Dim Sum spread at Restoran Koo Hiong

The Chinese name translates to family recipes (Ka Heong), or something which was familiar to their local neighbourhood but Koo Hiong is one of the local dim sum haunts found in the bustling community of Sg Long, especially on weekends.
Well, that is also pretty much the case with most of the dim sum restaurants anyway where business booms on weekends due to the more laid-back and leisure mood for most families after a week of hard work.

This is probably my second or third visit to this place, and it is one of the choice for dim sum with my family whenever I am back for the weekend or just in the mood for a nice and enjoyable breakfast while chatting away with my family whom I see once in a while:-)

Service here is pretty good and fast, and the boss is quite friendly and accommodating to the customers as well; stopping once in a while to check on your satisfaction level and also to attend to any of your needs, besides making small chats with us.

The variety here is also pretty standard; ranging from the usual steamed items to the fried, deep fried and even porridges, buns, noodles and pastries.

Braised Spare ribs



Steamed shrimp dumplings (Har Kau)



Steamed minced meat dumplings (Siew Mai)



Steamed Fishballs



Dumplings in Soup (Sui Kow)



Unique: Fish paste rolled with seaweed, carrot and celery sticks



Another variant of seaweed rolls; with minced meat. It is quite similar to Siew Mai, so we shall call it Seaweed Siew Mai with fish roe?



Crystal steamed shrimp dumplings



Fish paste rolls with dried beancurd sheets



Despite the fill with the plates of dim sum, we still could not resist to order a plate of fried pastries for dessert especially when this was a common favorite in the family and is something that mum especially adore.

Deep fried flaky pastry with lotus paste filling (also known as Woh Peng in Cantonese)


This is a pastry typically served in birthday or wedding parties organized in Chinese restaurants and is often accompanied by a bowl of thick red bean paste or peanut paste soup.

This version is a little more flaky than the usual, but it was less oily compared to the other pastries tried before which is a good thing too, for health reasons.


The total bill came to about MYR40++ for approximately 5 pax; of course, a little pricey than the usual simple breakfast fare but for once a in a while and the quality time, it's not too bad.



I heard that they used to have this outlet in Taman Connaught; not sure whether they are still there but this one is not too easy to miss as it is strategically located near the Sg Long main market.

What do you usually like for breakfast with the family on weekends?

Halibut and scallops at Monte's, BSC

Dining options are everywhere when you are in the metropolitan city of KL, and price ranges from low to high, as you please.
There are just so many places we can enjoy good food and environment that it became such a norm, and yet, it's not unusual to still hear the city dwellers complaining of having a tough time to decide what to eat.

Whenever I am back in town and catch up with my good ol' friends or colleagues, we always come to the part to decide where to eat and it is ridiculous, given the wide variety staring at us right back in the face!
Well, perhaps it was due to the fact that we are spoilt for the choices that we just feel nothing is good enough? I don't know, but usually, I leave it to them to decide...hehe :-P

Sometimes we end up in shopping malls where there is a whole list of restaurants to choose from; it makes the selection easier.
Bangsar Shopping Center is a place that I pop in once in a while, and a few of my friends seem to think highly of the restaurants here.

We were hoping to try out WIP, but unfortunately most of the tables were reserved and I did not think that highly of eating at the bar counters which led us to Monte's Restaurant and Wine Bar located on Level 1; right above WIP.

I liked the environment; unfortunately no photos, as we were busy talking and it is even a wonder that I remembered to snap photos of the food!;)

Our Appetizer is something that I love; fat and juicy scallops!!:)

Baked Scallops with herb sauce (1/2 Dozen) (MYR33.00)



Scallops need no testament to how delicious; and I liked how Monte's kept them fresh and juicy to the core despite it being baked.
Did I mention Fat and juicy too?



The mains we ordered:

Grilled Halibut (MYR38.00)
Imported seafish served with aubergine and potato salad



It has been a while since I've seen this fish appearing on the menu; and I enjoyed the way the fish maintained its freshness and sweetness despite being grilled.
A delectable fishy treat for me; and my reunion with halibut! :-)

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio (MYR23.00)
With garlic, red chillies, parsley, black pepper & olive oil



Overall, I enjoyed the food and the nice ambiance that I am inclined to think of visiting this place again someday when I am in town, along with my family and hubby? :-)

TGIF peeps and have an awesome weekend, I look forward to your recommendations ;-)

Healthy and tasty dishes at Purple Cane Tea Restaurant, The Gardens

After a month of being idle from my food blog (I was away on business and picking up new things at work), I am finally back with photos and posts from places I have tried while I was on my business trip :-)

One interesting restaurant which I was introduced to was this Purple Cane Tea Restaurant located at the lower ground floor of The Gardens.
Now, honestly, when I first heard of this restaurant, I was like, isn't Purple Cane famous for its tea merchandise? Are you sure they serve cuisines for dinner, instead of finger food to go with their tea?
I was assured that they definitely do serve more than just tea and thus began my first visit to this enchanting restaurant.


The interior was tastefully furnished with simple finishings of wood and shelves to store their main merchandise; tea which they proudly displayed in most of the sections of the restaurant.



The cuisines prepared from their menu claimed that they were concocted using their own brand of tea; and incorporated to shape that unique taste in their food.
That definitely got my attention immediately!

Even their rice is specially made with tea; and there is no white rice available but rather, Green Tea rice (MYR1.30) to go with your dishes.

The taste of the rice was nothing exotic nor exceptionally unusual, and I must say it was distinctly pleasant in its own flavor. The light taste of the green tea did lend a rather unique and exquisite taste to the usual white rice we have at home.
Something which is new yet interesting, and I must say that they have definitely revolutionized the concept of white rice :)
The rice came served in metal bowls like these.


Now on to the dishes we ordered:

Steamed sliced fish mashed Ginger in tea sauce (MYR22.00)



This got my vote for one of the most tantalizing dish to my taste buds. It was nothing short of simple; although it did sounded like our usual homecooked dish.
I love the strong combination of the mashed ginger which was served rather generously; and the slices of fish were steamed with the tea sauce which just created a wonderful match.

Braised beancurd and golden pumpkin in tea sauce (MYR15.00)


The dish arrived in a striking hue of golden yellow; a clear indication of the golden pumpkin used along with the braised beancurd served with diced mushrooms and ham and green peas.
Taste wise, it was just as impeccable as it looked, and the pumpkin just lent its natural sweetness to enhance the overall taste of the dish.


Braised broccoli with mushrooms in tea sauce (MYR15.00)


Yes, another dish which used their signature tea sauce in the making.
As you can see, there are even traces of the black/roasted tea leaves sitting on top of the mushrooms.


Fried Chicken with honey and tea (MYR18.00)


There was still room for dessert, or everyone was just excited to try their offerings on the menu and so, this was ordered:
Rice Balls with peanut (MYR5.00) (4 pieces)





The sticky peanut paste inside.
Is it me, or this looks more like sesame paste??



Total bill came up to about MYR82.15, for 4-5 pax, which was on the higher end of the price and I must say that the prices here do lean towards the higher side based on the portions and sizing of the dishes.
However, the dishes here do earn that extra credit for their healthy factor and also less oily, and unique ingredient in using tea in their preparation of their cuisines.
Perhaps that is the factor to the higher prices?

I am not sure, but I can say that I did enjoy the food here and also the quiet environment.
Service wise, it could be improved in terms of the attentiveness to the customer, in my own personal experience, that is, not sure about others :)
Overall, I would not say that I won't be back, because the healthy factor is an attraction and my parents did enjoy the food as well ;)