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Fukuharu Zen Lunch (Terrace at Hock Choon)

06 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Gastronomy, Local Restaurants

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Hubby loves jap food. So for his birthday celebration with the family, he decided to try Fukuharu. 

** Fukuharu won the Best Japanese Restaurant category of the Time Out KL Food Awards in 2010 ** This was partly the reason why he chooses this restaurant. 

Fukuharu is located inside Terrace @ Hock Choon. Once you are inside, the restaurant gives off a peaceful vibe. We were shown to our table and immediately placed our orders as we were very hungry. They recommended we try their Fukuharu Zen lunch special which was priced at RM 38++.

We were quite attracted to the Zen set. So, we ended up ordering 3 out of the 5 variety they had. (Chicken Teriyaki /Saba Shioyaki and Beef Teppanyaki). The set comes with a mini kaiseki appetizer platter, Salad, Chawan mushi, rice and dessert.

I love the kaiseki they offer. It is nothing spectacular. But, each ingredient is fresh and the variety served was more than I had expected. Mom especially loves the slice of smoke duck. The Kaiseki is the same for all the sets. Follow by a salad, Chawan Mushi and then your main set.

Personally, I like the beef set the most. Chicken was quite so-so. The Saba set was ok but I feel that the serving was a little on the small side.

On top of that, we ordered the Edamame, Mentai Sushi, Erringi Yaki and Avocado Tempura.

The Mentai Sushi was basically Tamago sushi (egg) with a layer of grilled creamy mentaiko (fish roe) on top. It was really yummy. I love the taste of the still warm mentaiko together with the creamy sauce. It was definitely an interesting combination. Next, we had the avocado tempura. It was not really impressive. Unfortunately, I forgotten all about snapping picture by then. So, I can’t show you what the 2 dishes looks like. GOMEN !!!

I did however manage to get the Erringi Yaki after hub remind me about it. Hehehe.. This was done really well. I love what they did with the Erringi (a type of mushroom – mom called it chicken drumstick mushroom, hehehee… not sure if she made it up or it’s true). It was sliced in nice ‘chips’ size and grilled lightly with very minimal oil.  

 

We end the meal with Vanilla ice-cream draped with black sesame sauce. I definitely prefer this to a pure black sesame ice cream. I always find that a bit too over powering. This is just nice; simple and flavorful. Love it when I end a meal with good dessert. 

 Address:

Terrace@Hock Choon, 241-B Lorong Nibong, off Jalan Ampang, KL.

Tel: 017 209 8477

Opening times: Open daily, 12noon-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm

Shangri-La Hotel (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

19 Wednesday Oct 2011

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 After weeks of chaos at work and life, I was feeling a bit burnt out. Hub decided to give me a mini-retreat for my birthday this year. Aww.. so sweet of you dear. Thanks !!!

 He made reservation for us to stay over at Shangri-La (Shang) hotel in KL. I know some might think it’s silly to stay over in a hotel when your own bed is only 30 – 35 minutes away. But, it was the best retreat for me. It was close enough for us to rush back in case of any emergency (so – i won’t fret during our getaway) and yet it was still an escape from our normal routine life. I like that there’s no rushing to airport or sitting in the car for hours getting to the destination.  

When that weekend arrived, we drove to Shang. Hubby did the check-in while I absorb the small feeling of freedom. The guy in the reception propose to us an upgrade at a small fee (well – not that small actually) to the horizon club level. He was kind enough to show us the club level and not pushy for us to feel like it’s a marketing talk. Since it was for my birthday, hub decided to take on the package. I was glad we took the horizon club package. So, the overall stay was about RM 600+ 

 

Once we agree to the upgrade, arrangement were made to transfer us to another room in their system. While waiting for them to send our luggage to our room, we decided to head down to the club. It was a nice comfortably sized lounge area. Since it’s about 3 pm, they are preparing for their daily afternoon tea. The counter was filled with mini snacks and sweet-treats.

 

After we finish our tea, we head back up and hub notice that they placed a box of chocolate cake on the table. I was so touch and thank hub. Hub admits that he didn’t request for a cake and he was impressed by the thoughtfulness of Shang’s staff. (Lucky for him since I might throw a big fuss about not getting a cake from him)

 

However, we were surprise that our luggage was not delivered to us. So, we call down to check. Me being the worry-wart wanted to head downstairs and start searching for it myself. When we arrive to lobby, we saw one of their staff pushing our luggage towards to lift. We told him it was ours and he say he is sending it now. So, we happily follow him back upstairs. When we arrive, he turn to another direction and we told him our room is over on the left. He was surprise as his note says another room. And then, we found out that he was supposed to deliver it to another person (with the same surname) in another room on the same floor as us. Anyway, I was just glad I decided to run down to find our luggage or else, we might have to wait longer while they try to locate our bags in another person’s room. (Imagine if the person is out and never did return to their room to notice it’s not their bag!) Anyway, that aside, we were still bask in the happiness of the cake and shrug off the luggage incident. 

After showered and getting ready, we head back down to the club and enjoy their evening cocktail before heading out for our dinner. During the evening cocktail, they serve some hor d’oeuvres and also all the cocktails / alcoholic beverage you can drink! Some of the guests are happily enjoying their beer while watching ESPN.

 

The next morning, we have the option to either have our breakfast in the club or head to the Lemon Grass café in lobby. Hub decided to go Lemon Grass since it has more option and it would be a nice change of environment. It was definitely a good choice. The place was packed but we were quickly shown to our table once we register our room number. There were so many things to choose from and I was so excited to dig in. The only thing which tasted a little weird to me was their waffle. In fact, it smells a little rotten and sour-ish. So, I decided to not eat that. When the waitress comes to clear our plate, I told her that I think the waffle is a little off just as a passing remark. Hub and I went around selecting things we like to try.

When we decided to leave, I saw a guy (in Shang’s uniform) strolling purposefully toward our direction, following behind him was a chef carrying a plate of something. It didn’t strike me that they were aiming at us until both of them stand next to our table. We look up and the guy told us that he was sorry to learn that we didn’t enjoy the waffle and the chef place another plate of 2 piece of waffle in front of me. It was very nicely decorated with huge strawberries and 3 plates of sauce on the side. WOW… WOW. I asked the chef if there was a reason for the waffle and he told me that it could be because they added too much yeast in their previous batch and they apologises. ** for a minute there, when they were coming close to our table, I have this flases of image where the chef demands what is wrong with his waffles and force feed me – abit like the chef who was offended in ‘my name is kim sam soon’ ** When I told hub later, he laugh and say i’ve been watching too much Korean drama. aih…aih.. ;p

wow…. I am still very impressed by them as I am typing this post. It is definitely not expected since I didn’t make a big fuss or demand to speak to the manager. It was just a simple casual remark made to the waitress. (If you know the level of service in Malaysia, you would understand why I am impress). If this is inEurope, I would have accepted it as the standard and requirement. But it is so rare to find it here. It is sad – I know, but, even tough we Malaysian are hospitable lots, majority of the service industry in our country is seriously lacking.

Since we are not due for check out until 4 pm (part of the package was late check-out), I harassed hubby to go shopping with me. We drove to pavilion and spend some time there. Oh yeah – forgot to mention that hotel parking is complimentary for guest. After that, we head back to rest and watch some DVDs (which we can loan from the club). I was happily enjoying my catnap and lazing around not doing anything. Their bed is really nice and firm (the type I love), but, the best hotel bed I ever slept on is still the Fairmont Hotel in Singapore. Before we ran off, I manage to take a last bite at the yummilicious bitter chocolate macaroons.

 

It was definitely a GREAT weekend retreat.

I love it. Thank you so much dear!!!     

Hanare Authentic Japanese Restaurant

17 Monday Oct 2011

Posted by in Gastronomy, Local Restaurants

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I did told myself that when I start this blog. It wouldn’t be use for whining. But, in this case, I can’t help myself… (so, be prepared for big time complaint)

 

Even the name Hanare now leaves a bad taste to my mouth. Hubby who is the Japanese food lover (between us) was so disappointed. It was my first time hearing him complaining about a meal non-stop, even after we left the restaurant. This is coming from a guy who is usually easy-going-shrug-it-off guy.  

After reading tons and tons of fantastic reviews about Hanare, I requested hubby to bring me here for dinner on Saturday. Hanare is inside the Intermark, where Double Tree by Hilton is in KL. When we reach there, there was only one other couple sitting in the restaurant. I should have guess then that something was wrong. How could a restaurant which is so raved about be so empty on a Saturday night?! 

Since everyone was raving about the freshness of the sashimi and about how fish are flown in 3 times a week from Japan, we decided to order the sashimi moriawase for 2-3 person. the menu specificed Tuna belly, Tuna, Yellow tail, White fish, salmon, scallops, sweet shrimps, salmon roe, uni (sea urchin). I love Uni !!  

On top of that I ordered the Dobin mushi (teapot soup) and their famous Goma soumen (cold black sesame noodles).

Hub’s habit is usually to order their recommended food first to gauge before he order the second round. Usually, I always gripe about this as it will mean that we need to wait for our second round food to come. I much prefer to have my food on continuous flow. But, in this case, I was so glad we didn’t order anymore. If I have to sit there any longer, I might just start screaming.  

When the sashimi arrive, I was happily scanning around. Normally I don’t really check what fish or how many fish we were served. But this time, I notice right away that 1 item was missing and that was my favourite uni ! We asked the waitress and after some moment, we were presented with a small bowl of uni (2 pcs). What? So, they actually did left out the uni? And then, the ‘manager’ come over and inform us that normally it is only 9 items. And they have already given us 9 types of fish. And since we asked about the uni, they will also give us the uni. So now, they have given us 10 types.

WHAT??!! What kind of reply was that?! I am not impressed at all. IF he were to come and tell me that uni is not fresh so can we replace it with another fish, I would have forgiven him. Already my heart sinks at the level of ‘class’ this restaurant has. Now that I look thru the menu again (which is online), they have also left out the sweet shrimps too ! sigh. Seriously, if they don’t have it, let the customer know and decide if we still want to order it or if we prefer something else. NOT to DECIDE for the client.

As you can see from the picture, the slices are not superb. (if you look back at all the other blogger’s page). When the I saw the salmon cut, I was shocked. The meat literally sunk in at touch (with my chopstick), has several slice mark (showing that it was not sliced with one fluid cut), and the top of the slice was crushed!!! It was like they just a blunt knife to try and remove the skin from the flesh. HOW CAN they destroy the sashimi like this? Do they have no respect for the fish (which they claim are flown in all the way from JAPAN?!)

 I told the guy-manager that the salmon was not fresh and he gave me the fish is flown in story.

YES !! I know that. That was why we come here to eat only your fish. But to have sashimi chef who can’t hold their knife?! It will only destroy your fish. Freshness of sashimi doesn’t only depends on where the fish comes from. It also depends heavily on how it was being handled.  There’s really no point have having really expensive and fine ingredient if you plan to butchered it to death. It’s just a waste of fresh ingredient and also not respecting these fishermen who caught it. Not to mention, all the cost you spend flying them in. Why don’t you save those money and hire a better sashimi chef. You meant to tell me that just because your fish comes from Japan it is suppose to be FRESH? what utter rubbish.

**  (I didn’t say all that as I was just too shocked)

Then, he removed the WHOLE plate away from us ! and only return several minutes later with the a better sliced salmon… But, why-o-why do you have to BRING our whole plate away?! Normally, a high class restaurant would have return with the 2 fresh slices on another plate. By taking our other fresh fish away, the client wouldn’t get to eat the other slices and the fishes exposed to the room temperature for a longer period before consumption. At this point, I was already super pissed.

Anyway, we decided to let bygone be bygone and I manage to clam myself down to try and enjoy our meal. After several slices, hubby start chewing with a weird look on his face and then he pulled out fish bone!!! o-my o-my. It is ultimately one of the most serious crimes of preparing sashimi. NEVER in our entire life (till now) have we had sashimi where there’s bone in it. And the worst? Hubby found 4 bones on different slices of fish. Yikes. BONES in Sashimi !

We got another manager over and show her the bone. She apologised but it was without grave tone. Somehow, it was like she’s used to this?! (Have this happen before?). By now, I have lost the mood to take pictures of anything. She did try to compensate us by bringing us 2 dessert. But, the damage is done.    

Overall, we had a horrible dinner there. Never had I left any meal in my life feeling so cheated. If this was a restaurant like the chain-franchisee type, I would have gladly shrugged it off. But, Hanare was supposed to be the epitome of fine Japanese dining inKuala Lumpur. Hanare is not allowed to have room for mistakes like this. Hanare is not allowed to have hit-and-miss. Hanare supposedly has been voted as one of Asia’s finest restaurants and is being included in The Miele Guide 2011/2012! What a joke. Whether or not they are high class restaurant or not, they certainly charge high class prices for low class food.

I am just glad I was there to check out the place before I bring in my japanese clients to try. Imagine their horror and with name like ‘Authentic’ Japanese restaurant. tsk tsk tsk…

My advice , STAY away from Hanare. It is not the type of restaurant where you pay for their hit and miss.