Crazieapple Reviews: Tao's in Melbourne

Tao’s Restaurant is famous for its Set Menu concept of “One price, One Menu, Many Selections”. Their creative modern European and oriental cuisines are all presented with a touch of Zen in “Tao-Ci” pottery plates (thus the name Tao’s).

Tao Tzu plates in itself is a fine art, and most importantly, "Tao Tzu" has a high heat withstanding level which will help to preserve the temperature of the food in a very natural way. It integrates art into food, and food into art. An unique dinning concept that should not be missed.

The Tao's in Melbourne is inspired by the simplicity, sophistication, and elegance of Japanese cuisine. Tao’s “7 courses” menu features the best of Japanese and French cuisine with an emphasize on how each dish is presented. In comparison to the conventional degustation where the courses are already set, Tao’s presents customers with a choice of dishes for each course. AND the best part of all, it's only a whopping 58aud!! Yes, u heard me!! 58 aud for a 7 course set dinner!! What a catch right??

Chef's Seasonal Selection platter

Seasonal Sashimi Platter

The sashimi's were fresh and chilled. I can never accept frozen + thawed or warm sashimis.. It just spells

W-R-O-N-G!!

My choice of entree:

Tempura Soft-Shell Crab in Japan Style

The soft-shell crab is deep fried to its crisp, tasted even better if dipped with sauce. It was a pretty ordinary tempura soft-shell crab.. It's hard to go wrong with it..

Tao's Special Chawan-mushi..

Is not THAT special after all.. On a brighter note, it was topped with generous portion of fish roe which i LOVE!!! I could snack on just fish roe only i swear!! hehe and the steamed egg was cooked to its perfection, not too runny or too hardened.

Our favourite soup in the world: Teapot style Bonitto

With only a tiny slice of lemon dropped into the pot, it creates an instant uplift to the taste of an almost ordinary pot of soup. It's refreshing and soothing!! How we wished that the teapot was bottomless..

I'm currently in the process of trying to make this at home!! Probably might need to improvise a bit and use chinese teapot instead.. =P

Anyone has great reliable recipe for Bonitto soup, care to share??

In the midst of our 7 course meal, we were served a shot of sour plum (??) juice to enhance our appetite before our mains.

Admittedly, my choice of main course was a bad one. The rocklin sugita-yaki with miso cream was not up to my expectations. With 5 previous decent course previously served, i would have expected more from their main. There's just something weird about this dish that i can't explain. Perhaps it's its creaminess or lack of distinctive taste. Too much of the creaminess made me feel sick.. I found myself forcing the meal down my throat. It was THAT bad. =(

His Confit Duck leg with white wine sauce was a much better choice. The duck meat was tender and blend well with the white wine sauce. Extra points given for the innovative way of serving!!

Rice of the day: Enoki fried rice

Creme Brulee for dessert

Caramel top burn to its perfect crisp. Do u know how hard issit to master the blow-torching act??

Just enough sweetness, creamy- just the way i love it!!

Hazardous to waistline but totally worth it!

Ratings:
Food: 6/10
(There are definitely some hits and misses. The only disappointment i had was the main.. But it's not gonna stop me from giving it a second chance)

Ambience: 7/10
(They have different settings of rooms catered for different parties and amount of guests. Do call up for bookings!)

Service: 8/10
(Waiters are pretty attentive and friendly)

Overall: 7/10
(Price is also considered in this case. Seriously, $58 for a 7 courses meal is pretty darn good!!)

Tao's Restaurant
20 Bulleen Rd,
Bulleen Vic 3015

Contact:Tel :               +61 3 9852 0777        
(BYO wine only: corkage charge is $10/ bottle)

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Leonardo's Dining Room @ Bangsar

I am so deprived of all things pork.
With an increasing trend of Western Restaurants going pork free or halal, it was time to rejuvenate my heart and soul- that's when Leonardo's Dining Room (LDR) comes in.

LDR is located in the quiet neighbourhood of Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar. While i love Opus Bistro just a few walks away, i held my hesitations about this place. Cudo to their interior, i like the physical settings of bare brick walls, antique safe holding books and telescope concept inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci and the Renaissance Era. The dining room was lighted with candles on tables and stairs, creating a romantic ambience to a quiet dinner, while the wine loft upstairs is something more homely- suitable for families and friends. There's also al fresco settings, which seems to be a favourite among the crowd too.

The menu have obviously been well thought of. A friendly mixture of western and asian dishes and vast variety of vegetarian dishes. No one will go hungry in LDR as there's something for everyone. It's not always i get to sample Fried Hokkien Noodles and Pork Knuckle under one roof - so who's complaining?

Grilled Portobello Mushroom (RM22) with bacon, tomato and cheese. We ordered two portions based on a friends recommendation. One with bacon and another vegetarian. While the mushrooms was nicely grilled while maintaining some of the juiciness. The toppings was slightly overwhelming in taste as the mixture of tomato and cheese has overpowered what was originally a mushroom dish.

Definitely my choice of the evening, which we happily ordered 2 portion. Leo's Pork Knuckle Platter (RM75), was a proud creation of Leonardo. The house speciality was served with red sauerkraut & garlic herb roasted potatoes. It was a hearty portion meant for sharing. But Julz and I spend no hesitation to finish the palatte, although it did take some effort. Even an extra inch round the waist the next day is well worth it.

It is not easy to perfect the dish, but LDR came close. The skin was roasted crispy whereby it makes a nice  cracking sound while we bite. The meat manage to retain its tenderness, and it was well seasoned making each bite a delight. Generous amount of bacon was presented on top of the dish.

I would come back for just this dish alone.

We have a few vegetarian on board and they've chosen the Vegetarian Lasagne. I did not try it but Sandy liked it a lot.

Mamma Mia Pizza (RM35)- filled with Jamon Serrano, Mozzarella, and rocket comes in a regular shape. Another dishes worth trying in LDR is their thinly crusted pizza. I liked how they melt the cheese to the crust before placing the toppings on top. It kept the ingredients looking freshed and more presentable and tastewise, making the cheese crust more distinct while im still able to taste what's on top of it. Love it!

Porridge (specific name unknown) was a disaster. It was watery, bland, more like a baby food than what should be presented on the table. We've only had spoonful and left the rest untouched.

Ranjit Pasta (RM30) was filled with Mushroom, bacon, chilli padi, garlic. Not too bad especially liked the chilli padi giving a hint of spice in what could be an ordinary dish. We had no complains.

Fried Hokkien Mee (RM25), that came with generous ingredients of large prawns, squids, veges, and pork lard. It was very sweet with no hints of "wok" taste. We didnt liked it at all. I'd suggest you to give this a skip.

Bak Kut Teh (RM28) was also not on par, especially when compared to those offerings outside, i did not try the meat because i stopped at the mere spoonful of soup which lacks the herbal taste.

Chocolate Seduction (RM22) was our favourite dessert of the night. Nicely presented, and served warm and semi sweet. How comforting. Take a spoon, scoop into the sinful rich chocolate and another tiny spoon of haagen daaz vanilla ice cream and i can already forget my mishaps with the asian dishes here.

Bread and Butter Pudding (RM18) that comes with a scoop of haagen daaz ice cream was a visually delightful dessert and is also here to stay. A twist to this dish is that its bread was not thoroughly soaked through with the rum sauce giving a nice texture to the otherwise lumpy dish. I liked how it is not overly sweet.

Im not exactly a fan of Chocolate Brownie in general. But this dessert is for you if you're looking for something rich and dense with chocolate.  

Our bill came up to RM1100+ between 10 of us with cocktails, beers, and additional few dishes not in this review.

Ratings:

Food: 7/10 for western

      3/10 for asian

(my suggestion when dine in Leonardo's, avoid asian dishes at all cost)

Service: 6.5/10

(sufficiently efficient)

Ambience: 8/10

(great atmosphere for dining- good thing is i get to choose the 3 different types of dining setting as per my mood wishes)

Presentation of food: 6.5/10

Overall ratings: 6.5/10

~*~*~*~*~*~

Leonardo's Dining Room

61-1 and 61-2,

Jalan Bangkung,

Bangsar

Tel: 03-2096 2226

You may also like these:

Cava @ Jalan Bangkung: http://augustdiners.blogspot.com/2010/01/crazieapple-reviews-cava-bangsar.html

Opus Bistro @ Jalan Bangkung : http://augustdiners.blogspot.com/2010/01/ms-jazz-reviews-opus-bistro-bangsar.html

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Max @ Ihaus, Jalan Jati

It was a bliss driving to Max @ Ihaus (minus all the chaotic traffic near pavillion), thanks to the clear directions that were shown on the lamp post buntings to locate this bungalow-cum-furniture-cum dining place at Jalan Jati.

Max has been around for quite awhile now (previously Max! Kitchen & Wines), and there's no getting rid of him. They have since relocate from Tengkat Tong Shin to this double storey bungalow at Jalan Jati, what i really like about this place is the ample of parking provided. No scratching head looking for a valet here!  *smiles*

The last time i was at Max @ Ihaus, it was almost 8 months ago. I had fond memories of it, everything from its food items to its service has been up-to-par.
It was a pleasant surprise that the server could still remember me despite my last visit being months ago. Service, needless to say is almost flawless.

Max @ Ihaus is a finalist in the Time Out Food Award 2009 for the Best Fusion/ Contemporary Restaurant Category- That is quite a feat. So there has to be a certain food quality to this place.

We went for the degustation menu. At RM120+, you can enjoy a 5 course meal comprising 3 appetizer, 1 main course, and 1 dessert, inclusive a glass of italian Batasiolo Cascine Prosecco.
This, my friends, are really value for money. Our only hesitation is which main dish of our choice should we choose as everything sounds really good.
*Tasting menu require participation of the entire table
We were started off with some complementary Ciabbata which tasted fresh, we couldnt help but ask for another helping.

The furnitures are mostly for sale.. Abby didnt quite like the interior, she found the furnitures a mismatch, myself, on the other hand, find them refreshing.

I told myself, shall i have a daughter next time- i'll definitely decorate her room in extreme pinkness

Italian Batasiolo Cascine Prosecco (inclusive in the tasting menu), light and sweet, a very easy drink.

First Course: The beautiful presented Salad "Nicoise" of Seared Rare Tuna Loin with spanish white anchovies salsa and french bean. (NP: RM38) The Tuna Loin was seared beautifully at the side, and well seasoned. I have no complaints as each bite was delightful. The complement sides however is not my cup of tea. However, Abby gobbled everything down.

Second Course: Pan-seared sea scallops with large clams that came with chicken broth. The scallop and clams were large and quite fresh, and the broth taste fusion. It was okay- but not good enough to recommend.

Third Course: Greenland Halibut Fillet on cream sauce with some bok choy pieces, topped with fish roe. Notice the use of Bok Choy which is known as an asian ingredients and fish roe as japanese often used.

The mixture of creaminess goes well with the fish.

For the main course, i had the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin with Truffle Soubise (150gm) Crovis Grain Mustard Cream and Wilted Asparagus. (NP: RM85)- We just need to add additional RM30 in the tasting menu for this dish.

I reckon the truffle soubise does make a difference to this dish, the taste is unique but lovable and the tenderloin is true to its name- very tender. The asparagus comes in handy as i used it to swipe up all the lovely sauce. definitely worth recommending.

Abby had Matelote of Codfish Fillet in Cabernet Jus with Shallot, Fresh Tarragon and field mushroom. (NP: RM58), this has been our least favourite of the night as the cod was dry and slightly tough. The combination of sauce does not quite go well with the fish.

My GAL-DATE of the night.

After our main course, we ordered dessert wine (which most say is a gal drinks- i say YES, ITS TRUE! =D)

We had a bottle of Semillon Botrytis 2008 Peter Lehmann Barossa Valley from Australia (375ml) for only RM100. That's pretty reasonable.

Like all dessert wine, this taste sweet and refreshing. It is then, we couldnt wait for our dessert.

Dessert of the day for Tasting Menu was Chocolate Souffle, but we requested for them to change one portion to other dessert, and they were nice enough to agree.

So i ordered warm almond-chocolate brownie and waited in anticipation.

Warm Almond- Chocolate Brownie (NP RM20) was O-K. Truth be told i was kinda dissapointed because i was expecting something more dense and rich with chocolate. While the brownie served here was sufficiently moist, it lacks the chocolate richness i was hoping for. I do like the orange mascarpone cream on the top though.

Our Chocolate Souffle come in an espresso cup complement by mixed fruit pieces and cappuccino.

As Abby commented it was "bitter sweet". I like how the chocolate is not overly sweet and the cappucino ice cream mixed so well with the souffle.

Don't we look like a couple on a quiet dinner date?

Our bill came up to RM400+ between two with dessert wine. We were so stuffed that i could feel my waistline expanding on the spot. The portion was not actual portion, but it is still quite large for a "petite" girl like myself. :D

Ratings:

Food: 6.5/10

Service: 8/10

Ambience: 7/10

Presentation of food: 7.5/10

Overall rating: 7/10

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

Max @ Ihaus

Lot No. 32, Jalan Jati,

Off Jalan Bukit Bintang

55100, KL

Tel: 03- 2142 9720

You may also like these:

Favola- Le Meridien Hotel

http://augustdiners.blogspot.com/2010/05/ms-jazz-reviews-favola-le-meridien.html

Prime- Le Meridien Hotel

http://augustdiners.blogspot.com/2010/02/ms-jazz-reviews-prime-le-meridien-hotel.html

Crazieapple reviews: Sage, The Gardens

Sorry for the long hiatus, Augustdiners are currently short on dining funds until we get our angpaus from CNY.. hehe (j.k.)


About 2 weeks ago, i brought the bf to Sage, Gardens for his birthday dinner.. Being highly recommended by those who experienced its finest cuisine, I had a rather high expectation to the restaurant. Fingers was crossing hoping not to be disappointed-

The entrance

Would highly recommend patrons to park in Gardens Residence (4th floor) to minimize your walking distance.. If you really ended up parking in Gardens (mall) itself, it's gonna be a LOOOOOOOOONG walk..

Complimentary bread with melted cheese and herbs..

Pssshh.. It's refillable TOO!! =p

Being a wednesday night, the restaurant seems to be far too quiet with only 2 occupied tables with rather slow turnovers.. Shall not judge the quality of a restaurant by its occupancies rite?

Me and the birthday boy

Complimentary appetizer to open up your appetite (ok, i'm pretty sure they used some other words than "open up")

The smoked salmon with a few droplets of salmon roe complimented with some "soury" sauce did its magic indeed!! No wonder they say sour food piques our tastebuds for food and always leaves you wanting more!!

My special of the day (come in the Gourmet set which i ordered)

Yellow tail fish sashimi was fresh yet succulent though i didn't really enjoy the asparagus which was raw..

My appetizer -
Seared Foie Gras with Dark Grapes and Red Wine Reduction.

Foie Gras being the named, is indeed artery clogging but yummy as it melts in your mouth.. best served with a fruit that's sour-ish (more often green apple). The Chef at Sage did a great job in complimenting the taste of Foie gras but using grapes instead.

Carpacio of Wagyu with plum infused Konbu Sauce

The boy find this a bit too raw for his liking.. And to be honest, there wasn't much taste to it.. Kinda wasted the whole wagyu beef business there.

My main course-

Angus Beef with mash potatoes and natural jus

The meat might "look" like it's cooked to its perfection with pinkish meat, but it surely didn't feels how it looked.. It was a bit overcooked for my liking hence resulted in a sore and tired jaw.. Not the best steak i've eaten.. =(

His-

Roasted Cod with Gobou Brunoise and Enoki Mushroom (topped with MORE Foie Gras!!)

The man loved it and cleaned the plate till the very last bit. need more explanations??
hehe

We ordered a bottle of Moet shared between two (wasn't too much if i'm there!! hehe everyone knows how much i love my champagnes!!)

For dessert, we had:

Almond Blanc Manger with Mango Sorbet and Passion Fruit

I loved the mango sorbet as it was something really refreshing after all that oily food we stuffed ourselves with!!

and the most deceiving souffle-

Hazelnut Nougat Soufflé with Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream

completely blew me off my expectation from its look!! lesson learnt- never judge a dessert by its look!! it was awesome when complimented with the dark chocolate ice cream!!!
The rich choc taste combine with the fluffy soufflle in your mouth- YOU HAVE JUST REACHED HEAVEN!!

Our dinner came up to a grand total of RM600 (inclusive of a bottle of RM300 champagne).. So it was still ok!!

Overall rating: 7.5/10(sorry i'm a bit lazy to do the breakdown)

You can visit their website for their menu

P/s: I realised that most restaurants in KL don't publish their menu online (as compared to Melbourne)