Franco @ 1 Utama

Formerly known as "Miam Miam"

Franco is a French & Japanese fusion fine casual dining located in 1 Utama shopping centre's old wing (2nd outlet was recently commenced @ The Curve). It was formerly known as "Miam Miam" and has rebranded to introduce a more exciting dining experience to the customers.

  ➴

Thoughtful consideration to provide menu and seats
for the waiting customers outside. ;)

Franco has pretty comfy sofa seats and dining tables to provide us a pleasant casual fine dining. Nevertheless, overwhelming support from the customers always made it full house, yet some even have to queue and wait to be seated.

Cosy, neat environment..

Franco intends to deliver us a casual fine dining concept, ie. good enough to reach the standard of quality of a fine dining, but much cheaper than how a fine dining could cost us. 

From the savouries to sweets, Franco has been persistently differentiating themselves by offering a decent combined French-Japanese cuisine.

For the mains, there are Japanese styled pasta, which are prepared in a lighter but cleaner flavour than the west. Others than that, there is Japanese curry rice prepared in le French style.

Miam Miam spaghetti is one of the best pasta served here.
Mixing the baby spinach, mushroom, tomatoes and frankfurters
altogether with the spaghetti, it is juicily cooked with
french butter and their secret broth & shoyu,
slight creamy but not too greasy. 

A flavourful lobster bisque pasta, slow-cooked
up to perfection with a super rich lobster soup base,
topped with Parmesan cheese and grilled tiger prawn.
Lobster soup broth is incredibly delicious,
adding on with the well grilled giant tiger prawn,
making it a palatable pasta to be enjoyed.

For the spicy eater, arrabiata is one of the pasta not to be missed here!
Served along with zucchini and eggplant, it is a spicy tomato based pasta
which could stimulate our taste bud eventually.

Riz Au Curry is a cheese baked rice slow cooked
with their homemade Japanese curry sauce.
A rich Japanese curry sauced rice, served with
generous amount of egg and cheese.
Great thing about this is the adequate amount of sauce, 
keeps the rice juicy up to the very last bite.

Apart from these, there are other choices such as squid ink pasta, seafood tomato cream pasta, and mac & cheese.

While waiting for the mains to be prepared and cooked, you could have their salad, soup, or bread as your pre-meal appetiser.

Clam chowder soup served with garlic bread

Franco seems to be more focusing on the dessert part, as more selections are available for the sweets than the mains in the menu. xD

One of the bestseller is the matcha souffle.

Matcha souffle is lightly baked up to a fluffy texture.
The crunchy crust is the best part that I love.
Overall, it is a good souffle.

French toast is greatly recommended by Franco too, but I would think that it is a bit overrated.

Cubes of french toasts built upwards on a frying pan.
 Taught by the waiter, the correct method of having it
is to pour the maple syrup from top first. =D
French toast is pretty soft in texture, but a bit sweet for my liking.

Franco as well serves good pancakes. What is extraordinary of their pancakes?

It is not merely a pancake, it is a souffle pancake, which is thicker, fluffier, and tastier! ;D

For an upgraded version of their pancake, you could try those 

topped with apple & granola, caramelised banana, or azuki red bean & jelly.

Chocolate Molleaux is the another term given by Franco for their molten chocolate lava.

Molten chocolate lava is hearted with sinful dark chocolate,
served with premium soft gelato. This is just average for me.

Besides than the desserts aforementioned, there are creme brulee and cakes too.

Japanese cuisine is always popular for the matcha drinks. In Franco, similarly, they serve nice matcha beverages. Ice matcha latte with matcha softee is strong with the matcha taste, topped with matcha soft ice cream. Slurrppp! xP

For coffee lovers, Franco has their own brewed americano. It is a hand dripped coffee, brewed with good Arabica coffee beans, bold but light bodied.

From my points of view, Franco has delicious pasta that is worth to try. For the desserts, they might be appealing at our first try prior to its distinctiveness, but not very fond of having them in every visit. Nevertheless, Franco does a good job in finishing every single piece of their desserts with the best texture.

Address: Lot 146, G Floor (Old Wing), 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 48200 Petaling Jaya.
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00-22:00
Tel: 03-7731 8923 

CHEERS! ♥☺

VCR @ Jalan Galloway

for the Coffee Explorers..

Coffee has been part and parcel of my life, thus exploring good cafes turns out to be one of my weekend tasks. VCR located at Jalan Galloway off Pudu, is an unique cafe operated at the corner lot of the old shophouses.

Cat as ambassador? xP

VCR is a double storeyed house painted in black, with classy yet simple design. It is hard to be noticed as a cafe if we did not do any research online before. =D

Stepping into VCR with homey feel, all the wooden tables are welcoming us to be seated. 

I like how simple it is. ;D

More tables are placed at the upper storey.

As well as an outdoor garden..

You could get your caffeine fix here by having their espresso based coffee. For coffee experts who love the traditional kind of coffee brewed, filter coffee would be your option.

VCR does not serve any brunch like how the recent trend of other cafes. Nonetheless, they focus on delivering the best coffee experience to their customers with good coffees, cakes, and pastries. 

VCR's signature cake: The King, black velvet, lemon poppy seed
More for your choices? Quiche, croissants, tarts..

Coffee is strong enough, with milkier, smooth texture.

Flat white & cappuccino

Complementing the coffee session with a slice of cake would be perfect. VCR's sinful slice of peanut butter cake is coated with a thick layer of peanut butter spread, and topped with nuts. 

Considered a good slice of peanut butter cake,
recommended to be shared. =P

Despite travelling to VCR is a bit inconvenience due to its limited parking options, VCR does provide a great environment with good coffee and cakes. It is definitely a comfy, relaxed, and cosy place where we could laze around.

HAPPY SUNDAY before the Monday blues, peeps! ♥

Address: 2, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur.
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 08:30-23:00

Tel: 03-2110 2330

CHEERS! ♥☺

Uncle Jang @ Kota Damansara

Dak Galbi ♥ ♥ ♥

Whenever we yearn for Korean cuisine, BBQ meat accompanied by side dishes would always come across our mind. Nonetheless, "dak-galbi" has emerged into the recent trend of Korean meal.

What is "dak-galbi"??

➜ To stir fry the marinated chicken with cabbages, sweet potatoes, onions, toboki, etc., with hot & spicy chilli pepper paste.

Uncle Jang is a Korean restaurant serving dak-galbi, that is decent enough to be one of the best in Klang Valley.

Commencing its first branch in Solaris Mont Kiara, Uncle Jang has currently opened up its subsequent branches in Kota Damansara, Puchong, and Bukit Rimau.

P/S:  Pictures illustrated are from the Kota Damansara branch -

         upper level of TK Bakery.

Uncle Jang located in Kota Damansara is very clean, tidy, and spacious.

Besides than the dak-galbi, there is as well food such as bulgogi, kimchi noodle soup, and chicken cutlet.

As how Koreans always have with their meal, you could order soju likewise (I don't like the taste though x'D).

Menu is very user friendly that they teach you how to order your dak-galbi.

You have to choose at least 2 portions to have the dak-galbi.

To enhance your satisfaction, you could add on items like 
ramen, udon, and cheese.

So, this is the 2-portion dak-galbi comprising of the normal and the spicy one. The spiciness is just perfect for me, but some might think that it is too hot. =P

The waiter will then stir fry all the marinated chicken, cabbages, onion, sweet potatoes with the chilli pepper paste. Apron is prepared for everyone, as you might smell oily afterwards. =X

Adding on ramen would be nice as it could absorb the spicy chilli pepper paste.

Mouth-watering... =D

Dak-galbi is done when it turns out to be reddish and well cooked.

Of course, cheese is a compulsory add-on-item. Yummy!

Sliced cheese is poured evenly on top of the dak-galbi right after it is cooked.

The heat will melt up all the cheese eventually! ;D

Vegetables are provided for you to wrap your dak-galbi with. Otherwise, you could just merely consume it without wrapping. Apparently, kimchi is served in every Korean restaurant.

Uncle Jang has delicious dak-galbi that I'll crave for in every few months. I love how flavourful it is, with the right amount of spiciness. Forgetting about the fats and calories, cheese is the best part that you must add on. 

Dak-galbi serving here is very big portion that would always make me feel like a glutton. Nevertheless, every dining session here did gratify me! ♥

Address: 48-2, Jalan PJU 5/11, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, 47830 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:00
Tel: 03-6211 2536

CHEERS! ♥☺

One Six Five @ Intercontinental

- I VI V Lobby Lounge -

Located in Intercontinental Hotel KL, One Six Five (I VI V) is a classy, modern and cozy lounge serving nice afternoon tea set.

Next to its glass wall, there is fascinating scenery view of the green nature. This is definitely a good place for us to get out of the city hastiness to enjoy some peaceful tea session.

Bits and bites of desserts are displayed in front of the entrance to catch our attention.

The afternoon tea sets are available daily from 2pm to 5pm, with merely two choices offered @ RM75 each, includes a pot of selected house tea. Otherwise, you could go for a cup of coffee instead.

One Six Five serves English tea, as well as tea leaves originated from China. We opted for the Shanghai rose tea and organic jasmine pearl tea.

Taste was good, but not fragrant enough.

➀

For a typical Malaysian, you could go for their Malaysian styled afternoon tea set:- 

The 'selera' afternoon tea set

The 1st tier always starts with the scones: Sesame & plain scones for this, and i personally prefer the plain one, with crunchier texture and of original taste.

Next, followed by the 2nd tier of savouries: mini beef rendang burger, chicken satay pao, tuna and avocado 'kuih paiti', lamb samosa with mango chutney, butter prawn saffron roll. These savouries have been customised close to Malaysian's flavours, which is more appetising. That was why it is named 'selera' i guess. =P

3rd tier to "cuci mulut" with all the sweet pastries: Durian eclair, red bean & chocolate opera, mango panna cotta with coconut sago, egg tart with pineapple carpaccio, kuih lapis.

                     ➁

For those who are sick of Malaysian food, there is traditional English high tea set:-

The royal afternoon tea set

Similarly, the 1st tier comprises of the scones: Raisin & plain scones for this, and yes, i still prefer the plain one. xD

The 2nd tier savouries: Crab remoulade roll, smoked salmon and caviar crostini, lobster and asparagus bagel, hoisin peking duck with cucumber, wagyu beef tartare with wasabi and brioche. Albeit it is an English tea set, I think that this is a fusion one, with a mixture of Chinese and Japanese cuisine into the Western one. A big round of applause should be awarded for the creativity.

"Save the best for last" 3rd tier pastries: Lemon meringue tart, caramel eclair, chocolate and pistachio opera, green tea creme brulee, hazelnut and tonka bean macaroon. I like that there is sour pastry added, instead of having all the sweets only. Macaroon was of perfect sweetness too.

Me & my 20-year-BFF ♥♛

Apparently, One Six Five puts great effort in serving extraordinary kind of afternoon tea set, instead of the routined savouries and pastries that we had actually got bored of. Portion served is not too big, and thus, we won't feel overfull towards the end. Not all of the pieces are decent, but in overall they are nice. Of course, we love the environment here that keeps us calm and relax.

Address: 165 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-00:00
Tel: 03-2782 6168

CHEERS! ♥☺

Daro Crispy Chicken @ Bangsar

Peanut Butter Fried Chicken

Daro Crispy Chicken is a fast-food-concept restaurant originated from Canada, locating next to Tous Les Jours in Bangsar. Apparently, through the name itself, we know that it is selling crispy chicken.

Fried chicken has always been my frequent craving. Therefore, I would consistently look for any nice one. Recognising that Daro Crispy Chicken is a newly opened chicken shop in the busy street of Bangsar Telawi, thus visiting it is a must for me. xP

Daro Crispy Chicken has very spacious outdoor & indoor sitting area, 

which looks simple but comfy.

Like how any fast food restaurant operates, food and drinks are to be ordered in the counter & we ought to collect them ourselves.

Menu from the counter

Vibrated UFO plate is given while waiting for your meal ready to be collected.

Chickens can be ordered in a la carte, or in set. Combo meals would be preferable since they are more worthwhile. They come with sides of fries & salad, and a cup of beverage, in cheaper price.

✿ There are several choices offered for the chickens. 

We can opt for either the crispy wings & drumettes, 

the drumsticks, the chicken chop, or the chicken burger.

The crispy wings & drumettes (left) &
the fried chicken chop (right).

Daro Crispy Chicken is extraordinary in the sense that they have special sauces (original/ spicy/ honey lemon/ peanut butter) for their chickens.

✿ For first timer, peanut butter is a compulsory one 

as it is the unique selling point of the Daro Crispy Chicken. 

Boneless fried chicken chop (combo meal @RM10.60) with peanut butter
spreaded around. Peanut butter sauce is sweet and mild.
It was a bit disappointing as I expected a flavour that is nearly identical
to the Skippy peanut butter, instead of this bland, tasteless peanut butter. x'D
Chicken was a bit flaccid, but wasn't awful.

Crispy chicken wings & drumettes (combo meal @RM8.95)
with our chosen spicy sauce are slightly crispier than
the previous one, but still not crispy enough.
Chilli sauce is nice, and less greasy than the peanut butter's.

Combo meals including:

★  Fries are sprinkled with chilli powder that somehow I think that 

     they taste like Mister Potato. xD 

★ Salad is in fact Chinese pickles with sweet and sour taste, 

     very appetising and nice. 

★ Drinks: ice lemon tea or soft drinks.

Besides than the chickens, Daro Crispy Chicken serves seafood such as calamari and fish fillet too.

A very filling lunch which only costs 2 of us RM20. ;D

From my viewpoints, Daro Crispy Chicken is average only. To be frank, I would rather to go for the Texas Chicken instead. However, it is a good try for those who have never tried a peanut butter sauced chicken before. Moreover, the service is good and prompt. 

Since peanut butter works well on chicken, I am looking forward to a more decent one yet to be introduced in the city soon, perhaps.

"Happy weekend, peeps! ♥"

Address: Lot 38, Ground Floor, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Operating Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 09:30-00:00, Fri-Sat 09:00-01:00

CHEERS! ♥☺