After we checked out the following day, I was craving for sinful, artery-clogging fast food and I was so decided to eat at Carl's Jr to try their chili fries. On our way, we so happened to pass by Madam Kwan's and saw the place was crowded (on a Monday at that) so we figured why not try authentic Nasi Lemak!! I can always eat Carl's Jr in Singapore anyway.
We quickly took a glance at what everyone else was ordering and it was pretty obvious their Nasi Lemak (around RM15, S$6.50) was the house specialty. So we both ordered Nasi Lemak and shared Dumpling soup and Beef Rendang.
The Nasi Lemak was just pure heaven!!! The chicken curry was super tender with the right amount of curry and spice. The rice was very fragrant and the coconut taste was mild yet apparent. The sides were also interesting - the ikan bilis (dried anchovies) were not the usual fried and crispy. Instead, they were drenched with sweet chili sauce and onions.
The dumpling soup was light and refreshing. The beef rendang was also uber tender though honestly, it wasn't the best Beef Rendang I've ever tasted. My ex-flatmate Al made a better version of this.
Overall, the food was great. We kept on raving about the Nasi Lemak with every bite haha. Oh and the service was really fast! To think the place was packed and it was lunchtime rush hour. The one thing I didn't like was that the seats/tables were too close to each other it felt like you were sharing a table with everyone else. I mean other restaurants will at least have a considerable distance between tables to allow some sort of privacy, if you know what I mean. Lunch came up to RM75, around S$33 - it is quite pricey but we were in a restaurant after all, plus the servings were bigger than usual.
Here is my rating for Madam Kwan's:
Ambiance - 5.0
Service - 5.0
Food - 4.5
Presentation - 4.0
Value for Money - 4.5
OVERALL - 4.6
Madam Kwan's, Pavilion
Lot 1.16.00 Level 1, Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bkt Bintang.
Tel: 03-2143 2297 / 6
Read more on "Madam Kwan's, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur"!
We quickly took a glance at what everyone else was ordering and it was pretty obvious their Nasi Lemak (around RM15, S$6.50) was the house specialty. So we both ordered Nasi Lemak and shared Dumpling soup and Beef Rendang.
The Nasi Lemak was just pure heaven!!! The chicken curry was super tender with the right amount of curry and spice. The rice was very fragrant and the coconut taste was mild yet apparent. The sides were also interesting - the ikan bilis (dried anchovies) were not the usual fried and crispy. Instead, they were drenched with sweet chili sauce and onions.
The dumpling soup was light and refreshing. The beef rendang was also uber tender though honestly, it wasn't the best Beef Rendang I've ever tasted. My ex-flatmate Al made a better version of this.
Overall, the food was great. We kept on raving about the Nasi Lemak with every bite haha. Oh and the service was really fast! To think the place was packed and it was lunchtime rush hour. The one thing I didn't like was that the seats/tables were too close to each other it felt like you were sharing a table with everyone else. I mean other restaurants will at least have a considerable distance between tables to allow some sort of privacy, if you know what I mean. Lunch came up to RM75, around S$33 - it is quite pricey but we were in a restaurant after all, plus the servings were bigger than usual.
Here is my rating for Madam Kwan's:
Ambiance - 5.0
Service - 5.0
Food - 4.5
Presentation - 4.0
Value for Money - 4.5
OVERALL - 4.6
Madam Kwan's, Pavilion
Lot 1.16.00 Level 1, Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bkt Bintang.
Tel: 03-2143 2297 / 6
Ok, I did say I wasn't going to eat buffet anymore for my b'day dinner but Zach said I should really try out Straits Kitchen at the Hyatt Hotel near Orchard. We actually first went to Chimes to look for a nice decent restaurant to eat at but realized for the price of a la carte in a place like Chimes, then might as well go to Straits (hehe reasons reasons..). 
The Indian Buffet Station
The Malay Buffet Station
The Fruit & Drink Station
Then I went for the Indian buffet spread. Indian food is usually loaded with spices and flavour. I love the chicken and the shrimp, though the shrimp was a bit overcooked as it was tough.
I was so happy to find out they have Durian Ice Cream! Eversince I tasted the Durian mooncake, I have learned to appreciate the taste & infamous smell of this pungent fruit.
Lastly, some fruits to wash away the guilt, haha who am I kidding. The dessert in the bowl is "Chendol", something like "Halo-halo" in the Philippines.
I just had to take a picture of their chopsticks. Very nice wooden authentic chopsticks.
So I was a happy fat bloke on my birthday, hehehe. The interior of Straits Kitchen is really impressive. The detail and intricate design of the walls were visually captivating (too bad I wasn't able to take a picture). The staff were also very efficient and friendly, they always make sure you have drinking water (unlike some restos that wouldn't bother to refill your water unless you order a paid drink). They also cleared the plates as soon as you stood up from your table and they even picked up my table napkin when I dropped it on the floor while seated. The only thing I don't like was after clearing your plate, they leave your utensils on the table, it would have been better if they put them on a saucer.
Zach introduced me to this fruit called "Snake Fruit" from Indonesia. I have never seen such a fruit and it was really interesting. The skin really felt like snake skin, I was wondering if someone ever thought of making them into shoes or bags haha.
This is how it looks like in the inside. Too bad I didn't quite like it, too bland and tough for a fruit for me.