The name Daikanyama didn’t sound like anything in particular to me. I knew it’s Japanese when I first heard it, and only after googling, found out that it was one of Tokyo’s hippest shopping neighbourhoods in Shibuya.

http://www.visa-news.jp/tokyostyle/02daikanyama.html

Last week, I was invited for a food review in Daikanyama

…..Bar & Restaurant, that is

Located in the ever-growing-in-popularity Changkat Bkt Bintang, Daikanyama is actually a Japanese Restaurant & Bar.

 

It’s not the typical conveyor-belt Japanese restaurant. There’s way too many of those around…way too many. Those practically jump out at you, yelling ‘We sell [insert seafood]-sushi here, come on in!’.

Instead, it’s in the likes of joints like Rakuzen, but without the blanket of any formality.

 

In fact, it was supposed a food review, but honestly it didn’t feel like one. I had too much fun.  

 

I finally met @therealbryanlim, and @nicolekiss + @caseyliew that I ain’t seen for ages!

 

The last time we met was at Bellygood in Sunway, and we didn’t connect as well as we did in Daikanyama. Maybe it’s the multiple lychee-something cocktails that she had this time. Alcohol does have pleasant side-effects sometimes.

 

 

Each one of us was greeted by a welcome drink…

Mine was the Kara Tei –                                                         This was what Psychkin had. Choya Umeishu, Campari Bitter, Malibu and Contreau.                                 Umeishu based with a tinge of sour in it.   

                                                                                                     Ladies would like this one.

       

 

 

If you check out their menu, you’ll notice that almost all drinks, especially in the DKYM originals are pretty, well, original. Thanks to main chef and owner, Edwin Yau, we could all try concoctions like never before

(L) Edwin Yau : Main Chef & Owner. (R) @Rudylafaber – thanks for the invite.

 

I totally loved how we were at liberty to order anything we wanted. Anything and as much as we wanted *greedy face*

 

So you can imagine my face when I checked out the menu for the night. Nomnomnom.

 

As usual, I’m gona summarize the dishes before going into details, in case you’re in a hurry and don’t wana read the full post.

Our of all the dishes, I was completely in love with at least 4 of them. They’re flavorful, carefully crafted, and look like chef’s tapas-sized love on a plate. I was impressed by how un-standardized and un-commercialized the food was. Of course you will find some selections to be common with other restaurants, but I guarantee you will be delightfully surprised by many of them. Definitely coming back to this joint!

 

And here’s some of the grub to share:

 

Nasu Dengaku :
Unheard of to me, but it’s Eggplant with Miso
(Sweet + Salty).. totally flavorful combo.

 

Scallop Pizza :
If you love Scallop, pizza, and mushrooms, this is a must have…aaah..

 

Lamb Yaki :
Succulent, savory, young juicy lamb in sweet teriyaki sauce. There
was a piece I bit into with a bit of grainy tendon though.

 

 

Salmon Truffle Oil Tataki :
Fried potato strips riding fresh salmon riding a layer of mash potatoes
below. Would have been perfect if the salmon was lightly smoked instead.

 

 

Unagi Tofu Age :
Inside this smooth tofu cake is a surprise piece of unagi!

 

 

Saikoro Steak :
Juicy, tender, beef cubes soaking up Wafu sauce. This one
tasted superb from first bite til last chew..a total joy. aaaah..

 

Soft Shell crab with Salmon Maki :
I prefer my crabs and salmon separate though

 

 

This one was a total fireball..burning hot stuff.

 

I’m talking about the Hadouken Fireball guys, in addition to the bubbly, fiery Elle Sia.

 

 

 

Daikanyama has a very cool loft upstairs with its own bar and DJ console. And if you’re looking for a civilized crowd, forget places like Jln P Ramlee. Come to Changkat instead, and check this joint out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food : 7/10

Location : 8/10

Ambience : 7/10

Price : 6/10

Verdict : It may not be the Shibuya-Daikanyama, but it surely felt like it!

Details:
42 Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
+603-2141 0323 ‎

Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/Daikanyama

 

 

Remember to like this page and share the love!

 

Hello!

 

*checks last blog post date : ‘29 August 2010’*

 

That’s 3 months ago, which means I post an average of 4 blog posts per year. A quick mathematical check shows that because I pay about RM120 / year for blog hosting..

 

…1 blog post costs me RM 120 / 4 = RM 30. LMAO.

 

I now declare myself the worst blogger in the world

 

Anyway, it’s been quite a while since my last food review so when Marcus invited me to Starbucks last Saturday for their ‘new Xmas food menu’ review, I couldn’t say no. Marcus is ma brudder ma. And Xmas is ma favorite season yeah.

 

  Somehow this always happens. The obligatory Paintball pose T__T

 

Psychkin was my official photographer for the day, and omg this is terrible… I forgot to take a pic with her… @.@

 

Soooooo………moving on to the food……

Starbucks hasn’t always been the place for a proper meal. And that hasn’t changed with the new menu. As far as I remember, the old ones were the: Croissant, Bagel Sandwich, Chicken Pie, Muffins and Scones.

 

A new selection of pastries however, was a breath of fresh air from the regular ones.

 

Up first, we were presented with…

Blueberry Cheese Cake

– Mouthwatering. It used to come with Blueberry jam on the top, now it’s been replaced with
actual blueberries. Maybe some people like the feeling of squirting juice in their mouths.

 

Clockwise from Top:

1. Chocolate Eclair-something : I found it rather normal..Tastes like…chocolate eclair.                                           
2. Jazzy Lemon Cheesecake : Refreshing stuff. There’s a light and zesty burst of lemon in it. I likes this.                    
3. Peanut Butter Creme Brulee : I adore peanut butter! If this had just a bit more peanut butter, I would LOVE this.
4. Expresso Tiramisu : I reached this too late…it was gone before I tried it! @.@ So it Probably is good                    

 

 

 

Chicken Pasta Stack:

- Barely there. It’s basically Lasagna, but I tasted more flour than anything else.

 

 

Special Grilled FAT Arm…

 

… from the Shaz Mukhtar Prime Cut.

(pose some more la, I kutuk now )

 

If you must have a warm meal in Starbucks, you can’t miss either one of these. Or grab all 3 for a full meal. Ummmmm <3

L to R:

1.  Shepherd’s Pie : A must-have. The outer ring : crisp pastry, the inside: grilled chicken bits, and the filling? Potato Mash. yuuuuum.
2.  Kapitan Chicken Pie : Tastes somewhat familiar. Ah! A bit like the old Chicken Pie. Pastry is flaky and crispy.                                             
3.  Chic o Cheese : Ohh, the formidable combination of chicken sausage & cheese…with flaky pastry. Super.                                         

 

 

And since you’re already on the Xmas food menu, you’d best try the Peppermint Mocha Frappucino, which is a delightful icy change from the regular Mocha Frapp.

The other drink on the menu is the Toffee Nut Latte/Frappucino. Avoid unless you love Sugar…LOTS of it. The drink was harder to drink than those bitter Chinese Herbal drinks.

 

L to R : The awesome Sui Kar, Amanda, @Meiyingt, Daphne, @Jenkinyat, @Spinzer, @Justinspeaks, @Selena_ong, Evo, @Seraphsam, @wackybecky, Edwin, @marcustes (thanks for the invite bro), @shazfx.

 

 

So there ya have it. Now go on and give Starbucks’ new menu a run for your money..you could be pleasantly surprised!

 

Cheers!
EVo

Fuh, there…that wasn’t so bad eh? Should try to update more often

I was invited for the Club Launch at the Desire at the Manor last Thursday.

It’s really unusual of me to hang out at events on a Thursday night, because as some may know, my salsa class falls on a Thursday.

Due to unfaltering attempts by someone who always invites me out (for some strange reason, always on a Thursday night), I finally relented and decided to call off my class, just to layan her.

@Meiyingt, thanks for the invite. For me skipping my class, you owe me only 1000 dances when you actually start salsa-ing.

Desire at the Manor has three rooms: Desire, O Walk and The Terrace.

One side of the dining area is made up of tables…

….the other side is made up of an entire row of plush mattresses and pillows.

It’s really quite perfect if you’ve had enough of the formal tables and chairs..and if you choose to get a little less formal..and cosy up a little. Yeah baby. *ahemmarcky*

The manager of the joint was pretty accommodating and we were asked to order anything we wanted off the menu. Now THAT’s how a food review should be like!

Note or warning : The snacks you will see from this point are enticing. If it’s just before lunch time, I don’t really suggest reading on

#1 Cajun Chicken Wings

These 4 wings were fried to almost perfection, with the skin golden crisp, and the meat well marinated. Totally irresistible. The reason why you see only 3 pieces is because Marc_ky stole one of it before I could take a picture..this fella ah!

#2 For the life of me I can’t remember the name of this salad that Marc_ky ordered, but he claims that the mushrooms were intensely flavorful and left an awesome aftertaste.

I guess if you wanna order this at the Manor, you’ll have to show the waiter this photo. I really don’t know the name. Fail.

#3  Seafood Pesto

My main dish was rather disappointing, as all I could taste was bland cream sauce. It’s supposed to consist of prawns, mussels, squids and eggplant, but the squid pieces were as big as a ‘kacang putih’ ; I had to dig around to find it under a large pile of noodles.

And the prawns were inconsistently sized. Might as well call this dish ‘Scrap Seafood Pesto’.

I also ‘recorded’ @BangsarBabe’s comments on my pasta via facial expression. LOL.

1. 2. 3.

Haha.

#4 My dessert : Warm Chocolate Cake.

I completely loved this bit of pastry, as it melted in my mouth like it was made from pure chocolate without flour, yet it wasn’t. Sabrina, Kogi, Marcky and me finished this up really fast, with only light brown stains left on the plate when we were done.

I was mostly satisfied when dinner was over, but the best was yet to come. I came very close to what I would describe as ‘The Longest Pair of Legs I’ve ever seen in My Life, or ever in the Near Future’.

Seriously. I’m convinced that she could have auditioned for a Giraffe or Ostrich role in the zoo. I would’ve looked like a friggin Hobbit next to her.

I also met Celine Yap there after a long long long time!

One of Celine’s model friends, Natacha. So very hawt that she sizzled in my arms.

Overall I had a great time in the Manor, but they definitely need more work in the mains dishes. They can’t expect people to order snacks and desserts all the time! Marcky’s continuous rendition of Shakira’s ‘Waka waka’ kept us entertained throughout the night.

In a nutshell, this picture pretty much sums up my experience that night.

Desire at the Manor is:

60,62,64 Jalan Doraisamy, Kuala Lumpur

The Manor – man·or. Defined as the main house on the estate by virtue of its privilege position.
Manor has now 3 rooms.
Desire, O Walk and The Terrace.
Open 6 nights a week, serving the best happy hours from 5pm – 9pm.

Click here for the facebook page.

Cheers!
EVo