Ms. Jazz reviews: Nature's Vegetarian Restaurant @ Bangsar

I'm on some sorta "DETOX" program at the moment that do not encourage eating any form of dairy and meat (although i do take fish for protein), worse of it all- no alcohol!! I'm on my 11th day now. For the past days, it has been one-piece of plain white bread in the morning (with no jam/ butter) rinse with plain water. Fruits in the afternoon, and steam fish (no-frills style) just steam with salt or soya sauce with no ginger/ spring onion/ garlic as well as boiled/ stir fry vege for dinner.

Initially, i was rather skeptical- i doubted myself that i can actually go on without meat for one whole month, especially when im a true carnivore at heart. My friends has looks of disbelief when i told them too. They have also predicted that i am not able to do it, especially the alcohol part =P

But down the road, they saw my insistent effort and has also become more than encouraging, helping me search for good vegetarian places, or going on a detox plan with me.

Nature's Vegetarian is located in the buzzing street of Jalan Telawi. This is your typical traditional chinese restaurant. Upon entering, you will be greeted by three prominent porcelain figures Fook, Luk, Sau. An array of tea leaves is displayed at its counter ready to serve its diners. There was a slight pungent smell of tea leaves that turn bad. (not those fragrant smell you get from tea shops!) But soon enough you'll adjust to the smell.

The menu is extensive, i was fascinated on the range of different "meat" related dishes offered here. I must admit it was more of curiosity that made us order enough for 5pax although there was only two of us.

The attractive pictures in the menu ain't helping either!

No one said vegetarian MUST be healthy. We were looking forward to a very gluttony dinner! :D

There were many sizes you can order, it's all small portion for us as we wanted to sample more dishes.

Homemade special noodles (RM10) was a good choice, their noodles texture is smooth and springy. However this is only if you dont mind the overwhelming taste of dark soya sauce as it is tad bit salty! 

 

Stir Fry Nai bak with ginger slices (RM12) was too ordinary to comment. But it's good to have at least one non glutton dish.

Seaweed soup (RM10) was good enough portion for two. While the soup was tasty enough, we wished that they have used the chinese seaweed instead of the normal nori seaweed for sushis. You can also find ingredients like oyster mushroom, and carrot in this soup.

Perhaps my highlight of the night: The vegetarian fish in black bean sauce (RM12) is made with compressed tofu, and beancurds. I was impressed that it ACTUALLY taste a little bit like fish. (if you forget after the tofu aftertaste) The black bean sauce was thick and addictive (slightly salty though), perfect to mix it with rice!

If you are thinking what this is, you're not the only one. No this is not a vegetable dish but steam chicken (RM12). I can barely find the chicken but its there, hidden in the pile of vege mess. Complete failure dish as it is nowhere resemble the taste of chicken. Be it the texture or the flavour.

I like their Vege Hong Kong Char Siew (RM15) which was strongly recommended by their waitress. It came with generous pieces of "meat" soaked in char siew sauce. Almost like the real thing.

We suspect a generous amount of "aginomoto" is involve here because we felt really thirsty after the meal.

Our bill came up to RM90+ between two. (which may sound reasonable for so many dish but it is after all still vegetarian)

Conclusion: i can't wait to get back to normal diet and go heavy on the REAL meat soon!

Ratings:

Food: 5/10

(salty, salty, salty!)

Ambience: 6.5/10

(not too bad, we appreciate the chinese interior)

Service: 6.5/10

(attentive)

Presentation of food: 5/10

Overall rating: 5.5/10

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nature's Vegetarian Restaurant

No. 24, Jalan Telawi 3,

Bangsar Baru

Tel: 03-22835523

CNY Celebration with Augustdiners

I just realised that Augustdiners almost never dine alone together. Our only few attempts was Xenri d'garden and Cafe Barbera. All other times it was either Crazieapple with the bf (or sometimes called the man) or Ms. Jazz with the friends. It was never Crazieapple with Ms. Jazz. =(

We can finally put a fullstop for CNY this year! It came and went by so quickly and next thing i know, im back to my routine 8-5pm work mode. This year we were jam packed with Open Houses, parties, farewell, birthdays that requires eating eating and eating... Unfortunately not many pictures were taken.

Augustdiner's home has also had 3-4 parties during this CNY. While it was fun while it last, but we feel exhausted and ready for a break.
Some pictures to share:- :)

1/ Lantern at our home

2/ Plenty of Pretty Fireworks to share

3/ Lion that can dance really well, not to mention jumped super high.

4/ Yearly Street Party with neighbours (potluck style)

5/ Choi San Yeh wishes us a prosperous year

6/ Lut Lut stall has become a trend now- hiring a van of lut lut to your home for one night only cost approx RM700 depending on the quantity you order

7/ Kids Hiphop performance - Awww... so cuteee

8/ 14 FEB was valentine's day, first day of CNY and also my twin sisters bday, we cooked up a feast to celebrate and invited a few close family friends. Crazieapple's herb crusted lamb rack in making

9/ Im in midst of preparing my seafood bisque stock

10/ My famous Sangria *hehe*

12/ Clockwise: saute asparagus, saute mushroom, and Crazieapple's famous herb crusted lamb rack (p.s. it's from Gordon Ramsay recipe of course!)

We also bought 3kgs of Black Angus Rib Eye and marinated with Rosemary. It was yums but no pictures were taken

13/ Tiramisu by CY (recipe from Sim. Thanks!)

 

14/ Augustdiners did a wine party for mostly Melbie friends who happen to be back to kl at the same time

We accomplished 16 bottles of almost vintage wine. Most of them has been kept in our wine cellar for 8 to 10 years! Time to clean to stock and replenish new ones!

15/ We made some tapas and finger food to complement the alcohol. It took us 2 hours and we were so behind schedule that the guest started arriving.

16/ Parma Ham with Melon

17/ Deep friend squid rings with tartare sauce and aioli

18/ Nachos with the usual mexican dips. I made guocamole, and to make it chilled quicker (as i was running out of time) i popped it in the freezer and totally forgotten about it until the party just about to start. Luckily it tasted decent after we thawed it. I'll be honest with you, the salsa was store bought- i wanted to make from scratch but decided it was too much work.

19/ More winesssss!

20/ Warm tomato and basil bruschetta

21/ Our yearly open house inviting relatives and friends for a wide buffet spread

22/ It's red everywhere!

23/ Probably our 4th or 5th yee sang of this year. *shudders*

I think i have enough for now.

Wishing everyone a prosperous tiger year! I hope you enjoyed your CNY as much as we did.

Now, its time for some detox!! Im on my 9th day of being meat-free, dairy-free and alcohol free

*fingers crossed* let's see how long this will last! =)

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Bar Italia, Bukit Changkat

We have no reason for our lack of updates, just pure laziness. *hehe*

Im on protein-free, dairy-free, and alcohol-free diet for one month. (the long list seem to be never-ending) Currently, Im into my 8th day and the experience has been torturing so far.

I brought Mel to Bar Italia during our long CNY holiday. It feels different walking down the street of Changkat bukit bintang during daylight in comparison to the buzz this place creates at night. Nevertheless it was quiet, peaceful and perfect for a nice brunch out with good company.

My previous visit to Bar Italia was a b'day celebration at the 2nd floor rooftop, it has a nice ambience provided you dont mind sweating as it can get pretty warm- even during the night.

We were seated at the simple, yet comfortables setting on ground floor (rooftop doesnt open until 5pm) It was an extremely hot weather outside, and the aircon has been our life saviour.

Despite the controversial opinions from others who has tested this place, i find Bar Italia food to be decent.

Prosecco Di Prosecco Tenimenti NV (RM180) was an enjoyable drink. A refreshing sparkling wine that is light and fruity that rejuvenate our thirst.

Bar Italia offers a set lunch menu which only cost RM68++ (i'm sure the price varies from its offerings), it comes with an appetizer, a main, your choice of gelato, and coffee/tea. I'd say why not?

Our plate of antipasti: Tomato with mozarella cheese, 2 choices of bruschetta, grilled vegetables, pickled olives, eggplant in tomato paste, and prawns with artichoke.

It was a generous portion, good enough to share between 2. I particularly like their eggplant in tomato paste as it was really flavourful and goes well with the complimentary bread.

Our main came with a selection of grilled fish, stuffed pork loin, saute spinach, and ravioli stuffed with foie gras. It was a flavourful combination, we almost wiped everything dry.

The foie gras ravioli was pure heaven, i devour each bite slowly.

Spagetti Frutti di Mare (RM36) cooked with white wine and garlic was slightly salty but flavourful. The seafood was fresh and spaghetti was springy and chewable.

What was most talked about Bar Italia, was their gelatos, true to its name (although incomparable to Melbourne's) the Gelato was smooth and creamy that turn out not too sweet. Just the way we like it.

Playing with her Iphone. EH... Blackberry rocks OK?

The food list was extensive which guarantee another visit from me. It's refreshing how they change their set menu once in awhile. It gives us a reason to always return.

Ratings:

Food: 6.5/10

(btw, if u realise, i have used the word "flavourful" 3 times in this entry. If theres anything to be said about Bar Italia, it would be their intense (often salty) flavours- say no no to tasteless food. I would love to try more of their wide selection of gelato)

Ambience: 6.5/10

(it was relatively quiet so we had a relaxing time there)

Service: 7/10

(i've read about ppl complaining about their slow service, and rude treatment to its staff, but we were served politely and prompt- so they must have made some changes in their training)

Presentation of food: 6.5/10

Overall: 6.5/10

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bar Italia

29, Jalan Berangan,

50200 KL

Tel: 03-214444