Thursday, March 25, 2010

Triple Farewell Bash at Kanna Curry House.

What do you do when you have a big group of hungry friends – some who do not eat pork; some who'd rather not have anything to do with beef but would fancy a piece or two of curry-laced fried Tenggiri fish; some who'd prefer a plate of Deep Fried Chicken, Mutton Masala, Deep Fried Fish Roe or Chili Prawns; some who haven't had deep fried battered squid for some time but would really love some immediately – and who all are crazy for different kinds of curries to go with eat-all-you-want steamed white rice and a variety of vegetables, some papadums, and maybe with a cup of fresh yogurt too, served on a banana leaf?

Kanna Curry House. Jalan 17/45, PJ. 603-7958 4814. On top a hill behind Lisa de Inn, a building that's shaped like a lavishly decorated birthday cake. You won't miss the outlandish landmark.

Footnote: Good luck to Aliff, Casey and Mandy. May the pastures you're leaving M&C Saatchi Malaysia for be as green as banana leaves.

Crispy Fried Chicken Wednesday in Segambut.

How far would you travel for a plate of special crispy fried chicken that's served with scrumptious chicken essence and garlic/ginger steamed rice? Segambut, a humble but bustling residential garden that's separated by a 'roundabout' and across the highway from Jalan Duta, is really nearer than it sounds, considering if you're traveling from Damansara Heights.

And it's not every day that you'll get this crispy fried chicken. They sell it on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Not sure what they serve on other days of the week, but I heard it's Economy Rice with a wide variety of dishes, ranging from fish to pork to vegetables.

So, is it worth the trip? The crew for the day - Grace, Shear Ling and Meng Yam (and Aaron who is not in this picture) will tell you that the crispy fried chicken drumsticks, (they don't serve any other parts of the chicken, except for the innards, a rather rare commodity that runs out pretty quickly), are well worth the time and effort.

How to get there? GPS your way to Segambut somehow, turn right at the first junction after Yu Ai Seafood Noodles and follow your nose to a shop that packs and sells strong local coffee powder, and across the road you'll see a makeshift aluminium hut that sits under a humongous tree - that will be it.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Koon Kee Magical Wan Tan Mee.

For 'June' expedition #3, 4 of us drove out to June Liew's favourite family wan tan mee haunt in Uptown Damansara.

Located right across the road from an opened car park, parking your car should be a breeze. But you may also indulge in a little excitement by parking illegally by the roadside on the 'yellow line'.

Now, about Koon Kee's Wan Tan Mee... first impression failed big time. The char siew (bbq pork) didn't looked like they were done well; neither crispy nor caramelised enough. And the noodles looked too thick and colourless. Everything seemed suspiciously wrong.

Then I tasted the noodles. The flavour that's absorbed into it gushed out. The texture, the blend of sauce, the understated charred pork, everything, and I mean everything, simply fell into place. Like magic.

For variety sake, you get to choose the stewed chicken feet with mushrooms as toppings.

Or, for the not so adventurous, the plain shredded chicken strips.

As centre dishes, you can order extra helpings of Wan Tan pork dumplings, and/or the vegetarian goose (deep fried beancurd skin) from a different stall.

All in all, it's yet another truly satisfying one2two. To the few who pulled out from this trip - I'd make another trip with you guys soon.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Hon Kee. Famous Porridge since 1959.

This is the 2nd of 3 'June' expeditions... it's not often that we get the chance to visit Petaling Street (KL's very own Chinatown), simply because of the distance from our workplace.

But when you keep it to a small group of 2 or 3 the most in one car, you can go straight downtown, park at the old Rex cinema, walk quickly over to Hon Kee, a really tiny shop hidden behind fake apparel stalls along the starting point of Petaling Street on the left...

Catch a glimpse of how the inside of Hon Kee looks like. Make your orders quickly...

Walk across the road, go behind the famous Air Mata Kucing (Longan drink) stall...

And onto the blocked-out sidewalk next to the Hong Leong bank...

Wait a bit for the steaming hot bowl of Mixed Pork Porridge to arrive...

Mix in the additional order of Sang Yee (raw fish slices) into the hot bowl... and chomp it down nice and easy, before you pay up.

Then walk out onto the bustling Petaling Street again to hunt for Uncle Lau Tak Wah (a name that's strikingly similar to the Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau)...

Get the Chinese-style Apom Balik (rice flour pancake) with coconut centre for a perfect end to a glorious one2two.

And head on back to work. All within a little over an hour.

Cristang at 8 Avenue.

I'm currently employed under a one month consultancy contract at an advertising agency, which makes me a colleague of a certain June Liew, who is a knowledgeable foodie in her own rights.

This is the first in the 'June' series of expeditions...

Cristang, is a dimly lit restaurant with an expansive menu that is probably more suited for a dinner and beer occasion.

But we're here for one2two, and the sound of a home-style pork and petai burger sounds too good to be true.

They name this 'Urban Legend'.

The potato wedges are real and roasted with skin. The buns are toasted lightly to slightly crispy. The generous portion of minced pork and petai (stink beans) sits comfortably on top the thick and juicy pork patty. The freshly sliced onions, tomatoes and greens complete the masterpiece.

I'd pay RM23++, again and again, for this.

Among the many choices of pork, chicken and fish dishes, the spicy-sounding Bacon Rib Ambila caught our attention. And our instincts were deadly right. RM18.80 well spent. Plus an extra RM1.30 for a complementing plate of white rice.

Tucked away at B-G-19, 8 Avenue, Jalan Sungai Jernih (8/1), PJ, this is a perfect joint for vampires seeking to escape KL's blistering afternoon sun, and an excellent pork and beer one2two.

Number to call: 012 226 2698 (Gerald G. Oei).

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Bread Shop.

A beautiful kitchen makes beautiful bread and pastries? I personally don't think so, but it sure works for The Bread Shop, Damansara Heights, PJ. (Located two doors down from the original Decanter).

If you fancy a spicy one2two, go for the lip-smacking Beef Serunding (Spicy Beef Floss) Croissant.

Otherwise, opt for the Smoked Chicken or Roast Beef (not shown here) Cabiata. And complete a 'light' afternoon with the scrumptious Bananascotch Danish.

But if you decide to go crazy with your selection, do check the price tags. It can get slightly exorbitant.

Delightfully How Yekee.

A bunch of us headed out to Section 17, PJ to try out the homemade wantan mee place that was located a few doors up the block from How Yekee. But it was closed.

So further down Jalan SS17/10 we went, to the corner shop. How Yekee is one of the strangely named kopitiams that carry one or two of my favourites.

The Kampar Noodles being one, served in delightful curry, tomyam or plain soup. And an excellent variety of Kampar Noodles 'yong liu' treats that you'll get in up-north Ipoh but seldom find in restaurants across PJ or KL.

Then there's the Little Wok Fookin Mai Fun Meen (Hokkien Fried Meehoon Mee) that is complemented by crunchy cabbage, choy sum, prawns and pork slices, deliciously fried in glorious black caramelised soy sauce.

Obviously, the intended place of visit was completely erased from our minds.