April 8, 2019

Prawn Dynasty @ Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras



Seafood Fantasia



A newbie on the block, Prawn Dynasty aims to take crustacean dining to a whole new level of sumptuousness. Barely a few months old since its opening in January 2019, the restaurant is in a bustling area in Cheras.



The ambiance is decent, typical of a Chinese restaurant with no frills. Standard white wash walls, red table cloths and live fish tanks. Bright and not too bad in space wise, Prawn Dynasty opted to focus on their food. There’re also private rooms available for a few tables with karaoke option. Parking is limited inside the restaurant compound, but one can also park just outside the vicinity area.


Needless to say, prawns are their signatures, especially 头虾 or big head prawns. Foodies can get their prawns prepared in various ways and sauces. Fear not if some of your dining companions are not into prawns as there are plenty of other Chinese seafood and meat dishes in the menu.


Rolling of the menu list, there are more than 20 ways of the big head prawns available such as Dynasty Steam Prawns, Baked Prawns with Cheese, Salted Egg Prawn, Milky Prawn, Cantonese Style Garlic Chili Prawn, Braised Claypot Prawn with Special Fish Soup, Curry Prawn Indonesian Style, Stir Fried Prawn Vietnamese Style, Dynasty Salt & Pepper Prawn and more.

Foodies will be glad to know that prices for the freshwater prawn or big head prawn here are very affordable. The restaurant serves one standard size for Big Head Prawns at RM39.90 per portion prepared in your choice of sauces. A plus point so one can opt to order as many portions depending on your number of diners as well as a chance to savor few flavours of the crustaceans without having to burn a hole in your pocket.


We tucked in three flavours of Kam Heong Butter Milk Prawn, Prawn with Salted Egg Sauce and Black Pepper Prawns. Each one has at least three big head prawns cut in half depending on the sizes.


The Kam Heong Butter Milk Prawn was served in a claypot. Bubbling upon arrival, the pot of prawns is deliciously aromatic. A luscious thick orangey sauce with lots of aromatics of curry leaves, onions, dried shrimp and spices paired well with the fresh sweet prawns. Best eaten hot, the kam heong sauce is lip-smacking yum, so much so that you’ll end up sucking the prawn shells for every bit of that sauce.


Prawn Dynasty offers two version of Prawn with Salted Egg with one being saucy and the other being the dry version. Our saucy version looked divine at sight! Generously sauced up, the prawns are drenched in that thick and unctuous salted egg buttermilk sauce with dried chili and curry leaves. Its not a spicy dish but the dried chilies gave the sauce a nice boost of underlying flavour to offset the richness of the salted egg. Also best savored piping hot for best flavours…


The third dish of Black Pepper Prawns had a good dose of black pepper and is great if you are a fan of that hit of pepper. The dish was decent though I personally felt it didn’t let one enjoy the natural sweetness of the big head prawns. For those who enjoy the natural sweetness of the crustaceans, the Dynasty Steamed Prawns would be another good option to consider.


Prawn Dynasty is one of the few restaurants that serves Orange Roughy fish. A deep sea fish, Orange Roughy is said to be a fish that has so much nutritious values and can be hard to find as it is not a common fish. We opted for the Ginger and Spring Onion Steamed Orange Roughy Fish (RM8.80/100g) and was extremely pleased with this choice of cooking and flavours.


The flesh of the fish is gorgeous. Medium firm with a sweet and smooth tenderness that goes so well with the classic soy sauce, ginger and ginger mix. Truly a masterpiece and Prawn Dynasty Chef Mak Kok Bah did justice to the fish… a must order!!


I don’t know what to expect when I read the dish named Claypot Excited Clams (Small- RM20.00). Nevertheless, the pot of well-cooked clams in a buttery pale-yellow broth laced with a good hit of Chinese wine and some chili padi heat was so delicious that we made sure to enjoy all the broth along with the tender clams.



The 3 Cup Chicken (Small – RM20.00) was sufficiently satisfying. A well-cooked dish, though nothing to shout about, had all the passing marks of tender chicken braised in soy sauce, wine and sesame oil along with some basil for aroma.



What was much in favor of everyone at our table that lunch was the Claypot Salted Fish Pork Belly (Small – RM25.00). A faultless pleasure, thin sliced pork belly, utterly juicy and glistening with caramelized glaze of aromatic salted fish with soy sauce and dried chili heat makes one polishes of bowls of steamed rice without a mere thought.



The Saliva Chicken (Small – RM40.00) was mediocre since I am used to the pungent Sichuan chili version more than this non-spicy version. Others enjoyed it for the lovely firm poached chicken meat made more aromatic with a generous dousing of soy sauce and fried garlic bits.


A first pairing for me, the Stir-Fried French Beans with Seaweed (Small – RM18.00) turned out to be so yummy. Even the little ones enjoyed this…


While the Crab Meat Bean Curd (Small – RM18.00) was ordered for the little ones, the house made bean curd was lovely with a crowning glory of crispy fried enoki mushrooms.


Check out Prawn Dynasty, especially if you are a fan of big head prawns and seafood. The place is bound to do well with plenty of choices of seafood and meat dishes to cater to foodies of all ages.



PRAWN DYNASTY
26 Jalan 6/91,
Taman Shamelin Perkasa,
56100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603-2856 0765


Business Hours:
Lunch          10.30am to 2.30pm
Dinner           5.30pm to 10.30pm


April 5, 2019

The Emperor Mix N Match Promotion @ Dorsett Grand Subang



Mix 'N' Match of Sizzling Szechuan and Oriental Dishes



The month of April holds much deliciousness at the renowned The Emperor Chinese Restaurant at Dorsett Grand Subang. Diners are in for a special Mix ‘N’ Match treat of mouth-watering Szechuan and other Chinese dishes from the kitchen of Chef Bryan Teh.




An elegant ambiance showcasing Oriental theme, The Emperor is a popular hotspot for fine Cantonese cuisine along with Dim Sum and more. Private rooms are available in addition to the spacious main dining area.




The Mix ‘N’ Match promotion is available till 30 April for lunch and dinner at the elegant restaurant. With set menu of your choice of selected dishes depending on the number of diners, starting from 4 up to 8 pax, the value-for-money menu even includes free Soup of the Day and Dessert. Price starting from RM298 nett to RM698 nett.


Our soup of the day for the preview was a soothing classic Lotus Root and Chicken Soup. Chockful of lotus root chunk, the soup was a bowl of comfort flavours with every spoonful.


Chef Bryan may not have started out in Szechuan cuisine but has certainly mastered the cuisine well. His version of the ‘Sui Chu Yue’ or Poached Fish Fillet with Dried Chilli & Szechuan Herb Chilli Oil is fiery at sight and moreish in flavours.


The distinctive ‘Ma La’ numbness was cleverly well-controlled, enough to leave that bit of tingling numbness and yet not overly powering till one cannot enjoy the heat and sublime notes of the aromatics. The thick fish fillets were gently cooked, enough to melt-in-the-mouth tenderness with a delicious note after soaking up all the chilies, bean sauce and other aromatics.


The dish was so moreish, it was hard not to order another bowl of steamed rice to keep savoring it…


Another drool worthy dish from the menu has to be the Szechuan Style Deep-fried Crispy Chicken & Dried Chilli! Crispy chicken cubes stir-fried on high heat with dried chilies and aromatics as well as cashew nuts has just the right hit of heat and light Szechuan peppercorn. The dish makes a good snacking dish on its own with beer… simply addictive…



The Sweet & Sour Chicken here is already a show stopper at sight. Beautiful in hues of orangey redness, large pieces of crispy boneless chicken is coated in the classic sweet and sour sauce along with pieces of bell pepper and pineapple. A timeless dish that never fails to please the palate when cooked well.



More comfort flavours took form in a claypot of Braised Lamb with Preserved Vegetable. Tender lamb slices well-braised in the piquant ‘Suen Choi’ with lots of garlic, ginger and bits of chili. The dish had that bitey tangy notes of the preserved vegetables goes well with the lamb slices.



‘Fu Yong’ Egg or Fried Omelette with Onion & Barbecued Chicken is sufficiently satisfying, a dish that appears on the table of many homes when one has bits of veggies along with some char siew nicely enveloped in fluffy egg omelette.


The dish of Deep-fried Crispy Beancurd with Chilli & Spiced Salt may appear simple but is always a crowd favorite of diners of all ages.


While one can select your choice of greens such as Chinese Spinach, Kai Lan, Choy Sum, French Beans or Siew Pak Choy from the Mix ‘N’ Match menu, we opted with ala carte dish of Green Dragon Chives with Beansprout as addition to the meal.


As mentioned above, the menu comes with a free Dessert of your choice. Simply select from the choices of Herbal Jelly with Honey, Mango Pudding or Almond Beancurd Pudding for that lovely sweet ending to the meal. Go for the Herbal Jelly or ‘Kwai Lin Guo’ like we did for some nutritious benefits.




The Emperor Mix ‘N’ Match Promotion
available until 30 April 2019

RM 298 nett for 4 pax
RM 498 nett for 6 pax
RM 698 nett for 8 pax

*Free soup of the day and dessert
** Prior reservations required, T&C applies

Call to book at +60350316060 ext 1954 or email at bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com



THE EMPEROR CHINESE RESTAURANT
Dorsett Grand Subang
Jalan SS12/1,
47500 Subang Jaya
Tel: +603 5031 6060
Fax: +603 5031 8686

Website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang

Business Hours:
Lunch:       12:00 noon – 2:30p.m. (Mondays to Saturdays)
                 10:00a.m. – 2:30p.m. (Sundays & public holidays)
Dinner:      6:00p.m. – 10:00p.m


March 10, 2019

Jamaica Blue Fine Coffees @ Setia Alam City Mall


Keep Calm and Drink Jamaica Blue Coffee



When it comes to coffee, the coffee masters of Jamaica Blue Fine Coffee go all out to search for the very best beans to be pair with their café menu. Named after the Blue Mountain in Jamaica, the successful Caribbean themed café chain has been serving their award-winning Jamaica Signature Blend and Blue Mountain coffees in several strategic locations in our country.




We paid a visit to Jamaica Blue in Setia Alam City Mall for a brunch and was certainly pleased with our experience. The café was spacious and designed with a natural theme of earthy colours contrasted with blocks of black. Splashes of colours are subtly injected through banquette seats as well as small hanging lighting.




A huge bar is designed with open concept to allow customers to catch preparations of coffees and other beverages along with a baked goods counter. Chalkboards are placed behind the bar as informative as well as decorative touches to the café.


The café has a wonderful laid-back vibe, which is perfect for those seeking solace in a good cup of joe with some relaxation time. The ambiance is also in theme with its brand identity where one evokes the spirit of coffee while reflecting the essence of the easy-going vibe at the Caribbean. Customers are sure to experience the café’s values of rich, warm, vibrant, relaxed, authentic and even a little exotic.


With 8 outlets spread all over Malaysia, each outlet offers main master menu with some tweaks based on its geographical location and its produce. The menu has the typical café list of just as much food as there is on the beverage list. Besides coffee, there are plenty of non-caffeine drinks, juices, smoothies and even tea. The menu consists of all-day breakfast bites, pasta, pies, burgers and sandwiches.


Coffee lovers should try both their award-winning signature coffee beans. The Jamaica Blue Mountain Cappuccino (RM23.40) and Jamaica Blue Signature Blend Cappuccino (RM11.70), both have respective aroma and flavours with one more pronounced than the other.


For a cheeky note, Jamaica Blue has featured a monthly special of Blue Latte (RM11.00). The caffeine-free beverage has blue Curacao syrup to give it that pretty pastel blue. The white chocolate and milk concoction has a pretty tree art latte as a finishing. The Pomegranate Soda (RM14.20) is also a refreshing drink to quench that thirst.


More drinks to check out, Nuts Over Caramel Frappe (RM14.50), Mango Gone Banana Smoothie (RM14.50) and Chocolate Banana Frappe (RM14.50)


The all-day breakfast menu of Eggs Florentine with Smoked Salmon (RM26.50) is executed with perfection. Perfectly poached eggs on a bed of wilted spinach with toast, crowned with luscious smoked salmon and finished with buttery thick hollandaise sauce. The combination befits the breakfast of champions!



The Warm Forest Mushroom, Feta & Spinach Bowl (RM20.00) is another healthy and delicious option that borders on between breakfast and lunch. The vegetarian option consists of a quinoa and almond porridge topped with sautéed warm mushrooms, chickpeas, wilted spinach. Finished with poached egg, whipped feta, sprinkling of sunflower and pumpkin seeds and a spice mix of dukkah, the dish has so much flavours and textures that is very easy to enjoy.


For more familiar classics, there’s burgers and sandwiches for lunch. The Vintage Ground Beef Burger (RM28.90) is a solid dish served with a side of salad. Thick beef patty with beef strips, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and the usual condiments, the burger made a substantial meal on its own. The only thing I am missing is the fries on this dish.


There’s also the Classic Steak Sandwich (RM28.60). Grilled scotch fillet and beef strips with caramelized onions, aioli, gherkin and veggies on ciabatta roll sounded and tasted yummy.


If you do not take beef, the Jerk Spiced Chicken, Avocado & Mozzarella Roll (RM20) is a healthy option with lean chicken breast nicely dressed in a spiced up creamy dressing with avocado and cucumber on ciabatta bread.


Then there is pasta. Jamaica Blue’s pasta selection may not be a lot but what they serve are pretty good in my books. We were assured that their Traditional Pasta Carbonara (RM22.90) is authentic as it gets. Though it may not be drenched in the usual thick cream sauce that most places serve, this one is simply tossed in lots of olive oil with garlic, parmesan cheese, egg and turkey strips. Not too bad as it doesn’t leave one heavy after savoring it and yet the pasta is full of tasty flavours.


For an unusual note, try the Chicken Laksa Pasta (RM20.90). This dish was a surprising one as it taste so much better than it sounds. The balanced amount of spices hit all the right notes along with the much creamy coconut milk. This is bound to be a local favorite for its distinctive laksa flavour.


Jamaica Blue has quite a few options for desserts like the Dark Chocolate & Walnut Brownie (RM12.00) and Sticky Date Pudding (RM14.00). Both decadent and great for a sweet note, especially to go with coffee.


Besides the desserts, there’s plenty of sliced cakes, muffins, scones, pastries and more for anytime of the day to go with your cup of joe!



JAMAICA BLUE FINE COFFEES
Setia City Mall
LG – 12, Lower Ground Floor, Persiaran Setia Dagang,
Seksyen U13, Setia Alam,
40170 Shah Alam,
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603-3359 2778


Business Hours:
Mon - Sun 10.00 am - 10.00 pm