Donkey & Crow Irish Pub @ Bangsar Shopping Centre

Classic Favorites Pub Grub

Scotch Eggs, Dublin Coddle, Grilled Pork Ribs, Crispy Pork Belly and Irish Stew… pub grub fans would agree on how tempting those dishes sounded. The folks at Donkey & Crow Irish Pub knows how to let their diners enjoy classic comfort food with a good beer or stout!

Located at Bangsar Shopping Centre, this is the second outlet for Donkey & Crow. With their first outlet’s success at TREC KL, diners can now also enjoy the same pub experience at the BSC outlet. It’s all about having a good time at Donkey & Crow. Besides being a family-friendly restaurant serving classic Irish and British favorites, one can enjoy their long list of jolly pints of beer while catching up with some live sport actions.

The pub offers alfresco seating as well as indoor seating. Expect lots of woodwork, a long bar, a mosaic mural, brickworks and Irish green fairy lights plus lots of friendly smiles from the service team at Donkey & Crow.

Pool table for some fun!

It’s almost obligatory to order some giggle juice if you’re not into beer. Ours are Beejito (RM38), Mad Dog (RM38) and Apple Tini’s (RM38). Mad Dog and Beejito was so fabulous, we had a second round of these…

With our cocktails, we had to order a classic British pub favorite, Scotch Egg (RM23). Minced meat stuffed with egg and fried to a golden ball, ours was a generous one too. Packed with seasoned sausage meat, the scotch egg is quite a filler on its own.

The pale but flavour-packed Blue Cheese Mushroom (RM23) is delicious. The unctuous flavour of the blue cheese is an explosion of flavours, so much so, one cannot stop dipping the toast into that luscious thick sauce studded with chunky mushrooms.

An Irish classic, the Dublin Coddle (RM33) epitomized homecooked comfort food. Said to be straight from the heart of Dublin city, the Irish stew is a hodgepodge of bacon, sausages and root vegetables that is a sure crowd pleaser. Beautiful stew that has a robust hearty note of its ingredients, this is a dish that one can enjoy often. A must-order, especially if one is craving for simple comfort pleasures…

The Snacks Platter (RM68) offers a little of everything to go with drinks. A sharing platter obviously, there’s golden Onion Rings, Pigs in the Blanket, Smoked Duck Breast, Nacho Bacon and Chips with side salad and sauces. Snacks like these are sure crowd pleasers, especially that yummy bacon wrapped sausage and delectable smoked duck breast slices.

A platter that is perfect for snacking with beer or cocktails!

Another signature dish at Donkey & Crow is the Grilled Pork Ribs with Whiskey Sauce (RM49). Half rack of pork ribs marinated with spices ad slow baked till tender. Not falling-off-the-bone kind of rib but this one has a solid meaty bite of the meat. Pour on the whiskey sauce for added flavours though we personally thought the whiskey sauce could do with more oomph of the whiskey… nevertheless, the pork ribs are well-seasoned and meaty.

The pub only offers Brownies with Ice Cream as their dessert. Its passable but I prefer my brownies to be the fudgy kind. Generous in portion, this dessert is definitely a sharing one…

DONKEY & CROW IRISH PUB

Lot G130, Ground Floor,

Bangsar Shopping Centre,

285, Jalan Ma'arof,

Bangsar

59000 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 2011 1868

Website: www.donkeyandcrowirishpub.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/donkeyncrow2

Two Hands @ Qliq Hotel, Damansara Perdana

Fabulous Superfood

It’s been 8 months since Two Hands came to our dining scene in Damansara Perdana and yet, many have yet to discover this amazing restaurant serving wholesome superfood dishes. Headed by Chef Vicneswara Thenamirtham (better known as Chef Vic to his regulars), Two Hands denotes the partnership of producers and consumers.

Located in Qliq Hotel in Empire Damansara, Two Hands serves Chef Vic’s signatures of comfort food set in a beautiful and minimalist restaurant. The restaurant caters to Qliq Hotel guests hence its open as early as 7am till 12 midnight daily.

We adored the simple but beautiful ambiance of the industrial vibe décor from its shades of dark blue walls contrasting to the off-white brick wall as well as the open red pipes and various modern lightings. Everything is in sight from its open bar to the open kitchen, what you see is what you get. A corner filled with old knick-knacks add charm to this comfortable ambiance.

The menu is filled with assorted dishes from all over the world. Not limited to anything, Chef Vic focuses on dishes that warms the tummy and soul, food that is comforting yet healthy and nutritious. He assures diners that no MSG is used and uses locally source ingredients from local producers as much as possible to ensure freshness. He also includes gluten-free and vegan-friendly dishes to cater to health-conscious eaters.

Anytime is a good time for cocktails! That said, one must try Two Hands’s list of unique and delicious cocktails. From Jack Jean Paul (RM44), Coffee Chanel (RM31) to Coconut Coach (RM32) and Cucumber Chloe (RM37), we enjoyed them all. Each one with their own refreshing flavours, these will guarantee a good evening of relaxation along with a yummy meal. My personal favorite was the Cucumber Chloe and Jack Jean Paul!

Our first starter was a pretty and colourful plate of Hummus 3 Ways (RM28). Nutty and garlicky Tahini, tangy Beetroot and creamy sweet Pumpkin, the trio of hummus are sublime. Served with bread of the day, the hummus are great starters with bold punchy flavours to whet the appetite for more to come.

The dish to rave at Two Hands is the Crispy Parmesan Cauliflower (RM22). Piled high on a bed of dill yoghurt sauce, local organic cauliflower florets is lightly battered in a mixture of chickpea, tapioca and rice flour.

Gluten free and vegan-friendly, the golden crispy florets is amazingly light with a creamy soft center. The flavours are moreish and tasty, enhanced by the blanket of Parmesan cheese and smoked paprika. Best savored hot, the cauliflower is still really yum when its cool down to room temperate. This dish is so simple but is superb in every bite!

We also tried the Apple & Walnut Salad (RM21), a light and crisp gluten free and vegan green salad tossed with Greek Yoghurt and organic honey. Easy on the palate, a healthy plate of greens to enjoy.

More sharing starters as we shared the Salted Egg Custard Prawns (RM28) and Smoked Albondigas & Cinnamon Rolls (RM31).

The Salted Egg Custard Prawns is unctuously creamy, a luscious concoction with prawns. Chef Vic serves his dish with homemade croissant. Unusual but the buttery French croissant added a lovely aroma to our local favorite dish.

The Smoked Albondigas & Cinnamon Rolls turned out even better in terms of pairing. It was odd at sight to see the delicious lamb meatballs served with cinnamon rolls. However, after savoring them together, the pair turned to be a match made in heaven in terms of flavours. The tender and juicy lamb meatballs in tangy tomato sauce was already very tasty on its own but when savored with the flaky cinnamon pastry, the combo was really scrumptious in flavours. The cinnamon really worked well in enhancing the flavours of the tomato sauce along with the other spices in the smoky meatball.

One can’t go wrong with rice and chicken, especially a flavourful one as the Grilled Portuguese Chicken & Dirty Rice (RM58). A whole Maryland seasoned with spices, is beautifully grilled and served on dirty rice. A hodgepodge concoction of liver and other spices, the dirty rice was fluffy and tasty, Served on a hot plate, the charred bits of the rice was sublime while the chicken was moist, tender and deliciously flavoured.

A sharing plate of 4-Hours Beef Short Ribs (RM112) proved that good food should be shared. Salt baked slowly for 4 hours, the beef rib has that beautiful melt-in-the-mouth texture plus delicious tasty notes. Served on a generous bed of creamy garlic and veggie mashed potatoes with a finishing of chicken floss, the beef is one dish that not only taste yummy but is packed with all the goodness of well-balanced meal. Portion is generous enough to share with at least two hearty eaters.

The Pulled Beef Pasta (RM57) faired decent with good notes of pasta cooked al dente in hearty savory and moreish sauce. Generously studded with pulled tender beef, brined carrots, asparagus and cheese, the pasta has that familiar comfort flavours that one can enjoy often…

Two Hands also has a special lunch menu. Slashes for Lunch offer diners a choice of main dish that comes with a choice of Americano or Fruit Juice. Available from 11am to 3pm on Mondays to Fridays, we tried their Thai Green Curry (RM18) served in tiffin for that extra touch. Chef Vic puts his own spin on his Thai Green Curry. Its milder than the classic version but has a delicate richness of herbs and spices that one can enjoy with rice and fried egg without feeling heavy.

We finished our meal with their house made Strawberry Jelly Cheese Cake (RM14) and Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream. Both desserts are gluten free and vegan friendly too.

The Strawberry Jelly Cheese Cake is a very moist and dense cake made from cream cheese and toasted desiccated coconut, topped with strawberry jelly and chocolate shavings. Its superb and not overly sweet, perfect to enjoy without the guilt!

Two Hands certainly won brownie points for showcasing a lovely superfood menu that is great for those who are health-conscious and yet enjoy the delicious flavours of Chef Vic’s creations. It also is a great place to enjoy a beautiful meal in its lovely ambiance. This place warrants a few returns…

TWO HANDS

Jalan PJU 8/8,

Damansara Perdana,

47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Tel: 012-424 1194

Facebook: www.facebook.com/twohandsrestaurant/

DCOVA @ Logan Heritage, Penang

Sumptuous Italian Fare

Penang is so renowned for its abundant of street food that cafes or bistro takes a rather understated backseat to all the food commotion in the island. There are plenty of cafes and bistros that do deserve more attention such as DCOVA.

DCOVA is located in Logan Heritage row at Bishop Street, a heavily business populated area. House in an old building DCOVA has been around for a few years, discreetly serving coffee, pasta and desserts to plenty of locals. Word of mouth gets out and many continues to flock there to hang out at the quaint ambiance of the bistro.

Owned by several partners, DCOVA is a result of several foodies’ vision of a bistro where one can relax and enjoy great food and drinks. We got to know about DCOVA from owner, former Foodsion editor Lean Hooi. He and his partners wanted to serve quality food to Penangites as well as other foodies and opted to focus on a menu filled with Italian favorite pastas and artisanal desserts.

DCOVA feels like home, comfort in another word. The moment you walk in, the ambiance at DCOVA makes one feel at ease. High ceiling echo space around the long café. The minimal interior exudes contemporary wall art and graphical pieces with a simple industrial furniture and banquette seating.

We met with other foodies while on a trip to Penang and was certainly very pleased with our meal at DCOVA. The bistro serves a nice range of premium tea infusions from Tealeaves besides coffee and other beverages. We tried the Organic Chamomile (RM17.90) and Shanghai Rose (RM17.90).

Served with a timer, one should infuse the tea leaves for just the right timing to avoid the tea releasing its bitterness. The Shanghai Rose was exceptionally soothing and has such a plush rose aroma that releases happy endorphins in me.

Our little one had this amazing icy slush of Summer Strawberry (RM14.30), a tall glass of creamy and fruity strawberries. Mommy stole a taste and kept going back for a few more of this yummy and refreshing drink.

The Affogato (RM10.05) is also very commendable. Looking rather pale, we were rather surprise by the strong coffee note in this thick velvety smooth coffee blended with ice cream. I would order this again...

Tuck into a generous lean and green dish of Teriyaki Chicken Salad (RM18.90) at DCOVA for a healthy option. Crisp greens topped with tender and juicy savory teriyaki chicken is very satisfying and easy to enjoy without the guilt.

Pastas are their signatures at DCOVA and truly yummy to the very last strand. I am quite a food snob and is particular with my pasta being cooked al dente. At DCOVA, they also share the same thoughts and serve all their pasta with a very good al dente bite, as how it should be. The Spicy Seafood Aglio Olio (RM23.90) blew our taste buds the moment we tried this dish. Sufficiently moist and a good kick of heat worked wonders with pasta, prawns and squid. I would love more garlic to be added for extra oomph!

The Carbonara DCOVA (RM20.90) was very luscious, each strand heavily coated with cream and egg yolk. Served with lean back bacon, make sure to eat this fast as cream can get cloyingly rich when it cools down. Worthy of every calorie it has…

Generously dolloped with lots of fish roes, the Ebiko Alfredo (RM23.90) with prawns is sublime. While others think it’s a tad salty from the generous crowning glory of ebiko, I certainly didn’t mind it at all. The popping sensation of the ebiko gave the dish a delicious textural component to the pasta and prawns. Lots of umami notes that tantalized the palate to keep going back for more.

Toss in a light lashing of garlicky cream sauce and served with back bacon slides and asparagus, the Bacon Al Dante (RM19.90) is pretty decent in flavours. The bacon is still yummy despite it being lean and the asparagus were cooked just right with a little crisp texture.

More ebiko again, I am beginning to think there’s quite an ebiko fan base here at the bistro. This round, it’s crowned on Pasta Alnero di Seppia (RM27.90). A jet black squid ink tainted pasta served with squid rings, cherry tomatoes and lots of ebiko. The paste is very moreish and delicious. No heart feelings but it’s not a dish to order on a first date since it will taint your teeth with its color and flecked by orange speckles of roes… nevertheless, I really love the pasta a lot.

After a first taste of Riz Alnero di Seppia (RM28.90), I wanted to hog this whole dish to myself. Rice cooked al dente and flavoured with the moreish squid ink and seafood broth, the dish is completed with two large fried prawns and squid rings. Not only does the dish looked divine, it tasted pretty fabulous in every spoonful. My favorite dish of the evening at DCOVA.

My little one opted for the Cheese Baked Rice with Sausage (RM22.90) and polished off this whole dish by himself happily. When asked how the dish was, he simply said very cheesy and yummy! There’s also versions with tuna and prawn.

DCOVA offers desserts from Passionis, an artisanal dessert house on the island. The Strawberry Shortcake looked too pretty to be eaten. Its light and creamy mousse with layers of sponge and fresh strawberries make a light and sweet ending to a meal.

On the other hand, chocolate lovers will swooned at the Double Chocolate Hazelnut Praline, a decadent slice of layers of dark and milky chocolate with a hazelnut feuilletine base, finished with a mirror chocolate glaze. Every bite is dark, rich and sinful…

DCOVA is good enough to warrant many returns as the dishes are quality and prepared well. Not only do we love the quaint ambiance, we also enjoy the drinks and the company that evening. A great bistro worthy of visits… now if only they would open an outlet in KL for me!

DCOVA

Logan Heritage

No. 4, Lebuh Bishop,

10200 George Town, Penang

Tel: +60 4-261 3121

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dcovalogan/

Business hours:

Sunday to Thursday 10.00am - 10.00pm

Friday & Saturday 10.00am - 12.00am