my American Express Credit Card gets 15% off the a la carte dish from Yuzu in the Gardens, it has became one of my favourite Japanese restaurant. Abate, that the pricing here is a bit on the premium side but the quality of the ingredients here are of top grade. Some of the premium fishes and seafood are flown in twice a week.

Usually, I'll order from their normal menu until the staff show me a menu written on just two pages of plain paper without any photos. It's the Omakase menu (Chef's recommendation menu). Even though it's only two pages, there are a lot of dishes to choose from. The price range from RM 28 to RM 180 plus.

So, I ordered Toro Tataki Salad (RM48++). First time I had toro made this way, and it's one of the most expensive salad I ever had. Tataki is half cooked grilling style.

Toro Tataki Salad (RM48++)

I felt adventurous that evening, so I ordered Shirako in Ponzu sauce but too bad they were out of Ponzu sauce, so I was recommended deep fried Shirako instead. Oh, Shirako is Cod Fish's Sperm Sacs. It tasted quite good, silky smooth and a texture like tofu. Also, there's no fishy taste at all. Try it if you like tofu =P

Deep Fried Shirako

My adventure doesn't stop there because the last and third order is Omakase Sushi Course (RM120 ++), which literally means "surprise me, Chef".

Appetizers are Beef Stew with Daikon and Stir-fried long beans with prawn. The beef is le tender and juicy, and the daikon (radish) soaked up the sauce and yet still holding up. While the long bean is not too wowing the prawn is quite springy.

The dish is Sashimi consists of Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Salmon Belly and Maguro? The wasabi given here is not your normal one but the one freshly grated. The fishes were cut thick instead of the normal kiamsap thin cut. It's very fresh and juicy with fish oil.

Next dish is Grilled Mackerel if not mistaken. While it's quite good but it's just a little bit over cooked. The sides that look like kiwi fruit is something like sweet potato but less sweet.



One of my favourite dish of this course is the Homemade Tofu in Special Sauce. The tofu is so rich in soy that it was like eating very concentrated taufufa and drinking soy milk. Even if I don't put in the sauce, I can finish it plain. Also, it's so silky smooth.

I'm not sure whether the chef is out of idea or he just forgot that he served me the same dish in the appetizer at this course. The only different is that the portion is bigger.



Oyster from US is in season, so the chef made a grilled oyster on this 6th course. Not too common eating oyster this made this way. A special dipping comes with it.





While waiting for the next dish, I was starting to wondered whether the waitress put in Omakase Sashimi Course instead of Omakase Sushi Course because there is no sushi yet. Then, it came. OMG. Chutoro! Ikura! Anago! All are premium sushi! The chutoro is so rich in fish oil that my hand was oily when I ate it using my hand. I don't eat sushi using chopstick. This is sushi heaven.

Lastly, I washed down the dishes with a clear and thirst crunching Dobin Mushi. Nothing beats a clear broth of shitake, enoki, Japanese leek and Ginko nuts after courses of fishes and meats.

Dobin Mushi

Last last but not least. Dessert. I like the creme brulle.



I think the Omakase Sushi Course is quite value for money. If you are not a big eater, you can share this course with another friend, which will only cost RM60++ per person. Next time I'll try the Omakase Sashimi Course. Oh, please know that you might not get the same dishes that I ate here when you order any Omakase course because it depends on the chef and what ingredients he/she thinks that is good that day.

P.S. Too bad Omakase Sushi Course is not a la carte, so there's no discount.

Address:

Yuzu
T 236, 3rd Floor,
The Gardens,
Mid Valley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-22847663

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Austin Chase Coffee, The Gardens

I bought a Groupon voucher for 50% discount on a cup of regular hot or cold coffee from Austin Chase. The reason I bought is because I haven't tried Austin Chase before and I read that they sells mille crepe made by Humble Beginnings.

So, last week I went to the Austin Chase outlet at the Gardens. Ordered my latte and to my dissapointed there is no mille crepe available on that day. Also, I was surprised that I was given a paper instead of the ceramic cup. I was planning ot have the coffee in the outlet, not take away.

Only after I sat down and look around that I realised that Austin Chase is not a self service cafe like Starbucks, Coffee Bean or San Francisco Coffee. Noob me *smack forehead*. I noticed that during lunch time there were quite a few attractive ladies have lunch there. They were either alone or with another lady friend.

Their latte is quite standard and almost comparable to Starbucks. If you like a heavier coffee taste, then you should order a double shot. I know that Starbucks will not charge extra if you asked for double shot on a tall latte.

It's sad that I didn't have the chance to try the mille crepe. Oh well, I still have another Groupon voucher on the Austin Chase ice-blended drinks. So, I'll come again next time and hopefully there will be mille crepe available.


Address:

Austin Chase Coffee
Lot S-208A, Second Floor,
The Gardens, Midvalley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 2282 0512
Fax: 03 2164 5002
Website: http://www.austinchase.my

Ninja Joe, The Gardens

After buying my new digital camera, which is Nikon Coolpix S8100 from the Nikon 10th Anniversary Convention in Mid Valley Convention Hall, it was already quite late. Feeling hungry because I haven't had dinner yet. I passed by Ninja Joe and decided to try it out since I read a lot about it from food blogs. Also wanted to try out my new camera :p

It's kind of hard that in a shopping mall in Malaysia one can find pork burger. I saw the picture on food blogs and found that the portion of the pork burger is not very big.

Sad to say that the portion is really very small. For the price I am paying (RM 5.50++ for a solo burger and add RM3.90++ for fries+drink), it's not really a value meal. I found that the pork patty is a bit dry but the taste is not too bad. A look at the burger makes me think of a malnutrition hamburger. Well, I chose the most basic one. On the menu you can choose more slices of pork burger.

Too add salt on the injury, the fries are cold and soggy. They use the thick size cut which is not very good when served cold. I don't think I'll come again unless their pork burger is bigger and the fries are served hot and crispy.

Rating: 2.5/5

P.S. If you can proof that your name is Joe, you'll get RM1 off.

Address:

Ninja Joe
LG 233, The Garden MidValley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur


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Kita no Zen (北の膳), Hokkaido Ichiba, The Gardens, Mid Valley City

A few months back I tried the the macha ice-cream in Hokkaido Ice-cream at Hokkaido Ichiba. I promised myself to come back again for Kita no Zen to try out the Japanese cuisine as I had my eyes on the Sanshoku Don (Three Colour Rice Bowl). So, last month I did go to Kita no Zen and fulfilled that promise.

It was a public holiday on the day I went. Dinner time is open at 6p.m. Like most Japanese restaurant, they have a break in between lunch and dinner. It was quite a spontaneous decision to dine here so I didn't bring my digital camera. The pictures here were taken using my 3 MegaPixels phone camera.

The deco in Kita no Zen has a very pleasant ambiance. It's very relaxing and quiet when the customers are not that many. By 7p.m. the place was packed and new customers have to queue for a table. Business is brisk here, so come early on weekend or public holiday to avoid queuing.

Sanshoku Don 三色丼 (RM 38++)

Sanshoku Don 三色丼 roughly translate to 3 colours rice bowl. It doesn't mean that the rice has three colours. It's because there are salmon roe (red?), sea urchin (orange?), and hokkaido king crab (white?) on top of sushi rice in a bowl. The ingredients are very fresh. It can never go wrong when fresh ingredients were used in a dish like this. This one dish satisfied my craving for salmon fish roe and sea urchin. The only down side is that the portion is a bit small. I want more salmon fish roe and sea urchin please :p

Rating: 4/5

Ankimo Ponzu (Monk fish liver in vinegar sauce) (RM 18++)

I tried Ankimo before when I ate in TomTon, The Central, Singapore way back in 2008. The Ankimo Ponzu is in the seasonal menu so you might not find it in the menu when the season is gone. This is like eating a goose liver pate. Couple with the sourish vinegar sauce which takes away the fishiness in the ankimo. An alternate and healthier version of goose liver pate? The price here is cheaper than TomTon which charge SGD $15 for the Ankimo.

Rating: 4/5

Avocado Tofu Yakko (RM 12++)

I also ordered Avocado Tofu Yakko so that I will have a non-meat dish and of course I have a weakness for avocado. I really love the textures of this combination when I put a piece of tofu and avocado each into my mouth. The tofu is very soft and the avocado is semi soft, so one can feel a few layers of different textures when biting into it. A very special kind of combination. I love it. Maybe I am too biased over avocado dish :P

Rating: 4.25/5





Address:

Kita no Zen, Hokkaido Iciba
T-201, 3rd Floor,
The Gardens,
Mid Valley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: (03) 2283 1060 /Fax: (03) 2283 3060

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Hokkaido Ice Cream, Hokkaido Ichiba, The Gardens, Mid Valley City

I remembered that last two months I saw a new Japanese concept restaurant by Super Dining Group (the group that manages the Rakuzen chain of Japanese restaurant) was being renovated and will be open for business in mid of September. So a few days I ago I was at The Gardens so I drop be to have a look. The name of the restaurant is Hokkaido Ichiba.From the name I will think that it is a Japanese restaurant specialised in cuisine from Hokkaido. One of the famous dish from Hokkaido is of course the king crab.

Hokkaido Ichiba is actually consist of two eateries. Kita no Zen (北の膳), literally means Meal of the North and the other is an eatery for dessert, Hokkaido Ice Cream. Kita no Zen speacialized in Hokkaido food, sahimi, don, shabu shabu, ramen, teishoku and etc. The different of it with other Japanese restaurant is that the ingredients used used are mostly sourced from Hokkaido. I scanned through the menu and what caught my attention is a Sanshoku Don that has salmon roe, sea urchin and king crab meat which priced at RM38++.

I already had dinner so I chose to eat dessert in Hokkaido Ice Cream instead. From the menu I saw a lot of different way to eat ice cream. Not sure whether the ice cream is from Hokkaido or not but it's not too expensive. I will try out the Sanshoku Don next time.

I ordered Macha Crepe which is green tea ice-cream on crepe with azuki beans. Love the big Hokkaido red beans. The macha ice-cream is quite smooth too and not too sweet. I think the red bean is sweeter lol. Priced at RM 9.80 ++ this is not a bad dessert. I think if you it at Kita no Zen you'll be able to order the dessert from Hokkaido Ice Cream too.

I think I will try the Hokkaido Melon to Niagara Wine. Should be quite refreshing.

You can opt to buy the ice-cream by scoop too if you don't fancy the extra items to go with the ice-cream. Single scoop of 60ml cost RM 4.80 ++ and 40ml cost RM3.80. A double scoop of 40ml cost RM 6.80. Cheaper than other ice-cream outlet I think.

Oh they also offer the so call ice-cream teppanyaki here, which they call it Cold Table Parfait. The ice-cream will be "cooked" on the -16 degree Celcius cold table before serving.

The crepe is made freshly.

At around 8pm, Kita no Zen already full house but there's no one in Hokkaido Ice Cream except me lol, maybe it's because it is dinner time.

Nice that now we have Hokkaido specialty eateries in Malaysia. This is of course not the last time I'll be trying out the ice-cream dessert. I try it out again the next time I eat the Sanshoku Don at Kita no Zen.

*All prices exclude 5% Government Tax and 10% Service Charge.



Address:
Hokkaido Iciba
T-201, 3rd Floor,
The Gardens,
Mid Valley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 012-612 1060 / 03-2283 3060

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Yo! Sushi, The Gardens, Mid Valley City

Simon Says: 醉酒佬数街灯,不知几盏


After getting my facial at MTM in the Gardens. I heard my stomach's growling. So, I went around and look for food. I passed by Yo! Sushi. I read some review about it but haven't try it yet. So, in I went.

The defacto soya sauce and wasabi.

YO! Sushi is a kaitenzushi (回転寿司) restaurant much like Sushi King, Genki Sushi and Sakae Sushi's concept but it's food here is more towards fusion. Maybe it's because Yo! Sushi is originated from UK.

The summer special menu

Even thought it says Yo! Sushi but there's actually a lot of other ala carte choices. First from the conveyor belt I saw this. Attracted by the bright yellow chrysanthemum. I think the name is Salmon Spinach with Sesame and Chrysanthemum salad. Orange coloured side plate means RM 10.

This is quite a new combination for me. The spinach is drench on Japanese sytle salad sauce. Eaten with the salmon is quite appetizing. The turn off is that I found that the salmon is a bit warm. I mean, I like to eat my raw salmon with a chill. That's the con of kaiten.

Rating: 3/5

Next up. LOL. Another salad. I feel so healthy wtf. Blue colour means RM 5 if not mistaken. Tofu Wakame Salada (Japanese Tofu and Seaweed Salad) I found this salad is a bit bland and the tofu and wakame a bit dry. Good for a monk and someone who's on a diet. I won't take this from the conveyor belt on the next visit.

Rating: 2.5/5

Next, ah, alas a sushi. Tamago Sushi (Egg Sushi). Green means RM 3. Well, all I can say is that this is a total turn off. Looks nice here but once I bit into it there's water coming out from the egg. It's either they put it on the conveyor belt for too long or there's something really wrong with the air-conditioning in the shop.

Rating: 0/5

After some dissapointment Off the belt, I decided to Order now.

And the chef prepares my Order now.

First up from order now. A purple coloured RM 8 sushi. Seared Beef sushi with a dash of mayonnaise. Nothing can go wrong when the beef is seared to that colour. This is the first time I eat beef sushi. Personally I don't think beef makes a very good ingredient for sushi but this one goes quite well with the sushi rice.

Rating: 3.5/5

How can one come to eat sushi without eating a temaki sushi (hand roll sushi). I ordered a Salmon Belly temaki. Crispy nori (seaweed) roll around a meaty salmon belly. Slurp. Enough said.

Rating: 3.5/5

Ah, the last of my order, the much rave about Miso Black Cod. It does live up to the raving. Fat juicy cod meat marinated in sweet miso sauce, which in turn makes it easier to eat without the jelak feeling. Grey means RM 16. The most expensive colour. This dish sure save the day.

Rating: 4/5

Well, some hit and misses. I think it's better to Order now than to eat Off the belt which will guarantee the freshness of the food. It's a bit pricier compared with Sushi Zanmai. I don't mind coming back once in a while for he Miso Black Cod and some of their creative sushi and ala carte.


Address:

Gardens Mall
Lower Ground Floor
The Gardens Galeria
Mid Valley City
Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur


Pavilion Mall
Level 1 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur


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On the side track:

After a light meal in Yo! Sushi, I went to Starbucks for dessert.

While I was going to the loo, I was taken aback when I saw this sign from far and thought that I mistakenly walk into the female's toilet. Once I look closely, and check, I am in the male's toilet.
Ah, how considerate of the management to warn customer that the opposite sex is now cleaning your loo. So do they have Male cleaner cleaning in the female's toilet and put up a similar notice?