DELICIOUS BY MS READ
G1A Ground Floor
Bangsar Village
Bangsar
Kuala Lumpur
Reservations: 03-22881770

F315 First Floor
One Utama Phase 2
Bandar Utama
Petaling Jaya
Reservations: 03-77241086

Pork-free

Miso Tofu Salad

SINCE it first opened at One Utama Shopping Complex last year, Delicious by Ms Read has been a runaway success. According to owner Benjamin Yong, "Response has been so overwhelming that even we were taken by surprise.'' Now, Delicious has launched a brand new dinner menu.

"This small but carefully selected menu offers more substantial dishes for our customers,'' said Yong. "We discovered that Malaysians prefer heavier dishes for dinner such as a good steak or seafood dishes. While lunch is often eaten on the run, most people use dinner time to socialise and bond with family and friends."

Modelled after trendy bistros overseas, Delicious does not confine itself to any particular cuisine.

Yong explained: "Our dishes are mainly inspired by our travels abroad. We also encourage our chefs to contribute their own ideas. But customers are always assured of good, reasonably priced dishes with prompt, friendly service."

Available from 6pm onwards, the new dinner menu comprises four entrées, four mains and four desserts, with enough variety to please the different generations.

The Prawn Bisque (RM11.90), a light creamy soup with diced prawn and coriander is a good example. The soup's earthy nuances will easily appeal to the tastebuds of both young and old. We thought it comparable to a rich lobster bisque.

Another guaranteed crowd pleaser is the Salt and Pepper Squid (RM13.90). Tossed in five-spice seasoning before being lightly pan-fried, the calamari rings went perfectly with the tangy and mildly spicy Thai-style chilli dip.

Sticky Black Glutinous Rice.

Weight-watchers who want something light and healthy will find the Miso Tofu Salad (RM13.90) a godsend. The simple, wholesome and tasty combination of butter lettuce, cold beancurd dices, wakame (Japanese seaweed), grated radish and sesame seeds tossed in a piquant vinaigrette of shoyu and wasabi-based dressing will leave you replete.

Next came the slow-cooked Lamb Shank Ravioli (RM16.90). Somehow, the poached hand-made ravioli, stuffed with tender pieces of braised lamb shank, failed to excite Arugula or rocket salad drizzled with a tangy balsamic reduction completed this ensemble.

The main course of Grilled Miso Cod (RM29.90) on a bed of marinated cold soba and long strips of crunchy cucumber deserves top billing. Imagine the soft, buttery texture of grilled cod imbued with the delicate nuance of Japanese bean paste melding perfectly with the crisp, clear flavours of green tea soba noodles.

I loved the pared-down presentation of Roasted Spring Chicken (RM28.90), akin to a miniature Christmas turkey. Served whole and fresh from the oven, the spring chicken was tender and juicy, its succulent meat scented with enticing flavours of lemon, garlic and rosemary. A mound of fragrant olive rice and grilled zucchini rounded off this delectable creation nicely.

Local flavours abound in the Ikan Masak Assam Pedas (RM28.90), albeit with a contemporary twist. You'd be hard-pressed to fault the pan-fried boneless sea bass fillet with its tantalising spicy sauce of ground chillies, tamarind and finely sliced bunga kantan or ginger flower. Served with steamed white rice, ulam of cucumber, blanched long beans and okra ulam, and sambal belacan, this delightful dish will satisfy local tastebuds.

You must sample Delicious's distinctive take on Bubur Pulut Hitam and Chendol for dessert. The sticky black glutinous rice (RM9.90) comes with ‘red ruby' dices (diced water chestnuts covered in sticky glutinous rice flour) crowned with a scoop of homemade coconut ice cream. Mix them up and you'd get a smooth and creamy bubur or luscious sweet porridge.

Equally superb is the "Chendolicious" (RM9.90) – a glass of fat, green chendol strands and melted gula melaka (palm sugar) topped with coconut ice cream.

The Pear and Cardamom Pudding (RM11.90) consists of a lovely dense cake studded with poppy seeds and imbued with the delicate aroma of cardamoms. With a whole poached pear in it and cream on top, this dessert is to die for!

Lastly, it will take much of your will power not to succumb to the Balsamico Strawberries (RM9.90), a sublime dessert of hulled strawberries and vanilla ice cream drizzled with balsamic reduction.

If I sound enthusiastic, it's because the outlet is one of my favourite haunts for weekend brunch and tea. Now you'll see me there for dinner too.

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