Canton - i, The Gardens, Midvalley

Piggy Buns! This is a familiar sight for those who have patronized the Dragon-i or Canton-i chain. A bit moody recently so I hope I can be as objective as possible while writing this post and avoid criticizing too heavily. I will be as merciful to you, Canton-i after crossing paths a week ago.

Canton-i is mainly a Chinese restaurant chain which focus on Cantonese styled cuisine, taking pride into having close resemblance to the authentic dishes from Hong Kong and also the Guangzhou province. This is slightly different from its sister company, Dragon-i which boast in its Shanghai and other province for China, namely Szechuan cuisines. This is not surprising at all as Dragon-i's name is ‘LONG TI CHUAN REN' (Descendant of the Dragon)

Normally I wouldn't patronize this places while I was still a university student. Reason was mainly because I do not eat out often as one need to budget her PTPTN loan allocated for every semester. And once I go out, it would be non-Chinese food definitely. Anyway who would pay almost RM15 for a plate of roasted pork rice right? But apparently in KL, many are willing to do so, judging by the crowd. This place was near full house at 12pm on a Saturday!!

So well patronized until their Angry Birds bun was sold out! Must be a well hit among the kids... and those young at heart like me!

The drinks - 笼的传人 (named after their sister restaurant name) is actually a combination of Dragon Fruit (thus the word Dragon in its Chinese name), passion fruit and lemon. It has very fruity and refreshing taste with a slight tinge. Except for the price (RM12), I have no complaints on this drink. Ice lemon tea (RM4.50) is ideal for those who do not wish to try their out of the norm beverages.

As I mentioned, the main courses here range from RM10-20 depending on how many portion of meaty accompaniment you wish to go along with your rice, egg noodles or congee. I can't read Chinese but from the photo, its clear that you should not leave this place without trying their roasted pork series. And some of my friends really worshiped their Char Siew and Siew Yoke.

Perhaps its more of the ambiance and presentation though. I tasted them and was not really impressed at all. I have tasted char siews and siew yoke way better than the version here. The 2 meat rice combination of Honey Glazed Roasted Pork (charsiew) + Roast Pork Belly (siewyoke) came with half of a stewed hard boiled egg and some greens (RM13.80). Lean meat were used - the lack of fat layers may appease the health freaks but may disappoint pure food connoisseur at the same time.

Not convinced? Read and try this Char Siew:
http://softshellcrabtemaki.blogspot.com/2012/10/restoran-spring-golden-im-convinced.html

Or if you are from Ipoh, try this for one of the best crackling skin siew yoke here:
http://softshellcrabtemaki.blogspot.com/2011/11/bercham-porky-affair.html

Stewed Beef Noodles (RM13.80) was a letdown as well. Undoubtedly the portion was quite big. But the noodles texture paled in comparison. I have high expectation since they are charging a bomb but they failed to deliver. The noodles was a bit "dry" and far from being springy (QQ texture). The egg noodles texture from franchise like OldTown White Coffee is way better than this to play fair in comparison. The stewed beef is flavourful and robust in terms of gravy but the meat texture is another failure. I somehow expected mass production in the kitchen but never thought they would overlook the aspect of properly thawing/reheating their chunks of meat. The consequences was the solidified fat layers which is sandwiched or at the edge of the meat. A bit turn off since the meat texture was not very appealing either.

Disappointed with their mains. Now hoping the items offered in the Dim Sum section will do them some justice. The Piggy Bun (RM6.80) is actually red bean paste bun. Nothing really special except for the appearance. Since you have been paying a premium for this item, make sure you really snap more picture of it, camwhore with it if you have too. :p

Finally, the saving grace - their Lao Shar Bao (Egg Yolk and Custard Bun) was not only reasonably priced (RM5.80), it tasted quite decently too. They really took a step to be different by using purple colouring and making it look like a mantau from the decorative lines. I don't blame you if you think this is Yam Paste Bun at one glance.

But once you puncture and do a slight tear to the bun, you can see the golden elixir flowing from within, oozing out with its bright hue and creamy aftertaste. A very good balance of buttery and creaminess and strong aroma of salted egg yolk used - its neither sweet not savoury, which makes the taste unique. And this explain why this is in my must-order list in dim sum eateries.

Total bill came to RM67 for 2 person (10% service charge and 6% GST imposed). I don't think I will be returning to this place again, even though rumours have it that they will open an outlet in Ipoh. I still think the best street food should be sourced from their natural "habitat", and handled by the skilled hawkers. Perhaps KLites really have high living standards and its in their blood to spend for an RM20 Nasi Lemak (Madam Kwan), RM1+ per piece kuihs (Nyonya Colours) and RM15 egg noodles like the one I had it here. Low earning Ipohians better stick back to our own food heaven and not cross the turf to the metropolitan lifestyle. :)

Hokkaido Cheese Cake

Thanks to my friend for getting me the Hokkaido Cheese Cake. Finally I managed to try it after my failed attempt to do so in my previous visit to KL, hoping to taste the famous one from RT Pastry House. Perhaps I do not frequent cake shops/bakery very often in Ipoh. These are purchased in a new bakery called Bread Talk, somewhere near Taman Soon Choon.

The Oreo Cheese Tart is just so-so. Nothing really spectacular. Maybe its because I prefer fruity flavours to go along with my cream cheese filling. The Hokkaido Cheese Cake is soft and fluffy. Just like a cotton sponge.

The Cream Cheese filling lacked some kick. But it did not overpower the whole cake as a whole. This makes me even more curious to try out the few famous Hokkaido Cheese Cake in KL for comparison. Till then, happy long weekend! :)

RT Pastry House Delights and Mochi Sweets

Ah, when I don't update my blog, I can really procrastinate for weeks. But once the passion of writing about food kicks in, there will be strings of post. And tonight, I will do a short writeup on something which I left out when I was in KL last October which is my supper in my colleague's house. Yeah, I was kinda full after the dinner at Uncle Jang and having pearl milk drink in DingTea but I couldn't resist to open this box! :D

The Moo Moo Cake is actually similar to the swiss roll in the market, just that it comes inside a very cute paper box which a cow design printed on it. A small slice of this Moo Moo Cake will have you refraining from taking a second helping due to the richness and milkiness of the cream. Well, I actually had a second slice but I scooped away most of the cream. Tastewise, it is nothing really special, but more to a feast to the eyes, especially among kids. By the way, do you know that the black spots are created by using bamboo charcoal flour? :)

 RT Pastry House has been one of the top food hunt list when I decided to make a trip down KL. I heard that their Japanese Light Cream Cheese is worth dying for. Besides that, their Azuki Green Tea Bread is well sought after too. True enough, my colleague said they were sold out when they went to the shop as early as 11am. Well, I'm not sure whether they do bake more batches. She got me a a quite gigantic cheese tart instead. I planned to have this cheese tart for the following day's breakfast but forgotten as I left the house in a rush. So, didnt get to taste it...

I mean, how could one finish up a heavy and fattening supper. Yes, I ate up this Strawberry Mochi too besides the 2 slices of Moo Moo Cake. The Mochi is huge, this photo was taken AFTER I have taken a bite. I really like the soft and lightly gooey Mochi skin but was guilty from the huge amount of cream at the centre.

Side tracking a bit, I came across this premium Mochi dessert shop in The Gardens when I was in KL just few days ago. Mochi Sweets - Japanese Luxury Sweets, as its name goes, is not very cheap in pricing. Price ranges from RM3/50-RM4 per mochi! The mochi size is kinda big, nearly the size of a Man Tou. I was tempted to buy but in the end I decided to pass because I read in the reminder in their brochure that it is to be consumed on the the day of purchase. Besides that, it is best consumed when the Mochi skin turns soft upon defrosting about 20 mins and refreezing after thawing is NOT recommended. Else, I would wanna get some along with me back to Ipoh.

 (Photos were grabbed from Mochi Sweets Facebook fanpage)

Besides The Gardens, Midvalley, they have outlets in Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama and Pavillion. Really tempted to try them when I drop by KL again. Perhaps somebody wanna join me in sharing a few pieces together so more flavours can be sampled. Until then, stay tuned for write up on my recent KL trip last weekend. Cheers~

Tummy Tuckers - Home Made Biscuits

It was just about a month ago when I was contacted by a Director of an FnB Group, enquiring me on the acceptability of a Tapas and Wine Bar among Ipohians. I'm very glad that somehow my blog get its fair share of attention too in cyberspace and I hope I'm of a help them. Next, I'm approached by a chruch friend to do a simple review and promo on her home made biscuits under the brand name TUMMY TUCKERS. So here we go, my maiden formal review by request. :) I was provided some samples, which I believe are now available for Christmas season and Chinese New Year.

This is one of the must-have in CNY... The Peanut Cookie. Need me to elaborate more? I didn't enquire so detail on the recipe but I hope lard is included in the process as its really an integral ingredient to boost the aroma and also make the texture of this traditional cookie abit more "crumbly"

This is actually a ROUND Pineapple Tart. I'm not too used to this version. Taste wise its good, the filling is not too sweet, having the tinge of acidity to make it really addictive. However, I still prefer the Pineapple ROLLS shape. I think Tummy Tuckers also offer this version, perhaps you might wanna contact them for further details as the Pineapple Rolls might be a bit more expensive due to the extra workmanship. Else, you can drop me a line personally, my mom is also baking Pineapple Rolls for CNY. :)

This is the Oatmeal Sunflower Seed Crunch Cookie. This is a resemblance to the traditional Walnut Cookies (核桃酥). Texture wise is very light and of a slight crisp on the exterior and with crumbs falling from the inside. It would be perfect if there aroma is a bit stronger in terms of the eggs and butter used.

Last but not least among the samples I've tasted, this is my personal favourite - Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies! Very rich in cocoa and the chopped almond makes this a good nibble while watching the TV or just chit chatting with your friends and family. All these for RM15 a jar (price may subject to change, its best you drop Tummy Tuckers a message)

The 4 samples above can be individually packed and fit inside a jar just like the picture above. Tummy Tuckers have a sealing machine and your packing preference can be made upon request. By the way, the content in this jar is named the Melting Moments. Made with rich and creamy butter, topped with desiccated coconut and a cherry on top. Its a perfect accompaniment with a cup of tea or coffee. RM19 per jar as quoted in the page.

Else, you can opt for the gift pack jar packaging. There will be surplus which you need to contact Tummy Tuckers on the extra in pricing to get the jar nicely wrapped. I expect this gift will be a hit during Christmas season.

They do offer plastic packaging for smaller portions - suitable for festive seasons, door gifts for events like parties, tea reception, weddings, anniversary, etc.

 ....Or the box type. Do contact them and make arrangements! This is the Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies packed within.

Oh, one more item! This is the Fruitcake Cookies. Yes, this is not your traditional fruit cake. It's a delightful mix of fruits and nuts with a hint of alcohol. Very rich in flavour, every bite if full of nuts and mixed fruits - cherries, sultanas, orange peel and topped with dessicated coconuts and cherries. Suits the WHITE Christmas theme perfectly.

RM6.50 per box of eight, RM9.00 a dozen, RM17.00 for two dozen. This is the prize quoted from their page. One can opt to be packed in the box as the photo above, just like how macarons and packed.

Delivery for cookies can be arranged. Do LIKE their Facebook page to keep track for new recipes and promotion this festive season. You can search for Tummy Tuckers in Facebook or just click on this URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tummy-Tuckers/241940715908884

Disclaimer: The person behind Tummy Tuckers is from my church. I did not receive any form of payment/benefits for this review/advertisement. Rest assured its neutrally and professionally (as much as possible) written. ^^