This is D' Cuisine for Me

It is getting hard to find a good place to dine these days; or it is rather hard for a picky eater like me.
It sounds crazy I know, with the number of new eateries mushrooming all over, well, everywhere and yet here I am, lamenting on that lack of places which interest me in particular.
I know.
Enter the age of narcissism; we are just so self-obsessed these days, aren't we?
It is the age of technology, after all.

I am aware of all the new eateries, or maybe frankly, I was not really paying that much attention either because I was just too busy wondering about whether they are as good as my usual haunts (or just busy with my work).
You see, apart from being a pickyeater, I am also your regular skeptic and I raise my eyebrow (one side anyway) at any new possibility/place to try out.
I am not adventurous at all; frankly speaking which sums me up to be a pretty comfort zone type of eater as well.
So, there in a nutshell, you have a skeptical and conservative pickyeater surrounded by her own comfort zone here; i.e. Me.

It is really not easy, at all, and getting me to try a new place or even have me switch over to this new place (from the old) and including it in my list of places to eat is harder than actually making a donkey move from its spot; not that I am suggesting I am in any way similar to a stubborn mule.
Whatever.

Then there is that other thing; I don't like places which are too crowded.
Odd, and I am serious.
I see many restaurants, cafes, eateries, etc which are crowded and there could be probably be that few reasons; 1.) they must be really good, 2.) their prices are reasonable or just dirt cheap 3.) there are free stuffs/promotions 4.) they must be fairly new/opening day 5.) the crowds are made up of their own friends/relatives, which if you were to take into consideration the size of the shop (the usual shoplift size), is not too hard to fill up with just that few invitations.

It is absurd for while sometimes I do get drawn by these crowds to see for myself the reason for the attraction, I also tend to shy away from the same kind of crowd pullers at the same time.
For my very own list of reasons too.
1.) I don't like waiting, too long  2.) I can't stand too much noise, rowdy environment 3.) hailing for service or attention from the servers could be almost similar to hailing for a cab in the midst of New York city at peak hours 4.) food quality might be compromised with the pressure to serve the demands, and lastly, 5.) I don't believe in having to queue or wait for my food, it's about the dignity, folks.

If you are rolling your eyes, I am not judging, for I admit, it is weird.

Of course, I don't go for the total opposite either.
I am not taking my chances in back alleys, or places where they are practically swatting mosquitoes (which could be in higher count than the humans altogether) or in places where there is just not crowded at all, on any regular day or even peak hours.
Okay fine, don't judge.
It's not nice to judge others, anyway, even if it is really out of the ordinary.
Besides, I just really need that right fit and that vibe to enjoy my food.
I am already picky with my food, so when I really eat, I just really want it to be right; just like finding that soulmate or more precisely, that soul food.

Well, I don't pick that much when I am at work sometimes; yeah, sometimes.
It was actually at work, and thanks to my awesome colleague who is also my old buddy, that we stumbled upon this place for our late lunch.



This is just that glimpse of the counter and the staffs (really a nice bunch of people) in discussion and this is not really the real insight of the place; depicted like a bar in some sort of way in this photo.
Well, maybe sort of.

The place is not really crowded, and to be fair, it was really a little late for lunch anyway but I really loved the ambiance and that warm comfort in a way of an invisible embrace kind of welcome when I stepped into the place.
Dimly lit, neatly arranged and blends of soft earthy hues of tones cast a soothing sight to one's eyes upon entering with one's back against the blinding glares of the hot sun from the front of the building.
The whole place just beckons with that lovely warmth yet cool with the light breeze from the air-conditioning and just screams cozy; perfect for one to escape for an hour or two for lunch to take a much-needed breath or relaxation after a crazy time at the work desk.
(Of course, that's if you have work to get back to, or you could spend hours just enjoying the environment and talking to that favorite person or even, just write - it is that conducive).

Plush cushions adorn the sofa leaning against the wall, and simple fuss-free tables arranged neatly with that slightly downcast glow from the lampshades hovering above one's table just make that perfect formula for the harmonious combination of contemporary stylish yet appearing homey all in one.
It is just perfect to lay back and just relax while waiting for food, or after meals and just engaging in fun or deep conversations with your company.
I was quite tempted to grab one of those pillows and just lean back against the wall.
(Maybe I should just do that one of these days, I will put that on my to-do list to arrange with my girl friend).

D'Cuisine serves the Asian cuisine along with some delectable Peranakan dishes; with some marrying the two in that interesting fusion to tantalize that appetites, setting themselves apart from most of their eatery counterparts.
It pays to be more creative these days with the offerings and while D'Cuisine did not seem to differ much in their menu (or so it seems), the food was definitely good enough testament to their designed aspirations for their brand.

I am pleasantly surprised and honestly, enchanted with this bowl of Grouper Fish Noodles (MYR22), for what I expected to be a usual bowl of fish head noodles cooked with that light hint of milk in the soup with a few pieces of grouper fish fillets (fairly modest in size and portion), you know the usual, turned out to be more than meets the eye.
Or my expectations.




For a first, the size of the bowl was definitely startling for me for there were only two of us.
Thankfully we were both really conservative and minimalist when it comes to ordering.

For a regular bowl of noodles, we were surprised to be presented with a soup ladle.
Since it only came in one size, it could not have been prepared for two's portion and therefore, the conclusion must be, it was all the way meant for sharing.
Or they just could read that the two of us are not going to be able to finish this bowl.
(I returned the second time with my other half, and it still came with a ladle).



Shifting through the noodles and the soup answered that question, almost immediately.
Large and more than your usual average chunky sized of juicy grouper fillets filled the bowl, amassed with the alternating strings of thick rice noodles further crowded with the generous handfuls of fried shallots, pickled vegetables and lengthy short stalks of spring onion garnishing.
The overall combination owed its tastes, harmoniously in the company of the mild tasting and light in milky tone of broth sweetened by the large pulps of tomatoes at the bottom.



These are not your average "float-on-the-top" bites of fillets, but chunks which sink to the bottom of the bowl evidently seen in the first photo where one could not even catch sight of what was in the soup. It was definitely worth its weight (and price).




I am a fan of grouper (a huge one I may say), and I need not say anymore at the risk of sounding biased; but my love for grouper still needs to be justified by the way it pleases my taste buds and I think this version has absolutely nailed it on the head with its flesh-filled portions of the grouper lightly fried to give it that crispy edge.
I love that it was not overly fried, for that is one of the most important criterion for me to enjoy a good taste of the freshness (and sweetness) of the grouper fish, and I am sure, is a winning element for soup-based fish noodles like this too.
I am officially hooked.



The white rice noodles were soft, and not too overwhelming in its load. Just slightly thicker than the usual rice vermicelli, this is usually the preferred version when it comes to fish/fish head noodles.



The legendary Grouper Fish Noodles just did it, for me.

I thought I was done with the fish noodles, which literally had my heart already.
Then this came.

Seabass with XO Sauce (MYR38) with its harmless brownish tones appeared to be your usual deep fried fish trickled with that hint of XO sauce as the source to enhance the thick flesh of seabass.



It was of course stylishly presented ala gourmet mode, and pass more than flying colors for that usual Chinese styled fried fish, but that, turned out to be major understatement.

For a first, the size of the fish fillet (fully deboned, well, almost, mind you) again was a stunner and it was generously sized, even for its single regular size for the dish.




Thick flesh-packed fillet sat elegantly; poised in the shallow pool of slightly saltish soy sauce topped with that crown of garnishing leaves, shreds of shallots and the main mass of rich mashed ingredients for that enriching complement of taste to the juicy fillet of seabass.
Generally I was not a really huge fan of seabass; though it's still on my list of one of my fish preferences but this had me reforming my perspective of this fish altogether.
The fresh taste of the fillet and the clever play with the moderate tasting sauce dramatized by the special ingredients of XO made up for the naturally bland tastes of the thick seabass flesh and is one move that I truly applaud.
I hereby declare my newfound love for seabass, more than before.

(This had me craving for seabass ever since, good job, and a haunting one at that. But you truly had me)




We decided to go traditional Chinese, with a well brewed pot of Chinese tea; Cha Wang (literally means King of Tea) for MYR4.50 per pax (minimum 2 pax per pot)





I have found a new place for lunch, not only on weekdays but even weekends.
Maybe I should say, I have found myself a new place to add to my favorites.
Yes, D' Cuisine, I am proud to announce that you are now one of my new favorites!

I am definitely returning for more, and to say that I may come back does not sound right.

Keep it up, and this is definitely the cuisine (D'Cuisine) for me, with every pun intended.

I thought you had me at your cozy concept, but you had me at the Seabass, oh, and grouper.

Hold the door no longer, you definitely had me at Hello.

**Note:**
D' Cuisine has a sister patisserie right across its location in Plaza 33; known as D'Italiane which prides in serving fine breads and pastries and also brunch options.
Their ingredients are sourced from Europe and even their tea are from India.
D'Cuisine is located at the ground floor of Plaza 33; next to Barn Thai restaurant, and yes, Plaza 33 is where Kampachi and Coliseum PJ outlets are located.
They do serve wine too and have a fine collection of wine for the wine lovers out there.

All the experiences are based on my personal tastes and are in no way representing the general.
This is not a sponsored post by the restaurant, and is purely based on my personal opinions.

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Blending the Tastes at Coconut House, Jaya One

Warm lighting casting a yellowish glow over the wooden furniture exudes a familiar close-to-home ambiance as one steps into Coconut House, where they are centered on serving 'Real Food, with emphasis on the use of Real Wood in their kitchen to make their customers Feel Good' as accentuated on the front of their shop.

At a glance, the concept of Coconut House may send the idea of the likes of Western-themed restaurant and the dim glow with the interior design seems to back the overall impression first created as one steps or even passes by the restaurant.



The menu presented will reshape one's notion of the offerings from the restaurant; as Coconut House proudly flaunts their varieties from the West with a light twist in their offerings, and even emphasizing the both to serve a unique fusion of tastes in some of their courses.

From pasta to pizzas and grills, Coconut House strives to serve their very best from their kitchen.

Pear and Rocket Salad (MYR14.90) is a refreshing combination to kickstart one's appetite.
Thinly sliced packham pears tossed with rocket leaves and groundnuts, topped with a light tasting dressing is just easily a scrumptious and delightful way to tempt the taste buds especially for the weight-watchers.



Chicken Cacciatore (MYR30.90) set, comes along with the soup of the day.
The Chinese name (yes, beneath the name of the course is the Chinese given name for the dish) is uniquely known; in direct translation as "The Wife's Homemade Chicken".


Pumpkin Soup, the soup of the day is a well-sized portion of the cream of pumpkin broth.



Roasted Seafood (MYR32.90) is a mix of squids, fish fillets, prawns and clams tossed with mushrooms on a bed of lettuce leaves, and perfect to entice the seafood lovers with its uniquely wood-roasted tastes.




Coconut Blended(MYR9.90) is just the most invigorating drink that complements the name of the restaurant perfectly, and is definitely one of Coconut's House specialty.
(I love the way they serve the drink; in a custom made ceramic bowl complete with a lid in the shape of a coconut, and with the words 'Coconut House' carved into the bowl)



The quiet ambiance of the restaurant on a weekday evening makes this a nice place to just relax and unwind after a day's work with colleagues and friends, or even with families (if you reside in the neighborhood), and it was just exactly what I did, enjoying the quiet evening with the company of Real Food, Real Wood and yes, I definitely did Feel Good  here at Coconut House.



**This is not a sponsored post, and is based on my personal experience and opinions.**

Eating one's soul out at Souled Out, Sri Hartamas

It has been a long time since I have been back to this restaurant, which has been and still is one of the most happening eatery in the heart of the upscale Desa Sri Hartamas.

Souled Out Sri Harts, as they are fondly referred to (pet reference to their first and flagship outlet here) remains steady as one of the pulse for the hip night life in the area for more than a decade now, and they have recently expanded their business with their latest outlet in Ampang.

I have yet to visit their new outlet, and it is still to the original outlet that I return (possibly for that dear sense of familiarity?)
The place was clearly decked in the recent fervor of the ongoing World Cup 2014 with the different country flags waving from the ceilings and attires of the servers.








Dragonfly is the pride here; and I remembered myself ordering this exact same drink on my first visit here.
The bold combination of mixing red dragon fruit, watermelon, strawberry puree, lychee syrup, and fresh lemon juice gives the drink a rather revitalizing fruity taste with a slight chill as one takes a sip of this vibrant juice. It can appear to be a little sweet at first, followed by the thrilling sensation as the variety of the fruits takes charge of the taste buds, sending signals of uniqueness from their individual tastes yet stirring that imagination of the drinker in figuring out the types of fruits involved in the making of this drink. It indeed sends one on an enjoyable ride, and it is fitting that the menu describes it as one that will send one 'flitting' happily like a dragonfly

Sizzling Chicken Chop (MYR25) is a new item on their menu.
Served on a sizzling hot plate; hence the name, the chicken fillet is grilled with mushrooms, roast potatoes, sautéed panache vegetables, and slightly grilled romaine lettuce.




Pan Seared Grouper (MYR28) 
Grilled grouper fish fillet over mixed Cajun pasta, topped with roasted sliced cherry tomato, zucchini ribbons and pepper remains my personal favorite every time I am here, and it is no surprise this is the exact same item I ordered on my last visit. (I will give it up to try others, someday)


However, I was a little disappointed this round, as the grouper fillet spent a longer time over the grill than intended, and was slightly amiss in the tender department in its usually smooth flesh.
I missed that taste from my first visit; whereby the grouper fillet was just lightly heated on the grill, and the juicy flesh was just temptingly luscious with every bite; a sensation that one is treated with a fresh catch directly from the sea and cooked almost instantly.
I am sure this is just a mild inconsistency, and I am sure this will be fixed, for I still look forward to having this on my next visit.



The restaurant is heading for renovation and it was a good time for me to drop by to relive the old face of Souled Out before it goes under the drill, and I am guessing that by the time I return for the next visit, it will be an all brand-new Souled Out.

Looking forward to more goodies and eating our souls out again, real soon~

 

Simple Pleasures at Padi House

Fridays are great; simply because they signify the end of the week where most are busy with work or school and activities are planned to celebrate the arrival of a weekend immediately as the day ends.
It is like the beginning of a short break; and after all, it is, to the weekend where most of us (if not all) enjoy two days away after a five-day stint at work for the week.
All hell breaks loose on Friday evening, with many making plans to meet up with friends or simply to enjoy a good dinner with the family as a simple way of celebration, and it is for this very reason that the traffic often gets congested after work on Friday evenings, and restaurants, pubs, bistros and cafes; even malls and cinemas are packed with the excited crowd.

This in turn led to the birth of the contemporary concept cafes and restaurants, eager to please and entice the crowds with more options to celebrate the end of the week and of course, with additional varieties of food and beverage offerings for the assortment of taste buds out there.

Simplicity rules at Padi House; with the minimalistic decor and the conducive environment, one can easily sit back and relax with friends and families in this cafe.

Located in the area of new shophouses right next to the Aeon Shopping centre, Padi House is one of the new cafes in the vicinity of Bandar Mahkota Cheras town.
I have spotted this cafe several times and was eager to check it out, therefore it came as a pleasant surprise, and a perfect choice when my girl friend suggested to catch up for dinner at this place on a Friday night.





The interior speaks of urban chic style and I was immediately warmed by the ambiance enhanced by the soft glow from the hanging lightbulbs. There is an upper floor as well, for those who prefer more privacy and a view from the balcony as the ground floor is where all the action takes place; with the neighboring shops, car park lots, along with the cashier and drinks counter.

A combination of Carrot and Orange (MYR6.90) mixed in this personal favorite concoction of mine and is the perfect start to a relaxing evening.

Orange and Green Apple(MYR6.90) is another refreshing combination, or select from a list of their combos for the fruit juices, smoothies, teas, and even coffee.  

Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon (MYR15.50) is a delightful mix of romaine lettuce with croutons, tossed with parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, egg and Worcestershire sauce and I liked the addition of the lightly smoked salmon which lent its soft raw and saltish taste to complement the overall taste of the salad mix.

Craving for more salmon, we had this Grilled Salmon Fish with Key Lime Sauce (MYR26.90).
It is a pleasantly light option with the mildly grilled salmon which maintained the juicy factor of the oily fish, served with the creamy yet citrusy dressing along with the sides of boiled vegetables and fried wedges.
This is definitely a healthy and enjoyable main course for those on the watch for their waistline and diet; without compromising the scrumptious tastes for the start of a relaxing weekend, where most would look for a little indulgence and put those strict diets aside, just for a short while.




Padi House offers a wide variety of courses; from the mainstream Western cuisine of soups, salads, fish, poultry to the Asian noodles, rice and also the fusion in marrying both the cuisines to serve all the roving taste buds out there.
There is a also a list of desserts to tempt one's sweet tooth at the end of a meal, which I look forward to try on my next trip; when we do not get carried away by the topics of our conversation and without having a half-filled stomach before our meet up session.

It was a pleasant experience at Padi House, and the conducive environment was definitely a plus, which makes one feel comfortably at home. While the food and the prices may seem to be joining the standards of the average cafes out there, it is still not a bad start for a cafe especially in a neighborhood surrounded by the customary Chinese restaurants and hawker centers.

Padi House is indeed a bold contemporary addition to the dense population of eateries in the area, and also to the booming metropolis of the capital city and perhaps we will see their uprising growth in the near future.

French Toast with Shrimps

Breakfast on a Sunday morning means crowd and fighting for parking/table space, especially if you are out during the peak hours of the morning.

An ex-housemate/varsity mate whom I am really close to was up in Penang for a visit and we agreed to meet up for dim sum breakfast on Sunday before she departs back to KL, but unfortunately the crowd was just too overwhelming for us to even find a place to stand let alone hover over a table, and I suggested to her another place where I used to frequent which had higher chances of finding a table.

It was quite crowded too, but at least there was at least a wider space in that area and we could find a table easily with no hassle. 

It's not that it is not popular, but it is just located in a more secluded area and also occupying a much larger space compared to most restaurants.

While we were busy catching up on our lives, hubby brought back the dim sum (Self-service on Sundays) for us to enjoy.

Steamed Fish Balls with beancurd sheets 

Oh, I missed this! It's really hard to find good steamed fish balls in dim sum restaurants. It's funny, really, when this is supposed to be the simplest, yet I often find versions which were either too soggy or just not fresh at all.

This, is one of my favorite versions here.

Steamed shrimp dumplings

Minced meat rolls with tomato sauce




Lady fingers stuffed with fish paste served with fermented bean sauce



Our spread of dim sum which hubby took while we were busy chatting and we did not even realize that he had taken so many of them!



What caught my eye had to be this...



This is an interesting combination of fried eggs and shrimps atop the bread; and it tastes just like French toast with shrimps.
I find this a really creative idea; although it may take some time to get used to the idea of fusion; mixing the east and the west in dim sum revolution.



What do I make of it?
Like I said, it takes a little getting used to, but it's not half that bad either.

It's interesting, and I must say, an impressive attempt by this dim sum vendor, who constantly strives to come up with bold and innovative styles of food to add to their menu.

What is your most interesting dim sum yet? ;-)