Kampachi by Equatorial, Jaya33: An Haute Japanese Affair!

Kampachi Opens in Petaling Jaya!

Japanese cuisine aficionados will be pleased to know that Kampachi by Equatorial has just added a new outlet in Plaza33, the new extension of Jaya33 in Section 13, Petaling Jaya. Kampachi, the country’s most established and highly regarded Japanese restaurant is set to cater to the gourmands of PJ with its haute Japanese cuisine.

A class of its own, walking into any Kampachi outlet delivers an everlasting impression! This new one is equal to its others in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Troika, grabbing your attention at every corner of its surrounding. Boasting a seating capacity of 198 persons, there are two distinct zones at this outlet. Upon entrance, a stylish bar sets to mood with a circle of unique wood pods surrounding it. The pods feature rotating capability for added privacy or to face a neighbouring pod for a bigger party. Kampachi takes pride on its list of premium sakae as the restaurant stocks one of the largest varieties of specialty Japanese sake. Sakae lovers will be able to enjoy some hard-to-find ‘cult’ sakes from exceptional breweries that are made available in Malaysia, exclusively at the Kampachi.

The main dining area is spacious and decked out in Zen elements like wood, handmade papers, unique tiles and more. Every detail is well thought off and calculated to a tee. There is a teppanyaki bar for those who seek live teppanyaki action or simply choose a seat at the gorgeous sushi bar. It’s simply amazing how the designer manage to balance all the designs of the interior using different patterns and materials everywhere.

The restaurant also features three gorgeous private rooms with automated sliding door. Choose from different design theme and one particular one even has a special show kitchen concealed by moveable panel where guests can watch live kitchen actions. They certainly went all the way out for the contemporary and sophisticated interior design!

With many accolades under the group, Kampachi is renowned for serving its finest Japanese cuisine in the country. That evening, dishes specially prepared by Executive Chef Looi Weng Leong took dining to new heights. Going in for the finest, Kampachi showcase quite a few ingredients brought in from Japan. From the simplest ingredient of tomato downright to the highly prized melon, the impressive flavours and textures are deeply imprinted in my mind.

Hiyashi Tomato

Using a unique imported Ameera tomato grown in the Shizuoka prefecture, we didn’t understand what it was all about till we had a bite. The fruit is so versatile in flavours and textures. Instead of the usual tomatoes we get here, Ameera tomatoes live up to its fruit category. Utterly sweet with a nice crisp texture, it’s really juicy and fruity. Served cold and skin removed, the sweet tomato is paired with crab meat and edamame in a thick dashi sauce before being crowned with sea urchin. The fruity sweet sensation refreshes the palate while the creamy uni added contrast to the overall textures. Chef Looi highly recommends the tomato as a dessert as well.

Truly a unique appetizer!

Tobiuo Sashimi

A fish like no other, this one flies through the air above the water. One of the most intriguing species in the sea, the fish is more famed for its roes in most Japanese dishes. As it was in season, we were lucky to be able to try this at Kampachi.

We watch in live action as Chef Looi deftly prepares the sashimi right before our eyes!

The flying fish has a fairly strong flavor with hints of creamy notes. It’s soft texture is very enjoyable. To enjoy its full potential, we were encouraged to try it solo first before adding freshly grated wasabi, ginger and onion. This hard-to-catch fish is available for RM120 per fish.

Awabi Suteki

Originated from the seas of Australian, this fresh whole green-lipped abalone is first steamed with sake, kelp and radish before being sautéed and seasoned. Thick and fairly firm, the abalone has nice smoky and juicy flavours. Coupled with sautéed buttered Shimeji mushrooms, the dish exudes wholesome and earthy flavours. It’s RM98 per abalone and is even available as sashimi. Feel like splurging? This one certainly takes the cake!

Kake Himi Udon

I like how Kampachi brings in authentic Japanese ingredients to tease our senses and to also educate our palates. After a rich meal of fruit, fish and abalone, Himi udon is simply perfect for the soul. The thin flat udon noodles are steeped in a soothing sweet and savory broth. Minimal accompaniments showcase the original texture of the udon as one slurps it up. One is consoled by the bowl of udon in pure contentment!

Meron

The exquisite and lavish muskmelon from Japan is also available here in Kampachi. The king of melon is utterly divine with sweetness like no other and a smooth and almost creamy texture. What a way to end a meal! A wodge of the meron will set one back with a hefty tag of RM60-RM75.

Our omakase dinner cost RM280 per person for the whole set above or one can also order them a la carte. Besides the menu, Kampachi is proud to kick off its famed Sunday Buffet. Priced at RM118++ per adult and RM68++ per child, we heard it’s fully booked till July!

Kampachi by Equatorial at Jaya33 is set to impress and impress us is what it did!

KAMPACHI BY EQUATORIAL

P1-02, First Floor, Plaza @Jaya33

1 Jalan Kemajuan, Seksyen 13,

46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Tel: +60 3 7931 6938
Fax: +60 3 7931 8294
Email: kampachi-jaya33@equatorial.com

Website: http://www.kampachi.com.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KampachiOfficial

*Other location details available at the website

**Photos without watermark are courtesy of Kampachi

Suria Café, The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur: Celebrating Flavours of Sri Lanka!

The Three Lankan-teers Strikes!

When salivating aroma entices your senses, you know you are in for a great meal! Three of the best chefs in Sri Lanka are here at Suria Café at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur to bring a kaleidoscope of authentic Sri Lanka flavours. All the way from Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, the three chefs have brought in a Sri Lanka spread of dishes and heritage for Suria Café’s ‘Celebrating the Flavours of Sri Lanka’ promotion from 17 to 27 June 2013.

Together with Executive Sous Chef Dodangodage Clifford Nishantha Perera, Seniour Sous Chef Liyana Arachchige Anura Wijesiru and Commis I Udaramba Gamaralage Chandana Jayanath Gunathilake, the trio is set to lure food aficionados with a sumptuous array of Sri Lanka feast. Besides a luscious array of authentic Sri Lanka dishes, there are also additional international and local dishes to tempt your taste buds!

Sri Lanka cuisine is as complex as it gets. It is heavily seasoned with spices and the nation’s cuisine features rice with lots of various curries. My first taste of Sri Lanka cuisine and I am impressed. Despite the liberal use of spices, the dishes exude a wholesome balance of all the ingredients. Nothing overpowers and one can actually taste a great poise of flavours.

Main dishes include Cashew & Drumstick Meat Mitikirata, Sri Lanka Fish Stew, Chicken Red Curry, Lamb Black Pepper Curry, Prawn Baduma, Pumpkin Kalupol, Maluwa, Long Beans & Mushroom Thelata, Dhal Temparaduwa and more. Be prepare to bury your spoon deep into the addictive curries to be smothered with traditional Sri Lanka Festive Yellow Rice and Red Rice.

The Chicken Red Curry is simply marvelous in flavours. Thick, rich and creamy, it also has a tang of sourness undernote. I enjoyed the curry so much, I literally laced this with almost everything I ate. Lamb Black Pepper Curry has cubes of medium tender lamb braised in a spicy peppery sauce. Besides the distinctive taste of black pepper, there are also other spices in the dish to counter the peppers.

Cashew & Drumstick Meat Mitikirata taste like no other curries I have ever had. The dish has loads of soft cashew nuts together with equal pieces of chicken. It has a nice aroma of the nuts and spices and flavours are surprisingly mellow and lightly creamy. Sri Lanka fish stew also has a mellow note but is creamy and rich with notes of spices.

Despite the dishes being laced with spices, none of them taste similar at all. Its amazing how the chefs create the array of masterpieces with the various spices. Pumpkin Kalupol, Maluwa and Long Beans & Mushroom Thelata are good vegetarian dishes that produce a sweeter and spicier notes compared to the other meat and seafood dishes.

Sri Lanka Festive Yellow Rice and Red Rice are to be savored with Gotukola Sambol, pickles, chutneys, raw onions and garlics. I am particularly fond of the Gotukola Sambol, made with Gotukola, finely shredded coconut meat, onions and spices. It adds an earthy and aromatic touch to all the curries.

It may be humble but street food like Kottu and Appa symbolizes what Sri Lanka cuisine is at its best. Available everywhere in the streets of Sri Lanka, both are favorites of many. Once you had a taste, you will understand why these humble dishes are like our national favorites of satay and nasi lemak!

Caught Chef Wijesiru whipping up a batch of the famous Kottu! Kottu is a noisy and delicious affair as it is made of roti and vegetables with the addition of meat, vegetables or even cheese. Traditionally made on a heated iron plate, one requires two flat blunt metal blades to perform a lot of chopping and clanging actions on all the ingredients together. To find Kottu, just follow the noise!

I must say it was a really good Chicken and Vegetable Kottu! Shredded roti is aromatized with onions, garlic and vegetables before being served Chicken Curry and more Curry Gravy. I drowned mine with the curry for the ultimate experience…

The cuisine’s piece de resistance was Appa or Hoppers. Made in a small wok pan, a ladle of the thin batter made from rice flour, coconut milk and yeast or palm toddy, the hopper has crispy edges and a light spongy middle with a light sour tang. Simply spoon on some fiery chili sauce and a spicy onion and chili sambol and you are set for an unforgettable taste!

Though I like it plain, I must say the Egg Hopper is out-of-this-world! It was so good, I had to go back for another. The chilies are spicy and linger around for a while, lending an addiction of flavours against the soft creamy eggs with hopper. Simply a must-have and so get one with the egg!!

If you like your sweets immensely sugary, Sri Lanka desserts are just the thing to satisfy your sweet tooth! I did try a little piece of every dessert that night and some are pretty enjoyable like the Sri Lanka Dodol and Thala Guli. There are also Konda Kavum, Watalappam and more…

 

Come and celebrate the flavours of Sri Lanka in Suria Café at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur from the 17 June to 27 June 2013 as these three Lankan-teers battle with fire and wok! Diners may also stand a chance to win a luxurious stay at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo when you dine at Suria Café during the Celebrate the Flavours of Sri Lanka promotion!

Celebrate the Flavours of Sri Lanka promotion is available from 17 to 27 June 2013 for RM90++ for buffet dinner and RM70++ for buffet lunch.

For reservations, call 03 7843 1234 (ext 6122 / 4717) or email dine@thesaujana.com or visit www.thesaujanahotel.com

SURIA CAFÉ

Lower Ground Floor,

The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 
Saujana Resort, 
Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS, 
40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. 
Contact: 603-7843 1234 ext 6122 / 4717

Website: www.thesaujanahotel.com
Operating Hours: 6am to 11pm daily

Tujo Bar-sserie & Grill, Ascott Kuala Lumpur: A Playground in the Heart of the City where One can Eat, Play & Live!

Going 60s Mode at Tujo’s Playground!

Have you heard about the new playground in town? Previously known as 7atenine, a new eatery arises in the form of Tujo at Ascott Kuala Lumpur. Seeking the fun crowd, Tujo plays on the fun side of eating. Even its name is taken from the numeric seven, translating it to a funky version of Tujo. Not to be taken too seriously, Tujo is a space designed to embrace in its tagline of Eat, Live & Play.

Designed to modernized the 60s era, Poole Associates certainly had fun in bringing Tujo alive. Highlight is a huge green living wall behind the bar whereas everything else from furniture, lightings, color theme and ornaments are inspired from the retro era. Enjoy some R&R moments in the main dining hall or head up one level for privacy dining. There is even a huge private dining room for functions. Tujo is designed with an open space ambience from its glass walls on the side, letting diners catch the cityscape as the evening flows. Though only a month old, the place was already pack, a sign that word has already gotten out!

 

Tujo has a whole cabinet filled up with classic American tin toys for sale by GARAGE. Check these out and who knows, you may even spot your favorite old toy there…

Long post coming right up as the menu is filled with a long list of choices in every section…

Let’s Drink

If there is one thing that Tujo does extremely well, it’s definitely their awesome quench list! The list is long and fills with loads of selections that will guarantee to quench any thirst. We had so much fun enjoying all the creative cocktails, mocktails, sangria, coffees and more. You know they take their drinks to another level when the huge 3 pages of drinks run from every section of cocktails, bubblies, shooters, draught beers, bottle beers, wines and champagnes, liqueur, mocktails to coffee and tea. Heck… there is even detoxifying juices, power drinks and various H2o to satisfy health drinkers!!

 

We bottoms up on a few varieties of cocktails like Hazelnut Caipirinha, Eden Melon, Lychee Mojito, Asam Boi Mojito, Peach Sangria and Watermelon Sangria! My all-time-favorite is the luscious and funky Hazelnut Caipirinha. Besides the funky light up action at the table, the flavor is gorgeous and smooth with a subtle note of hazelnut. Mojitos here are their signatures too and there are plenty of varieties to choose from classics to banana and ginger lychee.

Quench your thirst with Tujo Specials like Eden Melon, Fuji Mountain Bramble, The Funeral for Jack and more! Eden Melon was interesting from its concoction of gin, Galliano, watermelon, thyme and more.

Ok, this one is not called Crema Screaming Orgasm for nothing! The innocent looking creamy cocktail pack quite a punch, literally right at you. Strong and hard, there’s plenty of vodka and coffee liqueur to make you squeal in delight!

Looking fairly plain, I was taken by surprise at first sip of Illy Crema… a frothy concoction that taste like a creamy foam. It’s delicious! Although we were told that the whole drink maybe too much for one but I was willing to hog this whole one by myself.

Let’s Eat

Its Feel Good Food describe in a nutshell by Tujo. Going by that tagline, Tujo serves up favorite classics tune up to a groovy bite that makes sure one walks away with that Satisfied Belly syndrome. The large menu has everything, snacks, soup and salad, signature grills, main course, pasta and pizza, sandwiches and desserts. Make sure to bring your adventurous appetite with you to Tujo!

Oxtail Soup

Made a la Indonesia style the Oxtail Soup is full of warmth flavors from its spices and meaty broth. We dive head long into this bowl of comfort filled with cubes of root vegetables, coriander and well braised chunks of oxtail.

Smoked Duck Salad

Sliced smoked duck nestled on cos lettuce and orange segments dressed in a tangy fruity dressing.

Caesar Salad with Chicken

A well-made creamy cheesy Caesar salad! Love the obvious parmesan notes in the dressing together with the crisp parmesan pieces. It’s optional to have this plain or with chicken.

Tujo Stinger Satay

Quite a show piece, the Tujo Stinger Satay stands proud on a pineapple base. Glazed with a piquant spicy shrimp paste sauce and comes with a side kick of pineapple salsa, it’s pretty good. Echoing another favorite northern rojak flavors of sweet, spicy and piquant, I think this one is funky good!

Venison Roll

Beware, this one is spicy in heat and flavors. Loaded with lots of spices and chilies, the creamy minced venison stew is stuffed into tortilla and made easy for snacking.

Napoli Bianco Pizza

Going black instead of its usual, Tujo takes their pizza to another level. This one has squid ink pizza crust filled to the brim with white alfredo sauce, homemade meatball and pepperoni. Crispy and creamy with dots of saltiness, I predict that this one would be a crowd pleaser.

Malaysiana Pizza

The kitchen team likes to play in the kitchen and decided that they take a Malaysian favorite of nasi lemak and put it on a pizza. Imagine crispy squid ink crust filled with sambal sauce and sprinkled with crunchy fried anchovies, onion rings and crushed peanuts… the only missing element is a bit of lemak and rice. Spicy and crunchy, makes perfect accompaniment with a good beer!

Tom Yam Fettuccini

Melding Thai and Italian, tom yam fettuccini comes with prawns, squid and chicken. Sour and spicy, it’s a dish that whets the appetite.

Chimichurri Chicken

Never judge a book by its cover! Looking gloriously black, I was expecting a burnt flavor but instead I got a robust chimichurri seasoning jazzing up the chook. Flavors are quite intense with lots of savory and herb notes. Chicken was moist and tender, served up with a grilled tomato.

Grilled Seafood Platter

Since grill is the house signature, one can only expect the best from their grill. We were really happy with the seafood platter. Smoky and well-charred, prawns, squid, fish and scallops are grilled just right and served with a side of light brown gravy. A squeeze of lemon makes magic on the seafood!

Grilled Porterhouse with Sautéed Creamy Spinach

Since they ran out of their infamous OP Ribs, we settled for another favorite of a giant porterhouse. Tantalizing at sight, the giant T-bone has the best of both worlds with a side of fillet and a side of sirloin. It’s juicy and flavorful on its own beefy jus. I also adored the sautéed creamy spinach for its soft and silky renderings. Go ahead and conquer this humongous badass beef on your own if you can!

Parmesan Bass

I love this sea bass with its crusty cheesy parmesan crust. It’s got great flavors. You get nicely crisp and crusty skin with soft and flaky flesh. Served with a creamy sauce and fava beans, it has a comfort vibe to it.

Seafood Risotto

Though my other foodies thought the risotto rice was bit too hard, I thought it was perfectly al dente. The risotto has a good dose of thick creamy tomato sauce. Love the tangy creamy sauce from tomatoes and cheese. It is served with an array of seafood. I felt that the risotto is so good, I could just eat the rice alone without any seafood.

Ira Malai

Inspired from Indian cuisine, here we have prawns cooked in spicy coriander gravy and served with pulao rice. Rest assured with Indian flavors, this one is spicy and redolent of spices.

The evening had us all loosening our belts a few notches. Nevertheless, we still managed to end on a sweet note… or shall I say a few sweet notes!

Carrot Cake

A good version of carrot cake with thick cream cheese icing! Lots of spice notes and textures from the ingredients, it’s the lime cream cheesing frosting that makes this a star.

Salted Caramel Apple Guava Tart

Served warm with a scoop of Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream, I managed to steal a bite. Sweet, a little tangy and almost a hint of creamy goodness, the crust of the tart melts while the warm filling is sweet and fruity. It is served with apple dragonfruit compote.

Apple Banana Sundae

Going off the track, this one is filled with banana, poached apple, toffee, nuts, and chocolate sauce with Haagen Dazs vanilla and chocolate ice cream. It’s a mumbo jumbo of a sundae!

What a playground it is! Tujo is trendy and mod at the same point. Echoing its 60s inspired design, the food and drink is also groovy and creative. It’s a place where age doesn’t matter and there is just something for everyone.  Chill out to the stylish ambience and play a few games like pick-up sticks, five stones and other classic games with someone. Laugh and giggle to all the liquids and fill your tummy with lots of feel good food. And that is what Tujo is all about….

TUJO BAR-SSERIE & GRILL

Ascott Kuala Lumpur

No.9, Jalan Pinang,

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603 2161 7789 / 012 210 3055

Fax: 603 2163 7789

Email: ask@tujo.my

Website: www.tujo.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TujoKL

Business Hours: Monday to Sundays, 7am till closing