Hot Pot is now Zenith Cafe

One of out favourite restaurant in town from a few years back was the Hot Pot, located at Damansara Damai. It was introduced to us by our friend Malis and Adri who lived around the area during one of our visits to their condo. We frequented there for a number of months until word got out that they were moving. I loved their masak lemak daging salai.

After a number of months, I heard the owners Dino and Fazah opened a joint in town, near a mosque. But since they were musicians, it was kinda tricky opening a restaurant without a live band. So, earlier this year, they moved again, and this time in Puncak Alam which was about 45 minutes drive from out place in Bangsar. The name of their outlet had also changed to Zenith Cafe.

Reserved ....Simple but cozy Instruments were out but nobody playingWhat's on the menu ....

Last weekend, Adri again asked us if we wanted to go. And since I was free - and our maid is away - we decided to go. We made an order upfront as the daging salai was no longer standard in their menu and last Saturday evening, we packed everyone in our MPV - four children and four adults - for a night out. It was a good 30 minutes drive from Damansara Damai but it was worth it.

Dino wasn't in since it was the KL Bike Week that weekend. Kak Fazah was around and we got our fix. The new place did have space to jam, but the house band was away that evening. So, no live music. I got my daging salai - with the same zing as before. Had a really nice time, and the decoration of the restaurant was really great.

The ambiance was cosy with plenty of English feel to it. The breeze outside was really fresh.

Kak Fazah doing the cookingThe daging salai was readyNeatHomelyIt was getting dark outsideThe boys tucking inThe restaurant was located in the new township of Puncak Alam, and there were not that many shops opened at the area yet. Parking was never an issue and I was sure nobody would bother them even if they jam till the morning.

The boys enjoyed each other company and we set down for a chat with Kak Fazah before leaving. They also have grills on certain weekend - which Adri recommended. All in all a wonderful night out. We wished that there was live music though ... so maybe I had to come again soon ....

I guess the best way to get around to the cafe would be through their Facebook page.

Lunch at F.EAST

Again, I had some time this afternoon to sort out some family stuff and at the end, decided to have lunch with Anita. Anita picked the spot, a new fusion cafe on the second floor of Bangsar Village II called F.EAST.

Initially I thought it was going to be one of those typical western cafe. But it turned out that the majority of the menu items had local flavour in them. The menu read "asam laksa", "mee sup", "nasi ayam" etc. But looking at the restaurant at first glance, you would not have guessed it.

Lover the decor!So 70sGorgeous lightingI just loved the chairs and tablesThe decor was also different. It had a definite 70's styling to it. Furniture-wise at least. I especially loved the lighting. Very reminiscent of my childhood.

The food was not half bad either. I had the asam laksa. Not perfect, but good enough. Mine could do with some boiled eggs and better laksa, although the "otak udang" was a nice touch. The soup was faultless however.

Anita's koey teow soupThe "otak udang" was a nice touchThe pandan chiffon cake. Terbaek!I would definitely go there again, and compared to other more established cafe at the mall, the place was still empty. Hopefully the business would pick up in the next few months because the cafe offered something different.

P/S: Try the pandan chiffon cake. It was dynamite!

Lorong Seratus Tahun

In the middle of discovery - or rediscovering The Mall, or now called Sunway Putra Mall - we found out that the old eatery on the top floor was preserved. It used to be one of my favourite eatery and it was themed around the A Famosa. Food was good and reasonably priced. A nice place to meet up with friends.

The place is now different and not all of the cafes were opened yet. The one we tried was surprisingly good however. It was a Penang Peranakan cafe called Lorong Seratus Tahun.

I had the asam laksa and Anita had some curry mee. I must say that the asam laksa was superb. Almost authentic Penang.

Definitely worth another try in the future should we landed at the mall again ...

Wondering about Wondermama

I've been hearing about Wondermama for quite some time. Anita been there on a few occasions and enjoyed the food. So, after my haircut this afternoon at Avenue K, I stepped into one for a spot of late lunch.

The setting was local, with the theme being old kopitiam. There were nice touches such as big mugs and some old paintings on the walls.

Those now-famous window panesThese games really brought out old memoriesWhat caught my eye on terms of the decorations were this old games we used to play when I was a boy. It was before the days of scratch cards. You pay a few sens to draw a lot from the game which when you open would reveal a number. You then match that number to see if you won something. Something similar to a lucky draw. The thrill of winning was always there although deep down you'd know that the house would always win and make a profit. A mini gambling scheme. Not sure if it was still legal now though.

And then came the food. They were actually rather good. I ordered maggi mee complete with seafood. Idlan had some nachos with minced meet. Anita had some salad while Irfan enjoyed some pasta. As you could see, the food were fusion.

Time to orderIrfan with his three-layered drinksMy seafood maggi mee gorengI ordered plum - asam boi - and lemonade for drinks and it was ace. The iced Milo also came in big mugs, and tasted home made.

I would definitely come again although the nearest branch to my place would be in Bangsar Village. The price were reasonable too, very clean and the staffs were very attentive. At least to us...

Missing Breakfast

Looks like for the coming Ramadan, I would be missing my breakfast place. Both the venue and the company. But surely I would be back with a vengeance after Eid.

Simple Malay food but all the items were very nice... just right next door to the hospital. Unfortunately it only open after 9, and may cause havoc if I needed to start my clinic on time.