Monday, October 20, 2008

My Comfort Food : Porridge and Pork Strips with Preserved Vegetable

Porridge is really versatile as it soaks up all sorts of flavours and this time I added some shredded carrots and corns. I also prepared a separate dish using Sichuan preserved vegetables or "char choy" braised with pork strips to complement the porridge.

Friday, October 17, 2008

KTZ Restaurant @ 1 Utama Shopping Centre (1st Flr, Rainforest)

My parents are fans of both KTZ and One Noodle for their sweet desserts and "la mien". Under the management of Fruitti Stall S/B, there are four branches of KTZ or "Kei Tak Zhek" and two One Noodle outlets.

My preference would be KTZ restaurant at 1 Utama due to the extensive choices of food and drinks compared to its branches at Kepong and SS2. The warm and cosy ambience is suitable for gatherings of friends and family members too.

I've signed up as a "Let's Card" member two years ago for RM10 and get to enjoy these privileges:

1. RM10 meal voucher in exchange of RM10 membership fee.
2. 10% discount at selected outlets for ala carte orders.
3. Prizes for monthly lucky pick members.
4. Prizes for monthly highest spending members.
5. Mystery gift for member's birthday.

In fact, privileges # 1,2 and 5 are the reasons why I signed up as a member. I didn't receive anything last year on my birthday and this year I actually called up to check if they have my mailing address right :P

Radish Cake @ RM2.80 (I think). It's delicious and goes really well with the sambal.

Hot Waterchestnut @ RM3.00. At KTZ 1 Utama, hot desserts or "tong shui" comes with 2 glutinuous rice balls for free.

Ying Yang Longan Ice @ RM3.80. A mixture of dried longan and canned longan drink. It may sound weird but this drink is really refreshing and I quite like it.

Longan Rose Honey @ RM3.80 (choice of hot/cold). It's actually fusion of rose tea and honey with whole longan fruits in a cup. Taste wise, a little too sweet for my liking.

One of my favourite mains would be this. Pineapple Shrimp Rice @ RM10.80. Deep fried shrimps stir fried with pineapple sauce are served together with fried rice and an egg. The shrimps are huge and they serve 4-5 pieces of it! Slightly sweet and tangy, this dish is very appetising.

Shrimp Wanton La Mien @ RM8.00. The wantons are bigger in size with succulent prawns and tasted fresh too. I also enjoyed drinking the soup as it isn't oily and I believe they used preserved vege "char choy" and chicken stock for the broth.

Yong Chow Fried Rice @ RM8.80. Yummy as well with sufficient "wok hei" taste.

Thai Seafood Hot Soup La Mien @ RM14.80. Plenty of seafood and portion was rather big BUT the clams and squids were overcooked. What a waste...Soup was salty after taking three spoonfuls and extremely spicy! I should have given my feedback to the staff.

Black Pepper Shrimp Rice @ RM10.80. A totally forgettable dish. The black pepper sauce was too strong and has overpowered the taste of prawns.
Minced Pork Dumpling Soup La Mien @ RM7.00. This noodle dish tasted similar as Shrimp Wanton La Mien as both uses the same broth. Portion looked big probably due to the size of the dumplings (4 pieces).
Mango Loh is also my all-time favourite at KTZ. Only @ RM5.50 for a bowl which could be shared among 2 people, this dessert is basically shaved ice topped with chunks of mango, puree and sago.
Other locations of KTZ restaurant:
1. No.22, Jalan SS2/63, Petaling Jaya.
2. 66, Jalan 7, Kepong Baru, 52100 Kuala Lumpur.
3. 145, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
FINAL VERDICT
Location: 3/5
Taste: 3.5/5
Hygiene: 4/5
Price: 3.5/5