Botanical, Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur (Round 2)

As stated earlier, we would give Botanical another chance, and here it is:
(P.S Click here for our first review: Botanical (Round 1))

1)  Vietnamese Salad – green apples, cucumber, cellophane noodles, jicama, shallots, bean sprouts, Thai basil and peanut dressing. This dish is gluten-free and contains nuts. (RM19.90)

Mien: Very refreshing. Loved the peanut-y-ness of this dish with the Thai basil. Would definitely order again!

Shiv: Reminiscent of a good Thai kerabu – it was fresh and crunchy. The ingredients were aplenty and nutritious. An intestine-healthy option, especially for the gluten-sensitive.

Kav: Very fresh and the nuts gave it that crunch that I love!!!

2)  Portobello Mushroom Burger – served with French fries and side salad. (RM21.90)

Mien: Tasted like a meat burger! Really really good and meaty! Botanical knows how to turn carnivores into herbivores!

Shiv: Wow! An amazing vegetarian alternative to the old favourite, the Portobello patty was super juicy and flavourful, and the whole burger just oozed a succulent savoury kick. Will certainly give the conventional burger a run for its money.

Kav: You would never expect this of a vegetarian burger. It felt like I was eating a meat burger. The earthiness of the mushroom flavoured the burger perfectly. Favourite dish here!!!

3)  Spinach & Ricotta Crepes Gratin – spinach, ricotta, herbs, buckwheat crepes, tomato & buffalo mozzarella gratin. (RM25.90)

Mien: Tasty... however, it was toooooo filling! Overwhelmingly cheese-y! One would taste very little of the other ingredients but a WHOLE load of cheese!

Shiv: Good, but in a sinfully-cheesy-artery-clogging way. Think lasagne meets parmigiana. The spinach-ricotta combo was genius, but the flavouring of the entire dish was overwhelmed by the cloying mozzarella-ricotta pairing. May have been wiser to share between more people.

Kav: First mouth, verdict - excellent but a little sweet.

Second mouth, verdict - okay but very sweet.

Third mouth, verdict - OMG CHEESE CHEESE CHEESE… so freaking cloying!!!

Fourth mouth, verdict - choking on cheese… somebody call 911!!!

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Reasonably priced for healthy, tasty food! Total = RM78.55 for 3 dishes.

AMBIENCE: Modern, fresh, clean and tastefully decorated with al fresco dining option available, albeit still in the middle of a mall.

SERVICE: Good. Food arrived promptly, and our waiter was pleasant and efficient.

FOOD: We gave them a second chance and we were impressed! We’ll be back to try out some of the other dishes from their extensive menu.

*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

Marmalade, Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur

Looking for a place with a homely environment where you can spend quality time with your family?

Need a place where you can have dinner with your partner while your toddlers are kept busy at a safe distance?

Out of options on where to throw a party?

Are you food lovers seeking a sumptuous meal?

Well now there is an answer to all these questions… MARMALADE!!! It boasts a warm and pleasant ambience suitable for Sunday brunches with your loved ones or just a quiet night out with your girlfriends.

For the mom’s out there, not to worry because this place has a wonderful play area, so you can enjoy your meal while the kids entertain themselves in the play area situated adjacent to the dining area.

They also cater for functions, be it a fancy birthday bash or a scary Halloween party.

HEHEHE… now for the best part….FOOD!!!!!!!!

Spaghetti Aglio Oglio

Tossed with chilli, cherry tomatoes, and sundried tomatoes with choice of turkey ham and mushrooms (RM23) or prawns (RM24).

We opted for prawns.

Mien: One of the best Aglio Olios around! Not bland at all. There is so much flavor to a very simple pasta. Prawns and vegetables were fresh. Loved it and would go back for more!

Shiv: A truly excellent version of this simple Italian favourite. Every mouthful packed a lip-smacking savoury flavour, and a generous amount of fresh ingredients were used. LOVES!

Gaj: Loved this dish, the pronounced garlic flavour perfectly complemented the ingredients. A must try for olio lovers!

Kav: Pasta-al dente. Prawns-fresh and bouncy. Brocolli-crunchy. Flavoured perfectly, as the sweetness of the prawn, tanginess of the tomatoes and earthy olive oil was delicious together. To top it off, the entire dish had underlying notes of garlic and mushrooms. Loves!!! 

Spaghetti Pesto

With grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, sliced olives and cheese crisp (RM23).

Mien: The pesto was so good! You can taste the basil and the pine nuts! The chicken used in the pasta was cut to the right size and didn’t overwhelm the pasta and pesto. Possibly the best pesto pasta I have had in a while.

Shiv: Fantastic! A simple, earthy and classic version of one of my favourite pasta varieties. The pesto sauce generously coated the pasta, and the cheese crisps added a wallop of flavour to the already flawless dish.

Gaj: Agreed, the pesto was very very good. They didn’t stinge on the basil and pine nuts, thus resulting in a flavourful pasta that was not cloying, like other pesto pastas.

Kav: My favourite dish here!!! The pesto was done with just the right balance of basil, olive oil and cheese, with the basil flavour taking centre stage unlike other pestos I have tried, where either they adulterate it with cream or too much cheese. The acidity of the tomatoes provided a great contrast to the earthy pesto.

Spicy Lamb Burger

With rocket leaves and haloumi topped with tzatziki, served with sweet potato wedges (RM24).

Mien: Lamb too gamey… Hence… DISLIKE!

Shiv: Pales in comparison to some of the other lamb burgers I’ve tried in recent times, but not a shoddy rendition. The patty was juicy, but sadly, not flavoured thoroughly. Sweet potatoes added a unique touch to the sides, however, I didn’t care much for the salad, as it had raisins, which I so hate in my salads.

Gaj: Not the best lamb burger in town, but alright. It lacked the oomph that most lamb burgers have. I hate raisins, so didn’t enjoy the salad.

Kav: This was just alright for me. The patty was a little bland as it lacked that oomph. Loved the sweet potatoes as it was cooked through and the natural sweetness came through. Did not quite enjoy the raisins in the salad.

Avocado salad

Mixed lettuce, poached chicken cubes, peppers, raisins, walnuts, avocados, tomatoes, and cheese crisp with zesty mustard dressing (RM21).

Mien: Love this salad. It is so fresh tasting. The combination of the green apples with the avocado, chicken, cucumber and the vinaigrette is a perfect medley of flavours.

Shiv: The proof is in the produce! =) This salad was so fresh and delicious – the medley of ingredients pairing brilliantly, with little fuss made about the dressing. Calling all cynics: Please head to Marmalade to appreciate healthy food that is delicious when done right.

Gaj: I usually dislike salad, but the avocado was so so good. If I ever would order a salad, it would be this!

Kav: The creaminess of the avocado coated the entire salad, giving it body without overwhelming the other ingredients. This dish was flavoured well. Loves!!!

No meal is complete without dessert, so here we go…

Salted chocolate caramel cake

(*Note: The price of the desserts varies, please check with your waiter :-))

Mien: Good. Cake – moist, chocolate – not cheap, and not too rich. However, I felt that The Daily Grind’s version of this cake was better.

Shiv: I have never met a salted chocolate caramel cake that I didn’t like, but this one… OMG! This was too sinfully delectable. Every chocolate-y bite was so amazingly luxurious and luscious.

Gaj: Loved this cake! Probably one the best chocolate cakes that I have had in a long long time! Must have for all you chocolate lovers J

Kav: The chocolate flavour was enhanced by the salt, and the caramel complimented the combination of salt and chocolate. The cake was moist and delicious. Perhaps a little too sweet for my liking (certainly not for you sweet tooths out there).

Vanilla cupcake

Mien: Vile! Icing was so bad, cake itself was dry and just plain bad. No words to describe it!

Shiv: Very bad. The texture of the icing was funky, and the butter cake beneath the icing was dried out and lacked finesse. Also, the vanilla essence was too mild, and hardly recognizable. Overall, one big buttery fail!

Gaj: Quite bad indeed, the cake was dry and the icing really didn’t help matters.

Kav: Awww…this was just bad!!! The icing tasted like powdered milk and to top it off the cake was dry. Epic Fail!!!

Verdict: WOK ON

PRICE: Reasonably priced. Like any other café.

AMBIENCE: Very homely and conducive for family get-togethers.

SERVICE: Good service.

FOOD: Excellent. We would recommend the pesto pasta and the Chocolate cake

MARMALADE

1F-18, 1ST FLOOR, BANGSAR VILLAGE II,
NO. 1, JALAN TELAWI DUA,
BANGSAR BARU,
59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603-2282 8301

Email: marmalade.cafe.my@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ilovemarmalade.com/

Opening Hours:

10.00 am – 10.00 pm daily

Canoodling, Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur

Let’s CANOODLE!!!

Another one of The B.I.G group restaurants, Canoodling serves Chinese hawker food in a very convenient and affordable way.

These are what we had:

Dan Dan Mein (RM12.90)

Hand-made noodles tossed in a peanut buttery spicy Szechuan sauce with minced chicken heaped with curly cucumber & crunchy peanuts.

However, we replaced the hand-made noodles to charcoal noodles... SCORE!

Mien: This is my usual at Canoodling. Love the peanut-y taste, mixed with the taste of the charcoal noodles. Tasty on its own or with the Pan Mee chilli. LOVES! Peanut butter lovers... this is the one for you!!!

Shiv: The pleasant and aromatic taste of peanut sauce, married with the earthiness of the charcoal noodles make this a go-to dish here. Simplistic and fresh – reminiscent of rojak pasembor.

Kav: Nicely done dish. The peanut sauce and charcoal noodles are a good pairing. Taste better with a heaped spoon of Pan Mee chilli (not for the faint of heart though).

Gaj: Enjoyed this dish, a big favourite amongst peanut butter lovers!

Pasta Pad Thai (RM14.90)

A classic reinvented; linguine stir-fried Thai-style with prawns, squid, egg & bean sprouts, garnished with fresh coriander & peanuts.

Mien: Tasty... Just the right amount of spice and sourness! You can taste the ‘Thai-ness’ of this dish!

Shiv: Loved this. The linguine was al dente and the Thai-style base coating the pasta was not sweet, as you find in most pad thai noodles. Not too spicy, and the freshness of the seafood is worth a mention.

Kav: Loved this dish. The tanginess of the sauce was perfect together with the crunchy bean sprouts and earthy coriander. Again add a little Pan Mee chilli for a little spice!!!

Gaj: I am usually not a big fan of pad thai as it is has a sweetness to it, but this dish was good, not too sweet and generous amount of ingredients.

Wok Fried Loh Shu Fun (RM14.90)

Thick rice noodles wok-fried with seafood, egg, beansprouts, chives, a touch of chilli and garlic.  

This noodle comes with sambal.

Again, we decided to become chefs, and requested for the thick rice noodles to be replaced with yellow egg noodles.

Mien: One of the better Loh Shu Funs I have tasted in a loooong time. Really good. The sambal is sour and spicy! Yummy!!

Shiv: Fantastic! They managed to achieve the brilliant wok hei flavour, and the garlic adds a nice pungency to the dish. This one needs no help with additional condiments.

Kav: The garlic-y flavour combined with the wok hei and seafood flavour was just sublime. The replacement of the noodles were brilliant as egg noodles are more flavourful than the Loh Shu Fun noodles (not a big fan of Loh Shu Fun noodles).

Gaj: Probably the best dish of the night! Love the spiciness of the dish and the yellow egg noodle actually taste better than the thick rice noodles. Great swap idea, Kav!

XO Chee Cheong Fun (RM6.90)

Wok-fried rice flour sheets in our special XO sauce, made with dried shrimps, scallops, chillies, garlic & spices.

Mien: This has a very unique taste, but in a good way! The portion is small as this is an appetiser.

Shiv: The xo sauce had a deliciously unique flavour, but I wish they had been a little more generous with the shrimps and scallops, as the chee cheong fun can be quite floury without the host of other ingredients to help it. Also, I wish they would serve this in a regular portion so big eaters, such as moi, can have our fill… =)

Kav: Agree that it should come in a bigger portion, as I couldn’t get enough of it. This was hands down the best dish of the night. Was very much like a classic Char Kuey Teow except with thicker rice flour sheets. My only complaint is that there was a lack of ingredients as the noodles were thick and it drowned the other ingredients and flavouring. Loves!!!

Gaj: This dish is interesting, I have never had this variation of Chee Cheong Fun before. It was really good, the spiciness and XO sauce complimented the Chee Cheong Fun. A perfect dish if you are not too hungry and a small portion is sufficient.

* Canoodling is now closed until further notice. Their rental contract with Bangsar Village II ended, and it is in the process of finding a new home! QUICKLY FIND A HOME CANOODLING!!!!!!!!!

** Ricetaurant, under the B.I.G group as well is located directly next to Canoodling, and one can order from the Ricetaurant menu in Canoodling and vice-versa. However, Ricetaurant is also closed due to the same reason as Canoodling.

Auf Wiedersehen Canoodling, until we meet later!

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Reasonably priced for hawker style food in an accessible, clean and convenient environment.

AMBIENCE: Simple decorations and child friendly. They provide crayons for doodling and most of their utensils are plastic, so no danger of tiny tots breaking anything.

SERVICE: Prompt, good service, and the waiters are more often than not willing  to oblige our requests to swap to different varieties of noodles.

FOOD: Good, tasty hawker style food. We will definitely revisit when Canoodling sets up shop at another location.

CANOODLING,

2F-29, SECOND FLOOR,

BANGSAR VILLAGE 2,

NO.1 JALAN TELAWI 1,

BANGSAR BARU,

59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Opening Hours:

11am -10pm, daily.

(9.45pm: Bar & Kitchen last order.)

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