Botanical, Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur

Another one of the B.I.G Group’s restaurants is Botanical. Situated in the heart of Bangsar Village 2, it is an all VEGETARIAN café (as the name suggests).

Here, mushroom and eggplant take centre stage as meat-substitutes and fusion cuisine forms the backbone of their menu. 

Eggs are considered sin-free and cream and cheese can be found rampantly throughout their menu. So, vegans beware and vegetarians rejoice!

We were served with a complimentary basket of Charcoal bread with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

Mien: Loved the charcoal bread, the flavour was amazing, and toasted to perfection, crispy on the outside, but soft in the inside!!! 

Shiv: Enjoyed the earthiness of the charcoal bread married with the pungent balsamic-olio dressing. Splendid! 

Kav: Soft and crispy perfection!!!

Gaj: Charcoal bread was really good, never had it with olive oil and vinegar before and was pleasantly surprised.

As per usual, we attempted ordering at least one item of each food ‘group’. 

Type 1: SALAD

We ordered the Burnt Butter Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Salad. It is gluten-free, and comprises wild mushrooms, burnt butter, goat’s cheese and arugula. (RM21.90)

Mien: Good… love the taste of the mushrooms, and they go well with the arugula and goat’s cheese!

Shiv: Fresh and light, despite the generous portion of feta, and loved the buttered-mushroom flavour. Comes highly recommended!

Kav: The earthiness of the mushroom and spicy arugula was a pairing that I loved. The pungent feta and the flavour of the burnt butter just took the salad to the next level. 

Gaj: The salad was alright, enjoyed the combination of arugula and wild mushroom.

Type 2: ASIAN

We agreed on the Eggplant Dengaku (Warning: Contains Nuts). It was served with eggplant, miso paste, brown rice, mushroom broth and Botanical house salad. (RM21.90)

Mien: Hmmm… the best thing about this dish was the eggplant! Well marinated and cooked to perfection!

Shiv: The rice was bland and not cooked well, and although the eggplant was marinated well, the flavour was not enough to balance out the dish. The dish was mediocre in its entirety.

Kav: The rice was a disappointment as it was starchy and the salad was average. However I liked the eggplant as it was cooked through and the nutty flavour went perfectly with the eggplant. The mushroom broth tasted very much like a miso soup except that it lacked flavour.

Gaj: I was not impressed by this dish – did not enjoy the combination of the ingredients.

Type 3: PASTA

Mien insisted on the Tom Yam Tempeh, which is spaghetti aglio olio, lemongrass, shallots, kaffir lime leaves, ginger flower, bean sprouts, tempeh, and chive flowers. (RM19.90)

Mien: Bland… not a hint of spice at all, and couldn’t taste much of the tom yam flavour. However, I loved it as there was something very bland and ‘clean’ about it. Also, I LOVE TEMPEH!!!

Shiv: I love tempeh, and was expecting it to carry the dish, but the pasta was so flavour-less, and despite so many pungent ingredients, fell flat. An utter disappointment!

Kav: I expected a great Asian fusion pasta with a burst of spicy tom yam flavour. Sadly my senses were dulled by a bland pasta that could not be helped even with the various flavourful ingredients it boasts.

Gaj: This was totally unimpressive! Absolutely bland and totally disappointing! 

Type 4: DESSERT (Being sweet tooths, we greedily ordered two.)

Firstly, Mien forced the rest of us to order the Blackforest cake. (RM12.90)

Mien: This is like a Blackforest mousse instead of a cake - loved it!!!

Shiv: Don’t like Blackforest cakes, and this was no exception. The cake was very dry, and there was a chemical taste, which I suspect came from the cherry-jellied centre.

Kav: Agree with Shiv about the chemical taste from the jelly. Not a fan.

Gaj: I do not enjoy Blackforest cakes and this was just alright for me. 

We also ordered the Chocolate Fondant, served with vanilla ice-cream. (RM9.90)

Mien: Amazing for chocolate lovers. Loved the ice-cream. (The thing about the B.I.G group restaurants is that they always use good ice-cream.) I personally found it toooo chocolate-y!

Shiv: Nice. They did not overcook the fondant, and the gooey chocolate centre was present. The ice cream used was of good quality, and the dish was up to par. Good to share!

Kav: Being the chocolate fanatic that I am, the fondant was a dream to me. Melt in your mouth goodness with excellent vanilla ice cream. Yummy!!!

Gaj: I enjoyed this dessert, not the best that I have had, but enjoyable nonetheless.

*There are other food ‘groups’ in the menu: Soup, Starters, Pies and Tarts, Between Bread, and Mains. However, we did not order from those due to gastric restrictions. ;)

Verdict: WOK OFF!

PRICE: Reasonable – as with all B.I.G group establishments.

AMBIENCE: Beautiful, garden-like environment – there are seats outside the restaurant, so patrons can choose to sit inside or enjoy the view of the world passing by.

SERVICE: Good – waiters were polite and food arrived promptly.

FOOD: Unimpressive – but, to be fair, the restaurant was fairly new when we visited. As such, may be worthy of a second chance at a later date.

*Note: Botanical also serves High Tea, 3pm – 6pm daily.

BOTANICAL 

IF-28 & IF-K2, 1^ST FLOOR, BANGSAR VILLAGE II,

NO. 1, JALAN TELAWI 1,

BANGSAR BARU,

59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603 2201 3028

Website: http://www.thebiggroup.co/botanical/

Opening Hours:

11am – 10pm, daily

Last order: 9.30pm

Ben’s General Foodstore, Bangsar Village 1, Kuala Lumpur

One fine noon we decided to head somewhere chilled – out for lunch. Where other than Ben’s General Foodstore, Bangsar Village 1. This restaurant is part of the B.I.G Group, and is always crowded no matter the hour of the day.

We started off by ordering the Portobello Mushrooms, topped with turkey ham, gruyère cheese and pine nuts with some pesto sauce on the side. The dish is served with a side salad that is displayed at the salad bar. We decided to go with the Fried Eggplant with French Beans, Kicap Manis (sweet soy sauce) and Garlic Dressing (RM25.90).

Mien: Really really good. The pesto sauce accompanied the dish really well. The cheese wasn’t overwhelming. The pesto is possibly one of the best pesto sauces I have had. Also, the salad was good. Will order it again.

Kav: Cheesy, yummy goodness! The earthiness of the mushroom and the stringy gruyère cheese was set off well by the crunchy pine nuts. To my amazement, I liked the salad, as it was not too sweet despite the kicap manis.

Shiv: What a scrumptious delight! Would recommend it to everyone out there, especially vegetarians. I was also surprised by the salad, as I expected it to be overly sweet, but the kicap manis complemented the dish nicely.

Next up was the Spit-roasted Chicken with two sides. Again this dish was served with salads that are displayed at the salad bar. We opted for the Soba Noodle Salad with Eggplant, Spring Onions and Sesame Soybean Paste and Pesto Penne with Roasted Almond Flakes (RM29.90).

Mien: I love love love the soba at Ben’s General Foodstore. I MUST always order this salad whenever I frequent Ben’s General. I sometimes get the soba to – go for dinner sometimes. The roast chicken here is one of the best I have tried in KL, and the penne goes well with the roasted almonds. However, the penne was not done al dente.

Kav: The chicken was roasted beautifully – the skin crispy and the meat tender. The gravy was savoury and had a sharp herb-y taste, almost like a bak kut teh broth. The earthy flavours of the soba and eggplant were a perfect pair. Add a little chilli oil, and you have the perfect meal. Also, the penne was good, almonds crunchy, although it lacked salt.  

Shiv: The chicken was fresh and flavoured well. Loved the accompanying gravy. Soba was very earthy and healthy tasting (hence why Mien lovesss it!) and went very well with the meaty main. Lastly, the penne was a load of greeny-goodness!

 

Somehow, on this PLEASANT afternoon we decided to be adventurous and ordered the Fish Pie (we are lovers of fish but we are not fans of savoury pies). Again this dish is served with a side salad that is displayed at the salad bar. This time we went for the Marinated Button Mushrooms and Barley with Spring Onions, Soy and Lemon (RM29.90).

Mien: This made my afternoon UNPLEASANT. I was eating cream instead of fish! I am not big on the barley salad. I found it very bland.

Kav: OMG! Nightmare! Tasted like baby food with too much baby formula in it. However, love love love the barley salad.

Shiv: This was truly vile. I could hardly taste the fish, as it is prepared with too much double cream, and too little flavouring. Stay away from this one. The barley salad however is worth mentioning – love the lemon flavour.

As all of us were unhappy with the Fish Pie, we sent it back and decided to replace it with the Mushroom Lasagne served with some pesto sauce. This dish also comes with a salad. This time around, we chose the Roasted Beetroot with Walnuts and White Beans (RM23.90).

Mien: Not a big fan of the lasagne, as it was too floury and cheesy. The salad was very ordinary – nothing to shout about.

Kav: Tasted of uncooked flour. Will not be ordering this again. Also, I disliked the salad, as the combination of beetroot and white beans was too bland.

Shiv: The cheesy – ness of the lasagne was cloying, and the pasta tasted uncooked. Even the salad did not provide redemption, as it lacked flavour. Not one of Ben’s hallmark moments. =)

Funnily enough, on this particular afternoon, our stomachs were bottomless pits. We ordered yet ANOTHER dish: Lamb Shank Pie and with yet another salad of our choice – Tabbouleh of Bulgar Wheat with Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Parsley and Mint served with yogurt dressing (RM29.90).

Mien: Not a big fan of lamb due to the gamey smell. Didn’t enjoy this dish. However, the salad was flavoured well, surprisingly, as it looked bland. Do not think I will order the salad again though.

Kav: Lamb was cooked to perfection, and the savoury tomato sauce with mashed potato complemented the dish really well. The salad was good, as the mint gave it a certain freshness.

Shiv: Sinfully delicious! The lamb was so tender, it practically fell of the bone, and the mashed potato in tomato gravy was amazing. Loved the middle-eastern influence of the salad. Faultless!

After all that food, what better way to end the meal than with COFFEE!!! Mien and Kav ordered Mocha (RM8) and Shiv had Cappuccino (RM8).

*The photo only displays the mocha.

Mien: The mocha is so good! Better than Starbucks!!!

Kav: I am a mocha person, and this one is yet to be beaten by any other.

Shiv: Strong and full-bodied – just the way I like it! =)

Verdict: WOK ON!

Ben’s General Foodstore is an easy choice if you are undecided on where to eat. The food is good, but not EXCEPTIONAL. Pricing is reasonable, and its a go-to place for casual-dining. We will be frequenting the place again.

*NOTE: Ben’s General Foodstore also serves breakfasts and pizzas. The B.I.G Group has opened a fairly new section of Ben’s General, located just next to the first store. With the new store, the menu has expanded and now also serves burgers, hot dogs, sausages, quiches, lamb meatballs, pastries and more.

BEN’S GENERAL FOODSTORE

G17 & 18, GROUND FLOOR

BANGSAR VILLAGE 1

NO 1, JALAN TELAWI 1,

BANGSAR BARU

59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603 2284 8790

Website: http://www.thebiggroup.co/bgfs/#/home

Opening Hours:

9AM – 10PM daily

11.30AM (breakfast last order)

9.30PM (bar & kitchen last order)

*There is another branch of Ben’s General Foodstore at Publika. Details as below:

BEN’S GENERAL FOODSTORE

LOT 1A 83 – 95, LEVEL UG,

PUBLIKA, SOLARIS DUTAMAS,

JALAN DUTAMAS 1,

50480 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603 6209 1717

Opening Hours:

11AM – 10PM daily

9.30PM (bar & kitchen last order)

S.Wine, Publika, Kuala Lumpur

S.Wine is part of the B.I.G establishment of eateries, located within Ben’s Independent Grocer at Publika. 

As its name suggests, this place serves pork and patrons can buy wine from the Ben’s Grocer and bring it into S.Wine without a corkage charge, which we think is pretty cool. :)

After choosing a beautiful bottle of South African Pinotage (RM75), we headed over to S.Wine for dinner (located opposite the wine area). The wine was light, fruity, smooth and it complemented the food very well - although we are not wine connoisseurs.

For appetizers, we had Scallop - Bacon Bites - scallops which were wrapped with a layer of bacon (RM34).

Gaj: The scallops were succulent and the bacon was crispy – it was a perfect way to start the meal. Yummy!

Kav: The scallops were extremely fresh and the bacon was crispy. It was a match made in heaven, loved it! Generally, I don’t like a cream based sauce, however, this one was really nice. It had a hint of spiciness and it complemented the dish. 

We then had the Pork and Pine Nut Sausage Roll (RM19).

(Sorry guys, we forgot a picture for this!)

Gaj: The pastry was lovely, light, flaky and the filling was delicious. I could taste the wonderful pine nuts, which added a delightful zing to the dish. 

Kav: I agree with Gaj - the pastry was light and not too heavy. The pork and pine nut filling was scrumptious as no one flavour overpowered the other. Was very  filling. 

We had 2 pastas, the first being spicy bacon and mushroom (RM26).

Gaj: The olio styled spaghetti was well flavoured with chili flakes and garlic, however, I did not enjoy the  preparation of the bacon.

Kav: Like most of the B.I.G Group pastas, the ratio of ingredients to pasta was not well-balanced. There was too much pasta. However, the pasta was flavoured well. I found the sausage very tough and a little sour. Overall, it was mediocre.

The second pasta was Olio Chorizo chunks and broccoli with blue cheese (RM26).

Gaj: I enjoyed this pasta and it too was accompanied with pine nuts which complemented the broccoli and blue cheese well. Again, the preparation of the chorizo was not to my liking, it was too fatty. 

Kav: Again, the ratio of ingredients to the pasta was not well-balanced. However, the pasta was flavoured well. Love the combination of blue cheese and broccoli. The sausage was similar to the one in the previous pasta. I liked this pasta better.

Verdict: WOK ON!

We were stuffed silly as it was only Gaj and Kav at dinner, and therefore, we did not order dessert. However, we would definitely come back here again to try the other porky-licious dishes and dessert too.

[Note : Advisable to reach before 7pm especially during the weekends to avoid waiting in a queue]. 

S.WINE CAFE DELI,

BEN’S INDEPENDENT GROCER,

PUBLIKA, SOLARIS DUTAMAS,

KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603 6209 1700
Fax: +603 6209 1701